Minor but not major histocompatibility antigens of thymus epithelium tolerize precursors of cytolytic T cells

Treatment of fetal thymuses with 2-deoxyguanosine depletes these organs of many haematopoietic cells, and if such thymuses are transplanted into allogeneic athymic nude mice, intrathymic development of cytolytic T-lymphocyte precursors (CTL-P) occurs, including those which are specific for class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens expressed by the thymus epithelium. Thus, T cells from BALB/c (H-2d) nude mice transplanted with allogeneic C57BL/6 (H-2b) thymic epithelium can be stimulated in vitro to produce CTL specific for H-2b class I MHC antigens. We report here that thymocytes and lymph node T cells from such mice are responsive in mixed leukocyte reaction in the absence of exogenous growth factors, indicating that lack of tolerance is manifest at the level of CTL-P and proliferating T cells. We also show that T cells from such mice are tolerant to minor histocompatibility antigens of the thymus donor in the context of MHC antigens of the recipient. The results indicate that haematopoietic rather than epithelial cells tolerize CTL-P and that donor-type minor but not major histocompatability antigens can be presented in tolerogenic form by haematopoietic cells expressing recipient-type MHC antigens.     

Anti-idiotypic cytotoxic T cells in rats with graft-versus-host disease

Transfer of parental strain T lymphocytes into F1 hybrid rats differing with respect to gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) causes a graft-versus-host (GvH) reaction. This reaction results from recognition of host allogeneic MHC gene products by specific clones of donor T cells. When given systemically in sufficient numbers, these donor T cells cause a progressive, generally fatal wasting syndrome, an early feature of which includes extensive splenomegaly. A more local, non-fatal GvH reaction, marked by extensive enlargement of the draining lymph nodes, ensues when donor T cells are administered via the footpad. Here, we demonstrate that cells derived from the enlarged draining lymph nodes of A/B F1 animals undergoing local GvH disease caused by donor A T cells contain a subpopulation of host-derived killer T-cell precursors which can be activated to lyse specific blast cells, derived from mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), reactive to host MHCb alloantigens. These 'anti-idiotypic' cytolytic T cells lyse A anti-MHCb MLC blasts, and also, they lyse anti-MHCb MLC blasts from MHC different, third party rat strains.     

A late-differentiation antigen associated with the helper inducer function of human T cells

T lymphocytes possessing helper function produce soluble factors that greatly augment B-cell proliferation and differentiation into antibody-secreting cells. In humans the subset of T lymphocytes bearing the T4 surface antigen comprises most of the cells that display helper activity and recognize class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), while the subset bearing the T8 antigen comprises T cells recognizing class I MHC antigens and exhibiting cytotoxic or suppressor function. Monoclonal antibodies to T4 or T8 greatly inhibit the cognitive and effector function of cells with the corresponding phenotype. This function/phenotype correlation is not absolute, however, for there are many examples of T8-positive clones that recognize MHC class II antigens and have helper activity, as well as of T4-positive clones with suppressor or cytotoxic function. Recently a family of cell-surface neoantigens, which might be relevant to T-cell function and which are present on activated but not on resting T lymphocytes, has been identified in mouse and humans using monoclonal antibodies. Some of these antibodies block the cytolytic activity of alloreactive T-cell clones, suggesting the possible involvement of such molecules in the activation of cytotoxic T-cell clones or in the lytic process itself. We now describe a similar late-differentiation antigen (LDA1) that is expressed by human T lymphocytes only following activation and is recognized by a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the antibody-inducing helper function of T lymphocytes.     

Identification of classical minor histocompatibility antigen as cell-derived peptide.

Histocompatibility antigens expressed on tissue grafted between individuals are recognized by host T cells, which reject the graft. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens have been identified on the molecular level, whereas the molecules representing the remaining ones, the minor histocompatibility antigens, are unknown, apart from some exceptions. The cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against minor histocompatibility antigens shares many aspects with that against virus-infected cells. Virus-specific CTL recognize peptides derived from viral proteins produced in the infected cell. These peptides are presented by MHC class I molecules, as indicated by functional and crystallographic data. By analogy, minor histocompatibility antigens have been postulated to be peptides derived from normal cellular proteins presented by MHC class I molecules. Here we report that peptides derived from normal cellular proteins can indeed be recognized by CTL raised in the classical minor histoincompatible mouse strain combination, C57BL/6 against BALB.B. Thus, we have proven the above postulate, and isolated one of the minor histocompatibility molecules elusive for several decades.     

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes against a soluble protein

Thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes recognize antigen in conjunction with surface glycoproteins encoded by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. Whereas fragments of soluble antigens are presented to T helper lymphocytes (TH), which carry the CD4 antigen, in association with class II MHC molecules, CD8-bearing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) usually see cellular antigens (for instance virally-encoded proteins) in conjunction with MHC class I molecules. The different modes of antigen presentation may result from separate intracellular transport: vesicles containing class II molecules are thought to fuse with those carrying endocytosed soluble proteins. Class I molecules, in contrast, can only pick up degradation products of intracellular proteins (see refs 7 and 8). This makes biological sense; during an attack of a virus, class I-restricted CTL destroy infected cells and class II-restricted TH guide the humoural response to neutralize virus particles and toxins. But here we provide evidence that CTL specific for ovalbumin fragments can be induced with soluble protein, and that intracellular protein degradation provides epitopes recognized by these CTL. These findings suggest the existence of an antigen presenting cell that takes up soluble material and induces CTL.     

Selective killing of hepatitis B envelope antigen-specific B cells by class I-restricted, exogenous antigen-specific T lymphocytes

Specific B lymphocytes can act as very efficient antigen-presenting cells. They bind antigen with high affinity via their immunoglobulin receptors, process it through the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) pathway, and present its fragments to class II-restricted T lymphocytes. In general, exogenous antigens and noninfectious viral particles enter the class II pathway and are selectively associated with class II MHC molecules. The presentation of an exogenous antigen in association with class I molecules has been reported for only a few antigens, including the hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBenvAg). Here we demonstrate that antigen-specific B cells can efficiently deliver HBenvAg to the class I pathway, presenting its fragments to class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) which kill the specific B cells. This could represent a mechanism of suppression of neutralizing anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibody response, a phenomenon that accompanies the development of the chronic HBV-carrier state.     

Responses to the H-2Kba mutant involve recognition of syngeneic Ia molecules

Conventional antigens appear to be recognized by T lymphocytes only when associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Using antigen-specific proliferation as a model for helper T lymphocytes, it has been demonstrated that Ly1+T cells recognize antigen presented in association with syngeneic Ia molecules. In contrast to responses to conventional antigens, however, a large number of studies have suggested that the stimulation of alloreactive Ly1+T cells, and helper T cells specific for allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, involve the direct recognition of Ia alloantigens. For the generation of optimal allogeneic CTL activity it has been proposed that Ly1+T cells recognize allo-Ia antigens directly and provide help to pre-CTLs that respond to allo-H-2K and/or D determinants. Thus, the B6.C.H-2bm1 mutant (bm1, formerly referred to as Hz1), which is believed to consist of a substitution of two amino acids in the H-2Kb antigen, has presented a paradox, for it can stimulate strong mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), graft versus host and CTL responses by T cells of H-2b haplotype mice in the apparent absence of any alloantigenic differences in the I region. We now present evidence that the stimulation of proliferative and helper T cells by the mutant B6.C.H-2bm1 results from the H-2Kba antigen being recognized in the context of syngeneic Ia determinants. Thus responses to both conventional antigens and allogeneic MHC gene products may proceed via the recognition of antigen in the context of self Ia molecules.     

Positive selection of T-lymphocytes induced by intrathymic injection of a thymic epithelial cell line.

T lymphocytes recognize antigens as peptide fragments associated with molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and expressed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells. In the thymus, T cells bearing alpha beta receptors that react with the MHC molecules expressed by radioresistant stromal elements are positively selected for maturation. In (A x B-->A) bone marrow chimaeras, T cells restricted to the MHC-A haplotype are positively selected, whereas MHC-B-reactive thymocytes are not. We investigated whether the introduction of particular thymic stromal elements bearing MHC-B molecules could alter the fate of B-reactive T cells in these (A x B-->A) chimaeras. Thymic epithelial cell (TEC) lines expressing H-2b were introduced by intrathymic injection into (H-2b/s-->H2s) bone marrow chimaeras and we measured their ability to generate H-2b-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). We report here that one TEC line, 427.1, was able positively to select CTLs specific for influenza and vesicular stomatitis virus antigens in association with class I H-2b molecules. In addition, line 427.1 can process cytoplasmic proteins for presentation to H-2Kb- and H-2Db-restricted CTLs. Thus, a TEC line capable of normal class I MHC antigen processing and presentation in vitro can induce positive selection after intrathymic injection.     

Reconstitution with syngeneic plus allogeneic or xenogeneic bone marrow leads to specific acceptance of allografts or xenografts

Clinical organ transplantation between genetically disparate individuals currently requires the use of chemotherapeutic agents to suppress the rejection reaction. The deleterious side effects of these reagents and their inability to prevent rejection completely has led to a continuing search for methods to induce specific transplantation tolerance in adult recipients. Numerous experimental animal models utilizing irradiation and bone marrow transplantation coincident with organ transplantation have been proposed. Bone marrow transplantation, however, has its own major complications, including graft-versus-host reactions and immunoincompetence, probably resulting from a failure of appropriate immune cell interactions in the reconstituted host. We have now attempted to overcome these difficulties by reconstituting the irradiated host with T-cell depleted bone marrow containing both host (syngeneic) and donor (allogeneic or xenogeneic) components. This technique leads to long-term survival of the reconstituted animals and specific prolongation of subsequent skin grafts of donor type. Animals reconstituted in this fashion are fully reactive to third-party allografts and xenografts and do not appear to manifest signs of graft-versus-host disease.     

Differentiation in vitro of Lyt 2+ thymocytes from embryonic Lyt 2- precursors

In mice, the thymus is regarded as being the primary anatomical site for the generation of immunologically competent T lymphocytes. Such cells comprise approximately 20% of the cells in the thymus and share with T lymphocytes from peripheral lymphoid tissues certain phenotypic properties defined by anti-Lyt antibodies. Thus, most immunocompetent T cells are either Lyt 1+2+ or Lyt 1+2- with the former cells being restricted to recognizing antigen in association with class I (H-2K, D) major histocompatability complex (MHC) products and the latter to class II (H-21) MHC products. Although evidence suggests that Lyt 1+2+ cells are generated from Lyt 1+2- precursor the independent development of two separate Lyt-defined lineages of thymocytes could not be ruled out. Here, the acquisition of Lyt 2 antigen by Lyt 2- cells from late embryonic and early postnatal thymuses is directly demonstrated. Furthermore, by combining cell cycle and Lyt phenotype analysis on a flow microfluorometer, the role of cell division in this differentiation process has been investigated.     

Monoclonal antibodies to promote marrow engraftment and tissue graft tolerance

Allogeneic reactions are the major limitation to organ transplantation. These are manifested as rejection of the grafted tissue, and also, in the case of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Recent methods of avoiding GVHD, by depleting T cells from donor marrow, have led to an increased incidence of marrow graft rejection. Current recipient conditioning protocols involving drugs or irradiation cannot safely be increased, so alternatives must be found. Monoclonal antibodies can be used to control immune responses in vivo, and would be useful in this context if we could define and deplete the cells responsible for marrow rejection. We show here that elimination of residual L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ cells from mice receiving fully mismatched bone marrow abrogates rejection and promotes tolerance to donor-type skin grafts, even in sub-lethally irradiated recipients.     

Extrathymic positive selection of alpha beta T-cell precursors in nude mice.

T lymphocytes expressing alpha beta T-cell receptors with sufficient affinity to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules expressed on thymus epithelial cells are positively selected and mature to functional T cells. But several studies have demonstrated that athymic nude mice grafted with MHC-incompatible thymuses developed T cells specific for nude host rather than thymic MHC. We examined this paradox by analysing the specificity of T lymphocytes derived from nude mice. We report here that nude T lymphocyte precursors transferred to allogeneic SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency) mice with a functioning thymus (but lacking T or B cells) generated host MHC-restricted effector T cells but also contained T cells restricted to donor MHC. If nude T cells were depleted from nude lymphohaemopoietic donor cells before or after transfer, only host MHC-specific T cells matured. The results may explain the unusual MHC specificities of nude T lymphocytes described in earlier studies and demonstrate two separate differentiation steps: in nude mice, T cells may be positively selected for self-MHC restriction specificity extrathymically; then a functional thymus is required for efficient T cell maturation.     

ER-phagosome fusion defines an MHC class I cross-presentation compartment in dendritic cells

Induction of cytotoxic T-cell immunity requires the phagocytosis of pathogens, virus-infected or dead tumour cells by dendritic cells. Peptides derived from phagocytosed antigens are then presented to CD8+ T lymphocytes on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, a process called "cross-presentation". After phagocytosis, antigens are exported into the cytosol and degraded by the proteasome. The resulting peptides are thought to be translocated into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by specific transporters associated with antigen presentation (TAP), and loaded onto MHC class I molecules by a complex "loading machinery" (which includes tapasin, calreticulin and Erp57). Here we show that soon after or during formation, phagosomes fuse with the ER. After antigen export to the cytosol and degradation by the proteasome, peptides are translocated by TAP into the lumen of the same phagosomes, before loading on phagosomal MHC class I molecules. Therefore, cross-presentation in dendritic cells occurs in a specialized, self-sufficient, ER-phagosome mix compartment.     

HLA-restricted recognition of viral antigens in HLA transgenic mice

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognize antigen in the context of the class-I products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The extensive polymorphism of class-I molecules is thought to be linked to their capacity to present a large variety of foreign antigens. Whether a single T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizes two separate epitopes (the foreign antigen and an epitope on MHC molecules), or a single epitope resulting from the combination of a foreign antigen and an MHC molecule, has not yet been resolved. In view of the differences between species in primary structure of histocompatibility antigens, it might be predicted that the TCR repertoire would evolve in concert with the diversity of MHC antigens. The mouse and human TCR repertoire would be optimally adapted to engage in productive interactions only with mouse (H-2) and human (HLA) MHC antigens respectively, especially if the more conserved features of histocompatibility antigens, in addition to foreign antigen, were seen by the TCR. Alternatively, only the most variable segments of MHC antigens might be engaged in antigen presentation and thus in interaction with the TCR. In that case, interaction between MHC plus antigen and the TCR might not necessarily be limited by species-specific features. By analysis of the T-cell response against virus-infected cells in HLA-B27/human beta 2-microglobulin double transgenic mice, we report here that the mouse T-cell repertoire is perfectly capable of using the human HLA-B27 antigen as a restriction element.     

Interaction of peptide antigens and class II major histocompatibility complex antigens

T lymphocytes require a foreign antigen to be presented on a cell surface in association with a self-transplantation antigen before they can recognize it effectively. This phenomenon is known as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction. It is not clear how an incalculably large number of foreign proteins form unique complexes with a very limited number of MHC molecules. We studied the recognition properties of T cells specific for a peptide derived from bacteriophage lambda cI protein. Analogues of this peptide, as well as peptides derived from other unrelated antigens which can be presented in the context of the same MHC molecule, can competitively inhibit activation of these T cells by the cI peptide. Furthermore, these unrelated antigens can stimulate cI-specific T cells if certain specific amino-acid residues are replaced. Here we suggest a model in which all antigens give rise to peptides that can bind to the same site on the MHC molecule. T-cell recognition of this site (which is presumed to be polymorphic) with or without antigen bound can explain self-selection in the thymus and MHC restriction.     

Evidence from in vitro studies that tolerance to self antigens is MHC-restricted

Mature T cells respond to foreign antigens in the context of self major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded products: T helper cells recognize antigen in the context of class II molecules, while cytotoxic T cells (CTL) recognize antigen plus class I molecules. Recent evidence suggests that the MHC-restricted T cell is unable to recognize either the foreign antigen or the self-MHC product alone, but only a complex of the two. Unresponsiveness to self antigens--self tolerance--implies the deletion or suppression of clones of T cells having reactivity to self antigens. Here we demonstrate the presence in normal mice of T cells which recognize self antigens together with allogeneic MHC products. This finding suggests the MHC restriction of T-cell recognition during the entire process of T-cell ontogeny, that is, MHC restriction of self tolerance.     

小鼠非清髓性单倍体相合骨髓移植模型的建立

目的建立小鼠非清髓性单倍体相合骨髓移植模型,为研究移植前诱导免疫耐受或移植后输注供者细胞促进植入提供研究平台。方法以CB6F1雌性小鼠为受鼠,移植前1 d予450 cGy全身照射（TBI）后,随机分为2组,实验组移植0 d输注C57BL/6雄性小鼠骨髓有核细胞5×107/只,对照组不予移植。然后监测受鼠造血恢复、检测供鼠性别决定基因（SRY）判断植入情况,以及外周血供者细胞尤其CD3＋细胞嵌合状态,同时观察小鼠急性移植物抗宿主病（aGVHD）的发生情况。结果对照组小鼠均存活,仅表现轻度aGVHD,血象移植后30 d内基本恢复正常水平。实验组小鼠SRY基因在移植后＋14 d、＋30 d、＋60 d时检测PCR结果均阳性,供鼠外周血淋巴细胞、单核细胞、粒细胞嵌合率在移植后14 d分别为23.8%、36.9%%、19.4%;30 d分别为49.9%、53.2%、54.4%;60 d分别为67.6%、51.6%、56.9%,其中CD3＋细胞嵌合率分别为4.4%、21.2%、54.4%。结论 450 cGyTBI的非清髓性预处理方案,可以诱导受鼠免疫耐受、供者骨髓细胞植入,嵌合率处于中低水平混合嵌合状态。     

Strong xenogeneic HLA response in transgenic mice after introducing an alpha 3 domain into HLA B27.

The pronounced response by mouse T cells to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens of the same species is characterized by a relatively large fraction of responding cells. Responses to MHC class I allelles of other species are, however, generally much weaker. T lymphocytes are positively selected on thymic MHC antigens, resulting in a T-cell repertoire with strong alloreactivity. This has been explained in terms of a mouse T-cell repertoire that is not efficiently selected for recognition of HLA molecules owing to the absence of HLA in mice. Here we show that mice transgenic for HLA mount a T-cell response against allogeneic HLA that is no better than in normal mice. We decided instead to test whether the mouse accessory molecule Lyt-2 on cytotoxic T lymphocytes could interact efficiently with the alpha 3 domain of HLA. To do this, we replaced the alpha 3 domain of HLA-B27 by a murine alpha 3 domain in a gene construct used to produce transgenic mice, and then used the spleen cells from these mice to stimulate normal mouse T cells. Under these conditions cytotoxic T lymphocytes were generated with the same frequency against xenogeneic HLA-B27 determinants as against allogeneic mouse class I antigens. These findings indicate that the normally weak xeno-MHC response is due to the inefficient interaction of the murine Lyt-2 accessory molecule with HLA class I, and not to limitations of the mouse T-cell repertoire.     

Isolation and analysis of naturally processed viral peptides as recognized by cytotoxic T cells.

Virus-infected cells can be eliminated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), which recognize virus-derived peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on the cell surface. Until now, this notion has relied on overwhelming but indirect evidence, as the existence of naturally processed viral peptides has not been previously reported. Here we show that such peptides can be extracted from virus-infected cells by acid elution. Both the naturally processed H-2-Db-restricted and H-2-Kd-restricted peptides from influenza nucleoprotein are smaller than the corresponding synthetic peptides, which have first been used to determine the respective CTL epitopes. As with minor histocompatibility antigens, occurrence of viral peptides seems to be heavily dependent on MHC class I molecules, because infected H-2d cells do not contain the H-2-Db-restricted peptide, and infected H-2b cells do not contain the H-2-Kd-restricted peptide. Our data provide direct experimental proof for the above notion on MHC-associated viral peptides on virus-infected cells.     

Ham-2 corrects the class I antigen-processing defect in RMA-S cells.

The murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains two genes (Ham-1 and Ham-2) that encode members of a super-family of ATP-dependent transport proteins. These genes are believed to mediate the transport of peptide antigen from the cytoplasm into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum for binding by MHC class I molecules. Evidence for such a function has come from the rescue of class I surface expression by a cloned copy of the human homologue of Ham-1, PSF-1, in a human cell line that is defective in antigen processing. A mutant murine cell line, RMA-S, has an identical antigen-processing-defective phenotype. Here we show that expression of a cloned copy of the Ham-2 gene in RMA-S cells results in recovery of the ability to process and present class I-restricted antigens to cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and in partial recovery of class I surface expression. Processing defects for classical (H-2 K and D) and non-classical (Qa1 and HMT) class I molecules are corrected by Ham-2. These data indicate that both MHC-linked transporter genes are probably required for class I antigen processing, and that the functional transporter in this pathway may consist of a Ham-1/Ham-2 heterodimer.