Identification of self peptides bound to purified HLA-B27

A pool of endogenous peptides bound to the human class I MHC molecule, HLA-B27, has been isolated. Microsequence analysis of the pool and of 11 HPLC-purified peptides provides information on the binding specificity of the HLA-B27 molecule. The peptides all seem to be nonamers, seven of which match to protein sequences in a database search. These self peptides derive from abundant cytosolic or nuclear proteins, such as histone, ribosomal proteins, and members of the 90K heat-shock protein family.     

Peptide binding to class I MHC on living cells and quantitation of complexes required for CTL lysis

Antigenic peptides are presented to CD8+T lymphocytes by class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Peptides specifically bind to purified class I molecules in vitro, and to class I molecules on cells at nonphysiological temperatures. We report here the kinetic and equilibrium parameters for the binding of radiolabelled influenza nucleoprotein peptides (NP-Y365-380 and shorter homologues) to the murine H-2Db molecule on intact, viable cells at 37 degrees C. In contrast to earlier reports, we show that peptide binding is rapid and reversible, with dissociation constants ranging from nanomolar to micromolar, suggestive of typical ligand-receptor interactions. Only 10% of cell-surface Db molecules can bind these peptides. To address the relationship between peptide binding and T-cell recognition of the antigen-MHC complex, we determined the minimum number of complexes required to sensitize a target cell for lysis by class I-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Our data indicate that EL4 thymoma cells (H-2b) can be sensitized for lysis by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes when as few as 200 class I-peptide complexes (less than 0.08% of surface Db molecules) are present per cell.     

Direct binding of influenza peptides to class I HLA molecules

Activation of T lymphocytes requires the intracellular fragmentation of foreign antigens and their presentation by class I or class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) glycoproteins. The direct binding of peptides to class II molecules has been demonstrated using equilibrium dialysis, gel filtration and fluorescence energy transfer at planar membranes, and its specificity compared to that of T-cell activation. In contrast, direct binding of peptides to class I molecules has been difficult to detect; although peptide sensitization experiments and the crystallographic structure of HLA-A2 (ref. 9) persuasively argue for its occurrence and importance. Here we describe a gel filtration assay from which we derive direct evidence for selective binding of an influenza matrix peptide to HLA-A2 and for binding of an influenza nucleoprotein peptide to HLA-B37. These two peptides have previously been shown to act respectively as targets for certain HLA-A2 or HLA-B37 restricted influenza-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). In addition we demonstrate binding to some, but not all, HLA allospecificities that cannot present these peptides to CTL. We estimate that less than 0.3% of the HLA molecules present in any given purified preparation were able to bind the added peptides.     

Activation-independent binding of human memory T cells to adhesion molecule ELAM-1.

The induction of an ensemble of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells by inflammatory cytokines is likely to be crucial to the differential migration of T-lymphocyte subsets into inflammatory sites. Two molecular pathways involving the VLA-4 and LFA-1 integrins are known to mediate T-cell adhesion to activated endothelium. Here we show that a third pathway involving the rapidly inducible endothelial cell-surface adhesion molecule ELAM-1 contributes to the binding of resting CD4+ T cells to IL-1-induced human endothelial cells. All three pathways contribute to the greater adhesion to endothelium of memory T cells than naive T cells. There are two unique features of T-cell adhesion to purified ELAM-1: first, ELAM-1 exclusively mediates adhesion of memory T cells; second, memory T-cell binding to ELAM-1 is independent of acute activation events that regulate integrin-mediated adhesion. Thus, ELAM-1 may be of primary importance in the initial attachment of memory T cells to inflamed endothelium in vivo and to the preferential migration of memory T cells into tissue and inflammatory sites.     

The structure of HLA-B27 reveals nonamer self-peptides bound in an extended conformation

X-ray crystallography reveals electron density in the antigen-binding site of HLA-B27 that is an interpretable image of nonameric peptides in a largely extended conformation. Clear density exists for the main chain and several side chains and is consistent with the sequence of 11 nonameric self-peptides eluted from HLA-B27. Pockets in the antigen-binding cleft bind four side chains and the amino and carboxyl termini of the peptide.     

Specific binding of antigenic peptides to cell-associated MHC class I molecules

T lymphocytes recognize antigen in the form of peptides that associate with specific alleles of class I or class II major histocompatibility (MHC) molecules. By contrast with the clear MHC allele-specific binding of peptides to purified class II molecules purified solubilized class I molecules either bind relatively poorly or show degenerate specificity. Using photo-affinity labelling, we demonstrate here the specific interaction of peptides with cell-associated MHC class I molecules and show that this involves metabolically active processes.     

抗氧化剂调节人内皮细胞粘附分子表达

探讨抗氧化剂能否调节内皮表面的粘附分子表达,以及这种调节是否通过一种ＮＦ－ｋＢ的活性敏感的机制。方法：内皮细胞表面的粘附分子表达用细胞ＥＬＩＳＡ方法测定。内皮细胞ＮＦ－ｋＢ的活性用电泳迁移率分析测定。结果：ＰＤＴＣ和ｃｈｒｙｓｉｎ能明显抑制所有３种粘附分子的表达。ＤＣＩ可抑制Ｅ－ｓｅｃｌｅｃｔｉｎ和ＩＣＡＭ－１的表达,对ＶＣＡＭ－１没有影响。Ｐｒｏｂｕｃｏｌ仅在低浓度时对ＩＣＡＭ－１有轻微抑制作用     

Polymorphism in the alpha 3 domain of HLA-A molecules affects binding to CD8

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) expressing the CD8 glycoprotein recognize peptide antigens presented by class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. This correlation and the absence of CD8 polymorphism led to the hypothesis that CD8 binds to a conserved site of class I MHC molecules. Using a cell-cell binding assay we previously demonstrated specific interaction between human class I MHC (HLA-A,B,C) molecules and CD8. Subsequent analysis of the products of 17 HLA-A,B alleles revealed a natural polymorphism for CD8 binding in the human population. Two molecules, HLA-Aw68.1 and HLA-Aw68.2, which do not bind CD8, have a valine residue at position 245 whereas all other HLA-A,B,C molecules have alanine. Site-directed mutagenesis shows that this single substitution in the alpha 3 domain is responsible for the CD8 binding phenotype and also affects recognition by alloreactive and influenza-specific CTL. Our results indicate that CD8 binds to the alpha 3 domain of class I MHC molecules.     

Preferential binding of imaginal disk cells to embryonic segments of Drosophila

Cell recognition and selective adhesion may be important in pattern formation; such processes in Drosophila melanogaster could be responsible for the maintenance of segment boundaries, the morphogenesis of metamorphosing imaginal disks, and the paths of axon outgrowth during neurogenesis. As cells from different imaginal disks of Drosophila are able to recognize and sort out from one another, we decided to investigate whether these larval cells could recognize and bind to the epidermis of intact embryos. We report here that imaginal disk cells bind preferentially to the epidermis of the embryonic segments from which they are derived: thoracic disk cells to thoracic segments and genital disk cells to abdominal segments. Furthermore, thoracic disk cells recognize and bind, without preference, to all segments of the homoeotic mutant Df(3R)P9 (ref. 6). We conclude, therefore, that cells of the same segmental origin have similar recognition properties at different developmental stages.     

氮化铝分子及氯化锂分子结合能的量子蒙特卡罗研究

通过量子蒙特卡罗方法(QMC)利用不同的密度泛函轨道对氮化铝分子及氯化锂分子的结合能进行研究.采用扩散蒙特卡罗方法(DMC)得到氮化铝分子的结合能为2.993 eV,氯化锂分子的结合能为6.694 eV.与其他理论计算相比较,更接近实验得到氮化铝和氯化锂分子的结合能(2.862±0.391 eV和6.646 eV).同时,利用密度泛函理论对氮化铝分子及氯化锂分子的结合能进行研究时发现,利用密度泛函理论计算得到的结合能范围跨度很大且非常不准确.另外,在利用量子蒙特卡罗方法的计算中发现,不同类型的密度泛函轨道对结合能的计算产生一定的影响,这就需要在利用量子蒙特卡罗方法进行计算时考虑轨道的选择.     

Isolation and N-terminal amino acid sequence of membrane-bound human HLA-A and HLA-B antigens.

Membrane-bound HLA-A and HLA-B antigens have been extensively purified in good yield. The sequences of the N-terminal 16 amino acids have been determined using about 1 nmol of protein eluted from polyacrylamide gel after electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate.     

The heavy chain of human histocompatibility antigen HLA-B7 contains an immunoglobulin-like region.

The 88-residue fragment (ac-2) containing the second disulphide loop from HLA-B7 heavy chain is shown to have statistically significant homology with Ig constant domains, including both matches at invariant positions and conservative substitutions of structurally important residues. Thus, both the light chain (beta 2m) and a segment of the heavy chain of HLA antigens may be structurally and evolutionarily related to immunoglobulins.