Murine IgE Research Articles

754 Murine IgE and IgG responses to melittin and its analogs

754 Murine IgE and IgG responses to melittin and its analogs

Mapping the site of interaction between murine IgE and its high affinity receptor with chimeric Ig.

Abstract We have investigated the interaction of mouse (m) IgE with its Fc epsilon RI on rat basophilic leukemia cells using a set of chimeric Ig that were constructed by exchanging homologous H chain C domains between human (hu) IgG1 and mIgE. Binding affinities were examined with equilibrium and kinetic measurements, and we found that epsilon/C gamma 3 (mIgE with C epsilon 4 replaced by C gamma 3) was indistinguishable from mIgE. The huIgG1 and the other chimeric Ig, which did not contain both C epsilon 2 and C epsilon 3, did not bind detectably to rat basophilic leukemia cells (Ka less than 10(6) M-1). The ability of these chimeric Ig to stimulate a cellular response (degranulation) in the presence of multivalent Ag was also tested. The epsilon/C gamma 3 was indistinguishable from mIgE in eliciting a high level of degranulation, whereas the other chimeric Ig stimulated no response even when they were preaggregated to enhance their binding avidity. These results demonstrate that C epsilon 4 may be replaced by C gamma 3 without affecting the binding and cell activating properties of mIgE. The lack of binding by the other chimeric Ig indicates that both C epsilon 2 and C epsilon 3 are necessary for the binding interaction.

Recombinant human IgG1-murine IgE chimeric Ig. Construction, expression, and binding to human Fc gamma receptors.

We have constructed a set of chimeric Ig by exchanging corresponding H chain C domains between human (hu) IgG1 and murine (m) IgE. We used this set of Ig to dissect the interaction of individual Ig domains with human Fc gamma receptors. Only one of the chimeras, epsilon/C gamma 2,3 (an mIgE with C epsilon 3 and C epsilon 4 replaced by C gamma 2 and C gamma 3 from huIgG1), binds tightly to the human Fc gamma RI on U937 cells. We found that epsilon/C gamma 2,3 has only twofold lower affinity for Fc gamma RI as compared to huIgG1. The gamma/C epsilon 4 (huIgG1 with C epsilon 4 replacing C gamma 3) binds weakly to Fc gamma RI. The other chimeric Ig, epsilon/C gamma 3, epsilon/C gamma 2, and gamma/C epsilon 3, as well as mIgE do not bind detectably to Fc gamma RI. From these data we conclude that the C gamma 2 domain is crucial for binding and contains the majority of the binding site for Fc gamma RI on IgG1. The C gamma 3 domain makes a smaller contribution to the binding, and the C gamma 1 domain and the hinge region have very little effect on the Fc gamma RI-IgG1 interaction. The chimeric epsilon/C gamma 2,3 and huIgG1 both mediate the formation of rosettes between K562 cells and antigen-sensitized E with similar concentration dependences. These results suggest similar ability to bind to Fc gamma RII. The other chimeric Ig do not cause rosettes in this assay system. Hence, both C gamma 2 and C gamma 3 seem to be required for binding to Fc gamma RII, but the C gamma 1-hinge region has no detectable effect.

Human IgE-binding protein: a soluble lectin exhibiting a highly conserved interspecies sequence and differential recognition of IgE glycoforms

IgE-binding protein (epsilon BP) refers to a protein originally identified in rat basophilic leukemia cells by virtue of its affinity for IgE. It is now known to be a beta-galactoside-binding lectin equivalent to carbohydrate-binding protein 35 (CBP 35). More recently, its identity to Mac-2, a macrophage cell-surface protein, has been established. cDNA coding for human epsilon BP has been cloned from a human HeLa cell cDNA library and contains an open reading frame of 750 base pairs encoding a 250 amino acid protein. Like the rat and murine counterparts, the human epsilon BP amino acid sequence can be divided into two domains with the amino-terminal domain consisting of a highly conserved repetitive sequence (YPGXXXPGA) and the carboxyl-terminal domain containing sequences shared by other S-type lectins. The human epsilon BP sequence exhibits extensive homology to murine and rat epsilon BP with 84% and 82% identity, respectively. The homology is particularly striking in the carboxyl-terminal domain where 95% identity is found between human and murine sequences in a stretch of over 70 amino acids. A survey of epsilon BP mRNA expression from several lymphocyte cell lines revealed that the level of epsilon BP transcription may reflect a relationship between cell differentiation and epsilon BP expression. Finally, human epsilon BP was purified from several human cell lines and shown to possess lactose-binding characteristics and cross-species reactivity to murine IgE. Surprisingly, three different human myeloma IgE proteins did not show reactivity to human epsilon BP. However, after neuraminidase treatment of each human IgE, pronounced binding to epsilon BP was observed, thereby indicating that only specific IgE glycoforms can be recognized by epsilon BP.

A preliminary study on the relationship between murine IgE level and 3-methylcholanthrene induced fibrosarcoma

The relationship between murine IgE, IgG, and IgG1 level and birosarcoma induced by 3-Methylcholanthrene in NIH mice was studied. The results showed that IgE, IgG or IgG1 had no significant effect on tumor incidence; the high IgE level could extend the survival time of 3-Methylcholanthrene injected mice (P<0.05) and survival time of tumor bearing mice (P<0.01), while IgG or IgG1 could not. The data from this study did not show that IgE, IgG or IgG1 had any significant effect on the tumor size and the tumor growth rate. The probable mechanism involved was discussed.

The induction of murine B cell Ia by IgE-antigen complexes is dependent on protein synthesis and preceded by class II mRNA accumulation

Complexes of murine monoclonal anti-DNP IgE and DNP-OVA interact with murine B cells` to stimulate expression of cell surface Ia antigens. Enhanced membrane expression of class II MHC antigens was accompanied by a threefold increase of I-A and I-E transcripts, as measured by Northern blot. Peak accumulation of Ia mRNA were detected after 6 hr of incubation with IgE-antigen complexes and returned to control levels after 12 hr of incubation. Hence, induction of Ia mRNA by IgE-antigen complexes was compatible with cell surface Ia expression, both quantitatively and with regard to the time frame. The Ia-inductive effects of both IL-4 and IgE-antigen complexes were inhibited by cycloheximide and actinomycin-D. However, whereas actinomycin-D and cycloheximide blocked IL-4 induction of FcϵRII expression, inhibition of transcription or protein synthesis did not abrogate the increased expression of FcϵR associated with IgE-antigen complexes. These results suggest that the IgE-antigen-induction of B cell Ia expression follows from activation of transcription and de novo synthesis of Ia antigens.

Human basophils selectively express the FcγRII (CDw32) subtype of IgG receptor

The role of IgG antibody in the sensilization of human basophils and mast cells to antigen is uncertain. To help resolve this uncertainty, we characterized by two-color fluorometric analysis the Fc receptors for IgG (FcγR) on human basophils. Basophil-containing mononuclear cell fractions of atopic and nonatopic adult volunteers were incubated sequentially with fluorescein isoihiocvanate-conjugated murine monoclonal IgE and biotinylated monoclonal antibodies (MAb) that bind specifically to the different FcγR subtypes. Binding of biotinylated MAbs was visualized after subsequent incubation with phvcoerythrin-strepavidin conjugate. Basophils did not react with a murine monomeric IgG2a, which binds specifically through its Fc to the high-affinity FcγRI (CD64), or with MAbs specific for the low-affinity FcγRIII (CD/6). However, basophils reacted with a MAb specific for the low-affinity FcγRII (CDw32). The profile of basophil FcγR expression was not altered after brief IgE-mediated activation. In addition, pretreatment with gamma interferon, which induced expression of FcγRI (CD64) on neutrophils, did not induce FcγRI expression on basophils. These results indicate that the FcγR present on basophils is exclusively of the FcγRII (CDw32) subtype. The absence of the high-affinity FcγRI (CD64) suggests that antigenic sensitization of basophils by monomeric IgG does not occur.

Terasaki-ELISA for murine IgE: III. Determination of concentration and functional affinity by sequential equilibrium binding analysis

A simple Terasaki tray-based ELISA technique with a fluorescent detecting system has been used to determine the affinity of murine IgE antibodies. The system was shown to be sensitive enough to measure affinities in the range of 10 −6–10 −10 M as well as detect IgE antibodies down to a limit of 0.1 ng/ml. The results, expressed as arbitrary fluorescence units (AFU), were compared with those obtained using equilibrium dialysis for several DNP-specific IgE monoclonal antibodies of known affinities yielding K D values. The relationship between K AFU and K d established a conversion factor which could then be used to compute K D from K AFU , provided the detection system remained identical. Based on the equations proposed, an alternative method for the quantitation of murine IgE is described which is independent of the affinity of IgE for the coated antigen.

Cyclosporin A is an adjuvant in murine IgE antibody responses.

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an undecapeptide fungal metabolite and is generally regarded as a new generation of immunosuppressive drugs. We uncovered a novel immunomodulatory property of CsA as a potent immunologic stimulator in the murine IgE antibody system. The enhancement of IgE responses was observed in mice receiving as few as three daily i.m. injections before Ag priming. Our studies demonstrate the three points listed below. First, CsA potentiates murine IgE responses regardless of Ag specificities in inbred mice. A hierarchy of immunopotentiation by CsA follows the order of low, intermediate, and high IgE responder mice. Second, CsA, when administered along with Ag, exerts a thorough and long lasting impact on the Ag-specific IgE antibody response, and leads to an Ag-specific breakthrough of IgE antibody synthesis in mice rendered tolerant in the IgE antibody system by soluble Ag pretreatment or neonatal IgE treatment. Third, IgE enhancer cells become sensitive to a low dose of irradiation. Two enhancer cellular components are identified, those of the Th cells and B cells, which appear to favor the induction of IgE responses. Understanding the cellular basis of the immunopotentiating effect of CsA will provide further insight into the murine IgE antibody system.

Mapping of murine IgE epitopes involved in IgE‐Fcε receptor interactions

The generation of anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies has permitted the identification of various serological epitopes on the IgE molecule. The relationship of the sites on IgE recognized by such antibodies to the Fc epsilon receptor (Fc epsilon R) interaction site has been determined using cross-inhibition studies. However, interpretation of this type of experiment is limited by problems of steric hindrance. Thus, to accomplish precise mapping on the IgE molecule of the Fc epsilon R interaction site and the binding sites of various anti-IgE mAb, we employed site-directed mutagenesis of the IgE heavy chain gene. To this end we have constructed and expressed a recombinant murine constant epsilon heavy chain (C epsilon) gene bearing a (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetic acid (NP)-binding VH region. Several site-specific mutants in the C epsilon 3 and C epsilon 4 domains of this recombinant C epsilon gene were prepared and expressed by transfection into the light chain-producing J558L myeloma cell line. The resulting IgE antibodies were tested for binding to mast cells and to various anti-IgE mAb. The mutants produced include a proline to histidine point mutant at amino acid residue 404 in the C epsilon 3 domain, a mutant with a truncated C epsilon 4 domain, a mutant with a 45 amino acid deletion in the carboxy end of C epsilon 3, and a chimeric human C epsilon in which the human C epsilon 3 was replaced by the homologous mouse C epsilon 3 domain. These mutants have permitted the localization, to the C epsilon 3 domain, of the epitopes recognized by the 84.1C and 95.3 anti-IgE mAb. The 84.1C mAb recognizes a site on IgE which is identical or very close to the Fc epsilon R binding site, and 95.3 recognizes a site on IgE which is related, but not identical to the Fc epsilon R binding site. The antigenic determinant recognized by the 51.3 mAb, which is inefficient at blocking the IgE-Fc epsilon R interaction, has been mapped to the C epsilon 4 domain. When tested for binding to the Fc epsilon R on RBL-2H3 cells, the point mutant bound to the Fc epsilon R with twofold reduced affinity, while the C epsilon 3 deletion mutant and the mutant truncated in C epsilon 4 lost all receptor binding activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Human Immune Response against Timothy Grass Pollen Allergens

Enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to examine the binding specificity of affinity-purified anti-idiotypic antibody [against the idiotypic determinant on timothy grass pollen antigen B (AgB)-specific IgE] with murine AgB-specific IgG and IgE antibodies, and the serum from timothy-sensitive patients. In addition, the proliferative response of peripheral blood lymphocytes from timothy-sensitive patients with either antigen or anti-idiotypic antibody was examined. These studies suggest that the idiotypic determinant expressed on murine AgB-specific IgE is highly conserved on human AgB-specific IgE and T cells of timothy-sensitive patients.

Terasaki-ELISA for murine IgE-antibodies: I. Quality of the detecting antibody: Production and specificity testing of antisera specific for IgE

In order to develop an ELISA for the quantitative determination of murine IgE, antisera specific for murine IgE were prepared in the goat and rabbit. As immunogen, monoclonal IgE antibody mixtures of several allotypically different hybridomas were used. Before use, these antibodies were purified employing procedures that allow maximum recovery of binding activity. The goat and rabbit mouse ε chain-specific antisera were adsorbed on normal mouse serum. The purified antisera were found to be free of allotypic activity. However, immunoadsorption on NMS could not always remove contaminating anti-idiotypic antibodies. Repeated adsorptions with monoclonal antibodies of different isotypes carrying a similar idiotype were necessary to remove all detectable anti-idiotypic activity. Only after these precautions were the antisera suitable for detecting IgE molecules on nitrocellulose blots as well as for quantitating circulating IgE antibodies (ELISA) and IgE-secreting cells (plaque assay and reverse ELISA plaque assay). The purity and reactivity of several commercially available anti-IgE preparations were tested in similar types of specificity assays. Since the specificity of antibodies used in ELISA determines the monospecificity of the assay, retesting for contaminating cross-reactivities in commercial preparations was shown to be necessary.

Establishment of a memory in vitro murine IgE response to benzylpenicillin and its resistance to suppression by anti-IL-4 antibody.

Regulation of a memory IgE antibody response may be different from the induction of a primary response and may, therefore, be more relevant to the study of allergic diseases and the therapeutic manipulation of IgE antibody formation. In this paper a murine hapten-specific in vitro memory IgE antibody response to benzylpenicilloyl(BPO)-KLH is described. The response was analyzed by determining the number of antibody-producing cells (APC) in an ELISA spot assay. Of the total number of BPO-specific APC (10,000 APC/10(6) cultured spleen cells), about 1% were IgE-producing cells (100/10(6) cultured cells), as detected on day 6 of culture. The level of the antibody response is antigen dose-dependent, and the detected APC are BPO specific. The memory IgE response is not inhibited by the addition of anti-IL-4 antibody (11B11), even at a high excess. In the presence of the mitogen lipopolysaccharide, it has been shown that switch of B cells to IgE is induced by IL-4, a process which can be inhibited by anti-IL-4 antibody. Because the antigen-induced IgE response cannot be inhibited by anti-IL-4 antibody, in vitro responding cells derived from BPO-KLH-preimmunized mice may, therefore, have already switched in vivo to IgE. On the other hand, B cells switching to IgE in a situation of cognate T-B cell interaction might receive IL-4 in a transsynaptical way from T cells which might not be accessible to inhibition by anti-IL-4 antibody. The identification of the two possibilities in situations of established allergic disorders will be decisive for determining whether pharmacological inhibition of IL-4 (or IL-4-induced switch)--e.g., by putative low molecular weight compounds--will ever be a meaningful approach to suppress allergic diseases.

Terasaki-ELISA for murine IgE antibodies: II. Quantitation of absolute concentration of antigen-specific and total IgE

A Terasaki tray-based ELISA system was developed for the quantitative measurment of antigen-specific and total IgE antibodies in 5 μl samples of mouse serum dilutions. The assay was based upon non-competitive binding of mouse IgE antibodies between the immobilized appropriate antigen or capture antibodies and the detecting rabbit antibodies. A conjugate of protein A-labelled β-galactosidase and the fluorigenic substrate methylumbelliferyl-β- d-galactoside were used as a detecting system. The resulted fluorescence could be measured rapidly and automatically using an inverted micro-fluorimeter. These measurements were automatically transformed into absolute concentrations by a microprocessor-based program using a four-parameter logistic function and an absolute IgE standard. The assay was shown to have a detection limit of 0.04 ng/ml and a range of linearity of 0.04–20 ng/ml, which is sufficient to measure IgE concentrations in mouse serum.

Estimation of IgE antibody with a nonisotopic technique with no interference of isotypic antibodies

A modified ELISA was developed to estimate antigen-specific IgE antibody. IgE against ragweed antigen E (AgE) was the model system, and paired pre- and postimmunotherapy sera were evaluated because the latter had been demonstrated to contain significant amounts of IgG antibody. Patients' serum IgE was bound to the surface of wells of a polystyrene microtiter plate previously coated with monoclonal murine antihuman IgE. After washing, AgE conjugated with alkaline phosphatase was added and was specifically bound by IgE. Optical density was recorded after addition of enzyme substrate to the wells and was proportional to the concentration of IgE directed against ragweed AgE in the serum samples. In contrast to many other assay techniques for antigen-specific IgE, interference by specific antibody of other classes cannot occur with this method. Results correlated well with those of a previously described solid-phase radioimmunoassay that required myeloma IgE.

Pulmonary antigen challenge in rats passively sensitized with a monoclonal IgE antibody induces immediate but not late changes in airway mechanics.

Pulmonary antigen challenge in sensitized individuals results in isolated immediate, isolated late, or dual reactions consisting of both an immediate and late change in airway function. The immediate response appears to be dependent on the presence of IgE antibody and mast cell mediator release. Although the late phase of dual responses is considered to be related to or a continuum of the immediate hypersensitivity response, its precise pathogenesis remains to be determined. To increase both the sensitivity and specificity of analyzing the pathogenesis of IgE-dependent pulmonary responses, we have used a Sprague-Dawley rat model system in which rats are passively sensitized with a murine monoclonal IgE anti-dinitrophenol (DNP) antibody prior to challenge with DNP-bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA). Pathogen-free rats were injected with IgE or saline in a randomized blinded protocol, and in 24 to 48 h were anesthetized with urethane (1.2 g/kg intraperitoneally) and instrumented to measure lung resistance (RL) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn). Rats were then challenged with aerosolized DNP-BSA (10 mg/ml), and RL and Cdyn monitored through 7 h after challenge. Both RL (0.30 +/- 0.10 versus 0.13 +/- 0.02 cm H2O/ml.sec-1) and Cdyn (0.41 +/- 0.10 versus 0.25 +/- 0.08 ml/cm H2O) were significantly different (p less than 0.05) in sensitized rats compared to control rats immediately after challenge. No late changes were observed in either the treated or control animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression, distribution and specificity of Fc receptors for IgM on murine B cells.

Subpopulations of normal adult murine splenic B cells and a panel of murine B cell tumors were examined for their ability to bind murine IgM specifically. By using two-color flow cytometric analyses, we have demonstrated that 90 to 95% of surface (s)IgD+ B cells express surface membrane receptors for IgM (Fc mu R). The binding of pentameric murine IgM to splenocyte Fc mu R was IgM-specific since it was totally inhibited by other polymeric IgM proteins, but not by Ig of other H chain classes or by mAb specific for the murine IgG or IgE FcR. Binding of IgM to splenic cells was saturable. Fc mu R were co-expressed with the Fc gamma R as well as the Fc epsilon R on the majority of splenic B cells. Minor populations of splenic mononuclear cells expressed only an Fc mu R, Fc gamma R or Fc epsilon R. In a survey of B tumor cell lines representing different stages of B cell development, we observed that the Fc mu R was expressed on pre-B cell lines and that Fc mu R detection was maximal on immature B cell lines that expressed sIgM and low amounts of sIgD and Ia. Fc mu R were not detected on cell lines that had switched from sIgM to the expression of another sIg, or on plasmacytomas and hybridomas. The studies with normal splenocytes establish that the majority of sIgD+ B lymphocytes in adult BALB/c mice express surface membrane receptors that specifically bind IgM. The studies with B lineage tumor cells suggest that the expression of Fc mu R on B cells is developmentally regulated and that the pattern of expression exhibited by Fc mu R during B cell ontogeny differs from the patterns that have been previously found for IgG and IgE FcR. These observations raise the possibility that Fc mu R might have a functional significance in some aspect of B cell maturation and activation. By using a family of IgM H chain constant region domain deletional mutants, we have further demonstrated that, like the T cell Fc mu R, the B cell Fc mu R also requires a C mu 3 domain for binding to occur, raising the possibility that the T and B cell Fc mu R in mice may be structurally related molecules.

IgE-antigen complexes enhance Fc epsilon R and Ia expression by murine B lymphocytes.

Murine monoclonal IgE interacts with B cells of BALB/c mouse spleen with greater efficiency in the presence of its specific antigen. Complexes of anti-DNP IgE and DNP-OVA not only resist elution from B lymphocytes by acid but have a substantially longer dissociation half-time when compared with monomeric IgE (440 vs. 8 min, respectively). Further, these IgE-antigen complexes induce Fc epsilon R expression in lymphoid cells more efficiently than IgE alone. Maximum levels of B cell Fc epsilon R were observed after a 24 h incubation with 1 microgram/ml IgE in the presence of 1 microgram/ml DNP-OVA, while 30 micrograms/ml monomeric IgE was needed to elicit a similar increase of Fc epsilon R expression. Most importantly, overnight incubation of B cell-enriched BALB/c spleen cells with IgE-antigen complexes resulted in an augmented membrane expression of class II MHC antigens. B cell surface expression of both I-A and I-E antigens responded to a comparable level after incubation with IgE-antigen complexes but did not occur in response to either IgE or antigen alone. The enhanced sIa expression occurred in parallel to IgE-antigen concentrations that gave rise to Fc epsilon R hyperexpression. Moreover, double staining for Fc epsilon R and surface Ia antigen shows that B cells exhibiting the highest density of Fc epsilon R also demonstrated the most surface I-A, suggesting that B lymphocytes are autonomous in their response to IgE-antigen complexes. Changes in class I MHC or sIgM were not observed after overnight incubation with IgE and antigen. These results demonstrate the importance of IgE-antigen complexes for intercellular signaling and further suggest that the IgE system plays a broader role in immune response than it has generally been credited.

Increase of precursor frequency and clonal size of murine IgE-secreting cells by IL-4.

IL-4 is able to preferentially enhance murine IgE levels in the supernatant of LPS-stimulated T cell-depleted splenic B cell cultures. Clonal and quantitative analysis of this response revealed that this is due partly to a 14-fold increased IgE precursor frequency and partly to a three-fold increased clone size of IgE-secreting cells. IL-4 increased the precursor frequency and the clone size of IgM-secreting cells not more than twofold. Both the IgM and IgE response in LPS-stimulated B cells were completely inhibited by the addition of anti-IgM mAb (M41) to the cultures, indicating that the IgE-secreting clones developed as subclones from precursors that express IgM. These cells lacked expression of membrane-bound IgE up to day 5 of the culture. Application of feeder cells in these cultures resulted in an increased precursor frequency of IgE-secreting clones among LPS-reactive B cells that is due, partially, to IL-4 produced by the feeder cells.

63 CROSS RERCTIVITY WITH HUMAN BRSOPHILS OF MONOCLINAL, ANTIBODIES RAISED AGAINST MEMBRANE COMPONENTS OF RAT MAST CELLS OF THE RBL-2H3 LINE

Leukocyte samples of 16 atopic and 14 non-atopic children were enriched in their basophils by single step Ficoll-Paque centrifugation to a relative concentration of 10-15% (Miroli, et al. 1986). Aliquots from each of these basophil preparations were incubated with the following monoclonal antibodies (mAbs): F4 and H10 shown previously to be specific for the high-affinity Fcε receptor present on the RBL-2K3 cells; G63 which recognizes a membrane protein different from the Fcε receptor and shown to cause inhibition of IgE mediated degranulation of RBL cells; B17 specific for a glycolipid present in the plasma membrane of RBL-2H3 cells end modulates their degranulation. In addition a monoclonal murine IgE was used to probe the occupancy of Fcε receptors. Following incubation, the binding of the mAbs was monitored by fluorescently labeled rabbit anti-mouse antibodies and the samples were analysed by the Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS 440). The results show that all four mAbs also bind, though to different extents, to partially purified human basophils of both atopic and non-atopic children.