Surface Of APCs Research Articles

Single-chain MHC class II molecules induce T cell activation and apoptosis.

MHC class II/peptide complexes displayed on the surface of APCs play a pivotal role in initiating specific T cell responses. Evidence is presented here that components of this heterotrimeric complex can be genetically linked into a single polypeptide chain. Soluble single-chain (sc) murine class II IA(d) molecules with and without covalently attached peptides were produced in a recombinant baculovirus-insect cell expression system. Correct conformation of these molecules was verified based on 1) reactivity to Abs directed against conformational epitopes in IA(d) and 2) peptide-specific recognition of the IA(d)/peptide complexes by T cells. Both sc class II molecules loaded the appropriate peptides and sc class II/peptide fusions were effective in stimulating T cell responses, including cytokine release and apoptosis. Mammalian cells were also found to be capable of expressing functional sc class II molecules on their cell surfaces. The findings reported here open up the possibility of producing large amounts of stable sc class II/peptide fusion molecules for structural characterization and immunotherapeutic applications.

Kinetics of generation and persistence on membrane class II molecules of a viral peptide expressed on foreign and self proteins.

We had previously shown that a genetically engineered Ig expressing an immunodominant CD4+ T epitope corresponding to the 110-120 amino acids of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA), activated T cells more efficiently than the synthetic peptide. Taking advantage of a T cell hybridoma specific for HA 110-120 and transfected with a reporter gene under the IL-2 promoter, we studied the kinetics of generation and persistence on surface MHC-II of the HA 110-120 peptide derived from various carriers. Our results show that the generation rate of immunogenic MHC II-peptide complex is dependent on the nature of the carrier. Abs specific for HA 110-120 peptide or for other epitopes on HA affect through various mechanisms the presentation of HA 110-120 peptide to T cells. The persistence of immunogenic MHC II-peptide complex on the surface of APC is not dependent on the nature of the carrier and correlates with the half-life of class II molecules, suggesting an irreversible binding of peptides to MHC-II molecules in 2PK3 murine B lymphoma cells.

Subcellular localization of CD80 receptors is dependent on an intact cytoplasmic tail and is required for CD28-dependent T cell costimulation.

CD28 provides a major costimulatory signal to T cells when it is cross-linked with mAb, immobilized recombinant ligand (CD80Ig or CD86Ig), or ligand-bearing cells but not when it is bound by specific Fab fragments or monomeric ligand. We wanted to determine how monomeric CD80 could cross-link CD28 since CD80 is expressed as a monomer on the surface of APC. We found that CD80 may interact with the actin-based cytoskeleton. To test whether the interaction of CD80 with the cytochalasin B-sensitive cytoskeleton was necessary for T cell costimulation through CD28, we constructed a tailless form of CD80 and generated stable transfectants of Chinese hamster ovary epithelial cells and Reh B cells expressing either the tailless or wild-type CD80 molecules. Unlike control cells expressing wild-type CD80, the tailless CD80 transfectants expressing equivalent levels of surface CD80 were not able to provide a costimulatory signal for anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation, up-regulation of CD25 (IL-2Ralpha) expression, or the induction of IL-2 secretion. Thus, the cytoplasmic tail of CD80 apparently is required to signal T cells. Confocal microscopic studies revealed that wild-type CD80 and tailless CD80 have different patterns of subcellular distribution in both epithelial and lymphoid cells. Furthermore, T cell contact induces more patching and capping of CD80 in wild-type CD80-expressing cells than in tailless CD80-expressing cells. This suggests that the cytoplasmic region of CD80 functions to localize CD80 in complexes required for effective T cell costimulation.

Generation of naturally processed peptide/MHC class I complexes is independent of the stability of endogenously synthesized precursors.

Proteolysis of endogenously synthesized cellular proteins is essential for constitutive display of processed peptide/MHC class I complexes on the APC surface for stimulating CD8+ T cells. However, the extent to which normal protein turnover serves as the source of processed peptides is not clear. To address this question, we used pairs of novel N-end rule substrates that varied in their intracellular stability and served as precursors for generating peptide/MHC class I (OVA257-264/Kb or influenza nucleoprotein 366-374/Db) complexes. Surprisingly, although each of three precursor pairs tested varied profoundly in their intracellular stability, they were indistinguishable in either T cell stimulation assays, or in the amounts of naturally processed peptides in the APC extracts. Our findings demonstrate that the proteolytic turnover of endogenously synthesized proteins is not directly proportional to the generation of processed antigenic peptide/MHC class I complexes.

Modulation of antigen presentation and class II expression by a class II-associated invariant chain peptide.

During the process of MHC class II assembly, the class II-associated invariant chain peptide (CLIP) remains bound within the peptide binding groove until its subsequent removal, which is mediated by H-2 M. We have defined the functional role of CLIP, through saturation of the endosomal compartment with exogenous CLIP-(85-101), resulting in reduced class II MHC on the surface of APCs and an impeded T cell response. Conversely, incubation of the same cells with immunogenic peptides or proteins resulted in an up-regulation of surface class II MHC. T cells from CLIP- plus Ag-immunized mice showed a marked decrease in Ag-specific response over that in mice primed with Ag alone. A B cell hybridoma, TA3 (H-2d,k) incubated with CLIP in vitro showed dramatically reduced MHC class II I-A surface expression. APCs derived from CLIP-immunized mice exhibited down-regulation of surface class II MHC, but not of CD45 (B220). Electrophoretic studies showed that the addition of exogenous CLIP resulted in a relative decrease in SDS-stable MHC class II heterodimers in TA3 cells. Studies with FITC-CLIP and FITC-OVA-(323-339) peptides demonstrated that exogenously added CLIP peptide does not bind to surface class II molecules via the endogenous route, whereas OVA peptide does. This suggests that exogenously added CLIP acts intracellularly, perhaps in the compartment where H-2 M intersects with class II molecules. These findings demonstrate the functional role of CLIP to regulate MHC class II-mediated Ag presentation in CD4+ T cell responses.

The class II MHC I-Ag7 molecules from non-obese diabetic mice are poor peptide binders.

The class II molecules of the diabetes-prone NOD mice, I-Ag7, showed very limited amounts of stable form when analyzed by SDS-PAGE. We included the analysis of spleen B cells and B lymphoma cells transfected with I-Ag7 genes. Early during bio-synthesis there was invariant chain binding to the alpha beta-chains. Examination of APCs from F1 mice (NOD x C57BL/6) indicated that the same APC expressed high levels of unstable I-Ag7 and normal amounts of stable class II molecules compared with the other haplotype (I-Ab). The half-life of I-Ag7-peptide complexes on the cell surface of APC was significantly shorter than that of other class II haplotypes. Direct biochemical demonstration of peptide interactions with I-Ag7 was difficult to demonstrate. In T cell assays, the immunogenic peptides, including the diabetogenic Ag, were rapidly lost when peptide-pulsed APCs were washed free of peptide. We hypothesize that the weak and unstable peptide-binding property of I-Ag7 molecules does not favor the elimination or inactivation of autoreactive T cells.

Fine chemical modifications at N- and C-termini enhance peptide presentation to T cells, by increasing the lifespan of both free and MHC-complexed peptides

We investigated the effect of modifying the N- and/or C-termini of the snake toxin peptide 24–36 on its presentation to T cells. Acetylation at the N-terminus as well as amidation at the C-terminus enhanced the capacity of the peptide to activate T cells. Simultaneous modifications further increased the stimulating activity, the peptide becoming approximately 100-fold more potent than the unmodified peptide. Clearly, the introduced modifications increased the lifetime of the peptide free in solution, by decreasing its proteolytic degradation, during the T cell stimulation assays. Paradoxically, however, at similar concentrations of free peptides, the modified ones, especially those having an acetylated N-terminus, were much more active than the unmodified peptide, irrespective of the experimental conditions. These observations suggested that components other than protection from proteolytic degradation should be associated with the higher stimulating activities of the modified peptides. Accordingly, chasing experiments with APC revealed that acetylation at N-terminus caused a higher persistence of the peptides at APC surface. Together, our data indicate that (i) the T cell stimulating capacity of a peptide is associated with its lifespans in the free and MHC II bound states; and (ii) these lifespans can be greatly enhanced by introducing fine chemical modifications at N- and C-termini. These data may have some implications in designing more potent peptidic immunomodulators.

Presentation of endogenous peptide/MHC class I complexes is profoundly influenced by specific C-terminal flanking residues.

Processing of intracellular proteins yields 8-11 residue peptides that are displayed on the APC surface as peptide/MHC class I complexes. The remarkably precise excision of antigenic peptides from their precursor polypeptides raises the question of whether specific flanking residues influence presentation efficiency. Here we addressed this question by analyzing the generation of OVA/Kb or influenza nucleoprotein/Db complexes in APC expressing precursors with varying N- or C-terminal flanking residues. We find that T cell responses were not significantly affected by varying the N-terminal flanking residue in the precursors. In contrast, presentation of peptide/MHC complexes was inhibited with the addition of a single C-terminal flanking residue. The most dramatic inhibition was observed with isoleucine, leucine, cysteine, and proline as the C-terminal flanking residues. These residue-specific variations in presentation activity could not be accounted for by differences in the stimulatory activity of corresponding synthetic peptides but were proportional to the relative amounts of naturally processed peptides recovered in the cell extracts. These findings suggest differences in the susceptibility of N- vs C-terminal flanking residues to proteolytic cleavage during Ag processing. The strong influence of specific C-terminal flanking residue(s) could be an important factor affecting the choice of peptides presented to T cells on the APC surface.

Binding of peptides of the human acetylcholine receptor α-subunit to HLA class II of patients with myasthenia gravis

MG is an autoimmune disease in which T cells specific to T-cell epitopes of the human acetylcholine receptor play a role. We have identified two peptides, p195–212 and p259–271, of the human acetylcholine receptor α-subunit, to which PBLs of MG patients responded by proliferation. Nevertheless, proliferation assays are relatively complicated to perform and might be affected by medications taken by the patients. Therefore, we tested the possibility of using a different assay to determine recognition of these peptides by MG patients. Thus, we performed a direct binding assay using biotinylated peptides and APCs from peripheral blood of MG patients and healthy controls. With this assay we detected the binding of the two peptides to the surface of intact APCs of both MG patients and control donors. Moreover, the presentation of peptide p259–271 by individuals with MG was significantly higher than that observed in healthy subjects. The peptides were specifically bound to HLA class II determinants on the APCs, as shown by inhibition with antibodies to the HLA. class II haplotypes of the individuals investigated. Moreover, the binding of these peptides was in correlation with their ability to induce specific proliferative responses of peripheral blood T cells of these patients. The ability to screen for potentially pathogenic epitopes in each patient is of importance for the future design of specific inhibitory analogues that might be used to treat MG.

The role of MHC class I molecules in the generation of endogenous peptide/MHC complexes.

Cellular proteins undergo proteolysis to yield peptide/MHC class I complexes for display on the APC surface. During this process it is not clear whether MHC molecules bind to and stabilize independently generated peptides, or whether they are involved in the peptide cleavage events. In this study, we analyzed the role of MHC molecules in Ag processing by characterizing the naturally processed peptide analogues of OVA (OVA257-264, SL8) in APC. DNA constructs encoding SL8 precursors were transfected into cells that varied in their MHC expression. By HPLC fractionation of cell extracts and with sensitive T cell assays for both the processed SL8 and its minimal Met-SL8 (MSL8) precursor, we determined that expression of Kb MHC molecule was essential for detecting processed peptides in living cells. Curiously, although the translated MSL8 nonapeptide precursor itself could bind Kb as well as the SL8 octapeptide, and MSL8 was available to MHC, only the SL8 peptide was found in Kb cell extracts. The presence of naturally processed SL8, but not MSL8 peptide in Kb-expressing cells suggests that the precise identity of endogenously processed peptides is also strongly influenced by the MHC molecules.

Promiscuous and specific binding of HIV peptides to HLA-DR1 and DR103: Impact on T-cell repertoire of nonimmunized individuals

The binding of immunogenic peptides to DR molecules is influenced by residues that point into the peptide-binding groove. The T-cell response toward a peptide complexed to an MHC molecule depends on the presence of a sufficient number of T cells reactive with peptide-MHC complex on the surface of APCs. From 96 overlapping HIV peptides, we have selected 11 that show a significant binding to either DR1, DR103, or both. These two DR molecules are identical except for three amino acids at positions 67, 70, and 71 on the β chain. Peptide-specific T-cell lines and clones were generated with cells from nonimmunized donors homozygous for DR1 or DR103 by using either individual peptides or peptide pools for the in vitro priming. Three of the peptides induced T-cell-specific proliferative response in both individuals, and these peptides were not among those with highest affinity. Most of the peptides induced strong responses against autologous APCs. This might reflect cross-reactivity between HIV and self-peptides. Definition of peptides that both show promiscuous binding to DR and elicit a strong T-cell response is important for design of efficient synthetic vaccines.

Promiscuous and specific binding of HIV peptides to HLA-DR1 and DR103 and impact on T cell repertoire of non-immunised individuals

The binding of immunogenic peptides to DR molecules is influenced by residues that point into the peptide-binding groove. The T-cell response toward a peptide complexed to an MHC molecule depends on the presence of a sufficient number of T cells reactive with peptide-MHC complex on the surface of APCs. From 96 overlapping HIV peptides, we have selected 11 that show a significant binding to either DR1, DR103, or both. These two DR molecules are identical except for three amino acids at positions 67, 70, and 71 on the beta chain. Peptide-specific T-cell lines and clones were generated with cells from nonimmunized donors homozygous for DR1 or DR103 by using either individual peptides or peptide pools for the in vitro priming. Three of the peptides induced T-cell-specific proliferative response in both individuals, and these peptides were not among those with highest affinity. Most of the peptides induced strong responses against autologous APCs. This might reflect cross-reactivity between HIV and self-peptides. Definition of peptides that both show promiscuous binding to DR and elicit a strong T-cell response is important for design of efficient synthetic vaccines.

HIV-1 envelope protein is expressed on the surface of infected cells before its processing and presentation to class II-restricted T lymphocytes.

T lymphocytes are activated upon binding of their Ag receptors to a complex of Ag-derived peptides and MHC class I or class II molecules expressed on the surface of APC. It is now well established that APC degrade exogenous Ag in acidic endosomal compartments, and that Ag fragments bind to class II molecules moving through these compartments on their way to the surface of the APC. Although peptides derived from some endogenous Ag can also bind to class II molecules and subsequently be recognized by class II-restricted T cells, the intracellular trafficking pathways that enable endogenous proteins to be processed for association with class II molecules remain controversial. We have analyzed the mechanism by which the envelope (env) protein of the HIV-1 is processed in infected cells for recognition by class II-restricted T cells. A large number of env-specific class II-restricted human CTL clones were shown to lyse B-lymphoblastoid cell lines expressing the env. A novel dilutional assay proved that A novel dilutional assay proved that recognition of endogenous env protein was not a consequence of release and re-uptake of the env protein and subsequent processing by the standard class II-restricted pathway. Processing of endogenous env protein required that the protein be co-translationally translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and then exit the ER, since the class II-restricted CTL did not recognize env protein localized to the cytosol or retained in the ER of target cells. Under these conditions, however, class I-restricted recognition was readily demonstrated. Finally, class II-restricted recognition was strikingly dependent upon the steady state level of surface env protein, since extracellular reagents that removed intact env protein from the surface of target cells inhibited recognition. This inhibition operated at the Ag-processing level rather than at the level of subsequent Ag recognition. These results provide the first direct evidence that endogenously synthesized membrane proteins enter the class II-restricted Ag-processing pathway after expression on the cell surface in an intact form.

Endogenous generation and presentation of the ovalbumin peptide/Kb complex to T cells.

Peptide fragments are displayed on the APC surface by MHC class I molecules as ligands for appropriate TCR. Sequence analysis of MHC-bound peptide mixtures has suggested that naturally processed peptides are defined by their length and by the presence of MHC allele-defined consensus motifs. To define the minimal OVA peptide presented by Kb MHC, and the requirements for generation of endogenous OVA/Kb complex, APC were transfected with OVA cDNA constructs. We show that optimal stimulation of OVA/Kb-specific B3Z T cell hybrid by Kb-APC requires the OVA257-264 peptide (SIINFEKL, SL8) whether added exogenously, or when synthesized endogenously as precursor polypeptides. Thus, all information necessary for expression of the OVA/Kb complex is contained within the Kb octapeptide motif shared by SL8. Unexpectedly, the SL8/Kb or the influenza NP/Db complexes were also generated in APC even when the peptide coding sequences were placed in incorrect translational reading frames. By contrast, identical manipulations of the translational reading frame of the lacZ reporter gene reduced protein synthesis to undetectable levels demonstrating the remarkable efficiency with which endogenous peptide/MHC are generated in and presented by APC to T cells. These characteristics of the endogenous presentation may explain how large numbers of distinct peptide/MHC complexes are displayed on the cell surface and surveyed by TCR.

A sensitive method to detect defined peptide among those eluted from murine MHC class II molecules

We developed a sensitive competitive inhibition radioimmunoassay able to trace pmoles of a defined peptide eluted from major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules that were subsequently fractionated by RP-HPLC. In this assay we used a model synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 110–120 from the hemagglutinin (HA) of PR8 influenza virus, and affinity purified rabbit antibodies specific for this peptide. The HA110–120 peptide binds to I-E d class II molecules on the surface of APCs and is recognized by specific CD4 + T helper cells. 2PK3 B lymphoma cells (H-2 d) were pulsed with HA110–120 peptide or PR8 virus, lysed, the MHC class II molecules extracted, and bound peptides eluted. After separation by RP-HPLC, the fractions were tested for inhibition of the binding of rabbit anti-HA110–120 antibodies to peptide coated microtiter plates. A significant inhibitory activity was observed with one peak when the cells were pulsed with HA110–120 peptide and two peaks when pulsed with PR8 virus. The inhibitory activity was correlated with the presence of HA110–120 peptide as demonstrated by peptide sequencing. The assay is reproducible and sensitive to 1 pmol of antigenic peptide. This assay can be useful to identify microbial peptides with defined structure and antigenicity among the multiple peptides bound to class II molecules.

Selective functional depletion of HIV gp120 peptides complexed with MHC from antigen-presenting cells engaged with specific T lymphocytes.

Human T cell lines specific for different peptides of HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 have been used as probes to identify the availability of functional MHC-peptide complexes on APC. MHC-peptide complexes recognized by T cells specific for peptide 24 (amino acids 225-240) are no longer available on the surface of APC after interaction with irradiated (binding nonproliferating) T cells with the same fine specificity. On the contrary, MHC-peptide complexes recognized by T cells specific for peptide 30 (amino acids 285-300) were functionally available and could stimulate T cells with such a specificity. The reciprocal experiment yielded similar results. The same data were also reproduced with another pair of gp120 peptides. These data demonstrate that upon clustering of peptide-specific T cells with presenting cells presentation of the same peptide to a second cohort of T cells with identical specificity is abolished, suggesting that a selective functional depletion of the MHC-peptide complexes engaged with specific T cells occurs at the surface of the presenting cells. The depletion does not affect other MHC molecules complexed with unrelated peptides.

T cells in allergic responses to haptens and proteins.

Haptens are defined as compounds that bind to proteins. They may induce irritant reactions that are often accompanied by DTH. This DTH is mediated by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Binding of haptens to cell surface proteins of epidermal cells induces irritant reactions. Trapping by APC may induce subsequent activation of hapten-specific T cells. Various data suggest that haptens are highly immunogenic as they bind directly to preformed MHC-peptide complexes on the cell surface of APC, thereby creating new T cell recognition sites. Environmental protein antigens may induce elevated levels of specific IgE in atopic individuals. There is accumulating evidence that aeroallergen-specific IgE is induced by an aberrant subset of allergen-specific TH cells showing a high IL-4/IFN-γ production ratio. There are no indications so far that allergens are aberrantly presented to allergen-specific T cells. Since nonatopic individuals have normal allergen-specific CD4+ T cells, it seems that the atopic state results from a tendency to selective maturation of TH2 cells in response to aeroallergens. The search for the factors that regulate this biased maturation pathway in atopic disease may give new clues for immunotherapy.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-2, a second counter-receptor for CD11a/CD18 (leukocyte function-associated antigen-1), provides a costimulatory signal for T-cell receptor-initiated activation of human T cells.

Activation of T cells often requires both activation signals delivered by ligation of the TCR and those resulting from costimulatory interactions between certain T cell surface accessory molecules and their respective counter-receptors on APC. CD11a/CD18 complex on T cells modulate the activation of T cells by interacting with its counter-receptors intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) (CD54) and/or ICAM-2 on the surface of APC. The costimulatory ability of ICAM-1 has been demonstrated. Using a soluble ICAM-2 Ig fusion protein (receptor globulin, Rg) we demonstrate the costimulatory effect of ICAM-2 during the activation of CD4+ T cells. When coimmobilized with anti-TCR-1 mAb ICAM-2 Rg induced vigorous proliferative response of CD4+ T cells. This costimulatory effect of ICAM-2 was dependent on its coimmobilization with mAb directed at the CD3/TCR complex but not those directed at CD2 or CD28. Both resting as well as Ag-primed CD4+ T cells responded to the costimulatory effects of ICAM-2. The addition of mAb directed at the CD11a or CD18 molecules almost completely inhibited the responses to ICAM-2 Rg. These results are consistent with the role of CD11a/CD18 complex as a receptor for ICAM-2 mediating its costimulatory effects. Stimulation of T cells with coimmobilized anti-TCR-1 and ICAM-2 resulted in the induction of IL-2R (CD25), and anti-Tac (CD25) mAb inhibited this response suggesting the contribution of endogenously synthesized IL-2 during this stimulation. These results demonstrate that like its homologue ICAM-1, ICAM-2 also exerts a strong costimulatory effect during the TCR-initiated activation of T cells. The costimulatory effects generated by the CD11a/CD18:ICAM-2 interaction may be critical during the initiation of T cell activation by ICAM-1low APC.

Yersinia enterocolitica produces superantigenic activity.

We have recently observed that antigenic preparations from Yersinia enterocolitica are capable of inducing strong proliferative responses in normal murine spleen cell cultures. As a consequence of this observation, we evaluated whether Yersinia-derived Ag possess superantigenic activity. Stimulatory activity can be found in culture supernatants, as well as membrane and cytoplasmic fractions of Y. enterocolitica. Cell depletion studies indicate that the primary responding cell is a CD4+ T cell, which requires the presence of APC for responsiveness to Y. enterocolitica Ag. Furthermore, these APC must express MHC class II Ag, as evidenced by the fact that either antibody depletion of class II+ APC or addition of anti-class II antibodies (that block class II Ag on the surface of APC) eliminates the proliferative response. Evaluation of TCR usage by BALB/c T cells responsive to Y. enterocolitica revealed that those T cells bearing V beta 3, 6, and 11 and possibly 7 and 9 were expanded after exposure to Y. enterocolitica Ag preparations. By using a panel of T cell hybridomas, we have shown that hybridomas bearing V beta 3, 7, 8.1, 9, and 11 but not 2, 8.2, 8.3, and 13 respond to Yersinia. When cytoplasmic fractions of Y. enterocolitica were subjected to column chromatography, proliferative activity was enriched approximately 27-fold, and the elution characteristics of the active material suggest that it possesses hydrophobic regions and is, therefore, probably membrane associated. These data indicate that Y. enterocolitica produces antigenic material that has properties consistent with those of T cell superantigens.

Macrophages as accessory cells for class I MHC-restricted immune responses.

Ag do not elicit T lymphocyte responses unless they are presented in conjunction with MHC molecules on the surface of an appropriate APC. In the case of CD4+ T lymphocytes dendritic cells can deliver all signals required for complete induction as can macrophages and (activated) B cells. The function of CTL also depends on the presence of specialized accessory cells. Here we show that these accessory cells can behave like scavenger cells. They use foreign Ag in the form of cellular debris as immunogen. They are also crucial for CTL induction because in vivo depletion of phagocytotic cells completely inhibits CTL responses. In these animals CTL activity could be restored by transfer of macrophages. All of the reappearing CTL used MHC restriction elements expressed by the infused macrophages. These experiments suggest that a cognate interaction between macrophages and CTL precursors initiates class I MHC-restricted immune responses.