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Biomedical subjects

A Lanzavecchia

Publications and source records attributed to A Lanzavecchia.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Suppressive effect of antibody on processing of T cell epitopes.

Immunoglobulins drive efficient antigen capture by antigen presenting cells for processing and presentation on class II MHC-molecules. High affinity antibody/antigen interactions are stable at endosomal/lysosomal pH thus altering the substrate for antigen processing. We show that this can result in strong suppression of presentation of some T cell epitopes. This effect was observed when the antibody specificity was a B cell surface Ig, or formed part of an immune complex. In the latter case the presence of the suppressing antibody boosts presentation of other T cell epitopes through enhanced uptake into Fc receptor bearing cells. The influence of bound antibodies on the outcome of antigen processing may influence with T cell epitopes dominate T cell responses and may change the focus of the response with time.

Antibodies↗

In vivo persistence of expanded clones specific for bacterial antigens within the human T cell receptor alpha/beta CD4-8- subset.

We analyzed the T cell receptor (TCR) rearrangements of 100 TCR-alpha/beta CD4-CD8- (double negative [DN]) T cell clones from normal individuals. We found that in four out of six donors this subset contains expanded clones that often account for 0.5% and, in one individual, even 7% of all peripheral blood lymphocytes. By combining limiting dilution analysis and N region oligotyping of polymerase chain reaction amplified TCR cDNA, we could measure the clonal size and show that two of these expanded clones remain stable in size for up to 4 yr in peripheral blood. The expanded clones analyzed ex vivo are not cycling and CD45 RAhi ROlo, but express high levels of alpha 4/beta 1 integrins, suggesting that they may have reverted to resting cells after activation. One of these expanded DN clones proliferates in vitro in response to Escherichia coli presented by monocytes cultured in GM-CSF plus IL-4 and kills CD1a+ Molt-4 cells. In contrast to what was found in the alpha/beta DN subset, alpha/beta CD4+ T cell clones specific for a tetanus toxin epitope showed a very small clonal size (< 1 in 10(7)) and could not be reisolated after 2 yr. Taken together, these results indicate that large clonal size and persistence are distinctive features of alpha/beta DN cells specific for bacterial antigens. These cells may use antigen-presenting cells, restriction molecules, and selection routes different from those used by antigen-specific CD4+ T cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identifying strategies for immune intervention.

In recent years the molecular basis of antigen recognition by T cells has been unraveled and the various pathways that control T cell activation and functional specialization have been defined. Consequently, it is now possible to delineate various strategies for intervention with the immune system to design protective vaccines, to induce an effective response to tumor antigens, and to control graft rejection and autoimmune diseases.

Animals↗

Soluble CD40 ligand can replace the normal T cell-derived CD40 ligand signal to B cells in T cell-dependent activation.

We have constructed a soluble chimeric fusion protein between the mouse CD8 alpha chain and the mouse CD40 T cell ligand. This protein binds to both human and mouse B cells. By itself it induced a modest degree of B cell proliferation, but together with anti-immunoglobulin (anti-Ig) antibody it greatly stimulated B cell proliferation, as determined by both [3H]thymidine uptake and increase in cell numbers. These data are evidence that the CD40 ligand on T cells provides a signal that drives B cell proliferation. This signal is synergistic with that delivered by anti-Ig antibody.

Animals↗

The set of naturally processed peptides displayed by DR molecules is tuned by polymorphism of residue 86.

The response to tetanus toxoid (TT) was studied in immune donors that carry two alleles of DR5 that differ only at DR beta residue 86: DRB1*1101 (G86, abbreviated 1101) and DRB1*1104 (V86, abbreviated 1104). A large number of TT-specific T cell clones was isolated and the epitopes recognized in association with 1101 and 1104 were mapped. We found that two epitopes (p2 and p32) can be recognized in association with both 1101 and 1104 while three epitopes (p23, p27 and p30) are recognized in association with 1101, but never in association with 1104. The sets of naturally processed self peptides displayed by 1101 and 1104 were characterized using alloreactive T cell clones. We found that all 1104 alloreactive clones recognize both 1104 and 1101, while approximately 30% of the alloreactive 1101 clones fail to recognize 1104. Thus it is apparent that both naturally processed TT and self peptides displayed on 1104 molecules represent a fraction of those displayed on 1101 molecules. The mechanism responsible for this differential presentation was investigated by comparing the capacity of 1101 and 1104 antigen-presenting cells to present TT or synthetic peptides to specific T cells and by measuring the binding of these peptides to DR molecules. Three sets of results suggest that V86 acts as a constraint to the binding of naturally processed peptides: (i) all 1104-restricted or alloreactive T cell clones recognize TT- or allo-epitopes presented by 1101 as well, thus ruling out a major effect of V86 as a residue determining T cell restriction specificity; (ii) presentation of naturally processed peptides correlates in general with the capacity of long synthetic peptides to bind to 1101 or 1104 and (iii) while the naturally processed p30 epitope discriminates between 1101 and 1104, a short synthetic peptide binds equally well to and is comparably recognized in association with both 1101 and 1104. Taken together these results suggest that the natural polymorphism at residue 86 might be a molecular switch that finely tunes the complexity of the peptide collection presented on DR molecules.

Alleles↗

Role of cAMP in regulating cytotoxic T lymphocyte adhesion and motility.

We investigated the functional role of the cAMP pathway in human cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-target interaction. Pharmacological increase of intracellular cAMP concentration ([cAMP]i) inhibits killing, especially at low effector-to-target ratios, suggesting an inhibitory effect on CTL recycling. We show that this inhibitory effect is primarily at the level of conjugate formation. Pharmacological increase in [cAMP]i, as well as treatment with cytochalasin D, results in a "rounding up" of the CTL and inhibition of the dramatic changes in shape that occur when a CTL forms a conjugate, even with an irrelevant target. In addition, pharmacological increase in [cAMP]i affects the cytoskeleton of the CTL since it induces a decrease of filamentous actin, as detected by flow cytometry on phalloidin-stained CTL, and a stabilization of microtubules, as detected by increased resistance to the disrupting action of nocodazole. In mature CTL (but not in their immature precursors), T cell receptor triggering by specific targets results in a measurable increase in cAMP levels and strongly synergizes with adenylyl cyclase activators such as prostaglandin E2, cholera toxin and forskolin. We suggest that T cell receptor triggering may induce accumulation of cAMP that interferes with cytoskeleton function and, thus, terminates CTL secretion and adhesion. These effects of cAMP are rapidly reversible and may regulate CTL recycling.

Actins↗

Expression and functional properties of mouse B7/BB1 using a fusion protein between mouse CTLA4 and human gamma 1.

We report the construction and expression of a fusion protein made from the extracellular portion of the mouse CTLA-4 gene and the constant region of human IgG1. This fusion protein behaves like an antibody to mouse B7/BB1, binding to activated B cells and purified dendritic cells. In addition, we found it to bind to activated T cells. The fusion protein interfered with the ability of antigen-pulsed antigen-presenting cells to induce proliferation of T-cell clones, although the degree of inhibition varied. These findings are discussed in the light of the physiological activation of T cells in secondary lymphoid organs.

Abatacept↗

Identification of HLA-DR alpha chain residues critical for binding of the toxic shock syndrome toxin superantigen.

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) binds to major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, and the toxin-class II complexes induce proliferation of T cells expressing V beta 2 sequences. To define the residues involved in TSST-1 binding, a set of transfectants expressing 21 HLA-DR alpha chain mutants were analyzed for their abilities to bind and present TSST-1 and to present an antigenic peptide. Mutations at DR alpha positions 36 and 39 markedly decreased the ability of the DR7 molecule to bind and present TSST-1 but did not affect the ability to present an antigenic peptide. These data indicate that DR alpha residues 36 and 39, predicted to be located on an outer loop, are important in the formation of the TSST-1 binding site on DR molecules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Irreversible association of peptides with class II MHC molecules in living cells.

Functional, morphological and biochemical evidence indicates that class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules associate with processed peptides during biosynthesis. Peptide/MHC complexes in living cells have been reported to be less stable than similar complexes generated in vitro, which has led to the suggestion that there may be a peptide exchange mechanism operating in vivo. Although this could increase the capacity for binding incoming antigens, it would reduce the efficacy of processed antigenic peptides by exchanging these for self peptides. Here we measure the half-life of peptide/class II complexes in human antigen-presenting cells and find that it is very similar to the half-life of class II molecules themselves, indicating that peptides are bound irreversibly under physiological conditions. Thus class II MHC retains long-term 'memory' of past encounters with antigen to maximize the opportunity for T cell/antigen-presenting cell interaction.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

Preferential V beta gene usage and lack of junctional sequence conservation among human T cell receptors specific for a tetanus toxin-derived peptide: evidence for a dominant role of a germline-encoded V region in antigen/major histocompatibility complex recognition.

To investigate the structural and genetic basis of the T cell response to defined peptide/major histocompatibility (MHC) class II complexes in humans, we established a large panel of T cell clones (61) from donors of different HLA-DR haplotypes and reactive with a tetanus toxin-derived peptide (tt830-844) recognized in association with most DR molecules (universal peptide). By using a bacterial enterotoxin-based proliferation assay and cDNA sequencing, we found preferential use of a particular V beta region gene segment, V beta 2.1, in three of the individuals studied (64%, n = 58), irrespective of whether the peptide was presented by the DR6wcI, DR4w4, or DRw11.1 and DRw11.2 alleles, demonstrating that shared MHC class II antigens are not required for shared V beta gene use by T cell receptors (TCRs) specific for this peptide. V alpha gene use was more heterogeneous, with at least seven different V alpha segments derived from five distinct families encoding alpha chains able to pair with V beta 2.1 chains to form a tt830-844/DR-specific binding site. Several cases were found of clones restricted to different DR alleles that expressed identical V beta and (or very closely related) V alpha gene segments and that differed only in their junctional sequences. Thus, changes in the putative complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) of the TCR may, in certain cases, alter MHC specificity and maintain peptide reactivity. Finally, in contrast to what has been observed in other defined peptide/MHC systems, a striking heterogeneity was found in the junctional regions of both alpha and beta chains, even for TCRs with identical V alpha and/or V beta gene segments and the same restriction. Among 14 anti-tt830-844 clones using the V beta 2.1 gene segment, 14 unique V beta-D-J beta junctions were found, with no evident conservation in length and/or amino acid composition. One interpretation for this apparent lack of coselection of specific junctional sequences in the context of a common V element, V beta 2.1, is that this V region plays a dominant role in the recognition of the tt830-844/DR complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

T cell clones with normal or defective O-galactosylation from a patient with permanent mixed-field polyagglutinability.

To delineate the extent of O-galactosyltransferase deficiency within the lymphoid lineage, monoclonal antibody specific for the Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen (Gal beta 1----3GalNAc alpha 1-O-Ser/Thr) and its precursor the Tn antigen (GalNAc alpha 1-O-Ser/Thr) were applied to the flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes from a patient with permanent mixed-field polyagglutinability (PMFP). We show that only a minor population of 4% expressed the Tn antigen which is in contrast to 93% of the patient's erythrocytes carrying the defect. Tn+ lymphocytes mainly belonged to the CD3+ subset, but were also CD19+ or CD16+. Both Tn+ and TF+ T cell clones from patient R. R. were established and shown to belong to the CD4+ or CD8+ antigenic subset. Three glycosyltransferase activities were determined in lysates from these clones: all Tn+ clones were deficient in UDP-Gal: GalNAc alpha 1-O-Ser/Thr beta 1----3 galactosyltransferase (beta 3Gal-T) activity; by contrast this activity was present in all lysates from TF-expressing clones. UDP-GalNAc: polypeptide alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAc-T) and UDP-Gal: GlcNAc-R beta 1----4 galactosyl-transferase (beta 4Gal-T) exhibited similar activities in both Tn+ and TF+ T cell clones. As a consequence of defective O-galactosylation in Tn+ T cells, cell surface sialic acid of Tn+ clones was reduced by greater than 50% when compared to TF+ clones as demonstrated by sialic acid-specific labeling using fluoresceinated Limax flavus agglutinin(LA) and flow cytometry. The Tn phenotype of T cell clones was stable for more than 1 year of continuous expansion in vitro. These data demonstrate that in PMFP, T cells may also be affected by the O-galactosyltransferase deficiency which is accompanied by a substantial loss of cell surface sialic acid. However, the frequency of Tn+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood from patient R.R. was strikingly low. These T cell clones should be useful to study the defect at a genetic level and the importance of O-linked carbohydrates for proper T cell function.

Agglutination↗

Activated human T cells express a ligand for the human B cell-associated antigen CD40 which participates in T cell-dependent activation of B lymphocytes.

To identify the ligand for the B cell-associated antigen CD40, we constructed a chimeric immunoglobulin molecule where the extracellular portion of the CD40 protein replaced the normal immunoglobulin variable region. No binding was detected on resting peripheral blood T cells. However, following T cell activation with phorbol esters and ionomycin, the chimeric protein bound specifically to activated human T cells and precipitated a 35-kDa protein from such cells. The induction of the CD40 ligand was detectable on the cell surface after 1 h, with maximal expression after 8 h of stimulation. The T cells expressing CD40 ligand were predominantly CD4 positive, although a proportion of CD8-positive cells also expressed the protein. There was no particular correlation with CD45 phenotype. Finally, we found that soluble CD40 inhibited T-dependent B cell proliferation. The results are discussed in the context of cognate interactions between B and T cells.

Adult↗

Janusin: new molecular design for bispecific reagents.

It is well established that soluble CD4 (sCD4) inhibits HIV infection in vitro, regardless of the virus strain or genetic variant. Most effective molecules, thus far, based on sCD4 are those in which CD4 is combined with immunoglobulin constant regions (CD4-IgG or CD4-IgM). Such molecules maintained HIV-gp120 specificity mediated by CD4 and also antibody effector functions such as complement activation, Fc receptor binding, long serum half-life or transport across the placental barrier. We have now developed sCD4 molecules which are even more potent anti-HIV reagents. These molecules are based on the principle of bispecific antibodies and they have properties capable of retargeting cytotoxic T lymphocytes onto HIV-infected cells and inducing efficient killing. CD4 combined with anti-human CD3 (FvCD3) single-chain combining site has been produced (CD4-FvCD3-JANUSIN). This molecule shows the expected biological activities, namely, binding to the 2 ligands, human CD3 and gp120, also efficiently retargeting CTLs of any specificity onto HIV-infected cells. In addition, several advantages over classical bispecific antibodies can be achieved: only one polypeptide, not a mixture containing the desired product, is produced, thus simplifying the purification process. In addition, Janusin designs do not contain the Ig Fc portion, which could mediate illegitimate retargeting of T-cells. In addition to CD4-FvCD3-JANUSIN, receptor-Fv, Fv-Fv or ligand-Fv Janusins can be produced.

Antibodies↗

Adoptive immunotherapy of ovarian carcinoma with bs-MAb-targeted lymphocytes: a multicenter study.

A bispecific monoclonal antibody (bs-MAb) (OC/TR) was produced in large quantities for the intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatment of ovarian cancer. The bs-MAb recognizes the folate-binding protein on ovarian cancer cells on the one hand and the CD3 activation site on T lymphocytes on the other. T lymphocytes were expanded ex vivo, targeted with OC/TR in vitro and administered to the i.p. cavity in the presence of soluble OC/TR. All patients developed human anti-mouse-antibodies (HAMA). In the Dutch study, 2 complete remissions (CR) were seen, 2 partial regressions (PR), I stable disease (SD) and I progressive disease (PD). In the Italian study 3 CR, I PR, I SD and 2 PD were seen.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Processed antigen binds to newly synthesized MHC class II molecules in antigen-specific B lymphocytes.

We describe the direct detection of radiolabeled antigen fragments bound to class II MHC molecules following immunoglobulin-mediated endocytosis and processing of native antigen in B lymphoblastoid cells. Tris-Tricine SDS gels revealed six distinct iodinated processing products that could be detected on class II MHC 1 hr after antigen endocytosis and persisted for at least 20 hr. These physiological processed antigen-class II complexes were remarkably stable, as judged by the fact that class II alpha beta dimers, which remain associated in SDS, became labeled with the same set of processed peptides. Using a lectin-binding assay, we show that these physiological processing products bind to the newly maturing population of MHC molecules rather than binding to the preexisting cell surface population; in contrast, an exogenous peptide binds predominantly to the latter population. A direct T cell-independent assay for processed peptide-MHC complex formation should facilitate additional studies on the exogenous antigen processing pathway.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Antigen-specific T cells with monogamous or promiscuous restriction patterns are sensitive to different HLA-DR beta chain substitutions.

The contributions of the amino acids at 13 polymorphic positions in the HLA-DR7 beta 1 chain to T cell recognition of two antigenic peptides of tetanus toxin (p2 and p30) were assessed using transfectants expressing mutant DR7 beta 1 chains as APC for six toxin-specific T cell clones with two different restriction patterns: monogamous (restricted by DR7 only) or promiscuous (restricted by DR7; DR1; DR2, Dw21; and DR4, Dw4). Each of the 13 substitutions significantly decreased or eliminated the ability of the DR7 molecule to present a peptide to one or more of the T cell clones, but none of the substitutions abolished recognition by all clones. Interestingly, substitutions at positions 4 and 25, which are predicted in the class II model to be located outside the peptide binding groove, decreased the ability of the DR7 molecule to present Ag to some clones but not to others. Each of the four clones specific for the p2 peptide and the two clones specific for peptide p30 had a different reactivity pattern to the panel of DR7 beta 1 mutants, indicating that the TCR of each clone has a different view of the p2/DR7 or p30/DR7 complex. These data emphasize the complexity of the interactions of multiple residues in DR7 beta 1 chains in Ag-specific T cell recognition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recognition by class II alloreactive T cells of processed determinants from human serum proteins.

Alloreactive T cells recognize a complex composed of an allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule and a peptide derived from the processing of nonpolymorphic proteins. A sizable fraction of MHC class II alloreactive T cells is shown to recognize peptides derived from constitutive processing of human serum proteins. One such epitope is a fragment of human serum albumin. This epitope bound selectively to the human class II molecule DRw11 and was constitutively present on antigen-presenting cells in vivo. These data indicate that, in the case of MHC class II, peptides involved in allorecognition may originate from exogenous proteins.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗