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B Arp

Publications and source records attributed to B Arp.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Novel mutants define genes required for the expression of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen DM: evidence for loci on human chromosome 6p.

We and others have shown that the products of the HLA-DM locus are required for the intracellular assembly of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules with cognate peptides for antigen presentation. HLA-DM heterodimers mediate the dissociation of invariant chain (Ii)-derived class II-associated Ii peptides (CLIP) from class II molecules and facilitate the loading of class II molecules with antigenic peptides. Here we describe novel APC mutants with defects in the formation of class II-peptide complexes. These mutants express class II molecules which are conformationally altered, and an aberrantly high percentage of these class II molecules are associated with Ii-derived CLIP. This phenotype resembles that of DM null mutants. However, we show that the defects in two of these new mutants do not map to the DM locus. Nevertheless, our evidence suggests that the antigen processing defective phenotype in these mutants results from deficient DM expression. These mutants thus appear to define genes in which mutations have differential effects on the expression of conventional class II molecules and DM molecules. Our data are most consistent with these factors mapping to human chromosome 6p. Previous data have suggested that the expression of DM and class II genes are coordinately regulated. The results reported here suggest that DM and class II can also be differentially regulated, and that this differential regulation has significant effects on class II-restricted antigen processing.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

HLA-DMA and -DMB genes are both required for MHC class II/peptide complex formation in antigen-presenting cells.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are highly polymorphic cell-surface glycoproteins that present antigenic peptides to CD4+ T lymphocytes. The normal assembly of class II molecules with cognate peptides for antigen presentation requires an accessory function provided by a gene mapping to the class II region of the HLA complex. The isolation of somatic cell mutants of antigen-presenting cells (APC) has shown that at least one gene which maps between HLA-DP and HLA-DQ, provisionally designated c2p-1 (ref. 3), mediates this process. Here we describe a unique new mutant 2.2.93, which manifests defective formation of class II/peptide complexes like that described in c2p-1 mutants. We show that (1) mutant 2.2.93 contains a mutation in HLA-DMA, and a representative c2p-1 mutant, 9.5.3, contains a mutation in HLA-DMB; and (2) transfection and expression of DMA complementary DNA in 2.2.93, and DMB cDNA in 9.5.3, reverses their mutant phenotypes. These results show that HLA-DMA and -DMB, genes of previously unknown function mapping between HLA-DP and HLA-DQ, are required for the normal assembly of peptides with MHC class II molecules. They suggest that HLA-DMA and -DMB encode subunits of a functional heterodimer which is critical in the pathway of class II antigen presentation.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

A mutant human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen DR molecule associated with invariant chain peptides.

From a human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR/DQ hemizygous, B lymphoblastoid progenitor, we isolated a cell line, 10.24.6, with a DR alpha missense mutation (96P-->96S), which results in an N-linked carbohydrate addition at position 94 in the DR alpha 2 domain. Several features of 10.24.6 cells suggest that the mutation disrupts normal intracellular formation of peptide/DR complexes. The mutant HLA-DR dimers, though expressed at the cell surface, lack the conformation of the mature, peptide-loaded class II molecules of the progenitor cell, as assessed by their loss of binding of certain antibodies and by the lack of stability in detergent (sodium dodecyl sulfate) solution. In addition, presentation of endocytosed antigen to HLA-DR-restricted T cells is defective in the mutant, but can be restored by transfection of a wild type DRA gene. Assays with synthetic peptides indicate that the 10.24.6 phenotype is not due to an intrinsic inability of the mutant DR molecules to bind peptides. Therefore, to directly evaluate peptide occupancy of the mutant molecules, we analyzed acid-eluted, HLA-DR-associated peptides. The predominant species from the 10.24.6 mutant is a nested set of invariant chain (Ii)-derived peptides that are undetectable in the DR eluate from progenitor cells. The region of DR alpha altered in the mutant molecules is thus implicated in normal formation of peptide/DR complexes. Further, the same set of Ii peptides associated with the DR molecules is present in the eluate from an antigen presentation mutant with a defect in an major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-linked gene. These results suggest that DR molecules in 10.24.6 and in certain presentation mutants are affected at the same or related steps in class II molecule biosynthesis, raising the possibility that class II molecules interact with an MHC-encoded accessory molecule during antigen presentation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Defective processing and presentation of exogenous antigens in mutants with normal HLA class II genes.

Presentation of an exogenous protein antigen to helper (CD4+)T-lymphocytes by antigen presenting cells (APC) generally requires that the APCs degrade the native protein antigen into an immunogenic peptide, a process termed 'antigen processing', and that this peptide bind to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule. The complex of peptide and MHC molecule on the APC surface provides the stimulatory ligand for the alpha beta T cell receptor. The intracellular pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of the peptide-MHC complex are not well understood. Here, we describe several mutant APCs which are altered in their ability to present native exogenous protein antigens but effectively present immunogenic peptides derived from these proteins. The lesions in these mutants are not in the class II structural genes, but they affect the conformation of mature class II dimers.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

Point mutations define positions in HLA-DR3 molecules that affect antigen presentation.

Allelic differences in major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded class II molecules affect both the binding of immunogenic peptides to class II molecules and the recognition of MHC molecule-peptide complexes by T cells. As yet, there has been no extensive mapping of these functions to the fine structure of human class II molecules. To determine sites on the HLA-DR3 molecule involved in antigen presentation to T cells, we used monoclonal antibodies specific for HLA-DR3 to immunoselect mutants of a B-lymphoblastoid line. We located the sites of single amino acid substitutions in the HLA-DR3 molecule and correlated these structural changes with patterns of recognition by HLA-DR3-restricted, antigen-specific T cells, allospecific T cells, and allospecific anti-DR3 monoclonal antibodies. We analyzed seven mutations. One mutation, at position 74 in domain 1 of the DR beta chain, affected recognition by all T cells tested, whereas others, at positions 9, 45, 73, 151, and 204 of the DR beta chain and position 115 of the DR alpha chain, altered recognition by some T cells, but not others. Each of the substitutions resulted in a unique pattern of T-cell stimulation. In addition, each T-cell clone recognized a different subset of the mutants. These results indicate that different residues of the DR3 molecule are involved in presentation of antigen to different DR3-restricted T cells. These studies further show that substitutions which most likely affect peptide binding alter recognition of DR3 molecules by an alloreactive T-cell clone and some allospecific antibodies.

Alleles↗

Physical linkage of mouse lambda genes by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis suggests that the rearrangement process favors proximate target sequences.

The first complete map of a mammalian immunoglobulin gene locus is presented. Mouse lambda genes were mapped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The gene order is V2-Vx-C2-C4-V1-C3-C1. The distance between V2 or Vx and the C2-C4 cluster is 74 or 55 kilobases (kb), respectively, whereas that between V1 and C3-C1 is only 19 kb; V2 and C3-C1 are at least 190 kb apart. Thus, the distances between the lambda subloci are inversely proportional to their frequencies of rearrangement. The related gene lambda 5 is not within the 500 kb of the lambda locus mapped here.

Animals↗

A single amino acid substitution in the human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen DR3 beta chain selectively alters antigen presentation.

Activation of T lymphocytes by immunogenic peptides bound to HLA molecules is a central event in the generation of an immune response. To determine the sites on HLA molecules involved in this process, we isolated mutant EBV-transformed B cell clones that express altered HLA-DR3 molecules. One mutant has lost the ability to stimulate a T cell clone specific for a mycobacterial protein, but retains the ability to stimulate other antigen-specific T cells. The DNA sequence of the complete DR alpha and beta coding regions revealed a single nucleotide change resulting in a glutamic acid to lysine substitution at amino acid 9 in the first hypervariable region of the DR beta chain. These results are discussed in relation to a recently proposed model of class II molecule structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transgenic mice with mu and kappa genes encoding antiphosphorylcholine antibodies.

Transgenic mice were produced that carried in their germlines rearranged kappa and/or mu genes with V kappa and VH regions from the myeloma MOPC-167 kappa and H genes, which encode anti-PC antibody. The mu genes contain either a complete gene, including the membrane terminus (mu genes), or genes in which this terminus is deleted and only the secreted terminus remains (mu delta mem genes). The mu gene without membrane terminus is expressed at as high a level as the mu gene with the complete 3' end, suggesting that this terminus is not required for chromatin activation of the mu locus or for stability of the mRNA. The transgenes are expressed only in lymphoid organs. In contrast to our previous studies with MOPC-21 kappa transgenic mice, the mu transgene is transcribed in T lymphocytes as well as B lymphocytes. Thymocytes from mu and kappa mu transgenic mice display elevated levels of M-167 mu RNA and do not show elevated levels of kappa RNA, even though higher than normal levels of M-167 kappa RNA are detected in the spleen of these mice. Approximately 60% of thymocytes of mu transgenic mice produce cytoplasmic mu protein. However, despite a large amount of mu RNA of the membrane form, mu protein cannot be detected on the surface of T cells, perhaps because it cannot associate with T cell receptor alpha or beta chains. Mice with the complete mu transgene produce not only the mu transgenic mRNA but also considerably increased amounts of kappa RNA encoded by endogenous MOPC-167 like kappa genes. This suggests that B cells are selected by antigen (PC) if they coexpress the mu transgene and appropriate anti-PC endogenous kappa genes. Mice with the mu delta mem gene, however, do not express detectable levels of the endogenous MOPC-167 kappa mRNA. Like the complete mu transgene, the M-167 kappa transgene also causes amplification of endogenous MOPC-167 related immunoglobulins; mice with the kappa transgene have increased amounts of endogenous MOPC-167-like mu or alpha or gamma in the spleen, all of the secreted form. Implications for the regulation of immunoglobulin gene expression and B cell triggering are discussed.

Animals↗

Methylation patterns of immunoglobulin genes in lymphoid cells: correlation of expression and differentiation with undermethylation.

Different states of eukaryotic gene expression are often correlated with different levels of methylation of DNA sequences containing structural genes and their flanking regions. To assess the potential role of DNA methylation in the expression of immunoglobulin genes, which require complex rearrangements prior to expression, methylation patterns were examined in cell lines representing different stages of lymphocyte maturation. Methylation of the second cytosine in the sequence 5' C-C-G-G 3' was determined by using Hpa II/Msp I endonuclease digestion. Four CH genes (C mu, C delta, C gamma 2b, and C alpha), C kappa, V kappa, C lambda, and V lambda genes were analyzed. The results lead to the following conclusions: (i) transcribed immunoglobulin genes are undermethylated; (ii) the C gene allelic to an expressed C gene is always also undermethylated; and (iii) all immunoglobulin loci tend to become increasingly undermethylated as B cells mature.

Animals↗

Misalignment of V and J gene segments resulting in a nonfunctional immunoglobulin gene.

The myeloma variant NS-1n has lost the functional immunoglobulin kappa gene which is present in its parent, myeloma MOPC-21. The variant retains a nonfunctional rearranged gene, M.21N, which undergoes RNA transcription and processing to yield a mature size kmRNA. This kRNA, however, is not translated into kappa polypeptide chains. The nonfunctional gene was cloned into Charon 4A to determine the basis for its inactivity. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a DNA fragment overlapping the V-J recombination site in the M.21N gene indicated that a misalignment had taken place during somatic recombination. This misalignment results in a deletion of four nucleotides at the 3' end of the V gene and, thus, a translational reading frame shift. In other respects the M.21n V gene, which corresponds to a different VK subgroup than the functional gene of MOPC-21, appears normal.

Base Sequence↗

Myeloma with multiple rearranged immunoglobulin kappa genes: only one kappa gene codes for kappa chains.

In many myelomas more than one kappa gene is rearranged (2-5). We are reporting here the results of studies undertaken to determine whether all the rearranged genes are expressed. It was found that in the myeloma NS-1 three different rearranged kappa genes exist. In a subline of NS-1 and several hybridomas produced by fusion of mouse spleen cells with NS-1 it was found that production of NS-1 kappa chains was correlated with the presence of one of the three kappa genes. Loss of this "expressed" gene eliminated the synthesis of the NS-1 kappa chains, loss of one of the other two rearranged kappa genes did not. It is hypothesized, that allelic exclusion (20) of kappa genes generally operates by the functional rearrangement of one kappa gene; other rearrangements are relatively frequent, at least in myelomas, but mostly they are nonfunctional and thus scrambled antibody molecules do not arise.

Animals↗

Expression of a microinjected immunoglobulin gene in the spleen of transgenic mice.

Transgenic mice were produced by microinjection of a rearranged, functional immunoglobulin kappa gene into fertilized mouse eggs and implantation of the microinjected embryos into foster mothers. Mice that integrated the injected gene were mated and the DNA, RNA and serum kappa chains of their offspring were analysed. The data from offspring of three different transgenic mice indicate that the microinjected gene is expressed in the spleen, but not the liver of mice which inherited the injected gene.

Animals↗