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C Bottino

Publications and source records attributed to C Bottino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Novel surface molecules involved in human NK cell activation and triggering of the lytic machinery.

Three new monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) termed 7A6, PP35 and A6/143 were isolated after mouse immunization with CD3- CD16+ NK clones. The screening procedure was based on the ability of MAbs to trigger cytolytic activity of the immunizing clones in a re-directed killing assay against the P815 murine mastocytoma cell line. The 7A6 MAb reacts with 58 kDa surface molecules that appear to belong to the same molecular family defined by the previously described NK-sub-set-specific GL183 and EB6 MAbs. However, unlike from these MAbs, the 7A6 MAb reacted with (and activated) all CD3- NK lymphocytes, independent of their sub-set assignment (based on the expression or lack of expression of EB6, GL183 and CD16). The PP35 MAb reacted with a 70 kDa surface molecule expressed on all CD3- NK cells, as well as on TCR gamma/delta + cells and on a small sub-set of TCR alpha/beta + CD8+ lymphocytes. The PP35 MAb induced activation of essentially all NK cells, although clonal analysis revealed quantitative differences in the magnitude of the cytolytic responses elicited in different clones. Finally, the A6/143 MAb reacted with a molecule of 115 kDa expressed by all human PBL. Similarly to 7A6 and PP35 MAbs, the A6/143 MAb activated all sub-sets of cloned NK cells.

Animals

CD69-mediated pathway of lymphocyte activation: anti-CD69 monoclonal antibodies trigger the cytolytic activity of different lymphoid effector cells with the exception of cytolytic T lymphocytes expressing T cell receptor alpha/beta.

The effect of anti-CD69 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) on the induction of the cytolytic activity in different types of lymphoid effector cells has been investigated. Three anti-CD69 mAbs, including the reference mAb MLR3 and two new mAbs (c227 and 31C4), have been used. All cloned CD3-CD16+ natural killer (NK) cells belonging to different subsets (as defined by the surface expression of GL183 and/or EB6 antigens) were efficiently triggered by anti-CD69 mAbs and lysed P815 mastocytoma cells in a redirected killing assay. Triggering of the cytolytic activity could also be induced in CD3-CD16- NK clones, which fail to respond to other stimuli (including anti-CD16, anti-CD2 mAbs, or phytohemagglutinin). A similar triggering effect was detected in T cell receptor (TCR) gamma/delta+ clones belonging to different subsets. On the other hand, anti-CD69 mAbs could not induce triggering of the cytolytic activity in TCR alpha/beta+ cytolytic clones. Since all thymocytes are known to express CD69 antigen after cell activation, we analyzed a series of phenotypically different cytolytic thymocyte populations and clones for their responsiveness to anti-CD69 mAb in a redirected killing assay. Again, anti-CD69 mAb triggered TCR gamma/delta+ but not TCR alpha/beta+ thymocytes. Anti-CD69 mAb efficiently triggered the cytolytic activity of "early" thymocytes lines or clones (CD3-4-8-7+), which lack all other known pathways of cell activation. Thus, it appears that CD69 molecules may initiate a pathway of activation of cytolytic functions common to a number of activated effector lymphocytes with the remarkable exception of TCR alpha/beta+ cytolytic cells.

Animals

A novel surface molecule expressed by long-term cultured T and natural killer cells is involved in cell activation.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb), termed ED6 and LD6, were obtained by immunizing mice with cytotoxic T cell lines expressing the T cell receptor (TcR) gamma/delta. These mAb were selected according to their ability to trigger the cytolytic program of the immunizing cell lines in a redirected killing assay. Both mAb recognized molecule(s) expressed on the surface of most long-term cultured TcR gamma/delta +, TcR alpha/beta + and CD3-CD16+ lymphocytes, while it was absent on resting peripheral blood lymphocytes. In addition both mAb reacted with neoplastic B cell lines, Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines, small cell lung cancer and glioma cell lines, while no surface reactivity was detected on ovarian, breast, colon and non-small cell lung cancer lines. The functional activity of these mAb was studied by two cytolytic assays. Both mAb were able to trigger the cytolytic program of CD3+TcR gamma/delta + polyclonal cell lines and of a CD3-CD16+ NK cell clone against the murine mastocytoma target cell line P815 (Fc receptor+) in a 4-h 51Cr-release assay. In addition, ED6 and LD6 hybridomas were lysed by TcR gamma/delta + effector cells while other hybridomas (obtained from the same fusion) were not lysed. ED6 and LD6 mAb (in the presence of submitogenic doses of the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) also induced the secretion of interleukin 2 by ED6/LD6+ T cell clones expressing TcR gamma/delta or alpha/beta. mAb-induced surface antigen modulation experiments showed that the antigenic determinant recognized by ED6 and LD6 co-modulated, thus indicating that the two mAb probably recognize the same or closely associated molecules. The molecular characteristics of the antigen recognized by the mAb were investigated by Western blot analysis. The LD6 mAb recognized a major band of approximately 65 kDa, both under nonreducing and reducing conditions. These data indicate that ED6 and LD6 mAb recognize a novel non-lineage-specific activation antigen which is involved in the induction of the functional program of long-term cultured T or natural killer cells.

Animals

Molecular and cellular analysis of human T lymphocytes expressing gamma delta T-cell receptor.

A minor subset of T lymphocytes expresses a CD3-associated TCR composed of gamma and delta chains. The majority of TCR gamma/delta+ cells lack surface CD4 and CD8 antigen and do not react with WT31 mAb. These negative criteria were utilized in early studies to identify TCR gamma/delta+ cells. More recently, mAb to TCR gamma/delta, selected in different laboratories, have permitted the direct identification of TCR gamma/delta+ cells and their subsets. TCR gamma/delta molecules were found to be heterogeneous in size and charge mobility. Two major forms of TCR gamma/delta could be identified that are characterized by the presence or absence of an inter-chain disulphide bond. Biochemical analysis originally suggested that a precise correlation existed between reactivity with BB3 or delta TCS1/A13 mAb and expression of a disulphide (C gamma 1-encoded) or non-disulphide linked (C gamma 2-encoded) form of TCR gamma/delta. However, more recent studies have indicated that these mAb react with the molecular product of V delta 2 or V delta 1, respectively, mAb directed to one or another form of TCR gamma/delta activate the functional program of the cell, leading to intracellular Ca++ mobilization, lymphokine production and triggering of the lytic machinery. Analysis of the target molecules for TCR gamma/delta-mediated recognition revealed that at least some TCR gamma/delta+ cells are capable of specific responses to (allo)antigen and that polymorphic determinants of class I molecules can be recognized (as shown by the specific lysis of P815 cells transfected with HLA-24 allele). Unlike TCR alpha/beta+ cells, TCR gamma/delta+ cells are homogeneously composed of cytolytic precursors, as shown by the analysis of a large panel of clones in both lectin-dependent and redirected killing assays. In spite of their LGL morphology, freshly isolated TCR gamma/delta+ cells do not lyse NK-sensitive targets but do so after exposure to rIL-2. A modest cytolytic activity, however, could be induced also in fresh cells by anti-TCR/CD3 mAb in a redirected killing assay. Analysis of the distribution of the subsets expressing different TCR gamma/delta types showed that BB3+ cells are prevalent in the peripheral blood and virtually absent in the thymus; in contrast, A13+ (delta TCS1+) cells represent the majority of TCR gamma/delta+ thymocytes. Electron microscopic analysis of fresh TCR gamma/delta+ cells showed an extended cytoplasm containing numerous electron-dense granules identifiable as primary lysosomes. Upon stimulation with IL-2, TCR gamma/delta+ cells, similar to other LAK cells, display an increase in their cytoplasmic granules together with a redistribution of cytoskeletal structures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Identification of four subsets of human CD3-CD16+ natural killer (NK) cells by the expression of clonally distributed functional surface molecules: correlation between subset assignment of NK clones and ability to mediate specific alloantigen recognition.

In previous studies we identified a surface molecule (termed GL183) capable of mediating cell activation and selectively expressed by a subset of human CD3-CD16+ natural killer (NK) cells. In this study we analyzed whether other subset-specific functional molecules were expressed in GL183- NK cells. To this end, mice were immunized with the PE29 (CD3-CD16+GL183-) NK clone. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were selected by screening the hybridoma supernatants for their ability to trigger the cytolytic activity of clone PE29 against the human myelomonocytic leukemia U937. The EB6 mAb (IgG1) triggered the PE29 clone, but not a GL183+ clone used as a control. EB6+ cells ranged between 1 and 13% of peripheral blood lymphocytes and were largely included in the CD3-CD16+CD56+ cell populations (only less than 2% of EB6+ cells were CD3+). Analysis of resting or activated CD3-CD16+ populations, or clones for the expression of EB6 or GL183 mAbs, allowed us to identify four distinct, phenotypically stable, NK subsets (EB6+GL183-; EB6+GL183+; EB6-GL183+; EB6-GL183-). Similar to GL183 mAb, the EB6 mAb selectively triggered the NK subset expressing the corresponding surface antigen to lyse human tumor cell lines including U937, IGROV-I, M14, and A549. In addition, EB6 mAb sharply inhibited the cytolytic activity of EB6+ clones against P815, M12, and P3U1 murine target cells. In EB6+GL183+ ("double-positive") clones both EB6 and GL183 mAb inhibited the redirected killing of P815 cells induced by anti-CD16, anti-CD2 mAbs and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Similar to GL183 molecules, molecules precipitated by EB6 mAb were represented by either single 58-kD chain or double chains of 55 and 58 kD (with no detectable differences in EB6+GL183- or EB6+GL183+ clones). In sequential immunoprecipitation experiments using the double-positive clones CEG52 and CA25.50, preclearing of cell lysates with EB6 or GL183 mAb removed only EB6 or GL183 molecules, respectively, thus indicating that the two antigenic determinants are carried by two distinct molecules. Peptide map analysis indicated that EB6 (or GL183) molecules precipitated from double-positive clones were identical to the corresponding molecules isolated from single-positive ones. On the other hand, comparison of the EB6 and GL183 maps revealed peptides that were unique to each molecule, although most of the major peptides migrated to identical positions. We further investigated whether correlation existed between the phenotypic assignment of NK clones and their ability to mediate specific lysis of normal allogeneic cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

The C gamma 1-encoded disulphide-linked and the C gamma 2-encoded nondisulphide-linked forms of the gamma/delta heterodimer use different gamma and delta variable regions.

We identified two types of gamma/delta T-cell clones: (1) BB3+ clones, which express the disulphide-linked form of the gamma/delta heterodimer (type 1 receptor) and carry rearrangements of the C gamma 1 gene; and (2) delta TCS1+ clones, which express the nondisulphide-linked form of the gamma/delta heterodimer (type 2 receptor) and carry rearrangements of the C gamma 2 gene. To determine the joining (J) and variable (V) region usage of the two receptor types, T gamma and T delta gene rearrangements and expression were analyzed in each gamma/delta T-cell clone. The results showed that the J and V regions used by the two receptor types are distinct: clones that express the type 1 receptor carry potentially functional rearrangements in J gamma P-V gamma 9 for gamma and in J delta 1-V delta 2 for delta; and clones that express the type 2 receptor had potentially functional rearrangements in J gamma 2-V gamma 2/V gamma 4 for gamma and in J delta 1-V delta 1 for delta. Therefore, two clearly different gamma/delta receptors (V gamma 9-J gamma P-C gamma 1/V delta 2-J delta 1-C delta and V gamma 2/V gamma 4-J gamma 2-C gamma 2/V delta 1-J delta 1-C delta) predominate in peripheral blood.

Adult

A novel surface antigen expressed by a subset of human CD3- CD16+ natural killer cells. Role in cell activation and regulation of cytolytic function.

The GL183 mAb was obtained by immunizing BALB/c mice with the E57 clone (CD7+CD2+CD3-CD16+CD56+) derived from human peripheral blood NK cells. In human peripheral blood, GL183-reactive cells ranged between 2 and 12% (mean 6.5%) in 10 different donors. Double fluorescence and FACS analysis showed that GL183+ cells were consistently included in the CD56+ or CD16+ cell populations. Moreover, since only a fraction of CD56+ or CD16+ cells (approximately 40%) coexpressed GL183 surface antigen, reactivity with GL183 mAb appears to define two subsets within the CD3- lymphocyte population expressing NK cell markers. Although, the majority of GL183+ cells were CD3-, approximately 1% expressed CD3 surface antigens. As shown by clonal analysis, these infrequent CD3+GL183+ cells coexpressed CD56 and CD16 antigens. Cloning of CD3-GL183+ or CD3-GL183- cell populations under limiting dilution conditions yielded clonal progenies that maintained their original surface phenotype. Therefore, expression or lack of expression of GL183 surface antigens represents a stable phenotypic property of a subset of human CD3- NK cells. Immunoprecipitation experiments and two-dimensional PAGE analysis indicated that GL183-reactive molecules were represented in different clones either by a single 58-kD chain or, more frequently, by two chains of approximately 55 and approximately 58 kD, respectively. Analysis of GL183+ or GL183- NK clones for their ability to lyse human (IGROV I) or murine (P815) tumor target cells indicated that GL183- clones were, on average, fivefold more efficient in inducing target cell lysis. GL183+ and GL183- clones produced comparable levels of TNF-alpha in response to PHA plus PMA or anti-CD16 mAb plus PMA. Importantly, production of TNF-alpha was also induced by stimulation of GL183+ clones with GL183 mAb plus PMA. These data indicated that GL183 antigen could mediate cell triggering. This concept was confirmed by the analysis of Ca2+ mobilization, as GL183 mAb induced (in GL183+ clones) increments of [Ca2+]i comparable with those induced by PHA. Moreover, GL183 mAb, or its F(ab')2 fragments, strongly enhanced the cytolytic activity of GL183+ clones against a panel of human tumor target cells, including U937, Raji, IGROV I, M14, and A549. In contrast, GL183 mAb, but not the F(ab')2 fragments, sharply inhibited the cytolytic activity of the same clones against P815, M12, and P3U1 murine target cells. In this case, the effect of GL183 mAb (inhibition) was opposite that of PHA or of stimulatory anti-CD2 or anti-CD16 mAbs, which consistently enhanced the target cell lysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Monoclonal antibodies which react with the T cell receptor gamma/delta recognize different subsets of CD3+WT31- T lymphocytes.

A polyclonal CD3+4-8-WT31- cell line (termed SFG) was utilized for mice immunization in order to produce monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for the T cell receptor (TcR) gamma/delta. Hybrid supernatants were screened for their ability to induce SFG cells (but not conventional TcR alpha/beta + CTL lines) to kill the murine Fc receptor-positive P815 target cell line. Three hybrids, termed G1, A13 and F11, were isolated according to this screening. By indirect immunofluorescence G1 mAb reacted with 65% of SFG cells, while A13 stained 26% and F11 75% of cells. Double-fluorescence analysis revealed that G1 and A13 mAb identify two distinct, non-overlapping subsets of cells present in the SFG cell line. The reactivity of the mAb was also analyzed on a panel of representative TcR gamma/delta clones. G1 mAb reacted with 5 clones, that were also stained by the previously described BB3 mAb (recognizing the disulfide-linked form of TcR gamma/delta). These clones failed to react with A13 and delta-TCS-1 mAb (the latter of which is known to react with a non-disulfide-linked form of TcR gamma/delta). Out of six clones that reacted with A13 mAb, four were also delta-TCS-1+, whereas two were delta-TCS-1- and none of them reacted with G1, (or BB3) mAb. In contrast to the mAb above, F11 brightly stained the G1+A13- clones and more weakly the G1-A13+ clones. Moreover, F11 efficiently triggered both types of clones to kill the P815 target cells while G1 and A13 were able to trigger only G1+ or A13+ clones, respectively. None of the mAb above reacted with a large number of CD3+WT31+ clones. Antibody-induced surface antigen modulation experiments indicated that molecules recognized by G1, A13 and F11 were physically associated on cell surface with CD3 determinants. In addition, immunoprecipitation followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis (performed on 125I-surface-labeled TcR gamma/delta+ clones) revealed that molecules recognized by G1, A13 and F11 displayed an apparent mol. wt. corresponding to that of CD3-associated TcR molecules, immunoprecipitated by anti-CD3 mAb from the same clones.

Animals

Human thymocytes expressing gamma/delta T-cell receptors.

Expression of T-cell receptors of gamma/delta type characterizes a small subset of peripheral T lymphocytes which is homogeneously composed of cytolytic cells and, in most instances, lack CD4 and CD8 differentiation antigens. By the use of anti-TCR gamma/delta MAbs it is possible to identify two distinct subsets of TCR gamma/delta+ cells that are characterized by a C gamma 1 or C gamma 2-encoded forms of gamma-chain, respectively. While the BB3 MAb-reactive (C gamma 1 encoded) cell subset is prevalent in peripheral blood (PB), these cells represent less than 10% in TCR gamma/delta+ thymocyte populations. In thymus, the majority of cells was found to react with delta-TCSI (or A13) MAbs. Culture of CD4-8- thymocytes (highly enriched in TCR gamma/delta+ cells) in IL-2 resulted in the de novo expression of CD8 surface antigen and of non MHC-restricted cytolytic activity. Cloning of CD4-8- thymocytes resulted, for the most part, in CD3+ TCR gamma/delta+ cells. Moreover, the majority of clones expressed the unusual delta-TCSI+ CD8+ phenotype and lysed the NK-sensitive K562 target cells. Analysis of the immunoprecipitated TCR molecules showed the existence of the (rare) heavy (55 kDa) form of gamma-chain. A redirected killing assay using murine P815 target cells and appropriate "stimulatory" antibodies was further employed for functional analysis of thymus-derived TCR gamma/delta+ clones. While anti-CD3 MAbs efficiently triggered the cytolytic activity of all clones irrespective of their phenotype, MAbs directed to TCR gamma/delta induced efficient lysis only of BB3+ or delta-TCSI+CD8 clones, but not of delta-TCSI+ CD8+ clones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte

Surface molecules involved in CD3-negative NK cell function. A novel molecule which regulates the activation of a subset of human NK cells.

Natural killer cells are characterized by the lack of CD3/TCR molecules and by the expression of CD16 and CD56 (NKHI or Leu19) surface antigens. In addition to their ability to lyse certain tumor target cells, they release lymphokines including tumor necrosis factor and interferon gamma. Another unexpected functional capability of at least some NK cells is the ability to specifically recognize and lyse certain normal allogeneic cells (PHA-induced blasts). MAbs directed to CD2 or to CD16 surface molecules induced triggering of NK cells leading to target cell (p815) lysis in a redirected killing assay. Importantly, different from induction of T cell activation, single anti-CD2 MAbs were sufficient to trigger NK cell function. Another MAb (GL183) inducing NK cell triggering recognized a novel surface molecules expressed on 20-50% of resting or cultured NK cells. Cloned GL183+ cells displayed a variable degree of cytolytic activity against a number of human target cells of different histotype; moreover, this activity was strongly enhanced by the addition of GL183 MAb. On the other hand, GL183 MAb inhibited lysis of murine lines (including P815). Thus on P815 target cells GL183 MAb has an effect antithetical to that of other stimuli including PHA, anti-CD2 or anti-CD16 MAbs. GL183 MAb, added simultaneously to one or another of the stimuli above, strongly inhibited the target cell lysis induced by these stimuli. Thus, GL183 may represent an important molecule in the process of activation/regulation of phenotypically-defined NK cell subsets.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Human T lymphocytes expressing gamma/delta T cell antigen receptor.

The majority of mature T lymphocytes express CD3-associated antigen receptor molecules (TCR) formed by alpha and beta chains. Recently, a minor subset has been identified that expresses a different CD3-associated heterodimer composed of gamma and delta chains. The TCR gamma/delta+ cell subset differs from conventional T cells for a number of phenotypic and functional characteristics. The simultaneous lack of both CD4 and CD8 antigens allows to greatly enrich TCR gamma/delta+ cells (by monoclonal antibodies and complement). Cloning of CD4-8- peripheral blood lymphocytes, under limiting dilution conditions, revealed that they are homogeneously composed of cytolytic cells which, in most instances, lyse tumor target cells. The formal proof has been provided that TCR gamma/delta+ cells are able to recognize antigens. Indeed they proliferated in response to allogeneic cells in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) and MLC-derived TCR gamma/delta+ cells specifically lysed PHA-induced blast cells bearing the stimulating alloantigens. The use of different monoclonal antibodies specific for TCR gamma/delta molecules allowed to identify two distinct subsets which bound BB3 and delta-TCS-1 mAbs, respectively. The BB3-reactive TCR molecules were represented by C gamma 1-encoded disulfide-linked heterodimers, whereas delta-TCS-1 reacted with C gamma 2-encoded nondisulfide-linked molecules. Both BB3 and delta-TCS-1 mAb induced activation of cloned cells expressing the corresponding antigenic determinants (as assessed by measurements of intracellular Ca2+ and lymphokine production or cytolytic activity). Analysis of the unfrequent delta-TCS-1+ clones which express surface CD8 molecules revealed that the "heavy" 55 kDa form of (C gamma 2-encoded) gamma chain is selectively expressed by this cell type. Analysis of the distribution of subsets expressing different TCR gamma/delta isotypes showed that the C gamma 1-encoded, BB3-reactive form is prevalent in the peripheral blood, but virtually absent in the thymus. In contrast, cells expressing the C gamma 2-encoded, delta-TCS-1 reactive form are relatively unfrequent in peripheral blood, but represent the majority of TCR gamma/delta+ thymocytes. In addition, upon culture in rIL-2, approximately half of the delta-TCS-1+ thymocytes expressed CD8 antigen, thus providing further evidence that major differences exist in the distribution of TCR gamma/delta+ subsets in thymus and in peripheral blood.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Human T cells expressing the gamma/delta T-cell receptor (TcR-1): C gamma 1- and C gamma 2-encoded forms of the receptor correlate with distinctive morphology, cytoskeletal organization, and growth characteristics.

BB3 and delta-TCS1 monoclonal antibodies identify two distinct nonoverlapping populations of T-cell receptor (TcR) gamma/delta (TcR-1)-positive cells, which express a disulfide-linked and a nondisulfide-linked form of TcR, respectively. BB3+ cells represented the majority of circulating TcR-1+ cells, but they were virtually undetectable in the thymus. On the other hand, delta-TCS1+ cells were largely predominant among TcR-1+ thymocytes but represented a minority in peripheral blood (PB). Similar distributions were observed by clonal analysis of thymocytes or PB TcR-1+ populations. The use of joining region (J)-specific probes indicated that BB3+ and delta-TCS1+ clones displayed different patterns of J rearrangement. Thus, the disulfide-linked form of TcR-1 (BB3+ clones) was associated with the expression of J segments upstream to the C gamma 1 gene segment, whereas the nondisulfide-linked form (delta-TCS1+ clones) was associated with the expression of J segments upstream to C gamma 2. delta-TCS1+ clones, in most instances, exhibited a growth pattern different from that of BB3+ or conventional TcR alpha/beta+ clones as they adhered promptly to surfaces, spread, and emitted long filopodia ending with adhesion plaques. Ultrastructural analyses showed, exclusively in delta-TCS1+ cells, nuclear deformations, uropod formation, and abundant cytoskeletal structures. In addition, immunofluorescence studies of this subset of TcR-1+ cells revealed the presence of abundant microtubules, intermediate filaments, and submembranous microfilaments. Thus, our findings suggest that delta-TCS1+ cells are capable of active motility.

Blotting, Southern

Surface molecules involved in the activation and regulation of T or natural killer lymphocytes in humans.

The surface molecules that mediate activation of different subsets of T or NK cells have been reviewed. A suitable approach to the study of different lymphocyte activation pathways is provided by mAbs specific for these molecules. MAbs directed to the CD3 surface molecules mediate a polyclonal T-cell activation, whereas mAbs to "clonotypic" structures of TCR only trigger cells bearing the corresponding clonotypic determinant (thus mimicking the effect of antigen/MHC). MAbs directed to appropriate epitopes of CD2 molecules or to CD28 molecules mediate polyclonal T-cell activation, leading to triggering of the functional program of the cell (i.e. proliferation, lymphokine production or activation of the cytolytic machinery). Interaction of specific mAbs with CD3/TCR molecules leads to surface modulation of these molecules which lasts for 48-72 h. During this interval the cell is refractory to any further activation stimulus. No such refractoriness occurs following mAb-induced modulation of CD2 or CD28 surface molecules. The mechanisms by which CD3/TCR modulation results in the inactivation of T-cell function appears to involve the early metabolic steps of T-cell activation, as neither Ca++ mobilization nor IP3 formation could be further induced by any stimulus. The surface molecules and mechanisms involved in the activation of TCR gamma/delta cells are similar to those of TCR alpha/beta + cells. TCR gamma/delta molecules are heterogeneous in size and charge mobility. MAbs directed to one or another form of TCR gamma/delta trigger the functional program of the cell (primarily cytolytic function). However, a receptor form composed of a heavy form (55 kD) of the gamma chain appears to be relatively inefficient in signal transduction upon binding with anti-TCR mAbs. Evidence has also been provided that TCR gamma/delta + cells are capable of (allo)antigen responses and that polymorphic determinants of class I can be recognized (specific lysis of P815 cells transfected with HLA-A24 allele). Although the mechanisms and the surface receptor molecules involved in (CD3-, CD16+) NK cell activation are still poorly understood, several surface molecules have been identified that mediate NK-cell triggering. These include CD2 and CD16 and the novel GL183 molecule which is selectively expressed by a fraction of NK cells and thus identifies a well-defined NK subsets. Under appropriate conditions, mAbs to CD16 or GL183 mediate an inhibitory effect on the NK cell activation. These data suggest that also NK cells are characterized by surface molecules capable of initiating distinct pathways of cell activation and that, similarly to T lymphocytes, mechanisms exist which regulate NK cell function.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes bearing T cell receptor gamma/delta. Expression of CD8 differentiation antigen correlates with the expression of the 55-kD, C gamma 2-encoded gamma chain.

We analyzed the CD3-associated molecules present on peripheral blood-derived TCR-gamma/delta+ clones that express CD8 surface antigens. Clones were derived by limiting dilution from CD3+WT31- FACS-purified populations derived from several donors. Eight of greater than 300 TCR-gamma/delta+ clones analyzed expressed CD8 and reacted with delta-TCS-1 mAb. Cell numbers suitable for more detailed analyses could be obtained from four clones, including one derived from thymus. Analysis of CD3-associated TCR molecules immunoprecipitated by anti-Leu-4 (anti-CD3) mAb under conditions that preserve the CD3/TCR association (1% digitonin) showed a predominant 55-60-kD molecule both under reducing and nonreducing conditions. On the other hand, the delta-TCS-1-reactive molecules immunoprecipitated from 25 CD3+ delta-TCS-1+ CD8- clones, in all instances, displayed a 40-44-kD mol mass. In two-dimensional PAGE, TCR-gamma molecules precipitated from delta-TCS-1+ CD8+ clones appeared more acidic than those of BB3+ or delta-TCS-1+ CD8+ clones. Southern analysis confirmed that this type of non-disulphide-linked TCR-gamma/delta is also coded for by the C gamma 2 gene segment.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte

Two subsets of human T lymphocytes expressing gamma/delta antigen receptor are identifiable by monoclonal antibodies directed to two distinct molecular forms of the receptor.

Two mAbs directed to the TCR-gamma/delta were analyzed for their pattern of reactivity with CD3+WT31- cell populations or clones. In normal individuals, the BB3 mAb reacted with approximately 2/3 of peripheral blood CD3+WT31- lymphocytes, whereas delta-TCS-1 stained approximately 1/3 of such cells. In addition, the sum of the percentages of BB3+ and delta-TCS-1+ cells approximated the percentages of peripheral blood CD3+WT31- lymphocytes in seven normal donors tested. Also, in peripheral blood-derived polyclonal CD3+WT31- populations, cultured in IL-2, cells reacting with one or another mAb accounted for the whole cell population. On the other hand, only delta-TCS-1-reactive cells, but not BB3+ cells, could be detected in unfractionated as well as in CD4-8-thymocyte populations. Analysis of peripheral blood-derived CD3+WT31- clones showed that 70% of 72 clones analyzed reacted with BB3 mAb, but not with delta-TCS-1 mAb. On the other hand, delta-TCS-1 mAb stained the remaining BB3- clones. Five clones expressing medium-low amounts of CD8 antigen were BB3- delta-TCS-1+. Both types of clones lysed the Fc gamma receptor-bearing P815 target cell in the presence of anti-CD3 mAb (but not of mAb directed against HLA-DR, CD7 molecules, or TCR-alpha/beta). In this cytolytic assay, BB3 mAb induced target cell lysis only by BB3+ clones, whereas delta-TCS-1 mAb was effective only with delta-TCS-1+ clones. The CD3-associated surface molecules expressed by BB3+ or delta-TCS-1+ clones were analyzed after cell surface iodination and immunoprecipitation with the corresponding anti-TCR mAb or with anti-CD3 mAb (in digitonin-containing buffer). In SDS-PAGE, molecules immunoprecipitated from 13 BB3+ clones displayed, under nonreducing conditions, a molecular weight of 80 kD (in some cases, a minor 38-kD band could be detected). Under reducing conditions, two major components of 44 and 41 kD (and a minor component of 38 kD) were detected. On the other hand, TCR molecules immunoprecipitated from 11 different delta-TCS-1+ clones appeared as a diffuse band of 41-44 kD, both under reducing and nonreducing conditions (under non-reducing condition, an additional 38-kD band was present). Therefore, BB3+ cells express a disulphide-linked form of TCR-gamma/delta whereas delta-TCS-1+ cells express a non-disulphide-linked form.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal

A monoclonal antibody specific for a common determinant of the human T cell receptor gamma/delta directly activates CD3+WT31- lymphocytes to express their functional program(s).

In an attempt to select mAbs specific for human TCR-gamma/delta, a polyclonal CD3+ 4-8-WT31- (TCR-gamma/delta+) cell line (MV1) was used for mice immunization. An mAb, termed BB3, reacted with MV1 cells but not with a large panel of CD3+ WT31+ (TCR-alpha/beta+) cell populations or clones. In addition, BB3 mAb reacted with the majority of CD3+ WT31- clones derived from six different donors. Double-color fluorescence experiments and FACS analysis showed that BB3+ cells were restricted to the CD3+ fraction of peripheral blood lymphocytes; in addition, in several donors the percentages (0.5-8% of total PBL) of BB3+ cells paralleled those of CD3+ WT31- cells. Surface molecules recognized by BB3 were susceptible to antibody-induced modulation; in addition, cell treatment with either BB3 or anti-CD3 mAb caused the simultaneous downregulation of the two molecules. That BB3 molecules are physically linked to CD3 antigen was further supported by immunoprecipitation experiments. Thus, under conditions that preserve the TCR-CD3 association, both BB3 and anti-CD3 mAb precipitated from 125I-labeled MV1 cells the same set of molecules. These consisted in the 18-28-kD CD3 molecules and in three bands of approximately 44, 42, and 38 kD under reducing conditions. When cell lysis was performed in 1% NP-40, the molecules immunoprecipitated by BB3 mAb were represented by an 80-kD band under nonreducing conditions, which resolved, under reducing conditions, in the three 44-, 42-, and 38-kD bands. Similar disulphide-linked forms of the TCR molecules were revealed in all of the other eight CD3+ WT31- BB3+ clones analyzed. Analysis of TCR molecules by electrophoresis (NEPHGE) showed that BB3 or anti-CD3 precipitated a 44-kD molecule displaying a basic PI (approximately 7.5) and two more acidic proteins (PI approximately 6) with a mol mass of 42 and 38 kD. Studies aimed to define whether stimuli directly acting on TCR-gamma/delta could induce CD3+ WT31- cell activation revealed that (a) In the presence of PMA, soluble BB3 mAb induced IL-2 production by MV1 cell line and by three other CD3+ WT31- BB3+ clones analyzed. (b) BB3 mAb-producing hybridoma used as triggering target, was efficiently lysed by CD3+ WT31- BB3+ effector cells (but not by CD3+ WT31+ BB3- conventional CTL). (c) Soluble BB3 mAb induced CD3+ WT31- BB3+ effector cells to lyse the Fc receptor-positive P815 target cells. (d) BB3-TCR-gamma/delta interaction on CD3+ WT31- BB3+ cells induced a rapid increase of [Ca2+]i levels, similar to that observed in response to anti-CD3 mAbs.

Animals