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D Pious

Publications and source records attributed to D Pious.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A gene required for class II-restricted antigen presentation maps to the major histocompatibility complex.

We have previously described a set of mutants (16.23-selected mutants) of a B lymphoblastoid cell line that are defective in the presentation of intact proteins to class II-restricted T cells, but effectively present immunogenic peptides. The mutations in these mutants are recessive in somatic cell hybrids and are not in Class II structural genes. Here, we report on a unique mutant, 5.2.4, in which a similar defect in class II-restricted antigen presentation has occurred in association with a one-megabase homozygous deletion in the class II region of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The defects in class II presentation among three of the 16.23-selected mutants, and between these mutants and 5.2.4, are noncomplementary in somatic cell hybrids. This suggests that the class II presentation-defective phenotype in all four mutants results from lesions in a single MHC-linked gene, a conclusion strengthened by the finding that in a hybrid made with a second, unrelated MHC deletion mutant, T2, the class II presentation defect in a 16.23-selected mutant is also not complemented. Mutant 5.2.4, in addition to its class II presentation defect, is also defective in surface expression of MHC class I molecules, most likely because its deletion encompasses the peptide supply factor 1 gene, whose function is known to be required for normal abundance of cell surface class I molecules. However, the surface abundance of class I molecules is normal in the 16.23-selected mutants, suggesting that the lesions affecting class I surface abundance and class II presentation result from mutations in different genes.

Antigen-Presenting Cells

Defective HLA DRA X box binding in the class II transactive transcription factor mutant 6.1.6 and in cell lines from class II immunodeficient patients.

6.1.6 is one of several immunoselected mutants from EBV-transformed human B cell lines that have undergone coordinate loss of expression of all their HLA class II genes. Similar defects have been found in cells from some patients with class II immunodeficiencies. Previous studies have suggested that the defects in 6.1.6 and in the other class II regulatory mutants are in transactive factors required for class II transcription. The defective factors, however, have not been identified. Here we present two lines of evidence that serve to localize the site of action of the factor that is defective in 6.1.6. First, transfected indicator genes linked to HLA DRA promoter fragments that include the conserved X box region are transiently expressed at greatly reduced levels in 6.1.6, compared with the progenitor cell line T5-1. Second, a DNA-protein complex, termed X-A, formed by nuclear extracts from T5-1 with DRA sequences containing the X box and a few bases 5' and 3' to it, is missing with extracts from 6.1.6. Extracts from some but not all patients with class II-negative immunodeficiency also fail to form X-A, whereas extracts from class II-negative mutants derived from the Burkitt's line Raji do form an apparently normal X-A complex. The X-A complex contains proteins of approximately 22, 32, 82, and 92 kDa that can be cross-linked to a 5-bromodeoxyuridine-substituted X box probe by UV light. A defect in an X box-binding protein, or in a factor required for its binding, is a likely cause for the loss of transcription of the class II genes in 6.1.6.

Cell Line

Mutations affecting antigen processing impair class II-restricted allorecognition.

Both exogenously derived and endogenously derived Ag generally require processing for their optimal binding and presentation by class I and class II major histocompatibility proteins. It is not known whether steps involved in Ag processing also affect the recognition of alloreactive T cells. We have recently described B cell mutants which have general defects in the processing and presentation of a variety of exogenous Ag to class II restricted T cells. In this report we have studied the ability of these processing mutants to stimulate a set of anti-DR3-specific alloreactive T cells clones. These processing/presentation mutants express normal MHC class II molecules, both in terms of primary sequence and cell surface abundance, but they appear unable to generate effective peptide-MHC complexes. When tested for their ability to stimulate MHC class II alloreactive T cell clones, only one of four T cell clones was stimulated by these mutants; the other three alloreactive T cell clones were not stimulated by either of two different mutants. Both of these mutants express normal levels of the accessory molecules, LFA-3 and ICAM-1. The inability of these mutants to stimulate three of four alloreactive clones indicates that the capacity to be recognized by many alloreactive T cells is linked to the Ag processing capacity of a stimulator cell.

Antigen-Presenting Cells

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

mRNA abundance, rather than differences in subunit assembly, determine differential expression of HLA-DR beta 1 and -DR beta 3 molecules.

The class II major histocompatibility molecules HLA-DR are formed by the association of a single DR alpha chain with two nonallelic DR beta chains. In DR3 cells one DR beta chain is severalfold more abundant than the other. We have studied the mechanism that controls the differential expression of these DR beta genes. We determined the amino-terminal sequences of the two expressed DR beta chains. Comparison of these sequences with the nucleotide sequences of the DR3B1 and DRB3a genes indicates that the abundant chain is the B1 gene product. Supporting this conclusion, an informative mutant, 9.4.3, was found to have lost the abundant beta chain and beta 1 mRNA. This mutant expresses normal cell surface levels of the DR beta 3 chain and exhibits no significant dosage compensation of its beta 3 chain. The unchanged level of DR beta 3 dimer on the cell surface suggests that free DR alpha chains are not the limiting factor in the surface expression of the beta 3 chain and, further, that the differential regulation of the surface expression of the two DR beta chains occurs at a step prior to DR assembly. Quantitation of DR beta mRNAs by locus-specific oligonucleotide probes showed that beta 1 mRNA is 4.5-fold more abundant than beta 3 mRNA, strongly indicating that the greater surface expression of DR beta 1 is a direct consequence of greater beta 1 mRNA abundance.

Cell Line

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

Two distinct genetic loci regulating class II gene expression are defective in human mutant and patient cell lines.

Heterokaryons were prepared and analyzed shortly after cell fusion using two mutant class-II-negative human B cell lines (RJ 2.2.5 and 6.1.6) and a cell line (TF) from a patient with a class-II-negative Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome. The resulting transient heterokaryons were analyzed by using an anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody to assess the cell surface expression of HLA-DR (the major subtype of class II antigens) by immunofluorescence microscopy and by using uniformly 32P-labeled SP6 RNA probes in Northern blots and RNase protection assays to assess mRNA synthesis. We find that class II gene expression in a B cell line from a Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome patient (TF) is rescued by a B cell line which expresses class II antigens indicating that this disease, at least in part, is caused by a defect(s) in a genetic locus encoding a factor(s) necessary for class II gene expression. Secondly, reciprocal genetic complementation was demonstrated in the heterokaryons 6.1.6 x RJ 2.2.5 and TF x RJ 2.2.5 (but not in TF x 6.1.6) by detection of cell surface DR by immunofluorescence microscopy and by a novel class II mRNA typing technique which allows characterization of distinct class II alleles. Thus, the two mutants generated in vitro have defects at two different genetic loci encoding specific regulatory factors necessary for human class II gene expression. One of these mutant cell lines, but not the other, complements the defect in the patient cell line, TF.

B-Lymphocytes

Transcription of HLA class II genes in the absence of B-cell-specific octamer-binding factor.

HLA-DR and other human class II histocompatibility genes are expressed by Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-lymphocyte cell lines but not by most T-cell leukemia lines. We determined by transcriptional run-on experiments that regulation of class II expression in these cells is at the level of gene transcription; nuclei isolated from B-cell lines actively transcribe class II mRNA, whereas nuclei from non-class II-expressing T-cell lines and from the class II transactive factor-deficient B-cell mutant 6.1.6 do not. In searching for DNA-binding proteins which might regulate transcription, we found both a ubiquitous (B1) and a B-cell-specific (B2) factor which bind to the octamer sequence ATTTGCAT 52 base pairs 5' of the cap site in the DR alpha gene. We examined the relationship of these factors to DR alpha transcription. HUT-78, a T-cell line which expresses class II mRNA constitutively, contains only the ubiquitous B1 octamer-binding factor also found in non-class II-expressing T-cell leukemias. Human fibroblast, HeLa, and melanoma cell lines similarly contain only the ubiquitous factor, even when these cells are induced to express class II mRNA by treatment with gamma interferon. Both B1 and B2 binding factors are present in the B-cell mutant 6.1.6, which nevertheless fails to transcribe class II mRNA. Although we have not ruled out the requirement of B-cell-specific octamer-binding factor B2 for class II expression in B cells, it is clear that in other cells substantial DR alpha transcription occurs in the absence of this factor.

B-Lymphocytes

Importance of HLA-DQ and -DP restriction elements in T-cell responses to soluble antigens: mutational analysis.

We describe a new approach to delineating the restriction elements used by antigen-specific human T-cell lines. EBV-transformed B cell lines and congenic HLA class II antigen-loss mutants are used to present soluble antigen to immune T cells. In this way it is possible to assess the independent contribution of individual class II loci to the restriction repertoire of the T cells. In contrast to results obtained with other methods of restriction element analysis, we find that approximately 40% of the T-cell response to several antigens is restricted by non-DR class II molecules. Both mutational analysis and blocking by class II specific monoclonal antibodies demonstrate that the non-DR restricted responses derive from DQ and DP-encoded determinants. We also find specific DR/DQ haplotype preferences for the presentation of some but not all antigens. Using a mutant that expresses only the DQ1 molecule, and is derived from a DR1, DQ1 parent line, we demonstrate a functional split of serologically defined DQ1 molecules consistent with the electrophoretic variation reported between DQ1 molecules linked to DR1 and those linked to DR2. Pairs of mutants that differ by expression of a single class II protein reveal a much broader use of available class II restriction elements than previously recognized.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Expression of HLA-DR antigen in human class II mutant B-cell lines by double infection with retrovirus vectors.

A new retrovirus vector containing the gene for hygromycin B resistance (hyg) as a selectable marker under the control of an internal simian virus 40 promoter was constructed. It was used, together with an analogous previously described vector, DO1, which contains the gene for G418 resistance, to introduce and express the genes for the two chains of a human class II major histocompatibility complex antigen in NIH 3T3 cells. In addition, these vectors were used to express DR antigens in two human mutant B-lymphoblastoid cell lines, one of which was deleted for both alleles of the DR alpha gene and the other of which expressed no class II antigens because of a genetic defect in a putative trans-acting regulatory factor.

Animals

Genes for the tumor necrosis factors alpha and beta are linked to the human major histocompatibility complex.

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) includes the closely linked genes for the tumor necrosis factors alpha and beta. Their location is within the chromosomal segment between HLA-DR and HLA-A or centromeric of HLA-DP. This assignment is based on Southern blot analysis of a number of different MHC deletion mutants and is corroborated by chromosome in situ hybridization.

Chromosome Deletion

HLA class II regulation and structure. Analysis with HLA-DR3 and HLA-DP point mutants.

Point mutations that affect HLA-DR structure or expression have not previously been described. In the present study, we isolated such mutants by immunoselection of an ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized HLA-DR3 cell line with an anti-HLA-DR3 monoclonal antibody, 16.23. To facilitate analysis, we used a parent cell line with a preexisting deletion of one haplotype encompassing DR and DQ alpha and beta. The selection yielded two sets of mutants, one with defects in DR3 structure, the other with defects in different steps leading to DR expression. Of the expression-defective mutants, one had undergone a second deletion removing the remaining DR alpha gene but no other class II genes. It had a normal abundance of DR beta mRNA but had lost binding of DR monomorphic antibodies, indicating that DR beta chains do not form noncognate dimers. A second mutant had an abnormally large DR alpha mRNA, probably resulting from a splice site mutation. Several mutants had marked reductions in DR beta mRNA levels; in two of these, the lesion appeared to be transcriptional because the reduction in DR beta mRNA was paralleled by an altered methylation pattern of one of the DR beta genes. Other expression-defective mutants had different posttranscriptional defects. Some of the mutations were similar to those that have been found in mouse strains defective in I-E expression, whereas others have no known natural counterpart. The matrix of reactivities of anti-HLA class II monomorphic antibodies with these and similar mutants allowed us to define the gene products recognized by these antibodies. A set of seven mutants were "epitope defective," that is, they expressed normal or near normal levels of HLA-DR3 but no longer bound 16.23. Unexpectedly, each of the epitope mutants had decreased DR dimer stability. These mutants should be useful in localizing the DR3 alloepitope and in elucidating its contribution as a restriction element in the presentation of soluble antigen to immune T cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Different roles for cytosine methylation in HLA class II gene expression.

We studied the role of cytosine methylation in the control of HLA class II gene expression in isogenic sets of cells whose members differ in their expression of HLA class II genes. These included: T5-1, 6.1.6, and P30, which are a class II expressing B-cell line, a class II nonexpressing mutant derived from T5-1, and an HLA-DR expressing partial revertant derived from 6.1.6, respectively; the class II expressing B-cell line, SB, and the class II non-expressing T-cell line, HSB, from the same individual. The use of sets of cells that differ in the way their class II genes are regulated allows us to study how that difference is reflected in the methylation state of their class II genes. At least five out of six class II genes in nonexpressing cells have a CpG site that is demethylated, when compared with the same class II gene in the respective expressing cells. The results presented in this paper indicate that most methylation changes in and around class II genes have a correlation with their state of expression. Some of these changes reflect rather than determine the state of expression. Other methylation changes appear to directly affect expression, whereas some methylation differences neither correlate with nor influence gene expression. Although 5-azacytidine does not affect class II expression in T5-1 or 6.1.6, it does induce expression in HSB. This indicates that the basis for nonexpression of class II genes is different in 6.1.6 and HSB.

B-Lymphocytes

Deletion mapping of HLA and chromosome 6p genes.

We have analyzed a set of heterozygous mutants with deletions that encompass parts of HLA and surrounding regions of chromosome 6p. By a combination of Southern blotting, serologic, enzymatic, and cytogenetic analyses, we have ordered eight independent deletion break points into a sequence that divides chromosome 6p into six regions. The deletion mutants have been used in conjunction with the Southern blot technique to map HLA and other 6p gene probes into those regions. On the basis of these and other data we propose a genetic and physical map of HLA and surrounding regions of chromosome 6p. We find that for HLA probes, most of which hybridize with more than one gene, the multiple copies recognized by single probes map to single regions. Any chromosome 6p gene can now be regionally mapped by using these mutants.

Chromosome Deletion

Clonal T lymphocyte recognition of the fine structure of the HLA-A2 molecule.

A human alloimmune cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone (4E4) was generated against the HLA-A2 molecule. Lysis of 51Cr-labeled HLA-A2 target cells was blocked by monoclonal antibodies (mAb), including mAb PA2.1 (anti-HLA-A2), mAb BB7.2 (anti-HLA-A2), mAb 4B (anti-HLA-A2-plus-A28), mAb MA2.1 (anti-HLA-A2-plus-B17), and mAb W6/32 (anti-HLA-A,B,C), which are directed against different serologic epitopes on the HLA-A2 molecule. However, HLA-A2 mutant lines lacking the serologic epitope recognized by mAb BB7.2 (anti-HLA-A2) were efficiently lysed by CTL 4E4. Thus, although mAb may block cytolysis, the HLA-A2 epitope recognized the 4E4 CTL clone is distinct from the HLA-A2-specific epitope recognized by serologic reagents. Moreover, analysis of HLA-A2 population variants revealed that only the predominant HLA-A2.1 subtype molecule was recognized by CTL 4E4. No cross-reactivity on other, biochemically related HLA-A2 population subtypes was observed, including HLA-A2.2 cells (Hill, CVE, ZYL, M7), HLA-A2.3 cells (TENJ, DK1), or HLA-A2.4 cells (CLA, KNE). This CTL clone appears to recognize a single epitope and, like monoclonal antibody counterparts, can be used to discriminate among immunogenic cellular and serologic epitopes on closely related HLA-A2 molecules. On the basis of the known sequence changes in mutant and subtype HLA-A2 molecules, it appears that the sequence spanning residues 147 to 157 may be critical for cellular recognition of this Class I MHC molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence

Evidence for two trans-acting genes regulating HLA class II antigen expression.

Previous studies have shown that a trans-acting regulatory factor is required for expression of HLA class II molecules in B-LCL, and that a trans-active factor derived from B-LCL induces de novo synthesis of T-LCL-encoded class II antigens in hybrids of T-LCL and B-LCL. To further examine the genetics of class II antigen regulation, we have now fused two different T-LCL with the class II antigen negative B-LCL 6.1.6, a regulatory mutant that does not synthesize a trans-acting factor necessary for transcription of class II genes. Northern blot analysis and cell surface immunofluorescence studies indicate that the hybrids express class II antigens encoded by both 6.1.6 and T-LCL parent cell lines. Thus, expression of class II antigens in these hybrids is controlled by a minimum of two trans-acting regulatory genes. One of these genes is inactivated in the 6.1.6 mutant and is provided by the T-LCL fusion partner. The second regulatory gene may still be active in 6.1.6, but it alone is insufficient for maintenance of class II antigen expression.

Antigens, Surface

Transcriptional regulation of HLA class II and invariant chain genes.

Class II (Ia) antigens are coded for by a family of genes located in the human MHC (HLA). These genes are regulated in a complex manner, being constitutively expressed, inducibly expressed, or not expressed, depending on the cell type examined. 6.1.6 is a variant of a normal B lymphoblastoid line that has lost expression of all class II molecules and has previously been shown to have a defect in the regulation of class II genes. In this report, we have examined those genes by Southern and Northern blotting and have found that 6.1.6 is severely deficient in mRNA for all class II genes examined, although the genes are structurally intact. P30, a partial revertant of 6.1.6, re-expresses mRNA for a subset of class II genes. mRNA for the class II-associated invariant chain is substantially reduced but not absent in 6.1.6.

Genes