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E Celis

Publications and source records attributed to E Celis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Binding of T cell receptor to major histocompatibility complex class II-peptide complexes at the single-cell level results in the induction of antigen unresponsiveness (anergy).

Using dispersion cultures performed in semi-solid medium we demonstrate here that the interaction of T cell antigen receptor molecules with Ia-peptide complexes on the same cell surface results in T cell activation, without the production of lymphokines. This recognition of antigen at the single-cell level, induced a state of anergy which was not due to a decrease of surface T cell antigen receptor/CD3 complexes. The induction of anergy by peptide could not be prevented by the addition of various co-stimulatory signals, including antibodies to CD28, or CD2, high doses of interleukin-2 or phorbol ester.

Amino Acid Sequence

Peptide-induced proliferation and lymphokine production in human T cells in the absence of antigen-presenting cells: role of T-cell activation state and costimulatory signals.

The role of T-lymphocytes as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for other T cells was investigated. Activated rabies-virus-specific human T-cell clones were shown to present peptide to class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T cells of a different fine specificity, resulting in lymphokine production and cell proliferation. Furthermore, purified and activated antigen-specific T cells could produce lymphokines and proliferate as a result of the addition of antigenic peptide in the absence of APC. The functional response of T cells to peptide in the absence of APC was amplified by the addition of phorbol ester (PMA) and was inhibited with antibodies specific to class II MHC or to the CD2 molecule. Experiments performed in single-cell suspension cultures using semisolid medium prepared with 1% agar demonstrate that T-cell proliferative and lymphokine responses to peptide both in the presence and absence of APC require the interaction of T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) molecules with class II MHC-peptide complexes on different cell surfaces (cell-cell contact). On the other hand, peptide self-presentation, which occurs by the binding of TCR with class II MHC-peptide complexes on the same cell surface (at the single-cell level), resulted in T-cell activation (i.e., high expression of surface CD2, CD25, and HLA-DR molecules), without proliferation or lymphokine secretion, a pattern observed in the induction of T-cell anergy by antigen. The results are discussed in terms of the role of class II MHC molecules on activated T-lymphocytes, which enable these cells to function as "professional APC" in the development of T-cell regulatory networks.

Amino Acid Sequence

The role of polymorphic HLA-DR beta chain residues in presentation of viral antigens to T cells.

The relative importance of 11 polymorphic positions in the HLA-DR7 beta 1 chain in T cell recognition of foreign antigens was investigated using transfectants expressing mutant DR7 beta 1 chains as APC for five rabies virus-specific T cell clones. The results indicate that multiple amino acids, located in both the beta-strands and alpha-helix of DR7 beta 1 in the model of a class II molecule, are involved in DR7-restricted T cell recognition of these antigens. Many of the substitutions appeared to reduce the affinity of an antigenic peptide for the mutant DR7 molecules but did not prevent binding. The heterogeneity of responses of the three G-specific T cell clones to presentation of the G11.3 peptide by several of the mutant DR7 molecules indicates that the T cell receptor (TCR) of each these clones requires a different view of the G11.3/DR7 complex and raises the possibility that the G11.3 peptide may bind to the DR7 molecule in more than one conformation.

Amino Acid Sequence

Identification of a rabies virus T cell epitope on the basis of its similarity with a hepatitis B surface antigen peptide presented to T cells by the same MHC molecule (HLA-DPw4).

The antigenic determinant recognized by a HLA-DPw4-restricted human T cell clone specific for rabies virus was identified by using a vaccinia-rabies nonstructural phosphoprotein recombinant virus and synthetic peptides of the sequence of rabies nonstructural Ag. These peptides were selected on the basis of three models that predict T cell epitopes. The antigenic determinant recognized by the rabies virus-specific T cell clone contained a five-amino acid segment highly homologous to a sequence found in a hepatitis B surface Ag epitope that stimulates human T cells in the context of the HLA-DPw4. A preliminary model of DPw4-restricted T cell determinants is elaborated based on a hypothesis of how the 2 alpha-helical peptides may bind to this MHC molecule. Results are further discussed in the context of the usefulness in identifying DPw4-restricted T cell epitopes for the production of synthetic vaccines because this MHC class II molecule is found with high frequency in the population.

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

Functional analysis of MHC class II-restricted T cells derived from a Caucasian with a DR4, Dw15, DQw8 haplotype.

Rabies virus-specific CD4+ T lymphocyte clones were isolated from a Caucasian male vaccine recipient (DR4/7, DQw2/w8; DPw4) and studied for their major histocompatibility complex restricting elements. None of the rabies-specific T-cell clones could be induced to proliferate to antigen by either lymphoblastoid cells or DR-transfected L cells expressing DR4 molecules of the Dw subtypes commonly found on Caucasian individuals (Dw4, Dw10, Dw13, Dw14). The HLA-Dw subtype of the rabies vaccine recipient was determined by conventional mixed lymphocyte culture, and the results revealed that this individual had a DR4 (Dw15), DR7 (Dw7) phenotype. The presence of the DR4, Dw15 antigen was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing of the DR4B1 gene corresponding to the DRB1*0405 allele. Significant antigen-induced T-cell proliferative responses were obtained with two DR4, Dw15, DQw4 homozygous lymphoblastoid cell lines of Japanese origin (HAS-15 and KT-3) and with a L-cell transfectant expressing the DR4, Dw15 molecule. The existence of the DR4, Dw15 antigen in the Japanese has been reported to be associated with the DQw4 specificity. However, the presence of DQw8 (previously designated DQw3.2) and the absence of DQw4 in the lymphoblastoid cells of the Caucasian rabies vaccine was confirmed with monoclonal antibodies IVD12 (anti-DQw7 + DQw8 + DQw9) and HU46 (anti-DQw4) and by the reactivity of a DQw8-restricted antigen-specific T-cell clone. These studies indicate, contrary to previous findings, that the DR4, Dw15 molecule may be present in Caucasian (non-Japanese) individuals in association with DQw8.

Alleles

Rabies virus-specific T cell hybridomas: identification of class II MHC-restricted T-cell epitopes using synthetic peptides.

Rabies virus-specific T-cell hybridomas were produced from immune mice by somatic cell fusion. Cloned T-cell hybridomas were studied for antigen specificity using purified virus, a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing rabies glycoprotein and synthetic peptides containing amino acid sequences of rabies viral antigens. Two closely situated T-cell epitopes of rabies glycoprotein, and one of rabies nucleoprotein were identified using synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid sequences of these proteins. The major histocompatibility gene complex elements that determine the recognition of antigen by these T-cell hybrids were determined using mouse fibroblasts (L cells) transfected with and expressing the I-Ad and I-Ed genes. Some of the T cell hybridomas exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against target cells expressing surface rabies antigens. This T cell mediated cytotoxicity requires cell-to-cell contact between target and effector cells since no by-stander cytotoxicity was observed. The results are discussed in the context of their significance for the design of newer subunit vaccines to prevent rabies infection.

Animals

Presentation of an immunodominant T-cell epitope of hepatitis B surface antigen by the HLA-DPw4 molecule.

Human T cells that recognize a major epitope of the hepatitis B surface antigen were studied for their ability to react with antigen when presented by mouse fibroblasts that express class II products of the human major histocompatibility gene complex after gene transfection. L cells expressing HLA-DPw4, but not those expressing HLA-DR4 or HLA-DR7, induced strong proliferative responses of antigen-specific T cells to either hepatitis B surface antigen or the synthetic peptide S1d, which bears the immunodominant T-cell epitope. These results identified a genetic restriction element of human helper T-lymphocyte responses to a major antigenic determinant of hepatitis B virus and might be important in the design of subunit vaccines to this pathogen. Peptides that induce T-cell responses that are restricted by a frequently encountered major histocompatibility complex molecule in the general population such as DPw4 would be ideal candidates as subunit vaccines.

Animals

Genetic restriction and fine specificity of human T cell clones reactive with rabies virus.

Rabies virus-specific T cell clones isolated from a human vaccine recipient were studied for their fine specificity and genetic restriction using synthetic peptides of the viral Ag and mouse fibroblasts transfected with human MHC genes. Two clones were found to react with an epitope present in the rabies glycoprotein, which was presented by the HLA-DR7 molecule. Other T cell clones recognized synthetic epitopes corresponding to the rabies nucleoprotein in association with the HLA-DR7 or HLA-DQw3 molecule, and one clone responded to the viral nucleocapsid Ag in the presence of HLA-DPw4. T cell clones that exhibited different cross-reactivity patterns among several virus strains were found to recognize closely situated epitopes (within 15 amino acid residues), which were presented in the context of the same MHC molecule. The lack of recognition of a particular virus strain by a T cell clone was attributable in some cases to amino acid variations of the Ag that appear to affect the T cell's receptor for Ag specificity and not the ability of that epitope to associate with the corresponding MHC molecule. Comparisons of the T cell cross-reactivity patterns with various rabies and rabies-related viruses, the fine antigenic specificity, and MHC restriction may aid in understanding the role of individual amino acid variations among virus strains in the induction of cross-protective immunity.

Amino Acid Sequence

Recognition of hepatitis B surface antigen by human T lymphocytes. Proliferative and cytotoxic responses to a major antigenic determinant defined by synthetic peptides.

The antigenic sites for human T lymphocytes on hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg) were studied by using synthetic oligopeptides. T cell lines of the helper/inducer class, which were isolated from hepatitis B vaccine recipients, were found to react strongly and in an Ag-specific way with peptides corresponding to a sequence of 10 to 30 amino acids near the amino terminus of the HBsAg molecule. Cells with surface expression of the antigenic determinant contained in these synthetic peptides induced both proliferative and cytotoxic responses in the hepatitis B-specific T cells. The results indicate that amino acid residues 24-27 of HBsAg could be directly involved in this T cell determinant. Inhibition studies with mAb to MHC class II Ag and target cells from various HLA-typed individuals suggest that some T cell responses to this determinant of HBsAg might be restricted by the DPw4 molecule. However, the possibility exists that more than one of the MHC class II molecules could be involved as restricting elements of T cell responses to this synthetic peptide. In vivo experiments with synthetic peptides such as those described here are needed to demonstrate the possibility of enhancing HBsAg immune responses in some individuals.

Amino Acid Sequence

Recognition of rabies and rabies-related viruses by T cells derived from human vaccine recipients.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T-cell lines and clones from individuals immunized with rabies PM vaccine were tested for the ability to recognize antigenic determinants in rabies and rabies-related viruses in an antigen-induced proliferation assay. Some, but not all, of the T cells from these individuals cross-reacted with various laboratory strains of rabies virus with rabies-related viruses such as Duvenhage and Mokola. In addition, these T cells were shown to react with epitopes of either the ribonucleoprotein or the viral glycoprotein. Rabies-specific cytotoxic T-cell responses by a CD4+ T-cell line were evident against antigenic determinants of the ribonucleoprotein and glycoprotein.

Antibodies, Viral

Localization and immunological characterization of antigenic domains of the rabies virus internal N and NS proteins.

To locate epitopes on internal antigens of rabies virus, purified N and NS proteins of the nucleocapsid were cleaved at methionine, tryptophan or glutamic acid residues, transferred to nitrocellulose and immunostained using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for N and NS proteins, respectively. Five MAb-positive fragments of N protein and one fragment of NS protein were located after NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analysis within the deduced amino acid sequences of N and NS proteins. Antigenic analysis of synthetic overlapping peptides corresponding to the amino acid sequences of these fragments localized two major antigenic sites of N protein and one antigenic site of NS protein. Like the N- and NS-specific MAbs, anti-peptide antisera produced against the different synthetic antigens either reacted in a type-common fashion with all rabies virus strains, or in a type-specific manner with a restricted number of strains. The synthetic peptides corresponding to the three antigenic regions of the N and NS proteins also stimulated proliferation of human T lymphocytes derived from vaccinees who received inactivated rabies virus vaccine. This suggested that the antigenic regions of N and NS proteins are recognized by both B and T cells.

Amino Acid Sequence

Induction of protective immunity against rabies by immunization with rabies virus ribonucleoprotein.

We have studied the ability of rabies virus ribonucleoprotein (RNP) to induce a protective immune response in animals against lethal challenge with rabies and rabies-related lyssa viruses. Liposomes containing either RNP or the glycoprotein (G protein) of a variant virus with multiple alterations in the G antigenic structure conferred no or poor protection, respectively, against lethal intracerebral challenge with rabies virus. By contrast, liposomes containing RNP and the variant G protein induced a good protective response, comparable to that achieved with inactivated virus vaccine against intracerebral challenge. Moreover, mice or raccoons immunized with RNP alone resisted lethal peripheral challenge with homologous or heterologous virus strains. These results indicate that the RNP of rabies virus plays a crucial role in induction of protective immunity.

Animals

Antigenic variation in rabies and rabies-related viruses: cross-protection independent of glycoprotein-mediated virus-neutralizing antibody.

Immunization experiments with vaccines prepared from the PM and ERA strains of rabies virus demonstrated that in mice, only ERA vaccine primes for an anamnestic response to the rabies-related strain Duvenhage (DUV6); in rabbits, both ERA and PM vaccines induced immunologic memory to DUV6 virus. In mice, ERA vaccine, but not an equal concentration of PM vaccine, conferred protection against a lethal challenge infection with DUV6 virus. This result indicated that the protective activity correlated with the vaccine's ability to induce immunologic memory. A vaccine prepared from a sequentially selected, neutralization-resistant, multiple-variant virus conferred protection against challenge with the parental strain, a result indicating that antigenic variation of the glycoprotein may not be the sole factor in determining the relative efficacy of rabies prophylaxis. We found no correlation between titers of neutralizing antibody and mortality rates in mice immunized with purified glycoprotein from these viruses.

Animals

Isolation and characterization of human T cell lines and clones reactive to rabies virus: antigen specificity and production of interferon-gamma.

By using a preparation of inactivated rabies virus, the blood mononuclear cells from five rabies vaccine recipients were stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin 2. T cell lines that displayed significant proliferative responses to whole rabies virus and to preparations of rabies glycoprotein and nucleocapsid were obtained from all the individuals. Other antigens, such as diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, influenza A virus, hepatitis B surface antigen, and serum albumin, failed to induce the proliferation of the T cell lines. One of these rabies-specific T cell lines was found to proliferate in response to rabies antigens only when the antigen-presenting cells expressed homologous HLA-DR antigens. The use of mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for human T cell surface markers revealed that most of the cells of these rabies-reactive lines were of the helper/inducer class of T lymphocytes. Stimulation of the T cell lines with the rabies antigens induced the production of interferon-gamma, a lymphokine with potent antiviral activity. Several T cell clones were isolated from two of these cell lines, and most of them appeared to be specific for the antigenic components of the viral nucleocapsid. Two T cell clones specific for the rabies glycoprotein were also isolated from one of these lymphocyte interleukin 2-dependent lines. Further in vitro studies with rabies-specific T cells could help us to understand in more depth the role of regulatory T cells in the human immune response to rabies virus.

Antigens, Viral

Amplification of rabies virus-induced stimulation of human T-cell lines and clones by antigen-specific antibodies.

The effect of antigen-specific antibodies on the response of human T-cell lines and clones to rabies virus was studied. Plasmas from rabies-immune vaccine recipients, but not those from nonimmune individuals, enhanced the proliferative response of rabies-reactive T cells to whole inactivated virus or to the purified glycoprotein and nucleocapsid from the rabies virion. Rabies-immune plasma also increased the antigen-induced production of gamma interferon by the rabies-specific T-cell lines. Experiments performed on T-cell clones specific for either rabies glycoprotein or nucleocapsid showed that immune plasma as well as antiglycoprotein and antinucleoprotein murine monoclonal antibodies possessed the capacity to increase significantly the antigen-induced proliferative responses of these clones. The overall results indicate that this in vitro effect of antigen-specific antibodies on the response of regulatory T lymphocytes to rabies virus could be an important factor in the development of effective immune responses in vivo to rabies virus.

Antibodies, Viral

Isolation, purification, and characterization of a mouse plasmacytoma cell surface glycoprotein involved in the resistance of the tumor cells to immune destruction.

Cells of a subline of the mouse plasmacytoma LPC-1 are resistant to lysis by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, probably as a result of the blocking of the major histocompatibility gene complex-encoded cell surface antigens by a trypsin-sensitive glycoprotein of approximately 160 kilodaltons. This glycoprotein (gp 160) was extracted from LPC-1 cells with 1.5 M urea and was further purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. The gp 160 consists of a single peptide chain rich in sialic acid residues (10% of total molecular weight) and has an acidic isoelectric point. The amino acid composition of gp 160 is compatible with the linkage of carbohydrates (galactose, glucosamine, and sialic acid) to the protein portion. The apparent weak attachment of gp 160 to the cell membrane could explain the finding that LPC-1 cells easily revert from the resistant to the sensitive to the immune lysis phenotype.

Amino Acids