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J Forman

Publications and source records attributed to J Forman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Expression and function of a nonglycosylated major histocompatibility class I antigen.

The major histocompatibility class I antigens, expressed in most somatic cells, have carbohydrate moieties. We constructed mutant mouse MHC class I genes in which codons for the N-linked glycosylation sites were replaced by those of other amino acids. L cell transformants expressing the nonglycosylated class I antigens allowed us to investigate biological roles of carbohydrates with the highest specificity possible. The nonglycosylated antigen was unchanged in its overall serological specificities, and was recognized by alloreactive cytotoxic T cells. Further, the antigen was capable of mediating cytotoxic activity of vesicular stomatitis virus-specific T cells. These studies indicate that carbohydrates are not essential for immunological function of the MHC class I antigens. Cell surface expression of the nonglycosylated antigen was markedly reduced as compared with the native antigen, which was not attributable to accelerated degradation or rapid shedding. We conclude that the primary role of carbohydrates of the class I antigens is to facilitate the intracellular transport of the nascent proteins to the plasma membrane. The possible involvement of carbohydrate-receptor interactions in this process is discussed.

Animals

Expression and T cell recognition of hybrid antigens with amino-terminal domains encoded by Qa-2 region of major histocompatibility complex and carboxyl termini of transplantation antigens.

Coding potential of the Q6 gene from the Qa-2a region of BALB/c Crgl mice was analyzed by a combination of hybrid class I gene construction and DNA-mediated gene transfer. Recombinant genes were created by exon shuffling of the 5' coding region of the Q6 gene and the 3' coding region of a gene encoding a transplantation antigen (Kd, Dd, or Ld), or the inverse. Some of these hybrid class I genes were expressed in the transfected mouse fibroblasts (L cells). The hybrid class I molecules encoded by the 5' end of the Q6 gene and the 3' end of the Ld gene precipitated as 45,000 mol wt molecules associated with beta 2-microglobulin. The expression of the hybrid proteins indicates that 926 basepairs of the 5' flanking region upstream of the structural Q6 gene contain a promoter that functions as a transcription initiation site in L cells. The 3' portion of the Q6 gene appears to be responsible for the lack of cell surface expression of the intact Q6 and the hybrid Ld/Q6 genes in mouse fibroblasts. Accordingly, this portion of the Q6 class I gene may play a regulatory role in tissue-specific expression. Serological analyses of hybrid Q6 proteins suggested that Q6 may be a structural gene for CR (H-2 crossreactive) antigen found normally on subpopulations of lymphocytes. If this identification is correct, Q6 gene will define a new category of class I genes encoding approximately 40,000 mol wt molecules and carrying a characteristic truncated cytoplasmic tail. Analysis of L cells transfected with Q6 hybrid genes demonstrated also that the cytotoxic T cells specific for Qa-2a region-coded antigens recognize the amino-terminal alpha 1-alpha 2 domain of Q6 fusion products. This recognition can be blocked by anti-Qa-2a alloantiserum and monoclonal antibodies reactive with the alpha 3-beta 2-microglobulin portion of the Q6 hybrids. We propose that the structural requirements for the anti-Qa-2a cytotoxic T lymphocyte-specific epitopes on target molecules are the same as for anti-H-2-alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocyte determinants on transplantation antigens and that the mechanism of target recognition is similar in both cases. This interpretation is consistent with the following structural similarities found in both categories of class I molecules: (a) Kd and Q6 alpha 1-alpha 2 domains share serologically defined epitopes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Recognition of an Igh-linked histocompatibility antigen, H-40, on B-cell tumors by cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

This article reviews our data on H-40, a histocompatibility antigen controlled by a locus linked to Igh structural genes but telomeric to Tsu. The antigen is detected by rejection of H-40+ tumor cells in vivo and by the activity of H-2 restricted anti-H-40 cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro. H-40 is expressed on lipopolysaccharide stimulated B cells and B cell tumors that express surface(s) IgM and not on sIgM- tumors or other neoplastic cells. Its expression on the sIgM,D+ BALB/c (Igha, H-40a) derived leukemia, BCL1, prevents its transplantability across the Ig heavy chain (and H-40) barrier into C.B-20 (Ighb, H-40b) mice; whereas, BALB/c tumors that do not express H-40 can be transplanted into this allotype-congenic recipient. Although irradiated C.B-20 animals are susceptible to the BCL1 tumor, adoptive transfer of a mixture of Lyt-2+ and Lyt-2- effector cells (anti-H-40) from C.B-20 animals that have previously rejected BCL1 protect such recipients. However, the same effector cells will not protect irradiated BALB/c or (BALB/c X C.B-20)F1 recipients from this tumor. Since normal BALB/c sIg+ cells express H-40, either the effector cells are diverted from interacting with and destroying the tumor, or recognition of H-40 on non-tumor cells elicits a suppressor mechanism.

Animals

Identification of a unique tumor-specific antigen as a novel class I major histocompatibility molecule.

Cancers induced by physical or chemical carcinogens express tumor-specific antigens that are uniquely specific for any given tumor; therefore, there is a seemingly endless variety of these unique antigens. We have studied a UV-induced fibrosarcoma, designated 1591, to elucidate the obscure molecular nature and genetic origins of unique tumor-specific antigens. A monoclonal antibody raised against syngeneic 1591 tumor cells has unique tumor specificity. This tumor-specific monoclonal antibody precipitated from the tumor a 45-kDa molecule associated with a 12-kDa molecule having the pI of beta2-microglobulin. This and other evidence indicated that the 1591 tumor expresses a novel class I molecule. A 1591 variant selected for the absence of binding to the monoclonal antibody lacked the novel class I MHC molecule as well as reactivity with cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for the 1591 tumor. Furthermore, tumor cells bearing the antigen are rejected while variants that have lost the antigen grow progressively. Fourteen of 14 host-selected progressor tumor variants lost reactivity with the monoclonal antibody and provided further evidence that this novel class I molecule is a transplantation antigen on the parental 1591 tumor required for immune rejection. The identification of a unique tumor-specific antigen as a novel class I major histocompatibility complex gene product allows us to search for the possible genetic mechanisms involved and to explore further the role such molecules play in tumor immunity and malignancy.

Animals

Interaction of alpha 1 with alpha 2 region in class I MHC proteins contributes determinants recognized by antibodies and cytotoxic T cells.

The structure-function relationship of individual coding regions of class I mouse major histocompatibility complex proteins was studied by a combination of recombinant DNA, gene transfer techniques, and serologic and functional characterization. To examine the role of alpha 1 and alpha 2 regions in antibody and CTL recognition, the third exon of H-2Dd, Kd, and Ld transplantation antigen genes was replaced by the homologous coding region of the Qa-2-coded class I gene, Q6. We have chosen to carry out the exon shuffling experiments between these two different types of class I genes, because they are structurally similar and did not evolve to carry out identical functions. Therefore, it is less likely that the hybrid proteins will fortuitously recreate alpha 1-alpha 2 controlled functionally important determinants. The replacement of H-2 alpha 2 coding region with its Q6 counterpart had different effects on the expression of the three genes. The mutant H-2Dd gene transfected into L cells was expressed at high levels and retained several of the serologic determinants found on parental H-2Dd and Q6 domains. The serologic epitopes on the mutant H-2Kd-transfected cells were detectable at very low levels, whereas the product of the mutant H-2Ld gene could not be identified at all. Analysis of cells transfected with mutant H-2Dd gene with alloreactive and minor antigen(s)-restricted cytotoxic T cells indicated that the hybrid proteins lost the ability to be recognized by T cells. Our data suggest that cytotoxic T cells recognize conformational determinants composed of amino acids from alpha 1 and alpha 2 regions. Alternatively, it could be proposed that T cell recognition sites located in a single alpha 1 or alpha 2 protein region are susceptible to distortion upon alpha 1-alpha 2 interactions. Such susceptibility to conformational changes of the amino-terminal domain of transplantation antigens could be of functional importance for H-2-restricted antigen presentation.

Animals

[Direct atriopulmonary anastomosis (modified Fontan) for single ventricle and its equivalents].

The modified Fontan procedure is being used in an increasing number of complex cyanotic cardiac lesions with pulmonary stenosis. Seven patients aged 11 to 24 years (average 17.5 years) underwent surgery by a technique derived from the Fontan procedure: direct atriopulmonary anastomosis without a tube or valve. The tricuspid valve when patent was closed with a patch. The diagnoses were: single ventricule (4 cases), Taussig-Bing anomaly (2 cases) and tricuspid atresia (1 case). All patients had associated pulmonary stenosis with low pulmonary vascular resistances. The great vessels were in L-malposition in 3 cases. The hospital mortality was nil. Transient atrial fibrillation was observed in 2 cases and was well tolerated clinically. The follow-up period ranges from 2 months to 4 years (average 2.3 years). All patients are acyanotic with no signs of right-sided failure and in sinus rhythm. Control cardiac catheterisation and angiography were performed in 6 cases and showed good function of the anastomosis and a mean atrial pressure of 14 mmHg. Direct atriopulmonary anastomosis offers a very acceptable surgical solution to certain forms of single ventricle or equivalent with low pulmonary pressures. The short and medium term results seem to be better than those of intraventricular repair.

Adolescent

H-40, an antigen controlled by an Igh linked gene and recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. I. Genetic analysis of H-40 and distribution of its product on B cell tumors.

C.B-20 ( Ighb ) mice challenged with BALB/c ( Igha ) spleen cells (or vice-versa) generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that recognize an antigen, H-40, controlled by an Igh-linked gene. The gene maps to the Igh-C region end of the Igh complex, telomeric to Tsu in the region of Pre-1. At least three alleles, a, b, and c, can be defined. Using a cold target competition assay, no polymorphism of the a allele was detected. Both surface Igh-5a positive and negative spleen cells from (C.B-20 X BALB/c)F1 animals express the a allele of the antigen, indicating that this gene is not allelically excluded. Recognition of the target antigen by CTL is restricted by the D-end of H-2d. The tissue distribution of H-40 was explored using both bulk-cultured and cloned CTL. The antigen is expressed on surface immunoglobulin positive (sIg+) cells and correlates with the expression of sIgM. This was determined by analysis of several B lymphomas as well as of other tumors that varied in their extent of expression of sIg. Four subclones of BCL1 were analyzed. Two of the subclones are sIg+ and express H-40, while two other subclones are sIg- and H-40-. Thus, these data define an Igh-linked gene, separate from immunoglobulin structural loci, that controls an antigen expressed on sIg+ cells. Possible mechanisms to account for this finding are discussed.

Alleles

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize determinants on the BALB/c-H-2Ld molecule controlled by alpha 1 and alpha 2 but not alpha 3 external domains.

We have shown that cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) raised in H-2d mice use H-2Ld but not H-2Dd or H-2Kd antigens as restricting elements in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and vesicular stomatis virus (VSV) infections. To localize the regions of H-2Ld protein recognized by CTL, we constructed a recombinant H-2Ld/Dd gene encoding a hybrid antigen with alpha 1 and alpha 2 external domains of H-2Ld and alpha 3, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of H-2Dd. The recombinant gene was transfected into mouse cells and the hybrid molecules were characterized serologically, biochemically and functionally. In all assays, H-2Ld/Dd molecules were recognized by LCMV-and VSV-specific H-2Ld-restricted CTL in a manner similar to that of wild-type H-2Ld antigens. Analogous results were obtained with alloreactive CTL. Hybrid antigens containing the alpha 3 domain of H-2Ld fused to alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of a Qa-2,3 region-encoded antigen were not used as restricting elements by LCMV-specific CTL. These results suggest that H-2Ld-restricted CTL directed against LCMV and VSV recognize determinants controlled by the alpha 1 and/or alpha 2 domains of the H-2Ld molecule.

Animals

T cells, the MHC, and function.

The model presented relates the class of MHC molecule recognized with the activity of T lymphocytes. This occurs by postulating that the function of MHC molecules is to present determinants to differentiation directing (D) receptors on T lymphocytes. These D receptors are distributed nonclonally and interact with nonpolymorphic determinants on MHC molecules which are normally inaccessible. The result of this interaction is to allow for the expression of a functional phenotype for the T cell providing that helper signals are present. In the case of alloreactive CTL that recognize class II or Th that recognize class I molecules we postulate that these T cells require the presence of class I or class II molecules, respectively, on the target cell. Recognition of antigen in the absence of helper signals leads to tolerance of both Th.P and CTL.P. Since helper signals are required for the activation of CTL.P, a lack of specific Th, determined by class II alleles, will prevent development of a proportion of the CTL repertoire.

Animals

H-40, an antigen controlled by an Igh-linked gene and recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. II. Recognition of H-40 as a tumor antigen in leukemic animals.

C.B-20 (Ighb) but not (C.B-20 X BALB/c)F1 mice reject BCL1, a sIg+ tumor that spontaneously arose in an Igh congenic BALB/c (Igha) mouse. C.B-20 immune T cells from mice immunized with either BCL1 or BALB/c splenocytes adoptively transfer tumor protection to sublethally irradiated C.B-20 but not BALB/c or (BALB/c X C.B-20)F1 mice. These data suggest that BALB/c and BCL1 share an antigen, which if present in the host prevents the immune cells from eradicating the tumor. The antigen is controlled by H-40, a gene that maps to the C end of the Igh complex, telomeric to Tsu and in the region of Pre-1. The ability of H-40 to act as a tumor antigen for other BALB/c tumors inoculated into C.B-20 hosts was investigated. H-40 did not elicit rejection of P1798 (T lymphoma), Meth A (fibrosarcoma), or MOPC-315 (alpha, lambda myeloma) tumor cells. C.B-20 mice that previously rejected BCL1, however, showed partial resistance to a low challenge dose of the MOPC-104E (mu, lambda myeloma) tumor. These data suggest that H-40 has a differential degree of expression on BALB/c tumor cells. The ability of the adoptively transferred cells to confer protection against BCL1 is abrogated by pretreatment of the cells with anti-Lyt-1 or anti-Lyt-2 antibodies. However, an admixture of anti-Lyt-1- and anti-Lyt-2-treated cells provided protection. These data, together with the results detected by cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in vitro, indicate that H-40 can serve as a target antigen for tumor rejection by CTL in allogeneic hosts. The implications of the results for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation into leukemic individuals who benefit from a graft vs leukemia effect are discussed.

Animals

Use of DNA-mediated gene transfer to analyze the role of H-2Ld in controlling the specificity of anti-vesicular stomatitis virus cytotoxic T cells.

Mouse thymidine kinase (tk-) C3H L (H-2k) cells transformed by the technique of DNA-mediated gene transfer with the herpes simplex virus tk gene together with the BALB/c H-2Ld gene express H-2Ld molecules indistinguishable from their counterparts on spleen cells. An established cloned cell line (8-5) was used to assess the function of the H-2Ld antigen in determining the specificity of alloreactive as well as anti-vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) cytotoxic T cells (CTL). Both anti-H-2d and anti-H-2Ld CTL displayed a cytotoxic effect against 8-5 cells but not a control cell line transformed with the tk gene only (tk+ cells). Further evidence that 8-5 cells express H-2Ld was provided by the finding that monoclonal anti-H-2Ld but not H-2Dd antibodies blocked target cell lysis by the effector cells. Both BALB/c (H-2d) and DBA/2 (H-2d) animals generated anti-VSV CTL that lysed infected 8-5 but not tk+ cells. To further establish that H-2Ld controlled the specificity of the effector cells, a monoclonal antibody directed against H-2Ld was shown to inhibit lysis of infected 8-5 target cells. To determine whether other H-2d-encoded gene products could serve as restricting antigens for anti-VSV CTL in BALB/c animals, unlabeled VSV infected 8-5 cells were tested for their ability to block lysis of 51chromium-labeled P815 (H-2d)-infected target cells. The 8-5-VSV inhibitor cells inhibited lysis to a slightly lesser extent than unlabeled P815-VSV cells, indicating that H-2Ld plays a major if not exclusive role in restricting anti-VSV CTL in H-2d animals.

Animals