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R I Lechler

Publications and source records attributed to R I Lechler.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Direct evidence for a functional role of HLA-DRB1 and -DRB3 gene products in the recognition of Dermatophagoides spp. (house dust mite) by helper T lymphocytes.

The contribution of the HLA-DRB1, -B3, and -B5 gene products in the recognition of Dermatophagoides spp. (house dust mite) by helper T cells isolated from an atopic individual (HLA-DRw12, DR7; DRw52b) with perennial rhinitis was investigated. Using a panel of histocompatible and histoincompatible accessory cells, the restriction specificity obtained for a long term T cell suggested that a component of the dust mite reactive repertoire recognized antigen in association with DRB3 gene products. Oligonucleotide DNA typing of the presenting cell panel demonstrated a correlation between the DRw52b allele and T cell responsiveness. Murine fibroblasts expressing DRw52b, but not DRw52a or -c molecules, presented antigen to both the T cell line and cloned T cells (DE26) derived from the line, indicating that the supertypic specificity DRw52b was able to restrict recognition of dust mite antigens. Additional T cell clones (DE9 and DE41) also isolated from the line were restricted by the products of the B1 gene locus (DRw12B1) as determined by murine fibroblasts transfected with the appropriate HLA-DR genes. Clone DE9 was degenerate in its restriction specificity, also recognizing dust mite presented by accessory cells expressing the DR2 subtypes. Presentation by fibroblasts transfected with DRw12B1, DR2Dw2B5 genes and EBV-transformed B cell lines expressing DR2DW21B1 and -B5 indicated that the functional site restricting recognition may be associated with residues 70 and 71 of the DR beta chain helical wall of the antigen combining site. Furthermore, we have recently demonstrated that both T cell clones DE9 and DE26 induce allergen dependent IgE synthesis in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗

Co-recognition of endogenous antigens with HLA-DR1 by alloreactive human T cell clones.

The fine specificity of anti-HLA-DR1 alloreactive, human T cells was investigated by using DR1-expressing human and murine stimulator cells. All three bulk cell lines and six out of seven T cell clones proliferated in response to DR1-expressing mouse L cells. In addition to these species non specific T cells, three clones were identified which proliferated only in response to DR1 expressed by human or by murine stimulator cells. The patterns of response of these clones may reflect specificity for species or lineage-specific peptides with DR1. The results of aldehyde fixation and cytotoxicity experiments suggested that some of the T cell clones which proliferated in response to human and murine DR1 stimulators also required to recognize species-specific antigens. The responses of four of the six clones were abolished by fixation of DR1-L cells but not of a DR-1 EBV transformed lymphoblastoid cell line before co-culture. In addition, these clones were also cytotoxic for DR1-expressing human targets. The same clones which failed to recognize fixed L cells also failed to lyse DR1-L cells in a short term chromium release assay. Taken together these results suggest that some alloreactive anti-DR1, T cells are specific for peptides of cellular proteins seen in the context of the allo-MHC molecule. It is envisaged that L cells when co-cultured with human T cells, process and present peptides derived from proteins that are shed or secreted by the human cells, for co-recognition with DR1 on the L cell surface. The presentation of multiple peptides derived from endogenous proteins by allogeneic cells may contribute to the high precursor frequency of allo-reactive T cells.

Animals↗

Speculations on the specificity of suppression.

The mechanisms of antigen-specific T-cell suppression still remain inadequately explained. There has been a prolonged and unsuccessful hunt for 'suppressor cell markers'. This has largely deflected attention from a critical question--namely, what molecular structures are specifically recognized by cells mediating antigen-specific T-cell suppression? Here, Richard Batchelor and colleagues present the hypothesis that the structures 'seen' by these cells are in principle the same as those recognized by other T cells, that is, a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule holding a peptide in its binding cleft. In the particular circumstances of specific suppression, the peptide is derived from the variable (idiotypic) regions of the T-cell receptor of the target clone.

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An allelic cluster of DQ alpha restriction fragments is associated with multiple sclerosis: evidence that a second haplotype may influence disease susceptibility.

Extensive analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism using HLA class II and T-cell receptor gene probes has been carried out in an attempt to identify genetic markers more strongly associated with multiple sclerosis than the classically defined antigens DR2, Dw2, and DQw1. The use of DNA pooled from groups of patients and controls from northeast Scotland enabled the screening of 14 restriction endonucleases with five HLA-D region probes (DP alpha, DP beta, DQ alpha, DQ beta, DR beta) and two T-cell antigen receptor probes. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms which discriminated between multiple sclerosis and control pools were identified with four restriction enzymes: Msp1 (DQ alpha), BamH1, Bgl11, and Taq1 (DQ beta). No discriminatory polymorphism was seen with any of the other enzyme/probe combinations. Subsequent Southern blot analysis of individual DNA samples was carried out using these enzymes and probes in two independently conducted studies, in Northern Ireland and northeast Scotland. Following Msp1-digestion and hybridization to DQ alpha, a 3.25-kb fragment was observed in 31% of Scottish patients but in only 4% of controls from the same population. Furthermore, when only DR2-positive individuals were analyzed, there was a significant excess of this fragment in patients from both Scotland (28, or 2.9%) and Northern Ireland (20, or 3.4%). Although the DQ alpha gene characterized by this fragment remains to be determined, this fragment exhibits apparent allelism to DQw1. Therefore, these data raise the possibility that two different DQ alleles, one on each haplotype, may jointly contribute to disease susceptibility.

Alleles↗

Allorecognition of DR1 by T cells from a DR4/DRw13 responder mimics self-restricted recognition of endogenous peptides.

Coculture of a series of anti-DR1Dw1 alloreactive human T-cell clones with autologous (DR4Dw4/DRw13Dw19) antigen-presenting cells and a series of recall antigens revealed that two of four clones tested proliferated in response to Candida albicans. One was restricted by DR4Dw4 and the other was restricted by DRw13Dw19. These results provide further evidence that many alloreactive T cells have a primary self-restricted specificity and cross-react on allogeneic major histocompatibility complex products. Structural comparison of the responder and stimulator DR molecules for these clones revealed that the regions predicted to contact the T cells' receptor, and thereby to determine self-restriction, are identical in sequence for DR4Dw4 and DR1Dw1 and differ by one residue between DRw13Dw19 and DR1Dw1. The DR beta residues that differ between responder, DR4Dw4 and DR13Dw19, and stimulator, DR1Dw1, are predicted to contribute to antigen binding. This implies that these anti-DR1 T cells may be specific for endogenous peptides that are bound by DR1 and not by the responder DR products, seen in a self-restricted manner. These T-cell clones also cross-reacted on DR4Dw13 and DRw14Dw16 molecules and on a human/murine hybrid class II dimer DR1 beta/I-E alpha. These reactions are discussed in terms of self-restricted peptide recognition. Thus these data suggest that in certain responder/stimulator combinations allorecognition may resemble self-restricted recognition of fragments of endogenous antigens that are bound by stimulator but not by responder major histocompatibility complex products.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reversal of HLA restriction by a point mutation in an antigenic peptide.

The HLA restriction of a human T cell clone specific for residues 307-319 of influenza haemagglutinin was changed by the introduction of a point substitution in the peptide. Cells expressing HLA Dw1, DR4 Dw4, Dw13, Dw14, or Dw15 could present the natural haemagglutinin peptide to varying extents to the clone, but DR4 Dw10 could not. Replacement of glutamine-312 of the peptide with arginine produced an analogue that was recognized by the T cell clone only in the context of DR4 Dw10; neither DR1 nor any of the other DR4 alleles could present this peptide to the clone. The inability to bind either the natural or modified peptide was shown not to be the cause of the non-responsiveness. Rather, the differential stimulation of the clone appeared to arise from sequence variations between the DR alleles in residues comprising the beta-chain helix, which either affected recognition by directly contacting the T cell receptor or modified the conformation of the bound peptide. The latter effects were sufficiently subtle to modulate recognition by changing the fine details of the bound peptide but not to eliminate the capacity of the restriction element to bind the peptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural and functional studies of HLA-DR restricted antigen recognition by human helper T lymphocyte clones by using transfected murine cell lines.

Murine L cells expressing the products of transfected HLA-DR1 genes functioned as APC for two influenza-specific, human Th cell clones with comparable efficiency to a DR1-expressing human lymphoblastoid cell line. In order to investigate the restriction specificity of the two Th clones, a transfectant expressing the species-mismatched MHC class II dimer DR1:I-E was tested as an APC. Both T cells showed no loss of Ag sensitivity due to substitution of the murine chain. One of the Th clones, TLC 72, showed even greater degeneracy by responding to Ag in the context of I-Ek. Taking into account the lower level of MHC class II expression on the I-Ek transfectant, there is remarkably little loss of efficiency of Ag-induced T cell activation due to the substitution of I-E for DR as restriction element. The Ag-specific responses of both clones were inhibited by anti-CD4 antibody when DR-transfected L cells or human lymphoblastoid cells were used as APC. This inhibition was also seen when Ag was presented to TLC72 by the I-Ek-expressing transfectant. Whether this inhibition is the result of negative signaling or of blocking an interaction between human CD4 and I-Ek is discussed. Similarly the inhibitory effects of mAb against the T cell accessory molecule LFA/1 were the same for both clones when either the transfectants or the lymphoblastoid cell line were used as APC, suggesting that L cells may express a molecule that is capable of acting as a ligand for human LFA/1. The results presented here further illustrate the value of transfectants in analyzing T cell recognition and accessory cell requirements. The patterns of degeneracy of MHC restriction exhibited by these clones provides a platform for a more detailed analysis of key residues involved in MHC class II-restricted T cell Ag recognition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural model of HLA-DR1 restricted T cell antigen recognition.

Two human helper T cell determinants in influenza have been identified, one in the hemagglutinin and the other in the matrix protein (M1). Both were shown to be DR1 restricted by using transfected L cells to present antigen. Comparison of the sequences of the two peptides revealed a similar pattern that could account for their DR1 specificity if the peptides adopt a helical conformation. The model was supported by the demonstration that hybrid peptides, composed of the amino acids that interact with DR1 from one determinant and the residues that interact with the T cell receptor from the other, were recognized by each clone. The generality of the motif was confirmed by the finding that DR1 individuals respond to a ragweed peptide containing the defined pattern.

Allergens↗

Early genetic events in T cell development analyzed by in situ hybridization.

In situ hybridization was used to investigate the expression of T cell receptor (TCR) alpha, beta, and gamma mRNAs in developing fetal and adult precursor thymocytes. gamma transcription was observed at the earliest time tested (day 12), followed by beta 12 h later, and TCR alpha on day 16. The early beta transcripts appeared to be from unrearranged or incompletely rearranged (D-J-C) beta loci. V beta region transcription was first detectable on day 14 and transcription of different V beta genes was induced at different times. These results delineate a schedule sequence of TCR gene activation, which begins within 1 d after entry of stem cells into the fetal thymus.

Animals↗

Thy-1+ dendritic epidermal cells belong to the T-cell lineage.

The murine epidermis contains a population of dendritic, Thy-1+ cells (Thy-1+ DEC). Although it is now clear that these cells are of bone marrow origin, extensive morphological, histochemical, and cell-membrane marker studies have not definitively placed them in any known hematopoietic differentiation pathway. Based on the observation that Thy-1+ DEC can be propagated in vitro with Con A and interleukin 2, we have established three cell lines (Tehy 184, Tehy 245, and Yety 245) that can be continuously grown in medium with lectin-lymphokine-rich culture supernatants of rat spleen cells. With the exception of the loss of reactivity with anti-asialo-GM1 antibodies (Tehy 184 and Tehy 245) and the gain of interleukin 2 receptor expression, the cultured cell lines bear the same surface characteristics as freshly isolated Thy-1+ DEC: Thy-1+, Ly-5+, Lyt-1-, Lyt-2-, L3T4-, Ia-, sIg-. Using Southern and RNA gel blot analysis, we now demonstrate that these Thy-1+ DEC-derived cell lines exhibit various patterns of rearrangements in the gene complexes encoding the T-cell receptor (related) beta and gamma chains and contain mature and/or incomplete transcripts from the T-cell receptor alpha- and beta-chain genes, as well as transcripts from the receptor-related gamma-chain genes. Tehy 184 cells, the only cells containing both mature alpha- and beta-chain transcripts, react positively with the F23.1 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes the product of a subset of T-cell receptor beta-chain variable region gene segments. This antibody precipitates a surface protein of 84-88 kDa from these cells that after reduction separates into two 40- to 44-kDa chains, characteristic of Ti alpha/beta heterodimers. These data strongly suggest that Thy-1+ DEC belong to the T-cell lineage and point to the epidermis as a site either of immature thymocyte migration or of extrathymic T-cell differentiation.

Animals↗

I-A-restricted T cell antigen recognition. Analysis of the roles of A alpha and A beta using DNA-mediated gene transfer.

The contributions of A alpha and A beta chains, and of subregions of A beta, to Ia-restricted recognition of antigen by Th lymphocytes were analyzed using a panel of L cells transfected with various pairs of A alpha b,d, or k genes and recombinant or wild-type A beta b,d, or k genes. The A beta genes included all possible exchanges of the whole NH2-terminal (beta 1) domain or halves of the beta 1 domain among these three allelic A beta genes. The Ia+ L cells derived from such transfections were used as antigen-presenting cells with a 21 member panel of responding Ia-restricted T hybridoma cells of differing nominal antigen specificity and Ia-restriction. Special care was taken to account for quantitative variation in levels of Ia expression throughout the experiments. The results of this analysis reveal that (a) only 2 of the 21 Th cells recognized Ia molecules involving either a nonparental A alpha or a nonparental A beta chain, and in both cases the degeneracy extended to only one of the two other alleles tested. This suggests that allele specific contributions from both A alpha and A beta chains are important in restricted recognition for most, if not all I-A-restricted Th cells. (b) In no case did substitution of the A beta 2 domain from either of the alternative haplotypes lead to any functionally detectable effects, demonstrating that polymorphisms in the A beta 1 domain can entirely account for the restriction imposed on Th cell responses by the entire A beta chain. (c) For 90% of the cells tested, replacement of the NH2-terminal portion of the beta 1 domain with an allogeneic segment led to Ia molecules unable to elicit Th responses. Furthermore, of all the cells permissive of the substitution of one or other half of the beta 1 domain, only two permitted the substitution of sequence from both alternative haplotypes. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that antigen recognition by most, if not all, I-A-restricted Th cells involves contributions from both halves of the A beta 1 domain. These data suggest that the role of I-A molecules in restricted Th cell recognition of antigen depends on conformational determinants unique to a particular combination of polymorphic alpha and beta chains, and that multiple such sites exist on a single Ia molecule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗