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R J Hodes

Publications and source records attributed to R J Hodes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunoglobulin (Ig) mu, kappa transgenic mice express transgenic idiotype on endogenously rearranged IgM and IgA molecules by secretion of chimeric molecules.

The sera of C57BL/6 mice transgenic for a mu a allotype heavy (H) chain and kappa light chain gene contained endogenous nontransgene immunoglobulin (IgM) (mu b allotype) and IgA molecules which carried the idiotype expressed by the transgenically encoded IgM (mu a) molecule. Serological analysis demonstrated that the presence of the transgenic idiotype on endogenous IgM and IgA was caused by the secretion of chimeric molecules that carried both chains encoded by the mu a transgene and products of endogenously rearranged Ig mu b or alpha genes. These and other results suggest that allelic exclusion of Ig gene rearrangement in mu, kappa transgenic mice is not absolute, that B cells can secrete Igs composed of more than a single (H) chain type, and that endogenous isotype switching does not result in a complete silencing of transgene expression.

Animals

CD45 expression by B cells. Expression of different CD45 isoforms by subpopulations of activated B cells.

To determine the effect of distinct activation stimuli on CD45 expression by B cells, we have examined the expression of CD45 molecules on murine B cells stimulated with LPS or the Th cell cytokine IL-5. Analysis of CD45 by flow cytometry revealed that unstimulated and stimulated B cells expressed homogeneous amounts of total CD45 but that stimulation with IL-5 resulted in a CD44hi, hyaluronate-adherent subpopulation of activated B cells that expressed a markedly altered pattern of expression of exon-specific CD45R or B220 determinants. The predominant CD45 immunoprecipitated from either unstimulated or LPS-stimulated B cells was of the high molecular mass form (approximately 220 kDa) usually associated with B cells. In contrast, the CD45 proteins immunoprecipitated from the hyaluronate-adherent subpopulation of IL-5-activated B cells were predominantly lower m.w. forms. PCR analysis of amplified CD45 cDNA also showed distinct expression profiles characteristic of each B cell population. The highest molecular size PCR product, corresponding to expression of all three variably expressed CD45 exons (A, B, and C) was prominent in resting B cells and in LPS-activated B cells but was selectively reduced in hyaluronate-adherent IL-5-activated B cells, where lower molecular size PCR products predominated, corresponding to expression of one or two of the variable exons. In contrast, LPS-activated B cells expressed reduced levels of these one- or two-exon forms. In addition, all B cell populations expressed a lower m.w. PCR product corresponding in size to the product expected when exons A, B, and C are spliced out of CD45 mRNA. Thus, analysis of alternative splicing of CD45 mRNA, as well as cell surface expression of CD45 provides a novel parameter for analysis of B cell activation by different stimuli.

Animals

Influence of T cell receptor V alpha expression on Mlsa superantigen-specific T cell responses.

Recognition of conventional foreign antigen by T cells is determined by the expression of multiple variable regions of both alpha and beta chains of the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha/beta heterodimer. In contrast, there exists a class of antigens that appears to interact with the TCR alpha/beta heterodimer through the variable region on the beta chain (V beta), independent of other TCR components, a property that has led to their designation as superantigens. The goal of the present study was to analyze V alpha use in V beta 6+ T cells responsive to the superantigen, Mlaa. Results indicate that while deletion of T cells expressing V beta 6 in Mlsa-expressing mice is essentially complete and therefore appears to occur regardless of V alpha usage, in vitro Mlsa stimulation of T cells from Mlsa-negative mice results in significant skewing of V alpha use among responding V beta 6+ T cells. This indicates that V alpha expression influences recognition of the superantigen, Mlsa by mature peripheral T cells.

Animals

Cross-species transplantation tolerance: rat bone marrow-derived cells can contribute to the ligand for negative selection of mouse T cell receptor V beta in chimeras tolerant to xenogeneic antigens (mouse + rat----mouse).

Mixed xenogeneic bone marrow reconstitution (mouse + rat----mouse) results in stable mixed lymphopoietic chimerism (1-48% rat), long-term survival, and the induction of stable functional donor-specific transplantation tolerance to xenoantigens in vivo. To examine the role of negative selection of potentially xenoreactive T lymphocytes during tolerance induction across a species barrier, mixed xenogeneic chimeras (mouse + rat----mouse) were prepared and analyzed using a mixture of mouse and rat bone marrow cells for relative T cell receptor (TCR)-V beta expression on mouse T cells. In mixed xenogeneic chimeras (B10 mouse + rat----B10 mouse), T cell maturation proceeded normally in the presence of rat bone marrow-derived elements, and functional donor-specific tolerance to rat xenoantigens was present when assessed by mixed lymphocyte reactivity in vitro. V beta 5, which is expressed at high (undeleted) levels in normal B10 mice, was consistently deleted in B10 recipients of Wistar Furth (WF), but not F344 rat bone marrow, whereas the coadministration of either F344 rat or WF rat bone marrow with B10 mouse bone marrow cells resulted in a significant decrease in expression of TCR-V beta 11. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that rat bone marrow-derived cells can contribute in a strain-specific manner to the ligand for negative selection of specific mouse TCR-V beta during tolerance induction across a species barrier.

Animals

Expression of variable exon A-, B-, and C-specific CD45 determinants on peripheral and thymic T cell populations.

A mAb (I/24) has been generated that is specific for a determinant on mouse CD45 molecules. Reactivity of this mAb with a panel of CD45 transfected cell lines demonstrated that the determinant recognized is dependent upon expression of one or more CD45 variable exons and that exon C is sufficient for its expression. The exon C-specific epitope detected by I/24 is expressed at high density on essentially all B lymphocytes and at an intermediate density on the vast majority of CD8+ splenic T cells. Two distinct subpopulations of CD4+ splenic T cells were detected, a minor subpopulation that expresses this exon determinant at high density and a major subpopulation that expresses it at a much lower density. This first identification of a CD45RC-specific reagent allowed a comparison of the expression of exon A-, exon B-, and exon C-specific determinants on peripheral and thymic lymphoid populations. When splenic lymphocytes were analyzed for expression of CD45RA (reactive with mAb 14.8), CD45RB (reactive with mAb 23G2 or mAb 16.A), and CD45RC (reactive with mAb I/24) determinants, it was found that each of these CD45 determinants had a distinct pattern of expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and B cells. CD45RB and RC epitopes were also detected at high density on a small proportion (0.7 to 4.1%) of thymocytes. Both CD45RB and RC epitopes were found predominantly on CD4-CD8- and CD4-CD8+ thymocytes but were also found on small numbers of CD4+CD8+ and CD4+CD8- cells. The population of thymocytes that expressed CD45RB and CD45RC determinants displayed a novel TCR CD3 phenotype characterized by a level of expression that was intermediate between that seen in the larger CD3 bright and CD3 dull populations of thymocytes.

Animals

T cell recognition of Mls-like superantigens: analysis of TCR requirements, superantigenic ligands, and signal transduction.

Mls-like endogenous superantigens have been reported to be unique, differing from conventional antigens in the T cell receptor (TCR) requirements for their recognition, in the signal transduction events which they elicit in T cells, and in the identity of the stimulatory ligand. This review describes recent findings indicating that TCR V alpha as well as V beta products play a role in Mls recognition. Data are also summarized which indicate that T cell recognition of Mls leads to increased intracellular [Ca2+] and phosphatidyl inosotol hydrolysis. Finally, genetic linkage between mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviruses and endogenous superantigens is analyzed, and the possible role of non-MMTV products is examined.

Animals

Phenotypic characterization of murine tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes.

Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) can be isolated from solid tumors and selectively expanded in long term culture with IL-2 and autologous irradiated tumor. Such long term cultured cells express anti-tumor activity in vitro, mediate the regression of established tumor in murine models of cancer, and have been used for the treatment of cancer in humans. We have characterized freshly isolated mouse Thy-1+ TIL populations, as well as long term TIL cultures, from several different C57BL/6 (B6) tumors. Freshly isolated Thy-1+ TIL include both CD4+ and CD8+ cells, as well as cells bearing NK markers. These cells are predominantly TCR alpha beta+, with a smaller population of TCR gamma delta+ cells. The TCR alpha beta+ cells expressed a broad distribution of V beta phenotypes that was statistically different from that expressed in normal B6 splenic Thy-1+ cells or CD8+ cells, presumably reflecting in vivo selection in the host anti-tumor response. NK cells are present in these tumors at a greater frequency than noted in splenic T cells. Cultured TIL populations rapidly became exclusively Thy-1+/CD8+/CD4- and TCR alpha beta+/gamma delta-. Individual long term TIL populations initially expressed multiple V beta products, but rapidly restricted their V beta expression, frequently expressing a single dominant V beta. The identity of this dominant V beta varied among different TIL lines, but the overall representation of V beta phenotypes in these cultures was statistically different from that seen in Thy-1+ or CD8+ splenocytes. No statistical difference was noted between lines derived from antigenically distinct tumors. The selection of tumor specific T cells in vitro is therefore not reflected in any simple predominance of V beta usage. The complexity of TCR usage in the anti-tumor response may result from the involvement of multiple alpha- and beta-chain regions in the response to a single antigenic determinant, or may reflect multiple antigenic determinants expressed on a single syngeneic tumor.

Animals

Characterization of autoantibody-secreting B cells in mice undergoing stimulatory (chronic) graft-versus-host reactions. Identification of a CD44hi population that binds specifically to hyaluronate.

This study was undertaken to identify and isolate the pathophysiologically important B cell subpopulation which is activated to Ig secretion and autoantibody production in stimulatory (chronic) graft-vs-host (GVH) reactions. We recently demonstrated that IL-5 stimulation in vitro induces the appearance of a distinct CD44hi Ialow CD45Rlow B cell subpopulation that has aquired the ability to bind to hyaluronate (HA), one of the ligands for CD44, and that this B cell subpopulation is enriched in both proliferative and Ig-secretory responses. In the present report, CD44 expression was examined in B cells which were activated in the course of stimulatory GVH reactions. Compared with normal mice, B cells from mice undergoing stimulatory GVH reactions contained a novel CD44hi B cell subpopulation which exhibited enhanced binding to HA. The CD44hi HA-adherent B cell subpopulation from GVH mice spontaneously secreted large amounts of Ig, particularly IgG, including autoantibody specific for ssDNA. These findings demonstrate that CD44 expression distinguishes those B cells that are activated in vivo in the course of GVH to proliferate and differentiate into Ig-secreting cells. These CD44hi, HA-adherent, cells may play a prominent role in the hypergammaglobulinemia and immune complex glomerulonephritis that occur during chronic GVH reactions.

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Subpopulations of fetal thymocytes defined by expression of T cell receptor/CD3 and IL-2 receptor. CD3 and IL-2 receptor alpha-chain are expressed on reciprocal cell populations.

The expression of the TCR/CD3 complex and the IL-2R alpha chain (p55) on fetal thymocytes has been analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Two-parameter immunofluorescence identified three subpopulations which were respectively IL-2R alpha-/CD3+, IL-2R alpha+/CD3-, or IL-2R alpha-/CD3-; no detectable population of IL-2R alpha+/CD3+ cells was found in unstimulated fetal thymocytes. Fractionation by "panning" and by sterile flow cytometric separation was used to characterize the functional responsiveness of these three subpopulations to a variety of stimuli. All three populations proliferated in response to PMA + ionomycin + rIL-2. In contrast, stimulation with anti-CD3 + IL-2 induced proliferation in IL-2R alpha-/CD3+ and IL-2R alpha-/CD3- but not in IL-2R alpha+/CD3- thymocytes. IL-2R alpha- cells, including sorted IL-2R alpha-/CD3- thymocytes, underwent a phenotypic change in response to in vitro stimulation with anti-CD3 + IL-2, resulting in the appearance of an IL-2R alpha+/CD3+ population that was not detected in freshly isolated thymocytes. The ability of fractionated fetal thymocytes to produce lymphokine in response to PMA + ionomycin was also evaluated. Only the IL-2R alpha-/CD3- fraction generated detectable IL-2. These findings demonstrate for the first time that CD3 and IL-2R alpha are expressed in a mutually exclusive fashion in fetal thymocytes and define three subpopulations of thymocytes that differ significantly in their proliferative and differentiative responses to TCR-mediated, IL-2R-mediated, and pharmacologic stimulation.

Animals

Genetic analysis of the Mls system. Formal Mls typing of the commonly used inbred strains.

In order to elucidate the biological role of minor lymphocyte stimulating (Mls) gene products, we have been investigating the fundamental immunogenetic characteristics of the Mls system. In this report, we describe the distribution of stimulatory Mls products, Mlsa and Mlsc, in a panel of laboratory inbred strains based on the response pattern of H-2-compatible naive T-cell populations as well as monospecific Mlsa- or Mlsc-reactive T-cell clones. In addition, the expression of four different T-cell receptor (Tcr) b-V segment Tcrb-V3, -V6, -V8.1, and -V9, which were recently reported to be associated with T-cell recognition of Mls gene products in these strains, was examined. The results indicate that the majority of commonly used laboratory strains including those originally typed as Mlsa are also expressing Mlsc determinants and that very few independent inbred strains are non-Mlsc. Moreover, the pattern of Tcrb-V expression in spleen as well as in thymus suggests that the association between Mls expression and clonal deletion of self Mls-reactive T cells appears to be the general rule in inbred strains. Based on these results, implications for the nondetectable Mls-like gene products in other species besides the mouse are discussed.

Animals

IL-5 induces a Pgp-1 (CD44) bright B cell subpopulation that is highly enriched in proliferative and Ig secretory activity and binds to hyaluronate.

Pgp-1 expression was examined in unstimulated B cell populations and in B cells activated with several polyclonal stimuli. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that Pgp-1 expression increased when B cells were activated with supernatant of cloned Th2 cells, with LPS, or with IL-5, stimuli that induced polyclonal proliferation and differentiation. IL-5-primed B cells were phenotypically unique and could be divided into two distinct subpopulations based on the brightness of Pgp-1 expression. Furthermore, sterile sorting experiments showed that proliferating and differentiating B cells were highly enriched in a Pgp-1-bright, Ia-dull, B220-dull subpopulation. The possibility that Pgp-1 expressed on activated B cells functions as an adhesion molecule was evaluated by assessing adhesion of activated B cells to defined substrates. It was found that IL-5-activated B cells bound strongly to hyaluronate-coated surface, and this binding was specifically inhibited by anti-Pgp-1 Ab. These findings suggest that Pgp-1 expression is a useful marker which, under defined conditions, identifies the proliferating and differentiating subset of activated B cells. Moreover, the Pgp-1 bright subset of IL-5-primed B cells binds to hyaluronate in a Pgp-1-dependent manner that suggests a potential role of Pgp-1 in the in vivo adherence and trafficking of activated B cells.

Animals

Characterization of the ligand(s) responsible for negative selection of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells: effects of a new Mls determinant.

During T cell development, events occur that result in the generation of a T cell population capable of recognizing foreign antigens in association with self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene products. However, selective events also occur during thymic education that result in the deletion of T cells expressing alpha/beta T cell receptors with high affinity for self determinants alone, i.e., potentially self-reactive T cells. Both MHC- and non-MHC-encoded self antigens appear to play critical roles in this negative selection of self-reactive T cells. We recently observed that T cells expressing V beta 5, V beta 11, V beta 12, or V beta 16 products are deleted in most strains of H-2k type, but not in congenic H-2b strains. In contrast, the H-2k strain C58/J deleted V beta 5+ and V beta 16+ T cells, but failed to delete T cells expressing V beta 11 or V beta 12. Based upon this observation, in the present study we have analyzed the genetic regulation of the ligands responsible for deletion of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells, and have tested the possibility that these ligands can function as strong alloantigens analogous to the known minor lymphocyte stimulatory (Mls)- and MHC-encoded antigens. Two major findings have resulted from these studies. First, the ligands recognized by V beta 11+ and V beta 12+ T cells were regulated by both MHC- and multiple non-MHC-encoded genes. Correlation between expression of these two V beta s in backcross animals suggested that shared, though not necessarily identical, ligands mediate deletion of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells. Second, the ligand for deletion of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells functions as a newly defined Mls alloantigen that stimulates primary proliferative responses in T cell populations from mice that express V beta 11+ and V beta 12+ T cells.

Animals

Differential regulation of interleukin 4 and interleukin 5 gene expression: a comparison of T-cell gene induction by anti-CD3 antibody or by exogenous lymphokines.

Murine T helper type 2 clones were stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 antibody or with recombinant lymphokines to compare the expression of T-cell activation genes induced by these stimuli. Immobilized anti-CD3 antibody, recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2), and recombinant interleukin 4 (IL-4) all induced proliferation of the T helper type 2 clones 10-5-17 and D10. Proliferation of these clones induced by anti-CD3 antibody was completely inhibited by cyclosporine A, whereas cyclosporine A had little effect on proliferation induced by recombinant IL-2 or recombinant IL-4. Both immobilized anti-CD3 antibody, and recombinant IL-2 induced the expression of the protooncogenes c-myc and c-myb. Immobilized anti-CD3 antibody also induced expression of the lymphokine genes IL-4, interleukin 5 (IL-5), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. In contrast, recombinant IL-2 induced IL-5 mRNA expression but did not induce detectable expression of IL-4 or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor mRNA. Likewise, recombinant IL-4 induced expression of IL-5 but not IL-4 mRNA. Thus, the IL-4 and IL-5 genes appear to be differentially regulated after stimulation with recombinant lymphokines. Effects of cyclosporine A and the protein synthesis inhibitors cycloheximide and anisomycin on IL-4 and IL-5 gene expression suggest that these genes are activated by different pathways after anti-CD3 stimulation. Cyclosporine A completely inhibited anti-CD3-induced expression of IL-4 mRNA but not of IL-5 mRNA, and protein-synthesis inhibitors completely inhibited induction of IL-5 mRNA but not of IL-4 mRNA. Together, our data show that T-cell receptor-mediated and lymphokine receptor-mediated signals induce different patterns of lymphokine gene expression and provide strong evidence that the IL-4 and IL-5 genes are differently regulated.

Animals

Function of autoreactive T cells in immune responses.

We have constructed a model (Fig. 2) to explain the activation and regulation of autoreactive T cells by antigen. Antigen priming appears to be important for both antigen-specific and autoreactive T cells. Once activated, these T cells have the capacity to stimulate B cells to produce antibody in a very similar manner. It is possible that these two types of T cells work in concert to maintain an active immune response. Under circumstances where antigen-specific T-cell help may be limiting, autoreactive T cells may function to enhance B-cell responses. In addition, antigen appears to activate the regulatory mechanisms that are important for down-regulating the B-cell antibody response. Carrier-specific T-suppressor cells are antigen-specific in their activation but can be antigen-nonspecific in their effector function. In this way the regulatory mechanism driven by antigen can function to inactivate the antigen-specific and the autoreactive T-cell activation of B cells.

Animals

Failure of T cell receptor V beta negative selection in an athymic environment.

The mature T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is the result of selection events during T cell development. Previous assessment of TCR beta-chain selection with serologic and molecular probes demonstrated both positive and negative selection. Although this work suggested a critical role for the thymus, no direct assessment has been made of the requirement for a thymus in TCR V beta selection. A comparison of TCR V beta expression in four different congenic pairs of normal and nu/nu (athymic) mice indicated that the normal V beta deletions associated with tolerance to self minor lymphocyte stimulating (Mlsc) antigens or to self major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded E alpha E beta products did not occur in most athymic mice. Thus, the thymus has a critical role in mediating self tolerance by negative selection.

Animals

Sequences outside a minimal immunodominant site exert negative effects on recognition by staphylococcal nuclease-specific T cell clones.

In recent years, synthetic peptides have been utilized extensively to characterize the minimal essential immunodominant sites on model protein Ag. However, little work has focused on the effect that sequences flanking these minimal recognition sites may exert on T cell recognition. Previous work with staphylococcal nuclease (Nase) demonstrated that I-Ek-restricted clones recognize the peptide 81-100, whereas I-Ab-restricted clones recognize the over-lapping but non-cross-reacting peptide 91-110. Further analysis with 15 or 10 residue peptides within the region 81-110 reveals that the minimal sequence capable of stimulating I-Ek-restricted clones is contained within the decapeptide 91-100. Addition of residues 86-90, to give the peptide 86-100, enhanced the recognition substantially, whereas addition of residues 101-105 produced a 91-105 peptide with no stimulatory ability. These results suggest that interactions between the antigenic peptide 91-100 and residues within the flanking 101-105 sequence have negative consequences for presentation of the immunodominant epitope to T cell clones. Introduction of single amino acid substitutions within 91-105 produced peptides that induce responses comparable to those seen with 91-100. These results are consistent with the suggestion of negative interactions between the minimal immunodominant site and flanking sequences in that single residue substitutions may remove these negative interactions and lead to restoration of stimulatory ability. The negative effect of flanking sequences on T cell recognition of immunodominant sites presents new considerations for development of synthetic vaccines as well as for understanding the biology of Ag processing and presentation.

Amino Acid Sequence

Analysis of Mlsc genetics. A novel instance of genetic redundancy.

The identity of the self determinants involved in the selection of the T cell repertoire has been a matter of considerable interest. In addition to the apparent critical role of MHC gene products, accumulated experimental results indicate the importance of non-MHC gene products in T cell repertoire selection. In particular, murine Mlsa and Mlsc determinants have been shown to be highly stimulatory to allogeneic T cells and to be involved in the negative selection (elimination) of self-reactive T cells expressing selected TCR V beta segments. In this work, a unique phenomenon of genetic redundancy is described in the control of Mlsc expression: Mlsc appears to be controlled by at least two unlinked loci, and the product of either one of these loci is sufficient to evoke Mlsc-specific T cell response and to act as a ligand in the deletion of self Mlsc-reactive V beta 3+ T cells. Based on these findings, we propose a possible explanation for the fact that Mls-like genes or gene products have not been identified in other species such as man.

Animals