A family of trans-acting factors with distinct regulatory functions control expression of MHC class II genes.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
R S Accolla
Publications and source records attributed to R S Accolla.
Transcriptional control of MHC class II gene expression during differentiation from B cells to plasma cells.
In this study we investigated the molecular mechanisms responsible for the extinction of the constitutive MHC class II gene expression of human B cells on somatic cell hybridization with murine plasmocytoma cells. We found that this event is due to trans-acting suppressor functions of mouse origin pre-existing in the plasmocytoma cells and acting at transcriptional level. Transcription of the entire family of human class II genes is suppressed, including genes as DO beta for which a distinct regulation of expression in B cells had been previously demonstrated. Suppression appears specific for class II genes because in the hybrids expression of MHC class I genes of mouse is unaffected and of human only partially reduced. Interestingly, also murine invariant chain gene is expressed in both parental plasmocytoma and hybrid cells although at reduced amounts as compared to a murine class II positive B cell line. The class II negative phenotype of hybrid cells and parental plasmocytoma cells is highly stable and unaffected by treatment with protein synthesis inhibitors, suggesting that the transcriptional suppressor function is not mediated by rapid, labile turning-over proteins. Possible mechanisms responsible for transcriptional regulation of MHC class II gene expression during terminal differentiation of B cells to plasma cells are discussed.
B-Lymphocytes↗
Different staphylococcal enterotoxins bind preferentially to distinct major histocompatibility complex class II isotypes.
The stimulation of T cells by staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) is strictly dependent on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-bearing cells. The interaction between SE and MHC class II molecules was studied on the human B cell lymphoma Raji and its MHC class II-negative variant RJ 2.2.5. Affinity purification with SEA and SEB matrix allowed the isolation of HLA-DR-like molecules from detergent lysates of 125I surface-labeled Raji cells, but not from RJ 2.2.5 cells. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis also revealed preferences in the binding of other SE such as SED, SEE and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 to DR-like molecules, SEC2 to HLA-DQ-like molecules and SEC3 to DR- and DQ-like molecules. Preadsorption of the different MHC class II MHC isotypes confirmed the preferential binding of SEA to DR and of SEC2 to DQ. The implications of these findings for the understanding of SE-induced T cell activation and the potency of SE as a tool in the study of MHC class II antigens are discussed.
Chromatography, Affinity↗
Effects of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha on the surface phenotype and the growth of human malignant glioma cell lines.
Human malignant glioma cell lines and clones were incubated with various concentrations of recombinant human TNF-alpha, either alone or in combination with recombinant human IFN-gamma. The surface expression of HLA-ABC (class I) antigens and beta 2-microglobulin, was significantly enhanced by TNF-alpha alone on every cell line and clone tested. After incubation with both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, the surface expression of HLA-ABC antigens was only slightly higher than that observed with each cytokine alone. In contrast to IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha had no effect on the surface expression of HLA-DR (class II) antigens. Moreover, the surface expression of HLA-DR induced by IFN-gamma was unaffected by TNF-alpha. The increased expression of HLA-ABC antigens after treatment with TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma correlated with increased levels of HLA-ABC-specific mRNA. In addition, TNF-alpha, like IFN-gamma, selectively enhanced the surface expression of a tumor-associated antigen, Me14-D12, while it had no effect on the expression of various other surface antigens. In the absence of actinomycin D, TNF-alpha exhibited no direct cytotoxic/cytostatic effect on the glioma cell lines tested. These results indicate that TNF-alpha can enhance the surface expression of HLA-ABC antigens on human glioma cells in the absence of a direct cytotoxic/cytostatic effect.
Animals↗
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↗
Molecular genotyping of the HLA-DQ alpha gene region.
Restriction fragment analysis has been applied to genomic DNA extracted from human tumor cell lines. Polymorphic restriction fragments encompassing the HLA-DQ alpha gene were observed upon digestion with Bgl II, Eco RI, and Hind III. Analysis of these polymorphic fragments (or allogenotopes) showed that for each restriction enzyme a series of three differently sized allogenotopes existed. Clusters of cosegregating allogenotopes belonging to the different allelic series defined three different allogenotypes. Each allogenotype exhibited a distinctive restriction map generated by digestion with five restriction enzymes. Comparison of these restriction maps showed that generation of the polymorphisms observed at the HLA-DQ alpha region in these sets of cell lines is not caused by a single event. In some B- and T-lymphoma cell lines a fourth allogenotype was found. The restriction site map of genomic DNA from these cell lines suggested that the latter distribution of restriction enzyme sites was most probably generated by recombination between two of the previously observed allogenotypes at a crossover site(s) adjacent to the HLA-DQ alpha gene.
Alleles↗
Heterogeneity of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) populations at the clonal level: both NK and CD3+, CD4-, CD8- clones efficiently mediate tumor cell killing.
To investigate at the clonal level the phenotypic and functional properties of interleukin 2 (IL-2) activated killer cells (LAK), recombinant IL-2 activated peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured under limiting conditions. Among 56 clones that lysed P815 in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (22% of total proliferating microcultures) 36 clones lysed also the natural killer (NK)-sensitive K562 and the NK-resistant Hu126 glioma cell lines and one clone lysed only the K562 cell line. Several LAK clones were further assayed for both phenotype and functional activity. Of 22 clones, 10 were CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, and expressed the CD16 marker of NK cells; only one clone had the conventional phenotype of cytolytic T cells (CD3+, CD4-, CD8+), while 11 clones were CD3+, CD4-, CD8- and did not express alpha/beta heterodimer of T-cell antigen receptor as identified by WT31 monoclonal antibody. Only one of the latter clones was CD16+. Endogenous production of IL-2 after stimulation with PHA and phorbol myristate acetate was positive in 3/9 CD3- and in 8/8 CD3+, CD4-, CD8- clones. CD3- mediated strong antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, a function exerted also by some CD3+, CD4-, CD8- T-cell clones to a lower extent. CD3+, CD4-, CD8- T-cell clones lysed different major histocompatibility complex unrelated tumor targets; moreover, this lytic activity seems to be CD3 dependent.
Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity↗
Active suppression of major histocompatibility complex class II gene expression during differentiation from B cells to plasma cells.
Constitutive expression of major histocompatibility complex class II genes is acquired very early in B-cell ontogeny and is maintained up to the B-cell blast stage. Terminal differentiation in plasma cells is, however, accompanied by a loss of class II gene expression. In B cells this gene system is under the control of several loci encoding transacting factors with activator function, one of which, the aIr-1 gene product, operates across species barriers. In this report human class II gene expression is shown to be extinguished in somatic cell hybrids between the human class II-positive B-cell line Raji and the mouse class II-negative plasmacytoma cell line P3-U1. Since all murine chromosomes are retained in these hybrids and no preferential segregation of a specific human chromosome is observed, the results are compatible with the presence of suppressor factors of mouse origin, operating across species barriers and inhibiting class II gene expression. Suppression seems to act at the level of transcription or accumulation of class II-specific mRNA, since no human, and very few murine, class II transcripts are detectable in the hybrids.
Animals↗
Distinct mechanisms regulate MHC class II gene expression in B cells and macrophages.
In a previous series of studies, we had shown that the constitutive Ia expression in an immunoselected Ia-human B cell variant, RJ 2.2.5, could be restored by somatic cell hybridization with mouse B cells. These experiments allowed us to show the existence of a transacting activator factor(s) operating across species barriers and encoded by the aIr-1 locus located on mouse chromosome 16. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the B cell constitutive Ia expression and the inducible Ia expression, as seen in macrophages treated with IFN-gamma, are controlled by similar intracellular factors. To this purpose, we constructed an interspecies somatic cell hybrid between the human Ia-RJ 2.2.5 B cells and the mouse Ia-P388 D1 macrophage cells. These murine cells transiently express Ia antigens when incubated with IFN-gamma. Our results show that RJ 2.2.5 X P388 D1 cell hybrids do not express either human or mouse class II gene products. Treatment with human recombinant IFN-gamma did not modify the MHC phenotype of either the hybrid cells or the human parental cells. On the other hand, treatment of the hybrid cells with murine recombinant IFN-gamma resulted in de novo expression of mouse Ia mRNA and corresponding cell surface antigens without, however, reinduction of the human class II-positive phenotype. Furthermore, treatment with the mouse lymphokine significantly increased the levels of human HLA class I mRNA and corresponding cell surface antigens in the hybrid cells, further reinforcing the notion of the existence of non-species-specific secondary mediators generated after receptor-ligand interaction in the IFN-gamma system. Together, these results indicate that in macrophages, the intracellular events taking place after binding of IFN-gamma with its own receptor and leading to the expression of a class II-positive phenotype do not operate via an activation of the aIr-1 locus and/or its products. Thus, at least in our experimental system, we can firmly establish a first, relevant distinction between constitutive and inducible class II gene expression. This difference, dictated by the specific differentiation program of each cell type, may be relevant for the understanding of the function of class II gene products.
Animals↗
Structural analysis of human Ia antigens reveals the existence of a fourth molecular subset distinct from DP, DQ, and DR molecules.
Structural analysis by two-dimensional peptide maps (2D-PM) of the human Ia molecular pool expressed on the cell surface of two distinct lymphoblastoid cell line, LG-2 and Raji, revealed the existence of a novel MHC class II molecular heterodimer that differs at the level of both alpha and beta subunits from the previously described DP, DQ, and DR antigens. These differences were also seen at the level of two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) of biosynthetically labeled intact molecules, although to a lesser extent, due to the intrinsic limitations of this technique in resolving fine structural differences. We have designated this new class II antigen as the fourth Ia subset. The fourth Ia subset seems to represent a small proportion of the human Ia pool. Comparative analysis by 2D-PM of the two cell lines showed the presence of structural variations in the alpha chains of the fourth Ia subset, suggesting the existence of polymorphism for these subunits. Cell surface iodination did not show appreciable labeling of the fourth subset beta chain in LG-2 cells, and this prevented analysis of the structural polymorphism of this subunit. Furthermore, for the first time, we have shown that DP alpha chains display distinct peptide maps in LG-2 and Raji cells, thus suggesting the presence of structural polymorphism for these Ia subunits also. The DQ1 alpha and beta allelic products present in LG-2 cells (DQ homozygous) did not show appreciable structural variation when compared with the homologous allelic products present in Raji cells (DQ heterozygous). Finally, we have confirmed the absence of polymorphism for the DR alpha subunits. By 2D-PM, relatively low structural variation was instead found for the highly polymorphic DR beta subunits expressed in the two cell lines, suggesting that cell surface iodination preferentially labels constant domains of DR beta chains.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Defective HLA class II expression in a regulatory mutant is partially complemented by activated ras oncogenes.
The human B-cell line RJ2.2.5, derived by mutagenesis from a Burkitt lymphoma cell line and selected for loss of HLA class II antigen expression, was infected with recombinant retroviruses containing either the Harvey murine sarcoma virus oncogene v-Ha-ras or the human neuroblastoma homolog NRAS. Both activated ras genes partially complemented the regulatory defect in RJ2.2.5 and specifically increased the expression of the DR and DQ subsets of HLA class II genes. Blot-hybridization analysis and RNase mapping indicated that HLA-DQ alpha-chain mRNA in the infected cell lines was increased to a level at least 50% that of the parent B-cell line, Raji. The levels of HLA-DR and -DQ beta-chain RNA also were increased but to a lesser extent. In contrast, we detected no effect of ras on the quantities of other class II, class I, or invariant-chain mRNAs. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis with antibodies recognizing HLA-DR, -DQ, and class I antigens supported these observations. Enhancement of HLA class II gene expression by ras genes may have important implications for regulation of the immune system in response to transformation.
Antigens, Surface↗
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↗
The genes for tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and lymphotoxin (TNF-beta) are tandemly arranged on chromosome 17 of the mouse.
We have isolated clones containing the gene for tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) from a mouse genomic library. Four out of five clones containing the TNF-alpha gene also hybridized to a human lymphotoxin (TNF-beta) probe. We constructed a restriction enzyme cleavage map of a 6.4 kb region from one of the genomic clones. From partial sequencing data and hybridizations with exon-specific oligonucleotide probes, we conclude that this region contains the mouse TNF-alpha and TNF-beta genes in a tandem arrangement, that they are separated by only about 1100 bases, and that their intron-exon structure is very similar to that seen in man. We probed genomic blots of DNA from human/mouse hybrids containing single mouse chromosomes for the presence of the mouse TNF genes. The results show that the genes are located on mouse chromosome 17, which also contains the major histocompatibility complex. Therefore, both the mouse and the human TNF genes are tandemly arranged and located on the same chromosome as the MHC.
Animals↗
aIr-1, a newly found locus on mouse chromosome 16 encoding a trans-acting activator factor for MHC class II gene expression.
RJ 2.2.5 is a human B cell line that has lost the capacity to express MHC class II genes. The human class II-positive phenotype is restored in somatic cell hybrids between RJ 2.2.5 and mouse spleen cells. By karyotype and molecular studies of an informative family of hybrids we have now shown that the reexpression of human class II gene products, as well as the maintenance of the mouse class II-positive phenotype, correlates with the presence of mouse chromosome 16. Thus, the existence on this mouse chromosome of a newly found locus, designated by us aIr-1, that determines a trans-acting activator function for class II gene expression, is established. Possible implications of this finding are discussed.
Animals↗
H2-restricted recognition of cloned HLA class I gene products expressed in mouse cells.
Long-term syngeneic mouse cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones were obtained from DBA/2 (H2d) mice immunized with P815 (H2d) cells transfected with cloned human class I histocompatibility genes, HLA-CW3 or HLA-A24. Three distinct patterns of specificity were defined on P815 HLA transfectant target cells. One clone lysed HLA-CW3 but not -A24 transfectants, and a second lysed HLA-A24 but not -CW3 transfectant target cells. The third clone lysed P815 targets transfected with either HLA gene. None of the CTL clones lysed L cells (H2k) transfected with the same HLA genes or human targets that expressed these HLA specificities. Several lines of evidence indicated that recognition of HLA transfectants by these CTL clones was H2 restricted. First, lysis of P815 HLA transfectants could be inhibited by anti-H2Kd monoclonal antibody. In addition, the anti-P815-HLA CTL clones could lyse a (human X mouse) hybrid target that expressed both HLA class I and H2Kd antigens, but not a clonal derivative that no longer expressed H2Kd. The most direct evidence for H2-restricted recognition of P815-HLA transfectants by the syngeneic CTL clones was obtained by double transfection of mouse L cells (H2k) with both HLA and H2 class I genes. L cells transfected with HLA and H2Kd genes were susceptible to lysis by the same CTL clones that lysed the corresponding P815-HLA transfectant targets. Thus under certain conditions, CTL recognition of xenogeneic class I histocompatibility gene products can be restricted by other class I gene products.
Animals↗
Stable integration of mouse DNA into Ia-negative human B-lymphoma cells causes reexpression of the human Ia-positive phenotype.
RJ 2.2.5, a variant of the human B-lymphoma cell line Raji, does not express the HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP class II (or Ia) histocompatibility antigens, as a result of a defect in the transcription of the corresponding genes. This defect is corrected after fusion of RJ 2.2.5 cells with mouse Ia-positive cells. Previous work showed that the trans-acting transcriptional activator supplied by the mouse cells is encoded by a locus on mouse chromosome 16. We show here that reexpression of human major histocompatibility complex class II genes by RJ 2.2.5 cells can also be achieved by stable integration of mouse genomic sequences into the RJ 2.2.5 genome after DNA-mediated gene transfer.
Animals↗
Trans-acting element(s) operating across species barriers positively regulate expression of major histocompatibility complex class II genes.
Raji, a human B lymphoma line, expresses high levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens. Conversely, none of the detectable human Ia antigens is present in RJ 2.2.5, an immunoselected Raji variant. Clonal analysis, biochemical characterization, and nucleic acid hybridization studies of hybrids between mouse spleen cells and RJ 2.2.5 show that MHC class II gene expression is regulated in trans by a factor which, as judged by dominance studies, has the characteristics of an activator. Such a positive trans acting factor is expressed in mouse spleen cells, and is able to implement MHC class II gene expression across species boundaries. Expression of this factor in spleen cells strongly suggests that it plays a role in in vivo regulation of Ia expression. Additional data suggest that different subsets of class II genes such as DR and DQ may, in part, be regulated by different mechanisms. It has also been possible to show that the amount of In chain-specific mRNA, present at reduced levels in RJ 2.2.5 cells compared to the parental Raji cells, drastically increased in human X mouse cells hybrids reexpressing human Ia antigens, suggesting that the In chain gene and the class II genes, although located on different chromosomes, are regulated in a concerted fashion, either directly through the same implementing factor, or indirectly through a cascade mechanism.
Animals↗
Reactivation by a trans-acting factor of human major histocompatibility complex Ia gene expression in interspecies hybrids between an Ia-negative human B-cell variant and an Ia-positive mouse B-cell lymphoma.
Raji, a human B-lymphoma cell line, expresses high levels of class II (Ia) antigens. The expression of Ia antigens is totally abolished at the level of specific mRNA accumulation in RJ 2.2.5, a variant cell line derived from Raji after mutagenesis and immunoselection. We report here that the human Ia antigen expression can be restored in interspecies somatic cell hybrids between RJ 2.2.5 cells and BALB/c-derived M12.4.1 (I-A+, I-E+) B-lymphoma cells. Two hybrid clones were studied in detail. In both clones Ia molecules of the DR and NG2 type were easily detected by cell surface immunofluorescence and specific immunoprecipitation. In contrast, the DQ1 molecules were not detected with the above technique. DNA hybridization experiments using specific probes indicated that alpha-chain DR and beta-chain DQ genes were present in the hybrids. However, RNA hybridization experiments revealed that beta-chain DQ mRNA was present in the hybrids at very low amount compared to alpha-chain DR-specific mRNA. These results indicate that at least several genes of the class II gene cluster are coordinately regulated by trans-acting factor(s) that operate across species barriers. The basis of the mechanisms controlling the expression of class II antigens in these human-mouse hybrids might be related to the extinction (lack of expression) or activation of tissue-specific traits that take place when genomes of cells of dissimilar developmental potentials are brought together.
Animals↗