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PubMed1980

Monoclonal antibodies against simian virus 40 T antigens: evidence for distinct sublcasses of large T antigen and for similarities among nonviral T antigens.

We have isolated three clones of hybrid cells which synthesize antibodies specific for determinants on simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigens. Mouse myeloma NS1 cells were fused with spleen cells from mice that had been immunized with SV40-transformed mouse cells. Hybrid cells were selected in HAT medium and cloned in soft agar. We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection and quantification of mouse antibodies against SV40 T antigens. Monoclonal antibodies from 3 of the 24 clones that scored as positive in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were verified by immunoprecipitation to be specific for SV40 T antigens. Two clones (7 and 412) produced antibodies that recognized denaturation-sensitive antigenic determinants unique to large T antigen. Antibodies from clone 7 appeared to have a low affinity for large T antigen. Antibodies from clone 412 had a higher affinity for large T antigen but did not recognize a subclass of large T antigen that was recognized by tumor serum. Antibodies of the third clone, clone 122, recognized a denaturation-stable antigenic determinant of the 53,000-dalton mouse nonviral T antigen in SV40-transformed cells. Antibodies from clone 122 also recognized similar (51,000- to 56,000-dalton) nonviral T antigens in SV40-transormed or lytically infected cells from five mammalian species and in four uninfected mouse lines. From these observations, we have concluded that (i) the 94,000-dalton SV40 large T antigen may exist as immunologically distinguishable subclasses, and (ii) the nonviral T antigens of five mammalian species share at least one antigenic determinant.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

Antigenic modulation of mammary tumour virus envelope antigen or GR thymic lymphoma cells in relation to expressions of H-2, TL cell-surface antigens and THY1.

The MLr antigen, a mammary tumour virus-induced antigen on the surface of GR thymic lymphoma cells (GRSL) can be modulated from the cell surface upon incubation with specific antiserum for 1-2 h at 37 degrees C, followed by washing the cells. In contrast, a number of other cell-surface antigens on these GRSL cells cannot be modulated under similar conditions. These antigens include histocompatibility antigens of the H-2 complex (H-2.8 of the K-end and H-2dx(D) of the H-2dx haplotype) and two thymic markers, TL1.2 and Thy1.2. Antigenic modulation of MLr as tested by trypan-blue exclusion and by chromium51 release does not lead to a measurable change in the expression of H-2K, H-2D, TL and Thy1.2 antigens. These results could be confirmed by absorption analysis. The latter analysis showed that the number of antigenic sites per cell are about the same for MLr and the two H-2 antigens, while TL antigens are scarcer and Thy1.2 antigens are more abundant. The procedure of antigenic modulation showed that the MLr antigen resides on MTVgp52, the major protein of the envelope. There was no evidence of internal proteins, such as MTVp27, on the surface of GRSL cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Circulatory antigen of Heymann nephritis. II. Isolation of a 70,000 MW antigen from normal rat serum which cross-reacts with Heymann nephritis antigen.

Antigens cross-reactive with crude Heymann antigen, FXIA and purified antigen, gp600, were isolated from rat serum by immunoaffinity chromatography using polyclonal anti-gp600 antibodies. The eluted antigens predominantly contained a 70,000 molecular weight (MW) polypeptide. An antiserum was raised against this preparation which, when tested against rat serum by Protein A immunoblotting, showed that the antibodies were directed to 70,000 MW antigens. By immunodiffusion in gel, the antiserum produced three precipitin lines against the antigen preparation, three lines against FXIA and a single line against gp600. All three lines of the serum antigen were continuous with the three lines of FXIA showing complete identity of the isolated serum antigens with FXIA. One of the three common lines of the serum antigen and FXIA was in continuity with the line of gp600 showing cross-reaction of gp600 with the isolated 70,000 MW antigen. Testing of Western blots of gp600 and FXIA against this antiserum by protein A immunoblotting showed reaction with the 70,000 MW subunit of gp600 and FXIA indicating cross-reaction of the serum antigen with 70,000 MW antigen of FXIA and gp600. The antiserum reacted with structures in the glomerulus by indirect immunofluorescence. Patchy brush border staining was visible. When injected into an isolated perfused kidney, these antibodies localized in fine granular pattern along the glomerular capillary wall by direct immunofluorescence. Ultrastructural immunogold technique revealed that the 70,000 MW antigen was located in the brush border and in the GBM-endothelial interface. These results demonstrate that the 70,000 MW antigen present in rat serum is also present in the glomerular capillary wall.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Immunohistological localisation of two hydatid antigens (antigen 5 and antigen b) in the cyst wall, brood capsules and protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus (ovine and equine) and E. multilocularis using immunoperoxidase methods.

Cyst wall, brood capsules and evaginated protoscoleces of E. granulosus (ovine and equine) and E. multilocularis were fixed in 10% formol-saline, embedded in paraffin and cut at 8 micrometer. Specific rabbit antisera to antigen 5 and antigen B of hydatid cyst fluid were used with immunoperoxidase methods to localise the antigens in the histological sections. Antigen 5 was found in all parasites and was associated with cells of the subtegumental area of the protoscolex, the brood capsule wall and the germinal membrane. The labelled antigen appeared as distinct granules in all areas. It is suggested that antigen 5 may be synthesised in all of these sites and that a source of the antigen in cyst fluid may be the germinal and brood capsule membranes. The laminated membranes of E. granulosus (ovine and equine) were, except for the superficial layers, free from antigen 5. Antigen B was present in all parasites. It was distributed diffusely throughout the laminated membrane, germinal membrane and brood capsule wall. There were areas of densely labelled antigen B on the surface of the distal cytoplasm of the protoscolex tegument and the surface of calcareous corpuscles. The distribution of antigen B in relation to PAS positive material and possible complement activating substances is discussed. The laminated membrane of E. granulosus was apparently more permeable to antigen B than to antigen 5. It is suggested that differences in the diffusion of these antigens through the laminated membranes of hydatid cysts in the same or different host species may account for variable serological responses during infection.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Immunologic, virologic, and genetic aspects of mammary tumor virus-induced cell-surface antigens: presence of these antigens and the Thy 1.2 antigen on murine mammary gland and tumor cells.

The distribution of the normal differentiation antigen Thy 1 and the mammary tumor virus (MTV)-induced antigens or antigen complexes MLm and MLr were studied in mouse mammary gland cells, mammary tumor cells, and other cell types, by use of ascites leukemia cells of the GR mouse strain as target cells in the cytotoxicity test. The Thy 1.2 antigen was detected by an AKR antiserum to C3Hf thymocytes. MLm was shown by a homologous C57BL antiserum to GRSL2 leukemia (absorbed in vivo in GR mice); MLr was detected by a rabbit heterologous antiserum (absorbed in vivo in C57BL or GR mice and in vitro with BALB/c milk) prepared against Tween 80- and ether-treated purified B particles. Sera from Sprague-Dawley rats bearing murine leukemia virus (MuLV)-producing syngeneic tumors were not cytotoxic or only slightly cytotoxic for GR leukemias transplanted in vivo, which indicated that MuLV-induced antigens were absent or present in very low quantity in such leukemias. The MLr and MLn antigens or antigen complexes were possibly identical to the mammary leukemia (ML) antigen, since they could be detected not only on GR but also on DBA/2 leukemia cells and since their distribution was exactly the same as that of MTV. Both the MLr and MLm antigens were present in purified B particles, and antigenic activity were present in purified B particles, and antigenic activity was enhanced by destruction of the purified virus particles. The antigens were about eightfold enriched in a preparation of B-particle envelopes, as shown by quantitative cytotoxicity absorption (CYTA) tests. Purified nucleoid fractions of B particles were only lightly positive for the antigen, probably due to envelope contamination. One dominant gene was responsible for the expression of MLr, as shown by CYTA tests with mammary glands of individual animals of segregating crosses between the GR strain with high mammary cancer incidence and strains with low incidence. This gene was closely linked with or was possibly identical to 1) the gene for cytoplasmic MTV gs antigen expression as seen by fixed cell immunofluorescence, and 2) the gene causing mammary tumors in the GR mouse strain.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Engagement of the B-cell antigen receptor by antigen negatively regulates IgE production by antigen-specific B cells.

BACKGROUND: Functional differentiation of B lymphocytes can be regulated at different levels. Such B-cell responses, to a large extent, are under the control of T cells and the release of soluble factors from these cells. Crosslinking of B-cell antigen receptors also can direct B-cell differentiation, although the mechanisms are not well defined and the effects on specific antibody production have not been examined. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine whether crosslinking of the B-cell antigen receptor by antigen or antibody to the B-cell receptor could modulate specific antibody production, especially IgE production. METHODS: Antigen-specific human B cells were isolated and incubated with antigen or antibody to the B-cell antigen receptor. Specific antibody production was examined, as were surface isotype expression and levels of Ig heavy chain mRNA in T cell-independent cultures. RESULTS: The addition of antigen or anti-IgM antibody enhanced IgM and IgG antibody production in the presence of anti-CD40 and IL-4 but downregulated IgE synthesis. These changes in isotope production paralleled changes in the frequencies of surface Ig+ B cells and Ig mRNA levels. Exogenous IL-6 abolished the antigen-mediated downregulation of IgE production. CONCLUSIONS: These studies indicate that signals delivered by means of the B-cell antigen receptor regulate antibody production in a distinct manner, resulting in enhanced IgM and IgG responses but leading to the inhibition of IgE production. Endogenous IL-6 production by B cells may counter the negative regulatory effects of antigen on IgE synthesis. We suggest that although antigen-mediated T/B-cell interactions play a major role in IgM- and IgG-specific antibody production, antigen-independent interactions may be more effective for T-cell dependent, IL-4-induced IgE production by antigen-specific B cells. Furthermore, these findings provide a basis for further understanding of allergic responses and modulation by immunotherapy, where repeated exposure to large concentrations of allergen, administered by means of injection, enhance IgG responses and downregulate IgE synthesis.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Role of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1/very late activation antigen 4 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1/lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 interactions in antigen-induced eosinophil and T cell recruitment into the tissue.

To determine the role of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1)/very late activation antigen 4 (VLA-4) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)/lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) interactions in causing antigen-induced eosinophil and T cell recruitment into the tissue, we studied the effect of the in vivo blocking of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, VLA-4, and LFA-1 by pretreatment with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to these four adhesion molecules on the eosinophil and T cell infiltration of the trachea induced by antigen inhalation in mice. The in vivo blocking of VCAM-1 and VLA-4, but not of ICAM-1 and LFA-1, prevented antigen-induced eosinophil infiltration into the mouse trachea. On the contrary, the in vivo blocking of VCAM-1 and VLA-4, but not of ICAM-1 and LFA-1, increased blood eosinophil counts after antigen challenge, but did not affect blood eosinophil counts without antigen challenge in sensitized mice. Furthermore, the expression of VCAM-1 but not ICAM-1 was strongly induced on the endothelium of the trachea after antigen challenge. In addition, pretreatment with anti-IL-4 mAb decreased the antigen-induced VCAM-1 expression only by 27% and had no significant effect on antigen-induced eosinophil infiltration into the trachea. The in vivo blocking of VCAM-1 and VLA-4 inhibited antigen-induced CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration into the trachea more potently than that of ICAM-1 and LFA-1. In contrast, regardless of antigen challenge, the in vivo blocking of LFA-1, but not of ICAM-1, increased blood lymphocyte counts more than that of VCAM-1 and VLA-4. These results indicate that VCAM-1/VLA-4 interaction plays a predominant role in controlling antigen-induced eosinophil and T cell recruitment into the tissue and that the induction of VCAM-1 expression on the endothelium at the site of allergic inflammation regulates this eosinophil and T cell recruitment.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1986

Antigenic diversity and size diversity of Plasmodium falciparum antigens in isolates from Gambian patients. I. S-antigens.

Ring-stage asexual parasites of P. falciparum were collected from six Gambian children and the S-antigens radiolabelled by 3H-glycine uptake during in vitro culture up to rupture of infected cells and merozoite release. Ouchterlony double diffusion of boiled culture supernatants against a panel of adult Gambian sera identified one S-antigen precipitin arc for five isolates and two precipitin arcs for one isolate. Five of the six isolates were serologically distinct. Analysis of S-antigens by comparison of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns of heat-treated soluble proteins revealed a more complex pattern of 3H-labelled S-antigens that was different for each isolate. There were between two and six different 3H-labelled bands for each isolate in the size range of molecular weight 137 000 to 285 000. This result confirms the large size range of S-antigens identified with culture adapted P. falciparum. Several bands were relatively weakly labelled with 3H-glycine, suggesting that natural isolates contain one or two predominant S-antigen phenotypes and several other S-antigen phenotypes expressed by minor parasite subpopulations. Immunoprecipitation was performed using a panel of sera from Gambian adults, or, acute and 3 week convalescent sera from the same patients used for S-antigen radiolabelling. Adult sera generally immunoprecipitated some of the S-antigens in each isolate, including antigens that must represent extremely minor parasite subpopulations since they could not be seen in the patterns of non-immunoprecipitated heat-stable proteins. Sera from convalescent children were generally negative on immunoprecipitation, even with the homologous isolate. In one case we observed the acquisition of specific immunoprecipitating antibody to one of the homologous S-antigens during the convalescent period. The antigenic and structural complexity of S-antigens in natural isolates that have not been submitted to the selection pressure of adaptation for in vitro culture is clearly greater than for culture adapted P. falciparum.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Nuclear volume and expression of T-antigen, sialosyl-Tn-antigen, and Tn-antigen in carcinoma of the human bladder. Relation to tumor recurrence and progression.

The T-antigen system and the mean nuclear volume have been proposed as risk variables in bladder tumors. This study includes 34 patients with initially noninvasive (Ta) transitional cell carcinomas who experienced different courses of disease. Tissue specimens of primary tumors were analyzed for the expression of T-antigen, Tn-antigen, and sialosyl-Tn-antigen using monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) and the lectin peanut agglutinin (PNA) in an indirect immunoperoxidase method. In addition, the mean nuclear volume was estimated by morphometry. Tissue from 7 of 13 patients (54%) who had invasive disease during a follow-up period of 5 years expressed T-antigen, as defined by MoAb HH8 in the primary tumor, whereas tissue of only 3 of 21 patients who did not have invasive disease expressed the antigen (P less than 0.02). No association was found between tumor progression to invasion and the expression of Tn-antigen or sialosyl-Tn-antigen. Tn-antigen expression was partially lost in invasive tumors (P less than 0.03) when compared with the expression in primary noninvasive tumors. A high mean nuclear volume in tissue specimens of primary tumors correlated with a progression to invasive disease (P less than 0.01). A significantly (P less than 0.003) higher mean nuclear volume was found in tumor areas that were positive for PNA compared with areas that were negative for PNA in primary tumors. A significantly lower mean nuclear volume was found in Tn-antigen-positive invasive Grade 3 tumor areas than in Tn-antigen-negative areas (P less than 0.005). The combined use of T-antigen expression and mean nuclear volume is of potential clinical interest for determining patients who are at high risk of disease progression.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Antigen presentation by T cells: T cell receptor ligation promotes antigen acquisition from professional antigen-presenting cells.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the clonotypic specificity of the T cell receptor influences the specificity of T cell-mediated antigen presentation. We have previously shown that myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific Lewis rat GP2.E5/R1 (R1) T cells cultured with antigen, irradiated syngeneic splenocytes (IrrSPL) and tolerogenic monoclonal antibody become highly effective antigen-presenting cells (APC). In the current studies, we investigated the transfer of specific (MBP) and unrelated (conalbumin) antigens from antigen-pulsed SPL to R1 T cells. R1 T cells cultured with IrrSPL that were pulsed simultaneously with both MBP and conalbumin acquired and presented both antigens to the appropriate T cell responders in a secondary assay. These results suggested a physical transfer of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)/peptide complexes from professional APC to R1 T cells. Transfer of conalbumin from professional APC to R1 T cells required specific recognition of MBP and was optimal when both conalbumin and MBP were presented on the same group of professional APC. Antigens transfer did not occur when allogeneic SPL were used as APC. The anti-I-A mAb OX6 inhibited antigen transfer but only when added during the initiation of culture. OX6 also inhibited antigen acquisition by R1-trans, a variant of the R1 T cell line which constitutively synthesizes high levels of I-A, from MBP-pulsed IrrSPL but blockade of I-A did not inhibit antigen acquisition when soluble MBP was added directly to the culture. Despite constitutive synthesis of I-A, R1-trans T cells did not acquire guinea pig MBP from pulsed allogeneic APC. These studies demonstrate that although T cells of a particular specificity can present unrelated antigens, the cognate interaction of the T cell antigen receptor with the appropriate antigen/self-MHC complex strongly promotes acquisition of these complexes from professional APC.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

H-Y antigen in transsexuality, and how to explain testis differentiation in H-Y antigen-negative males and ovary differentiation in H-Y antigen-positive females.

H-Y antigen was determined in eight transsexual patients. Two of the four male-to-female transsexual patients typed as H-Y antigen-negative, while the other two typed as expected from their phenotypic and gonadal sex, namely H-Y antigen-positive. Of the four female-to-male transsexual patients, three typed as H-Y antigen-positive and one was H-Y antigen-negative, as expected. The presence of normal testes in H-Y antigen-negative males is assumed to result from a mutation of nucleotide sequences of the H-Y structural gene for antigenic determinants. Thus, an H-Y is produced with normal receptor-binding activity which can sustain the testis determination of the bipotent gonadal anlage. In the case of H-Y antigen-positive females with normal ovaries a deletion of the autosomally located H-Y structural gene is assumed. This deletion should affect sequences for repressor-binding (as was suggested for H-Y antigen-positive XX-males) and for receptor-binding activity of the H-Y antigen molecule. The resulting H-Y antigen is unable to bind to the gonadal receptor of the bipotent gonadal anlage. Thus an ovary is determined. The relevance of H-Y antigen for the aetiology of transsexualism is discussed.

Chromosome Deletion↗

PubMed1983

Immunological heterogeneity of carcinoembryonic antigen: purification from meconium of an antigen related to carcinoembryonic antigen.

Two antigens cross-reactive with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and distinct from the nonspecific cross-reacting antigen were identified in meconium by double immunodiffusion with a conventional goat anti-CEA antiserum. These two antigens together competitively inhibited cross-reacting antibodies against them in CEA radioimmunoassay and contributed to the measurement of meconium CEA levels which averaged 6 times higher than that determined with anti-CEA specific antibody. A purification method for one of these antigens, tentatively designated meconium antigen, is described and uses a combination of ethanol fractionation, ion-exchange and molecular sieve chromatography, and adsorption to an immunoadsorbent containing a cross-reactive murine monoclonal antibody to CEA. Preliminary characterization of the purified meconium antigen showed it to be a glycoprotein, migrating as an alpha-globulin and having a molecular size similar to that of CEA (Mr 185,000 versus 200,000). Antigenically, it lacks at least one determinant present on CEA and differs further from CEA by being weakly reactive with concanavalin A and resistant to proteolytic digestion with Pronase E. Although these properties of meconium antigen suggest that it may be nonspecific cross-reacting antigen 2, additional chemical and antigenic studies are required to establish its relationship to CEA and other CEA-related antigens in meconium.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1979

Friend erythroleukemia antigen. A viral antigen specified by spleen focus-forming virus and differentiation antigen controlled by the Fv-2 locus.

Serum from C57BL/6 (B6) mice hyperimmunized with NB-tropic Friend virus complex (FV) was cytotoxic for FV-induced erythroleukemic spleen cells and B6 Friend-murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) lymphoma cells. Cytotoxic activity for erythroleukemia cells remained after repeated absorption of B6 anti-FV antiserum with Friend-Moloney-Rauscher MuLV lymphoma cells but was removed by absorption with erythroleukemia cells induced by FV or Rauscher Vrus. This serologic test system identified a previously unrecognized cell-surface antigen of mouse leukemia, designated Friend Erythroleukemia (FE) antigen to signify its appearance as a determinant of virally induced erythroleukemic differentiation. FE antigen was not detected on 15 transplanted or primary hematopoietic neoplasms, nor was it detected on cells infected with ecotropic, xenotropic, or dualtropic MuLV isolates in tissue culture. Two spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) nonproducer cells of rats and one of mice express FE antigen in amounts comparable to primary erythroleukemia cells. Absorption tests with FE typing serum indicated that FE antigen was expressed on bone marrow and spleen but not thymus, lymph node, or peripheral blood of uninfected AKR, BALB/c, DBA, and SWR mice; all five tissues from B6 and C57L were negative. Quantitiative absorption tests indicated that the expression of FE antigen, though much lower than on erythroleukemic cells, was greatest on fetal liver, less on bone marrow, and lowest on spleen from BALB and SWR mice. Treatment of BALB/c or SWR fetal liver, bone marrow, spleen, thymus, or lymph node cells with FE typing serum did not result in significant lysis. These observations are consistent with the interpretation that FE antigen is expressed by a minor cell population present in fetal liver, bone marrow, and spleen. Expression of FE antigen, determined by absorption with bone marrow cells, cosegregated with inheritance of the Fv-2s allele in the 17 inbred, 7 recombinant inbred, and 4 congenic mouse strains tested. In summary, the FE antigenic system identifies a cell-surface determinant that has the properties of a SFFV-specified antigen and hematopoietic differentiation alloantigen controlled by the Fv-2 locus. The similarity of FE antigen to Abelson antigen may provide insight into the pathogenic properties of defective transforming MuLV.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

The antigens of Paragonimus westermani, Schistosoma mansoni, and Fasciola hepatica adult worms. Evidence for the presence of cross-reactive antigens and for cross-protection to Schistosoma mansoni infection using antigens of Paragonimus westermani.

The presence of cross-reacting antigens between Paragonimus westermani, Schistosoma mansoni, and Fasciola hepatica adult worms was demonstrated by Ouchterlony immunodiffusion and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A serum bank was developed against the three trematode genera to serve as probes to determine the presence of cross-reacting antibodies to P. westermani worm extracts. In this manner, it was possible to demonstrate that antigens common to F. hepatica and S. mansoni tegument were also present in P. westermani worm extracts. Likewise, it was possible to demonstrate that the F. hepatica antigens which bind to Concanavalin A, as well as the subfraction which in isoelectric focusing has a pI of 4.2, were also found in P. westermani worms. Also, a monospecific polyclonal serum to a Fasciola/Schistosoma cross-reacting antigen and the anti-P. westermani serum both reacted in Ouchterlony immunodiffusion with the P. westermani antigenic extract, each producing a line which linked with each other indicating common antigenic determinants and suggesting a common antigen among the digenetic trematodes. Finally, the P. westermani antigenic extracts induced in mice the production of antibodies which reacted with S. mansoni adult worm antigens by ELISA. As all of the Fasciola and Schistosoma sera were prepared against antigenic preparations which induced in mice protection to challenge infection with S. mansoni, this suggested that the P. westermani worms also contain protective antigens against S. mansoni. Immunity to Schistosoma mansoni infection was induced in mice by vaccination with Paragonimus westermani whole worm extracts (PwWWE). Immunized mice showed as high as a 67% worm burden reduction over controls. High doses of PwWWE did not confer protection to S. mansoni infection. Thus, in this study, immunity in heterologous systems was demonstrated and the existence of a common protective antigen shared by the digenetic trematodes was suggested.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Strategies for improving the immunohistochemical staining of various intranuclear prognostic markers in formalin-paraffin sections: androgen receptor, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, p53 protein, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and Ki-67 antigen revealed by antigen retrieval techniques.

Different variations of the antigen retrieval technique using different retrieval solutions have been evaluated for their effectiveness in restoring the antigenicity of six intranuclear antigens, each of which is a potentially valuable prognostic indicator in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The results of immunohistochemical staining for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, androgen receptor, p53 protein, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and Ki-67 antigen were compared following the different antigen retrieval approaches. The strongest immunostaining signal with the clearest background was obtained by microwave heating of dewaxed paraffin sections for 10 minutes in 0.05 mol/L glycine HCl (pH 3.5) or in citrate buffer solution (pH 6). Urea solution, distilled water, and lead thiocyanate solution yielded improvements with some antigens, but less consistently and less impressively than glycine HCl buffer or citrate buffer. Following antigen retrieval nuclear staining was sharply defined and could be achieved consistently in a variety of tissues after formalin fixation for as long as 7 days. The duration of fixation, however, was an important variable; generally, the longer the fixation time the more vigorous the retrieval procedure required. This study demonstrates the ability to stain a variety of intranuclear antigens, which are not readily demonstrable otherwise, in formalin-paraffin sections with a high degree of consistency and reproducibility. The availability of methods that are effective in paraffin sections may facilitate studies of the possible value of these markers as prognostic indicators for predicting the response of major tumors to different forms of therapy. This study also provided insight into the basic principles of the antigen retrieval method, which may be helpful in attempts to develop a more uniformly standardized technique applicable to many different antigen systems.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

PubMed1985

Antigen-induced monocyte procoagulant activity. Requirement for antigen presentation and histocompatibility leukocyte antigen-DR molecules.

The present study explores the interactions between lymphocytes and monocytes that are required for expression of procoagulant activity (PCA) by monocytes in response to purified protein derivative of the tubercle bacillus (PPD) or tularemia antigen. The PCA response was antigen specific: peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) from donors sensitive to PPD or tularemia showed an increase in PCA only in response to the sensitizing antigen. The PCA was tissue factorlike in that Factors VII and X were required for expression of the activity, whereas Factor VIII was not. Maximum PCA developed only after 36 to 72 h. Fractionation of PBM into lymphocytes and monocytes after antigenic stimulation demonstrated that greater than 90% of the PCA was associated with monocytes. Isolated monocytes or lymphocytes incubated with sensitizing antigen had the same PCA as control cells. Purified lymphocytes that had been pulsed with antigen were unable to elicit a PCA response from monocytes to which they were added. However, adherent monocytes incubated with antigen, then washed free of unbound protein, were able to trigger lymphocytes to become stimulatory for PCA toward responding monocytes. The development of antigen-specific PCA in PBM could be blocked by including a monoclonal antibody to HLA-DR antigen in the incubation. The antibody had no effect on the clotting assay, on preformed PCA, cell viability, or on stimulatory antigen itself. These results indicate that elaboration of PCA by mononuclear cells may be an intrinsic part of the classical immune response to antigen, and may explain the presence of fibrin in immune lesions, as well as the occurrence of thrombotic complications in many immune disorders.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

PubMed1974

Cell surface antigens of a mouse testicular teratoma. Identification of an antigen physically associated with H-2 antigens on tumor cells.

Rabbit antisera to a mouse testicular teratoma, absorbed with normal mouse tissues, react by immunofluorescence with plasma membrane antigens of a variety of transplantable mouse tumor cells and transformed fibroblast cell lines including Clone 1D, SV-40-3T3, and 3T12. Trypsin treatment of cells of "normal" lines, 3T3 and FR-SV-3T3, uncovers reactivity on these as well. Early passage mouse embryo fibroblast cell cultures do not react even after trypsinization. By cross-absorbtion studies, the anti-teratoma serum appears to react with an antigen common to most tumor cells investigated thus far. When this antigen on Clone 1D cells is "capped," H-2 antigens collect with the teratoma antigens in the cap indicating a physical association between the molecules. Molecules specified by both the H-2D and H-2K regions are bound to the teratoma antigens in the Clone 1D plasma membrane. This antigen is also found in soluble tumor cell fractions where it is believed to be free of H-2. A second cell surface antigen defined by anti-teratoma serum is expressed only by hepatoma and teratoma itself. This second antigen is apparently a secretory product of teratoma cells. A third surface antigen defined by anti-teratoma serum appears to be specific for the teratoma.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Acceleration of intracellular targeting of antigen by the B-cell antigen receptor: importance depends on the nature of the antigen-antibody interaction.

The B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) internalizes bound antigen such that antigen-derived peptides become associated with emigrating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules for presentation to T cells. Experiments with B-cell transfectants reveal that BCR confers a specificity of intracellular targeting since chimeric antigen receptors which internalize antigen by virtue of a heterologous cytoplasmic domain do not necessarily give rise to presentation. In contrast, however, previous studies have shown that antigen binding to irrelevant cell surface molecules (e.g. transferrin receptor, MHC class I) can ultimately lead to presentation. The solution to this paradox appears to be that the intracellular targeting by BCR actually reflects an acceleration of antigen delivery. Depending on the nature of the BCR-antigen interaction, this accelerated targeting can be essential in determining whether or not internalization leads to significant presentation. Physiologically, the accelerated delivery of antigen by BCR could prove of particular importance early in the immune response when antigen-BCR interaction is likely to be poor.

Animals↗