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Newborns are characterized by poor responses to vaccines. Defective B cell responses and a Th2-type polarization can account for this impaired protection in early life. We in this study investigated the generation of follicular Th (TFH) cells, involved in the development of Ab response and germinal center reaction, upon vaccination in neonates. We showed that, compared with adults, Ab production, affinity maturation, and germinal center formation were reduced in neonates immunized with OVA-aluminum hydroxide. Although this vaccination induced CD4(+) CXCR5(+) PD-1(+) TFH cells in newborns, their frequency, as well as their Bcl6 expression and IL-21 and IL-4 mRNA induction, was decreased in early life. Moreover, neonatal TFH cells were mainly localized in interfollicular regions of lymphoid tissues. The prototypic Th2 cytokine IL-4 was found to promote the emergence and the localization in germinal centers of neonatal TFH cells, as well as the neonatal germinal center reaction itself. In addition, IL-4 dampened expression of Th17-related molecules in neonatal TFH cells, as TFH cells from immunized IL-4-deficient neonates displayed enhanced expression of RORγt and IL-17. This Th17-like profile correlated with an increased secretion of OVA-specific IgG2a. Our study thus suggests that defective humoral immunity in early life is associated with limited and IL-4-modulated TFH cell responses.

Sirtuins are a unique class of NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases that regulate diverse biological functions such as aging, metabolism, and stress resistance. Recently, it has been shown that sirtuins may have anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting proinflammatory transcription factors such as NF-κB. In contrast, we report in this study that pharmacological inhibition of sirtuins dampens adaptive Th2 responses and subsequent allergic inflammation by interfering with lung dendritic cell (DC) function in a mouse model of airway allergy. Using genetic engineering, we demonstrate that sirtuin 1 represses the activity of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in DCs, thereby favoring their maturation toward a pro-Th2 phenotype. This study reveals a previously unappreciated function of sirtuin 1 in the regulation of DC function and Th2 responses, thus shedding new light on our current knowledge on the regulation of inflammatory processes by sirtuins.

Adjuvant formulations boost humoral responses by acting through several, yet incompletely elucidated pathways. In this study, we show that oligomycin or 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribonucleoside (AICAR) enhances Ab production when coinjected with T cell-dependent Ags. Oligomycin and AICAR lead to intracellular ATP reduction, suggesting that metabolic stress could be sensed by immune cells and leads to increased humoral responses. AICAR promotes IL-4 and IL-21 by naive Th cells but does not affect dendritic cell activation/maturation in vitro or in vivo. Accordingly, the adjuvant effect of AICAR or oligomycin does not require MyD88 or caspase-1 expression in vivo. Because AICAR is well tolerated in humans, this compound could represent a novel and safe adjuvant promoting humoral responses in vivo with a minimal reactogenicity.

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (Nampt)/pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF)/visfatin is a protein displaying multiple functional properties. Originally described as a cytokine-like protein able to regulate B cell development, apoptosis, and glucose metabolism, this protein also plays an important role in NAD biosynthesis. To gain insight into its physiological role, we have generated a mouse strain expressing a conditional Nampt allele. Lack of Nampt expression strongly affects development of both T and B lymphocytes. Analysis of hemizygous cells and in vitro cell lines expressing distinct levels of Nampt illustrates the critical role of this protein in regulating intracellular NAD levels. Consequently, a clear relationship was found between intracellular Nampt levels and cell death in response to the genotoxic agent MNNG (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine), confirming that this enzyme represents a key regulator of cell sensitivity to NAD-consuming stress secondary to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases overactivation. By using mutant forms of this protein and a well-characterized pharmacological inhibitor (FK866), we unequivocally demonstrate that the ability of the Nampt to regulate cell viability during genotoxic stress requires its enzymatic activity. Collectively, these data demonstrate that Nampt participates in cellular resistance to genotoxic/oxidative stress, and it may confer to cells of the immune system the ability to survive during stressful situations such as inflammation.

Anti-CD3 mAbs are potent immunosuppressive agents used in clinical transplantation. It has been generally assumed that one of the anti-CD3 mAb-mediated tolerance mechanisms is through the induction of naive T cell unresponsiveness, often referred to as anergy. We demonstrate in this study that naive T cells stimulated by anti-CD3 mAbs both in vivo and in vitro do not respond to the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B nor to soluble forms of anti-CD3 mAbs and APC, but express increased reactivity to plastic-coated forms of the same anti-CD3 mAbs and to their nominal Ag/class II MHC, a finding that is difficult to rationalize with the concept of anergy. Phenotypic and detailed kinetic studies further suggest that a strong signal 1 delivered by anti-CD3 mAbs in the absence of costimulatory molecules does not lead to anergy, but rather induces naive T cells to change their mitogen responsiveness and acquire features of memory T cells. In marked contrast, Ag-experienced T cells are sensitive to anergy induction under the same experimental settings. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that exposure of naive T cells in vivo and in vitro to a strong TCR stimulus does not induce Ag unresponsiveness, indicating that sensitivity to negative signaling through TCR/CD3 triggering is developmentally regulated in CD4(+) T cells.

Host resistance to the intracellular protozoan Leishmania major is highly dependent on IL-12 production by APCs. Genetically resistant C57BL/6 mice develop IL-12-mediated Th1 immune response dominated by IFN-gamma and exhibit only small cutaneous lesions that resolve spontaneously. In contrast, because of several genetic differences, BALB/c mice develop an IL-4-mediated Th2 immune response and a chronic mutilating disease. Myeloid differentiation marker 88 (MyD88) is an adaptator protein that links the IL-1/Toll-like receptor family to IL-1R-associated protein kinase. Toll-like receptors recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns and are crucially implicated in the induction of IL-12 secretion by APC. The role of MyD88 protein in the development of protective immune response against parasites is largely unknown. Following inoculation of L. major, MyD88(-/-) C57BL/6 mice presented large footpad lesions containing numerous infected cells and frequent mutilations. In response to soluble Leishmania Ag, cells from lesion-draining lymph node showed a typical Th2 profile, similar to infected BALB/c mice. IL-12p40 plasma level collapses in infected MyD88(-/-) mice compared with infected wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Importantly, administration of exogenous IL-12 rescues L. major-infected MyD88(-/-) mice, demonstrating that the susceptibility of these mice is a direct consequence of IL-12 deficiency. In conclusion, MyD88-dependent pathways appear essential for the development of the protective IL-12-mediated Th1 response against the Leishmania major parasite. In absence of MyD88 protein, infected mice develop a nonprotective Th2 response.

Glucocorticoids (GC) are widely used anti-inflammatory agents known to suppress T cell activation by interfering with the TCR activation cascade. The attenuation of early TCR signaling events by these compounds has been recently attributed to a selective displacement of key signaling proteins from membrane lipid rafts. In this study, we demonstrate that GC displace the acyl-bound adaptor proteins linker for activation of T cells and phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains from lipid rafts of murine T cell hybridomas, possibly by inhibiting their palmitoylation status. Analysis of the lipid content of the membrane rafts revealed that GC treatment led to a significant decrease in palmitic acid content. Moreover, we found an overall decrease in the proportion of raft-associated saturated fatty acids. These changes were consistent with a decrease in fluorescence anisotropy of isolated lipid rafts, indicating an increase in their fluidity. These findings identify the mechanisms underlying the complex inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids on early TCR signaling and suggest that some of the inhibitory properties of GC on T cell responses may be related to their ability to affect the membrane lipid composition and the palmitoylation status of important signaling molecules.

Dendritic cells (DC) express a set of germline-encoded transmembrane Toll-like receptors that recognize shared microbial products, such as Escherichia coli LPS, termed pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Analysis of the in vivo response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns has uncovered their ability to induce the migration and the maturation of DC, favoring thus the delivery of Ag and costimulatory signals to naive T cells in vivo. Bacterial superantigens constitute a particular class of pathogen-derived molecules known to induce a potent inflammatory response in vivo, secondary to the activation of a large repertoire of T cells. We demonstrate in this work that Staphylococcal superantigens induce migration and maturation of DC populations in vivo. However, in contrast to LPS, superantigens failed to induce DC maturation in RAG or MHC class II-deficient mice, suggesting that T cell activation was a prerequisite for DC maturation. This conclusion was further supported by the finding that T cell activation induced by 1) mitogenic anti-CD3 mAbs, 2) allo-MHC determinants, or 3) nominal Ag in a TCR-transgenic model induces DC maturation in vivo. These studies also revealed that DC that matured in response to T cell mitogens display, comparatively to LPS, a distinctive phenotype characterized by high expression of the MHC class II, CD40, and CD205 markers, but only moderate (CD86) to minimal (CD80) expression of CD28/CTLA4 ligands. This work demonstrates that activation of a sufficient number of naive T cells in vivo constitutes a novel form of immune danger, functionally linked to DC maturation.

Interaction of the Ag-specific receptor of T lymphocytes with its Ag/MHC ligand can lead either to cell activation or to a state of unresponsiveness often referred to as anergy. It has been generally assumed that anergy develops as a consequence of inadequate stimulation, such as in response to altered peptide ligands or to agonists presented by costimulatory-deficient accessory cells. The present study uncovers an alternative way of inducing an unresponsive state in T cells. Indeed, we demonstrate herein that Ag-stimulation of murine CD4+ Th clones induces cellular activation, characterized by cytokine production and cell proliferation, followed by a state of transient (lasting up to 6 days) unresponsiveness to further antigenic stimulation. This state of activation-induced unresponsiveness 1) is not a consequence of inadequate costimulation, as it occurs when cells are stimulated in the presence of dendritic cells or anti-CD28 Abs; 2) develops after an optimal response to Ag; 3) is not due to cell death/apoptosis or CTLA-4 engagement; 4) down-regulates the proliferation and cytokine production of both Th1- and Th2-like clones; and 5) does not affect the early steps of signal transduction. Finally, naive T cells are not sensitive to this novel form of unresponsiveness, but become gradually susceptible to activation-induced unresponsiveness upon Ag stimulation. Collectively, these data suggest that activation-induced T cell unresponsiveness may represent a regulatory mechanism limiting the clonal expansion and effector cell function of Ag-experienced T cells, thus contributing to the homeostasis of an immune response.

The potent accessory properties of dendritic cells (DC) develop sequentially during a process termed "maturation." Splenic DC undergo functional maturation in vivo in response to the bacterial product LPS and migrate from the marginal zone to the T cell areas. The redistribution of fully mature DC, which present Ags encountered in the periphery, in the T cell area is likely to result in T cell priming. Unexpectedly, we found that DC rapidly die by apoptosis once they have entered the T cell zone. Injection of OVA peptide in OVA-specific, TCR-transgenic mice strongly delays the LPS-induced apoptosis of DC in situ. We conclude that mature DC are programmed to die unless they receive a survival signal from T cells and that the regulation of DC survival may be a mechanism aimed at controlling the initiation and the termination of the immune response.

As demonstrated in several preclinical models, bispecific Abs are attractive immunotherapeutic agents for tumor treatment. We have previously reported that a bacterially produced anti-CD3 x antitumor bispecific single chain variable fragment of Ab fragment (BsscFv), which is capable of retargeting CTLs toward BCL1 tumor cells, exhibits antitumor activity in vitro. To further facilitate BsscFv production, the coding sequence was subcloned in a eukaryotic expression vector and introduced into Chinese hamster ovary cells for large-scale production. In this report, we have determined the serum stability and the clearance rate from the circulation of BsscFv. Most important, we prove here the therapeutic value of BsscFv in the treatment of BCL1 lymphoma, a murine model for human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Tumor-bearing mice that were treated with rscFv in combination with staphylococcal enterotoxin B superantigen, human rIL-2, or murine rIL-12 showed long-term survival, whereas untreated mice all died. This is the first report of the successful in vivo use of BsscFv as an immunotherapeutic agent. Furthermore, long-term survival was the result of complete tumor removal and was not due to the induction of dormancy.

Prior immunity against a carrier protein has been shown to modulate the serologic response to injected haptens attached to the same carrier. In particular, a carrier/hapten-carrier immunization protocol induces marked suppression for IgG2a anti-hapten Ab production but does not interfere with anti-carrier Ab responses. Although the phenomenon of epitopic suppression has been amply demonstrated, the mechanism underlying the suppression remains unknown. The selective deficiency in IgG2a secretion suggests that IFN-gamma-producing Th1 cells are not properly activated. We and others have shown that the nature of the APCs present during the first encounter with the Ag influences the development of selected Th populations in vivo; dendritic cells (DCs) seem to be required for the induction of primary, Th1-type responses. Since carrier priming induces the clonal expansion of specific B cells that appear to efficiently capture the Ag, we hypothesized that the hapten-carrier conjugate may be presented by B cells in preimmunized animals. Therefore, we immunized mice to the conjugate by injecting syngeneic DCs pulsed in vitro with the Ag. Our data show that an injection of DCs and IL-12 prevents epitopic suppression, suggesting that it may result from defective Ag presentation.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a bacterial enterotoxin able to simultaneously bind to class II molecules on APCs and to selected V beta regions (including V beta 8) of the TCR complex. Administration of SEB to adult BALB/c mice results in clonal activation of T cells bearing V beta 8 receptors, leading to an excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines. This initial immune response is followed by a long-lasting state of V beta 8-specific unresponsiveness, thought to benefit both the host (as it contributes to the down-regulation of the inflammatory response) and the bacterium (through ligand-specific T cell anergy). However, it is not clear how this type of restricted unresponsiveness can effectively impair the generation of an antibacterial response. To gain insight into the mechanism by which Gram-positive bacteria subvert the host immune response, we have investigated the immune competence of SEB-treated mice 48 h following SEB administration. We demonstrate in this report that in vivo, SEB induces a transient but profound state of unresponsiveness affecting both T and Ag-presenting cell functions. Although in vivo activation by SEB appears to be V beta-restricted under our experimental conditions, SEB-treated mice displayed an early (lasting 48 to 72 h postinjection) and V beta-unrestricted unresponsive state characterized by the inability to produce IL-2 in response to polyclonal TCR mitogens including third party bacterial superantigens (staphylococcal enterotoxin A and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, SEA and TSST-1, respectively), Abs to non-SEB reactive V beta regions (V beta 6), anti-CD3 epsilon Abs, and a lectin (Con A). Spleen cell populations from SEB-treated mice also displayed defective APC functions, possibly related to a selective decrease in splenic dendritic cells numbers. Taken together, these observations indicate that SEB induces an early and transient state of immunodeficiency in vivo, representing a potential mechanism for escaping host immune surveillance.

Glucocorticoids are very effective in inhibiting inflammatory and immune responses. In particular, the synthetic analogue dexamethasone has been shown to inhibit T cell proliferation and IL-2 production by interfering with the transcriptional activation of the IL-2 gene. The experiments described in this report were performed to determine whether dexamethasone treatment affects the early steps of TCR signal transduction in T cell hybrids. Incubation of murine T cell hybrids in the presence of dexamethasone prevents the intracellular calcium increase that normally follows TCR/CD3 aggregation. Accordingly, dexamethasone treatment decreases inositol phosphates production and phospholipase-Cgamma1 tyrosine phosphorylation induced after TCR/CD3 stimulation. Dexamethasone has no effect on cell surface expression of TCR-associated structures nor does it inhibit calcium responses induced by a heterologous G protein-coupled muscarinic receptor, suggesting that this hormone analogue specifically inhibits the TCR signaling pathway at a postreceptor stage. We also show that inhibition of membrane proximal events by dexamethasone requires binding to the intracellular glucocorticoid receptor and de novo protein synthesis. When splenic T cells were assayed, only activated but not resting T cells were found to be sensitive to this new immunomodulatory effect of dexamethasone. These findings indicate that in addition to their previously described inhibitory effects on cytokine gene transcription, glucocorticoids block IL-2 production in activated T cells by interfering with an early step of the signal transduction cascade initiated by TCR/CD3 cross-linking.

Bispecific antibodies with specificity for the CD3/TCR complex of CTL and a target cell Ag can bridge both cell types and trigger cellular cytoxicity. We have produced bispecific antibodies, directed against the surface-expressed Id of the mouse BCL1 lymphoma and the mouse CD3 complex, by hybrid-hybridoma fusion. Two recombination Ig were purified to homogeneity: B1 X 7D6F, which is univalent for Id and CD3 binding and B1 X 7D6M, which is univalent for Id binding but has lost the CD3 binding because of association of the anti-CD3 H chain with the inappropriate L chain. In vitro studies indicate that bridging the TCR/CD3 complex of resting T cells with tumor IgM Id and the appropriate bispecific antibody induced proliferation and secretion of IL-2. Furthermore, in cytotoxicity assays using 51Cr-labeled tumor cells, preactivated T cells could be targeted with the bispecific antibody to give complete lysis of the Ag+ tumor. Finally, the activity of the bispecific antibody was confirmed in vivo. Animals treated i.v. with 5 micrograms of bispecific antibody 9 days after receiving BCL1 cells were cured. Furthermore, when these animals were checked at 150 days for dormant or variant tumors, as have been reported after other forms of immunotherapy in this model, none could be found. Immunotherapy experiments comparing a mixture of control antibodies with the bispecific antibody demonstrate that tumor cell-T cell bridging is established in vivo and is required for therapeutic success. These results indicate the importance of bispecific antibodies as a novel form of treatment for cancer.

It has previously been reported that T lymphocytes can be targeted by using bispecific antibodies consisting of anti-target antibody and anti-CD3. In the present study, a bispecific mAb was developed by somatic hybridization of mouse hybridomas, one producing a mAb against the Id determinant of the mouse B cell lymphoma 38C13 and the other a mAb against a polymorphic determinant on murine CD3. The bispecific antibody, anti-38C13 x anti-CD3, is bi-isotypic (IgG1 x IgG2a) and was purified by ion exchange and affinity chromatography. The dual specificity of the hybrid hybridoma-produced mAb could be demonstrated by flow cytometry, the induction of T cell proliferation, the induction of IL-2 secretion by polyclonal T cells, and redirected lysis of the relevant target cells. The hybrid (bi-isotypic) Fc part of the bispecific antibodies was nonfunctional in FcR-dependent redirected lysis. In vivo studies demonstrate that this bispecific mAb could efficiently target T cells towards the tumor cells, resulting in long term survival and cure of the lymphoma.

The hamster mAb 145-2C11 specific for the CD3 complex of murine T lymphocytes shares many properties with OKT3, including the induction of T cell activation. In vivo, the injection of 145-2C11 entails a variety of pathologic changes in relation to the systemic release of cytokines. We tested the effects on this cytokine release syndrome of different doses of methylprednisolone (m-PDS) given at various intervals of time before the 145-2C11 mAb. The administration of high doses of m-PDS (50 mg/kg) 2 to 3 h before the mAb resulted in an almost complete inhibition of the systemic release of TNF-alpha, IL-2, and IL-6. As far as the pathologic changes are concerned, the hypothermia, the acute renal tubular necrosis, and the fatty infiltration of the liver were completely prevented whereas the hypoglycemia was only partially attenuated. The protective effect of m-PDS on the toxicity of 145-2C11 was confirmed by the reduction of the mortality rate among galactosamine-sensitized mice. The inhibition of the release of cytokines by m-PDS did not affect the immunosuppression triggered by 145-2C11 as assessed by the CTL activity against alloantigens measured 48 h after the injection of the mAb. We conclude that the administration of very high doses of glucocorticoids 2 to 3 h before 145-2C11 prevents the release of cytokines and attenuates the acute toxicity of the mAb. Similar protocols could allow mitigation of the cytokine-release syndrome induced by the OKT3 mAb in man.

Recently, functional heterogeneity among Th cells has been recognized. Based on pattern of lymphokine secretion, two mutually exclusive subsets of CD4+ cells have been defined and designated Th1 (secreting IL-2 and IFN-gamma) and Th2 (secreting IL-4 and IL-5). Identification of these subsets was mostly based on the study of long term cultured T cell lines and clones, and little is known about the Th heterogeneity in vivo. In particular, it has been suggested that IL-4 producing cells cannot be detected in vivo or in primary stimulations in vitro unless responder cells had been previously primed. Our data however, indicate that anti-CD3 mediated stimulation can induce T cells isolated from unprimed animals to IL-4 production. An assay system based on the ability of IL-4 to increase Ia expression of B cells present in the environment of activated T cells was found to be more sensitive than detection of secreted IL-4 in the supernatant by conventional bioassays and was used to study IL-4 production by unprimed lymphocytes polyclonally stimulated in vivo and in vitro by anti-CD3 mAb. The results obtained indicate that CD4+ CD8- T cells able to produce IL-4 upon receptor-specific stimulation exist in the preimmune pool of adult animals. Remarkably, these cells can also be stimulated in vivo by treating animals with anti-CD3 mAb, as indicated by the in vivo induction of IL-4 specific mRNA and hyper-Ia expression on B cells. These results indicate that the inability to detect IL-4 in primary cultures is not due to different activation requirements of Th2 cells but may simply result from their lower frequency in unprimed animals.

The present study focused on attempts to correlate the expression of T cell differentiation antigens and development. A series of mAb was developed that recognized an Ly-6.2-linked Ag, Ly-6C.2. These mAb reacted with a subset of peripheral Lyt-2+ T lymphocytes but not Lyt-2+ thymocytes. Functional analysis of the Lyt-2+, Ly-6C.2- and Lyt-2+, Ly-6C.2+ subsets demonstrated that both cell types responded in class I and class II allogeneic MLC as well as in virus-specific cell-mediated cytolysis assay, although precursor frequency analysis suggested that the majority of precursor CTL were Ly-6C.2+. The marker did not appear to represent an activation Ag because Ly-6C.2-, Lyt-2+ precursor CTL generated Ly-6C.2-, Lyt-2+ CTL. Finally, virtually all splenic Lyt-2+ T cells from athymic (nu/nu) mice were Ly-6C.2+ whereas all thymic CTL were Ly-6C.2-. These results suggested that Ly-6C.2+, Lyt-2+ T cells may represent a distinct lineage of Lyt-2+ T cells that can develop in the absence of thymic influence.

As part of understanding molecular function in structural terms, we have been attempting to map the idiotypic topography of specific anti-arsonate (Ars) antibodies. A panel of anti-Ars hybridomas of which the complete primary sequences are known were used. These molecules show a varied reactivity profile with a panel of monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies. By judicious chain recombination experiments and chemical modifications that altered this reactivity profile, we were able to identify particular amino acid residues or discreet regions of anti-Ars antibodies as having crucial roles in the expression of idiotypic determinants. Idiotopes were mapped to the heavy chain second hypervariable region and D segment, and to the light chain first and third hypervariable regions.

To elucidate the structure, diversity, and activation properties of the murine T3-associated gamma delta-receptor, examination was made of the gamma delta and T3 components, T cell receptor (TCR) gene transcription, activation properties, and lymphokine production in a panel of four cloned T cell hybridomas expressing a TCR-gamma delta. Biochemical analysis of the gamma and delta proteins expressed on these hybridomas reveals new gamma and delta species not observed in whole populations of dLy-1 Lyt-2-L3T4-thymocytes from which these hybridomas were derived. Thus, analysis of expression of the TCR-gamma delta complex at the clonal level indicates that both gamma and delta appear to be expressed as multiple distinct gene products within a homozygous inbred mouse strain. Northern blot analysis reveals that, whereas all gamma delta hybridomas had mature 1.5-kb TCR-alpha-chain and mature TCR-gamma-chain transcripts, none had mature 1.3-kb TCR-beta-chain transcripts, thus indicating that the type of TCR heterodimer expressed reflects of the state of TCR gene transcription in these hybridomas. Our results also reveal striking similarities between TCR-gamma delta and TCR-alpha beta cells with respect to their activation properties. First, all five of the T3 components associated with the gamma delta-complex are of the same size and have the same glycosylation patterns as those associated with alpha beta-heterodimers. Second, induction of function in these gamma delta cells (assayed by lymphokine production) can be achieved with a variety of stimuli known to elicit activation signals in alpha beta cells as well: direct receptor-engagement (i.e., through anti-Thy-1), and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-plus-ionomycin-mediated. Collectively, these findings suggest that gamma delta T cells express a receptor of at least limited diversity and use T3-mediated activation pathways very similar to those employed by TCR-alpha beta-bearing T cells.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed at the T cell receptor complex (TcR) on cloned T cells have generally been identified by their ability to inhibit the clone's antigen-specific function. Because such inhibition is highly dependent on antibody concentration and affinity, detection of anti-clonotypic antibodies to murine alloreactive T cells has been very difficult. In this report, an alternative method is described on the basis of the ability of antibodies specific for the TcR complex to activate T cells in an antigen-independent manner. The assay is based upon the observation that soluble antibodies to human T3 promote lysis of irrelevant, Fc receptor-positive targets by a human CTL line. By using this approach, an anti-TcR mAb has been identified among a panel of murine mAb generated against an alloreactive CTL clone. Induction of lysis by soluble anti-TcR mAb has been shown to require both the expression of Fc receptors on the target cell and conjugate formation between the effector and the target cell. This assay provides a screening procedure that is much more sensitive than inhibition of function, and it preferentially detects antibodies specific for cell surface molecules involved in T cell activation.

The idiotypic cascade allows the induction of silent idiotypes, and as such, the immune system can be reprogrammed towards predetermined goals. To understand the genetic origin of silent idiotypes, we have used a system in which detailed structural and genetic information is available. The major cross-reactive idiotype (CRIA) of A/J mice (positive strain) immunized with arsonate coupled to a carrier can be regularly induced in BALB/c mice (negative strain) by anti-idiotypic treatment with or without subsequent antigen immunization. By using a panel of monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies, we have found that the germline-encoded CRIA displays a mosaic of at least five idiotopes. Polyclonal and monoclonal anti-arsonate antibodies prepared from idiotypically manipulated BALB/c mice have been studied. Four germline idiotopes are shared between the CRIA of the A/J strain and the CRIA-like idiotype induced in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, CRIA-like antibodies can appear "spontaneously" in some BALB/c mice immunized with antigen only. The data suggest that anti-idiotypic treatment in BALB/c mice selects a preexisting subset of antibodies. From the serological analysis, it is predicted that CRIA molecules from A/J and CRIA-like molecules from BALB/c employ different VH subgroups but share some components of the hypervariable regions. These predictions are tested in a forthcoming paper that describes the amino acid sequences of BALB/c monoclonal antibodies displaying the major cross-reactive idiotype of the A/J strain.

Accessory molecules present on the cell surface of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) play an important role in their activation. Antigen-specific recognition by CTL is inhibited by antibodies against Lyt-2, L3T4, or LFA-1 molecules. Presently it is not known whether these molecules function by binding a ligand such as class I or class II on the target cell or by delivering a signal that down-regulates T cell activation. In the present study we utilized anti-T cell antibodies including anti-T3 and anti-T cell receptor (alpha/beta) as well as an anti-Ly-6.2C monoclonal antibody to activate CTL clones to kill irrelevant targets or secrete BLT esterase. The redirected lysis assay system utilizes the fact that heteroconjugates between anti-T3, and anti-T cell receptor, or anti-Ly-6.2C and anti-trinitrophenyl can trigger CTL lysis of trinitrophenyl-coupled targets that did not express antigen. In this system anti-Lyt-2 antibodies as well as anti-LFA-1 antibodies inhibited triggering via T cell receptor-related molecules but not via the anti-Ly-6.2C heteroconjugate. In addition, the anti-Lyt-2 was shown to inhibit conjugate formation in the heteroaggregate assay system suggesting that the anti-Lyt-2 antibodies acted early in inhibiting CTL activity. Similar results were observed in a system in which the CTL clones were triggered to secrete a BLT-esterase-like activity in the absence of target cells. Anti-T3 coated on plastic was shown to activate BLT-esterase secretion. This secretion was inhibited by anti-Lyt-2 and anti-LFA-1. Thus, it would appear that both the Lyt-2 molecule and the LFA-1 molecule act as signal-transducing elements involved in CTL activation. In particular, the Lyt-2 molecule appears to preferentially function in receptor-mediated T cell activation.

A/J mice immunized with p-azophenylarsonate coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin produce antibodies expressing a cross-reactive idiotype (CRIA). The pretreatment of A/J mice with anti-idiotypic polyclonal or monoclonal antibody directed against the major cross-reactive idiotype (CRIA) borne by p-azophenylarsonate-specific antibody can lead to idiotypic suppression. In this study, we investigate this idiotypic suppression by using four mAb2 (E4, H8, E3, 2D3) recognizing distinct idiotopes whose expression is related to the presence of particular gene segments of the heavy chain V region. 2D3 expression has been related to the presence of some amino acid in the CDR2 region of the VH gene segment derived from the germ line VH IdCR11. So far, the latter is the only germ-line gene coding for CRIA+ antibody that has been identified in the A/J genome. E4 and H8 expression has been related to the use of a particular D segment, whereas E3 expression has been attributed to certain combinations of D and JH segments. Therefore, we might expect independent regulation of the expression of those various idiotopes in relation to the mechanism of gene recombination. Indeed, we observed that 2D3-suppressed A/J mice still produce the three other idiotopes, suggesting the recombination of those particular D and J segments with a different VH gene. Such a gene has been identified in the genome of BALB/c mice. A/J mice pretreated with one of the other three mAb2 are generally cosuppressed for the expression of E4, H8, and E3, but they still produce 2D3+ antibody. In this case, the IdCR11 VH germ-line gene is most probably recombined with different D and J segments. Molecular evidence for the existence of such molecules has also been presented in the literature. So our serologic data on idiotopic suppression in the arsonate system can be compared with recent data provided by molecular genetics.

A new T cell molecule defined by the mAb 143-4-2 has been identified that is involved in T cell activation. The expression of the 143-4-2-defined epitope is linked to the previously characterized Ly-6 locus and restricted to bone marrow cells and to a subset of peripheral Lyt-2+ cells. In comparison to other anti-Ly-6.2 mAb, the 143-4-2 mAb appears to be directed at an allogeneic determinant of the Ly-6.2C molecule. The anti-Ly-6.2C antibody can promote the lysis of antigen-non-bearing target cells by alloreactive CTL clones, and in the presence of cofactors (PMA or IL 2) induces a subset of Lyt-2+ cells to proliferate, perhaps through an autocrine pathway. Although the antibody described has antigen-like effects as described for anti-TcR complex reagents, studies performed with a recently derived anti-murine T3 mAb suggest that the Ly-6.2C molecule is not associated on the cell surface with components of the TcR complex. Nevertheless, cell surface expression of the TcR complex is required for optimal triggering of T cells via the Ly-6.2C molecule. Because Ly-6.2C determinants are expressed in bone marrow and not in the thymus, the possibility is considered that expression of this molecule identifies a distinct subset of extrathymically derived T cells.