Search

TAPA-1 is a transmembrane protein that has been shown to be involved in cell growth and cellular adhesion. Our studies were aimed at determining the mechanisms of the biologic phenomena mediated by TAPA-1, which include the identification of proteins that are associated with it on the surface of lymphocytes. We and others have previously shown that Leu-13, a leukocyte Ag, is one such molecule and that in B cells TAPA-1 is associated with the CD19 Ag. Herein we identify an additional molecule, HLA-DR, that is noncovalently associated on the surface of B cells with TAPA-1. This association was first detected by immunoprecipitation by anti-TAPA-1 and by anti-HLA-DR antibodies in the presence of mild detergents. The initial observation was confirmed by 2-dimensional SDS-PAGE and by direct identification of TAPA-1 in anti-HLA-DR immunoprecipitates by Western blot analysis. The association of the two molecules on the surface of a human B cell line was shown by cocapping experiments. In addition, antibodies to both molecules can induce cellular adhesion and an antiproliferative effect. Because the tissue distribution of these two molecules only partially overlaps, with TAPA-1 being expressed on most cell types and MHC class II expressed on a more restricted group of tissue, it is possible that the TAPA-1 molecule provides a basic function that can augment a cell type specific activity. In B cells the association of TAPA-1 with CD19 and HLA-DR may increase cellular interaction and play a supporting role in the transmission of specific signals.

We studied the signal induced by the anti-TAPA-1 antibody and compared it to the signal induced by anti-IgM antibodies in a human B cell line, OCl-LY8. We found that exposure of these cells to either antibody resulted in a rapid increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation which was prevented by inhibitors of tyrosine kinases. Tyrosine phosphorylation was an early event in the cascase leading to the antiproliferative effect of the anti-TAPA-1 antibody. However, 2-ME, a reducing agent that is not an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, prevented both tyrosine phosphorylation and the antiproliferative effect of the antibody. Cells grown in low concentrations of 2-ME did not exhibit an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in response to the anti-TAPA-1 antibody and were insensitive to the antiproliferative effect of the antibody. In contrast, the same cells maintained in 2-ME were able to induce tyrosine phosphorylation in response to anti-IgM. The use of 2-ME resulted in an increase in intracellular thiols, mostly glutathione. Moreover, compounds that block glutathione synthesis rendered cells susceptible to the antibody, even in the presence of 2-ME. These experiments demonstrate that tyrosine kinases are involved in propagating the antiproliferative signal initiated by the anti-TAPA-1 antibody and suggest that this signal is dependent upon the level of intracellular thiols.

Anti-idiotype antibodies to a mouse monoclonal antibody A-12 directed against HBsAg were produced in rabbits. The anti-Id consisted of an Ab-2 alpha preparation that did not display any detectable internal image activity. Immunization of BALB/c mice with the anti-Id (Ab-2 alpha) coupled to KLH induced an anti-HBs response without subsequent HBsAg exposure. No anti-HBs was detected in control groups of mice immunized with other rabbit anti-Id-KLH preparations. The anti-HBs containing sera from mice immunized with the Ab-2 alpha were able to inhibit the Id-anti-Id reaction, indicating that an Id-positive, anti-HBs response was induced. This idiotype is not normally expressed during the murine immune response to HBsAg and suggests that noninternal image anti-Id activates silent clones. This study, along with our previous results obtained with the use of internal image anti-Id, suggests that there is more than one Id network operational during the BALB/c murine immune response to HBsAg.