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Mice immunized intragastrically (i.g.) with a genetically constructed chimeric protein consisting of the saliva-binding region (SBR) of Streptococcus mutans AgI/II coupled to cholera toxin (CT) A2 and B subunits (CTA2/B) develop serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal IgA antibody responses against AgI/II that are enhanced by the coadministration of CT as an adjuvant. To investigate the development of antigen-specific T cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues, mice were immunized i.g. with SBR, SBR-CTA2/B, or SBR-CTA2/B plus CT. AgI/II-specific T cells in Peyer's patches (PP), mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and spleen were assayed by lymphoproliferation and flow cytometry for the expression of T-cell surface markers, and cytokine mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-PCR. T-cell responses were consistent with antibody responses but were detectable after the first immunization. Proliferative responses of PP and MLN cells upon stimulation with AgI/II in vitro were low and delayed in mice given SBR alone, and these cells displayed a mixed type 1 and 2 (or Th0) pattern of cytokine expression. Immunization with SBR-CTA2/B resulted in greater AgI/II-specific proliferative responses in PP cells and an increase in the proportion of CD4+ T cells. Coadministration of CT with SBR-CTA2/B led to greater proliferative responses especially in the MLN cells, which then showed an increase in CD4+ cells. Immunization with SBR-CTA2/B (with or without CT) skewed the cytokine expression pattern in PP and MLN cells toward Th2. The results indicate that T helper cells were induced in gut-associated lymphoid tissues by i.g. immunization with SBR-CTA2/B, concomitantly with and prior to the appearance of circulating and mucosal antibodies.

Interaction of the HLA-DP9 (DPA1*0201/DPB1*0901) molecule and M protein of serotype 12 (SS95/12) streptococci, a main component of the streptococcal cell wall Ag, has been investigated to decipher peptide-binding capacity and T cell activation in the context of the HLA-DP molecule. Seven antigenic peptides (amino acids 19-25) restricted by the HLA-DP9 molecule were identified in M12 protein, using M12 protein- or peptide-specific T cell lines from naturally exposed individuals. The binding affinity of each peptide to the HLA-DP9 molecule was measured by fluorescence intensity of biotinylated peptides bound to L cell transfectants expressing HLA-DP9, followed by treatment with avidin-fluorescence. Binding of biotinylated peptides to the HLA-DP9 molecule was inhibited by an excess amount of corresponding nonbiotinylated peptides and other nonbiotinylated peptides, indicating that the peptides were bound to the HLA-DP9 molecule at a single binding site. Seven synthetic peptides containing the T cell epitopes restricted by the HLA-DP9 molecule had high binding affinity to the HLA-DP9 molecule. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of truncated analogues that could bind to the HLA-DP9 molecule and/or activate T cells suggested an HLA-DP9-specific binding motif, composed of a positively charged residue (R or K) at position 1, a hydrophobic residue (A, G, or L) at position 6, and another hydrophobic residue (L or V) at position 9. Analysis of single amino acid-substituted analogues suggested that the positively charged amino acid in the motif served as a key anchor residue for binding to the HLA-DP9 molecule, which differs from the binding motif to the HLA-DR molecules.

We established HLA-peptide binding assay system, using biotinylated peptide and HLA class II transfectants to make clear the interaction of peptides and HLA molecules. By using this system and T cell proliferation assay, we analyzed the effect of polymorphism of DR4 subtypes on responding to M12(4) peptide which derived from M12 protein of Streptococcus. We found amino acid residue which determines T cell recognition is DR beta-74 (Glutamate to Alanine) on this peptide. Using this system, we expect to understand the mechanisms of immune response associated with HLA class II molecules.