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Although self peptides bound to HLA-DQ and, especially, HLA-DR allotypes have been described in some detail, few ligands that bind to HLA-DP have been identified. Toward this aim, naturally processed peptides were isolated from immunoaffinity-purified HLA-DP2 molecules expressed in cultured B lymphocytes. The size distribution of the peptide repertoire is generally similar to those reported for self peptides bound to HLA-DR and HLA-DQ molecules. Twelve peptides representing individual sequences including two nested sets were sequenced by mass spectrometry and/or N-terminal Edman analysis. Source proteins included MHC molecules and other integral membrane proteins as well as secretory and serum proteins. No dominant amino acid markers suggestive of particular enzymatic processing events were detected. Peptide specificity and affinity were examined in binding assays using synthetic peptides and purified HLA-DP and HLA-DR molecules. Anchor residues were tentatively assigned using alanine-substituted analogues of two self peptides. Some structural features of HLA-DP2 that may relate to peptide binding are considered.

The proximal promoters of all MHC class II genes contain a sequence element, the 19-bp X box, that is conserved in both sequence and position. Extensive analysis using a wide variety of approaches has demonstrated that the integrity of the X box is essential for transcription initiation from all class II genes studied. However, the X box is now recognized to contain two subregions, termed X1 and X2. Radiolabeled oligonucleotides corresponding to the X2 box of the MHC class II genes DPA and DQB were used to screen B cell and T cell expression libraries. A novel cDNA, termed XBR (X box repressor), encoding a putative zinc finger protein that binds specifically to the DPA X2 box was isolated from a human T cell line. The XBR gene encodes a 7-kb message that is ubiquitously transcribed, although at higher levels in tissues of the lymphocytic compartment. Southern blots indicate that this gene is single copy in primates and contains regions that are highly divergent in other species. Overexpression of XBR in a B cell line resulted in a dramatic reduction of transcription from a reporter gene construct driven by the DPA promoter, but not from similar constructs with mutations in the X2 box. Similarly, overexpression of XBR reduced induction of reporter gene activity driven from the DPA promoter in HeLa cells treated with IFN-gamma. XBR may, therefore, mediate transcriptional repression, thus preventing inappropriate MHC class II expression. XBR function may in part explain the dominant trans-acting repression of MHC class II expression reported in cell fusion experiments.

A previously unrecognized element, located downstream of the start site of transcription in the first exon of the DR alpha gene, has been defined that enhances promoter activity up to eightfold in a position-dependent manner. Mutations in this DNA-binding site abolished binding of a nuclear factor in human B cell nuclear extract and decreased the activity of the DR alpha promoter to a basal level. Significant sequence homology of this element was found in the DNA of the DR beta, DP alpha and -beta, and DQ alpha genes, always located downstream of the transcriptional start site. The nuclear factor binds to the DR alpha and DP alpha element but not to the element in the DQ alpha gene. It was identified as NF-E1 (YY1). This protein, previously identified by its binding to the Ig kappa 3' enhancer and the Ig heavy chain mu E1 site, thus also appears to be quite important in the regulation of MHC class II gene expression.

The immune response to viruses partially depends on the biochemical interaction between viral peptides and histocompatibility molecules. In this study, the refolding of recombinant HLA-A*0201 heavy chain and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) in the presence of peptides from influenza B nucleoprotein (BNP), influenza A matrix protein, and HIV gp120 and their analogues was examined. The plateau value for the amount of refolded complex with three peptides, a 10-mer BNP 85-94 (A86) with alanine substituted for leucine at the P2 anchor residue and two BNP 8-mers, was significantly lower than the native peptide epitope BNP 85-94 or with other peptides tested. To attempt to understand the basis for the lower yield of complex, equilibrium dissociation constants (KdS) for the two 10-mers, BNP 85-94 (A86) and BNP 85-94, were determined from association and dissociation rates and from Scatchard plots, all measured at 10 degrees C. In addition, dissociation rates were measured at 0 degrees, 26 degrees, and 37 degrees C. Although the kinetics were similar at 0 degrees and 10 degrees, at 37 degrees these two complexes had distinct rates of dissociation, resulting in relatively stable or unstable complexes. The behavior of the unstable complexes paralleled the behavior of empty complexes described in vivo; they are unstable at physiologic temperature, produced in low yield, and stabilized by low temperature. Comparison of all of the kinetic data suggests that the equilibrium amounts of the two HLA/peptide complexes (plateau values) result from distinct reaction pathways, i.e., that the molecules that form stable complexes may undergo an additional reaction to those that form unstable complexes.

The superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) binds to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules at two sites on either side of the peptide groove. Two separate but cooperative interactions to the human class II molecule HLA-DR1 were detected. The first high affinity interaction to the DR1 beta chain is mediated by a zinc atom coordinated by H187, H225, and D227 in SEA and H81 in the polymorphic DR1 beta chain. The second low affinity site is to the DR1 alpha chain analogous to SEB binding and is mediated by residue F47 in SEA. Binding of one SEA to the DR1 beta chain enhances the binding of a second SEA molecule to the DR1 alpha chain. The zinc site is on the opposite side of the SEA molecule from residue F47 so that one SEA molecule can readily bind two class II molecules. Both binding sites on SEA are required for maximal activity. Thus, unlike, SEB, SEA requires two separate binding sites for optimal activity, which may allow it to stabilize SEA interaction with T cell receptors, as well as to activate the antigen-presenting cell by cross-linking MHC class II.

CD43, CD44, CD16, and L-selectin have been previously shown to be enzymatically cleaved from stimulated leukocytes. However, little is known about the enzymes involved in these processes. Here, metalloprotease(s) inhibitable by 1,10-phenanthroline together with serine protease(s) inhibitable by N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone and 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin are shown to be involved in the cleavage of CD43, CD44, and CD16 but not in the cleavage of L-selectin on granulocytes. In addition, mAbs that recognize these individual receptors and induce their specific cleavage did not initiate cleavage of the others. In one case only, L-selectin, cleavage was also triggered by mAbs interacting with CD16 (the low affinity Fc gamma R). Thus, this mechanism represents a novel pathway of L-selectin cleavage induction.

By fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we have previously demonstrated that upon anti-CD3 mAb-mediated activation of a murine T cell hybridoma expressing human CD4, CD4 moves into close association with the TCR/CD3 complex. It was shown that this association between CD4 and the TCR/CD3 complex was dependent upon the presence of an intact CD4 cytoplasmic domain. We have now expressed, in a murine T cell hybridoma, mutated forms of CD4 containing cysteine to serine point mutations at positions 420, 422, or 430. The mutations at positions 420 and 422, but not 430, abolish association with p56lck. By using fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we demonstrate that mutations of CD4 which fail to interact with p56lck are unable to associate with the TCR/CD3 complex under conditions in which wild-type CD4 and the 430 mutant CD4 do associate with the TCR/CD3 complex. In addition, these mutants have a diminished response to CD4-dependent stimuli. We conclude that the association between CD4 and the TCR/CD3 complex during T cell activation plays an important role in CD4-dependent responsiveness and this association requires the interaction of CD4 with p56lck. These results also suggest that a substrate for p56lck may be expressed in the TCR/CD3 complex.

A highly malignant human T-cell leukemia was identified by cell surface analysis as a member of the T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma delta lineage. Cytogenetic and molecular analysis showed a novel t(8;14)(q24;q11) rearrangement involving the J delta 1 gene segment on chromosome 14 and the distal end of chromosome 8 near the c-myc proto-oncogene locus. The gamma delta TCR of the leukemia blasts was functionally intact and could be activated to generate intracellular calcium flux and to target Fc receptor-mediated redirected tumor cell lysis. In addition, non- major histocompatibility complex restricted lysis of a limited target cell panel was shown by fresh leukemic blasts and by the in vitro- maintained leukemia cells that was comparable to known T-cell lines with natural killer-like activity. These data suggest that the T-cell leukemia potentially had in vivo functional cytolytic activity. However, whether this activity did contribute to the patient's clinical condition could not be determined.

CD14, expressed on the surface of monocytes as a phospholipid-linked protein, is a receptor for serum LPS binding protein/LPS complex. It was specifically down-modulated after stimulation of monocytes by physiologic activating/differentiating agents such as bacterial LPS and IFN-gamma, by the pharmacologic agents PMA and calcium ionophore A23187, and by anti-CD14 antibodies. The down-modulation was almost totally blocked at 4 degrees C or at pH 4.5 and markedly inhibited by the protease inhibitors diisopropylfluorophosphate and PMSF. A soluble labeled CD14 was isolated from culture supernatant of surface iodinated monocytes after their activation, indicating that CD14 is shed from the cell surface rather than internalized. The size of the soluble CD14 shed from the monocytes in vitro was smaller than that of either the membrane-bound form or a soluble CD14 cleaved from the cell surface by phosphatidyl inositol-specific phospholipase C, but identical to the size of one of the two major soluble CD14 forms normally found in human serum. These data suggest that CD14 shedding induced by monocyte stimulation may play an important role in the regulation of surface CD14 expression.

The germline repertoire of variable genes for the TCR-gamma/delta is limited. This, together with the availability of several V delta-specific and a C delta-specific mAbs, has made it possible to assess differences in the TCR-gamma/delta repertoire in man. TCR-gamma/delta cells expressing particular V gene segments have been previously shown to be localized in different anatomical sites. In this study, analysis of TCR-gamma/delta V gene segment usage performed on subjects from the time of birth through adulthood revealed striking age-related changes in the TCR-gamma/delta repertoire in peripheral blood. V delta 1+ gamma/delta T cells predominated in thymus as well as in peripheral blood at birth and then persisted as a relatively constant proportion of CD3+ PBL. However, V delta 2+ gamma/delta T cells that constitute a small proportion of the CD3+ cells in thymus and in peripheral blood at birth, then expand and account for the major population of gamma/delta T cells in PBL in adults. No parallel postnatal expansion of V delta 2+ cells in the thymus was observed, even when paired thymus-peripheral blood specimens were obtained on subjects between the ages of 3 d and 8 yr. The subset of V delta 2+ lymphocytes that was expanded in peripheral blood expressed high levels of CD45RO suggesting prior activation of these cells, consistent with the possibility that their expansion might have resulted from exposure to foreign antigens or superantigens. In contrast, V delta 1+ T cells in PBL showed no comparable increase in relative numbers and were either negative or expressed only low levels of CD45RO. Consistent with evidence for extrathymic peripheral expansion of selective TCR-gamma/delta subsets, no link between MHC haplotype and differences in the TCR-gamma/delta V gene usage between individuals was apparent, and identical twins displayed TCR-gamma/delta variable gene segment phenotypes that were strikingly different from one another. The elements that determine the TCR-gamma/delta repertoire in individuals are not known. It is possible that both thymic selection and extrathymic factors may influence the peripheral repertoire. Recently, TCR-gamma/delta+ lymphocytes have been shown to expand markedly in peripheral lymphoid tissues and infectious lesions in response to mycobacterial antigens, and a correlation between mycobacterial responses and TCR-gamma/delta V gene usage has been shown in mice. The data presented here demonstrated peripheral age-related changes in the gamma/delta repertoire and point to the importance of extrathymic expansion of specific gamma/delta subsets in generating the human TCR-gamma/delta repertoire.

During T cell activation, CD4 is intimately involved in colocalizing the T cell receptor (TCR) with its specific peptide ligand bound to class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Previously, the COOH-terminal residues, Trp62/63, which flank the immunodominant epitope of hen egg lysozyme (HEL 52-61), were shown to have a profound effect on TCR recognition. CD4 maintains the fidelity of this interaction when short peptides are used. To determine which portion of CD4 was responsible for this effect, a series of CD4 mutants were made and transfected into CD4 loss variants of two HEL 52-61-specific T cell hybridomas. Surprisingly, some CD4 mutants that failed to interact with MHC class II molecules (D2 domain mutant) or with p56kk (cytoplasmic-tailless mutant) restored responsiveness. Nevertheless, a significant reduction in association between cytoplasmic-tailless CD4 and the TCR, as determined by fluorescence resonance energy transfer, was observed. Thus, neither colocalization of CD4 and the TCR nor signal transduction via CD4 was solely responsible for the functional restoration of these T cell hybridomas by wild-type CD4. However, substitution of the two membrane proximal domains of murine CD4 (D3 and D4) with domains from human CD4 or intercellular adhesion molecule 1 not only abrogated its ability to restore function, but also substantially reduced its ability to associate with the TCR. Furthermore, the mouse/human CD4 chimera had a potent dominant negative effect on T cell function in the presence of equimolar concentrations of wild-type CD4. These data suggest that the D3/D4 domains of CD4 may interact directly or indirectly with the TCR-CD3 complex and influence the signal transduction processes. Given the striking structural differences between CD4 and CD8 in this region, these data define a novel and unique function for CD4.

Human lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1, a heterodimeric lymphocyte surface glycoprotein of 177,000 and 95,000 relative molecular weight has been implicated to function in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector mechanism. Seven mouse hybridoma lines producing monoclonal antibodies (MAb) reactive with this structure were studied. Three unique and 3 partially over-lapping epitopes on human LFA-1 were defined by competitive cross inhibition binding assays using biosynthetically labeled anti-LFA-1 MAb. In contrast, of five rat antimouse LFA-1 MAb, all five recognized a common or shared epitope. An HLA-B7 specific human CTL line expressed 1.1 X 10(5) LFA-1 sites per cell with a direct saturation binding assay. Human CTL expressed two to four times more LFA-1 than peripheral blood lymphocytes or B and T lymphoblastoid cell lines. Titration of each of the anti-LFA-1 MAb in a 51chromium release cytolytic assay revealed quantitative differences in the ability of the different anti-LFA-1 MAb to block cytolysis indicating distinct functional and antigenic epitopes exist on the human LFA-1 molecule. Anti-LFA-1 MAb reversibly inhibited the CTL reaction by slowing the initial rate of cytolysis. These results suggest anti-LFA-1 MAb inhibit CTL function by specific blockade of a functionally relevant molecule.

The HLA-DR antigen expressed on the surface of the human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-37 was characterized and compared with the HLA-DR antigen from the MU B lymphoblastoid cell line originating from the same individual. The HLA-DR heavy chain from SK-MEL-37 cells had an apparent mobility on SDS-PAGE slightly slower than that isolated from MU cells. In contrast, the HLA-DR light chains and the HLA-A,-B heavy chains from the two cell lines had identical mobilities. Double-labeled tryptic peptide mapping and limited N-terminal sequencing showed that the SK-MEL-37 HLA-DR antigen, like all previously examined B lymphoblastoid cell HLA-DR antigens, was homologous to the murine I-E/C subregion antigens and that the mobility difference of the SK-MEL-37 HLA-DR heavy chain was not attributable to differences in the primary structure of the polypeptide. Treatment of the cells with tunicamycin abolished the m.w. difference, suggesting that it was due to a change in glycosylation in SK-MEL-37. This was confirmed by analysis of the glycopeptides from pronase-digested HLA-DR light and heavy chains and HLA-A,B heavy chains purified from the two cell types. The results suggest 1) there is a difference in asparagine-linked oligosaccharide processing in the two cell types, with more of the larger complex glycans synthesized in the melanoma cells than in the B lymphoblastoid cells, 2) the effect is more pronounced with HLA-DR heavy chains than with HLA-DR light chains or HLA-A,B heavy chains, and 3) the oligosaccharide size difference is not solely due to sialic acid content.

We describe here a monoclonal antibody, 131, which appears to recognize a determinant shared by HLA-A locus-encoded gene products. Isoelectric focusing analysis demonstrates that 131 reacts with the products of at least seven different HLA-A alleles but none of the five HLA-B allelic products tested. Together with evidence provided by other studies, this finding indicates the existence of A-unique and B-unique determinants, which may have different biological functions. Monoclonal antibody probes, such as the one described here, specific for shared intralocus determinants, may be valuable for assessing these possible functional differences.

The thymus is thought to be the primary central lymphoid organ in which T cells mature. Although thymic cortical and medullary compartments are distinct histologically, few antigens have been described that are absolutely acquired during the presumed intrathymic maturation pathway from cortical to medullary thymocytes. In this paper, we describe the acquisition during human intrathymic T cell maturation of a novel protein (p80) defined by a monoclonal antibody (A1G3). Although the p80-A1G3 antigen is distributed throughout the body and is not T cell specific, our study demonstrates that expression of p80-A1G3 antigen in normal human thymus is associated with thymocyte functional maturity and location in the thymus medulla. Moreover, in contrast to other markers of mature human T cells, the p80-A1G3 cell surface protein is not expressed on T6+ cortical thymocytes, and, therefore, is absolutely acquired by medullary thymocytes during T cell maturation. Thus, the p80-A1G3 antigen and the A1G3 antibody provide a heretofore unavailable system for the study of molecular events that transpire during the maturation of thymocytes.

By using a single monoclonal antibody, a novel glycoprotein complex composed of at least three distinct bands was defined on the surface of mitogen- or alloantigen-stimulated T cells. These bands (210,000, 165,000, and 130,000 Mr) were not disulfide linked and could be radio-labeled with 125I or 35S-methionine and readily detected by immunoprecipitation with the monoclonal antibody A-1A5. Only approximately 20% of normal T cells (E rosette positive) and approximately 47% non-T cells (E rosette negative) were reactive with A-1A5. However, upon activation of T cells, the amount of A-1A5 binding per cell and the percentage of positive cells significantly increased. This increase was most pronounced in the activated cell subpopulations currently undergoing cell division (S, G2, and M phases), which became 79% A-1A5 positive (after PHA stimulation) and 99% A-1A5 positive (in long-term culture with alloantigen and IL2). Resting lymphocytes contained only the 130,000 Mr band reactive with A-1A5. The two other bands (210,000 and 165,000 Mr) were markers for T cell activation and only appeared several days after T cell stimulation and became especially prominent after the addition of exogenous IL 2. All T lymphoblastoid cell lines tested expressed at least the lower bands (130,000 Mr), and the T cell line HSB also expressed one of the activation-related larger proteins (165,000 Mr). B lymphoblastoid cell lines expressed only a very weak lower band (130,000 Mr), and the cell line U-937 (in the monocyte-macrophage lineage) expressed only a single band (145,000 Mr) not aligned with any of the bands found on lymphoid cells. The estimated number of A-1A5 binding sites per cell was much higher on U-937 (11 X 10(5)), and generally higher on other cell lines of myeloid lineage (1 to 4 X 10(5)) than on lymphoid cell lines (0.2 to 1.3 X 10(5)).

The HLA-A2 mutant cell line 8.6.1 was isolated previously from the lymphoblastoid B cell line T5-1 (HLA-A1, -A2, -B8, and -B27) by immunoselection with the mouse HLA-A2-specific monoclonal antibody BB7.2 and complement. The HLA-A2 molecules synthesized by 8.6.1 do not react with either the selecting antibody or with a second HLA-A2-specific monoclonal antibody, PA2.1. In this study, HLA-A2 heavy chains derived from 8.6.1 and those from the parent T5-1 cells have been analyzed by double-labeled tryptic peptide mapping by using reverse-phase HPLC, cation exchange chromatography, and microsequence analysis. We detect only a single difference between these molecules: 8.6.1 HLA-A2 differs from T5-1 HLA-A2 by the substitution of lysine for glutamic acid at position 161. This result is consistent with data derived from other immunoselected mutants, which implicate the second heavy chain domain (alpha 2) in the expression of the PA2.1 and BB7.2 epitopes, and suggests a crucial role for glutamic acid at position 161 in the formation of an HLA-A2-specific determinant.

The CD4 molecule is a receptor found on a subset of T lymphocytes. It has been proposed that, upon binding MHC class II molecules expressed on APC, the CD4 molecule enhances the responsiveness of the T cell by increasing intercellular avidity and/or by transducing an intracellular signal. We have analyzed the effect of removing the cytoplasmic domain of the CD4 molecule on the ability of the CD4 molecule to enhance T cell responsiveness. The cytoplasmic domain-deleted mutant of the CD4 molecule (CD4 delta) was found to be as efficient as the CD4 molecule at enhancing responsiveness to cells bearing the appropriate Ag. If subcellular Ag in the form of purified Ag incorporated into liposomes was used, the CD4 molecule was found to be much more efficient than the CD4 delta molecule at enhancing responsiveness. However, the defect in the ability of the CD4 delta molecule to enhance responsiveness could be compensated for by increasing the level of expression of the CD4 delta molecule.

During studies of human hematopoietic cells, two novel anti-mycoplasma monoclonal antibodies reacting in human cell surface binding assays were generated. These monoclonal antibodies define antigens (called MP71 and MP33) that showed variable positive and negative expression in different cultures of the same human cell lines. Furthermore, negative cell cultures could be converted to positive cultures upon incubation with filtered media from a previously positive cell culture. A DNA staining assay was used to demonstrate the presence of mycoplasma in the cultures positive for MP71. The expression of MP71 on a panel of cell lines always correlated with the expression of MP33, suggesting that the latter antigen is also mycoplasma related. The monoclonal antibodies against both antigens (MP71 and MP33) were each able to block the growth of mycoplasma newly transferred to hematopoietic cell cultures. Biosynthesis of these mycoplasma antigens differed from biosynthesis of host cell surface antigens in that the former showed a relative insensitivity to gamma irradiation. Internal labeling with 35S-methionine or host cell surface labeling with 125I and analysis by immunoprecipitation showed that the antigens MP71 and MP33 had sizes of Mr 71,000 and 33,000, respectively. Also the antigen MP71 was almost completely, although transiently, cleared from the host cell surface by trypsin. Growth inhibition analysis of different mycoplasma species indicated that the monoclonal antibody recognizing MP71 was uniquely reactive with Mycoplasma hyorhinis.

HLA-A2 antigen mutants were obtained previously from the B lymphoblastoid cell line T5-1 by mutagenesis followed by immunoselection. Here we present biochemical studies of one particular mutant, clone 8.14.1. These cells synthesize two forms of HLA-A2: a minor form, which remains cell-associated at all times, and an abundant form, which is secreted. The former appears by SDS-PAGE to be slightly larger than T5-1 HLA-A2, whereas the latter appears to be 4000 to 5000 daltons smaller. In vitro translation and in vivo pulse-chase studies suggest that these species are not related to each other by post-translational processing. Proteolytic digestion studies localize the resulting structural alteration in the mobility difference between wild-type and secreted HLA-A2 to a region near the carboxy terminus of the HLA-A2 heavy chain; however, their extreme carboxy termini appear similar, if not identical. We suggest that the secreted form may result from a pattern of RNA splicing in which the exon encoding the hydrophobic, membrane-spanning region is frequently deleted.

The localization of the amino acid residues involved in the serologic specificity of the HLA-A2 molecule has been investigated using a combination of site-directed mutagenesis, DNA-mediated gene transfer, indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry techniques. Synthetic oligonucleotides were designed to introduce individual and combined amino acid substitutions in both the alpha 1 (positions 9, 43, and the highly polymorphic cluster of residues from aa 62 to 83) and alpha 2 (positions 107, 152, and 156) domains to investigate the effect of the specific mutation on the recognition of the molecule at the surface of transfected human and mouse cell lines by a panel of mAb that recognize monomorphic or polymorphic determinants in MHC class I molecules. At least three non-overlapping serologic epitopes were identified. Mutations in the highly polymorphic region at aa 62 to 66 completely eliminated binding of mAb MA2.1 (A2/B17 cross-reactive). Mutation at position 107 resulted in complete loss of binding of the A2/Aw69-specific mAb PA2.1 and MA2.2 and partial loss of mAb BB7.2 binding. The recognition by other allotypic mAbs was not affected by these mutations and they therefore represent at least a third serologic epitope. Mutations at positions 152 and 156, known to be important for T cell recognition, did not affect serologic recognition. Introduction of residues of HLA-B7 origin in the polymorphic segment spanning aa 70 to 80 created a molecule carrying the -Bw6 supertypic determinant as demonstrated by mAb SFR8-B6 binding.

This study provides direct correlation via dual parameter flow cytometry (simultaneous assessment of immunofluorescence and DNA content) between mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) responder cell entry into the S/G2/M phases of the cell cycle with the kinetics of expression of two activation-associated cell surface proteins, Tac (IL 2 receptor) and 4F2 (unknown metabolic function). A small population of activated cells was identifiable by expression of both Tac and 4F2 antigens before peak DNA synthesis in the MLR. This population of activation antigen-positive cells expanded linearly in size from days 3 to 7 of culture. Treatment of immature MLR cultures with anti-4F2 Mab and complement (C) before DNA synthesis (treatment on day 3, peak DNA synthesis on days 5 to 6) resulted in blunted proliferation and activation antigen expression when the same culture was analyzed after maturation on day 6, indicating that the activated population had been previously detected and removed by anti-4F2 Mab + C. The 4F2 antigen was expressed on a greater percentage of cells in the MLR at all times (days 3 to 9) than was Tac, was present on virtually all S/G2/M phase responder cells, and a large fraction of cells remained intensely 4F2+ subsequent to peak DNA synthesis. In contrast, after initially preceding responder cell entry into the S phase of the cell cycle, the kinetics of Tac antigen expression closely paralleled the kinetics of responder cell proliferation. A subpopulation of cycling responder cells was noted in all MLR cultures studied that expressed Tac antigen weakly or not at all. Cells within both T4 and T8 cell subsets proliferate with similar kinetics in response to alloantigen. The possibility that activation antigens can be utilized to study effector cell generation in the MLR and that this flow cytometric technique may be utilized to analyze the response to various alloantigens is discussed.

A glycoprotein complex of 210,000 and 130,000 m.w., found on mitogen or alloantigen-stimulated human T cells and not on other hematopoietic cells, has been defined by a monoclonal antibody (Mab). The components of this complex are a subset of a larger family of proteins (210,000, 165,000 and 130,000 m.w.) defined by a second Mab. In a panel of hematopoietic cell lines and cell types, only activated T cells (including the cell line HUT-102) express the 210,000/130,000 complex and these cells also express the IL 2 receptor, a characteristic marker for activated T cells. The 210,000/130,000 m.w. complex (reactive with the Mab TS2/7) is present on all long-term activated T cells, including both the OKT4 and OKT8 subsets. The 210,000 m.w. subunit is expressed only on activated T cells. Other lymphoid cells express either the 130,000 m.w. subunit alone (unactivated lymphocytes, thymocytes, HUT-78) or the 130,000 subunit together with a 165,000 subunit (MOLT-4, HSB, and other leukemic T cell lines). The 210,000/130,000 m.w., 165,000/130,000 m.w. and 130,000 m.w. complexes are antigenically related in that all share reactivity with the Mab A- 1A5 . Among non-lymphoid hematopoietic cells and cell lines, none express the 210,000 m.w. chain; adherent cells (monocytes) and myeloid cell lines each express single proteins of 130,000 to 155,000 m.w. Granulocytes and red blood cells are negative and platelets express multiple bands (165,000 and 140,000 m.w.). Immunoperoxidase staining of tissue sections showed that a broad range of tissues and cell types had material cross-reactive with the lymphoid 130,000 m.w. protein. However, only a discrete subset of those tissues and cells including blood vessel walls, connective tissue, smooth muscle, kidney mesangial cells, and some non-cellular matrix tissue, had material cross-reactive with the 210,000 m.w. protein on activated T lymphocytes.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) with framework reactivity against the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha beta complex is characterized. The mAb, beta Framework 1 (beta F1) is capable of immunoprecipitating the TCR alpha beta complex from 125I-labeled human T cell tumors, immunocompetent T cell clones, and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). beta F1 recognizes the separated TCR beta subunit in Western blotting. Because it does not bind to the surface of viable T cells but does react with the plasma membrane form of the TCR after treatment with membrane solubilizing agents, the beta F1 mAb reacts with a "hidden" determinant on the TCR beta subunit. After solubilization with 70% ethanol, the TCR alpha beta complex is shown to exist on greater than 92% of T3+ human PBL, whereas 2 to 8% of T3+ PBL do not react with the mAb. The beta F1 mAb demonstrates the existence of differently glycosylated surface 125I-labeled TCR alpha-chains (alpha, alpha', alpha") in association with a common TCR beta-chain on the HPB-MLT T cell leukemia. Reactivity of the beta F1 mAb on thymus tissue sections is similar to that of anti-Leu-4 (anti-T3). The beta F1 mAb should prove useful as a research tool for both the immunochemical characterization and isolation of virtually any alpha beta T cell receptor, whether from individual T cell clones or polyclonal populations of T lymphocytes. Recognition of T cell receptors in histologic tissue sections suggests that the beta F1 mAb may be useful in the clinical diagnosis of T cell lineage neoplasms. In failing to recognize all T3+ lymphocytes, it allows the identification of novel populations of T3+ lymphocytes that may express non-alpha, non-beta T cell receptors.

Cytotoxic T cell (CTL) recognition of influenza virus in conjunction with HLA-A2 was examined in a population study. Virus-infected target cells from three unrelated A2-positive donors were not lysed by virus-immune CTL from any donor matched only for A2. The A2 antigens of these three donors were indistinguishable from the A2 antigens of other A2-positive donors as assessed by extensive serologic analyses; however, isoelectric focusing (IEF) of A2 molecules from these three donors demonstrated that their A2 heavy polypeptide chains are structurally distinct from those of "normal" A2-positive donors. To date 11% of all A2-positive donors tested exhibited a "variant" A2-associated CTL restriction antigen, and IEF of A2 heavy chains from all "variant" A2-positive cells revealed structural differences in each of these polypeptides. These results suggest there may be considerably greater polymorphism of HLA-A gene products than has been revealed by current serologic techniques.

The monoclonal antibodies L203 and L227 were used to characterize Ia-like antigens on human B cell lines. The antibodies appear to recognize subsets of HLA-DR molecules on the cell line Raji, which is heterozygous for HLA-DR. However, by using L203 and L227, more than 1 DR-like molecule could not be clearly identified on the DRw8 homozygous cell line MADURA. The 2 antibodies did display different affinities for different forms of the same DR molecule. On DRw8 and cell lines of other DR types, L227 had a greater affinity than L203 for the biosynthetic intermediates of the DR heavy and light chains. L203 displayed a greater affinity than L227 for the mature forms of the DR subunits. The antibody L227 immunoprecipitated the denatured DR light chain, but not the heavy chain, suggesting that the antigenic determinant is on the light chain. The L203 and L227 determinants are not on the N-linked oligosaccharides, since both antibodies recognized nonglycosylated DR antigens from cells treated with tunicamycin. In contrast to the DRw8 homozygous cell line, it was found that DRw6 homozygous B cell lines express at least 2 DR light chains. A xeno anti-HLA-DR (anti-p23,30) serum and L203 recognized both light chains, whereas L227 precipitated only 1 of the 2. A model depicting the expression of the L203 and L227 antigenic determinants on the DRw8 molecule is discussed.

Blot hybridization studies revealed that the deletion which characterizes the DNA from the B95-8 strain of Epstein-Barr virus was not present in the virus from which the B95-8 strain was derived (883L). The deletion event must have occurred during establishment of the B95-8 cell line or very soon afterward, since the deletion was present in Epstein-Barr virus DNA from a cell line established with B95-8 virus soon after it became available. The presence of the deletion correlates with decreased expression of the gp220 viral envelope glycoprotein.

The types of N-linked oligosaccharides on the HLA-DR and DC1 antigens were determined by their sensitivity to endoglycosidase H or endoglycosidase D. The DR and DC1 heavy chains each have two carbohydrate moieties, one high-mannose and one complex-type glycan. The DR and DC1 light chains have one complex-type oligosaccharide. During the biosynthesis of the DR antigens, the oligosaccharides on both subunits are initially high-mannose-type glycans, as has been found for other membrane glycoproteins. The light chain oligosaccharide and one of the two heavy chain carbohydrates are later processed to complex-type glycans. Inhibition of N-linked glycosylation with tunicamycin does not inhibit chain association of the DR and DC1 subunits, transport to the cell surface, or expression of the alloantigenic determinants.

A high-titer human T lymphocyte-specific antiserum (A99) has been prepared by immunization of rabbits with a preparation partially purified from membranes of the T cell line, CEM. The specificities recognized by this antiserum included those recognized by TH1 and HTL antisera. Several experiments indicated that these antisera recognized several different proteins. A partial purification of material recognized by A99 serum was obtained by 1) isolation of plasma membranes, 2) detergent solubilization and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and 3) affinity chromatography on a wheat germ lectin-Sepharose 4B column. These three steps yielded material about 100-fold purified, and an estimate was made in several ways that on overall purification of 3500-fold would be required to achieve homogeneity. Immunoprecipitation of 125I-labeled 100-fold purified material showed that the major bands recognized by A99 serum had m.w. of 52,000, 96,000 (seen only after reduction), 120,000, 152,000, and 195,000. These data are compared to other published reports of human T lymphocyte-specific proteins.

Human cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) clones and HLA-A2- and HLA-B7-transfected human, monkey, and mouse cell lines were used to investigate the basis for species-restricted antigen recognition. Most allospecific CTL clones obtained after stimulation with the human JY cell line (source of HLA-A2 and HLA-B7 genomic clones) recognized HLA antigens expressed in human and monkey cell lines but did not recognize HLA expressed in murine cells. By initially stimulating the responder cells with HLA-transfected mouse cells, two CTL clones were obtained that recognized HLA expressed in murine cells. Functional inhibition of these CTL clones with anti-class I monoclonal antibodies (MAb) indicated that clones reactive with HLA+ murine cells were of higher avidity than clones that did not recognize HLA+ murine target cells. MAb inhibition of accessory molecule interactions demonstrated that the LFA-1 and T8 surface molecules were involved in CTL-target cell interactions in all three species. In contrast, the LFA-2/CD2 molecule, previously shown to participate in a distinct activation pathway, was involved in the cytolysis of transfected human and monkey target cells, but not in the lysis of HLA+ murine cells. Thus transfection of HLA genes into different recipient species cell lines provides us with the ability to additionally delineate the functional requirements for allospecific CTL recognition and lysis.

The experiments in this report, together with previous studies, demonstrate that the light chains of DR antigens are composed of four domains: two large extracellular domains (each with a disulfide loop), a short hydrophobic membrane-binding region, and a short hydrophilic carboxy-terminal domain. The amino-terminal extracellular domain is glycosylated and polymorphic and has no discernible sequence homology to immunoglobulin, whereas the relatively conserved carboxy-terminal extracellular domain bears striking homology to immunoglobulin. One chymotryptic and two tryptic cleavage sites lie in the second extracellular domain of the light chain of all native DR antigens. These three sites are found in loops at the same end of an immunoglobulin-like domain. The light chain of DC1 antigen lacks one of the tryptic cleavage sites; the DR heavy chain, the class I heavy chain, and beta 2 microglobulin lack all three proteolytic sites. Proteolysis of murine la antigens with chymotrypsin and trypsin generates similar fragments (I-E-like DR, I-A-like DC1) suggesting these cleavage sites are a general feature of class II antigen light chains.

Three class II molecules were isolated from a homozygous DRw6 human B lymphoblastoid cell line using the monoclonal antibodies L243 (L203), L227, LKT 111, and Genox 3.53. Two of the antigens appeared to employ the same heavy chain but expressed different light chains. The two light chains were separated after denaturation using L227 and LKT 111. One or both of these two molecules carried the DRw6 and MT2 determinants. The third class II antigen expressed the DC1 determinant. It was composed of a heavy and light chain different from the DR-like antigen subunits. The antibodies L243, L227, and LKT 111 did not preclear the cell lysate of the DC1 antigen recognized by Genox 3.53. However, a xenoanti-DR serum immunoprecipitated both the DR-like and the DC1 antigens. Thus, in total, one cell line can express at least two class II heavy chains and three class II light chains. This observation was not unique to this cell line.

An overlapping set of cosmid clones from the homozygous DR7 B lymphoblastoid cell line MANN linking the HLA-DO through -DQ subregions is described. This region encompasses 280 kb of DNA, including DQ alpha, DQ beta, DX alpha, DX beta, DO beta, and recently indentified L chain sequences termed DV beta. The orientation and grouping of the alpha- and beta-chains is comparable with an analogous murine class II subregion and also with the HLA-DR alpha and -DR beta chains, suggesting that the arrangement of the constituent genes of class II subregions predates the mouse/human divergence.

Multiple amino acid sequence differences distinguish individual HLA antigens. Those residues important in immune recognition events have not been defined. Recent studies have identified HLA-A2 structural variants that, although serologically indistinguishable from other HLA-A2 antigens, are recognized poorly, if at all, by HLA-A2-restricted, influenza virus-immune, or HLA-A2-specific alloimmune CTL. In this study we utilize double-label tryptic peptide comparisons performed by both reverse-phase HPLC and cation exchange chromatography, in conjunction with conventional and microsequence analysis, to characterize the HLA-A2 heavy chains derived from variant DK1. We detect a single tryptic peptide that distinguishes DK1 HLA-A2 from the predominant HLA-A2 heavy chain species. This peptide spans residues 147 to 157 in the second heavy chain domain, and carries substitutions at positions 149, 152, and 156. Residues in this segment of the polypeptide are also altered in another HLA-A2 variant, as well as one H-2Kb mutant. Thus, this segment appears to be critical in forming determinants important in CTL recognition of class I antigens in general. On the basis of these and other results, we suggest that in contrast to recognition by alloantibodies, a discrete region of class I antigens may be crucial for CTL recognition.

Sera from a patient with a chronic Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection contained unusually high anti-EBV antibody titers (1:2560 to 1:10,240 for EA(D) and 1:5,120 to 1:40,960 for VCA). One of these serum samples was shown by immunoprecipitation to recognize at least 11 EBV-specific proteins from virus producer cells labeled in vivo and 10 EBV-specific proteins from in vitro translations of producer cell mRNA. Six of the in vivo labeled proteins (135,000, 89,000, 50,000 to 55,000 doublet, 46,000, and 34,000 daltons) are "early" by their resistance to phosphonoacetic acid, and five (350,000, 220,000, 160,000, 140,000, and 85,000 daltons) are "late" membrane and capsid proteins. The EBV-specific proteins immunoprecipitated from in vitro translations had molecular masses of 150,000, 140,000, 115,000, 52,000, 50,000, 45,000, 34,000, 29,000, 17,000, and 15,000. Subcellular fractionation studies of cells labeled in vivo revealed that the 135,000-dalton protein and part of the 50,000 to 55,000 dalton protein doublet were found in both the nuclear and the cytoplasmic fractions, and thus are good candidates to be components of the EA(D) diffuse-type immunofluorescence observed with many EA-positive sera.

A human alloimmune cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone (4E4) was generated against the HLA-A2 molecule. Lysis of 51Cr-labeled HLA-A2 target cells was blocked by monoclonal antibodies (mAb), including mAb PA2.1 (anti-HLA-A2), mAb BB7.2 (anti-HLA-A2), mAb 4B (anti-HLA-A2-plus-A28), mAb MA2.1 (anti-HLA-A2-plus-B17), and mAb W6/32 (anti-HLA-A,B,C), which are directed against different serologic epitopes on the HLA-A2 molecule. However, HLA-A2 mutant lines lacking the serologic epitope recognized by mAb BB7.2 (anti-HLA-A2) were efficiently lysed by CTL 4E4. Thus, although mAb may block cytolysis, the HLA-A2 epitope recognized the 4E4 CTL clone is distinct from the HLA-A2-specific epitope recognized by serologic reagents. Moreover, analysis of HLA-A2 population variants revealed that only the predominant HLA-A2.1 subtype molecule was recognized by CTL 4E4. No cross-reactivity on other, biochemically related HLA-A2 population subtypes was observed, including HLA-A2.2 cells (Hill, CVE, ZYL, M7), HLA-A2.3 cells (TENJ, DK1), or HLA-A2.4 cells (CLA, KNE). This CTL clone appears to recognize a single epitope and, like monoclonal antibody counterparts, can be used to discriminate among immunogenic cellular and serologic epitopes on closely related HLA-A2 molecules. On the basis of the known sequence changes in mutant and subtype HLA-A2 molecules, it appears that the sequence spanning residues 147 to 157 may be critical for cellular recognition of this Class I MHC molecule.

HLA-A2 specific human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) cell lines have been developed using T cell growth factor and coculture of peripheral blood lymphocytes with selected allogeneic target cell lines. The CTL-8 line showed specificity for human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-A2 bearing target cells after 5 weeks in culture when tested against a panel of 14 lymphoblastoid cell lines in a 51Chromium (51Cr) release assay. Purified anti-human leukocyte antigens (HLA) monoclonal antibodies W6/32 and PA2.1 inhibited cytolysis by 85% and 60%, respectively. The CTL-8 line lysed non-HLA-A2 target cells in the presence of lectins concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin-P lectin (PHA-P) indicating the specificity of cytolysis was not due to nonspecific resistance of target cells to the CTL-lytic mechanism. The T5-1 HLA-A2 mutant cell series were tested as targets for the CTL-8 line. Cell clones 8.18.1, 8.21.1 and 8.6.1, which express altered HLA-A2 molecules as determined by their decreased reactivity with allospecific monoclonal antibodies, were lysed by the CTL-8 line as efficiently as the T5-1 wild type. These cell lines also acted as efficient cold target competitors for a normal HLA-A2 target cell. The 8.14.1 cell clone expressed a lower amount of HLA-A2 alloantigen and showed a corresponding decreased reactivity with CTL-8 in direct cytolytic and cold target competitive inhibition assays. In contrast, the M7 and DK1 HLA-A2 variant cell lines, which express normal HLA-A2 serological determinants, were inefficiently lysed by CTL-8 and did not act as competitive inhibitors of normal HLA-A2 target cells. These results support the concept that the alloantigenic determinant(s) recognized by T cells and antibodies occur at separate regions on the HLA-A2 molecule.

The monoclonal antibody 4F2 recognizes a disulfide-linked ricin-binding glycoprotein complex (Mr congruent to 125,000) composed of a sialylated heavy subunit (Mr congruent to 85,000 on T cell lines) and an unsialylated light subunit (Mr congruent to 41,000). The antigen (T85,41) recognized by 4F2 on T cell lines is structurally distinct from the antigen (B93, 41) on B cell lines. The heavy subunits, but not the light subunits, from all T cell lines examined were uniformly smaller in size than the heavy subunits from several B cell lines. This reflects differences in carbohydrate rather than protein represent in B93,41 compared with T85,41, because both heavy subunits have a common unglycosylated form (p65) and a common partially glycosylated precursor form (p68). Among non-T, non-B hematopoietic cell lines, the monocytoid line U-937 expressed an antigen that resembles B93,41, whereas the erythroleukemic line K-562 expressed an antigen more similar to T85,41. 4F2 recognizes a protein determinant on the heavy subunit (with or without N-linked glycosylation) and also the unglycosylated heavy subunit retains the ability to associate with light subunit. The light subunit itself contains no detectable N-linked carbohydrate. Unlike the transferrin receptor, synthesis of the antigen recognized by 4F2 on the promyelocytic cell line HL-60 did not diminish upon dimethylsulfoxide-induced differentiation, and thus is not tightly correlated with cell proliferation.

Two monoclonal antibodies, MEM-15 and MEM-18, were prepared which recognize a monocyte 53-kDa antigen. A soluble form of this antigen was found in most normal sera and in urine of some nephrotic patients. Milligram amounts of this glycoprotein were isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography from urine and used for quantitative amino acid and carbohydrate analysis and N-terminal amino acid sequencing. The reactivity of the isolated antigen with several previously described monoclonal antibodies indicates that it is the antigen previously called MY-4 or MY-23. A significant homology exists between the sequenced N-terminal portion of the antigen and sequences found in the kinase-related transforming protein src and in the precursor of epidermal growth factor.

LFA-3 is expressed on a wide variety of human cell lines, including those which have been used as recipients for gene transfer of human class I gene products, whereas a murine counterpart is either absent or significantly different such that the anti-LFA-3 monoclonal antibody (MAb) does not bind. By using a somatic cell genetic approach, we demonstrate that LFA-3 is not a major histocompatibility complex-encoded molecule, and that its gene locus maps to human chromosome 1. When LFA-3 and HLA-A2 are coexpressed on the mouse cell surface, anti-LFA-3 MAb interfered with specific recognition and lysis of these target cells by human CTL capable of lysing HLA-A2-expressing mouse transfectants. A significant contribution of the LFA-3 molecule to CTL reactivity was not observed, however, because the presence of LFA-3 did not restore recognition by CTL clones previously found incapable of lysing HLA-A2-expressing mouse transfectants, nor was it required by those human CTL that could lyse mouse cell transfectants. Thus, we have used genetic techniques to demonstrate that LFA-3 may serve a role in CTL-target cell interactions at the target cell level, but is not a molecule absolutely required for human allospecific CTL recognition of HLA antigens expressed on mouse cells. We suggest that LFA-3 may not participate directly in CTL function under normal circumstances, but delivers a more general inhibitory signal only when provoked by bound MAb.

This study describes the monoclonal antibody 5E9 and the cell surface antigen it defines. The hybridoma cell line T3-5E9 was derived from fusion of P3 X 63/Ag8 myeloma cells and spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with HSB-2 cells, a human T cell line. Although binding to only 1 to 5% of peripheral blood (PB) and spleen mononuclear cells, 5E9 antibody bound to 40 to 80% of Con A-, PHA-, or PWM-activated PB cells. Moreover, 5E9 antibody bound to variable numbers of Sezary, acute myelogenous leukemia, and ALL PB leukemia cells. 5E9 antibody bound to all hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell lines tested, to 11 +/- 1% of thymocytes, and 40% of nucleated bone marrow cells. Under reducing conditions, immunoprecipitation studies using 5E9 antibody demonstrated 5E9 antigen to be an 90,000 m.w. glycoprotein. Under nonreducing conditions, antigen 5E9 is a disulfide-linked dimer of approximately 190,000 daltons. Sequential precipitation experiments using antibody 5E9, alpha OD heteroantiserum (raised against T ALL cells), and monoclonal antibody OKT9 demonstrated that the 3 antibody preparations recognized the same 90,000 m.w. glycoprotein. Thus, antibody 5E9 defines an 90,000 m.w. human cell surface antigen that is absent on the majority of PB mononuclear cells and is expressed on rapidly dividing normal and malignant human cells. This monoclonal antibody should be a useful marker of human cell activation.

Eight independent recombinant Epstein-Barr virus genomes, each of which was a transforming strain, were made by superinfecting cell lines containing Epstein-Barr virus DNA (Raji or B95-8 strain) with a nontransforming virus (P3HR1 strain). A knowledge of the constitution of each transforming recombinant allowed the localization of the defect in the genome of the nontransforming parent to a 12-megadalton sequence within the EcoRI A fragment. Within this region, the nontransforming virus has a deletion of the BamHI Y fragment and about half of the sequences in the adjacent BamHI H fragment. The present data suggest that this deletion is responsible for the nontransforming phenotype. Furthermore, mapping a deletion in one of the recombinant genomes allowed the conclusion that a sequence (comprising about 20% of the Epstein-Barr virus genome) from the center of BamHI-D to BamHI-I' is not necessary for the maintenance of transformation by Epstein-Barr virus.

A subpopulation of the CD3+ peripheral T lymphocytes express the TCR-gamma/delta complex. Three distinct TCR-gamma forms that differ in size and in the ability to form a disulfide bridge with the TCR-delta subunit have been described. In this study we analyze the structural difference between the non-disulfide-linked 55-kD and 40-kD TCR-gamma chains. The 40-kD TCR-gamma form contains a smaller polypeptide backbone and carries less carbohydrate compared with the 55-kD TCR-gamma form. A cDNA clone corresponding to the 40-kD TCR-gamma subunit lacks one copy of the second exon of the constant region that is present in the other TCR-gamma subunit. This exon copy encodes part of the connector region that is located between the constant domain and the membrane spanning region. We show that the number of potential N-linked glycan attachment sites are the same for the two TCR-gamma forms. Since these attachment sites are located in the connector region we conclude that the connector region influences the amount of N-linked carbohydrates added to the core TCR-gamma polypeptide, probably by affecting the conformation of the protein. In contrast to the TCR-beta constant region usage, the TCR-gamma constant regions are unequally expressed. Virtually exclusive usage of disulfide-linked complexes were found in some individuals, while both the disulfide-linked and the 40-kD, non-disulfide-linked TCR-gamma forms were detected in other subjects. The ability to distinguish these TCR-gamma/delta forms now makes it possible to study the mechanisms that govern their selection and to determine if they correspond to functionally distinct isotypes.

Thirty-six rabbits were immunized with precipitin lines formed between detergent solubilized membrane fractions from HLA-D-homozygous cells and a rabbit antiserum to human B cells (anti-p 23/30). Thirty-one of the rabbits produced B-cell specific cytotoxic antibodies and twelve of the antibodies were also precipitating in gel diffusion. In cytotoxicity tests six of the antisera showed clear preferential reactivity with the immunizing HLA-D (DR) antigen. Thus immunizazation of rabbits might prove valuable for the production of HLA-DR typing reagents.

The class I histocompatibility antigen from human cell membranes (Ploegh et al., 1981) has two structural motifs: the membrane-proximal end of the glycoprotein contains two domains with immunoglobulin-folds that are paired in a novel manner, and the region distal from the membrane is a platform of eight antiparallel β-strands topped by α-helices. A large groove between the α-helices provides a binding site for processed foreign antigens. An unknown “antigen” is found in this site in crystals of purified HLA-A2 (Bjorkman et al., 1987a). Most of the polymorphic amino acids of the class I histocompatibility antigen, HLA-A2, are clustered on top of the molecule in a large groove identified as the recognition site for processed foreign antigens. Many residues critical for T-cell recognition of HLA are located in this site, in positions allowing them to serve as ligands to processed antigens (Bjorkman et al., 1987b).

Replicating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA molecules isolated from superinfected Raji cells were shown to consist of 80S to 65S and 58S (mature) molecules Pulse-chase experiments showed that radioactive label of DNAS molecules with the larger sedimentation coefficients was partially chased into 58S labeled forms. Formation of large concatemers of viral DNA could not be detected at any time after superinfection. The continuous presence of the 65S viral DNA intermediate throughout the replicative cycle combined with the observed inhibition of EBV DNA synthesis by addition of nontoxic levels of ethidium bromide to the superinfected cell culture led us to propose that EBV replication proceeds via a relaxed circular DNA intermediate.