HLA-linked genetic control of the specicity of human cytotoxic T-cell responses to influenza virus.

We have investigated elements of the genetic control of human in vitro cytotoxic T-cell responses to influenza virus-infected autologous cells by studies of a large family. The pattern of virus-immune cytotoxicity among siblings demonstrated T-cell recognition of influenza virus predominantly (greater than 90%) in association with determinants which are coded by genes linked to HLA (P less than 0.0002). Many family members consistently generated cytotoxic activity against influenza predominantly in association with antigens coded by genes of only one of their HLA haplotypes. Such haplotype preferences were consistent among HLA-identical siblings, indicating that the specificity of the T-cell response to influenza virus in association with HLA-A and -B antigens is controlled by genes linked to HLA.

T cell recognition of an HLA-A2-restricted epitope derived from a cleaved signal sequence.

An alternative pathway for class I-restricted antigen presentation has been suggested on the basis of peptides bound to HLA-A2 molecules in cells lacking the transporter for antigen presentation (TAP). Most of these peptides were derived from signal sequences for translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, it is not known whether these peptides can be presented to T cells. The hydrophobic nature of an HLA-A2-restricted T cell epitope (M1 58-66) was exploited to test whether it could be presented to T cells when derived from a signal sequence. Replacing the signal sequence of the influenza virus hemagglutinin molecule H3 with an artificial sequence containing that HLA-A2-restricted T cell epitope resulted in efficient translocation of H3 molecules into the ER and transport to the cell surface. This signal sequence-derived epitope was presented to HLA-A2-restricted T cells. Involvement of cytosolic processing for this presentation is very unlikely, because (a) presentation occurred in cells lacking TAP; (b) expression of H3 molecules with the artificial signal sequence did not produce a detectable cytosolic form of H3; and (c) presentation of the same epitope expressed in cytosolic forms of antigen required TAP. Thus, a peptide derived from a signal sequence cleaved in the ER can provide an epitope for HLA-A2-restricted T cell recognition.

Human cytotoxic T-cell responses to type A and type B influenza viruses can be restricted by different HLA antigens. Implications for HLA polymorphism and genetic regulation.

The present study compares human cytotoxic T-cell responses to two closely related viruses (type A and type B influenza) to understand the antigen-specific elements involved in HLA-linked genetic control of cytotoxic T-cell responses. The HLA antigens function as self antigens that are recognized by cytotoxic T cells sensitized against either virus. However, studies in an informative family indicate that in this family, the HLA antigens preferentially recognized in conjunction with type A influenza (A/HK) differ from the HLA antigens preferentially recognized in conjunction with type B influenza (B/HK). Similarly, population studies demonstrate that some (but not all) donors whose T cells recognized A/HK in conjunction with HLA-A2 failed to recognize B/HK in conjunction with HLA-A2. Thus, HLA-linked regulation must operate by a mechanism(s) that is specific both for the self HLA antigen and the viral antigen. Furthermore, these findings indicate that different HLA antigens may facilitate T-cell responses to different pathogens, which would result in an evolutionary advantage for HLA heterozygosity.

Antibody to influenza virus matrix protein detects a common antigen on the surface of cells infected with type A influenza viruses.

Antisera to the type-specific internal influenza virus matrix (M) protein of a type A influenza virus were produced in goats. In the presence of complement, anti-M serum was cytotoxic for target cells which were infected with a variety of serologically distinct type A influenza viruses, but did not react with type B influenza virus-infected cells. Absorption experiments indicated that anti-M serum detected a common antigen(s) on the surface of type A-infected cells. This serological cross-reactivity parallels the cross-reactivity observed for the cytotoxic T-cell response to type A viruses.

Human cytotoxic T cell responses to trinitrophenyl hapten and influenza virus. Diversity of restriction antigens and specificity of HLA-linked genetic regulation.

This report compares both the HLA restriction patterns and Ir gene regulation of human in vitro T cell-mediated cytotoxic responses to the trinitrophenyl (TNP) hapten and the type A and B influenza viruses. Comparison of the restriction patterns of these cytotoxic responses indicates that A/HK and B/HK are recognized in conjunction with polymorphic HLA-A and -B self determinants, whereas TNP is recognized in association with a more complex spectrum of self determinants. These self determinants include polymorphic HLA-A and -B determinants, polymorphic non-HLA-A and -B determinants that probably include DR antigens, and non-polymorphic determinants that appear to be species specific. Analysis of the self determinants recognized by human T cells in conjunction with influenza virus demonstrates that (a) the antigens recognized by virus-immune T cells can be distinguished from the serologically defined HLA-A and -B antigenic determinants, and (b) there may be multiple self determinants on individual HLA-A molecules that T cells can recognize in conjunction with virus. The results of family studies indicate that donors' T cells often preferentially respond to virus (and to a lesser extent TNP) in conjunction with products of one parental HLA haplotype (haplotype preference). In the family study, three HLA-identical siblings preferentially recognize paternal HLA antigens in conjunction with A/HK, and maternal HLA antigens in conjunction with B/HK and TNP, which indicates antigen-specific HLA-lined genetic control. Population studies demonstrate virus-specific differences in the ability of donors to respond to selected self HLA-A and -B antigens in conjunction with virus. These differences may be controlled by Ir genes that are distinct from HLA-A and -B, because differences are observed in the response patterns of HLA-A- and -B-matched individuals.

Identification of a crucial energetic footprint on the alpha1 helix of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 that provides functional interactions for recognition by tax peptide/HLA-A2-specific T cell receptors.

Structural studies have shown that class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted peptide-specific T cell receptor (TCR)-alpha/betas make multiple contacts with the alpha1 and alpha2 helices of the MHC, but it is unclear which or how many of these interactions contribute to functional binding. We have addressed this question by performing single amino acid mutagenesis of the 15 TCR contact sites on the human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 molecule recognized by the A6 TCR specific for the Tax peptide presented by HLA-A2. The results demonstrate that mutagenesis of only three amino acids (R65, K66, and A69) that are clustered on the alpha1 helix affected T cell recognition of the Tax/HLA-A2 complex. At least one of these three mutants affected T cell recognition by every member of a large panel of Tax/HLA-A2-specific T cell lines. Biacore measurements showed that these three HLA-A2 mutations also altered A6 TCR binding kinetics, reducing binding affinity. These results show that for Tax/HLA-A2-specific TCRs, there is a location on the central portion of the alpha1 helix that provides interactions crucial to their function with the MHC molecule.

Involvement of H-2L gene products in virus-immune T-cell recognition. Evidence for an H-2L-restricted T-cell response.

The H-2L locus is closely linked to H-2D and codes for antigenic specificities present on a 45,000 mol wt glycoprotein that is distinct from the molecule which bears the D region private specificity. It was found that BALB/c-H-2db mice, which lack detectable cell-surface H-2L gene products, were able to generate influenza- and vaccinia-immune cytotoxic T cells which lyse D region-compatible target cells, although they have been reported to be incapable of making a similar response to ectromelia virus (7). Thus, the lack of H-2L antigenic specificities does not produce a general loss of responsiveness for other viruses even when a highly cross-reactive pox virus (vaccinia) was studied. Antisera-blocking experiments utilizing sera specific for either L or D molecules indicated that BALB/c mice generate influenza virus-immune cytotoxic T-cell subsets which independently recognize H-2L and H-2D gene products in association with viral antigens. These results are the first indication that products of the H-2L locus can operate analogously to H-2K/D gene products in virus-immune T-cell recognition.

Identification of a specific HLA DR2 Ia molecule as a restriction element for measles virus-specific HLA class II-restricted cytotoxic T cell clones.

By using a panel of HLA-D-defined subtypes of HLA-DR2 HCL with known beta chain structural variabilities, we have demonstrated that HLA-DR2, OKT4+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones specific for measles virus are apparently restricted to a distinct DR beta chain. The presence of this DR beta 2 molecule correlated precisely with the susceptibility of measles virus-infected HLA-DR2 HCL to lysis by these CTL clones. These studies demonstrate that delineation of HLA-DR2 into various subgroups can have a functional significance that parallels the structural differences within the HLA-D region. These results are discussed in the context of the possible association of HLA class II-restricted, measles virus-specific CTL and multiple sclerosis.

Possible involvement of the T4 molecule in T cell recognition of class II HLA antigens. Evidence from studies of CTL-target cell binding.

The present study examines the potential role of the T4 molecule in functional cell-cell interactions between target cells and human cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones that are specific for HLA class II alloantigens encoded by the SB locus. There were marked differences (greater than 30-fold) between the seven SB-specific clones studied with respect to their susceptibility to inhibition by anti-T4 as well as anti-T3 antibodies. We wished to test the hypothesis that such variation among the clones would be due to differences in clonal "affinity" for antigen. To quantitate differences among the CTL clones in the tightness with which they bind target cells, the clones were analyzed using a previously published assay of susceptibility of CTL-target cell conjugates to dissociation in the presence of unlabeled targets. The results revealed that the clones that were most susceptible to inhibition by anti-T4 and anti-T3 were the weakest target cell binders, and vice versa. Anti-T4 antibody could partially induce dissociation of functional CTL-target cell conjugates in the absence of any added cold targets. For the "highest affinity" clone such anti-T4 antibody-induced dissociation could be observed at 4 degrees C but not 23 degrees C. These results indicate that the T4 molecule is functionally involved in target cell binding by CTL, and raise the possibility that although it is easiest to demonstrate the function of the T4 molecule in "low affinity" clones, that function may also be operative in the "high affinity" clones.

Major histocompatibility complex-restricted H-Y-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes may recognize different self determinants.

Previous studies have shown that influenza virus-immune cytotoxic T lymphocytes can recognize virus in conjunction with self HLA-A2 antigens. Nevertheless, the virus-infected target cells from one HLA-A2-positive male donor (designated M7) could not be lysed by the virus-immune cytotoxic lymphocytes from any HLA-A2-matched unrelated donors. Although extensive serological analyses showed no difference between the HLA-A2 antigens of donor M7 and other HLA-A2-positive donors, isoelectric focusing of the HLA-A2 molecule from donor M7 revealed a clear difference in the heavy polypeptide chains when compared with the HLA-A2 molecules of other donors. The present study demonstrates that the HLA-A2-restricted anti-H-Y cytotoxic T lymphocytes obtained from a female aplastic anaemia patient fail to lyse the male M7 target cells, whereas the HLA-A2-restricted anti-H-Y antibodies from the same patient react with the cells of donor M7. These results suggest that: (a) HLA-A2-restricted anti-H-Y antibodies can recognize self determinants on the HLA-A2 molecule that are distinct from those that are recognized by HLA-A2-restricted anti-H-Y cytotoxic T cells; and (b) HLA-restricted T and B cells may use different receptor repertoires for the recognition of foreign antigens such as H-Y.

Possible involvement of the OKT4 molecule in T cell recognition of class II HLA antigens. Evidence from studies of cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for SB antigens.

A recently described HLA gene, SB, which maps between GLO and HLA-DR, codes for Ia-like molecules that are similar to but distinct from HLA-DR molecules. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for SB1, SB2, SB3, and SB4 were compared with HLA-A2-specific CTL with respect to their surface expression of the T cell differentiation antigens OKT3, OKT4, and OKT8. All CTL activity was eliminated by treatment with OKT3 and C'. The SB-specific cytotoxicity was eliminated by OKT4 plus C' but not by OKT8 plus C'. In contrast, HLA-A2-specific killing was completely susceptible to treatment with OKT8 plus C' but not with OKT4 plus C'. Cytotoxicity was analyzed in the presence of OKT8 and a series of monoclonal antibodies (OKT4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D) that react with distinct epitopes on the OKT4 molecule. SB1-, SB3-, and SB4-specific CTL were partially inhibited by OKT4A and 4B (45-75%), whereas HLA-A2-specific CTL were partially inhibited by OKT8 (48-63%) but not by OKT4. SB2-specific CTL were not inhibited (less than 26%) by OKT8 or by any of the OKT4-related antibodies. These results suggest that the OKT4 marker may be expressed on most T cells that recognize allogeneic Ia or self Ia plus foreign antigens; OKT4+ cells do not appear to be functionally homogeneous in that they can act both as helper/inducer and cytotoxic cells. Models are proposed for the functional involvement of the OKT4 molecule in T cell-Ia antigen interactions.

Cytotoxic T-cell responses in mice infected with influenza and vaccinia viruses vary in magnitude with H-2 genotype.

Secondary effector T-cell populations generated by cross-priming with heterologous influenza A viruses operate only in H-2K or H-2D compatible situations, when assayed on SV40-transformed target cells infected with a range of influenza A viruses. The H2-Kb allele is associated with a total failure in the generation of influenza-immune cytotoxic T cells, though this is not seen for the primary response to vaccinia virus. In both influenza and vaccinia development of effector T cells operating at H-2Db is greatly depressed in B10.A(2R) (kkkddb) and B10.A(4R) (kkbbbb), but not in B10 (bbbbbb), mice. However, there is no defect in viral antigen expression at either H-2Kk or H-2Db in B10.A(2R) target cells. This apparently reflects some inadequacy in the stimulator environment, as (A/J X B6) F1 T cells can be induced to respond at H-2Db when exposed to vaccinia virus in an irradiated B6 but not in a B10.A(4R) recipient. The present report, together with the accompanying paper by Zinkernagel and colleagues, records the first rigorous demonstration of both a nonresponder situation and a probable Ir-gene effect for conventional infectious viruses. Possible implications for the evolution of H-2 polymorphism and mechanisms of Ir gene function are discussed.

Induction of virus-specific modifications recognized by cytotoxic T cells is not altered by prior substitution of target cells with trinitrophenol.

Cytotoxic thymus-derived lymphocytes generated after interaction with trinitrophenyl (TNP)-substituted or virus-infected cells only lyse H-2 compatible target cells modified with the component used to immunize (TNP or virus). Prior saturation of TNP-reactive sites inhibits neither the infectivity of influenza A viruses, nor the capacity of infected cells to develop antigenic changes recognized by influenza-immune T cells. The two antigens are distinct entities on the cell membrane and do not obviously compete to form interactions with H-2 molecules.

Mutations in the alpha 2 helix of HLA-A2 affect presentation but do not inhibit binding of influenza virus matrix peptide.

Previous studies have suggested that MHC class I molecules bind and present peptides to CTL in a manner that is analogous to the presentation of peptides by class II molecules to Th. Crystallographic studies of HLA-A2 have led to the assignment of a putative peptide binding site that is bordered by two alpha helices consisting of residues 50-84 and 138-180. In this study, we have investigated whether residues in the alpha 2 helix are involved in the binding and/or presentation of a peptide to CTL. We have generated CTL to type A influenza virus by stimulation of human PBL with a synthetic peptide from the influenza A virus matrix protein (M1 residues 57-68) in the presence of rIL-2. Such HLA-A2.1-restricted influenza virus-immune CTL do not recognize infected HLA-A2.3+ targets. A2.1 and A2.3 differ by three amino acids in the alpha 2 domain: Ala vs. Thr at position 149, Val vs. Glu at position 152, and Leu vs. Trp at position 156. Site-directed mutants of the A2.1 gene that encode A2 molecules that resemble A2.3 at positions 149, 152, and 156 have been constructed, transfected into human cells, and assayed for their ability to present the M1 peptide. The results demonstrate that most, but not all, A2.1-restricted M1-peptide-specific CTL fail to recognize M1 peptide-exposed transfectants with certain single amino acid substitutions at positions 152 and 156. In contrast, M1 peptide-exposed transfectants that express A2 molecules with an Ala----Thr substitution at position 149 were recognized by all CTL tested, but they exhibited an apparent difference in the kinetics of peptide binding. These results indicate that amino acid substitutions at positions 152 and 156 of the putative peptide binding site of the A2 molecule can affect presentation without eliminating binding, and indicate that the failure to recognize complexes between the peptide and the mutant A2 molecules is due to different TCR specificities and not to the failure to bind the peptide.

Peptide specificity in the recognition of MHC class I by natural killer cell clones.

Recognition by natural killer (NK) cells of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on target cells inhibits NK-mediated lysis. Here, inhibition of NK clones by HLA-B*2705 molecules mutated at single amino acids in the peptide binding site varied among HLA-B*2705-specific NK clones. In addition, a subset of such NK clones was inhibited by only one of several self peptides loaded onto HLA-B*2705 molecules expressed in peptide transporter-deficient cells, showing that recognition was peptide-specific. These data demonstrate that specific self peptides, complexed with MHC class I, provide protection from NK-mediated lysis.

Functional T lymphocyte immune deficiency in a population of homosexual men who do not exhibit symptoms of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

To determine whether healthy homosexual men are immunologically impaired, peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from 20 male homosexuals were compared prospectively with PBL from 14 age-matched male heterosexual donors with respect to: (a) the capacity of their PBL to generate functional T cell immune responses in vitro; and (b) the content of total T cells and T cell subsets in their peripheral blood. The homosexual donors studied indicated moderate sexual life styles in that all but one of the donors had less than five current sexual partners. The percentages of OKT3+, OKT4+, and OKT8+ T cells were similar to those of heterosexual controls. T cell function was assessed by measuring cytotoxic T cell responses to influenza virus and to allogeneic cells. Approximately one-third of the homosexual donors consistently exhibited weak cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to influenza virus, whereas all of the heterosexual donors generated strong CTL responses to influenza. There was no correlation between the strength of CTL responsiveness to influenza virus and the strength of CTL responses to allogeneic cells. These results suggest that the influenza-specific CTL response may be a sensitive indicator of immunologic defects in asymptomatic homosexuals. If acquired immune deficiency syndrome results from an infectious agent, it remains to be seen if such immunosuppression predisposes to the infection, or if it reflects early consequences of infection.

Immunodominance of a low-affinity major histocompatibility complex-binding myelin basic protein epitope (residues 111-129) in HLA-DR4 (B1*0401) subjects is associated with a restricted T cell receptor repertoire.

The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is currently ascribed in part to a T cell-mediated process targeting myelin components. The T cell response to one candidate autoantigen, myelin basic protein (MBP), in the context of HLA-DR15Dw2, has been previously studied in detail. However, the characteristics of cellular immunity in the context of other MS-associated HLA-DR haplotypes are scarcely known. MBP-specific T cell lines (TCL) were generated from HLA-DR4 (B1*0401)-positive MS subjects. Out of 275 MBP-specific TCL, 178 (64. 7%) specifically recognized region MBP(111-129), predominantly in the context of DRB1*0401. The major T cell epitope for MBP recognition corresponded to residues MBP(116-123). These TCL expressed disparate profiles of cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity. T cell receptor analysis, on the other hand, revealed a strikingly limited heterogeneity of rearrangements. In contrast to MBP(81-99), which binds with high affinity to HLA-DR15 and is recognized by a diverse T cell repertoire, MBP(111-129) binds weakly to DRB1*0401, suggesting that only high affinity T cell receptors might be able to efficiently engage such unstable MHC/peptide complexes, thus accounting for the T cell receptor restriction we observed. This study provides new insight about MBP recognition and proposes an alternative mechanism for immunodominance of self-antigen T cell epitopes in humans.

Prospective study of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to influenza and antibodies to human T lymphotropic virus-III in homosexual men. Selective loss of an influenza-specific, human leukocyte antigen-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte response in human T lymphotropic virus-III positive individuals with symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from 18 homosexual men who did not have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and from 9 heterosexual men were repetitively tested for their ability to generate HLA self-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to influenza virus (flu-self) over a 2-yr period. The sera of the same donors were tested for antibodies to human T lymphotropic virus-III (HTLV-III). Six of the homosexual and none of the heterosexual donors consistently generated weak cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to flu-self. Seven of the homosexual and none of the heterosexual donors were seropositive for antibodies to HTLV-III. No obvious correlation was detected between weak flu-self cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and antibodies to HTLV-III. However, one homosexual donor generated no detectable cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity to flu-self, although he was a strong responder to HLA-alloantigens. This donor had an OKT4:OKT8 ratio of 0.4 and was seropositive for HTLV-III antigens; HTLV-III virus was identified in his PBL; and he developed AIDS during the course of this study. A second donor with lymphadenopathy and who was seropositive for HTLV-III antigens exhibited marginal cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity to flu-self which he subsequently lost. PBL from two patients, one with Kaposi's sarcoma and one with generalized lymphadenopathy, were also tested for cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to flu-self and to alloantigens. Both donors failed to generate cytotoxic T lymphocyte to flu-self, but generated strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to alloantigens. The selective loss of an HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte response without loss of HLA alloantigenic cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity may be an important functional immunologic characteristic in the development of AIDS.

The peptide binding specificity of HLA class I molecules is largely allele-specific and non-overlapping.

To understand better the specificity of peptide binding by MHC class I molecules, we have evaluated the capacity of a panel of unrelated peptides to compete for the presentation of viral peptides presented by HLA-A3 and HLA-B27. The HIV-Nef7F peptide (74-82) was presented by HLA-A3 to Nef-specific HLA-A3-restricted CTL lines, and the influenza nucleoprotein peptide NP(380-393) was presented by HLA-B27 to NP(380-393)-specific HLA-B27-restricted CTL lines. In addition, we have extended studies from our group that have evaluated the capacity of a similar panel of peptides to inhibit presentation of an influenza nucleoprotein peptide NP (335-349) by HLA-B37 and a matrix peptide, M1 (57-68), by HLA-A2 to the appropriate peptide-specific CTL lines. Out of 41 peptides tested, only five bound to more than one of the MHC molecules analyzed. Pairwise comparisons of the peptide binding specificities among these four different class I molecules revealed no common competitor peptides in four of the six possible comparisons. Thus, each class I molecule appears to have a functionally distinct peptide binding site, as reflected by the ability to bind largely non-overlapping sets of peptides.

Presentation of three different viral peptides is determined by common structural features of the human lymphocyte antigen-A2.1 molecule.

To assess whether similar or dissimilar molecular features of class I human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) molecules determine the presentation of structurally diverse peptides, we have examined the influence of different pockets within the HLA-A2.1 molecule on the presentation of three different viral peptides. The influenza virus M1 58-66, HTLV-I Tax peptide 12-19, and HCMV gB 619-628 are minimal peptides that induce HLA-A2.1-restricted non-cross-reactive CTL responses. The influence of distinct structural features of HLA-A2.1 on peptide presentation was analyzed using a panel of 14 HLA-A2 mutants each with single amino acid substitutions in one of six pockets that are located in the peptide binding site. Ten of the 14 mutants showed concordant effects on the presentation of all three peptides to their peptide-specific CTL lines. Four of the mutants had a negative effect on the presentation of only one or two of these viral peptides. These findings indicate that common structural features in HLA-A2 determine the binding and conformation of different peptides, and help to provide a plausible explanation for how diverse peptides bind to HLA-A2.