Impact of Micropolymorphism Outside the Peptide Binding Groove in the Clinically Relevant Allele HLA-C*14 on T Cell Responses in HIV-1 Infection.

There is increasing evidence for the importance of human leukocyte antigen C (HLA-C)-restricted CD8+ T cells in HIV-1 control, but these responses are relatively poorly investigated. The number of HLA-C-restricted HIV-1 epitopes identified is much smaller than those of HLA-A-restricted or HLA-B-restricted ones. Here, we utilized a mass spectrometry-based approach to identify HIV-1 peptides presented by HLA-C*14:03 protective and HLA-C*14:02 nonprotective alleles. We identified 25 8- to 11-mer HLA-I-bound HIV-1 peptides from HIV-1-infected HLA-C*14:02+/14:03+ cells. Analysis of T cell responses to these peptides identified novel 6 T cell epitopes targeted in HIV-1-infected HLA-C*14:02+/14:03+ subjects. Analyses using HLA stabilization assays demonstrated that all 6 epitope peptides exhibited higher binding to and greater cell surface stabilization of HLA-C*14:02 than HLA-C*14:03. T cell response magnitudes were typically higher in HLA-C*14:02+ than HLA-C*14:03+ individuals, with responses to the Pol KM9 and Nef epitopes being significantly higher. The results show that HLA-C*14:02 can elicit stronger T cell responses to HIV-1 than HLA-C*14:03 and suggest that the single amino acid difference between these HLA-C14 subtypes at position 21, outside the peptide-binding groove, indirectly influences the stability of peptide-HLA-C*14 complexes and induction/expansion of HIV-specific T cells. Taken together with a previous finding that KIR2DL2+ NK cells recognized HLA-C*14:03+ HIV-1-infected cells more than HLA-C*14:02+ ones, the present study indicates that these HLA-C*14 subtypes differentially impact HIV-1 control by T cells and NK cells. IMPORTANCE Some human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles are associated with good clinical outcomes in HIV-1 infection and are called protective HLA alleles. Identification of T cell epitopes restricted by protective HLA alleles can give important insight into virus-immune system interactions and inform design of immune-based prophylactic/therapeutic strategies. Although epitopes restricted by many protective HLA-A/B alleles have been identified, protective HLA-C alleles are relatively understudied. Here, we identified 6 novel T cell epitopes presented by both HLA-C*14:02 (no association with protection) and HLA-C*14:03 (protective) using a mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidome profiling approach. We found that these peptides bound to and stabilized HLA-C*14:02 better than HLA-C*14:03 and observed differences in induction/expansion of epitope-specific T cell responses in HIV-infected HLA-C*14:02+ versus HLA-C*14:03+ individuals. These results enhance understanding of how the microstructural difference at position 21 between these HLA-C*14 subtypes may influence cellular immune responses involved in viral control in HIV-1 infection.

Structural and Functional Basis for LILRB Immune Checkpoint Receptor Recognition of HLA-G Isoforms.

Human leukocyte Ig-like receptors (LILR) LILRB1 and LILRB2 are immune checkpoint receptors that regulate a wide range of physiological responses by binding to diverse ligands, including HLA-G. HLA-G is exclusively expressed in the placenta, some immunoregulatory cells, and tumors and has several unique isoforms. However, the recognition of HLA-G isoforms by LILRs is poorly understood. In this study, we characterized LILR binding to the ß2-microglobulin (ß2m)-free HLA-G1 isoform, which is synthesized by placental trophoblast cells and tends to dimerize and multimerize. The multimerized ß2m-free HLA-G1 dimer lacked detectable affinity for LILRB1, but bound strongly to LILRB2. We also determined the crystal structure of the LILRB1 and HLA-G1 complex, which adopted the typical structure of a classical HLA class I complex. LILRB1 exhibits flexible binding modes with the α3 domain, but maintains tight contacts with ß2m, thus accounting for ß2m-dependent binding. Notably, both LILRB1 and B2 are oriented at suitable angles to permit efficient signaling upon complex formation with HLA-G1 dimers. These structural and functional features of ligand recognition by LILRs provide novel insights into their important roles in the biological regulations.

Ca2+ Regulates ERp57-Calnexin Complex Formation.

ERp57, a member of the protein disulfide isomerase family, is a ubiquitous disulfide catalyst that functions in the oxidative folding of various clients in the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In concert with ER lectin-like chaperones calnexin and calreticulin (CNX/CRT), ERp57 functions in virtually all folding stages from co-translation to post-translation, and thus plays a critical role in maintaining protein homeostasis, with direct implication for pathology. Here, we present mechanisms by which Ca2+ regulates the formation of the ERp57-calnexin complex. Biochemical and isothermal titration calorimetry analyses revealed that ERp57 strongly interacts with CNX via a non-covalent bond in the absence of Ca2+. The ERp57-CNX complex not only promoted the oxidative folding of human leukocyte antigen heavy chains, but also inhibited client aggregation. These results suggest that this complex performs both enzymatic and chaperoning functions under abnormal physiological conditions, such as Ca2+ depletion, to effectively guide proper oxidative protein folding. The findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underpinning crosstalk between the chaperone network and Ca2+.

Crystal structure of the complex between venom toxin and serum inhibitor from Viperidae snake.

Venomous snakes have endogenous proteins that neutralize the toxicity of their venom components. We previously identified five small serum proteins (SSP-1-SSP-5) from a highly venomous snake belonging to the family Viperidae as inhibitors of various toxins from snake venom. The endogenous inhibitors belong to the prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94) family. SSP-2 interacts with triflin, which is a member of the cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP) family that blocks smooth muscle contraction. However, the structural basis for the interaction and the biological roles of these inhibitors are largely unknown. Here, we determined the crystal structure of the SSP-2-triflin complex at 2.3 Å resolution. A concave region centrally located in the N-terminal domain of triflin is fully occupied by the terminal ß-strands of SSP-2. SSP-2 does not bind tightly to the C-terminal cysteine-rich domain of triflin; this domain is thought to be responsible for its channel-blocker function. Instead, the cysteine-rich domain is tilted 7.7° upon binding to SSP-2, and the inhibitor appears to sterically hinder triflin binding to calcium channels. These results help explain how an endogenous inhibitor prevents the venomous protein from maintaining homeostasis in the host. Furthermore, this interaction also sheds light on the binding interface between the human homologues PSP94 and CRISP-3, which are up-regulated in prostate and ovarian cancers.

Efficient preparation of human and mouse CD1d proteins using silkworm baculovirus expression system.

CD1d is a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-like glycoprotein and binds to glycolipid antigens that are recognized by natural killer T (NKT) cells. To date, our understanding of the structural basis for glycolipid binding and receptor recognition of CD1d is still limited. Here, we established a preparation method for the ectodomain of human and mouse CD1d using a silkworm-baculovirus expression system. The co-expression of human and mouse CD1d and ß2-microglobulin (ß2m) in the silkworm-baculovirus system was successful, but the yield of human CD1d was low. A construct of human CD1d fused with ß2m via a flexible GS linker as a single polypeptide was prepared to improve protein yield. The production of this single-chained complex was higher (50 µg/larva) than that of the co-expression complex. Furthermore, differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the linker made the CD1d complex more stable and homogenous. These results suggest that the silkworm-baculovirus expression system is useful for structural and biophysical studies of CD1d in several aspects including low cost, easy handling, biohazard-free, rapid, and high yielding.

Cutting Edge: Class II-like Structural Features and Strong Receptor Binding of the Nonclassical HLA-G2 Isoform Homodimer.

HLA-G is a natural tolerogenic molecule and has the following unique features: seven isoforms (HLA-G1 to HLA-G7), formation of disulfide-linked homodimers, and ß2-microglobulin (ß2m)-free forms. Interestingly, individuals null for the major isoform, HLA-G1, are healthy and expressed the α2 domain-deleted isoform, HLA-G2, which presumably compensates for HLA-G1 function. However, the molecular characteristics of HLA-G2 are largely unknown. In this study, we unexpectedly found that HLA-G2 naturally forms a ß2m-free and nondisulfide-linked homodimer, which is in contrast to the disulfide-bonded ß2m-associated HLA-G1 homodimer. Furthermore, single-particle analysis, using electron microscopy, revealed that the overall structure and domain organization of the HLA-G2 homodimer resemble those of the HLA class II heterodimer. The HLA-G2 homodimer binds to leukocyte Ig-like receptor B2 with slow dissociation and a significant avidity effect. These findings provide novel insights into leukocyte Ig-like receptor B2-mediated immune regulation by the HLA-G2 isoform, as well as the gene evolution of HLA classes.

Evaluation of the Reactivity and Receptor Competition of HLA-G Isoforms toward Available Antibodies: Implications of Structural Characteristics of HLA-G Isoforms.

The human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-G, which consists of seven splice variants, is a tolerogenic immune checkpoint molecule. It plays an important role in the protection of the fetus from the maternal immune response by binding to inhibitory receptors, including leukocyte Ig-like receptors (LILRs). Recent studies have also revealed that HLA-G is involved in the progression of cancer cells and the protection from autoimmune diseases. In contrast to its well characterized isoform, HLA-G1, the binding activities of other major HLA-G isoforms, such as HLA-G2, toward available anti-HLA-G antibodies are only partially understood. Here, we investigate the binding specificities of anti-HLA-G antibodies by using surface plasmon resonance. MEM-G9 and G233 showed strong affinities to HLA-G1, with a nM range for their dissociation constants, but did not show affinities to HLA-G2. The disulfide-linker HLA-G1 dimer further exhibited significant avidity effects. On the other hand, 4H84 and MEM-G1, which can be used for the Western blotting of HLA-G isoforms, can bind to native HLA-G2, while MEM-G9 and G233 cannot. These results reveal that HLA-G2 has a partially intrinsically disordered structure. Furthermore, MEM-G1, but not 4H84, competes with the LILRB2 binding of HLA-G2. These results provide novel insight into the functional characterization of HLA-G isoforms and their detection systems.

Structural and thermodynamic analyses reveal critical features of glycopeptide recognition by the human PILRα immune cell receptor.

Before entering host cells, herpes simplex virus-1 uses its envelope glycoprotein B to bind paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor α (PILRα) on immune cells. PILRα belongs to the Siglec (sialic acid (SA)-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin)-like family, members of which bind SA. PILRα is the only Siglec member to recognize not only the sialylated O-linked sugar T antigen (sTn) but also its attached peptide region. We previously determined the crystal structure of PILRα complexed with the sTn-linked glycopeptide of glycoprotein B, revealing the simultaneous recognition of sTn and peptide by the receptor. However, the contribution of each glycopeptide component to PILRα binding was largely unclear. Here, we chemically synthesized glycopeptide derivatives and determined the thermodynamic parameters of their interaction with PILRα. We show that glycopeptides with different sugar units linking SA and peptides (i.e. "GlcNAc-type" and "deoxy-GlcNAc-type" glycopeptides) have lower affinity and more enthalpy-driven binding than the wild type (i.e. GalNAc-type glycopeptide). The crystal structures of PILRα complexed with these glycopeptides highlighted the importance of stereochemical positioning of the O4 atom of the sugar moiety. These results provide insights both for understanding the unique O-glycosylated peptide recognition by the PILRα and for the rational design of herpes simplex virus-1 entry inhibitors.

Structural basis for simultaneous recognition of an O-glycan and its attached peptide of mucin family by immune receptor PILRα.

Paired Ig-like type 2 receptor α (PILRα) recognizes a wide range of O-glycosylated mucin and related proteins to regulate broad immune responses. However, the molecular characteristics of these recognitions are largely unknown. Here we show that sialylated O-linked sugar T antigen (sTn) and its attached peptide region are both required for ligand recognition by PILRα. Furthermore, we determined the crystal structures of PILRα and its complex with an sTn and its attached peptide region. The structures show that PILRα exhibits large conformational change to recognize simultaneously both the sTn O-glycan and the compact peptide structure constrained by proline residues. Binding and functional assays support this binding mode. These findings provide significant insight into the binding motif and molecular mechanism (which is distinct from sugar-recognition receptors) by which O-glycosylated mucin proteins with sTn modifications are recognized in the immune system as well as during viral entry.

Crystal structure of extracellular domain of human lectin-like transcript 1 (LLT1), the ligand for natural killer receptor-P1A.

Emerging evidence has revealed the pivotal roles of C-type lectin-like receptors (CTLRs) in the regulation of a wide range of immune responses. Human natural killer cell receptor-P1A (NKRP1A) is one of the CTLRs and recognizes another CTLR, lectin-like transcript 1 (LLT1) on target cells to control NK, NKT and Th17 cells. The structural basis for the NKRP1A-LLT1 interaction was limitedly understood. Here, we report the crystal structure of the ectodomain of LLT1. The plausible receptor-binding face of the C-type lectin-like domain is flat, and forms an extended ß-sheet. The residues of this face are relatively conserved with another CTLR, keratinocyte-associated C-type lectin, which binds to the CTLR member, NKp65. A LLT1-NKRP1A complex model, prepared using the crystal structures of LLT1 and the keratinocyte-associated C-type lectin-NKp65 complex, reasonably satisfies the charge consistency and the conformational complementarity to explain a previous mutagenesis study. Furthermore, crystal packing and analytical ultracentrifugation revealed dimer formation, which supports a complex model. Our results provide structural insights for understanding the binding modes and signal transduction mechanisms, which are likely to be conserved in the CTLR family, and for further rational drug design towards regulating the LLT1 function.

Ribophorin II is involved in the tissue factor expression mediated by phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibody on monocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Phosphatidylserine-dependent, also called aPS-PT, recognizes the phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex, which is associated with APS. We have previously reported that aPS-PT induces tissue factor (TF) expression on monocytes through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. However, the cell surface interaction between prothrombin and aPS-PT, which is involved in the activation of cell-signalling pathways, has remained unknown. The objective of this study was to identify membrane proteins involved in the binding of prothrombin and aPS-PT to monocyte surfaces as well as the induction of TF expression. METHODS: RAW264.7 cells with FLAG-tagged prothrombin were incubated and separated using affinity chromatography with anti-FLAG antibody-conjugated Sepharose beads. Immunopurified proteins were then analysed by an online nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The binding between prothrombin and the identified protein, ribophorin II (RPN2), was analysed by ELISA and surface plasmon resonance. To elucidate the role of RPN2 in TF expression, the TF mRNA level in RAW264.7 cells treated with RPN2 small interfering RNA was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). RESULTS: RPN2 was identified as a candidate molecule involved in the binding of prothrombin to the cell surface. The binding between prothrombin and RPN2 was confirmed by ELISA and surface plasmon resonance. RAW264.7 cells treated with RPN2 small interfering RNA showed significant reduction of the TF expression mediated by prothrombin and a mouse monoclonal aPS-PT. CONCLUSION: We identified that RPN2 is one of the prothrombin-binding proteins on monocyte surfaces, suggesting that RPN2 is involved in the pathophysiology of thrombosis in patients with APS.

Rapid Screening by Cell-Based Fusion Assay for Identifying Novel Antivirals of Glycoprotein B-Mediated Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a causative agent for a variety of diseases. Although antiherpetic drugs such as acyclovir have been developed to inhibit virus replication through interaction with DNA kinases, their continuous administration leads to an increase in the frequency of drug-resistant HSV-1, which is an important clinical issue that requires urgent solution. Recently, we reported that the sialylated O-linked sugar T antigen (sTn) and its attached peptide region (O-glycosylated sTn peptide) derived from the HSV-1 glycoprotein B (gB) protein inhibited HSV-1 infection by specifically targeting paired immunoglobulin-like type 2 receptor alpha (PILRα) in vitro. In this study, to further identify novel inhibitors of gB-mediated HSV-1 infection in vitro, we established a cell-based fusion assay for rapid drug screening. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were transfected with expression plasmids for HSV-1 gB, gD, gH, and gL, and T7 RNA polymerase, and were designated as the effector cells. The CHO-K1 cells stably expressing PILRα were transfected with the expression plasmid for firefly luciferase under the T7 promoter, and were designated as the target cells. The effector and target cells were co-cultured, and luminescence was measured when both cells were successfully fused. Importantly, we found that cell-to-cell fusion was specifically inhibited by O-glycosylated sTn peptide in a dose dependent manner. Our results suggested that this virus-free cell-based fusion assay system could be a useful and promising approach to identify novel inhibitors of gB-mediated HSV-1 infection, and will aid in the development of antiviral therapeutic strategies for HSV-1-associated diseases.

Distinct HIV-1 escape patterns selected by cytotoxic T cells with identical epitope specificity.

Pol283-8-specific, HLA-B*51:01-restricted, cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) play a critical role in the long-term control of HIV-1 infection. However, these CTLs select for the reverse transcriptase (RT) I135X escape mutation, which may be accumulating in circulating HIV-1 sequences. We investigated the selection of the I135X mutation by CTLs specific for the same epitope but restricted by HLA-B*52:01. We found that Pol283-8-specific, HLA-B*52:01-restricted CTLs were elicited predominantly in chronically HIV-1-infected individuals. These CTLs had a strong ability to suppress the replication of wild-type HIV-1, though this ability was weaker than that of HLA-B*51:01-restricted CTLs. The crystal structure of the HLA-B*52:01-Pol283-8 peptide complex provided clear evidence that HLA-B*52:01 presents the peptide similarly to HLA-B*51:01, ensuring the cross-presentation of this epitope by both alleles. Population level analyses revealed a strong association of HLA-B*51:01 with the I135T mutant and a relatively weaker association of HLA-B*52:01 with several I135X mutants in both Japanese and predominantly Caucasian cohorts. An in vitro viral suppression assay revealed that the HLA-B*52:01-restricted CTLs failed to suppress the replication of the I135X mutant viruses, indicating the selection of these mutants by the CTLs. These results suggest that the different pattern of I135X mutant selection may have resulted from the difference between these two CTLs in the ability to suppress HIV-1 replication.

HLA-B27 homodimers and free H chains are stronger ligands for leukocyte Ig-like receptor B2 than classical HLA class I.

Possession of HLA-B27 (B27) strongly predisposes to the development of spondyloarthritis. B27 forms classical heterotrimeric complexes with ß(2)-microglobulin (ß2m) and peptide and (ß2m free) free H chain (FHC) forms including B27 dimers (termed B27(2)) at the cell surface. In this study, we characterize the interaction of HLA-B27 with LILR, leukocyte Ig-like receptor (LILR)B1 and LILRB2 immune receptors biophysically, biochemically, and by FACS staining. LILRB1 bound to B27 heterotrimers with a K(D) of 5.3 ± 1.5 µM but did not bind B27 FHC. LILRB2 bound to B27(2) and B27 FHC and B27 heterotrimers with K(D)s of 2.5, 2.6, and 22 ± 6 µM, respectively. Domain exchange experiments showed that B27(2) bound to the two membrane distal Ig-like domains of LILRB2. In FACS staining experiments, B27 dimer protein and tetramers stained LILRB2 transfectants five times more strongly than B27 heterotrimers. Moreover, LILRB2Fc bound to dimeric and other B27 FHC forms on B27-expressing cell lines more strongly than other HLA-class 1 FHCs. B27-transfected cells expressing B27 dimers and FHC inhibited IL-2 production by LILRB2-expressing reporter cells to a greater extent than control HLA class I transfectants. B27 heterotrimers complexed with the L6M variant of the GAG KK10 epitope bound with a similar affinity to complexes with the wild-type KK10 epitope (with K(D)s of 15.0 ± 0.8 and 16.0 ± 2.0 µM, respectively). Disulfide-dependent B27 H chain dimers and multimers are stronger ligands for LILRB2 than HLA class I heterotrimers and H chains. The stronger interaction of B27 dimers and FHC forms with LILRB2 compared with other HLA class I could play a role in spondyloarthritis pathogenesis.

Inhibiting HLA-B27 homodimer-driven immune cell inflammation in spondylarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Spondylarthritides (SpA), including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), are common inflammatory rheumatic diseases that are strongly associated with positivity for the HLA class I allotype B27. HLA-B27 normally forms complexes with ß(2) -microglobulin (ß(2) m) and peptide to form heterotrimers. However, an unusual characteristic of HLA-B27 is its ability to form ß(2) m-free heavy chain homodimers (HLA-B27(2) ), which, unlike classic HLA-B27, bind to killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 3DL2 (KIR-3DL2). Binding of HLA-B27(2) to KIR-3DL2-positive CD4+ T and natural killer (NK) cells stimulates cell survival and modulates cytokine production. This study was undertaken to produce an antibody to HLA-B27(2) in order to confirm its expression in SpA and to inhibit its proinflammatory properties. METHODS: We generated monoclonal antibodies by screening a human phage display library positively against B27(2) and negatively against B27 heterotrimers. Specificity was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of B27(2) -expressing cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) from patients with SpA. Functional inhibition of KIR-3DL2-B27(2) interactions was tested using cell lines and PBMCs from patients with SpA. RESULTS: Monoclonal antibody HD6 specifically recognized recombinant HLA-B27(2) by ELISA and by SPR assay. HD6 bound to cell lines expressing B27(2) . FACS revealed binding of HD6 to PBMCs and SFMCs from patients with AS but not from controls. HD6 inhibited both the binding of HLA-B27(2) to KIR-3DL2 and the survival and proliferation of KIR-3DL2-positive NK cells. Finally, HD6 inhibited production of the proinflammatory disease-associated cytokine interleukin-17 by PBMCs from patients with AS. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that antibody HD6 has potential for use in both the investigation and the treatment of AS and other B27-associated spondylarthritides.

Molecular basis for LLT1 protein recognition by human CD161 protein (NKRP1A/KLRB1).

Human Th17 cells express high levels of CD161, a member of the killer cell lectin-like receptor (KLR) family (also referred to as NK receptor-P1A (NKRP1A) or KLRB1), as a representative marker. CD161 is also expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and NKT cells. Lectin-like transcript 1 (LLT1), another KLR family member, was recently identified as a ligand for CD161. This interaction may play pivotal roles in the immunomodulatory functions of Th17 cells as well as those of NK and NKT cells. However, the molecular basis for the interaction is poorly understood. Here we show that the extracellular domain of CD161 bound directly to LLT1 with a K(d) of 48 µM and with the fast kinetics typical of cell-cell recognition receptors. Mutagenesis revealed that the similar membrane-distal ß-sheet and loop regions of both CD161 and LLT1 were utilized for the binding, and notably, these regions correspond to the ligand-binding sites for major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-recognizing KLRs. Furthermore, we found a pair of detrimental mutations for both molecules that restored the binding. These results reveal a new template model for the recognition mode between the KLR family members and provide insights into the molecular mechanism underlying Th17/NK/NKT-mediated immune responses.

Differential but competitive binding of Nogo protein and class i major histocompatibility complex (MHCI) to the PIR-B ectodomain provides an inhibition of cells.

Binding of class I MHC molecules (MHCI) to an inhibitory receptor, PIR-B, expressed on B cells and myeloid cells provides constitutive cellular inhibition, thus ensuring peripheral tolerance. Recent unexpected findings pointed to a novel inhibitory role of PIR-B in neurite regeneration through binding to three axonal outgrowth inhibitors of myelin, including Nogo. Thus, it becomes interesting to determine whether the actions of the inhibitory myelin proteins and MHCI could coexist independently or be mutually exclusive as to the PIR-B-mediated immune and neural cell inhibition. Here, we present data supporting the competition of Nogo- and MHCI-mediated inhibition where they coexist. Kinetic analyses of Nogo and MHCI binding to the whole or a part of the recombinant PIR-B ectodomain revealed that PIR-B binds with higher affinity to Nogo than MHCI and that the MHCI binding only occurred with the N-terminal domains of PIR-B, whereas Nogo binding occurred with either the N- or C-terminal ectodomains. Importantly, kinetic tests indicated that the binding to PIR-B of Nogo and MHCI was competitive. Both endogenous and exogenous Nogo intensified the PIR-B-mediated suppression of interleukin-6 release from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated wild-type, but not PIR-B-deficient, cultured mast cells, indicating that PIR-B mediates Nogo-induced inhibition. Thus, we propose a novel mechanism by which PIR-B-mediated regulation is achieved differentially but competitively via MHCI and Nogo in cells of the immune system.

Low-Cost Cell-Surface-Mimic Analysis of Ligand Interactions of Biotinylated Immune Receptors Using Surface Plasmon Resonance.

On the immune cell surface, many immune receptors are expressed and modulate the inhibitory or activating signals to control the immune responses. Recently, some of these receptors have been categorized as immune checkpoint receptors and targeted for cancer immunity or autoimmune diseases. To analyze the weak and fast binding typical for immune receptor-ligand interactions, a real-time surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique is useful. However, it sometimes becomes difficult to optimize the immobilization conditions and appropriate controls. Considering that receptor orientation is relevant for achieving function on the cell surface, it is important to immobilize ligand proteins using specific tags at the membrane proximal end to avoid steric hindrance and structural changes in specific binding regions. Here we introduce a sensor chip, Sensor Chip CAP (Cytiva), which enables reversible and orientation-controlled immobilization of biotinylated ligands, resulting in a significant cost-effective method. We further show preparation methods of several biotinylated immune receptor proteins for SPR analysis, which are also useful for structural and other functional analyses.

Molecular basis for E-cadherin recognition by killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1).

The killer cell lectin-like receptor G1, KLRG1, is a cell surface receptor expressed on subsets of natural killer (NK) cells and T cells. KLRG1 was recently found to recognize E-cadherin and thus inhibit immune responses by regulating the effector function and the developmental processes of NK and T cells. E-cadherin is expressed on epithelial cells and exhibits Ca(2+)-dependent homophilic interactions that contribute to cell-cell junctions. However, the mechanism underlying the molecular recognition of KLRG1 by E-cadherin remains unclear. Here, we report structural, binding, and functional analyses of this interaction using multiple methods. Surface plasmon resonance demonstrated that KLRG1 binds the E-cadherin N-terminal domains 1 and 2 with low affinity (K(d) approximately 7-12 microm), typical of cell-cell recognition receptors. NMR binding studies showed that only a limited N-terminal region of E-cadherin, comprising the homodimer interface, exhibited spectrum perturbation upon KLRG1 complex formation. It was confirmed by binding studies using a series of E-cadherin mutants. Furthermore, killing assays using KLRG1(+)NK cells and reporter cell assays demonstrated the functional significance of the N-terminal region of E-cadherin. These results suggest that KLRG1 recognizes the N-terminal homodimeric interface of domain 1 of E-cadherin and binds only the monomeric form of E-cadherin to inhibit the immune response. This raises the possibility that KLRG1 detects monomeric E-cadherin at exposed cell surfaces to control the activation threshold of NK and T cells.

Crystal structure of measles virus hemagglutinin provides insight into effective vaccines.

Measles still remains a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Measles virus (MV) vaccines are highly successful, but the mechanism underlying their efficacy has been unclear. Here we report the crystal structure of the MV attachment protein, hemagglutinin, responsible for MV entry. The receptor-binding head domain exhibits a cubic-shaped beta-propeller structure and forms a homodimer. N-linked sugars appear to mask the broad regions and cause the two molecules forming the dimer to tilt oppositely toward the horizontal plane. Accordingly, residues of the putative receptor-binding site, highly conserved among MV strains, are strategically positioned in the unshielded area of the protein. These conserved residues also serve as epitopes for neutralizing antibodies, ensuring the serological monotype, a basis for effective MV vaccines. Our findings suggest that sugar moieties in the MV hemagglutinin critically modulate virus-receptor interaction as well as antiviral antibody responses, differently from sugars of the HIV gp120, which allow for immune evasion.