Downregulation of bactericidal peptides in enteric infections: a novel immune escape mechanism with bacterial DNA as a potential regulator.

Antibacterial peptides are active defense components of innate immunity. Several studies confirm their importance at epithelial surfaces as immediate barrier effectors in preventing infection. Here we report that early in Shigella spp. infections, expression of the antibacterial peptides LL-37 and human beta-defensin-1 is reduced or turned off. The downregulation is detected in biopsies from patients with bacillary dysenteries and in Shigella- infected cell cultures of epithelial and monocyte origin. This downregulation of immediate defense effectors might promote bacterial adherence and invasion into host epithelium and could be an important virulence parameter. Analyses of bacterial molecules causing the downregulation indicate Shigella plasmid DNA as one mediator.

Antibody synthesis at the cellular level. Antibody-induced suppression of 7S antibody synthesis.

The specific suppressing activity of passively administered antibody on 7S antibody synthesis against sheep and chicken red blood cells has been investigated at the cellular level using the indirect hemolytic agar-plaque technique. 7S antibody production was found to be sensitive to antibody-induced suppression. No inhibitory effect of transferred antibody was seen until 48 to 72 hr after administration. This indicates that the action of antibody is not by direct suppression of synthesis of already committed cells but rather by removal from the system of the stimulus for maintenance of 7S synthesis. The sensitivity of the 7S system to inhibition decreases with time after immunization but significant specific suppression could still be obtained if transfer of antibody was delayed until 40 days after immunization. The present findings emphasize the role of antibody as a feedback factor during a substantial postpeak period of 7S antibody synthesis and suggest an important role of antigen in stabilizing the 7S antibody production.

Induction of specific immune unresponsiveness with purified mixed leukocyte culture-activated T lymphoblasts as autoimmunogen. III. Proof for the existence of autoanti-idiotypic killer T cells and transfer of suppression to normal syngeneic recipients by T or B lymphocytes.

Specific immune unresponsiveness against a given set of histocompatibility antigens can be induced by immunization with autologous, antigen-specific T lymphoblasts. Such unresponsiveness can be transferred by lymphoid cells from autoblast-immunized donors to normal syngeneic recipients. The cells being most efficient in transferring the selective suppression are T lymphocytes from the spleen, especially if of Ly 1-2+3+ phenotype. By using such T lymphocytes we deem it likely that the actual underlying mechanism is one of actual transfer of autoanti-idiotypic killer T cells. In support for this view is the fact that such T cells endowed with exquisite specific, cytolytic reactivity towards autologous idiotype-positive T target cells exist in autoblast immune animals. Significant suppression may also be transferred with T cells of Ly 1+2-3- phenotype or with B cells. Here, we consider the suppressive mechanism to be one of production of autoanti-idiotypic antibodies. By using affinity fraction procedures, it was finally possible to prove that all T-cell suppressive activity resides in a population with true antigen-binding-specific receptors for the relevant idiotypes.

Specific transplantation tolerance induced by autoimmunization against the individual's own, naturally occurring idiotypic, antigen-binding receptors.

Serum or urine from normal adult Lewis rats can be shown to contain detectable amounts of idiotypic, antigen-binding receptors with specificity for the major histocompatibility complex locus antigens of the rat, the Ag-B locus antigens. Such purified naturally occurring receptor molecules, be they of T- or B-lymphocyte origin, can be used in a polymerized form to provoke the production of auto-anti-idiotypic antibodies when injected back into normal Lewis rats. As a consequence of this autoimmunity, lymphocytes of these Lewis rats can be shown to be depleted of cells carrying the relevant idiotypic receptors signifying reactivity against a given Ag-B locus-determined antigen(s). This specific lack of idiotypic lymphocytes is manifested as a selective loss of reactivity against the relevant Ag-B-incompatible antigens as measured by graft versus host or MLC reactions. Furthermore, autoimmune Lewis rats display specific transplantation tolerance against the skin grafts from the relevant strain, as demonstrated by specific prolongation of graft survival. A further indication of the specific tolerence state of these rats comes from the highly reduced ability to produce circulating antibodies against the relevant Ag-B antigens. No side effects of these autoimmunization procedures have been noted so far. It would thus seem clear that a prolonged state of specific transplantation tolerance can be achieved via autoimmunization against the individual's naturally occurring idiotypic, antigen-binding receptors.

Shared idiotypic determinants on B and T lymphocytes reactive against the same antigenic determinants. I. Demonstration of similar or identical idiotypes on IgG molecules and T-cell receptors with specificity for the same alloantigens.

Antigen-binding receptors on T lymphocytes and IgG antibodies with the same antigen-binding specificity as the T-cell receptors display shared or identical idiotypes. This was shown using a system where adult F1 hybrid rats between two inbred strains were inoculated with T lymphocytes from one parental strain. Such F1 hybrid rats produce antibodies directed against idiotypic determinants present on IgG alloantibodies, produced in the T donor genotype strain and with specificity for the alloantigens of the other parental strain. The idiotypic nature of the F1 antialloantibody serum against the parental alloantibodies was demonstrated both by indirect hemagglutination tests or by gel diffusion using alloantisera with different specificity as targets. Furthermore, the F1 anti-T-lymphocyte sera could be shown to contain antibodies against idiotypic parental T lymphocytes as well. This was shown by the capacity of the antisera, in the presence of complement, to wipe out the relevant parental T-cell reactivity against the other parental strain (as measured in MLC or GVH) whilst leaving the T-lymphocyte reactivity against a third, unrelated allogeneic strain intact. These findings demonstrate that F1 hybrid rats inoculated with parental T lymphocytes make anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against both the T cell receptors and IgG alloantibodies of that parental strain with specificity for alloantigens of the other parental strain. In order to prove identity between the anti-idiotypic antibodies against the B and T-cell antigen-binding molecules the following experiments were carried out; highly purified IgG from relevant alloantibody-containing serum in immunosorbent from could be shown to selectively remove both anti-idiotypic activities from the F1 antiserum. Further more, parental normal T lymphocytes could be shown capable of removing from the anti-idiotypic antisera all those antibodies that would cause agglutination of the relevant alloantibody-coated erythrocytes in the indirect agglutination assay. We would thus conclude that T and B lymphocytes reactive against a given antigenic determinant use receptors with antigen-binding areas coded for by the same variable gene subset(s).

Lymphocyte proliferation in vitro induced by hapten autologous protein conjugates. I. A study on the class of lymphocytes responding in vitro and on the nature and specificity of their receptors.

Immune lymph node cells from guinea pigs respond to soluble antigen in vitro by an increase in DNA synthesis. Optimal conditions for this proliferative response were studied in the present article. Under such conditions, immune cells showed increasing responses with increasing antigen concentration in vitro, the threshold dose of activation frequently being as low as 0.02 microg per culture. In contrast, normal lymph node cells (from FCA-stimulated animals) did only respond to antigen at very high doses (20 mg/culture), and immune cell dilution studies could be performed in normal cells without changing the kinetics of the antigen specific response of immune cells. Fractionation on anti-Ig columns indicated that purified, immune T lymphocytes were quite capable of proliferating in vitro upon antigen stimulation. However, our attempts to adsorb the proliferating cells onto chemically defined immunoadsorbants failed despite the fact that immune B cells (as measured by the rosette assay) were retained almost completely by such a procedure. Purified, immune T lymphocytes from guinea pigs immunized with different antigen concentrations in vivo and/or obtained at different times after immunization were tested for a differential sensitivity toward antigen-induced DNA synthesis in vitro. However, we were not able to demonstrate any regular increase in sensitivity to antigen in vitro, and if found, it seemed to be more dependent upon the number of antigen reactive cells in the population studied rather than upon differences in the average avidity of the receptors on the cells proliferating in vitro. The results in the present article are discussed in relation to current knowledge and hypotheses on T-lymphocyte receptors.

T cell receptors with allo-major histocompatibility complex specificity from rat and mouse. Similarity of size, plasmin susceptibility, and localization of antigen-binding region.

Antisera specific for the constant part Ctau of T cell receptor molecules in mice and rats have been produced in rabbits by immunization with idiotype-positive rat T cell molecules. Such antisera could be shown to react with the majority of normal T lymphocytes from both rats and mice. Mixed leukocyte culture-activated T blasts displayed a higher percentage of positive cells than concanovalin A- or phytohemaglutinin-induced T blasts. Lipopolysaccharide-induced B blasts were not reactive with the antiserum. Lyt-1-,2+,3+ blasts displayed a significantly brighter straining than the corresponding Lyt-1+,2-,3- blasts. Isolation of the reactive molecules from T cells by immunosorption yielded a 70,000-dalton single chain polypeptide as the dominant group of molecules. Plasmin caused the chain to split into 45,000- and 25,000-dalton polypeptides, with the smaller fragment displaying antigen-binding capacity. Molecules identical in size and plasma degradation patterns were isolated from Lyt-1+,2-3- and 1-,2+,3+ blasts. Preliminary functional data supported the view that the antiserum is directed against the constant region Ctau relevant receptor structures on immunocompetent T lymphocytes.

Demonstration of heavy and light chain antigenic determinants on the cell-bound receptor for antigen. Similarities between membrane-attached and humoral antibodies produced by the same cell.

High-rate antibody-forming cells and immunological memory cells can be selectively retained if filtered through a column coated with relevant antigen. This trapping can be blocked if the cells are incubated with an anti-immunoglobulin serum prior to column passage. A similar blocking is not observed when cells are treated with an anti-lymphocyte serum, thereby excluding the possibility that any antibodies combining with surface structures could cause this effect. By the use of antisera specific for heavy or light chain antigens, it was possible to locate such antigens in the antigen-binding receptor areas of immune cells. Criss-cross studies using antisera specific for gamma 1 or gamma 2a heavy chains showed that the membrane receptor has the same heavy chain as will be present in the eventual product of that cell, the humoral antibody.

Separation of normal and immune lymphoid cells by antigen-coated coated columns. Antigen-binding characteristics of membrane antibodies as analyzed by hapten-protein antigens.

Specific fractionation of immunologically competent cells derived from normal or immune animals was achieved by filtration through antigen-coated bead columns. This selective retention of the relevant reactive cells could be shown to produce a cell population, which after passage through the column would behave like a suspension rendered immunologically tolerant by "classical" means. The immunologically specific elimination of potential antibody-forming capacity of the filtered cells could be shown to affect the IgM and the IgG system to a similar extent. Analysis of the binding characteristics of the membrane antibodies responsible for this selective retention indicate striking similarities to those of the humoral antibodies produced against the antigen. Thus, the surface receptor could distinguish isolated haptenic groups on a "foreign" carrier background and the receptor of the hapten-reactive cells in the present system (high-rate antibody-forming cells against NIP) failed to combine with carrier specific determinants in analogy with the binding behavior of the serum anti-hapten antibodies. The binding of anti-hapten reactive cells to bead-attached haptens could be specifically inhibited by the presence of free hapten in the columnar fluid during cellular filtration. The results strongly suggest that the potential humoral antibody-forming cell has preformed receptors on its outer surface with binding characteristics, indicating similarity, if not identity, to those of the eventual product of the cell, the humoral antibody.

Cell separation on antigen-coated columns. Elimination of high rate antibody-forming cells and immunological memory cells.

Glass and plastic bead columns coated with antigenic protein molecules were used as an immunological filter for cell populations containing immune cells of relevant specificity. A selective elimination of these immune cells from the passing cell suspension was regularly noted and it approached, in some experiments, complete abolition of the specific immune reactivity of the filtered cell population. This specific retention of immune cells by antigenic columns could be selectively blocked by the presence of free antigen molecules in the medium during filtration. The results obtained support the concept of a cell-associated antigen-specific receptor being present on the outer surface of immune cells, displaying the same antigen-binding specificity as the potential product of the cell, the humoral antibody. Using the present bead column system, results were obtained indicating that this receptor was an active product of the immune cells and not any passively adsorbed, cytophilic antibody. Antigenic bead columns may very well constitute a tool for the production in vitro of cell populations being specifically deprived of immune reactivity and allow detailed analysis of the characteristics of the cell-associated antibody of immune cells.

In vitro induction of specific unresponsiveness of immunologically reactive, normal bone marrow cells.

Normal rabbit bone marrow cells have been studied according to their immunological reactivity in vitro. The test system involved stimulation by antigen after the subsequent stimulation into cellular proliferation by measuring the uptake of tritium-labeled thymidine. Specific separation of immunological reactivity was obtained by filtration of cells through antigen-coated bead columns. All experimental evidence supported the view that this separation was due to the existence of preformed antibody molecules on the outer cell surface of the antigen-recognizing cells. The response to antigenic stimulation was shown to be strictly dose related and, using supraoptimal concentrations of one antigen, no increased DNA synthesis was recorded. That this state of unresponsiveness represented a state of immunological paralysis was indicated by the normal response of these cells to stimulation by a second antigen in optimal concentration. Thus both methods, cell separation on antigen-coated columns or induction of specific unresponsiveness by antigen in vitro, can produce a cell population specifically devoid of cells reactive against a given antigen.

The immune response against hapten-autologous protein conjugates in the mouse.

Mice immunized with hapten-autologous serum albumin conjugates (DNP-mouse serum albumin) were shown to contain immune B and T cells with specificity for the conjugate. Fractionation on antigen-coated Sepharose beads showed that B cells could be subdivided in two major groups: those reacting against the haptenic group (DNP) and those reactive against the new antigenic determinants (NADs) introduced into the protein carrier by the hapten coupling. It was shown previously that humoral antibodies formed against hapten-mouse serum albumin conjugates also were directed against these two groups of antigenic determinants and that the immune response to the NADs does not follow the genetic rules of high or low response against the hapten used. All together these findings support the distinct nature of the NADs over the haptenic groups, as recognized both at the humoral and cellular level. Absorption of mouse cells immune to hapten-autologous serum albumin conjugates on antigen-coated Sepharose beads using a variety of incubation conditions resulted in no specific retention of T cells. Therefore we had to resort to specificity studies of T cells in relation to T cell function. Relatively pure immune T cell suspensions were obtained using fractionation on anti-immunoglobulin-coated columns. DNP-MSA-specific T cells were shown to be very specific for the DNP-MSA conjugate with only one exception: they cross-reacted with antigenic determinants on DNP-rat serum albumin. As DNP-specific help was excluded in the present transfer system (as shown by the inability of cells from DNP-skin-painted mice and DNP-heterologous protein conjugate specific T cells [anti-immunoglobulin column purified] to help a DNP-MSA response), these results demonstrate the NAD specificity of the DNP-MSA-reactive T cells. The cross-reactivity pattern of DNP-MSA-specific T cells was similar to that found for humoral anti-NAD antibodies produced against the same immunogen. Whether B and T cells are activated by the same antigenic determinants is discussed.

Immune responses against native and chemically modified albumins in mice. I. Analysis of non-thymus-processed (B) and thymus-processed (T) cell responses against methylated bovine serum albumin.

Immune cells induced by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and its methylated derivative (MBSA) have been compared in a cooperative cell transfer system for their content of BSA-specific antibody-forming cell precursors (AFCP, B) and BSA-specific helper (T) cells. When MBSA immune cells were transferred together with hapten-primed cells into recipient mice which were stimulated by a hapten-BSA conjugate, their cooperative secondary anti-hapten response was as good as in case of transferred BSA immune cells. Their secondary anti-BSA response, however, was markedly reduced (reduction factor > 30). Hapten-MBSA conjugates had the same capacity to react with BSA-specific helper cells in the cooperative secondary anti-hapten response as hapten-BSA conjugates but had a reduced ability to react with BSA-specific AFCP cells. In spite of the pronounced reduction of the B cell response, MBSA had the same threshold dose as BSA for activating BSA-specific T cells. These data suggest that B and T cells recognize different epitopes on the BSA molecule, only those recognized by B cells being affected by the methylation procedure.

Shared idiotypic determinants on B and T lymphocytes reactive against the same antigenic determinants. II. Determination of frequency and characteristics of idiotypic T and B lymphocytes in normal rats using direct visualization.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies made against the antigen-binding receptors of T lymphocytes for a given antigen (Ag-B locus antigens in rats) can be shown to react with IgG antibodies of the same antigen-binding reactivity. Using such anti-idiotypic antibodies, normal Lewis T lymphocytes of B and T type can be visualized by the use of anti-(Lewis-anti-DA) antibodies. Visualization was made possible by the use of direct fluorescent antibody tests or by autoradiography. Using the first technique and naked eye observations 6.2% of normal Lewis T lymphocytes expressed idiotypic markers signifying anti-DA reactivity, whereas anti-DA-reactive B lymphocytes as measured by this approach was in the order of 1.1%. Autoradiography was purified normal Lewis T lymphocytes gave similar figures. When comparing the intensity of fluorescence at the single cell level using quantitative cytofluorometry anti-idiotypic antibodies reactive with T lymphocytes gave a similar degree of intensity as was obtained using anti-Ig antibodies against B lymphocytes.

Shared idiotypic determinants on B and T lymphocytes reactive against the same antigenic determinants. III. Physical fractionation of specific immunocompetent T lymphocytes by affinity chromatography using anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies made against antigen-binding receptors on T lymphocytes with specificity for certain Ag-B locus antigens selectively react with T lymphocytes with potential immune reactivity against the very same Ag-B antigens. This was shown by affinity chromatography of normal Lewis T lymphocytes on anti-Ig columns after contact with the relevant anti-idiotypic antiserum. Here, it could be shown that incubation of the cells with an anti-(Lewis-anti-BN) antiserum caused subsequent selective retention of potential graft-vs.-host (GvH)-reactive cells against BN on the anti-Ig column, whereas Lewis T cells with reactivity against DA or August (Au) (carrying distinct Ag-B antigens in comparison to BN) passed through. The retained cells could be eluted and shown to display highly increased reactivity against BN with virtually no reactivity left against DA or Au antigens. Analogous results were obtained using an anti-(Lewis-anti-DA) antiserum. The anti-idiotypic antibodies can be used in fluorescent antibody tests to directly visualize the idiotype-positive cells. Using the separation design described above we analyzed selectively enriched or deleted T lymphocytes for presence of idiotypic cells as well as specific GvH reactivity. A highly significant positive correlation was found between percentage of a given idiotype in a population of T cells and the relevant GvH potential of the same T cells that can be visualized are indeed the very same T cells that express immune reactivity against the expected antigens. The present data would thus directly demonstrate the existence of a largely nonoverlapping population of immunocompetent T cells capable of reacting against the various Ag-B locus antigens in the rat. Highly purified, functionally intact immunocompetent T lymphocytes with restricted immune reactivity can thus be produced from normal lymphocyte populations for further analysis.

Cell surface glycoproteins of murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes. I. T 145, a new cell surface glycoprotein selectively expressed on Ly 1-2+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

T lymphocytes at various stages of maturation and differentiation have been isolated by cellular fractionation procedures and characterized by cell surface markers and functional assays, The cell surface glycoproteins of the various T-cell preparations have been selectively radiolabeled by the galactose oxidase-tritiated sodium borohydride technique and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Details are presented on the appearance of a new cell surface glycoprotein (T 145), present on immunocompetent T lymphocytes after activation by either major histocompatibility complex alloantigens or by concanavalin A. The intensity of T 145 expression on T lymphoblasts is shown to be directly correlated in time and extent to the levels of cytotoxicity generated in a variety of T-cell activations. Specific enrichment procedures of purified populations of mixed leukocyte culture blasts have shown Ly 1(+)2(-) blasts to be T 145(-) and Ly 1(-)2(+) blasts to be strongly T 145(+). Similar enrichment procedures on normal peripheral T cells have failed to reveal any significant expression of T 145 on a highly enriched population of Ly 1(-)2(+) T cells, Further studies on the stability of T 145 expression after induction have shown it to be a more permanent-type differentiation structure whose expression is clearly not linked to the blast stage of activation. T 145 would thus appear to represent a membrane glycoprotein whose exclusive expression on T lymphoblasts is further restricted to a defined group of cells endowed with cytolytic activity and bearing the Ly phenotype Ly 1(-)2(+).

Cellular and genetic restrictions in the immunoregulatory activity of alpha-fetoprotein. I. Selective inhibition of anti-Ia-associated proliferative reactions.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a major alpha-globulin component of fetal and newborn sera, has earlier been shown to exert significant immunosuppressive activity in vitro on T-dependent-immune responses. In the present investigation we have examined the effects of AFP on the recognition and proliferation of T lymphocytes responding in mixed leukocyte culture against histocompatibility-associated alloantigens. Fetal-derived AFP could be shown to exert differential effects on both primary and secondary responses ranging from strong inhibition to occasional enhancement, depending on the stimulating antigens. Proliferative responses against major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I region determinants, mediated predominantly by Ly 1 + cells, were markedly suppressed. Suppression was also observed in responses against Mls locus products, an antigenic system whose recognition requires concomitant recognition of I region gene products on the stimulating cells. In contrast, responses against MHC K or D region determinants, mediated predominantly by Ly 2 + cells, were generally unaffected by AFP. Similarly, non-MHC loci alloantigens distinct from Mls locus products also induced T-cell proliferation which was refractive to suppression by AFP. Because neither Ly 1 + nor Ly 2 + cells responding in this latter situation could be inhibited by AFP, we concluded that the mere fact that a T cell expresses a particular Ly phenotype does not predetermine sensitivity to AFP-induced suppression. In any case, AFP exerts a highly selective suppressive activity on I region-associated immune responses. These data may help to resolve the present controversy over the possibility that AFP has an in vivo relevance as an immunosuppressive agent by pointing out the importance of selecting proper genetic situations for study.

Cellular and genetic restrictions in the immunoregulatory activity of alpha-fetoprotein. II. Alpha-fetoprotein-induced suppression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte development.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a major component of fetal and newborn sera, was shown to exert significant immunosuppressive activity on the in vitro generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). This suppression proved independent of the suppressibility of the mixed leukocyte culture activation phase, since strain combinations whose proliferative responses were refractive to AFP-induced suppression also failed to develop demonstrable CTLs in the presence of AFP. Several strain combinations were also found in which normal generation of CTLs occurred in cultures containing AFP. This refractive nature correlated with the presence of nonsuppressible lymphocyte-stimulating alloantigenic systems on the stimulating cell population. These data provide the basis for proposing several possible mechanisms for AFP-induced suppression of T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity, as well as suggesting that the primary target of this suppression is the proliferating helper T cell precommited to respond towards the major histocompatibility complex-associated lymphocyte-activating determinants.

Cell-bound receptors for alloantigens on normal lymphocytes. I. Characterization of receptor-carrying cells by the use of antibodies to alloantibodies.

Antialloantibodies were prepared in F(1) hybrid rats by immunization with alloantibodies from one parent raised against antigens of the other parent. The Ig fraction of such antialloantibodies was iodinated and used to investigate the nature of idiotype-carrying normal lymphoid cells. Lymphoid cell populations of the proper genotype fixed radioactive antialloantibody in proportion to their B-cell content. Activated T-cell populations, when depleted of B cells, did not fix significant amounts of radioactivity. Idiotype-carrying cells were sensitive to rabbit antirat Ig serum lysis and to antialloantiserum lysis, but not to rabbit anti-T-serum lysis. Also, the normal idiotype-containing B cell could be shown to have the expected antigen-binding specificity of its receptor. This was shown by the use of fibroblast cell monolayers that adsorbed specifically those cells capable of fixing the proper antialloantibody.

Two independent receptors allow selective target lysis by T cell clones.

Dimethylbenzanthracene-induced P1 sarcoma cells induce P1-specific antibodies in syngeneic DA rats. Antiidiotypic antibodies of specificity DA anti-(DA anti-P1) were induced against the tumor-specific antibodies and used to restimulate P1-primed DA T cells in vitro. Using antiidiotypic antibodies and T cell growth factor, P1-specific cytotoxic DA T cell clones were established by limiting dilution and kept in vitro. Two of these clones acquired during culture periods in addition to the P1 specificity lytic activity towards natural killer (NK) targets YAC-1 or K562. Cold target inhibition experiments showed that the very same cytotoxic T cells kill P1 and NK targets. Antiidiotypic antibodies of specificity DA anti-(DA anti-P1) inhibited cytotoxicity against P1 but not against YAC-1 or K562. We conclude that two independent receptors are located on these double-reactive T cell clones, one that is idiotypic and antigen-specific, and another displaying the binding profile of NK cells.