A novel cellular phenotype for familial hypercholesterolemia due to a defect in polarized targeting of LDL receptor.

Basolateral targeting of membrane proteins in polarized epithelial cells typically requires cytoplasmic domain sorting signals. In the familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)-Turku LDL receptor allele, a mutation of glycine 823 residue affects the signal required for basolateral targeting in MDCK cells. We show that the mutant receptor is mistargeted to the apical surface in both MDCK and hepatic epithelial cells, resulting in reduced endocytosis of LDL from the basolateral/sinusoidal surface. Consequently, virally encoded mutant receptor fails to mediate cholesterol clearance in LDL receptor-deficient mice, suggesting that a defect in polarized LDL receptor expression in hepatocytes underlies the hypercholesterolemia in patients harboring this allele. This evidence directly links the pathogenesis of a human disease to defects in basolateral targeting signals, providing a genetic confirmation of these signals in maintaining epithelial cell polarity.

Distribution and function of AP-1 clathrin adaptor complexes in polarized epithelial cells.

Expression of the epithelial cell-specific heterotetrameric adaptor complex AP-1B is required for the polarized distribution of many membrane proteins to the basolateral surface of LLC-PK1 kidney cells. AP-1B is distinguished from the ubiquitously expressed AP-1A by exchange of its single 50-kD mu subunit, mu1A, being replaced by the closely related mu1B. Here we show that this substitution is sufficient to couple basolateral plasma membrane proteins, such as a low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), to the AP-1B complex and to clathrin. The interaction between LDLR and AP-1B is likely to occur in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), as was suggested by the localization of functional, epitope-tagged mu1 by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Tagged AP-1A and AP-1B complexes were found in the perinuclear region close to the Golgi complex and recycling endosomes, often in clathrin-coated buds and vesicles. Yet, AP-1A and AP-1B localized to different subdomains of the TGN, with only AP-1A colocalizing with furin, a membrane protein that uses AP-1 to recycle between the TGN and endosomes. We conclude that AP-1B functions by interacting with its cargo molecules and clathrin in the TGN, where it acts to sort basolateral proteins from proteins destined for the apical surface and from those selected by AP-1A for transport to endosomes and lysosomes.

Mutational analysis reveals multiple distinct sites within Fc gamma receptor IIB that function in inhibitory signaling.

The low-affinity receptor for IgG, FcgammaRIIB, functions broadly in the immune system, blocking mast cell degranulation, dampening the humoral immune response, and reducing the risk of autoimmunity. Previous studies concluded that inhibitory signal transduction by FcgammaRIIB is mediated solely by its immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM) that, when phosphorylated, recruits the SH2-containing inositol 5'- phosphatase SHIP and the SH2-containing tyrosine phosphatases SHP-1 and SHP-2. The mutational analysis reported here reveals that the receptor's C-terminal 16 residues are also required for detectable FcgammaRIIB association with SHIP in vivo and for FcgammaRIIB-mediated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase hydrolysis by SHIP. Although the ITIM appears to contain all the structural information required for receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of SHIP, phosphorylation is enhanced when the C-terminal sequence is present. Additionally, FcgammaRIIB-mediated dephosphorylation of CD19 is independent of the cytoplasmic tail distal from residue 237, including the ITIM. Finally, the findings indicate that tyrosines 290, 309, and 326 are all sites of significant FcgammaRIIB1 phosphorylation following coaggregation with B cell Ag receptor. Thus, we conclude that multiple sites in FcgammaRIIB contribute uniquely to transduction of FcgammaRIIB-mediated inhibitory signals.

The formation of immunogenic major histocompatibility complex class II-peptide ligands in lysosomal compartments of dendritic cells is regulated by inflammatory stimuli.

During their final differentiation or maturation, dendritic cells (DCs) redistribute their major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II products from intracellular compartments to the plasma membrane. Using cells arrested in the immature state, we now find that DCs also regulate the initial intracellular formation of immunogenic MHC class II-peptide complexes. Immature DCs internalize the protein antigen, hen egg lysozyme (HEL), into late endosomes and lysosomes rich in MHC class II molecules. There, despite extensive colocalization of HEL protein and MHC class II products, MHC class II-peptide complexes do not form unless the DCs are exposed to inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, CD40 ligand, or lipoplolysaccharide. The control of T cell receptor (TCR) ligand formation was observed using the C4H3 monoclonal antibody to detect MHC class II-HEL peptide complexes by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, and with HEL-specific 3A9 transgenic T cells to detect downregulation of the TCR upon MHC-peptide encounter. Even the binding of preprocessed HEL peptide to MHC class II is blocked in immature DCs, including the formation of C4H3 epitope in MHC class II compartments, suggesting an arrest to antigen presentation at the peptide-loading step, rather than an enhanced degradation of MHC class II-peptide complexes at the cell surface, as described in previous work. Therefore, the capacity of late endosomes and lysosomes to produce MHC class II-peptide complexes can be strictly controlled during DC differentiation, helping to coordinate antigen acquisition and inflammatory stimuli with formation of TCR ligands. The increased ability of maturing DCs to load MHC class II molecules with antigenic cargo contributes to the >100-fold enhancement of the subsequent primary immune response observed when immature and mature DCs are compared as immune adjuvants in culture and in mice.

Invariant chain controls H2-M proteolysis in mouse splenocytes and dendritic cells.

The association of invariant (Ii) chain with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II dimers is required for proper antigen presentation to T cells by antigen-presenting cells. Mice lacking Ii chain have severe abnormalities in class II transport, T cell selection, and B cell maturation. We demonstrate here that H2-M, which is required for efficient class II antigenic peptide loading, is unexpectedly downregulated in splenocytes and mature dendritic cells (DCs) from Ii(-/-) mice. Downregulation reflects an increased rate of degradation in Ii(-/-) cells. Degradation apparently occurs within lysosomes, as it is prevented by cysteine protease inhibitors such as E64, but not by the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin. Thus, Ii chain may act as a lysosomal protease inhibitor in B cells and DCs, with its deletion contributing indirectly to the loss of H2-M.

Large-scale culture and selective maturation of human Langerhans cells from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized CD34+ progenitors.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role as APCs in the induction of the primary immune response. Their capacity for Ag processing and presentation is tightly regulated, controlled by a terminal developmental sequence accompanied by striking changes in morphology, organization, and function. The maturation process, which converts DCs from cells adapted for Ag accumulation to cells adapted for T cell stimulation, remains poorly understood due in part to difficulties in the culture and manipulation of DCs of defined lineages. To address these issues, we have devised conditions for the culture of a single DC type, Langerhans cells (LCs), using CD34+ cells from G-CSF-mobilized patients. Homogenous populations of LCs, replete with abundant immunocytochemically demonstrable Birbeck granules, could be stably maintained as immature DCs for long periods in culture. Unlike other human DC preparations, the LCs remained fully differentiated after cytokine removal. Following exposure to TNF-alpha, LPS, or CD40 ligand, the LCs could be synchronously induced to mature. Depending on the agent used, distinct types of LCs emerged differing in their capacity for T cell stimulation, IL-12 production, intracellular localization of MHC products, and overall morphology. Most interestingly, the expression of different sets of Toll family receptors is induced or down-regulated according to the maturation stimulus provided. These results strongly suggest that different proinflammatory stimuli might drive distinct developmental events.

A novel clathrin adaptor complex mediates basolateral targeting in polarized epithelial cells.

Although polarized epithelial cells are well known to maintain distinct apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains, the mechanisms responsible for targeting membrane proteins to the apical or basolateral surfaces have remained elusive. We have identified a novel form of the AP-1 clathrin adaptor complex that contains as one of its subunits mu1B, an epithelial cell-specific homolog of the ubiquitously expressed mu1A. LLC-PK1 kidney epithelial cells do not express mu1B and missort many basolateral proteins to the apical surface. Stable expression of mu1B selectively restored basolateral targeting, improved the overall organization of LLC-PK1 monolayers, and had no effect on apical targeting. We conclude that basolateral sorting is mediated by an epithelial cell-specific version of the AP-1 complex containing mu1B.

Antigen capture, processing, and presentation by dendritic cells: recent cell biological studies.

Antigen uptake, processing and presentation by dendritic cells [DCs] have become amenable to cell biological approaches. The critical events occur in DCs that are undergoing maturation in response to inflammatory stimuli. Successful antigen presentation can be monitored directly using antibodies that are specific for particular MHC-peptide complexes. What a contrast to earlier times when it was difficult to visualize even the uptake of antigen into isolated DCs and DCs in the T cell areas of lymphoid organs! We emphasize here the efficiency of antigen capture and presentation by maturing DCs, especially for dying cells. This presentation of cellular antigens by DCs likely explains the phenomenon of cross priming in the setting of transplantation and other clinical states.

Mu1B, a novel adaptor medium chain expressed in polarized epithelial cells.

The apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains of polarized epithelial cells contain distinct sets of integral membrane proteins. Biosynthetic targeting of proteins to the basolateral plasma membrane is mediated by cytosolic tail determinants, many of which resemble signals involved in the rapid endocytosis or lysosomal targeting. Since these signals are recognized by adaptor proteins, we hypothesized that there could be epithelial-specific adaptors involved in polarized sorting. Here, we report the identification of a novel member of the adaptor medium chain family, named mu1B, which is closely related to the previously described mu1A (79% amino acid sequence identity). Northern blotting and in situ hybridization analyses reveal the specific expression of mu1B mRNA in a subset of polarized epithelial and exocrine cells. Yeast two-hybrid analyses show that mu1B is capable of interacting with generic tyrosine-based sorting signals. These observations suggest that mu1B may be involved in protein sorting events specific to polarized cells.

The receptor recycling pathway contains two distinct populations of early endosomes with different sorting functions.

Receptor recycling involves two endosome populations, peripheral early endosomes and perinuclear recycling endosomes. In polarized epithelial cells, either or both populations must be able to sort apical from basolateral proteins, returning each to its appropriate plasma membrane domain. However, neither the roles of early versus recycling endosomes in polarity nor their relationship to each other has been quantitatively evaluated. Using a combined morphological, biochemical, and kinetic approach, we found these two endosome populations to represent physically and functionally distinct compartments. Early and recycling endosomes were resolved on Optiprep gradients and shown to be differentially associated with rab4, rab11, and transferrin receptor; rab4 was enriched on early endosomes and at least partially depleted from recycling endosomes, with the opposite being true for rab11 and transferrin receptor. The two populations were also pharmacologically distinct, with AlF4 selectively blocking export of transferrin receptor from recycling endosomes to the basolateral plasma membrane. We applied these observations to a detailed kinetic analysis of transferrin and dimeric IgA recycling and transcytosis. The data from these experiments permitted the construction of a testable, mathematical model which enabled a dissection of the roles of early and recycling endosomes in polarized receptor transport. Contrary to expectations, the majority (>65%) of recycling to the basolateral surface is likely to occur from early endosomes, but with relatively little sorting of apical from basolateral proteins. Instead, more complete segregation of basolateral receptors from receptors intended for transcytosis occurred upon delivery to recycling endosomes.

Efficient presentation of phagocytosed cellular fragments on the major histocompatibility complex class II products of dendritic cells.

Cells from the bone marrow can present peptides that are derived from tumors, transplants, and self-tissues. Here we describe how dendritic cells (DCs) process phagocytosed cell fragments onto major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II products with unusual efficacy. This was monitored with the Y-Ae monoclonal antibody that is specific for complexes of I-Ab MHC class II presenting a peptide derived from I-Ealpha. When immature DCs from I-Ab mice were cultured for 5-20 h with activated I-E+ B blasts, either necrotic or apoptotic, the DCs produced the epitope recognized by the Y-Ae monoclonal antibody and stimulated T cells reactive with the same MHC-peptide complex. Antigen transfer was also observed with human cells, where human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRalpha includes the same peptide sequence as mouse I-Ealpha. Antigen transfer was preceded by uptake of B cell fragments into MHC class II-rich compartments. Quantitation of the amount of I-E protein in the B cell fragments revealed that phagocytosed I-E was 1-10 thousand times more efficient in generating MHC-peptide complexes than preprocessed I-E peptide. When we injected different I-E- bearing cells into C57BL/6 mice to look for a similar phenomenon in vivo, we found that short-lived migrating DCs could be processed by most of the recipient DCs in the lymph node. The consequence of antigen transfer from migratory DCs to lymph node DCs is not yet known, but we suggest that in the steady state, i.e., in the absence of stimuli for DC maturation, this transfer leads to peripheral tolerance of the T cell repertoire to self.

Developmental regulation of invariant chain proteolysis controls MHC class II trafficking in mouse dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) developmentally regulate their capacity for antigen presentation by controlling the transport and surface expression of MHC class II molecules. These events reflect a developmental regulation of invariant (Ii) chain cleavage, most likely by the cysteine protease cathepsin S. In immature DCs, inefficient Ii chain cleavage due to low cathepsin S activity leads to the transport of class II-Ii chain complexes to lysosomes, while in mature DCs, elevated cathepsin S activity results in efficient delivery of class II alphabeta dimers to the plasma membrane. Cathepsin S is not controlled transcriptionally but by a novel mechanism involving alterations in the expression and localization of an endogenous cathepsin S inhibitor cystatin C. Thus, the ratio of cystatin C to cathepsin S in developing DCs helps to determine the fate of newly synthesized MHC class II molecules.

Rab17 regulates membrane trafficking through apical recycling endosomes in polarized epithelial cells.

A key feature of polarized epithelial cells is the ability to maintain the specific biochemical composition of the apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains while selectively allowing transport of proteins and lipids from one pole to the opposite by transcytosis. The small GTPase, rab17, a member of the rab family of regulators of intracellular transport, is specifically induced during cell polarization in the developing kidney. We here examined its intracellular distribution and function in both nonpolarized and polarized cells. By confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, rab17 colocalized with internalized transferrin in the perinuclear recycling endosome of BHK-21 cells. In polarized Eph4 cells, rab17 associated with the apical recycling endosome that has been implicated in recycling and transcytosis. The localization of rab17, therefore, strengthens the proposed homology between this compartment and the recycling endosome of nonpolarized cells. Basolateral to apical transport of two membrane-bound markers, the transferrin receptor and the FcLR 5-27 chimeric receptor, was specifically increased in Eph4 cells expressing rab17 mutants defective in either GTP binding or hydrolysis. Furthermore, the mutant proteins stimulated apical recycling of FcLR 5-27. These results support a role for rab17 in regulating traffic through the apical recycling endosome, suggesting a function in polarized sorting in epithelial cells.

Generation or large numbers of immature and mature dendritic cells from rat bone marrow cultures.

We have defined conditions for generating large numbers of dendritic cells (DC) in marrow cultures from 10-12-week-old ACI or WF rats. The combination of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and TNF-alpha, known to induce DC from human CD34+ progenitors, was not effective with rat. In contrast, GM-CSF plus IL-4 generated DC in high yield, corresponding to 30-40% of the initial number of plated marrow cells. The DC proliferated in distinctive aggregates, in which most cells had an immature phenotype marked by undetectable surface B7 and high levels of MHC class II products within intracellular lysosomes. When dislodged and dispersed, the aggregates gave rise to mature stellate DC with abundant surface MHC class II and B7, sparse MHC class II- lysosomes, and strong T cell-stimulating capacity. Therefore, rat marrow progenitors can generate large numbers of immature DC, with abundant intracellular MHC class II compartments, and potent, stimulatory, mature DC.

Transgenic expression of lymphotoxin restores lymph nodes to lymphotoxin-alpha-deficient mice.

Lymphotoxin-alpha (LT alpha) has recently been demonstrated to be important in the development of lymph nodes (LN), Peyer's patches, and splenic organization, including the development of germinal centers. To elucidate the role of LT alpha in lymphoid organogenesis and the plasticity of the process, we examined LT alpha-/- mice in which an LT alpha transgene under the control of the rat insulin promoter (RIPLT) is expressed in the pancreas, kidney, and skin. The LT alpha transgene restored LN in LT alpha-/- mice. The reconstituted LN of RIPLT.LT alpha-/- mice had germinal center-like peanut agglutinin-positive regions, but lacked follicular dendritic cells. Although the LT alpha transgene did not restore Peyer's patches or splenic architecture, it restored the ability of the spleen to form germinal centers and follicular dendritic cell networks. Lymphocytes isolated from the reconstituted LN showed normal proliferative responses to T and B cell mitogens and were defective in their proliferative response to T-dependent Ag, and a decreased number of interdigitating dendritic cells was apparent in the RIPLT.LT alpha-/- mice LN. Expression of the RIPLT transgene in mice deficient in LT beta did not reconstitute LN, suggesting an important role for LT beta in the mechanisms that reconstitute LN in RIPLT.LT alpha-/- mice. These data are the first to demonstrate reconstitution of LN in LT alpha-/- mice and show that the process of LN restoration is amenable to manipulation with ectopic lymphotoxin.

Developmental regulation of MHC class II transport in mouse dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DCs) have the unique capacity to initiate primary and secondary immune responses. They acquire antigens in peripheral tissues and migrate to lymphoid organs where they present processed peptides to T cells. DCs must therefore exist in distinct functional states, an idea that is supported by observations that they downregulate endocytosis and upregulate surface molecules of the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) upon maturation. Here we investigate the features of DC maturation by reconstituting the terminal differentiation of mouse DCs in vitro and in situ. We find that early DCs, corresponding to those found in peripheral tissues, exhibit a phenotype in which most class II molecules are intracellular and localized to lysosomes. Upon maturation, these cells give rise to a new intermediate phenotype in which intracellular class II molecules are found in peripheral non-lysosomal vesicles, similar to the specialized CIIV population seen in B cells. The intermediate cells then differentiate into late DCs which express almost all of their class II molecules on the plasma membrane. These variations in class II compartmentalization are accompanied by dramatic alterations in the intracellular transport of the new class II molecules and in antigen presentation. We found that although early DCs could not present antigen immediately after uptake, efficient presentation of the previously internalized antigen occurred after maturation, 24-48 hours later. By regulating class II transport and compartmentalization, DCs are able to delay antigen display, a property crucial to their role in immune surveillance.

Ii chain controls the transport of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules to and from lysosomes.

Major histocompatibility complex class II molecules are synthesized as a nonameric complex consisting of three alpha beta dimers associated with a trimer of invariant (Ii) chains. After exiting the TGN, a targeting signal in the Ii chain cytoplasmic domain directs the complex to endosomes where Ii chain is proteolytically processed and removed, allowing class II molecules to bind antigenic peptides before reaching the cell surface. Ii chain dissociation and peptide binding are thought to occur in one or more postendosomal sites related either to endosomes (designated CIIV) or to lysosomes (designated MIIC). We now find that in addition to initially targeting alpha beta dimers to endosomes, Ii chain regulates the subsequent transport of class II molecules. Under normal conditions, murine A20 B cells transport all of their newly synthesized class II I-A(b) alpha beta dimers to the plasma membrane with little if any reaching lysosomal compartments. Inhibition of Ii processing by the cysteine/serine protease inhibitor leupeptin, however, blocked transport to the cell surface and caused a dramatic but selective accumulation of I-A(b) class II molecules in lysosomes. In leupeptin, I-A(b) dimers formed stable complexes with a 10-kD NH2-terminal Ii chain fragment (Ii-p10), normally a transient intermediate in Ii chain processing. Upon removal of leupeptin, Ii-p10 was degraded and released, I-A(b) dimers bound antigenic peptides, and the peptide-loaded dimers were transported slowly from lysosomes to the plasma membrane. Our results suggest that alterations in the rate or efficiency of Ii chain processing can alter the postendosomal sorting of class II molecules, resulting in the increased accumulation of alpha beta dimers in lysosome-like MIIC. Thus, simple differences in Ii chain processing may account for the highly variable amounts of class II found in lysosomal compartments of different cell types or at different developmental stages.