Structural characteristics of Tla products.

Biochemical study of thymus leukemia antigen (TL) from thymocytes of various Tla genotypes and from leukemia cells revealed features that, given present evidence, are peculiar to TL among class I products of the H-2:Qa:Tla region of chromosome 17. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of TL from thymocytes of all TL+ mouse strains, precipitated by anti-TL antiserum or monoclonal antibodies, showed two closely migrating bands of equal intensity in the heavy (H) chain position (45-50,000 mol wt). Comparison of these two bands by two-dimensional isoelectric focusing (2D IEF)-SDS-PAGE and 2D chymotryptic peptide mapping showed no differences indicative of protein dissimilarity. Thus, the two components of the H chain doublet may differ only in a feature of glycosylation that does not affect charge. The two leukemias studied gave only a single band in the H chain position. On 2D peptide mapping and 2D IEF-SDS-PAGE, the patterns for TL of Tlaa and Tlae thymocytes, which are closely related serologically, were broadly similar, but clearly different from the pattern typical of Tlac and Tlad thymocytes. 2D peptide maps of TL from Tlaa thymocytes and Tlaa leukemia cells did not differ. Leukemia cells of Tlab origin (thymocytes TL-) gave 2D peptide and 2D IEF-SDS-PAGE patterns of a third type. With the exception of Tlaa, thymocytes of TL+ mice yielded additional TL products of higher molecular weight than the TL H chain.

Expansion of natural (NK1+) T cells that express alpha beta T cell receptors in transporters associated with antigen presentation-1 null and thymus leukemia antigen positive mice.

Thymic selection of natural killer-1+ natural T cells that express alpha beta T cell receptors requires a conserved beta 2-microglobulin-associated molecule, presumably CD1d, displayed by CD4+8+ thymocytes. Here we demonstrate that positive selection of natural T cells occurs independent of transporters associated with antigen presentation-1 (TAP-1) function. Moreover, natural T cells in TAP-1o/o mice are numerically expanded. Several H-2 class Ib molecules function in a TAP-independent manner, suggesting that if expressed in TAP-1o/o thymocytes, they could play a role in natural T cell development. Of these class Ib molecules, H-2TL is expressed by TAP-1o/o thymocytes. Moreover, we find that thymi of TL+ mice congenic or transgenic for H-2T18 also have a numerically expanded natural T cell repertoire compared with TL- mice. This expansion, as in TAP-1o/o thymi, is evident in each of the limited T cell receptor V beta chains expressed by natural T cells, suggesting that TL and CD1d impact similar repertoires. Thus TL, in addition to CD1d, plays a role in natural T cell development.

Transcription analysis, physical mapping, and molecular characterization of a nonclassical human leukocyte antigen class I gene.

The human major histocompatibility complex contains approximately 20 class I genes, pseudogenes, and gene fragments. These include the genes for the three major transplantation antigens, HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C, as well as a number of other genes or pseudogenes of unknown biological significance. Most of the latter have C + G-rich sequences in their 5' ends that are unmethylated in the B-lymphoblastoid cell line 3.1.0. We investigated one of these genes, HLA-H, in more detail. The gene is, overall, strongly homologous in sequence to HLA-A but differs in several potentially significant ways, including changes in conserved promoter sequences, a single-base deletion producing a translation termination codon in exon 4, and a region of sequence divergence downstream of the transcribed portion of the gene. Nevertheless, mouse L cells transfected with the gene accumulated small amounts of apparently full-length polyadenylated RNA. A portion of this RNA begins at the transcription site predicted by analogy to certain class I cDNA clones, while another portion appears to begin shortly upstream. L cells transfected with a hybrid gene containing the first three exons of HLA-H and the last five exons of HLA-B27 accumulated full-length HLA transcripts at the same level as cells transfected with an HLA-B27 gene; both levels are at least 15- to 20-fold higher than that directed by HLA-H alone. In addition, we isolated a cDNA clone for HLA-H that contains a portion of intron 3 attached to a normally spliced sequence comprising exons 4 through 8. These results suggest that low levels of translatable mRNA for the truncated class I heavy chain encoded by HLA-H are produced under physiologic circumstances and that sequences 3' of intron 3 decrease the levels of stable transcripts.

Biochemical characterization of a p43,12 complex: comparison with human and murine class I molecules.

A monoclonal antibody designated as C21 reacting with a p43,12 complex was developed against human thymocytes. It stained predominantly the early hematopoietic cells of the lymphoid lineage and also thymocytes, peripheral B-cells and activated T- and B-cells similarly to OKT10. The heavy chain of this antigen was a glycoprotein of Mr 43,000 (p43). Sequential immunoprecipitation with C21 and OKT10 antibodies indicated that they both reacted with an identical heavy-chain molecule. This observation was further documented by two-dimensional analysis. Monoclonal antibody C21 was used to probe a p43,12 complex further. Structural polymorphism of the p43 heavy chain isolated from T- and B-cells of different individuals was not detected by chymotryptic peptide mapping, although molecules from these cell types possessed a different charge on two-dimensional gels. An unusual observation was made regarding this complex on MOLT4 cells. The light chain co-precipitated from these cells was 12,000 daltons and had a pI distinct from that of beta 2-microglobulin but similar to the pI of the beta t molecule. Comparison between chymotryptic peptide maps of the p43 heavy chain and those of the human and murine class I molecules such as HLA, T6, H-2K, Qa-2 and TL revealed no apparent homology. We have shown, however, that the peptide backbone of p43, as studied by both tunicamycin treatment of cells and endoglycosidase F digestion of immunoprecipitates, was identical in size to that of murine Qa-1. These results suggest that the p43 antigen may be homologous to murine Qa-1 or another class I antigen encoded in the murine TL:Qa region.

Biochemical characterization of the human T6 antigen: a comparison between T6 and murine TL.

The human T6 antigen was studied by two monoclonal antibodies: OKT6 and Leu-6. A third monoclonal antibody, C56 (developed in our laboratory), was found to have similar properties to those of OKT6. On SDS-PAGE, all three antibodies precipitated a 48,000-12,000-dalton heterodimer. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and chymotryptic peptide map analysis revealed that these antibodies precipitated in identical 48,000-dalton heavy chain which was distinguishable from the HLA-A,B,C heavy chains. The single 12,000-dalton light chain precipitated with OKT6 antibody was shown to be distinct from beta 2-microglobulin by its pI. The two light chains precipitated with Leu-6 antibody were resolved by charge into beta 2-microglobulin and the more basic 12,000-dalton peptide identical to that precipitated with OKT6. In addition to beta 2-microglobulin, the latter component (presumably beta t) was also found in the light-chain fraction precipitated from the thymocytes with a monoclonal antibody recognizing the framework of HLA-A,B,C heavy chains. Using chymotryptic peptide mapping, no polymorphism was detected among the heavy chains of the T6 antigen isolated from thymocytes of four individuals. All three monoclonal antibodies failed to precipitate murine TL from ASL1 leukemia cell lysates. Similarly, none of the six monoclonal and two conventional anti-TL antibodies reacted with T6. Although a high degree of homology was found by peptide map analysis among the TL molecules encoded by the Tlaa, Tlad and Tlae alleles, a comparison between their peptide maps and that of T6 revealed no similarity. Despite previous suggestions that T6 is homologous to murine TL, the present biochemical studies do not support this hypothesis.

Structure and content of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I regions of the great anthropoid apes.

The origins of the functional class I genes predated human speciation, a phenomenon known as trans-speciation. The retention of class Ia orthologues within the great apes, however, has not been paralleled by studies designed to examine the pseudogene content, organization, and structure of their class I regions. Therefore, we have begun the systematic characterization of the Old World primate MHCs. The numbers and sizes of fragments harboring class I sequences were similar among the chimpanzee, gorilla, and human genomes tested. Both of the gorillas included in our study possessed genomic fragments carrying orthologues of the recently evolved HLA-H pseudogene identical to those found in the human. The overall megabase restriction fragment patterns of humans and chimpanzees appeared slightly more similar to each other, although the HLA-A subregional megabase variants may have been generated following the emergence of Homo sapiens. Based on the results of this initial study, it is difficult to generate a firm species tree and to determine human's closest evolutionary neighbor. Nevertheless, an analysis of MHC subregional similarities and differences in the hominoid apes may ultimately aid in localizing and identifying MHC haplotype-associated disease genes such as idiopathic hemochromatosis.

Absence of GNAI2 codon 179 oncogene mutations in inflammatory bowel disease.

The human GNAI2 gene coding for G protein, Galphai2, is located on chromosome 3p21 in proximity to the region where an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) locus has been suggested. Galphai2-deficient mice develop a lethal diffuse colitis that resembles human ulcerative colitis (UC) and frequently progresses to colon adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, the human GNAI2 gene is subject to point mutations at certain positions, including three at codon 179, all of which have been reported in human endocrine tumors. In order to evaluate the possible involvement of this gene in IBD pathogenesis, we have examined GNAI2 codon 179 sequences in 28 familial IBD patients, including 13 UC, 15 Crohn's disease (CD), and 7 patients with colon cancer/dysplasia, from 12 multiplex IBD families. The wildtype codon 179, CGC for arginine, plus the first G of the codon 180 engender a sequence recognizable by the enzyme BstUI. Mutations, therefore, can result in the abrogation of BstUI digestion of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products containing the codon 179. Using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique, all 28 IBD patients, including those with colon cancer, and 14 non-IBD family members show a BstUI-cleavable PCR-banding pattern indicating the presence of wildtype codon 179. We conclude that, in the familial IBD and colon cancer/dysplasia patients studied, there is no detectable mutation in the codon 179 of the GNAI2 gene.

Clinical and molecular analyses of deletion 3p25-pter syndrome.

Hemizygous deletion of 3p25-pter is associated with a phenotype of profound growth failure, microcephaly, characteristic facial changes, and mental retardation. Since the severity may be quite variable, we have studied 3 cases of del 3p25-pter to define the clinical manifestations and the critical chromosome region for phenotypic expression. The patient we now report died at age 6 months and provided an opportunity for a detailed necropsy analysis for only the second time in a del(3p) patient. He had marked hypoplasia of all organs, hypomyelination of white matter, and multiple renal cortical microcysts. Ordered genomic markers from the distal regions of chromosome 3p aided in determining the parent of origin of each deletion and in defining the boundaries of the deleted chromosomal segments. The deleted markers distal to the RAF1 oncogene in 2 of the 3 patients were consistently hemizygous. One patient had an interstitial deletion based on evidence of diploid inheritance of one of the most distal loci (D3S17). Available genetic linkage maps suggest that the deletion spans at least 19 centimorgans (cM).

Dopamine markers and general cognitive ability.

Because general cognitive ability (g) is among the most heritable behavioural traits, it is a reasonable target for a search for quantitative trait loci (QTLs). We used a selected-extremes design to test candidate genes for allelic association with g. Polymorphisms in four genes in the dopamine system (DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, DAT1) were genotyped for 51 high g children with IQ scores > 130 and for 51 average g control children. No significant allelic or genotypic differences were found between the high g and average g groups for these markers of the dopamine system, even though the selected-extremes design provides power to detect QTL associations that involve a relative risk of about 1.5.

DNA pooling and dense marker maps: a systematic search for genes for cognitive ability.

Pooling DNA from subjects within a group and comparing the pooled DNA across groups for a dense map of DNA markers offers a solution to the conundrum that linkage is systematic but not powerful whereas allelic association is powerful but not systematic. We used DNA pooling to screen 66 markers on chromosome 22 in original and replication samples of children of high general cognitive ability (g) and controls of average g. Although none of these markers survived our three-stage screening design (original pooling, replication pooling, individual genotyping), the results of DNA pooling were largely confirmed by individual genotyping. We can therefore exclude associations of major effect size on chromosome 22 for g, a key variable for cognitive neuroscience research on learning and memory.

Vibrio vulnificus septicemia in a patient with the hemochromatosis HFE C282Y mutation.

Vibrio vulnificus is an extremely invasive gram-negative bacillus found in marine waters that causes overwhelming bacteremia and shock that is associated with high mortality. Impaired iron metabolism has been implicated in the susceptibility to V vulnificus bacterial infections. We report a case of fatal V vulnificus sepsis in a 56-year-old man who died within 1 to 3 days after consuming raw seafood. At autopsy, he was found to have micronodular cirrhosis and iron overload. Postmortem genetic analysis revealed the presence of the hemochromatosis gene (HFE) C282Y mutation. To our knowledge, this is this first documented fatal case of V vulnificus infection in a patient proven to carry the HFE C282Y mutation. Because this patient was heterozygous for the major hereditary hemochromatosis mutation and was not previously diagnosed with clinical iron overload, the spectrum of clinical susceptibilities to V vulnificus infection may include carriers of the C282Y mutation.

Class I gene contraction within the HLA-A subregion of the human MHC.

Individuals expressing either the HLA-A24 or the HLA-A23 histocompatibility antigens have been found to possess an HLA-A class I subregion approximately 50 kb smaller in size than those studied from individuals expressing other HLA-A haplotypes. This originally manifested itself as a haplotype-associated size variation in the NotI and MluI megabase fragments observed on pulsed-field electrophoresis gels after blotting and probing with HLA-A subregion-specific genomic probes. The contracted region falls between the HLA-A and the HLA-G class I genes and specifically includes the novel HLA-A-related pseudogene, HLA-H, as well as the adjacent deteriorated class I pseudogene, 7.0 p. The intactness of locus D6S128, defined by probe pMC6.7 located telomeric to the HLA-H gene, demonstrates that the distal rearrangement point falls within a 20-kb stretch of DNA separating HLA-H from pMC6.7. This extends a previous report regarding variation in class I gene number within the human major histocompatibility complex and precisely localizes the genomic residence of sequences that may define a recombination hot spot. Because the size variation maps to a recombinogenic area, its characterization may ultimately reveal important biological information relevant to the events that shaped the organization of the human HLA class I multigene family.

Further polymorphism of the Tla locus defined by monoclonal TL antibodies.

Six new monoclonal TL antibodies are described. At least one new TL antigen is defined (TL.7), and at least one more Tla allele, bringing the total number of known Tla alleles to six. Five of the monoclonal antibodies, and probably all six, identify distinct TL antigenic specificities. Four of these antigens conform in strain distribution and expression on leukemia cells to antigens defined by conventional antisera. The data contain a hint that monoclonal TL antibodies like TL.m6 may serve to identify a region of the Tla gene, which determines whether or not prothymocytes will respond to physiological induction by expressing TL, and thus may provide a means to study the regulatory mechanism that determines whether mouse strains are phenotypically TL+ or TL-.

Mapping and characterization of non-HLA multigene assemblages in the human MHC class I region.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I region has been shown to be associated with a variety of immune and nonimmune disorders. In an effort to initiate steps designed to identify the idiopathic hemochromatosis disease gene (HFE), we have cloned and mapped two expressed messages using probes from the HLA-H subregion that lie immediately distal to the HLA-A9 breakpoint. Although the cDNA clones identify distinct multifragment families that are dispersed throughout the MHC, the gene sequences from which the two cDNA clones derive map centromeric to the HLA-B locus and are absent from the genomes of higher nonhuman primates. This suggests that a syntenic coding segment arose within a highly polymorphic region (TNF to HLA-B interval) as the result of an insertion event following the emergence of Homo sapiens. An additional syntenic cluster exists within a peak of linkage disequilibrium with the HFE gene and may define coding sequences that underlie the defect in genetic iron overload. These data generally support the concept that the class I region is potentially gene-rich and further highlight the possibility that these new coding sequences may play a role in the development of a variety of HLA-linked diseases. The observations presented suggest that interlocus exchanges have played a structural role in the genesis of the human class I region.

A class I jumping clone places the HLA-G gene approximately 100 kilobases from HLA-H within the HLA-A subregion of the human MHC.

By the combination of cosmid cloning, chromosomal jumping, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), we have fine-mapped the HLA-A subregion of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Through the isolation of a class I jumping clone, the Q alpha-like HLA-G class I gene has been placed within 100 kb of HLA-H. The tight physical linkage of these class I genes has been further supported by hybridizing PFGE blots with locus-specific probes. It has been found that both of the above class I genes are linked to HLA-A, with HLA-H residing no more than 200 kb from the HLA-A gene. These data support the possible existence of a Q alpha-like subregion composed of nonclassical HLA class I genes within the human MHC linked telomerically to the HLA-A locus.

Transgenic mice expressing the thymus leukemia antigen fail to control cutaneous herpes simplex virus infection.

TL-transgenic mice expressing the thymus leukemia antigen demonstrate a lack of viral clearance following cutaneous HSV infection of the footpad. In this study, both uninfected and HSV-infected TL-transgenic mice demonstrate increased concentrations of IL-4 as well as decreased concentrations of IFN-gamma which may possibly underlie the impairment of viral clearance. Furthermore, lymphocytes from HSV-infected nontransgenic mice, adoptively transferred into HSV-infected TL-transgenic mice, promoted viral clearance and led to an increase in IFN-gamma production. Transgenic mice which were subcutaneously injected with IFN-gamma in the right footpad were also capable of clearing the viral challenge; however, clearance was restricted solely to the right footpad. These studies support the possibility of perturbations in the immune system of TL-transgenic mice and effectively demonstrate the utility of this model system in the study of HSV clearance, persistence, and potential spontaneous reactivation. Moreover, the TL-transgenic animals may provide a useful model system for additional studies requiring a host system skewed toward a Th2 phenotype.

An increased gamma delta T cell population in the intestine of thymus-leukemia antigen transgenic mice.

In an approach to study thymic leukemia antigen's (TL's) function, we have developed transgenic mice that express T18d on virtually all somatic cells; in such mice, we initially observed changes in T cells within the thymus and lymph nodes as well as the ability of TL to undergo recognition by splenic T cells. As phase II of our study, we now present the results on the composition of gut T cell populations which may be a better measure of TL's true function. We have demonstrated an increase in the number of gamma delta T cells as well as the increase in gamma delta T cells expressing the V gamma 2 chain. These cells appear to be both CD4 and CD8 negative. This suggests that TL may select for a subset of gamma delta T cells within the gut and bolsters earlier reports implicating an H-2T regional gene product as the major histocompatibility complex ligand for gamma delta T cells.

Additional products of the Tla locus of the mouse.

Thymocytes and leukemia cells of some mouse strains yield TL proteins, precipitable by anti-TL antiserum and by anti-TL monoclonal antibodies, that include not only the familiar heavy (H) chain of 45-50 kDa but also products of higher molecular mass. Production of a 53-kDa TL form by Tlad thymocytes was studied in detail. A cross was made between B10.M (Tlad) mice, which produce the 53-kDa TL, and mice of the A strain (Tlaa), which make only the usual H chain. Hemi-expression of apparently unaltered 53-kDa TL was observed in thymocytes of the Tlad/Tlaa heterozygous F1 progeny. Thus, there was no indication of positive or negative trans interaction with respect to production of the 53-kDa TL form associated with Tlad. We conclude that production of 53-kDa TL is governed intrachromosomally. Two-dimensional chymotryptic peptide maps of the TL H chain and the 53-kDa TL of Tlad thymocytes differed only by added features found in the map of the 53-kDa TL. With the exception of Tlaa, all Tla alleles (Tlab-f) yielded TL products of higher molecular weight than the accompanying H chain, although in the case of Tlab this was evident only in TL+ leukemia cells because Tlab thymocytes are TL-. For H-2, representing other class I genes, no products other than the familiar H chain were demonstrable under similar conditions.

Characterization of the thymus leukemia (TL) product encoded by the BALB/c T3c gene by DNA-mediated gene transfer. Comparison to the T13c product and BALB/c leukemia TL.

Using DNA-mediated gene transfer, we have studied the TL protein products encoded by both the T3c and T13c BALB/c genes. Biochemically, the proteins differed in their m.w. and pI points; serologically, although both molecules were recognized by TL alloantiserum, only the T13c protein was recognized by monoclonal TL antibodies. Interestingly, both proteins were serologically and immunochemically recognized by leukemia-specific TL.4 antiserum. The quantity of cell surface T13 was significantly greater than T3 possibly due to the less efficient splicing of T3 transcripts in the L cell nucleus; both genes directed the synthesis of cytoplasmic RNA containing an unspliced intron 3 as assessed by S1 analysis. In toto, the results suggest that T3c is similar or perhaps identical with the novel TL product previously identified on the surface of certain x-ray-induced BALB/c leukemias.

Calcium dependence of human sperm fertilizing ability.

The Ca2+ dependency of human-sperm fertilizing ability was investigated using a modified Tyrode's medium either containing 2.4 mM CaCl2 (CA medium) or with the CaCl2 replaced by SrCl2 and 0.1 mM EGTA added to chelate any residual Ca2+ ions (SREG-medium). Ten washed sperm populations incubated in either medium for 0, 6, and 22 hours showed the same occurrence of acrosome reactions (by fluorescent lectin labelling and triple stain). A further 3-hour incubation after washing into fresh CA medium resulted in only a slight increase in acrosome reactions in both media. Eight sperm populations preincubated overnight in CA and SREG media were coincubated for 1 hour with previously salt-stored human zonae pellucidae also in the same media. Significantly more motile spermatozoa were bound to more of the zonae in CA medium (53.9% vs. 27.6% of zonae with 13.8 vs. 4.3 sperm/bound zona). In three hamster egg penetration test (HEPT) experiments, sperm populations preincubated overnight in either CA or SREG media were coincubated with hamster oocytes prepared in the same media. Only 2.1% of oocytes (1.0 polyspermy) were penetrated in SREG medium, cf., 30.9% of oocytes (1.3 polyspermy) in CA medium. These results demonstrate that while Sr2+ ions can substitute fully for Ca2+ in the capacitation and acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa, sperm-zona, and sperm-oolemma interaction seem to involve some more Ca2+-specific process(es). Furthermore, the increased HEPT fertilizing ability of human spermatozoa using overnight preincubation in SREG medium and CA medium for the test cannot be explained on the basis of differential kinetics of capacitation or the acrosome reaction.