The antigenic structure of HLA-A2: an analysis with competitive binding assays and monoclonal antibodies.

Twelve mouse monoclonal antibodies against HLA-A2 were analyzed by competitive binding assays on cells. The A2 molecule was found to have two topologically distinct regions of highly specific alloantigenic determinants. One region encompasses determinants shared with HLA-A28 and the other contains determinants shared with HLA-B17 and a variant, A28*, of HLA-A28. Each of these two alloantigenic regions is more closely associated with a different broadly polymorphic determinant shared by many HLA gene products. The topographic relationship between the two alloantigenic regions, four monomorphic determinants, and the carbohydrate moiety of the HLA heavy chain was also assessed. All the antigenic determinants preferentially associate with one or other of the two alloantigenic regions. An analysis of these results with reference to the amino acid sequences of A2 and A28 suggests a working hypothesis whereby the A2,A28*,B17 region primarily involves residues of the NH2-terminal or first domain, and that the A2,A28 region primarily involves residues of the second domain of the A2 heavy chain.

The binding of monoclonal antibodies to cell-surface molecules. A quantitative analysis with immunoglobulin G against two alloantigenic determinants of the human transplantation antigen HLA-A2.

Monoclonal IgG1 (immunoglobulin G1) PA2.1 and MA2.1 antibodies recognize polymorphic sites of the human transplantation antigen HLA-A2. They are distinguishable because MA2.1 binds HLA-A2 and HLA-B17, whereas PA2.1 binds HLA-A2 and HLA-A28. The affinities of PA2.1-Fab for HLA-A2, three HLA-A2 variants and HLA-A28 are similar and relatively low (1.9 X 10(7) M-1). The affinities of MA2.1-Fab for HLA-A2, three HLA-A2 variants and HLA-B17 are similar and high (1.2 X 10(9) M-1). The difference in affinity is due to the rates of dissociation, which give half-times of dissociation of 290 min for MA2.1-Fab and 4 min for PA2.1-Fab. For both Fab, equilibrium measurements and kinetic determinations gave consistent estimates for affinity. When PA2.1-F(ab)2 or IgG is incubated with cells it reaches equilibrium within 3 h, with most molecules bound bivalently to the cell. Under similar conditions, MA2.1-F(ab)2 does not reach equilibrium and a significant proportion of molecules bound with one and two sites are found. For the lower-affinity antibody (PA2.1), estimates of the binding constants for one- and two-site interactions could be made. By simple Scatchard analysis the avidity of F(ab)2 or IgG is 1.3 X 10(9) M-1, giving an enhancement factor of 68 between bivalent and univalent binding. This is a measure of the equilibrium constant for the interchange between bivalent and univalent binding. Analysis of the results with more realistic models indicates that the actual value is larger (10(3)-10(4) M-1) than 68 M-1. The avidities of F(ab)2 and IgG for HLA-A2 are identical, showing the Fc does not interfere with bivalent binding to cells.

Amino acid residues 56 to 69 of HLA-A2 specify an antigenic determinant shared by HLA-A2 and HLA-B17.

The mouse monoclonal antibody MA2.1 was previously used to define an epitope shared by native HLA-A2 and HLA-B17 molecules and amino acid sequence comparison of nine HLA-A,B,C molecules identified residues 62 to 65 as the region most likely to form this epitope. An unabsorbed rabbit antiserum raised against a peptide corresponding to residues 56 to 69 of HLA-A2 gives highly specific reactions with HLA-A2 and HLA-B17 heavy chains in Western blots. No interactions with native HLA-A2 and B17 molecules were detected in a variety of assays. Although the topographic relationship between the epitopes recognized by the rabbit antiserum and the monoclonal antibody could not be determined, the results show that residues 56 to 69 of HLA-A2 can form epitopes with specificity for HLA-A2 and HLA-B17.

The complete primary structure of HLA-Bw58.

Serological studies indicate that HLA-B17 molecules are unusually cross-reactive with products of the HLA-A locus. In particular, a mouse monoclonal antibody MA2.1 defines an epitope that is shared by HLA-A2 and the two subtypes (Bw57 and Bw58) of B17. To investigate these relationships at the structural level, we have isolated a gene coding for Bw58 from the WT49 B cell line. The gene was transfected into mouse L cells and its protein product was characterized with a panel of monoclonal anti-HLA antibodies. The nucleotide sequence of 3520 base pairs of DNA encompassing the seven exons coding for Bw58 and associated introns was determined. The deduced protein sequences for Bw58 and eight other HLA-A,B,C molecules were compared. In the first polymorphic domain (alpha 1), Bw58 is unusual in that it is as homologous to HLA-A locus products as to HLA-B locus products. In the second polymorphic domain (alpha 2), Bw58 has greater homology to B locus products. In the alpha 1 domain of Bw58, small segments of amino acid and nucleotide sequence homology with A2 (residues 62-65) and with Aw24 (residues 75-83) are found in the major region of polymorphic diversity (residues 62-83). These similarities provide structural correlates for the serological relationships between Bw58 and A locus molecules, with residues 62-65 possibly being involved in the MA2.1 epitope. From comparisons of four HLA-A and four HLA-B sequences, there is a difference in the patterns of variation for A and B locus molecules. For B locus molecules there is greater variation in the alpha 1 domain than in the alpha 2 domain. For A locus molecules, variation in the two domains is similar and like that for B locus alpha 2 domains. In comparison to other HLA-A,B,C genes, novel inverted repeat sequences were found in the nucleotide sequence of HLA-Bw58. These sequences flank the putative RNA splicing sites at the 3' end of the exons encoding the alpha 2 and alpha 3 protein domains.

A transposable epitope of HLA-B7, B40 molecules.

The monoclonal antibody MB40.2 defines a novel subtype of HLA-B40 that is expressed by the Sweig cell line. This molecule, called HLA-B40, lacks an antigenic determinant that is common to HLA-B7 and the HLA-Bw60 subtype of HLA-B40. Genes encoding HLA-B40 and HLA-Bw60 have now been isolated and the amino acid sequences of these proteins compared with other HLA-B locus molecules. These results show that HLA-B40 is a unique protein which differs from HLA-Bw60 by eight amino acid substitutions. Comparison of the sequences for HLA-B40, -Bw60, and -B7 localizes the MB40.2 epitope to a cluster of three substitutions at positions 177, 178, and 180 at the end of the alpha 2 domain. Gene conversion or reciprocal recombination are postulated to have transferred this cluster of substitutions, and their associated epitope, during the evolution of HLA-B locus genes. The epitope may consist of an alpha helical segment which is exclusively found on MB40.2-positive molecules.

Good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliance in the biologics sector: plasma fractionation.

The U.S. blood supply is the safest it has ever been. Due to blood safety and the introduction of viral inactivation/clearance technologies, protein therapies derived from human blood have also in recent years had a history of product safety. Nevertheless, since 1995, the plasma-fractionation industry has experienced increased compliance-related actions by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as shown by a substantive increase in the number of FDA 483 inspectional observations, FDA warning letters and other FDA regulatory action. An evaluation of these trends shows that they reflect the implementation by the FDA of increased inspectional interest in the plasma-fractionation industry and an evolution of inspectional practices and standards of current good manufacturing practice (cGMP). Plasma fractionators have responded to FDA actions by carefully evaluating and addressing each inspectional observation, assessing impact to product and taking appropriate actions, including corrective actions to prevent future occurrence. They have made major investments in facilities, quality systems, personnel and training to meet the evolving standards of cGMP and in an effort to implement these standards systemically. Through industry associations, manufacturers have further enhanced product safety by adopting additional voluntary standards for plasma to prevent the entry of potentially unsuitable plasma into the production process. The industry remains committed to application of cGMP and to working with the FDA in further evolution of these standards while striving to assure a continued supply of safe, pure and effective plasma-derived therapies.

NF-kappa B regulates IL-1 beta transcription through a consensus NF-kappa B binding site and a nonconsensus CRE-like site.

In these studies, we show that NF-kappa B induces transcription from the human pro-IL-1 beta (IL-1 beta) gene. A recombinant plasmid pIL-1(-4000)-CAT, containing 4 kb of the IL-1 beta gene upstream regulatory sequence was transactivated by the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B or by treatment of the cells with a combination of NF-kappa B inducers including LPS, PMA, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (L+P+C) in U937 cells. Coexpression of p65 with L+P+C treatment led to a synergistic response, whereas coexpression of the I kappa B alpha/MAD-3 protein, in place of p65, blocked L+P+C induction. A series of 5' deletion mutants of the IL-1 beta promoter were used to define two p65 response regions: region I located between -2800 to -2720 bp and region II located between -512 and -133 bp. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed that NF-kappa B-like proteins could bind to two consensus binding sites in region II. A site-specific mutation in only one of these NF-kappa B sites (-296/-286 bp) caused a specific loss of induction by p65 or L+P+C. A cyclic AMP response element (CRE) site (-2761/-2753 bp) in region I has been shown previously to be critical for L+P+C induction. Mutation of the CRE in an enhancerless test plasmid containing two copies of region I blocked transactivation by p65. Likewise, coexpression of I kappa B alpha inhibited CRE-dependent L+P+C induction of the wild-type counterpart. These data show that NF-kappa B regulates a nonconsensus CRE site in addition to the consensus binding site at -296/-286 bp and suggest that NF-kappa B may play multiple roles in the induction of IL-1 beta transcription.

Nature of polymorphism in HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules.

Diversity in 39 HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules is derived from 20 amino acid positions of high variability and 71 positions of low variability. Variation in the structurally homologous alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains is distinct and may correlate with partial segregation of peptide and T-cell receptor binding functions. Comparison of 15 HLA-A with 20 HLA-B molecules reveals considerable locus-specific character, due primarily to differences at polymorphic residues. The results indicate that genetic exchange between alleles of the same locus has been a more important mechanism in the generation of HLA-A, -B, and -C diversity than genetic exchange events between alleles of different loci.