Increased production of IL-7 accompanies HIV-1-mediated T-cell depletion: implications for T-cell homeostasis.

We hypothesized that HIV-1-mediated T-cell loss might induce the production of factors that are capable of stimulating lymphocyte development and expansion. Here we perform cross-sectional (n = 168) and longitudinal (n = 11) analyses showing that increased circulating levels of interleukin (IL)-7 are strongly associated with CD4+ T lymphopenia in HIV-1 disease. Using immunohistochemistry with quantitative image analysis, we demonstrate that IL-7 is produced by dendritic-like cells within peripheral lymphoid tissues and that IL-7 production by these cells is greatly increased in lymphocyte-depleted tissues. We propose that IL-7 production increases as part of a homeostatic response to T-cell depletion.

Epitope-specific regulation. I. Carrier-specific induction of suppression for IgG anti-hapten antibody responses.

The epitope-specific regulatory system selectively controls IgG antibody production to the individual (haptenic) determinants on a complex antigen. This system can be specifically induced to suppress primary and secondary IgG antibody responses to dinitrophenyl hapten (DNP) without interfering with antibody responses to epitopes on the carrier molecule on which the DNP is presented. Furthermore, once induced, it will specifically suppress responses to DNP presented on unrelated carrier molecules. Results summarized here obtained using widely different immunization conditions, and a variety of haptens and carrier molecules indicate that this regulatory system controls antibody production in most T-dependent antibody responses. Carrier-specific suppressor T cells (CTs) that arise shortly after priming with a carrier molecule such as keyhole limpet hemocyaninin (KLH) induce the epitope-specific system to suppress in situ and adoptive antibody responses to epitopes (e.g., DNP) presented subsequently on the priming carrier. These well-known regulatory T cells are commonly believed to regulate antibody production by interfering with carrier-specific help; however, by repeating the original CTs transfer experiments with additional controls that define the specificity of the mechanism mediating suppression in CTs recipients, we show that KLH-specific CTs regulate responses by inducing typical isotope- specific suppression for anti-DNP responses when the recipients are immunized with DNP-KLH. Thus, whether KLH-primed animals are immunized directly with DNP-KLH (KLH/DNP-KLH immunization sequence) or whether T cells from these animals are challenged with DNP-KLH in (nonirradiated)recipients, anti-DNP responses are persistently suppressed while anti-carrier responses proceed normally. The aqueous KLH-priming protocols usually used to generate CTs are marginally more effective in priming for in situ suppression-induction than the alum KLH-priming protocols commonly used to generate KLH-specific helper T cells and used here in KLH/DNP-KLH immunizations. Thus, studies presented show that priming with an antigenic (carrier) molecule simultaneously prepares the animal for the production of typical secondary (anamnestic) antibody responses to epitopes on the priming antigen and for the induction of epitope-specific suppression for antibody production to determinants presented subsequently on the same antigenic molecule. We discuss the mechanism(s) responsible for this duality and its significance for antibody responses in an accompanying publication that describes the bistable regulatory capabilities of the epitope-specific system.

Monoclonal antibody to an IgD allotype induces a new type of allotype suppression in the mouse.

Studies presented here show that perinatal exposure to anti-IgD allotype antibodies induces a persistant IgG-allotype suppression in the mouse that differs markedly from either the short-term or chronic allotype suppressions induced by antibodies to IgG or IgM allotypes. This novel form of allotype suppression induced by injecting neonatal BALB/c x SJL mice with monoclonal antibody to the paternal Igh-5b (IgD) allotype drastically reduces paternal allotype production during the first 6 mo of the affected animal's life and simultaneously stimulates compensatory production of maternal allotype IgG. In addition, it interferes with the development of B cells carrying the paternal IgD allotype and impairs the development of memory B cells destined to give rise to paternal allotype IgG-producing cells. Thus, its properties make it more like allotype suppression as described in the rabbit than like the known forms of allotype suppression in the mouse. As shown here, Igh-5b-bearing (5b+) B cells are completely depleted from the neonate after anti-5b exposure and only gradually appear as the animal ages. The recovery of the 5b+ population to near normal size (by approximately 14 wk of age) substantially preceeds recovery of the ability to generate normal-size memory B cell populations. Paternal allotype levels in serum remain well below normal until the anti-5b-exposed animals reach approximately 6 mo of age and then climb rapidly, finally stabilizing at levels comparable to levels in controls of the same age. The elevated maternal allotype levels characteristic of the suppression period began falling somewhat earlier and are clearly stabilized within the normal range in 6-mo-old animals. Thus, perinatal exposure to anti-5b compromises B cell development and IgG production throughout early adulthood but has little apparent effect in older animals. Perinatal exposure to antibody to the paternal IgG2a allotype (Igh-1b) or IgM allotype (Igh-6b), in contrast, induces a chronic allotype suppression that has relatively little affect on IgG production in young adults but severely suppresses allotype production in older animals. Furthermore, this type of (chronic) suppression does not influence maternal allotype production and does not interfere with memory B cell development. These differences, illustrated here by data from parallel sets of animals exposed either toi anti-5b or anti-1b, raise a series of intriguing questions concerning the mechanisms regulating B cell development and expression and the nature of the neonatal (B) cell populations with which the suppression-inducing antibodies react.

Progenitors for Ly-1 B cells are distinct from progenitors for other B cells.

Data from previous multiparameter fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis and sorting studies define a subset of murine B cells that expresses the Ly-1 surface determinant in conjunction with IgM, IgD, Ia, and other typical B cell markers. These Ly-1 B cells are physically and functionally distinct. They express more IgM and less IgD than most other B cells; they are not normally found in lymph node or bone marrow; they are always present at low frequencies (1-5%) in normal spleens, and, as we show here, they comprise about half of the B cells (10-20% of total cells) recovered from the peritoneal cavity in normal mice. Furthermore, most of the commonly studied IgM autoantibodies in normal and autoimmune mice are produced by these Ly-1 B cells, even though they seldom produce antibodies to exogenous antigens such as trinitrophenyl-Ficoll or trinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Cell transfer studies presented here demonstrate that the progenitors of Ly-1 B cells are different from the progenitors of the predominant B cell populations in spleen and lymph node. In these studies, we used FACS analysis and functional assays to characterize donor-derived (allotype-marked) B cells present in lethally irradiated recipients 1-2 mo after transfer. Surprisingly, adult bone marrow cells typically used to reconstitute B cells in irradiated recipients selectively failed to reconstitute the Ly-1 B subset. Liver, spleen, and bone marrow cells from young mice, in contrast, reconstituted all B cells (including Ly-1 B), and peritoneal "washout" cells (PerC) from adult mice uniquely reconstituted Ly-1 B. Bone marrow did not block Ly-1 B development, since PerC and newborn liver still gave rise to Ly-1 B when jointly transferred with marrow. These findings tentatively assign Ly-1 B to a distinct developmental lineage originating from progenitors that inhabit the same locations as other B cell progenitors in young animals, but move to unique location(s) in adults.

Epitope-specific regulation. II. A bistable, Igh-restricted regulatory mechanism central to immunologic memory.

Antibody responses to commonly used antigens are regulated by an epitope- specific system composed of Igh-restricted elements responsible for controlling the isotype and allotype responses mounted to each of the epitopes on the antigen. Because these elements can be independently induced to either suppress or support antibody production, this system as a whole provides an effector mechanism capable of selectively controlling the amount, affinity, isotype representation, and epitope-specificity of an antibody response. Sequential immunizations with a carrier molecule and a hapten conjugated to that carrier (carrier/hapten-carrier immunization) induce suppression for IgG responses to the hapten. IgG(2a), IgG(2b), and IgG(3) responses are easily suppressed, whereas IgG(1) responses tend to be more resistant. Once induced, suppression tends to be maintained; however, repeated stimulation with the hapten (on any carrier) eventually induces antibody production, first for IgG(1) and later for the more suppressible isotypes (IgG(2a), IgG(2b), IgG(3)). Antibody production, once initiated, also tends to be maintained. Ongoing IgG antihapten responses in animals primed with a hapten-carrier conjugate can be suppressed by subsequent carrier/hapten-carrier immunization (using a different carrier molecule); however, the suppression induced under these circumstances is substantially weaker, i.e., it mainly affects the more suppressible isotypes and is only strong enough to detect clearly in about one-half the immunized animals. Thus, the initiation of antibody production impairs the subsequent induction of suppression, and the initial induction of suppression tends to prevent subsequent initiation of antibody production. This reciprocal relationship defines a bistable regulatory mechanism, i.e., one that tends to maintain its initially induced state but is capable of shifting to the alternate state when stimulatory conditions so dictate. The operation of such a mechanism permits conditions surrounding the first immunization with an epitope (hapten) to strongly influence but not absolutely determine which and how many of the anti-epitope memory B cells generated by that immunization will subsequently be expressed. Thus, epitope- specific regulation, although subordinate to mechanisms that control memory B cell development (as opposed to expression), plays a key role in determining the magnitude, affinity, and isotype representation of anamnestic (memory) responses produced in response to previously encountered epitopes.

Memory B cells at successive stages of differentiation. Affinity maturation and the role of IgD receptors.

The following evidence, mainly presented here, suggests that IgD receptors play a crucial role in determining the potential for affinity maturation in memory B cell populations. IgD receptors are present on the first memory B cells to appear after priming. These memory cells give rise to more-mature memory cells that have lost their IgD receptors. The proportions of early (IgD(+)) and mature (IgD(-)) memory cells found in individual donors vary with time, priming conditions, and the availability of T cell help, and both populations frequently coexist for long periods of time. IgD(+) and IgD(-) memory cells carry IgG receptors and give rise to IgG responses with identical isotype representation in adoptive recipients. IgD(+) memory cells, however, always give rise to predominantly low-affinity antibody responses, whereas IgD(-) memory cells consistently generate responses of substantially higher average affinity. This affinity differential is maintained between early and mature memory populations in the same donor and does not appear to be a result of selective differentiation of higher-affinity IgD(+) memory cells into the IgD(-) memory pool. Thus, the selective forces responsible for affinity maturation appear to operate mainly in mature memory cell populations that have already lost IgD receptors; or, stated conversely, little or no selection towards high-affinity memory appears to occur among memory cells that retain IgD receptors. In discussing these findings, we suggest that the IgD receptors themselves are responsible for maintaining early memory populations at a lower average affinity than IgD(-) populations in the same animal. The IgD receptors, we argue, serve to increase the antigen-binding capacity of lower-affinity memory cells so that these cells can survive, expand, and differentiate (to IgD(-)) at antigen concentrations that select against expansion of low- affinity memory cells no longer carrying IgD receptors. Thus, when antigen is limiting, IgD(-) memory populations will be selectively expanded to higher average affinities, whereas coexisting IgD(+) populations will retain their initial affinity profile. This hypothesis suggests that mechanisms that regulate expression and loss of IgD receptors are central to the adaptability of the immune system in its response to invading pathogens. Two related roles can be envisioned for the IgD receptors in this regard. First, they extend the lower boundary of the affinity range of early memory cell populations induced by a given antigenic stimulus and therefore broaden the diversity of responses obtainable from these populations. Secondly, they support the persistence of low-affinity memory populations under conditions where antigen becomes limiting and eventually disappears. These persisting populations then serve as a diversely reactive reservoir from which mature memory populations can be drawn with higher affinities either for the original antigen or, more importantly, for related antigens that the animal may subsequently encounter. Thus the existence of IgD receptors on early memory cells maintains the full range of response diversity despite ongoing selective expansion of (mature) memory populations to produce antibodies with high combining affinities for individual antigens. The flexibility inherent in such an organizational system, we believe, could be expected to account for the evolutionary development of IgD receptors and the regulatory capabilities that support operation of the system.

Active suppression of immunoglobulin allotype synthesis. II. Transfer of suppressing factor with spleen cells.

The mechanism of chronic allotype suppression in (SJL x BALB/c)F(1) mice has been investigated by means of cell transfer studies. These mice are phenotypically negative for serum Ig-1b, the paternal allotype determinant on gammaG(2a) immunoglubulin, as a result of perinatal exposure to maternal anti-Ig-1b. When spleen or bone marrow (B) cells from suppressed mice were injected into irradiated BALB/c "indicator" hosts, detectable levels of Ig-1b were demonstrated in the sera of a majority of the recipients early after transfer. These results indicate that Ig-1b-producing cells or their precursors are present in the lymphoid tissues of suppressed mice, even though they are not expressed. Within 5-7 wk, it was no longer possible to detect Ig-1b in the sera of these hosts, although cells producing another paternal allotype (Ig-4b) were shown to persist. Control BALB/c mice, injected with spleen and B cells from normal mice, continued to produce high levels of immunoglobulin carrying this allotype. The disappearance of serum, Ig-1b occurred most frequently in the recipients of suppressed spleen cells. Similar results were obtained using a mixture of spleen cells from normal and suppressed mice. Ig-1b production in the recipient mice ceased within a few weeks, even though the majority of cells in the mixture were obtained from normal (nonsuppressed) donors. The data are interpreted as evidence that chronic allotype suppression in mice is actively maintained by cells which are resident in the lymphoid tissues, splenic cells being the most effective. These cells are capable of proliferating in a new host and exerting their suppressive influence on Ig-1b-producing cells and/or their precursors.

Murine B cell differentiation lineages.

Subpopulations of mouse B cells express different amounts of two antigens (BLA-1 and BLA-2) recognized by rat monoclonal antibodies (53-10.1 and 30-E2). Two-color immunofluorescence analysis on the fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) shows that the 53-10.1 monoclonal antibody reacts with a similar proportion of splenic B cells from normal and CBA/N (xid) mice, whereas 30-E2 reacts with most CBA/N B cells but with only a fraction of normal B cells. Data from three- and four-color immunofluorescence analyses with xid, athymic (nude), and normal mice suggest that the order in which these antigens are lost during B cell differentiation distinguishes two B cell lineages: immature B cells express both antigens, intermediate-stage B cells of one or the other lineage express only BLA-1 or only BLA-2, respectively, and mature resting B cells express neither. CBA/N mice lack one of the putative intermediate populations (BLA-1+,2-); thus, this population apparently gives rise to the predominant mature B cell population, which is present in normal adult spleen and lymph node but is missing in CBA/N. The other putative intermediate population (BLA-1-,2+) is decreased by two- to threefold in spleens from nude mice compared with strain-matched controls. Both BLA-1 and BLA-2 antigens rapidly reappear after specific (antigen) or nonspecific (lipopolysaccharide) B cell activation. IgM plaque-forming cells (PFC) derived from such activated cells continue to express both antigens while IgG PFC express only BLA-1.

Fas antigen stimulation induces marked apoptosis of T lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals.

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) of T lymphocytes has been proposed as a mechanism which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Activation of Fas (CD95) can either result in costimulation of proliferation and cytokine production or in the induction of apoptosis of T lymphocytes. This raises the possibility that Fas is involved in the observed T cell apoptosis during HIV disease. In this report we show that peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes from HIV-infected individuals undergo apoptosis in vitro in response to antibody stimulation (cross-linking) of Fas at a much higher frequency than from uninfected controls. This anti-Fas-induced T cell apoptosis is markedly higher than spontaneous T cell apoptosis in HIV-infected individuals. Antibodies against other members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/nerve growth factor receptor family such as CD27, CD30, CD40, 4-1BB, p55 TNF receptor, p75 TNF receptor, and TNF receptor-related protein did not result in any increase of T cell apoptosis above that spontaneously observed in HIV+ individuals. Anti-Fas-induced apoptosis was much higher in symptomatic HIV-infected individuals; and the magnitude of anti-Fas-induced CD4+ T cell apoptosis correlated inversely with peripheral blood CD4+ T cell absolute counts. Surface expression of Fas on T cells was also found to be higher in HIV-infected individuals. Resting and activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells both underwent apoptosis in response to anti-Fas antibody. L-Selectin positive memory CD4+ T cells were especially susceptible to anti-Fas-induced apoptosis. These findings show that CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in HIV-infected individuals are primed in vivo to undergo apoptosis in response to Fas stimulation, suggesting that Fas signaling may be responsible for the T lymphocyte functional defects and depletion observed in HIV disease.

Lymphocyte membrane IgG and secreted IgG are structurally and allotypically distinct.

We have demonstrated that there are structurally distinct membrane and secreted IgG2a immunoglobulin molecules. The membrane heavy chain is both larger and more acidic than the secreted molecule. This difference is not a result of different N-glycosidic-linked oligosaccharide chains. The membrane heavy chain also is antigenically different from its secreted homologue. This is based on the fact that secreted IgG2a molecules express an allotypic determinant absent on membrane molecules. We discussed the genetic control and gene organization of membrane and secreted immunoglobulin heavy chain sequences and suggest mechanisms controlling the expression of the simian virus 40 genome as models for alternate gene expression of membrane and secreted heavy chain polypeptide chains from the same DNA sequence. The possible biological significance of the membrane immunoglobulin acting as a recognition site for regulatory T cells also is discussed. The difference between membrane and secreted immunoglobulin is proposed as a possible explanation for the manner in which T cells interact with IgG on memory B cells in the presence of a large excess of IgG present in body fluids.

Two stages of B-cell memory development with different T-cell requirements.

We present evidence here for two stages in B-memory cell development, the first of which is T independent and the second T dependent. For these studies, we use a new type of T-deficient mouse (allotype suppressed) which specifically lacks T-helper activity (Th) for a subset of memory B cells responsible for approximately 10% of the overall IgG antibody response. We have shown elsewhere that these mice (SJL X BALB/c hybrids suppressed for Ig-1b) lack Th capable of helping Ig-1b memory cells, although they have normal Th activity for all other IgG memory B cells. This selective Th deficiency allows study of the effects of T depletion on memory development and avidity maturation of one population of B cells under conditions where the bulk of the immune response in the animal is proceeding normally, thus obviating environmental problems due to secondary effects of T depletion. With this sytem, we show that after a single priming dose of 2,4-dinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin, the memory B-cell pool in suppressed and nonsuppressed donors is indistinguishable with respect to magnitude and avidity of the response for all IgG antibodies produced, including Ig-1b antibody, despite the fact that expression of Ig-1b memory cells is prevented in intact Ig-1b-suppressed mice by the absence of Th capbale of cooperating with these memory cells. We have shown elsewhere that virtually all of the Ig-1b memory is carried by Ig-1b bearing cells. In contrast with the lack of suppressor T-cell effect on initial Ig-1b memory cell development, our data show that continued Ig-1b memory development is selectively impaired in suppressed mice. When primed mice are boosted repeatedly with the priming antigen, the average avidity of most of the IgG memory cells increases over 100-fold while there is no avidity increase in the Ig-1b component. To explain these data, we suggest that the development of high avidity memory occurs in two stages. The first stage, which occurs as a result of primary antigenic exposure, is the creation of a pool of IgG-bearing memory cells with a relatively low average avidity for the antigen. The appearance of these first stage memory cells does not require help from (post-thymic) Th, although Th are required for the expression of these memory cells (antibody production). The second stage of B-memory development requires both further antigenic stimulation and B-memory cell interaction with competent Th. This is a continuing process in which the number of memory cells in the pool remains relatively constant but the average avidity of these cells increases with continued antigenic exposure.

Selective expression of H-2 (i-region) loci controlling determinants on helper and suppressor T lymphocytes.

Data presented here show that locidentify in the I-region of the H-2 gene complex are selectively expressed in different functional T-cell subpopulations. These loci are closely linked (or possibly identical) to loci that control immune responses. They control surface determinants which identify helper and suppressor T lymphocytes. Determinants described here on allotype suppressor T cells (Ts) are found on normal (nonsuppressed) lymphoid cells, but are not found on helper T cells (Th). These determinants are controlled by a locus mapping in the I region of the H-2 complex. In an accompanying publication we show that this locus (Ia-4) marks a new I subregion (I-J) and is expressed only on T cells. Thus Ia-4 determinants idenfity a T-cell subpopulation which includes Ts but not Th. Th also carry identifying surface determinants controlled by loci that map to the H-2 complex, probably within the I region. These determinants are not found on Ts. Data presented also establish that loci in the I region control determinants on Th, but do not conclusively demonstrate that these are the determinants that distinguish Th from Ts. The selective expression of H-2-controlled determinants on Ts and Th suggests that these determinants are directly involved in immunoregulation.

A new I subregion (I-J) marked by a locus (Ia-4) controlling surface determinants on suppressor T lymphocytes.

In an accompanying publication we show that a subpopulation of T lymphocytes, which includes allotype suppressor T cells, selectively expresses I-region determinants. In this report, we show that these determinants are controlled by a new locus, Ia-4. Unlike the classically defined Ia antigens, they are not found on B lymphocytes. Antibody against Ia-4 determinants cannot be detected by conventional dye exclusion cytoxicity assays, suggesting that they are present on a small subpopulation (less than 10%) of peripheral T lymphocytes. The Ia-4 locus marks a new I subregion, provisionally designated I-J. This chromosomal segment is defined by the crossover positions in strains B10.A(5R) (K-end boundary) and B10.HTT (D-end boundary), and maps between the I-B and I-C subregions.

Active suppression of immunoglobulin allotype synthesis. 3. Identification of T cells as responsible for suppression by cells from spleen, thymus, lymph node, and bone marrow.

Thymus-derived cells (T cells) that actively suppress production of IgG2a immunoglobulins carrying the Ig-1b allotype have been found in adult (SJL x BALB/c)F(1) mice exposed to anti-Ig-1b early in life. The suppression is specific for Ig-1b. The allelic product, Ig-1a, is unaffected. Spleen, lymph node, bone marrow, or thymus cells from suppressed mice suppress production of Ig-1b by syngeneic spleen cells from normal F(1) mice. When a mixture of suppressed and normal cells is transferred into lethally irradiated BALB/c mice, there is a short burst of Ig-1b production after which Ig-1b levels in the recipient fall rapidly below detectability. Pretreatment of the cells from the suppressed mice with antiserum specific for T cells (anti-Thy-1b) plus complement before mixture destroys the suppressing activity. Similar results with suppressor cells were obtained in vitro using Mishell-Dutton cultures. Mixture of spleen cells from suppressed animals with sheep erythrocyte (SRBC)-primed syngeneic normal spleen before culture suppresses Ig-1b plaque-forming cell (PFC) formation while leaving Ig-1a PFC unaffected. Treatment of the suppressed spleen with anti-Thy-1b before transfer removes the suppressing activity.

B-cell influences on the induction of allotype suppressor T cells.

Allotype suppressor T-cell (Ts) populations that persist for the life of the animal arise in (BALB/c x SJL)F(1) hybrids exposed perinatally to antibody to the paternal (Ig-1b) allotype on IgG(2a)-isotype immunoglobulin H chains. These Ts suppress Ig-lb production by depleting the supply of allotype- specific helper T cells (Th) required, in addition to carrier-specific Th, for the latter stages of Ig-1b memory B-cell differentiation. In this publication, we show that specific Ig-1 allotype Ts are induced by perinatal exposure to antisera which interfere with normal B-cell maturation, i.e., by antibodies reactive with surface IgM on immature precursors of IgG(2a), memory cells. Antibodies to IgM (Ig-6) allotypes carried on precursors induce specific suppression for the IgG2, allotype produced by progeny of the target precursor. Anti-Ig-6a and anti-Ig-6b induce Ts that specifically suppress Ig-1a and Ig-1b, respectively. Heterologous (goat) anti-IgM induces suppression for both IgG(2a) immunoglobulins (Ig-1a and Ig-1b). Ts activity in these antiprecursor-Ig-suppressed mice is expressed in adoptive transfer assays and, as with anti-Ig-1b-induced Ts, is rendered ineffective by cotransfer of adequate numbers of T cells but not B cells from nonsuppressed mice. The Ts induction, in contrast with Ts expression, is reversed by the introduction of appropriate adult B-cell populations from nonsuppressed donors. Taken together, these data suggest that the development of mature B cells plays a central role in the early establishment of the balance between helper cells and suppressor cells that determines whether Ts or Th will dominate in regulating Ig-1b production in adult animals.

Transcriptional control of HLA-A,B,C antigen in human placental cytotrophoblast isolated using trophoblast- and HLA-specific monoclonal antibodies and the fluorescence-activated cell sorter.

Human placental cell suspensions prepared by trypsin digestion were analyzed with several monoclonal antibodies on a multiparameter fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). Five distinct cell populations were isolated on the basis of size and quantitative differences in the coordinate expression of cell surface antigens detected by monoclonal antibodies against an HLA-A,B,C monomorphic determinant (MB40.5) and against human trophoblasts (anti-Trop-2). By FACS analysis and after sorting we clearly identified the major cell population as cytotrophoblasts based on several independent criteria, including presence of trophoblast-specific surface antigens, Trop-1, and Trop-2; absence of all HLA class I, class II, and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) antigens; absence of the pan-leucocyte and monocyte antigens, HLe1 and LeuM1, respectively; presence of Y-chromatin in a male placenta; presence of placental and not liver alkaline phosphatase; and a large, mononuclear morphology. These procedures provide a reproducible method for obtaining highly purified human cytotrophoblast populations for further studies. We measured by molecular hybridization (RNA or Northern blots) the HLA-A,B,C and beta 2m mRNA in total RNA extracted from sorted cytotrophoblasts. We find that normal human cytotrophoblasts have extremely small amounts of HLA-A,B,C mRNA: approximately 300 times less than that in the lymphoid cell line LCL-721 or normal lymphocytes. In contrast, they have approximately 11% the level of beta 2m mRNA present in LCL-721 cells. Thus, HLA-A,B,C antigen expression on human cytotrophoblasts is limited by the level of HLA heavy chain mRNA.

Isolation of antigen-binding cells from unprimed mice: demonstration of antibody-forming cell precursor activity and correlation between precursor and secreted antibody avidities.

Cells binding DNP groups conjugated to fluoresceinated mouse gamma globulin ((F)DNP-MGG) were isolated from spleens of unprimed mice using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). The isolated cells were specifically enriched at least 100-fold for anti-DNP precursor activity in an adoptive transfer assay as compared to unfractionated spleen. The fraction depleted of binding cells, although depleted of anti-DNP precursor activity, responded as well as unfractionated spleen when assayed for anticarrier (keyhole limpet hemocyanin [KLH]) precursor activity. High avidity binding cells were stained using low concentrations of (F)DNP-MGG. Medium and low avidity binding cells were stained using high concentrations of (F)DNP-MGG in the presence of free hapten which selectively blocked staining of the high avidity binding cells. Cells were supplemented with an excess of carrier-primed (KLH), nylon-purified splenic T cells and transferred to irradiated recipients. DNP-KLH was given at transfer and 5 days later. The anti-DNP plaque-forming cell (DNP-PFC) response and the avidities of the DNP-PFC in the irradiated recipients were measured by hapten inhibition of direct PFC plaque formation 12 days after transfer. At this time, very few indirect PFC were found. There was a positive correlation between the avidity of the DNP-binding cells and the avidity of the anti-DNP antibody secreted by their progeny. High avidity DNP-binding cells gave rise to predominantly high avidity anti-DNP-PFC. Medium and low avidity binding cells gave rise to medium and low avidity DNP-PFC.

Immunological memory in mice. I. Physical separation and partial characterization of memory cells for different immunoglobulin classes from each other and from antibody-producing cells.

Plaque forming cells (PFC) of different immunoglobulin classes producing antibodies against sheep erythrocytes were separated according to their buoyant densities by means of equilibrium centrifugation in a stepwise BSA gradient. In the period of 7-10 days after immunization gammaM PFC are markedly enriched in fractions of low density and relatively depleted in fractions of high density. The distribution of total gammaG PFC shows less enrichment in the lower density fractions and less depletion in the higher density fractions. The density profile for gammaG(2a) PFC is even flatter, with a significant difference (depletion) relative to the unseparated spleen cells only in the highest density fraction. The density gradient distributions of cells able to transfer an adoptive immune response of the various immunoglobulin classes are markedly different from the PFC distribution. Cells obtained 7-10 days after immunization able to transfer an IgM response are present in the same proportions across the density gradient, whereas memory cells for gammaG(2a) obtained at this time are markedly enriched in fractions of low density and virtually depleted from high density fractions. With increasing time after primary immunization, the gammaG(2a) memory cells increase progressively in density and by 6 weeks the higher and lower density fractions have the same proportions of gammaG(2a) memory cells. The total gammaG (mainly gammaG(1)) memory cells by 7-10 days show slight enrichment in low density fractions and no depletion in high density fractions. The conclusions were reached that (a) memory for gammaG(1) develops earlier than memory for gammaG(2a) and (b) that memory for anti-SRBC antibodies of different classes is carried in separate cells. When gradient fractions enriched for PFC and memory cells for all classes were completely depleted of PFC using glass bead columns, the ability of this fraction to transfer memory for all classes was not diminished. This shows that memory cells are not identical with cells secreting antibodies.

Tolerance and immunity to maternally derived incompatible IgG 2a -globulin in mice.

Progeny mice were confronted with maternal gamma-globulin of a different allotype by either back-cross mating, intercross mating, or by foster nursing. In all cases, many mice subsequently produced alloantibodies directed against the incompatible maternal type of IgG(2a)-globulin. In one series of experiments, immunologic tolerance to the maternally derived gamma-globulin was demonstrated to exist in the period before formation of spontaneous antibody. The state of tolerance was then lost, unless maintenance injections of foreign gamma-globulin were given. These studies demonstrate in a natural situation that maternally derived foreign proteins can first induce a state of immunological tolerance which is followed, after disappearance of the antigen, by a state of immunity. As such, this parallels the experimental induction of tolerance to foreign proteins by neonatal injections.