Inter-individual differences in HLA expression can impact the CDC crossmatch.

How human leucocyte antigen (HLA) expression levels on human lymphocytes relate to clinically relevant in vitro cytotoxicity testing has not been defined. Here, cross-sectional (n = 14) and longitudinal (n = 6) semi-quantitative assessment of HLA expression on lymphocytes was performed. Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and cellular allo-reactivity were assessed vis-à-vis target cells with defined levels of HLA expression. On CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells, and on B-cells, intra-individual HLA levels varied ≤1.5-fold, whereas inter-individual HLA expression varied 2.34-fold and 2.07-fold on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells, respectively, and 2.90-fold on B-cells. Importantly, CDC crossmatch reactions induced by anti-HLA-A2 monoclonal antibody as well as patient sera solely containing HLA-A2 antibodies were significantly impacted by HLA-A2 expression levels on donor cells. Likewise, cytotoxicity of HLA-A2 reactive effector cells was induced proportionate to availability of HLA-A2. These data demonstrate that human HLA expression on lymphocytes from healthy blood donors is fairly stable intra-individually, yet varies significantly from person to person. Variability in HLA expression levels can impact functional cytotoxic reactions in vitro, including the widely used CDC crossmatch assay. Prospective studies are required to test the clinical relevance of this finding.

Visualizing the onset and evolution of an autoantibody response in systemic autoimmunity.

The onset of systemic autoimmunity is variable, making it difficult to identify early events. In this study, we show in rheumatoid factor (RF) Ig-transgenic autoimmune-prone mice that the appearance of RF B cells in blood signifies the onset of RF B cell activation in spleen, providing a novel window into the initiation of an autoantibody response. This allowed us to study the early and late phases of spontaneous induction of the B cell autoimmune response. Using this approach we showed that extensive Ab-forming cell generation in spleen, accompanied by somatic hypermutation, occurred despite the lack of an early germinal center response. The onset of the RF response correlated with the levels of IgG2a-containing immune complexes but not total IgG2a. By identifying the time of onset in individual mice, we were able to track progression of disease. We found remissions of RF Ab-forming cell production in some mice, suggesting that at the clonal level, chronic autoantibody responses are dynamic and episodic, much like acute pathogen responses. Surprisingly, there was little accumulation of long-lived plasma cells in bone marrow of mice with long-standing RF responses in spleen. These studies are among the first to define the early events of a spontaneous B cell autoimmune response.

Recurrent Goodpasture's disease secondary to a monoclonal IgA1-kappa antibody autoreactive with the alpha1/alpha2 chains of type IV collagen.

Goodpasture's disease is characterized by crescentic glomerulonephritis and lung hemorrhage in the presence of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies. This disease usually is mediated by IgG autoantibodies directed against the noncollagenous domain of the alpha3(IV) collagen chain, the Goodpasture autoantigen. In rare cases, anti-GBM antibodies of IgA or IgM class are involved, but their specificity has not been determined, and their target antigen remains unknown. The authors present the case of a 62-year-old man with anti-GBM disease mediated by a monoclonal IgA-kappa antibody, which progressed to end-stage renal disease despite intensive immunosuppression. The patient underwent living-related kidney transplantation, but lung hemorrhage and crescentic glomerulonephritis recurred, causing the loss of the allograft 2 years later. Indirect immunofluorescence found the presence of circulating IgA antibodies reactive with a basement membrane component, identified by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay and Western blot as the alpha1/alpha2(IV) collagen chains. Sensitivity to digestion with collagenase indicated that IgA bound to epitopes located in the collagenous domain. This is the first case of recurrent Goodpasture's disease secondary to an autoreactive IgA antibody. The specificity of an IgA antibody implicated in the pathogenesis of anti-GBM disease has been investigated for the first time, identifying the alpha1/alpha2(IV) collagen chains as a novel target for nephritogenic antibodies.

B1 cells contribute to serum IgM, but not to intestinal IgA, production in gnotobiotic Ig allotype chimeric mice.

B1 cells are a significant source of natural serum IgM, thereby serving as a first line of defense against systemic bacterial and viral infections. They can migrate to the intestinal lamina propria and differentiate into IgA-producing plasma cells and thus might play a similar role in mucosal immunity. To investigate the contribution of B1 cells to the intestinal IgA response induced by the commensal flora in immunocompetent animals, we generated gnotobiotic and conventionally reared Ig allotype chimeric mice. In this system B1- and B2-derived Abs can be distinguished based on different allotypes. FACS analysis of peritoneal cavity cells and analysis of B1- and B2-derived serum IgM indicated stable B1/B2 chimerism and the establishment of a functional B1 population. Monoassociation with either Morganella morganii, Bacteroides distasonis, or segmented filamentous bacteria induced germinal center reactions in Peyer's patches and led to the production of intestinal IgA, partially reactive with bacterial Ag. A considerable amount of serum IgM was B1 cell derived in both monoassociated and conventionally reared mice. However, most of the total as well as bacteria-specific intestinal IgA was produced by B2 cells. These data suggest that intestinal IgA production induced by commensal bacteria is mainly performed by B2, not B1, cells.

Frequency and characterization of phenotypic Ig heavy chain allelically included IgM-expressing B cells in mice.

Ig H chain (IgH) allelic exclusion remains a puzzling topic. Here, we address the following question: Do phenotypic IgH allelically included cells exist in normal mice and, if so, at what frequency? Sorted cells from heterozygous mice were evaluated for the expression of both IgM allotypes by double intracytoplasmic stainings. Dual expressors were found at a frequency of 1 in 104 splenic B cells. These data were confirmed by direct sequencing of IgH-rearranged alleles obtained after single cell (or clone) PCR on dual expressors. Typically, these cells have one rearranged J558 VH whereas, in the other allele, a D-proximal VH gene is used. Interestingly, dual expressors have rearranged IgH alleles with similar CDR3 lengths. These results show that, in contrast to the kappa L chain and the TCR beta-chain, IgH allelic exclusion is the result of an extremely stringent mechanism. We discuss two non-mutually exclusive scenarios for the origin of IgH dual expressors: 1) IgH allelically included cells arise when the first allele to rearrange productively is unable to form a pre-BCR; dual expressors could be a subset of this population in which, upon conventional L chain rearrangement, both IgH are expressed at the surface; and 2) synchronous rearrangement of the IgH alleles.

B lymphocyte selection and age-related changes in VH gene usage in mutant Alicia rabbits.

Young Alicia rabbits use VHa-negative genes, VHx and VHy, in most VDJ genes, and their serum Ig is VHa negative. However, as Alicia rabbits age, VHa2 allotype Ig is produced at high levels. We investigated which VH gene segments are used in the VDJ genes of a2 Ig-secreting hybridomas and of a2 Ig+ B cells from adult Alicia rabbits. We found that 21 of the 25 VDJ genes used the a2-encoding genes, VH4 or VH7; the other four VDJ genes used four unknown VH gene segments. Because VH4 and VH7 are rarely found in VDJ genes of normal or young Alicia rabbits, we investigated the timing of rearrangement of these genes in Alicia rabbits. During fetal development, VH4 was used in 60-80% of nonproductively rearranged VDJ genes, and VHx and VHy together were used in 10-26%. These data indicate that during B lymphopoiesis VH4 is preferentially rearranged. However, the percentage of productive VHx- and VHy-utilizing VDJ genes increased from 38% at day 21 of gestation to 89% at birth (gestation day 31), whereas the percentage of VH4-utilizing VDJ genes remained at 15%. These data suggest that during fetal development, either VH4-utilizing B-lineage cells are selectively eliminated, or B cells with VHx- and VHy-utilizing VDJ genes are selectively expanded, or both. The accumulation of peripheral VH4-utilizing a2 B cells with age indicates that these B cells might be selectively expanded in the periphery. We discuss the possible selection mechanisms that regulate VH gene segment usage in rabbit B cells during lymphopoiesis and in the periphery.

Nucleotide sequences specific for nonnominal immunoglobulin allotypes in rheumatoid arthritis patients and in normal individuals and their expression in synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

The production of antibodies against nonnominal immunoglobulin allotypes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients suggests that the immune system of these patients has been exposed to such foreign allotypes. The presence of nonnominal allotypes is, however, a genetic enigma. We searched for nucleotide sequences specific for nonnominal G3mg and G3mb copies in individuals homozygous for these alleles. Using a sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method with genomic DNA from blood of 18 RA patients and 5 normal controls, we found G3mg sequences in 18 of 18 tested G3mb homozygous persons. The allele specificity of the PCR fragments was confirmed by sequencing and RFLP analysis. The PCR products contained genomic nonspliced parts of the nonnominal sequences. An analysis of cDNA from inflammatory tissue of 5 RA patients detected nonnominal G3mb sequences in 1 of 3 tested G3mg homozygotes and G3mg sequences in 2 of 2 tested G3mb homozygotes. The cDNA-derived PCR products contained sequences from normally spliced nonnominal Ig fragments. The results also showed that the nonnominal Ig sequences were present in very low copy numbers, lower than the Mendelian 1-2 copies per cell. The origin of such a low copy number of Ig gene fragments may be explained by a virus-mediated capture and transfer mechanism of Ig gene fragments generated by the normal Ig switch-associated gene excision process.

Immunoglobulin allotype frequencies in responders and nonresponders to the Rh(D) antigen.

Immunoglobulin allotype frequencies were determined in well characterised groups of responders (n = 160) and non-responders (n = 32) to Rh(D) antigen immunisation. Allotype frequencies in these groups were compared with frequencies in a normal control population (n = 500). No significant differences in allotype frequencies were observed between the responder and non-responder groups, or when these two groups where compared with a normal control population. These results suggest that the immunoglobulin heavy-chain genes do not influence the anti-Rh(D) immune response.

T-B collaboration for autoantibody production in lpr mice is cognate and MHC-restricted.

A central question in autoimmunity is the mechanism of T cell help for autoantibody production. For responses to exogenous Ag, T-B collaboration is restricted by MHC class II molecules. To determine whether T cell help that leads to autoantibodies in murine SLE is also MHC-restricted, we have constructed bone marrow chimeras with Ig heavy chain (lgh) allotype- and I-A-congenic donor B6/lpr mice and I-A-congenic recipients. Developing T cells were thus positively selected in the host thymus to interact with B cells bearing I-A of one haplotype or the other. Additional control host mice were heterozygous for I-A expression, allowing T helper cell selection for both I-A haplotypes. Five months after reconstitution, serum total IgG2a, IgM, IgG2a antichromatin, and IgM rheumatoid factor were quantitated by allotype-specific ELISA. Data showed that whereas substantial numbers of B cells were present from both donor strains in all mice, autoantibody production was overwhelmingly from those donor B cells expressing the same I-A haplotype as the host. Sera from the I-A heterozygous control recipient group had roughly equal quantities of autoantibodies of both allotypes, as expected. The finding of MHC class II restriction implies that the T cell help that drives autoantibody production in lpr mice is delivered through cognate (cell-to-cell) interactions and not by soluble factors alone.

Detection of putative dopamine receptors in neurites outgrowing from locust central nervous system explants using anti-idiotypic dopamine antibodies.

Organotypic cultures established from the third thoracic ganglion of locust embryo have been used to investigate dopamine receptors. In this in vitro system, neurites emerge directly from the explants and form a dense network around the explants, presenting cell surface freely exposed for experimental labelling. Polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies raised in rabbits to antibodies against dopamine conjugate, and previously found to bind to dopamine receptors, have been used to investigate putative dopamine receptors in these neurites. Immunocytochemical detection by light microscopy employing immunofluorescence labelling, was correlated with electron microscopy, using peroxidase staining. In addition to a location for dopamine receptors on the neurite surface, intracellular binding sites were also found in neurites. This internal labelling might represent an intracellular pool of dopamine receptor precursors. The labelling was specific in that it was not present when the anti-idiotypic dopamine antibodies were replaced with non-immune serum or when preincubation with conjugated dopamine preceded incubation with anti-idiotypic dopamine antibodies.

Differentiation and characterization of B-cell precursors detected in the yolk sac and embryo body of embryos beginning at the 10- to 12-somite stage.

The embryonic sites in which progenitors of the hematopoietic lineages first emerge are ideal regions to characterize both the cells and environment needed to initiate blood cell development. For a number of years both the murine yolk sac and embryo have been recognized to contain progenitors of B lymphocytes. However, clonal, quantitative in vitro assays, which allow precise observation of precursors and their progeny, have been lacking. Moreover, the site of origin of the initial events remains controversial. In this report we document the presence of B-cell progenitors in yolk sac and embryonic tissue obtained from mouse fetuses beginning at the 10-somite stage, day 8.5. We determine the frequency, cell-surface phenotype, and growth properties of these progenitors. We show that these cells can differentiate into immunoglobulin-secreting cells and that the progeny derived from single progenitors are diverse with respect to immunoglobulin heavy-chain allotype expression, diversity-joining region use, and heavy-chain variable-region utilization.

lpr T cells are necessary for autoantibody production in lpr mice.

Mice homozygous for the gene Ipr develop a spectrum of autoantibodies closely resembling that of human SLE. Previous work has shown that the lpr defect must be expressed in the T cells that hyperproliferate and in the B cells that produce autoantibodies. Although autoantibody production in lpr mice requires T cells, it is not known whether these need to be lpr T cells. To ask whether normal (+/+) T cells can help lpr B cells produce autoantibodies, we have constructed chimeras containing mixtures of lpr-derived and normal-derived lymphoid cells, and have selectively eliminated the lpr-derived T cells by in vivo treatment with monoclonal anti-Thy-1 of the appropriate allotype. A mixture of T cell-depleted bone marrow from congenic strains of normal and lpr mice differentially marked by Ig H chain allotype and Thy-1 alleles was transferred into lethally irradiated lpr mice. The mice received weekly injections of either anti-Thy-1.2 to deplete specifically lpr T cells or an isotype-matched irrelevant control mAb. Absence of lpr-derived T cells in the experimental group was documented by immunofluorescence. In mice treated with control antibody, autoantibodies of Ipr origin were present in high titers, as determined by allotype-specific ELISA. In contrast, mice depleted of lpr-derived T cells had greatly reduced titers of antichromatin and rheumatoid factor. These mice also had increased levels of serum total IgM and IgG2a of +/+ origin. Parallel experiments were performed using a combination of two lpr marrow sources, also differentially marked by Ig H chain allotype and Thy-1 expression. Mice depleted of Thy-1.2-bearing T cells produced autoantibodies of both allotypes due to the presence of Thy-1.1-bearing T cells of Ipr origin. These data indicate that autoantibody production in lpr mice requires expression of the lpr gene in those T cells that provide help.

Endogenous Ig production in mu transgenic mice. II. Anti-Ig reactivity and apparent double allotype expression.

In 17.2.25 mu transgenic mice (M54, M95), many of the expressed Ig, whether encoded by the transgene or endogenous H chain genes, react with Ig. IgM antibodies encoded by the 17.2.25 mu transgene transfected into J558L myeloma cells are also Ig reactive. In addition, anti-Ig reactivity was manifested by antibodies of the IgM, IgG, and IgA isotypes from the transgenic mice, suggesting that this characteristic reactivity is associated with VH and VL domains of these antibodies. These antibodies bind the (Fab')2 fragment of mouse IgG1 mAb known to be directed against C mu allotypic determinants. This finding could account for the so called "double producer" B cells found in mu transgenic mice and previously identified in serologic assays conducted with two different anti-mu allotypic reagents. In transgenic mice, a high frequency of the antibodies encoded by the transgene or endogenous H chain genes react with polyclonal and monoclonal antiidiotypic antibodies raised against the 17.2.25 Id. The idiotypic and/or antiidiotypic reactivity displayed by antibodies derived from these transgenic mice is similar to that of antibodies expressed by neonatal B cells of normal mice. Thus, our data suggest that transgene expression can play an important role in shaping the endogenous repertoire of antibody specificities.

The alloantibody response of pregnant women and its suppression by soluble HLA antigens and anti-idiotypic antibodies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the time course of maternal allosensitization to fetal HLA antigens during normal human pregnancy and to explore mechanisms of suppression of anti-HLA alloantibodies. We found that the mother produces antibodies against some but not all of the mismatched HLA antigens of the fetus as early as the 8th week of pregnancy. These antibodies (Ab1), however, are often complexed with soluble HLA alloantigens and become detectable when immune complexes are dissociated. Soluble HLA antigens of fetal origin are present in the maternal circulation throughout the entire pregnancy beginning at 8 weeks. In some women the production of anti-anti-HLA antibodies (Ab2) became evident as early as the first trimester, while in others Ab2 was documented during the second or third trimester. Analysis of antibody specificity showed that some healthy primipara develop antibodies reactive with self HLA antigens. Although the allo- and autoantibody responses appear to be modulated by soluble HLA antigens, cyclic variations in the level of alloantibodies, as well as the mother's selective response to some, but not all, paternal HLA antigens, are best explained by the development of anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Genetic polymorphism of immunoglobulin G in the mink. VI. A regulatory gene controlling the expression of the gamma-chain constant region allotype of mink immunoglobulin.

We describe here the inheritance of H6, one of the six known allotypes of the gamma-chain constant region of mink immunoglobulin (IgG). H6 is not present in minor concentrations in the serum, and its phenotypic expression is stable. However, in offspring of some of (H6-)X(H6-) crosses. H6 appeared unexpectedly and, by contrast, it disappeared in some H6+/H6+ homozygote offspring. Based on pedigree analysis, a transregulation of H6 expression in the serum by an autosomal recessive gene not linked to the structural allotype gene is postulated.

Cellular induction of chronic allotype suppression of IgG2a in Ighb/b homozygous mice and its abrogation by in vivo treatment with anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody.

We report here the successful induction of allotype suppression in homozygous Ighb/b mice (CB20 or C57BL/6) by neonatal injection of T splenocytes from Igha congenic sensitized mice (BALB/c or BC8, respectively). The sensitization of the T cell donors was achieved by two intravenous injections of B splenocytes from Ighb congenic mice. Treated homozygous Ighb/b mice developed, as of 16-24 wk of age, a chronic suppression of Igh-1b expression (IgG2a of Ighb haplotype). The other productions tested (IgM, IgD, and IgA) of Ighb haplotype were unaffected. In vivo treatment with cytotoxic anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 mAb of mice subjected to chronic Igh-1b suppression clearly showed that CD8+ lymphocytes (suppressor or cytotoxic cell) were essential for the maintenance of the suppression. The suppression was indeed abrogated after a 1-wk treatment with anti-CD8 mAb containing culture supernatant, whereas, the anti-CD4-treated mice continued to be subjected to suppression. This anti-CD8 in vivo treatment was shown to have no effect on thymus but to severely reduce the percentages of CD8+ cells in spleen and in peripheral blood without affecting the percentages of CD4+ cells, leading to a large and rapid Igh-1b expression (up to 0.5 mg per ml of serum, the day after the end of the treatment). This suppression abrogation, and thus the Igh-1b expression, was either transient or permanent. When it was transient, a second 1-wk treatment with anti-CD8 mAb containing culture supernatant induced once again a rapid and significant production of Igh-1b (up to 0.3 mg of Igh-1b per ml of serum).

Ig isotypes produced by EBV-transformed B cells as a function of age and tissue distribution.

EBV can transform human B cells giving rise to lymphoblastoid cell lines that produce and secrete Ig. Herein B cells from various tissues of newborns and adults were transformed by EBV and their Ig products were analyzed with isotype-specific mAb. Although IgG- and IgA-bearing B cells were present in the newborn, EBV transformed IgM-producing cells almost exclusively in both newborn blood and breast milk. IgM-secreting cells were derived from IgM+ B cells and IgM- pre-B cells present in neonatal blood, but only from IgM+ cells in adult blood. Whereas in adults most EBV-transformed cells produced IgM, producers of IgG and of IgA were present in frequencies that varied according to the tissue source. Precursors of IgG-producing cells were relatively abundant in blood, spleen, and tonsil, and relatively infrequent in bone marrow and appendix. EBV-inducible IgA producers were relatively concentrated in the appendix and to a lesser extent in tonsils and blood. Differences in the subclass composition of EBV-transformed populations of IgG- and IgA-producers were also observed for the various adult lymphoid tissues. IgG1-producing cells predominated in most tissues, and precursors of IgG2 were largely confined to the circulation. Whereas IgA1-producing cells were predominant in all tissues, a marked enrichment in IgA2-producers was observed in the appendix. These results indicate a remarkable heterogeneity in the isotype distribution pattern of EBV-transformable B cells that is determined both by developmental age and tissue localization. We propose that EBV selectively transforms primed B cells, the isotype commitment of which varies according to tissue origin and age.

Anti-alpha 1-6 epitope, specificity of a T-cell hybrid-secreted factor: affinity- and ion-exchange chromatographic separation.

We have studied the specificity of the products of a "T-cell" hybridoma, Th 1, a fusion product of AKR thymoma BW 5147 with spleen cells from Dx-hyperimmunized mice, which has been shown to affect the anti-Dx but also the anti-SRC response from culture supernatants and ascitic fluids. The anti-Dx-affecting material was separated from unspecific effector molecules by Sephadex affinity chromatography combined with HPLC DEAE chromatography and gel filtration. The activities of fractions were tested for their effects on anti-Dx, anti-SRC, and anti-SSS-III IgM responses. We show that the anti-Dx response-affecting material binds to Sephadex. Its Ig contamination can be reduced by two DEAE chromatographies at pH 6 and 8.1. At pH 8.1 it starts eluting with 0.13 M NaCl, but is still contaminated with materials that affect the anti-SRC and to a smaller extent the anti-SSS-III response. On gel filtration it localizes in the area of 100-40 kDa. The effects of the active material on anti-Dx IgM varied from suppression to enhancement. The details of that effect are largely unknown but three other findings further confirm the Dx specificity of Th 1 products. The growth of Th 1 in mice induces the production of anti-Dx IgA, detectable in their sera with ELISA. The priming of mice with Th 1 products affects the magnitudes of anti-Dx IgM PFC responses to the subsequent immunization with Dx with or without the product. The binding to Dx of material from in vivo active fractions can be verified in the ELISA with an antiserum produced against Th 1.

Strain-dependent IgG subclass response patterns.

Previous studies have shown that antigens preferentially stimulate IgG subclasses. However, the immunologic processes responsible for the patterns of IgG subclasses stimulated by antigens are probably complex and are certainly unclear. To define some of the genetic controls of IgG subclass expression in mice, we have studied the patterns of IgG subclasses elicited by antigens in BALB/cAn, C57BL/6N, derived recombinant inbred strains, and derived Ig congenic strains. This study shows that both thymus-independent antigens and thymus-dependent antigens stimulate different patterns of IgG subclasses in BALB/cAn and C57BL/6N. Furthermore, analysis using recombinant inbred strains and Ig congenic strains shows that the patterns of IgG subclasses stimulated by all antigens are linked to Ig allotype. In contrast, only the IgG subclass patterns stimulated by thymus-dependent antigens are linked to major histocompatibility complex haplotype. This study also shows that the Ig allotype-linked controls of IgG subclass response patterns are located telomeric to a BAB14 intra-heavy chain variable region recombinant site. Therefore, this region of mouse chromosome 12 may contribute to the control of IgG subclass selection in the B cell.