Cytokines and cell surface receptors as target end points of immunosuppression with cyclosporine A.

Targets of cyclosporine (CsA) were identified from an array of stimulated lymphocyte responses (sLR) comprising 34 stimulation conditions in whole blood from 3 normal human volunteers (NHV) containing clinically relevant CsA concentrations (0-1200 ng/ml) in vitro. In whole blood from 5 additional NHV, selected targets (intracellular interleukin-2 [IL-2], tumor-necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], and interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma]) were measured in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-ionomycin-stimulated T lymphocytes. Effect:concentration relationships were analyzed with E(max) pharmacodynamic (PD) equations and expressed as the concentration associated with one-half maximal inhibitory effect (EC(50)). CsA demonstrated a rich matrix of inhibitory effects on T cells (CD3(+)), B cells (CD19(+)), dendritic cells (DC) (CD11c(+)), and basophils (CD123(+)) but not on monocytes (CD14(+)) (n = 3). PD analyses suggested that the EC(50) of CsA (1) for IL-2 in CD3(+) cells in NHV (n = 8) was similar to the EC(50) demonstrated by us previously in CD4(+) cells from transplanted patients (n = 13) (EC(50) = 260 ng/ml vs. 249 ng/ml), (2) for each cytokine was different under identical stimulation conditions (TNF-alpha, 324 ng/ml; IFN-gamma, 504 ng/ml), and (3) was relatively constant for a given cytokine under different stimulation conditions (e.g., PMA-ionomycin or the staphylococcal enterotoxin B [SEB] superantigen). In conclusion, inhibition of cytokine targets by CsA is concentration dependent. Further, a given CsA concentration may produce similar inhibitory effects across different stimulation conditions. Measurement of cytokine target expression may, therefore, allow effect-controlled administration of CsA during clinical transplantation.

Interleukin-10 down-regulates MHC class II alphabeta peptide complexes at the plasma membrane of monocytes by affecting arrival and recycling.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) inhibits antigen-specific T cell responses when human monocytes are used as antigen-presenting cells. This is correlated with a down-regulation of MHC class II molecules on the surface of the monocyte. Here we show that IL-10 does not affect MHC class II transcription, polypeptide synthesis, subunit assembly, or antigenic peptide loading. Instead, newly synthesized mature MHC class II molecules are localized to the MHC class II loading compartment but are prevented from reaching the plasma membrane. In addition, treatment of monocytes with IL-10 leads to an accumulation of internalized MHC class II complexes in intracellular vesicles. These results indicate that IL-10 affects antigen presentation by regulating MHC exocytosis and recycling.

Evidence for peptide transport across microsomal membranes.

Antigenic peptides bound to class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are recognized by T-cell receptors during development of an antiviral immune response. T cells respond to peptides derived from cytoplasmic viral proteins as well as viral membrane proteins, indicating that a pathway exists for the transport of proteins or peptides from the cytosol into the compartment(s) where the MHC class I molecules assemble. To investigate this pathway, we have developed an in vitro assay for the transport of peptides into microsomal vesicles. This assay provides evidence for the transport of chemically synthesized peptides (13-21 amino acids) containing N-linked glycosylation acceptor sequences, which serve as glycosylation substrates. Their transport results in depletion of the pool of available dolichol high-mannose oligosaccharides in the lumen of the microsomal vesicles. We have observed transport of peptides derived from antigenic human immunodeficiency virus gag and influenza B nucleoprotein sequences, but transport of a third randomly selected peptide was not detected, suggesting specificity of the transport process. We were not able to demonstrate ATP dependence of this peptide transport process by using apyrase and an ATPase inhibitor. This result was unexpected in light of the recent identification of MHC-linked genes with homology to ATP-binding cassette transporters, which have been proposed to mediate peptide transport.

Rapid nonlysosomal degradation of assembled HLA class II glycoproteins incorporating a mutant DR alpha-chain.

Gamma irradiation followed by antibody and complement selection was used to isolate a human B-lymphoblastoid cell line that no longer expresses HLA-DR molecules on its cell surface. Cell surface expression in the mutant (HMy2.DRN) was restored by transfecting a wildtype DRA but not a DRB cDNA, suggesting that a structural mutation in the DRA mRNA or protein was responsible for the lack of cell surface expression. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the DRA mRNA from HMy2.DRN revealed a 75 nucleotide deletion corresponding to the start of the alpha 2 domain and involving one of two cysteines that are involved in the formation of an intrachain disulfide bond. At the biochemical level, only minute quantities of HLA-DR could be precipitated from this cell line after a 4-h continuous label with 35S-methionine. HLA-DR beta and the class II-associated invariant chain could be seen coprecipitating with the mutant DR alpha-chain, suggesting a limited accumulation of normally assembled molecules. However, by carrying out the labeling at 16 degrees C instead of 37 degrees C, equivalent amounts of HLA-DR could be precipitated from parent and mutant alike. The mutant DR alpha chain was found in association with the beta-chain, but with reduced association with the invariant chain under these conditions. Pulse chase analysis in the parent and mutant cell lines indicated that this mutant DR alpha beta I complex undergoes a process of degradation at 37 degrees C. Inhibitors of intracellular transport such as monensin were ineffective in blocking this process of degradation. This work is consistent with published reports implicating the involvement of a pre-Golgi or an early Golgi compartment in the proteolysis of aberrantly folded or assembled multisubunit proteins.

Co-localization of molecules involved in antigen processing and presentation in an early endocytic compartment.

The pathways of intracellular traffic involved in antigen processing and presentation have been defined by immunoelectron microscopy. The export pathway for class II histocompatibility molecules and the antigen import pathway meet in a peripheral endocytic compartment having all the molecular machinery believed to be required for antigen processing and presentation, including internalized surface immunoglobulins, proteolytic enzymes and invariant chains. This compartment defines a site where peptides from endocytosed antigen can bind class II molecules en route to the cell surface for presentation to T cells.

Expression of differentiation antigens by hybrids of human lymphoblastoid cells.

In previous communications, we have described the expression of class I and class II histocompatibility antigens by hybrids of human B and T lymphoblastoid cell lines (B- and T-LCL). In all cases, such hybrids were found to resemble their B-LCL parents, expressing high levels of class I and class II antigens encoded by both parent cell lines. In the current study, we have conducted a more extensive analysis of B-LCLxT-LCL hybrids with a panel of monoclonal antibodies recognizing a variety of B and T lymphocyte differentiation markers. Rather than exhibiting a B-LCL-dominant phenotype, most hybrids were found to express a majority of both T and B lymphocyte antigens expressed by their parent cell lines. Several hybrids of pairs of dissimilar T-LCL were also produced and analyzed. Again, a majority of parental antigens was expressed on the hybrids. However, eight of eight hybrids of the T-LCL CEM and HSB failed to express HNK-1, an antigen strongly expressed by HSB; and two hybrids of the T-LCL CEM and SKW3 expressed CD3, an antigen expressed by neither parent cell line.