The immune regulatory protein B7-H3 promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization.

B7-H3, a member of the B7 family of the Ig superfamily proteins, is expressed on the surface of the antigen-presenting cells and down-regulates T cell functions by engaging an unknown counterreceptor on T cells. Although B7-H3 is ubiquitously expressed, its potential nonimmune functions have not been addressed. We found that B7-H3 is highly expressed in developing bones during embryogenesis and that its expression increases as osteoblast precursor cells differentiate into mature osteoblasts. In vitro bone formation by osteoblastic cells was inhibited when B7-H3 function was interrupted by the soluble recombinant protein B7-H3-Fc. Analysis of calvarial cells derived from neonatal B7-H3 knockout (KO) mice revealed normal numbers of osteoblast precursor cells possessing a normal proliferative capacity. However, the B7-H3-deficient calvarial cells exhibited impaired osteogenic differentiation, resulting in decreased mineralized bone formation in vitro. These results suggest that B7-H3 is required for the later phase of osteoblast differentiation. Although B7-H3 KO mice had no gross skeletal abnormalities, they displayed a lower bone mineral density in cortical (but not trabecular) bones compared with WT controls. Consistent with the reduced bone mineral density, the femurs of B7-H3 KO mice were more susceptible to bone fracture compared with those of WT mice. Taken together, these results indicate that B7-H3 and its unknown counterreceptor play a positive regulatory role in bone formation. In addition, our findings identified B7-H3 as another molecule that has a dual role in the bone-immune interface.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)2 represses the T helper cell type 2 response through interaction with NFAT-interacting protein (NIP45).

Recently we have identified a novel protein NIP45 (nuclear factor of activated T cells [NFAT]-interacting protein) which substantially augments interleukin (IL)-4 gene transcription. The provision of NIP45 together with NFAT and the T helper cell type 2 (Th2)-specific transcription factor c-Maf to cells normally refractory to IL-4 production, such as B cells or Th1 clones, results in substantial IL-4 secretion to levels that approximate those produced by primary Th2 cells. In studies designed to further our understanding of NIP45 activity, we have uncovered a novel facet of IL-4 gene regulation. We present evidence that members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family of proteins, generally known to function as adapter proteins that transduce signals from the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, contribute to the repression of IL-4 gene transcription and that this effect is mediated through their interaction with NIP45.

Interaction of murine MHC class I molecules with tapasin and TAP enhances peptide loading and involves the heavy chain alpha3 domain.

In human cells the association of MHC class I molecules with TAP is thought to be mediated by a third protein termed tapasin. We now show that tapasin is present in murine TAP-class I complexes as well. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a mutant H-2Dd molecule that does not interact with TAP due to a Glu to Lys mutation at residue 222 of the H chain (Dd(E222K)) also fails to bind to tapasin. This finding supports the view that tapasin bridges the association between class I and TAP and implicates residue 222 as a site of contact with tapasin. The inability of Dd(E222K) to interact with tapasin and TAP results in impaired peptide loading within the endoplasmic reticulum. However, significant acquisition of peptides can still be detected as assessed by the decay kinetics of cell surface Dd(E222K) molecules and by the finding that prolonged viral infection accumulates sufficient target structures to stimulate T cells at 50% the level observed with wild-type Dd. Thus, although interaction with tapasin and TAP enhances peptide loading, it is not essential. Finally, a cohort of Dd(E222K) molecules decays more rapidly on the cell surface compared with wild-type Dd molecules but much more slowly than peptide-deficient molecules. This suggests that some of the peptides obtained in the absence of an interaction with tapasin and TAP are suboptimal, suggesting a peptide-editing function for tapasin/TAP in addition to their role in enhancing peptide loading.

MHC class I molecules form ternary complexes with calnexin and TAP and undergo peptide-regulated interaction with TAP via their extracellular domains.

Newly assembled heavy chain-beta 2m heterodimers of class I histocompatibility molecules associate with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) peptide transporter, TAP, and subsequently dissociate from TAP in parallel with their transport from the ER to the Golgi apparatus. It appears that TAP-associated class I molecules are waiting to bind appropriate peptides before they dissociate from TAP and leave the ER since binding of high affinity peptides to class I molecules in vitro leads to dissociation of TAP-class I complexes. In further support of this notion, we report that limiting peptide supply through inhibition of proteasome activities prolongs the association of mouse class I molecules with TAP and concomitantly slows their transport to the Golgi apparatus. By using a series of deletion mutants and hybrid class I molecules we demonstrate that the extracellular domains of class I molecules are sufficient for their peptide-regulated interaction with TAP. Furthermore, based on the inability of an alpha 3 domain-specific mAb to recognize TAP-class I complexes and the fact that a point mutant of the Dd molecule at residue 222 is unable to bind to TAP, it is likely that a major site of interaction with TAP resides in the membrane-proximal region of the heavy chain alpha 3 domain. Finally, we examined the relationship between the interaction of mouse heavy chain-beta 2m heterodimers with TAP and with the resident ER chaperone, calnexin. Most heterodimers that bound to TAP were found to associate simultaneously with calnexin. Upon delivery of peptide to class I molecules in permeabilized cells, dissociation from TAP was observed but the interaction with calnexin was largely maintained. Therefore, both TAP and calnexin may participate in the ER retention of peptide-deficient class I molecules. However, since release from calnexin occurs after dissociation from TAP, it appears that calnexin ultimately determines if a class I molecule is to be exported from the ER.

Peptide presentation by MHC class I molecules.

The presentation of peptides by class I histocompatibility molecules plays a central role in the cellular immune response to virally infected or transformed cells. The main steps in this process include the degradation of both self and 'foreign' proteins to short peptides in the cytosol, translocation of peptides into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, binding of a subset of peptides to assembling class I molecules and expression of class-I-peptide complexes at the cell surface for examination by cytotoxic T cells. A molecular understanding of most of these steps is emerging, revealing a remarkable coordination between the processes of peptide translocation, delivery and binding to class I molecules.

Interaction of MHC class I molecules with the transporter associated with antigen processing.

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) delivers cytosolic peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where they bind to nascent class 1 histocompatibility molecules. Class 1-peptide complexes are then displayed at the cell surface for recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Immunoprecipitation of either TAP or class 1 molecules revealed an association between the transporter and diverse class 1 products. TAP bound preferentially to heterodimers of the class 1 heavy chain and beta 2-microglobulin, and the complex subsequently dissociated in parallel with transport of class 1 molecules from the ER to the Golgi apparatus. The TAP-class 1 complexes could also be dissociated in vitro by the addition of class 1-binding peptides. The association of class 1 molecules with TAP likely promotes efficient capture of peptides before their exposure to the lumen of the ER.