Counterselection against D mu is mediated through immunoglobulin (Ig)alpha-Igbeta.

The pre-B cell receptor is a key checkpoint regulator in developing B cells. Early events that are controlled by the pre-B cell receptor include positive selection for cells express membrane immunoglobulin heavy chains and negative selection against cells expressing truncated immunoglobulins that lack a complete variable region (D mu). Positive selection is known to be mediated by membrane immunoglobulin heavy chains through Ig alpha-Ig beta, whereas the mechanism for counterselection against D mu has not been determined. We have examined the role of the Ig alpha-Ig beta signal transducers in counterselection against D mu using mice that lack Ig beta. We found that D mu expression is not selected against in developing B cells in Ig beta mutant mice. Thus, the molecular mechanism for counterselection against D mu in pre-B cells resembles positive selection in that it requires interaction between mD mu and Ig alpha-Ig beta.

Surrogate or conventional light chains are required for membrane immunoglobulin mu to activate the precursor B cell transition.

To examine the role of light chains in early B cell development we combined RAG-1 and lambda 5 mutations to produce mice that expressed neither conventional nor surrogate light chains (RAG-1-/-, lambda 5-/-). Unique heavy and light chain genes were then introduced into the double and single mutant backgrounds. Membrane immunoglobulin (Ig)mu (mIg mu) associated with Ig alpha-Ig beta but was unable to activate the pre-B cell transition in RAG-1-/-lambda 5-/- mice. Either lambda 5 or kappa light chains were sufficient to complement this deficiency. Therefore light chains are absolutely required for a functional Ig signaling module in early B cell development. Our data provide direct evidence for the existence of two pathways for induction of early B cell development: one which is activated through surrogate light chains and mIg mu, and an alternative pathway which uses conventional light chains and mIg mu.

Contribution of dendritic cells to stimulation of the murine syngeneic mixed leukocyte reaction.

We have studied the proliferative response of unprimed T cells to syngeneic dendritic cells (DC) (syngeneic mixed leukocyte reaction [SMLR]) in cultures of mouse spleen and lymph node. T cells purified by passage over nylon wool contain few DC and exhibits little proliferative activity during several days of culture. Addition of small numbers of purified syngeneic DC induces substantial, dose-dependent, T cell-proliferative responses that peak at day 4-5. B cells purified on anti-Ig-coated plates do not respond to DC at all doses tested. DC culture medium does not induce proliferation, and coculture of DC and T cells is required. Purified mouse B and T lymphocytes stimulate SMLR weakly if at all. Likewise, peritoneal and spleen macrophages are weak or inactive. Therefore, DC are potent and possibly unique primary cells for stimulating the SMLR in mice. sIg- spleen and lymph node cells show extensive background proliferative responses in vitro, and fail to respond to small numbers of purified DC. If the sIg- cells are treated with anti-Ia and complement, or passed over nylon wool, DC are removed and proliferative activity falls. Proliferative activity is restored by adding back DC at levels similar to those present in sIg- cells (1-2%). Thus, DC-dependent, T cell proliferation probably occurs in all spleen and lymph node cultures. As expected from previous work (6), DC are also potent inducers of allogeneic MLR. On a per DC basis, the syngeneic response is 10 times weaker than the allogeneic MLR, and it is not accompanied by the development of cytotoxic lymphocytes. The magnitude of the SMLR was not altered by antigen priming, and DC maintained in isologous rather than fetal calf serum were active stimulators. Therefore, syngeneic stimulation appears to be an intrinsic property of DC, and modification by exogenous agents does not seem to be required. Coculture of DC and T cells results in the development of cell clusters that can be isolated and characterized directly. The clusters account for 10-20% of the viable cells in the culture, but contain greater than 80% of the responding T cells and stimulating DC by morphologic and surface-marker criteria. The efficient physical association of DC and responding T cells implies specific cell-cell recognition. We conclude that the SMLR reflects the ability of T cells, or some subpopulation of T cells, to interact with and proliferate in response to small numbers of DC.

Trans-splicing as a possible molecular mechanism for the multiple isotype expression of the immunoglobulin gene.

We analyzed the molecular mechanism for the immunoglobulin (Ig) multiple isotype expression using a transgenic mouse (TG.SA) model system. Though most of the endogenous mu chain expression was excluded by the expression of the human rearranged mu transgene in the TG.SA mouse, a significant portion of splenic B lymphocytes could express the transgenic human IgM and endogenous mouse IgG simultaneously after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and interleukin 4. The fluorescence-activated cell sorter-purified population of the human IgM+/mouse IgG+ cells expressed mRNA that consisted of properly spliced sequences of the transgenic VHDJH and the endogenous mouse C gamma genes (trans-mRNA), together with the transgenic human mu mRNA and germline transcripts of the mouse C gamma gene, without apparent rearrangement of the transgene. We also found that a lymphoma tumor, derived from the cross between the TG.SA mouse and another transgenic mouse carrying Ig H chain enhancer-driven c-myc oncogene, expressed about equal levels of the trans-mRNA and the transgenic mu mRNA without DNA rearrangement in either the transgene or the endogenous mouse switch region. These findings strongly support our previous proposal that the trans-splicing can account for the multiple isotype expression in this transgenic model and also suggest that novel molecular mechanism(s) might be involved in this reaction.

The cytoplasmic domains of immunoglobulin (Ig) alpha and Ig beta can independently induce the precursor B cell transition and allelic exclusion.

In mature B cells, signals transduced through membrane immunoglobulin (Ig) produce cellular activation, yet the same receptor can also mediate deletion and silencing of autoreactive B cells. In addition, Ig expression during the antigen-independent phase of B cell development regulates the precursor B (pre-B) cell transition and allelic exclusion. To account for the diverse regulatory functions induced by membrane Ig, it has been proposed that individual receptor components have independent physiologic activities. Here we establish a role for Ig alpha in the pre-B cell transition and allelic exclusion. We find that the cytoplasmic domain of Ig alpha contains sufficient information to trigger both of these antigen-independent events. Direct comparisons of the cytoplasmic domains of Ig alpha and Ig beta show that the two are indistinguishable in the induction of the pre-B cell transition and allelic exclusion. Our experiments suggest that, despite the reported differences in certain biochemical assays, Ig alpha and Ig beta have redundant functions in the developing B cell.

Immunization and infection change the number of recombination activating gene (RAG)-expressing B cells in the periphery by altering immature lymphocyte production.

Recombination activating gene (RAG) expression in peripheral B cells increases after immunization with (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl) acetyl coupled to chicken gamma globulin (NP-CGG) in alum. This increase could result from reinduction of RAG expression or, alternatively, from accumulation of RAG-expressing immature B cells in the periphery. We have used mice that carry a green fluorescent protein (GFP) RAG indicator transgene (RAG2-GFP) to characterize the RAG-expressing B cells in immunized spleens. Most of the RAG2-GFP-expressing B cells in unimmunized spleen are immature B cells. Injection with NP-CGG in alum initially suppresses lymphopoiesis in the bone marrow and decreases the number of immature RAG2-GFP-expressing B cells in the spleen. Recovery of lymphopoiesis in the bone marrow coincides with accumulation of RAG-expressing immature B cells in the spleen. Most of the RAG-expressing cells that accumulate in the spleen after immunization do not proliferate and they are not germinal center cells. Neither the initial suppression of lymphopoiesis nor the subsequent accumulation of RAG-expressing cells in the spleen is antigen dependent, since similar changes are seen with alum alone. Furthermore, such changes in the numbers of developing and circulating immature lymphoid cells are seen after injection with complete Freund's adjuvant or malaria infection. Our experiments suggest that adjuvants and infectious agents cause previously unappreciated alterations in lymphopoiesis resulting in the accumulation of RAG-expressing immature B cells in the spleen.

Dendritic cells are accessory cells for the development of anti-trinitrophenyl cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

This study establishes that dendritic cells (DC) are the critical accessory cells for the development of anti-trinitrophenol (TNP) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in vitro. We developed a model in which nylon wool-nonadherent spleen cells were used both as the responding and stimulating cells, the latter having been TNP-modified and x-irradiated. Thy-1-bearing CTL developed in C57BL/6, B6D2F1, and CBA mice only when small numbers of DC were added. Maximal responses in 5-d cultures were achieved with 0.5-1 DC/100 responding T cells. The DC did not have to be TNP modified directly. Anti-Ia and complement inactivated accessory cells, whereas similar treatment of the responders had no effect. DC exposed to ultraviolet radiation were ineffective, but x-irradiated DC were fully active. Culture media from DC, or from DC-nylon wool-passed spleen T cell cocultures that contained abundant CTL, would not substitute for viable DC. Enriched preparations of macrophages (M phi) were obtained from blood, peritoneal cavity, and spleens of BCG-immune and unprimed mice. M phi added at doses of 0.2-4% were weak or inactive as accessory cells. The level of Ia antigens on test M phi populations was quantitated and visualized by binding of a radioiodinated monoclonal anti-I-Ab,d antibody, clone B-21. M phi that bore substantial amounts of Ia from all organs were weak accessory cells. Addition of M phi to DC-T cell cocultures produced inhibitory effects, usually at a dose of 2% M phi. In contrast, 0.5% Ia-bearing M phi from BCG-immune boosted mice inhibited > 80% of the DC-mediated CTL response. Addition of indomethacin reversed M phi inhibition, and 10(-9) M prostaglandin E2 in turn blocked the indomethacin effect. Indomethacin also restored a low level of accessory cell function in immune-boosted adherent peritoneal cells, but not in preparations of monocytes and spleen M phi. Small numbers of DC were identified in preparations of immune-boosted peritoneal cells and may have accounted for the observed accessory activity. We conclude that the development of anti-TNP CTL is an immune response in which (a) DC are the critical accessory cells; (b) Ia-bearing M phi are weak or inactive; and (c) M phi can inhibit DC-mediated response by an indomethacin-sensitive mechanism.

Dendritic cells are the principal stimulators of the primary mixed leukocyte reaction in mice.

Clone 33D1 is a mouse-rat hybridoma that secretes a specific anti-dendritic cell (DC) monoclonal antibody (14). Because the antibody kills DC in the presence of rabbit complement, it can be used to study the functional consequences of selective DC depletion. Previous data on the cell specificity of 33D1 were first extended. By cytotoxicity (rabbit complement) and indirect immunofluorescence (biotin-avidin technique), 33D1 reacted with DC but not with macrophages nor other splenocytes. In contrast, the monoclonal antibody, F4/80 (15), reacted with macrophages but not DC. The functional assay evaluated in this paper was stimulation of the primary mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). 33D1 antibody itself did not inhibit stimulation by enriched populations of DC. In the presence of complement, 33D1 killed DC and ablated stimulatory function. The effect of 33D1 and complement on MLR stimulation by heterogenous cell mixtures was then evaluated. Removal of DC from unfractionated spleen suspensions reduced stimulatory capacity 75-90 percent, comparable to that produced with specific anti-Ia antibody and complement. Stimulation of both proliferative and cytotoxic responses was reduced. DC depletion had similar effects on MLR generated across full strain differences, or across selected subregions (H2I, H-2K/D) of the major histocompatibility complex. To further compare the functional properties of spleen DC and macrophages, MLR stimulation by adherent and nonadherent fractions of spleen were tested separately. 62 +/- 8 percent of the total stimulatory capacity of spleen was in the plastic adherent population. Activity was ablated greater than 90 percent after elimination of DC. MLR stimulation by 24-h cultures of spleen adherent cells, which contained a three- to sixfold excess of Ia(+) macrophages, was also ablated when DC were removed. Stimulation by nonadherent spleen was more resistant, but was reduced 50-75 percent by 33D1 and complement. The function of spleen cells treated with 33D1 or anti-Ia antibody and complement was restored with a small inoculum of purified DC. The latter corresponded to 0.5 percent of total stimulator cells and were enriched by previously described techniques that did not require the 33D1 antibody. We conclude that the DC, a trace component of mouse spleen, is the principal cell type required for stimulation of the primary MLR. Because other cells are not immunogenic, but do express Ia and H-2 alloantigens, DC likely represent the critical accessory cell required for the induction of lymphocyte responses.

Functional reconstitution of an immunoglobulin antigen receptor in T cells.

Humoral immune responses are initiated by binding of antigen to the immunoglobulins (Igs) on the plasma membrane of B lymphocytes. On the cell surface, Ig forms a complex with several other proteins, two of which, MB-1 and B29, have been implicated in receptor assembly. We have reconstituted Ig receptor function in T lymphocytes by transfection of cloned receptor components. We found that efficient transport of IgM to the surface of T cells required coexpression of B29. Furthermore, IgM and B29 alone were sufficient to reconstitute antigen-specific signal transduction by Ig in the transfected T cells. Crosslinking of IgM with either antireceptor antibodies or antigen induced a calcium flux, phosphoinositol turnover, and interleukin secretion in T cells. These experiments establish a requirement for B29 in Ig receptor function, and suggest that the signaling apparatus of T and B cells is structurally homologous.

Allelic exclusion in transgenic mice carrying mutant human IgM genes.

Expression of the membrane-bound version of the human mu chain in transgenic mice results in the allelic exclusion of endogenous mouse Ig heavy chain genes (6). The secreted version of the human Ig transgene has no such effect. F1 hybrid animals that carry transgenes for both secreted and membrane-bound human mu chains produce both forms of the human heavy chain while strongly suppressing endogenous mouse mu expression. The simultaneous expression of the two rearranged transgenes in primary B cells suggests that allelic exclusion operates before the formation of a second functionally rearranged heavy chain gene in vivo.

Somatic hypermutation shapes the antibody repertoire of memory B cells in humans.

High-affinity antibodies produced by memory B cells differ from antibodies produced in naive B cells in two respects. First, many of these antibodies show somatic hypermutation, and second, the repertoire of antibodies expressed in memory responses is highly selected. To determine whether somatic hypermutation is responsible for the shift in the antibody repertoire during affinity maturation, we analyzed the immunoglobulin lambda light chain (Iglambda) repertoire expressed by naive and antigen-selected memory B cells in humans. We found that the Iglambda repertoire differs between naive and memory B cells and that this shift in the repertoire does not occur in the absence of somatic hypermutation in patients lacking activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). Our work suggests that somatic hypermutation makes a significant contribution to shaping the antigen-selected antibody repertoire in humans.

Intracellular targeting of antigens internalized by membrane immunoglobulin in B lymphocytes.

An important function of membrane immunoglobulin (mIg), the B cell antigen receptor, is to endocytose limiting quantities of antigen for efficient presentation to class II-restricted T cells. We have used a panel of mIg mutants to analyze the mechanism of mIg-mediated antigen presentation, and specifically to explore the ability of mIg to target internalized antigen to intracellular processing compartments. Transfected mIgs carrying substitutions for the transmembrane Tyr587 residue fail to efficiently present specifically bound antigen. However, these mutants internalize antigen normally, and their defect cannot be attributed to a lack of mIg-associated Ig alpha/Ig beta molecules. A novel functional assay for detecting antigenic peptides in subcellular fractions shows that wild-type mIg transfectants generate class II-peptide complexes intracellularly, whereas only free antigenic peptides are detectable in the mutant mIg transfectants. Furthermore, an antigen competition assay reveals that antigen internalized by the mutant mIgs fails to enter the intracellular processing compartment accessed by wild-type mIg. Therefore, mIg specifically targets bound and endocytosed antigen to the intracellular compartment where processed peptides associate with class II molecules, and the transmembrane Tyr587 residue plays an obligatory role in this process. Targeting of internalized antigen may be mediated by receptor-associated chaperones, and may be a general mechanism for optimizing the presentation of specifically bound and endocytosed antigens in b lymphocytes and other antigen-presenting cells.

V(D)J recombination: modulation of RAG1 and RAG2 cleavage activity on 12/23 substrates by whole cell extract and DNA-bending proteins.

Antigen receptor gene rearrangement is directed by DNA motifs consisting of a conserved heptamer and nonamer separated by a nonconserved spacer of either 12 or 23 base pairs (12 or 23 recombination signal sequences [RSS]). V(D)J recombination requires that the rearranging DNA segments be flanked by RSSs of different spacer lengths, a phenomenon known as the 12/23 rule. Recent studies have shown that this restriction operates at the level of DNA cleavage, which is mediated by the products of the recombination activating genes RAG1 and RAG2. Here, we show that RAG1 and RAG2 are not sufficient for 12/23 dependent cleavage, whereas RAG1 and RAG2 complemented with whole cell extract faithfully recapitulates the 12/23 rule. In addition, HMG box containing proteins HMG1 and HMG2 enhance RAG1- and RAG2-mediated cleavage of substrates containing 23 RSS but not of substrates containing only 12 RSS. These results suggest the existence of a nucleoprotein complex at the cleavage site, consisting of architectural, catalytic, and regulatory components.

Crystal structure of the cysteine-rich domain of mannose receptor complexed with a sulfated carbohydrate ligand.

The macrophage and epithelial cell mannose receptor (MR) binds carbohydrates on foreign and host molecules. Two portions of MR recognize carbohydrates: tandemly arranged C-type lectin domains facilitate carbohydrate-dependent macrophage uptake of infectious organisms, and the NH(2)-terminal cysteine-rich domain (Cys-MR) binds to sulfated glycoproteins including pituitary hormones. To elucidate the mechanism of sulfated carbohydrate recognition, we determined crystal structures of Cys-MR alone and complexed with 4-sulfated-N-acetylgalactosamine at 1.7 and 2.2 A resolution, respectively. Cys-MR folds into an approximately three-fold symmetric beta-trefoil shape resembling fibroblast growth factor. The sulfate portions of 4-sulfated-N-acetylgalactosamine and an unidentified ligand found in the native crystals bind in a neutral pocket in the third lobe. We use the structures to rationalize the carbohydrate binding specificities of Cys-MR and compare the recognition properties of Cys-MR with other beta-trefoil proteins.

Studies of the cell surface of mouse dendritic cells and other leukocytes.

The surface of dendritic cells (DC) has been analyzed by means of monoclonal antibodies (Ab) and lactoperoxidase (LPO)-mediated radioiodination. Antigens and other exteriorily disposed polypeptides of purified spleen DC were compared with those of tissue macrophages (Mphi), monocytes, and other bone marrow-derived elements. Quantitative binding studies and autoradiography with (125)I-Ab established that DC expressed high levels of I-A and H-2D, 2 x 10(5) and 1 x 10(5) Ab binding sites per cell, respectively. DC from conventional, germ-free, and specific pathogen-free mice were all rich in Ia. Expression of Ia on B cells was 5-10 percent of that on DC and increased fivefold during lipopolysaccharide mitogenesis. More than 70-90 percent of purified Mphi and monocytes from specific pathogen-free mice were Ia negative, but increased levels of Ia were noted on cells from mice reared under conventional conditions. Thus large amounts of Ia on DC is a constitutive trait, whereas the expression of Ia by other cell types may be governed by the environmental and immunological status of the host. The 2.4G2 Fc receptor Ag was not detected on DC. Peritoneal and spleen Mphi had 10(5) 2.4G2 binding sites/cell, whereas monocytes and lymphocytes were less reactive (1 x 10(4)-3 x 10(4) binding sites/cell). Four other Mphi-related antigens were evaluated. Each had a distinctive tissue distribution and none bound exclusively to Mphi and monocytes. Neither 1.21J (Mac-1) nor F4/80 reacted with DC. Immunoprecipitation studies of externally ((125)I) and biosynthetically ([(35)S]methionine)dabeled cells confirmed the binding data. Sensitive binding assays with (125)I-Ab confirmed previous observations that DC lack Ig and Thy-1. Lyt-1 was also not found on DC, but 5-12 percent of the cells in purified DC preparations expressed both Lyt-2 and Ia. All DC expressed the leukocyte common antigens at levels similar to other leukocytes. The spectrum of surface polypeptides labeled by LPO-mediated iodination was different on Mphi, DC, and lymphocytes. Polypeptides migrating at molecular weights of 155,000, 85,000, and 62,000 appeared to be restricted to DC. These observations establish that the cell surface of DC differs considerably from other leukocytes, including the blood monocyte, and suggest that the DC is part of a unique Ia-rich leukocyte differentiation pathway.

B cell development is arrested at the immature B cell stage in mice carrying a mutation in the cytoplasmic domain of immunoglobulin beta.

The B cell receptor (BCR) regulates B cell development and function through immunoglobulin (Ig)alpha and Ig beta, a pair of membrane-bound Ig superfamily proteins, each of which contains a single cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motif (ITAM). To determine the function of Ig beta, we produced mice that carry a deletion of the cytoplasmic domain of Ig beta (Ig beta Delta C mice) and compared them to mice that carry a similar mutation in Ig alpha (MB1 Delta C, herein referred to as Ig alpha Delta C mice). Ig beta Delta C mice differ from Ig alpha Delta C mice in that they show little impairment in early B cell development and they produce immature B cells that respond normally to BCR cross-linking as determined by Ca(2+) flux. However, Ig beta Delta C B cells are arrested at the immature stage of B cell development in the bone marrow and die by apoptosis. We conclude that the cytoplasmic domain Ig beta is required for B cell development beyond the immature B cell stage and that Ig alpha and Ig beta have distinct biologic activities in vivo.

Interference with immunoglobulin (Ig)alpha immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) phosphorylation modulates or blocks B cell development, depending on the availability of an Igbeta cytoplasmic tail.

To determine the function of immunoglobulin (Ig)alpha immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) phosphorylation, we generated mice in which Igalpha ITAM tyrosines were replaced by phenylalanines (Igalpha(FF/FF)). Igalpha(FF/FF) mice had a specific reduction of B1 and marginal zone B cells, whereas B2 cell development appeared to be normal, except that lambda1 light chain usage was increased. The mutants responded less efficiently to T cell-dependent antigens, whereas T cell-independent responses were unaffected. Upon B cell receptor ligation, the cells exhibited heightened calcium flux, weaker Lyn and Syk tyrosine phosphorylation, and phosphorylation of Igalpha non-ITAM tyrosines. Strikingly, when the Igalpha ITAM mutation was combined with a truncation of Igbeta, B cell development was completely blocked at the pro-B cell stage, indicating a crucial role of ITAM phosphorylation in B cell development.

The role of recombination activating gene (RAG) reinduction in thymocyte development in vivo.

Assembly of T cell receptor (TCR)alpha/beta genes by variable/diversity/joining (V[D]J) rearrangement is an ordered process beginning with recombination activating gene (RAG) expression and TCRbeta recombination in CD4(-)CD8(-)CD25(+) thymocytes. In these cells, TCRbeta expression leads to clonal expansion, RAG downregulation, and TCRbeta allelic exclusion. At the subsequent CD4(+)CD8(+) stage, RAG expression is reinduced and V(D)J recombination is initiated at the TCRalpha locus. This second wave of RAG expression is terminated upon expression of a positively selected alpha/beta TCR. To examine the physiologic role of the second wave of RAG expression, we analyzed mice that cannot reinduce RAG expression in CD4(+)CD8(+) T cells because the transgenic locus that directs RAG1 and RAG2 expression in these mice is missing a distal regulatory element essential for reinduction. In the absence of RAG reinduction we find normal numbers of CD4(+)CD8(+) cells but a 50-70% reduction in the number of mature CD4(+)CD8(-) and CD4(-)CD8(+) thymocytes. TCRalpha rearrangement is restricted to the 5' end of the Jalpha cluster and there is little apparent secondary TCRalpha recombination. Comparison of the TCRalpha genes expressed in wild-type or mutant mice shows that 65% of all alpha/beta T cells carry receptors that are normally assembled by secondary TCRalpha rearrangement. We conclude that RAG reinduction in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes is not required for initial TCRalpha recombination but is essential for secondary TCRalpha recombination and that the majority of TCRalpha chains expressed in mature T cells are products of secondary recombination.

Dendritic cells induce peripheral T cell unresponsiveness under steady state conditions in vivo.

Dendritic cells (DCs) have the capacity to initiate immune responses, but it has been postulated that they may also be involved in inducing peripheral tolerance. To examine the function of DCs in the steady state we devised an antigen delivery system targeting these specialized antigen presenting cells in vivo using a monoclonal antibody to a DC-restricted endocytic receptor, DEC-205. Our experiments show that this route of antigen delivery to DCs is several orders of magnitude more efficient than free peptide in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in inducing T cell activation and cell division. However, T cells activated by antigen delivered to DCs are not polarized to produce T helper type 1 cytokine interferon gamma and the activation response is not sustained. Within 7 d the number of antigen-specific T cells is severely reduced, and the residual T cells become unresponsive to systemic challenge with antigen in CFA. Coinjection of the DC-targeted antigen and anti-CD40 agonistic antibody changes the outcome from tolerance to prolonged T cell activation and immunity. We conclude that in the absence of additional stimuli DCs induce transient antigen-specific T cell activation followed by T cell deletion and unresponsiveness.

The cysteine-rich domain of the macrophage mannose receptor is a multispecific lectin that recognizes chondroitin sulfates A and B and sulfated oligosaccharides of blood group Lewis(a) and Lewis(x) types in addition to the sulfated N-glycans of lutropin.

The mannose receptor (MR) is an endocytic protein on macrophages and dendritic cells, as well as on hepatic endothelial, kidney mesangial, tracheal smooth muscle, and retinal pigment epithelial cells. The extracellular portion contains two types of carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD): eight membrane-proximal C-type CRDs and a membrane-distal cysteine-rich domain (Cys-MR). The former bind mannose-, N-acetylglucosamine-, and fucose-terminating oligosaccharides, and may be important in innate immunity towards microbial pathogens, and in antigen trapping for processing and presentation in adaptive immunity. Cys-MR binds to the sulfated carbohydrate chains of pituitary hormones and may have a role in hormonal clearance. A second feature of Cys-MR is binding to macrophages in marginal zones of the spleen, and to B cell areas in germinal centers which may help direct MR-bearing cells toward germinal centers during the immune response. Here we describe two novel classes of carbohydrate ligand for Cys-MR: chondroitin-4 sulfate chains of the type found on proteoglycans produced by cells of the immune system, and sulfated blood group chains. We further demonstrate that Cys-MR interacts with cells in the spleen via the binding site for sulfated carbohydrates. Our data suggest that the three classes of sulfated carbohydrate ligands may variously regulate the trafficking and function of MR-bearing cells.