Prion replication-once again blaming the dendritic cell.

The lymphoid system is known to be involved in the propagation and spread of scrapie. However, the identity of the cell type responsible for scrapie replication remains controversial. A new study provides evidence that the follicular dendritic cells in the spleen are the targets of this infectious form of prion (pages 1308-1312).

A cysteine residue located in the transmembrane domain of CD44 is important in binding of CD44 to hyaluronic acid.

In the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic domain of human CD44 protein there are two cysteine residues. These two cysteines are conserved in all known mammalian CD44 proteins. The functions of these cysteine residues are not known. Site-specific mutagenesis was used to create CD44 mutant proteins lacking either one or both of these cysteine residues. Wild-type CD44 and mutant CD44 genes were transfected into CD44- Jurkat cells to establish stable transfectants. These transfectants were used to study whether these two cysteine residues are important in the binding of CD44(H) to fluorescein-conjugated hyaluronic acid (F-HA). Jurkat transfectant bearing wild-type CD44 did not bind F-HA, unless they were stimulated in vitro with immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. Anti-CD3 antibody also stimulated the binding of F-HA in Jurkat CD44.C295A transfectant in which the cytoplasmic cysteine residue has been replaced with alanine. In contrast, anti-CD3 antibody failed to stimulate the binding of F-HA in Jurkat transfectant (CD44.C286A), in which the transmembrane domain cysteine 286 has been replaced with an alanine, and in Jurkat transfectant CD44.2C2A, in which both of the cysteine residues have been altered. Binding can also be induced with a monoclonal anti-CD44 antibody (F-44-10-2) in Jurkat wild-type CD44 and Jurkat CD44.C295A transfectants but not in CD44. C286A transfectant. These results provide evidence that the transmembrane domain of CD44, more specifically the cysteine residue in the transmembrane domain, is important for both activation-induced and anti-CD44 antibody-induced binding of soluble HA.

Distinct effects of two CD44 isoforms on tumor growth in vivo.

Tumor growth is dependent in part on interactions between tumor cells and the extracellular matrix of host tissues. Expression of the cell surface glycoprotein CD44/Pgp-1, which mediates cell-substrate interactions is increased in many types of malignancies, but the role of CD44 in tumor growth is largely undefined. Recently, two isoforms of CD44 have been identified: an 80-90 kD form, which has high affinity for cell bound hyaluronate and a 150 kD form which does not mediate attachment to hyaluronate-coated surfaces. In this work, human B cell lymphoma cells stably transfected with cDNA clones encoding either of the two CD44 isoforms were compared for tumorigenicity and metastatic potential in nude mice. Expression of the 80-90 kD form but not the 150 kD form of CD44 greatly enhanced both local tumor formation and metastatic proclivity of the lymphoma cells. Our results suggest that CD44 polypeptides may play an important role in regulating primary and metastatic tumor development in vivo.

An antigen-specific signal is required for the activation of second-order suppressor T cells in the regulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

Suppressor T cells (Ts-1) induced with trinitrophenyl (TNP)-conjugated syngeneic spleen cells (TNP-SC) can be enriched on antigen-coated plates and are afferent suppressors. In addition, these suppressor cells produced soluble suppressor factors (TsF) that were active in vivo. Therefore, the Ts-1 cells in the TNP system are very similar to the Ts-1 cells in other systems we have studied earlier. Further characterization of these TsF-1 revealed that TsF-1 obtained from TNP-SC-induced Ts-1 is major histocompatibility complex restricted in its activity. Injection of TNP-specific TsF-1 into naive mice did not induce Ts-2 unless additional corresponding antigen was provided. Moreover, the Ts-2 cells induced by administration of both TsF-1 and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid were antigen specific rather than antiidiotypic.

T cell development in B cell-deficient mice. V. Stopping anti-mu treatment results in Igh-restricted expansion of the T suppressor cell repertoire concomitant with the development of normal immunoglobulin levels.

B cell-deficient (anti-mu-treated) mice have proven to be a valuable tool with which to examine the influence of Ig idiotypic determinants upon the development of the Ts repertoire. We have previously reported that ABA-specific Ts repertoires matured in normal and Ig-deficient environments differ from one another in their composition, and consequently, their functionally expressed Igh restrictions. The present report characterizes the impact of natural development of mature B cell activity upon the composition of the Ts repertoire. After stopping anti-mu treatment of C.AL-20 mice, ABA-specific Ts repertoires undergo a defined expansion shown by their acquisition of an additional Ts network that displays Igh restrictions characteristic of normal C.AL-20 mice. This Igh-1d-restricted repertoire can be readily shown within 2 wk of major increases in surface Ig spleen cells and total serum Ig levels in these mice. At the same time, the original Ts restriction specificity (Igh-1a-restricted) generated in the Ig-deficient environment of anti-mu. C.AL-20 mice, is not lost for at least 20 wk. The resulting dual Ts repertoire, characterized by expression of parallel, idiotypically restricted Ts networks, is demonstrable for at least 13 wk. These findings favor an important role for Ig determinants in determining the makeup of the T cell repertoire, and ultimately, the composition of immunologic networks as a whole.

T cell development in B cell-deficient mice. II. Serological characterization of suppressor T cell factors (TsF1) produced in normal mice and in mice treated chronically with rabbit anti-mouse IgM antibodies.

Serological analysis of idiotypic specificities present in azobenzenearsonate (ABA)-specific first-order suppressor T cell factors (TsF1) from C.AL-20 and BALB/c mice revealed a significant difference between TsF from these two strains of mice. The idiotypic composition of TsF1 from BALB/c mice appears to be more heterogeneous, and at least two different fractions can be readily identified. One bears the characteristic BALB/c-associated CRI(C) (crossreactive idiotype) determinants, and the other is non-CRI(C)-bearing. Analysis of ABA-specific TsF1 from animals lacking B cells uncovered a fundamental change in the expression of their idiotypic specificities. TsF from rabbit anti-mouse IgM (anti-mu)-treated C.AL-20 mice failed to express the characteristic CRI(A) determinants. Instead, they express CRI(C) specificities. Similarly, TsF1 from anti-mu-treated BALB/c mice did not express their characteristic CRI(C) specificities, but rather express CRI(A) determinants. These experiments provide strong evidence that the Igh restriction specificity of TsF is dictated by the particular idiotypic specificities expressed. They also clearly demonstrate that B cells and their products play an important role in establishing the idiotypic composition and repertoire of suppressor T cells.

Inhibition of tumor growth in vivo with a soluble CD44-immunoglobulin fusion protein.

CD44H is the principal cell surface receptor for hyaluronate, which is a major glycosaminoglycan of the extracellular matrix. Expression of CD44H is enhanced in a variety of malignant tumors and correlates with tumor aggressiveness, supporting the notion that interaction between CD44H and hyaluronate may play an important role in tumor growth and dissemination. In this report we show that in vivo tumor formation by human lymphoma Namalwa cells, stably transfected with CD44H, can be suppressed by a soluble human CD44H-immunoglobulin fusion protein. Disruption of the interaction between CD44H and its physiologic ligands may provide a novel strategy for controlling tumor growth in vivo.

Suppressor cells in tolerance to contact sensitivity active against hapten-syngeneic and hapten-allogeneic determinants.

Genetic restrictions in generation and expression of hapten-specific suppressor cells for contact sensitivity were found. Dinitrophenol- (DNP) or trinitrophenol-modified mouse spleen cells (SC) induced suppressors in donors able to transfer suppression to normal recipients. When allogeneic DNP-SC were injected into BALB/c mice, cells were generated which were suppressive only in the allogeneic strain providing the DNP-SC. In contrast, when DNP-BALB/c-SC were injected into BALB/c mice, suppressors were generated which were active both in BALB/c and in allogeneic mice (e.g., CBA). This apparent absence of syngeneic major histocompability complex restriction may be explained by cross reactive T-cell receptors which are VH gene products.

Antigen- and receptor-driven regulatory mechanisms. III. Induction of delayed type hypersensitivity to azobenzenearsonate with anti-cross-reactive idiotypic antibodies.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to p-azobenzenearsonate (ABA) can be induced in A/J mice with intravenous injection of minute amounts of anti-cross-reactive idiotypic (CRI) antibodies, providing that the animals have been pretreated 2 d earlier with low doses of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg). However intravenous injection of the F(ab')2 fragments of the anti-CRI antibodies or subcutaneous administration with anti-CRI antibodies induces comparable immunity in both cyclophosphamide-pretreated and normal nontreated animals. Furthermore adoptive transfer experiments indicate that lymph node cells taken from animals sensitized with anti-CRI 4 d earlier can adoptively transfer immunity to naive recipients. Transfer of immunity is mediated by a population of thymus-dependent (T) cells, which express idiotypic structures on their surface. Treatment of effector cells with either anti-theta serum or anti-idiotypic antibodies plus complement completely abrogated their ability to transfer immunity. In addition idiotype-bearing suppressor T cells induced with ABA-coupled spleen cells inhibit the development of ABA-specific DTH induced with anti-CRI antibodies. Genetic analysis revealed that the ability of anti-CRI antibodies to induce ABA-specific DTH was linked to Igh-1 heavy-chain allotype. Anti-idiotypic antibodies to the major CRI associated with anti-ABA antibodies in A/J mice failed to induce significant immunity in BALB/c mice (H-2d, Igh-1a). Nevertheless, they were able to induce significant immunity in C.AL20 mice (H-2d, Igh-1d) which possess a heavy-chain allotype similar to that of A/J mice.

Genetic restrictions for the induction of suppressor T cells by hapten-modified lymphoid cells in tolerance to 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene contact sensitivity. Role of the H-2D region of the major histocompatibility complex.

Genetic restrictions governing the induction and expression of suppressor T cells (Ts) in tolerance to 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrogenzene (DNFB) contract sensitivity were studied. Tolerance was induced by using 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-modified lymphoid cells (DNP-LC) as tolerogen. Two kinds of Ts were found-those produced by DNP-LC syngeneic to the donor of the Ts (syninduced Ts), and those produced by DNP-LC allogeneic to the donor of Ts (alloinduced Ts). Studies employing congenic resistant mouse strains indicated that recognition of DNP-modified-major histocompatibility region determinants on the tolerogenic DNP-LC was essential for the induction of both types of Ts. Non-H-2 genetic background was irrelevant to Ts induction. Mapping studies indicated that induction of both syninduced and alloinduced Ts was associated with recognition of DNP-modified-MHC region determinants which map to the right of the H-2G region (i.e., H-2D gene products). Tolerization of donor mice with DNP-LC which were H-2D region compatible, but not with H-2K or I region compatible DNP-LC, was both sufficient and required for the induction of hapten-specific syninduced Ts. Tolerization of donor mice with DNP-LC which were incompatible only at the H-2D region was sufficient for the induction of alloinduced Ts. These Ts were capable of suppressing recipient mice only if the recipients shared the H-2D region with the strain providing the DNP-LC tolerogen, and were not capable of suppressing recipients sharing all but the H-2D region with the tolerogen.

H-2 restriction of suppressor T-cell induction by hapten-modified lymphoid cells in tolerance to 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene contact sensitization.

Studies using hapten-modified lymphoid cells as tolerogens for 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene contact sensitization have shown that BALB/c(H-2d) mice can be made phenotypically tolerant by dinitrophenyl (DNP) on either syngeneic or allogeneic mouse lymphoid cells (DNP-LC). However, suppressor T-cell induction (Ts) in these mice (as demonstrated by adoptive transfer to syngeneic recipients) was restricted to H-2 identity between the DNP-LC and the donor mouse. It was also shown that identity at the right end of the H-2 complex was sufficient for Ts induction. In addition, this restriction was also demostrated in CBA (H-2 K) mice and for tolerance in the 1-chloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene contact sensitivity system using trinitrophenyl-modified lymphoid cells.

Antigen- and receptor-driven regulatory mechanisms. VIII. Suppression of idiotype-negative, p-azobenzenearsonate-specific T cells results from the interaction of an anti-idiotypic second-order T suppressor cell with a cross-reactive-idiotype-positive, p-azobenzenearsonate-primed T cell target.

The suppressor pathway that regulates the T cell response to p-azobenzenearsonate (ABA)-coupled cells has been studied. It has been found that the ability of anti-idiotypic second-order T suppressor cells (Ts2) to inhibit T cell-dependent delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses depended upon the presence of cross-reactive-idiotype (CRI)-bearing T cells present in ABA-primed mice. This suppressor T cell subset, termed Ts2, so exists with CRI-negative T cells that mediate DTH in vivo. It appears that antigen-activated CRI+ Ts3 require signals from the anti-CRI Ts2 subset to suppress DTH reactions in an idiotype-nonspecific manner. The relevance of these observations to a comprehensive scheme of T and B cell regulation is discussed.

Two distinct mechanisms regulate the in vivo generation of cytotoxic T cells.

Treatment of responder cells with monoclonal anti-Ly-1,2 antibodies plus complement in vitro completely eliminated their ability to generate azobenzenearsonate (ABA)-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). However, addition of the concanavalin A-stimulated supernatants of rat spleen cells (Con A-Sup) can fully reconstitute the response. Therefore, Lyt-1,2-bearing T cells are required for the generation of ABA-specific CTL, and such requirement can be replaced by factors present in the Con A- sup. Suppressor T cells (Ts), when adoptively transferred into naive recipients, will inhibit the in vivo priming of CTL. This inhibition can also be reversed by in vitro addition of Con A-Sup. furthermore, mice serving as donors of Ts also show profound unresponsiveness when primed and restimulated in vitro. In contrast to the Ts-mediated inhibition, in vitro addition of Con A-Sup was unable to abolish the unresponsiveness observed in these cultures. Thus, we identified two unresponsive states in a hapten-specific killing system that differ in their ability to be reconstituted by Con A-Sup.

Antigen- and receptor-driven regulatory mechanisms. IV. Idiotype-bearing I-J+ suppressor T cell factors induce second-order suppressor T cells which express anti-idiotypic receptors.

Administration of azobenzenearsonate (ABA)-coupled syngeneic spleen cells intravenously to A/J mice leads to the generation of suppressor T cells (Ts1) which exhibit specific binding to ABA-bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated dishes. These Ts1 share idiotypic determinants with the major cross-reactive idiotype (CRI) of the anti-ABA antibodies of A/J mice, and also produce a soluble suppressor factor (TsF) bearing CRI and I-J subregion-coded determinants. Injection of this TsF into naive A/J mice elicits a second set of specific suppressor cells (Ts2) which are not lysed by anti-CRI antibody plus C, and which do not bind to ABA-BSA-coated dishes. However, in contrast with Ts1, these Ts2 do bind to plates bearing CRI+ anti-ABA immunoglobulin. Thus, Ts2 exhibit anti-idiotypic specificity. These data indicate that antigen elicits the production of a soluble T cell product bearing both variable portion of the Ig heavy chain (VH) and I-J subregion-coded determinants which serves to communicate between T cell subsets to establish an idiotype-anti-idiotype regulatory pathway.

Identification of a costimulatory molecule rapidly induced by CD40L as CD44H.

The interaction between CD40 ligand and CD40 is critical for activation of T and B cells in vivo. We have recently demonstrated that this interaction rapidly induces a novel costimulatory activity distinct from B7 and independent of CD28. To study the molecular basis of the costimulatory activity, we have produced a novel monoclonal antibody, TM-1, that binds an 85-kilodalton costimulatory molecule rapidly induced by CD40L. Expression cloning reveals that TM-1 binds CD44H. CD44H expressed on Chinese hamster ovary cells has potent costimulatory activity for clonal expansion of T cells isolated from both wild-type mice and these with a targeted mutation of CD28. Thus, CD44H costimulates T cell proliferation by a CD28-independent mechanism. These results revealed that CD44H is a costimulatory molecule rapidly induced by CD40L.

Antigen- and receptor-driven regulatory mechanisms. I. Induction of suppressor T cells with anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to the azobenzenearsonate (ABA) hapten can be readily induced in A/J mice injecting ABA-coupled syngeneic spleen cells subcutaneously. To further characterize this T-cell-dependent immunological phenomenon, the effect of passively administered anti-cross-reactive idiotype common to anti-ABA antibodies of A/J mice (CRI) antibodies on the development of ABA-specific DTH was investigated. Animals given daily injections (of minute amounts) of anti-CRI antibodies subsequent to immunization with ABA-coupled cells show significant reduction of ABA specific responses. This inhibition is antigen specific and requires the intact immunoglobulin molecule, as F(ab')2 treatments were ineffective in suppressing the reaction. Investigations of the mechanism of the anti-CRI-induced suppression of ABA DTH revealed that the observed suppression is a result of the activation of suppressor cells. Spleen cells taken from animals which received anti-CRI antibodies were able to adoptively transfer suppression to naive recipients. This suppression was shown to be mediated by T cells, as anti-Thy1.2 plus complement completely abrogated the transfer of suppression. In addition, animals pretreated with low doses of cyclophosphamide were not suppressed by the administration of anti-CRI antibodies. The genetic restriction of anti-CRI-induced suppression was demonstrated. Antibodies to the major cross-reactive idiotype, (CRI) associated with anti-ABA antibodies in A/J mice were unable to suppress the development of DTH to ABA in BALB/c mice (H-2d, Igh-1a). Such antibodies were, however, fully active in suppressing ABA DTH in the allotype-congenic C.AL-20 strain which has an allotype (Igh-1d) similar to that of A/J (Igh-1e) on a BALB/c background, and which produces humoral antibodies with the CRI.

Antigen- and receptor-driven regulatory mechanisms. II. Induction of suppressor T cells with idiotype-coupled syngeneic spleen cells.

Anti-p-azobenzenearsonate (ABA) antibodies, coupled covalently to normal syngeneic spleen cells and then given intravenously to normal animals, were found to be potent tolerogens for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to ABA. The ability of the antibody-coupled cells to induce tolerance was determined to be a result of the cross-reactive idiotype (CRI+) fraction of the antibodies, because anti-ABA antibodies lacking the CRI+ components when coupled to spleen cells were unable to cause any significant inhibition. Furthermore, genetic analysis revealed that the ability of CRI-coupled cells to inhibit ABA-specific DTH is linked to Igh-1 heavy chain allotype, in as much animals which possess heavy chain allotypes similar to that of A/J were sensitive to this inhibition. Adoptive transfer experiments provided evidence that CRI-coupled cells induce suppressor cells, and spleen cells or thymocytes from animals received CRI-coupled cells were able to transfer suppression to naive recipients. In addition, treatment with anti-Thy1.2 serum plus complement completely abrogated their ability to transfer suppression. Thus, this active suppression is a T-cell-dependent phenomenon. In investigating the specificity of these suppressor T cells, it was found that they functioned in an antigen-specific manner and were unable to suppress the development of DTH to an unrelated hapten 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene.

Active suppression of 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-immune T cells. Requirement of an auxiliary T cell induced by antigen.

We investigated T-T cell interactions in the suppression of contact sensitivity. Suppressor cells that block the efferent limb of sensitivity (Ts-eff) can inhibit the passive transfer of contact sensitivity mediated by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene immune cells (T DH). But, Ts-eff cannot block the passive transfer of TDH which comes from cyclophosphamide (Cy) pretreated sensitized mice. We interpret these results to indicate that lymph node cells from sensitized mice contain not only TDH but also another intermediate cell which is required for the suppression of TDH by Ts-eff. This intermediate cell is sensitive to cyclophosphamide and requires antigen activation for its development. It is sensitive to adult thymectomy and anti-brain associated theta serum and is therefore designated as an auxiliary T-suppressor cell (Ts-aux). It is not sensitive to splenectomy and it carries I-J determinants. Ts-aux are required for the activity of suppressors of the efferent limb (Ts-eff) but not of suppressors of the afferent limb (Ts-aff). Thus, in the feedback loops in contact sensitivity, the generation of Tdh is coordinated with the development of auxiliary Ts which are essential for the suppression of those TDH.

Antigen- and receptor-driven regulatory mechanisms. VII. H-2-restricted anti-idiotypic suppressor factor from efferent suppressor T cells.

Azobenzenearsonate (ABA)-specific T cell-derived suppressor factor (TsF1) from A/J mice was used to induced second-order suppressor T cells (Ts2). Comparison of suppressor T cells induced by antigen (Ts1) with Ts2 induced by TsF1 revealed that Ts1 were afferent suppressors active only when given at the time of antigen priming, and not thereafter, whereas Ts2 could act when transferred at any time up to 1 d before antigen challenge for a delayed-type hypersensitivity response. This was true even when the recipient could be shown to be fully immune before transfer of Ts2, thus defining these cells as efferent suppressors. The anti-idiotypic specificity of the Ts2 was demonstrated by the ability of Ts to bind to idiotype (cross-reactive idiotype [CRI])-coated Petri dishes. A soluble extract from Ts2 (TsF2) was also capable of mediating efferent suppression that was functionally antigen- (ABA) specific. Comparison of TsF1 with this new factor, TsF2, revealed that both lack Ig-constant-region determinants, possess H-2-coded determinants, and show specific binding (to ABA and to CRI+-Ig, respectively). TsF1 acts in strains that differ with respect to H-2 and background genes, whereas TsF2 shows H-2- and non-H-2-linked genetic restrictions. This existence of H-2 restriction of TsF2 activity suggests that the apparent discrepancies in studies of H-2 restriction of TsF may be a result of the analysis of two separate classes of TsF, only one of which shows genetically restricted activity, thus unifying several models of suppressor cell activity.

Antigen- and receptor-driven regulatory mechanisms. V. The failure of idiotype-coupled spleen cells to induce unresponsiveness in animals lacking the appropriate VH genes is caused by the lack of idiotype-matched targets.

A/J anti-p-azobenzenearsonate (ABA) antibodies bearing cross-reactive idiotypic (CRI) determinants, when coupled to spleen cells and then injected intravenously into naive animals, stimulate suppressor T cell (Ts) responses. Moreover, previous studies have demonstrated that the ability of such idiotype-coupled spleen cells to induce immune unresponsiveness to subsequent immunization with ABA-coupled spleen cells is linked to Igh-1 genes. Thus, CRI bearing antibodies from A/J mice, when conjugated to normal BALB/c spleen cells in vitro and then injected intravenously to syngeneic BALB/c mice, failed to induce tolerance in these animals. However, spleen cells taken from these animals transferred significant degrees of suppression to Igh-1 congenic C.AL-20 but not to H-2 congenic, Igh-1 distinct B10.D2 mice. Therefore, the failure of CRI-coupled spleen cells to induce suppressor cell- mediated unresponsiveness in animals unable to express the appropriate VH genes (i.e. BALB/c and B10.D2) appears to be caused by the lack of idiotype- matched targets. The notion that the ability to express certain Vn genes in the recipient animal is a prerequisite for suppressor cell function was further supported by the observation that suppressor cells induced in C.AL-20 mice failed to transfer any degree of suppression to BALB/c mice. The ability to transfer suppression from BALB/c mice to C.AL-20 mice is a T cell- dependent phenomenon, since in vitro treatment with anti-Thy 1.2 antiserum and complement completely abrogated suppressor cell function. Furthermore, these suppressor T cells are antigen specific and can be enriched on idiotype-coated petri dishes, indicating they possess anti-idiotypic receptors. Therefore, appropriate anti-idiotype and idiotype interaction is essential for the manifestation of suppressor T cell function in ABA-specific suppressor pathways.