Enhancement of the activities of glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of mucin-type sugar chains in autoimmune MRL lpr/lpr mouse T cells

Lymph node (LN) T cells from autoimmune MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (lpr) mice and control MRL/MpJ-+/+ (+/+) mice were compared as to their cell surface lectin-binding sites and glycosyltransferase activities. T cells from enlarged LN of lpr mice expressed a higher amount of binding sites for lectins reactive to mucin-type sugar chains than normal +/+ mouse T cells. Correspondingly, glycosyltransferase activities involved in the biosynthesis of mucin-type sugar chains were higher in lpr mouse T cells than in +/+ T cells. The activities of UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc):polypeptide GalNAc transferase and UDP-galactose (Gal):asialo bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) Gal transferase were found to be elevated. The activity of UDP-Gal:asialo-agalacto transferrin Gal transferase, which is involved in the biosynthesis of complex type sugar chains, was also increased in lpr mice but to a smaller extent than the mucin-type Gal transferase activities. An abnormality in sialyltransferase activity was also found in lpr T cells.     

Unusual cell surface properties of the T lymphocyte population expanding in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice.

MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (lpr/lpr) mice but not the congenic MRL/Mp-+/+ (+/+) mice, develop a generalized lymph node (LN) hypertrophy reflecting the expansion of a T-cell population that acts as an enhancing factor for autoimmunity. In order to characterize better this T-cell population, we investigated some of its surface properties in comparison with those of +/+ T cells. Electrophoretic measurements revealed that lpr/lpr T cells possess a lower electronegative surface charge than %/% T cells which indicates that the two cell types differ in the molecular composition of their plasmic membrane periphery. This notion was substantiated by the quantification of T- and B-cell markers and of lectin-binding sites on these cells using single- and two-colour flow cytofluorimetry. In agreement with recent observations by Lewis, Giorgi & Warner (1981) lpr/lpr T cells exhibited lower levels of Thy-1 and Lyt-1 antigens than +/+ T cells and were mostly devoid of Lyt-2 antigen. Although lpr/lpr lymph node (LN) cells displayed similar amounts of surface receptors for peanut agglutinin as +/+ LN cells, the expression of surface receptors for other lectins were either lower (Limulus polyphemus agglutinin, Maclura pomifera agglutinin, Concanavalin A) or higher (Helix pomatia agglutinin, Soya bean agglutinin, Bandeiraea simplicifolia agglutinin I, Phytohaemagglutinin L) on lpr/lpr T cells than on +/+ T cells. These data indicate that the T cells accumulating in hypertrophied lpr/lpr LN are endowed with unique surface characteristics which may explain some of the functional abnormalities of these cells.     

Activation of autoreactive T cells that help nucleobindin-injected mice produce anti-DNA antibodies

Nucleobindin (Nuc) is a DNA- and calcium-binding protein that was originally identified as an anti-DNA antibody-enhancing factor in MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice. In MRL/lpr mice, both expression of Nuc mRNA in enlarged lymph nodes and serum concentration of Nuc protein are shown to increase as disease progresses. Administration of recombinant (r) Nuc to young MRL/MpJ-+/+ and normal BALB/c mice leads to augmentation or induction of IgG anti-double-stranded (ds) DNA autoantibodies. In this study, spleen cells prepared from MRL/lpr mice were found to show a proliferative response to rNuc, indicating existence of T cells that are specific to this autoantigen in peripheral lymphoid tissues. Furthermore, CD4+ T cell lines were generated from a BALB/c mouse that had been producing anti-dsDNA antibodies as a result of repeated injections of rNuc. These T cell lines were confirmed to be autoreactive, because they proliferated in culture with syngeneic but not with allogeneic spleen cells without addition of any exogenous antigens. Their proliferation was enhanced by rNuc, and inhibited by an anti-MHC class II monoclonal antibody. Upon in vivo inoculation, these T cells provided help for rNuc-injected BALB/c mice to produce anti-DNA antibodies. These results suggest that Nuc is able to activate autoreactive peripheral T cells through an MHC-class II pathway leading to acceleration or induction of anti-DNA antibody production when it is excessively produced in lupus-prone mice or experimentally administered into normal mice.     

CD95 (Fas) may control the expansion of activated T cells after elimination of bacteria in murine listeriosis.

CD95 (Fas) is known to mediate activation-induced T-cell death by apoptosis. To understand the role of CD95 during the course of bacterial infection, we examined the kinetics of alphabeta and gammadelta T cells in the peritoneal cavities and livers of 5-week-old CD95-defective MRL/lpr mice after an intraperitoneal infection with Listeria monocytogenes. The number of bacteria in the spleen decreased to an undetectable level by day 10 after infection with 7 x 10(3) Listeria cells similar to the number in MRL/+/+ mice. The number of alphabeta T cells expressing CD44 and CD95 reached a maximum in the peritoneal cavity on day 6 after listerial infection and thereafter decreased gradually in MRL/+/+ mice, whereas CD44+ alphabeta T cells without CD95 expression continued to increase throughout the course of listerial infection in MRL/lpr mice. Freshly isolated T cells from MRL/+/+ mice infected with L. monocytogenes 10 days previously showed DNA fragmentation with apoptosis, whereas such fragmentation was not prominent in T cells from infected MRL/lpr mice. In correlation with the increased number of CD44+ alphabeta T cells, Listeria-specific T-cell proliferation of peritoneal exudate cells was significantly greater in MRL/lpr mice than in MRL/+/+ mice on day 10 after listerial infection. In contrast to alphabeta T cells, gammadelta T cells increased in number only transiently in the peritoneal cavity and liver after listerial infection in both MRL/lpr mice and MRL/+/+ mice. These results suggest that CD95-mediated cell death with apoptosis may be involved in termination of the alphabeta-T-cell-mediated immune response after the battle against L. monocytogenes has been won, whereas gammadelta T cells may undergo apoptosis independently of CD95 during the course of listerial infection.     

Effects of the lpr/lpr mutation on T and B cell populations in the lamina propria of the small intestine, a mucosal effector site.

MRL mice, which develop a lymphoproliferative disease characterized by increased numbers of alpha/beta T cell receptor+ (TCR+) B220/6B2+CD4-CD8- T cells [lymphoproliferation (lpr) T cells], were studied for the effect of the lpr/lpr mutation on the mucosal immune system in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We analyzed the effect of the lpr gene mutation on T and B cell populations in the Peyer's patches (PP) and the lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs), as examples of major IgA inductive and effector tissues in the GI tract respectively. Normal mouse PP contain B cells committed to IgA (surface IgA+) but only low numbers of B cells producing IgA. However, enhanced spontaneous IgA and IgG synthesis occurs in the PP of MRL mice. Further, we have now shown that PP of MRL mice are populated by lpr T cells. Interestingly, lpr T cells were not present in significant numbers in LPLs of MRL mice, even in older animals. Of interest was the finding that the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells in the lamina propria was lower in MRL when compared with control mice, and the CD8+ T cell subset actually predominates in LPLs of autoimmune mice. In addition, the number of gamma/delta TCR+ T cells in LPL of MRL lpr/lpr mice was significantly increased, especially in MRL lpr/lpr mice at 6 and 12 weeks of age. When the isotype distribution of B cells in LPLs was analyzed, no changes were noted in MRL lpr/lpr mice in comparison with MRL +/+ or normal control mice, and the pattern was IgA much greater than IgM greater than IgG. These results show that although increased numbers of CD8+ T cells and gamma/delta TCR+ cells occur in the LPLs of MRL mice, a normal distribution of plasma cell isotypes (IgA much greater than IgM greater than IgG) is found in this mucosal compartment. Further, Ipr T cells do not develop in the lamina propria compartment of the GI tract.     

Abnormal distribution of IL-6 receptor in aged MRL/lpr mice: elevated expression on B cells and absence on CD4+ cells.

A mAb against murine IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), KMH7, was obtained by immunization of hamster with recombinant soluble murine IL-6R. Flow cytometry analysis of IL-6R distribution on lymphocytes in BALB/c showed that IL-6R was expressed on peripheral lymph node (LN) T cells of either CD4+ or CD8+ phenotype, and Peyer's patch IgA+ B cells, but not on splenic B cells and thymocytes. A similar distribution was observed in 5 week old MRL/lpr and 16-week-old MRL/n mice. In contrast, in 16 week old MRL/lpr mice of both sexes, IL-6R was expressed on splenic IgM+ cells. Peripheral LN CD4+ T cells in 16 week old female MRL/lpr mice did not express IL-6R. Thymocytes in any population with a phenotype of CD4+ or CD8+, double negative, and double positive were not stained with KMH7 in both BALB/c and MRL/lpr mice. In both strains, IL-6R was induced in CD4+ or CD8+ thymocytes after 2 days of culture, suggesting that CD4+ thymocytes in MRL/lpr have a potential to express IL-6R. Our results suggest that overexpression of IL-6R on B cells and absence of IL-6R on peripheral CD4+ cells are concurrent with, or may contribute to, B cell hyperreactivity and T cell abnormality in this strain.     

Elevation of the activities of glycosyl transferases involved in polylactosaminoglycan biosynthesis in autoimmune MRL lpr/lpr mouse T cells

Lymph node (LN) T cells from autoimmune MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (lpr) mice and control MRL/MpJ-(+)/+ (+/+) mice were compared as to glycosyl transferase activities involved in the biosynthesis of polylactosaminoglycans. The N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase (GlcNAc transferase) activity responsible for the extension of polylactosaminoglycans was assayed. The reaction products with this GlcNAc transferase were characterized by sequential glycosidase treatment and methylation analysis, and the enzyme was found to be classifiable as an UDP-GlcNAc:N-acetyllactosamine beta 1-3 GlcNAc transferase (polylactosamine extension enzyme). The activity of this GlcNAc transferase in T cells from enlarged LN of lpr mice was 3-6 times higher than that in T cells from +/+ mice. On the other hand, activated T cells from +/+ mice only showed about a 2-fold increase in the activity of the transferase, compared with that in resting T cells. B cells from +/+ mice also showed a significantly higher activity of the transferase than +/+ T cells, the enzyme activity being comparable to or slightly lower than that in lpr T cells. Furthermore, when the reaction mixture contained both UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-Gal as donors, extension of the Gal-GlcNAc residue was observed. These results indicated the biosynthetic basis for the abundance of polylactosaminoglycans in lpr T cells and normal B cells. We also found that lpr T cells exhibited significant UDP-GlcNAc:asialo-bovine submaxillary mucin GlcNAc transferase activity. Only weak activity of this enzyme was detected in +/+ resting and activated T cells, and B cells. This enzyme activity suggested the potential for polylactosaminoglycan formation on the mucin-type sugar chains on the surface of lpr T cells.     

Expression of Heterozygous lpr Gene in MRL Mice

The presence of the homozygous lpr gene (lpr/lpr) in MRL mice has been regarded as mandatory for the development of the early onset of lupus disease, T-cell dysfunction, and polyclonal B-cell activation. Congeneic MRL mice lacking the lpr gene (MRL +/+) display neither the lupus disease nor the immunological abnormalities within the first year of life. In this study we examined the cellular functions of MRL mice heterozygous at the lpr locus. The results indicate that MRL mice heterozygous at the lpr locus display intermediate delayed-type hypersensitivity compared with homozygous lpr/lpr mice on the one hand and congeneic +/+ mice on the other. Furthermore, proliferative responses to concanavalin A, measured by uptake of [3H]thymidine, were significantly lower in MRL mice heterozygous at the lpr locus than in +/+ mice, but significantly higher than in homozygous MRL lpr/lpr mice. Polyclonal B-cell activation, assessed by measurement of frequencies of IgG-secreting spleen cells, a prominent feature in MRL lpr/lpr mice, was significantly lower in lpr/+ mice and totally absent in +/+ mice. Furthermore, spleen cells spontaneously secreting auto-antibodies were found in large numbers in MRL lpr/lpr mice and in considerably lower but still significant numbers in heterozygous MRL +/lpr mice. In contrast, spleen cells from matched MRL +/+ mice did not display any spontaneous autoantibody production. Taken together, these data provide evidence for immunomodulatory properties of the heterozygous lpr gene.     

Spontaneous and antibody directed cytotoxicity of double-negative T cells from autoimmune mice

MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice develop a syndrome similar tosystemic lupus erythematosus in humans. This strain of miceis characterized by the progressive accumulation of CD4^–CD8^–(double-negative; DN) T cells which express increased levelsof cell adhesion molecules such as CD44 and heat stable antigen(HSA). The DN T cells exhibited a higher level of spontaneouscytolytic activity and contained a higher level of serine esteraseas compared with T cells of MRL/Mp-+/+ (MRL/+) mice. We alsofound that mAbs against CD44, Mei-14, CD45R, and HSA could augmentthe cytolytic activity of DN T cells of MRL/lpr mice. Antibody-mediatedaugmentation of cytolytic activity of DN T cells was due toconjugate formation in which the Fc portion of mAb bound tothe Fc receptor on target cells and the Fab portion of mAb boundto corresponding cell surface antigens on DN T cells. The antibody-mediatedaugmentation of cytolytic activity was not detected in T cellsof MRL/+ mice and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells ofC57BL/6 mice. In contrast, anti-CD3 mAbs could augment the cytolyticactivity of DN T cells, T cells as well as LAK cells. mAbs againstLFA-1 and VLA-4 failed to augment the cytolytic activity ofthree different effector cells. It should be noted that antl-CD3mAb-mediated cytolytic activity of DN T cells was substantiallyreduced by anti-LFA-1 mAb. However, CD44, Mel-14, CD45R as wellas HSA-mediated cytolytic activity of DN T cells was not inhibitedby anti-LFA-1 mAb. The cell-cell and cell-matrix interactionsthrough cell adhesion molecules might augment the antigen non-specificcytolytic activity of DN T cells in vivo.     

The role of the interleukin-2 (IL-2)/IL-2 receptor pathway in MRL/lpr lymphadenopathy: The expanded CD4−8− T cell subset completely lacks functional IL-2 receptors

Autoimmune MRL/MP-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice spontaneously develop a systemic lupus erythematosus-like disease accompanied by a profound lymphadenopathy that consists of CD4^?8^?B220⁺ a P T cells. By the use of cross-linking experiments with radiolabeled interleukin-2 (IL-2), these abnormal T cells have been reported to constitutively express the IL-2 receptor β chain (IL-2Rα), a signal transducing component of IL-2R, in the absence of the a chain (IL-2Rα).To critically reevaluate the role of the IL-2/IL-2R pathway in the pathogenesis of lymphadenophathy we examined expression of the IL-2Rα and IL-2Rβ in MRL/lpr mice by ¹²⁵I-IL-2 binding analysis and also by flow cytometric analysis using monoclonal antibodies against each component of the receptor. We found that, contrary to the previous report, the CD4^?8^?B220⁺ α β T cells in lymph node (LN) of MRL/lpr mice were negative for both IL-2Rα and IL-2Rβ expression. The lpr liver CD4^?8^?B220⁺ a P T cells that had been implicated in the genesis of these abnormal LN T cells were also negative for IL-2Rβ expression. Therefore, our results indicate that the IL-2/IL-2R system plays little role, if any, in the expansion of abnormal CD4^?8^? B220⁺ α β T cells in MRL/lpr mice.     

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte T cells are resistant to lpr gene-induced T cell abnormalities.

The mucosal immune system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract consists of Peyer's patches (PP), which are IgA inductive sites, and more diffuse effector regions which include cells in the intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) compartment. Since autoimmune MRL lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice develop a proliferating CD3+, CD4-, CD8- (double negative; DN), B220+ T cell subset in systemic lymphoid tissue, we have initiated studies to determine the distribution of CD3+, DN, B220+ T cells (B220+ T cells or lpr/lpr T cells) in the GI immune system. Specifically, we examined T cell subsets separated according to expression of CD4, CD8, Thy-1, B220, alpha/beta T cell receptor (TcR) and gamma/delta TcR in PP and IEL of MRL/lpr mice at 6, 12 and 21 weeks of age. Increased numbers of CD3+ T cells were noted in both PP and spleen of 12- and 21-week-old mice in which the development of autoimmune disorders were also evident. However, normal numbers of CD3+ IEL T cells were seen in MRL/lpr mice in all three age groups tested. When the presence of T cell lymphadenopathy was examined in both IgA inductive and effector tissues, the PP followed the B220+ T cell pattern seen in the spleen, where approximately 30%-50% of CD3+ T cells in the PP of 12- and 21-week-old MRL/lpr mice expressed the phenotype of lpr/lpr T cells and greater than 90% were alpha/beta TcR+. On the other hand, B220+ T cells had not developed in PP or spleen of 6-week-old MRL/lpr mice. Of interest was the finding that IEL from lpr/lpr homozygous mice did not contain B220+ T cells in any age group tested. In this regard, the IEL of MRL/lpr mice comprised an identical pattern and frequency of CD4-/CD8+, CD4+/CD8-, DN and CD4+/CD8+ (double positive, DP) T cell subsets as their normal counterparts (i.e. MRL +/+, BALB/c and C3H/HeN mice) which consisted of approximately 75%, approximately 7.5%, approximately 7.5% and approximately 10%, respectively. Further, Thy-1, gamma/delta TcR and alpha/beta TcR expression in these four subsets of MRL/lpr IEL were very similar to normal mice. These results suggest that the intestinal IEL compartment is minimally affected by the lpr/lpr mutation which induces T cell abnormalities and indicate that B220+ T cells do not preferentially home to IEL. Further, our results support the concept that IEL T cells develop as a separate T cell lineage from thymus-derived cells.     

lpr T cells vaccinate against lupus in MRL/lpr mice.

MRL/MP-lpr/lpr mice are homozygous for the lpr mutation that results in the accumulation of phenotypically abnormal cells (CD3+CD4+CD8-) in all lymphoid issues. Although no major abnormalities in the T cell receptor repertoire expressed by such lpr cells have been reported, the lpr mutation is a major disease-accelerating factor. Finally, intravenous administration of irradiated lpr cells recovered from the hyperplastic lymph nodes of adult diseased animals to young MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice resulted in a highly significant amelioration of disease parameters. This "T cell vaccination" approach resulted in a selective depletion of cells expressing products of the V beta 8.2 subfamily among lymph node T cells, in addition to eliciting a surge in peripheral T cells capable of conferring disease protection in adoptive transfer experiments. Thus, a strategy aimed at specifically reducing the frequency of lpr cells proved successful in mitigating the autoimmune process. These findings add to the involvement of lpr cells in the autoimmune process and constitute the first report that T cell vaccination may be beneficial to a spontaneously occurring autoimmune disease.     

Influence of genotype on the phospholipid fatty acid composition of splenic T and B lymphocytes in MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr mice

The MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr mice manifest a T cell proliferative and autoimmune disorder. Similar changes occur much later in the life of MRL/MpJ-+/+ mice. MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (lpr/lpr) and MRL/MpJ-+/+ (+/+) mice were fed for six weeks nutritionally adequate semipurified diets containing 20% (w/w) fat, but differing in linoleic acid content. The phospholipid fatty acid composition of T and B cells was found to be dependent on genetic background of mice and level of linoleic acid in the diet. Changes in the levels of specific fatty acids like 16:0, 18:2 omega 6, 22:5 omega 3 and 22:6 omega 3 in some of the phospholipid components were observed in the MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr strain in both the B and T cell types as compared with their normal +/+ counterpart strain. T cells of lpr/lpr mice exhibited significantly higher levels of 20:4 omega 6 than did T cells of other strain. High levels of dietary linoleic acid significantly increased incorporation of 18:2 omega 6 in T and B cells, while the effect on other fatty acids of the two types of cells varied with the phospholipid classes and fatty acids when compared with the low linoleic acid fed-group. Differences observed in the phospholipid fatty acid composition of the T and B cells of the congenic mice might contribute to differences in rate of progression of age-related changes suggesting that the autoimmune disorder might be mitigated by dietary manipulation.     

Selective production of interleukin 3 (IL3) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in vitro by murine L3T4+ T cells: lack of spontaneous IL3 and GM-CSF production by Ly-2-/L3T4- lpr subset

Murine spleen and lymph node L3T4+ T cells were found to spontaneously produce high levels of interleukin 3 (IL3) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in cultures containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) in the absence of other stimulation. The IL3 and GM-CSF activities in culture supernatants peake between the fifth and seventh day of culture. The specificity of the bioassays was attested by the use of rabbit anti-IL3 and anti-GM-CSF antibodies, as well as by the detection of a maximal accumulation of IL3 and GM-CSF mRNA on the fourth day. In contrast, no significant activities of IL2, IL4 or interferon-gamma were detected in these culture supernatants. The markedly limited production of IL3 and GM-CSF in cultures performed in 1% autologous normal mouse serum and the inhibitory effect of anti-Ia or anti-L3T4 monoclonal antibody strongly suggest that the selective production of most, if not all IL3 and GM-CSF by L3T4+ T cells is a result of activation of L3T4+ T cells by fetal calf serum. All the strains of mice tested except athymic nude mice produced substantial amounts of IL3 and GM-CSF during the culture. This is in contrast to a previous report (Palacios, Eur. J. Immunol. 1984. 14: 599), indicating that only spleen cells of the MRL strain homozygous for the lpr gene spontaneously release IL3 in cultures. We found that spleen and lymph node cells from MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr or C57BL/6J-lpr/lpr mice released, in fact, much less IL3 and GM-CSF in cultures. This was, however, due to the high proportion of the peculiar lpr Ly-2-/L3T4-T cells in spleen and lymph nodes, since after depletion of this lpr T cell subset, lymph node cells from C57BL/6J-lpr/lpr mice produced IL3 and GM-CSF at levels comparable to those in C57BL/6J-+/+ mice. These results further support the notion that the lpr Ly-2-/L3T4- T cell subset is immunologically nonfunctional and its accumulation dilutes functional L3T4+ T cells in mice bearing the lpr mutation.     

B and T cell immune response to small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles in lupus mice: autoreactive CD4(+) T cells recognize a T cell epitope located within the RNP80 motif of the 70K protein

Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by the presence of high titers of autoantibodies reacting with various components of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP). It has been suggested that these antibodies are produced by an antigen-driven mechanism under the dependence of antigen-specific T cells. To investigate the role of T cell help in this process, we sought, with 20 overlapping peptides, the Th epitopes on the U1-70K snRNP in unprimed H-2(k) MRL / lpr lupus mice and immunized CBA normal mice. The peptide 131 - 151 was recognized by both IgG autoantibodies and CD4(+) T cells from 7 - 9-week-old MRL / lpr mice. In this test, antigen-presenting cells (APC) from MRL / lpr mice were required; APC from naive CBA mice failed to stimulate CD4(+) cells from MRL / lpr mice. The potential role of MRL / lpr B cells as APC, the expression of MHC class II molecules at their surface and their activation state (expression of CD69, CD80 / B7-1 and CD86 / B7-2 molecules) were studied. Peptide 131 - 151 bound both I-A(k) and I-E(k) class II molecules and favored an IL-2-positive T cell response but not IFN-gamma, IL-6 and IL-10 secretion. Segment 131 - 151 is localized within the RNP80 motif and contains residues that are highly conserved in many nuclear, nucleolar and cytoplasmic RNA binding proteins.     

Features of renal vasculitis in autoimmune MRL lpr/lpr mice: phenotypes and functional properties of infiltrating cells.

MRL lpr/lpr (MRL/1) mice spontaneously develop a widespread renal vasculitis. The majority of the cells in vasculitic lesions are bright Ly-1, L3T4 and la-positive in contrast to the cells found in lymph nodes and spleens of the old MRL/1 mice. However, despite differences in phenotypical patterns, B and T cells from arteritic lesions do not differ from mononuclear cells (MNC) eluted from MRL/1 lymph nodes with regard to the frequency of IgG secreting cells and the proliferative responses to Concanavalin A (Con A). Co-culture experiments with congeneic MRL+/+ (MRL/n) spleen cells indicate that the poor response to Con A of the MNC eluted from vasculitic lesions is, unlike the case of lymph node MNC, due to suppressive action of vasculitic cells on the indicator cell population. Further support for the activation status of infiltrating MHC in kidney vasculitic lesions, expressed by high in vivo uptake of 3H-thymidine, was obtained by autoradiography performed on frozen sections. The observed differences in phenotypic patterns and functional features between lymph node MNC and infiltrating vasculitic MNC indicate that different immune mechanisms may be responsible for the development of lymphadenopathy and vasculopathy, respectively in MRL/1 mouse.     

Defective DNA methylation and CD70 overexpression in CD4+ T cells in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice

We have determined that abnormal DNA methylation in T cells coincides with the development of autoimmunity, using a mouse model that exhibits an age-dependent lupus-like disease (MRL/lpr mice). Splenic CD4(+) T cells were isolated from these mice at 5 and 16 wk of age (before and after autoimmunity is established) and the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) and the methylation-sensitive gene Tnfsf7 (CD70) was measured. Bisulfite DNA sequencing was used to monitor the methylation status of the Tnfsf7 gene. We found that Dnmt1 steady-state mRNA levels were significantly lower in 16-wk-old MRL/lpr mice, which had established autoimmunity, compared to the 5-wk-old MRL/lpr mice. Furthermore, the expression of CD70 was higher in MRL/lpr mice at 16 wk. CD70 was overexpressed in MRL/lpr mice compared to age- and sex-matched MRL(+/+) controls. Bisulfite DNA sequencing of the Tnfsf7 gene in MRL/lpr mice revealed that at 16 wk, CG pairs were hypomethylated compared to 5-wk-old mice, and that Tnfsf7 from MRL/lpr mice was hypomethylated at 16 wk relative to age-matched MRL(+/+) controls. Our data indicate that decreased expression of Dnmt1 and the corresponding T cell DNA hypomethylation correlate with the development of age-dependent autoimmunity in MRL/lpr mice.     

Characterization of functional T-cell lines derived from MRL mice

In an effort to characterize further the role of T cells in the autoimmune disease of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (lpr) mice, continuous cell lines were established from spleen and lymph nodes using EL-4 lymphoma supernatants as a source of T-cell growth factor(s). Five lines were derived from lpr spleen and lymph nodes, and an equal number from MRL/Mp- +/+ (+/+). All of the lines lost their alloreactivity after a short time in culture. Surprisingly, every line manifested marked proliferation in response to autologous irradiated spleen cells. This response was restricted to I-Ak, as it was blocked with monoclonal anti-I-Ak antibodies, and as B10.A(4R) accessory cells were stimulatory while B10.A(3R) were not. There was no difference in the degree of stimulation from lpr accessory cells compared to that in those from +/+ or other H-2k mice. The T-cell lines bore Thy-1, Ly-1, L3T4, and 7D4 (interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor), but lacked Ly-2 and surface Ig. They proliferated in response to both conventional and recombinant DNA-derived IL-2. When cocultured with Ia-identical B cells, the T-cell lines provoked B-cell division and antibody production. The cells also caused intense proliferation when cultured with freshly isolated lpr (but not +/+) lymph node cells. The results indicate that lpr lymphoid tissue contains functional T cells reactive to autologous Ia molecules and capable of inducing both B-cell activation and the proliferation of lpr lymphocytes. Such cells may be of importance in inducing hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibody production, and lymphoproliferation in these SLE mice.