Genetic control of immune response to myoglobin. Ir gene function in genetic restriction between T and B lymphocytes

We studied the genetic restrictions on the interaction between T cells, B cells, and antigen-presenting cells (APC) involved in the H-2-linked Ir gene control of the in vitro secondary antibody response to sperm whale myoglobin (Mb) in mice. The B cells in this study were specific for Mb itself, rather than for a hapten unrelated to the Ir gene control, as in many previous studies. Low responder mice immunized in vivo with Mb bound to an immunogenic carrier, fowl gamma globulin (F gamma G), produced B cells competent to secrete anti-Mb antibodies in vitro if they received F gamma G-specific T cell help. However, (high- responder X low responder) F1 T cells from Mb-immune mice did not help these primed low responder (H-2k or H-2b) B cells in vitro, even in the presence of various numbers of F1 APC that were demonstrated to be component to reconstitute the response of spleen cells depleted by APC. Similar results were obtained with B6 leads to B6D2F1 radiation bone marrow chimeras. Genotypic low responder (H-2b) T cells from these mice helped Mb-primed B6D2F1B cells plus APC, but did not help syngeneic chimeric H-2b B cells, even in the presence of F1 APC. In contrast, we could not detect any Ir restriction on APC function during these in vitro secondary responses. Moreover, in the preceding paper, we found that low responder mice neonatally tolerized to higher responder H-2 had competent Mb-specific helper T cells capable of helping high responder but not low responder B cells and APC. Therefore, although function Mb-specific T cells and B cells both exist in low responder mice, the Ir gene defect is a manifestation of the failure of syngeneic collaboration between these two cell types. This genetic restriction on the interaction between T cells and B cells is consistent with the additional new finding that Lyb-5-negative B cells are a major participant in ths vitro secondary response because it is this Lyb-5- negative subpopulation of B cells that have recently been shown to require genetically restricted help. The Ir gene defect behaves operationally as a failure of low responder B cells to receive help from any source of Mb-specific T cells either high responder, low responder, or F1. The possible additional role of T cell-APC interactions, either during primary immunization in vivo or in the secondary culture is discussed.     

Limiting dilution comparison of the repertoires of high and low responder MHC-restricted T cells

To approach the mechanism that determines Ir gene-controlled high or low responsiveness to whole proteins, such as sperm whale myoglobin (SWMb), we compared the repertoires of high and low responder haplotype-restricted T cells for different myoglobin epitopes by limiting dilution frequency analysis. Poisson analysis was performed using long-term limiting dilution cell lines of (B10.BR [low] X B10.D2[high])F1 T cells maintained on high or low responder APCs. The cell lines were tested with SWMb peptides and fragments for T cell repertoire fine specificities and Ia restrictions. The frequency of SWMb-specific F1 T cells responsive on B10.BR (H-2k) APCs was 2.5-3.6-fold lower than on B10.D2 (H-2d) APCs. Strikingly, all of the H-2k-restricted T cells used I-Ek as a restriction element, whereas both I-Ad- and I-Ed-restricted T cells were found among the H-2d-restricted lines. The I-Ad-restricted T cells were dominant, and the majority was specific for the synthetic peptide 102-118. T cells specific for peptide 132-146, dominant in association with I-Ed, were less frequent. However, no detectable H-2k-restricted T cells were specific for either of these peptides, but instead they were specific for fragment 1-55 or peptide 59-80. Fragment 1-55 also stimulated a similar number of H-2d-restricted T cells. Therefore, the low response of F1 T cells on H-2k-presenting cells may be due to the failure to see myoglobin plus I-Ak, in particular the immunodominant site around Glu 109, in contrast to the dominant response of high responder mice (both H-2d and H-2s) focused on the I-A molecule and the site around residue Glu 109. The I-E- low responder B10 strain also failed to respond to peptide 102-118, supporting the idea that the low responder status results from a limited repertoire lacking response to 102-118 plus I-A. In those strains that respond to the immunodominant site 102-118, the frequency of T cells in the repertoire specific for this site was always considerably greater than that for other sites. These results suggest that there is an important difference between immunodominant epitopes and minor epitopes and that Ir gene-controlled low responsiveness to a natural whole protein may be due primarily to the failure to respond to a single immunodominant site, even though a number of other epitopes can be recognized.     

Induction of neonatal tolerance to H-2k in B6 mice does not allow the emergence of T cells specific for H-2k plus vaccinia virus

Thymocytes and spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice (H-2b) neonatally tolerized to H-2k alloantigens do not generate an anti-vaccinia response restricted to H-2Kk when adoptively transferred to appropriate irradiated hosts. This is in sharp contrast to the case for negatively selected C57BL/6 spleen cells acutely depleted of alloreactivity. No evidence for suppression was found in cell mixture experiments. We have shown elsewhere that our neonatally tolerized animals have a centrally induced delection-type tolerance in the absence of obvious suppression.2 We now suggest that in the neonatally tolerized mouse, chronic, central delection of anti-H-2k clones during early T cell ontogeny eliminates the major source of cells able to give rise, via somatic mutation and expansion, to anti-H-2Kk + vaccinia specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (CTL-P) in the adult. A similar mechanism may operate in the (k + b) leads to b chimera; however, the presence of H-2kxb accessory and presenting cells may permit the eventual generation (via cross-stimulation) of an H-2k-restricted vaccinia-specific repertoire. This would account for our observation of such "aberrant recognition" CTL-P emerging in the spleens of older (k x b) leads to b chimeras.     

The role of H-2-linked genes in helper T-cell function. VI. Expression of Ir genes by helper T cells

We examined the expression of (TG)-A--L specific Ir genes in helper T cells using T cells from low responder leads to (B10, high responder x low responder) F1 chimeric mice. In this paper, the low responder strain studied was B10.M, H-2f. B10.M T cells from these chimeric animals do not help anti-TNP-(TG)-A--L responses, even though they have matured in a high responder thymus and been primed and challenged with antigen on high responder Mphi and B cells. These findings indicate that in the H-2f haplotype an Ir-gene controlling anti-(TG)-A--L activity is expressed in helper T cells. The findings are in contrast to those we have obtained and previously reported with T cells of another low responder haplotype, H-2a. Taken together with our previous findings that (TG)-A--L specific Ir genes are expressed by B cells and Mphi of both the H-2a and H-2f haplotypes, the results indicate two sites of action for Ir genes, and suggest two different gene products acting at different stages of the response, both of which are defective in H-2f cells, and only one of which is defective in H-2a cells.     

A major anti-myoglobin idiotype. Influence of H-2-linked Ir genes on idiotype expression

A rabbit antiidiotypic antiserum raised against an A.SW IgG1K monoclonal anti-sperm whale myoglobin (Mb) antibody, HAL19, and extensively absorbed with normal mouse immunoglobulin and MOPC 21 (IgG1K), was found to detect a common or major anti-Mb idiotype expressed by some but not all anti-Mb monoclonal antibodies, regardless of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass, and by 40-50% of the anti-Mb antibodies in immune serum from five high responder strains of mice representing five different Igh allotypes. It did not inhibit antibodies to three unrelated protein antigens. The fraction of antibodies expressing this idiotype, denoted IdHAL19, was regulated by H-2-linked genes that correlated exactly in four independent haplotypes and an F1 with the known Mb immune response (Ir) genes and may be identical to these. Whereas less than 50% of antibodies from high responder mice were inhibitable by anti-IdHAL19, greater than 80% of antibodies from low responder mice, tested at comparable final antibody concentration, were inhibitable. This result was true for both low responder haplotypes, H-2b (B10) and H-2k (B10.BR). The idiotype was found to be present on antibodies that bound to native Mb but not fragments 1-55 or 132-153 of Mb or a denatured form, S-methyl Mb. This specificity for native Mb paralleled that of the monoclonal idiotype HAL19 itself. Therefore, the production of antibodies specific for native in contrast to denatured Mb was studied in H-2-congenic high and low responder strains. Strikingly, low responders produced antibodies that reacted almost exclusively with the native conformation, whereas a larger proportion of antibodies from high responder mice also reacted with the denatured form, S-methyl Mb. Bypassing of the Ir gene defect by immunization with Mb attached to a carrier, F gamma G, resulted in low responder antisera resembling higher responder sera in both idiotype expression and conformational specificity. The simplest explanation of these results is that H-2-linked Ir genes control antibody fine specificity, which is reflected in the idiotypes of the variable regions expressed. We suggest that low responder mice produce a more limited repertoire of antibodies consisting primarily of IdHAL19-positive antibodies specific for the native conformation of Mb. High responder mice produce a greater diversity of antibodies to Mb, so that the IdHAL19-positive, conformation-specific population represents a smaller proportion of the total. Similarly, the use of carrier-specific helper T cells in low responder mice results in a greater diversity of antibodies, which dilutes out the IdHAL19 subset.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Allotype-specific analysis of anti-(TYR,GLU)-ALA-LYS antibodies produced by Ir-1A high and low responder chimeric mice

Katz et al. (1) have demonstrated a restriction in lymphoid cell interaction when the antigen used is under immune response (Ir) gene control. T cells from (low responder x high responder) F(1) mice primed to the terpolymer L-glutamic acid, L-lysine, L-tyrosine (GLT) can collaborate with 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-primed B cells from the Ir-GLT high responder but not low responder strain in response to DNP-GLT (1). In contrast are the studies of Bechtol et al. and Bechtol and McDevitt (2,3), who examined the antibody responses of tetraparental mice immunized with the synthetic polypeptide poly-L(Tyr,Glu)-poly D,L-Ala- poly-L-Lys ((T,G)-A-L), an antigen under Ir-1A genetic control. Several tetraparental mice produced anti(T-,G)-A-L antibody of low responder strain immunoglobulin (Ig) allotype (2,3). These results indicated that he Ir-1A gene was not expressed in B cells and implied that interactions among genetically dissimilar cell populations could occur when tolerance existed to H-2 antigenic differences. Recent studies with bone marrow cell chimeric mice have shown that chimeric T cells can interact with H-2 histoincompatible B cells in response to antigens not under Ir gene control (4-6). To clarify whether lymphoid cell chimerism, with presumed tolerance to H-2 incompatibility, would permit effective cell interactions in response to antigens under Ir gene control, bone marrow cell chimeric mice were prepared by using strains differing both for Ig allotype and for high versus low responsiveness to (T,G)-A-L. An antigen-specific and allotype- specific antibody assay was used to discriminate the responses produced by high and low responder strain B cells in these chimeras. The results suggest that lymphoid cell chimerism per se is not sufficient to obviate Ir gene-mediated restriction in cell interaction.     

Presentation of the H-Y antigen on Langerhans'' cell-negative corneal grafts downregulates the cytotoxic T cell response and converts responder strain mice into phenotypic nonresponders

We have used the murine cornea is an allograft model to investigate the relative roles of graft-derived IA+ APC (Langerhans' cells) and host-derived APC during the induction of CTL responses to H-Y. The natural exclusion of LC from the immunizing corneal graft led to a specific state of unresponsiveness to H-Y in responder strain mice, while inclusion of LC resulted in responsiveness. Failure to respond to H-Y could not be attributed to the absence of H-Y or IA antigen expression on the surface of LC-deficient grafts but instead, appeared to be due to active suppression of the T helper cell response during in vivo priming. Reprocessing of the H-Y antigen by host APC did not occur after immunization with H-Y presented on H-2-incompatible grafts unless presented initially by graft-derived LC. H-2 as well as some non-H-2 alloantigens were presented to the host without a requirement for donor-derived LC. Thus there appear to be differential requirements for the processing and presentation of alloantigens.     

Genetic regulation of the antibody response to H-2Db alloantigens in mice. I. Differences in activation of helper T cells in C57BL/10 and BALB/c congenic strains

B10.A(5R) mice immunized with C57BL/10 spleen cells demonstrate a normal T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity to H-2Db tumor cells but they do not mount any IgG antibody response to H-2Db alloantigens. B10.A(5R) mice do show a high titered IgG response when immunized with A.BY cells, which differ at H-2Db plus non-H-2 cell surface antigens, or with B10.A(2R) cells, which differ at H-2Db, H-2Kk, and H-2Ik cell surface antigens. These findings indicate a failure of the T-helper cells to induce the switch from IgM to IgG when the H-2Db alloantigens are the only difference on the immunizing cell. In immunizing H-2d mice with congenic H-g2 cells which differ only in the H-2Db region, mice of the C57BL/10 background made only IgM antibodies whereas mice of the BALB/c background made IgG antibodies. This comparison confirms that genes separate from H-2 regulate the T-cell helper function. The genes that influence the T-cell helper function do not regulate the T-cell- mediated cytotoxicity.     

Induction of autoimmunity in good and poor responder mice with mouse thyroglobulin and lipopolysaccharide

The administration of soluble mouse thyroglobulin (MTg) in conjunction with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) led to the termination of natural tolerance to MTg in mice. The extent of autoimmunity correlated with responsiveness to MTg, previously shown by the injection of MTg in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to be dependent upon the H-2 haplotype. In good responder B10.BR (H-2k) mice given MTg either with LPS or in CFA, high antibody levels to MTg and extensive mononuclear cell infiltration in the thyroid were observed. In contrast, congenic poor responder B10.D2 (H-2d) mice given MTg plus LPS showed low levels of antibody to MTg, compared to those receiving MTg in CFA, and insignificant cellular infiltration of the thyroid. In no instance did autoimmunity develop in either good or poor responder strain given MTg, LPS, or CFA along although LPS was antigenic in both of these congenic strains. Since the genetic difference in responsiveness to MTg is known to be T-cell based, the involvement of T cells in LPS-treated mice was suspected. This was further ascertained by the use of athymic poor responder (BALB/c) mice and thymectomized, irradiated, and bone marrow-reconstituted B10.BR mice. Antibodies to MTg were detected only in heterozygous (nu/+) mice and good responder mice reconstituted with both thymus and bone marrow cells. In addition, significant cellular infiltration in the thyroid occurred only in fully reconstituted good responder mice. Thus, the adjuvant effect of LPS on responsiveness to MTg required T cells. Since unmodified MTg and LPS abrogated selftolerance to MTg, the need for cross-reactive T cells could be excluded. These observations suggest the presence of self-reactive T cells.     

Haplotype-specific suppression of antibody responses in vitro. I. Generation of genetically restricted suppressor T cells by neonatal treatment with semiallogeneic spleen cells

C57BL/10 mice were injected with semiallogeneic (B10.D2 X C57BL/10)F(1) spleen cells via the anterior facial vein within 24 h of birth to induce tolerance to B10.D2 (H-2(d)) alloantigens. Spleen cells from these mice as adults developed reduced, but significant, mixed lymphocyte and cytotoxic lymphocyte responses in vitro to H-2(d) stimulator cells and these treated mice rejected first-set B10.D2 skin grafts within a normal time-course, indicating that at best only a state of partial tolerance had been induced. Spleen cells from these mice failed to develop antibody responses to a variety of antigens in vitro when H-2(d) macrophages were in the cultures. Partially purified T cells from these neonatally treated mice suppressed primary antibody responses by normal syngeneic spleen cells in the presence of H-2(d) but not other allogeneic macrophages. These radiosensitive, haplotype-specific suppressor T (Ts) cells inhibited primary antibody responses by blocking initiation of the response, but failed to suppress secondary antibody responses and mixed lymphocyte or cytotoxic lymphocyte responses by appropriate responding spleen cells. To activate H-2(d) haplotype-specific Ts cells, stimulation with IA(d) subregion antigen(s) was necessary and sufficient; syngenicity at the I-A subregion of H-2 between the activated Ts cells and target responding spleen cell populations was also necessary and sufficient to achieve suppression. Comparable results have been obtained with spleen cells from BALB/c mice injected as neonates with (B10.D2 × C57BL/10)F(1) spleen cells where IA(b) antigens activate the haplotype-specific Ts cells. Implications for the significance of this population of haplotype-specific Ts cells in immune regulation are discussed and the properties of these Ts cells are compared and contrasted with other antigen-specific and nonspecific Ts cells whose activity is restricted by I- region products.     

H-2-linked genetic control of murine T-cell-mediated lympholysis to autologous cells modified with low concentrations of trinitrobenzene sulfonate

Spleen cells from B10.BR and C57BL/10 (B10) mice were compared for their ability to generate primary in vitro cytotoxic responses to syngeneic cells modified with different concentrations (from 10 to 0.031 mM) of trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS) (TNP-self). Although both strains generated effector cells to TNP-self in the range of 10-0.25 mM TNBS modification, effector activity of B10 cells was weaker than that of B10.BR cells. B10 spleen cells did not respond to syngeneic stimulating cells modified at 0.1 mM or lower, whereas B10.BR cells generated effector activity even when stimulated by TNP-self modified with as low as 0.031 mM TNBS. Fluorescence analysis of the modified cells using the FACS II indicated that equivalent quantities of TNP were conjugated to the surfaces of B10.BR and B10 spleen cells for any given concentration of TNBS modification. Similar strain-dependent differences were observed when the TNP was diluted out in the cultures by reducing the number of stimulating cells modified with 10 mM TNBS. These response patterns were verified by stimulating cultures of B10.BR and B10 spleen cells either with TNP conjugated to bovine serum albumin or bovine gamma globulin (B10.BR but not B10 cells responded to TNP-conjugated proteins) or with TNBS-modified glass-adherent spleen cells. The strain-dependent differences could also be detected at the effector phase, because optimally stimulated B10.BR, but not B10 effector cells, could lyse 0.1 mM TNBS-modified syngeneic target cells. The genetic parameters associated with the response and nonresponse patterns of B10.BR and B10 mice were further investigated by comparing the cytotoxic responses to low doses of TNP-self of spleen cells from the following strains: (a) C3H/HeJ (H-2k) and C3H.SW (H-2b); (b) BALB.K (H-2k) and BALb.b (h-2b); and (c) B10.A (H-2a) and B10.D2 (H-2d). The H-2k and H-2a, but not the H-2b and H-2d, strains generated cytotoxic responses to TNP-self when the syngeneic stimulators were modified with 0.1 mM TNBS. Further studies using (B10 X B10.BR)F1 responding cells and parental or F1-modified stimulating cells, indicated that the F1 cells generated cytotoxic activity to low doses of TNP in association with H-2k but not in association with H-2b self products. The results of this study indicate that H-2-linked genetic factors, expressed in the target as well as in the responding and/or stimulating cell populations, control the ability of inbred mouse strains to generate cytotoxic effector cells to low doses of TNP-self. Such dose-dependent genetic effects may be important in the regulation of immune responses activated in vivo by chronic exposure to infectious agents.     

Cross-priming for a secondary cytotoxic response to minor H antigens with H-2 congenic cells which do not cross-react in the cytotoxic assay

Cytotoxic effector T cells of F1 (BALB/c X BALB.B) (H-2d/b) mice immunized against the minor histocompatibility differences of C57BL/10 (H-2b) can lyse targets from C57BL/10, but cannot lyse B10.D2 (H-2d) targets. Despite this lack of cross-reaction in the cytotoxic assay, C57BL/10 cells do prime F1 (BALB/c X BALB.B) mice for a secondary cytotoxic response to B10.D2. C57BL/10-primed, B10.D2-boosted cytotoxic cells lyse B10.D2 targets but not C57BL/10 targets. DBA/2 (H-2d) spleen cells or thymocytes prime F1 mice for a secondary response to DBA/2, B10.D2, and C57BL/10 cells, but DBA/2 mastocytes, P815, do not prime for a response to C57BL/10. Whether H-2 congenic lymphoid cells express minor histocompatibility determinants which cross-react at the cytotoxic T-cell level or the helper T-cell level is discussed.     

Genetic control of the immune response. Frequency and characteristics of antigen-binding cells in high and low responder mice

The influence of immunization with (T,G)-A--L on the frequency and characteristics of [¹²⁵I] (T,G)-A--L-binding cells (ABC) was investigated in high and low responder mice, whose ability to respond to (T,G)-A--L is under control of an H-2-linked immune response gene, Ir-1. Unimmunized high and low responder mice have about the same number of ABC in spleen and lymph nodes (6–12 ABC/10⁴). However, after immunization with (T,G)-A--L in aqueous solution, ABC in high responders increase to a much greater extent than they do in low responders. By inhibition of ABC with class-specific anti-Ig sera, it was demonstrated that in nonimmune and primed mice antigen is bound to IgM receptors, which is in agreement with the exclusive production of 19S anti-(T,G)-A--L antibody in primed animals. In contrast, after secondary challenge with antigen, ABC in high and low responder mice have mainly IgG receptors, although under the conditions used for immunization, low responders are not able to produce detectable amounts of 7S anti-(T,G)-A--L antibody. From these results and from the evidence that low responders very probably have a T cell defect, it is suggested that the switchover from IgM to IgG precursor cells can be induced by antigen itself, without the action of specific T cells. Furthermore, the failure of marked proliferation of ABC in low responders after antigenic stimulation is explained by the lack of stimulation by specific T cells. By independent methods it has been shown that all ABC detected in this study are B cells. Preliminary experiments indicate that purified peripheral T cells bind antigen, but much less per cell than do B cells.     

Mutual recognition of parental and F1 lymphocytes. Selective abrogation of cytotoxic potential of F1 lymphocytes by parental lymphocytes

Four different combinations of F1 hybrid mice [(C57BL/10 X B10.A)F1, (C57BL/10 X B10.BR)F1, B6D2F1, and AKD2F1] were injected intravenously with spleen cells from parental strains. The T-cell-mediated cytotoxic potential of spleen cells from the injected F1 mice was assessed from 4 to 21 d later by in vitro sensitization with trinitrophenyl-modified parental or syngeneic F1 spleen cells (TNP-self) or with allogeneic spleen cells. The cytotoxic potential of the F1 mice to TNP-self as well as to alloantigens was abolished or severely depressed throughout this period when the respective H-2k,a,d parental spleen cells were injected. In contrast, the cytotoxic potential was unaffected or only marginally reduced when H-2b parental cells were injected. The induction of depressed cytotoxic activity was shown to be a result of a population of parental radiosensitive T lymphocytes. The results should be discussed with respect to (a) the genetic and mechanistic parameters associated with the differential depressive effects of parental cells expressing H-2b vs. H-2k,a,d antigens, and (b) the use of this system for investigating allogeneic receptors on T-lymphocyte populations.     

The role of H-2 linked genes in helper T-cell function. IV. Importance of T-cell genotype and host environment in I-region and Ir gene expression

We have studied the properties of helper T cells specific for sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), or poly-L-(Tyr,Glu)-poly-DL-Ala-poly-L-Lys [(T,G)-A--L]. These T cells differentiated and were primed in vivo in irradiation chimeras constructed of various combinations of F1 and parental bone marrow donors and irradiated recipients. Primed T cells were then tested for helper activity in the in vitro response of B cells and macrophages (Mphi) of parental or F1 origin to the hapten trinitrophenol coupled to the priming antigen. When testing either SRBC or KLH-specific T cells of parental H-2 type which had differentiated in F1 hosts, we found that they cooperated equally well with B cells and Mphi of either parental H-2 type. On the other hand, when testing F1 T cells which had differentiated in parental hosts, we found that they cooperated well only with B cells and Mphi which had the K-IA region type of the parental host. In similar experiments we found that (T,G)-A--L-specific T cells of low responder H-2 type which had differentiated in (high responder X low responder) F1 hosts induced high responses in high responder B cells and Mphi (T,G)-A--L-specific F1 T cells which differentiated in high responder but not those which differentiated in low responder hosts induced high responses in high responder B cells and Mphi. Low responder B cells and Mphi yielded low responses in all cases regardless of the source of (T,G)-A--L-specific T cells with what they were tested. Our results support the conclusion that I-region and Ir genes function via their expression in B cells and Mphi and in the host environment during helper T-cell differentiation, but not, at least under the conditions of these experiments, via their expression in the helper T cell itself. These findings place constraints upon models which attempt to explain the apparent dual recognition of antigen and I-region gene products by helper T cells.     

The role of H-2-linked genes in helper T-cell function. III. Expression of immune response genes for trinitrophenyl conjugates of poly-L(Tyr, Glu)-poly-D,L-Ala--poly-L-Lys in B cells and macrophages

Using lymph node T cells from poly-L(Tyr,Glu)-poly-D,L-Ala--poly-L-Lys[(TG)-A--L]-primed animals and B cells from animals primed with trinitrophenylated (TNP) protein or lipopolysaccharide, we have obtained anti-TNP-(TG)-A--L direct plaque-forming responses in vitro. Response to this antigen was shown to be controlled by the H-2 haplotype of the animal studied. The strain distribution of in vitro response was very similar to that previously reported by others for in vivo secondary IgG responses to (TG)-A--L. We investigated the cell types expressing the Ir gene(s) for (TG)-A--L in our cultures. F1, high responder x low responder mice were primed with (TG)-A--L. Their T cells were active in stimulating anti-TNP-(TG)-A--L responses of high responder but not low responder B cells and macrophages (MPHI), even though both preparations of B cells and Mphi were obtained from mice congenic at H-2 with one of the parents of the F1. For three low responder strains tested, of the H-2h2, H-2k, and H-2f haplotypes, the anti-TNP-(TG)-A--L response of low responder B cells and Mphis in the presence of high responder, F1 T cells could not be improved by the addition of high responder, antigen-bearing Mphis to the cultures. In one strain of the H-2a haplotype, it was shown that neither the B cells nor Mphis could be functional in anti-TNP-(TG)-A--L responses. Our results therefore suggested the Ir genes for anti-TNP-(TG)-A--L responses were expressed at least in B cells in all the low responder strains we studied, and, in mice of the H-2a haplotype, in Mphis too.     

The effect of allogeneic presensitization on H-Y graft survival and in vitro cell-mediated responses to H-y antigen

C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 female mice were grafted with skin from male or female donors incompatible for H-2 and/or non-H-2 antigens. Syngeneic male grafts applied after the rejection of primary allografts or syngeneic male grafts were rejected in accelerated (second set) fashion, whereas male grafts applied after primary female grafts were not. In addition, C57BL/10 female spleen cells, primed in vivo with an allogeneic (BALB/c, CBA, or B10.BR) male graft and challenged in vitro in mixed lymphocyte culture with syngeneic (C57BL/10) male cells, produced cytotoxic cells specific for syngeneic male target cells. We conclude that at least some component of H-Y is detected by female responder cells on allogeneic male cells, and that the second set cell mediated response to H-Y is not necessarily restricted by the H-2 haplotype of the primary sensitizing strain. Moreover, (CBA X B10) F1 females, primed in vivo with male cells of one parental haplotype (B10 or CBA) and challenged in vitro with male cells of the other parental haplotype (CBA or B10), fail to lyse male target cells of either parental haplotype. It therefore seems unlikely that a helper determinant shared between B10 and CBA is sufficient to explain the ability of CBA male cells to prime H-2-restricted T-cell cytotoxic responses by B10 females.     

Antigen-reactive T cell clones. II. Unique homozygous and (high responder x low responder)F1 hybrid antigen-presenting determinants detected using poly(Tyr, Glu)-poly D, L-Ala--poly Lys-reactive T cell clones

Using murine (T,G)-A--L-reactive T cell clones, we have demonstrated the existence of unique homozygous antigen-presenting determinants expressed on C57bl/6 mice, controlled by the I-A subregion of the murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which are not expressed on semisyngeneic (C57Bl/6 x A/J)F1 [(B6A)F1] cells. Additionally, we were able to demonstrate that there exist (T,G)-A--L-reactive clones in F1 mice derived between low responder and high responder parents [(B6A)F1] that recognize antigen in association with transcomplementing hybrid I-A subregion determinants expressed uniquely on (B6A)F1 cells not expressed on cells of either of the parental strains. These data suggest that phenotypic high responsiveness exhibited by (higher responder x low responder)F1 mice was not simply controlled by the high responder parental genome, but was controlled at the phenotypic level of expression of antigen-presenting determinants. Such antigen- presenting determinants can be created by complementation using products of the low responder as well as high responder genome. The significance of the existence of such F1 specific hybrid antigen- presenting determinants for T cell specificity and recognition of self was discussed.     

Effects of blocking helper T cell induction in vivo with anti-Ia antibodies. Possible role of I-A/E hybrid molecules as restriction elements

To examine the role of Ia antigens in controlling T cell activation in vivo, unprimed (CBA X B6)F1 (H-2k X H-2b) T cells were positively selected to sheep erythrocytes (SRC) for 5 d in irradiated F1 mice in the presence of large doses of anti-Iak antibody. With selection in the presence of broad-spectrum anti-Iak antibody (A.TH anti-A.TL antiserum), the activated T cells were markedly reduced in their capacity to collaborate with either B10.BR (I-Ak I-Bk I-Jk I-Ek I-Ck) (kkkkk) or B10.A(4R) (kbbbb) B cells but gave good helper responses with B10 (bbbbb) and (B10 X B10.BR)F1 B cells. Because there was no evidence for suppression, these findings were taken to imply that the anti-Iak antibody bound to Ia determinants on radioresistant macrophagelike cells of F1 host origin and blocked the activation of the IGk-restricted subgroup of F1 T cells but did not affect activation of the Iab-restricted T cell subgroup. Analogous experiments in which F1 T cells were selected to SRC in F1 mice in the presence of monoclonal anti-I-Ak antibody gave different results. In this situation, the reduction in T cell help for Iak-bearing B cells applied to B10.A(4R) B cells but not to B10.BR B cells. With selection of F1 T cells in B10.A(4R) mice, by contrast, anti-I-Ak antibody blocked T cell help for both B10.A(4R) and B10.BR B cells. These data suggested that genes telomeric to the I-A subregion were involved in controlling T cell activation and T-B collaboration. Because no evidence could be found that I-B through I-C determinants per se could act as restrictions elements, the working hypothesis for the data is that Iak- restricted T cells consist of two subgroups of cells: one subgroup is restricted by I-A-encoded molecules, whereas the other is restricted by I-A/E hybrid molecules encoded by two separated genes situated in the I- A and I-E subregions, respectively. The notion that A/E hybrid molecules serve as restriction elements is in line with the findings of other workers that these molecules can act as alloantigens and control responses to certain antigens under double Ir gene control.     

Genetic regulation of the antibody response to H-2Db alloantigens in mice. III. Inhibition of the IgG Response to noncongenic cells by preimmunization with congenic cells

When B10.A (5R) mice (H-12i5) are immunized with spleen cells from congenic B10 mice (H-12b), they respond to alloantigens of the H-2Db region by producing antibodies of only IgM type. In contrast, they produce both IgM and IgG antibodies when immunized with A.BY cells (H- 2b) that carry other foreign cell surface antigens (non-H-2) in addition to H-2Db. Preimmunization of 5R mice with two injections of congenic cells leads to an H-2Db specific inhibition of the IgG response to a subsequent immunization with A.BY cells. It is concluded that congenic B10 cells fail to activate helper T cells which are necessary to induce the switch from IgM to IgG production. Instead T- or B-cell tolerance may be induced with prohibits the subsequent IgG response to A.BY cells, possibly by way of suppressor T cells which may act either on B cells directly or via helper T cells.