Blocking of interleukin 2 (IL 2) binding to the IL 2 receptor is not required for the in vivo action of anti-IL 2 receptor monoclonal antibody (mAb). I. The production, characterization and in vivo properties of a new mouse anti-rat IL 2 receptor mAb that reacts with an epitope different to the one that binds to IL 2 and the mAb ART-18

A mouse anti-rat interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptor (IL 2R) monoclonal antibody (mAb), ART-65, has been developed. As shown by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and immunoprecipitation studies, ART-65 recognizes in a species-specific manner the same molecule as does ART-18, a mAb which has been shown previously to recognize the rat receptor for IL 2. ART-65 and ART-18 do not competitively inhibit the binding of each other to activated T cells. ART-65, in contrast to ART-18, does not inhibit the binding of IL 2 to cells nor does it have any inhibitory effect in vitro on IL 2-driven proliferation of rat T lymphoblasts. Therefore, ART-65 is another mAb recognizing the rat IL 2 receptor, but binding to an epitope distinct from that recognized by either IL 2 or ART-18. We compared the in vivo activity of the mAb ART-65 and ART-18 with that of the W3/25 mAb in a local graft-vs-host reaction (GVHR). Similar to the anti-W3/25 treatment, ART-65 and ART-18 inhibited GVHR. The results demonstrate that GVHR depends on a small subpopulation of IL 2R+ cells present in the W3/25+ T cell population because IL 2R-targeted therapy was as effective as the treatment with W3/25 mAb which reacts with the entire T helper cell population. Moreover, the results argue against the possibility that anti-IL 2R mAb act via blockade of the IL 2 binding to IL 2R+ cells and/or by inhibiting the IL 2-driven expansion of the antigen-activated clones. The results support the view that IL 2R-targeted therapy results in the elimination of the IL 2R+ cells.     

Monoclonal antibodies identify three epitope clusters on the mouse p55 subunit of the interleukin 2 receptor: relationship to the interleukin 2-binding site

A new rat monoclonal antibody (5A2) directed against the mouse interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) is described. This antibody binds specifically to IL2R+ cells, competes with both cold IL2 and 125I-labeled IL2 for the IL2-binding site and inhibits IL2-induced T cell proliferation. This reagent was compared to five previously characterized rat monoclonal antibodies directed against the p55 subunit of the mouse IL2R. The capacity of all the antibodies to inhibit IL2-induced T cell proliferation was assessed. The relationship of these eight antibodies to each other and to the IL2-binding site was studied by cross-inhibition assays, and by Scatchard analysis of the data. The results indicate that the six monoclonal antibodies recognize epitopes in three areas of the p55 subunit of the mouse IL2R. Antibodies against two of the clusters affect IL2 binding. One cluster defined by 3 antibodies is probably located in the area of the IL2-binding site as there is competitive inhibition between IL2 and antibodies against this cluster. A single antibody directed against an epitope outside this cluster appears to inhibit IL2 binding by inducing a conformational change in the p55 subunit of the IL 2R. Two other antibodies identify a third region which is not involved in the formation of the binding site.     

Phenotypical characterization of the cells invading pancreatic islets of diabetic BB/OK rats: effect of interleukin 2 receptor-targeted immunotherapy

We investigated immunohistochemically the phenotypes of mononucleated cells invading pancreatic islets of diabetic BB/OK rats in comparison to the diabetes-resistant parental strain, and 12 and 120 days after a temporary treatment (10 days) with a monoclonal antibody (1 mg/kg b.w.) directed against interleukin 2 receptor (IL 2R) combined with a subtherapeutic dose of cyclosporin A (1.5 mg/kg b.w.). Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (OX-19, OX-8, W3/25, KI-M2R, OX-6, OX-17, ART-18) and the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase system to visualize the bound primary antibodies, we observed an even distribution of mononucleated cells across the endocrine pancreas at a "background" level when obtained from diabetes-resistant parental rat strain. Diabetic BB/OK rats, characterized by a moderate hyperglycemia and a marked decrease of pancreatic insulin content, displayed a remarkable accumulation of mononucleated cells in the endocrine pancreas. Morphometric studies revealed an increase of all phenotypes investigated, nearly all mononucleated cells expressed class II histocompatibility antigens (OX-6+, OX-17+) and the number of cells expressing the IL 2R (ART-18+) was markedly enhanced. Sixty-seven percent of the immunotherapeutically treated BB/OK rats normalized plasma glucose and enhanced pancreatic insulin content. The successfully treated animals are characterized by a decrease of cells invading pancreatic islets (OX-19+, OX-8+, W3/25+, KI-M2R+), a decrease of class II histocompatibility antigen and IL 2R expression. The number of IL 2R cells is also diminished in the endocrine pancreas of unsuccessfully treated BB rats.     

The ontogeny of the interleukin 2 receptor expression and of the interleukin 2 responsiveness in the rat thymus

The ontogeny of the interleukin 2 receptor (IL 2 R) expression and of the IL 2 responsiveness has been investigated in the rat thymus. In tissue sections, IL 2 R-bearing cells were first detected at day 16 of gestation using the anti-IL 2 R mAb ART-18. In contrast to mice, IL 2 R-bearing cells of the rat are localized mainly in the thymic medulla from the first day of the corticomedullary compartimentalization, and not in the cortex. They are found in regions with a high expression of MHC class II antigens. The proportion of IL 2 R-bearing cells increases during gestation, reaches a peak at the first day after birth and declines to the adult level in the following weeks. The appearance of medullary localized IL 2 R-bearing cells is paralleled with the capacity of the thymocytes to proliferate in response to IL 2 without any additional stimuli.     

Human eosinophils from hypereosinophilic patients spontaneously express the p55 but not the p75 interleukin 2 receptor subunit

The expression of interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) on eosinophils was investigated in patients with hypereosinophilia. Hypodense activated eosinophils have been described in various diseases such as parasitic or allergic diseases, hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) associated in some cases to myeloproliferative markers, and more recently described in patients undergoing recombinant IL2 treatment. The presence of p55 alpha chain of IL2R (CD25) on purified eosinophils collected from blood of hypereosinophilic patients was detected by flow cytometry. In 10 out of 19 cases, more than 10% of eosinophils were CD25+. Cross-linking studies on enriched eosinophils showed one 64-75-kDa band, consisting of IL2 (15 kDa) cross-linked to the IL2R p55 subunit. In Northern blot analysis the two messenger mRNA (3.5 and 1.5 kb) encoding the IL2R p55 subunit were identified after hybridization with a CD25 cDNA probe. In contrast, the presence of the IL2R p75 subunit was not detected. These data provide preliminary evidence for the expression of a low-affinity receptor for IL2 on in vivo activated eosinophils and raise the question of the role played by this cytokine in eosinophil differentiation and activation.     

Suppression of the local graft-vs.-host reaction in rats by treatment with a monoclonal antibody specific for the interleukin 2 receptor

Local graft-vs.-host reaction (GVHR) was induced in rats by injecting parental cells into young F1 recipients. As a consequence of antigenic stimulation in the course of developing GVHR in the responding lymph nodes, the number of interleukin 2-receptor (IL 2R)-bearing T cells increased from less than 1% up to 10% of the total population. The IL 2R-bearing cells were located mainly in the T cell areas of the reactive lymph nodes. As assessed by the determination of the GVHR indices, treatment of the recipients with anti-T-helper subset-specific mAb (W3/25) or with anti-IL 2R mAb (ART-18) inhibited the GVHR. In parallel, the number of IL 2R-bearing cells was reduced to the normal levels. W3/25 mAb treatment changed the helper/suppressor subset ratio and reduced the number of circulating lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. In contrast, ART-18 mAb treatment did not induce any detectable changes in the subset distribution and it did not affect the number of circulating lymphocytes. The results demonstrate the key role that the IL 2R-positive cells play in the proliferative phase of acute GVHR, and favor the use of anti-IL 2R mAb as selective immunosuppressive agents.     

An ELISA that detects cells-associated and released rat IL-2 receptors in a soluble form

A mouse anti-rat interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) monoclonal antibody (mAb), ART-65, has recently been developed which recognizes the rat IL-2R but binds to an epitope distinct from that recognized by the mAb ART-18. The availability of two mAb against the rat IL-2R molecule permitted the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which detects soluble and solubilized rat IL-2R. Using this ELISA, time course studies of ConA and LPS-activated rat splenocytes revealed that IL-2R are released into their environment during the culture period, and that IL-2R can be detected in rat sera. The significance of the results is discussed.     

Direct demonstration that the monoclonal antibody AMT-13 and interleukin 2 bind to the same molecule

125I-labeled surface molecules from mouse T lymphoblasts were fractionated by affinity supports coupled with recombinant interleukin 2 (IL2) and the monoclonal antibody (mAb) AMT-13. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis demonstrated that two molecules of approximately 55 kDa and of approximately 180 kDa were bound in both cases. Sequential precipitation and SDS-PAGE analysis of the precipitated molecules revealed that only the approximately 55-kDa molecule eluted from AMT-13 mAb support was rebound to IL2 affinity support. In addition, IL2 inhibited specifically the binding of 125I-labeled AMT-13 mAb to T lymphoblasts. Thus the results directly demonstrate that the a approximately 55-kDa cell surface molecule represents the IL2-binding protein and that the mAb AMT-13 reacts with this molecule.     

Studies on the formation of high-affinity IL-2 binding sites of an IL-2 receptor p55 + p75 heterodimeric complex: functional importance of a determinant on the p55 subunit defined by a monoclonal antibody AHT-107

The monoclonal antibody (mAb) AHT-107 recognized a determinant distal to the interleukin 2 (IL-2) binding site on the p55 subunit of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) (the Tac antigen, CD25) of human T lymphoblasts, while the mAb AHT-54 recognized a determinant close to the IL-2 binding site as did the anti-Tac. The AHT-107 inhibited IL-2 dependent proliferation of human T lymphoblasts equally as well as did the AHT-54. Both mAbs inhibited the high-affinity binding and crosslinking of IL-2 to the p55 + p75 heterodimeric complex on forskolin-treated YT cells. Remarkably, the AHT-107 did not inhibit the low-affinity binding and cross-linking of IL-2 to the p55 molecule on human p55 cDNA-transfected cells, while the AHT-54 as well as anti-Tac did so. In contrast, the mAb PC61, that was previously reported to recognize a determinant distal to the IL-2 binding site on the mouse p55 subunit of IL-2R and to dissociate IL-2 from the high-affinity IL-2R complex by altering the conformation of the p55 molecule itself, inhibited the low-affinity binding and cross-linking of IL-2 to the p55 molecule on mouse p55 cDNA-transfected cells. Further, we showed that the AHT-107 did not dissociate IL-2 from the high-affinity IL-2R complex once formed on human T lymphoblasts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Demonstration of two distinct forms of released low-affinity type interleukin 2 receptors

The release of interleukin 2 (IL2)-binding proteins, derived from the 55-kDa low-affinity IL2 receptor (IL2R; L chain), has been observed for virtually all L chain-bearing cells in either humans, the mouse or the rat. Based on the characterization of the released human L chain as a molecule 10 kDa smaller than the cell surface receptor, either proteolytic cleavage or differential splicing of the L chain-encoding mRNA have been suggested as mechanisms underlying the receptor release. Combining affinity labeling of the L chain with 125I-labeled IL2 and immunoprecipitation with L chain-specific monoclonal antibodies applied for the detection of soluble mouse IL2R revealed the existence of two classes of soluble receptors, one being of the same size as cell surface expressed L chain, the other of 45-kDa apparent molecular mass. These findings raise the possibility of mechanisms of receptor release other than those discussed for human L chain.     

Characterization of three monoclonal antibodies specifically directed against the ligand binding site area of the p55 subunit of the mouse interleukin-2 receptor

Three new rat monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (5A2, 125A8 and 135D5) directed against the mouse interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) were isolated. They were obtained after immunization of LOU rats with 14.1.6 T helper cell clones. These three MAbs recognize the p55 subunit of the IL-2R and compete with the binding of previously characterized MAbs AMT13 and 3C7 specific for this p55 subunit [Moreau et al. (1987) Eur. J. Immun. 15, 723-727]. They recognize the same (or closely related epitopes) since they reciprocally compete with each other's binding. Scatchard plot analysis of the data from inhibition experiments clearly indicate that they recognize with very high affinity the ligand binding site area of the p55 subunit of the IL-2R. The properties of the Fab fragment prepared from 5A2 and 135D5 indicate that at saturation one intact IgG molecule binds two IL-2R molecules.     

Comparison of the structure of the murine interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptor on cytotoxic and helper T cell lines by chemical cross-linking of 125I-labeled IL 2

The structure of the murine interleukin 2 receptor (IL 2R), on a cytotoxic (CTLL) and a helper (HT2) cell line, has been studied by a combination of chemical cross-linking with 125I-labeled IL 2 and immunoprecipitation with an anti-receptor monoclonal antibody (7D4). In CTLL cells both methods detected the major 57-kDa IL 2-binding protein and in addition the cross-linking studies revealed the presence of a 70-75-kDa protein associated with the high-affinity receptor. In the HT2 cell line, however, immunoprecipitation studies revealed three additional proteins of 18, 22 and 37 kDa to the expected 50-kDa receptor protein. Again cross-linking studies demonstrated the presence of a 70-75-kDa protein, which was not immunoprecipitable with the 7D4 antibody. The low molecular polypeptides in HT2 cell were associated with the low-affinity receptor and represented most likely breakdown products of the 50-kDa protein. Whereas the 18- and 22-kDa proteins were involved in ligand binding, the 37-kDa fragment carried the epitope recognized by the 7D4 antibody. Comparative studies with two IL 2R antibodies, PC61 and 7D4, revealed that only PC61 inhibited the formation of the IL 2 alpha/beta chain complex, although both antibodies reportedly prevent the biological response to IL 2. It is speculated that the 37-kDa fragment, which reacts with the 7D4 antibody, might be involved in IL 2 signal transduction. Finally there was no evidence for the existence of a high molecular weight component of the IL 2R, previously described as gamma chain. In summary, the two-chain structure of the IL 2R has been confirmed for both murine cell lines with some heterogeneity of the alpha chain. The possibility was raised that a 37-kDa fragment of the alpha chain plays a role of in signal transduction.     

Studies on the interleukin-2 receptor, its generation and dynamics using monoclonal anti-interleukin-2 receptor antibodies

There is increasing evidence suggesting that the monoclonal antibodies ART-18, AMT-13 and anti-Tac recognize species-specific antigenic determinants of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors of rat, mouse and human origin, respectively. In order to compare directly the molecules (glycoproteins) recognized by these antibodies, concanavalin A (ConA) activated T-lymphocytes of the respective species were surface labeled with ¹²⁵I, after which the materials immunoprecipitated by the appropriate anti-IL-2 receptor antibodies were subjected to SDS-PAGE analysis. The noncross-reacting antibodies ART-18 and AMT-13 both precipitated a 50–55-kD molecule. The anti-Tac-reactive material (the putative human IL-2 receptor) is considerably different (60–65 kD) from those precipitated by antibodies ART-18 and AMT-13 (the putative rat and mouse IL-2 receptors). An indirect binding assay using the anti-mouse IL-2 receptor antibody AMT-13 showed that, after addition of ConA to spleen cell cultures, T-lymphocytes expressed IL-2 receptors before the onset of the ConA-induced DNA synthesis. The ConA-induced expression of the IL-2 receptor is apparently a transient event. IL-2 receptor bearing cells progressively lost their receptors (within 6 days) when recultured in the absence of ConA. Cells re-exposed to ConA regained IL-2 receptors. Short exposure of T-cells (thymocytes) to ConA or the nonmitogenic compound phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) is not sufficient to trigger IL-2 receptor expression. Murine thymocytes incubated with PMA for 30 min or with ConA for 4 hr (mitogen-pulsed T-cells) failed to bind the anti-IL-2 receptor antibody AMT-13 and to absorb IL-2 activity present in semipurified IL-2 preparations, but they proliferated vigorously in response to the same IL-2 preparations. The IL-2 preparations, when absorbed with thymocytes, lost: (1) the capacity to generate IL-2 receptors, and (2) the capacity to induce proliferation of mitogen-pulsed cells; but they retained the capacity to induce proliferation of T-lymphoblasts. These results suggest the existence of a factor, IL-2 receptor inducing factor (RIF), present in the IL-2 preparations. It is postulated that RIF is a prerequisite for the acquisition of IL-2 receptors and consequently for IL-2 responsiveness by lectin-activated cells.     

Partial characterization of the putative rat interleukin 2 receptor

T lymphoblasts of rat origin were (a) surface labeled with 125I and (b) internally labeled with 3H-marked sugars. Cell lysates were purified by immunoabsorption using the putative anti-rat interleukin 2 (IL2) receptor monoclonal antibody ART18 . The purified material was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis. Two specific membrane components were detected: a 50-kDa major and a 36-kDa minor component in reducing and a 45-kDA major and a 72-kDa minor component in nonreducing conditions, respectively. Both components were found to be susceptible to trypsinization and to neuraminidase treatment. 3H-labeled sugars were incorporated into the major component. The results indicate that the rat IL2 receptor is either a 50-kDa glycoprotein or a 36-kDa molecule, or that both components are part of the receptor molecule.     

Prostaglandin E2 and the increase of intracellular cAMP inhibit the expression of interleukin 2 receptors in human T cells

We have analyzed the effect mediated by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and different reagents that increase intracellular cAMP on the expression of the p55 subunit (CD25) of interleukin 2 receptors (IL 2R), on the levels of CD25-specific mRNA and on the expression of high affinity IL 2R. In purified T cells, activated either by an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody or phytohemagglutinin, the addition of PGE2 (10(-6) M), forskolin (5 X 10(-5) M), cholera toxin (0.2 microgram/ml) or dibutyryl cAMP (dBcAMP) (10(-4) M) decreased the cell surface expression of IL 2R by reducing (40%-78% inhibition) the proportions of CD25+ cells as well as the expression of high affinity IL 2R, detectable after 24 h. Furthermore, it was observed that PGE2 reduced the concentration of IL 2R-specific mRNA after a 6-h period of activation, indicating that its regulatory activity takes place at a pretranslational level. The addition of exogenous recombinant IL 2 only partially reversed the inhibition, thus suggesting that PGE2 and increased intracellular concentration of cAMP directly interfered with CD25 expression and that their effect could not be merely attributed to a lack of IL 2-dependent positive feedback. Cells cultured under the same conditions in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate, that activates protein kinase C, were refractory to the cAMP-mediated regulation. Finally, we demonstrate that both PGE2 and dBcAMP inhibit the generation of inositol metabolites after T cell activation, thus indicating that these reagents interfere with early signal transduction mechanisms which precede the synthesis of IL 2R.     

Possible activation of murine T lymphocyte through CD98 is independent of interleukin 2/interleukin 2 receptor system

CD98 is a widely expressed cell surface heterodimeric protein of 125 kDa. Its expression is upregulated during lymphocyte activation induced by mitogen, superantigen, conventional antigen, and a combination of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin. However, the role of CD98 in the immune system is not so well understood. The role of CD98 in murine T lymphocyte proliferation was investigated, especially in correlation with the interleukin 2 (IL-2)/interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) system. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against murine CD98 heavy chain (mCD98HC) suppressed the proliferation of lymphocytes stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A). Anti-mCD98HC mAb did not suppress the expression of IL-2Ralpha. Anti-IL-2Ralpha mAb, which suppressed DNA synthesis, did not inhibit the expression of CD98HC. Murine IL-2 (recombinant), which induced considerable DNA synthesis by lymphocytes stimulated with a sub-optimal dose of Con A, did not induce CD98HC expression in lymphocytes. In addition, anti-mCD98HC mAb did not inhibit the production of IL-2 by lymphocyte stimulated with Con A. Taken together with these findings, it was speculated that the CD98 system is independent of the IL-2/IL-2R system in murine T lymphocyte activation.     

An associated molecule, p64, with high-affinity interleukin 2 receptor

TU11 mAb specific for the human interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) beta-chain, p75, co-precipitated two molecules, p64 and p55, with the beta-chain in the lysates of cells bearing the high-affinity IL-2R. The co-precipitation was detected in the presence of IL-2 even in the absence of a chemical cross-linker. H-48 mAb specific for the IL-2R alpha-chain completely pre-absorbed p64 as well as p55 and partially pre-absorbed the beta-chain from the lysates. The co-precipitation was also detected in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, which express the high-affinity IL-2R, but not in the cell line cells bearing only the low-affinity IL-2R. The peptide maps indicate that p64 is a molecule distinct from both the alpha- and beta-chains, and that p55 is identical to the alpha-chain. These findings suggest that p64, along with the alpha- and beta-chains, is a component of the high affinity IL-2R complex, and we have tentatively named it the gamma-chain of IL-2R.     

The intermediate-affinity interleukin (IL)2 receptor expressed on Theileria annulata-infected cells comprises a single IL 2-binding protein. Partial characterization of bovine IL2 receptors

Bovine high-, intermediate- and low-affinity interleukin 2 receptors (IL2R) were studied by ligand binding and affinity labeling using 125I-labeled IL2 and homobifunctional chemical cross-linking reagents. High- (Kd = 17 pM) and low-affinity (Kd greater than 6 nM) IL 2R were detected on concanavalin A-activated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Theileria annulata (TA)-infected autonomously growing PBL (TA-PBL) express predominantly intermediate-affinity IL2R (Kd = 1 nM). Affinity-labeling studies revealed that the high-affinity IL2R comprises a 55-kDa (L chain) and an additional 90-kDa IL 2-binding protein (H chain). TA-PBL express predominantly the H chain. In contrast to the human chain, the bovine form was not separable by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/urea into the two distinct bands H1 and H2 and ran in parallel to the human H2 band. These results suggest (a) that the bovine intermediate-affinity IL2R comprises a single H chain and (b) that the single H chain and the L chain are sufficient to form the functional high-affinity bovine IL2R.     

Species specificity of interleukin 2 binding to individual receptor components

The affinity of recombinant human and murine interleukin 2 (IL 2), which differ significantly in structure in the amino terminal alpha helix, for the human or murine interleukin 2 receptors was compared. Murine IL 2 showed a 10-fold higher affinity than human IL 2 for the murine high-affinity receptor expressed on T lymphocytes, whereas human IL 2 bound 100-fold more strongly than murine IL 2 to the human high-affinity receptor. As the high-affinity IL 2 receptor on T lymphocytes has been demonstrated to be composed of two IL 2 binding components, p55 and p75, the role of the individual chains in the determination of species specificity was then investigated. Recombinant retroviral vectors were used to generate populations of 3T3 fibroblasts expressing either human or murine p55 in isolation, and their binding characteristics were determined. While the murine p55 showed an identical species preference to the murine p55/p75 high-affinity complex, the human p55 had an equal affinity for human and murine IL 2. This suggested that the human p75 chain was responsible for the preference for human IL 2 shown by the human high-affinity receptor, which was confirmed by performing a binding experiment using gibbon MLA 144 cells, expressing only p75. These data suggest that the amino terminal region of the IL 2 molecule interacts with the p75 chain of the IL 2 receptor.