MHC Class I Phenotype and Function of Human β2-Microglobulin Transgenic Murine Lymphocytes

Lymphoid cells from β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) knockout mice transgenic for human (h) β₂m (C57BL/10 mβ₂m^?/hβ₂m⁺) were compared with normal mice for their binding to exogenously added hβ₂m, binding to a H-2D^b peptide and for functional activity in a one-way allogenic MLC. Based on data from cellular binding studies, Scatchard analyses and flow cytometry, it is concluded that exogenous hβ₂m does not bind to hybrid MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules composed of mouse heavy chain/hβ₂m molecules expressed on lymphocytes of transgenic mice. Immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE analysis of metabolically labelled normal C57BL/6 lymph node cells showed binding of exogenous hβ₂m to MHC-I, in particular, to the H-2D^b molecule through an exchange with endogenous mouse β₂m. In contrast to normal H-2D^b molecules, hybrid H-2D^b expressed on the surface of transgenic lymphocytes binds radiolabelled peptide in the absence of exogenous added hβ₂m suggesting that a stable fraction of hybrid H-2D^b molecules is empty or contain peptides with very low affinity. In a one-way allogenic mixed lymphocyte culture, transgenic splenocytes were found to be far less stimulatory than normal splenocytes. In contrast, transgenic alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes developed earlier in MLC than their non-transgenic counterparts. These data indicate that the hybrid mouse heavy chain/hβ₂m complex alters the alloantigenic repertoire and influences important aspects of T-cell activation.     

Processing of exogenous hepatitis B surface antigen particles for Ld-restricted epitope presentation depends on exogenous β2- microglobulin

Processing of exogenous hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles in an endolysosomal compartment generates peptides that bind to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule L^d and are presented to CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Surface-associated ‘empty’ MHC class I molecules associated neither with peptide, nor with β2-microglobulin (β2m) are involved in this alternative processing pathway of exogenous antigen for MHC class I-restricted peptide presentation. Here, we demonstrate that internalization of exogenous β2m is required for endolysosomal generation of presentation-competent, trimeric L^d molecules in cells pulsed with exogenous HBsAg. These data point to a role of endocytosed exogenous β2m in the endolysosomal assembly of MHC class I molecules that present peptides from endosomally processed, exogenous antigen.     

Induction and functional characterization of β 2-microglobulin (β2-μ)-free HLA class I heavy chains expressed by β2-μ-deficient human FO-1 melanoma cells

The frequent loss of β2-microglobulin (β₂-μ) in malignant cells has stimulated interest in the functional characteristics of β₂-μ-free HLA class I heavy chains, since this information contributes to assess the impact of β₂-μ abnormalities on the interaction of malignant cells with immune cells. Therefore, the present study has investigated the ability of β₂-μ-free HLA class I heavy chains to modulate NK cell-mediated lysis of melanoma cells and to present melanoma-associated antigen (MAA)-derived peptides to HLA class I-restricted, MAA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). β₂-μ-free HLA class I heavy chains were induced on B₂m null FO-1 cells by sequential incubation with IFN-α for 48 h at 37 °C and for 24 h at 26 °C. Transfection of cells with a wild-type H-2L^d gene (FO-1L^d) enhanced the induction of β₂-μ-free HLA class I heavy chains under such experimental conditions. β₂-μ-free HLA class I heavy chains expressed on the cell membrane did not protect the B₂m null FO-1 cells from NK cell-mediated lysis. Furthermore, FO-1 cells which express β₂-μ-free HLA-A2 heavy chains following transfection with a wild-type HLA-A2 gene were not lysed by HLA-A2-restricted, MAA-specific CTL lines and clones. These results indicate that association with β₂-μ is required for interaction of HLA class I molecules with NK inhibitory receptors and for peptide presentation to CTL.     

Functional cell surface expression by a recombinant single-chain class I major histocompatibility complex molecule with a cis-active β2-microglobulin domain

As a preliminary step towards the use of cell surface single-chain class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules as T cell immunogens, we have engineered a recombinant gene encoding a full-length cell surface single-chain version of the H-2D^d class I MHC molecule (SCβD^dm) which has β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) covalently linked to the amino terminus of a full-length H-2D^d heavy chain via a peptide spacer. The single-chain protein is correctly folded and stably expressed on the surface of transfected L cells. It can present an antigenic peptide to an H-2D^d-restricted antigen-specific T cell hybridoma. When expressed in peptide-transport-deficient cells, SCβD^dm can be stabilized and pulsed for antigen presentation by incubation with extracellular peptide at 27° or 37 °C, allowing the preparation of cells with single-chain molecules that are loaded with a single chosen antigenic peptide. SCβD^dm can be stably expressed in β₂m-negative cells, showing that the single-chain molecule uses its own β₂m domain to achieve correct folding and surface expression. Furthermore, the β₂m domain of SCβD^dm, unlike transfected free β₂m, does not rescue surface expression of endogenous class I MHC in the β₂m-negative cells. This strict cis activity of the β₂m domain of SCβD^dm makes possible the investigation of class I MHC function in cells, and potentially in animals, that express but a single type of class I MHC molecule.     

The assembly of H2-Kb class I molecules translated in vitro requires oxidized glutathione and peptide

Association of the mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I heavy chain H2-K^b with mouse β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) was studied in an in vitro translation system. Formation of stable class I complexes was found to be dependent on the presence of presentable peptides and oxidized glutathione, which promotes the formation of disulfide bridges. Translocation of peptides into microsomes was demonstrated by showing that a radioiodinated peptide containing an N-glycosylation acceptor site became glycosylated. Class I complex formation was observed only when heavy chains and β₂m were translated simultaneously, and thus occurs in the microsomes and not after their solubilization. However, peptide binding takes place only after solubilization of the microsomes. The class I complexes translated in vitro show the same specificity and length preference for peptides as their counterparts in RMA-S cells. Assembly of in vitro translated class I complexes was found to occur also in the absence of peptides, resulting in the formation of unstable molecules that are stabilized by incubation with peptides.     

Expression of β2m-Free HLA Class I Heavy Chains in Neuroblastoma Cell Lines

Flow cytometry with the specific monoclonal antibody (MoAb) L31 was used to analyse the expression of HLA class I heavy chains not bound with β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) by neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines IMR-32 and LA-N-1. The cells, which express barely detectable amounts of β₂m-free (L31-positive molecules) and β₂m-complexed HLA class I antigens (W6.32- and BBM. I-reactive molecules), expressed MHC class I molecules not bound to light chains upon differentiation with either retinoic acid or serum starvation. The expression was not accompanied by an increase of surface heterodimers. Conversely, recombinant interferon-γ (rIFN-γ) treatment led IMR-32 and LA-N-1 cells to almost exclusively express β₂m-complexed HLA class I heavy chains. Surface β₂m-free MHC class I molecules displayed a molecular mass of ~45 kDa and did not bind exogenously added β₂m. No changes in the synthesis of either HLA class I and β₂m mRNAs or of L31 proteins were observed in differentiated NB cells, thus suggesting that the surface exposure of unusual HLA class I antigens is regulated post-translationally. These findings indicate that, in addition to activated lymphocytes, the surface expression of β₂m-free class I heavy chains is a feature of other cell types, such as NB cells.     

β2 -Microglobulin-deficient NK cells show increased sensitivity to MHC class I-mediated inhibition,but self tolerance does not depend upon target cell expression of H-2Kb and Db heavy chains

Mice lacking β2 -microglobulin (β₂ m− mice) express greatly reduced levels of MHC class I molecules, and cells from β₂ m− mice are therefore highly sensitive NK cells. However, NK cells from β₂ m− mice fail to kill β₂ m− normal cells, showing that they are self tolerant. In a first attempt to understand better the basis of this tolerance, we have analyzed more extensively the target cell specificity of β₂ m− NK cells. In a comparison between several MHC class I-deficient and positive target cell pairs for sensitivity to β₂ m− NK cells, we made the following observations: First, β₂ m− NK cells displayed a close to normal ability to kill a panel of MHC class I-deficient tumor cells, despite their nonresponsiveness to β₂ m− concanavalin A (Con A)-activated T cell blasts. Secondly, β₂ m− NK cells were highly sensitive to MHC class I-mediated inhibition, in fact more so than β₂ m+ NK cells. Third β₂ m− NK cells were not only tolerant to β₂ m− Con A blasts but also to Con A blasts from H-2Kb − /Db − double deficient mice in vitro. We conclude that NK cell tolerance against MHC class I-deficient targets is restricted to nontransformed cells and independent of target cell expression of MHC class I free heavy chains. The enhanced ability of β₂ m− NK cells to distinguish between MHC class I-negative and -positive target cells may be explained by increased expression of Ly49 receptors, as described previously. However, the mechanisms for enhanced inhibition by MHC class I molecules appear to be unrelated to self tolerance in β₂ m− mice, which may instead operate through mechanisms involving triggering pathways.     

Lack of F1 anti-parental resistance in H-2b/d F1 hybrids devoid of β2-microglobulin

F₁ hybrid mice often reject parental hematopoietic grafts, a phenomenon known as hybrid resistance. Hybrid resistance is mediated by natural killer (NK) cells and although the molecular interactions responsible for this phenomenon are largely unknown, one hypothesis suggests that parental cells are rejected because they fail to express a complete set of host major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Inherent in this theory is that NK cells in the F₁ hybrid are instructed by self MHC class I molecules to form an NK cell repertoire capable of reacting against cells lacking these self MHC class I molecules. Here, we show that C57BL/6 x DBA/2 mice (H-2^b/d) devoid of β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) are incapable of rejecting β₂m?/? parental C57BL/6 cells (H-2^b) both in vivo and in vitro. From this, we conclude that the development of an NK cell repertoire, at least in F₁ mice of the H-2^b/d haplotype, requires expression of MHC class I molecules complexed with β₂m.     

Regulation of MHC Class I Membrane Expression by β2-Microglobulin

MHC-I binding peptides and β₂ microglobulin (β₂-m) can upregulate the MHC-I heavy chain expression on certain peptide transporter mutant cells. We have further studied this with normal cells and non-mutant cell lines. No MHC-I upregulation was seen with normal, resting or activated T cells. On mouse cell lines P815 and B16, both peptides and human β₂-m gave an additive upregulation response. With the human small cell lung carcinoma H82, an optimal HLA.A2 binding peptide (GILGFVFTL) gave an upregulation response, whereas β₂-m alone or in combination with this peptide had no effect. However, β₂-m potentiated the response of H82 cells to a slightly longer peptide. Using mutant RMA-S cells, it was found that both Brefeldin A (BFA) and chloroquine, but not leupeptin, inhibited MHC-I upregulation response to both peptide and β₂-m. In contrast to chloroquine, BFA also gave a reduction of background membrane MHC-I expression, presumably due to a block in Golgi transport. Human β₂-m, which binds to RMA-S cells, and which is known to internalize into endosomes, did not reappear on the cell surface. When D^b on RMA-S cells was upregulated by human ft-m, the sensitivity of these cells to D^b restricted CTL cells increased. Even if β₂-m did not upregulate the overall MHC-I expression on normal cells, it may still quantitatively increase the expression of optimally presented peptides and endosomal recycling may be important in this process.     

Reduced expression of major histocompatibility complex class I free heavy chains and enhanced sensitivity to natural killer cells after incubation of human lymphoid lines with β2-microglobulin

Enhancement of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression leads to protection from recognition by natural killer (NK) cells in several systems. MHC class I gene products can be expressed in different forms at the cell surface - for example as “empty” β₂-microglobulin (β₂m)-associated heterodimers or free heavy chains. To study the role of different class I heavy chain forms in NK target interactions, we have used lymphoblastoid target cell lines preincubated with β₂m. This was found to shift the equilibrium between β₂m-associated and nonassociated - heavy chains in favor of the former. In parallel, there was a significant increase in NK sensitivity. The recognition of MHC class I-deficient cell lines was not affected by β₂m, arguing against a general nonspecific effect of fern on NK sensitivity. Our data indicate that protection against NK recognition correlates with target cell expression of free heavy chains (i.e. devoid of β₂m) rather than with expression of complexes.     

Surface expression of β2-microglobulin-associated thymus-leukemia antigen is independent of TAP2

Mouse thymus-leukemia antigen (TL), like other major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-b antigens, displays signs of a specialized function. It is normally expressed at high levels on immature thymocytes and at moderate levels on gut epithelium and activated mature T cells. A promoter/enhancer region unique among class I genes accounts for this narrow range of tissue distribution. Like most other class I molecules, TL is dependent upon endogenous β2-microglobulin (β2m) for transport to the surface. However, here we show that unlike most other MHC class I molecules, TL is expressed efficiently in the absence of functional transporter associated with antigen processing subunit 2 (TAP2). A putative fourth TL^a gene cloned from A.SL1 cells was expressed in RMA and RMA-S cells. In bulk transformants, TL expression is higher in TAP2^? RMA-S cells than in wild-type RMA cells, and is not elevated by incubation at reduced temperatures or exposure to exogenous β2m. Analysis of immunoprecipitasted molecules by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicates that TL is processed normally in RMA-S cells and is associated with β2m both intracellularly and at the cell surface. However, TL heavy chains expressed on the cell surface in the absence of TAP2 are cleaved to a predominant 38 kDa fragment, presumably the result of an altered conformation that renders TL more susceptible to proteolysis. These results suggest that while TL may normally acquire TAP2-dependent peptides, this class I-b molecule does not require them for efficient export to, and stable expression at the cell surface.     

β2-microglobulin with an endoplasmic reticulum retention signal increases the surface expression of folded class I major histocompatibility complex molecules

With β₂-microglobulin^? (β₂m^?) cell lines such as R1E/D^b, the surface expression of class I major histocompatibility complex molecules is greatly impaired, and class I molecules that are on the surface are generally misfolded. To determine whether β₂m must be continually present with the class I heavy chain for the class I molecule to reach the surface in a folded conformation, a sequence encoding an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal (KDEL) was attached onto the 3′ end of a β₂m cDNA. After this chimeric cDNA was transfected into R1E/D^b cells, β₂m-KDEL protein was detectable by an anti-β₂m serum within the cells but not at the cell surface. Interestingly, R1E/D^b cells transfected with β₂m-KDEL were found to express a high level of conformationally correct D^b molecules at the cell surface. This observation implies that β₂m has a critical and temporal role in the de novo folding of the class I heavy chain. We propose that the critical time for β₂m association is when the class I molecule is docked with the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) and first interacts with peptide.     

Modified Human Beta 2‐Microglobulin (desLys58) Displays Decreased Affinity for the Heavy Chain of MHC Class I and Induces Nitric Oxide Production and Apoptosis

Beta2‐microglobulin (β2m) is the light chain of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC‐I) molecules, and is a prerequisite for the binding of peptides to the heavy chain and their presentation to CD8⁺ T cells. β2m can be modified in vivo and in vitro by proteolytic cleavage by complement C1 and subsequent carboxypeptidase B‐like activity – processes that lead to the generation of desLys⁵⁸β2m (dβ2m). This work aims to study the effect of dβ2m on peptide binding to MHC‐I, the influence of dβ2m on the binding of β2m to the MHC‐I heavy chain and the biological activity of dβ2m. Both β2m and dβ2m are able to support the generation of MHC‐I/peptide complexes at 18 °C, but complexes formed in the presence of dβ2m destabilize at 37 °C. Moreover, a 250 times higher concentration of dβ2m than of β2m is needed to displace MHC‐I associated β2m from the cell surface. In addition, only β2m is able to restore MHC‐I/peptide complex formation on acid‐treated cells whereas dβ2m appears to bind preferentially to denatured MHC‐I heavy chains. In cell cultures, exogenously added dβ2m, but not β2m, induces apoptotic cell death in monocytic leukaemic cell lines but spares other kinds of leukaemic cells. Additionally, the presence of dβ2m, and to a lesser extent β2m, enhances IFN‐γ‐induced NO production by monocytic leukaemic cells. In conclusion, these data show that dβ2m is not able to support the formation of a stable tri‐molecular MHC‐I complex at physiological temperature and that dβ2m exerts other biological functions compared to β2m when bound to cells.     

The human major histocompatibility complex class Ib molecule HLA-E binds signal sequence-derived peptides with primary anchor residues at positions 2 and 9

Human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) and mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ib antigen, Qa-1, share the same substitutions at two normally conserved positions 143 and 147, which are likely to affect binding of the C terminus of peptides. Qa-1 is able to bind a peptide derived from the leader sequence of H-2 D and H-2 L molecules. We developed a peptide binding assay in vitro to compare the binding specificity of HLA-E with the mouse MHC class Ib molecule Qa-1. We demonstrate that HLA-E binds, although poorly, the peptide which binds to Qa-1 and that it also binds nonamer signal sequence-derived peptides from human MHC class I molecules. Using alanine and glycine substitutions, we could define primary anchor residues at positions 2 and 9 and secondary anchor residues at position 7 and possibly 3.     

Analysis of the requirement for β2-microglobulin for expression and formation of human CD1 antigens

Human CD1 form a group of nonpolymorphic leukocyte surface molecules with homology to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. Recent findings in human and in mouse demonstrate the capacity of CD1 molecules to present nonpeptide components like lipids or lipoglycans as well as peptides. We studied the involvement of β2-microglobulin (β2m) in expression of the classic human CD1 proteins CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c. The β2m-deficient human melanoma cell line FO-1 was transiently transfected with either CD1a, CD1b, or CD1c DNA alone, or in combination with β2m using the adenovirus-enhanced receptor-mediated transfer infection system. Only co-transfection of FO-1 cells with CD1 + β2m resulted in the detection of CD1 Ag by monoclonal antibodies (mAb). This indicated that CD1 mAb recognized determinants are dependent on β2m and raised the question whether β2m-free forms of CD1 can be expressed. Therefore, to visualize CD1 molecule expression independently of β2m, we expressed tagged recombinant forms. A full-length CD1b construct tagged at the very C terminus with a small peptide was transported to the plasma membrane only when β2m was co-transfected. β2m involvement in the transport of CD1 was confirmed by expression of soluble forms of CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c in three different cell types. Analogous to tagged full-length CD1b, secretion of the soluble CD1 constructs was strictly dependent on β2m. The soluble CD1 chimeras were secreted as complexes with endogenous β2m. Thus, similar to its role for MHC class I expression, β2m is essential for processing and surface transport of the classic human CD1 molecules CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c.     

Peptide length preferences for rat and mouse MHC class I molecules using random peptide libraries

MHC class I molecules bind short peptides for presentation to CD8⁺ T cells. The determination of the three-dimensional structure of various MHC class I complexes has revealed that both ends of the peptide binding site are composed of polar residues conserved among all human and murine MHC class I sequences, which act to lock the ends of the peptide into the groove. In the rat, however, differences in these important residues occur, suggesting the possibility that certain rat MHC class I molecules may be able to bind and present longer peptides. Here we have studied the peptide length preferences of two rat MHC class I a molecules expressed in the TAP2-deficient mouse cell line RMA-S: RT1-A1^c, which carries unusual key residues at both ends of the groove, and RT1.A^a which carries the canonical residues. Temperature-dependent peptide stabilization assays were performed using synthetic random peptide libraries of different lengths (7 – 15 amino acids) and successful stabilization was determined by FACS analysis. Results for two naturally expressed mouse MHC class I molecules revealed different length preferences (H2-K^b, 8 – 13-mer and H2-D^b, 9 – 15-mer peptides). The rat MHC class Ia molecule, RT1-A^a, revealed a preference for 9 – 15-mer peptides, whereas RT1-A1^c showed a more stringent preference for 9 – 12-mer peptides, thereby ruling out the hypothesis that unusual residues in rat MHC molecules allow binding of longer peptides.     

CORRELATION BETWEEN TUMOUR AND SERUM β2m EXPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER

HLA class I antigens are composed of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encoded heavy chain that is associated non-covalently with a light chain β-2 microglobulin (β-2m). When the HLA complex is metabolized, β-2m is shed into the serum. A large variety of human and experimental tumours have altered MHC class I expression. In a previous study we observed elevated mean β-2m serum levels in breast cancer patients, as compared to controls. To study the relationship between tumour expression and serum levels, we examined 54 patients with breast cancer. Tumour β-2m was determined by immunohistochemistry and serum levels by the ELISA technique. Of the 54 patients, 38 had low and 16 had high β-2m expression on the tumour. There was a significant correlation between tumour β-2m and serum β-2m levels (P= 0.02), with patients whose tumours expressed high β-2m having high serum β-2m levels. There was an inverse correlation between tumour grade and tumour β-2m expression which approached statistical significance (P= 0.06). These findings suggest that in a substantial number of patients the high serum levels derive from shedding of β-2m from tumour cells. These levels may have implications for tumour growth and metastases due to influences on immunological responses.     

Going Pro to enhance T‐cell immunogenicity: Easy as π?

MHC class I molecules bind intracellular oligopeptides and present them on the cell surface for CD8⁺ T‐cell activation and recognition. Strong peptide/MHC class I (pMHC) interactions typically induce the best CD8⁺ T‐cell responses; however, many immunotherapeutic tumor‐specific peptides bind MHC with low affinity. To overcome this, immunologists can carefully alter peptides for enhanced MHC affinity but often at the cost of decreased T‐cell recognition. A new report published in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology [Eur. J. Immunol. 2013. 43:3051–3060] shows that the substitution of proline at the third residue (p3P) of a common tumor peptide increases pMHC affinity and complex stability while enhancing T‐cell receptor recognition. X‐ray crystallography indicates that stability is generated through newly introduced CH‐π bonding between p3P and a conserved residue (Y159) in the MHC heavy chain. This finding highlights a previously unappreciated role for CH‐π bonding in MHC peptide binding, and importantly, arms immunologists with a novel and possibly general approach for increasing pMHC stability without compromising T‐cell recognition.     

A quantitative assay to measure the interaction between immunogenic peptides and purified class I major histocompatibility complex molecules

A direct and sensitive biochemical assay to measure the interaction in solution between peptides and affinity-purified major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules has been generated. Specific binding reflecting the known class I restriction of cytotoxic T cell responses was obtained. Adding an excess of β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) significantly increased the rate of peptide association, but it did not affect the rate of dissociation. Binding was complicated by a rapid and apparently irreversible loss of functional MHC class I at 37°C which might limit the life span of empty MHC class I thereby preventing the inadvertent exchange of peptides at the target cell surface. All class I molecules tested bound peptides of the canonical octa- to nona-meric length. However, one class I molecule, K^k, also bound peptides, which were much longer suggesting that the preference of class I molecules for short epitopes is not absolute and may be caused by factors other than the peptide-MHC class I binding event itself.     

The structural basis of MHC control of collagen-induced arthritis; binding of the immunodominant type II collagen 256 – 270 glycopeptide to H-2Aq and H-2Ap molecules

The A^q major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule is associated with susceptibility to murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), whereas the closely related H-2A^p molecule is not. To understand the molecular basis for this difference, we have analyzed the ability of H-2A^q and H-2A^p molecules (referred to as A^q and A^p) to bind and present collagen type II (CII)-derived glycosylated and non-glycosylated peptides. T cell clones specific for the immunodominant CII 256 – 270 peptide and restricted to both A^q and A^p molecules were identified. When these clones were incubated with CII protein and either A^q- or A^p-expressing antigen-presenting cells (APC), only A^q-expressing APC were able to induce stimulation. With the use of A_β transgenic mice this could be shown to be solely dependent on the MHC class II molecule itself and to be independent of other MHC- or non-MHC genes. Peptide binding studies were performed using affinity-purified MHC class II molecules. The CII 256 – 270 peptide bound with lower affinity to the A^p molecule than to the A^q molecule. Using a set of alanine-substituted CII 256 – 270 peptides, MHC class II and T cell receptor (TCR) contacts were identified. Mainly the side chains of isoleucine 260 and phenylalanine 263 were used for binding both the A^q and A^p molecule, i. e. the peptide was orientated similarly in the binding clefts. The major TCR contact amino acids were lysine 264, which can be posttranslotionally modified, and glutamic acid 266, which is the only amino acid in the heterologous peptide which differs from the mouse sequence. Glycosylation at positions 264 and 270 of the CII 256 – 270 peptide did not change the anchor positions used for binding to the A^q or A^p molecules. The autologous form of the peptide (with aspartic acid at position 266) bound with lower affinity to the A^q molecule as compared with the heterologous peptide. The variable affinity displayed by the immunodominant CII 256 – 270 peptide for different MHC class II molecules, the identification of MHC and TCR contacts and the significance of glycosylation of these have important implications for the understanding of the molecular basis for inherited MHC class II-associated susceptibility to CIA and in turn, for development of novel treatment strategies in this disease.