Specific binding of K- and I-region products of the H-2 complex to activated thymus-derived (T) cells belonging to different Ly subclasses.

Responder cells [C57BL/6J X A.TL)F1 lymph node cells depleted of bursa equivalent-derived (B) cells by filtration through nylon wool columns] were activated against incompatible K-region and I-region products together under conditions where these antigens are presented on separate stimulator cells. The resulting T blasts were stained with different concentrations of antisera directed against incompatible stimulator K-region or I-region products, or both. We obtained results that strongly suggest that in these cultures each activated responder blast stains with antiserum directed against either K-region or I-region products, but not both. Responder blasts from the same cultures were treated with antiserum and complement (C) directed against either Ly-1.2 or Ly-2.2 T-cell-specific surface antigens. Anti-Ly-1.2 serum and C specifically eliminates virtually all responder blasts staining with antiserum directed against stimulator I-region products; whereas anti-Ly-2.2 serum reduces to background levels the proportion of cells staining with antiserum against stimulator K-region products. The results obtained suggest that T cells binding stimulator K-region and I-region products, respectively, belong to two different subclasses distinguishable by their Ly phenotypes. Possible explanations for this association of T- cell subclass and specificity are discussed.     

In vitro analysis of allogeneic lymphocyte interaction. I. Characterization and cellular origin of an Ia-positive helper factor- allogeneic effect factor

A soluble allogeneic effect factor (AEF) was produced by using H-2 congenic mouse strains and a serum.free cell culture medium. An AEF derived from untreated activated responder cells and irradiated stimulator cells provided helper cell function in a primary and secondary antibody response for both T-cell-depleted responder B cells and stimulator B cells. This interaction may be determined by genes situated in the I-A and I-B regions: additional K-region control was not excluded. Ia antigens, but neither H-2 nor Ig determinants are molecular constituents of AEF. The active components of this AEF consist, in part, of Ia antigens derived from both the activated responder cell population and irradiated stimulator cell population. An AEF derived from Ia negative responder cells and irradiated T-cell- depleted stimulator cells helps a secondary antibody response of T-cell- depleted stimulator B cells but not responder B cells. This genetically restricted AEF contains Ia antigens determined by the stimulator haplotype but not the responder haplotype. The priming antigen, DNP- keyhole limpet hemocyanin, is not a component of restricted AEF. The data suggest that restricted AEF may be a product of a stimulator B cell and/or macrophage. They support the hypothesis that the recognition by allogeneic T cells of Ia antigens on B cells activates the B cell to IgG antibody production.     

Functional heterogeneity in allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones. I. CTL clones express strong anti-self suppressive activity

Five out of five allo-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones tested strongly suppressed the development of CTLs directed against the H-2 haplotype of the CTL clone and independent of the H-2 specificity recognized by the CTL clone. This was shown by including 100-1,000 cells from the five clones in one way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) cultures in which the stimulator cells were of the same H-2 type as the CTL cells. When these cultures were assayed for cytotoxicity against the stimulator cell haplotype, the cytotoxic activity was decreased in a CTL cell dose-dependent manner by 50 to more than 90%. Suppression was usually not observed in MLR cultures where the CTL-H-2 type was identical with the responder cells or was different from both the responder or stimulator cells. Suppression was demonstrated not to be due to "cold" target inhibition at the time of cytotoxicity assay. Even if the added CTL were completely removed after 48-72 h of culture, significant suppression was obtained. Suppressive ability did not appear to be correlated with the level of allo-specific cytotoxic activity present in the CTL clones, but might involve direct killing of MLR precursor cells by cells in the added CTL clones. The suppression observed here, which is anti-self from the point of view of the added CTL clone, appears to be triggered by precursor cells in the MLR responder population recognizing MHC determinants on cells from the added CTL clone. This peculiar type of suppression, in which the regulator regulates on being recognized, has been christened the veto phenomenon and may play a role in maintenance of self tolerance.     

In vitro analysis of allogeneic lymphocyte interaction. V. Identification and characterization of two components of allogeneic effect factor, one of which displays H-2-restricted helper activity and the other, T cell-growth factor activity

An allogeneic effect factor (AEF) derived from mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) cultures of alloactivated A.SW (H-2s) responder T cells and irradiated A/WySn (H-2a) stimulator spleen cells helps an in vitro primary anti-erythrocyte plaque-forming cell PFC response of BALB/c nude spleen cels and also A/WySn but not A.SW T cell-depleted spleen cells. AEF activity is adsorbed by anti-Ik and anti-I-Ak but not by anti-I-Jk, anti-I-ECk, and anti-Is. Gel filtration of ACA 54 resolves AEF into two main components that which appear in the 50,000- to 70,000- mol wt (component I) and 30,000- to 35,000-mol wt (component II) regions, respectively. Component I has a mol wt of 68,000, elutes from DEAE-Sephacel at 0.05-0.1 M NaCl, and has an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.8. It helps A/WySn but not A.SW B cells and, therefore, is H-2 restricted. Component II is not H-2 restricted, because it helps both A.SW and A/WySn B cells. It also stimulates (a) the growth of a long- term cytotoxic cell line in vitro, (b) Con A-induced thymocyte mitogenesis, and (c) the generation of cytotoxic T cells. The latter three properties of component II are not shared by component I. In addition, component II elutes from DEAE-Sephacel at 0.15-0.2 M NaCl and has a pI of 4.3 and 4.9. Ia determinants and Ig VH, CH, L-chain, and idiotypic determinants are not present on either component I or component II. The properties of component II are identical to that of a T cell growth factor produced by Con A-stimulated spleen cells. It is suggested that the H-2-restricted component I of AEF might be an MLR- activated responder T cell-derived Ia alloantigen receptor.     

Resting and sensitized T lymphocytes exhibit distinct stimulatory (antigen-presenting cell) requirements for growth and lymphokine release

Previous studies have shown that unprimed or resting T lymphocytes will grow and release lymphokines when stimulated by dendritic cells (DC). We now have examined the stimulatory requirements for antigen-primed or blast-transformed T cells. The latter were derived from dendritic/T cell clusters that developed during the primary mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). The specificity of the blasts was established by a binding assay in which most T cells aggregated small B lymphocytes of the appropriate haplotype within 2 h at 4 or 37 degrees C. Since unprimed T cells did not aggregate allogeneic B cells, we suggest that DC induce T lymphocytes to express additional functioning receptors for antigen. Lyt-2-T blasts did not grow or release interleukin 2 or B cell helper factors unless rechallenged with specific alloantigen, whereupon growth (generation time of 14-18 h) and lymphokine release rapidly resumed. The blasts could be stimulated by allogeneic macrophages, B cells, and B lymphoblasts, whereas the primary MLR was initiated primarily by DC. responsiveness appeared restricted to the I region of the major histocompatibility complex, and varied directly with the level of Ia antigens on the stimulator cells. The interaction of B cells and T blasts was bidirectional. The T blasts would grow and form B cell helper factors, while the B cells grew and secreted antibody. However, the efficacy of T cell-mediated antibody formation was enhanced some 10-fold by the addition of specific antigen. Therefore, responses of resting helper T cells, then, are initiated by antigen plus DC. Once sensitized, T blasts interact independently with antigen presented by other leukocytes.     

In vitro analysis of allogeneic lymphocyte interaction. VII. I-A-restricted self-reactive and alloreactive helper components of allogeneic effect factor are distinct donor T cell-derived Ia-molecules that recognize Ia determinants on antigen-presenting cells

An allogeneic effect factor (AEF) derived from mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) cultures of alloactivated A.SW (H-2s) responder T cells and irradiated T cell-depleted A/WySn (H-2a) stimulator spleen cells was fractionated on the basis of molecular size and charge into two I-A- restricted helper components. The cellular origin of these components is believed to be an Lyt-1+2- -activated responder T helper (TH) cell. One alloreactive component, TIAH-1, recognizes allo-I-A determinants on an A/WySn antigen-presenting cell (APC). The other self-reactive component, TIAH-2, recognizes self-I-A determinants on an A.SW APC. The interaction of each of these components with the appropriate APC subsequently activates an in vitro primary anti-SRBC PFC response of either stimulator haplotype- or responder haplotype-derived B cells. These data demonstrate that the activity of TIAH-1 and TIAH-2 is dependent on the genotype of the APC and not the B cell, and that the target cell of action of these AEF TH components is an APC. TIAH-1 and TIAH-2 are 68,000 mol wt single polypeptide chains that have an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.8 and 5.5, respectively. Their charge difference is not attributable to altered amounts of sialylation or phosphorylation, but probably is due to other forms of altered glycosylation and/or to changes in their amino acid sequence. They share approximately 80% of their tryptic peptides and likely constitute homologous but nonidentical molecules. Papain cleaves TIAH-1 and TIAH-2 into a 40,000 mol wt fragment. TIAH-1 and TIAH-2 may represent structurally very related but nonidentical secreted forms of activated responder TH cell-derived receptors for allo-I-A and self-I-A determinants, respectively.     

Regulatory mechanisms in cell-mediated immune responses. II. A genetically restricted suppressor of mixed lymphocyte reactions released by alloantigen-activated spleen cells

The mechanism of alloantigen-activated spleen cell suppression of mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) is explored in this report. Activated murine suppressor spleen cells elaborated a soluble noncytotoxic factor which suppressed MLR responses by 55-95%. Generation of suppressor factor required both in vivo alloantigen sensitization and specific in vitro restimulation. Suppressor factor was not produced by activated spleen cells which had been treated with anti-Thy-1.2 serum and complement. Antigenic specificity toward alloantigens of the stimulator cells was not demonstrable. In contrast, suppressor factor effectively inhibited MLR response only of responder cells of those strains that shared the D-end and the I-C subregion of the H-2 complex with the cells producing suppressor factor. Therefore, active suppression appears to require an MHC-directed homology relationship between regulating and responder cells in MLR.     

Cloned natural suppressor cell lines derived from the spleens of neonatal mice

The establishment and characterization of cloned natural suppressor (NS) cell lines derived from the spleen of neonatal BALB/c mice are described. Cloned NS cells suppress the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) between normal adult responder and stimulator spleen cells with a 50-fold greater efficiency than fresh neonatal cells. Suppressive activity of both cells did not depend on the haplotype of the responder or stimulator cells, and was radioresistant. Cloned NS cells did not inhibit the uptake of [3H]thymidine by HT-2 cells proliferating in response to interleukin 2 (IL-2), nor the in vitro secretion of IL-1 by macrophages in response to lipopolysaccharide. Several experiments indicated that absorption of IL-2 could not explain the suppression of the MLR by the NS cells in the range of cell numbers tested. The results suggest that NS cells may suppress the MLR by interfering with early stages of T cell activation. The cell surface of a cloned NS cell line was examined using immunofluorescence staining, and was strongly positive for the Thy-1.2, Ly-5, and asialo-GM1 antigens. However, Lyt-1, Lyt-2, surface Ig, IE, MAC-1, and Fc and C3 receptor markers were not detected. In addition, NS cells showed no cytolytic activity against the YAC-1 target cell line. On the basis of these findings, cloned NS cells do not appear to be mature T cells, B cells, macrophages, or NK cells. The development of cloned NS cells may be useful in determining the identity and mechanism of action of nonspecific suppressor cells in the neonatal spleen, and their role in neonatal tolerance and maternal-fetal relationships.     

Minor histocompatibility antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell lines, capable of lysing human hematopoietic progenitor cells, can be generated in vitro by stimulation with HLA-identical bone marrow cells

Recipient-antidonor alloreactivity before HLA genotypically identical bone marrow transplantation (BMT) between donor-recipient pairs that are negative in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), the cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) assay, and the lymphocyte crossmatch was not detectable in the majority of cases, using recipient peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) collected before BMT as responder cells and donor PBL as stimulator cells. However, when donor bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) instead of PBL were used as stimulator cells, we could detect donor-specific alloreactivity in 7 of 10 HLA genotypically identical donor-recipient pairs. To demonstrate that this alloreactivity was minor histocompatibility (mH) antigen specific and not directed against HLA class I splits or variants, two cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) lines were tested in further detail against phytohemagglutinin (PHA) blasts from pairs of HLA genotypically identical siblings positive for the HLA class I restriction molecule. Both CTL lines recognized mH antigens, as illustrated by the differential recognition of PHA blasts of one of the two siblings from several pairs. The potential role of these mH antigen-specific CTLs in bone marrow graft rejection was demonstrated by the mH antigen-specific growth inhibition of hematopoietic progenitor cells from the original bone marrow donor and from HLA class I restriction molecule-positive individuals who expressed the mH antigens on their PBL and BMMNC. Our assay can be used in HLA genotypically identical BMT to detect a recipient-antidonor response, directed against cellularly defined mH antigens expressed on donor HPC, BMMNC, and PBL, before transplantation.     

A suppressor T cell of the mixed lymphocyte reaction in man specific for the stimulating alloantigen. Evidence that identity at HLA-D between suppressor and responder is required for suppression

It has previously been shown that J.H., a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-Dw2 homozygous multiparous woman, fails to respond in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) to her Dw1 homozygous husband W.H., and that her T cells suppress the responses of HLA matched responders to W.H. The present studies take advantage of the observation that J.H. suppressor cells resist a dose of gamma-irradiation which functionally eliminates her MLR responder cells. J.H. cells, depleted of alloreactive cells, suppress the responses of Dw2 heterozygous or homozygous cells to W.H., regardless of their associated HLA-A or B antigens. Only when W.H. or a few other cells are present as the irradiated stimulator is J.H. suppression of Dw2 responses detected. Thus, the J.H. suppressor T cell recognizes determinants in the irradiated stimulator cells as well as D locus products in the responder.     

T-independent and T-dependent B lymphoblasts: helper T cells prime for interleukin 2-induced growth and secretion of immunoglobulins that utilize downstream heavy chains

Resting B cells enlarge, enter the cell cycle, and change their surface phenotype when activated via the surface immunoglobulin (Ig) receptor, but subsequent cell growth and antibody production is relatively limited. To identify stimuli that might prime B cells for enhanced function in vitro, we have compared the effects of anti-Ig with helper T (Th) cells on the formation of B lymphoblasts and the subsequent ability of the blasts to grow and secrete Ig. The B blasts first were induced by either anti-Ig, anti-Ig plus T cell-derived lymphokines, or alloreactive T blasts. Each population of B blasts showed enhanced expression of cell surface adhesion molecules, interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) p55, and MHC products, as well as decreased expression of IgD. The allo-activated B blasts were distinctive in expressing low levels of Thy-1 and increased reactivity with peanut agglutinin, a marker of germinal center B blasts in situ. The function of the different populations of B blasts was also different. Whereas anti-Ig or anti-Ig plus lymphokines primed for enhanced responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the B blasts induced by Th cells were insensitive to LPS. B lymphoblasts that had been activated in the presence of helper factors or Th cells responded vigorously to recombinant IL-2 with growth and Ig secretion, and this response was enhanced in the presence of anti-Ig. The B blasts activated directly by Th cells, but not by anti-Ig plus lymphokines, were primed to secrete high levels of IgG1 and IgA. Therefore, the phenotype and function of a B lymphoblast depends upon the manner in which it is primed. When primed by Th cells, IL-2 proves to be the predominant mediator of clonal expansion and antibody secretion.     

Relative efficacy of human monocytes and dendritic cells as accessory cells for T cell replication

Monocyte-specific monoclonal antibodies (7) were used to compare the efficacy of monocytes and dendritic cells as accessory or stimulator cells for human T cell replication. Both unfractionated and plastic-adherent mononuclear cells were first treated with a cytolytic antimonocyte antibody that kills greater than 95% of monocytes but not dendritic cells. When tested as stimulators of the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) and of oxidative mitogenesis (the proliferation of T cells modified with sodium periodate), the monocyte-depleted cells had normal or enhanced stimulatory capacity. Monocyte-depleted mononuclear cells also proliferated normally to soluble antigens (Candida albicans, tetanus toxoid), even under limiting conditions of cell dose, antigen dose, and culture time. Adherent blood mononuclear cells were next separated into monocyte-enriched and -depleted components using fluoresceinated antimonocyte antibody and the cell sorter. The depleted fraction (less than 2% monocytes by esterase staining and by cytology) contained the dendritic cells and exhibited at least 75% of the accessory activity. The monocyte-rich fraction (approximately 97% esterase positive) stimulated the MLR and oxidative mitogenesis weakly, and was comparable in potency to nonadherent cells. Cell-specific antibodies and complement were also used to prepare dendritic cells that were thoroughly depleted of monocytes and lymphocytes. The dendritic cells (70-80% pure) were potent stimulators of the allogeneic MLR, syngeneic MLR, and tetanus toxoid response, being active at stimulator to responder ratios of 1:100 or less. Taken together with previous studies (1, 2), these experiments indicate that the dendritic cell is the major stimulator of T cell replication in man. The contribution of class II products of the major histocompatibility complex (7) was then evaluated with a new monoclonal, 9.3F10. Accessory function was dramatically inhibited if cells bearing class II antigens were killed with 9.3F10 and complement, or if class II molecules were blocked by the addition of 9.3F10 Fab to the culture medium. The expression of 9.3F10 class II products was therefore studied on purified monocytes and dendritic cells. Most if not all cells in both populations reacted with 9.3F10, and each population exhibited approximately 150,000 125I-Fab 9.3F10 binding sites per cell. Since Ia+ dendritic cells are active accessory cells, but Ia+ monocytes are not, class II products are necessary but not sufficient for the stimulation of T cell proliferation in man.     

The receptor specificity of alloreactive T cells. Distinction between stimulator K, I, and Dr Products and degeneracy of third-party H-2 recognition by low-affinity T cells

The specificity of binding of stimulator-derived H-2 antigens by mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC)-activated T blasts was investigated under conditions of antigen excess. We have shown that the detectable proportion of alloantigen-binding blasts from primary MLC is a function of antigen concentration, and can represent up to more than 90 percent of total blasts, when the antigen is presented in the appropriate form (on mitomycin-treated viable stimulator cells, or membrane vesicles prepared from lipopolysaccharide blasts), and at nonlimiting concentration. Thus stimulator alloantigen-binding directly parallels the proliferative response and is not restricted to a subpopulation of T blasts. However, the marked dependence of the binding on antigen concentration indicates that cells with a wide range of receptor affinities for the stimulating determinants are involved. In view of this possibility, the specificity of binding by these cells was studied. We have demonstrated that stimulator K, I, and D region products are bound by nonoverlapping subpopulations of blasts, the sum of which may represent 93 percent of total blasts. Thus, specific distinction by these cells between different H-2 region products is not affected by the putative heterogeneity in terms of receptor affinities. However, specificity with respect to unrelated H-2 haplotypes is strictly dependent on antigen concentration. A preferential binding of stimulator membrane vesicles occurs at limiting concentrations; whereas the majority of blasts bind stimulator and third- party vesicles equally well at high vesicle concentrations. The binding of both vesicle types is specific in that it can be inhibited with the relevant anti-H-2 sera. Furthermore, stimulator and third-party vesicles seem to compete for binding sites on the same cells, as shown by cold antigen inhibition. From these results, we propose that there is an imperfect distinction between stimulator and third-party H-2 antigens by the majority of primary MLC blasts. In contrast, highly selected long-term MLC blasts do not bind third-party H-2 antigens at any concentration, and seem to have high affinity for the stimulating antigens. We conclude that large numbers of clones with low-affinity (cross- reactive) receptors are generated in primary MLC, most of which become eliminated during long-term selection. This implies that the frequency of cells strictly specific for nonshared stimulating determinants must be minute.     

Cyclosporin A-treated guinea pig responder cells secrete a genetically restricted factor that suppresses the mixed leukocyte reaction

Cyclosporin A (CY A) is a hydrophobic, undecapeptide, fungal metabolite with potent immunosuppressive effects on T lymphocyte-mediated immune responses. Suppressor T lymphocytes generated during a mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) performed in the presence of CY A, release a factor that suppresses a primary MLR of responder T cells, which is derived from the same strain as the factor producer but lacks specificity for the stimulator cell. These results suggest a finely regulated pathway by which CY A may induce and maintain a permanent state of transplantation tolerance in vivo.     

GENERATION OF CYTOTOXIC LYMPHOCYTES IN MIXED LYMPHOCYTE REACTIONS : I. SPECIFICITY OF THE EFFECTOR CELLS

Generation of cytotoxic effector cells by a unidirectional mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) in the mouse H-2 system was studied using labeled YAC (H-2^a) leukemia cells as targets. The responding effector cell displayed a specific cytotoxic effect against target cells of the same H-2 genotype as the stimulating cell population. Killing of syngeneic H-2 cells was not observed, even when the labeled target cells were "innocent bystanders" in cultures where specific target cells were reintroduced. Similar results were found with spleen cells taken from mice sensitized in vivo 7 days earlier. The effector cell was not an adherent cell and was not activated by supernatants from MLR. The supernatants were not cytotoxic by themselves. When concanavalin A or phytohemagglutinin was added to the cytotoxic test system, target and effector cells were agglutinated. Under these conditions, killing of H-2^a target cells was observed in mixed cultures where H-2^a lymphocytes were also the effector cells. These findings indicate that specifically activated, probably thymus-derived lymphocytes, can kill nonspecifically once they have been activated and providing there is close contact between effector and target cells. Thus, specificity of T cell killing appears to be restricted to recognition and subsequent binding to the targets, the actual effector phase being nonspecific.     

I-REGION GENES ARE EXPRESSED ON T AND B LYMPHOCYTES : Studies of the Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction (MLR)

Unidirectional mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) were performed between mouse strains differing for various segments within the H-2 complex. Thymocytes and purified lymph node T cells and B cells were used as stimulator cells. In three of five combinations studied, differing only within the I region, both T and B cells stimulated in the MLR. This suggests that the region codes for both T- and B-cell surface structures. However, if the difference was restricted to one I subregion (I-C), only T cells stimulated. This finding suggests that some of the I-region genes may be expressed either in T or in B cells.     

Prolongation of survival of rat cardiac allografts by T cell vaccination.

Administration of attenuated, activated autoimmune T lymphocytes to syngeneic mice and rats has been shown to prevent or induce remission of experimental autoimmune diseases specific for the autoimmune T cells. The process has been termed "T cell vaccination." In a recent study, T cell vaccination was done using T cells sensitized to rat alloantigens. The procedure produced a significant reduction of the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) against allogeneic cells. The reduction in MLR was not specific: Vaccination with T cells specific for stimulator cells of one allotype led to a reduced MLR stimulated by cells of another allotype. The present study was undertaken to examine whether T cell vaccination can induce tolerance to transplantation antigens in vivo. We used the model of heterotopic cardiac transplantation in rats. We now report that vaccinating rats with syngeneic, activated, alloantigen-primed T lymphocytes significantly prolonged survival of rat cardiac allografts. The effect of T cell vaccination was most evident when the T cells had been obtained from rats specifically sensitized against the donor rats: Brown-Norway (BN) allografts in control Wistar rats survived 8.5 +/- 0.4 d while BN allografts survived 29.2 +/- 7.1 d in Wistar rats that had been vaccinated with Wistar anti-BN cells. Vaccination of Wistar rats with Wistar anti-hooded T cells prolonged survival of BN heart allografts to a lesser but significant degree (13.0 +/- 1.1 d). Thus, T cell vaccination of recipients can prolong survival of allografts.     

Activated T cells induce expression of B7/BB1 on normal or leukemic B cells through a CD40-dependent signal

Cognate interactions between antigen-presenting B and T cells play crucial roles in immunologic responses. T cells that have been activated via the crosslinking of CD3 are able to induce B cell proliferation and immunoglobulin secretion in a major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted and contact-dependent manner. We find that such activated human CD4+ T cells, but not control Ig- treated T cells, may induce normal or leukemic B cells to express B7/BB1 and significantly higher levels of CD54 intercellular adhesion molecule 1 via a process that also requires direct cell-cell contact. To discern what cell surface molecule(s) may be responsible for signalling B cells to express B7/BB1, we added various monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for T or B cell accessory molecules or control mAbs to cocultures of alpha-CD3-activated T cells and resting B cells. We find that only alpha-CD40 mAbs can significantly inhibit the increased expression of B7/BB1, suggesting that the ligand for CD40 expressed on activated T cells may be an important inducer of B7/BB1 expression. Subsequent experiments in fact demonstrate that alpha-CD40 mAbs, but not control mAbs, induce changes in B cell phenotype similar to those induced by activated T cells when the mAbs are presented on Fc gamma RII (CDw32)-expressing L cells. These phenotypic changes have significant effects on B cell function. Whereas chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells normally are very poor stimulators in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs), CLL-B cells preactivated via CD40 crosslinking are significantly better presenters of alloantigen, affecting up to 30-fold-greater stimulation of T cell proliferation than that induced by control treated or nontreated CLL-B cells. Similarly, the MLR of T cells stimulated by allogeneic nonleukemic B cells can be enhanced significantly if the stimulator B cells are preactivated via CD40 crosslinking. The enhanced MLR generated by such preactivated B cells may be inhibited by blocking B7/BB1-CD28 interaction with CTLA4Ig. These studies demonstrate a novel, CD40- dependent pathway for inducing B cell expression of B7/BB1 and enhancing B cell antigen-presenting cell activity that can be initiated via cell-cell contact with alpha-CD3-stimulated CD4+ T cells.     

Interactions between T helper cells and dendritic cells during the rat mixed lymphocyte reaction

This paper describes the interactions between dendritic cells (DC) and T helper (Th) cells in the rat mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Th blasts that are actively proliferating were generated in a 5 d primary MLR; resting Th memory cells were derived from a 10-12 d MLR. The DC were purified from thoracic duct lymph derived from rats whose mesenteric lymph nodes had been removed. The results show that DC are the major stimulators in the primary MLR and also for the restimulation of Th blasts and Th memory cells. Th blasts rapidly formed large clusters when cultured with DC but not with Ia+ macrophages or B cells. This interaction was not dependent on a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) difference between the T blasts and the DC. Con A-activated T and B blasts also formed clusters when cultured with DC. Th memory cells formed small clusters with DC, but, in a different assay in which clusters are dispersed, we detected an antigen-specific interaction between Th memory cells and DC. The monoclonal antibodies W3/25 (anti-rat CD4) and MRC OX-6 (anti-MHC class II) blocked proliferation in the primary MLR and also inhibited the restimulation of Th memory cells. However, the restimulation of Th blasts in a secondary MLR was only blocked by MRC OX-6. These results suggest that there are different requirements for the restimulation of T blasts than for the activation of primary or memory Th cells. W3/25 and MRC OX-6 did not affect the clustering of T blasts with DC but they both inhibited the antigen-specific binding of Th memory cells to DC. The data suggest that the CD4 (W3/25) antigen is involved in antigen-specific interactions between Th cells and DC.     

Xenogeneic proliferation and lymphokine production are dependent on CD4+ helper T cells and self antigen-presenting cells in the mouse

We studied proliferation and interleukin 2 production by B6 mouse spleen cells in response to stimulation by irradiated cynomolgus monkey spleen cells and compared the results with responses against whole MHC-disparate allogeneic controls (BALB/c). We found that (a) primary xenogeneic helper responses were absent, whereas primary allogeneic responses were brisk, (b) secondary xenogeneic helper responses were dependent on CD4+ T cells and responder antigen-presenting cells (APCs), whereas allogeneic responses could be mediated by either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells independently and were primarily dependent on the presence of stimulator APCs, and (c) secondary xenogeneic helper responses were blocked by an antibody directed against responder class II MHC molecules. These results suggest that mouse helper T cells recognize disparate xenoantigens as processed peptides in association with self class II MHC molecules, similar to the recognition of nominal antigens and unlike direct allo-recognition.