体外LPS刺激及CD40的配基化对sCD40基因修饰DCs TLR4-MD2表达及IL-12分泌的影响

目的： 研究体外LPS刺激及CD40的配基化对可溶性CD40（sCD40）基因修饰树突状细胞TLR4-MD2表达及IL-12分泌的影响,为有效利用树突状细胞诱导特异性移植免疫耐受提供实验依据。方法: 脂质体法将质粒pEGFP-N1/sCD40及空质粒pEGFP-N1转染DC2.4细胞株;应用LPS及抗CD40单抗刺激6 h,流式细胞仪检测DC表面TLR4-MD2的表达,RT-PCR法检测DC 的TLR4 mRNA 表达水平,并用ELISA法检测细胞因子IL-12p70的分泌。结果: LPS刺激下调DC表面TLR4-MD2的表达,同时给予CD40配基化可引起TLR4-MD2的表达显著增高;CD40配基化对DC TLR4mRNA 水平表达无影响，但可部分地增高LPS引起的TLR4mRNA 表达降低;此外,CD40的配基化可显著诱导LPS刺激后IL-12分泌增加。sCD40基因修饰DC可拮抗以上作用。结论: 体外LPS及抗CD40单抗刺激下,sCD40基因修饰树突状细胞可显著下调其表面TLR4-MD2的表达,IL-12p70分泌减少，可能与阻断胞浆内的TLR4-MD2的转运过程有关。     

Epitope‐dependent synergism and antagonism between CD40 antibodies and soluble CD40 ligand for the regulation of CD23 expression and IgE synthesis in human B cells

BACKGROUND: The induction of IgE synthesis in naive B cells requires two T-cell-derived signals: one delivered through CD40 and the other via interleukin-4 (IL-4). The natural counterstructure to CD40 is the CD40 ligand (CD40L). We have asked about the interplay between CD40L and CD40 mAb that recognize distinct epitopes in delivering signals for regulating IL-4-dependent IgE synthesis and the expression of CD23, the low-affinity IgE receptor, in resting B cells. METHODS: After culture of purified human tonsillar B cells with CD40 agonists and IL-4, surface CD23 was determined by flow cytometric analysis. CD23 levels in cell lysates and supernatants were quantified by ELISA, as were those of secreted IgE. RESULTS: With regard to both induction of CD23 and IgE production, soluble CD40L trimer (sCD40LT) showed synergistic interaction with two mAb to CD40 which bind to epitopes located outside the ligand binding site (EA5 and 5C3), but not with a mAb (G28-5) which effectively competes for CD40L binding to CD40. Each of the two noncompeting mAb to CD40 was able to cooperate strongly with sCD40LT in promoting high-level induction of CD23 even in the absence of IL-4, an effect mirrored in the promotion of strong homotypic clustering and high-rate DNA synthesis. G28-5, uniquely, induced a down-regulation in IL-4-induced CD23 expression with time, a change that was accompanied by an increase in the amount of soluble CD23 detected. While the two noncompeting mAb consistently synergized with sCD40LT for the promotion of IL-4-dependent IgE synthesis, sCD40LT and G28-5 (which, by itself, was the most potent of the CD40 mAb at inducing IL-4-dependent IgE production) exhibited mutual antagonism in this regard, the level of which could be quite profound. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that appropriate targeting of CD40 can modulate IgE synthesis either positively or negatively.     

Minimal cross-linking and epitope requirements for CD40-dependent suppression of apoptosis contrast with those for promotion of the cell cycle and homotypic adhesions in human B cells

Eight different CD40 mAb shared with soluble trimeric CD40 ligand (sCD40LT) the capacity to rescue germinal center (GC) B cells from spontaneous apoptosis and to suppress antigen receptor-driven apoptosis in group I Burkitt's lymphoma cells. Three mAb (G28-5, M2 and M3) mimicked sCD40LT in its ability to promote strong homotypic adhesion in resting B cells, whereas others (EA5, BL-OGY/C4 and 5C3) failed to stimulate strong clustering. Binding studies revealed that only those mAb that promoted strong B cell clustering bound at, or near to, the CD40L binding site. While all eight mAb and sCD40LT were capable of synergizing with IL-4 or phorbol ester for promoting DNA synthesis in resting B cells, co-stimulus-independent activation of the cells into cycle through CD40 related directly to the extent of receptor cross-linking. Thus, mAb which bound outside the CD40L binding site synergized with sCD40LT for promoting DNA synthesis; maximal levels of stimulation were achieved by presenting any of the mAb on CD32 transfectants in the absence of sCD40LT or by cross-linking bound sCD40LT with a second antibody. Monomeric sCD40L, which was able to promote rescue of GC B cells from apoptosis, was unable to drive resting B cells into cycle. These studies demonstrate that CD40-dependent rescue of human B cells from apoptosis requires minimal cross-linking and is essentially epitope independent, whereas the requirements for promoting cell cycle progression and homotypic adhesion are more stringent. Possible mechanisms underlying these differences and their physiological significance are discussed.     

Helper effector function of human T cells stimulated by anti-CD3 mAb can be enhanced by co-stimulatory signals and is partially dependent on CD40-CD40 ligand interaction

In this study we have investigated whether anti-CD3-induced human T cell help for immunoglobulin production could be enhanced by co-stimulation of the T cells via other T cell surface molecules, and the contribution of CD40-CD40 ligand interaction to the execution of T helper effector function induced by these different stimulatory signals. In a system in which irradiated tonsillar T cells were stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), it was found that ligation of CD2 with a mitogenic pair of mAb considerably enhanced anti-CD3-induced T cell help for immunoglobulin production. Likewise, ligation of CD28 with mAb enhanced T helper activity, although to a lesser extent. Upon addition of anti-CD28 and anti-CD2 mAb together, an even higher immunoglobulin production was observed. This combination resulted in a four- to fivefold increase in immunoglobulin production as compared to cultures in which T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3 mAb alone. The effect of ligation with B7, the natural ligand of CD28, was studied in a system which utilizes the presentation of anti-CD3 mAb on human FcγRII-expressing mouse fibroblasts which were co-transfected with human B7. It appeared that B7 could stimulate help for immunoglobulin production much more efficiently than ligation of CD28 with mAb did. Physical separation of B cells from T cells led to complete abrogation of immunoglobulin production. Blocking of CD40 with specific mAb, which have no intrinsic B cell stimulatory properties, or the CD40 ligand with a soluble CD40-human IgM fusion protein, resulted in dose-dependent, but only partial, inhibition of T cell-dependent immunoglobulin production with all modes of T cell activation tested. A clear correlation was found between the induction of CD40 ligand expression on the T cells by the different modes of co-stimulation and subsequent immunoglobulin production by the B cells. It is concluded that ligation of CD28 and/or CTLA-4, and of CD2 can generate co-stimulatory signals for T cell help for immunoglobulin production, which was found to be only partially dependent on the CD40-CD40 ligand interaction.     

抗人CD40人-鼠嵌合抗体的构建及其表达

目的:通过基因工程抗体改造技术构建并表达抗人CD40人-鼠嵌合抗体。方法:从分泌鼠抗人CD40单克隆抗体(mAb)的杂交瘤细胞株(5C11)中提取总RNA,用一对特异性引物通过RT-PCR扩增mAbVH和VL的DNA编码区基因。根据序列分析的结果,设计引物扩增VH和VL基因相应的信号肽序列。利用基因重组技术,将mAb5C11的VH、VL基因及其相应信号肽序列与人IgG1的CH基因、Cκ链基因进行拼接,构建人-鼠嵌合抗体基因的表达质粒pIRES/h5C11。用脂质体法将其导入293T细胞株中进行瞬时表达。利用流式细胞术对表达产物进行鉴定。结果:NCBI基因数据库Blast的结果显示,克隆的基因序列符合小鼠VH、VL基因及其信号肽序列的特征。表达质粒pIRES/h5C11的构建正确,并在293T细胞株中获得瞬时表达。表达的抗人CD40的人-鼠嵌合抗体和mAb5C11具有相同的抗原结合位点。结论:成功地克隆了鼠抗人CD40mAbV区编码基因,并实现了可溶性抗人CD40的人-鼠嵌合抗体在293T细胞中的瞬时表达。     

Human lymphocytes shed a soluble form of CD21 (the C3dg/Epstein-Barr virus receptor,CR2) that binds iC3b and CD23

We report on a soluble (s) form of CD21 (the C3dg/Epstein-Barr virus receptor, CR2) that is spontaneously released by B and T lymphocytes. Immunoprecipitation with anti-CD21 mAb of culture supernatants of surface and biosynthetically labeled B and T cell lines revealed a single band with an apparent molecular mass of 135 kDa. The molecule exhibited a molecular mass 10 kDa lower than that of membrane CD21. The release of soluble CD21 (sCD21) was time dependent and correlated with a parallel decrease in the expression of the membrane-associated molecule. The protein was also found in culture supernatants of tonsillar B cells and normal human thymocytes. Epitopic analysis using combinations of anti-CD21 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) indicated that sCD21 and membrane CD21 were similarly recognized by mAb directed against short concensus repeats (SCR) 1–2, SCR 4–5 and SCR 9–11. Affinity-purified sCD21 was capable of binding to purified human iC3b and to human recombinant CD23, as assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by using the BIAcore^TM technology. In addition, normal human serum was found to contain a soluble form of CD21 that exhibited a similar molecular mass to that of the molecule shed by B and T cells in culture. The serum form of CD21 was recognized by all anti-CD21 mAb that we tested and showed a high reactivity with mAb directed against SCR 1–2. Our observations suggest that B and T cells shed the extracellular portion of CD21 and release a soluble molecule that retains the ligand-binding properties of CD21, thus having a potential role in immunoregulation.     

CD40 engagement induces monocyte procoagulant activity through an interleukin-10 resistant pathway

Interactions between membrane-bound molecules were previously shown to be involved in the induction of tissue factor-dependent monocyte procoagulant activity (PCA) by activated T cells. To investigate the potential role of the CD40/CD40 ligand (CD40L) pathway in this process, we first determined the effects of blocking anti-CD40 or anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies (mAb) on the development of monocyte PCA during mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) between allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The strong inhibitory effect exerted by both mAb (mean percentages of inhibition: 88 and 91% for anti-CD40 and anti-CD40L mAb, respectively) indicates that CD40/CD40L interactions are required for the induction of PCA in MLR. These data led us to measure monocyte PCA after incubation of PBMC or purified monocytes with a stimulating anti-CD40 mAb (BL-C4) or with 3T6 fibroblasts transfected with the gene encoding CD40L. In both systems, we found that CD40 engagement strongly induced monocyte PCA which was related to tissue factor expression as shown by flow cytometric analysis. Finally, we observed that recombinant interleukin (IL)-10, which inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced PCA, did not significantly influence CD40-dependent PCA. We conclude that CD40 engagement on monocytes induces tissue factor-dependent PCA through an IL-10-resistant pathway. These findings have implications for the control of coagulation events triggered by interactions between T cells and monocytes.     

Soluble CD40 ligand induces expression of CD25 and CD23 in resting human tonsillar B lymphocytes

In this report, we describe the dose-dependent increase in both CD25 and CD23 levels on resting human B cells in response to CD40 ligation, as mediated by soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) or anti-CD40 antibody. In combination with interleukin (IL)-4, sCD40L had limited additive effects on CD25 expression, but significantly enhanced CD23 expression on tonsillar B cells. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) exerted no inhibitory effect upon increases in CD25 or CD23 driven by CD40 ligation with sCD40L or anti-CD40 antibody. These data suggest that the induction of CD25 and CD23 genes by IL-4 is mediated, at least in part, by an IFN-γ-sensitive component, whereas gene activation driven via CD40 ligation involves signaling pathways which are not sensitive to IFN-γ.     

一株识别肿瘤细胞上CD40突变体分子的单克隆抗体的研制及其生物学功能研究

目的:以本科室发现肿瘤细胞上表达的CD40 787AA突变为基础,研制识别肿瘤细胞上CD40突变体分子的单克隆抗体(mAb),并对其生物学特性作初步分析.方法:以转人CD40突变体转基因细胞L929-CD40mu为免疫原,免疫6～8周龄的雌性BALB/c小鼠;采用B淋巴细胞融合技术,将免疫小鼠脾脏细胞与Sp2/0融合,以L929-CD40mu转基因细胞为抗体筛选阳性细胞,免疫荧光标记法对杂交瘤进行反复筛选和多次的克隆化培养;采用快速定性试纸法及竞争抑制结合试验分析该mAb的亚类及抗原识别位点;免疫印迹法对该mAb进行鉴定;采用MTT法分析mAb在体外对肿瘤细胞的抑制增殖效应以及PI-annexin V方法进行细胞凋亡测定.结果:获得1株稳定分泌鼠抗人CD40mu mAb的杂交瘤细胞株(命名为10C5),该mAb能特异性地识别人肿瘤细胞株H08910表达的CD40突变体分子,而不识别正常扁桃体B淋巴细胞及血管内皮细胞表达的CD40分子,并且能够在体外促进肿瘤细胞凋亡.结论:成功地研制出1株特异性识别肿瘤细胞上CD40突变体分子的mAb,该mAb具有体外抑制肿瘤细胞生长并促进其凋亡的作用.     

Acquisition of regulatory function by human CD8(+) T cells treated with anti-CD3 antibody requires TNF

Anti-CD3 mAb can modulate graft rejection and attenuate autoimmune diseases but their mechanism(s) of action remain unclear. CD8(+) T cells with regulatory function are induced in vitro by Teplizumab, a humanized anti-CD3 antibody and inhibit responses of autologous and allogeneic T cells. They inhibit CD4(+) T-cell proliferation by mechanisms involving TNF and CCL4, and by blocking target cell entry into G2/M phase of cell cycle but neither kill them, nor compete for IL-2. CD8(+) Treg can be isolated from peripheral blood following treatment of patients with Type 1 diabetes with Teplizumab, but not from untreated patients. The induction of CD8(+) Treg by anti-CD3 mAb requires TNF and signaling through the NF-κB cascade. The CD8(+) Treg express CD25, glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor family, CTLA-4, Foxp3, and TNFR2, and the combined expression of TNFR2 and CD25 identifies a potent subpopulation of CD8(+) Treg. These studies have identified a novel mechanism of immune regulation by anti-CD3 mAb and markers that may be used to track inducible CD8(+) Treg in settings such as chronic inflammation or immune therapy.     

Activation of thymic B cells by signals of CD40 molecules plus interleukin-10

We have previously found that thymic B cells, particularly thymic CD5⁺ B cells, show low responsiveness to the usual B cell stimulants such as lipopolysaccharide or anti-IgM plus interleukin (IL)-4, although they proliferate and produce antibodies after direct interaction with major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted T blasts. These findings raise the possibility that a CD40-CD40 ligand (L) interaction is involved in the activation of thymic B cells. In the present study, we therefore examine this possibility using CD40L-transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb). When B cells in the spleen and peritoneal cavity were stimulated, they proliferated and produced immunoglobulin (Ig) in the presence of CD40L-CHO cells or anti-CD40 mAb alone. However, another signal delivered by IL-10 in addition to CD40L-CHO cells or anti-CD40 mAb was found to be necessary for thymic B cells to proliferate and secrete Ig. Other interleukins acting on B cells, such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6, had no effect on the activation of thymic B cells, which thus have unique characteristics not found in peripheral B cells. This report discusses the physiological significance of IL-10- and CD40-driven signals in the activation of thymic B cells.     

B cell activation leads to shedding of complement receptor type II (CR2/CD21)

Complement receptor type II (CR2/CD21) is the major receptor for C3d fragments on immune complexes. CD21 also serves as the receptor for Epstein-Barr virus in humans. On mature B cells, CD21 reduces the threshold of BCR signaling together with CD81, Leu13 and CD19, but it also occurs on other cells of the immune system where it performs unknown functions. A soluble form of CD21 (sCD21) is shed from the cell surface and is found in human blood plasma. An as-yet-unknown protease is thought to be responsible for this shedding. Altered levels of sCD21 occur in plasma in certain clinical conditions. We show here by mass spectrometry that sCD21 in human plasma of healthy donors is predominantly a short form of CD21 without the exon-11-encoded sequences. Whereas the N terminus of sCD21 was found unmodified, the C terminus is truncated, implying that only the extracellular portion of CD21 is shed. Peripheral blood B cells, but not T cells, contribute to the plasma CD21-pool. CD21 shedding is induced by stimulation with PMA plus Ca(2+) ionophore, or by stimulation of the BCR with anti-IgM+anti-CD40.     

一株识别CD40分子新位点的单克隆抗体研制及生物学特性鉴定

目的：研制识别CD40分子新位点的单克隆抗体（mAb）。方法：以转人CD40转基因细胞L929-CD40为免疫原，常规免疫6—8周龄的雌性BALB／c小鼠；采用B淋巴细胞融合技术，将免疫小鼠脾脏细胞与Sp2／0融合，以L929-CD40转基因细胞为抗体筛选阳性细胞，经免疫荧光标记分析对杂交瘤进行反复筛选和多次的克隆化培养；采用快速定性试纸法及竞争抑制结合试验分析了该mAb的亚类及抗原识别位点；采用MTT法分析mAb在体外对肿瘤细胞的促增殖效应、ELISA法测定细胞因子分泌以及PI染色分析细胞周期。结果：获得1株持续、稳定分泌鼠抗人CIM0mAb的杂交瘤细胞株（命名为286），该mAb能特异性地识别人CD40分子并较好的识别肿瘤细胞株H08910表达的CD40分子并能够体外促进肿瘤细胞增殖。结论：成功地研制1株识别CD40新位点mAb，该mAb能够很好地识别肿瘤细胞表达的CD40分子并具有体外促进肿瘤细胞生长的作用。     

Immunolocalization and characterization of the rat analogue of human CD59 in kidney and glomerular cells.

A mutant subclone of the murine thymoma EL-4, known as EL4B5, can strongly activate human B cells to proliferate and differentiate in a cell-cell contact-dependent manner. We have investigated whether interaction via CD40 plays a role in this helper activity. For this purpose, three newly generated anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were used. In contrast with other anti-CD40 mAb described in the literature, these mAb did not co-stimulate proliferation of human B cells. On the other hand, these novel mAb could inhibit the co-stimulatory effect of the previously described anti-CD40 mAb S2C6 on anti-IgM-induced human B-cell proliferation. It was found that addition of these non-stimulatory anti-CD40 mAb could completely inhibit EL4B5-induced human B-cell proliferation. Maximal inhibition occurred already at a mAb concentration of 10 ng/ml. Similarly, a fusion protein, consisting of the extracellular portion of CD40 and human IgM constant domains CH2, CH3 and CH4, could completely inhibit EL4B5-induced human B-cell proliferation. Induction of human B-cell proliferation by EL4B5 cells was also inhibited by anti-CD40 mAb S2C6 and G28.5, but less effectively. In contrast, mAb against B-cell surface antigens CD20 or B7 had no inhibitory effects. It is concluded that interaction via CD40 is essential for the induction of human B-cell proliferation by EL4B5 cells.     

CD40/CD40 ligand interactions are required for T cell-dependent production of interleukin-12 by mouse macrophages

We have previously shown that T cell receptor-activated mouse T helper (Th)1 clones induce the production of interleukin (IL)-12 by splenic antigen-presenting cells (APC). Here, we show that the expression of CD40L by activated T cells is critical for T cell-dependent IL-12 production by mouse macrophages. IL-12 was produced in cultures containing alloreactive Th1 clones stimulated with allogeneic peritoneal macrophages, or in cultures of splenocytes stimulated with anti-CD3. Anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies (mAb) inhibited the production of IL-12, but not IL-2, in these cultures by ?90% and had dramatic inhibitory effects on antigen-dependent proliferation of Th1 clones. In addition, both activated T cells and a Th1 clone derived from CD40L knockout mice failed to induce IL-12 production from splenic APC or peritoneal macrophages. Finally, macrophages cultured in the absence of T cells produced IL-12 upon stimulation with soluble recombinant CD40L in combination with either supernatants from activated Th1 clones or with interferon-γ and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Thus, both CD40L-dependent and cytokine-mediated signals from activated T cells are required to induce the production of IL-12 by macrophages. A blockade at the level of IL-12 production may explain, at least in part, the dramatic ability of anti-CD40L mAb to inhibit disease in animal models that are dependent upon the generation of a cell-mediated immune response. Moreover, a defect in T cell-dependent induction of IL-12 may contribute to the immune status of humans that lack functional CD40L.     

Interaction of B cells with activated T cells reduces the threshold for CD40-mediated B cell activation

CD154-CD40 interactions are of central importance for the induction of antibody responses to T-dependent antigens. Since most anti-CD40 mAb are only weak B cell mitogens, it is believed that under physiological conditions, signals through CD40 synergize with those from other receptors on B cells to induce B cell activation. We show here that the interaction of either normal B cells, or those from CBA/N (xid) mice, with CD3-activated primary T cells in whole spleen cell cultures markedly reduces the threshold for B cell activation via CD40. Hence, these pre-activated cells undergo vigorous proliferation when stimulated with either optimal or suboptimal concentrations of weakly mitogenic anti-CD40 mAb, or with soluble CD40 ligand. Blocking experiments indicate that the establishment of this priming effect requires stimulation via CD40 itself, plus T cell-derived IL-2. In support of this concept, only CD3/CD28-pre-activated, but not CD3-pre-activated T cells induce this effect, unless the co-cultures of B cells with the latter T cells are supplemented with IL-2. Although B cells activated in this fashion do express higher levels of CD40 than naive cells, we believe that this is insufficient to explain the observed dramatic effects on their proliferative capacity. Rather we propose that T cell-dependent B cell activation induces fundamental changes in the signalling machinery invoked by ligation of CD40. It is likely that this amplification loop could play an important role during the initiation of antibody responses to T-dependent antigens, when activated CD4 T cells only express low levels of CD154.     

The human antibody response to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides is dependent on the CD40-CD40 ligand interaction

Protection against infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae is mediated by antibodies against the capsular polysaccharides (caps-PS). Here we show that in in vitro experiments CD4+ T lymphocytes stimulate and CD8+ T lymphocytes inhibit the human anti-caps-PS antibody response. Using antagonistic anti-CD40 and antagonistic anti-CD40 ligand (CD40L) monoclonal antibodies, we showed that the CD4+ T lymphocyte-mediated stimulation is dependent on the CD40-CD40L interaction. The role of CD40L was further illustrated by the observation that CD4+ T lymphocytes obtained from a patient with hyper-IgM syndrome were unable to enhance the immune response to caps-PS. Furthermore, CD4+ T lymphocytes from cord blood, which did not express CD40L in response to stimulation with caps-PS, failed to stimulate the antibody response of adult B lymphocytes to caps-PS. These in vitro findings were confirmed by in vivo experiments in which SCID/SCID mice were reconstituted with human mononuclear cells. Furthermore, we showed that caps-PS induce production of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-gamma, and that this enhanced production was inhibited by blocking the CD40-CD40L interaction. This is the first demonstration that the human immune response to caps-PS, which is markedly regulated by T lymphocytes, is dependent on the CD40-CD40L interaction.     

Co-stimulation by anti-immunoglobulin is required for B cell activation by CD40Llow T cells

During cognate B : T interactions, B cells encounter antigen (Ag) through surface immuno-globulin (sIg) and present antigenic peptides to T helper (Th) cells. However, most in vitro systems used to study contact events involved in the delivery of T help for B cells circumvent the requirement for T cell Ag specificity by using anti-CD3/T cell receptor (TcR) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to activate T cells. To study the role of sIg engagement in the responsiveness of B cells to T help, we pre-treated small resting B cells with soluble anti-χ mAb prior to contact with an activated Th1 clone. By reducing the concentration of anti-TcR mAb we obtained low levels of CD40 ligand (CD40L^low) on Th cells, comparable to those expressed by lymph node T cells activated in vitro (ex vivo T cells). In contrast to untreated B cells, which did not respond to CD40L^low Th, anti-Ig-treated B cells responded strongly. Low buoyant density B cells also responded to CD40L^low Th cells. There was no B cell response to resting Th cells. mAb against CD54/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 or major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II completely inhibited B cell responses to CD40L^low Th1 cells, equivalent to the effects of blocking CD40 interactions. This contrasts with mAb blocking responses to CD40L^highTh, where CD40 effects predominate. Our data show that sIg engagement is necessary for the induction of B cell response to CD40L^low Th cells. Anti-CD3-activated ex vivo T cells that were also CD40L^low did not provide help to small resting B cells, but did induce responses from sIg-stimulated B cells. Thus, our data support a requirement for sIg signaling in physiological B cell activation, and further confirm previous work showing CD40 ligation to be necessary but not sufficient for delivery of T help to B cells.     

Split peripheral tolerance: CD40 ligation blocks tolerance induction for CD8 T cells but not for CD4 T cells in response to intestinal antigens

The role of antigen-presenting cells in the balance between immunity and tolerance to intestinal antigens remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined whether CD40 ligation affects the induction of CD4 and CD8 T cell tolerance in response to intestinal antigens. We show that an agonistic anti-CD40 mAb treatment did not block the induction of OVA-specific CD4 T cell tolerance, whereas this approach enabled strong priming of OVA-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTL), preventing CTL tolerance to intestinal antigen. Such CTL priming was independent of CD4 T cell help but required B7 costimulation. Co-administration of anti-CD40 mAb increased the synthesis of IL-2 and the expression of CD25 by CD8 T cells, but neither IL-2 production nor CD25 expression by CD4 T cells was enhanced by anti-CD40 mAb. However, neutralization of TGF-beta together with addition of agonistic anti-CD40 mAb was able to reverse CD4 T cell tolerance. These findings suggest that the induction of tolerance versus immunity against intestinal antigens is determined by the status of the antigen-presenting cells and that signals via CD40 differently regulate the outcome of CD4 and CD8 T cells in vivo.     

Monoclonal antibodies to human neutrophil Fc gamma RIII (CD16) identify polypeptide epitopes.

Human neutrophils constitutively express two low-affinity Fc gamma R, Fc gamma RII (CD32) and Fc gamma RIII (CD16). Eleven monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to CD16 were used to identify antigenic differences among Fc gamma RIII-bearing cells, to define functional epitopes of Fc gamma RIII on neutrophils, and to characterize biochemically the epitopes identified by some of these mAb. Flow cytometry demonstrated that 9 of the 11 mAb reacted with neutrophils, 10 of the 11 reacted with natural killer cells, and 9 of 11 reacted with monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. These mAb reacted with CD16 positive cells with varying fluorescence intensities. The ability of anti-CD16 mAb to block the binding of 125I-labeled immune complexes to neutrophils was examined. Four monoclonal antibodies strongly inhibited (87-96%) the binding to neutrophils of 125I-labeled immune complexes. Competitive binding assays were performed to determine whether any other anti-CD16 mAb identify the epitope identified by mAb 3G8. Two other mAb, CLBFCGRAN 1 and CLBGRAN 11, blocked binding of 125I-3G8 IgG to neutrophils. Six of the anti-CD16 mAb efficiently immunoprecipitated polypeptides of broad mobility ranging from 45 to 84 kDa from 125I-labeled neutrophils. When Fc gamma RIII, a complex sialoglycoprotein consisting of almost 50% oligosaccharides, was immunoprecipitated from neutrophils with 3G8 Fab Sepharose and subsequently digested with N-glycanase, 5 of the 6 mAb were capable of immunoprecipitating a deglycosylated polypeptide migrating at 29 kDa. These results demonstrate that these 5 mAb identify polypeptide epitopes of Fc gamma RIII, whereas 1 mAb, YFC120.5, may react with a glycosyl moiety or a determinant whose conformation is dependent on the presence of oligosaccharides.