HIV-1 Nef impairs MHC class II antigen presentation and surface expression.

HIV-1-infected cells can avoid cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing by Nef-mediated down-regulation of surface MHC I. Here, we show that HIV-1 Nef inhibits MHC II restricted peptide presentation to specific T cells and thus may affect the induction of antiviral immune responses. Nef mediates this effect by reducing the surface level of mature (i.e., peptide-loaded) MHC II while increasing levels of immature MHC II, which are functionally incompetent because of their association with the invariant chain. Nef was the only HIV-1 gene product to possess this capacity, which was also observed in the context of the whole HIV-1 genome. Other proteins of the endocytic pathway were not affected by Nef expression, suggesting that Nef effects on MHC II did not result from a general alteration of the endocytic pathway. Response patterns to previously characterized mutations of Nef differed for Nef-induced modulation of mature and immature MHC II. Furthermore, the doses of Nef required to observe each of the two effects were clearly different, suggesting that Nef could affect MHC II peptide presentation through distinct mechanisms. Cooperation between those mechanisms may enable Nef to efficiently inhibit MHC II function.

Two independent regions of HIV-1 Nef are required for connection with the endocytic pathway through binding to the mu 1 chain of AP1 complex.

The Nef protein from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) induces down-regulation of the CD4 and major histocompatibility complex class I molecules from the cell surface by interfering with the endocytic machinery. This work focuses on the interaction of HIV-1 Nef with the mu 1 chain of adaptor protein type 1 (AP1) complex and its contribution to the Nef-induced alterations of membrane trafficking. Two independent regions surrounding a disordered loop located in the C-terminal part of Nef are involved in mu 1 binding. Each region can separately interact with mu 1, and simultaneous point mutations within both regions are needed to abolish binding. We used CD8 chimeras in which the cytoplasmic tail was replaced by Nef mutants to show that these mu 1-binding sites contain determinants required to induce CD4 down-regulation and to target the chimera to the endocytic pathway by promoting AP1 complex recruitment. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that the CD8-Nef chimera provokes morphological alterations of the endosomal compartments and co-localizes with AP1 complexes. These data indicate that the recruitment by Nef of AP1 via binding to mu 1 participates in the connection of Nef with the endocytic pathway.

Beta(2)-adrenergic receptor down-regulation. Evidence for a pathway that does not require endocytosis.

Sustained activation of most G protein-coupled receptors causes a time-dependent reduction of receptor density in intact cells. This phenomenon, known as down-regulation, is believed to depend on a ligand-promoted change of receptor sorting from the default endosome-plasma membrane recycling pathway to the endosome-lysosome degradation pathway. This model is based on previous studies of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor degradation and implies that receptors need to be endocytosed to be down-regulated. In stable clones of L cells expressing beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)ARs), sustained agonist treatment caused a time-dependant decrease in both beta(2)AR binding sites and immuno-detectable receptor. Blocking beta(2)AR endocytosis with chemical treatments or by expressing a dominant negative mutant of dynamin could not prevent this phenomenon. Specific blockers of the two main intracellular degradation pathways, lysosomal and proteasome-associated, were ineffective in preventing beta(2)AR down-regulation. Further evidence for an endocytosis-independent pathway of beta(2)AR down-regulation was provided by studies in A431 cells, a cell line expressing both endogenous beta(2)AR and EGF receptors. In these cells, inhibition of endocytosis and inactivation of the lysosomal degradation pathway did not block beta(2)AR down-regulation, whereas EGF degradation was inhibited. These data indicate that, contrary to what is currently postulated, receptor endocytosis is not a necessary prerequisite for beta(2)AR down-regulation and that the inactivation of beta(2)ARs, leading to a reduction in binding sites, may occur at the plasma membrane.

Interaction of MHC class II molecules with the invariant chain: role of the invariant chain (81-90) region.

Association of the invariant chain (Ii) with MHC class II alpha and beta chains is central for their functionality and involves the Ii CLIP(81-104) region. Ii mutants with an antigenic peptide sequence in place of the CLIP region are shown to form alphabetaIi complexes resistant to dissociation by SDS at 25 degrees C. This reflects class II peptide binding site occupancy, since substitution of the major anchor residue within the antigenic peptide sequence of one of these Ii mutants abolishes its capacity to form SDS-stable heterotrimers. Therefore, CLIP location within Ii is compatible with CLIP access to the class II binding groove. However, in wild-type Ii this access does not lead to a tight association, which seems to be affected by the Ii 81-90 region. This region, together with a region C-terminal of CLIP, is shown to contribute to Ii association with HLA-DR1 molecules. Thus, Ii mutants with non-HLA-DR1 binding sequences in place of the CLIP(87-102) region can still associate with HLA-DR1 molecules and inhibit peptide binding.

How MHC class II molecules reach the endocytic pathway.

We have examined trafficking of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules in human B cells exposed to concanamycin B, a highly specific inhibitor of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPases required for acidification of the vacuolar system and for early to late endosomal transport. Neutralization of vacuolar compartments prevents breakdown of the invariant chain (Ii) and blocks conversion of MHC class II molecules to peptide-loaded, SDS-stable alpha beta dimers. Ii remains associated with alpha beta and this complex accumulates internally, as ascertained biochemically and by morphological methods. In concanamycin B-treated cells, a slow increase (> 20-fold) in surface expression of Ii, mostly complexed with alpha beta, is detected. This surface-disposed fraction of alpha beta Ii is nevertheless a minor population that reaches the cell surface directly, or is routed via early endosomes as intermediary stations. In inhibitor-treated cells, the bulk of newly synthesized alpha beta Ii is no longer accessible to fluid phase endocytic markers. It is concluded that the majority of alpha beta Ii is targeted directly from the trans-Golgi network to the compartment for peptide loading, bypassing the cell surface and early endosomes en route to the endocytic pathway.

Mapping functional regions in the lumenal domain of the class II-associated invariant chain.

The MHC class II-associated invariant chain interacts in trimeric form with class II molecules, inhibits peptide binding, and mediates targeting of class II molecules to endosomal compartments. To dissect the different functions of the invariant (Ii) chain, a set of cDNAs, encoding truncated forms of the Ii chain, was constructed. mRNAs, transcribed from these cDNAs were translated in vitro, together with mRNAs encoding class II HLA DR1 alpha and beta subunits. An Ii chain truncation that contains the 104 NH2-terminal amino acids was able to associate with class II molecules. This construct contains the region from which class II-associated Ii chain peptides (CLIP, amino acids 81-104) are derived. The absence of a further eight residues at the COOH terminus results in a construct of 96 amino acids that is unable to associate with class II molecules. Association of the truncated Ii chains with class II molecules showed a strict correlation with inhibition of peptide binding. Removal of the NH2-terminal cytoplasmic tail and transmembrane region of Ii chain and its replacement with a cleavable signal sequence led to aberrant folding and impaired association with class II molecules. The region between amino acids 163 and 183 was found to be essential for visualization of Ii chain homotrimers by covalent cross-linking.

Assembly of HLA DR1 molecules translated in vitro: binding of peptide in the endoplasmic reticulum precludes association with invariant chain.

MHC class II molecules usually bind peptides in the endocytic pathway, but can also present endogenous peptides from newly synthesized proteins in a chloroquine-insensitive manner, suggesting that peptide binding might occur in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We used in vitro translation of HLA-DR1 class II molecules in the presence of microsomes to study peptide binding in the ER. Formation of functional class II molecules in vitro depends on formation of disulfide bridges in alpha and beta chains. The class II alpha beta heterodimers made by in vitro translation resemble class II molecules synthesized in cells in (i) their reactivity with conformation-specific antibodies, (ii) their assembly with Ii chain homotrimers, (iii) the generation of SDS-stable dimers upon peptide binding and (iv) their specificity of peptide binding. The assembly of class II molecules occurs via an alpha beta intermediate and can occur post-translationally, but only in intact microsomes. Class II alpha beta heterodimers are able to bind peptides in ER-derived microsomes, a process that precludes subsequent association of class II molecules with Ii chain. This mechanism might explain presentation of endogenous peptides by class II molecules.

T cell-induced Ig allotypic suppression in mice. Basis for emergence or tolerization, during the perinatal period, of natural T cells specific to the IgG2ab allotype.

We have previously described an anti-IgG2ab T cell activity in normal Igha/a mice. Their congenic partner at the Igh locus (Ighb/b) and Igha/b hybrids bred from them, do not display this T cell activity but express IgG2ab. As these mice are supposed to possess the same genetic elements related to this potential T cell repertoire, only somatic selection mechanisms could be responsible for their different behavior. In this study, we investigated the basis for the emergence (in Igha/a mice) or tolerization (in Ighb/b-congenic mice and in Igha/b hybrids) of these natural anti-IgG2ab T cells. Stringent perinatal B cell deprivation in Ighb/b and Igha/b mice resulted in the emergence of anti-IgG2ab T cells, as these individuals could be subjected to autoimmune, T cell-mediated IgG2ab suppression. Furthermore, the acquisition of anti-IgG2ab T cell activity was drastically reduced in Igha/a mice, perinatally exposed to IgG2ab; thus, the presence of this allotype leads to tolerization of these specific T cells.

Role of CD4+ and CD8+ cell subsets during amplification of natural T cell activity against IgG2ab in Igha mice and during induction of IgG2ab allotype suppression in Igha/b mice.

Transfer into F1 Igha/b mice of splenocytes from Igha mice sensitized once against B cells from an Ighb congenic strain induces total, chronic, and IgG2ab (IgG2a of the Ighb haplotype)-specific allotype suppression in these recipients. We previously demonstrated that both the CD4+ and CD8+ T subsets were necessary for inducing suppression, but that CD8+, cells by themselves were sufficient for maintaining suppression. We have studied the suppression induction capacity of different mixtures of CD4+ and CD8+ subsets obtained by in vitro cytotoxic treatment of T splenocytes from normal or sensitized Igha mice, and we have established that suppression induction requires the cooperation between CD4+ and CD8+ populations, both of which have to be IgG2ab specific. In addition, Igha mice were sensitized in the absence of CD4+ or CD8+ cells by in vivo cytotoxic treatment performed before and after the sensitization in order to obtain an IgG2ab-specific CD4+ population that has arisen in the absence of CD8+ cells, and vice versa. We found that only IgG2ab-specific CD4+ cells from anti-CD8-treated mice (T'sens CD4+) had the ability to induce suppression in F1 Igha/b hosts. Nevertheless, the real effector cells in this suppression model display the CD8+ phenotype, as in vivo cytotoxic anti-CD8 treatment of Igha/b recipients of T'sens CD4+ abrogates the suppression induction capacity. Taken together, these results show that T'sens CD4+ have an important capacity to recruit CD8+ anti-IgG2ab effector cells from precursors that have been transferred with them into Igha/b hosts. These precursors are actually derived from the T'sens CD4+ cell preparation, because we have recently demonstrated that suppression is maintained by donor T cells throughout the recipient's life. CD4+ cells can have their anti-IgG2ab activity amplified only by means of target cells (i.e., B cells from Ighb congenic mice), whereas, in the absence of CD4+ cells, and despite the presence of target cells, CD8+ cells seem unable to acquire this amplified activity.

Identification of T cell peptides from C gamma 2ab involved in IgG2ab T cell-induced allotypic suppression. Relationship with the MHC haplotype of the suppressor T cell-donor Igha mice.

Using the algorithm of the peptidic self-model we selected, from the constant part of the IgG2ab polypeptidic heavy chain, four peptides susceptible to being recognized by the T cells of Igha mice that prevent IgG2ab expression. Among these four peptides, two were capable of enhancing in vivo this T cell activity of Igha mice almost as well as the whole IgG2ab allotype. One of these peptides, C gamma 2ab-248-263, located in the CH3 domain of IgG2ab, was effective in H-2d mice, while the other one, C gamma 2ab-103-118, located in the hinge region of IgG2ab, was efficient in H-2b mice. This demonstrates for the first time that this suppression involves the TCR of the effector cells and peptides derived from the allotype presented in the context of MHC molecules of the target cells, the presentation specificity being dependent on the MHC haplotype. The availability of these peptides will allow us to further understand the role of class I and/or class II MHC molecules in this suppression.

T cell-induced suppression of IgG2ab expression in vivo leads to a large reduction of C gamma 2ab mRNA levels.

In the T cell-induced suppression of IgG2ab expression, the level at which B cells are blocked in their development to IgG2ab-producing plasma cells was investigated. Although IgG2ab+ lymphocytes were barely detected in normal and IgG2ab-suppressed mice, intracellular IgG2ab was only detected in crude cell extracts from normal mice. B lymphocytes producing IgG2ab were revealed in T cell-depleted splenocytes from normal mice (86 +/- 15/10(6) cells), whereas corresponding cell preparations from IgG2ab-suppressed mice were completely free of such lymphocytes. However, in vitro stimulation of cell preparations from both normal and IgG2ab-suppressed mice with LPS plus rIFN-gamma resulted in IgG2ab production. Accounting for differences in spleen size between the two types of mice, these stimuli induced comparable cell proliferation and numbers of IgG2ab-producing lymphocytes. In addition, the level of IgG2ab production per cell was similar in the two types of stimulated cells. This demonstrates that normal and IgG2ab-suppressed mice have the same potential to generate IgG2ab-producing cells. By using a sensitive and specific RNase protection assay, C gamma 2ab transcripts were detected in total RNA preparations from IgG2ab-suppressed mice. The levels of C gamma 2ab gene expression in spleen were much lower (between 150 and 400 times less) in IgG2ab-suppressed mice than in normal mice. Taken together, our data suggest that B lymphocytes committed to IgG2ab production represent the target of CD8+ T cells, which we have previously shown to be required for suppression. The target B cells are very efficiently and rapidly silenced, as demonstrated by the absence of detectable serum IgG2ab and corresponding low levels of C gamma 2ab mRNA.

T cell-induced allotypic suppression. Origin of the CD8+ T cells maintaining IgG2ab suppression.

One of the problems raised by the T cell-induced allotypic suppression is the origin (donor or host) of the T cells responsible for the chronicity of the suppression. To address this point, we used T cells from Igha/a Thy-1.2 mice whose natural T cell activity against IgG2ab was enhanced in vivo. These T cells were injected into newborn Ighb/b Thy-1.1 mice where they induced complete suppression of IgG2ab expression in around 70% of these recipients. During a study that lasted more than 1 yr, we found that about 3% of the recipient splenocytes were T cells of the donor type. By means of suppression-transfer experiments, using either Thy-1.2+ or Thy-1.1+ cell-depleted splenocytes from mice suppressed in this manner we were able to unambiguously show that Thy-1.2+ cell-depleted splenocytes were incapable of transferring the suppression, whereas Thy-1.1+ cell-depleted splenocytes could. We thus demonstrated that suppression was maintained throughout the recipient's life by donor Thy-1.2+ T cells.

Tetrameric cell-surface MHC class I molecules.

Purified major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules have been studied at high resolution by X-ray crystallography; the structure is a complex of a single heavy chain, a beta 2-microglobulin light chain and a tightly bound peptide moiety. We show here that complete MHC class I molecules are post-translationally assembled into tetramers (made up of four heavy chains and four beta 2-microglobulin units) and that this tetrameric species is expressed on the cell surface. The multivalent tetrameric structure of class I molecules can be reconciled with models of T-cell activation that invoke antigen-receptor crosslinking, as opposed to models that depend on an allosteric change.

Plasmodium chabaudi and Trypanosoma cruzi infections can reverse IgG2ab chronic suppression in mice.

The effects of infections with Plasmodium chabaudi or Trypanosoma cruzi on chronic CD8+ T cell dependent IgG2ab suppression were analyzed in homozygous Ighb/b adult mice. These parasites are known to induce a CD4+ T cell dependent polyclonal activation characterized in particular by a considerable increase in IgG2a expression. We report here that infection with either parasite reversed the IgG2ab suppression in 18 out of 32 mice. However, in mice treated with anti-CD4 mAb in parallel to the parasite infection, the polyclonal activation was largely reduced and the suppression of IgG2ab expression was always maintained. The parasite induced escape from suppression could result from increased helper T cell activation stimulating some of the Ig production. A weakening of the CD8+ T cell activity which is specific of IgG2ab could also contribute to the IgG2ab production. Both effects would shift the previous equilibrium which was in favour of suppression to a new balance allowing expression of the IgG2ab allotype.

T cell-induced Ig allotypic suppression in mice. II. Both CD4+ CD8- and CD4- CD8+ T cell subsets from sensitized Igha mice are required to induce suppression of Igh-1b allotype expression.

We established the phenotype of T splenocytes (Ts) from Igha/a BALB/c mice sensitized against B splenocytes from the Ighb/b CB20 congenic mice that induce Igh-1b (IgG2a of the Ighb haplotype) suppression. This was achieved by studying the action of anti-T cell subset mAb on the capacity of Ts to induce this chronic allotypic suppression in Igha/b (BALB/c x CB20)F1 mice. The Ts were treated with cytotoxic anti-mouse CD4 or anti-mouse CD8 rat mAb in vitro before their injection into the Igha/b newborns or in vivo after their injection into the Igha/b newborns. Exposure to either anti-CD8 or anti-CD4 mAb in vitro or in vivo leads to loss of the capacity of Ts to induce Igh-1b allotypic suppression. Mixing CD4+-cell-depleted Ts and CD8+-cell-depleted Ts preparations restored the capacity of the cells to induce Igh-1b suppression. Thus, both CD4+ CD8- Ts and CD4- CD8+ Ts are required for the induction of this allotypic suppression. Bone marrow cells and B splenocytes from Igh-1b-suppressed adult Igha/b mice were shown to be able to durably express Igh-1b when transferred into irradiated Igha/a BALB/c hosts whereas whole spleen cells from such donors failed to do it. Abrogation of Igh-1b suppression by in vivo anti-CD8 mAb treatment was achieved in adult Igha/b heterozygotes but with a lower efficiency than in adult Ighb/b homozygotes, all being chronically Igh-1b suppressed. The CD4- CD8+ cell population essential for maintaining this suppression is resistant to in vivo 600 rad irradiation and seems to be slightly inhibited by in vivo administration of free Igh-1b.

Cellular induction of chronic allotype suppression of IgG2a in Ighb/b homozygous mice and its abrogation by in vivo treatment with anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody.

We report here the successful induction of allotype suppression in homozygous Ighb/b mice (CB20 or C57BL/6) by neonatal injection of T splenocytes from Igha congenic sensitized mice (BALB/c or BC8, respectively). The sensitization of the T cell donors was achieved by two intravenous injections of B splenocytes from Ighb congenic mice. Treated homozygous Ighb/b mice developed, as of 16-24 wk of age, a chronic suppression of Igh-1b expression (IgG2a of Ighb haplotype). The other productions tested (IgM, IgD, and IgA) of Ighb haplotype were unaffected. In vivo treatment with cytotoxic anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 mAb of mice subjected to chronic Igh-1b suppression clearly showed that CD8+ lymphocytes (suppressor or cytotoxic cell) were essential for the maintenance of the suppression. The suppression was indeed abrogated after a 1-wk treatment with anti-CD8 mAb containing culture supernatant, whereas, the anti-CD4-treated mice continued to be subjected to suppression. This anti-CD8 in vivo treatment was shown to have no effect on thymus but to severely reduce the percentages of CD8+ cells in spleen and in peripheral blood without affecting the percentages of CD4+ cells, leading to a large and rapid Igh-1b expression (up to 0.5 mg per ml of serum, the day after the end of the treatment). This suppression abrogation, and thus the Igh-1b expression, was either transient or permanent. When it was transient, a second 1-wk treatment with anti-CD8 mAb containing culture supernatant induced once again a rapid and significant production of Igh-1b (up to 0.3 mg of Igh-1b per ml of serum).

Enhancement in Igha mouse strains of the "natural" suppressive activity of normal T splenocytes against the expression of Igh-1b allotype. I. Molecular aspects of the chronic suppression obtained.

Several approaches have been used in our attempts to increase the "natural" ability of normal T splenocytes (Tn) from BALB/c or BC8 mice (both Igha) to induce, in F1 hybrids, a suppression of Igh-1b expression (IgG2a of b haplotype). These heterozygous F1 were produced by mating these Igha mice and their Ighb-congenic partners (CB20 and C57BL/6, respectively). The most powerful approaches were to sensitize the Igha mice by either autologous splenocytes coated with Igh-1b or B splenocytes from Ighb-congenic mice. In F1 having paternally inherited the b haplotype the sensitized T splenocytes (Ts) prepared from such mice are able to induce, like Tn, when injected at birth, a chronic suppression of Igh-1b expression. However, the suppression was established with a much higher efficiency: already at 6 weeks of age in 100% of the F1 treated with 1 x 10(7) Ts, vs. a final rate of 70% progressively reached only at 42 weeks of age in the F1 treated with 4 x 10(7) Tn. In F1 having maternally inherited Ighb the differences were even more pronounced than with 4 x 10(7) Tn, i.e. the suppression induction was almost totally ineffective, whereas with 2 x 10(7)-4 x 10(7) Ts, a rate of 100% treated F1 subjected to suppression was reached at 19 weeks of age. As the productions of IgM, IgD and IgA of the b haplotype were not affected by the suppression, the Ts are believed to act on the Igh-1b+ cells. Attempts were also made to induce allotypic suppression of other b allotypes by the use, as sensitizing cells, of myeloma cells carrying Igh-6b (IgM of b haplotype). We failed in revealing any sign of a T cell reactivity against Igh-6b similar to the reactivity against Igh-1b. The use of Igh-6b+ myeloma cells grown in an Ighb or in an Igha background allowed us to assume that the cells responsible for the sensitization are, in the Ighb B lymphocyte population, either the Igh-1b+ lymphocytes or the lymphocytes having passively adsorbed this allotype, or both.