Axolotl MHC class II beta chain: predominance of one allele and alternative splicing of the beta1 domain.

The axolotl MHC is composed of multiple polymorphic class I loci linked to class II B loci. In this report, evidence of the existence of one class II B locus (Amme-DAB) that codes for two different transcripts is given. A 2.1-kb transcript is translated to a complete beta chain and a shorter transcript of 1.8 kb encodes a molecule lacking the beta1 domain. For two complete class II B mRNA synthesized, up to one mRNA devoid of the beta1 domain is synthesized. Alternative splicing involving a peptide binding domain at a class II B locus evidenced in axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is also observed for A. tigrinum, the tiger salamander. Very little variability is found among various axolotl MHC class II B cDNA sequences, and the same allele is obtained from inbred and wild axolotls. The transcription of one MHC class B locus in two class II B isoforms in thymic cells and in splenic lymphocytes may shed new light on the well-known deficient immune responder state of the axolotl.

Axolotl MHC architecture and polymorphism.

The MHC of the urodele amphibian Ambystoma mexicanum consists of multiple polymorphic class I loci linked, so far as yet known, to a single class II B locus. This architecture is very different from that of the anuran amphibian Xenopus. The number of class I loci in the axolotl can vary from 6 to 21 according to the haplotypes as shown by cDNA analysis and Southern blot studies in families. These loci can be classified into seven sequence groups with features ranging from the class Ia to the class Ib type. All individuals express genes from at least three of the seven groups, and all individuals possess the class Ia-like type.

Natural and induced apoptosis during lymphocyte development in the axolotl.

Lymphocytes apoptosis was characterized in a urodele amphibian, the axolotl, by morphology using electron microscopy and by flow cytometry after propidium iodide staining, as well as by biochemical criteria with the detection of DNA ladders after glucocorticoid treatment. The morphological and biochemical features observed in treated axolotls are in accordance with the criteria of apoptosis found in different models of mammalian lymphocyte programmed cell death. The onset of natural apoptosis was then detected by DNA fragmentation in thymus and in spleen during lymphocyte development and ontogenesis. A typical DNA ladder characteristic of apoptosis is detectable in the thymus as early as 5 months; apoptosis increases and peaks at 8 months, and is no longer detected by 10 months or thereafter. The ability of a superantigen, Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB), to induce T lymphocyte apoptosis in larvae was investigated as well. In vivo exposure of young axolotl larvae to SEB induces, as in mammals, thymocyte apoptosis as indicated by the enhancement of DNA fragmentation. These last results, natural programmed cell death and SEB induced apoptosis during thymic ontogeny, are discussed in correlation with what is known during mammalian thymic selection and apoptosis.

Wide tissue distribution of axolotl class II molecules occurs independently of thyroxin.

Unlike most salamanders, the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) fails to produce enough thyroxin to undergo anatomical metamorphosis, although a "cryptic metamorphosis" involving a change from fetal to adult hemoglobins has been described. To understand to what extent the development of the axolotl hemopoietic system is linked to anatomical metamorphosis, we examined the appearance and thyroxin dependence of class II molecules on thymus, blood, and spleen cells, using both flow cytometry and biosynthetic labeling followed by immunoprecipitation. Class II molecules are present on B cells as early as 7 weeks after hatching, the first time analyzed. At this time, most thymocytes, all T cells, and all erythrocytes lack class II molecules, but first thymocytes at 17 weeks, then T cells at 22 weeks, and finally erythrocytes at 26-27 weeks virtually all bear class II molecules. Class II molecules and adult hemoglobin appear at roughly the same time in erythrocytes. These data are most easily explained by populations of class II-negative cells being replaced by populations of class II-positive cells, and they show that the hemopoietic system matures at a variety of times unrelated to the increase of thyroxin that drives anatomical metamorphosis. We found that administration of thyroxin during axolotl ontogeny does not accelerate or otherwise affect the acquisition of class II molecules, nor does administration of drugs that inhibit thyroxin (sodium perchlorate, thiourea, methimazole, and 1-methyl imidazole) retard or abolish this acquisition, suggesting that the programs for anatomical metamorphosis and some aspects of hemopoietic development are entirely separate.

Structure of MHC class I and class II cDNAs and possible immunodeficiency linked to class II expression in the Mexican axolotl.

Despite the fact that the axolotl (Ambystoma spp. a urodele amphibian) displays a large T-cell repertoire and a reasonable B-cell repertoire, its humoral immune response is slow (60 days), non-anamnestic, with a unique IgM class. The cytotoxic immune response is slow as well (21 days) with poor mixed lymphocyte reaction stimulation. Therefore, this amphibian can be considered as immunodeficient. The reason for this subdued immune response could be an altered antigenic presentation by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. This article summarizes our work on axolotl MHC genes. Class I genes have been characterized and the cDNA sequences show a good conservation of non-polymorphic peptide binding positions of the alpha chain as well as a high diversity of the variable amino acids positions, suggesting that axolotl class I molecules can present numerous antigenic epitopes. Moreover, class I genes are ubiquitously transcribed at the time of hatching. These class I genes also present an important polylocism and belong to the same linkage group as the class II B gene; they can be reasonably considered as classical class Ia genes. However, only one class II B gene has been characterized so far by Southern blot analysis. As in higher vertebrates, this gene is transcribed in lymphoid organs when they start to be functional. The sequence analysis shows that the peptide binding region of this class II beta chain is relatively well conserved, but most of all does not present any variability in the beta 1 domain in inbred as well as in wild axolotls, presuming a limited antigenic presentation of few antigenic epitopes. The immunodeficiency of the axolotl could then be explained by an altered class II presentation of antigenic peptides, putting into question the existence of cellular co-operation in this lower vertebrate. It will be interesting to analyze the situation in other urodele species and to determine whether our observations in axolotl represent a normal feature in urodele amphibians. But already two different models in amphibians, Xenopus and axolotl, must be considered in our search for understanding immune system and MHC evolution.

Isolation of Mhc class I cDNAs from the axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum.

Class I major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) cDNA clones were isolated from axolotl mRNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by screening a cDNA phage library. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences show definite similarities to the Mhc class Ialpha molecules of higher vertebrates. Most of the amino acids in the peptide binding region that dock peptides at their N and C termini in mammals are conserved. Several amino acids considered to be important for the interaction of beta2-microglobulin with the Mhc alpha chain are also conserved in the axolotl sequence. The fact that axolotl class I A cDNAs are ubiquitously expressed and highly polymorphic in the alpha1 and alpha2 domains suggests the classical nature of axolotl class I A genes.

Activation by mitogens and superantigens of axolotl lymphocytes: functional characterization and ontogenic study.

Urodele amphibians have weak and slow immune responses compared to mammals and anuran amphibians. Using new culture conditions, we tested the ability of lymphocytes of a well-studied salamander, the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) to proliferate in vitro with diverse mitogenic agents. We demonstrated that the axolotl has a population of B lymphocytes that proliferate specifically and with a high stimulation index to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) known as a B-cell mitogen in mammals. This proliferative capacity is observed without significant changes throughout ontogenesis. In the presence of LPS, axolotl B lymphocytes are able to synthesize and secrete both isotopes of immunoglobulin described in this species, IgM and IgY. Moreover, a distinct lymphocyte subpopulation is able to poliferate significantly in response to the mitogens usually known as T-cell specific in mammals, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A). The activated cells are T lymphocytes, as shown by depletion experiments performed in vitro with monoclonal antibodies, and in vivo by thymectomy. Splenic T lymphocytes of young axolotls (before 10 months) do not have this functional ability, which suggests maturation and/or migration phenomena during T-cell ontogenesis in this species. Axolotl lymphocytes are able to proliferate in vitro with a significant stimulation index to staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B (SEA and SEB). These products act on mammalian lymphocytes as superantigens: in combination with products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), they bind T-cell receptors with particular V beta elements. The fact that these superantigens are able to activate lymphocytes of a primitive vertebrate suggests a striking conservation of molecular structures implied in superantigen presentation and recognition.

Characterization of a multimeric polypeptide complex on the surface of thymus-derived cells in the Mexican axolotl.

We previously raised a rabbit antiserum (L12) against a 38 kD polypeptide which is expressed on the surface of thymocytes and peripheral T cells of an Urodele Amphibian, the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). Here we show that L12 antibodies immunoprecipitate several labelled molecules from surface iodinated axolotl spleen cells, including the 38 kD molecule, but also two polypeptides of 43 and 22 kD which are covalently linked to other elements. Another rabbit antiserum (L10) was raised against detergent-solubilized axolotl thymocyte membranes and shown to recognize the majority of thymocytes and about half of the splenocytes in immunofluorescence. In Western blotting, L10 antibodies recognized a limited number of surface polypeptides in thymocyte and splenocyte lysates, including 43, 38, and 22 kD elements. Immune complexes formed between L10 antibodies and solubilized splenocyte membranes were used to immunize BALB/c mice intrasplenically in the aim of raising MoAbs specific for axolotl T cells. Monoclonal antibody 87.16 was shown to stain in immunofluorescence 26.7% of thymocytes and 26.8% of spleen cells. This MoAb recognized a 43 kD polypeptide that can covalently associate on the T-cell surface with several other molecules to form a multimeric complex.

T-cell-specific membrane antigens in the Mexican axolotl (urodele amphibian).

Comparative analysis of SDS-PAGE patterns of axolotl spleen cells membrane detergent lysates showed important discrepancies between control and thymectomized animals. Among these, a 38-kD protein band, which appeared as a major protein in controls, was not or poorly expressed after thymectomy. A rabbit antiserum (L12) raised against the 38-kD eluted band labeled in indirect immunofluorescence 80-86% of thymocytes and 40-46% of mIg- lymphoid cells in the spleen. The anti-38-kD antibodies stained in Western blotting two antigenically related polypeptides of 38- and 36-kD on splenocyte membrane lysates. Two-dimensional NEPHGE-PAGE analysis indicated that the anti-38-kD antibodies reacted in the spleen with several gathered spots in the 7.8-8.2 pI range, corresponding to 38-36-kD microheterogeneous polypeptides. Most of these spots are not further expressed in thymectomized animals. These results support evidence that the 38-kD surface antigens can be considered as specific surface markers of the axolotl thymus-derived lymphocytes.

High levels of HMG1-2 protein expression in the cytoplasm and nucleus of hydrocortisone sensitive amphibian thymocytes.

A major 26 kDa protein was identified in the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments of axolotl thymocytes. A polyclonal antiserum was produced against the denatured form of this protein. High levels of 26 kDa were expressed by hydrocortisone-sensitive lymphocytes which represent a major thymocyte subpopulation in young animals. However, no further expression of the 26 kDa protein was observed in involuted thymus of adult animals nor in thymus of young artificially metamorphosed axolotls. The 26 kDa was never expressed by splenic and blood peripheral lymphocytes at any stage of development. Partial N-terminal amino acid sequence and amino acid composition demonstrate that the 26 kDa polypeptide is strongly homologous to HMG1-2 proteins, the most abundant members of the high mobility group (HMG) non-histone chromosomal proteins. HMG1-2 are thought to be involved in the organization of chromatin structure, as well as in the stability, replication and transcription of DNA. It was confirmed that the 26 kDa axolotl polypeptide is recognized by a well characterized rabbit antiserum to rat HMG1-2 proteins.

Ontogeny of immunoglobulin expression in the Mexican axolotl.

The ontogeny of immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis was followed at both cellular and serological levels in the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) using polyclonal antibodies recognizing all Ig molecules and a set of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) specific for the C mu and Cv heavy Ig chain isotypes and for the light chain constituents shared by IgM and IgY molecules. Clusters of IgM- and of IgY-synthesizing lymphocytes, often located in separate sites, are first present in spleen sections of 7-week-old 25 mm larvae, about one month after differentiation of the spleen anlage (stage 39-40). In 12-week-old 30-35 mm larvae, the relative proportion of IgM- and IgY-synthesizing cells in the spleen is the same as that in adult animals. However, a marked enhancement of the spleen B cell compartment occurs from 5 to 9 months when Ig-positive cells represent about 88% of the lymphocytes population compared to 60% in adults. No structures equivalent to B cell germinal centers were observed at any stage of the spleen differentiation and cells, although often clustered in small groups, remain dispersed in the entire organ. The relative proportions of IgM and IgY B cells throughout the spleen remain constant during development (about 1 IgY+ cell for 5-6 IgM+ cells) and IgM molecules are first detected in the serum of 2.5-month-old larvae. The enhancement of the serum IgM level correlates well with the absolute number of IgM+ cells in the growing spleen. IgY molecules cannot be detected in the serum before the 7th month but their level quickly increases to reach about 60% of the adult value at 10 months. Thyroxine-induced metamorphosis or hyperimmunization of 4- to 6-month-old larvae had no effect upon the temporal expression of the Ig classes in serum.

Monoclonal antibodies to axolotl immunoglobulins specific for different heavy chains isotypes expressed by independent lymphocyte subpopulations.

An immunoblotting analysis of purified axolotl immunoglobulins (Ig) separated by SDS-PAGE reveals two heavy (H) chains isotypes: a 76 kDA chain recognized by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) 33.45.1 and a 66-68 kDa doublet recognized by the mAb 33.39.2. The 76 kDa chain is associated to high molecular weight (HMW) Ig molecules and the 66-68 kDa H chains are associated to low molecular weight (LMW) Ig of 172 kDa. Both H chains isotypes are linked to identical light (L) chains, labelled in immunoblotting by the mAb 33.101.2. Two different axolotl lymphocyte subpopulations are characterized by these two distinct H chains isotypes. One population of splenic lymphocytes (approximately 40%) is labeled by indirect immunofluorescence with mAb 33.45.1, specific for the 76 kDa H chain isotype. Another population (approximately 20%) is labeled by mAb 33.39.2 specific for the 66-68 kDa H chain isotype. Both populations of splenic lymphocytes are stained by mAb 33.101.2 specific for the axolotl L chains. Therefore, the presence of at least two independent Ig classes is now confirmed in a urodele amphibian species at the humoral and cellular levels.

Surface markers of axolotl lymphocytes as defined by monoclonal antibodies.

In an attempt to identify urodele amphibian lymphocyte subpopulations by their surface markers, we prepared hybridomas from BALB/c mice spleen immunized with axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) blood and splenic leucocytes and purified immunoglobulins. Sixty-five hybridomas were selected and subsequently subcloned. Among numerous monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) thus obtained, four mAbs were extensively characterized by immunoblotting, single and double fluorescence and immunohistology. MAb 34.38.6 recognizes polypeptides between 65,000 and 72,000 MW and labels in immunofluorescence nearly all thymocytes, 60-63% splenic lymphocytes of normal animals but only 9% splenic lymphocytes in thymectomized animals. MAb 19.14.2 reacts with a 98,000 MW protein and labels a restricted lymphocyte population in thymus (52-77%) and spleen (20-25%). The immunohistological study demonstrates that 34.38.6 and 19.14.2 label most thymocytes and a large proportion of spleen leucocytes including lymphocytes, granulocytes and macrophages. In addition, 19.14.2 labels some large interdigitating cells in thymic epithelial areas and splenic cords. MAbs 33.45.1 and 33.101.2, respectively, recognize heavy (72,000-88,000 MW) and light (20,000-27,000 MW) axolotl immunoglobulin chains. They do not react with thymocytes but label a splenic lymphocyte population not labelled by mAb 34.38.6. The proportion of surface immunoglobulin-positive (sIg+) lymphocytes in spleen is not altered by thymectomy. MAb 33.101.2 labels 40-48% of splenic lymphocytes, 33.45.1 stains only 14% of these same cells. This suggests some interesting heavy-chain isotypic differences in axolotl. For the first time in urodele amphibians, mAbs differentiate T-like and B-like lymphocyte populations by their membrane markers. This will allow further analysis of the axolotl immune system.

Corticosteroid action on lymphocyte subpopulations and humoral immune response of axolotl (urodele amphibian).

The effect of in vivo hydrocortisone (HC) treatment on thymocytes, splenic and blood lymphocytes and on allogeneic and humoral immune responses were investigated in the axolotl (urodele amphibian). HC induces a profound lymphocytopenia in the thymus (83% HC sensitive) and the spleen (50% HC sensitive) but not in the blood. The density gradient analysis of HC-treated axolotls showed that thymic cell populations of light density were more sensitive than populations of high density. The timing of HC administration in relation to the antigenic challenge is crucial for the humoral immune response. If HC injection is given 8 days before or on the same day as injection of horse red blood cells (HRBC), the antibody response is markedly enhanced. If HC injection occurs 8 days after injection of HRBC or on the day of the maximum anti-HRBC response, the antibody response is unchanged. The allograft immune response is not affected by HC treatment. The parallelism of the enhanced anti-HRBC response after HC treatment, with the same enhanced response obtained in adult thymectomized (ATx) animals, as well as in ATx-HC-treated axolotl, may be explained by the presence of a corticosensitive, T-like population of suppressor cells in axolotl.

Incomplete antibodies and immunoglobulin characterization in adult urodeles, Pleurodeles waltlii Michah. and Triturus alpestris Laur.

Humoral immunoglobulin synthesis has been studied in two adult urodeles, Pleurodeles waltlii Michah. and Triturus alpestris Laur. following SRBC immunization. The specific antibody response is detected after a long period of immunization and is due exclusively to 'incomplete' antibodies which are unable to induce agglutination. The antibody titre is essentially dependent on the number of stimulations rather than on the dose or nature of the antigen (papainized or normal erythrocytes). Antibodies are detected in only 50 per cent of the immunized animals, 50 per cent never respond. This suggests that the latter group does not possess the genetic equipment (Ir genes) to recognize the antigenic determinants and to synthesize the corresponding antibodies. The sedimentation coefficient of the synthesized immunoglobulins was investigated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and their characterization was carried out by starch and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With this peculiar antigen even after a booster injection, only one class of immunoglobulin, an 18-2S IgM could be detected.