Mapping rheumatoid factor binding sites using genetically engineered, chimeric IgG antibodies.

We are using chimeric IgG antibodies consisting of murine variable regions joined to human constant regions as rheumatoid factor (RF) binding substrates to localize and map IgM RF binding sites on IgG. Using chimeric antibodies in a modified RF ELISA, we showed that RFs from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WMac) patients differ in their binding specificities for IgG3, although some of these RFs share common specificity for IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4. By shuffling constant region domains between IgG3 and IgG4, we showed that sequence variation in the CH3 domain is responsible for WMac-derived RF differentiation of IgG3 and IgG4. By making site-directed mutations in the wild-type IgG3 or IgG4 human gamma constant genes, we showed that His-435 is an essential residue in RF binding to IgG for most WMac RFs. The allotypic polymorphism in IgG3 at 436 is not responsible for differences in previous reports of high-frequency IgG3 binding by WMac RFs. A amino acid loop in the CH2 domain of IgG4 proximal to the CH2-CH3 interface is important in WMac RF binding to IgG; a more distal CH2 loop in CH2 has a more variable effect on WMac RF binding. To evaluate the contribution of the N-linked carbohydrate moiety at Asn-297 to RF binding sites on IgG, we measured RF binding to aglycosylated IgG antibodies produced by mutating the glycosylation signal Asn-297 to another amino acid. Of all four IgG subclasses, only aglycosylated IgG3 was a better RF binding substrate than its glycosylated subclass counterpart.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthetic lipid-anchored receptors based on the binding site of a monoclonal antibody.

Highly specific ligand receptor interactions generally characterize molecular recognition at cell surfaces and other biological systems. In this study we simulate a membrane receptor by fusing a monoclonal antibody fragment to a phospholipid. A sulfhydryl group in the hinge region of a monoclonal antibody fragment, was covalently linked to derivatives of phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylserine via three different hydrophilic spacer arms. We investigated and characterized these lipid-anchored Fab-fragments which we have named 'Fab-lipids' in liposomal and monolayer systems. Methods for the monomolecular assembling of such films at the air/water interface and techniques used for their manipulation are outlined. We describe two possibilities for building a monomolecular receptor layer, consisting of two-dimensional pattern of oriented Fab-fragments with their artificial hydrophobic anchor embedded in a lipid matrix. In the first method a monomolecular film at the air/water interface was allowed to form from a vesicular suspension and driven into a phase separation, resulting in protein rich domains embedded in a protein depleted phase. This film was transferred onto a solid support in such a way that the established pattern was preserved. Alternatively, a recognition pattern was formed by directly cross-linking the Fab-fragments to preformed planar membranes composed of the reactive spacer-lipids and an inert matrix lipid. Specificity as well as contrast of the binding activity of the receptor layers were qualified using micro-fluorimetry.

Immunocytochemical application of monoclonal antibodies to rat liver glucocorticoid receptor.

Seven per cent (10/145) of hybridomas raised against partially purified activated glucocorticoid receptor from rat liver produced monoclonal antibody to receptor. Six IgM secreting clones selected for further investigation bound equally well to activated and non-activated receptor from fresh rat liver, but significantly less well (11-25 per cent) to receptor from frozen rat liver. No interaction was found with oestrogen receptor from rat uterus but extensive cross reaction occurred with progesterone receptor. Although none of the antibodies bound to glucocorticoid receptor from human or porcine liver or lymphoid cells, several cross-reacted with mouse liver glucocorticoid receptor. Immunoelectroblotting of proteins from fresh and frozen rat liver cytosol showed the antibodies bound to 90,000 and 40,000 MW forms of receptor respectively. Immunostaining of both frozen and paraffin embedded sections of rat tissue showed that receptor is preserved during fixation and processing of tissues. Using both indirect immunoperoxidase and immunogold silver staining methods, the pattern of receptor staining observed correlates with the known glucocorticoid responsiveness of the tissues studied.

Biological differences in a rat insulinoma cell line obtained from different laboratories do not affect binding of human anti-islet immunoglobulins.

An insulin-producing clone of rat insulinoma cells (RINm5F) has been used by several investigators as target cells for studies of both humoral and cell-mediated anti-islet immunity in diabetic animals and humans. We noted that the rate of proliferation of RINm5F cells obtained from different laboratories varied considerably, and, in the present study, we have compared the proliferation rates of RINm5F cells obtained from 3 laboratories (Uppsala, Sweden [UPP], Chicago [CHI] and New York [NY]). The cells were plated at 0.5 and 2.0 X 10(4)/cm2 and changes in cell number were measured over 5 days. Basal insulin release was also determined daily. In addition, binding of IgG from sera of human diabetics by each of the cell lines was also examined by a solid-phase, quantitative assay. Plating efficiency was significantly greater in the NY and CHI cells than UPP cells at both plating densities (p less than 0.025). When plated at 2 X 10(4)/cm2, the growth rate of the NY cells was faster than the others (NY: 100.1 +/- 7.8%/day, CHI: 72.2 +/- 8.1%/day, UPP: 78.3 +/- 14.0%/day, p less than 0.025). All growth rates were lower when cells were plated at 5 X 10(4)/cm2, and the differences in growth between the NY and the other cells was greater (NY: 94.1 +/- 12.2%/day, CHI: 61.8 +/- 5.8%/day, UPP: 58.1 +/- 5.6%/day). Insulin release also differed among the cells. More insulin was released by the NY cells than by the other cells on all days, and the CHI cells released more insulin than the UPP cells (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of isoprinosine on in vitro proliferative responses of human lymphocytes stimulated by antigen.

Isoprinosine, a synthetic purine derivative, did not significantly interfere with the thymidine uptake of triggered normal lymphocytes, nor exhibit a detectable mitogenic activity. Isoprinosine was able to significantly enhance specific proliferative responses of human lymphocytes from sensitized donors to soluble antigens. Isoprinosine did not alter the early interaction of human mononuclear cells with 125I-labelled antigen, nor the expression of their membrane receptors for immunoglobulin Fc fragments. The agent could not replace the accessory rôle of adherent cells in proliferative responses to antigens. The enhancing effect of isoprinosine on antigen specific responses of T-cells was observed upon adding the compound on any one of the seven days of culture. Isoprinosine partially restored the inhibited proliferation of lymphocytes cultured in the presence of deoxyadenosine and deoxycoformycin. Data suggest that metabolic changes involving purines may account for the effect of isoprinosine on the expression of T-cell responses.