Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II combined immunodeficiency (CID), also known as type II bare lymphocyte syndrome, is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by the complete lack of expression of MHC class II antigens. The defect results from a coordinated lack of transcription of all class II genes. Cell fusion studies using many patient- and experimentally derived class II-negative cell lines have identified four distinct genetic complementation groups. In this report, we present genetic evidence that cell lines derived from two newly described MHC class II-deficient patients, KER and KEN, represent a fifth complementation group. In addition, the KER and KEN cell lines display a unique pattern of dyscoordinate regulation of their MHC class II genes, which is reflected in a new phenotype of in vivo promoter occupancy as revealed by in vivo genomic footprinting. These data point to a new defect that can result in the MHC class II-deficient phenotype.
The MHC class II transactivator gene (CIITA) coordinately controls the expression of the three major human class II genes, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP. Indeed, patients with one form of MHC class II immunodeficiency disease, due to defective CIITA genes, lack expression of all three isotypes. Nevertheless, there is substantial evidence that human class II genes are not always coordinately regulated, raising the possibility that CIITA-independent, isotype-specific class II regulatory pathways exist. To address this issue, we have generated a dominant negative mutant of CIITA that lacks the acidic transcription-activating N terminus, but retains the proline/serine/threonine-rich domain. Three newly produced anti-CIITA mAbs revealed that this mutant protein lacked N-terminal epitopes. In this study, we report that this CIITA dominant negative mutant repressed the constitutive expression of all three class II isotypes in human EBV-B cell lines, as well as IFN-gamma-induced class II transcription in HeLa cells. However, in a CIITA-deficient, EBV-transformed B cell line, clone 13, the dominant negative mutant did not alter the endogenous expression of the HLA-DQ gene. Taken together, these data demonstrate the existence of both CIITA-dependent and -independent class II regulatory pathways. Furthermore, our data provide evidence that the latter pathways can be isotype specific.
Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) is a potent inducer of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens during normal immune responses and in abnormal responses in autoimmune disease. In this report we identify two nuclear factors whose binding to the murine E beta class II MHC beta-chain gene is regulated by this cytokine. IFN-gamma stimulation of murine macrophages results in the appearance of increased binding of one protein complex, complex A, and decreased binding of a second, faster migrating protein complex, complex B. Although the contact residues for both of these proteins lie within the highly conserved Y-box transcriptional element, their binding specificity differs. The protein in complex B is a CCAAT-box-binding protein that may be similar or identical to NF-Y or YB1, previously identified class II Y-box-binding proteins. The DNA sequence requirements for the binding of the slower migrating complex, complex A, are not limited to CCAAT-box sequences but include sequences upstream of the Y box. These upstream sequences are required both for IFN-gamma-induced gene transcription and for IFN-gamma-induced modulation of binding activity. These data suggest a model in which upstream sequences contribute to formation of a lymphokine-regulated complex downstream. The IFN-gamma-induced binding protein described as complex A in this report differs from the IFN-gamma, -alpha, or -beta-induced nuclear factors previously identified.
Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is an animal model of autoimmune inflammatory polyarthritis that has features similar to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Much like RA, susceptibility to mouse CIA is influenced by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), H-2, and restricted to the H-2q and H-2r haplotypes. Whereas the role of the H-2A molecule in susceptibility to CIA is well established, little is known about the role of H-2E molecule in the disease. In this study, we analyzed the effect of a transgenic E beta d molecule on CIA susceptibility in a recombinant mouse B10.RQB3, which expresses the CIA susceptible Aq genes and an Eak gene, but does not produce an E molecule since Ebq is nonfunctional. In the presence of an Ebd transgene, a viable E molecule is generated. Whereas B10.RQB3 were susceptible to CIA, B10.RQB3-E beta d+ showed a dramatic reduction in the incidence of arthritis as well as a decrease in the level of anti-mouse and anti-bovine CII antibodies in their serum. No clear cut differences in the expression of T cell receptor (TCR) V beta was observed between E beta d+ and E beta d- transgenic mice. Mechanisms underlying the protective effect of E beta d transgenic molecule on CIA may shed light on how HLA-DR molecules influence human RA.
Patients with one type of major histocompatibility complex class II combined immunodeficiency have mutations in a gene termed class II transactivator (CIITA), which coordinately controls the transcription of the three major human class II genes, HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP. However, the experimentally derived B-lymphoblastoid cell line, clone 13, expresses high levels of HLADQ in the absence of HLA-DR and HLA-DP, despite its mapping by complementation analysis to this group. It was possible that one of the clone 13 CIITA alleles bore a mutation that allowed HLA-DQ, but not HLA-DR or -DP transcription. Alternatively, another factor, distinct from CIITA, might control HLA-DQ expression. We report here that ectopic expression of CIITA cDNAs derived by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction from clone 13 do not restore expression of HLA-DQ in another CIITA-deficient cell line, RJ2.2.5. In addition, no CIITA protein is detectable in clone 13 nuclear extracts. In contrast, somatic cell fusion between clone 13 and RJ2.2.5 restored expression of the HLA-DQ haplotype encoded by the RJ2.2.5 DQB gene. Taken together, these data demonstrate the existence of an HLA-DQ isotype-specific trans-acting factor, which functions independently of CIITA.
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) and interleukin-2-inducible T cell kinase (Itk) are members of the TEC family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases and are expressed primarily in B and T cells, respectively. Both kinases are critically involved in lymphocyte development and signal transduction. In particular, Btk and Itk regulate calcium mobilization subsequent to antigen receptor stimulation. Small molecule antagonists that specifically inhibit either Btk or Itk may allow for selective modulation of B cell or T cell activity and may be useful in treating inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. We have developed a medium-throughput fluorescent imaging plate reader (FLIPR®)- based calcium flux assay that can be used to assay potential Btk and Itk inhibitors. This assay takes advantage of Btk-deficient DT40 (DT40-Btk−/−) chicken B cells, which are unable to mobilize calcium in response to cross-linking of their B cell receptor (BCR). Ectopic expression of TEC family kinases can restore antigen receptor signaling in these cells. We have generated stable DT40-Btk−/− lines expressing either wild-type human Btk (huBtk) or a chimeric Btk-Itk kinase (huBtk-Itk) molecule—a Btk protein whose kinase domain has been replaced by the kinase domain of Itk. Expression of either huBtk or huBtk-Itk in DT40-Btk−/− cells restores calcium flux in response to BCR engagement. Using Btk- and Itk-selective inhibitors, we show that inhibition of calcium responses in huBtk-Itk-DT40-Btk−/− cells and huBtk-DT40-Btk−/− cells is dependent on the Itk or Btk kinase domain, respectively. Thus, the FLIPR assay described here can be used to assess, compare, and rank the potency and selectivity of inhibitors of Itk and Btk kinases.
The glucocorticoid‐induced TNF‐related receptor (GITR) and its natural ligand (GITRL) belong to the TNF receptor and TNF superfamilies (TNFRSF18 and TNFSF18). The expression profile of both GITR and GITRL suggests that they play primary roles in the immune response. To better understand the role of GITR/GITRL interactions in the mouse immune system, we generated transgenic GITRL mice under the control of a MHC class II promoter. Elevated expression of GITRL was observed on macrophages, dendritic cells and B cells. GITRL transgenic mice had mild microcytic anemia and substantially enlarged spleens. Histologically, these animals exhibited multi‐organ lymphocytic infiltrates which were particularly profound in the spleen, lung, liver, kidneys, and salivary glands. Immunophenotyping of these animals demonstrated higher percentages and numbers of T and B cells in spleens and other lymphoid organs. Germinal center formation was rare in the lymphoid organs. The percentage of total splenic CD4+ T cells in transgenic mice was elevated while the total CD8+ T cell percentage was diminished compared to WT littermates. Interestingly, the percentage of CD4+ FOXP3+ cells in the spleen was greatly increased but very few of these cells were positive for GITR surface expression. In conclusion, enhanced expression of GITRL on MHC class II positive mouse cells leads to expansion of both T and B cell compartments and lymphoid organ enlargement. Further evaluation of T cell subsets and the consequences of enhanced GITR/GITRL interactions in these animals is ongoing.
