Clonal analysis of B and T cell responses to Ia antigens. IV. Proliferative T cell clones recognizing E beta and/or E alpha allodeterminants
Pierres, A.; Pierres, M.
Journal of Immunology 130(3): 1262-1267
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 6185575 Document Number: 216403
The allospecific T cell recognition of the I-Ek molecule was assessed by using 8 A.TH anti-A.TL proliferative T cell clones, all of which expressed the Thy-1-2+, Lyt-1+, Lyt-2-, Ia- and p94, 180+ cell surface phenotype. The use of panels of stimulating cells from homozygous or F1 hybrid strains indicated each T cell clone exhibited specificity for distinct alloactivating determinants including: a private E.beta.k-controlled determinant expressed in cis- or trans-complementing E.beta.kE.alpha. strains; an apparently nonpolymorphic E.alpha. determinant resembling the serologic specificity Ia.7, i.e., present in all strains carrying E.alpha. and E.beta. expressor alleles; and a series of conformational I-E determinants, the expression of which required a precisely defined combinatorial association of E.beta. plus E.alpha. chains. Two clones were reactivated by cis- but not trans-complementing E.beta.k E.alpha.k strains, and another recognized an allodeterminant shared by the I-Ab molecule. Various I-EKk-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed to epitopes presumably expressed on either E.alpha. (epitope clusters I and II) or E.BETA. (epitope cluster III) chains inhibited the proliferative responses of seven clones recognizing private E.beta.k or unique E.beta.E.alpha. conformational activating determinants. The restimulation of the clone directed to a nonpolymorphic E.alpha. determinant was selectively blocked by anti-Ia.7 mAb defining epitopes on the E.alpha. chains but not by those directed to the E.beta. chain. The recognition sites of most anti-I-Ek proliferative T cells were expressed on the E.beta. chain or the E.beta. plus E.alpha. interaction products, and that a minority of such alloreactive T cells could be activated through recognition of the E.alpha. chain per se.