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For nearly twenty years researchers have observed changes in the histone H1 subtype content of tissues as an organism develops into an adult. To better understand the consequences of such changes, immunofractionation of chromatin using previously characterized antibodies specific for human H1 subtypes was employed in the analysis of a fibroblast cell strain derived from a 37-year-old individual. DNAs isolated from immunoprecipitates were probed for the existence of a variety of DNA sequences. The results presented lend further support to a previously-proposed model (Parseghian et al. [2000] Chromosome Res 8:405-424) in which transcription of a sequence is accompanied by the selective depletion of subtypes. The data also suggest that there is more total H1 on actively transcribed sequences in these cells as compared to fetal fibroblasts and that there is less difference in the subtype compositions of active genes vs. inactive sequences in this strain. Specifically, the consequences of these changes appear to correlate with the attenuation of the heat shock response in aging fibroblasts. In a broader context, these results could explain why there are reductions in transcription in cells from mature tissue that approach senescence., (Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Due to their multispecificity and versatility, bispecific Abs (BsAbs) are promising therapeutic tools in tomorrow's medicine. Especially intermediate-sized BsAbs that combine body retention with tissue penetration are valuable for therapy but necessitate expression systems that favor heterodimerization of the binding sites for large-scale application. To identify heterodimerization domains to which single-chain variable fragments (scFv) can be fused, we compared the efficiency of heterodimerization of CL and CH1 constant domains with complete L and Fd chains in mammalian cells. We found that the isolated CL:CH1 domain interaction was inefficient for secretion of heterodimers. However, when the complete L and Fd chains were used, secretion of L:Fd heterodimers was highly successful. Because these Fab chains contribute a binding moiety, C-terminal fusion of a scFv molecule to the L and/or Fd chains generated BsAbs or trispecific Abs (TsAbs) of intermediate size (75-100 kDa). These disulfide-stabilized bispecific Fab-scFv ("bibody") and trispecific Fab-(scFv)(2) ("tribody") heterodimers represent up to 90% of all secreted Ab fragments in the mammalian expression system and possess fully functional binding moieties. Furthermore, both molecules recruit and activate T cells in a tumor cell-dependent way, whereby the trispecific derivative can exert this activity to two different tumor cells. Thus we propose the use of the disulfide-stabilized L:Fd heterodimer as an efficient platform for production of intermediate-sized BsAbs and TsAbs in mammalian expression systems.

IgE antibodies mediate antiparasitic immune responses and the inflammatory reactions of allergy and asthma. We have solved the crystal structure of the human IgE-Fc Cepsilon3-Cepsilon4 domains to 2.3 A resolution. The structure reveals a large rearrangement of the N-terminal Cepsilon3 domains when compared to related IgG-Fc structures and to the IgE-Fc bound to its high-affinity receptor, FcepsilonRI. The IgE-Fc adopts a more compact, closed configuration that places the two Cepsilon3 domains in close proximity, decreases the size of the interdomain cavity, and obscures part of the FcepsilonRI binding site. IgE-Fc conformational flexibility may be required for interactions with two distinct IgE receptors, and the structure suggests strategies for the design of therapeutic compounds for the treatment of IgE-mediated diseases.

IgE Abs mediate allergic responses by binding to specific high affinity receptors (FcepsilonRI) on mast cells and basophils. Therefore, the IgE/FcepsilonRI interaction is a target for clinical intervention in allergic disease. An anti-IgE mAb, termed BSW17, is nonanaphylactogenic, although recognizing IgE bound to FcepsilonRI, and interferes with binding of IgE to FcepsilonRI. Thus, BSW17 represents a candidate Ab for treatment of IgE-mediated disorders. By panning BSW17 against random peptide libraries displayed on phages, we defined mimotopes that mimic the conformational epitope recognized on human IgE. Two types of mimotopes, one within the Cepsilon3 and one within the Cepsilon4 domain, were identified, indicating that this mAb may recognize either a large conformational epitope or eventually two distinct epitopes on IgE. On the basis of alignments of the two mimotopes with the human IgE sequence, we postulate that binding of BSW17 to the Cepsilon3 region predominantly blocks binding of IgE to FcepsilonRI, leading to neutralization of IgE. Moreover, binding of BSW17 to the Cepsilon4 region may explain how BSW17 recognizes FcepsilonRI-bound IgE, and binding to this region may also interfere with degranulation of IgE sensitized cells (basophils and mast cells). As a practical application of these findings, mimotope peptides coupled to a carrier protein may be used for the development of a peptide-based anti-allergy vaccine by induction of anti-IgE Abs similar to the current approach of using humanized nonanaphylactogenic anti-IgE Abs as a passive vaccine.

The maturation of IgM-expressing B cells to IgM-secreting plasma cells is associated with both an increase in mu mRNA and the ratio of secreted to membrane forms of mu mRNA which differ at the 3' termini. In contrast, both in vitro and in vivo the secreted form of alpha mRNA is predominant at all stages in the development of a secretory IgA response. Previous studies demonstrated that preferential usage of the alpha s poly(A) site does not result from transcription termination and is independent of either the poly(A) sites or the 3' splice site associated with the exon encoding the membrane exon of IgA (alpha M). The present study demonstrates that a 349-bp region located 774 bp 3' to the alpha s poly(A) site is required for the preferential usage of the alpha s terminus. This region, which is the first isotype-specific cis-acting regulatory sequence not immediately adjacent to a secretory poly(A) site to be identified, contains regulatory elements that increase the efficiency of polyadenylation/cleavage. A ubiquitous, approximately 58-kDa RNA-binding protein interacts specifically with this regulatory region. These studies support the premise that cis-acting elements unique to each CH gene can impinge upon a common mechanism regulating Ig mRNA processing.

In the present study a novel Ab-avidin fusion protein has been constructed to deliver biotinylated compounds across the blood brain barrier. This fusion molecule consists of an Ab specific for the transferrin receptor genetically fused to avidin. The Ab-avidin fusion protein (anti-TfR IgG3-CH3-Av) expressed in murine myeloma cells was correctly assembled and secreted and showed both Ab- and avidin-related activities. In animal models, it showed much longer serum half-life than the chemical conjugate between OX-26 and avidin. Most importantly, this fusion protein demonstrated superior [3H]biotin uptake into brain parenchyma in comparison with the chemical conjugate. We also delivered a biotinylated 18-mer antisense peptide-nucleic acid specific for the rev gene of HIV-1 to the brain. Brain uptake of the HIV antisense drug was increased at least 15-fold when it was bound to the anti-TfR IgG3-CH3-Av, suggesting its potential use in neurologic AIDS. This novel Ab fusion protein should have general utility as a universal vehicle to effectively deliver biotinylated compounds across the blood-brain barrier for diagnosis and/or therapy of a broad range of CNS disorders such as infectious diseases, brain tumors as well as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.

In the present study, we characterized the post-translational modifications of a short-chain variant of mouse IgG2a that lacks the entire CH 1 domain. The short-chain IgG2a and its proteolytic fragments were subjected to electrospray ionization- and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometric analyses. It has been demonstrated that approximately 14% of the heavy chain of the short-chain IgG2a is O-glycosylated with a disaccharide of Ga1-GalNAc- at Thr220A in the hinge region. while the Oglycosylation does not occur in its parent IgG2a molecule. Two additional modifications have been detected at the C-termini of both the heavy and light chains of the short-chain IgG2a. Biological significance of the post-translational modifications of the short-chain IgG2a variant is briefly discussed.

Calreticulin (CRT) is located predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of cells, where it functions as a quality control controller of protein folding. However, CRT is also a prevalent autoantigen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), where its release from the cell may arise as a results of dysfunctional apoptosis and inefficient removal of ER vesicles, which are an abundant source of CRT and other autoantigens. Indicative of this is the presence of autoantibodies against CRT in the sera of 40-60% of all SLE patients. Once released into the circulation, CRT might bind directly to C1q and we have suggested that this association may result in a defect in C1q-mediated clearance of antigen-antibody complexes. It has been previously shown that CRT under physiological salt conditions binds to the globular head of C1q. It is known that the globular head region of C1q binds to the CH2 domain in the Fc portion of immunoglobulin gamma (IgG). The N-terminal half of CRT contains a number of short regions of 7-10 amino acids that show sequence similarity to the putative C1q binding region in the CH2 domain of IgG. By use of a series of 92 overlapping CRT synthetic peptides, a number of C1q binding sites on the CRT molecule have been identified, including several containing a CH2-like motif similar to the ExKxKx C1q binding motif found in the CH2 domain of IgG. A number of these peptides were shown to inhibit binding of C1q to IgG and reduce binding of native CRT to C1q. Moreover, several of the peptides were capable of inhibiting the classical pathway of complement activation. These studies have identified specific binding sites on the CRT molecule for C1q and lend support to the hypothesis that interaction of CRT with C1q may interfere with the ability of C1q to associate with immune complexes in autoimmune-related disorders.

All of the regulatory factors responsible for augmenting microseconds mRNA levels preceding the dramatic increase in secretory IgM production upon B cell activation has not been totally elucidated. Whereas previous experiments have centered on the region of the gene specifying the choice between splicing to mu M exons versus selection of the mu S poly(A) site, we have found that upstream sequences within the Cmu gene, specifically the Cmu 4 acceptor splice site together with intronic sequences between the Cmu 3++ and Cmu 4 exons, play an important role in dictating the precision or the extent of splicing to the mu M exons even under conditions in which functional polyadenylation factors should be in excess. Therefore, splicing of upstream exons can affect remotely located downstream exons. These findings suggest that regulation of differential mu S/mu M mRNA expression may involve general processing enzymes that recognize specific cis -regulatory sequences residing within the body of the mu gene and account for the unique ability of activated B cells to secrete copious amounts of IgM.

The pFc' fragments of a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody were generated by digestion with immobilized pepsin. These pFc' fragments were separated from F(ab')2 fragments by affinity chromatography. The pFc' fragments corresponding to the constant region of the humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody were used as targets for phage display using variable-length peptide libraries. Interacting phage-displayed peptides were selected by repetitious cycles of target screening and phage amplification. Peptide sequences, deduced by sequencing DNA from isolated phage, were aligned and analyzed for amino acid motifs against each other and protein A. These results indicated that an amino acid motif has been identified using phage display technology that is sufficient for pFc' binding. Furthermore, the peptides derived from this study may prove useful in the development of peptidomimetic alternatives to protein A for use in affinity chromatography.

A phosphorylation site for casein kinase II was introduced into chimeric monoclonal antibody CC49 (MAb-chCC49) by site-specific mutation of the coding sequence. The phosphorylation site for the casein kinase II was positioned at the carboxyl terminus of the heavy chain constant region of the MAb-chCC49. The resultant modified MAb-chCC49CKII was expressed in NS0 cells and purified. The MAb-chCC49CKII protein was phosphorylated by casein kinase II with [gamma-32P]ATP to high radiospecific activity. The 32P-labeled MAb-chCC49CKII binds to cells expressing TAG-72 antigens. The introduction of the phosphorylation sites for casein kinase II into monoclonal antibodies (MAb) provides a new reagent for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. This demonstrates that the casein kinase II recognition site can also be used to introduce phosphorylation sites into proteins.

The complex biantennary oligosaccharide at Asn297 of IgG is essential for some effector functions. To investigate the effect of carbohydrate structure on Ab function, we have now expressed mouse-human chimeric IgG1 Abs in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with defined defects in carbohydrate biosynthesis. We had previously shown that IgG1 Abs produced in the cell line Lec 1, which attaches a high-mannose intermediate carbohydrate, were severely deficient in complement activation, showed a slightly reduced affinity for Fc gammaRI, and had a reduced in vivo half-life. We have extended these studies by producing the same dansyl-specific IgG1 in cell lines deficient in attachment of sialic acid (Lec 2) and galactose (Lec 8). IgG1-Lec 1, IgG1-Lec 2, and IgG1-Lec 8 all showed varying reactivity with a mAb specific for an epitope in the amino terminal region of C(H)2, suggesting that the conformations of these proteins were altered by the different carbohydrate structures. Functionally, IgG1-Lec 2 and IgG1-Lec 8 were comparable to wild type with respect to in vivo half-life, affinity for Fc gammaRI, and capacity for complement-mediated hemolysis. While IgG1-Lec 2 was essentially identical to wild type in its capacity to interact with individual components of the classical complement activation pathway, IgG1-Lec 8 demonstrated equivalent maximal binding at lower concentrations and was preferentially bound by mannose-binding protein. Although IgG1-Lec 1 was deficient in activation of the classical pathway, it had a superior capacity to activate the alternative pathway. These studies demonstrate that Abs bearing C(H)2-linked carbohydrate of differing structures have different functional properties.

We have mapped the specificity of 28 monoclonal IgM rheumatoid factors (RFs) produced by heterohybridomas derived from five healthy blood donors immunized with mismatched human red blood cells (HID). The HID-RFs did not differ in their binding specificity for IgG epitopes from RFs that we previously analyzed from patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. However, IgM RFs produced by HID differed in their specificity for IgG compared with RFs expressed by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA-RFs). Only 1 of 28 HID-RFs bound all IgG subclasses (pan binding pattern) compared with 7 of 19 RA-RFs (p = 0.006). Three HID-RFs bound IgG3 compared with 9 RA-RFs (p = 0.007). Fine specificity differences were also identified between HID- and RA-RFs. Therefore, some RA-RFs show novel specificities for IgG not found among RFs from HID or individuals with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia who do not have joint disease. These Abs with unique specificities may represent disease-specific autoantibodies in patients with RA. Nine of the HID-RFs from the same individual were clonally related, and several contained somatic mutations. Even when the clonally related HID-RFs were considered as one RF for comparison, the reactivity of the HID-RFs differed significantly from RA-RFs in their inability to recognize all IgG subclasses (p = 0.044) and recognize IgG3 (p = 0.041). Interestingly, among the clonally related RFs, considerable differences in the specificity for IgG were also observed, with the RF containing the most somatic mutations in VH and VL showing the most distinctive specificity changes. Therefore, these studies also demonstrate a correlation between somatic mutation and binding specificity.

The covalent binding of C3 to antigen-antibody complexes [immune complexes (IC)] plays a pivotal role in the elimination of antigens. C3 prevents the formation of large IC lattices promoting their solubilization. Subsequently, bound C3 fragments determine the efficacy of antigen presentation, and the generation of antibody responses and immunological memory. C3 binding to IgG-IC generates IgG-C3b-C3b complexes which are detected by SDS-PAGE as two major bands: C3alpha65-heavy chain and C3alpha65-C3alpha43 covalent complexes. Using human heat-aggregated IgG1 as a model of IC, a C3b binding site was localized only in the Cgamma1 domain. However, with true IC of ovalbumin and rabbit IgG anti-ovalbumin, C3b binds to both the Fab and Fc regions of IgG. To study the binding of C3b to the different domains of IgG and particularly to evaluate the involvement of the Cgamma1 domain, we have constructed recombinant single-chain antibodies without Cgamma1, which have the structure: V(H)-linker-V(L)-hinge-Cgamma2-Cgamma3 (scAb). The variable domains were from a mouse mAb anti-HSA and the constant region (hinge-C(H)2-C(H)3) from human IgG1 or rabbit IgG. C3 binds very efficiently to IC formed with human (h-scAb) or rabbit (r-scAb) recombinant antibodies (scAb-HSA) and generates also two bands on SDS-PAGE (C3alpha65-scAb and C3alpha65-C3alpha43), which are the counterparts of those of the complete antibody. In addition, IC formed with scAb activate the alternative pathway to a similar extent as IC of the entire IgG. These data indicate that the Cgamma1 domain is a dispensable region for C3b binding and that the remaining constant domains are as efficient as Cgamma1 in C3b binding. Overall these results support the view that C3 does not specifically recognize a unique site in the Cgamma1 domain. Rather it seems to be able to attach along the antibody molecule. Probably this implies an advantage for effective processing of C3b-IC and elimination of antigens in vivo.

To determine the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction of the T/ B cell interaction involved in a negative regulation of Ig production, we used mouse model of T cell-induced IgG2ab suppression in vivo. Normal or specifically triggered T splenocytes from mice of the Igha haplotype, when neonatally transferred into histocompatible Igha/b heterozygotes, are able to induce a specific and total suppression of the IgG2ab allotype. Nevertheless, only transfer of IgG2ab-primed Igha T splenocytes induces this suppression in Ighb/b homozygous congenic mice in which the whole IgG2a isotype production is inhibited. This suppression is chronically maintained by CD8+ T cells, but can be experimentally reversed. We have established that the suppression induction required a CD4+CD8+ T cell cooperation and operated via the recognition by the involved TCR of C gamma 2ab-derived peptides presented by the target B cells in an MHC haplotype-restricted manner. Here, by using Ighb mice genetically deficient for MHC class I (beta 2-microglobulin%, or beta 2m%) or class II (I-A beta%) molecules, we demonstrate functionally that the suppression induction implicates an MHC class I-, but not class II-restricted interaction. Indeed, the anti-IgG2ab T cells transferred into Ighb H-2b I-A beta% mice carry out the suppression process normally, while in Ighb H-2b beta 2m% recipients, their suppression induction capacity is significantly inhibited. Moreover, the C gamma 2ab 103-118 peptide, identified as the sole C gamma 2ab-derived peptide able to amplify the anti-IgG2ab T cell reactivity in Igha H-2b mice, is also able to stabilize the H-2Db, but not the H-2Kb class I molecules at the surface of RMA-S (TAP2-, H-2b) cells. These results indicate that, despite the CD4+/CD8+ T cell cooperation during the induction phase of suppression only MHC class I molecule expression is required at the surface of IgG2ab+ B cells for suppression establishment.

IgA1 Abs possess conserved N-linked glycosylation sites in the second C region and secreted tailpiece domains. To understand the role of these carbohydrates in the structure and function of human IgA1, site-directed mutants that produce human IgA1 lacking either one or both of the N-linked carbohydrate sites have been produced. When the mutant heavy chains are expressed in myeloma lines producing the relevant kappa-light chain, efficient secretion of the monomer and dimer forms of IgA1 is seen. In addition, higher polymer forms of the IgA molecules lacking the third domain carbohydrate, either singly or in the double mutant, are present. Functional analysis of the IgA1 proteins has shown significant differences between the various mutants and wild-type IgA. The carbohydrate mutants show a reduced affinity for their target Ag, dansyl. All of the IgA1 molecules retained the ability to bind to the polymeric Ig receptor. C3 binding was observed for all of the IgA molecules, with the IgA mutants lacking the third domain carbohydrate showing a reduced ability to bind C3; however, IgA did not effectively activate the alternative pathway, as determined by factor B cleavage and terminal complex binding. These studies demonstrate that N-linked glycosylation in the constant domain of human IgA1 plays an important role in the biologic properties of IgA1.

Analysis of lambda light chain use in normal mice is made difficult by the dominant chi light chain repertoire. We produced mice rendered deficient in chi light chain expression by gene targeting and focused on questions concerned with the generation of lambda light chain diversity. Whilst these mice compensate the chi deficiency with increased lambda liters, and their Ig level is therefore not significantly reduced, they show major differences in immunization titers, germinal center (GC) development and somatic hypermutation. After immunization, using antigens that elicit a restricted IgL response in normal mice, we obtained in the chi-/- mice elevated primary antibody titers but a subsequent lack in titer increase after repeated antigen challenge. Analysis of the Peyer's patches (PP) revealed a dramatically reduced cell content with rather small but highly active GC. Flow cytometric analysis showed different cell populations in the PP with enriched peanut agglutinin (PNA)hi/CD45R(B220)+ B cells, implying that the apparent compensation for the lack of lambda light chain expression involves the GC microenvironment in cell selection, the initiation of hypermutation and high affinity expansion. The three V lambda genes, V1, V2 and Vx, are mutated in the GC B cells, but show no junctional diversity. In contrast, a reduced rate of V lambda hypermutation is found in the hybridoma antibodies, which appears to reflect a selection bias rather than structural constraints. However, mechanisms of somatic mutation and specificity selection can operate with equal efficiency on the few V lambda genes.

Environmental challenges appear to elicit similar patterns of cellular responses such as positive autoregulation and autoamplification whether one considers the generation of antibodies with identical antigen specificity or the accumulation of host-protective transcription factors. Therefore, I analyzed the structure of immunoglobulins (Ig) for motifs commonly found in transcription factors. Specifically, the well-known abundance and periodic location of cysteine residues in immunoglobulin chains prompted me to check antibody constant regions for the presence of putative metal-binding domains and zinc finger-like sequences. The constant regions of Ig light and heavy chains were found to harbor one or several copies, respectively, of a short cysteine- and histidine-containing sequence. Moreover, all four IgG subclasses were detected to comprise zinc finger-like motifs in their heavy chain constant and hinge domains. Yet another finding is the occurrence of several sequences of the form serine-proline-X-X and/or threonine-proline-X-X in the hinge sections of IgA and IgG3. These results suggest that antibody constant regions, as a fragment and/or embedded in a full-length immunoglobulin chain, may complex metal, thus acquiring conformations conducive to dimerization and nucleic acid binding. As such, my study provides a putative structural basis for the known requirement of divalent metal cations, particularly of zinc ions, for a normal immune response, and warrants further investigations, both theoretical and experimental, into the potential of antibody constant regions for metal binding and gene regulation. Moreover, future testing of the proposed zinc finger peptides from Ig constant domains should yield information relevant to zinc finger design with potentially wide applications in research and clinical medicine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The ligand-receptor binding requirements for achieving full B cell activation through the membrane immunoglobulin (mIg) signaling pathway are relatively demanding, and mIg-antigen engagements which fall below these critical thresholds cause, at most, only the partial activation of B cells. In an effort to resolve new means of enhancing the efficacy of mIgM-mediated signal transduction, as well as to further understand the process by which mIgM-mediated signals are initiated, we have explored the mechanism for a previously reported synergy between certain mixtures of murine anti-IgM mAbs in eliciting human B cell DNA synthesis. We here report that striking synergy occurs when any of several relatively high affinity mAbs specific for diverse domains of mIgM are combined in culture with the relatively low affinity C mu 4-specific ligand, mAb IG6. Although B cell activation was dependent upon the bivalency, and hence mIgM cross-linking potential, of the high affinity ligand, low affinity mAb IG6 could enhance the activation process when present as a monovalent Fab' fragment. This did not appear due to F(ab')2 contamination or Fab' aggregation, since IG6 Fab' preparations were notably compromised in several other functions requiring ligand bivalency. Pulsing studies revealed that the C mu 4-specific ligand exhibits its functional effects only when stimulatory mIgM receptor cross-links are being formed by bivalent ligands, and that IG6 Fab' enhancement is most notable during the later interval of the prolonged mIgM signaling process that leads to S phase entry. A unique region of the membrane-proximal IgM domain may be important for Fab'-mediated enhancement, since Fab' fragments that bind with higher affinities to distinct sites on C mu 4 were not as effective at mediating this phenomenon. Several possibilities for the adjuvant effects of this C mu 4-specific Fab' on B cell responses triggered by mIgM crosslinking ligands are discussed, including the possibility that IG6 Fab' influences the potential for mIgM dimer formation or interactions of mIgM with other signal-transducing molecules.

Background: The bacteriophage-derived Cre-loxP recombination system operates efficiently in mammalian cells. This system is particularly useful in gene-targeting experiments in the mouse, and has already been used to generate 'clean' deletions of target genes in the germ line, as well as to inactivate target genes in a conditional manner (based on regulated expression of the Cre recombinase). In principle, Cre-loxP-mediated recombination should also allow gene replacement, and thus the introduction of virtually any kind of mutation into the genome., Results: We used the Cre-loxP system, in mouse embryonic stem cells, to replace the mouse gene C gamma 1, which encodes the constant region of the heavy chain of IgG1 antibodies, with its human counterpart. The mutation was transmitted through the mouse germ line, and the resulting mutant mice were crossed with mice expressing kappa light chains with a human, instead of a mouse, constant region. Mice homozygous for both mutations produce humanized, kappa-chain-bearing IgG1 antibodies at the same level and efficiency as wild-type mice produce murine IgG1 antibodies. These animals should enable the ex vivo production of humanized, chimeric monoclonal antibodies specific for any antigen to which the mouse can respond., Conclusions: Cre-loxP-mediated gene replacement is a simple and efficient general method of targeted mutagenesis in the mouse.

The high-affinity receptor (Fc gamma RI) for the constant (Fc) portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG) is one of three Fc IgG receptor classes (Fc gamma Rs) found on mononuclear phagocytes. The functional specialization of each of the Fc gamma R classes is not well understood. Previous studies utilizing anti-Fc gamma R monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as opsonins suggest that Fc gamma RI, like the other Fc gamma Rs expressed by macrophages, is able to mediate phagocytosis. The ability of Fc gamma RI to mediate pinocytosis, however, had not been certain, since it binds, but does not mediate, internalization of monomeric IgG in the monocytoid U937 cells. We studied Fc gamma RI-mediated internalization by introducing it into the Fc gamma R-negative fibroblastic COS cells. We found, using electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, that COS cells expressing Fc gamma RI are able to phagocytose IgG-coated zymosan particles and sheep red blood cells (SRBC), as well as pinocytose cross-linked IgG. There was no intracellular accumulation of monomeric IgG. Chimeric receptors which retain the extracellular domains of Fc gamma RI but lack the entire wild-type transmembrane and intracellular regions of the receptor mediated both phagocytosis and pinocytosis with equal or increased efficiency when compared to the wild-type receptor. Control COS cells transfected with CD2 rosetted, but did not phagocytose, SRBC. Attachment of phagocytic targets to COS cells is therefore not sufficient for phagocytosis. Taken together, this suggests that the extracellular domain of Fc gamma RI is sufficient for it to mediate phagocytosis and pinocytosis in this system.

A gene encoding a bacterial IgG Fc binding domain was designed and synthesized. The synthetic DNA fragment was cloned 3' to an inducible trpE promoter such that expression of the gene in Escherichia coli produced abundant Fc binding protein fused to the first seven amino acids of the trpE protein. The recombinant protein contained a single Fc binding domain and demonstrated efficient binding to human IgG in Western blot analysis. This protein degraded rapidly following cell lysis in the absence of protease inhibitors, but could be effectively protected by the addition of protease inhibitor. After purification of the protein by IgG affinity chromatography, IgG Fc binding ability was retained for at least 24 h at either 23 or 37 degrees C and on heating for 15 min at temperatures up to 65 degrees C. No immunoprecipitation was observed in interactions between the monodomain Fc binding protein and IgG molecules. Unlike staphylococcal protein A, no detectable binding of the monodomain IgG Fc binding protein was observed to either IgM or IgA. Truncated proteins, expressed from a series of 3' deletions of the synthetic gene, were used to estimate the minimum portion of a monodomain Fc binding protein that retained Fc binding ability.

A recombinant gene fusion was created and cloned using a previously constructed gene encoding a monodomain IgG Fc binding protein and the gene coding for bacterial alkaline phosphatase. The construct was able to express and secrete a fusion protein that exhibited both IgG binding and alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activities. Greater than 60% of the protein demonstrating both biological activities was detected from periplasmic space preparations. Nanogram concentrations of the Fc binding--alkaline phosphatase fusion protein allowed primary IgG antibody detection without the use of conjugated secondary antibodies. Removal of the domain coding for alkaline phosphatase resulted in decreased resistance of the protein to proteolytic degradation and the loss of IgG Fc binding ability. Using affinity-purified fusion protein, the specificity of binding to IgG, IgM and IgA was examined; binding was strong to IgG and barely detectable against IgM or IgA. Affinity for binding of the fusion protein to IgG (Kd = 6.7 x 10(-8) M) was determined to be equal to or greater than previously reported for protein A.

A recombinant chimeric Fab (rcFab), with Fv derived from the monoclonal A5B7 antibody to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and with human CHI and C kappa was cloned into pUC 19 and expressed in Escherichia coli. rcFab (10 to 12 mg per litre) was produced in bacterial culture fluid, and functional purified rcFab was isolated by affinity chromatography (using antibody to human C kappa) and size-exclusion gel filtration. The rcFab did not show reduced affinity for CEA, and reacted with human colorectal tumours showing a typical anti-CEA pattern by immunocytochemistry; it was also stable after iodination. Biodistribution studies in nude mice bearing human tumour xenografts showed no toxicity and good tumour localization. Therapeutic ratios at early time points were better than those obtained with whole murine antibody. The results demonstrate that bacterially produced anti-CEA Fab is of use for tumour targeting.

Genetic engineering and expression techniques have been used to produce antibody growth factor fusion proteins. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) 1 and 2 have been fused to mouse-human chimeric IgG3 at the end of CH1, immediately after the hinge, and at the end of CH3. Fusion heavy chains of the expected molecular weight were expressed, assembled with a co-expressed light chain, and secreted. The resulting molecules continued to bind antigen; they also bound the growth factor receptors, albeit with decreased affinity. The molecule with IGF1 attached after CH3 (CH3-IGF1) had reduced ability to carry out complement-mediated cytolysis. In contrast the molecule with IGF2 attached after CH3 (CH3-IGF2) showed an approximately 50-fold increase in its ability to effect complement-mediated cytolysis and so should be an effective cytolytic agent. Both CH3-IGF1 and CH3-IGF2 bound Fc gamma RI with affinity similar to that of IgG3. The growth factor fusion proteins showed small but significant uptake into the brain parenchyma.

IgD receptor (IgD-R) bearing CD4+ T cells with immunoaugmenting properties in vivo are induced in mice within 24 h after a single injection of dimeric or aggregated IgD. In the present study, we sought to identify the region(s) of IgD responsible for upregulation of IgD-R and for the immunoaugmenting effect of IgD. IgD-R can be upregulated on CD4+ T cells in vitro and in vivo by glutaraldehyde-aggregated mutant IgD or by fragments of enzymatically digested IgD molecules possessing either the C delta 1 domain (Fd delta) or the C delta 3 domain (Fc delta). Neoglycoproteins (D-galactose--BSA and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine--BSA), can competitively block upregulation of IgD-R by IgD in vitro. Furthermore, when injected 1 day before antigen, the aggregated IgD derived molecules, KWD1 (which lacks C delta 1), KWD6 (which lacks C delta 1 plus C delta-hinge), and Fab delta can all cause augmentation of antigen-specific primary and secondary antibody responses comparable to that achieved with intact aggregated IgD. Moreover, the immunoaugmenting effect of intact oligomeric IgD molecules in primary antibody responses is competitively blocked by simultaneous injection of monomeric forms of KWD6 and Fab delta. These results suggest that the binding of IgD to IgD-R, previously shown to be dependent on N-glycans present on Fd delta and Fc delta regions, also contributes to the upregulation of IgD-R and immunoagumentation.

The characterization of the site on the IgE molecule which accommodates the high affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RI) should allow the design of IgE analogues which can be utilized to block allergic responses. Using chimeric human IgE molecules in which different constant region domains were exchanged with their murine homologues, we demonstrate here that the C epsilon 3 in its native configuration is essential for the binding to the alpha subunit of the human Fc epsilon RI. Deletion of the human C epsilon 2 from such chimeric molecules did not impair their ability to interact with the Fc epsilon RI, indicating that C epsilon 2 is not directly involved in the human Fc epsilon RI binding site and that C epsilon 3 alone is necessary and sufficient to account for most of the human Fc epsilon RI-binding capacity.

Previous results showed a developmentally regulated, strong linkage between demethylation and transcriptional activity for the light chain kappa locus in the mouse (Kelley et al., Molec. cell. Biol. 8, 930-937, 1988). These results indicate the existence of a stage of development of the B cell in which permanent expression (which may be enhancer independent) of a gene is associated with its demethylation. According to this result, demethylation could mirror terminal differentiation of a cell. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing the methylation status of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes in normal B cells before and after their activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce IgM secretion and an immunoglobulin class switch. This pattern of methylation has been compared with that of Ig genes in nonlymphoid tissues and in transformed cell lines. In general, transformed cells are terminally differentiated cells. Our results show, that in normal splenic B cells only regions proximal to the heavy chain enhancer are demethylated. The coding regions of the c mu, c delta and the c gamma 1 genes remain methylated regardless of transcription. Demethylation of the coding regions is only detectable in transformed cell lines. Hence demethylation of immunoglobulin genes may reflect a stage of terminal differentiation in which the transcription pattern of the cell is fixed. Methylation of the genes before terminal differentiation may be necessary to allow controlled expression of genes on the transcriptional level, such as by splicing and differential termination.

Two sets of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) probably reacting with two different epitopes in the CH3 domain of the human IgG4 molecule were studied. We observed that the commercially available mAb HP 6011 inhibited the antigen binding of the three mutually inhibitable mAbs, 40-A2, 41-E8 and 43-F11 (40-series), made by us. However, the 40-series mAbs, including those with similar affinity such as mAb HP6011, were not able to inhibit mAb HP 6011. When the 40-series mAbs were preincubated with IgG4, the mAb HP 6011 could partially displace these antibodies. This one-way inhibition indicates that upon binding mAb HP 6011 changes the antigenic structure of the IgG4 molecule by disrupting the epitope for the 40-series mAbs. A steric hindrance of this epitope by mAb HP 6011 is more unlikely, since the small Fab fragment of mAb HP 6011 also inhibited the reaction of the 40-series mAbs.

Important mammalian defensive functions such as phagocytosis are triggered in leukocytes by the interaction of the Fc region of IgG with cell surface receptors (Fc gamma R). The CH2 domain of IgG has been implicated previously as the site of interaction with human and mouse Fc gamma R. This domain was mapped for interaction with mouse Fc gamma R11 expressed by the macrophage-like cell line P388D1, using two panels of a total of 32 site-directed mutants of mouse IgG2b and chimeric human IgG3 monoclonal antibodies. Two potential binding sites have been identified: one in or within the vicinity of the lower hinge site on IgG for human Fc gamma R1, and one within the binding site on IgG for Clq. The three mutant IgGs (Gly 237----Ala, Asn 297----Ala, and Glu 318----Ala) which do not interact in complexed form also fail to bind as monomers. A 1H NMR study of the three non-binding monomeric mutants suggests that the mutations are largely site-specific, indicating that IgG interacts with mouse Fc gamma R11 at two regions within the CH2 domain. This interaction dictates phagocytosis mediated by Fc gamma R11 of the P388D1 cell line.

Receptors for immunoglobulins on animal cells invariably show specificity for Fc regions of the protein and are hence called Fc receptors. The present study shows that immunoglobulin D receptors present an exception to this rule. Binding of IgD-coated erythrocytes to murine IgD-receptor-bearing T-helper cells is competitively inhibited by IgD, by its Fab delta fragments, and by deletion mutants of IgD lacking (i) the first constant domain of the delta heavy chain (KWD1), (ii) that region plus the delta heavy-chain-hinge region (KWD6), or (iii) the third constant domain of the delta heavy chain (Gen. 24). KWD1, Gen. 24, or KWD6 mutants bind to T-helper cells bearing receptors for IgD independently of each other. Furthermore, Gen. 24 and KWD6 mutants also competitively inhibit binding of each other in cross-blocking experiments. These results show that the IgD receptors binds to the Fd delta and the Fc delta and cannot readily be explained by sequence homology between the two parts of the IgD molecule.

IgD receptors on murine T cells have been reported in this issue [Tamma, S. M. L., Amin, A. R., Finkelman, F. D., Chen, Y.-W., Thorbecke, G. J. & Coico, R. F. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88, 9233-9237] to bind either the first or third constant region of the heavy-chain of IgD molecules--findings that could not be satisfactorily explained by IgD amino acid sequences. We now find that boiled IgD molecules or low-Mr fragments from protease-digested IgD still inhibit binding of IgD-coated erythrocytes to IgD receptors. This inhibitory activity can be absorbed with the murine IgD-binding lectin from Griffonia simplicifolia 1 (GS-1) immobilized on Sepharose. N-linked glycans, obtained from N-glycanase-treated IgD and purified by binding to GS-1-Sepharose, also inhibit rosette formation of T-helper cells bearing receptors for IgD with IgD- or mutant IgD-coated erythrocytes. Deglycosylated IgD, produced by treatment with N-glycanase, no longer binds to the lectin and fails to inhibit IgD rosetting. Binding of intact IgD to T cells is also competitively inhibited by N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, and neoglycoproteins containing these sugars. These results clearly show that N-linked glycans, present in both the first and third constant regions of the delta heavy-chain domains, are prerequisites for binding of IgD to IgD receptors.

Identification of the precise region(s) on the IgE molecule that take part in the binding of IgE to its high affinity receptor (Fc epsilon RI) may lead to the design of IgE analogues able to block the allergic response. To localize the Fc epsilon RI-binding domain of mouse IgE, we attempted to confer on human IgE, which normally does not bind to the rodent receptor, the ability to bind to the rat Fc epsilon RI. Employing exon shuffling, we have expressed chimeric epsilon-heavy chain genes composed of a mouse (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetic acid (NP)-binding VH domain, and human C epsilon in which various domains were replaced by their murine counterparts. This has enabled us to test the Fc epsilon RI-binding of each mouse IgE domain while maintaining the overall conformation of the molecule. All of the chimeric IgE molecules which contain the murine C epsilon 3, bound equally to both the rodent and human receptor, as well as to monoclonal antibodies recognizing a site on IgE which is identical or very close to the Fc epsilon RI binding site. Deletion of the second constant region domain did not impair either the binding capacity of the mutated IgE or its ability to mediate mast cell degradation. These results assign the third epsilon domain of IgE as the principal region involved in the interaction with the Fc epsilon RI.

Four immunoglobulin constant domain interfaces were analysed to determine how the light and heavy chains of the domains recognize each other and secondarily, why the packing of the beta sheets is different from that normally observed in the interior of domains of beta sheet proteins. It was found that two bulky groups in the centre of each of the domain interfaces prevent the alignment of sheet axes by intercalating with residues in the sheet opposite. This intercalation forms the basis of constant domain light chain-heavy chain recognition.

Six IgA myeloma sera, containing albumin (ALB)-IgA and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT)-IgA complexes (CXs), were gel-filtered on Ultrogel AcA22. The CXs were eluted between monomeric and dimeric IgA. The CX-containing fractions were digested with three IgA-proteases: ALB and alpha 1-AT remained bound to Fc alpha-, but not to Fab alpha-fragments. Short (less than 2 h) peptic digestion entirely released free ALB and alpha 1-AT from the CXs, indicating that these proteins are linked to the third constant domain of the alpha-chain. Identical results were obtained with anti-ALB immunosorbent-purified ALB-IgA CXs. Reduction-alkylation of ALB or alpha 1-AT bound to IgA or Fc alpha confirmed disulfide binding. The data support the binding of ALB and alpha 1-AT to the same penultimate C-terminal cysteine of the alpha-chain as that which binds the J-chain.

IgM hybridoma constant region domain deletional mutants were used to investigate the domain requirements for binding of murine IgM to Fc mu receptors (Fc mu R) on normal murine T lymphocytes. Parental Sp 6:18 (mu, kappa; anti-trinitrophenyl) and its mutant proteins or their trinitrophenyl-antigen immune complexes were tested for their ability to inhibit the binding of pentameric IgM to Fc mu R on T lymphocytes. Inhibition was observed with ligands containing multiple copies of the third constant region domain. Inhibition did not occur with ligands missing the third constant region domain. In addition, a battery of rat monoclonal antibodies specific for individual murine IgM constant region domains was tested for the ability to inhibit the binding of pentameric murine IgM to Fc mu R on normal murine T lymphocytes. Total inhibition was observed with the antibodies directed to different epitopes located in C mu 3, but significant inhibition was not observed with antibodies directed to C mu 1, C mu 2, or C mu 4. Studies with domain deletional mutants and anti-domain antibodies have independently provided strong evidence that the C mu 3 domain plays a major role in the binding of IgM to Fc mu R on T lymphocytes and that C mu 1, C mu 2, and C mu 4 are not essential for binding. These studies have also provided evidence that valency and avidity influence the binding of IgM to T lymphocytes that express Fc mu R.

We have constructed four different deletion mutants of a chimeric mouse-human IgG3 anti-(4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl/(5-iodo-4 hydroxy-3 nitrophenyl) acetyl (NP/NIP) antibody lacking one or more of the four exons coding for the hinge region. The mutant variants all retained intact hinge region epitopes since they all reacted with IgG3 hinge-specific antibodies. Surprisingly, all the deletion mutants bound C1q equally well or even better than the wild type. Thus the high C1q binding activity of IgG3 compared to IgG1 is apparently not due to the total length of the IgG3 hinge, which is 62 amino acids, nor is it due to the length of the upper hinge which is the stretch from the end of CH1 to the first inter-heavy chain disulfide bond.

The isolated 35 kDa fragment of protein G obtained by papain digestion of group G streptococci was found to bind solid phase intact IgG, Fc (2C gamma 2 + 2C gamma 3 domains), F(ab')2 and F(acb)2 (F(ab')2 + 2C gamma 2 domains) fragments but not pFc' (2C gamma 3 domains) fragments. The level of binding to rabbit F(acb)2 and rabbit F(ab')2 fragments was similar. Protein G binding to solid phase Fc fragments was inhibited by IgG, Fc, staphylococcal protein A and its monovalent fragment D, but was enhanced by F(ab')2 fragments. Chemical modification of tyrosine but not histidine residues of IgG abrogated its ability to inhibit the binding of protein G to solid phase Fc fragments. Protein G was found to strongly inhibit the binding of a monoclonal and a polyclonal human rheumatoid factor to IgG. These findings indicate that protein G binds with separate sites to the Fc and F(ab')2 fragments of IgG, that the interaction with the Fc fragment occurs at the C gamma 2-C gamma 3 domain interface region and that tyrosine but not histidine residues in this area are likely involved. The relationship of the Fc fragment-binding site specificity of protein G to that of other microbial IgG binding proteins and human rheumatoid factors is discussed.

Idiotypes are believed to be due to the structural conformation of the variable region of immunoglobulins (Ig). We have found an idiotype (C3-24) that requires both variable and constant regions of the heavy chain to be expressed. C3-24 Id is associated with both the T15 variable region from anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) antibodies and the constant region for the alpha-heavy chain. High titer anti-PC serum from a variety of inbred strains of different Ig haplotypes failed to express C3-24 Id. However, when IgA but not IgG or IgM fractions were isolated from a pool of anti-PC serum from BALB/c mice, more than 70% of the molecules expressed C3-24 Id. The high frequency of the expression of C3-24 Id in IgA anti-PC hybridoma proteins from mice of different Ig haplotypes and in the IgA fraction of normal anti-PC antibodies from BALB/c and presumably other strains of mice suggests that idiotypic determinants produced by the three-dimensional product of VH and CH regions may not be unusual.

We propose that, the binding site for the complement subcomponent Clq on immunoglobulin G involves the last two (C-terminal) beta-strands of the C gamma 2 domain. This region contains a large number of accessible and highly conserved charged residues and charge is postulated as an important component of the Clq-IgG interaction. The conclusions are reached on the basis of accessibility and sequence conservation analyses of C gamma 2 amino acid residues, the use of specific inhibitors and chemical modification studies.

Chimeric mouse-human IgG was used to study the structural and functional roles of the carbohydrate present in the CH2 domain of human IgG molecules. To remove this N-linked carbohydrate, Asn-297, the oligosaccharide attachment residue, was changed to either Gln (a conservative replacement) or His for IgG1 or Lys for IgG3 (nonconservative replacements) by site-directed mutagenesis. Carbohydrate-deficient antibodies are properly assembled and secreted and bind Ag and protein A. However, aglycosylated IgG are more sensitive to most proteases than their corresponding wild-type IgG, indicating some conformational changes have occurred. Aglycosylated IgG do not bind to the human Fc gamma RI and do not activate C; depending on the isotype, C1q binding ability is either completely lost (IgG1) or dramatically decreased (IgG3). The serum half-life in mice of aglycosylated IgG1-Gln remains the same as wild-type IgG1, 6.5 +/- 0.5 days, whereas aglycosylated IgG3-Gln has a shorter half-life, 3.5 +/- 0.2 days, compared to that of wild-type IgG3, 5.1 +/- 0.4 days. These results indicate the carbohydrate interposed between CH2 domain of human IgG is necessary to maintain the appropriate structure for the maintenance of many of the effector functions dependent on the CH2 domain.

The cellular plasma membrane becomes permeable to macromolecules during the cell injury process. This results in exposure of the interior of the cell to plasma proteins and to high-affinity binding of the Fc part of IgG to intermediate filaments (Hansson, G K, Starkebaum, G A, Benditt, E P & Schwartz, S M, Proc natl acad sci USA 81 (1984) 3103). Such IgG binding could be an early step in a process that serves to eliminate the injured cell. We have now identified its effect on the complement system. Intermediate filaments were reconstituted in vitro from purified vimentin, and incubated with plasma proteins. Cross-linker experiments showed binding of the heavy chain of IgG to vimentin, indicating that the vimentin protein carries an Fc-binding site. In contrast, no direct binding of complement factor Clq to vimentin could be detected. Binding of both IgG and Clq could, however, be detected by immunofluorescence when cytoskeletons of cultured endothelial cells were incubated with fresh serum. Therefore, IgG binding to filaments in the presence of serum is accompanied by Clq binding to IgG. This was in turn followed by fixation of C4 and C3 to intermediate filaments in a process that was dependent on both Ca2+, Mg2+ and Clq, indicating that it was part of a complement activation via the classical pathway. Exposure of fresh serum to intermediate filaments also resulted in production of the anaphylatoxic complement cleavage fragment. C3a, with a dose-response relationship between the amount of filaments present and the amount of C3a generated. Chemotactic activity towards granulocytes and monocytes was also generated by exposure of serum to intermediate filaments, and this activity was dependent on the presence of complement factor C5 and on the classical complement activation cascade, implying that it was due to the C5a peptide. Exposure of the interior of the cell to plasma proteins thus results in binding of IgG to intermediate filaments and activation of the complement cascade via the classical pathway. This, in turn generates bioactive mediators which may recruit leukocytes to the injured cell (C5a) and have profound effects on vascular permeability (C3a, C5a). We propose that this is part of a scavenger mechanism for the elimination of damaged cells.