HLA-DQ molecules and the control of Mycobacterium leprae-specific T cell nonresponsiveness in lepromatous leprosy patients.
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) controls of the outcome of the immune response to T cell-dependent antigens by dictating whether T cell responsiveness will result (MHC-immune response [Ir]genes) or alternatively T cell nonresponsiveness will occur, possibly through the activation of suppressor cells (MHC-immune suppression [Is] genes). In mice, I-A molecules typically restrict antigen-specific helper T cells. In contrast, H-2 I-E molecules have been reported to control nonresponsiveness to a variety of antigens through antigen-specific suppressor cells. In analogy, HLA-DR molecules are the dominant restriction elements for helper T cells in man. This forces the question whether DQ molecules may be involved in controlling nonresponsiveness in man, e.g. through suppression. In one system, T cell nonresponsiveness to Schistosoma japonicum, evidence has been presented supporting this notion. We have now used a second system, Mycobacterium leprae-specific T cell nonresponsiveness, that is typically found in lepromatous leprosy patients. We find positive but limited evidence for a role for HLA-DQ molecules in controlling T cell nonresponsiveness to M. leprae of the 22 nonresponder patients tested, 4 showed a proliferative T cell response to M. leprae after the addition of DQ- but not DR-specific mAb to the cell cultures. In one of the four BCG nonresponders, anti-DQ mAb had a similar effect.
Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Kyushu University, Fukuoka.
T H
TH
Ottenhoff
C
C
Walford
Y
Y
Nishimura
N B
NB
Reddy
T
T
Sasazuki
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D007564:Japan; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens