title: Proteolytically modified human beta 2-microglobulin augments the specific cytotoxic activity in murine mixed lymphocyte culture.
abstract: A proteolytically modified form of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) present in the serum of patients suffering from autoimmune, immunodeficient diseases and cancer has been reported in the literature. In the present study we show that human beta 2-m as well as the proteolytically modified human form (M-beta 2-m) bind to murine lymphocytes expressing H-2 class I antigens; M-beta 2-m, when added at day 0 and 1 of culture in nanomolar concentrations to a one-way murine allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) augments the generation of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes; M-beta 2-m increases the endogenous production of interleukin 2 in the MLC culture; monoclonal antibody which reacts with both the native beta 2-m and M-beta 2-m molecule blocks the augmentation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte production induced by M-beta 2-m; murine as well as human MLC responder cells can proteolytically modify native human beta 2-m; and the modifying activity of murine MLC responder cells was blocked in an intermediary step by an alloantibody, which reacts specifically with murine major histocompatibility complex, class I-associated beta 2-m. These findings suggest that the modification process is preceded by an association of human beta 2-m with the cell surface of the responder cells. Our data indicate that the modification of beta 2-m might reflect early events in allospecific responder cell activation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin