title: In vitro effects of solubilized HLA-DR--role in immunoregulation?
abstract: To test the hypothesis that soluble HLA-DR antigens (sHLA-DR), binding to the T-cell receptor (TCR) and/or CD4 structures, compete with and abrogate functions of their cell-bound counterparts, we studied effects of detergent-solubilized, affinity-purified HLA-DR molecules on the DNA synthesis, IL-2, and IL-1 secretion by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). While resting T cells did not show any response, there was a dose-dependent suppression of T-cell responses induced by mitogen (phytohemagglutinin, PHA), recall antigen (purified protein derivative of tuberculin, PPD), or HLA class II alloantigens (Daudi cells). In the PHA system, sHLA-DR affected DR-identical and DR-disparate PBMC with equal efficiency, suggesting a nonspecific interference with accessory functions of cell-bound HLA class II molecules. A competitive ligation of lymphocyte (rather than of monocyte) CD4 is suggested based on the failure of sHLA-DR (i) to potentiate inhibitory effects of anti-CD4 mAb, (ii) to suppress mitogen responses after depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes and also following separate monocyte (vs lymphocyte) pretreatment, and (iii) to induce a reproducible IL-1 secretion inhibition. In the PPD system, suppressive sHLA-DR effects on autologous or DR-identical PBMC significantly exceeded that on DR-disparate PBMC, and in the MLR, third party allogeneic sHLA-DR was exceeded in its suppressive potency both by sHLA-DA pertinent to responder cells and by sHLA-DR pertinent to stimulator cells. These additional specific effects may result from competition (with cell-bound class II restriction and recognition determinants) at the TCR level rather than from peptide competition at the antigen-presenting cell level. Interference by sHLA-DR with the primary and/or accessory signaling may offer new therapeutic strategies in allotransplantation and autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, University Rostock, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Claus
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hausmann
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zavazava
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Walzel
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Schulze
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friemel
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Müller-Ruchholtz
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D012995:Solubility; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell