scholarly journals Two DNA-binding proteins discriminate between the promoters of different members of the major histocompatibility complex class II multigene family

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 965-971
Author(s):  
M Kobr ◽  
W Reith ◽  
C Herrero-Sanchez ◽  
B Mach

The regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene expression is a key feature of the control of normal and abnormal immune responses. In humans, class II alpha - and beta-chain genes are organized in a multigene family with three distinct subregions, HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP. The regulation of these genes is generally coordinated, and their promoters contain highly conserved motifs, in particular the X and Y boxes. We have identified five distinct proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences within the first 145 base pairs of the HLA-DR promoter, a segment known to be functionally essential for class II gene regulation. Among these, RF-X is of special interest, since mutants affected in the regulation of MHC class II gene expression have a specific defect in RF-X binding. Unexpectedly, RF-X displays a characteristic gradient of binding affinities for the X boxes of three alpha-chain genes (DRA greater than DPA much greater than DQA). The same observation was made with recombinant RF-X. We also describe a novel factor, NF-S, which bound to the spacer region between the X and Y boxes of class II promoters. NF-S exhibited a reverse gradient of affinity compared with RF-X (DQA greater than DPA much greater than DRA). As expected, RF-X bound well to the mouse IE alpha promoter, while NF-S bound well to IA alpha. The drastic differences in the binding of RF-X and NF-S to different MHC class II promoters contrasts with the coordinate regulation of HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP genes.

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 965-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kobr ◽  
W Reith ◽  
C Herrero-Sanchez ◽  
B Mach

The regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene expression is a key feature of the control of normal and abnormal immune responses. In humans, class II alpha - and beta-chain genes are organized in a multigene family with three distinct subregions, HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP. The regulation of these genes is generally coordinated, and their promoters contain highly conserved motifs, in particular the X and Y boxes. We have identified five distinct proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences within the first 145 base pairs of the HLA-DR promoter, a segment known to be functionally essential for class II gene regulation. Among these, RF-X is of special interest, since mutants affected in the regulation of MHC class II gene expression have a specific defect in RF-X binding. Unexpectedly, RF-X displays a characteristic gradient of binding affinities for the X boxes of three alpha-chain genes (DRA greater than DPA much greater than DQA). The same observation was made with recombinant RF-X. We also describe a novel factor, NF-S, which bound to the spacer region between the X and Y boxes of class II promoters. NF-S exhibited a reverse gradient of affinity compared with RF-X (DQA greater than DPA much greater than DRA). As expected, RF-X bound well to the mouse IE alpha promoter, while NF-S bound well to IA alpha. The drastic differences in the binding of RF-X and NF-S to different MHC class II promoters contrasts with the coordinate regulation of HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP genes.


1992 ◽  
Vol 175 (2) ◽  
pp. 613-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Mourad ◽  
K Mehindate ◽  
T J Schall ◽  
S R McColl

Cells in the rheumatoid synovium express high levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules in vivo. We have therefore examined the ability of engagement of MHC class II molecules by the superantigen Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) to activate interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 gene expression in type B synoviocytes isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. SEA had a minimal or undetectable effect on the expression of either gene in resting synoviocytes, as determined by Northern blot and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. However, induction of MHC class II molecule expression after treatment of synoviocytes with interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) enabled the cells to respond to SEA in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in an increase in both the level of steady-state mRNA for IL-6 and IL-8, and the release of these cytokines into the supernatant. IFN-gamma by itself had no effect on the expression of either cytokine. Pretreatment of the cells with the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D prevented the increase in cytokine mRNA induced by SEA, whereas cycloheximide superinduced mRNA for both cytokines after stimulation by SEA. Taken together, these results indicate that signaling through MHC class II molecules may represent a novel mechanism by which inflammatory cytokine production is regulated in type B rheumatoid synoviocytes, and potentially provides insight into the manner by which superantigens may initiate and/or propagate autoimmune diseases.


1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2034-2041 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Sittisombut

The constitutive coexpression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes in B lymphocytes requires positive, trans-acting transcriptional factors. The need for these trans-acting factors has been suggested by the reversion of the MHC class II-negative phenotype of rare B-lymphocyte mutants through somatic cell fusion with B cells or T-cell lines. The mechanism by which the trans-acting factors exert their effect on gene transcription is unknown. The possibility that two highly conserved DNA sequences, located 90 to 100 base pairs (bp) (the A sequence) and 60 to 70 bp (the B sequence) upstream of the transcription start site of the class II genes, are recognized by the trans-acting factors was investigated in this study. By using the gel electrophoresis retardation assay, a minimum of two proteins which specifically bound the conserved A or B sequence of a rabbit DP beta gene were identified in murine nuclear extracts of a B-lymphoma cell line, A20-2J. Fractionation of nuclear extract through a heparin-agarose column allowed the identification of one protein, designated NF-MHCIIB, which bound an oligonucleotide containing the B sequence and protected the entire B sequence in the DNase I protection analysis. Another protein, designated NF-MHCIIA, which bound an oligonucleotide containing the A sequence and partially protected the 3' half of this sequence, was also identified. NF-MHCIIB did not protect a CCAAT sequence located 17 bp downstream of the B sequence. The possible relationship between these DNA-binding factors and the trans-acting factors identified in the cell fusion experiments is discussed.


1994 ◽  
Vol 180 (4) ◽  
pp. 1329-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Silacci ◽  
A Mottet ◽  
V Steimle ◽  
W Reith ◽  
B Mach

Constitutive major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene expression is tightly restricted to antigen presenting cells and is under developmental control. Cells of the B cell lineage acquire the capacity to express MHC class II genes early during ontogeny and lose this property during terminal differentiation into plasma cells. Cell fusion experiments have suggested that the extinction of MHC class II expression in plasma cells is due to a dominant repression, but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. CIITA was recently identified as an MHC class II transactivator that is essential for MHC class II expression in B lymphocytes. We show here that inactivation of MHC class II genes in plasmocytes is associated with silencing of the CIITA gene. Moreover, experimentally induced expression of CIITA in plasmocytes leads to reexpression of MHC class II molecules to the same level as that observed on B lymphocytes. We therefore conclude that the loss of MHC class II expression observed upon terminal differentiation of B lymphocytes into plasmocytes results from silencing of the transactivator gene CIITA.


1985 ◽  
Vol 162 (4) ◽  
pp. 1117-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
R S Accolla ◽  
L Scarpellino ◽  
G Carra ◽  
J Guardiola

Raji, a human B lymphoma line, expresses high levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens. Conversely, none of the detectable human Ia antigens is present in RJ 2.2.5, an immunoselected Raji variant. Clonal analysis, biochemical characterization, and nucleic acid hybridization studies of hybrids between mouse spleen cells and RJ 2.2.5 show that MHC class II gene expression is regulated in trans by a factor which, as judged by dominance studies, has the characteristics of an activator. Such a positive trans acting factor is expressed in mouse spleen cells, and is able to implement MHC class II gene expression across species boundaries. Expression of this factor in spleen cells strongly suggests that it plays a role in in vivo regulation of Ia expression. Additional data suggest that different subsets of class II genes such as DR and DQ may, in part, be regulated by different mechanisms. It has also been possible to show that the amount of In chain-specific mRNA, present at reduced levels in RJ 2.2.5 cells compared to the parental Raji cells, drastically increased in human X mouse cells hybrids reexpressing human Ia antigens, suggesting that the In chain gene and the class II genes, although located on different chromosomes, are regulated in a concerted fashion, either directly through the same implementing factor, or indirectly through a cascade mechanism.


1995 ◽  
Vol 181 (4) ◽  
pp. 1411-1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Hauber ◽  
H Gulle ◽  
H M Wolf ◽  
M Maris ◽  
H Eggenbauer ◽  
...  

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II deficiency is an inherited autosomal recessive combined immunodeficiency. The disease is known as bare lymphocyte syndrome (BLS). BLS is characterized by a lack of constitutive MHC class II expression on macrophages and B cells as well as a lack of induced MHC class II expression on cells other than professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) due to the absence of mRNA and protein of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules, designated HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP. The defect in gene expression is located at the transcriptional level and affects all class II genes simultaneously. Here we have analyzed transcription and protein expression of class II antigens in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines and mononuclear cells (MNCs) of twin brothers. Whereas flow cytometric analysis failed to detect class II antigens on the cell surface of the patients' EBV-B cells and MNCs, examination of the genes coding for HLA-DR, -DQ, -DP, and the invariant chain (Ii) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction amplification resulted in an unusual mRNA pattern in the B cell lines of the patients (HLA-DR alpha +, -DR beta, -DQ alpha +, -DQ beta -, -DP alpha -; -DP beta +, Ii+). In accordance with these findings no HLA-DR beta-specific protein was detected by immunoblotting, whereas low levels of HLA-DR alpha and normal levels of Ii were present. In contrast to EBV-B cells, the MNCs of both patients displayed a residual HLA-DR beta, -DQ beta, and -DP alpha mRNA signal. Furthermore, HLA-DR beta-specific protein was found in addition to HLA-DR alpha by immunoblotting of cell lysates, even though it was clearly decreased as compared with controls. Our results indicate that the defect in class II antigen expression is not necessarily present to the same extent in B cells and cells of other lineages. mRNA levels of HLA-DR beta were found to be enriched in adherent cells within the MNC fraction. Further investigations indicated that the MHC class II expressed is functional in antigen presentation, as the two boys' CD4+ T cells became activated and expressed interleukin-2R after stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures with recall antigen (tetanus toxoid). Furthermore, T cells tested in one of the two patients responded to both MHC class I and II allostimulation, and this response was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies of the respective specificity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (11) ◽  
pp. 1885-1895 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Douhan ◽  
Rebecca Lieberson ◽  
Joan H.M. Knoll ◽  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Laurie H. Glimcher

Patients with one type of major histocompatibility complex class II combined immunodeficiency have mutations in a gene termed class II transactivator (CIITA), which coordinately controls the transcription of the three major human class II genes, HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP. However, the experimentally derived B-lymphoblastoid cell line, clone 13, expresses high levels of HLADQ in the absence of HLA-DR and HLA-DP, despite its mapping by complementation analysis to this group. It was possible that one of the clone 13 CIITA alleles bore a mutation that allowed HLA-DQ, but not HLA-DR or -DP transcription. Alternatively, another factor, distinct from CIITA, might control HLA-DQ expression. We report here that ectopic expression of CIITA cDNAs derived by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction from clone 13 do not restore expression of HLA-DQ in another CIITA-deficient cell line, RJ2.2.5. In addition, no CIITA protein is detectable in clone 13 nuclear extracts. In contrast, somatic cell fusion between clone 13 and RJ2.2.5 restored expression of the HLA-DQ haplotype encoded by the RJ2.2.5 DQB gene. Taken together, these data demonstrate the existence of an HLA-DQ isotype-specific trans-acting factor, which functions independently of CIITA.


1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2034-2041
Author(s):  
N Sittisombut

The constitutive coexpression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes in B lymphocytes requires positive, trans-acting transcriptional factors. The need for these trans-acting factors has been suggested by the reversion of the MHC class II-negative phenotype of rare B-lymphocyte mutants through somatic cell fusion with B cells or T-cell lines. The mechanism by which the trans-acting factors exert their effect on gene transcription is unknown. The possibility that two highly conserved DNA sequences, located 90 to 100 base pairs (bp) (the A sequence) and 60 to 70 bp (the B sequence) upstream of the transcription start site of the class II genes, are recognized by the trans-acting factors was investigated in this study. By using the gel electrophoresis retardation assay, a minimum of two proteins which specifically bound the conserved A or B sequence of a rabbit DP beta gene were identified in murine nuclear extracts of a B-lymphoma cell line, A20-2J. Fractionation of nuclear extract through a heparin-agarose column allowed the identification of one protein, designated NF-MHCIIB, which bound an oligonucleotide containing the B sequence and protected the entire B sequence in the DNase I protection analysis. Another protein, designated NF-MHCIIA, which bound an oligonucleotide containing the A sequence and partially protected the 3' half of this sequence, was also identified. NF-MHCIIB did not protect a CCAAT sequence located 17 bp downstream of the B sequence. The possible relationship between these DNA-binding factors and the trans-acting factors identified in the cell fusion experiments is discussed.


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