Variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) are unconventional adaptive immune receptors relatively recently discovered in the phylogenetically ancient jawless vertebrates, lamprey and hagfish. VLRs bind antigens using a leucine-rich repeat fold and are the only known adaptive immune receptors that do not utilize an immunoglobulin fold for antigen recognition. While immunoglobulin antibodies have been studied extensively, there are comparatively few studies on antigen recognition by VLRs, particularly for protein antigens. Here we report isolation, functional and structural characterization of three VLRs that bind the protein toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) from zebrafish. Two of the VLRs block binding of TLR5 to its cognate ligand flagellin in functional assays using reporter cells. Co-crystal structures revealed that these VLRs bind to two different epitopes on TLR5, both of which include regions involved in flagellin binding. Our work here demonstrates that the lamprey adaptive immune system can be used to generate high-affinity VLR clones that recognize different epitopes and differentially impact natural ligand binding to a protein antigen.

Studies on the expression of cellular glycans are limited by a lack of sensitive tools that can discriminate specific structural features. Here we describe the development of a robust platform using immunized lampreys (Petromyzon marinus), which secrete variable lymphocyte receptors called VLRBs as antibodies, for generating libraries of anti-glycan reagents. We identified a wide variety of glycan-specific VLRBs detectable in lamprey plasma after immunization with whole fixed cells, tissue homogenates, and human milk. The cDNAs from lamprey lymphocytes were cloned into yeast surface display (YSD) libraries for enrichment by multiple methods. We generated VLRB-Ig chimeras, termed smart anti-glycan reagents (SAGRs), whose specificities were defined by microarray analysis and immunohistochemistry. 15 VLRB antibodies were discovered that discriminated between linkages, functional groups and unique presentations of the terminal glycan motif. The development of SAGRs will enhance future studies on glycan expression by providing sequenced, defined antibodies for a variety of research applications.

Background The ability to target and manipulate protein-based cellular processes would accelerate plant research; yet, the technology to specifically and selectively target plant-expressed proteins is still in its infancy. Leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) are ubiquitously present protein domains involved in mediating protein–protein interactions. LRRs confer the binding specificity to the highly diverse variable lymphocyte receptor (VLR) antibodies (including VLRA, VLRB and VLRC types) that jawless vertebrates make as the functional equivalents of jawed vertebrate immunoglobulin-based antibodies. Results In this study, VLRBs targeting an effector protein from a plant pathogen, HopM1, were developed by immunizing lampreys and using yeast surface display to select for high-affinity VLRBs. HopM1-specific VLRBs (VLRM1) were expressed in planta in the cytosol, the trans-Golgi network, and the apoplast. Expression of VLRM1 was higher when the protein localized to an oxidizing environment that would favor disulfide bridge formation (when VLRM1 was not localized to the cytoplasm), as disulfide bonds are necessary for proper VLR folding. VLRM1 specifically interacted in planta with HopM1 but not with an unrelated bacterial effector protein while HopM1 failed to interact with a non-specific VLRB. Conclusions In the future, VLRs may be used as flexible modules to bind proteins or carbohydrates of interest in planta, with broad possibilities for their use by binding directly to their targets and inhibiting their action, or by creating chimeric proteins with new specificities in which endogenous LRR domains are replaced by those present in VLRs.

IgA myeloma proteins of kappa- and λ- types were isolated from two patients. These were used to produce and purify anti-idiotype antibodies of both broad (myeloma-related) and narrow (individual myeloma) specificities. The anti-idiotype antibodies were conjugated with fluorochromes and used as immunofluorescent probes to trace in the patients clonal expansion at different levels of B-cell differentiation. Our results (a) confirm that B lymphocyte precursors in IgA plasma-cell myelomas are involved in the malignant process, (b) show that B lymphocytes of the malignant clone include those expressing each of the major heavy-chain isotypes, μ, δ, γ, and α, and (c) provide strong circumstantial evidence that pre-B-cell members of the malignant clone are also increased in frequency. T cells expressing idiotypic determinants were not detected. These findings argue that the initial oncogenic event may occur in a B-stem cell and is not influenced through stimulation by antigen. An interesting association was the increased frequency through stimulation by antigen. An interesting association was the increased frequency of related clones of B lymphocytes as detected by their reactivity with anti-idiotype antibodies of broad specificity. Neither plasma cell nor pre-B-cell members of these related clones were increased in frequency. Anti-idiotype antibodies or helper T cells reactive with myeloma-related idiotypes could be responsible for this phenomenon. We discuss other implications of these findings and speculate that all of the various phenotypes of B-lineage malignancies may result from oncogenic processes affecting stem cell targets.

Human natural killer (NK) and killer (K) cells were directly enumerated using a monoclonal antibody (HNK-1) and an immunofluorescence assay. The frequency of cells bearing surface HNK-1 antigen was very low in the newborn (<1.0%) and increased progressively through childhood and into adult life. This was correlated with an age-related increase in functional NK and K cell activities. Males had a slightly higher proportion of HNK-1+ cells than females. In addition to HNK-1 expression on the surface membrane, a prominent cytoplasmic expression of HNK-1 antigen was found in some but not all surface HNK-1+ cells. The cytoplasmic accumulation of HNK-1 molecules appeared to occur in more mature cells of this lineage.

The mitogenic effects of isotypically diverse antibodies to the T3 molecule were examined in genetically diverse population groups. Whereas the OKT3 antibody (IgG2a) was mitogenic for blood mononuclear cells from all individuals tested, the 38.1 antibody (IgM) was consistently nonmitogenic. In contrast, studies of the mitogenic effects of the Leu-4 antibody (IgG1) revealed striking ethnic differences. More than 80% of Caucasians and Negroes were good Leu-4 responders, whereas most individuals of Asian origin, including Indian, Japanese, and Chinese, were either Leu-4 nonresponders or Leu-4 low responders. However, the majority of American Indians, as well as a significant minority of Chinese, were good responders. Cell separation studies confirmed that monocytes govern the different mitogenic effects of the anti-T3 antibodies. The results reveal interesting ethnik differences in monocyte accessory function probably mediated via the Fc-γ receptor, in the stimulation of T lymphocytes by an IgG1 antibody against the T3 molecule.

Two mouse monoclonal antibodies to chicken immunoglobulin V(H)-associated idiotypes (Id), CId-1 and CId-2, were used as probes for Id determinants on mouse T cells. CId-1, which recognized chicken antibodies to N-acetyl glucosamine (NAGA), and ~0.4% of chicken T lymphocytes also reacted with ~0.2% of BALB/c splenic Thy-1.2+ cells. When enriched CId-1+ splenic T cells from NAGA-immune BALB/c mice were fused with the AKR thymoma BW 5147 cell line, 2 of 72 resulting hybrids, termed CId-1A and CId-1B, were reactive by indirect immunofluorescence with the CId-1 antibody. CId-1 determinants were expressed both in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that both CId-1+ T cell hybrids were phenotypically identical: CId-2-/Ig-/Lyt-1+2-/Thy-1.2+/H-2(d+)/I-A(d-)/I-A(k-)/I-J(d+)/I-J(k+). Incubation of CId-1B hybrid cells with concanavalin A or lentil lectin resulted in capping of the CId-1 determinant, whereas incubation with pokeweed mitogen, lipopolysaccharide, phytohemagglutinin, and wheat germ agglutinin had no effect on the cell surface distribution of the CId-1 molecule. Trypsin or pronase treatment resulted in the loss of detectable CId-1 determinant on the cell surface. Treatment of CId-1B cells with tunicamycin also reduced the immunofluorescence intensity of the surface CId-1 determinant, but had no effect on its cytoplasmic expression. CId-1 antibody-induced capping of the CId-1 marker did not affect the surface distribution of Lyt-1, Thy-1.2, H-2(d), I-J(d), or I-J(k) molecules. Conversely, capping of I-J(d) and I-J(k) determinants did not alter the surface distribution of CId-1. These results suggest that the CId-1 determinant is on a glycoprotein that is not physically linked to the Lyt-1, Thy-1.2, H-2(d), I-J(d), and I-J(k) molecules. The clonal restriction of CId-1 expression by T cells suggests that the CId-1+ molecule could be a T cell antigen receptor.

Hybridoma clones secreting antibodies against common V(H) determinants were readily produced by fusion of cells from mice immunized with isolated Vμ fragments of human immunoglobulins (Ig), but not with intact Ig molecules or isolated heavy chains. Four monoclonal antibodies to the Vμ fragments of different IgM paraproteins were selected for analysis: MH-44 (μκ), GB-24 (μκ), NF-11 (γ1κ), and SA-44 (γ1κ). Each antibody reacted with the homologous Vμ fragment, homologous μ chain, and normal γ chains, but not with the intact IgM molecules, intact IgG, or isolated light chains, as determined by radioimmunoassay. The V(H) reaction spectra with a panel of myeloma heavy chains showed overlapping but distinctive patterns for the four antibodies. Each of the four monoclonal anti-V(H) antibodies appeared to react with a different 'hidden' V(H) determinant that is not exposed on undenatured, intact Ig molecules and differs from conventional V(H) subgroup determinants. In immunofluorescence studies, the monoclonal anti-V(H) antibodies did not bind to surface Ig on viable B lymphocytes, but visibly stained subpopulations of fixed B lymphocytes, pre-B cells, and normal plasma cells. The mean frequencies of V(H)+ plasma cells were 30% (MH-44), 17% (GB-24), 13% (NF-11), and 3% (SA-44), and similar frequencies were obtained for the V(H)+ B cell subpopulations. While subpopulations of B cells could be identified at all stages in differentiation by immunofluorescence with the anti-V(H) antibodies, neither resting nor activated T cells expressed these V(H) determinants in detectable amounts.

This report describes an avian TCR molecule, TCR1, whose molecular characteristics, signal-transducing property, and tissue distribution suggest that it is a homologue of the mammalian TCR-γ/δ. TCR1+ cells are the first to be generated in the thymus during ontogeny, preceding other T3+ cells by ~3 d. Unlike their mammalian counterpart, TCR1+ cells constitute a relatively large subpopulation of peripheral T cells in mature chickens. These results suggest a phylogenetically important role for this receptor in T cell development and function.

Current evidence suggests both thymic and extrathymic origins for T cells. Studies in mice favor an in situ origin for a prominent population of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes that express gamma/delta T cell receptor (TCR). This developmental issue is explored in an avian model in which the gamma/delta lymphocytes constitute a major T cell subpopulation that is accessible for study during the earliest stages of lymphocyte development. In the chick embryo, cells bearing the gamma/delta TCR appear first in the thymus where they reach peak levels on days 14-15 of embryogenesis, just 2 d before gamma/delta T cells appear in the intestine. Using two congenic chick strains, one of which expresses the ov antigen, we studied the origin and kinetics of intestinal colonization by gamma/delta T cells. The embryonic gamma/delta+ thymocytes homed to the intestine where they survived for months, whereas an embryonic gamma/delta- thymocyte population enriched in thymocyte precursors failed to give rise to intestinal gamma/delta+ T cells. Embryonic hemopoietic tissues, bone marrow, and spleen, were also ineffective sources for intestinal gamma/delta+ T cells. Intestinal colonization by gamma/delta+ thymocytes occurred in two discrete waves in embryos and newly hatched birds. The data indicate that intestinal gamma/delta T cells in the chicken are primarily thymic migrants that are relatively long-lived.