A crucial step in the immune response is the binding of antigenic peptides to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. Class II MHC proteins present their bound peptides to CD4(+) T cells, thereby helping to activate both the humoral and the cellular arms of the adaptive immune response. Peptide loading onto class II MHC proteins is regulated temporally, spatially and developmentally in antigen-presenting cells. To help visualize these processes, we have developed a series of novel fluorogenic probes that incorporate the environment-sensitive amino acid analogs 6-N,N-dimethylamino-2-3-naphthalimidoalanine and 4-N,N-dimethylaminophthalimidoalanine. Upon binding to class II MHC proteins these fluorophores show large changes in emission spectra, quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime. Peptides incorporating these fluorophores bind specifically to class II MHC proteins on antigen-presenting cells and can be used to follow peptide binding in vivo. Using these probes we have tracked a developmentally regulated cell-surface peptide-binding activity in primary human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene is widely used as a bearing surface in prosthetic arthroplasty. Over time the generation of implant-derived wear particles can initiate an inflammatory reaction characterized by periprosthetic inflammation and ultimately bone resorption at the prosthetic bone interface. Herein we present evidence that the different sized particles as well as the different length alkane polymers generated by implant wear leads to a two component inflammatory response. Polymeric alkane structures, with side chain oxidations, directly bind and activate the TLR-1/2 signaling pathway. Whereas micron and nanometer sized particulate debris are extensively phagocyted and induce enlargement, fusion and disruption of endosomal compartments. The resulting lysosomal damage and subsequent enzymatic leakage induces the NALP3 inflammasome activation as determined by cathepsins S and B cytosolic release, Caspase 1 activation and processing of pro-IL-1β, and pro-IL-18. These two processes synergistically results in the initiation of a strong inflammatory response with consequent cellular necrosis and extra-cellular matrix degradation.

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins bind peptides and present them at the cell surface for interaction with CD4؉ T cells as part of the system by which the immune system surveys the body for signs of infection. Peptide binding is known to induce conformational changes in class II MHC proteins on the basis of a variety of hydrodynamic and spectroscopic approaches, but the changes have not been clearly localized within the overall class II MHC structure. To map the peptideinduced conformational change for HLA-DR1, a common human class II MHC variant, we generated a series of monoclonal antibodies recognizing the ␤ subunit that are specific for the empty conformation. Each antibody reacted with the empty but not the peptide-loaded form, for both soluble recombinant protein and native protein expressed at the cell surface. Antibody binding epitopes were characterized using overlapping peptides and alanine scanning substitutions and were localized to two distinct regions of the protein. The pattern of key residues within the epitopes suggested that the two epitope regions undergo substantial conformational alteration during peptide binding. These results illuminate aspects of the structure of the empty forms and the nature of the peptide-induced conformational change. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)1 molecules are heterodimeric cell-surface proteins that play an important role in the initiation of antigen-specific immune responses. Class II MHC proteins bind peptides derived from extracellular, endosomal, and internalized cell-surface antigens, and present them at the cell surface for inspection by CD4 ϩ T cells (1). Three-dimensional structures have been determined for peptide complexes of several polymorphic variants of both human and murine class II MHC molecules (reviewed in Ref.2). Both the MHC ␣ and ␤ chains contribute to the peptide binding site, which is made up of a ␤ sheet floor topped by two roughly parallel ␣ helical regions. Each subunit contributes an immunoglobulin-like domain below the peptide binding site, as well as short transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. Peptides bind in an extended conformation in the groove between the two helices, with ϳ10 residues able to interact with the MHC protein, and the peptide termini extending from the binding site. This conformation, similar to a polyproline type II helix, has a 2.7-residue repeat and appears to be dictated by a network of conserved hydrogen bonding interactions between the MHC and bound peptide (3). The conformation places 4 -6 of the peptide side chains into pockets within the overall groove. The residues lining these pockets vary between allelic variants, providing different peptide-sequence binding specificity. Overall the interaction buries ϳ70% of the peptide surface area in the central region of a bound peptide, leaving the remainder available for interaction with antigen receptors on T cells (4).Although the canonical structure visualized by x-ray crystallography is relatively stereotyped, a number of studies h...

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Dendritic cells (DC), uniquely among APC, express an open/empty conformation of MHC class II (MHC-II) proteins (correctly folded molecules lacking bound peptides). Generation and trafficking of empty HLA-DR during DC differentiation are investigated here. HLA-DR did not fold as an empty molecule in the endoplasmic reticulum/trans-Golgi network, did not derived from MHC/Ii complexes trafficking to the cell surface, but was generated after invariant chain degradation within lysosomal-like MHC-II rich compartments (MIIC). In pre-DC, generated from monocytes cultured in the presence of GM-CSF, Lamp-1+MHC-II+ compartments are predominantly electron dense and, in these cells, empty MHC-II molecules accounts for as much as 20% of total surface HLA-DR. In immature DC, generated in presence of GM-CSF and IL-4, empty HLA-DR reside in multilamellar MIIC, but are scarcely observed at the cell surface. Thus, the morphology/composition of lysosomal MIIC at different DC maturational stages appear important for surface egression or intracellular retention of empty HLA-DR. Ag loading can be achieved for the fraction of empty HLA-DR present in the “peptide-receptive” form. Finally, in vivo, APC-expressing surface empty HLA-DR were found in T cell areas of secondary lymphoid organs.