Methods for detection of human gamma, .gamma. T cell receptor

Abstract

The present invention provides purified polypeptides which comprise at least a portion of a .delta. T cell receptor polypeptide, a .gamma. T cell receptor polypeptide, a .gamma., .gamma. T cell receptor complex or a .gamma., .delta. T cell receptor complex. Substances capable of forming complexes with these polypeptides are also provided.Additionally, methods for detecting T cells which have within them or on tThis invention was supported by several NIH grants, and the Government has certain rights to the invention.

Description

1. INTRODUCTION

The present invention is directed to purified polypeptides which comprise at least a portion of a .delta.TCR polypeptide, a .gamma.TCR polypeptide, or a .gamma., .delta.TCR complex. The invention is also directed to substances capable of forming complexes with these polypeptides. In addition, methods for detecting T cells which have within them or on their surfaces a polypeptide of the present invention are provided and may be used for diagnosing immune system abnormalities.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Understanding T cell recognition of antigen and the restriction of the process by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encoded antigens has been an important goal in immunology. A major step forward occurred with the immunochemical identification of clone specific disulfide-linked heterodimers on T cells, composed of subunits termed T cell antigen receptors (TCR) .alpha. and .beta.. The .alpha. and .beta.TCR subunits have a relative molecular mass (M.sub.r) of approximately 50,000 and 40,000 daltons, respectively (Allison et al., 1982, Immunol. 129:2293-2300; Meuer et al., 1983, J. Exp. Med. 157:705-719; Haskins et al., 1983, J. Exp. Med. 157:1149-1169). Genes that rearrange during T cell ontogeny and encode the .beta.TCR (Yanagi et al., 1984, Nature 308:145-149; Hedrick et al., 1984, Nature 308:153-158) and .alpha.TCR (Chien et al., 1984, Nature 312:31-35; Scito et al., 1984, Nature 312:36-40, Sim et al., 1984, Nature 312:771-775) subunits were isolated either by subtractive hybridization or by probing with oligonucleotides.

A unique feature of the human .alpha.,.beta.TCR was the observed comodulation (Meuer et al., 1983, J. Exp. Med. 157:705-719), coimmunoprecipitation (described in copending application Serial No. 882,100 filed Jul. 7, 1986, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety; Oettgen, et al., 1984, J. Biol. Chem. 259:12,039-12,048) and required coexpression (Weiss et al., 1984, J. Exp. Med. 160:1284-1299) of the .alpha.,.beta.TCR molecules with the T3 glycoprotein, which suggested that these two structures were related. Subsequently, the direct physical association of the two protein complexes was demonstrated by chemically cross-linking the .alpha.,.beta.TCR molecules to the T3 glycoprotein and identifying the components of the cross-linked complex as the TCR subunit and the T3 glycoprotein (M.sub.r 28,000) subunit (Brenner et al., 1985, Cell 40:183-190). A T3 counterpart is similarly associated with murine .alpha.,.beta.TCR (Allison et al., 1985, Nature 314:107-109; Samelson et al., 1984, Immunol. Rev. 81:131-144).

A third gene that rearranges in T cells, designated .gamma.TCR, has been identified in mouse (Saito et al., 1984, Nature 309:757-762; Kranz et al., 1985, Nature 313:752-755; Hayday et al., 1985, Cell 40:259-269) and in man (Lefranc et al., 1985, Nature 316:464-466; Murre et al., 1985, Nature 316:549-552). However, there are major differences between the human and mouse .gamma.TCR gene in terms of its genetic structure; for example, the cDNA of a human C.gamma.2 gene indicates five potential sites for N-linked glycosylation in the .gamma.TCR gene product, which contrasts with the notable absence of such sites in certain murine .gamma.TCR gene sequences. Thus, certain human .gamma.TCR gene products have a higher molecular weight than that of certain murine TCR.gamma. proteins.

The .gamma.TCR gene rearrangements occur in lymphocytes with suppressor-cytotoxic as well as helper phenotypes and may produce a large number of .gamma.TCR chains (Lefranc et al., 1985, Nature 316:464-466; Murre et al., 1985, Nature 316:549-552; Quertermous et al., 1986, Science 231:252-255; LeFranc et al., 1986, Cell 45:237-246, Iwamoto et al., 1986, J. Exp. Med. 163:1203-1212; Zauderer et al., 1986, J. Exp. Med. 163:1314-1318). However, the function of the .gamma.TCR gene is unknown. Furthermore, neither the protein encoded by the .gamma.TCR gene nor its possible association with other structures (as ogccurs with .alpha.,.beta.TCR and T3 glycoproteins) have been defined. In humans, the multiple glycosylation sites render it impossible to predict with accuracy the nature and size of the .gamma.TCR polypeptide structure. Additionally, the published literature does not teach or suggest the utility of .gamma.TCR with regard to diagnosing, monitoring or staging human diseases.

It appears increasingly likely that the .alpha.,.beta.TCR molecule alone determines both antigen recognition and MHC restriction on at least some T cells (Yague et al., 1985, Cell 42:81-87; Dembic et al., 1986, Nature 320:232-238). However, it is not clear that .alpha.,.beta.TCR accounts for the process of T cell selection during T cell ontogeny or for all antigen specific recognition by mature T cells. For example, suppressor T lymphocytes remain an enigma; in some cases they delete or fail to rearrange TCR genes (Hedrick et al., 1985, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82:531-535; Blanckmeister et al., 1985, J. Exp. Med. 162:851-863). Thus, it is of great importance to determine if a second TCR exists, to define its structure (particularly with regard to the possible use of the .gamma.TCR gene product) and ultimately to understand what function or functions it serves.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a purified polypeptide which comprises at least a portion of a .delta.TCR polypeptide. The .delta.TCR polypeptides of the invention may comprise at least a portion of the primary amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, a substance capable of specifically forming a complex with at least one .delta.TCR polypeptide is provided.

A purified polypeptide which comprises at least a portion of a .gamma.TCR polypeptide is also provided by the present invention. In one embodiment of the invention the .gamma.TCR polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 40,000 daltons (Form 1). In another embodiment of the invention the .gamma.TCR polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 55,000 daltons (Form 2abc). Form 2abc .gamma.TCR polypeptide has a slightly larger peptide backbone and contains one extra potential N-linked glycan than Form 1 .gamma.TCR polypeptide. Form 1 and Form 2abc .gamma.TCR polypeptides are more fully described in copending application Serial Nos. 882, 100 filed Jul. 3, 1986 and 016,252 filed Feb. 19, 1987, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In yet another embodiment of the invention the .gamma.TCR polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 40,000 daltons (Form 2bc). Form 2bc .gamma.TCR polypeptide possesses a slightly smaller peptide backbone and 2-3 less potential N-linked glycans. Form 2bc .gamma.TCR polypeptide may comprise any portion of the primary amino acid sequence of the .gamma.TCR polypeptide shown in FIG. 5. Additionally, the .gamma.TCR polypeptide may be a human .gamma.TCR polypeptide.

The present invention further provides a purified complex which comprises two .gamma.TCR polypeptides of the present invention associated with each other. In one embodiment of the invention, the two .gamma.TCR polypeptides are associated with each other through at least one interchain, covalent, disulfide linkage. In another embodiment of the invention, the two .gamma.TCR polypeptides are noncovalently associated with each other. In still another embodiment of the invention, the two .gamma.TCR polypeptides have the same constant domain. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the two .gamma.TCR polypeptides have different constant domains.

The present invention also provides a substance capable of specifically forming a complex with at least one .gamma.TCR polypeptide. In one embodiment of the invention, the substance is capable of specifically forming a complex with one .gamma.TCR polypeptide. In another embodiment of the invention, the substance is capable of specifically forming a complex with more than one .gamma.TCR polypeptide. The substance may be an antibody. In one embodiment of the invention, the antibody is a polyclonal antibody. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.

The invention further provides a purified complex which comprises at least a portion of a .delta.TCR polypeptide and at least a portion of a .gamma.TCR polypeptide herein referred to as a .gamma.,.delta.TCR complex. Also provided are substances capable of specifically forming a complex with at least one .gamma., .delta.TCR complex. These may be used to detect T cells, each of which has a .gamma.,.delta.TCR complex. The .gamma.,.delta.TCR complexes may be present on the surface of the T cells. Alternatively, the .gamma.,.delta.TCR complexes may be present in the cytoplasm of the T cells.

The invention is also directed to methods for detecting the TCR polypeptides in samples including but not limited to lymphoid tissue, bone marrow, blood, peripheral blood lymphocytes, epithelial cells and the like, as well as methods for diagnosing immune abnormalities in animals and humans.

4. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1A-1C. Composite nucleotide sequence of group 0 cDNA clones encoding .delta.TCR protein.

Amino acid residues are numbered from the presumed amino terminal processing point. Cysteine residues are boxed, potential N-linked glycosylation sites are bracketed, and polyadenylation signals used in the clones are underlined. The composite nucleotide sequence is compared with that of the coding region of murine cDNA clone DN-4 (Chien, et al., 1987, Nature 327:677). (-) denotes identity and (*) denotes a gap.

FIGS. 2A-2E. Immunoprecipitation of the three forms of .gamma.,.delta.TCR. For parts 2A-E, the antibodies used for immunoprecipitation are anti-Leu4 (anti-CD3), .beta.F1 (anti-TCR.beta.), anti-.delta.1TCR (anti-.delta.TCR), anti-C.gamma.b serum (anti-.gamma.TCR) and P3 (unlabelled lanes, control). Immunoprecipitations from .sup.125 I-labelled cell lysates were analyzed by SDS-PAGE (10% polyacrylamide) under reducing (R) or nonreducing (N) conditions. An open arrow ( ) indicates the position of TCR .delta. under reducing condition whereas the solid arrow ( ) denotes the position of .delta.TCR under nonreducing conditions. Size markers, M.sub.r in thousands, are shown on the left.

2A) Nondisulfide-linked .gamma.TCR (40kD) on PBL-L2. In lanes 1-6 the radiolabelled cells were solubilized in 0.3% CHAPS detergent which preserves the TCR-CD3 association, whereas in lanes 7 and 8, immunoprecipiations were performed after chain separation (see methods). 2B) Nondisulfide-linked .gamma.TCR (55kD) on IDP2 cells. In lanes 1-4 radiolabelled cells were solubilized in 0.3% CHAPS detergent, whereas in lanes 5 and 6 imunoprecipitations were carried out after chain separation. 2C) Disulfide-linked .gamma.TCR (40kD) on WM-14 cells. All lanes correspond to immunoprecipitations from 1% digitonin solubilized radiolabelled cells. 2D) Nondisulfide-linked .gamma.TCR (40kD) on thymic Clone II cells. Radiolabelled cells were solubilized in 1% digitonin (lanes 1-4) or in 0.1% Triton X-100 (lanes 5 and 6), whereas in lanes 7 and 8 immunoprecipitations were carried out after chain separation. 2E) Nondisulfide-linked .gamma.TCR (40kD) on MOLT-13 leukemia T cells. In lanes 1-4 immunoprecipitations were carried out after solubilization of cells in 0.3% CHAPS detergent, whereas in lanes 5 and 6 immunoprecipitations were carried out after chain separation.

FIG. 3. Immunoprecipitation of .gamma.TCR and .delta.TCR chain by anti-C.gamma.ml antibody and anti-TCR.delta.I antibody, respectively. Cell surface radiolabelled MOLT-13 cells were solubilized in 0.3% CHAPS detergent and the .gamma., .delta.TCR-CD3 complex was isolated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. Immunoprecipitates were analyzed by 10% SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions.

Lane 1: Immunoprecipitation with anti-Leu4 (anti-CD3) mAb Lane 3: Immunoprecipitation with anti-C.gamma.ml (anti-TCR.gamma.) mAb after separating chains of isolated .gamma., .delta.TCR-CD3 complexes. Lane 4: Immunoprecipitation with anti-TCR .delta.1 (anti-TCR.delta.) mAb after separating chains of isolated .gamma., .delta.TCR-CD3 complexes.

FIGS. 4A-4B. Determination of peptide backbone sizes and glycosylation of .gamma. and .delta.TCRs from PEER and MOLT-13 cells. Monoclonal antibodies used for immunoprecipitation are anti-C.gamma.ml (anti-TCR.gamma.), anti-TCR.delta.1 (anti-TCR.delta.) and P3 (labelled control) as shown at the top of each lane. The labelled cell lines used are shown at the bottom of each 10% SDS-PAGE autoradiograph or fluorograph. All samples were resolved under reducing conditions. Size markers, M.sub.r in the thousands.

4A) Peptide backbone sizes of .gamma.TCR from PEER and MOLT-13 cells. Cells were biosynthetically labelled with .sup.35 S-cysteine and .sup.35 S-methionine for 15 minutes. Samples were either treated with Endo H (+) or mock treated (-). Immunoprecipitation with anti-C.gamma.ml shows the positions of immature .gamma.TCR of PEER cells (lane 3) and of MOLT-13 cells (lane 7), while the corresponding polypeptide backbone sizes are visualized after treatment with endo H (lanes 4 and 8). 4B) Glycosylation of TCR .delta. from MOLT-13 cells. .sup.125 I-labelled cells were immunoprecipitated with anti-CD3 mAb and the .delta.TCR polypeptides were gel purified (see methods) before incubation with N-glycanase (lane 4), endo H (lane 2), or mock treated (lanes 1, and 3).

FIGS. 5A-5C. Nucleotide sequence of MOLT-13 .delta.TCR (Form 2bc).

5A) Sequencing strategy of clone M13k. A partial restriction map of the 1.1 kb cDNA clone M13k is shown. 5B,C) Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of clone M13k. Signal sequence (S), variable (V), N-region (N), joining (J) and constant (CI, CIIb, CIIc and CIII) region gene segments are indicated by arrows and were identified by comparison to genomic sequences, described by Lefranc et al., (1986, Cell 45:237-246) (for S and V), Lefranc et al., (1986, Nature, 319:420-422) and Quertermous et al., (1987, Immunol. 138:2687-2690) (for J) and Lefranc et al., (1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83:9596-9600) and Pellicci et al., (1987, Science 237:1051-1055) (for C). The deduced amino acid sequence beginning at the initiator methionine is presented below the nucleotide sequence. Extracellular cysteines are highlighted by boxes, and potential N-linked carbohydrate attachment sites (N-X-S or N-X-T; Marshall, 1977, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 41:673-702) are indicated by brackets.

FIG. 6. Preferential use of .gamma., .delta.TCR Form 1. Freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from three healthy donors were .sup.125 I-labelled and solubilized in 1% Triton X-100. Immunoprecipitates with P3 (control, lanes 1 and 3), and anti-TCR.delta.1 (anti-TCR.delta., lanes 2 and 4), were analyzed under nonreducing (N) and reducing (R) conditions. M.sub.r markers in the thousands are shown on the left.

FIG. 7. Schematic representation of the three .gamma., .delta.TCR forms in man. The CII exon encoded connector peptides are highlighted by filled areas as C.gamma.1 CII exon encoded peptide as C.gamma.2 CII exon copy a, copy b, and copy encoded peptides, respectively). Potential N-linked glycan attachment sites (o), and sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and putative disulfide bridges (-S-S-) are indicated.

FIG. 8. Map of the rearranged .delta.TCR gene. A map of r 191.delta.1 including EcoRI (RI), Hinc II (Hc), ScaI (S) and PvuII (P) sites and probes used in Southern blot analysis is shown.

FIG. 9. Southern blot analysis of .gamma., .delta. T-cell clones and polyclonal human T-cell populations. Genomic DNA was digested with EcoRI and probed with the V-J probe. DNA sources are: PBL T-cell clones, (lanes 1, 3-9), PBL (lane 10), newborn thymocytes (NBT-lane 11), fetal thymocytes (FT-lane 12), and B cells (germline-lane 3.2). The germline 3 kb V.delta. and 6.7 kb J.delta. fragment are indicated on the left of the blot, while the 5 common rearrangements, numbered I-V are indicated on the right. The sizes of the rearrangements from I-V are 2.9 kb, 3.5 kb, 4.2 kb, 6.2 kb and 7.1 kb respectively.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

5.1. THE .delta.TCR POLYPEPTIDE

The present invention provides a purified polypeptide which comprises at least a portion of a .delta.TCR polypeptide (hereafter referred to as .delta.TCR). This polypeptide may have at least one intrachain, covalent, disulphide bridge. Additionally, the polypeptide may comprise a .delta.TCR polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 40,000 daltons. Furthermore, the .delta.TCR polypeptide may be a human .delta.TCR. In one embodiment of the invention the polypeptide comprises at least a portion of the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1.

A substance capable of specifically forming a complex with at least one .delta.TCR polypeptide is also provided by the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the substance is capable of specifically forming a complex with one .delta.TCR polypeptide. In another embodiment of the invention, the substance is capable of specifically forming a complex with more than one .delta.TCR polypeptide. The substance may be an antibody. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the substance is capable of specifically forming a complex with a variable region of the .delta.TCR polypeptide. The antibody may be a polyclonal antibody or a monoclonal antibody.

Also provided is a method for detecting T cells, each of which has a .delta.TCR polypeptide. This method comprises contacting a sample containing T cells with substances capable of forming complexes with .delta.TCR polypeptides so as to form cellular complexes between the substances and the .delta.TCR polypeptides. These cellular complexes are detected and thereby T cells, each of which has a .delta.TCR polypeptide, are detected.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, the .delta.TCR polypeptides are present on the surfaces on the T cells. In another embodiment of the invention, the .delta.TCR polypeptides are present in the cytoplasm of the T cells.

This method may be performed by forming complexes with a specific .delta.TCR polypeptide. In one embodiment of the invention, the specific .delta.TCR polypeptide is present only in suppressor T cells.

The invention further provides a method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject. Within this application, immune system abnormality means a condition of immunological responsiveness to antigens characterized by an increased or a decreased immune response compared to a normal or standard immune response. Accordingly, immune system abnormality includes, but is not limited to, immunodeficiency conditions and diseases, e.g., acquired immune deficiency syndrome and congenital imunodeficiencies and hyperimmune conditions and diseases, e.g., allergies and hayfever. The method of the present invention comprises determining the number of T cells in a sample from the subject and contacting the sample with the substances capable of forming complexes with at least one .delta.TCR polypeptide so as to form cellular complexes between the substances and .delta.TCR polypeptides. The percentage of T cells in the sample which have a .delta.TCR polypeptide is determined and compared with the percentage of T cells which have a .delta.TCR polypeptide in a sample from a normal subject who does not have the immune system abnormality. A difference in the percentage of T cells so determined would be indicative of the immune system abnormality.

In one embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is a cancer. The cancer may be a leukemia or a lymphoma. In another embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is acquired immune deficiency syndrome. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is congenital immunodeficiency. In still a further embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is an autoimmune disease.

The subject in whom the immune system abnormality is diagnosed may be an animal. In one embodiment of the invention the subject is a human. Furthermore, the sample from the subject may comprise but is not limited to lymphoid tissue, bone marrow, blood, peripheral blood lymphocytes, epithelial cells and the like.

Yet another method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality is provided by the present invention. This method comprises determining the number of .delta.TCR polypeptide bearing T cells in a sample from the subject and the amount of .delta.TCR polypeptide in the .delta.TCR bearing T cells. The amount of .delta.TCR polypeptide so determined is compared with the amount of .delta.TCR polypeptide in an equal number of .delta.TCR polypeptide bearing T cells in a sample from a normal subject who does not have the immune system abnormality. A difference in the amount so determined would be indicative of the immune system abnormality. In one embodiment of the invention, the amount of a single .delta.TCR polypeptide is determined.

A further method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject is provided. This method comprises: (a) determining in a sample from the subject the ratio of the number of T cells which have a .delta.TCR polypeptide relative to the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of T4, T8 and .alpha.,.beta.TCR; and (b) comparing the ratio of (a) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune system abnormality.

The present invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding a .delta.TCR polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 40,000 daltons. In one embodiment of the invention, the molecule is a DNA molecule. In another embodiment of the invention the DNA molecule comprises at least a portion of the nucleic acid sequence shown in FIG. 1. Further provided is a nucleic acid molecule which is complementary to the nucleic acid molecule which encodes a .delta.TCR polypeptide.

5.2. THE .gamma.TCR POLYPEPTIDE

A purified polypeptide which comprises at least a portion of a .gamma.TCR polypeptide is also provided by the present invention. In one embodiment of the invention the .gamma.TCR polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 40,000 daltons (Form 1). In another embodiment of the invention the .gamma.TCR polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 55,000 daltons (Form 2abc). Form 2abc .gamma.TCR polypeptide has a slightly larger peptide backbone and contains one extra potential N-linked glycan than Form 1. Form 1 and Form 2abc .gamma.TCR polypeptides are more fully described in copending application Serial Nos. 882,100 filed Jul. 3, 1986 and 016,252 filed Feb. 19, 1987, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In yet another embodiment of the invention the .gamma.TCR polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 40,000 (Form 2bc). Form 2bc .gamma.TCR polypeptide possesses a slightly smaller peptide backbone and 2-3 less potential N-linked glycans. Form 2bc .gamma.TCR polypeptide may comprise any portion of the primary amino acid sequence of the .gamma.TCR polypeptide shown in FIG. 5. Additionally, the .gamma.TCR polypeptide may be a human .gamma.TCR polypeptide.

The present invention further provides a purified complex which comprises two .gamma.TCR polypeptides of the present invention associated with each other. In one embodiment of the invention, the two .gamma.TCR polypeptides are associated with each other through at least one interchain, covalent, disulfide linkage. In another embodiment of the invention, the two .gamma.TCR polypeptides are noncovalently associated with each other. In still another embodiment of the invention, the two .gamma.TCR polypeptides have the same constant domain. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the two .gamma.TCR polypeptides have different constant domains.

The present invention also provides a substance capable of specifically forming a complex with at least one .gamma.TCR polypeptide. In one embodiment of the invention, the substance is capable of specifically forming a complex with one .gamma.TCR polypeptide. In another embodiment of the invention, the substance is capable of specifically forming a complex with more than one .gamma.TCR polypeptide. The substance may be an antibody. In one embodiment of the invention, the antibody is a polyclonal antibody. In another embodiment of the invention, the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.

A method for detecting T cells, each of which has a .gamma.TCR polypeptide, is further provided. This method comprises contacting a sample which contains T cells with substances capable of forming complexes with .gamma.TCR polpeptides so as to form cellular complexes between the substances and the .gamma.TCR polypeptides. These cellular complexes are detected and thereby T cells, each of which has a .gamma.TCR polypeptide, are detected.

In one embodiment of the invention, the .gamma.TCR polypeptides are present on the surfaces of the T cells. In another embodiment of the invention, the .gamma.TCR polypeptides are present in the cytoplasm of the T cells.

In one embodiment of the invention, the substances are capable of forming complexes with a specific .gamma.TCR polypeptide. The specific .gamma.TCR polypeptide may be present only in suppressor T cells. Furthermore, the .gamma.TCR polypeptide may be associated with another .gamma.TCR polypeptide. In one embodiment of the invention, the .gamma.TCR polypeptide is associated with another .gamma.TCR polypeptide only in non-major histocompatibility restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the non-major histocompatibility complex restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes may be killer T cells or natural killer-like cells.

The present invention further provides a method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject. This method comprises determining the number of T cells in a sample from the subject and contacting the sample with substances capable of forming complexes with at least one .gamma.TCR polypeptide so as to form cellular complexes between the substances and .gamma.TCR polypeptides. The percentage of T cells in the sample which have a .gamma.TCR polypeptide is determined and compared with the percentage of T cells which have a .gamma.TCR polypeptide in a normal subject who does not have the immune system abnormality. A difference in the percentage of T cells so determined would be indicative of the immune system abnormality. In one embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is a cancer. The cancer may be a leukemia or a lymphoma. In another embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is acquired immune deficiency syndrome. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is congenital immunodeficiency. In still a further embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is an autoimmune disease.

The subject in which the immune system abnormality is diagnosed may be an animal. Additionally, the subject in which the immune system abnormality is diagnosed may be a human. Furthermore, the sample from the subject epithelial cells may comprise but is limited to bone marrow, blood, peripheral blood lymphocytes, and the like.

Another method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject is provided by the present invention. This method comprises determining the number of .gamma.TCR polypeptide bearing T cells in a sample from the subject and the amount of .gamma.TCR polypeptides in the .gamma.TCR polypeptide bearing T cells. The amount of .gamma.TCR polypeptides so determined is compared with the amount of .gamma.TCR polypeptides in an equal number of .gamma.TCR polypeptide bearing T cells in a sample from a normal subject who does not have the immune system abnormality. A difference in the amount so determined would be indicative of the immune system abnormality. In one embodiment of the invention, the amount of a single .gamma.TCR polypeptide is determined.

Yet another method is provided for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject. This method comprises: (a) determining in a sample from the subject the ratio of the number of T cells which have a Form .gamma.TCR polypeptide relative to the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 2abc .gamma.TCR, Form 2bc .gamma.TCR, T4, T8, and .alpha./.beta.TCR; and (b) comparing the ratio of (a) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune system abnormality, where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

Provided is a further method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject. This method comprises: (a) determining in a sample from the subject the ratio of the number of T cells which have a Form 2abc .gamma.TCR polypeptide relative to the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 1 .gamma.TCR, Form 2bc .gamma.TCR T4, T8, and .alpha./.beta.TCR; and (b) comparing the ratio of (a) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune system abnormality, where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

Another method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject is provided. This method comprises: (a) determining in a sample from the subject the ratio of the number of T cells which have a Form 2bc .gamma.TCR polypeptide relative to the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 1 .gamma.TCR, form 2abc .gamma.TCR, T4, T8, and .alpha.,.beta.TCR; and (b) comparing the ratio of (a) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune system abnormality.

The present invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding a .gamma.TCR polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 40,000 daltons (Form 2bc). The constant region of Form 2bc .gamma.TCR polypeptide is encoded by the c.gamma.2 gene segment containing three cII exons. Only two of the three cII exons are utilized. The molecule is a DNA molecule in one embodiment of the invention. In another embodiment of the invention the DNA molecule comprises at least a portion of the nucleic acid sequence shown in FIG. 5.

5.3. THE .gamma..delta. POLYPEPTIDE COMPLEX

A purified complex which comprises at least a portion of a .delta.TCR polypeptide and at least a portion of a .gamma.TCR polypeptide is further provided by the present invention. This complex may comprise a .delta.TCR polypeptide having a molcular weight of about 40,000 daltons and a .gamma.TCR polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 40,000 daltons (Form 1 and Form 2bc) or 55,000 daltons (Form 2abc). Furthermore, the .delta.TCR polypeptide may be a human .delta.TCR polypeptide, and the .gamma.TCR polypeptide may be a human .gamma.TCR polypeptide. Moreover, the .delta.TCR polypeptide and the Form 1 .gamma.TCR polypeptide may be associated with each other through at least one interchain, covalent, disulphide linkage. In another embodiment, the .delta.T cell receptor polypeptide and the Form 2abc or Form 2bc .gamma.TCR polypeptide may be noncovalently associated with each other. Also provided is a substance capable of specifically forming a complex with at least one .gamma., .delta.TCR complex. This substance may be capable of forming a complex with one .gamma., .delta.TCR complex. Furthermore, the substance may be capable of forming a complex with more than one .gamma., .delta.TCR complex.

In one embodiment of the invention, the substance is an antibody. In another embodiment of the invention, the substance is a polyclonal antibody. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the substance is a monoclonal antibody.

The present invention further provides a method for detecting T cells, each of which has a .gamma., .delta.TCR complex. This method comprises contacting a sample containing T cells with substances capable of forming complexes with .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes so as to form and subsequently detect cellular complexes between the substances and the .gamma., .delta.TCR complex. In one embodiment of the invention, the .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes are present on the surface of the T cells. In another embodiment of the invention, the .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes are present in the cytoplasm of the T cells. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the substances are capable of forming complexes with a specific .gamma., .delta.TCR complex. The specific .gamma., .delta.TCR complex may be present only in suppressor T cells.

A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject is further provided by the present invention. This method comprises determining the number of T cells in a sample from the subject and contacting the sample with substances capable of forming complexes with at least one .gamma., .delta.TCR complex so as to form cellular complexes between the substances and .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes. The percentage of T cells in the sample which have a .gamma., .delta.TCR complex is determined and compared with the percentage of T cells which have a .gamma., .delta.TCR complex in a sample from a normal subject who does not have the immune system abnormality. A difference in the percentage of T cells so determined would be indicative of the immune system abnormality. In one embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is a cancer. The cancer may be a leukemia or a lymphoma. In another embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is acquired immune deficiency syndrome. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is congenital immunodeficiency. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the immune system abnormality is an autoimmune disease.

The subject in which the immune system abnormality is diagnosed may be an animal. Furthermore, the subject in which the immune system abnormality is diagnosed may be a human. Moreover, the sample from the subject may comprise but is not limited to bone marrow, blood, peripheral blood lymphocytes, epithelial cells and the like.

Still another method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject is provided by the present invention. This method comprises determining the number of .gamma., .delta.TCR complex bearing T cells in a sample from the subject and the amount of .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes in the .gamma., .delta.TCR complex bearing T cells. The amount so determined is compared with the amount of .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes in an equal number of .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes bearing T cells in a sample from a normal subject who does not have immune system abnormality. A difference in the amount so determined would be indicative of the immune system abnormality. In one embodiment of the invention, the amount of a single .gamma., .delta.TCR complex is determined.

The present invention provides yet another method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject. This method comprises: (a) determining in a sample from the subject the ratio of the number of T cells which have a .gamma. (Form 1), .delta.TCR complex relative to the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 2abc .gamma.TCR, Form 2bc .gamma.TCR, T4, T8, and .alpha./.beta.TCR; and (b) comparing the ratio of (a) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune system abnormality, where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

A further method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject is provided. This method comprises: (a) determining in a sample from the subject the ratio of the number of T cells which have a .gamma. (Form 2abc), .delta.TCR complex relative to the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 1 .gamma.TCR, Form 2bc .gamma.TCR, T4, T8, and .alpha./.beta.TCR; and (b) comparing the ratio of (a) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune system abnormality, where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

Yet another method is provided for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a subject. This method comprises: (a) determining in a sample from the subject the ratio of the number of T cells which have a .gamma. (Form 2bc), .delta.TCR complex relative to the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form l.gamma.TCR, Form 2abc .gamma.TCR, T4, T8, and .alpha./.beta.TCR; and (b) comparing the ratio of (a) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune system abnormality, where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality, where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

The various methods for diagnosing abnormalities and for detecting T cells provided by the present invention are based upon the novel polypeptides and substances capable of forming complexes with these polypeptides as described more fully herein above. The methods utilize methods for detecting and quantifying T cells, including but not limited to, fluorescence activated cell sorting and autoradiography, which are well known to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

6. EXAMPLE: THREE FORMS OF THE HUMAN T CELL RECEPTOR .gamma..delta.: PREFERENTIAL USE OF ONE FORM IN SELECTED HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

6.1. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES 6.1.1. ANTIBODIES

Monoclonal antibodies used were anti-Leu4 (anti-CD3) (Ledbetter et al., 1981, J. Exp. Med. 153:310-323), .beta.F1 (anti-.beta.TCR) (Brenner et al., 1987, J. lmmunol. 138:1502-1509), anti-TCR.delta.1 (anti-.delta.TCR) (described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256 filed Oct. 29, 1987, now U.S. Pat. no. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 18, 1991 which is incorporated in its entirety), P3 (control) (secreted by P3X63. Ag8; Koehler and Milstein, 1975, Nature 256:495-497), 187.1 (rat anti-mouse k light chain) (Yelton et al., 1981, Hybridoma 1:5-11), and WT31 (stains .alpha..beta.TCR lymphocytes brightly) (Spits et al., 1985, J. Immunol 135:1922-1928). Anti-C.gamma.b peptide serum (anti-TCR .gamma.)was generated against a 22 amino acid synthetic peptide (Gln-Leu-Asp-Ala-Asp-Val-Ser-Pro-Lys-Pro-Thr-Ile-Phe-Leu-Pro -Ser-Ile-Ala-Glu-Thr-Lys-Cys) (described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 882,100 filed Jul. 3, 1986 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 17, 1991 , which is incorporated in its entirety).

6.1.2. CELL LINES

PEER (Weiss et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83:6998-7002) and MOLT-13 (isolated by J. Minowada, Loh et al , 1987, Nature 330:569-572) are T leukemic cell lines. Umbilical cord blood derived clone WM-14 (Alarcon et al., 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84:3861-3865) and peripheral blood derived cell line IDP2 (described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 882,100 filed Jul. 3, 1986, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety) and thymus-derived Clone II (Bank et al., 1986, Nature 322:179-181) were cultured as described earlier. Peripheral blood derived cell line 2 (PBL-L2) was isolated by sorting peripheral blood isolated lymphocytes that did not stain with mAb WT31. The isolated cells were then expanded in vitro in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) conditioned medium containing IL-2 and 10% (v/v) human serum, and stimulated every 3 weeks with irradiated autologous feeder cells.

6.I.3. IODINATION AND IMMUNOPRECIPITATION

2.times.10.sup.7 cells were isolated by Ficoll-diatrizoate (Organon Teknika Corp.) centrifugation and iodinated on ice in 0.5 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4 (PBS) containing 1 mM MgCl.sub.2, 5 mM glucose by adding 100 .mu.g of lactoperoxidase (80-100 U/mg, Sigma) and 1 mCi of Na.sup.125 I (New England Nuclear). Ten .mu.l of a 0.03% hydrogen peroxide solution was added at 5 minute intervals over a reaction period of 30 minutes. Cells were solubilized overnight in detergent supplemented TBS (50 mM Tris-Base pH 7.6, 140 mM NaCl) containing 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF, Sigma) and 8 mM iodoacetamide (IAA, Sigma). As indicated, different detergents used in this study were 0.3% (w/v) 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio] 1-propane-sulfonate (CHAPS, Signma), 1% (w/v) digitonin (Aldrich) and Triton X-100 (TX-100, Sigma). After 20 minutes of centrifugation at 10,000 g to remove insoluble material, detergent lysates were precleared by a 30 minute incubation with 4 .mu.l of normal rabbit serum (NRS) and 400 .mu.l of 187.1 hybridoma culture medium, followed by addition of 200 .mu.l of a 10% (w/v) cell suspension of fixed Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (Pansorbin, Calbiochem). After a one-hour incubation, Pansorbin was removed by centrifugation. Specific precipitations were carried out by adding 0.25 .mu.l .beta.F1 ascites, 1 .mu.l mg/ml anti-Leu4 or 0.25 .mu.l P3 ascites, together with 150 .mu.l of 187.1 culture supernatant to each sample, followed by a one-hour incubation. 100 .mu.l of 10% (v/v) Protein A-Sepharose (Pharmacia) was added and the mixture was rocked for 1 hour at 4.degree. C. Immunoprecipitates were washed five times with 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100 containing TBS and analyzed by SDS-PAGE (Laemmli, 1970, Nature 227:680-685).

For immunoprecipiations with the anti-C.gamma.b peptide serum, iodinated cells were solubilized in 1% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) containing TBS and then boiled for 3 minutes. After cooling, 5 volumes of 2% (v/v) Triton X-100 in TBS containing PMSF and IAA was added, together with 200 .mu.l of a mixture of 1 mg/ml DNAse and 0.5 mg/ml RNAse in 50 mM MgCl.sub.2. Preclearing and immunoprecipitations were performed as described above, omitting the addition of 187.1 mAb. Immunoprecipitates were washed in TBS containing 0.5% (v/v) TritonX-100, 0.5% (w/v) deoxycholate (DOC), 0.05% (w/v) SDS.

6.1.4. BIOSYNTHETIC LABELLING

4.times.10.sup.7 exponentially growing cells were resuspended in 4 ml of methionine and cysteine-free RPMI 1640 (Select-Amine kit, Gibco) supplemented with 10% dialyzed FCS and 20 mM Hepes. After a 30 minute starvation period at 37.degree. C., 1 mCi of .sup.35 S-methionine and 1 mCi of .sup.35 S-cysteine were added, allowing a 15 minute labelling period. Cells were harvested and solubilized in 2% (v/v) Triton X-100, TBS. Preclearing and immunoprecipitations were performed as described above. The immunoprecipitates were washed four times in 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100, 0.5% (w/v) deoxycholic acid, 0.05% (w/v) SDS, TBS followed by three washes in 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100, 0.5 M NaCl, 5 mM EDTA, 50 mM Tris, pH 7.6. The samples were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and visualized by standard fluorography procedures (Bonner and Laskey, 1974, Eur. J. Biochem. 46:83-88).

6.1.5. GEL PURIFICATION OF .delta.TCR PROTEINS

Surface iodinated cells were solubilized in 0.3% (w/v) CHAPS-TBS and immunoprocipitated using 50 .mu.l of anti-Leu4-coupled Sepharose beads. The immunoprecipitated species were resolved by SDS-PAGE under nonreducing conditions and the wet gel was exposed for 24 hours at 4.degree. C. on XAR-5 film (Kodak) to visualize radiolabelled .delta.TCR proteins. The gel regions corresponding to .delta.TCR were excised, incubated in 5% (v/v) 2-mercaptoethanol containing sample buffer and resolved a second time by SDS-PAGE. Because of the characteristic SDS-PAGE mobility shift upon reduction, .delta.TCR protein could be separated and then purified from contaminants. TCR proteins were eluted from gel slices by overnight incubation in 0.05% (w/v) SDS, 50 mM ammonium bicarbonate buffer at 37.degree. C. and lyophilized.

6.1.6. ENDOGLYCOSIDASE DIGESTION

For endoglycosidase H (Endo H) digestions, immunoprecipitated material or gel purified protein was boiled for 3 minutes in a 40 .mu.l % (w/v) SDS solution containing 0.14 M 2-mercaptoethanol. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with 360 .mu.l of 0.15 M acetate buffer, pH 5.5 containing 1 mM PMSF. Five .mu.1 Endo H (1U/ml- Endo-.beta.-N-acetylglucosaminidase H, Genzyme) was incubated with half of the above solution for 14 hours at 37.degree. C., while the other half was mock treated.

For N-glycanase (N-GLY) digestion, gel purified material was boiled for 3 minutes in 35 .mu.l of 0.5% (w/v) SDS, 0.10 M 2-mercaptoethanol. Then, 100 .mu.l of 0.2 M sodium phosphate (pH 8.6), 1.25% (v/v) Triton X-100 was added. Half of the mixture was incubated with 1 .mu.l N-Glycanase (250 U/ml, peptide-N-[N-acetyl-.beta.-glucosaminyl]asparagine amidase; Genzyme) and incubated for 16 hours at 37.degree. C., while the other half was mock treated.

After digestion 10 .mu.g bovine serum albumin was added as carrier and samples were recovered by trichloroacetic acid precipitation. Protein pellets were taken up in sample buffer containing 5% (v/v) 2-mercaptoethanol.

6.1.7. PRODUCTION OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY anti-C.gamma.ml

Part of the C.gamma. CI and CII exons of HPB-MLT pT.gamma.-1 was isolated using the BamHI and PstI sites at nucleotide positions 571 and 848 (Dialynas et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:2619-2623) and was cloned into expression vector pRIT2T (Pharmacia). The resulting Protein A fusion protein was expressed in E. coli N4830. Bacteria were lysed with lysozyme and the fusion protein was isolated by purification over a IgG Sepharose column. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 100 .mu.g of fusion protein in Freund's adjuvant at days 0, 7 and 28. Twenty-eight days later 100 .mu.g of fusion protein in PBS was injected intravenously. After three days splenocytes were isolated and fused with the hybridoma P3X63Ag8.653 as described (Brenner et al., 1987, J. Immunol. 138:1502-1509). Hybridomas were screened by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Ninety six-well flat bottom plates (LINBRO, Flow Laboratories) were incubated overnight with 0.4 .mu.g of fusion protein or nonfused protein in PBS. Nonspecific binding sites were blocked at 23.degree. C. with 0.25 mg/ml normal rabbit IgG (Sigma) in PBS containing 50% (v/v) FCS. 50 .mu.l of hybridoma supernatant was added for 1 hour at 4.degree. C., followed by a similar incubation in 50 .mu.l of a 5 .mu.g/ml solution of peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse IgG (Cappel). All described incubations were interspersed with washing steps, using 10% (v/v) FCS, 0.1% (w/v) BSA, PBS. The ELISA was developed with 0.08% (w/v) O-phenylene diamine (Sigma) in 0.012% (w/v) hydrogen peroxide containing phosphatecitrate buffer, pH 5.0.

Although anti-C.gamma.ml (IgG.sub.1) does not recognize the native .gamma..delta.TCR/CD3 complex in cytofluorographic analysis nor the .gamma..delta.TCR heterodimer from TX-100 solubilized cells in immunoprecipitation (data not shown), it does recognize biosynthetically labelled .gamma.TCR precursor and mature .gamma.TCR proteins after separation of CD3/.gamma..delta.TCR proteins into individual chains. In this way, anti-C.gamma.ml was shown to recognize the .gamma.TCR protein after separating CD.gamma..delta.TCR complexes into individual chains by boiling anti-CD3 immunoprecipitates in 1% (w/v) SDS in TBS (FIG. 3, lane 3).

6.1.8. ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF A MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR cDNA CLONE

Poly (A)+ RNA was prepared from MOLT-13 cells by urea/lithium chloride precipitation followed by oligo (dT) cellulose affinity chromatography. A .lambda.gt 10 cDNA library was prepared from poly(A)+ RNA by the method of Huynh et al., 1985 (DNA Cloning, Glover, D.M. ed. IRL Press, Oxford, I:49-78) using Mung Bean Nuclease for the hairpin loop cleavage (McCutcham et al., 1984, Science 225:626-628). The cDNA library was amplified on the E. coli strain C600 Hf and screened by plaque filter hybridization with .sup.32 P-labelled PT.gamma.I (Dialynas et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83:2619-2623). Positive clones were analyzed for size and restriction enzyme map, and cDNA clone M13k was selected for sequencing. The cDNA of M13k was excised from .lambda.gt 10 phage with the endonuclease EcoRI and further digested with appropriate restriction enzymes. The fragments were subcloned into M13 vectors and sequenced by the dideoxy chain termination method (Sanger et al., 1977, proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74:5463-5467) using the modified T7 polymerase (Sequenase, United States Biochemical Corp.).

Clone M13k corresponds to a full length, in frame, .gamma.TCR transcript, including 36 nucleotides of 5' untranslated region and 72 nucleotides of 3' noncoding region (FIG. 5). The nucleotide sequence of the V region is identical to the genomic V.gamma.1.3 sequence (nomenclature Lefranc et al., 1986a, Cell 45:237-246; Strauss et al., 1987, Science 237:1217-1219), except for a C to T (Ile to Val) change of nucleotide 53 in the putative signal sequence. The J region is identical to the J.gamma.2.3 sequence (nomenclature based on Lefranc et al, 1986b, Nature 319:420-422; Quertermous et al, 1987, J. Immunol. 138:2687-2690). lnterestingly, 8 nucleotides occur at the V-J junction which do not appear to be encoded by the genomic V or J sequences and presumably represents an N-region. The C region sequences match the corresponding genomic sequence (Lefranc et al., 1986c, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83:9596-9600), with the exception of nucleotide 559 (G to C; Val to Ile) and nucleotide 908 (T to C; Met to Thr).

6.2. RESULTS

6.2.1. NOVEL .gamma..delta.TCR PROTEIN COMPLEX

Preliminary studies of peripheral blood .gamma..delta.TCR lymphocytes revealed the presence of a CD3-associated complex that was different from the known human .gamma..delta.TCR forms. In an attempt to delineate this form, we produced and characterized a number of cell lines derived from normal human donors. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were stained with monoclonal antibody (mAb) WT31, which brightly stains resting .alpha..beta.TCR lymphocytes. Cells that did not stain were isolated by cell sorting and then expanded in vitro in IL-2 containing medium. Peripheral blood lymphocyte line 2 (PBL-L2) obtained in this way, proved to be homogeneously CD3.sup.+ CD4.sup.- CD8.sup.-, a cell surface phenotype characteristic of .gamma..delta.TCR lymphocytes.

To visualize .gamma..delta.TCR complexes on PBL-L2 cells, immunoprecipitations with an anti-CD3 mAb were carried out from cell surface .sup.125 I-labelled cells solubilized in CHAPS or digitonin. In these detergents, the physical association between the CD3 complex and .gamma..delta.TCR subunits is preserved. SDS-PAGE of anti-CD3 immunoprecipitates from PBL-L2 cells resolved 40kD and 44kD proteins (referred to as 40kD) that were identified as .gamma.TCR subunits by anti-C.gamma.b serum, an antiserum directed against a .gamma.TCR constant region peptide (FIG. 2A; see methods section).

These .gamma.TCR proteins on PBL-L2 are noncovalently associated with a .delta.TCR subunit, which is visible as a weakly iodinated protein in the anti-CD3 immunoprecipitation analyzed under nonreducing conditions (FIG. 2A, lane 6, closed arrow). This weakly iodinated protein represents the .delta.TCR subunit on PBL-L2 cells, since it is not recognized by anti-C.gamma.b serum (FIG. 2A, lane 8). In addition, it displays the same SDS-mobility shift comparing analysis under nonreducing and reducing conditions as was noted for the .delta.TCR proteins on IDP2 and PEER cells (see infra; described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 016,252 filed Feb. 19, 1987 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety). The .delta.TCR protein could not be visualized after reduction (FIG. 2A, lane 3), because it migrated with a mobility of 40kD (see infra) and then was obscured by the similar sized .gamma.TCR protein (open arrow).

This .gamma..delta.TCR form is not only present on normal peripheral blood T-lymphocytes, but is also observed on thymus-derived Clone II cells (FIG. 2D, Bank et al., 1986, Nature 322:179-181), and on the T-leukemic cell line MOLT-13 (FIG. 2E). These three cell lines possess .gamma.TCR species that display differential glycosylation resulting in a .gamma.TCR protein doublet observed on PBL-L2 (40kD and 44kD; FIG. 2A, lane 8) and Clone II cells (40k D and 44kD; FIG. 2D, lane 8) or a diffusely labelled .gamma.TCR protein band observed on MOLT-13 cells (40 to 46kD; FIG. 2E, lane 6). Two-dimensional gel analysis [noneqiilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis (NEPHGE) followed by SDS-PAGE] of the MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR protein band resolved two parallel .gamma.TCR species (40kD and 44kD), of which the 44kD .gamma.TCR species contained an additional high mannose (or hybrid) N-linked glycan compared to the 40kD .gamma.TCR species (data not shown). Thus, the .gamma.TCR subunits of this receptor complex isolated from three different cell sources (peripheral blood, thymus, and leukemia) reveal cell surface species of 40kD that are noncovalently associated with .delta.TCR partner chains.

For comparison to the .gamma..delta.TCR form on PBL-L2, Clone II and MOLT-13 cells, we examined the previously known forms on the IDP2 and WM-14 cell lines. The IDP2 cell line (described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 882,100 filed Jul. 3, 1986, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety) contains a larger, 55-60kD .gamma.TCR protein (referred to as 55kD), which is recognized by anti-C.gamma.b serum (FIG. 2B). When the anti-CD3 immunoprecipitate is examined under nonreducing conditions, it is evident that the IDP2 .gamma.TCR protein is associated noncovalently with its .delta.TCR partner chain (FIG. 2B, lane 4, solid arrow). Upon reduction, the .delta.TCR protein displays a decrease in SDS-PAGE mobility to a relative molecular mass of 40kD (compare FIG. 2B, lane 4, closed arrow, with FIG. 2B, lane 2, open arrow).

In contrast to the noncovalently associated .gamma..delta.TCR forms, the peripheral blood-derived T cell clone, WM-14, bears a disulfide-linked TCR dimer of 70kD (FIG. 2C, lane 7), that was recognized by anti-C.gamma.serum (Alarcon et al, 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84:3861-3865). This dimer is also recognized by anti-TCR.delta.1, a mAb directed against the .delta.TCR subunit (FIG. 2C, lane 5), and therefore represents a .gamma..delta.TCR heterodimer. Analysis under reducing conditions reveals three .gamma.TCR proteins of 36kD, 40kD and 43kD (referred to as 40kD). The molecular mass of the .delta.TCR subunit in this complex is not known.

Thus, the CD3-associated complex on PBL-L2, Clone II and MOLT-13 cells constitutes a novel .gamma..delta.TCR heterodimer compared to the previously known forms, since its TCR .gamma. subunit is 40kD (similar in size to the disulfide-linked C.gamma.1 encoded .gamma.TCR protein on WM-14 cells), yet it is not disulfide-linked to its partner chain (similar to the 55kD, C.gamma.2 encoded .gamma.TCR protein on IDP2 cells). To understand the molecular basis of this complex more detailed structural analysis of its .gamma.TCR and .delta.TCR subunits was carried out, using the MOLT-13 cell line as an example.

6.2.2. CORE POLYPEPTIDE SIZE OF MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR SUBUNIT

To determine the size of the .gamma.TCR core polypeptide of MOLT-13 cells (40kD .gamma.TCR glycoprotein), and compare it with that of PEER cells (55kD .gamma.TCR glycoprotein), both cell lines were biosynthetically labelled for 15 minutes in the presence of .sup.35 S-methionine and .sup.35 S-cysteine, solubilized in Triton X-100 and then immunoprecipitated with anti-C.gamma.ml, a new monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes the .gamma.TCR chain (FIG. 4A, see methods section). Immunoprecipitated material was subsequently digested with endoglycosidase H (Endo H) to remove the immature N-linked glycans. The MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR polypeptide backbone has a relative molecular mass of 35 kD (FIG. 4A, lane 8), which is 5kD smaller than the PEER .gamma.TCR core polypeptide (40kD; FIG. 4A, lane 4) or the IDP2 .gamma.TCR core polypeptide (40kD; described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 016,252, filed Feb. 19, 1987, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety). It now can be concluded that MOLT-13 cells express a .gamma.TCR core polypeptide that is distinct from the IDP2 and PEER .gamma.TCR core polypeptides based on its being 5kD smaller. In addition, only 5-11kD of size on the mature MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR cell surface glycoprotein are accounted for by post-translational processes (40-46kD surface size minus 35kD core size), where 15-20kD of relative molecular mass can be accounted for by post-translational processes on the PEER and IDP2 .gamma.TCR glycoproteins (55-60kD surface size minus 40kD core size). Assuming that all post-translational processes are N-linked glycans and that each glycan chain accounts for approximately 3kD of relative molecular mass, we predict that 2 to 3 N-linked glycans are attached to the MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR protein, while 5 N-linked glycans are added to the polypeptides on PEER and IDP2 cells. Experiments using N-glycanase to remove N-linked carbohydrates from cell surface .gamma.TCR proteins showed that the majority of the post-translational processes that are added to the core polypeptide are indeed N-linked glycans (data not shown).

6.2.3. PRIMARY SEQUENCE OF MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR

To understand the structure of the constant region gene segment encoding the MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR subunit, the sequence of a cDNA clone representing the MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR transcript was determined. A .lambda.gt10 library from MOLT-13 derived poly-A.sup.+ RNA was constructed and probed with a human .gamma.TCR cDNA clone, pT.gamma.-1 (Dialynas et al., 1986, supra). Based on size and limited restriction enzyme mapping one clone, M13k, was selected and its nucleotide sequence determined (FIG. 5). Clone M13k represents a full length, in-frame .gamma.TCR transcript, using a V.gamma.1.3 gene segment joined to a J.gamma.2.3 gene segment (Lefranc et al., 1986a, supra.; Lefranc et al., 1986b, supra.; nomenclature based on Strauss et al., 1987, supra; Quertermous et al., 1987, J. Immunol. 138:2687-2690). The constant region sequence was found to be nearly identical to a recently reported non-functional .gamma.TCR (Pellici et al., 1987, Science 287:1051-1055) and to the C.gamma.2 qenomio sequence containing two CII exon copies b and c (Lefranc et al., 1986c, supra) (see methods section for detailed account). This represents the first in-frame transcript encoding a .gamma.TCR protein expressed on the cell surface that utilizes a C.gamma.2 gene segment with two CII exon copies.

The deduced amino acid sequence of this cDNA clone predicts a polypeptide backbone size of 34.8kD which is in good agreement with biochemical data described above. Surprisingly, six potential N-linked carbohydrate attachment sites are encoded by this transcript. Since the biochemical data suggest that only 2 to 3 N-linked glycans are attached to the polypeptide chain, it indicates that not all potential sites are used.

To reflect C.gamma. gene segment usage, we have denoted the disulfide-linked .gamma..delta.TCR form expressed by PBL-C1 and WM-14 as "Form 1", since such disulfide-linked .gamma.TCR chains utilize the C.gamma.1 gene segment (Krangel et al., 1987, Science 237, 64-67). The large (55kD), nondisulfide-linked .gamma.TCR subunit of the .gamma..delta.TCR form expressed on IDP2 and PEER cells is encoded by C.gamma.2 gene segments containing three CII exon copies, namely copy a, copy b and copy c (Krangel et al., supra; Littman et al., 1987, Nature 326:85-88) and therefore this .gamma..delta.TCR form is called "Form 2abc" In concordance, the form characterized on MOLT-13 cells is referred to as "Form 2bc"

6.2.4. PREFERENTIAL C.gamma. GENE SEGMENT USAGE

To determine the presence of these three .gamma., .delta.TCR forms in freshly isolated peripheral blood we analyzed the mononuclear cells from ten healthy subjects, using biochemical analysis with mAb anti-TCR.delta.1. This reagent reacts with the great majority, if not all .gamma., .delta.TCR lymphocytes (described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256, filed Oct. 29, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 18, 1991 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety). Representative results from this panel are shown in FIG. 6. In subject 1, anti-TCR.delta.1 immunoprecipitates (analyzed under nonreducing conditions) demonstrate the presence of both disulfide-linked .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes as a 70kD protein band (Form 1) and nondisulfide-linked .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes as a broad 40kD protein band (Form 2bc) (FIG. 6, lane 2). This indicates that the C.gamma.1 and C.gamma.2 constant regions are both used by the expressed .gamma., .delta.TCR of this individual. However, the amount of Form 2bc varied among individuals. Note the smaller fraction of Form 2bc in subject 2 compared to subject 1 by comparing the intensity of the 40kD protein bands in both individuals (compare lane 2 of subject 2 with lane 2 of subject 1). Even more strikingly, only disulfide-linked .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes could be detected on the mononuclear cells of three of the ten individuals examined, even after long exposure of the autoradiographs (see subject 3). None of the analyzed individuals revealed the 55kD, nondisulfide-linked .gamma., .delta.TCR complex (Form 2abc) in peripheral blood.

6.2.5. CHARACTERIZATION OF THE .delta.TCR SUBUNIT

In contrast to the striking structural differences in size and glycosylation of the .gamma.TCR proteins, .delta.TCR subunits from different cell sources proved to be markedly similar. The relative molecular mass of the .delta.TCR glycoprotein on MOLT-13 cells was directly determined to be 40kD using the anti-.delta.TCR mAb (FIG. 3, lane 4), confirming that it is similar in size to the .delta.TCR glycoprotein on IDP2 cells (FIG. 2B, lane 2, open arrow).

To also compare .delta.TCR polypeptide backbone sizes, cell surface .sup.125 I-labelled .delta.TCR protein from MOLT-13 cells was digested with N-glycanase to remove asparagine-linked glycans (of the high mannose, hybrid, and complex-type; Tarentino et al., 1985, Biochem. 24:4665-4671; Hirani et al., 1987, Anal. Biochem. 162:485-492). The .delta.TCR core polypeptides of MOLT-13 cells has a relative molecular mass of 35kD (FIG. 4B, lane 4), which is similar to that of the .delta.TCR backbone of IDP2 cells (35Kd; described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256, filed Oct. 29, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 18, 1991, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety).

In addition, digestion of cell surface .sup.125 I-labelled MOLT-13 .delta.TCR protein with endoglycosidase H (Endo H, removing only high mannose and certain hybrid N-glycans; Tarentino et al., 1974, J. Biol. Chem. 249:811-817; Trimble and Maley, 1984, Anal. Biochem. 141:514-522) caused a decrease in relative molecular mass of 2.5 kD, (FIG. 4B, lane 2) consistent with the presence of one carbohydrate moiety, leaving a relative mass of 2.5 kD of Endo H resistant carbohydrates attached to the polypeptide. Since there are two potential N-glycan attachment sites present in the .delta.TCR constant domain (described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256, filed Oct. 29, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940 issued Jun. 18, 1991, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety; Loh et al., 1987, Nature 330:569-572), these data show that both are used, but that their N-glycans are processed differently, namely one as a high mannose N-glycan (Endo H-sensitive) and the other as a complex N-glycan (Endo H-resistant, but N-glycanase sensitive). In contrast to the different amounts of attached N-linked carbohydrate on .gamma.TCR polypeptide chains, the .delta.TCR subunits expressed on PEER, IDP2 and MOLT-13 cells all revealed the same peptide core sizes and the presence of two N-linked glycans (FIG. 4B and data not shown).

6.2.6. T CELL RECEPTOR .gamma..delta. COMPLEX, NOT ASSOCIATED WITH CD3, IS IDENTIFIED IN HUMAN ENDOMETRIAL GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM

In the early stages of placentation, inflitration of mononuclear cells is abundant at the proximity of spiral arteries and endometrial glands in maternal uterine tissues. These include an unusual population of T lineage cells of unknown function. Since many extravillous trophoblasts express a novel type of class I MHC antigens which is different from that expressed on most somatic cells, and a second T cell receptor (TCR) which consists of .gamma. and .delta. chain has been proposed to function in non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity. We have tested a panel of monoclonal antibodies to TCR .gamma..delta. heterodimer (.gamma..delta.TCR) in pregnant & non-pregnant uteri. Surprisingly, .gamma..delta.TCR complex was not detected in leukocytes, but was localized in the cytoplasm of the endometrial glandular epithelium from pregnant uteri. These antibodies also reacted with the glandular epithelium from non-pregnant uteri, the reactivity was stronger in the secretory phase than that in the proliferative phase of menstrual cycle. However, the presence of TCR .gamma..delta. complex was not associated with CD3 complex which was shown by using three different monoclonal antibodies to CD3 (OKT3, anti-leu-4, UCHT-1). The TCR .gamma..delta.-positive glandular epithelial cells did not react with monoclonal antibodies to TCR .alpha..beta. bearing endometrial glandular cells undergo, at least, phenotypic alterations under local regulation of gene expression.

6.3. DISCUSSION

In this example, three protein forms of the human .gamma.TCR glycoprotein are compared, namely the disulfide-linked 40kD .gamma.TCR (Form 1), the nondisulfide-linked 55kD .gamma.TCR (Form abc) and the nondisulfide-linked 40kD .gamma.TCR protein (Form 2bc). All three forms are shown to be associated with a .gamma.TCR subunit. Complementary DNA sequences representing the first two .gamma.TCR forms have been reported previously (Krangel et al., I987, supra; Littman et al., 1987, supra). The constant region of .gamma.TCR Form 1 (on PBL-C1) is encoded by the Form 2abc (on IDP2 and PEER cells) utilizes the C.gamma.2 gene segment containing CII exon copy a, copy b and copy c. The cDNA sequence corresponding to a .gamma.TCR chain of Form 2bc was shown to contain a C.gamma.2 gene segment utilizing only two CII exon copies, namely copy b and copy c. Similarly, it seems likely that the gene structure of the .gamma.TCR connector region of Clone II and PBL-L2 (nondisulfide-linked, 40kD .gamma.TCR protein) will also be like the MOLT-13 structure determined here, namely of Form 2bc. Since the .delta.TCR constant region used is the same for all these forms (described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256, filed Oct. 29, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 18, 1991, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety; Loh et al., supra) a complete comparison of the structures of the three .gamma..delta.TCR forms in man now can be made (FIG. 7).

Two C.gamma.2 polymorphic genomic forms exist in man (Lefranc et al., 1986c, supra; Pellici et al., 1987, Science 237:1051-1055). The two transcript forms (Form 2abc and Form 2bc) are probably the product of these different allelic types. To date, no allelic form of .gamma.TCR polypeptides have been found in mice. We conclude that the dramatic difference in .gamma.TCR cell surface protein size between Form 2abc (55kD) and Form 2bc (40kD) is largely determined by the amount of attached N-link carbohydrates, most likely reflecting the number of N-linked glycans. Backbone sizes of IDP2 .gamma.TCR (Form 2abc) and MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR (Form 2bc) proteins have been measured to be 40kD and 35kD respectively, on the basis of SDS-PAGE, which correlates well with their predicted molecular masses of 36.6kD and 34.8kD respectively, calculated on the basis of cDNA sequences. It is clear that this small difference in backbone size (5kD in SDS-PAGE), accounted for mainly by one CII exon encoded peptide of 16 amino acids, contributed to, but could not solely explain the observed difference in molecular mass between the 55kD and 40kD nondisulfide-linked .gamma.TCR surface forms. Form 2abc .gamma.TCR polypeptides possess 5 potential N-linked glycan attachment sites that are probably all used, in contrast to the MOLT-13 .gamma.TCR polypeptide which bears one additional potential attachment site, while carrying only 2 to 3 N-linked glycans. The reason for this limited use of potential attachment sites is unknown, but may result from the influence of the CII exon encoded peptides on the conformation of the .gamma.TCR protein. The CII exon encoded peptides and their neighboring amino acids make up a connector region between the plasma membrane and the immunoglobulin-like constant domain. This region contains most of the N-linked glycan attachment sites (FIG. 8). We conclude that the CII exon copies appear to determine the protein form not only by determining polypeptide backbone size, and by creating the ability to disulfide-link chains, but also by influencing the amount of attached carbohydrates.

.delta.TCR complementary DNAs of IDP2 (described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256, filed Oct. 29, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 18, 1991, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety), PEER (Loh et al., supra) and MOLT-13 (data not shown) cells have been sequenced and were found to be identical, except for the diversity/N-region interspacing the variable and constant region gene segments. The .delta.TCR protein on WM-14 cells has a relative molecular mass of 43kD, which is similar to the .delta.TCR protein described previously (Borst et al., 1987, Nature 325:683-688 and Lanier et al., 1987, J. Exp. Med. 165:1076-1094) but is 3kD larger than the other .delta.TCR chains. These 43kD .delta.TCR proteins might indicate the presence of an additional N-linked glycosylation site in a different V.delta. variable domain.

Since structural differences comparable to those described for .gamma.TCR constant region segments have not been observed for .alpha.TCR and .beta.TCR genes (Yoshikai et al., 1985, Nature 316:837-840; Toyonaga et al., 1985, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82:8624-8628; Royer et al., 1984, J. Exp. Med. 160:947-952; Kronenberg et al., 1985, Nature 313:647-653), the significance of the dramatic structural diversity of these three .gamma., .delta.TCR forms in man remains a mystery. However, there is possible similarity in the number of human CII exon repeats with the length in murine C.gamma. regions, of which the C.gamma.1, C.gamma.2 and C.gamma.4 constant regions encode for 15, 10 and 33 amino acid connector region respectively (Garman et al, 1986, Cell 45:733-742; Iwamoto et al., 1986, J. Exp. Med. 163:1203-1212). The connector regions in mouse, however, reflect a difference in the size of the relevant exon, not the multiple use of exons as is seen in Form 2abc .gamma.TCR and Form 2bc .gamma.TCR in humans. Also, the murine .gamma.TCR only exist in disulfide linked forms in contrast to the two nondisulfide linked human forms.

Importantly, the human .gamma., .delta.TCR forms do not appear to be used equally. In some individuals (selected for high percentages of .gamma., .delta.TCR lymphocytes) a single form (Form 1) predominates, suggesting that either positive selection occurs for this form or that there is selection against other .gamma., .delta.TCR forms. The mechanism(s) responsible for preferential usage of the .gamma..delta.TCR forms remains to be determined. Such structural diversity and preferential usage may prove relevant to functional differences in these .gamma., .delta.TCR complexes in various normal or abnormal disease states.

7. EXAMPLE: CHARACTERIZATION OF A HUMAN .delta.-T CELL RECEPTOR GENE AND A V.delta. SPECIFIC MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY

7.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS

7.11. ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF AK119 .delta.TCR cDNA CLONES

A cDNA library was generated from the PBL T-cell clone, AK119, by the method of Gubler and Hoffmann (Gubler and Hoffman, 1983, Gene 25:263). About 100,000 plaques of an amplified library were screened using a .sup.32 P-labelled nick-translated C.delta. probe, isolated from a .delta.TCR clone called 0-024 (described more fully in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256, filed Oct. 29, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 18, 1991, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety). The longest hybridizing cDNA clone (1.3kb clone C119.delta.3) was selected for sequence analysis by the dideoxy chain termination method.

7.1.2. CLONING A REARRANGED .delta.TCR GENE

A 3.5 kb genomic DNA clone containing the rearranged V.delta. gene was obtained from AK119 cells as follows. Eco RI digested DNA was size fractionated on a preparative agarose gel, ligated into .lambda.gt10, packaged and transfected into E. coli. Recombinant phage were screened with a .sup.32 P-labeled nick translated 550 bp Eco RI fragment derived from the cDNA clone, c119.delta.3. A rearranged clone called r119.delta.1 which contains a 0.8 kb Hinc II fragment (V region specific) and a 1 kb Hinc II-Eco RI fragment (V-J region) was isolated.

7.1.3. DNA PREPARATION

Fetal and newborn thymic tissues were collected in accordance with accepted guidelines regarding patients' rights and approval. T-cell clones were obtained from peripheral blood, pleural exudate or cerebrospinal fluid by limiting dilution and were cultured in vitro (Hafler et al., 1985, Ann Neurol. 18:451, Van de Griend et al., 1987, J. Immunol. 138:1627). In all cases DNA was prepared by digestion with proteinase K in 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, followed by extraction with phenol/chloroform and ethanol precipitation.

7.1.4. SOUTHERN BLOT ANALYSIS

Genomic DNA was digested with Eco RI, size fractionated on a 0.9% agarose gel and transferred to nitrocellulose. Hybridization was carried out with .sup.32 P-nick translated probes as previously described (Maniatis, 1982, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Cold Spring Harbor, New York).

7.1.5. CYTOFLUOROMETRIC ANALYSIS

Normal peripheral blood monoclear cells (PBMC), obtained from volunteers were isolated by fractionation on a Ficoll gradient. PBMC and PBL T-cell clones were stained by indirect immunofluorescence using TCS-.delta.1 mAb referred to previously as .delta.TCAR3 and fluorescein-conjugated goat antimouse IgG (Becton Dickinson) and analyzed in a fluorescence activated flow cytometer.

7.2. RESULTS

7.2.1. DIVERSITY OF .delta.TCR GENE REARRANGEMENTS

Using a C.delta. probe, we isolated a 1.3 kb .delta.TCR cDNA clone, termed c119.delta.3, from a .lambda.gt10 cDNA library of the T-cell clone AK119. The 5' end of c119.delta.3 was sequenced and found to use previously identified V.sub..delta. and J.sub..delta. genes (described more fully in U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256, filed Oct. 29, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 18, 1991, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and Loh et al., 1987, supra). The sequence of the V-J junction indicated that C119.delta.3 has an in frame V-J joint.

A 550 basepair (bp) Eco RI fragment encoding all the variable and joining regiona and part of the constant region (V-J-C probe) was obtained from c119.delta.3 and used in Southern blot analysis of Eco RI digested genomic DNA from AK119. This probe detects a germline 3.2 kb V.delta. and a germline 1.0 kb C.sub..delta. band. AK119 showed an extra rearranged 3.5 kb band that is identical to the common .delta.TCR rearrangement (described more fully in, copending U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256, filed Oct. 29, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 18, 1991, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and Loh et al., 1987, supra) (rearrangement II in FIG. 9). This 3.5 kb band was cloned from a Eco RI size-fractionated .lambda.gt10 genomic library using the V-J-C cDNA probe. A partial map of the cloned rearranged .delta.TCR gene, called r119.delta.1, is shown in FIG. 8. The localization of the variable and joining region was determined using J oligonucleotide probes and variable region specific probes. From r119.delta.1, a 1 kb V-J probe was isolated by digestion with Hinc II and Eco Rl enzymes (see FIG. 8).

This V-J probe was used to determine the diversity of .delta.TCR gene rearrangements in a panel of 13 human .gamma.-.delta.TCR positive T-cell clones and 3 human .gamma.-.delta.TCR positive tumor cell lines. As shown in FIG. 9, five common rearrangements, numbered I-V, are seen in the polyclonal newborn thymocyte sample (lane 11). These rearrangements are representative of rearrangements used by the human T cell clones. Only rearrangement II hybridizes to the Hinc II - Hinc II V.sub..delta. specific probe (data not shown). Although we do not know that all these rearrangements represent V-D-J rather than D-J rearrangements, some of them must represent rearrangements of new variable regions to the previously characterized J.sub..delta. gene segment because these cells express a functional .delta.TCR polypeptide chain on their cell surfaces. We have not ruled out the possibility that these new rearrangements represent rearrangements of a single new V.sub..delta. gene to other J.sub..delta. genes, yet to be identified. Our data is consistent with the fact that there must be 2-5 variable region genes that can be used in .delta.TCR gene rearrangements.

7.2.2. DETERMINING THE SPECIFICITY OF mAb TCS.delta.-1

.delta.TCS-1, previously referred to as .delta.TCAR-3 was generated by fusing splenocytes from of mice immunized with the human tumor .gamma.-.delta.cell line MOLT-13 with a mouse myeloma line. When used in fluorescent activated cell sorter analysis, .delta.TCS-1 reacted only with some but not all human .gamma.-.delta.T cells. The results are given in Table 1. There is a perfect correlation with usage of the AK119 V.sub..delta. gene (rearrangement II) with positive staining by .delta.TCS1. This data provides strong evidence that the epitope recognized by .delta.TCSI is encoded in the AK119 V.sub..delta. gene or in combinatorial epitope of the rearranged AK119V.delta.-J.delta. gene.

TABLE 1______________________________________Correlation between staining by TCS-.delta.1 MAb anda specific V.sub..delta. rearrangement .delta. rearrangement.sup.1 .delta.TCS1______________________________________human .gamma.-.delta. T cell clonesAK4 V/?.sup.2 -.sup.4AK615 I/IV -AK925 III/? nd1004 I/IV -1005 I/IV -1011 I/IV -1012 I/IV -1015 I/? -1018 IV/? -Wi.1 I/? -1019 II/IV ndAK119 II/? +Wi.K II/III +human .gamma.-.delta. T-cell tumor linesPeer II/? +Molt-13 II/V +DND41 II/VI.sup.3 +______________________________________ .sup.1 .delta.TCR rearrangements detected with VJ probe, numbered I-V as in FIG. 9. .sup.2 Only 1 rearrangement was identified in each case even though no germline J.sub..delta. was detected. .sup.3 A new rearrangement is observed which is not seen in newborn or fetal thymocytes. This rearrangement has been assigned rearrangement VI. .sup.4 + means positive staining, - means negative staining. nd means not determined.

7.3. DISCUSSION

The direct correlation between the usage of the AK119 V.sub..delta. gene (namely the rearranged 3.5 kb fragment or rearrangement II) and staining by .delta.TCSI provides evidence that the .delta.TCSI epitope is encoded in the AK119 V.sub..delta. gene or in a combinatorial V.delta.-K.delta. regions. This is the first V.sub..delta. or V.delta.-J.delta. specific map that can be used to stain cell surface .delta.TCRs. The generation of variable region specific mAbs is useful for studying the usage of V.delta. genes in different tissues, during different stages of development, and in disease. Studies in the murine system have suggested preferential usage of the most 3' V.sub..delta. gene in the TCR-.delta. locus in the fetal thymus (Chien et al., 1987, supra).

Our studies have also shown that the repertoire of the TCR-.delta. gene is not as restricted as previously described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 115,256, filed Oct. 29, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,940, issued Jun. 18, 1991, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and Loh et al., 1987, supra. Five common rearrangements have been demonstrated in this paper. In addition, since only one rearrangement was detected in some of the .gamma.-.delta. T-cell clones which did not show the germline J.sub..delta. band, these clones probably have rearrangements to other J.sub..delta. genes that are not detected by our J.delta. probe. Future studies will focus on characterizing the different TCR-.delta. gene rearrangements in detail. An understanding of the repertoire of the .gamma.-.delta. TCRs will provide insight into antigen specificity and the role of human .gamma.-.delta. T cells in normal and abnormal disease states.

Hybridomas 5A6.E9, producing monoclonal antibody anti-TCR .delta.1, and #3, producing monoclonal antibody C.gamma.m1, have been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection, 12307 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20852 under the provisions of the Budapest Treaty On the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure, and have been assigned accession numbers HB 9772 and HB 9773, respectively.

Claims

1. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a Form 1 .delta. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 2abc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor, and Form 2bc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

c) determining the ratio of the number of T cells in step (a) to the number of T cells in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality, where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

2. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a Form 2abc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 1 .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor, and Form 2bc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

c) determining the ratio of the number of T cells in step (a) to the number of T cells in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality,

where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

3. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a Form 2bc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 2abc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor, and Form 1 .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

c) determining the ratio of the number of T cells in step (a) to the number of T cells in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality,

where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

4. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 1 .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2abc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain, and a T cell antigen receptor having of a Form 2bc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

c) determining the ratio of the number of T cells in step (a) to the number of T cells in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune system abnormality.

where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

5. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2abc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 1 .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain, and a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2bc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

c) determining the ratio of the number of T cells in step (a) to the number of T cells in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality,

where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

6. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2bc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the number of T cells which have a surface marker selected from the group consisting of a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2abc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain, and a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 1 .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

c) determining the ratio of the number of T cells in step (a) to the number of T cells in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality,

where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

7. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a Form 1 .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 2abc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor, and Form 2bc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

determining the ratio of the amount in step (a) to the amount in step (b); and

c) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality, where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

8. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a Form 2abc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 1 .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor, and Form 2bc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

c) determining the ratio of the amount in step (a) to the amount in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality,

where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

9. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a Form 2bc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a surface marker selected from the group consisting of Form 2abc .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor, and Form 1 .gamma. chain of a T cell antigen receptor;

c) determining the ratio of the amount in step (a) to the amount in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality,

where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

10. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining int he sample from the subject the amount of a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 1 .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a surface marker selected from the group consisting of a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2abc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain, and a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2bc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

c) determining the ratio of the amount in step (a) to the amount in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality,

where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

11. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises;

a) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2abc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

b) determining in the sample from the subject the amount of a surface marker selected from the group consisting of a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 1 .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain, and a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2bc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

c) determining the ratio of the amount in step (a) to the amount in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality, where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

12. A method for diagnosing an immune system abnormality in a human subject which comprises:

a) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2bc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

b) determining in a sample from the subject the amount of a surface marker selected from the group consisting of a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 2abc .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain, and a T cell antigen receptor having a Form 1 .gamma. chain and a .delta. chain;

c) determining the ratio of the amount in step (a) to the amount in step (b); and

d) comparing the ratio determined in step (c) to the ratio determined in a sample from a subject who does not have the immune abnormality,

where a difference in the ratios so determined is indicative of the immune system abnormality.

13. The method according to claim 1 in which step (a) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the Form 1.gamma. chain under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained; and in which step (b) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the surface marker under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained.

14. The method according to claim 13 in which the quantifying is a method selected from the group consisting of fluorescence activated cell sorting and autoradiography.

15. The method according to claim 2 in which step (a) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the Form 2acb.gamma. chain under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained; and in which step (b) comprises:

(i) staining such T calls with an antibody to the surface marker under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained.

16. The method according to claim 15 in which the quantifying is a method selected from the group consisting of fluorescence activated cell sorting and autoradiography.

17. The method according to claim 3 in which step (a) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the Form 2bc.gamma. chain under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained; and in which step (b) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the surface marker under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained.

18. The method according to claim 17 in which the quantifying is a method selected from the group consisting of fluorescence activated cell sorting and autoradiography.

19. The method according to claim 4 in which step (a) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the Form 1.gamma. chain under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained; and in which step (b) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the surface marker under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained.

20. The method according to claim 19 in which the quantifying is a method selected from the group consisting of fluorescence activated cells sorting and autoradiography.

21. The method according to claim 5 in which step (a) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the Form 2abc.gamma. chain under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained; and in which step (b) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the surface marker under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained.

22. The method according to claim 21 in which the quantifying is a method selected from the group consisting of fluorescence activated cell sorting and autoradiography.

23. The method according to claim 6 in which step (a) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the Form 2bc.gamma. chain under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained; and in which step (b) comprises:

(i) staining such T cells with an antibody to the surface marker under conditions that allow specific binding; and

(ii) quantifying the number of cells stained.

24. The method according to claim 23 in which the quantifying is a method selected from the group consisting of fluorescence activated cell sorting and autoradiography.

25. The method according to claim 1 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

26. The method according to claim 2 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

27. The method according to claim 3 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

28. The method according to claim 4 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

29. The method according to claim 5 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

30. The method according to claim 6 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

31. The method according to claim 7 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

32. The method according to claim 8 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

33. The method according to claim 9 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

34. The method according to claim 10 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

35. The method according to claim 11 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

36. The method according to claim 12 in which the immune system abnormality is selected from the group consisting of cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, congenital immunodeficiency, and autoimmune disease.

37. The method according to claim 1 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

38. The method according to claim 2 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

39. The method according to claim 3 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

40. The method according to claim 2 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

41. The method according to claim 5 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

42. The method according to claim 6 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

43. The method according to claim 7 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

44. The method according to claim 8 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

45. The method according to claim 9 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

46. The method according to claim 10 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

47. The method according to claim 11 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.

48. The method according to claim 12 in which the immune system abnormality is a cancer selected from the group consisting of leukemia and lymphoma.