Abstract

Mechanisms of the biological recognition of membrane surfaces by components of the immune system will be investigated. The model system will be based on monoclonal antibodies directed against a fluorescent hapten, fluorescein, that is tethered to the surfaces of large phospholipid vesicles. The kinetic and equilibrium properties of the interactions between antibodies and haptenated surfaces will be determined spectroscopically. The antibody-mediated binding of these vesicles to immunocompetent cells bearing Fc-receptors will be investigated as a model of cell-cell interactions in the immune system. Particular attention will be paid to the roles of hapten lateral mobility, hapten surface density, and hydrodynamic shear forces. Recognition of cell membranes, mediated by specific complementary ligand-receptor interactions, is a fundamental process in immune function and pathology, as it is in many other fields of biology.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI022860-02
Application #
3134461
Study Section
Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry B Study Section (BBCB)
Project Start
1986-01-01
Project End
1988-12-31
Budget Start
1987-01-01
Budget End
1987-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
078576738
City
Berkeley
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94720

  Publications

Lee, K D; Kantor, A B; Nir, S et al. (1993) Aggregation of hapten-bearing liposomes mediated by specific antibodies. Biophys J 64:905-18
Saxton, M J; Owicki, J C (1989) Concentration effects on reactions in membranes: rhodopsin and transducin. Biochim Biophys Acta 979:27-34
Abney, J R; Scalettar, B A; Owicki, J C (1989) Self diffusion of interacting membrane proteins. Biophys J 55:817-33
Lee, K D; Owicki, J C (1989) A rapid-freezing and freeze-fracturing method applied to the aggregation of hapten-bearing liposomes. J Electron Microsc Tech 13:372-3
Abney, J R; Scalettar, B A; Owicki, J C (1989) Mutual diffusion of interacting membrane proteins. Biophys J 56:315-26
Scalettar, B A; Abney, J R; Owicki, J C (1988) Theoretical comparison of the self diffusion and mutual diffusion of interacting membrane proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 85:6726-30
Braun, J; Abney, J R; Owicki, J C (1987) Lateral interactions among membrane proteins. Valid estimates based on freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Biophys J 52:427-39
Abney, J R; Braun, J; Owicki, J C (1987) Lateral interactions among membrane proteins. Implications for the organization of gap junctions. Biophys J 52:441-54