B cell-associated LFA-1 and T cell-associated ICAM-1 transiently cluster in the area of contact between interacting cells

TNP-specific B cells interact with carrier-specific T hybridoma cells in an antigen-specific, MHC-restricted manner. The formation of T cell/B cell conjugates is time and temperature dependent and results in the formation of a broad area of close contact between the interacting cells. In order to determine which surface molecules on the two cells cluster at the interaction site, T cell/B cell conjugates were formalin-fixed at different times following conjugation and were stained with antibodies directed against cell surface molecules. Results of these studies indicate that the α- and β-subunits of LFA-1 on B cells transiently cluster in the area of cell contact. Maximum clustering of LFA-1 occurs at 45 min, after which time LFA-1 redistributes on the surface of the B cells. Several other B cell-associated molecules (MHC Class II, ICAM-1, Ig, B220, J11D, or CD23) do not cluster at the interaction site at any time point. T cell-associated LFA-1 does not cluster with any specific pattern, but ICAM-1 does. Maximum clustering of ICAM-1 occurs 60 to 90 min after intercellular contact. After this time, ICAM-1 redistributes on the surface of the T cells. Although both the α- and β-subunits of LFA-1 cluster at the interaction site on B cells, antibodies recognizing these subunits differ in their ability to affect conjugation. One antibody recognizing the α chain of LFA-1 (M17/4.2) inhibits T cell/B cell conjugation, whereas another antibody that also recognizes the α chain (G-48) enhances conjugation. In contrast, an antibody that recognizes LFA-1β (M 18/2.a.8) has no effect. An antibody that recognizes ICAM-1 (YN/1.7), the ligand for LFA-1, inhibits conjugation. These data show that, during T cell/B cell interaction. LFA-1 on B cells and ICAM-1 on T cells transiently cluster with similar, albeit not identical, kinetics to the site of cell-cell contact.