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A Aruffo

Publications and source records attributed to A Aruffo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Analysis of the tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium fluxing of human CD6 isoforms with different cytoplasmatic domains.

CD6 is a cell surface glycoprotein that functions both as a co-stimulatory and adhesion receptor on T cells. Recently we have described CD6 isoforms (CD6a, b, c, d, e) that arise via alternative splicing of exons encoding the cytoplasmic region of the molecule. CD6 becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine (Tyr) residues following stimulation through the T cell receptor (TCR) complex. Since the phosphorylation of Tyr residues renders some cell surface receptors competent for interactions with proteins of intracellular signaling pathways, we wanted to determine which region(s) and residues in the cytoplasmic domain of CD6 were important for phosphorylation on Tyr residues. We engineered and stably expressed chimeric receptors that consisted of the extracellular region of mouse CD6 and the cytoplasmic regions of either naturally occurring isoforms of human CD6, truncated proteins, or point mutants. We were able to demonstrate that of the nine Tyr residues in the cytoplasmic domain of the largest isoform CD6a, the two C-terminal Tyr residues (Tyr 629/662) are critical for the phosphorylation of CD6 following TCR cross-linking. Isoform CD6e, which is missing a region that contains two proline-rich motifs, is not phosphorylated. We further analyzed the ability of the different CD6 isoforms and truncated receptors to mobilize intracellular calcium after CD6/TCR co-ligation. All CD6 isoforms, including CD6e, as well as the truncation mutant delta 555, which is missing approximately the C-terminal half of the cytoplasmic domain, are able to increase Ca2+ influx. Taken together, these results suggest that the region of CD6 which is critical for Ca2+ mobilization is located N-terminal from amino acid 555 and is therefore different from the region located at the C terminus of CD6, which is necessary for tyrosine phosphorylation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

CD6 recognizes the neural adhesion molecule BEN.

CD6 and its ligand activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM, CD166) have been detected on various immune cells and in the brain. CD6-ligand interactions have been implicated in the regulation of T cell function. ALCAM shares the same extracellular domain organization and significant sequence homology with the chicken neural adhesion molecule BEN. Although ALCAM's CD6 binding site is only partially conserved in BEN, CD6 specifically binds BEN, albeit with approximately 10-fold lower avidity than ALCAM. Differences in binding avidity are not detected when ALCAM and BEN fusion proteins containing the full-length extracellular regions are tested. Homotypic interactions between full-length forms are likely to account for these observations. The identified cross-species interaction between CD6 and BEN suggests that CD6-ligand interactions are highly conserved.

Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule↗

CD6-ligand interactions: a paradigm for SRCR domain function?

The scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) superfamily, which includes proteins expressed by leukocytes, can be subdivided into groups A and B. Group B contains the lymphocyte cell-surface receptor CD6. This article reviews recent progress in understanding the interaction between CD6 and its ligand, activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM). Analysis of the CD6-ALCAM interaction may help to understand how other SRCR domains bind to their ligands.

Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule↗

Isolation and structure determination of sulfonoquinovosyl dipalmitoyl glyceride, a P-selectin receptor inhibitor from the alga Dictyochloris fragrans.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the marine alga Dictyochloris fragrans led to the isolation and identification of sulfonoquinovosyl dipalmitoyl glyceride (1). The structure of 1 was determined by a combination of spectroscopic methods. On the basis of P-selectin inhibition assays (i.e., P-selectin-IgG ELISA, cell binding assay of receptor globulin, and platelet:HL60 adhesion, it was demonstrated that 1 selectively blocks the P-selectin-ligand interaction in vitro and could be considered a lead compound for synthetic modification in order to design more potent inhibitors of cell adhesion processes that play important roles in development of inflammatory-mediated disease states.

Cell Adhesion↗

Prediction of the three-dimensional structure of the human Fas receptor by comparative molecular modeling.

The Fas antigen, a cell surface receptor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the immune system. The three-dimensional structure of Fas and molecular details of the interaction between Fas and its ligand are currently unknown. A three-dimensional model of the Fas extracellular region was generated by comparative modeling. Inverse folding analysis suggested good sequence-structure compatibility of the model and thus reasonable accuracy. The model was analyzed in the light of information provided by studies on TNFR and CD40, another member of the TNFR family, and the Fas ligand binding site was predicted.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Monoclonal antibodies against the 4-1BB T-cell activation molecule eradicate established tumors.

The 4-1BB glycoprotein is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily and binds to a high-affinity ligand (4-1BBL) expressed on several antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages and activated B cells. Expression of 4-1BB is restricted to primed CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and 4-1BB signaling either by binding to 4-1BBL or by antibody ligation delivers a dual mitogenic signal for T-cell activation and growth. These observations suggest an important role for 4-1BB in the amplification of T cell-mediated immune responses. We now show that administration of anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibodies can eradicate established large tumors in mice, including the poorly immunogenic Ag104A sarcoma and the highly tumorigenic P815 masto cytoma. The immune response induced by anti-4- 1BB monoclonal antibodies is mediated by both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and is accompanied by a marked augmentation of tumor-selective cytolytic T-cell activity. Our data suggest that a similar approach may be efficacious for immunotherapy of human cancer.

Animals↗

Thymus dysfunction and chronic inflammatory disease in gp39 transgenic mice.

Expression of gp39 on activated T cells provides a co-stimulatory signal in peripheral lymphoid tissue that regulates humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The function of gp39 and its receptor CD40 in thymus remains uncertain. Here we report that overexpression of gp39 in transgenic mouse thymus caused a dose-dependent decline in thymocyte numbers (> 500 fold), loss of cortical epithelium and expansion of CD40+ medullary cells. Transplantation of transgenic bone marrow into normal mice indicated that gp39 significantly diminished thymocyte viability in the context of a 'normal' thymic environment. The peripheral tissues of transgenic mice also accumulated abnormalities in a transgene dose-dependent manner that involved inflammation and lymphoid tissue hypertrophy. Animals with the highest transgene copy numbers acquired a lethal inflammatory bowel disease marked by the infiltration of gp39+ T cells and CD40+ cells into diseased tissues. Examination of cells overexpressing gp39 suggested that these defects were caused, in part, by the saturation of a mechanism that sequesters gp39 inside non-activated cells and thus protects the immune system from inappropriate gp39-CD40 interaction. These results establish a regulatory role for gp39 in thymus function and a causal relationship in mediating chronic inflammatory disease.

Animals↗

Mutational analysis of the CD6 ligand binding domain.

CD6 belongs to the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich protein superfamily (SRCRSF), which includes a large number of cell surface proteins. The extracellular region of CD6 is composed of three SRCR domains. The membrane proximal SRCR domain of CD6 (CD6D3) specifically binds activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM), a cell surface protein which is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). CD6-ligand interactions have been implicated in immune cell adhesion, T cell maturation and the regulation of T cell activation. We tested 13 CD6D3 mutant proteins for binding to ALCAM and a panel of conformationally sensitive anti-CD6D3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). CD6D3 residues were classified according to their importance for structural integrity and ligand binding. The results were analyzed in the light of SRCR domain sequence comparison. A number of residues critical for ligand binding or important for structural integrity cluster in the C-terminal region of CD6D3 which is not conserved in other SRCR proteins.

Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule↗

The Ly-1.1 and Ly-1.2 epitopes of murine CD5 map to the membrane distal scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain.

CD5 is a member of a superfamily of proteins which contain one or more extracellular domains homologous to the type I macrophage Scavenger Receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain. The extracellular region of CD5 is composed of three SRCR domains (D1, D2, D3). Murine CD5 (mCD5) is polymorphic (Ly-1.1 and Ly-1.2 alleles), however, the only murine CD5 gene characterized to date encodes the Ly-1.2 allele (mCD5.2). Likewise, the domain specificity of many of the available anti-mCD5 mAb recognizing either Ly-1.1 or Ly-1.2 or both has not been examined. Herein we describe the isolation and characterization of cDNA encoding the Ly1.1 allele (mCD5.1) and map the location and molecular nature of the mCD5 allelic variation. We also determined which SRCR domain of mCD5 is recognized by a panel of anti-mCD5 mAb. The mCD5.1 protein differs from mCD5.2 in only three amino acids, all of which map to the most amino terminal SRCR domain (D1) of mCD5. An additional seven silent substitutions were observed in the nucleotide sequence encoding mCD5 D1, D2 and transmembrane domains. Immunoglobulin (Ig) fusion proteins consisting of various combinations of mCD5.1 or mCD5.2 SRCR domains were produced and used to determine that allele specific mAb bound to D1, confirming sequence data. MAb against monomorphic determinants on mCD5 bound to each mCD5D11g.

Animals↗

Identification of CD14 residues involved in specific lipopolysaccharide recognition.

CD14 is a key molecule responsible for the innate host inflammatory response to microbial infection. It is able to bind a wide variety of microbial ligands and facilitate the activation of both myeloid and nonmyeloid cells. However, its specific contribution to the innate recognition of bacteria is not known. Presently there is no information on the contribution of individual CD14 residues to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding or on the molecular basis of the interaction between CD14 and LPS from other bacteria. LPS obtained from Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium associated with chronic inflammatory disease, binds CD14 and activates myeloid cells but does not facilitate the activation of nonmyeloid cells. The transfer and binding of these two LPS species to soluble CD14 recombinant globulin proteins with single point mutations was examined. Functional activity of the mutant proteins was monitored by E-selectin expression on human umbilical cord endothelial cells. The analysis identified a charge reversal mutation in a single residue, E47, that demonstrated selective binding to E. coli LPS but not to P. gingivalis LPS. E-selectin activation assays indicated that proteins with mutations at position E47 maintained their structural integrity. Other mutations, including a charge reversal mutation of residue E58, did not significantly reduce the binding of either LPS ligand or the ability of the molecule to facilitate E-selectin activation. These data demonstrate that CD14 can selectively recognize different LPS ligands.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Construction and analysis of a detailed three-dimensional model of the ligand binding domain of the human B cell receptor CD40.

The interaction between the human B cell receptor CD40 and its ligand on T cells is critical for B cell proliferation and the regulation of humoral immune responses. CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family. We report here the construction and analysis of a detailed three-dimensional model of the TNFR-homologous extracellular region of CD40. This study provides an example for structure-based model building in the presence of low sequence similarity. The assessment of model quality and sequence-structure compatibility is emphasized, and limitations of the model are discussed. The current CD40 model predicts structural details beyond the backbone level. Features of the CD40 ligand binding site are discussed in conjunction with the results of a previous mutagenesis study.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tyrosine kinase signaling regulates Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein function, which is essential for megakaryocyte differentiation.

Platelets are produced from megakaryocytes differentiated from megakaryoblasts, but the differentiation mechanism still remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that a tyrosine kinase signaling regulates Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), which is essential for megakaryocyte differentiation. MEG-01 megakaryoblastic cells differentiate into large multinucleated megakaryocyte-like cells characterized by microvesicle formation with a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. With parallel to the differentiation, WASP begins to accumulate at microvesicles with actin filaments and associates with tyrosine-phosphorylated Shc, the phosphorylation of which is induced. Moreover, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin A, blocked not only phosphorylation of Shc but also microvesicle formation without affecting cell enlargement and multinucleation, whereas a PKC inhibitor, H-7, completely inhibited all these processes. Because WASP also binds to Ash/Grb2 SH3 domains and the association of Ash/Grb2 and Shc is induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate treatment, a signaling pathway, PKC-tyrosine kinase-Shc-Ash/Grb2-WASP, is suggested for regulating megakaryocyte differentiation. In addition, WASP antisense oligonucleotide treatment abolishes both microvesicle formation and gathering of actin filaments. These data clearly show that WASP controls the assembly of actin filaments required for microvesicle formation downstream of PKC-tyrosine kinase.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

BMS-190394, a selectin inhibitor, prevents rat cutaneous inflammatory reactions.

Selectin binding is the first step in extravasation of leukocytes through the endothelium. Infiltration of leukocytes is a hallmark of an inflammatory response. Blockade of selectin-dependent adhesion, therefore, represents a specific mechanism-based anti-inflammatory strategy. We have used the natural product sulfatide, one of the selectin ligands, as a template to design a novel selectin antagonist. BMS-190394, a structural analog of sulfatide, is an inhibitor of cell binding to P-, E- and L-selectin-Ig fusion proteins. BMS-190394 also inhibits binding mediated by native P-selectin expressed on the surface of activated platelets. Pharmacokinetic analysis of BMS-190394 showed that the compound remained in circulation with a T1/2 of 7 hr, long enough to inhibit the development of an acute inflammatory response. The in vitro activity and pharmacokinetic profile of this selectin-blocking compound led to the determination of its in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. BMS-190394 was a potent inhibitor of the dermal immune complex-induced reverse passive Arthus reaction in rats when delivered by the i.v. or i.p. route. The ED50 of the compound in the reverse passive Arthus reaction compares favorably to that for dexamethasone. BMS-190394 was also an effective inhibitor of the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in the rat. Compared with previous reports of the use of antibodies and complex oligosaccharides to inhibit the activity of the selectins, this low-molecular-weight inhibitor of the selectins presents a novel class of anti-inflammatory agents.

Animals↗

Protein superfamily members as targets for computer modeling: the carbohydrate recognition domain of a macrophage lectin.

Members of protein superfamilies display similar folds, but share only limited sequence identity, often 25% or less. Thus, it is not straightforward to apply standard homology modeling methods to construct reliable three-dimensional models of such proteins. A three-dimensional model of the carbohydrate recognition domain of the rat macrophage lectin, a member of the calcium-dependent (C-type) lectin superfamily, has been generated to illustrate how information provided by comparison of X-ray structures and sequence-structure alignments can aid in comparative modeling when primary sequence similarities are low.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Agonistic activity of a CD40-specific single-chain Fv constructed from the variable regions of mAb G28-5.

A single-chain Fv (sFv) was expressed from the variable regions of the CD40-specific mAb G28-5. The molecule bound CD40 with a high affinity (2.2 nM) and was a monomer in solution. Surprisingly, G28-5 sFv was a potent CD40 agonist that rapidly crosslinked CD40 on the cell surface but did not crosslink CD40-Ig in solution. G28-5 sFv was a more potent agonist than G28-5 IgG and was able to stimulate CD40 responses by B cells and monocytes. G28-5 IgG partially blocked, whereas G28-5 sFv augmented CD40 responses during stimulation with natural ligand (gp39-CD8 fusion protein). These results indicate that the functional activity of ligands built from the binding site of G28-5 is highly dependent upon the size and physical properties of the molecule both in solution and on the cell surfaces.

Animals↗

Mutational analysis of the CD6 binding site in activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule.

The interaction between CD6 and its ligand activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) mediates adhesion of thymocytes to thymic epithelial cells. The extracellular region of ALCAM includes five Ig-like domains, and its N-terminal V-like domain specifically binds to the membraneproximal scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain of CD6. Previously, six ALCAM residues were identified by alanine scanning mutagenesis to contribute to the interaction with CD6. All of these residues mapped to the predicted A'GFCC'C" face of ALCAM's N-terminal domain. Here we describe the results of experiments designed to further study the CD6 binding site. Other mutagenesis experiments at four previously studied sites were carried out to better understand their importance for the interaction with CD6, and different receptor binding assays were employed to compare the contribution of these and other ALCAM residues to the CD6-ligand interaction. A total of ten new ALCAM mutants were prepared, and three additional residues were identified as critical for CD6 binding. These studies have enabled us to classify ALCAM residues according to their importance for binding and to describe the CD6 binding site in some detail.

Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule↗

Recognition of diverse proteins by members of the immunoglobulin superfamily: delineation of the receptor binding site in the human CD6 ligand ALCAM.

The CD6-ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule) interaction, which mediates thymocyte--thymic epithelial cell adhesion, is a previously unobserved type of protein--protein interaction that involves members of the scavenger receptor cysteine rich protein superfamily (SRCRSF) and the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). Targeted mutagenesis of ALCAM reveals that residues which constitute the CD6 binding site cluster on the predicted A'GFCC'C" face of its N-terminal Ig domain. These results, in conjunction with recent analyses of interactions involving other IgSF members, suggest that this region in IgSF cell surface proteins is most suitable to mediate interactions with different ligands irrespective of their structure. The CD6 binding site in ALCAM is conserved across species, and nonconserved residues in ALCAM and its murine homolog map to the beta-sheet face opposite to the CD6 binding site. This provides a molecular rationale for the inability to obtain murine monoclonal antibodies against the receptor binding domain which block the CD6-ALCAM interaction.

Activated-Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule↗