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Biomedical subjects

A Strasser

Publications and source records attributed to A Strasser.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Multiple rearrangements in T cell receptor alpha chain genes maximize the production of useful thymocytes.

Peripheral T lymphocytes each express surface T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chains of a single specificity. These are produced after random somatic rearrangements in TCR alpha and beta germline genes. Published model systems using mice expressing TCR alpha and/or beta chain transgenes have shown that allelic exclusion occurs conventionally for TCR-beta. TCR alpha chain expression, however, appears to be less strictly regulated, as endogenous TCR alpha chains are often found in association with transgenic TCR beta chains in TCR alpha/beta transgenic mice. This finding, coupled with the unique structure of the TCR alpha locus, has led to the suggestion that unlike TCR beta and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes, TCR alpha genes may make multiple rearrangements on each chromosome. In the current study, we demonstrate that the majority of TCR-, noncycling thymocytes spontaneously acquire surface expression of CD3/TCR. Further, we show that cultured immature thymocytes originally expressing specific TCR alpha and beta chains may lose surface expression of the original TCR alpha, but not beta chains. These data provide evidence that not only must multiple rearrangements occur, but that TCR alpha gene rearrangement continues even after surface expression of a TCR alpha/beta heterodimer, apparently until the recombination process is halted by positive selection, or the cell dies. Sequential rearrangement of TCR alpha chain genes facilitates enhanced production of useful thymocytes, by increasing the frequency of production of both in-frame rearrangements and positively selectable TCR alpha/beta heterodimers.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

CD4+8- and CD4-8+ mature thymocytes require different post-selection processing for final development.

Two primary types of TCR-alpha/beta+ T cells are found in the peripheral lymphoid system; CD4+8- T cells, with MHC-class II restricted TCR, and CD4-8+ T cells, which are MHC-class I restricted. Both lineages develop in the thymus from a series of common precursors. However, the precise stage at which they diverge, and the combination of factors that regulates such divergence, are not well defined. The up-regulation of CD3/TCR to high mature levels is thought to be an early event associated with positive selection for self-MHC recognition. Using purified cells from bcl-2 transgenic mice in order to overcome the limitations imposed by cell death on normal thymocytes, we find that a minor subset of CD4+8+ thymocytes expressing high levels of CD3/TCR gives rise to both CD4+8- and CD4-8+ mature cells upon intrathymic transplantation, but only to CD4-8+ in culture. Thus, in addition to demonstrating the dual lineage potential of this subset, these findings show that additional post-selection processing events are required for the production of mature thymocytes, and that CD4+8- and CD4-8+ subsets differ in the types of processing required.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

A novel cellular model (SPGM 1) of switching between the pre-B cell and myelomonocytic lineages.

The suspension pro granulocyte/macrophage (SPGM1) cell line was established from a transplantable mouse progranulocytic/promacrophage tumor. Surprisingly, SPGM1 cells expressed a typical CD5 pre-B cell phenotype, being positive for Ly-1 (CD5), PB76, B220 (CD45RA), and the pre-B Ig receptor complex (microH chains, lambda 5 and vpre-B surrogate L chains, and the IgM alpha (mb-1) and Ig beta (B29) co-receptor molecules). Southern Blot analysis revealed clonal rearrangement of the microH chain locus and germ-line L chain loci. SPGM1 formed blast cell-, macrophage-, and occasional granulocytic colonies in soft agar in the presence of murine IL-3. IL-3 also induced macrophage differentiation of SPGM1 cells in suspension cultures. The earliest changes were detectable at 24 h by Northern blot analysis. IL-3-treatment increased Mac1 mRNA, induced c-fms mRNA, and down-regulated mRNA for mu, lambda 5, vpre-B and mb-1. After 2 to 4 days the cells were larger, strongly adherent, expressed the macrophage markers Mac1 and F4/80, had lost microH chain and PB76 surface expression, and readily phagocytosed latex beads. Thus SPGM1 has all the characteristic features of a CD5+ pre-B cell line. However, IL-3 predominantly induced SPGM1 to switch its differentiation program from a pre-B cell to a macrophage. This inducible, rapid switch of virtually the entire population provides a unique model for the molecular analysis of mechanisms involved in cell-fate determination.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

E mu-bcl-2 transgene facilitates spontaneous transformation of early pre-B and immunoglobulin-secreting cells but not T cells.

To assess the lymphoid tumorigenic potential of bcl-2, mice of five independent strains expressing a bcl-2 transgene in B and/or T cells were monitored for disease up to 12 months of age. Lymphoma prevalence was minimal in the T lineage but significant, although low (3-15%), in the B lineage. The principal types of tumors were plasmacytomas secreting immunoglobulin and novel lymphomas that expressed markers such as Sca-1, CD4, Thy-1, CD34 and CD45(B220), consistent with an origin very early in B-lymphoid development. Rearrangement of the c-myc gene was common in the plasmacytomas, implying a synergistic role for myc and bcl-2 in their etiology, but was not detected in the lymphomas.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

GATA-1 but not SCL induces megakaryocytic differentiation in an early myeloid line.

GATA-1, a transcription factor of the 'zinc-finger' family, is required for the development of mature erythroid cells and is also highly expressed in the megakaryocytic and mast cell lineages. The helix-loop-helix gene SCL (or TAL) is expressed in the same three hematopoietic lineages as GATA-1. To explore the role of GATA-1 and SCL in hematopoietic differentiation, we introduced a new expression vector bearing each gene into the early myeloid cell line 416B, which could originally differentiate in vivo along the megakaryocytic and granulocytic lineages. Enforced expression of SCL at high levels did not provoke differentiation, but GATA-1 induced the appearance of megakaryocytes as assessed by morphology, the presence of acetylcholinesterase and a polyploid DNA content. Although GATA-1 is thought to stimulate its own transcription in erythrocytes, expression of the endogenous gene was not increased in the megakaryocytic lines; hence GATA-1 may not be autoregulatory in this lineage. Megakaryocytic differentiation was accompanied by a marked decrease in the myeloid surface marker Mac-1. The absence of mast cell or erythroid differentiation suggests that GATA-1 may not be sufficient to provoke maturation along these lineages or that these pathways are impeded in 416B cells. These results demonstrate that a member of the GATA gene family can act as an important regulator of megakaryocytic differentiation.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1991

bcl-2 transgene inhibits T cell death and perturbs thymic self-censorship.

Early death is the fate of most developing T lymphocytes. Because bcl-2 can promote cell survival, we tested its impact in mice expressing an E mu-bcl-2 transgene within the T lymphoid compartment. The T cells showed remarkably sustained viability and some spontaneous differentiation in vitro. They also resisted killing by lymphotoxic agents. Although total T cell numbers and the rate of thymic involution were unaltered, the response to immunization was enhanced, consistent with reduced death of activated T cells. No T cells reactive with self-superantigens appeared in the lymph nodes, but an excess was found in the thymus. These observations, together with previous findings on B cells, suggest that modulated bcl-2 expression is a determinant of life and death in normal lymphocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Selective up-regulation of macrophage function in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor transgenic mice.

Peritoneal and pleural cells from mice transgenic for GM-CSF were studied with regard to their phenotype and functional capacity, and compared with cells from normal littermates. Transgenic mice showed markedly elevated peritoneal and pleural cell counts compared with littermates, and a significantly higher proportion of cells in the transgenic populations were macrophage in phenotype. Transgenic macrophages were larger than the littermate cells, showing abundant foamy cytoplasm and enhanced spreading on plastic. Analysis by flow cytometry showed a more than sixfold increased expression of the macrophage activation markers MAC-2 and MAC-3, but not other markers, on transgenic macrophages. Superoxide production was measured in whole cell populations, both in their basal state and in response to particulate (zymosan) and soluble (PMA) stimuli. Both basal and stimulated superoxide production were markedly elevated in transgenic mice of 12 wk of age, with the largest differences seen in response to PMA. In younger mice, however, only PMA-stimulated superoxide production was significantly greater in transgenic macrophages than in littermate cells and levels of superoxide were generally lower than those seen in 12-wk-old mice. These findings suggest that the enhanced functional capacity of transgenic cells is a maturation-dependent event. In contrast to these findings, drug-dependent cytotoxicity assays performed on cells from 12-wk-old mice revealed no significant differences in killing capacity between the two mouse strains. Taken together these data indicate a selective rather than uniform functional up-regulation in transgenic macrophages compared with their littermates, with a time scale suggestive of a maturational rather than activation process. These findings may provide an indication of the functional macrophage phenotype resulting from long term exposure to GM-CSF in vivo, and help to explain the macrophage-associated pathology seen in GM-CSF-transgenic mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Enforced BCL2 expression in B-lymphoid cells prolongs antibody responses and elicits autoimmune disease.

The biological functions of the BCL2 gene were investigated in transgenic mice harboring human BCL2 cDNA under the control of an immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer (E mu). Mice of a representative transgenic strain, E mu-bcl-2-22, had a great excess of B lymphocytes, immunoglobulin-secreting cells, and serum immunoglobulins, attributable to increased longevity of B-lineage cells. Pre-B and plasma cells as well as B cells exhibited prolonged survival in culture. Immunized animals produced an amplified and protracted antibody response. Within the first year of life, most mice spontaneously produced antibodies to nuclear antigens, and 60% developed kidney disease, diagnosed as immune complex glomerulonephritis. Thus E mu-bcl-2-22 mice constitute a transgenic model for a systemic autoimmune disease resembling the human disorder systemic lupus erythematosus.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Novel murine homeo box gene on chromosome 1 expressed in specific hematopoietic lineages and during embryogenesis.

We describe here a new murine homeo box gene, denoted Hlx, which is expressed within specific hematopoietic lineages. The cDNA sequence indicates that Hlx differs markedly from known vertebrate homeo box genes, and linkage analysis of an interspecific murine backcross showed that it resides at a novel homeo box locus on the distal portion of mouse chromosome 1. The Hlx homeo domain is most similar to that of the Drosophila H2.0 gene, but outside this region the two polypeptides are related only within a few short segments, the most notable being a motif (denoted Hep) also partially conserved in the engrailed and invected homeo proteins and possibly related to an octapeptide in certain paired box proteins. The presence of an intron within the Hlx homeo box at the same position as in several divergent Drosophila genes (H2.0, labial, Distal-less, proboscipedia, Abdominal-B, NK-1) suggests an ancient evolutionary relationship between these genes. RNA analysis of 67 murine hematopoietic cell lines and normal hematopoietic cells revealed Hlx expression throughout the myeloid/macrophage lineage and at early stages of B lymphocyte development but not in T lymphocytes, erythroid cells, or mast cells. Hence, Hlx is a candidate regulator of hematopoietic lineage commitment and maturation. It probably also functions outside the hematopoietic system, however, because Hlx mRNA could be detected in diverse adult tissues and in embryos from as early as day 8 of development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Novel primitive lymphoid tumours induced in transgenic mice by cooperation between myc and bcl-2.

The putative oncogene bcl-2 is juxtaposed to the immunoglobulin heavy chain (Igh) locus by the t(14;18) chromosomal translocation typical of human follicular B-cell lymphomas. The bcl-2 gene product is not altered by the translocation, but its expression is deregulated, presumably by the Igh enhancer E mu. Constitutive bcl-2 expression seems to augment cell survival, as infection with a bcl-2 retrovirus enables certain growth factor-dependent mouse cell lines to maintain viability when deprived of factor. Furthermore, high levels of the bcl-2 product can protect human B and T lymphoblasts under stress and thereby confer a growth advantage. Mice expressing a bcl-2 transgene controlled by the Igh enhancer accumulate small non-cycling B cells which survive unusually well in vitro but do not show a propensity for spontaneous tumorigenesis. In contrast, an analogous myc transgene, designed to mimic the myc-Igh translocation product typical of Burkitt's lymphoma and rodent plasmacytoma, promotes B lymphoid cell proliferation and predisposes mice to malignancy in pre-B and B lymphoid cells. Previous experiments have suggested that bcl-2 can cooperate with deregulated myc to improve in vitro growth of pre-B and B cells. Here we describe a marked synergy between bcl-2 and myc in doubly transgenic mice. E mu-bcl-2/myc mice show hyperproliferation of pre-B and B cells and develop tumours much faster than E mu-myc mice. Suprisingly, the tumours derive from a cell with the hallmarks of a primitive haemopoietic cell, perhaps a lymphoid-committed stem cell.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[A simple test for the monitoring of plasma anti-XA activity of patients following subcutaneous administration of enoxaparin].

Since low molecular weight heparin is used for the prevention of thromboembolism, the coagulation laboratories are in need of a simple, reliable and practicable test for factor Xa inhibition in order to monitor the effect of low molecular heparin in plasma. Effects of subcutaneous administration of 20 mg or 40 mg enoxaparin were studied in blood samples drawn from 20 patients before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours after injection. Thrombin time, aPTT, Heptest and the anti-Xa activity (amidolytic assay) were measured. Subcutaneous administration of 20 mg or 40 mg enoxaparin was followed by a barely significant (p less than 0.05) rise in aPTT (only at the higher dosage) and thrombin time four hours after injection. Heptest and amidolytic assay (S-2222) correlated well and significant (p less than 0.01) increases, with maximum values 4 hours after injection, were seen after administration of 20 mg as well as of 40 mg enoxaparin. Higher mean values were achieved after injection of 40 mg than 20 mg enoxaparin. We believe the Heptest to be a quick and easily performed test, giving results which agree well with those of the amidolytic anti-Xa activity reference method.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Identity of PB76 differentiation antigen and lymphocyte alkaline phosphatase.

Alkaline phosphatases (APases, EC 3.1.3.1) are ecto-enzymes bound to cell membranes by a phosphatidyl-inositol anchor. We have previously shown that APase is present on activated murine B cells and its expression correlates with the process of B cell differentiation into immunoglobulin secretion. Recently, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), G-5-2, that recognizes a 76-kDa molecule preferentially expressed on the surface of pre-B and plasma cells (PB76) was described. Some features shared by APase and PB76 differentiation antigen suggest that the G-5-2 mAb might be specific for lymphocyte APase. Here, we have analyzed this possibility and found an absolute correlation between PB76 expression in cells and their APase activity. Although PB76 has been described as a B cell-restricted marker, PB76 is also expressed on some T cells, such as the YAC-1 T cell lymphoma, that are known to bear APase. Treatment of YAC-1 cells with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C resulted in a quantitatively correlated removal of both APase and PB76 antigens. Moreover, we demonstrate that PB76 antigen has APase activity using an enzyme-antigen immunoassay with the G-5-2 mAb. We conclude that PB76 and lymphocyte APase are one and the same antigen.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1989

One synchronous wave of B cell development in mouse fetal liver changes at day 16 of gestation from dependence to independence of a stromal cell environment.

Precursor cells of the B lineage can be enriched from mouse fetal liver by FACS with the aid of the pre-B cell-specific mAb G-5-2. The cells are concomitantly enriched for cells expressing the pre-B cell-specific gene lambda 5, and for cells developing to LPS-reactive mature B cells. The enriched purified precursors are not influenced by rIL-2 through -7, alone or in combination, to develop to mitogen-reactive, sIg+ cells. Marginal proliferation of the precursors is observed in response to IL-3 plus -4, and IL-6 plus -7, and this does not change in the presence of stromal cells. Development to mitogen-reactive, sIg+ cells is dependent on interactions with embryonic stromal cells from fetal liver. Two mAbs raised against the stromal cells inhibit this development. Two phases of precursor cell development can be distinguished in fetal liver. Between days 13 and 15 of gestation, it is dependent on stromal cell interactions, thereafter, from days 16 to 19, it is independent. A sudden increase in the number of mitogen-reactive, sIg+ B lineage cells occurs within 24 h between days 16 and 17. All these results indicate that B cell development occurs in one wave with synchronous steps of changes from a mitogen-insensitive, sIg-, stromal cell dependent to a mitogen-reactive, sIg+, stromal cell-independent B lineage line.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Cellular stages and molecular steps of murine B-cell development.

Development of B cells in fetal liver occurs in one synchronous wave and involves probably no more than four critical divisions. This leads us to suggest that the main pool of proliferating progenitors that replenish the peripheral B-cell pool are progenitors before Ig gene rearrangement, that the four Ig gene rearrangements (DH to JH, VH to DHJH, VK to JK, and V lambda to J lambda) might occur in four critical divisions, and that a stromal-cell-dependent phase of pre-B development in which all rearrangements are made is succeeded by a stromal-cell-independent phase of sIG+ pre-B-cell maturation to mature mitogen-reactive B cells. We speculate on the molecular nature of the tightly controlled steps of Ig rearrangements during pre-B-cell development that might involve the pre-B-cell specific genes Vpre-B and lambda 5 and the B-lineage-specific gene mb-1 in interactions with stromal cells.

Animals↗