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D A Carson

Publications and source records attributed to D A Carson.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Synthesis and release of deoxycytidine by human B and T lymphoblasts.

Deoxycytidine kinase activity is abundant in human T and B lymphocytes. However, the role of the enzyme in endogenous deoxynucleoside metabolism has not been established. The present experiments show that dividing human B lymphoblasts, but not T lymphoblasts, release substantial amounts of deoxycytidine (dCyd) into the medium, and have an active dCyd-dCMP (deoxycytidine-deoxycytidine 5'-phosphate) substrate cycle. Exogenous dCyd has been shown to protect human lymphocytes from the toxic effects of deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine and related compounds. Thus, the differential rates of dCyd release by T and B lymphocytes may affect the sensitivities of the two cell types to the growth inhibitory effects of exogenous deoxynucleosides.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Variable region sequences of murine IgM anti-IgG monoclonal autoantibodies (rheumatoid factors). A structural explanation for the high frequency of IgM anti-IgG B cells.

The nucleotide sequences of heavy and light chains from 10 monoclonal IgM anti-IgG1 (RF) antibodies were determined and reported here as translated amino acid sequences. Only three families of VK light chains were used in these antibodies: VK1 (two examples), VK8 (three examples), and VK19 (four examples). This represents a significant nonrandom selection of light chains. In contrast, all other variable region gene segments (i.e., VH, DH, JH, and JK) were used in a pattern consistent with random selection from the available pool of germline genes. In two cases, the same anti-IgG1 specificity was generated by a combination of very homologous light chains with unrelated heavy chains. We infer from this that the light chain is the segment used by these antibodies to bind IgG1. The nature of these sequences provides an explanation for the curious observation that as many as 15% of splenic B cells in normal mice may be expressing IgM anti-IgG; if, as our data suggest, certain light chains in combination with many different heavy chains can be used in assembling the anti-IgG specificity, then, because of combinatorial association in which the heavy chain is not relevant for specificity, the fraction of IgM-producing B cells expressing these light chains should approximate the fraction of B cells making IgM anti-IgG. We calculate, based on data presented in several other studies, that 5-17% of B cells express one of the VK types observed in monoclonal RF. This agrees well with estimates for the number of B cells making IgM anti-IgG. In addition, our findings could rule out other explanations of the high percentage of B cells making RF, such as constant stimulation by antigen or presence of numerous antigenic epitopes since it was shown that IgM anti-IgG1 antibodies are not somatically mutated and that they are structurally homogeneous. We aligned the VK sequences of the RF in hopes of finding some primary sequence homology between the represented VK families which might point to residues involved in the binding interaction. Although we found no such homology in the hypervariable regions, we did find significant and unexpected homology in the FR2 and FR3 of these light chains. We noted that these regions are exposed in the Ig structure and postulate that they may be involved in a unique type of binding interaction between two Ig family domains, i.e., VK binding to a constant region domain of IgG.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of three cross-reactive idiotypes on rheumatoid factor autoantibodies from patients with autoimmune diseases and seropositive adults.

Approximately one-half of human monoclonal IgM anti-IgG autoantibodies (rheumatoid factors (RF] from unrelated individuals with cryoglobulinemia coordinately express three cross-reactive idiotypic antigens (CRI). The CRI are detected with: 1) monoclonal antibody 17.109, which recognizes a conformation-dependent CRI on K-light chains; and 2) two rabbit anti-peptide antibodies that react with primary sequence-dependent CRI (PSL2 and PSL3) corresponding to the conserved second and third K-chain complementarity-determining regions, respectively. In the present experiments, the structural features of polyclonal RF autoantibodies from diverse patients with rheumatoid arthritis and from those with primary Sjögren's syndrome, and from seropositive elderly subjects without overt autoimmune diseases, were investigated with these three defined anti-CRI reagents. The pattern of expression of the CRI differed among patient groups. Only the RF autoantibodies from Sjögren's syndrome patients frequently displayed all three CRI. However, the RF from nearly every subject tested, including patients with rheumatoid arthritis, were enriched in the primary sequence-dependent PSL2-CRI as compared to RF-depleted Ig from the same subjects. Amino acid sequence analysis of monoclonal IgM-RF indicates that PSL2-CRI-positive light chains probably represent the products of a single Vk gene. Therefore, a proportion of the polyclonal RF from different autoimmune states may represent somatic variants of this germ-line RF Vk gene which retain the PSL2 sequence as a common element.

Adult↗

Release of lymphokines after Epstein Barr virus infection in vitro. I. Sources of and kinetics of production of interferons and interleukins in normal humans.

Infection of human lymphocytes with Epstein Barr virus (EBV) activates the release of lymphokines. Previous experiments have emphasized the ability of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) to prevent EBV-induced B cell transformation. However, the factors that regulate IFN-gamma synthesis and release during in vitro EBV infection are controversial. In the present investigation we have systematically evaluated the kinetics of production, cellular origins, and accessory cell requirements for IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma and for IL 1 and IL 2, after EBV infection. Our data indicate that IFN-alpha is released entirely by natural killer (NK) cells and B cells, in the absence of accessory cells, independently of the other lymphokines and within 24 hr of infection. In contradistinction, IFN-gamma secretion is exclusively of T cell origin, is absolutely dependent on the prior elaboration of IL 1 and IL 2, and is maximal 8 days after EBV infection. IL 2 secretion by T cells peaks on day 5 and requires the earlier release of IL 1. Both NK cells and monocytes are a source of IL 1. Secretion of IL 2 and IFN-gamma occurs in the presence of either one of these cell types but not in the absence of both. Antibody against IL 1 blocks EBV-induced IL 2 and IFN-gamma generation, and antibody against IL 2 decreases production of IFN-gamma. Thus, the production of IFN-gamma, the lymphokine that prevents EBV-induced B cell transformation, is the final outcome of a cascade of lymphokine-mediated events that involve interactions between virus-infected B lymphocytes that serve as antigen-presenting cells, NK cells and monocytes as sources of IL 1, and T lymphoblasts. Dysfunctions of any or all of these cell types would be expected to impair the regulation of EBV transformation.

Adult↗

Release of lymphokines after infection with Epstein Barr virus in vitro. II. A monocyte-dependent inhibitor of interleukin 1 downregulates the production of interleukin 2 and interferon-gamma in rheumatoid arthritis.

Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-infection of normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro induces IFN-alpha secretion from B cell and natural killer (NK) cell populations, and IFN-gamma secretion from T cells. IFN-gamma depends on prior elaboration of IL 2 and IL 1 that originates from monocytes and NK cells. PBMC from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients released moderately elevated levels of IFN-alpha (236 +/- 62 U/ml vs 168 +/- 34 in normals). In contrast, IFN-gamma was significantly lower in RA (88 +/- 34 U/ml vs 209 +/- 32) with an associated deficit in IL 2. A monocyte-dependent factor was shown to be responsible for this deficit, since monocyte depletion of RA cultures normalized the levels of IL 2 and IFN-gamma. Significantly lower levels of IL 1 activity were present in the supernatants of RA PBMC cultures as compared with normal cultures, and this was shown to be associated with presence of a nondialyzable IL 1 inhibitor. This inhibitor was capable of preventing the IL 1-dependent synthesis of IL 2 and IFN-gamma by normal PBMC. Exogenous IL 1 or IL 2 restored the deficient IFN-gamma secretion in RA PBMC. Thus, the deficient ability of RA lymphocytes to control EBV infection may be secondary to impairment of a monocyte-T cell interaction at the level of IL 1.

Adult↗

Inhibition of DNA repair by deoxyadenosine in resting human lymphocytes.

Profound lymphopenia is characteristic of immunodeficient children who lack adenosine deaminase (ADA). When ADA is inactive, deoxyadenosine (dAdo) is phosphorylated by immature T lymphoblasts and inhibits cell division. However, dAdo also causes the slow accumulation of DNA strand breaks in nondividing, mature human peripheral blood lymphocytes. To explore the basis for this phenomenon, we have assessed the effects of dAdo and other deoxynucleosides on the repair of gamma-radiation induced DNA strand breaks in resting normal lymphocyte cultures. As measured by a sensitive DNA unwinding assay, most DNA strand breaks were rejoined within 2 hr after exposure of lymphocytes to 500 rad. In medium supplemented with deoxycoformycin, a tight binding ADA inhibitor, dAdo retarded DNA rejoining in a dose and time dependent manner. The inhibition required dAdo phosphorylation. Over an 8-hr period, 10 microM dAdo gradually rendered peripheral blood lymphocytes incompetent for DNA repair. Among several other compounds tested, 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, an ADA resistant dAdo congener with anti-leukemic and immunosuppressive activity, was the most powerful inhibitor of DNA repair, exerting significant activity at concentrations as low as 100 nM. Both dAdo and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine blocked unscheduled DNA synthesis in irradiated resting lymphocytes, as measured by [3H]thymidine uptake. On the basis of this and other data, we suggest that quiescent peripheral blood lymphocytes break and rejoin DNA at a slow and balanced rate. The accumulation of dATP progressively retards the DNA repair process and thereby fosters the time-dependent accretion of DNA strand breaks. By inhibiting DNA repair, dAdo, 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine and related compounds may substantially potentiate the toxicity of DNA damaging agents to normal and malignant lymphocytes.

Cells, Cultured↗

Lymphocyte dysfunction after DNA damage by toxic oxygen species. A model of immunodeficiency.

The metabolic causes for immune impairment in patients with severe chronic inflammatory diseases have not been clearly defined. Recently, the overproduction of poly(ADP-ribose) in resting lymphocytes with unrepaired DNA strand breaks has been suggested to contribute to immune dysfunction in adenosine deaminase-deficient patients. Our experiments have determined to what extent DNA damage and poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis might also explain the impaired mitogen responsiveness of PBL exposed to toxic oxygen species. Treatment of normal resting human lymphocytes with xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine dose-dependently induced DNA strand breaks and triggered the rapid synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose). Subsequently, NAD+ and ATP pools decreased precipitously. Lymphocytes exposed previously to the enzymatic oxidizing system did not synthesize DNA after stimulation with PHA. However, if the medium was supplemented with 3-aminobenzamide or nicotinamide, two compounds that inhibit poly(ADP-ribose) formation, cellular NAD+ and ATP pools were preserved, and the lymphocytes responded vigorously to a mitogenic challenge. Excessive poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis, provoked by DNA strand breakage, may represent a common pathway that connects the immunodeficiency syndromes associated with (a) exposure of lymphocytes to toxic oxygen species during chronic inflammatory states, (b) adenosine deaminase deficiency, and (c) certain DNA repair disorders.

DNA↗

DNA strand breaks, NAD metabolism, and programmed cell death.

An intimate relationship exists between DNA single-strand breaks, NAD metabolism, and cell viability in quiescent human lymphocytes. Under steady-state conditions, resting lymphocytes continually break and rejoin DNA. The balanced DNA excision-repair process is accompanied by a proportional consumption of NAD for poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis. However, lymphocytes have a limited capacity to resynthesize NAD from nicotinamide. An increase in DNA strand break formation in lymphocytes, or a block in DNA repair, accelerates poly(ADP-ribose) formation and may induce lethal NAD and ATP depletion. In this way, the level of DNA single-strand breaks in the lymphocyte nucleus is linked to the metabolic activity of the cytoplasm. The programmed removal of lymphocytes (and perhaps of other cells) with damaged DNA, may represent a novel physiologic function for poly(ADP-ribose)-dependent NAD cycling.

Aphidicolin↗

9-(2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)guanine: a metabolically stable cytotoxic analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine.

The synthesis of 9-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)guanine (1b) from 1,3-di-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-arabinofuranose (2a) and 2,6-dichloropurine in six steps using an enzymatic deamination as the last step is reported. The target compound was found to be stable to purine nucleoside phosphorylase cleavage and was cytotoxic in two cell lines, one a T-cell line. Incubation of L1210 cells with 1b results in an inhibition of DNA synthesis as judged by the reduced incorporation of labeled thymidine into DNA, while RNA and protein syntheses were unaffected.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Genetic basis for the cross-reactive idiotypes on the light chains of human IgM anti-IgG autoantibodies.

The role of immunoglobulin structural genes in the generation of autoantibodies in humans has not been elucidated. Human monoclonal IgM anti-IgG autoantibodies (rheumatoid factors, RFs) from unrelated people often share idiotypic antigens. Antibodies against synthetic peptides have localized two of the shared idiotypic determinants to the second and third complementarity-determining regions of the kappa light chain. The reported sequences of several human RF light chains are remarkably homologous in these regions. Animal studies have shown that some shared idiotypic antigens represent serological markers for immunoglobulin variable (V)-region genes. Therefore, we hypothesized that human RF light chains derived from a single germ-line gene, designated V kappa-(RF), or from a small family of very closely related genes. In the present experiments, we have isolated and sequenced two human V kappa germ-line genes that encode kappa light chains, which are identical or closely related to the light chains of human RF. The data indicate that the shared idiotypic antigens on RF are phenotypic markers for a kappa V-region gene that is highly conserved in the human population. The results also imply that the light chains of IgM anti-IgG autoantibodies can be encoded by germ-line genes without any somatic mutation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and sequence determination of a human rheumatoid factor light-chain gene.

The contribution of germ-line variable regions to autoantibody formation in humans is poorly understood. To study the gene structure of a human autoantibody, chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL) cells from a patient with an IgM anti-IgG (rheumatoid factor, RF) paraprotein were utilized. The rearranged immunoglobulin gene encoding the kappa light chain for the RF was cloned, and the nucleic acid sequence of its variable region was determined. As demonstrated by Southern blot analysis using a kappa joining-region probe, the CLL cells, stable CLL-WIL2-729-HF2 RF-secreting hybridomas, and the cloned light-chain gene all had an identical restriction fragment containing the rearranged light-chain gene. The CLL RF light chains reacted weakly with an antipeptide antibody against a primary structure-dependent idiotype present on the light chains of the majority of IgM RF paraproteins. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of the CLL light-chain gene place it in the kappa III variable-region subgroup, and a comparison to known RF paraproteins reveals marked homology to the light-chain amino acid sequence of the IgM RF paraprotein Pom. Both Pom and the CLL light chain appear to identify a second kappa III gene or gene group that is able to encode RF paraprotein light chains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Basis for defective responses of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid lymphocytes to anti-CD3 (T3) antibodies.

Synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis characteristically respond poorly to mitogens. In this study, mitogenic antibodies reactive with the CD3(T3) antigen on human T lymphocytes were used to analyze the basis for the deficiency. OKT3-induced proliferation and release of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) from SFMC were depressed in all patients. Purified IL-1 or recombinant IL-2 restored proliferative responses in SFMC and increased IL-2 receptor density. Exogenous IL-1 also enhanced IL-2 release. Fractionation of SFMC supernatants on phosphocellulose columns revealed the presence of IL-1 and a potent IL-1 inhibitor. The monocyte-derived IL-1 inhibitor blocked IL-1-dependent responses of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes to OKT3, but had no effect on IL-2-dependent events. These results suggest that IL-1 inhibitor(s) in SFMC impair(s) OKT3-induced mitogenesis by interfering with the effects of IL-1 on T lymphocytes. The net result is deficient IL-2 secretion, IL-2 receptor expression, and impaired cellular proliferation. This novel inhibitory circuit provides a rational explanation for the diminished function of synovial fluid T lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Adult↗