Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Malavasi

Publications and source records attributed to F Malavasi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Selective high-performance liquid chromatographic purification of bispecific monoclonal antibodies.

The recent development of improved production techniques for bispecific monoclonal antibodies (biMAbs) has significantly increased interest in specific purification procedures. In this investigation, a general high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) purification method is proposed that allows highly purified biMAbs to be obtained from mouse ascites fluid containing a mixture of different antibodies, i.e., parental MAbs, active biMAb and a mixture of randomly assembled heavy and light chains. Proteins from ascites fluid were precipitated with ammonium sulphate and applied to a high-performance protein A column to separate the total immunoglobulin fraction. BiMAbs were isolated from other immunoglobulins by two subsequent passages through a high-performance hydroxyapatite (HPHT) column. This purification protocol combines specificity of protein A for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and high selectivity of hydroxyapatite for different IgG idiotypes. All purification steps were performed rapidly and reliably by HPLC. This method was applied to the purification of six different biMAbs with consistently high yields, purity and homogeneity. This general purification method may prove extremely valuable when highly pure preparation of biMAbs is required, as for in vivo use.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

Isoform-specific associations of CD45 with accessory molecules in human T lymphocytes.

Association of CD45 with surface molecules was investigated in human T lymphocytes by co-capping. CD45 appeared to be associated with the CD3/T cell receptor complex and with CD4 or CD8 molecules in memory, but not in naive T cells, as previously reported in the mouse. Associations of CD45 isoforms with accessory molecules were then identified with seven anti-CD45R monoclonal antibodies (mAb). An isoform-specific association pattern was observed: CD2 co-capped with CD45 molecules recognized by UCHL1 mAb (CD45R0). LFA-1 with molecules bound by 2H4 mAb (CD45RA), and both CD4 and CD8 with molecules reacting with MCA.347 mAb (whose isoform specificity was not known). Further information on the CD45 isoform(s) associated to CD4 and CD8 was sought by assessing the isoform specificity of MCA.347. Cross-competition experiments showed that it reacts with an epitope clearly different from those recognized by 2H4 and UCHL1, and only partially overlapping the PD7/26 epitope (CD45RB). Moreover, the competition between MCA.347 and PD7/26 was maximal in naive T cells and minimal both in memory T cells and in a subset expressing CD11b, a marker of granular lymphocytes. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that MCA.347 binds to CD45 molecules with a molecular mass of 220, 205 and 190 kDa, the 190-kDa molecules not being recognized by 2H4, PD7/26 or UCHL1. These data indicate that MCA.347 recognizes amino acid sequences different from those coded by the exon A or B of the gene, and not expressed by CD45R0, suggesting that it binds to sequences coded by the exon C. In conclusion, this work shows that in human T cells different CD45 isoforms are associated to different surface molecules: LFA-1 is associated to CD45RA, CD2 to CD45R0 and CD4 and CD8 presumably to CD45RC. This peculiar behavior of CD45 suggests that it may play a crucial role in lymphocyte activation, probably by modulating the signals delivered to the cell by different receptor systems.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

CD38: a multi-lineage cell activation molecule with a split personality.

This review reports the characteristics of the human surface molecule CD38, a structure not linked to a definite line and predominantly expressed in early and activated phenotypes. The CD38 molecule consists of a single chain of 46 kDa, spanning the membrane and with the carboxyl terminus located in the extracellular compartment. The CD38 molecule is also involved in the transduction of activation and proliferation signals, which are line unrestricted. The gene coding for the CD38 antigen has been cloned and used for the construction of simian and mouse transfectants expressing the human molecule. These cell models are used for the analysis of several unanswered issues, mainly concerning the in vivo function of CD38, the existence of a natural ligand and of polymorphism in the population.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1992

Cell retargeting by bispecific monoclonal antibodies. Evidence of bypass of intratumor susceptibility to cell lysis in human melanoma.

Intratumor heterogeneity for susceptibility to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)-mediated lysis represents a major obstacle to cancer adoptive immunotherapy. To overcome the heterogeneity observed in terms of susceptibility of target cells to cell-mediated lysis, in this study we used two purified bispecific monoclonal antibodies (bsmAbs) that recognize molecules expressed by cytotoxic effector cells (CD3 and IgG Fc receptorial molecules), as well as one high molecular weight melanoma-associated antigen (HMW-MAA). The ability of these reagents to enhance or induce a relevant in vitro cytotoxic activity by a CTL clone (CTL 49) isolated from PBL of a melanoma patient was tested on a large panel of autologous and allogeneic melanoma cell lines and clones. Functional studies revealed that the CTL 49 clone lysed all the HMW-MAA+ tumor lines in the presence of bsmAbs and that these reagents affected the target lysis in a cooperative fashion. The effectiveness of bsmAbs in overcoming the heterogeneous susceptibility of human melanoma cells to cell-mediated lysis may find practical implications in cancer adoptive immunotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Molecular investigation of the cytokines produced by normal and malignant B lymphocytes.

Different normal and malignant human B-cell populations were studied with a twofold aim: to define which cytokines are produced in vivo, and to assess the relationship between cytokine production and kinetic state. To analyse normal B-cells representative of different stages of activation and proliferation in vivo, we purified germinal centre (GC)-B blasts and mantle B (M-B) cells from tonsils. To compare malignant B lymphocytes with their closest normal equivalent cells, we separated malignant CD5+B lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and normal CD5+B lymphocytes from cord blood. The expression of interleukins (IL) IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 genes was analysed using Northern and Western blotting techniques. TNF-alpha mRNA is produced by resting (M-B) and actively proliferating (GC-B) normal B lymphocytes. TGF-beta mRNA is present at high levels in resting normal M-B cells, while the transcript levels are lower in proliferating GC-B and in activated CD5+B lymphocytes. IL-2 production is limited to the actively proliferating GC-B blasts, IL-1 beta and IL-6 to resting M-B cells. The cytokine production profile of CD5+ malignant B-CLL cells differs from that of their putative normal counterparts and is more like the profile of M-B cells, since B-CLL cells produce IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, and IL-6. These observations lead to the following conclusions: among normal B lymphocyte populations, resting M-B lymphocytes are the most active cytokine producers, and B-CLL malignant B cells reflect the production pattern of normal resting B lymphocytes.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1991

Analysis of the human CD36 leucocyte differentiation antigen by means of the monoclonal antibody NL07.

The murine monoclonal antibody (MoAb) NL07 was generated by immunization with human platelet extracts. NL07 MoAb recognized a molecule expressed by human platelets, monocytes, and endothelial cells, as well as by the myelomonocytic line U937 and by some melanoma cells or lines. Normal endothelial cells and the melanoma cells express the NL07 epitope only while adhering to a substrate. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional gel analysis indicate that the molecule recognized by NL07 MoAb on platelets is a single chain structure featuring a molecular weight of 85 kDa under reducing conditions, with an acidic isoelectric point ranging from 5.2 to 5.5. The specific phenotype distribution and the biochemical structure indicate that NL07 MoAb recognizes the platelet GPIV (CD36) molecule, a surface glycoprotein with a functional role of thrombospondin receptor. The results of competition tests with OKM5 MoAb (specific for the CD36 molecule) confirm the molecular specificity and epitope coincidence. Furthermore, upon binding to the platelets, NL07 MoAb is able to transmit via CD36 an activation signal which is followed by a potent aggregation. On the contrary, there is lack of evidence concerning the ability of the CD36 molecule of transmitting signal(s) on the U937 cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Functional effects of a monoclonal antibody directed against a distinct epitope on 4F2 molecular complex in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell activation.

The 4F2 antigenic complex is expressed on most human cell lines in culture, on monocytes and activated lymphocytes, but not on resting T and B lymphocytes. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) CB43 recognizes an epitope of the 4F2 heterodimer either located on the light chain or dependent on the conformation of the molecule. The binding of CB43 mAb to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) induced a dose-dependent comitogenic effect in the presence of submitogenic concentrations of anti-CD3 mAb. Significant amounts of interleukin (IL)-1 beta but not IL-2 or interferon-gamma were released in the supernatant. Pretreatment of monocytes with CB43 mAb increased the phytohemagglutinin-induced T lymphocyte proliferation. However, CB43 mAb did not exert agonistic effects on activated T lymphocytes. Depletion of CB43+ cells from PBMC decreased the proliferation and generation of cytotoxic effector cells induced by a mannoprotein (MP) derived from Candida albicans cell wall but not by recombinant IL-2. Furthermore, depletion of CB43+ cells from PBMC preactivated with MP or rIL-2 led to a significant decrease in their cytotoxic activity. CB43 mAb did not inhibit the growth of cell lines nor the proliferation of T cells. Thus CB43 mAb identifies a distinct functional epitope on the 4F2 molecular complex and might be useful in further studying the role of this molecule in cellular activation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of CR1 expression in neutrophils from chronic myeloid leukaemia: relationship between prognosis and cellular activity.

The expression of the complement receptor CR1 has been evaluated using an immunoalkaline phosphatase staining method on peripheral blood neutrophils and granulocyte precursors from 22 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and 15 healthy subjects. The immunocytochemical labelling pattern of CR1 was evaluated semiquantitatively on cell smears using three different anti-CR1 monoclonal antibodies. The scoring method showed that seven patients with CML had a marked reduction in CR1 expression which did not change with in vitro stimulation of neutrophils with phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA) whereas control cells responded to PMA, increasing the receptor level two-fold. In addition, functional analysis of neutrophils with low CR1 expression from CML patients showed a very low cytolytic activity against K562 tumour target, suggesting a relationship between the cellular content of CR1 and neutrophil tumouricidal activity. The involvement of CR1 in neutrophil-mediated lysis is consistent with complete lack of tumour toxicity following receptor neutralization by anti-CR1 monoclonal antibodies. Interferon therapy improved CR1 expression and the cytolytic response of neutrophils in three out of five CML patients with a moderately low CR1 score. CML patients non-responding to interferon therapy and those with a very low CR1 score, independent of the clinical stage, progressed more rapidly into the advanced clinical stage and blastic crisis.

Complement C3b↗
PubMed1991

Retrovirus-derived shuttle vectors in the generation of murine bispecific MoAbs to be used in ex vivo and in vivo immunotherapy.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for CD3, FcR and a melanoma associated antigen have been produced. Drug resistence of such hibrydomas has been obtained tranfecting them with plasmids containing genes conferring specific resistence. Retrovirus derived shuttle vectors with high transfection efficiency have been used for transfection. Hybrydomas were than fused and bispecific antibody producing cells selected. Purification was performed by HPLC. Such bispecific antibodies can be used in ex vivo and in vivo immunotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Immune material processing by phagocyte cell system in cryoglobulinemia.

An impaired function of splenic macrophages, measured as the clearance rate of erythrocytes coated with IgG (E-IgG), was observed in 7 out of 8 cryoglobulinemic patients with severe urinary abnormalities and systemic symptoms, and in 0 out of 6 patients without urinary symptoms and only mild systemic signs of disease. The E-IgG clearance rate was not related to HLA or Rh phenotype, patients' age or disease duration. Moreover, longitudinal studies showed this parameter to be strictly related to disease activity. To investigate the nature of the defect, five series of analyses were planned using peripheral blood phagocytes (PBP) from 8 patients: a) detection of cell-bound immune material by using the antibody CE59 directed to the Fc fragment of IgG modified by the antibody-antigen reaction; b) cytofluorometric and/or radiometric analyses of the cell surface expression of HLA II, CR1 and FcR structures by means of specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs); c) electron microscopy (EM) examination of diverse combinations of cryoglobulins incubated with PBP from patients and normals; d) analysis of cryoglobulin-induced inhibition of E-IgG phagocytosis; e) measurement of the generation of chemiluminescence (CL) in response to Zymosan, Phorbol Myristate Acetate and n-Formyl-Methyonine-Leucine-Phenilalanine (n-FMLP). Patients' PBP were found to have a higher amount of cell-bound immune material as compared to normals (p less than 0.01). CR1 and FcR expression was not different from controls, whereas a slight increase in percentage of monocytes bearing HLA II structures was found in patients (p less than 0.05). Upon EM examination no obvious differences were found in the internalization capacity of cryoglobulins between patients and controls. The CL production was lower than normal (p less than 0.02), whatever stimulus used, with a maximal impairment for n-FLMP (p less than 0.005), the most specific test probe for cytoskeleton integrity. Finally, a remarkable cryoglobulin-induced inhibition of E-IgG phagocytosis was shown. A combination of saturation mechanisms and intracellular abnormalities could underlie the apparent discrepancy between E-IgG clearance defect and preserved potential of cryoglobulin internalization in cryoglobulinemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Involvement of the multilineage CD38 molecule in a unique pathway of cell activation and proliferation.

We report clear evidence that the interaction of the CD38 molecule with the specific mAb A10 on normal human cells and lines modulates the expression of surface activation markers relevant to T, NK, and plasma cell biology and functions. Moreover A10 mAb binding is followed by proliferation effects on all the target cells analyzed, and the phenomenon is accessory cell and IL-2 dependent. The effects of A10 mAb synergizing both CD2 and CD3 activation pathways indicate that CD38 signal transduction mechanism(s) are apparently different from the aforementioned. Nevertheless the decreased A10-driven proliferation after CD3-Ti modulation suggests a possible functional interdependence between these activation pathways. Taken together, the results indicate that the CD38 molecule might play a physiologic role in T, NK, and plasma cell regulation.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1990

CD38 molecule: structural and biochemical analysis on human T lymphocytes, thymocytes, and plasma cells.

The structure of the CD38 molecule has been evaluated by one- and two-dimensional gel analysis and by enzymatic digestions. The source of the Ag was mainly membrane preparations obtained from MLC cells, from normal thymocytes, and from the plasmocytoma line LP-1. Membranes were solubilized in NP-40 and the extracts fractionated by immunoaffinity chromatography [using a specific anti-CD38 antibody (A10 mAb) covalently linked to Sepharose protein A]. The purified Ag migrated as a single chain of Mr = 45,000 not associated with beta 2-microglobulin. Two-dimensional IEF gel electrophoresis revealed five spots (isoelectric point (pI) range: 6.5 to 6.9). After neuraminidase treatment, the mobility of the five polypeptides shifted to a more basic pI. Endoglycosidase-H treatment reduced the Mr of CD38 by 20%, revealing a broader band centered at Mr = 36,000. Treatment of CD38 molecule with V8 Staphylococcus aureus protease yielded a single dominant band at Mr = 38,000 which was still reactive with A10 mAb. The CD38 molecular was trypsin-resistant in both denatured or native conditions. These results clearly show the glycoprotein nature of CD38 molecule, which includes 2 to 4 N-linked oligosaccharide chains containing sialic acid residues. Furthermore, the present data indicate that the CD38 molecule does not display an apparent biochemical polymorphism among the different CD38+ cells or lines.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1990

Murine monoclonal antibody recognizing a 90-kDa cell-surface determinant selectively lost by multi-drug-resistant variants of CEM cells.

We describe a murine IgG1 monoclonal antibody (MAb56), specific for a cell-surface protein structure (MC56 determinant) expressed by the human CEM cell line. A large band of approximately 90 kDa was identified as the main specific component of the MC56 determinant. Such a 90-kDa protein is significantly associated with the drug-sensitive phenotype, its expression being progressively reduced quantitatively in multi-drug-resistant (MDR) variants of CEM cells, according to the extent of drug resistance. In addition, the MC56 determinant is expressed de novo in drug-sensitive revertant cell lines derived from MDR cells and unreactive with the MAb56. The MAb56 shows a high affinity towards the immunizing drug-sensitive CEM cell line (Ka = 1.86 x 10(9) L/mole) while not binding to MDR cell variants. The expression of the MC56 molecule on a variety of human cells and tissues makes such a cellular determinant a candidate as a marker for studying the MDR phenomenon both in vivo and in vitro.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Gene transfer by retrovirus-derived shuttle vectors in the generation of murine bispecific monoclonal antibodies.

The present study reports on the use of gene transfer by retrovirus-derived shuttle vectors in the generation of hybrid hybridomas secreting bispecific monoclonal antibodies. neo- and dhfr- genes were infected into distinct murine hybridomas, thus conferring a dominant resistance trait to geneticin (G418) and to methotrexate. The vectors employed were replication-deficient and dependent on complementation by a helper virus provided by the irradiated packaging lines. After cocultivation with the relevant packaging cell lines, stable hybridoma lines expressing the selectable markers were easily obtained and were then suitable for conventional somatic fusion. This high-efficiency method was used to generate two bispecific monoclonal antibodies simultaneously targeting molecules expressed on cytotoxic cells (i.e., T lymphocytes and natural killer cells) against a human melanoma-associated antigen.

Animals↗