Cloning and sequence analysis of the cDNA for murine interleukin-6.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Biomedical subjects
G M Fuller
Publications and source records attributed to G M Fuller.
The role of carbohydrate in the function of human plasminogen: comparison of the protein obtained from molecular cloning and expression in Escherichia coli and COS cells.
A cDNA library was constructed in the phage lambda gt11 from human liver mRNA enriched for plasminogen mRNA by chromatography on Sepharose 4B. A full-length cDNA clone of human plasminogen was isolated. The 2.7 kb cDNA encoded the entire plasminogen molecule, a signal peptide sequence and two start codons with a 5'-untranslated region of about 80 base pairs. In the 3'-non coding region of 280 base pairs a consensus signal AATAAA was found at a distance of 46 base pairs upstream of the poly(A) tail. The plasminogen cDNA was subcloned in the eukaryotic expression vector p91023 (B), and human plasminogen was expressed in monkey kidney (COS m6) cells and in Escherichia coli. The recombinant molecule obtained from COS cells has physicochemical and biological properties similar to native human plasminogen I, indicating that it has folded in a manner similar to plasminogen synthesized by liver. By contrast, plasminogen expressed in E. coli could not be activated and showed biological properties which are very different from glycosylated forms of plasminogen. However, the non-glycosylated plasminogen was bound by lysine-Sepharose and reacted with a conformation dependent monoclonal antibody to kringles 1 to 3. These data suggest that the protein has properly folded kringle domains. Our studies suggest that the carbohydrate domains may play an important role in the function of the plasminogen molecule.
Animals↗
Induction and regulation of interleukin-6 gene expression in rat astrocytes.
Cells that produce interleukin-6 (IL-6) require the presence of signaling molecules since this cytokine is not normally constitutively expressed. It is now established that astrocytes produce IL-6; however, the precise inducing molecules and the kinetics of their action have not yet been clearly identified. In the current study, we show that either interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) exert a strong inducing signal for IL-6 in primary rat astrocytes. When the two cytokines are added together the response is synergistic, suggesting that each cytokine may induce IL-6 gene expression by different pathways. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) does not affect IL-6 expression although if it is added in conjunction with IL-1 beta, an augmented induction of IL-6 occurs. In addition to the cytokines, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the calcium ionophore, A23187, induce IL-6 expression. IL-6 expression can be blocked by the glucocorticoid analogue, dexamethasone. IL-6 induction by LPS/Ca2+ ionophore is more sensitive to the suppressive effects of dexamethasone than is IL-6 induction by TNF-alpha/IL-1 beta. Cycloheximide (CHX), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, markedly increased levels of IL-6 mRNA in both unstimulated and stimulated astrocytes, indicating that ongoing protein synthesis is not required for astrocyte IL-6 gene expression. We propose that astrocyte-produced IL-6 may have a role in augmenting intracerebral immune responses in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), AIDS dementia complex (ADC), and viral infections. These diseases are characterized by infiltration of lymphoid and mononuclear cells into the central nervous system (CNS), and intrathecal production of immunoglobulins. IL-6 may act to promote terminal differentiation of B cells in the CNS, leading to immunoglobulin synthesis.
Animals↗
The structure and function of the mouse hepatocyte stimulating factor.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Hepatocyte-stimulating factor.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Animals↗
Regulation of angiotensinogen gene expression in a human hepatoma cell line.
Angiotensinogen is the precursor of biologically active peptide angiotensin II and its synthesis is increased in the liver during acute inflammation. We have used radiolabeled human angiotensinogen cDNA to study the effect of hepatocyte stimulating factor (HSF), a protein synthesized in differentiating monocytes which increases the synthesis of various hepatic proteins during inflammation, on angiotensinogen mRNA levels in human hepatoma cells (HepG2). Our results indicate that angiotensinogen mRNA is present in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells and its levels are decreased when treated with hepatocyte stimulating factor. Although dexamethasone elevated angiotensinogen mRNA levels, HSF reduced this increase. These results suggest that a factor other than HSF may be involved in elevating the angiotensinogen mRNA levels in the liver during inflammation.
Angiotensinogen↗
Effects of hyaluronic acid and other glycosaminoglycans on fibrin polymer formation.
Previously, we reported that the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hyaluronic acid (HA) specifically bound to the plasma protein fibrinogen [LeBoeuf, R. D., Raja, R. R., Fuller, G. M., & Weigel, P. H. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 12586]. The binding of other macromolecules to fibrinogen could influence the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. Therefore, we tested whether HA and other GAGs could alter the kinetics of fibrin polymer formation and the physical structure of the resulting gel. In this study, we present data showing that the GAGs HA and chondroitin sulfate (CS) affect fibrin formation in three specific ways: (i) they decreased the clotting time of fibrinogen 3-10-fold; (ii) both GAGs increase significantly the rate of fibrin polymer formation; and (iii) fibrin gels containing HA or CS had a final A450 that was greater than controls, indicating that these two glycosaminoglycans influence either the final size of fibrin fibrils or the extent of the lateral association between fibrils. These results demonstrate that the interactions of HA and CS with forming fibrin polymers can alter both the kinetics of formation and may produce structural changes in fibrin gels.
Animals↗
Induction of fibrinogen and a subset of acute phase response genes involves a novel monokine which is mimicked by phorbol esters.
We have investigated the requirements for the induction of the acute phase response to inflammation using the FAZA rat hepatocyte cell line which can be induced to activate the acute phase response genes with supernatants from human or rat monocytes. Using ribonuclease mapping of fibrinogen transcripts, we find that the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate can induce a 10-20-fold increase in properly initiated and spliced fibrinogen mRNA. This response is likely to be mediated by protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) since the synthetic diacylglycerol, 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, can also induce fibrinogen mRNA. In addition to the alpha, beta, and gamma chains of fibrinogen, other acute phase response mRNAs are induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate including alpha 2-macroglobulin. The active agent capable of inducing the fibrinogen mRNAs in the monocyte supernatants is clearly not interleukin 1 (IL-1) or tumor necrosis factor. The FAZA cell line does not have detectable IL-1 receptors and does not respond to either murine or human IL-1 or the 30-kDa precursor for IL-1. In addition, fibrinogen cannot be induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha in this cell line, and the active agent in monocytes supernatants cannot be neutralized with polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies to tumor necrosis factor alpha. We conclude that a third as yet uncharacterized agent is responsible for the induction of fibrinogen during the acute phase response and that this agent transduces its signal to the fibrinogen genes by a mechanism involving protein kinase C.
Acute-Phase Proteins↗
Isolation of hepatocyte stimulating factor from human monocytes.
Hepatocyte stimulating factor is a monocyte derived protein which regulates hepatic plasma protein synthesis. Human hepatocyte stimulating factor was purified to apparent homogeneity from adherent peripheral blood monocytes by using ion exchange, gel permeation and reversed phase chromatography. Electrophoretic analysis showed that it has a Mr of 28,000 daltons and an isoelectric point of 5.4. Biological assays specific for hepatocyte stimulating factor and interleukin-1 showed that they are distinct and have independent biological effects.
Animals↗
The coordinated regulation of fibrinogen gene transcription by hepatocyte-stimulating factor and dexamethasone.
Glucocorticoids and hepatocyte-stimulating factor (HSF; a monocyte/macrophage-derived polypeptide) are potent regulators of fibrinogen biosynthesis. Using primary rat hepatocytes and a rat hepatoma cell line (FAZA) we have determined, more precisely, the interaction between these two molecules in the control of fibrinogen production. When dexamethasone (DEX) or HSF is added to the cells, there is a substantial increase in fibrinogen production (1.5-3-fold). However, if both agents are administered simultaneously the response is much greater with a 15-20-fold rise in synthesis. Quantitative RNA analysis demonstrates that when the factors are present individually only HSF elevates fibrinogen mRNA levels, but the effect is much enhanced in the presence of DEX. This pattern is also seen in the results of the in vitro transcription assays which allow quantitation of mRNA synthesis in isolated nuclei. Cycloheximide does not significantly interfere with the increased transcription brought about by HSF in either cell type. However, the DEX enhancement is blocked by cycloheximide in FAZA cells, thus indicating that in the transformed cell protein synthesis is required for maximal transcription to occur. Data presented here demonstrates the requirement for two types of regulator molecules in the control of fibrinogen gene expression; a polypeptide hormone (HSF) that increases transcription and a steroid (DEX) that enhances the action of the polypeptide.
Animals↗
Regulation of acute phase gene expression by inflammatory mediators.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Acute-Phase Proteins↗
Effect of fibrinogen degradation products on production of hepatocyte stimulating factor by a macrophage cell line (P388D1).
Hepatocyte Stimulating Factor (HSF) is a monocyte/macrophage-derived regulatory protein which stimulates the hepatic synthesis of several plasma proteins. Plasminolytic peptides of fibrinogen or fibrin were tested for their ability to stimulate the secretion of HSF in an established macrophage cell line (P388D1). One of the peptides, fragment D, induced the production of HSF in the cells in a dose-dependent manner, while intact fibrinogen did not. A hierarchy of potency was established for the major plasminolytic fragments which is as follows: D greater than or equal to DD greater than X greater than or equal to E. Fragment D had no effect on production of interleukin-1, a potent monokine released by P388D1 cells. Taken together these results demonstrate that fragment D is a specific and potent inducer of HSF in P388D1 cells.
Animals↗
Human fibrinogen specifically binds hyaluronic acid.
Fibrin and hyaluronic acid (HA) are macromolecules whose concentrations are elevated at the same time in the extracellular space of damaged tissues. We have investigated whether HA can bind to fibrinogen using solid phase and soluble assays. Purified human fibrinogen specifically bound to HA-Sepharose to a greater extent (greater than 5-fold) than did alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, DNaseI, ovalbumin, haptoglobin, or lysozyme. Fibrinogen did not bind to ethanolamine-Sepharose, a control chromatographic support. Treatment of HA-Sepharose containing bound 125I-fibrinogen with ovine testicular hyaluronidase released 44% of the 125I radioactivity, indicating that fibrinogen was specifically bound to HA. Moreover, 125I-fibrinogen bound to HA-Sepharose could be displaced by free HA but not by either of the monosaccharide components of this polymer, glucuronic acid, or N-acetylglucosamine. Chondroitin sulfate and polygalacturonic acid competed only weakly for bound 125I-fibrinogen. Bound 125I-fibrinogen was also not released by high concentrations of NaCl (up to 4 M), indicating that the interaction is not simply ionic. The apparent affinity of fibrinogen for HA covaried with the molecular weight of the HA. Small HA oligosaccharides (Mr = 3900) were only 50% as effective as larger HA (Mr = 8 X 10(5)) in eluting bound 125I-fibrinogen from HA-Sepharose. The optimal oligosaccharide size for displacement of bound 125I-fibrinogen was greater than or equal to 200 monosaccharides. Additionally, the amount of 125I-fibrinogen bound to HA-Sepharose was directly related to the size of the HA-amine linked to the affinity support. The affinity constant for fibrinogen binding to 125I-HA (approximately 150 monosaccharides) is estimated to be at least 2 X 10(7) M-1. These results demonstrate for the first time a specific, reversible binding between HA and fibrinogen.
Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
A model for the role of hyaluronic acid and fibrin in the early events during the inflammatory response and wound healing.
A model is presented outlining the molecular and cellular events that occur during the early stages of the wound healing process. The underlying theme is that there is a specific binding interaction between fibrin, the major clot protein, and hyaluronic acid (HA), a constituent of the wound extracellular matrix. This binding interaction, which could also be stabilized by other cross-linking components, provides the driving force to organize a three-dimensional HA matrix attached to and interdigitated with the initial fibrin matrix. The HA-fibrin matrix plays a major role in the subsequent tissue reconstruction processes. We suggest that HA and fibrin have both structural and regulatory functions at different times during the wound healing process. The concentration of HA in blood and in the initial clot is very low. This is consistent with the proposed interaction between HA and fibrin(ogen), which could interfere with either fibrinogen activation or fibrin assembly and cross-linking. We propose that an activator (e.g. derived from a plasma precursor, platelets or surrounding cells) is produced during the clotting reaction and then stimulates one or more blood cell types to synthesize and secrete HA into the fibrin matrix of the clot. We predict that HA controls the stability of the matrix by regulating the degradation of fibrin. The new HA-fibrin matrix increases or stabilizes the volume and porosity of the clot and then serves as a physical support, a scaffold through which cells trapped in the clot or cells infiltrating from the peripheral edge of the wound can migrate. The HA-fibrin matrix also actively stimulates or induces cell motility and activates and regulates many functions of blood cells, which are involved in the inflammatory response, including phagocytosis and chemotaxis. The secondary HA-fibrin matrix itself is then modified as cells continue to migrate into the wound, secreting hyaluronidase and plasminogen activator to degrade the HA and fibrin. At the same time these cells secrete collagen and glycosaminoglycans to make a more differentiated matrix. The degradation products derived from both fibrin and HA are, in turn, important regulatory molecules which control cellular functions involved in the inflammatory response and new blood vessel formation in the healing wound. The proposed model generates a number of testable experimental predictions.
Blood Coagulation↗
Studies on the effect of the hepatocyte-stimulating factor on galactose-beta 1----4-N-acetylglucosamine alpha 2----6-sialyltransferase in cultured hepatocytes.
Rat hepatic Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc alpha 2----6 sialyltransferase is released into the blood at elevated levels following an inflammatory challenge: this is a typical response of the group of plasma proteins known as acute-phase reactants. In the present study, primary cultures of liver parenchymal cells are used to demonstrate that the same hepatic cell type that produces plasma proteins such as fibrinogen also produces and releases sialyltransferase. Hepatic production of sialyltransferase is stimulated by a major regulator of hepatic acute-phase reactant production, the hepatocyte-stimulating factor (HSF), while another monokine, interleukin-1, does not affect hepatocyte sialyltransferase production. The maximum increase in sialyltransferase occurs 48 h after exposure to HSF which is considerably later than the fibrinogen response. The sialyltransferase that is stimulated by HSF is the Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc alpha 2----6 isozyme.
Animals↗
Changes in the extent of microtubule assembly can regulate initiation of DNA synthesis.
We have shown that MT depolymerization by colchicine and other drugs is sufficient to initiate DNA synthesis in serum-free cultures of embryonic fibroblasts and that stabilization of MTs with taxol inhibits this initiation. Growth factors and oncogenic DNA viruses also initiate DNA synthesis by a taxol-sensitive mechanism that appears to require MT depolymerization or rearrangements. Because we have shown that microtubule heterogeneity exists within single fibroblastic cells, we have carried out a series of experiments to determine the extent of microtubule disruption necessary to initiate DNA synthesis. We have compared the effects of various concentrations of colchicine and taxol on initiation of DNA synthesis with their effects on cytoplasmic MT complexes as visualized by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and quantitated by direct binding of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody to cytoskeletons. The opposing effects of these drugs on MTs shows that there is a correlation between the extent of MT depolymerization and initiation of DNA synthesis. Initiation of DNA synthesis by colchicine in the presence of taxol is half-maximal when taxol and colchicine are added to cultures at a ratio of about 13 to 1. At this drug ratio, taxol stabilizes MTs near the nucleus, but MTs near the cell periphery are depolymerized. Maximal inhibition of DNA synthesis by taxol occurs only at taxol to colchicine ratios where MTs extend throughout the cytoplasm to the cell periphery. Thus, depolymerization of a small fraction of total MTs, particularly those near the periphery, may be sufficient to initiate proliferative events.
Alkaloids↗
Chromosomal localization of human and rat A alpha, B beta, and gamma fibrinogen genes by in situ hybridization.
In situ hybridization of radiolabeled fibrinogen cDNAs to human and rat metaphase chromosomes has shown that the genes encoding the A alpha, B beta, and gamma fibrinogen subunits are syntenic in both species. Our data localize the human fibrinogen gene cluster to band q31 on chromosome 4, thereby confirming and extending previous map assignments of these genes in man. We have also assigned these genes to the q31----q34 region of rat chromosome 2. This is the first map assignment of these genes in the rat and also the first report to clearly establish linkage of the B beta subunit gene to the A alpha and gamma genes in this species.
Animals↗