Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J R Harper

Publications and source records attributed to J R Harper.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Human neuroectoderm-derived cell line secretes fibronectin that shares the HNK-1/10C5 carbohydrate epitope with neural cell adhesion molecules.

A human malignant melanoma cell line, Melur, secretes several glycoproteins that contain a unique carbohydrate epitope shared by neural cell adhesion molecules and recognized by the monoclonal antibodies HNK-1, L2, and 10C5. In this report, we present evidence that one of the major melanoma glycoproteins containing the HNK-1/10C5 epitope is the cell adhesion molecule, fibronectin, or a fibronectin-like molecule. Melanoma-derived fibronectin was isolated from serum-free conditioned medium by gelatin-Sepharose affinity adsorption and shown to react with monoclonal antibodies HNK-1 and 10C5 in Western blot analysis. HNK-1-containing fibronectin was purified on a gelatin-Sepharose column followed by an affinity column using a monoclonal antibody against the HNK-1 carbohydrate. The purified HNK-1-fibronectin then could be incorporated into the extracellular matrix of hamster fibroblasts in vitro, and such a matrix was detectable using the HNK-1 monoclonal antibody in an immunofluorescence assay. Of the seven neuroectoderm-derived tumor cell lines tested, only the Melur melanoma cell secreted fibronectin containing the HNK-1 carbohydrate. Identification of human neuroectoderm-derived fibronectin as a potential carrier of the HNK-1 carbohydrate suggests a new role for fibronectin in neural development and regeneration, and represents a new model for studying the function of this carbohydrate domain in neural cell adhesion.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Post-translational addition of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans. Role of N-linked oligosaccharide addition, trimming, and processing.

A melanoma proteoglycan model system has been used to examine the role of core protein asparagine-linked (N-linked) oligosaccharides in the transport and assembly of proteoglycan molecules. The use of agents which block discrete steps in the trimming and processing of core oligosaccharides (castanospermine, 1-deoxynojirimycin, N-methyldeoxynojirimycin, 1-deoxymannojirimycin, and swainsonine) demonstrates that removal of glucose residues from the N-linked oligosaccharides is required for the cell surface expression of a melanoma proteoglycan core protein and for the conversion of the core protein to a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. However, complete maturation of the oligosaccharides to a "complex" form is not required for these events. Treatment of M21 human melanoma cells with the glucosidase inhibitors castanospermine, 1-deoxynojirimycin, or N-methyldeoxynojirimycin results in a dose-dependent inhibition of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) addition to the melanoma antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody 9.2.27. In contrast, treatment with the mannosidase inhibitors 1-deoxymannojirimycin and swainsonine does not effect GAG addition. Identical results are obtained when the major histocompatibility complex class II antigen gamma chain proteoglycan is examined in inhibitor-treated melanoma and B-lymphoblastoid cells. These data, in conjunction with the known effects of the glucosidase and mannosidase inhibitors on the transport and secretion of other glycoproteins support the hypothesis that the addition, trimming, and processing of N-linked oligosaccharides is involved in the transport of certain proteoglycan core proteins to the site of GAG addition and to the cell surface.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Effect of inhibitors of N-linked oligosaccharide processing on the cell surface expression of a melanoma integrin.

The role of trimming and processing of N-linked oligosaccharides on the cell surface expression of the melanoma vitronectin receptor, a member of the integrin family of cell adhesion receptors, was examined by using specific glucosidase and mannosidase inhibitors. Inhibition of glucosidases I and II by castanospermine or N-methyldeoxynojirimycin delayed the vitronectin receptor alpha/beta chain heterodimer assembly and alpha chain cleavage and resulted in a decrease in the level of expression cell surface receptor. Conversely, the vitronectin receptor synthesized in the presence of the mannosidase I and II inhibitors, 1-deoxymannojirimycin and swainsonine, was transported normally to the cell surface with its alpha chain N-linked oligosaccharides in an endoglycosidase H-sensitive form. In the presence of swainsonine, time course studies of the cell surface replacement of control, endoglycosidase H-resistant receptor with an endoglycosidase H-sensitive form demonstrated a vitronectin receptor half-life of approximately 15-16 h. These studies provide evidence that the rates of assembly, proteolytic cleavage, and cell surface expression of the melanoma vitronectin receptor are dependent on the initial trimming of glucosyl residues from the alpha chain N-linked oligosaccharides.

Cell Line↗

Efficient surface expression of platelet GPIIb-IIIa requires both subunits.

Platelet membrane GPIIb-IIIa is a member of the integrin family of heterodimeric adhesion receptors. Processing and export of certain leukocyte and melanoma integrins is disrupted in cells lacking one subunit. We found that surface expression of GPIIb-IIIa, measured by fluorescent activated cell sorting or by surface labeling, required cotransfection of both subunits. In contrast, surface expression was not detected when the subunits were transfected individually. Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled transfected cells confirmed the presence of comparable levels of intracellular protein in all cases. When both subunits were transfected, post-translational cleavage of Pro-GPIIb to yield GPIIb heavy chain was also seen, while transfection with GPIIb alone resulted in coprecipitation of Pro-GPIIb with a second band that may be an endogenous beta subunit. Pro-GPIIb in these transfectants was not processed to yield GPIIb heavy chain. When transfected into COS cells alone, transiently expressed GPIIIa remained intracellular and did not appear to complex with any endogenous proteins. Thus, surface expression of processed GPIIb-IIIa depends on the presence of both subunits; the coordinate reduction of both subunits observed in some cases of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia may result from mutation affecting only one.

Animals↗

Biochemical characterization of a sulfated phosphoglycoprotein antigen expressed on human small cell lung carcinoma.

A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb A23-16) was produced that recognizes a glycoprotein antigen preferentially expressed on the surface of human small cell lung carcinoma cells. This antibody is of IgG 1 isotype, has an association constant of 5 x 10(7) M-1, and reacts preferentially with human small cell lung carcinoma cell lines and fresh frozen sections in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoperoxidase assays, respectively. The antigen recognized by A23-16 is a sulfated glycoprotein with phosphorylated threonine residues. The mature 90-kDa molecule has intrachain disulfide bonds and appears to be derived from a 76-kDa precursor, that is neither sulfated nor phosphorylated, but contains N-linked oligosaccharides. Conversion of the 76-kDa precursor to the mature form is accompanied by processing of these oligosaccharides from the high mannose to the complex type, although the increase in molecular mass from 76 to 90 kDa cannot be accounted for by this modification alone. MAb A23-16 reacts with its target antigen independent of the N-linked oligosaccharides, but requires intact intrachain disulfide bond(s) for reactivity. These studies on the molecular characterization of a monoclonal antibody-defined glycoprotein, preferentially expressed by small cell lung cancer, provide a basis for further structural and functional studies that may eventually lead to a delineation of its biological relevance for neoplastic transformation.

Adult↗

Expression of transfected DNA by primary murine keratinocytes.

Primary murine keratinocytes can be maintained in culture for extended periods in a proliferative, basal cell state under conditions of reduced extracellular Ca2+. In response to increased Ca2+ concentrations, the cells undergo a well-defined program of terminal differentiation, thus serving as a convenient model in which to study the genes involved in regulating this and possibly other differentiation cascades by DNA-mediated gene transfer. However, because of their sensitivity to increased Ca2+ concentrations, the introduction of exogenous genomic DNA into primary keratinocytes by conventional methods is problematic. We have optimized the calcium phosphate DNA transfection procedure by introducing conditions that reduce the potency of Ca2+ as a differentiation signal. Primary epidermal cells were transfected with pSV2CAT, a plasmid that codes for the enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase CAT. Enzyme activity was measured in cell extracts under varying transfection conditions. When the K+ concentration of the medium used for transfection by calcium phosphate precipitation is reduced from 6.5 to 0.01 mM, CAT activity following transfection increases 2-3 times. Exposure to the DNA precipitate for 2-4 h is optimal. By the use of fibroblast conditioned medium following transfection, enzyme activity can be detected in cell extracts for at least 21 d, suggesting that the exogenous gene is integrated. The low K+/Ca2+ transfection method is more effective than SrCl2 used as an alternative for CaCl2 in Ca2+ sensitive cells. Low K+ medium enhances cell survival for Ca2+ mediated transfection but also appears to have a beneficial effect on DNA uptake or expression.

Acetyltransferases↗

Paediatric intensive care in a district general hospital.

Five years' experience of paediatric intensive care in a district general hospital were analysed retrospectively. A total of 54 infants and children required respiratory support during this time--21 on a high dependency area of the children's ward and 33 on a general intensive care unit. Forty two (78%) of the patients survived, and 33 (61%) of the patients required respiratory support within four hours of admission, thus the experience of the local paediatric and anaesthetic team was crucial to the management of these children. Good intensive care for children can be provided within a district general hospital.

Adolescent↗

Arg-Gly-Asp recognition by a cell adhesion receptor requires its 130-kDa alpha subunit.

A major Arg-Gly-Asp-directed receptor on M21 human melanoma cells is a heterodimer of alpha and beta chains which under reducing conditions have molecular masses of 130 and 105 kDa, respectively. This receptor is one member of a large family of cell adhesion receptors that shares antigenic determinants with the vitronectin receptor of fibroblasts and the platelet IIb X IIIa complex. Both subunits of the M21 cell adhesion receptor acquire high mannose-type oligosaccharides that are processed before transport to the cell surface. In addition, the alpha chain undergoes a proteolytic cleavage step. Pulse-chase immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrates that, following its synthesis, the beta chain remains unbound to alpha chain for 1-2 h and in this free form is unable to bind an Arg-Gly-Asp containing heptapeptide. Conversely, the biosynthetic precursor of the alpha chain is fully capable of binding the Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide immediately after its synthesis. Thus, Arg-Gly-Asp recognition by one member of this cell adhesion receptor family requires its 130-kDa alpha chain which appears to be functional prior to post-translational modifications.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Analysis of the rasH oncogene and its p21 product in chemically induced skin tumors and tumor-derived cell lines.

Mouse skin papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas induced by initiation with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and promotion with phorbol esters, such as 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, frequently contain an activated Harvey ras gene. Six murine epidermal cells lines established from pooled skin papillomas previously tested negative in the NIH-3T3 assay, but have an altered differentiation program by a variety of criteria. The Harvey ras gene and its p21 protein product from these cell lines have been analyzed for alterations responsible for their altered growth and differentiation properties that were undetectable by 3T3 transfection assays. In comparison with primary papillomas and carcinomas, shown to have a point mutation in codon 61 of the Harvey ras gene, resulting in a p21 product with the diagnostic alteration in SDS-PAGE, the papilloma cell lines exhibited neither the codon 61 mutation, nor p21 product with altered migration in SDS-PAGE. These findings suggest that these papilloma cell lines contain a genetic lesion(s), other than Harvey ras activation, that may be responsible for their altered epithelial differentiation patterns and thus may serve as a useful model for identifying lesions involved in malignant conversion.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Antigenic mimicry of a human cellular polypeptide by Mycoplasma hyorhinis.

A 46-kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide was immunoprecipitated from radiolabeled extracts of human cell lines infected with Mycoplasma hyorhinis by murine monoclonal antibodies PF/2A and ML77. Both of these antibodies also reacted in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with M. hyorhinis cells and with human and nonhuman cell lines infected with M. hyorhinis but failed to react with A7573 cells infected with any of 10 other species of the order Mycoplasmatales. PF/2A also reacted in the ELISA with certain human cell lines that were demonstrated to be free of mycoplasma infection. From extracts of these lines, a polypeptide antigen that appeared as a 24-kDa doublet on polyacrylamide gels was immunoprecipitated by PF/2A. When the PF/2A-reactive human cell lines were infected by M. hyorhinis, both the 46- and 24-kDa antigens were immunoprecipitated by PF/2A. ML77 did not react in the ELISA with any noninfected human cells tested and failed to immunoprecipitate a 24-kDa component from any human cells. In Western blotting analyses of extracts of M. hyorhinis cells, both PF/2A and ML77 stained a 46-kDa band. PF/2A also stained 24-kDa bands in Western blotting analyses of reactive human cells and M. hyorhinis cells, although a 24-kDa component was not precipitated from extracts of M. hyorhinis cells by PF/2A.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Inhibition of post-translational modification and surface expression of a melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan by diethylcarbamazine or ammonium chloride.

Cultured human melanoma M21 cells were treated with diethylcarbamazine (DEC), an inhibitor of proteoglycan biosynthesis in rat chondrosarcoma cells, to examine the assembly and transport of a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan to the plasma membrane. Pretreatment of melanoma cells at 37 degrees C for 15 min with increasing doses of DEC followed by a 60-min pulse with [35S]sulfate in the presence of DEC resulted in a dose-related inhibition of incorporation of [35S]sulfate into macromolecules. In cells incubated for 75 min with both 1 mM beta-D-xyloside and 15 mM DEC, synthesis and secretion of beta-D-xyloside-bound 35S-glycosaminoglycans were inhibited by more than 80% as compared to cells treated with beta-D-xyloside alone; this inhibition was reversible. As assessed by [3H]serine incorporation into protein, overall protein synthesis was not substantially inhibited by DEC treatment. Detergent lysates from [35S]methionine-labeled melanoma cells were incubated with a monoclonal antibody (9.2.27) that specifically recognizes the peptide core of the melanoma proteoglycan. As assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the immunoprecipitate, a 240,000 Mr endoglycosidase H (Endo-H)-sensitive intermediate was the only form of the proteoglycan present inside the cells when the cultures were treated for 60-120 min with 10-15 mM DEC. When the melanoma cells were incubated for 10 min with 15 mM DEC and 100 mu Ci/ml of [35S]methionine, washed, and then chased for 15 min to 4 h in radioactive-free medium, the 240,000 Mr Endo-H-sensitive intermediate was slowly converted to a 250,000 Endo-H-resistant intermediate but not to a mature proteoglycan molecule that possessed chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans. SDS-PAGE analysis of cell surface immunoprecipitates revealed that only a small amount of the 250,000 Mr intermediate was transported to the plasma membrane within 5 h of incubation in the presence of DEC. Proteoglycan synthesis was also inhibited when the melanoma cells were incubated for 60-120 min with ammonium chloride, but unlike DEC-treated cells the majority of the synthesized peptide core was converted to a 245,000 Mr Endo-H-resistant intermediate that was detected on the cell surface. Light and electron microscopic analysis of DEC-treated melanoma cells revealed large vacuoles and a distended Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum. Ammonium chloride-treated cells contained fewer vacuoles than DEC-treated cells but more vacuoles than normal cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Ammonium Chloride↗

Ammonium chloride interferes with a distinct step in the biosynthesis and cell surface expression of human melanoma-type chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan.

Human melanoma cells synthesize a cell-associated chondroitin sulfate-rich proteoglycan, whose core protein is recognized by monoclonal antibody 9.2.27. We report that the core protein is present on the surface of melanoma cells in two forms, either free or modified by the addition of chondroitin sulfate chains, suggesting that the addition of glycosaminoglycan chains may not be a prerequisite for cell surface expression of the proteoglycan core protein. Free core protein found at the cell surface does not seem to represent an overflow of the proteoglycan synthetic pathway, since experiments using a beta-D-xyloside acceptor suggest that core protein is, in fact, limiting proteoglycan synthesis. NH4Cl inhibits the synthesis of melanoma-type proteoglycan, shifting the balance of surface core protein toward the free form. The inhibition of proteoglycan synthesis is apparently not due to a disruption of enzymes and precursors involved in glycosaminoglycan synthesis, since cells treated with NH4Cl retain their ability to initiate and elongate chondroitin 4-sulfate chains on a beta-D-xyloside acceptor. In contrast, the divalent ionophore monensin inhibited core protein maturation and synthesis of glycosaminoglycan chains. The effects of both NH4Cl and monensin were reversible; thus, experiments using the drugs sequentially indicated that monensin temporally precedes NH4Cl in interfering with proteoglycan biosynthesis. Since the NH4Cl and monensin share the property of inhibiting the acidification of intracellular vesicles within cells, the present findings raise the possibility that the accessibility of proteoglycan core protein to the Golgi site of glycosaminoglycan addition is regulated in melanoma cells by acidification of intracellular compartments.

Aggrecans↗

Myelin-associated glycoprotein shares an antigenic determinant with a glycoprotein of human melanoma cells.

A sulfated 100K-dalton glycoprotein has been shown to be released into the culture medium of melanoma cells. Monoclonal antibodies 10C5 and 11B5, which were raised to human melanoma cells, as well as HNK-1 bind to this glycoprotein. It is shown here that mouse anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) carbohydrate antibodies raised to human MAG and a human IgM paraprotein associated with neuropathy also bind to the same 100K molecule. However, anti-MAG antibodies recognizing peptide epitopes do not appear to react with this glycoprotein of melanoma cells, a result suggesting that its similarity to MAG is restricted to shared carbohydrate moieties. The anti-melanoma antibodies (10C5 and 11B5) resemble HNK-1 in binding to MAG and to some 19-28K-dalton glycoproteins and sulfated, glucuronic acid-containing sphingoglycolipids of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). In addition, the anti-melanoma antibodies cross-react with neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), an observation emphasizing the shared antigenicity between MAG and other adhesion molecules. The results demonstrate that the anti-melanoma antibodies fall into a class of monoclonal antibodies (including HNK-1, human IgM paraproteins associated with neuropathy, anti-human MAG antibodies, and L2 antibodies) that are characterized by reactivity against related carbohydrate determinants shared by human MAG, N-CAM, and several protein and lipid glycoconjugates of the PNS.

Antibodies, Neoplasm↗

Transfection of the EJ rasHa gene into keratinocytes derived from carcinogen-induced mouse papillomas causes malignant progression.

The development of malignant tumors in carcinogen-treated mouse skin appears to involve several genetic changes. Genetic changes which initiate the process are believed to induce alterations in the normal pattern of epidermal differentiation, resulting in the formation of benign tumors, i.e., epidermal papillomas. Subsequent changes appear to be required for the malignant conversion of papillomas to epidermal, squamous-cell carcinomas. Activation of the rasHa gene occurs frequently in chemically induced benign skin papillomas as well as squamous cell carcinomas and thus may represent one mechanism to achieve the initiation step. In the present study, we analyzed several cell lines derived from chemically induced mouse skin papillomas for the presence of transforming oncogenes by transfection of their DNA into NIH 3T3 cells. These papilloma cell lines exhibit an altered differentiation program, i.e., the ability to proliferate under culture conditions favoring terminal differentiation. When DNA from six separate cell lines was tested in the NIH 3T3 transfection assay, active transforming activity was not detected. However, when the EJ rasHa gene was introduced into three of the papilloma cell lines by DNA transfection, transfectants showed an enhanced capacity to proliferate under differentiating culture conditions and formed rapidly growing, anaplastic carcinomas in nude mice. Our findings suggest that in some papilloma cells, a genetic change distinct from rasHa activation may produce an altered differentiation program associated with the initiation step, and this genetic alteration may act in a cooperating fashion with an activated ras gene to result in malignant progression.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Antigenic expression of human melanoma cells in serum-free medium.

A human melanoma cell line, M14 , adapted to grow in serum free synthetic media was examined for its expression and secretion of several serologically defined melanoma associated antigens (MAA) previously described in this laboratory. Melanoma associated antigen expression and secretion was identical to that of M14 cells grown in parallel in serum supplemented medium. Spent synthetic media was found to be an enriched serum free source for the initial isolation of 100 kilodalton secreted glycoprotein MAA. M14 melanoma cells grown in synthetic media were also shown to be adaptable to the double agar clonogenic assay facilitating the examination of clonal heterogeneity in functional studies of MAA in melanoma tumor biology. Recent investigations from this laboratory have focused on characterizing human melanoma associated antigens (MAA) found either as secreted or cell surface associated glycoproteins in human melanoma cell lines. In these studies, monoclonal and polyclonal antiserums to melanoma cell components have been developed to specifically identify these MAAs immunochemically and provide a means to study the structural biochemistry of these determinants. At this time we have identified two antigens on which our research efforts are targeted: 1) a 100,000 dalton secreted glycoprotein (100K) common to melanoma, sarcoma and neuroblastoma tumor cell lines, and 2) a 250,000 dalton-high molecular weight component glycoprotein-proteoglycan complex which is thus far restricted to melanoma cells. The ultimate goal of our efforts is two-fold. Initially, we hope to develop schemes to isolate these melanoma associated antigens in sufficient quantities to obtain detailed structural information on these molecules, and secondly, we wish to implicate these glycoproteins in functional aspects of the biology of metastatic human melanoma in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Localization of the gangliosides GD2 and GD3 in adhesion plaques and on the surface of human melanoma cells.

The predominant gangliosides produced by two cultured human melanoma cell lines are GD3 and/or GD2. These gangliosides were found to be cell associated and present in substratum-attached material after cell removal by EDTA. Monoclonal antibodies directed to GD2 and GD3 specified the cell-surface distribution of these gangliosides and localized them in focal adhesion plaques at the interface of cells and their substratum. These attachment sites did not represent indiscriminant membrane fragments remaining after removal of cells with EDTA, because neither melanoma-associated proteoglycan nor class I histocompatibility antigens were detected by their respective antibodies. Our data suggest that the disialogangliosides GD2 and GD3 may be involved in the interaction between human melanoma cells and solid substrata.

Cell Adhesion↗

Characterization of monoclonal antibody 155.8 and partial characterization of its proteoglycan antigen on human melanoma cells.

Immunization of mice with a plasma membrane-enriched fraction from human malignant melanoma cells and subsequent generation of hybridomas resulted in the isolation of an IgG1 monoclonal antibody, 155.8, that recognizes chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. By cell binding analysis, 155.8 was shown to react with seven of eight cultured melanoma cell lines, but not with a variety of lymphoblastoid cell lines or cultured tumor cells derived from other solid tumor types. Indirect immunoprecipitation of the 155.8 antigen from intrinsically labeled melanoma cells revealed a glycoprotein of Mr = 250,000 and a sulfated molecule of Mr greater than 400,000. The antigen was identified as a chondroitin sulfate type A/C proteoglycan synthesized by melanoma cells on the basis of its sensitivity to chondroitinase ABC digestion and the identification of sulfated glycosaminoglycans released from the antigen immunoprecipitated by 155.8. The determinants recognized by antibodies 155.8 and 9.2.27, another anti-chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, immunoprecipitate only a proteoglycan from high density cesium chloride gradient fractions, (1.487 g/liter); however, they immunoprecipitate a free glycoprotein of Mr = 250,000 from low density fractions (1.317 g/liter). This demonstrated that the 155.8 and 9.2.27 determinants, both of which reside on the glycoprotein of Mr = 250,000, are also present in the proteoglycan, suggesting that this glycoprotein is the proteoglycan core protein. Monoclonal antibody 155.8 reacts with a determinant on the core protein distinct from that recognized by 9.2.27. Proteoglycans bearing 155.8 determinants are distributed on the surface of cultured melanoma cells in a punctated fashion that apparently resolves to short, filamentous structures at high magnification. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that 155.8-defined proteoglycans are found in freshly biopsied melanoma tissue, suggesting that these antigens are also synthesized in vivo by melanoma cells.

Animals↗