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K Sugamura

Publications and source records attributed to K Sugamura.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Complex formation of human T-cell leukemia virus type I p40tax transactivator with cellular polypeptides.

We examined cellular components which associate with p40tax, the viral transactivation molecule of human T-cell leukemia virus type I. Such molecules were searched by immunoprecipitation with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies specific for p40tax. Two cellular proteins with molecular masses of 95 kDa (p95) and 60 kDa (p60) were specifically coprecipitated with p40tax from extracts of all p40tax-producing cell lines but not from p40tax-negative cell lines. The p60 component was also shown to associate with p40tax in vitro, by using radiolabel-chase experiments. Rabbit antisera specific for p60 and p95 were prepared by immunization with electrophoretically purified molecules. While anti-p95 antiserum coprecipitated p40tax, no p40tax could be identified in immunoprecipitates by using a polyclonal anti-p60 antiserum. The partial amino acid sequence of p60 demonstrated that p60 is identical to the human 60-kDa heat shock protein (a member of the chaperonin family of proteins). Although the biological significance of the complex formation of p40tax with p95 and p60 has yet to be determined, it may be that the complex formation is one of the mechanisms by which the biological activity of p40tax can be regulated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Multistep regulation of enhancer activity of the 21-base-pair element of human T-cell leukemia virus type I.

We examined the regulatory mechanisms of binding and transcriptional enhancement of the 21-bp core element of the enhancer of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) in response to forskolin, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and a viral transactivator, p40tax. The 21-bp core element has been shown to bind to a cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)-like molecule at the site of an imperfect palindrome containing the TGAC motif. Experiments with oligonucleotides with mutations in the imperfect palindrome demonstrated that one TGAC motif is necessary and sufficient for both the binding of the CREB-related factor and transcriptional activity in response to forskolin in a human T-cell line, Jurkat. We also found that binding of the CREB-like factor to the 21-bp core element was enhanced by treatment with TPA, with little effect on transcriptional activity; in contrast, forskolin and p40tax did not facilitate binding, though they enhanced transcription. The combination of forskolin and TPA synergistically induced the transcription activity of the element, showing a hierarchical mechanism of regulation of the HTLV-I core enhancer element to levels sufficient for formation of the factor-enhancer complex and for activation of the complex. Added to those findings, our results indicate that the modes of activation by forskolin and p40tax are different from each other.

Base Sequence↗

The IL-2/IL-2 receptor system: involvement of a novel receptor subunit, gamma chain, in growth signal transduction.

We previously demonstrated the existence of a third component, p64, of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), tentatively named the gamma chain of IL-2R. Our recent studies provided evidence suggesting that the gamma chain endows the beta chain of IL-2R with IL-2 binding ability. The gamma chain was detected in lymphoid transfectants of IL-2R beta cDNA, which showed the intermediate-affinity IL-2R, but not in nonlymphoid transfectants of IL-2R beta cDNA, which showed no IL-2 binding activity. The comparative study between two subclones of lymphoid MOLT4 transfectant of IL-2R beta cDNA demonstrated that the amount of the gamma chain coprecipitated with IL-2R beta was proportional to numbers of the IL-2 binding sites. These results suggest the possibility that the gamma chain associates with IL-2R beta and has an important role in formation of the intermediate-affinity IL-2R complex. On the other hand, we have also demonstrated the association of IL-2R beta with a certain tyrosine kinase, of which activation by IL-2 could be indispensable process at the initial pathway of signal transduction.

Animals↗

[Structural similarity and signal transduction of cytokine receptors].

The advent of expression cloning has established a new group of membrane glycoproteins, called the cytokine receptor superfamily. Members of this family have common structural similarities in the extracellular region and no intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity is seen in the intracellular region. A combination of two distinct subunits (alpha and beta) in the family has been shown to generate high-affinity receptors in which the alpha subunits specify the binding and the beta subunits function as transducers that are presumably associated with tyrosine kinases. The high-affinity receptors for IL-3, IL-5 and GM-CSF all share the same beta subunit. The high-affinity receptor for IL-2 is however unique in that it requires a third component, notably, the gamma subunit, whose gene we have recently cloned.

Animals↗

[The expression of IL-2 receptor subunits on various leukemic cells].

Interleukin-2 receptors are composed of at least two polypeptide chains of alpha (55KD) and beta (75KD). The IL-2R beta chain is an essential component of the functional receptor for signal transduction of IL-2. We previously reported the distribution of IL-2R subunits among peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We here present some data regarding the expression of IL-2R subunits on various hemopoietic malignant cells. Fresh leukemic cells obtained from adult T cell leukemia patients expressed both alpha and beta chains, and leukemic cells derived from some patients with T cell leukemia, B cell leukemia or myeloid leukemia expressed the alpha and/or beta chain of IL-2R. The IL-2R beta chain on these leukemic cells were demonstrated to be functional for cell growth signaling. IL-2R alpha and beta chains should be tumor markers.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Monoclonal antibodies defining distinct epitopes of the human IL-2 receptor beta chain and their differential effects on IL-2 responses.

We have established and characterized five new monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which specifically immunoprecipitate the human interleukin-2 receptor beta chain (IL-2R beta). One of them, TU30, recognizes the intracytoplasmic 'serine-rich region' of IL-2R beta that is critical for IL-2 signal transduction. The others, TU12, TU21, TU23 and TU25, completely inhibit IL-2 binding, as does the previously characterized TU27. However, reciprocal binding competition assays show that the epitopes recognized by the individual mAbs are different from each other. The mAbs inhibit the growth of IL-2-dependent cells. The magnitude of their inhibitory effects is dependent on not only the affinities of the mAbs for IL-2R beta but also upon the number of IL-2R alpha subunits expressed on IL-2-dependent cells. These mAbs should be useful in studying the structure and function of the IL-2R.

Animals↗

Murine thymic nurse cell clone supports the growth of fetal thymocytes in the presence of interleukin 2.

To investigate the role of thymic nurse cells (TNC) in activation and differentiation of fetal CD4-CD8- (double-negative) thymocytes, we have co-cultured murine fetal thymocytes (14-15 days of gestation) with an established murine TNC clone. We show here that TNC induced the growth of the fetal double-negative thymocytes in the presence of recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL2). Activated fetal thymocytes markedly formed lymphocyte-TNC complexes and proliferated extensively after 5 days in the co-culture. The activated fetal thymocytes in this co-culture condition remained double negative after 10 days in culture. None of them gave rise to phenotypically and functionally competent lymphocytes during this period. TNC alone and the supernatant of TNC had no effect on activation. The presence of both TNC and rIL2 was necessary for the growth of fetal thymocytes in our system. The proliferation of fetal thymocytes was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody against mouse IL2 receptors (IL2R). The fetal thymocytes could be maintained further in this co-culture condition. The prolonged cultivation of fetal thymocytes resulted in the establishment of the fetal thymocyte line and its several clones. CD4 single-positive cells of activated fetal thymocytes first appeared 14 days after the onset of culture and their number increased, whereas CD8+ cells or CD4CD8 double-positive cells were not observed. These results indicate that fetal CD4-CD8- thymocytes underwent phenotypic change after long periods of culture. All established clones of fetal thymocytes are CD4 single positive showing lymphocyte-TNC interactions but do not express CD3 complex. Northern blot analysis detected mRNA for the gamma T cell receptor, but no messages for the delta, alpha or beta T cell receptor. Chemical cross-linking of 125I-labelled IL2 revealed that the 90-kDa band (presumably considered to be the IL2R beta chain) was clearly present in IL2-responsive fetal clones, whereas freshly isolated day 14-15 fetal thymocytes lacked the band. Taken together, TNC might be involved in the differentiation and/or expansion of murine fetal thymocytes by inducing IL2R beta chain, which forms the functional IL2R together with IL2R alpha chain and CD4, one of the T cell accessory molecules, on the cell surface through direct cell-cell interaction.

Animals↗

Accumulation of CD16-CD56+ natural killer cells with high affinity interleukin 2 receptors in human early pregnancy decidua.

Most human peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells express the phenotype CD16+CD56+. However, a very minor subset of NK cells express CD16-CD56+, and these NK cells bear both interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R)alpha (p55) and IL-2R beta (p75) (high affinity IL-2 receptors). In this report, we demonstrate that in human early pregnancy decidua--an interface between maternal immunocompetent cells and fetus (placenta)--abundant (approximately 83%) CD16-CD56+ NK cells with high affinity IL-2 receptors were present, and these cells responded to low amounts of IL-2 (4.5 pM). These CD16-CD56+ NK cells significantly expressed an early activation antigen, CD69, in vivo, whereas peripheral CD16-CD56+ NK cells did not express CD69. These findings suggest that CD16-CD56+ NK cells in early pregnancy decidua may be activated in vivo, and may play an important role in immunoregulation during early pregnancy. Also, decidual lymphocytes may be useful materials to study the mechanism of MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity of this type of NK cells.

Antigens, CD↗

Macrophage-T cell interaction is essential for the induction of p75 interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor and IL-2 responsiveness in human CD4+ T cells.

Fresh human CD8+ T cells showed a strong proliferative response to a high concentration of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in the absence of macrophages. In contrast, CD4+ T cells revealed no significant IL-2 responsiveness in the absence of macrophages. However, if CD4+ T cells were cocultured with macrophages, they showed higher proliferative response to IL-2 than CD8+ T cells. In accordance with the magnitude of IL-2 responsiveness, freshly isolated CD8+ T cells expressed significant amounts of p75 IL-2 receptor, while fresh CD4+ T cells did not express p75 IL-2 receptor. The expression of p75 IL-2 receptor on CD4+ T cells was induced by coculture with macrophages. The macrophage-induced p75 IL-2 receptor acquisition was blocked by monoclonal antibody (mAb) against class II antigen. Moreover, the addition of anti-CD4 mAb or anti-class II mAb to the culture caused a great inhibition of IL-2 responsiveness of CD4+ T cells. These results strongly suggest that macrophage-T cell interaction through CD4 and/or class II molecules is essential for the expression of p75 IL-2 receptor and IL-2 responsiveness in human CD4+, but not CD8+ T cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Interleukin-6 in cerebrospinal fluid of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy.

We demonstrated significant titers of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the CSF from 6 of 11 patients with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM). The patients positive for IL-6 generally had more severe clinical symptoms and signs than those negative for IL-6. There was no correlation between the value of IL-6 and inflammatory findings in the HAM CSF.

Adult↗

Induced natural killer-like cytotoxic function in the TCR delta-1 positive human leukemic T-cell lines.

Four human leukemic T-cell lines with a T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma/delta heterodimer (MOLT-13, MOLT-14, and PEER) or beta/delta-heterodimer (DND-41), as determined by monoclonal antibody (mAb), TCR delta-1, were identified by phenotypic and genotypic analysis. Two similar human leukemic T-cell lines with a TCR alpha/beta heterodimer (CCRF-CEM and MOLT-16) were used in this study. Natural killer (NK)-like activity was investigated in the TCR gamma/delta+ cell lines and TCR alpha/beta+ cell lines induced by exogenous recombinant human IL-2 (rIL-2), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Three (MOLT-13, MOLT-14, and DND-41 cells) of the four TCR delta-1 positive cell lines, after 48 h treatment with exogenous rIL-2 or PMA (except DND-41), showed NK-like activity to K562, but not to Daudi cells. Furthermore, when MOLT-13, MOLT-14, and DND-41 cells were co-cultured with rIL-2 or PMA, 5-20% of these cells expressed the beta-subunit of IL-2R. Treatment with rIL-2 or PMA induced the expression of the beta-subunit of IL-2R, which in turn induced IL-2R. Subsequently these cells could transmit the signal for the induction of NK-like cytotoxicity. These findings indicate that changes in the beta-subunit of IL-2R expression may be responsible for the target cell specificity of activated effector cells.

CD4 Antigens↗

Synergism between two distinct elements of the HTLV-I enhancer during activation by the trans-activator of HTLV-I.

We have conducted functional studies of the enhancer elements of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) using the human T-cell lines Jurkat and MOLT 4, which are negative for HTLV-I, and MT-2 and TL-Mor, which carry the proviral genome of HTLV-I. Two distinct elements have been implicated in function of the HTLV-I enhancer. One is the 21-base-pair (bp) core element that is responsible for trans-activation by the HTLV-I trans-activator p40tax and that has the ability to bind to cyclic-AMP responsive element binding factor (CREB)-like factor(s). The other is a region interposed between the 21-bp elements. In this study we demonstrate that a subfragment (C26) in the region between the 21-bp elements is involved in trans-activation by p40tax, possibly through binding to an NF-kappa B-like nuclear factor or factors. Formation of the protein-DNA complex with the C26 subfragment was positively affected by p40tax. The C26 element conferred partial responsiveness to p40tax when linked to one copy of the 21-bp element that, by itself, showed little activation in response to p40tax. However, the C26 element alone, even when repeated, could not be activated by p40tax, unlike other NF-kappa B-binding elements. In contrast, the C26 element itself was profoundly activated upon stimulation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. These findings therefore suggest that the HTLV-I enhancer contains multiple functional elements, including binding sites for at least CREB- and NF-kappa B-like factors, which synergistically cooperate in activation of the HTLV-I enhancer in response to p40tax. Our results also demonstrate that TPA-dependent activation of the HTLV-I enhancer may be mediated through the C26 element.

Base Sequence↗

Identification of a soluble IL-2 receptor beta-chain from human lymphoid cell line cells.

A clone was isolated from the human lymphoid cell line YT that displayed IL-2R beta, and was found to express much higher levels of IL-2R beta than the original cells. Combining cell surface iodination, affinity labeling of the released soluble protein, and fluorescence sandwich-ELISA for both IL-2 and IL-2.(soluble)(s)IL-2R beta reactants revealed the presence of IL-2-binding protein in the culture supernatant as soluble forms of IL-2R beta. By using the fluorescence sandwich-ELISA elevated levels of sIL-2R beta were measured in culture supernatants of human T cell leukemia virus I positive T cell lines. In addition to this constitutive production of sIL-2R beta, normal PBMC could release low levels of IL-2R beta by stimulation with PHA. In contrast, this was not found in certain human T cell leukemia virus I negative T cell, B cell and macrophage lines. Immunoprecipitation of the soluble protein with IL-2R beta-specific mAb characterized it as an apparent 50- to 55-kDa molecule that is distinct from the 45-kDa soluble IL-2R alpha. Moreover, 10 to 15% of the total cell surface molecules were released into culture supernatants. These results suggest that the released IL-2R beta might serve as an immunoregulatory function in IL-2 dependent both normal and abnormal immune responses.

Humans↗

Increased expression of the interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor beta chain (p70) on CD56+ natural killer cells after in vivo IL-2 therapy: p70 expression does not alone predict the level of intermediate affinity IL-2 binding.

The expression of the 70-kD beta subunit of the interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) has been examined on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) obtained from patients receiving systemic infusions of IL-2. Using monoclonal antibodies directed against p70, flow cytometric analyses revealed a greater than threefold increase in expression of the IL-2R beta chain on CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells from post-IL-2 therapy PBL relative to pre-therapy cells. The level of p70 expression on the post-therapy cells was three- to fourfold greater (based on fluorescence intensity) than the level of p70 expression on YT cells, an NK-like cell line that expresses approximately 12,000 intermediate affinity IL-2 binding sites/cell. Despite the high level of p70 expression, in 125I-IL-2 binding assays only 790-1,290 intermediate affinity IL-2 binding sites/cell were detected on post-therapy cells from six patients. These data represent the first report of increased p70 expression after in vivo IL-2 administration and suggest a requirement for at least one additional subunit for the formation of functional intermediate affinity IL-2Rs. Furthermore, the presence on the surface of post-therapy NK cells of excess p70 that does not bind IL-2 with intermediate affinity implies that the formation of intermediate affinity IL-2Rs is not solely determined by the level of p70 expression, and that the response of NK cells to IL-2 might be regulated by altering the expression of p70 or some other IL-2R subunit.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Expression and role of p75 interleukin 2 receptor on human monocytes.

We investigated the expression of IL-2R subunits in human monocytes using the TU27 mAb, which recognizes the p75 chain, and anti-Tac mAb, which recognizes the p55 moiety of the IL-2R. We found that p75 but not p55 is constitutively expressed in more than 90% of fresh human monocytes. Antibody to p75, but not to p55, inhibited the activation of monocytes to a cytotoxic stage induced by IL-2 but did not block IFN-gamma-induced cytotoxicity. Our data demonstrate that the p75 chain is expressed on human monocytes and is involved in the activation of monocytes by IL-2.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Natural killer cells activated by interleukin 2 treatment in vivo respond to interleukin 2 primarily through the p75 receptor and maintain the p55 (TAC) negative phenotype.

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) induced activation of unstimulated resting natural killer (NK) cells or resting T-cells initially occurs following binding of IL-2 through the p75 receptor that is expressed primarily by these cells. However, this IL-2/p75 interaction induces TAC chain synthesis and formation of high affinity IL-2 receptor required for the proliferation of resting peripheral blood lymphocytes. In this study, we present data indicating that NK cells activated by in vivo IL-2 treatment, in contrast to resting NK cells, respond and proliferate to further IL-2 in vitro using primarily the p75 receptor with only a minor component of cells responding through the high affinity receptor. These in vivo activated NK cells minimally expressed the TAC chain and maintained this TAC negative phenotype while proliferating in response to IL-2. The primary involvement of the p75 receptor in the proliferative response of these cells to IL-2 was demonstrated by the need for concentrations of IL-2 higher than 44 pM to obtain a significant response and by the dramatic inhibition of this response by anti-p75 monoclonal antibody. Anti-TAC monoclonal antibody inhibited only the poor proliferation obtained at low doses of IL-2 suggesting a minor role for TAC and high affinity IL-2 receptors. This was in contrast to the partial inhibition of proliferation by anti-p75 or anti-TAC observed in unstimulated pretherapy peripheral blood lymphocytes suggesting that these cells respond to IL-2 through both high affinity receptors and intermediate affinity p75 receptors. The T-cells isolated from in vivo activated peripheral blood lymphocytes, despite expressing TAC, were not responsive to IL-2, suggesting that these cells express predominantly nonfunctional low affinity TAC receptors. NK cells activated by IL-2 in vivo represent a unique model system of IL-2 dependent cells that respond and proliferate to IL-2 essentially through the p75 IL-2 receptor.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Interleukin 2 (IL-2)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IL-2 receptor p75.

We have recently established a mAb named TU11 mAb specific for the p75 subunit of human IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). The present study using TU11 mAb demonstrates the IL-2-induced phosphorylation of IL-2Rp75 on tyrosine residues in IL-2-dependent T cells. The tyrosine phosphorylation is mediated by the high affinity IL-2R, correlates with the IL-2-induced cell growth, and rapidly increases during the first 5 min of IL-2 stimulation. Phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues of IL-2Rp75 is also detected, but its IL-2 dependency is not significant during at least the first 5 min. These results suggest some roles of a tyrosine kinase associated with IL-2Rp75 in the IL-2-induced signal-transducing pathway.

Humans↗