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Biomedical subjects

L De Wit

Publications and source records attributed to L De Wit.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Glucocorticoid up-regulation of high-affinity interleukin 6 receptors on human epithelial cells.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a potent pleiotropic cytokine, known, among others, to stimulate immunoglobulin production by B cells and to trigger acute-phase protein synthesis by hepatocytes. Similar to IL-1, it is produced by monocytes and macrophages following an inflammatory challenge. Analysis of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) expression on different human cell lines indicates that dexamethasone could up-regulate the number of IL-6R on one epithelial cell line (UAC) and on two hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and Hep3B). This effect was confirmed by Scatchard analysis of binding experiments, using [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine metabolically labeled IL-6. It was confirmed at the level of mRNA expression by Northern blot analysis. These results provide evidence for a link between IL-6 and glucocorticoids. They could represent an example of a system in which one role of glucocorticoids is to define more accurately the target of cytokines, and they could explain, at least partly, the frequently observed synergy between IL-6 and glucocorticoids, notably in the case of hepatocytes.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Cloning and chromosomal location of human genes inducible by type I interferon.

When cells are treated with interferon several new proteins are induced. We have isolated by differential screening two cDNA clones corresponding to human genes inducible by IFN-alpha, termed IFI-4 and IFI-54K. The accumulation of the corresponding mRNA was followed as a function of either IFN dose or of time. The IFI-4 and IFI-54K genes, as well as two previously isolated IFN-inducible genes, namely the IFI-56K and low-molecular-weight 2-5A synthetase, were localized on the human chromosomes. Using cloned probes on Southern blots of DNA from a panel of rodent-human somatic cell hybrids, we have assigned the IFI-4 gene to chromosome 1 and the gene coding for the low-molecular-weight 2-5A synthetase to chromosome 12. We also showed that the IFI-54K and IFI-56K genes, unlike most of the IFN-inducible genes, are syntenic. They are both located on chromosome 10. In addition, evidence is given for the presence of a pseudogene homologous to IFI-56K on chromosome 13.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

High-affinity binding sites for human 26-kDa protein (interleukin 6, B cell stimulatory factor-2, human hybridoma plasmacytoma growth factor, interferon-beta 2), different from those of type I interferon (alpha, beta), on lymphoblastoid cells.

The human 26-kDa glycoprotein (26K) is a cytokine produced by lymphoid as well as nonlymphoid cells. So far it is active as (a) a potent hybridoma and plasmacytoma growth factor on mouse cells, (b) a B cell differentiating factor on human cells, and (c) (for some authors) an interferon (IFN). Internally labeled recombinant human 26K, obtained by translation of mRNA in Xenopus oocytes, was used to investigate the presence of specific receptors for this new cytokine and to analyze its binding to responsive cells. The results indicate that (a) the 26K-responsive human lymphoblastoid CESS cells express about 1500 high-affinity (Kd = 30 pM) binding sites for this cytokine, (b) this binding is not competed for by interleukin (IL)1, IL2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IFN-alpha 2, IFN-beta or IFN-gamma, and (c) these 26K-binding sites are different from the classical type I (alpha-beta) IFN receptors by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Binding Sites↗

Induction of a 26-kDa-protein mRNA in human cells treated with an interleukin-1-related, leukocyte-derived factor.

A human-leukocyte-derived antiviral protein (22-kDa factor), known to be an inducer of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) in fibroblastoid cells, and to be closely related to interleukin-1 (IL-1), was shown to likewise act as inducer of the mRNA of a 26-kDa secreted protein. This protein was first described as the gene product of an mRNA that is co-induced with the mRNA of IFN-beta by superinduction of fibroblasts (treatment with dsRNA and cycloheximide). Subsequently it was shown to be induced by treatment with cycloheximide only. The 22-kDa factor induced high levels of the 26-kDa-protein mRNA and low levels of IFN-beta mRNA. Addition of cycloheximide to the 22-kDa factor resulted in further significant increases in mRNA levels for both the 26-kDa-protein and IFN-beta. These observations add to the evidence already available that transcription of the genes for IFN-beta and the 26-kDa-protein are differently regulated. The observation that a factor that belongs to the IL-1 family induces the 26-kDa-protein suggest that the latter plays a role as an intermediary or effector molecule in inflammatory or immunoregulatory processes.

Cell Line↗

Stimulation of fibroblast interferon production by a 22K protein from human leukocytes.

We have studied the appearance of human interferon-beta (HuIFN-beta) as well as its mRNA in cells treated with a protein, 22K factor, isolated from the culture supernatant of mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood leukocytes. By itself 22K was found to be unable to induce production of significant amounts of HuIFN-beta protein. However, when aided by treatment with cycloheximide or cycloheximide and actinomycin D (superinduction), 22K caused increases in production ranging from 3- to 20-fold, depending on the cells (diploid or MG-63 osteosarcoma) and the induction schedule. Cells treated with 22K alone produced small amounts of HuIFN-beta mRNA, which was only detectable with a highly sensitive method. In combination with cycloheximide, 22K induced levels of mRNA detectable with less sensitive methods as well. These experiments provide further support for the concept that the antiviral activity of 22K is mediated by its ability to stimulate transcription of the HuIFN-beta gene in cells.

Blood Proteins↗

Induction and regulation of the 26-kDa protein in the absence of synthesis of beta-interferon mRNA in human cells.

The expression of the gene coding for the 26-kDa protein coinduced with human beta-interferon (HuIFN-beta) in human fibroblasts has been measured by cytoplasmic dot hybridization in WISH cells. The production of the 26-kDa-protein mRNA is not induced by poly(I).poly(C) but maximally induced by cycloheximide alone. In contrast, HuIFN-beta is induced by poly(I).poly(C) and not by cycloheximide. WISH cells showed in addition a low constitutive level of 26-kDa-protein mRNA prior to induction. These results were confirmed by sizing the RNAs by Northern blot analysis. Pretreatment with partially purified or pure IFN-beta has only a slight effect on 26-kDa protein mRNA production. We have also determined the kinetics of induction and the amount of inducer required for an optimal induction of the 26-kDa-protein mRNA in WISH cells. This mRNA was thus maximally induced in WISH cells in the absence of detectable IFN-beta; it represents about 0.05% of poly(A)-rich mRNA in cycloheximide-induced WISH cells. We had already found that the 26-kDa-protein does not share the general characteristics of interferons. These results suggest that HuIFN-beta and the 26-kDa-protein genes are differently regulated.

Cell Line↗

Human fibroblast interferon RNA transcripts of different sizes in poly(I).poly(C) induced cells.

Northern blot analysis reveals that total RNA from human fibroblastoid cells (MG 63) induced with poly(I).poly(C) under conditions of IFN-beta production, contains predominantly a +/- 1,200 nucleotide long poly (A) mRNA (mRNA.M) which hybridizes with a Hu IFN-beta cDNA specific probe. But hybridization with this probe also enabled the detection of a polyadenylated RNA (RNA.I) with a length of between 3.5 kb-3.8 kb, representing 0.6% of the total hybridizable cellular RNA in superinduced cells. Mapping shows that the RNA.I contains all the sequence information present in mRNA.M. Furthermore, it also hybridizes to sequences, located downstream from the IFN-beta gene up to 2.5 kb beyond its poly A attachment site, while no hybridization to fragments located upstream of the IFN-beta mRNA cap site was observable. Hence this RNA.I corresponds to a transcript that starts at the same position as the major mRNA.M but which extends up to 2.5 kb beyond the 3'-end of mRNA.M where another polyadenylation signal is located.

Cell Line↗

Secretory proteins induced in human fibroblasts under conditions used for the production of interferon beta.

Human fibroblast cells treated with a combination of inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis [cycloheximide and actinomycin D as used to superinduce interferon beta (IFN-beta)] secrete two proteins with molecular masses of 22000 and 27000 kilodaltons (called 22-kDal and 27-kDal) that are precipitable with an antiserum raised against impure IFN-beta but are antigenically distinct from IFN-beta 1. Translation in vitro of mRNA extracted from human fibroblast cells induced for the production of IFN-beta leads to the synthesis of a 26-kDal protein that is structurally closely related to the 22- and 27-kDal proteins. This 26-kDal protein mRNA is relatively abundant and also appears in human fibroblasts induced only with cycloheximide. It has been partially purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation and more extensively by diazobenzyloxymethyl-cellulose hybridization to plasmid DNA from a bacterial cDNA clone. When translated in an in vitro reticulocyte system supplemented with dog pancreas microsomes, the 26-kDal protein and two other intermediates corresponding presumably to its signal-cleaved (19-kDal) and partially glycosylated (24-kDal) forms were observed. Crude, partially purified, and highly purified 26-kDal mRNA failed to program the synthesis of antiviral or ppp(A2'p5')nA synthetase-inducing activity when translated in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Moreover, partially purified 22-kDal and 27-kDal (i.e., the in vivo equivalents of the 26-kDal protein) are also devoid of antiviral or ppp(A2'p5')nA synthetase-inducing activity. Hence, this 26-kDal mRNA, although presumably identical to the human IFN-beta 2 mRNA described by Weissenbach et al. [Weissenbach, J., Chernajovsky, Y., Zeevi, M., Shulman, K., Soreq, H., Nir. U., Wallach, D., Perricaudet, M., Tiollais, P. & Revel, M. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77, 7152-7156], cannot be considered to be a fibroblast interferon mRNA.

Cells, Cultured↗

Cell-free coupling of Newcastle disease virus RNA transcription, translation and Co-translational processing.

A cell-free coupled system for transcription, translation and glycoprotein processing of the Newcastle disease virus genome is described. The system consists of a rabbit reticulocyte lysate preincubated with micrococcal nuclease and of detergent-disrupted purified Newcastle disease virions. [35S]methionine incorporation was linear for 2 h. Polypeptides NP and M, the presumably unglycosylated analogues of glycoproteins HN and possibly F, were identified as translation products. When in vitro synthesis was carried out in the presence of dog pancreas microsomes the HN analogue (pre-HN) was converted to an 80K (approx.) protein which comigrated on polyacrylamide gels with HN synthesized in vivo and which, except for a small fragment, was protected from proteolytic degradation. In immunoprecipitation studies, antiserum against HN purified from virions reacted with both the processed and the unprocessed form of HN synthesized in vitro.

Animals↗

Peptide mapping characterization of viral proteins generated in a cell-free coupled system for the transcription and translation of influenza virus mRNA.

In a coupled cell-free system for the transcription and translation of the influenza mRNA's, containing detergent-disrupted purified NWS influenza virion and a micrococcal nuclease-preincubated rabbit reticulocyte lysate, five unglycosylated viral proteins (NS1, M, NP, P1, and P3) were easily produced and isolated. Their identification was based on the electrophoretic separation of peptide fragments resulting from their partial digestion with proteases of restricted specificity (D.W. Cleveland, S. G. Fisher, N. W. Kirschner, and U. K. Laemmli, J. Biol. Chem. 252:1102-1106, 1977).

Cell-Free System↗