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R J Fulton

Publications and source records attributed to R J Fulton.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Inhibition of the helper function of murine T cells with Fab'-anti-L3T4 ricin A chain immunotoxin.

The ability of Fab'-anti-L3T4 A chain-containing immunotoxins to inhibit the helper function of keyhole limpet hemocyanin-specific T helper lymphocytes was evaluated. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin-specific T helper cells were prepared from the lymph nodes of primed mice and were enriched for T cells. Enriched populations of trinitrophenyl-specific B cells were prepared from spleens of normal mice. In the presence of antigen, the keyhole limpet hemocyanin-specific T helper cells were able to induce proliferation and differentiation of the trinitrophenyl-specific B cells. However, when the T helper cells were first treated with an immunotoxin composed of Fab' fragments of anti-L3T4 antibody coupled to ricin A chain (Fab'-anti-L3T4-A), they failed to induce proliferation and differentiation of the antigen-specific B cells. The concentrations of Fab'-anti-L3T4-A required to inhibit T cell help for the proliferation and differentiation of trinitrophenyl-specific B cells by 50% were 1 X 10(-9)M and 4 X 10(-10) M, respectively. Fab'-anti-L3T4 antibody alone did not inhibit T cell-induced B cell proliferation and differentiation by 50% at greater than 100-fold higher concentrations.

Animals↗

Molecular dissection of the murine antibody response to streptococcal group A carbohydrate.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to streptococcal group A carbohydrate (GAC) are encoded by a minimum of two VH, four JH, four V kappa, three J kappa, one V lambda, and one J lambda gene segments. The IdX, IdI-1, and Id5 idiotypic determinants are expressed by anti-GAC mAb and are found on free kappa chains. Each pattern of these determinants is encoded by a distinct V kappa gene segment, apparently without the requirement for a particular J kappa, VH, or JH gene segment, or somatic mutation. In contrast, the binding site-associated idiotypic determinant IdI-3a does not correlate with any single V or J gene segment.

Animals↗

Analysis of anti-streptococcal group A carbohydrate idiotope levels in sera: correlation of magnitude of expression with idiotope position and VK haplotype.

We have employed monoclonal anti-idiotopes to map the corresponding idiotopes on the variable domain of a prototype antibody specific for streptococcal group A carbohydrate (GAC). Idiotope variability, as assessed by direct and competitive binding assays, previously was shown to correlate with idiotope position; determinants farther from the binding site were less variable. We now describe a relationship between idiotope position and idiotope concentration in normal and GAC-immune sera from mice of several inbred and recombinant inbred strains. Employing sera as inhibitors in a competitive radioimmunoassay, we demonstrate that idiotopes farther from the binding site (more proximal) tend to be present at higher levels in GAC-hyperimmune sera. Only the most proximal idiotope was detected in normal serum, and this idiotope was present in normal sera from all 12 strains tested. Finally, significant interstrain differences in patterns of idiotope expression were observed, and some of these differences appear to be correlated with allelic differences at immunoglobulin structural gene loci.

Alleles↗

Purification of ricin A1, A2, and B chains and characterization of their toxicity.

This paper describes a protocol for the preparation of highly purified A (A1 and A2) and B chains of the plant toxin, ricin, and biochemical and biological characterization of these proteins. Intact ricin was bound to acid-treated Sepharose 4B and was split on the column into A and B chains with 2-mercaptoethanol. The A chains were eluted with borate buffer containing 2-mercaptoethanol. A1 and A2 were then partially separated by cation exchange chromatography and the contaminating B chain was removed by affinity chromatography on Sepharose-asialofetuin and Sepharose-monoclonal anti-B chain. The B chain was eluted from the Sepharose 4B column by treatment with galactose and was further purified by cation and anion exchange chromatography; contaminating A chains were removed by affinity chromatography on Sepharose-monoclonal anti-A chain. The purified A and B chains were active as determined by their ability to inhibit protein synthesis in a cell-free assay and their binding to asialofetuin, respectively. Furthermore, by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, toxicity in mice, and toxicity on several different cell types, both A and B chains were shown to be minimally cross-contaminated. Finally, it was shown that ammonium chloride significantly enhanced the nonspecific toxicity of B chains for cells in vitro. In contrast, ammonium chloride did not enhance either the nonspecific toxicity of A chains in vitro or the specific toxicity of A chain-containing immunotoxins prepared with the highly purified A1, A2 chains.

Ammonium Chloride↗

The effect of antibody valency and lysosomotropic amines on the synergy between ricin A chain- and ricin B chain-containing immunotoxins.

The cytotoxicity of A chain immunotoxins containing IgG or Fab fragments specific for the surface immunoglobulin of the Daudi cell line was assessed in the presence of B chain immunotoxins (IgG or Fab) or lysosomotropic amines, or both. The concentration required for 50% inhibition of protein synthesis (IC50) in Daudi cells was 1.3 X 10(-8) M for IgG-A and 5 X 10(-8) M for Fab-A. The toxicity of both A chain immunotoxins was enhanced twofold by ammonium chloride. In the presence of A chain immunotoxins and ammonium chloride, a maximum of 99 and 90% reduction of clonal precursors was obtained with IgG and Fab-A chain immunotoxins respectively. Immunotoxins containing ricin B chain and IgG or Fab fragments specific for the antibody portion of A chain immunotoxins were used as secondary "piggyback" immunotoxins to treat cells that were pretreated with A chain immunotoxins. Both B chain immunotoxins were nontoxic at 1 X 10(-6) M. When added to target cells pretreated with specific A chain immunotoxins, the IC50 of the A chain immunotoxins was decreased up to 16-fold in the absence of ammonium chloride. In contrast to the results obtained with A chain immunotoxins alone, ammonium chloride significantly increased the toxicity of the complete piggyback system, resulting in the killing of 99.999% or five logs of target cells in the clonal assay. This decreased the IC50 of A chain immunotoxins up to 116-fold when compared with A chain immunotoxin alone. This enhanced toxicity was independent of the valency of either immunotoxin.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Species differences in the expression of caseinolytic proteinases and plasminogen activators by bone marrow cells.

Intact viable bone marrow cells from hamsters (Mesocricetus aruatus), rat (Rattus norvegicus), guinea pig (Cavia porcella) and rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were analyzed for caseinolytic proteinases and plasminogen activator activity. Species specific quantitative and qualitative differences in caseinolytic activity were detected. Quantitative and qualitative differences in plasminogen activator expression were observed. Cellular fractionation experiments revealed a heterogenous distribution of plasminogen activator activity among subpopulations of cells. The plasminogen activator activity associated with bone marrow cells behaved as ectoenzymes. These results indicated that different species may regulate bone marrow cell proteinase activity in a species-specific manner, compatible with their unique regulatory requirements.

Animals↗

Cytotoxicity of a cell-reactive immunotoxin containing ricin A chain is potentiated by an anti-immunotoxin containing ricin B chain.

In vitro killing of the human Daudi cell line by either univalent [F(ab')] or divalent (IgG) forms of rabbit anti-human Ig (RAHIg) coupled to ricin A chain can be specifically potentiated by a "piggyback" treatment with ricin B chain coupled to goat anti-rabbit Ig (GARIg). When cells are treated with univalent immunotoxin (IT) [F(ab') RAHIg-A] and then cultured, IT can be detected on the cell surface for at least 5 h, since GARIg-B can still enhance killing at this time. These results provide a strategy for in vivo use of A chain- and B chain-containing IT.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Influence of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus on expression of the VK1GAC light chain.

The VK1GAC light chain represents the dominant V kappa structure employed in the antibody response of A/J mice to streptococcal group A carbohydrate ( GAC ). Two anti-idiotypic antisera, anti- Id5 and anti- Id20 , with specificity for the VK1GAC light chain were used to examine anti- GAC antibody responses in a series of inbred mouse strains that differ at the heavy chain constant region ( IgCH ) allotype locus. Both idiotypes were expressed in normal and immune sera from mice of most IgCH allotypes, except IgCHb (C57BL/6J) and IgCHf (CE/J). C57BL/6J mice expressed Id5 , but not Id20 , whereas CE/J mice did not express either idiotype. Testing of recombinant inbred strains between BALB/c and C57BL/6 indicated that the pattern of idiotype expression did not correlate with IgCH allotype. The C X B recombinants expressed all three idiotype patterns that were observed in the panel of inbred strains. Testing of allotype congenic mice between BALB/c and C57BL/6 showed that CB.20 and BC.8 mice were Id20 -, whereas BAB-14 mice were Id20 +, indicating that both VH and background (V kappa or regulatory) loci must be derived from BALB/c to obtain Id20 expression. The difference in the frequency of idiotype expression observed between BALB/c and BAB-14 mice indicates that the IgCH locus may exert a quantitative influence on the expression of this light chain. To examine the Id20 -, Id5 + antibodies of C57BL/6 mice, anti- GAC hybridomas were prepared. Of 16 C57BL/6-derived anti- GAC monoclonal antibodies, six were reactive with anti- Id5 and not with anti- Id20 . Isoelectric focusing of the purified kappa light chains from three of these antibodies revealed two distinct spectrotypes that co-migrated with the two known VK1GAC spectrotypes observed with A/J anti- GAC light chains. Idiotypic analysis of in vitro recombinants between the heavy and light chains of A/J and C57BL/6 monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that the C57BL/6 light chains were idiotypically similar to A/J light chains when they were free in solution or paired with A/J heavy chains. These results demonstrate that C57BL/6 mice can express a light chain that is very similar, if not identical, to the VK1GAC light chain, although the light chain is expressed in lower frequency and is paired with a distinct VH structure, which can mask expression of one of the VK1GAC idiotypes. These effects on V kappa expression map to at least three genetic loci: VH, CH, and an unlinked locus.

Animals↗

Isotypes of spontaneous and mitogen-induced autoantibodies in SLE-prone mice.

A common cellular abnormality of all murine strains prone to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an increased spontaneous polyclonal expansion of B cells. Our findings support the existence of this SLE-associated abnormality because the numbers of B lymphocytes secreting all the different IgG subclasses and IgM in spleens of all lupus-prone mice are elevated, compared to levels of normal splenic immunoglobulin-producing cells. We also report that 1) spontaneous polyclonal stimulation of immunoglobulin in autoimmune mice is preferential for subclass, and that the preferentially stimulated isotypes in each SLE strain consistently dominate both circulating and kidney-deposited immune complexes; 2) distinct patterns of isotype preference exist among the autoimmune strains determined by inherent B cell proliferative abnormalities or by B cell proliferation affected by thymus-derived lymphocytes; and 3) chronic administration of the TI B cell mitogen Lipid A in late-life SLE-prone mice induces an early-life glomerulonephritis with auto-antibodies of an isotype composition characteristic of those spontaneously produced by inherently abnormal B cells of early-life lupus mice.

Animals↗

Monoclonal antibodies to streptococcal group A carbohydrate. II. The VK1GAC light chain is preferentially associated with serum IgG3.

A kappa-light chain variable region (V kappa) dominantly employed in the serum antibody response of A/J mice to streptococcal group A carbohydrate (GAC) has been termed VK1GAC. Examination of in vitro recombinants between the isolated heavy and light chains of VK1GAC+ and VK1GAC-anti-GAC hybridomas and non-GAC-binding myeloma proteins indicated that two antisera (anti-Id5 and anti-Id20) recognized the VK1GAC light chain when it was free in solution or paired with several heterologous heavy chains. Screening of a panel of A/J anti-GAC monoclonal antibodies with these antisera showed almost complete concordance between Id5 and Id20 expression and the presence of VK1GAC light chain as detected by its unique isoelectric focusing spectrotype. These antisera were used to examine serum expression of the VK1GAC light chain in normal and hyperimmune serum of A/J mice. Normal A/J serum contained from 20 to 100 micrograms Id5/ml serum, whereas only 1 to 10 micrograms Id20/ml serum was detected. The levels of both VK1GAC idiotypes increased dramatically 10- to 20-fold after hyperimmunization of mice with group A vaccine. When serum IgG from normal and immune mice was fractionated into the IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG3), it was found that the VK1GAC light chain does not pair randomly with heavy chains of the IgG subclasses, but rather is associated preferentially with heavy chains of the IgG3 subclass whether or not it is associated with antibodies to GAC. These results suggest that the heavy chain pairing exhibited by this VK product may not be random.

Animals↗

Morphological transformation of cells induced by Kirsten sarcoma virus transforming factor is independent of serine proteases.

Reports from several laboratories have suggested that the virus transformed state may be maintained either by ectopically produced growth factors or alternatively by ectopically produced serine proteases including plasminogen activator. Here we show that the maintenance of transformation induced by Kirsten sarcoma virus induced growth factor(s) is independent of serine proteases in that 1) the factors are not themselves serine proteases, and 2) the growth factors do not induce the expression of detectable serine proteases or plasminogen activator.

Animals↗

Characterization of a plasma membrane-associated plasminogen activator on thymocytes.

Plasma membranes isolated from normal thymocytes of hamster and rats were found to exhibit neutral protease activity toward 125I-labeled casein. The plasma membrane-associated proteases were completely inhibited by the serine protease inhibitors, diisopropyl fluorophosphate, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and p-nitrophenyl-p-guanidinobenzoate, partially inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor and antipain, but were only weakly inhibited by L-1-tosylamino-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone. The plasma membrane-associated proteases were also completely inhibited by ZnCl2 (75--100 mu M), but they were not affected by several other divalent cations. The plasma membrane fraction contained a plasminogen activator activity which was specifically localized in this fraction. The plasma membrane-associated plasminogen activator activity was inhibited by all of the inhibitors which inhibited plasma membrane-associated proteases except L-1-tosylamido-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone. Labeling of plasma membrane-associated serine esterases with [3H] diisopropyl fluorophosphate followed by separation of the proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that this fraction contained a single major 3H-labeled protein of Mr 105 000. Both the plasminogen activator and the Mr 105 000 esterase were shown to be glycoproteins by affinity chromatography on lentil lectin-Sepharose. These results indicate that the plasminogen activator of thymocytes is a glycosylated serine protease with an active site-containing subunit of Mr 105 000 which is specifically localized in the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

Kirsten murine sarcoma virus transformed cell lines and a spontaneously transformed rat cell-line produce transforming factors.

We have examined culture fluids from a variety of Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (KiMSV) transformed rat and mouse cells for the presence of factors which induce normal Rat-1 cells to assume the transformed phenotype. All KiMSV transformants produced transforming factor (TF). Revertants of KiMSV transformed rat or mouse failed to release TF as did normal rat or mouse cells. Cells transformed by a temperature sensitive mutant of KiMSV produced TF at the permissive temperature but not at the nonpermissive temperature. Further, cells from a spontaneous transformant of Rat-1 cells also produced TF. TF is a small polypeptide which competes for the epidermal growth factor receptor. Its effect upon normal cells is reversible and requires de novo RNA and protein synthesis. Cells treated with TF lose the actin fibers observed in normal fibroblasts, assume a transformed cell morphology, become anchorage independent for growth, grow in low concentrations of serum, grow to a high cell density, and have an increased rate of hexose uptake.

Actins↗