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R J Robb

Publications and source records attributed to R J Robb.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Affinity-purified interleukin 2 induces proliferation of large but not small B cells.

Immunoaffinity-purified interleukin 2 (IL2) stimulated proliferation of large but not small B cells. Stimulation was observed even when B cells were cultured at very low cell densities (3 X 10(4) per microwell containing 0.2 ml of medium). Addition of small numbers of purified splenic T cells did not enhance the IL2-induced B-cell proliferative response. These results suggest that IL2 was not operating through contaminating T cells. B cells cultured with anti-Ig antibody in vitro showed enhanced proliferation when cultured with EL4 thymoma-derived B-cell growth factor but not when cultured with IL2. A direct role for IL2 in B-cell activation is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Induction of high affinity IL 2 receptors on B cells responding to anti-Ig and T cell-derived helper factors.

We have reported that IL 2 is one of the essential helper factors in culture supernatants from concanavalin A-activated spleen cells or T cell hybridomas that support proliferation and immunoglobulin secretion in B cell cultures responding to anti-immunoglobulin. Here we show that cells in such cultures consume IL 2 and bear high affinity IL 2 receptors detected by binding of purified, radiolabeled IL 2. Induction of high affinity IL 2 receptors depends on addition of both anti-immunoglobulin and helper factors, and does not occur in cultures given only anti-Ig, only helper factors, concanavalin A plus helper factors, or LPS. The majority of IL 2 receptors are on cells that also bear endogenous membrane immunoglobulin, because they are found in the membrane immunoglobulin-positive fraction when cultured cells are separated by fluorescence sorting after overnight culture in the absence of anti-immunoglobulin to allow reexpression of membrane immunoglobulin.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Isolation and expression of complementary DNAs encoding the human interleukin 2 receptor.

Complementary DNAs corresponding to the human receptor for interleukin 2 (IL-2) have been molecularly cloned, sequenced, and expressed in COS-1 cells. The human genome appears to contain a single structural gene for this receptor; however, when transcribed at least two messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are produced which vary in length due to the use of different polyadenylation signals. Sequence analysis of the cloned complementary DNAs indicates an alternate pathway of mRNA processing for this receptor. Splicing of a 216 base pairs segment contained within the protein coding region results in an mRNA unable to code for the IL-2 receptor. In contact complementary DNAs corresponding to unspliced mRNA encode membrane receptors which bind both IL-2 and anti-Tac (monoclonal anti-IL-2 receptor antibody). Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence reveals that the receptor is composed of 272 amino acids including a signal peptide 21 amino acids in length. Hydrophobicity analysis suggests a single 19 amino acid transmembrane domain. A short intracytoplasmic domain composed of 13 amino acids is present at the carboxy terminus and contains three potential phosphate acceptor sites (serine and threonine but not tyrosine) and typical positively charged amino acids presumably involved in cytoplasmic anchoring. Two sites for N-linked glycosylation sites and numerous extracytoplasmic O-linked glycosylation sites are present.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

In vivo administration of purified human interleukin 2. I. Half-life and immunologic effects of the Jurkat cell line-derived interleukin 2.

A total of 12 patients with cancer or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome have been treated with Jurkat-derived purified human interleukin 2 (IL 2). The toxicity was dose-related and consisted primarily of fever, chills, malaise, and mild reversible hepatic dysfunction. No evidence of clinical efficacy was seen when IL 2 was administered at doses of up to 2000 micrograms by bolus or continuous infusion once a week for 4 wk. No significant chronic immunologic effects (changes in mitogen responsiveness of induction of cytotoxic cells) were demonstrated. IL 2 was measured in the serum of patients, and a half-life of approximately 5 to 7 min was demonstrated with a second component of clearance of 30 to 120 min. Heating the serum at 56 degrees C for 30 min allowed for detection of smaller quantities of IL 2 by removing a serum inhibitor whose effect was seen at dilutions of up to 1/80 in our biologic assay. Sustained levels of IL 2 could be maintained by continuous infusion. Acute effects of IL 2 administration included a rapid decrease in peripheral mononuclear cells with a shift to cells of macrophage lineage and a rapid decrease in total T lymphocytes and T lymphocyte subsets. IL 2 responsiveness of peripheral mononuclear cells decreased within 15 min of IL 2 administration, with a concurrent decrease in the ability to generate lymphokine-activated killer cells. These changes did not recover until 48 hr after IL 2 administration. A rise in serum ACTH and cortisol levels was seen after the administration of 1 to 2 mg of IL 2. Future studies will evaluate the role of larger quantities of recombinant IL 2 given alone or in conjunction with in vitro-generated lymphokine-activated killer cells.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Effect of wheat germ agglutinin on the interleukin pathway of human T lymphocyte activation.

Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) inhibits proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) induced by mitogens and antigens. We investigated the mechanism by which WGA inhibits PHA-induced human lymphocyte proliferation with regard to the interleukin pathway. Our data revealed that although PBMC-proliferation was markedly suppressed by WGA, levels of IL 2 activity in WGA-inhibited cultures were not reduced, but instead were increased, suggesting failure to utilize IL 2. Furthermore, the addition of exogenous IL 2 failed to overcome the suppression. Consistent with these observations, culturing PBMC with PHA plus WGA markedly decreased the number of high-affinity IL 2 receptor per cell, as determined by binding of purified [3H]IL 2, relative to cultures containing PHA alone. WGA immobilized on support beads bound detergent-solubilized IL 2 receptors from PHA-activated T cells, but did not bind human IL 2. However, WGA did not competitively block the binding of [3H]IL 2 to PHA-induced lymphoblasts. These results suggest that WGA inhibits lymphocyte proliferation by binding to and decreasing the number of high-affinity IL 2 receptors displayed on T cells, without impairing IL 2 production.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1985

Regulation of IFN-gamma induction in human peripheral blood cells by exogenous and endogenously produced interleukin 2.

Interferon (IFN)-gamma production, stimulated by the addition of exogenous interleukin (IL) 2, T cell mitogens, or tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) was studied in cultures of separated human mononuclear cells or unseparated peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). IFN-gamma was induced by the addition of IL 2 to cultures of otherwise unstimulated cells. The minimal concentration of exogenous IL 2 required to cause a reproducible stimulation of IFN-gamma was about 10 U/ml, i.e., approximately 50 times the minimal concentration required to stimulate proliferation in an IL 2-dependent murine cytotoxic T cell line. Approximately 500 to 1000 IL 2 U/ml were required to produce maximal stimulation of IFN-gamma production in otherwise unstimulated cultures. Monoclonal antibody anti-Tac, specific for an epitope associated with the IL 2 receptor (IL 2 R), inhibited IFN-gamma induction by exogenous IL 2 less strongly than induction by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or concanavalin A (Con A). The highest degree of inhibition was exerted by anti-Tac on IFN-gamma production stimulated with PPD. Stimulation of IFN-gamma induction by exogenous IL 2 and the inhibitory action of anti-Tac on IFN-gamma production were also seen in cultures of irradiated (2000 R) cells. Treatment of cells with subinducing doses of Con A or phorbol myristate acetate increased IFN-gamma induction by exogenous IL 2. Taken together, the data suggest that endogenously generated IL 2 is a major mediator of IFN-gamma induction in PBL cultures stimulated with antigens or T cell mitogens.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

Interleukin 2 and its cell-surface receptor.

Interleukin 2 provides a signal for the proliferation and differentiation of several classes of immune cells, including activated T cells, natural killer cells and certain activated B cells. The responses to this lymphokine result from its interaction with a high-affinity cell surface receptor. Several structural features of the IL-2 molecule are essential for its functional integrity. For example, an intramolecular disulfide bridge connecting cysteine residues in positions 58 and 105 maintains an active conformation of the molecule. In addition, antibodies directed against epitopes defined by amino acids 8-27 and 33-54 are capable of directly blocking the physiological response. Amino acids in or near these regions may form part of the receptor binding site of IL-2. The receptor for IL-2 exists in both high and low-affinity states. Physiological responses correlate with binding to the high-affinity form of the receptor as determined by anti-IL-2 antibody competition curves. Expression of the cDNA corresponding to the receptor protein in mouse L cells, however, indicates that this protein alone is incapable of high-affinity interaction with IL-2. Thus, the high-affinity conformation of the receptor may entail the interaction of the ligand-binding component with an additional receptor subunit(s). The availability of pure ligand and receptor as well as antibody reagents to both these components make the IL-2 receptor system an ideal model for dissecting an immune response at the molecular level.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

An ELISA-based assay for quantitation of human interleukin 2.

An ELISA-based method for the quantitation of human interleukin 2 is described. A murine monoclonal antibody and rabbit polyclonal antibody, both of which recognize the various glycosylated forms of human IL2, were used in a sandwich technique together with alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin. The specificity of the reaction was dependent upon the monoclonal reagent. By generating a standard curve with a defined preparation of IL2, it was possible to quantitate accurately the concentration of the factor in crude lymphokine preparations and in serum samples from IL2-treated patients. Substances in human serum and mitogens such as phytohemagglutinin and phorbol myristic acetate did not interfere in the measurement. This assay provides a rapid, automated alternative to the biological assay generally used to quantitate IL2.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Expression of interleukin 2 receptors on activated human B cells.

Using anti-Tac, a monoclonal anti-interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor antibody, we have explored the possibility that certain activated B cells display receptors for IL-2. Resting normal B cells and unselected B cell lines established from normal individuals were Tac antigen negative. In contrast, the cell surface Tac antigen expression was demonstrable on 6 of 10 B cell lines from patients with Burkitt's lymphoma, 5 of 6 B cell lines derived from patients with HTLV-I-associated adult T cell leukemia (including all four that had integrated HTLV-I into their genome), and on certain normal B cells activated with pokeweed mitogen. Furthermore, cloned Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines derived from Tac-positive normal B cells continued to express the Tac antigen in long-term cultures and manifested high affinity IL-2 receptors identified in binding studies with purified radiolabeled IL-2. The line 5B4 developed in the present study could be induced with purified JURKAT-derived or recombinant IL-2 to express a larger number of IL-2 receptors. Furthermore, the addition of IL-2 to the 5B4 B cell line augmented IgM synthesis, which could be blocked by the addition of anti-Tac. The size of the IL-2 receptors expressed on the cloned normal B cell lines was similar (53,000-57,000 daltons) to that of receptors on phytohemagglutinin-stimulated T cell lymphoblasts. Thus, certain malignant and activated normal B cells display the Tac antigen and manifest high affinity receptors for IL-2. These data suggest that IL-2 may play a role in the differentiation of activated B cells into immunoglobulin-synthesizing and -secreting cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1984

Low and high affinity cellular receptors for interleukin 2. Implications for the level of Tac antigen.

Interleukin 2 promotes proliferation of T cells by virtue of its interaction with a high-affinity cell surface receptor. This receptor is a 55,000 mol wt glycoprotein that is also recognized by the murine monoclonal antibody, anti-Tac. Quantitative binding studies with radiolabeled IL-2 and anti-Tac, however, initially indicated far more antibody binding sites per cell than IL-2 binding sites. Extension of the IL-2 binding analysis to concentrations several thousand-fold higher than that necessary for the T cell proliferative response demonstrated the existence of a class (or classes) of low-affinity IL-2 binding sites. Inclusion of the low-affinity IL-2 binding greatly reduced the quantitative discrepancy in the ligand binding assays. That the low-affinity binding, as well as the high-affinity interaction, was associated with the Tac molecule was indicated by the finding that the antibody could substantially or totally block the entire spectrum of IL-2 binding and by the finding that IL-2 could in turn block all radiolabeled anti-Tac binding. The low-affinity sites were found on activated T cells, several human and murine T cell lines and two examples of Tac-positive B cells. The physiological role of the low-affinity IL-2 binding sites and the molecular changes in the Tac protein that give rise to the affinity differences remain open to investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Amino acid sequence and post-translational modification of human interleukin 2.

Human interleukin 2 was separated into multiple molecular forms by selective immunoaffinity chromatography and chromatofocusing. For the most part, this heterogeneity was attributed to variations in glycosylation of the threonine residue in position 3 of the polypeptide chain. The various molecular forms of interleukin 2 had nearly identical specific activities in the in vitro proliferation assay, indicating that the glycosylation had no significant effect on this response. The entire primary sequence of interleukin 2, including the location of the intramolecular disulfide bridge, was determined by a combination of peptide mapping and protein sequencing. This information should aid in the determination of the active site(s) of the molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

The murine IL 2 receptor. I. Monoclonal antibodies that define distinct functional epitopes on activated T cells and react with activated B cells.

The properties of three distinct rat monoclonal antibodies, designated 3C7, 7D4, and 2E4, to the murine IL 2 receptor have been compared in binding, biochemical, and functional assays. 3C7 appears to define an epitope near or identical to the IL 2-binding site of the receptor, because 3C7 inhibited the binding of radiolabeled IL 2 to CTL-L cells and because unlabeled IL 2 inhibited the binding of FITC-3C7 to CTL-L cells. 7D4 and 2E4 had no effect on IL 2 binding. Competitive antibody-binding studies confirmed that the epitope seen by 3C7 was distinct from the epitope(s) seen by 7D4 and 2E4. Sequential immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that all three antibodies were reactive with the same molecular species, and that each precipitated identical components of 20,000 to 25,000 daltons, 50,000 to 60,000 daltons, and 100,000 to 120,000 daltons from the surface of CTL-L. FACS studies demonstrated a quantitatively and qualitatively identical cell distribution for the antigen defined by each antibody. They failed to stain more than 95% of resting lymphocytes, but were strongly reactive with Con A T blasts and substantially less reactive with LPS B blasts. Unlabeled IL 2 was also able to inhibit the binding of FITC-3C7 to LPS B cell blasts, suggesting the presence of IL 2-binding sites on activated B cells. Each antibody inhibited IL 2-driven proliferation of HT2 or CTL-L cells. 3C7 and 7D4 were more potent inhibitors of proliferation than was 2E4, and the combined use of 3C7 and 7D4 resulted in greater levels of inhibition of proliferation than that shown from the use of either antibody alone. Collectively, the results support the hypothesis that these antibodies detect two distinct functional regions of the IL 2 receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Phorbol diester induces expression of Tac antigen on human acute T lymphocytic leukemic cells.

In general, the human acute T lymphocytic leukemias are composed of malignant expansions of immature T cells lacking membrane receptors for T cell growth factor (TCGF, interleukin 2) and significant immunoregulatory activity. We investigated whether cultured acute lymphocytic leukemic T cell lines can be induced to differentiate and express the Tac antigen, a cell surface protein that contains a TCGF-binding site, after exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and/or phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Reactivity of anti-Tac with induced leukemic T cells was studied by three techniques, including: 1) flow microfluorometry; 2) specific binding of [3H]anti-Tac; and 3) receptor immunoprecipitation with anti-Tac and analysis by SDS-PAGE. After exposure to PMA with or without PHA, both JURKAT and HSB-2 acute lymphocytic leukemic T cells displayed Tac antigen within 6 to 8 hr. Induction of receptor expression was blocked by actinomycin D, suggesting a requirement for new mRNA transcription. Induced JURKAT cells contained approximately 7000 Tac molecules per cell, and the binding of anti-Tac to these cells was blocked in a dose-related manner by purified TCGF but not by insulin or purified recombinant interferon-alpha. SDS-PAGE analysis of anti-Tac immunoprecipitates demonstrated that receptors present on induced JURKAT cells were 2000 to 3000 daltons smaller than those present on PHA-activated normal lymphoblasts or induced HSB-2 cells. Induction of JURKAT cells with both PHA and PMA resulted in marked secretion of TCGF as well as the appearance of Tac antigen. After activation of these cells with PMA alone, Tac antigen was similarly expressed, but the level of TCGF synthesis was less than 1% of that obtained after dual induction with PHA and PMA. These data indicate that the signals required for TCGF synthesis and Tac expression are not identical, and furthermore that induction of Tac antigen and TCGF is not obligately linked in these cells.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1984

Systemic administration of interleukin-2 in humans.

Twelve patients were treated in a Phase I trial of purified human interleukin-2 (IL-2) derived from the JURKAT cell line (E.I. duPont Corp., Glenolden, PA, U.S.A.). The serum half-life, toxicity, and in vivo immunologic effects of IL-2 were studied in patients with cancer unresponsive to standard therapy and in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Patients received 0.25, 2.5, or 25 micrograms/kg IL-2 by bolus or 24-h continuous infusion on a weekly basis for 4 weeks. The serum half-life of JURKAT IL-2 in humans was approximately 6 min. At higher doses of IL-2 a second component of clearance with a half-life of 30-120 min was found. Acute toxicity was minimal and consisted of headache (6 of 12), nausea (4 of 12), malaise (6 of 12), and fever and chills (8 of 12). No evidence of pulmonary, hematologic, or renal toxicity or any evidence of autoimmune phenomena was detected. A transient hyperbilirubinemia was seen in two patients receiving 2 mg purified IL-2. No demonstrable effect on tumors or chronic immunodeficiency (AIDS) was seen. No consistent chronic immunologic effects (natural killer or lymphokine-activated killer activity, mitogen responsiveness, total lymphocyte counts, or change in the proportion of various mononuclear cell phenotypes as defined by monoclonal antibody) were seen on a week-to-week basis during or following therapy. Acute changes in lymphokine responsiveness, the ability to generate lymphokine-activated killers, and an increase in macrophages in the mononuclear population were noted following administration of 1-2 mg IL-2.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

Stimulation of immunoglobulin secretion in human B lymphocytes as a direct effect of high concentrations of IL 2.

In certain human IgM and IgG cell lines, immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion is highly stimulated by a B cell inducing factor (BIF) that is free of interleukin 2 (IL 2). BIF also induces Ig secretion in purified peripheral blood B cell populations that have been mitogenically stimulated by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Low concentrations of IL 2 (less than 20 U/ml) are not active in these systems. We now show that IL 2 at concentrations above 100 U/ml can induce Ig secretion in these blood B cells and B cell lines. Both conventional IL 2, purified from the human JURKAT and gibbon MLA-144 cell lines, and recombinant IL 2 are active. Very high concentrations approaching 10(4) U/ml are optimal for Ig secretion. Antibody to the T cell IL 2 receptor, anti-Tac, did not inhibit stimulation of the IgM cell line SKW6.4 by IL 2, and no Tac antigen was detected on the cells. The 9B11 monoclonal anti-IL 2 antibody that neutralizes T cell growth activity also abrogates stimulation of Ig secretion by conventional and recombinant IL 2 in the SKW6.4 cell line. However, the 1H11 monoclonal anti-(conventional thr3-glycosylated IL 2), which does not neutralize T cell growth activity, does inhibit induction of Ig secretion by the corresponding IL 2 in the B cell line. These results suggest that IL 2 stimulates B cells via a low-affinity interaction with a receptor different from the Tac receptor identified on T cells, and that the active site on the IL 2 molecule for B cells differs from that for T cell targets. If IL 2 promotes Ig secretion by binding with a low affinity to the B cell BIF receptor, IL 2 and BIF could be homologous proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Mechanism of action of Cyclosporin A: inhibition of lymphokine secretion studied with antigen-stimulated T cell hybridomas.

We have employed bifunctional T cell hybridomas, which can be stimulated to secrete lymphokine(s) and lyse specific target cells, to analyze the effect of Cyclosporin A (CsA) on T cell helper and effector functions. We report here the effects of CsA on antigen- and lectin-induced lymphokine secretion. We have found that a pharmacologic level of CsA (10 ng/ml) blocks antigen- and lectin-driven interleukin 2 (IL 2) secretion without affecting cell proliferation. In addition, one monoclonal hybridoma that is induced by concanavalin A to secrete colony stimulating factors (CSF) as well as IL 2 is concomitantly blocked by CsA for production of IL 2 and CSF. Because the hybridomas grow constitutively and are devoid of functional IL 2 receptors, they permit analysis of the kinetics of the inhibitory response. We have shown that CsA blocks not only stimulation of lymphokine secretion but also ongoing IL 2 production, probably by interfering with the effective interaction of receptor and antigen. Thus, blocking of IL 2 secretion from preactivated cells by CsA occurs by 1 to 2 hr, the time required to stop IL 2 production by removal of Ag/Lectin stimulator. The results are consistent with a mechanism of action of CsA on T cells that involves a direct interference of CsA with binding of Ag to Ag-receptor and results in blocking of induction and active secretion of multiple lymphokines.

Animals↗