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Biomedical subjects

W Fiers

Publications and source records attributed to W Fiers.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Tumor necrosis factor alpha induces early morphologic and metabolic alterations in Friend leukemia cell tumors and fibrosarcomas in mice.

Morphologic and metabolic studies have been carried out on Friend leukemia cell (FLC) tumors (grown in DBA/2 mice) or fibrosarcomas (grown in C3H/HeN or C3H/HeJ mice) shortly after peritumoral injection of recombinant mouse tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. Marked vascular congestion and focal extravasation of erythrocytes were observed as soon as 1 hr after injection of either FLC tumors or fibrosarcomas with TNF. Focal areas of disaggregation of tumor cells were observed 1 hr after injection of TNF. Intraluminal thrombi (composed of degranulated platelets and fibrin) were detected 3 and 6 hr after TNF treatment, and were associated with areas of depletion of endothelial cell cytoplasm. To correlate these morphologic changes in the tumor with alterations in tumor metabolism, NMR spectroscopy and biochemical studies were undertaken on freshly dissected FLC tumors and fibrosarcomas shortly after injection of TNF. The earliest metabolic alterations observed after 1 hr in TNF-treated FLC tumors of fibrosarcomas were: (i) increase in the average intratumoral pH; (ii) decrease in the levels of ATP. These phenomena were not associated with a reduced glycolytic capacity of TNF-treated tumors as, at these early times after injection, the levels of lactic acid were virtually the same for TNF-treated or control treated tumors. Alterations in the levels of some products of phospholipid degradation (GroPCho, GroPEtn, GroP and Cho) also occurred in these tumors as early as 3 hr after TNF treatment. These metabolic changes were not observed in ascitic FLC tumors after TNF treatment. We suggest that TNF induces alterations in tumor blood vessels which subsequently lead to changes in tumor metabolism and tumor degeneration.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1988

Two conserved tryptophan residues of tumor necrosis factor and lymphotoxin are not involved in the biological activity.

Each of the two highly conserved tryptophan residues in hTNF (positions 28 and 114) was converted into phenylalanine by site-directed mutagenesis and the mutant proteins were partially purified. A cytotoxicity assay on mouse L929 cells showed only a slight reduction in biological activity, strongly suggesting that neither of the two amino acids is involved in the active site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Tumor-selective cytotoxic effects of murine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in organ culture of B16 melanoma cells and heart tissue.

Organotypically cultured, confronting pairs of B16B16 cell clusters and fragments of embryonic chick or mouse heart, as used for the study of invasion in vitro, were treated with murine TNF plus IFN-gamma for 4 and 7 days. This treatment selectively killed the B16B16 cells and left the heart tissue intact as assayed by histology and by plating confronting pairs and spent medium on tissue culture substrate. Using this organ culture assay, which more closely mimics the situation in vivo, we confirmed the tumor-selective cytotoxic effects of combined treatment with TNF and IFN-gamma as observed in separate cultures of malignant and non-malignant cells on "artificial" substrate.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Expression in non-lymphoid cells of mouse recombinant immunoglobulin directed against the tumour marker human placental alkaline phosphatase.

From a mouse hybridoma cell line secreting a monoclonal antibody directed against the tumour marker human placental alkaline phosphatase, mRNA coding for the H and L chains of this antibody was isolated and cloned as cDNA. Sequence analysis of the H and L chain cDNAs confirmed the IgG2b,kappa subtype previously established. Recloning the H and L chain cDNA information into SV40-based vectors enabled us to obtain expression of functional immunoglobulin upon cotransfection into COS or CHO dhfr- cells. This illustrates that non-lymphoid cells also have the capacity to assemble active immunoglobulins.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

High-level transient expression of influenza virus proteins from a series of SV40 late and early replacement vectors.

We have constructed a collection of simian virus 40 (SV40) plasmid vectors useful for transient or constitutive expression of cDNA or genomic DNA in animal cells. Most vectors contain several unique restriction sites downstream from the SV40 late or early promoter, and are available with or without the virus-specific splicing signals. The use of these vectors for transient expression in monkey cells of X47 (H3N2) influenza hemagglutinin (HA) and matrix protein (M1) was demonstrated. Membrane-bound (HAm) as well as secreted forms of the HA glycoprotein lacking the sequence of the C-terminal anchor (HA-) have been obtained. Depending on the insert, the type of vector and the amount of transfected DNA, HA levels in COS cells [Gething and Sambrook, Nature 293 (1981) 620-625] transfected with late replacement SV40 vectors vary from 10(9) (HAm) to 10(8) (HA-) molecules per transfected cell. The maximum expression levels with early replacement vectors in COS cells are at least 50 times lower. In addition to the optimalization and the characterization of the expression of each vector-coded influenza protein, cotransfections, including vectors expressing HAm, neuraminidase (NA) and M1, were undertaken. The latter experiments did not result in a measureable amount of HAm or NA in the cell culture medium, suggesting that expression of these three structural viral proteins does not result in budding of (empty) influenza particles from the cell surface.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1988

Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 activate phospholipase in rat chondrocytes.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) are both cytokines of macrophage origin with similar activity on several cell types. We investigated whether TNF can, analogously to IL-1, stimulate phospholipase activity of chondrocytes. Addition of each of these cytokines to cells, isolated from the xiphisternum of adult rats, resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in phospholipase activity in both secreted and membrane-associated form. Moreover, TNF and IL-1 both induce a transformation of chondrocyte morphology. In conclusion, TNF stimulates chondrocyte phospholipase activity and extends the long list of actions shared by IL-1 and TNF in a diversity of cellular systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The antitumor function of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), I. Therapeutic action of TNF against an established murine sarcoma is indirect, immunologically dependent, and limited by severe toxicity.

The ability of murine recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF) and natural TNF in tumor-necrotizing serum (TNS) to cause regression of the SA1 sarcoma was investigated. We found that to cause regression of a 9-d SA1 sarcoma, near lethal quantities of rTNF and TNS had to be given to the host. However, even at these highly toxic doses, rTNF was not reliable at causing complete tumor regression. On the other hand, both types of TNF were reliable at causing a tumor hemorrhagic reaction that resulted in the destruction of greater than 75% of the tumor's center in 24 h. The TNF-induced hemorrhagic reaction involved the development of numerous petechial hemorrhages in the tumor's vascular bed, which apparently resulted from destruction of the tumor's blood vessels. It was possible to follow the development of the hemorrhagic reaction against time after giving rTNF or TNS by measuring the intratumor extravasation of 51Cr-labeled syngeneic red cells. According to this method, TNF-induced intratumor hemorrhaging was in progress within 1 h of giving TNF and continued for about a 6-h period. However, the hemorrhagic reaction was greatly reduced and complete regression of the rim of the living tumor tissue that survived hemorrhagic necrosis failed to occur, if SA1 sarcoma was growing in T cell-deficient (TXB) mice. This indicates that the TNF-induced hemorrhagic reaction is partly dependent, and the tumor regression that follows is completely dependent on host immunocompetence. This suggests in turn, that rTNF does not directly destroy SA1 tumor cells in vivo, even though it was shown that it can destroy SA1 tumor cells in vitro. This interpretation is supported by the additional findings that rTNF was no more therapeutic against a 3-d (3-mm) SA1 than against a 9-d (8-mm) SA1, and was no more therapeutic when injected directly into the tumor than when injected intravenously. Lastly it was possible to completely inhibit the ability of rTNF and TNS to cause tumor hemorrhagic necrosis and regression by infusing the host with a monospecific, polyvalent anti-rTNF antibody that neutralized the cytotoxic action of rTNF in vitro.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Three distinct classes of regulatory cytokines control endothelial cell MHC antigen expression. Interactions with immune gamma interferon differentiate the effects of tumor necrosis factor and lymphotoxin from those of leukocyte alpha and fibroblast beta interferons.

Recombinant preparations of TNF and lymphotoxin (LT) increase the expression of class I MHC antigens on cultured human endothelial cells (EC) without inducing expression of class II antigens. These actions are similar to those of rIFN-alpha or rIFN-beta. However, TNF and LT differ from IFN-alpha/beta in that the former synergize with IFN-gamma for class I regulation whereas the latter do not. Furthermore, LT or TNF do not affect IFN-gamma-mediated class II induction at optimal class I inducing concentrations (100 U/ml), whereas IFN-alpha and IFN-beta (at their optimal concentrations of 1,000 U/ml) are strikingly inhibitory. LT and TNF also can further increase expression of class I antigens on cells already maximally stimulated by IFN-alpha or IFN-beta. A recombinant preparation of IL-6 (formerly called 26-kD protein, IFN-beta 2, or B cell stimulating factor 2) was without effect on class I expression in EC. These data make it seem unlikely that the actions of LT or TNF on EC expression of MHC antigens are mediated through autocrine or paracrine production of IFN-alpha, IFN-beta or IL-6. More importantly, they suggest that LT or TNF are more likely to be immunostimulatory, whereas IFN-alpha or IFN-beta are more likely to be immunoinhibitory in vivo, a consideration of potential relevance for cytokine administration to various patient populations.

Biological Products↗
PubMed1988

Rapid phosphorylation of a 27 kDa protein induced by tumor necrosis factor.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been shown to induce the phosphorylation of a 27 kDa protein in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in HeLa D98/AH2, ME 180 and bovine aortic endothelial cells. This phosphorylation could be reproduced by the calcium ionophore, A23187. However, this phosphorylation was not observed in L929 cells, for which TNF is highly cytotoxic, suggesting that it might play a role in actions of TNF other than the induction of cell death.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Interleukin 1 alpha acts as an autocrine growth factor for RPMI 1788, an Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B cell line.

The Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell line RPMI 1788 constitutively produces autocrine growth factors with molecular masses of 17 kDa, 24 kDa and 35 kDa. All three molecular forms were completely neutralized with anti-interleukin (IL) 1 alpha antiserum. Although IL 1 alpha and IL 1 beta mRNA were both equally detectable by Northern blotting, no IL 1 beta activity was found in partially purified RPMI 1788 supernatant. The growth of low density-seeded RPMI 1788 cells is specifically dependent on the presence of either IL 1 alpha or IL 1 beta. Since no other cytokine was found to be capable of sustaining proliferation, this cell line is suitable for the identification and quantification of IL 1, even in the presence of other cytokines.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1988

Expression of functional mouse antibodies directed against the tumour marker human placental alkaline phosphatase in non-lymphoid cells.

A mouse hybridoma cell line was isolated which produces monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) of the IgG2b, kappa subtype directed against the tumour-associated marker human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPLAP). The mRNAs coding for the heavy (H) and light (L) chains were cloned as cDNA copies. These genes were then separately inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pSV23p, under control of the SV40 early promoter. Both genes were introduced with the DEAE-dextran technique in COSI cells, and 72 hr after transfection, 10 ng/ml functional antibodies could be detected in the supernatant of the cells. Permanent CHO cell lines secreting 100 ng/ml functional antibodies were established upon transfection of CHO (dhfr-) cells with the plasmids containing the H and L cDNAs and the plasmid pAdD26SVp-(A)-3 carrying the mouse dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) gene. A plasmid construction in which we inserted a stop codon-containing sequence behind the hinge region of the H-chain cDNA sequence yielded immuno-competent F(ab')2 molecules upon transfection of COS or CHO cells. Our results indicate that not only lymphoid cells, but also non-lymphoid cells, are capable of synthesis and assembly of immunoglobulin chains that are immunologically fully competent.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Autocrine secretion of tumor necrosis factor under the influence of interferon-gamma amplifies HLA-DR gene induction in human monocytes.

Recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induced HLA-DR gene expression in both U937 and THP-1 human monocytic cell lines, although the former was only very weakly inducible. Combination of recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IFN-gamma resulted in a synergistic enhancement of DR mRNA and protein induction in both cell lines. TNF alone increased the constitutive expression of the DR gene in THP-1 cells. In the HLA class II-negative U937 cells, TNF used alone was not able to induce DR gene expression. Such a negative result was not due to a lack of TNF receptor expression in U937 cells, since TNF clearly induced HLA class I and TNF gene expression in this cell line. THP-1, but not U937, cells secreted TNF under the influence of IFN-gamma. Neutralization of TNF by a specific antibody decreased IFN-gamma-induced DR antigen expression in THP-1 cultures. These observations indicate that TNF is not able to directly induce DR gene expression, but rather amplifies ongoing expression of this gene, whether constitutive or induced by IFN-gamma. In the two cell lines tested, the level of DR inducibility under the influence of IFN-gamma used alone depended on a different inducibility of TNF secretion by IFN-gamma. Altogether, our observations indicate that TNF, whether exogenous or endogenously produced under the influence of IFN-gamma, amplifies DR gene expression in monocytes, a phenomenon that may provide to such antigen-presenting cells a selective sensitivity to the DR-inducing effects of IFN-gamma.

Drug Synergism↗
PubMed1988

Combined treatment of colon adenocarcinoma in rats with tumor necrosis factor and the interferon inducer ABPP.

It is well documented that the antitumor capacity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) can be enhanced by interferons (IFNs), notably IFN-gamma. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a combined treatment with TNF and the IFN-inducer 2-amino-5-bromo-6-phenyl-4-pyrimidinone (ABPP) on a transplantable colon carcinoma (CC531) in rats. The tumor was implanted under the kidney capsule of syngeneic rats; the tumors were removed a week after implantation and growth was assessed by weighing. The animals were treated with 1 microgram of TNF, given i.v. on days 0, 2, and 4; and with 250 mg/kg of ABPP, administered i.p. on days 0 and 1. The results of two separate experiments indicated that both TNF and ABPP had a significant inhibitory effect on tumor growth. Combined, the two agents were found to act additively. In the dosage used, TNF toxicity was mild, transient, and not influenced by ABPP.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Tumor necrosis factor increases the production of plasminogen activator inhibitor in human endothelial cells in vitro and in rats in vivo.

The vascular endothelium plays an important role in fibrinolysis by producing tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). The monokine tumor necrosis factor (human recombinant TNF) increased the production of PAI by cultured human endothelial cells from umbilical vein (twofold) and from foreskin microvessles (four to eight fold). This was demonstrated by titration of endothelial cell-conditioned medium with t-PA, by reverse fibrin autography, and by immunoprecipitation of [35S]PAI-1 by anti-PAI-1 IgG. TNF also induced a marked increase of PAI-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in the cells. The stimulation of PAI activity by TNF was seen at 4 U/mL and reached a maximum at 500 U/mL. Human recombinant lymphotoxin and interleukin-1 (alpha and beta) also stimulated the production of PAI activity, while interleukin-6 was ineffective. Separate additions of TNF or interleukin-1 (IL-1) at optimal concentrations (500 U/mL and 5 U/mL, respectively) resulted in a comparable stimulation of PAI production by endothelial cells. The simultaneous addition of both mediators resulted in an additive effect. The effect of TNF could not be prevented by the addition of polymyxin B or by anti-IL-1 antibodies. Therefore, it is unlikely that TNF acts through the induction of IL-1 secretion by endothelial cells. Two hours after a bolus injection of 250,000 U/kg TNF into rats, a fivefold increase in circulating PAI levels was found. In the next ten hours, the levels returned to normal. Blood platelets do not significantly contribute to the increase in circulating PAI, because the number of platelets did not change after TNF injection and the amount of PAI in blood platelets is not sufficient for several hours during an increase in PAI activity. The acute phase reactants, fibrinogen and alpha 2-antiplasmin in rat plasma, were altered little if any two to 24 hours after injection of 250,000 U/kg TNF. In vitro, TNF did not change PAI production by human and rat hepatocytes in primary monolayer culture. Therefore, it is most likely that vascular endothelial cells contribute to the increased amount of circulating PAI induced by TNF in vivo. This increase in PAI activity might decrease fibrinolysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

TNF: its potential as an antitumour agent.

Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) was discovered on the basis of its capability to induce necrosis of certain tumours in vivo. A brief overview is given of the pleiotropic effects of TNF on a variety of cells, either transformed cells or normal, diploid cells. Many transformed cells are killed by TNF, especially in the presence of interferon-gamma or inhibitors of transcription or translation. Various activities of TNF on normal cells have been studied, especially those on the endothelial system; these effects may be relevant to an understanding of its toxicity. TNF presumably acts by activation of phospholipase-A2. A number of genes are induced by TNF and, for example, many cells produce interleukin-6. The latter acts on B-cells, on T-cells, on bone marrow cells and, last but not least, on hepatocytes, which results in the synthesis of acute phase proteins. Although the toxicity of TNF, especially in the presence of interferon, limits its wide applicability, it can nevertheless lead to complete tumour curing in experimental animals. Reduction of its toxicity, e.g. by indomethacin treatment, opens new possibilities for TNF as an antitumour drug, alone or in combination with interferon.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Reduced tumour necrosis factor-induced cytotoxicity by inhibitors of the arachidonic acid metabolism.

The mechanism of tumour necrosis factor-mediated cytotoxicity was investigated by using various inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism. Phospholipase A2 inhibitors with different modes of action interfered with the cytotoxic action of TNF, whereas phospholipase C inhibitors did not. Neither cyclooxygenase nor lipoxygenase-blockers had a significant effect on TNF action. Experiments with scavengers of toxic oxygen radicals gave ambiguous results. The data obtained suggest the involvement of phospholipase A2 and arachidonic acid in the cytotoxic mechanism of TNF, but the exact role of these molecules is, however, still to be determined.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1987

Modulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha cytotoxicity in L929 cells by bacterial toxins, hydrocortisone and inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism.

L929 cells were incubated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the presence or absence of various inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism. The addition of either hydrocortisone or nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) decreased the cytotoxic effect of TNF-alpha but exogenously added arachidonate or linoleate, indomethacin and eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) were without effect. While it was found that TNF-alpha stimulated arachidonic acid release, no metabolites of this fatty acid could be evidenced. Cytotoxicity of TNF-alpha could also be decreased by the addition of either cholera or pertussis toxin. These results suggest that a GTP-binding protein is involved in the cytotoxic action of TNF-alpha. Arachidonic acid, released possibly by a phospholipase A2, might also play a role, but probably not via its conversion to known metabolites.

Arachidonic Acid↗