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Biomedical subjects

Z A Cohn

Publications and source records attributed to Z A Cohn.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

The membrane proteins of the vacuolar system I. Analysis of a novel method of intralysosomal iodination.

A method has been developed to deliver an idoinating system into the confines of the phagolysosome, allowing us to study the nature of the phagolysosomal membrane. Lactoperoxidase (LPO) is covalently coupled to carboxylated latex spheres (LPO-latex) in a stable, enzymatically active form. The addition of LPO-latex to cultured macrophages leads to their rapid attachment, ingestion, and enclosure in a plasma membrane-derived phagocytic vacuole. These organelles rapidly fuse with preexisting lysosomes and are converted to phagolysosomes (PL) that demonstrates both acid phosphatase and lactoperoxidase activities. The exposure of LPO-latex containing cells to 125I- and an extracellular peroxide-generating system, glucose oxidase-glucose, at 4 degrees C leads to incorporation of label into TCA-precipitable material. The incorporated cel-associated label was present as monoiodotyrosine, and negligible amounts were found in lipids. Cell viability remained > 99%. Autoradiography at both the light and EM level revealed that > 97% of the cells were labeled, and quantitative analysis demonstrated the localization of grains to LPO-latex containing PL. PL were separated on sucrose gradients, and their radiolabel was confined almost exclusively to the membrane rather than soluble contents. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the peptides iodinated from within PL demonstrated at least 24 species with molecular weights ranging from 12,000 to 250,000. A very similar group of proteins was identified on the plasma membrane (PM) after surface iodination, and on latex phagosomes derived from iodinated PM. No novel proteins were detected in PL, either immediately after phagosome-lysosome fusion or after 1 h of intracytoplasmic residence. We conclude that the membrane proteins accessible to LPO-catalyzed iodination on the luminal surface of the PL and on the external face of the PM are similar, if not identical.

Animals↗

The membrane proteins of the vacuolar system. II. Bidirectional flow between secondary lysosomes and plasma membrane.

Lactoperoxidase covalently coupled to latex spheres (LPO-latex) has been used to selectively iodinate the phagolysome (PL) membrane within living macrophages, as discussed in the accompanying article. This procedure labeled approximately 24 polypeptides in the PL membrane; these were similar to those iodinatable on the external surface of the plasma membrane (PM). We now report on the translocation and fate of these proteins when the cells are returned to culture. TCA-precipitable radioactivity was lost from cells with biphasic kinetics. 20-50% of the cell-associated radiolabel was rapidly digested (t 1/2 approximately equal to 1 h) and recovered in the culture medium as monoiodotyrosine. 50-80% of the label was lost slowly from cells ( 1/2 approximately equal to 24-30 h). Quantitative analysis of gel autoradiograms showed that all radiolabeled proteins were lost at the same rate in both the rapid and slow phases of digestion. Within 15-30 min aftr labeling of the PL membrane, EM autoradiography revealed that the majority of the cell-associated grains, which at time 0 were associated with PL, were now randomly dispersed over the plasmalemma. At this time, analysis of PM captured by a second phagocytic load revealed the presence of all labeled species originally present in the PL membrane. This demonstrated the rapid, synchronous centrifugal flow of PL polypeptides to the cell surface. Evidence was also obtained for the continuous influx of representative samples of the PM into the PL compartment by way of pinocytic vesicles. This was based on the constant flow of fluid phase markers into latex-containing PL and on the internalization of all iodinatable PM polypeptides into this locus. These observations provide evidence for the continuous, bidirectional flow of membrane polypeptides between the PM and the secondary lysosome and represent an example of a membrane flow and recycling mechanism.

Animals↗

Selective iodination and polypeptide composition of pinocytic vesicles.

We describe a method for the specific radioiodination of pinocytic vesicles (PVs) based upon the simultaneous endocytosis of lactoperoxidase (LPO) and glucose oxidase (GO). Initial experiments indicated that LPO was interiorized by the macrophage cell line J774 by fluid phase pinocytosis and without detectable binding to the plasma membrane (PM). Interiorization varied linearly with enzyme concentration and exposure time, was temperature dependent, and was undetectable at 4 degrees C. Employing EM cytochemistry, LPO activity was restricted to PVs after a 3- to 5-min pulse at 37 degrees C. These results formed the basis of the method for iodinating the luminal surface of PVs: 5-min exposure to both LPO and GO at 37 degrees C followed by washes and iodination (addition of 125I and glucose) at 4 degrees C. Enzyme-dependent incorporation of iodide into the polypeptides of both PV membrane and contents occurred. Several lines of evidence indicated that there was selective labeling of PV as opposed to PM. Iodination did not occur if the pinocytic uptake of LPO ad GO was inhibited by low temperature. EM autoradiography showed a cytoplasmic localization of grains, whereas a clear PM association was evident with surface labeling. LPO was iodinated only after PV labeling and was present within organelles demonstrating latency. After PV iodination, > 75% of several labeled membrane antigens could be immunoprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies only after cell lysis. In contrast, all labeled antigens were accessible to antibody on intact cells after surface labeling. The polypeptide compositions of PM and PV membrane were compared by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by quantitative immune precipitation using a panel of anti-J774 monoclonal antibodies. The electrophoretic profiles of iodinated proteins (15-20 bands) were strikingly similar in NP-40 lysates of both PV and PM iodinated cells. In addition, eight membrane antigens examined by immune precipitation, including the trypsin-resistant immunoglobulin (Fc) receptor and the H-2Dd histocompatibility antigen, were found to be iodinated to the same relative extents by both labeling procedures. We conclude that PV membrane is formed from a representative sample of PM polypeptide components.

Animals↗

Macrophage oxygen-dependent antimicrobial activity. I. Susceptibility of Toxoplasma gondii to oxygen intermediates.

A sensitive method for evaluating extracellular parasite viability was used to determine the in vitro susceptibility of virulent Toxoplasma gondii to selected oxygen intermediates. By acridine orange fluorescent staining criteria, toxoplasmas were resistant to up to either 10(-3) M reagent H2O2 or H2O2 generated by glucose-glucose oxidase. In keeping with a lack of sensitivity to H2O2, toxoplasmas contained endogenous catalase (5.7 x 10(-4) Baudhuin units/10(6) organisms). The addition of a peroxidase and halide, however, markedly accelerated killing and lowered the H2O2 requirement by 1,000-fold. In contrast, toxoplasmas were promptly killed after exposure to products generated by xanthine (1.5 x 10(-4) M) and xanthine oxidase (50 micrograms). The inhibition of this system's microbicidal activity by scavengers of O2- (superoxide dismutase) and H2O2 (catalase) indicated that although neither O2- nor H2O2 were toxoplasmacidal, their interaction was required for parasite killing. Quenching OH. and 1O2, presumed products of O2--H2O2 interaction, by mannitol, benzoate, diazabicyclooctane, and histidine, also inhibited toxoplasma killing by xanthine-xanthine oxidase. These findings suggested that O2- and H2O2 functioned in precursor roles and that OH. and 1O2 were toxoplasmacidal. The capacity of normal peritoneal macrophages to pinocytose an oxygen intermediate scavenger, soluble catalase, was also demonstrated. Appreciable extraphagosomal concentrations of catalase were achieved by exposing macrophages to 1 mg/ml of the enzyme for 3 h. Maintenance of high intracellular levels required constant exposure because interiorized catalase was rapidly degraded.

Acridine Orange↗

Macrophage oxygen-dependent antimicrobial activity. II. The role of oxygen intermediates.

The capacity of three populations of mouse peritoneal macrophages to generate oxidative metabolites (as judged by extracellular release of H2O2) was compared to their ability to influence the intracellular fate of virulent Toxoplasma gondii. Macrophages from normal mice released little H2O2 and allowed unrestricted multiplication of intracellular toxoplasmas. Cells from chronically infected, immune (IM) mice released 4 times more H2O2 and displayed microbistatic activity. In contrast, macrophages from immune-boosted (IB) mice released 25 times more H2O2 than normal cells and rapidly killed the bulk of ingested toxoplasmas within 1 h. When macrophage monolayers were exposed to scavengers of O2-, H2O2, OH., and 1O2, both the inhibition of intracellular toxoplasma multiplication by IM macrophages and the killing of toxoplasmas by IB macrophages were reversed. Depriving cells of glucose, which markedly reduced H2O2 release, resulted in similar reversal of IM and IB macrophage anti-toxoplasma activity. As judged by the effect of the individual oxygen intermediate scavengers, O2- and H2O2 appeared to serve as precursors for the key toxic agents which may include OH. and 1O2. Providing normal macrophages with an exogenous source of oxidative metabolites generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase, but not glucose and glucose oxidase, resulted in inhibition of intracellular toxoplasma growth. These findings suggest the presence of an oxygen-dependent antimicrobial system in mononuclear phagocytes beyond the production of O2- and H2O2, and indicate an important role for oxygen intermediates in macrophage resistance to the intracellular pathogen T. gondii.

Animals↗

The induction of macrophage spreading by factor B of the properdin system.

Unstimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages attached to a glass substratum responded to activated human factor B (Bb) of the properdin system but not to native factor B with rapid spreading and a concomitant increase in their apparent surface area. Excellent correlation of the distribution of Bb protein and cell-spreading activity was found upon purification of Bb by ion-exchange and molecular seive chromatography and alkaline polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 1.6 microgram of purified Bb was sufficient to induce spreading in 50% of 5 x 10(4) glass attached macrophages within 1-2 h at 37 degrees C. Treatment of Bb with di-isopropyl-fluorophosphate indicated that the intact catalytic site of the serine-proteinase Bb was required for the initiation of macrophage spreading. The involvement of factor B in the induction of rapid cell spreading could also be indirectly demonstrated in an autologous system in which F(ab')2 fragments of an antiserum to mouse B prevented mouse macrophages from spreading in response to complement-activated mouse serum. These experiments suggest a role for factor B and the alternative pathway of complement fixation in the localization of mononuclear phagocytes to areas of inflammation.

Animals↗

Identification of a novel cell type in peripheral lymphoid organs of mice. V. Purification of spleen dendritic cells, new surface markers, and maintenance in vitro.

Dendritic cells (DCs; 1) have been purified from mouse spleen in good yield. Spleen cell suspensions were floated on dense bovine plasma albumin (BPA) columns, and the low density fraction was adhered to glass (2). The adherent cells consisted of DCs and immature macrophages most of which eluted in a viable state from the culture dish after overnight incubation. The macrophages were then removed by selective rosetting with opsonized erythrocytes and recentrifugation on dense BPA. This protocol resulted in a purified DC fraction, containing 1--3 X 10(5) DCs/spleen, which was homogeneous and distinctive in its properties. All cells exhibited the phase contrast and transmission electron microscopy (EM) cytologic features that were previously described for freshly isolated adherent DCs. By scanning EM, most purified DCs exhibited a remarkable array of bulbous protrusions of varying length and shape, unlike any other lymphoid cell. All DCs expressed surface Ia and other major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-linked alloantigens. DCs, however, lacked surface Ig and T-cell antigens, and did not bind or interiorize opsonized erythrocytes. Purified DCs have been maintined in vitro for 3 days. Recovery of cultured purified cells was 70% or more of starting cell numbers. When [3H]uridine-tagged DCs were mixed with nonlabeled heterogeneous spleen cells, 70--80% of the labeled DCs were recovered as viable cells 2--3 days later. Purified DCs did not readhere to tissue culture surfaces and did not proliferate, even when cultured with mitogenic doses of concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. Finally, DCs did not change their cytologic or surface properties after 3 days of culture. These observations extend the evidence that DCs are a novel cell type and provide useful properties and techniques for their further study.

Animals↗

Extracellular cytolysis by activated macrophages and granulocytes. II. Hydrogen peroxide as a mediator of cytotoxicity.

When deprived of oxygen, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-activated macrophages no longer lysed P388 lymphoma cells. Both H2O2 release and cytotoxicity by BCG-activated macrophages and by granulocytes triggered with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were markedly inhibited when the glucose concentration in the medium was reduced to 0.03 mM or less, or if glucose were replaced with galactose. Catalase abolished PMA-triggered cytotoxicity by both types of effector cells, whereas superoxide dismutase had no effect. Ferricytochrome C reduced the cytotoxicity of BCG-activated macrophages, an effect which was largely reversed by superoxide dismutase. 10 drugs, thought to quench singlet oxygen and/or scavenge hydroxyl radical, did not affect cytotoxicity in this system. Neither azide nor cyanide reduced cytolysis, but there was marked inhibition by lactoperoxidase and iodide. This suggested that cytotoxicity was not dependent upon myeloperoxidase, and that lactoperoxidase may have diverted H2O2 from the oxidation of target cells to oxidation of substances in serum. Mouse erythrocytes, although sensitive targets, interfered with the cytolysis of lymphoma cells, probably by competition for H2O2. Starch particles with covalently bound glucose oxidase resembled macrophages in their spatial relation to the target cells and in the flux of H2O2 they generated from their surface, but were not expected to produce any other potentially toxic products. Such particles lysed lymphoma cells, and the lysis was prevented by catalase. Neither arginase nor thymidine appeared to be involved in cytolysis by BCG-activated macrophages under the conditions used. These findings demonstrated that release of H2O2 was both necessary and sufficient for cytolysis by BCG-activated macrophages and by granulocytes when pharmacologically triggered.

Animals↗

Extracellular cytolysis by activated macrophages and granulocytes. I. Pharmacologic triggering of effector cells and the release of hydrogen peroxide.

Lymphoma cells were rapidly lysed by activated macrophages and granulocytes in the presence of PMA. Release of 51Cr from lymphoma cells correlated closely with their destruction as viewed by scanning electron microscopy, and with reduction in the number of trypan blue-excluding cells. The standard assay involved 51 Cr release measured at 4.5 h, but injury appeared to be complete in 1 h. Of eight different types of effector cells tested, only those releasing abundant H2O2 in response to PMA were effective, that, is BCG-, C. parvum-, or casein-activated macrophages, or thioglycollate-elicited granulocytes. Normal macrophages, J774 cells, or macrophages elicited with thioglycollate broth or proteose-peptone were ineffective. BCG-activated macrophages and granulocytes caused 50% specific release of 51Cr from P388 lymphoma cells at E:T ratios between 1.4 and 4.5, and from mouse erythrocytes at E:T ratios of 0.017 to 0.025. 10 types of target cells varied widely in their susceptibility to lysis by reagent H2O2, with one-half maximal lysis occurring at H2O2 concentrations ranging from 3.63 X 10(-6) M to 3.85 X 10(-5) M. Effector cells were expected to generate approximately that much H2O2 during the period of injury. Susceptibility of the target cells to lysis by PMA-triggered granulocytes correlated closely with their sensitivity to H2O2 (r = 0.98). The membrane-active agents LPS and digitonin, which did not trigger H2O2 release, did not trigger cytotoxicity. The dose-response curve for triggering of H2O2 release by PMA was identical to that for triggering cytotoxicity. These results provided strong circumstantial evidence for the importance of H2O2 in extracellular cytolysis by activated macrophages and granulocytes when pharmacologically triggered.

Animals↗

Regulation of macrophage migration by products of the complement system.

Agents formerly shown to induce rapid macrophage spreading were examined for their ability to modify the migration of macrophages in the capillary tube assay. Products of the activation of the contact phase of blood coagulation as well as the purified component Bb, the large cleavage fragment of factor B of the alternative complement pathway produced a dose-dependent inhibition of migration. In addition, inflammatory macrophages elicited with either a lipopolysaccharide endotoxin or thioglycollate medium exhibited rapid spreading and inhibited migration, whereas resident cells did not. A close correlation existed, therefore, between enhanced spreading and inhibited migration under both in vitro induced and in vivo situations. Cleavage products of component C5 of the classical complement pathway enhanced macrophage migration and did not alter spreading. In mixtures of C5 cleavage products and Bb, the predominant peptide determined the outcome of the reaction. Factor B, a normal secretory product of macrophages, may represent a common substrate for several of the proteases that induce spreading, inhibit migration, and lead to the generation of the enzymatically active fragment Bb.

Ascitic Fluid↗

Fc-receptor variants of a mouse macrophage cell line.

Variants of the J774 mouse macrophage cell line that lack immunologically important membrane receptors were isolated. After mutagenesis, variants were selected in a metrizamide gradient that separated cells heavily rosetted with sheep erythrocytes (E) coated with rabbit anti-E IgG (EIgG) from poorly rosetted cells. Stable variants that exhibited altered binding were found with a frequency of <10(-7), and five clones were studied in detail. The variants failed to bind E opsonized with a monoclonal mouse IgG2b anti-E antibody but bound monomeric IgG2a normally when compared to the parental J774 line (K(a) 4 degrees C= approximately 1x10(8) M(-1); approximately 2x10(5) sites per cell). This demonstrates the independence of the receptor for mouse IgG2b complexes (FcRII) from the trypsin-sensitive receptor for mouse IgG2a monomer (FcRI). The variants bound an average of 10-15 EIgG per cell, compared to >20 per cell for J774. After trypsinization, three variants bound only three to five EIgG per cell; the J774 line was not affected by this treatment. Monomeric IgG2a could inhibit the binding of soluble rabbit IgG-antigen complexes to the variants but not to the parent line. Finally, E coated with IgM and complement (EIgMC) were bound poorly by all the variants, relative to the J774 parent. These results show that rabbit IgG complexes are bound by both FcRI and FcRII on mouse macrophages. The impairment of EIgMC rosetting in the variants suggests that the C3b receptor and FcRII are related.

Animals↗

Insertion and turnover of macrophage plasma membrane proteins.

The composition, insertion, and turnover of externally disposed proteins on the macrophage plasma membrane were analyzed. Cells labeled with [35S]methionine were incubated with the nonpermeant reagent trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid to introduce the trinitrophenyl moiety on free amino groups of externally oriented membrane proteins. The cells were then incubated with rabbit anti-dinitrophenyl IgG and the immune complexes formed with the trinitrophenyl-proteins were isolated from detergent lysates of the cells by using fixed Staphylococcus aureus as the immunoadsorbent. Proteins isolated by this method were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The interval between the release of newly synthesized proteins from ribosomes and their appearance at the cell surface, where they became accessible to trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, was studied in pulse-chase experiments. The "transit" time of four major membrane glycoproteins (48,000--310,000 Mr) ranged from 36 to 55 min and their appearance on the cell surface occurred in a relatively synchronous fashion. The turnover of most proteins of molecular weight above 50,000 was very slow (t1/2 greater than 80 hr) and was rather synchronous. Two exceptions were the 310,000 Mr protein, which was lost with a t1/2 = 21 hr, and a major glycoprotein (Mr 48,000), which exhibited more complex kinetics. Although the overall turnover of surface proteins was biphasic in nature, the rapid phase of protein loss was largely due to low molecular weight species.

Immunologic Techniques↗

Increased superoxide anion production by immunologically activated and chemically elicited macrophages.

We studied the capacity of cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages to generate superoxide anion (O(2-)), the initial product of conversion of oxygen to microbicidal species, during phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan or upon contact with the membrane-active agent phorbel myristate acetate (PMA). Macrophages from mice infected with Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) or injected intraperitoneally with thioglycollate broth or endotoxin, released up to 12 times more O(2-) than did resident peritoneal macrophages, depending upon the cell type and whether the stimulus was zymosan or PMA. There was little if any O(2-) release from resting (unstimulated) macrophages. The density of cells on culture dishes was an important variable since crowding of the dish markedly reduced the efficiency of O(2-) production. The enhanced O(2-) release of chemically elicited and infection-activated macrophages was noted after stimulation with a wide range of concentrations of PMA and zymosan, at all time points studied (up to 120 min), and with cells maintained for 140 rain to 16 days in culture. The O(2-) response of resident cells improved twofold to zymosan and ninefold to PMA during the first 3 days in culture. The capacity to release O~ appears to be limited to actively phagocytic cell types: murine macrophage-like tumor lines and cultured human monocytes released O(2-) when stimulated by PMA or zymosan, fibroblast and endothelial lines and embryo-derived cells did not. Activity of superoxide dismutase, which removes O(2-), was not detectable in culture supernates of any cell type, and thus, differences in detectable O(2-) could not be attributed to variations in the release of this enzyme. We conclude that the phagocytosis- associated respiratory burst is significantly enhanced in mononuclear phagocytes obtained ai~r chemical inflammation or BCG infection. Increased capacity to generate O(2-) and other oxygen radicals during phagocytosis could contribute to the improved microbicidal and tumoricidal activity of activated macrophages.

Animals↗

Trypanosoma cruzi: in vitro induction of macrophage microbicidal activity.

Normal, resident and inflammatory mouse peritoneal macrophages can be induced to display microbicidal activity against trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi by exposure to products from antigen-pulsed, sensitized spleen cell populations. Optimal macrophage microbicidal activity was achieved by constant exposure and daily renewal of the spleen cell factors. Macrophages obtained after an intraperitoneal injection of mild inflammatory agents were rapidly induced, displaying trypanocidal activity 24 h after exposure to the active spleen cell factor(s), and by 48 h, parasites were no longer observed. Resident peritoneal macrophages required 24 h longer for activation. Removal of the factor(s) before achieving complete disappearance of intracellular parasites led to resumed growth of the surviving organisms. The spleen cell factor(s) is effective when added either before or after exposure of the macrophages to trypomastigotes, and does not itself alter parasite viability. Dilution of the factor(s) up to 1:16 still results in significant trypanocidal activity. In vivo activated cells, obtained after a specific secondary challenge of animals infected with T. cruzi or Bacille Calmette-Guérin, lose their trypanocidal activity under in vitro conditions. This loss of activity can be prevented or restored by the addition of the active spleen cell factor(s). Induction of trypanocidal activity is also obtained with products from Concanavalin A- or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated normal spleen cells.

Animals↗

Bacille Calmette-Guérin infection in the mouse. Regulation of macrophage plasminogen activator by T lymphocytes and specific antigen.

High levels of plasminogen activator (PA) were induced in mouse peritoneal macrophages by infection with BCG, 2-6 X 10(7) viable organisms intravenously, followed 3-4 wk later by intraperitoneal challenge with purified protein derivative (PPD) 2 days before harvest. Macrophages obtained from infected animal without boosting showed little fibrinolytic activity, but challenge of Bacille-Calmette-Guèrin (BCG)-primed peritoneal cells with PPD in culture also enhanced macrophage PA 4- to 10-fold. Stimulation of macrophage PA by PPD depended on specifically sensitized thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes because it was abolished by pretreatment of BCG-primed peritoneal cells with anti-thy 1.2 antiserum and complement. A direct assay was developed in which nylon wool separated sensitized lymphocytes and PPD induced PA in macrophages from uninfected animals under defined conditions on 125I-fibrin. Enhanced macrophage fibrinolysis was proportional to concentration of PPD and the number of sensitized lymphocytes transferred. An indirect two-stage assay was also used to show that BCG-sensitized peritoneal cells released a soluble inducer of macrophage PA into the culture medium, after challenge with PPD. Induction of macrophage PA by PPD challenge in vitro made it possible to study the generation and activity of sensitized peritoneal lymphocytes at different stages of infection. Our results show that nonadherent peritoneal cells of BCG-infected mice provide a rich source of specifically sensitized lymphocytes and that macrophage activation is limited by continued availability of antigen, as well as sensitized lymphocytes. Induction of macrophage PA provides a sensitive, versatile, and rapid in vitro assay to study the role of lymphocytes and specific antigen in macrophage activation by BCG.

Animals↗