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Characterization of cloned mouse Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide by transient expression in COS-7 cells.

The mouse Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide transiently expressed in COS-7 cells caused sodium-dependent uptake of [3H]taurocholic acid with Km and Vmax values of 18 microM and 102 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. This Km value is comparable to that for rat NTCP and higher than that for human NTCP. Substrate specificity was evaluated by measuring inhibitory effects of unlabeled bile acids on [3H]taurocholic acid transport.

Animals↗

PADGEM-dependent adhesion of platelets to monocytes and neutrophils is mediated by a lineage-specific carbohydrate, LNF III (CD15).

PADGEM (platelet activation-dependent granule-external membrane protein) is a leukocyte receptor of activated platelets that mediates cellular adhesion of platelets to neutrophils and monocytes. To identify the natural ligand on neutrophils and monocytes that interacts with PADGEM, we have evaluated anti-leukocyte antibodies for their ability to block leukocyte-PADGEM binding. Only anti-CD15 antibodies were able to inhibit the binding of neutrophils, monocytes, HL60 cells, and U937 cells to platelets. Anti-CD15 antibodies inhibited the binding of U937 cells to PADGEM-expressing COS cells and to purified PADGEM incorporated into phospholipid vesicles. The CD15 antigen, lacto-N-fucopentaose III (Gal beta 1----4[Fuc alpha 1----3]NAcGlc beta 1----3Gal-beta 1----4Glc), inhibited the interaction of neutrophils or HL60 cells with platelets, whereas lacto-N-fucopentaose I did not; lacto-N-fucopentaose II demonstrated minimal inhibition. Lacto-N-fucopentaose III, and to a lesser extent lacto-N-fucopentaose II, but not lacto-N-fucopentaose I, inhibited the interaction of HL60 cells with COS cells transfected with PADGEM cDNA. CD15, lacto-N-fucopentaose III or Lex, is a component of the PADGEM ligand on neutrophils and monocytes.

Animals↗

Cloning and expression of a human ATP-citrate lyase cDNA.

A full-length cDNA clone of 4.3 kb encoding the human ATP-citrate lyase enzyme has been isolated by screening a human cDNA library with the recently isolated rat ATP-citrate lyase cDNA clone [Elshourbagy et al. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 1430]. Nucleic-acid sequence data indicate that the cDNA contains the complete coding region for the enzyme, which is 1105 amino acids in length with a calculated molecular mass of 121,419 Da. Comparison of the human and rat ATP-citrate lyase cDNA sequences reveals 96.3% amino acid identity throughout the entire sequence. Further sequence analysis identified the His765 catalytic phosphorylation site, the ATP-binding site, as well as the CoA binding site. The human ATP-citrate lyase cDNA clone was subcloned into a mammalian expression vector for expression in African green monkey kidney cells (COS) and Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) cells. Transfected COS cells expressed detectable levels of an enzymatically active recombinant ATP-citrate lyase enzyme. Stable, amplified expression of ATP-citrate lyase in CHO cells as achieved by using coamplification with dihydrofolate reductase. Resistant cells expressed high levels of enzymatically active ATP-citrate lyase (3 pg/cell/d). Site-specific mutagenesis of His765----Ala diminishes the catalytic activity of the expressed ATP-citrate lyase protein. Since catalysis of ATP-citrate lyase is postulated to involve the formation of phosphohistidine, these results are consistent with the pattern of earlier observations of the significance of the histidine residue in catalysis of the human ATP-citrate lyase.

ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase↗

Structure-activity function for binding and signaling in CHO-K1 and COS-7 cells expressing the cholecystokinin A receptor.

Key amino acids of the cholecystokinin (CCK) peptide for receptor binding are sulfated Y27, W30, D32, and F33-NH(2). Three-dimensional modeling showed that the CCK-A receptor (CCK-AR) antagonist devazepide penetrated into the transmembrane (TM) domains, whereas CCK was placed on the surface of the CCK-AR. Four types of rat CCK-AR cDNAs were transfected into CHO-K1 and COS-7 cells: normal CCK-AR cDNA transfected cells (wild type, WT); K120 substituted with V; K130V; and R352V. Binding of [3H]CCK-8 was observed in WT and K130V, but not in K120V and R352V. CCK caused Ca(2+) spiking in WT and K130V, whereas K120V and R352V had no effect. Three chimeras including the CCK-AR/3ibeta2 adrenergic receptor (beta2AR), 3Nibeta2AR, and 3Cibeta2AR were constructed. Two groups of point mutations in the CCK-AR3i were also made: Y252V, S274V, S281V, and S289V (non-phospho-acceptor Y or S); S260V, S264V, S271V, and S275V (phospho-acceptor S). WT and CCK-AR/3Cibeta2AR increased [Ca(2+)](i) in response to CCK; 3Nibeta2AR was vice versa. CCK failed to increase [IP(3)] in phospho-acceptor S to V without affecting binding. Non-phospho-acceptor S or Y to V showed normal response. Thus, Lys120 outside the TM2 and Arg352 outside the TM6 of the CCK-AR are amino acids interacting with Tyr[SO(3)H]27 and Asp32 of the CCK peptide for binding. Phospho-acceptor Ser groups in the CCK-AR 3Ni are amino acids for initiating cell signaling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of the functional soluble form of human fas ligand in activated lymphocytes.

Fas is a type I membrane protein which mediates apoptosis. Fas ligand (FasL) is a 40 kDa type II membrane protein expressed in cytotoxic T cells upon activation that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family. Here, we found abundant cytotoxic activity against Fas-expressing cells in the supernatant of COS cells transfected with human FasL cDNA but not with murine FasL cDNA. Using a specific polyclonal antibody against a peptide in the extracellular region of human FasL, a protein of 26 kDa was detected in the supernatant of the COS cells. The signal sequence of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor was attached to the extracellular region of human FasL. COS cells transfected with the cDNA coding for the chimeric protein efficiently secreted the active soluble form of human FasL (sFasL). Chemical crosslinking and gel filtration analysis suggested that human sFasL exists as a trimer. Human peripheral T cells activated with phorbol myristic acetate and ionomycin also produced functional sFasL, suggesting that human sFasL works as a pathological agent in systemic tissue injury.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Heterocomplex formation and cell-surface accumulation of hen's serum zona pellucida B1 (ZPB1)with ZPC expressed by a mammalian cell line (COS-7): a possible initiating step of egg-envelope matrix construction.

The egg envelope, referred to as zona pellucida (ZP) in mammalian eggs, is a fibrous and noncollagenous extracellular matrix surrounding vertebrate eggs, and composed of three to four homologous glycoproteins with a common ZP domain. In birds, a liver-derived ZP glycoprotein (ZP1/ZPB1) is transported through the bloodstream to ovarian follicles and joins the egg-envelope matrix construction together with the other ZP glycoproteins, such as ZPC and ZPD/ZPX2, both secreted from follicular granulosa cells. We report here that, through its ZP domain, ZPB1 specifically associates with ZPC, which might lead to the construction of egg-envelope matrix. The ZPB1 in laying hen's serum specifically bound to ZPC, but not to ZPX2, separated by SDS-PAGE and blotted on a membrane. Hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged ZPC expressed in a mammalian cell line (COS-7) cells was processed and secreted as a mature-form into the culture medium. From the culture supernatant of ZPC-expressing transfectants cultured in the presence of ZPB1, both ZPB1 and ZPC were recovered as heterocomplexes by immunoprecipitation using either anti-HA or anti-ZPB1 antibody. Interestingly, a monoclonal antibody, 8E1, which immunoprecipitated free ZPB1, did not immunoprecipitate the ZPB1-ZPC heterocomplexes. An 8E1 epitope was mapped on a C-terminal region of the ZP domain in a ZPB1 molecule by identifying an 8E1-positive peptide using mass spectroscopy. Furthermore, by laser scanning confocal microscopy, ZPB1 and ZPC were observed to colocalize on the surface of ZPC-expressing transfectants cultured in the presence of ZPB1, whereas almost no ZPC was detected on the surface of the transfectants cultured in the absence of ZPB1. Taken together, these results suggest that ZPB1 transported into ovarian follicles encounters and associates with ZPC secreted from granulosa cells, resulting in the formation of heterocomplexes around an oocyte. In addition, it appears that such ZPB1-ZPC complexes accumulated on the oocyte surface act as a scaffold for subsequent matrix construction events including ZPX2 association.

Animals↗

Blockade by SB203580 of Cyp1a1 induction by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and the possible mechanism: possible involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in shuttling of Ah receptor overexpressed in COS-7 cells.

A transiently overexpressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) became translocated into the nucleus of COS-7 cells without treatment with any ligand, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. This spontaneous AhR translocation into the nucleus was reduced by pretreatment of the recipient cells with the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor SB203580. Immunofluorescent microscopic analysis revealed that SB203580 treatment increased the fluorescence intensity of AhR within the cytoplasm. An analogue compound, SB202474, which does not inhibit p38 MAP kinase, did not reduce AhR translocation into the nucleus. Moreover, a reporter gene assay showed that the AhR spontaneously translocated into the nucleus activated reporter gene transcription and that SB203580 suppressed its transcriptional activity. From these data we conclude that the p38 MAP kinase pathway is involved in determining AhR cellular localization in COS-7 cells overexpressing AhR.

Animals↗

Treatment of COS-7 cells with proteasome inhibitors or gamma-interferon reduces the increase in caspase 3 activity associated with staurosporine-induced apoptosis.

Proteasomes play a major role in intracellular protein degradation and have been implicated in apoptosis. In this study we have investigated proteasome activity and the effects of inhibition of proteasomes or modulation of proteasome complexes on staurosporine-induced apoptosis in COS-7 cells. Staurosporine treatment of COS-7 cells had little direct effect on proteasome activity and did not cause dissociation of 26S proteasomes. There was also no major redistribution of proteasomes accompanying apoptosis in COS-7 cells. However, when the cells were pretreated with proteasome inhibitors, both the caspase 3 activity of the cells and the percentage of apoptotic cells measured by the TUNEL assay were reduced compared to staurosporine-treated cells, which had no inhibitor added. Proteasome inhibitors were also found to reduce the activation of caspase 3 in living cells which was assayed using a FRET-based method. However, proteasome inhibitors did not prevent some of the morphological changes associated with staurosporine-induced apoptosis. Pretreatment of cells with gamma-interferon, which increases immunoproteasomes and PA28 complexes and reduces 26S proteasome levels, had an antiapoptotic effect. These results are consistent with a role for 26S proteasomes in regulating the activation of caspase 3 through the degradation of key regulatory proteins.

Animals↗

Recombinant expression of the brush border myosin I heavy chain.

Although the specific functions of myosin I motors are not known, their localization to membrane structures suggests a function in membrane motility. Different myosin I isoforms in the same cell or in different cells can possess different localizations. To determine if the localization and biochemical activity of the best-characterized mammalian myosin I, chicken intestinal epithelium brush border myosin I, was dependent on determinants of the membrane or actin cytoskeleton specific to epithelial cells, we transfected the cDNA for the heavy chain of this myosin into COS cells. Transient transfection of COS cells with the chicken brush border myosin heavy chain resulted in the production of recombinant myosin I. Recombinant brush border myosin I localized to protrusions of the plasma membrane, particularly at spreading edges, and also to unknown cytoplasmic structures. Some cells expressing particularly high levels of brush border myosin I possessed a highly irregular surface. Recombinant brush border myosin I purified from COS cells bound to actin filaments in an ATP-dependent manner and decorated actin filaments to form a characteristic appearance. The recombinant myosin also catalyzed calcium-sensitive, actin-activated MgATPase activity similar to that of the native enzyme. Thus, any cellular factor required for the general membrane localization or biochemical activity of brush border myosin I is present in COS cells as well as intestinal epithelium.

Actins↗

[The expression and analysis of its activity of anti-bacterial peptide gloverin in COS-7 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and analysis of its activity of anti-bacterial peptide gloverin in COS-7 cells. METHODS: The appearance frequency of all genetic codes in the cDNA sequence from the same species of protein Attacin A was analyzed, and its cDNA sequence was synthesized by PCR overlapping extension method in conjunction with the designation of the known protein sequence of gloverin. The genes were inserted into pCDSI, an eukaryotic vector, after being identified correctly. As a result, the vector pBZHG was constructed. Thereafter, the liposome FuGENE( trade mark ) 6 was employed as the vector, and the COS-7 cells were transfected with liposome pBZHG and blank vector pCDSI. The normal cells were taken as the control. The supernatant was collected for the detection of its bactericidal activity after 72 PBHs. RESULTS: The gloverin cDNA sequence designed artificially was expressed in COS-7 cells. The supernatant of the cells transfected by pBZHG exhibited bactericidal activity to E. coli J5 when compared with that from normal cells and in cells transfected with blank vectors. CONCLUSION: The designed cDNA sequence of gloverin was proved to be genuine, and it provided the basis for future study of its antibiotic and anti-endotoxin activities.

Animals↗

Removal of xenoreactive human anti-pig antibodies by absorption on recombinant mucin-containing glycoproteins carrying the Gal alpha1,3Gal epitope.

BACKGROUND: The hyperacute rejection caused by preformed natural antibodies in the recipient species reacting with donor species endothelial antigens is one of the major obstacles preventing routine use of clinical xenotransplantation. Based on the known structure and biosynthetic pathway of the major porcine xenoantigen, Gal alpha1,3Gal, we developed a novel strategy aimed at specific removal of human, natural anti-pig antibodies. METHODS: Cotransfection of COS cells with expression plasmids encoding a secreted mucin/immunoglobulin chimera and the porcine alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase facilitated simple immunoaffinity purification of a highly Gal alpha1,3Gal-substituted mucin/immunoglobulin fusion protein from transfected cell supernatants. RESULTS: Cotransfection of COS cells resulted in a mucin/Ig concentration in the supernatants ranging from 150 to 200 ng/ml. Approximately 300 ng of mucin/Ig chimeras absorbed onto 50 microl of packed anti-mouse IgG agarose beads could completely remove cytotoxic human anti-pig antibodies from 1 ml of human AB serum, as estimated in porcine endothelial cell cytotoxicity assays. Purified human IgG, IgM, and IgA all bound porcine endothelium, but only IgG and IgM were cytotoxic in the presence of rabbit complement. When the cytotoxicity of human IgG at 8 mg/ml and IgM at 1 mg/ml was completely removed by absorption on the mucin/Ig chimera, the binding to porcine endothelium was only partly reduced. Antibodies mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against porcine endothelium were also absorbed, indicating the importance of Gal alpha1,3Gal epitopes for this effect. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the construction and production of a new and effective Gal alpha1,3Gal-substituted, mucin domain-containing absorber that can be used in a pretransplant extracorporeal immunoabsorption setting to remove anti-pig antibodies involved in antibody-dependent, complement- and cell-mediated cytotoxicity of pig endothelial cells.

Absorption↗

Coactivation of an endogenous progesterone receptor by TIF2 in COS-7 cells.

Transfection experiments, a powerful tool to study the function of steroid hormone receptors and their coregulators, are often performed in COS-7 cells, because of high transfection efficiencies and expression levels. Here we report on the presence in COS-7 cells of an endogenous steroid hormone receptor, which is highly responsive to progesterone and the synthetic steroids R1881 and ORG2058, but not to 5 alpha-DHT. A 10-fold excess of the progesterone antagonist RU486 abolishes the stimulation by progesterone, while cotransfection with the coactivator TIF2 increases its activity 6- to 7-fold. A comparison of the ligand specificity with transfected androgen or progesterone receptors indicates that the endogenous receptor is a progesterone receptor. Its presence is confirmed by steroid-binding experiments, RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis. Consequently, progesterone receptor function may be studied conveniently in COS-7 cells without cotransfection of receptor, but the endogenous receptor may interfere in studies of ligand specificity and coactivation of cotransfected receptors.

Animals↗

A minidystrophin-EGFP fusion gene expressed in Cos-7 cells mediated by human source vector.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a human source vector containing minidystrophin-EGFP fusion gene and investigate its expression in Cos-7 cells. METHODS: The recombinant human source vector named pHrnDysG was constructed with PCR-clone methods. Three fragments of dystrophin gene were PCR amplified from normal human dystrophin gene cDNA (GenBank NM04006). These three fragments were ligated to generate a minidystrophin gene. The enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene was fused to the C terminal of the minidystrophin gene, and then the pHrnDysG was finally obtained by cloning the fusion gene to pHrneo. Fluorescence microscope and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of minidystrophin-EGFP fusion gene after the recombinant construct was transfected into Cos-7 cells by lipofectamine. RESULTS: Restrictive enzyme digestion analysis and sequencing confirmed that pHrnDysG vector was constructed successfully. After the recombinant pHrnDysG was transfected to Cos-7 cells, RT-PCR demonstrated that the fusion gene was successfully transcribed, and the green fluorescence was observed at the cell membrane. CONCLUSION: The minidystrophin-EGFP fusion gene mediated by pHrneo vector could express in Cos-7 cells and its products' localization in the cell membrane was the same as that of full length dystrophin. These results suggested that the recombinant human source vector pHrnDysG might be potentially used in studies on the gene therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Animals↗

The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein facilitates assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins and decreases cotranslational degradation of apolipoprotein B in transfected COS-7 cells.

We studied the role of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) in the synthesis, secretion, and cotranslational degradation of apolipoprotein (apo) B using nonhepatic COS-7 cells that expressed C-terminally truncated forms of apoB (from apoB15 to apoB94) with or without the large subunit of human MTP. With the exception of apoB15 and apoB18, secretion of all of the apoB forms was stimulated by expression of MTP, even though a small amount of short apoB forms (</=apoB48) could be secreted by cells transfected with apoB alone. The majority of the apoB protein, including apoB72 and apoB94, was secreted as high density lipoprotein (1.08-1.17 g/ml). Pulse-chase experiments revealed that the secretion efficiency of apoB94 and apoB72 was low (ranging from 2 to 12%). The failure to secrete buoyant lipoproteins and the low secretion efficiency were associated with insufficient lipid synthesis by the cells. The incorporation of [3H]oleate into cellular triglyceride and phosphatidylcholine by COS cells over a 2-h period was 28 and 38%, respectively, of that by rat hepatoma (McA-RH7777) cells. In addition to the desired full-length apoB, cells transfected with large constructs (>/=apoB60) also produced smaller species with a size of approximately220 kDa (designated B48-like protein). Coexpression with MTP decreased formation of the B48-like proteins by 40-60%. The reduction in B48-like protein formation was specific to MTP expression; coexpression with other proteins (e.g. apoA-I or apoB15) did not alter B48-like protein production. Kinetic analysis suggested that B48-like proteins were produced concurrently (cotranslational) with the full-length apoB94 and apoB72 and were not products of post-translational degradation. Although some of the B48-like proteins might be derived from truncated species (approximately 7 kb in size) of apoB mRNA that were found in cells transfected with large apoB constructs, MTP coexpression did not affect the relative levels of the aberrant 7-kb RNA with respect to the full-length mRNA. However, coexpression of MTP decreased the accessibility of apoB to exogenous trypsin by 2-fold for apoB72 and by 10-fold for apoB94 in isolated microsomes. Thus, the reduced B48-like protein formation by MTP may be a consequence of attenuated cotranslational degradation during apoB translocation across the ER membrane. Formation of B48-like proteins was insensitive to N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal, a cysteine protease inhibitor known to block post-translational degradation of apoB. These results indicate that MTP facilitates the assembly and secretion of lipoproteins containing apoB and also attenuates the formation of B48-like proteins, probably by assisting apoB translocation across the ER membrane.

Animals↗

Human Kv1.6 current displays a C-type-like inactivation when re-expressed in cos-7 cells.

The human Kv1.6K(+) channel was functionally re-expressed in COS-7 cells at different levels. Voltage-activated K(+) currents are recorded upon cell membrane depolarization independently of the level of Kv1.6 expression. The current acquires a fast inactivation when Kv1.6 expression is increased. Inactivation was not affected by divalent cations or by extracellular tetraethylammonium. We have characterized the inactivation properties in biophysical terms. The fraction of inactivated current and the kinetics of inactivation are increased as the cell becomes more depolarized. Inactivated current can be reactivated according to a bi-exponential function of time. Additional experiments indicate that Kv1.6 inactivation properties are close to those of a conventional C-type inactivation. This work suggests that the concentration of Kv1.6 channel in the cell membrane strongly modulates the kinetic properties of Kv1.6-induced K(+) current. The physiological implications of these modifications are discussed.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Degradation of heterotrimeric Galpha(o) subunits via the proteosome pathway is induced by the hsp90-specific compound geldanamycin.

One mechanism utilized by cells to maintain signaling pathways is to regulate the levels of specific signal transduction proteins. The compound geldanamycin (GA) specifically interacts with heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) complexes and has been widely utilized to study the role of hsp90 in modulating the function of signaling proteins. In this study, we used GA to demonstrate that levels of heterotrimeric Galpha subunits can be regulated through interactions with hsp90. In a dose-dependent manner, GA significantly reduced the steady state levels of endogenous Galpha(o) expression in two cell lines (PC12 and GH3) and had a similar effect on Galpha(o) transiently expressed in COS cells. Galpha(o) synthesis and degradation was studied in PC12 cells and in transiently transfected COS cells. (35)S labeling followed by immunoprecipitation demonstrated no effect of GA on the rate of Galpha(o) synthesis, but GA accelerated degradation of Galpha(o) in both PC12 cells and COS cells. The use of inhibitors, including lactacystin (a proteosome-specific inhibitor), suggests that Galpha(o) is predominantly degraded through the proteosome pathway. In vitro translated (35)S-labeled Galpha(o) could be detected in hsp90 immunoprecipitates, and this interaction did not require N-terminal myristoylation. Taken together, these results suggest that heterotrimeric Galpha(o) subunits are protected from degradation by interaction with hsp90 and that the interaction of Galpha subunits with heat shock proteins may be a general mechanism for regulating Galpha levels in the cell.

Animals↗

MPP+ toxicity and plasma membrane dopamine transporter: study using cell lines expressing the wild-type and mutant rat dopamine transporters.

The Parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) causes specific cell death in dopaminergic neurons after accumulation by the dopamine transporter (DAT). COS cells, a non-neuronal cell line insensitive to high doses of MPP+, becomes sensitive to MPP+ when transfected with the rat DAT cDNA. We analyzed the bi-directional transport of MPP+ and its toxicity in several cell lines expressing wild or mutant DATs. Cell death in COS cells expressing wild DAT by exposure to MPP+ was concentration-dependent and cocaine-reversible. Increased wild DAT expression caused higher sensitivities to the toxin in HeLa cells. Although several mutant DATs demonstrated greater transport activity than the wild-type, they displayed similar or lower sensitivity to MPP+ toxicity. Reverse transport of preloaded [3H]MPP+ through DAT was facilitated in COS cells expressing certain mutant DATs, which consistently displayed less sensitivity to MPP+ toxicity. These results suggest that re-distribution of MPP+ due to influx/efflux turnover through the transporter is a key factor in MPP+ toxicity.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium↗

Sickle reticulocytes adhere to VCAM-1.

Adherence of sickle (SS) erythrocytes to endothelial cells represents interactions between red blood cell (RBC) and endothelial cell surface molecules. To enhance our understanding of the ligands involved, we transfected COS cells with the cDNAs of two endothelial cell adhesion molecules, VCAM-1 and E-selectin, and measured the binding of normal and sickle RBCs after static incubation. The percentage of COS cells with rosettes (five or more adherent RBCs) was determined. Normal RBCs did not adhere to VCAM-1-transfected COS cells. Unfractionated SS RBCs formed rosettes on the VCAM-1-transfected COS cells (mean +/- SD, 5.85% +/- 4.98%). Low-density SS RBCs were more adherent than high-density SS RBCs (P < .005). The adherent SS RBCs were a young reticulocyte population, staining positively for transferrin receptor. Another measure of reticulocyte age, RNA content, also correlated with adherence. SS RBC binding was specific--inhibitable by antibodies to either VCAM-1 or the alpha 4 integrin chain of VLA-4. In contrast, there was no significant adherence of normal or SS RBCs to E-selectin-transfected COS cells. These results suggest that young reticulocytes bind to endothelial cell VCAM-1 via VLA-4 integrin.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗