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Production of anti-endothelial cell antibodies by coculture of EBV-infected human B cells with endothelial cells.

Vascular endothelial cells are suspected of being the target of autoimmune processes seen in many connective tissue diseases and in systemic vasculitis as evidenced by the detection of circulating autoantibodies against endothelial cell antigens. In order to select B cells recognizing endothelial cells antigens, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected B cells, obtained from one patient presenting a systemic vasculitis, were cocultured with human endothelial cells concurrently with a human endothelial cell line (EC-pSV1 cells). This coculture consisted of a first step of expansion of B cells specifically selected by adherence onto human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The adherence of selected B cells was specific to endothelial cells because no rosette formation around control cells (HeLa cells or COS cells) was observed. Adherent B cells were cloned by limiting dilution by coculture onto EC-pSV1 cells and screened for anti-HUVEC antibody production by endothelial cell ELISA. An increase in anti-HUVEC antibody production of IgM isotype was detected by endothelial cell ELISA, peaking at Day 9 and remaining constantly elevated, relative to B cell expansion. Among 21 B cell lines producing IgM, 6 presented high levels of anti-HUVEC antibodies, whereas 1 of 52 B cells cloned without EC-pSV1 cells showed such antibody production. Anti-HUVEC antibody production and B cell proliferation were dependent on the presence of endothelial cells. Two of these 6 B cell lines produced antibodies directed against an endothelial cell antigen with an apparent molecular weight of 192 kDa as determined by immunoblotting analysis. Our results demonstrate that adherence of EBV-infected B cells to endothelial cells and further cloning by adherence can efficiently select anti-HUVEC antibody-producing human B cells and might help to define antigens potentially involved in autoimmune diseases.

Antibody Formation↗

Expression and functional analysis of murine B7 delineated by a novel monoclonal antibody.

The B cell surface molecule designated B7 has been shown to be expressed by activated human B cells and monocytes and to be a ligand for the CD28 and CTLA-4 molecules on T cells. B7/CD28 interactions can provide a second signal to T cells (in addition to occupancy of the T cell antigen receptor) that is needed for T cell activation. COS cells transfected with the mouse homologue of B7 have been demonstrated to provide a stimulatory signal to murine and human T cells. In this report we describe a rat anti-mouse B7 mAb designated 1G10. Scatchard and/or FACS analyses utilizing 1G10 demonstrated that B7 was not expressed on resting splenic T cells or B cells, but could be induced at high levels on B cells cocultured with a syngeneic I-Ak-restricted autoreactive T cell hybridoma. Furthermore, activation of B cells with dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP), a second messenger for class II MHC signaling, or with LPS induced the expression of B7 and the two agents showed additive effects. In contrast to B cells, freshly isolated mouse peritoneal macrophages constitutively expressed B7. Antibody-blocking experiments indicated that anti-B7 antibody partially inhibited T cell proliferative responses to primary antigenic stimulation but had no effect on the responses of previously activated T cells to antigenic restimulation.

Animals↗

Molecular identification of the human GABABR2: cell surface expression and coupling to adenylyl cyclase in the absence of GABABR1.

We have identified a gene encoding a GABAB receptor, the human GABABR2, located on chromosome 9q22.1, that is distinct from the recently reported rat GABABR1. GABABR2 structurally resembles GABABR1 (35% identity), having seven transmembrane domains and a large extracellular region, but differs in having a longer carboxy-terminal tail. GABABR2 is localized to the cell surface in transfected COS cells, and negatively couples to adenylyl cyclase in response to GABA, baclofen, and 3-aminopropyl(methyl)phosphinic acid in CHO cells lacking GABABR1. Baclofen action is inhibited by the GABABR antagonist, 2-hydroxysaclofen. The human GABABR2 and GABABR1 genes are differentially expressed in the nervous system, with the greatest difference being detected in the striatum in which GABABR1 but not GABABR2 mRNA transcripts are detected. GABABR2 and GABABR1 mRNAs are also coexpressed in various brain regions such as the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum. Identification of a functional homomeric GABABR2 coupled to adenylyl cyclase suggests that the complexity of GABAB pharmacological data is at least in part due to the presence of more than one receptor and opens avenues for future research leading to an understanding of metabotropic GABA receptor signal transduction mechanisms.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Prospects for insulin delivery by ex-vivo somatic cell gene therapy.

The principle of insulin delivery by ex-vivo somatic cell gene therapy involves the removal of non-B-cell somatic cells (e.g. fibroblasts) from a diabetic patient, and genetically altering them in vitro to produce and secrete insulin. The cells can be grown in culture and returned to the donor as a source of insulin replacement. Cells modified in this way could be evaluated before implantation, and reserve stocks could be cryopreserved. By using the patient's own cells, the procedure should obviate the need for immunosuppression and overcome the problem of tissue supply, while avoiding a recurrence of cell destruction. Ex-vivo somatic cell gene therapy requires an accessible and robust cell type that is amenable to multiple transfections and subject to controlled proliferation. Special problems associated with the use of non-B-cell somatic cells include the processing of proinsulin to insulin, and the conferment of sensitivity to glucose-stimulated proinsulin biosynthesis and regulated insulin release. Preliminary studies using fibroblasts, pituitary cells, kidney (COS) cells and ovarian (CHO) cells suggest that these challenges could be met, and that ex-vivo somatic cell gene therapy offers a feasible approach to insulin replacement therapy.

Animals↗

Follistatins neutralize activin bioactivity by inhibition of activin binding to its type II receptors.

Follistatin is an activin-binding protein, which inhibits activin bioactivity in several biological systems. In the present study it is demonstrated that preincubation of iodinated activin A with follistatin, purified from porcine follicular fluid, completely abolished the binding of activin to activin type IIA, IIB2 and IIB4 receptors, and consequently to activin type IB receptor, transiently transfected in COS cells. Binding of activin A to membrane proteins on the activin-responsive P19 embryonal carcinoma cells was also prevented by this follistatin preparation. The same results were obtained with a carboxy-terminally truncated form of follistatin (FS-288), which is only present in minor amounts in the purified follistatin preparation. Since FS-288 has a high affinity for heparan sulfate proteoglycans on the cell surface, we tested whether membrane-bound FS-288 presents activin A to the different activin receptors, thereby facilitating activin binding. FS-288 did bind to the cell surface of transfected COS cells, but inhibited the binding of activin A to its receptors IIA, IIB2 and IIB4. Furthermore, after addition of FS-288 to K562 erythroleukemia cells, the total binding of activin via cell surface-bound FS-288 was increased, whereas the binding of activin A to activin type II and type I receptors present on these cells was inhibited. These findings reveal that different forms of follistatin can neutralize activin bioactivity by interference with binding of activin to all known activin type II receptors, rather than that they inhibit the binding of the type I receptor to the activin/activin type II receptor complex. In addition, our studies indicate that cell surface-associated follistatin cannot present ligand to signalling receptors.

Activin Receptors↗

Human prothymosin alpha: purification of a highly acidic nuclear protein by means of a phenol extraction.

Human prothymosin alpha, virtually alone among proteins, is recovered from the aqueous phase of phenol-extracted cell lysates prepared from human myeloma cells or COS cells that were transfected with the human prothymosin alpha gene. This observation forms the basis for purification of the protein to homogeneity in two steps--phenol extraction followed by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels to remove residual contaminants consisting chiefly of carbohydrate and RNA.

Cell Line↗

Mutational analysis of the histamine H1-receptor binding pocket of histaprodifens.

Histaprodifens constitute a new class of histamine H(1)-receptor agonists. These ligands can be regarded as hybrid molecules, consisting of a histamine moiety linked at the two-position of the imidazole ring by a propyl chain to two phenyl rings, one of the characteristic features of several H(1)-receptor antagonists. To delineate the binding site of various histaprodifen-like ligands, we generated mutant histamine H(1) receptors, in which various amino acids, involved in the binding of either histamine or H(1)-receptor antagonists, were replaced by alanine. Wild-type and mutant H(1) receptors were transiently expressed in African green monkey kidney cells (COS-7) and evaluated for their interaction with histamine and various histaprodifens by [(3)H]mepyramine radioligand-binding studies and by nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) reporter-gene assays. Our data show that, within the histamine H(1)-receptor binding pocket, histaprodifens interact with both agonist and antagonist binding sites, resulting in high affinity histamine H(1)-receptor agonists.

Animals↗

5alpha-Reductase activity in Lycopersicon esculentum: cloning and functional characterization of LeDET2 and evidence of the presence of two isoenzymes.

The full-length cDNA (LeDET2) encoding a 257 amino acid protein homolog of Arabidopsis DET2 (AtDET2) was isolated in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). LeDET2 has 76% similarity with AtDET2 and structural characteristics conserved among plant and mammalian steroid 5alpha-reductases (5alphaRs). LeDET2 is ubiquitously expressed in tomato tissues with higher levels in leaf than in stem, root, seed and callus. When expressed in mammalian cells (COS-7), recombinant LeDET2 was active on substrates typical of mammalian 5alphaRs (progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione), but reduced at very low levels campestenone, the substrate described for AtDET2. Similar results were obtained with the expression in COS-7 of recombinant AtDET2 that showed 5alphaR activity for progesterone and not for campestenone. Recombinant LeDET2 was inhibited by several inhibitors of the human 5alphaRs and the application of an active inhibitor to tomato seedlings induced dwarfism and morphological changes similar to BR-deficient mutants. In tomato tissues, campestenone was 5alpha-reduced in leaf, stem and root homogenates, like progesterone and testosterone, while androstenedione was converted to testosterone, evidencing for the first time a 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in plants. Moreover, two separate 5alphaR activities with different kinetic characteristic and response to inhibitors were characterized in tomato tissues. The presence of two 5alphaR isoenzymes was demonstrated also in Arabidopsis using the det2-1 mutant, in which a residual 5alphaR activity for campestenone and progesterone was evidenced and characterized. Therefore, the existence of two isoenzymes of 5alphaR is probably characteristic of the whole plant kingdom highlighting the similarities between the animal and plant steroid biosynthetic pathways.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibodies induced in mice by a DNA-construct coding for the elastase of Schistosoma mansoni recognize the enzyme in secretions and preacetabular glands of cercariae.

A DNA-construct coding for the elastase of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni was prepared from adult S. mansoni worm RNA which was reverse transcribed into cDNA. The gene coding for the elastase was amplified using primers specific for the sequence of cercarial elastase and was cloned into a mammalian expression vector. Expression of the elastase gene at the transcriptional level was achieved for the first time in transfected mammalian cells (COS-7) and was also successful in muscle tissue of mice injected with the DNA-construct. These mice developed antibodies recognizing in Western blots the elastase from cercarial secretions. Also, these antibodies reacted in immunofluorescence tests with the preacetabular glands of cercariae, i.e. the site of origin for elastase. Thus, the DNA-construct induced the expression of elastase in mice and formation of antibodies that recognized the native antigen.

Animals↗

Hierarchy of T cell antigen receptor assembly.

The formation of partial complexes in an African green monkey kidney cell line (COS cells) has been used to examine assembly of newly synthesized T cell antigen receptor (TCR) chains. The identification of assembly interactions between multiple subunits and the formation of higher order subcomplexes has led to the development of a model for the hierarchy of subunit assembly leading to a complete TCR. These assembly interactions suggest likely nearest neighbour relationships in the assembling structure and probably reflect the quarternary structure of the TCR complex. This may be important when examining the association of other molecules with TCR proteins or when trying to discern structural components involved with signal transduction.

Animals↗

Efficient Fas-ligand gene expression in rodent liver after intravenous injection of a recombinant adenovirus by the use of a Cre-mediated switching system.

An adenovirus vector AxCALNFasL was constructed in order to transduce a gene for rat Fas-ligand, requiring co-expression of Cre recombinase for its expression. In the cosmid cassette, pAxCALNFasL, a stuffer DNA fragment flanked with two loxP sequences was placed between the promoter and Fas-ligand cDNA to prevent its expression in transfected 293 cells. COS-7 cells infected with AxCALNFasL alone did not induce apoptosis in cocultivated Jurkat cells, but the cells treated with AxCALNFasL and AxCANCre (an adenovirus expressing Cre recombinase with the CAG promoter) did. BALB/c mice injected with 10(9) plaque-forming units of AxCALNFasL and with different doses of AxCANCre, developed lethal acute liver failure. The number of the apoptotic hepatocytes increased dramatically with increased doses of injected AxCANCre, indicating that the level of transgene expression in the rodent liver appeared to be adjustable. Based on these observations, we conclude that vectors expressing a gene to produce cytotoxic substances can be constructed by the use of a Cre-mediated switching system. Our system also demonstrated that efficient expression of the toxic gene in the rodent liver was achievable by co-infection of adenovirus vectors carrying the target gene and Cre recombinase.

Adenoviridae↗

Cloning of the cDNA for human 12-lipoxygenase.

A full-length cDNA clone encoding 12-lipoxygenase (arachidonate:oxygen 12-oxidoreductase, EC 1.13.11.31) was isolated from a human platelet cDNA library by using a cDNA for human reticulocyte 15-lipoxygenase as probe for the initial screening. The cDNA had an open reading frame encoding 662 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 75,590. Three independent clones revealed minor heterogeneities in their DNA sequences. Thus, in three positions of the deduced amino acid sequence, there is a choice between two different amino acids. The deduced sequence from the clone plT3 showed 65% identity with human reticulocyte 15-lipoxygenase and 42% identity with human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase. The 12-lipoxygenase cDNA recognized a 3.0-kilobase mRNA species in platelets and human erythroleukemia cells (HEL cells). Phorbol 12-tetradecanoyl 13-acetate induced megakaryocytic differentiation of HEL cells and 12-lipoxygenase activity and increased mRNA for 12-lipoxygenase. The identity of the cloned 12-lipoxygenase was assured by expression in a mammalian cell line (COS cells). Human platelet 12-lipoxygenase has been difficult to purify to homogeneity. The cloning of this cDNA will increase the possibilities to elucidate the structure and function of this enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neuroantibodies: molecular cloning of a monoclonal antibody against substance P for expression in the central nervous system.

We present a strategy to study functional and/or developmental processes occurring in the nervous system, as well as in other systems, of mice. This strategy is based on the local expression of specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by cells of the nervous system. As an application of this strategy, we report the cloning of the anti-substance P rat mAb NC1/34HL. Functional substance P-binding antibodies were reconstituted from the cloned variable domains by using vectors for expression in myeloma cells. With these and other vectors a general system for the cloning and expression of mAbs under a series of promoters (of the rat VGF8a gene, the neurofilament light-chain gene, and the methallothionein gene) has been created. The activity of these plasmids was confirmed by expressing the recombinant NC1/34HL mAb in GH3 pituitary cells, PC12 pheochromocytoma cells, and COS cells. DNA from the described constructs can be used to target the expression of the NC1/34HL mAb to the central nervous system of transgenic mice. This procedure will allow us to perturb substance P activity in a controlled way in order to dissect its multiple roles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Association of GAD-65, but not of GAD-67, with the Golgi complex of transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells mediated by the N-terminal region.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is the enzyme responsible for synthesis of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid in neurons and pancreatic beta cells. It is represented by two isoforms, GAD-65 and GAD-67, which are the products of two different genes and differ substantially only at their N-terminal regions. GAD-65 is a dominant autoantigen in stiff-man syndrome and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In neurons and beta cells, GAD is concentrated around synaptic vesicles and synaptic-like microvesicles, respectively, as well as in the area of the Golgi complex. The mechanisms responsible for specific targeting of GAD to these organelles are not yet understood. The elucidation of the mechanism of subcellular targeting of GAD may be relevant to understanding its role as an autoantigen. In this study, the cloned genes for GAD-65 and GAD-67 were expressed separately in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and COS cells. While GAD-67 had a diffuse cytoplasmic localization, GAD-65 had a punctate distribution, with most of the immunoreactivity being concentrated in the area of the Golgi complex. A chimeric protein in which the 88 N-terminal amino acids of GAD-67 were replaced by the 83 N-terminal amino acids of GAD-65 was targeted to the Golgi complex, indicating that the N-terminal region of GAD-65 contains a targeting signal sufficient for directing the remaining portion of the molecule, highly similar in GAD-65 and GAD-67, to the Golgi complex-associated structures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The biosynthesis of neurotrophin heterodimers by transfected mammalian cells.

Prompted by the recent discovery that neurotrophins, which are known to be biologically active as noncovalently linked homodimers, can also be induced to form biologically active heterodimers in vitro, we have investigated the biosynthesis of neurotrophin heterodimers by transfected mammalian cells. When COS cells were cotransfected with expression plasmids for nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), or neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), the appropriate heterodimers were detected in the conditioned medium by immunoprecipitation and, in the case of NGF.NT-3, using a two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Heterodimer formation occurred predominantly intracellularly and did not require precursor cleavage, because heterodimers containing pro-NGF and pro-BDNF were detected in the conditioned medium. When rat C6 glioma cells or mouse AtT-20 neuroendocrine cells were cotransfected with expression plasmids for NGF and NT-3, NGF.NT-3 heterodimer was detected at levels comparable with those of homodimeric NGF and NT-3, indicating that heterodimer formation can occur at significant levels in a variety of cell types. These data provide evidence that NGF, BDNF, and NT-3 are capable of forming heterodimers when coexpressed in mammalian cells and suggest that such heterodimers are likely to be formed in vivo when a single cell expresses multiple neurotrophins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of bradykinin and endothelin-1 on the calcium homeostasis of mammalian cells.

Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores is a major event in the signaling cascade triggered by peptide hormone receptors. The transient rise in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is well characterized, but little is known about alterations of total cell Ca. Therefore we established a technique to determine changes in total cell Ca during hormone stimulation of 45Ca-loaded cells. Bradykinin and endothelin-1 reduced total cell Ca by up to 56% in HF-15 cells, COS-7 cells, and CHO K1 cells transfected with the rat B2 receptor cDNA. In Rat-1 cells and PC-12 cells, stimulation with endothelin-1 or bradykinin did not result in a net decrease in total cell Ca at physiological extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Decrease in total cell Ca was preceded by an increase in [Ca2+]i and blunting of the transient rise in [Ca2+]i by a Ca2+ chelator prevented the hormone-induced decrease in total cell Ca. Previous reduction of total cell Ca by one hormone suppressed the transient rise in [Ca2+]i induced by another. The data present evidence that the hormones bradykinin and endothelin-1 are capable of switching off the Ca(2+)-mobilizing signal transduction pathway in a cell by depleting intracellular Ca stores. This process is accompanied by a significant reduction of total cell Ca.

Animals↗

(-)-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol antagonizes the peripheral cannabinoid receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.

(-)-Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol ((-)-Delta9-THC) is the major active psychotropic component of the marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa. The membrane proteins that have been found to bind this material or its derivatives have been called the cannabinoid receptors. Two GTP-binding protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors have been cloned. CB1 or the neuronal cannabinoid receptor is found mostly in neuronal cells and tissues while CB2 or the peripheral cannabinoid receptor has been detected in spleen and in several cells of the immune system. It has previously been shown that activation of CB1 or CB2 receptors by cannabinoid agonists inhibits adenylyl cyclase activity. Utilizing Chinese hamster ovary cells and COS cells transfected with the cannabinoid receptors we report that (-)-Delta9-THC binds to both receptors with similar affinity. However, in contrast to its capacity to serve as an agonist for the CB1 receptor, (-)-Delta9-THC was only able to induce a very slight inhibition of adenylyl cyclase at the CB2 receptor. Morever, (-)-Delta9-THC antagonizes the agonist-induced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase mediated by CB2. Therefore, we conclude that (-)-Delta9-THC constitutes a weak antagonist for the CB2 receptor.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

Receptors for interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6-type cytokines use similar signaling mechanisms for inducing transcription through IL-6 response elements.

The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor for interleukin 10 (IL-10R) contains two box 3 sequence motifs that have been identified in the signal-transducing receptor subunits for IL-6-type cytokines and noted to be required for activating STAT3 and inducing transcription through IL-6-responsive elements. To determine whether the IL-10R has signaling functions similar to IL-6R in cells normally expressing these receptors, leukocytes of the B-, T-, and NK-cell lineages were treated with either cytokine. Both cytokines activated factors that bound to the sis-inducible element and included STAT1 and STAT3. The cell response to IL-10 characteristically differed from that to IL-2/IL-15, IL-4, and interferon gamma. The signaling capabilities of the IL-10R for activating specific STAT proteins and inducing gene transcription were defined by reconstitution of receptor functions in transfected tissue culture cells. COS-1 cells, co-expressing the human IL-10R and individual STAT proteins, confirmed a preference of the IL-10R for STAT3 and STAT1. Unlike many hematopoietin receptors, the IL-10R did not detectably activate STAT5. The IL-10R, together with reporter gene constructs containing different IL-6-responsive gene elements, reconstituted in hepatoma cells an induction of transcription by IL-10 that was comparable to that by IL-6. This regulation could not be appreciably modified by enhanced expression of STAT proteins. The similar actions of IL-10R and IL-6R on the induction of endogenous IL-6-responsive genes were demonstrated in hepatoma cells stably expressing the IL-10R. These receptor functions required the presence of the box 3 motifs, as shown by the analysis of the mouse IL-10R constructs containing progressively truncated cytoplasmic domains. The data demonstrate that the IL-10R, unlike other members of the interferon receptor family, is highly effective in recruiting the signaling pathways of IL-6-type cytokine receptors.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗