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Differential modulation of voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents by EGTA and BAPTA in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made to examine the effects of the Ca2+ chelators EGTA and BAPTA on the biophysical properties of voltage-operated Ca2+ currents in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Ca2+ currents in the presence of either EGTA or BAPTA over a concentration range of 0.1-60 mM were recorded under otherwise identical conditions. Analysis of current-voltage relationships yielded unexpected differences in several important parameters such as the voltage dependence of activation, kinetics, slope, and reversal potential, which seemed to be unrelated to the Ca(2+)-binding properties of these chelators. Increasing concentrations of BAPTA augmented the peak Ca2+ current amplitude while current amplitudes in the presence of EGTA remained constant over the entire concentration range tested. Increasing concentrations of BAPTA shifted the voltage sensitivity of Ca2+ currents by about 15 mV towards positive voltages. EGTA, over the same concentration range, did not affect the voltage sensitivity. The shift in voltage sensitivity observed with BAPTA was unrelated to its faster Ca92+)-binding kinetics, as it was also observed when substituting Ca2+ with Ba2+ as the charge carrier. The mechanism by which BAPTA affects Ca2+ channel voltage dependence also seems unrelated to kinase-mediated modulation of Ca2+ channels, since the protein-kinase-C- (PKC-) specific drugs bisindolylmaleimide and phorbol ester (PMA) neither mimicked nor prevented the action of BAPTA. The less specific kinase inhibitor staurosporine, however, augmented Ca2+ currents similarly to BAPTA, but without affecting the voltage sensitivity. The BAPTA-mediated shift in voltage sensitivity was partially suppressed by non-hydrolysable analogs of GTP (GDP[beta-S] and GTP[gamma-S]). Lowering [Mg2+]i mimicked the BAPTA-induced shift in voltage sensitivity and prevented further shifts in voltage sensitivity by BAPTA. The results demonstrate that BAPTA and EGTA, despite their similarities in terms of Ca2+ buffering, have disparate effects on the voltage dependence of Ca2+ channels and careful selection of the chelator is required to quantitatively assess Ca2+ currents.

Algorithms↗

The bidirectional upstream element of the adenovirus-2 major late promoter binds a single monomeric molecule of the upstream factor.

The adenovirus-2 major late promoter (Ad2MLP) upstream element (Ad2MLP-UE) contains a sequence of interrupted dyad symmetry. By inverting this element we have found that it functions in a bidirectional manner both in vivo and in vitro. Footprinting and binding kinetics studies have demonstrated that both orientations of the upstream element bind the sequence-specific upstream factor (UEF) in a similar fashion. These data strongly suggest that the dyad symmetric sequence is sufficient for fully functional binding of the UEF. Binding studies of the UEF to the Ad2MLP-UE indicate that, contrary to prokaryotic palindromic promoter elements which bind multimers of specific factors, the entire Ad2MLP dyad symmetric upstream element binds a single monomeric UEF molecule.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Analysis of haptoglobin and hemoglobin-haptoglobin interactions with the Neisseria meningitidis TonB-dependent receptor HpuAB by flow cytometry.

Neisseria meningitidis expresses a two-component TonB-dependent receptor, HpuAB, which mediates heme-iron (Hm-Fe) acquisition from hemoglobin and hemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes. Due to genetic polymorphisms in the human haptoglobin gene, haptoglobin (and hemoglobin-haptoglobin) exists as three structurally distinct phenotypes. In this study, we examined the influence of the haptoglobin phenotype on the interactions of HpuAB with apo-haptoglobin and hemoglobin-haptoglobin. Growth assays confirmed that HpuAB utilizes hemoglobin-haptoglobin more efficiently than hemoglobin as an Fe source and revealed a preference for human-specific, polymeric 2-2 or 2-1 hemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes. We developed a flow cytometry-based assay to measure the binding kinetics of fluorescein-labeled ligands to HpuAB on live, intact meningococci. The binding affinity of HpuAB for hemoglobin-haptoglobin phenotypes correlated well with the ability of each ligand to support Neisseria meningitidis growth, with higher affinities exhibited for types 2-2 and 2-1 hemoglobin-haptoglobin. Saturable binding of Hb and apo-haptoglobin suggested that HpuAB-mediated utilization of hemoglobin-haptoglobin involves specific interactions with both components. In contrast to previous studies, we detected binding of HpuB expressed alone to hemoglobin, apo-haptoglobin, and hemoglobin-haptoglobin of all three phenotypes. However, in the absence of HpuA, the binding capacity and/or affinity of the receptor was reduced and the dissociation of hemoglobin was impaired. We did not detect binding of HpuA alone to hemoglobin, apo-haptoglobin, or hemoglobin-haptoglobin; however, the lipoprotein is crucial for optimal recognition and use of ligands by the receptor. Finally, this study confirmed the integral role of TonB and the proton motive force in the binding and dissociation of Hb and hemoglobin-haptoglobin from HpuAB.

Apoproteins↗

Characterization of high-affinity [3H]TBZOH binding to the human platelet vesicular monoamine transporter.

The present study indicates that human platelets can be used as an accessible peripheral model not only for the plasma membrane serotonin transporter, but also for the vesicular monoamine transporter. The vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) is responsible for the accumulation of monoamines in the synaptic vesicles. VMAT2 differs from the plasma membrane transporters in its capability to recognize serotonin, histamine, norepinephrine and dopamine with almost the same affinity. Dihydrotetrabenazine (TBZOH) is a very potent inhibitor of VMAT2 that binds with high affinity to this transporter. [3H]TBZOH has been used as a ligand to label VMAT2 in human, bovine and rodent brain. In this study we characterized the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters of [3H]TBZOH binding in human platelets as compared to rat brain. The density (Bmax) and affinity (Kd) of [3H]TBZOH specific binding was assessed by Scatchard analysis. Association and dissociation rate constants (k(on), K(off)) were assessed by kinetic binding studies. In this study high-affinity and saturable binding sites for [3H]TBZOH were demonstrated in human platelets. Both the affinity of [3H]TBZOH to its binding site in platelets (Kd = 3.2+/-0.5 nM) and the kinetic rate constants (K(on) = 2.8 x 10(7) M(-1) min(-1); K(off) = 0.099 min(-1)) were similar to that in rat brain (Kd(striatum) = 1.5 nM; Kd(cerebral cortex) = 1.35 nM; K(on) = 2 x 10(7) M(-1) min(-1); K(off) = 0.069 min(-1)). Only the VMAT2 blockers tetrabenazine and reserpine inhibited [3H]TBZOH specific binding.

Animals↗

Exploring "one-shot" kinetics and small molecule analysis using the ProteOn XPR36 array biosensor.

A ProteOn XPR36 parallel array biosensor was used to characterize the binding kinetics of a set of small molecule/enzyme interactions. Using one injection with the ProteOn's crisscrossing flow path system, we collected response data for six different concentrations of each analyte over six different target protein surfaces. This "one-shot" approach to kinetic analysis significantly improves throughput while generating high-quality data even for low-molecular-mass analytes. We found that the affinities determined for nine sulfonamide-based inhibitors of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase II were highly correlated with the values determined using isothermal titration calorimetry. We also measured the temperature dependence (from 15 to 35 degrees C) of the kinetics for four of the inhibitor/enzyme interactions. Our results illustrate the potential of this new parallel-processing biosensor to increase the speed of kinetic analysis in drug discovery and expand the applications of real-time protein interaction arrays.

Biosensing Techniques↗

Kinetics of nitrobenzylthioinosine binding to the human erythrocyte nucleoside transporter.

The kinetics of [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine binding to human erythrocyte membranes was studied. The pseudo-first-order association was linear and consistent with a simple bimolecular reaction mechanism between nitrobenzylthioinosine and the nucleoside-transport mechanism. Dissociation of the [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine complex at 22 degrees C was also linear (apparent k-1 congruent to 0.20 min-1). Adenosine was a competitive inhibitor of equilibrium high-affinity [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine-binding activity (apparent Ki 0.1 mM). Dissociation of the [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine-membrane complex was faster in the presence of adenosine and uridine, and this effect was proportional to the nucleoside concentration. Nucleoside concentrations less than 1 mM had no significant effect on the dissociation rate constant. In contrast, dissociation was slower in the presence of high concentrations (micromolar) of dipyridamole. Low concentrations of dipyridamole (2-200 nM) and nitrobenzylthioinosine concentrations as high as 2.5 microM had no effect on the rate of [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine dissociation. These results are discussed in terms of possible distinct inhibitor and permeation sites, and are suggested to be consistent with both a single-site model for the binding of nitrobenzylthioinosine and permeant to the same site, or an allosteric-site model in which permeant and inhibitor bind to different sites.

Adenosine↗

Iron uptake and increased intracellular enzyme activity follow host lactoferrin binding by Trichomonas vaginalis receptors.

Lactoferrin acquisition and iron uptake by pathogenic Trichomonas vaginalis was examined. Saturation binding kinetics were obtained for trichomonads using increasing amounts of radioiodinated lactoferrin, while no significant binding by transferrin under similar conditions was achieved. Only unlabeled lactoferrin successfully and stoichiometrically competed with 125I-labeled lactoferrin binding. Time course studies showed maximal lactoferrin binding by 30 min at 37 degrees C. Data suggest no internalization of bound lactoferrin. The accumulation of radioactivity in supernatants after incubation of T. vaginalis with 125I-labeled lactoferrin and washing in PBS suggested the presence of low affinity sites for this host macromolecule. Scatchard analysis indicated the presence of 90,000 receptors per trichomonad with an apparent Kd of 1.0 microM. Two trichomonad lactoferrin binding proteins were identified by affinity chromatography and immunoprecipitation of receptor-ligand complexes. A 30-fold accumulation of iron was achieved using 59Fe-lactoferrin when compared to the steady state concentration of bound lactoferrin. The activity of pyruvate/ferrodoxin oxidoreductase, an enzyme involved in trichomonal energy metabolism, increased more than sixfold following exposure of the parasites to lactoferrin, demonstrating a biologic response to the receptor-mediated binding of lactoferrin. These data suggest that T. vaginalis possesses specific receptors for biologically relevant host proteins and that these receptors contribute to the metabolic processes of the parasites.

Animals↗

Kinetics of ligand binding and quaternary conformational change in the homodimeric hemoglobin from Scapharca inaequivalvis.

The kinetics of the reaction with oxygen and carbon monoxide of the homodimeric hemoglobin from the bivalve mollusc Scapharca inaequivalvis has been extensively investigated by flash and dye-laser photolysis, temperature jump relaxation, and stopped flow methods. The results indicate that cooperativity in ligand binding, already observed for oxygen at equilibrium, finds its kinetic counterpart in a large decrease of the oxygen dissociation velocity in the second step of the binding reaction. In the case of carbon monoxide, cooperativity is clearly evident in the increase of the combination velocity constant as the reaction proceeds. Therefore, the ligand-binding kinetics of this dimeric hemoglobin shows the characteristic features of the corresponding reactions of tetrameric hemoglobins. Analysis of the data in terms of the allosteric model proposed by Monod et al. (Monod, J., Wyman, J., and Changeux, J. P. (1965) J. Mol. Biol. 12, 88-118) has shown that the values of the allosteric parameters cannot be fixed uniquely for a dimeric hemoglobin. The rapid changes in absorbance observed at the isosbestic points of unliganded and liganded hemoglobin following laser photolysis provided a value of 7 X 10(4) S-1 at 20 degrees C for the rate of the ligand-free quarternary conformational change, postulated on the basis of cooperative ligand binding. Comparison of the rapid absorbance changes observed during ligand rebinding in this hemoglobin with those observed in tuna hemoglobin indicate that, at full photolysis, binding to the T state is followed by further binding and conversion to the liganded R state; at partial photolysis, population of the liganded T state occurs immediately and is followed by a decay to the liganded R state upon further ligand binding. These new results, in conjunction with previous equilibrium data on the same system, show unequivocally that the presence of two different types of chain is not an absolute prerequisite for cooperativity in hemoglobins, contrary to currently accepted ideas.

Animals↗

Effects of DNA and synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides on the binding properties of a cGMP-binding protein from Dictyostelium discoideum.

Previously, we identified a cGMP-binding protein (cGBP) in Dictyostelium discoideum that can exist in two forms: a fast-dissociating (F-type) activity and a slow-dissociating (S-type) activity. Moreover, the F-type activity was converted effectively to S-type by the addition of nucleic acids, especially DNA (Parissenti, A.M. and Coukell, M. B. (1989) J. Cell Sci. 92, 291-301). In this study, we examined the effects of heterologous DNA and various synthetic homo-oligodeoxyribonucleotides on the cGMP-binding properties of partially purified F-type activity. Equilibrium and kinetic binding experiments revealed that DNA increased the affinity of the protein for cGMP without altering the number of binding sites. However, the presence of DNA decreased only slightly the apparent Kd of the protein for cGMP because the nucleic acid also reduced the rate of cGMP association. Addition of oligo(dGMP)8 or oligo(dCMP)8 to the protein increased both total cGMP binding and the conversion of F-type activity to S-type; in contrast, oligo(dAMP)8 or oligo(dTMP)8, at the same concentration, had no effect. Oligodeoxycytidylic acids with chain lengths less than about eight nucleotides were also ineffective or inhibitory. Analysis of cGMP binding to intact, filipin-permeabilized cells revealed a binding activity with association and dissociation rates comparable to isolated S-type activity. This observation suggests that in vivo the cGBP might exist in its S-form.

Carrier Proteins↗

In vitro evaluation of 11C-labeled (S)-nicotine, (S)-3-methyl-5-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole, and (R,S)-1-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)azetidine as nicotinic receptor ligands for positron emission tomography studies.

The binding characteristics of the novel 11C-labeled nicotinic ligands (R,S)-1-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl) azetidine (MPA) and (S)-3-methyl-5-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole (ABT-418) were investigated in comparison with those of (S)-[11C]nicotine in vitro in the rat brain to be able to predict the binding properties of the new ligands for positron emission tomography studies in vivo. The data from time-resolved experiments for all ligands indicated fast binding kinetics, with the exception of a slower dissociation of [11C]MPA in comparison with (S)-[11C]nicotine and [11C]ABT-418. Saturation experiments revealed for all ligands two nicotinic receptor binding sites with affinity constants (K(D) values) of 2.4 and 560 nM and binding site densities (Bmax values) of 65.5 and 223 fmol/mg of protein for (S)-[11C]nicotine, K(D) values of 0.011 and 2.2 nM and Bmax values of 4.4 and 70.7 fmol/mg of protein for [11C]MPA, and K(D) values of 1.3 and 33.4 nM and Bmax values of 8.8 and 69.2 fmol/mg of protein for [11C]ABT-418. In competing with the 11C-ligands, epibatidine was most potent, followed by cytisine. A different rank order of potencies was found for (-)-nicotine, (+)-nicotine, MPA, and ABT-418 displacing each of the 11C-ligands. Autoradiograms displayed a similar pattern of receptor binding for all ligands, whereby [11C]MPA showed the most distinct binding pattern and the lowest nonspecific binding. We conclude that the three 11C-labeled nicotinic ligands were suitable for characterizing nicotinic receptors in vitro. The very high affinity of [11C]MPA to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, its low nonspecific binding, and especially the slower dissociation kinetics of the [11C] MPA from the putative high-affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding site compared with (S)-[11C]nicotine and [11C]ABT-418 raise the level of interest in [11C]MPAfor application in positron emission tomography.

Animals↗

Kinetics of CO binding to cytochromes P450 in the endoplasmic reticulum.

The kinetics of CO binding to cytochromes P450 in rat liver microsomes were examined using the flash photolysis technique. Modulation of the kinetics by P450 form-specific effectors such as anti-P450 monoclonal antibodies and substrates was used to elucidate the kinetic behavior of individual P450s within the endoplasmic reticulum. The problem of attributing a kinetic parameter to a single P450 in the presence of multiple microsomal P450s was overcome with a difference method that employs the difference of the kinetic profiles obtained in the presence and absence of a P450 effector. Applying this approach to study the conformation/dynamics of P450 2B1 in microsomes from phenobarbital-treated rats revealed that the substrate benzphetamine enhances while testosterone inhibits the rate of CO binding to this P450. Similar experiments with P450 1A1 in microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats showed that the substrate benzo[a]pyrene accelerates CO binding. These results show that the access channel between solvent and heme in the P450 interior can be altered in a substrate- and P450-dependent manner to either hinder or facilitate CO diffusion to the heme iron. These results also demonstrate that analytical difference methods may be employed to characterize the conformation of individual P450s in their native membrane environment in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗

Savignin, a potent thrombin inhibitor isolated from the salivary glands of the tick Ornithodoros savignyi (Acari: Argasidae).

A thrombin (E.C. 3.4.21.5) inhibitor, savignin, was isolated from the salivary glands of Ornithodoros savignyi by a combination of size exclusion, anion-exchange, and reversed-phase chromatography. The inhibitor has a molecular mass of 12,430.4 Da as determined by electrospray mass spectrometry. The behavior of savignin during anion-exchange chromatography indicated that it has an acidic pI. The available N-terminal sequence (residues 1-11) differed from that of ornithodorin with only one residue. Savignin inhibits thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, but has no effect on ADP- or collagen-induced aggregation. Kinetic studies indicated that savignin is a competitive, slow-, tight-binding inhibitor of alpha-thrombin (K(i) = 4.89 +/- 1.39 pM). Tight-binding kinetics showed that the inhibitor has a lower affinity for gamma-thrombin (K(i) = 22.3 +/- 5.9 nM). Plasmin, factor Xa, and trypsin are not inhibited by savignin.

Amino Acids↗

Molecular aggregation of the slow reacting hemolytic lysolecithin analog 1-octadecyl-2-benzyl-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine in aqueous solution.

An attempt has been made to relate the retarded adsoprtion to red cells of the slow reacting hemolytic phosphatide Rac. 1-octadecyl-2-benzyl-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (benzyl-lysolecithin) to its aggregation status in aqueous solution. Light scattering measurements indicate a critical micelle concentration at 37 degrees of less than 2 X 10(-6) M. The micellar weight as determined by angle dependent light scattering is 6 X 10(7) with about 97 000 molecules per micells. The aggregates, which according to electron-microscopic observations are more similar to lecithin-liposomes than to usual lysolecithin-micelles, undergo a phase transition at 14 degrees from a tightly packed liquid-crystalline state to the more loose structure of a gel phase with increased mobility of the aliphatic chains. The enthalpy of transition is 4.2 kcal/mole. These changes of the micellar structure are reflected in the binding kinetics of benzyl-lysolecithin to red cells in that the binding rate is rather constant below, but strongly increasing above the transition temperature. It is concluded that the unusual micellar structure is responsible for the retarded adsorption of this lysolecithin analog to red cells and that the rate of adsorption is probably determined by the rate of escape of single lysophosphatide molecules from the micelles.

Binding Sites↗

Reduction of cerebral cortical [3H]ouabain binding site (Na+,K(+)-ATPase) density in dementia as evaluated in fresh human cerebral cortical biopsies.

Na+,K(+)-ATPase density in human cerebral cortex was for the first time studied by vanadate facilitated [3H]ouabain binding to intact samples. Fresh human cerebral cortical biopsies were obtained as a result of diagnostic frontal lobe biopsy from patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) syndrome and associated dementia. For control measurements post-mortem samples were obtained from patients without clinically observed dementia. [3H]ouabain binding kinetics were evaluated: when incubating samples in 1 microM [3H]ouabain binding equilibrium was obtained after 6 h of incubation, non-specific uptake and retention amounted to only 2.3% of total uptake and retention of [3H]ouabain and release of specifically bound [3H]ouabain during washout in the cold occurred only slowly (T1/2 = 37 h). Evaluation of receptor affinity for ouabain was in agreement with a heterogeneous population of [3H]ouabain binding sites. [3H]Ouabain binding was significantly reduced after frozen storage of samples before measurements. Post-mortem degradation of cerebral [3H]ouabain binding sites occurred only slowly (T1/2 = 75 h). No significant variation in [3H]ouabain binding site density was observed between the cerebral lobes with occipital, parietal and temporal values (means +/- S.E.M., n = 5) amounting to 10281 +/- 649, 11267 +/- 1011 and 9263 +/- 615 pmol/g wet wt., respectively. [3H]Ouabain binding measured in frontal cortical samples gave values of (means +/- S.E.M., n = 5) 4274 +/- 1020 and 11397 +/- 976 pmol/g wet wt. delta % = 62; P < 0.05) in patients with dementia and controls, respectively. Human cerebral cortical capacity for active K+ uptake was around 37- and 16-fold greater than in skeletal muscular and myocardial tissue, respectively.

Aged↗

Structural and functional features in human PDE5A1 regulatory domain that provide for allosteric cGMP binding, dimerization, and regulation.

The cGMP-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE5) contains a catalytic domain that hydrolyzes cGMP and a regulatory (R) domain that contains two GAFs (a and b; GAF is derived from the proteins mammalian cGMP-binding PDEs, Anabaena adenylyl cyclases, and Escherichia coli (FhlA)). The R domain binds cGMP allosterically, provides for dimerization, and is phosphorylated at a site regulated by allosteric cGMP binding. Quaternary structures and cGMP-binding properties of 10 human PDE5A1 constructs containing one or both GAFs were characterized. Results reveal that: 1) high affinity homo-dimerization occurs between GAF a modules (K(D) < 30 nM) and between GAF b modules (K(D) = 1-20 pM), and the sequence between the GAFs (Thr322-Asp403) contributes to dimer stability; 2) 176 amino acids (Val156-Gln331) in GAF a are adequate for cGMP binding; 3) GAF a has higher affinity for cGMP (K(D) < 40 nM) than does the isolated R domain (K(D) = 110 nM) or holoenzyme (K(D) = 200 nM), suggesting that the sequence containing GAF b and its flanking amino acids autoinhibits GAF a cGMP-binding affinity in intact R domain; 4) a mutant (Met1-Glu321) containing only GAF a has high affinity, biphasic cGMP-binding kinetics consistent with structural heterogeneity of GAF a, suggesting that the presence of GAF b is not required for biphasic cGMP-dissociation kinetics observed in holoenzyme or isolated R domain; 5) significant cGMP binding by GAF b was not detected; and 6) the sequence containing GAF b and its flanking amino acids is critical for cGMP stimulation of Ser102 phosphorylation by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases. Results yield new insights into PDE5 functions, further define boundaries that provide for allosteric cGMP binding, and identify regions that contribute to dimerization.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Heterogeneity in epidermal growth factor responsiveness and tumor growth of human maxillary cancer cell lines.

We have established three cell lines (IMC-2, IMC-3, and IMC-4) from a human maxillary tumor, which exhibited different sensitivities to epidermal growth factor (EGF). It was inhibitory to colony-forming abilities of IMC-3 and IMC-4 cells in culture, while it affected that of IMC-2 cells slightly if at all. The differential sensitivities to EGF among the three cell lines were reproducibly observed when several cell sublines were further established from tumors appearing in nude mice. Saturation-binding kinetics with 125I-EGF showed similar levels of EGF-binding activities among the three cell lines. However, IMC-2, IMC-3, and IMC-4 showed almost similar sensitivities to cisplatin. Autophosphorylation of EGF receptor in the presence of EGF proceeded at similar levels among the three cell lines. Tumor growth was followed in nude mice when IMC-2, IMC-3, and IMC-4 at 1 x 10(7) cells were inoculated. The IMC-2 tumors enlarged at much faster rates than the other two cell lines. The IMC-4 tumors showed very slow growth rates, and IMC-3 tumors enlarged at an intermediate rate. These data suggest that the maxillary tumor used comprised cell populations that differed in their growth behaviors in response to EGF.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Regulatory effect of IFN-kappa, a novel type I IFN, on cytokine production by cells of the innate immune system.

IFN-kappa is a recently identified type I IFN that exhibits both structural and functional homology with the other type I IFN subclasses. In this study, we have investigated the effect of IFN-kappa on cells of the innate immune system by comparing cytokine release following treatment of human cells with either IFN-kappa or two recombinant IFN subtypes, IFN-beta and IFN-alpha2a. Although IFN-alpha2a failed to stimulate monocyte cytokine secretion, IFN-kappa, like IFN-beta, induced the release of several cytokines from both monocytes and dendritic cells, without the requirement of a costimulatory signal. IFN-kappa was particularly effective in inhibiting inducible IL-12 release from monocytes. Unlike IFN-beta, IFN-kappa did not induce release of IFN-gamma by PBL. Expression of the IFN-kappa mRNA was observed in resting dendritic cells and monocytes, and it was up-regulated by IFN-gamma stimulation in monocytes, while IFN-beta mRNA was minimally detectable under the same conditions. Monocyte and dendritic cell expression of IFN-kappa was also confirmed in vivo in chronic lesions of psoriasis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis. Finally, biosensor-based binding kinetic analysis revealed that IFN-kappa, like IFN-beta, binds strongly to heparin (K(d): 2.1 nM), suggesting that the cytokine can be retained close to the local site of production. The pattern of cytokines induced by IFN-kappa in monocytes, coupled with the unique induction of IFN-kappa mRNA by IFN-gamma, indicates a potential role for IFN-kappa in the regulation of immune cell functions.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗