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Expression of a novel nuclear protein in activated and in tat-I expressing T cells.

The intracellular events that occur in T lymphoid cells after activation or after infection with HIV-1 are not well defined. In the case of HIV-1 infection, it is unknown whether the tat-I gene, an essential gene for viral replication, affects host cell nuclear factors. Using two-dimensional PAGE, we have identified a novel nuclear protein, designated nuclear protein-28,000 (NP-28), which is induced in Jurkat T cells by stimulation with PMA and/or PHA or ionomycin. This nuclear protein has an apparent molecular mass of 28,000 Da and an isoelectric point of 4.6. Interestingly, Jurkat cells transfected with tat-I express higher levels of NP-28 constitutively, without added stimulation. Incubation of Jurkat cells expressing tat-I with PMA and/or PHA or ionomycin causes superinduction of NP-28. We have therefore identified a novel lymphoid nuclear protein induced by T cell activation that occurs in tat-I expressing cells in the absence of activating agents.

Genes, tat↗

Thrombin induces c-fos expression in cultured human endothelial cells by a Ca2(+)-dependent mechanism.

The proto-oncogene c-fos has been implicated in the modulation of various cell functions. We have found that thrombin, a pleiotropic activator of endothelial cells, induced c-fos mRNA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HEC). This effect was dose-related (0.05 to 1.0 U/mL) and transient (maximal after 1 hour and negligible within 4 hours). Since thrombin activates phosphoinositide (PI) turnover through a pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive guanosine triphosphate-binding regulatory protein(s) (G-protein) with subsequent stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) and Ca2+ movements, we investigated whether these intracellular pathways are also responsible for c-fos induction. PT inhibited thrombin's effect on c-fos expression, but had no effect on c-fos expression by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Down regulation of PKC by prolonged exposure to PMA had no effect on thrombin and ionomycin stimulation of c-fos, but inhibited PMA activation of this gene. Quenching of the Ca1(2+) increase in response to quin2 loading in the absence of external Ca2+ suppressed thrombin activity on c-fos transcription. Under the same conditions PMA activity was not inhibited or only partially inhibited. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulation of c-fos mRNA level were not inhibited by quin2; on the contrary, ionomycin effect was blocked by this agent. These results indicate that thrombin-induced c-fos expression in HEC does not require a fully active PKC but is dependent on normal intracellular Ca2+ availability.

Calcium↗

The epidermal growth factor receptor is coupled to a phospholipase A2-specific pertussis toxin-inhibitable guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein in cultured rat inner medullary collecting tubule cells.

Studies were performed to examine a potential role for a guanine nucleotide-binding protein in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity. EGF increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in intact or saponin-permeabilized rat inner medullary collecting tubule (RIMCT) cells. Incubation of permeabilized cells with guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) enhanced and with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S) inhibited the response to EGF. GDP beta S had no effect on ionomycin-stimulated PGE2 production. Exposure of intact cells to 25 mM NaF + 10 microM AlCl3 enhanced both basal and EGF-stimulated PGE2 production. Pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylated a 41-kDa protein in RIMCT cell membranes. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml for 16 h) eliminated the response to EGF in intact cells and the response to EGF + GTP gamma S in permeabilized cells. Pertussis toxin had no effect on the response to ionomycin. The effect of pertussis toxin was not due to alterations in cAMP as cellular cAMP levels were unaffected by pertussis toxin both in the basal state and in the presence of EGF. PGE2 production in response to EGF was not transduced by a G protein coupled to phospholipase C (PLC) as neomycin, which inhibited PLC, did not decrease EGF-stimulated PGE2 production. Also, PGE2 production was not increased by inositol trisphosphate and did not require the presence of extracellular Ca2+. In contrast to EGF-stimulated PLC activity, stimulation of PLA2 by EGF was not susceptible to inhibition by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. These results clearly demonstrate the existence of a PLA2-specific pertussis toxin-inhibitable guanine nucleotide-binding protein coupled to the EGF receptor in RIMCT cells.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Mode of action of alpha-latrotoxin: role of divalent cations in Ca2(+)-dependent and Ca2(+)-independent effects mediated by the toxin.

The potent neurotoxin alpha-latrotoxin (alpha LTx), from black widow spider venom, induces neurotransmitter release in both Ca2(+)-containing and Ca2(+)-free medium, following interaction with a specific cell surface receptor. Binding studies revealed two populations of alpha LTx binding sites in bovine synaptosomal membranes, showing the same high affinity (Kd, 0.3 x 10(-10) M) for alpha LTx, with approximately 50% of the sites being Ca2+ sensitive and the rest being Ca2+ insensitive. In contrast, in PC12 cells alpha LTx binding was completely unaffected by the removal of extracellular Ca2+ (Kd, 5 x 10(-10) M). The use of La3+ as an inhibitor of alpha LTx action, previously shown in synaptosomes, was extended to PC12 cells. In this system, La3+ (100 microM) was shown to inhibit Ca2+ influx, both Ca2(+)-dependent and -independent dopamine release, and polyphosphoinositide (PPI) hydrolysis induced by alpha LTx. At the same time, La3+ did not block alpha LTx binding or dopamine release evoked by either the ionophore ionomycin (0.5 microM) or the phorbol ester tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (100 nM). La3+ also blocked the influx of Mn2+ ions through the alpha LTx-induced cation channel, as measured by quenching of fura-2 fluorescence. In this PC12 cell line, PPI hydrolysis could also be induced by ionomycin, but only when it was present at concentrations that caused an elevation of free intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) that was not transient but was as persistent as that evoked by alpha LTx. Our conclusions with regard to the mode of action of alpha LTx are as follows. (i) All the effects of alpha LTx in PC12 cells (dopamine release, PPI hydrolysis, and Ca2+ influx) can be mediated via a single, Ca2(+)-insensitive alpha LTx receptor. (ii) alpha LTx-induced PPI hydrolysis is most likely due to the activation of a Ca2(+)-sensitive phospholipase C following the persistent rise in [Ca2+]i elicited by the toxin in Ca2(+)-containing medium, and not via direct coupling of the alpha LTx receptor to the enzyme. (iii) Toxin-evoked Ca2(+)-independent dopamine release can be blocked by La3+ at the extracellular level, most likely by prevention of the entry of divalent cations.

Animals↗

Studies on the lethal hit stage of natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. I. Both phorbol ester and ionophore are required for release of natural killer cytotoxic factors (NKCF), suggesting a role for protein kinase C activity.

Previous studies in our laboratory on the natural killer (NK) lytic mechanism demonstrated that following interaction of target cell with effector cell, the effector cell releases NK cytotoxic factors (NKCF) that can then bind to and lyse the target cell. This study investigates the mechanism by which the target cell signals the effector cell to release NKCF. Studies on other cell systems with secretory functions have indicated that receptor-induced transmembrane signaling leads to the metabolism of phosphatidylinositol and activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by increased cytosolic Ca++ and diacylglycerol (DAG). We tested the hypothesis that a similar sequence of activation events occurs in human NK cells by examining the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and the calcium ionophores A23187 and ionomycin in their ability to induce release of NKCF. The amount of NKCF released was determined in a 20-hr 51Cr release assay against an NK-sensitive target cell. A23187, ionomycin, or TPA alone did not induce release of NKCF. However, ionophores (200 mM) in conjunction with TPA (20 ng/ml) induced release of NKCF. Several properties of the induced NKCF by TPA and ionophores were concordant with those of the NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) reaction. The kinetics of release were faster (less than 1 hr) than when either Con A or target cells were used to stimulate NKCF. Only NK-sensitive target cells were killed by NKCF. Pretreatment of effector cells with interferon enhanced release of NKCF from effector cells. Several lines of evidence suggested that the pathway of activation takes place through phosphatidyl inositol metabolism. Activation of PKC was indicated because TPA and A23187 enhanced protein phosphorylation in the LGL-enriched fraction. Experiments that made use of oleoyl acetyl glycerol, a synthetic DAG, showed release of NKCF in the absence of A23187 but was augmented by the ionophore. The above studies suggest that NKCF is released from NK effector cells within a period of time consistent with NK CMC, and the release of NKCF results either directly or indirectly from protein phosphorylation by PKC.

Calcium↗

Relationship between delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced arachidonic acid release and secretagogue-evoked phosphoinositide breakdown and Ca2+ mobilization of exocrine pancreas.

We have previously shown that addition of exogenous arachidonic acid to pancreatic acinar cells inhibits the incorporation of myo-[3H]inositol into membrane phosphoinositides and causes a reduction in the steady state levels of [32P]phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns4,5P2). In the present study, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was utilized to raise endogenous levels of arachidonic acid. In acinar cells simultaneously prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid and [32P]Pi, THC (1-20 microM) produced a concentration-dependent increase in free [3H]arachidonic acid release and a reduction in the steady state levels of [32P]Ptd-Ins4,5P2. THC (1-20 microM) also caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of myo-[3H]inositol trisphosphate accumulation, cytoplasmic Ca2+ level, and amylase secretion elicited by 0.1 microM caerulein. The findings that THC (20 microM) was unable to inhibit either the rise in [Ca2+]i elicited by ionomycin, or the secretory response to phorbol myristic acid or ionomycin, indicate that THC exerts a selective inhibitory effect on the phosphoinositide messenger system. These results support the postulate that endogenous arachidonic acid serves as a negative feedback regulator of phosphoinositide turnover in exocrine pancreas.

Amylases↗

Cytosolic free calcium in adipocytes. Distinct mechanisms of regulation and effects on insulin action.

It has been proposed that an elevation in cytosolic free Ca2+ may play a role in either mediating or antagonizing the ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake in adipocytes. This question has been addressed in the present studies using isolated fura-2-loaded rat adipocytes stimulated with a variety of agonists. The effects of insulin, oxytocin, norepinephrine, ATP, and ionomycin on cytosolic free Ca2+ levels were assessed and compared with their effects on transport-limited glucose oxidation. Oxytocin and ionomycin at concentrations which caused 3-5-fold increases in cytosolic Ca2+, by releasing Ca2+ from internal stores, had no effect on insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation. ATP and norepinephrine which caused more modest increases in Ca2+, by mechanisms at least partially dependent on external stores, inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation. Insulin had no effect on basal Ca2+ levels nor did it modulate the Ca2+ elevation caused by other agonists. These data suggest that insulin-stimulated glucose transport is not associated with an increase in cytosolic Ca2+. In addition, although there appears to be a correlation between inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose transport and the effect of certain agonists to promote Ca2+ influx, there is not a general obligatory relationship between an elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ and antagonism of this insulin action.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[The characteristic changes of immune function with aging].

It is well-known that the most prominent age-related immunological abnormalities were reduced immune response against foreign antigens and increased auto-antibody production against intrinsic antigens. To explain these immunological abnormalities, we examined the various functions of human lymphocytes from aged and young groups at cellular, molecular and genetic levels. The results indicate: The first, T cells from the aged showed significantly reduced proliferative response not only to specific antigen TAP but also to mitogen PHA or combined stimulation of PMA and ionomycin. The second, the number of IL-2 receptor, particularly high affinity ones, on aged T cells were significantly reduced in the aged after TAP and PHA stimulation. The third, the ability to express Tac (p55) and p70/75 of IL-2R and to internalize the rIL-2 bound to the receptor were reduced in aged T cells. The fourth, although the ability to proliferate in response to SAC stimulation was two folds less in the aged B cells than that in the young ones, the capacity to differentiate into IgG and IgA class ISC after the combined stimulation with SAC and partially purified BCDF were rather increased on the basis of the number of viable cells recovered. The fifth, the amount of IL-2 activity produced by aged T cells was ten fold less than that by young ones, but the amount of BCDF activity produced by aged T cells was three folds higher than that by young ones after PHA stimulation. An inverse correlation between IL-2 activity and BCDF activity was found when the both activities were determined in the same sample. The sixth, the combined stimulation with PMA and ionomycin could induce proliferative response to highly purified T cells, T cell subsets and B cells. The degree of age-related decline of the proliferative response of CD-8 positive T cells was most significant, that of CD-4 positive ones was next and that of B cells was least. The seventh, although the maximum of c-myc mRNA level was attained at 2 hr after the stimulation and similar amount between the both age groups, the amount of mRNA at 8 or 24 hr was rather higher in the aged T cells than in the young ones. The reduction of the degradation rate of c-myc mRNA seemed to be the cause. We found no difference of the maximum amount and kinetics of c-myb mRNA between both age groups in T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Requirements for triggering of lysis by cytolytic T lymphocyte clones.

Cloned murine cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) having defined specificity were triggered by the phorbol ester together with a calcium ionophore (either A23187 or Ionomycin) to lyse syngeneic or third party target cells efficiently. Neither phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) nor calcium ionophore alone induced efficient lysis. The characteristics of the lytic process induced by these signals are similar to those of antigen-specific or lectin-facilitated lysis by CTL. Lysis is calcium and temperature dependent and shows kinetics which are not grossly different from lysis mediated via the antigen receptor. Two helper T lymphocyte clones were not induced to lyse efficiently EL-4 target cells by concanavalin A or PMA + ionophore. Triggering of lysis induced with PMA plus ionophore by the CTL clone L3 differed from antigen-mediated lysis in specificity and in the susceptibility to inhibition by cytochalasin B. Properties of the target cell determine which cell surface associative recognition structures are important in the efficient lysis of these cells. Anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibodies inhibited efficiently both antigen-mediated and PMA + ionophore-induced lysis of P-815 or EL-4 target cells which are of hematopoietic origin. However, anti-LFA-1 antibodies do not inhibit antigen-mediated, lectin-facilitated, or PMA + Ionomycin-induced CTL cytolysis of target cells derived from the L cell fibroblast line. We conclude that two intracellular signals, which can be provided by the combination of PMA + ionophore, are required for efficient lysis by antigen-specific murine CTL clones. When the T cell receptor for antigen is bypassed using PMA + ionophore to trigger lysis, we show that Lyt-2 and LFA-1 molecules may be required for efficient lysis. These associative recognition structures appear to play an important role in postactivation steps leading to efficient delivery of the lethal hit to the target cell.

Animals↗

Interleukin 1-dependent induction of both interleukin 2 secretion and interleukin 2 receptor expression by thymoma cells.

The macrophage-derived product, interleukin 1 (IL 1) is thought to play an important regulatory role in the proliferation of T lymphocytes; however, its mechanism of action is unknown. We describe in this report a variant subline of EL4 thymoma cells (EL4-6.1) that displays a high degree of responsiveness to IL 1. We show that recombinant IL 1 can induce both the secretion of interleukin 2 (IL 2) and the expression of IL 2 receptors (IL 2-R) by these cells. EL4-6.1 cells do not constitutively secrete IL 2, nor do they express IL 2-R; but when cultured in the presence of recombinant IL 1, they secrete detectable amounts of IL 2 (5 to 15 U/ml). In the presence of either suboptimal levels of phorbol ester (PMA) or Ionomycin, the addition of IL 1 resulted in up to an 80-fold enhancement in the amount of IL 2 secreted. Stimulation with IL 1 alone or in combination with Ionomycin was unable to induce detectable IL 2-R expression by EL4-6.1 cells. However, in the presence of suboptimal concentrations of PMA, IL 1 induced expression of about 3000 high affinity (dissociation constant, Kd of 31 pM) and 50,000 low affinity (Kd of 2800 pM) IL 2-R. These IL 2-R were functional, based on their ability to rapidly internalize IL 2. This model system will allow a detailed analysis of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the immune response by IL 1 and IL 2.

Animals↗

Distinct mechanisms of c-myc and lymphokine gene expression in an antigen specific T cell clone.

Experiments were performed to examine the mechanisms regulating the expression of the c-myc gene and the IL-2 and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) lymphokine genes in an antigen-specific murine T cell clone. IL-2 and the mitogenic lectin, concanavalin A (Con A), as well as the calcium ionophore ionomycin, in concert with phorbol ester, (PMA) enhanced c-myc gene transcription, but by distinct mechanisms as demonstrated by differential sensitivity to inhibition of protein synthesis and by transcriptional run-off assays using c-myc exon 1 and exon 2 probes. Induction of c-myc expression by IL-2, but not lectin or ionomycin plus phorbol ester, was inhibited in the presence of cycloheximide. IL-2 induced the transcription of both c-myc exons 1 and 2, whereas Con A primarily enhanced exon 1 to exon 2 transcriptional read-through. A direct relationship was observed between the level of early c-myc expression following IL-2 stimulation and the magnitude of the subsequent clonal proliferative response. Lymphokine gene expression was enhanced by Con A, but not by IL-2. Induction of the lymphokine genes in this T cell clone was under predominant post-transcriptional control and was sensitive to protein synthesis inhibition. Therefore, mitogenic lectins induce c-myc and lymphokine gene expression via different pathways.

Animals↗

Effects of wheat germ agglutinin on the cellular content of filamentous actin in Intestine 407 cells.

Increasing experimental evidence suggests that gluten contains a toxic factor that may cause ultrastructural changes in the small intestine which mimic those found in patients with celiac disease. In addition, it has recently been proposed that the toxic factor of gluten is a protein very similar, if not identical, to a well known lectin, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). Since the cytoskeleton forms the basis of the ultrastructural architecture of the enterocytes the present study was performed to investigate whether WGA has a direct effect on the cytoskeleton in Intestine 407 cells. Changes in the cellular content of filamentous actin (F-actin) in these cells were studied with the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-phallacidin assay. Cellular exposure to WGA led to a rapid reduction in the cellular content of F-actin (greater than 50%). Intracellular buffering of the cytosolic free calcium level using quin2 as a chelator of calcium totally abolished the WGA-induced reduction in F-actin content. However, increasing the cytosolic free calcium level by exposure to the calcium ionophore ionomycin did not affect the cellular content of F-actin. Ionomycin also failed to potentiate the effect of WGA on the cellular F-actin content. The present results show that WGA changes the organization of the cytoskeleton in Intestine 407 cells via a calcium-dependent mechanism, however, in addition to calcium, some other signal(s), possibly an increased turnover of the phosphatidylinositol cycle, is(are) also required.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Enhancement of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-releasable Ca2+ pool by GTP in permeabilized hepatocytes.

Permeabilized rat hepatocytes were used to study the effects of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and GTP on Ca2+ uptake and release by ATP-dependent intracellular Ca2+ storage pools. Under conditions where these Ca2+ pools were completely filled, maximal doses of Ins(1,4,5)P3 released only 25-30% of the sequestered Ca2+. The residual Ca2+ was freely releasable with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Addition of GTP in the absence of Ins(1,4,5)P3 did not cause Ca2+ release and had no effect on the steady-state level of Ca2+ accumulation by intracellular storage pools. However, after a 3-4-min treatment with GTP the size of the Ins(1,4,5)P3-releasable Ca2+ pool was increased by about 2-fold, with a proportional decrease in the residual Ca2+ available for release by ionomycin. In contrast to the situation with freshly permeabilized cells, permeabilized hepatocytes from which cytosolic components had been washed out exhibited direct Ca2+ release in response to GTP addition. The potentiation of Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release by GTP in permeabilized hepatocytes was concentration-dependent with half-maximal effects at about 5 microM GTP. The dose response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 was not shifted by GTP; instead GTP increased the amount of Ca2+ released at all Ins(1,4,5)P3 concentrations. The effects of GTP were not mimicked by other nucleotides or nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues. In fact, guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) inhibited the actions of GTP. However, this inhibition only occurred when GTP gamma S was added prior to GTP, suggesting that the GTP effect is not readily reversible once the cells have been permeabilized. Experiments using vanadate to inhibit the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake pump showed that Ins(1,4,5)P3 releases all of the Ca2+ within the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ pool even in the absence of GTP. The increase of Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release brought about by GTP was also unaffected by vanadate. It is concluded that GTP increases the proportion of the sequestered Ca2+ which is available for release by Ins(1,4,5)P3, either by unmasking latent Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ release sites or by allowing direct Ca2+ movement between Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive and Ins(1,4,5)P3-insensitive Ca2+ storage pools.

Animals↗

Potential role of cytoplasmic calcium ions in the regulation of sodium transport in renal tubules.

Experimental maneuvers that increase intracellular calcium ion levels inhibit sodium transport by renal tubules. In the isolated perfused renal tubule, intracellular calcium ion activity (aiCa) changes in response to alterations in the magnitude of the electrochemical potential gradient for sodium ions across the basolateral cell membrane. However, a potassium-induced depolarization of this cell boundary does not cause a rise but rather a fall in intracellular calcium ion levels. Ionomycin raises aiCa without causing intracellular acidification. This observation does not support the view that high cytosolic calcium produces intracellular acidification. At least in the case of ionomycin, the inhibition of sodium transport appears to be due to ionophore-induced increases in aiCa. The changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration found in the different experimental conditions studied were consistent with the notion that cytosolic calcium ions may mediate a feedback mechanism that links the luminal entry to the peritubular extrusion of sodium ions. The mechanisms by which cytosolic calcium alters entry is not yet clear but recent experiments suggest an indirect effect on sodium channel activity.

Animals↗

Anti-My-26: a monoclonal antibody inhibiting human phagocyte chemiluminescence.

Anti-My-26, a mouse monoclonal IgG1 antibody, was raised against human granulocytes and has been shown to inhibit luminol-enhanced, glucose-independent chemiluminescence (CL) of human granulocytes (or monocytes) responding to the soluble secretagogues A23187 or ionomycin (calcium ionophores) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Anti-My-26 inhibition of CL was reversible and was dependent on both secretatogue and monoclonal antibody concentration. This inhibition appeared to be directed at the component of granulocyte CL that is independent of NAD(P)H-oxidase-catalyzed formation of superoxide anion, because neither opsonized zymosan-stimulated CL nor the PMA-induced decrease in NAD (P)H-associated autofluorescence was affected by anti-My-26. In addition, ionomycin, over a wide concentration range, failed to generate any decrease in granulocyte autofluorescence. The A23187-induced CL inhibited by anti-My-26 was correlated with its depression of oxygen consumption. Furthermore, anti-My-26 was not cytotoxic and did not itself induce oxidative metabolism when used as a stimulant. Binding of anti-My-26 to phagocytic cells was not decreased by pre-exposure of cells to either A23187 or PMA. Evidence is presented to suggest that the binding of anti-My-26 to the granulocyte surface inhibits the oxidative response to calcium ionophore and PMA by blocking a common pathway(s) stimulated by these different secretagogues.

Animals↗

Correlation between cytosolic free Ca2+ and insulin release in an insulin-secreting cell line.

Changes in the concentration of free cytosolic Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i), membrane potential, and immunoreactive insulin release were measured in suspensions of RINm5F cells. [Ca2+]i was monitored with the intracellularly trapped fluorescent Ca2+ indicator quin 2. Changes in membrane potential were assessed with the fluorescent probe bisoxonol. The effects of depolarizing K+ concentrations and of the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin were compared with those of the metabolizable stimuli glyceraldehyde and alanine. The mean resting [Ca2+]i was 105 nM +/- 6, n = 35. Of the substances tested, ionomycin caused the most marked increases of [Ca2+]i and insulin release. Membrane depolarization was evoked by K+, glyceraldehyde, or alanine and the agent stimulated insulin release and [Ca2+]i to a similar degree. However, the mechanism by which glyceraldehyde, on the one hand, and K+ and alanine, on the other, elevate [Ca2+]i appears different. Thus, verapamil, a blocker of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, almost abolished the effects of K+ and alanine on [Ca2+]i and insulin release, whereas the responses to glyceraldehyde were only blocked by approximately 50%. Glyceraldehyde may thus, in addition to opening voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, alter cellular Ca2+ handling at another step. The present findings provide direct experimental evidence that secretagogue-induced insulin release is accompanied by a rise in [Ca2+]i.

Alanine↗

Undetectable CD40 ligand expression on T cells and low B cell responses to CD40 binding agonists in human newborns.

IgG, IgA, and IgE production by newborn B cells is limited both in vivo and in vitro in various activation conditions, whereas IgM production is readily detectable. It has been suggested that the Ig heavy chain switch inability could be the consequence of T and B cell immaturity. As the interaction between CD40 (expressed on B cells) and its ligand CD40-L (expressed on activated T cells) triggers a key signal required for isotype switching, we studied the expression and function of these two components in normal fetuses, newborns, and infants, compared with adults. CD40-L expression was not inducible in 28 of 30 specimens of newborn cord-blood T cells following incubation with PMA and ionomycin, whereas activation markers such as CD69 were inducible. CD40-L expression was triggered by activation of T cells from infants > 3 wk of age. Surprisingly, T cells from 19- to 28-wk-old fetuses also expressed CD40-L following activation. CD40-L expression on newborn T lymphocytes was induced on T cell lines generated in the presence of PHA and maintained with IL-2 following further stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. CD40-L mRNA transcripts and intracytoplasmic protein expression following activation of newborn T cells were strongly decreased, leading to undetectable protein membrane detection. These results point to a possible transcriptional down-regulation of CD40-L expression by neonatal T lymphocytes. In addition, fetal and cord-blood B cells were poorly able to switch to IgG or IgA by stimulation with CD40 agonists (Ab or soluble CD40-L) in the presence of IL-4 or IL-10 as also detected with surface IgD+ adult B cells. Both phenomena could contribute to the neonatal Ig switch inability, although distinct underlying regulatory mechanisms are probably involved, as suggested by different in vivo time courses.

Adult↗

Up-regulation of recombination activating gene expression by signal transduction through the surface Ig receptor.

Recent evidence has demonstrated that a signal transduced through the lymphocyte Ag receptor may regulate the expression of the recombination activating genes (RAG). Although several groups have shown that such a signal may be required to down-regulate RAG-1 and RAG-2 after a functional Ag receptor has been generated in early mature T or B cells, recently it has been suggested that under some circumstances, cross-linking the B cell Ag receptor may result in up-regulation of RAG expression. To study this possibility, we used a unique set of cell variants isolated from a human mature B cell line, which differ in their expression of both the surface Ig receptor (sIg) and RAG-1 and RAG-2 genes. Two forms of stimulation were employed to generate a signal; either a soluble F(ab')2 anti-mu fragment or the combination of PMA and ionomycin. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that RAG-1 mRNA levels were increased in sIg+ variants after cross-linking with anti-mu. Increases were also observed in all variants after stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. Further analysis of cross-linked sIg+ variants suggests that the observed up-regulation in RAG expression was a reversible event. Furthermore, we have determined that both increased transcription and transcript stabilization contributed to this inducible up-regulation. We thus describe a mature B cell line in which RAG expression is up-regulated after sIg cross-linking. This finding is discussed in the context of its potential role in situations where sIg+ B cells may undergo secondary rearrangements for the purpose of "editing" their sIg receptors.

Blotting, Northern↗