Interleukin-5, interleukin-3, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor cross-compete for binding to cell surface receptors on human eosinophils.

Human interleukin (IL)-5 receptors were characterized by means of binding studies using bioactive 125I-labeled IL-5. Of purified primary myeloid cells, eosinophils and basophils but not neutrophils or monocytes expressed surface receptors for IL-5. Binding studies showed that eosinophils expressed a single class of high affinity receptors (Ka = 1.2 x 10(10) M-1) with the number of receptors being small (less than 1000 receptors/cell) and varying between individuals. Among several cell lines examined only HL-60 cells showed detectable IL-5 receptors which were small in numbers (200 receptors/cell) and also bound 125I-IL-5 with high affinity. The binding of IL-5 was rapid at 37 degrees C while requiring several hours to reach equilibrium at 4 degrees C. Specificity studies revealed that the two other human eosinophilopoietic cytokines IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) inhibited the binding of 125I-IL-5 to eosinophils. No competition was observed by other eosinophil activating or nonactivating cytokines. The inhibition of 125I-IL-5 binding by IL-3 and GM-CSF was partial up to a concentration of competitor of 10(-7) M with GM-CSF consistently being the stronger competitor. Converse experiments using IL-5 as a competitor revealed that this cytokine inhibited the binding of 125I-IL-3 and of 125I-GM-CSF in some but not all the individuals tested, perhaps reflecting eosinophil heterogeneity in vivo. Cross-linking experiments on HL-60 cells demonstrated two IL-5-containing complexes of Mr 150,000 and Mr 80,000 both of which were inhibited by GM-CSF. The competition between IL-5, IL-3, and GM-CSF on the surface of mature eosinophils may represent a unifying mechanism that may help explain the common biological effects of these three eosinophilopoietic cytokines on eosinophil function. This unique pattern of competition may also be beneficial to the host by preventing excessive eosinophil stimulation.     

IL-4 blocks the up-regulation of IL-2 receptors induced by IL-2 in normal human B cells

A negative influence of IL-4 on the IL-2-induced B cell proliferation and differentiation has recently been reported. In this study, we have further investigated a role of IL-4 on human tonsillar B cell proliferation and IL-2R expression. IL-4 enhanced Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 strain (SAC)-induced B cell proliferation, reaching the peak on day 3. However, from day 4, IL-4 inhibited IL-2-induced proliferation. In the cross-linking study, IL-4 enhanced the density of 125I-IL-2-binding protein at low affinity binding condition (2 nM of 125I-IL-2) in SAC-activated B cells. However, IL-4 blocked the enhancement in the density of 125I-IL-2-binding proteins induced by IL-2, from day 3, in both high (50 pM of 125I-IL-2) and low affinity binding conditions, suggesting that IL-4 is able to block IL-2-induced IL-2R up-regulation. This was confirmed by a binding study: B cells that cultured for 3 days with SAC plus IL-2 expressed an average of 180 +/- 20 high affinity receptors/cell with a Kd of 12 pM and 5800 +/- 500 low affinity receptors/cell with a Kd of 980 pM. By coculturing with IL-4, high affinity receptors were almost undetectable and the expression of low affinity receptors was reduced by more than 80%. IL-4-mediated inhibition of IL-2-induced IL-2R expression does not seem to be due to the direct interaction between IL-4 and cell surface receptors, inasmuch as preincubation of cells with IL-4 for 60 min at 37 degrees C did not alter the binding of 125I-IL-2 to cells previously cultured for 3 days with SAC plus IL-2. These data suggest that IL-4 has a capacity to block the up-regulation of the high as well as low affinity IL-2R-induced by IL-2 in normal human B cells, and could provide a possible explanation for the decreased responsiveness of B cells to IL-2 in the presence of IL-4.     

High affinity binding of human interleukin 4 to cell lines

Purified human recombinant interleukin 4 (IL-4) was radio iodinated to high specific radioactivity without loss of biological activity. 125I-IL-4 bound specifically to the Burkitt lymphoma Jijoye cells and other cell lines. Jijoye cells showed a high affinity for 125I-IL-4 (Kd approximately equal to 7 10(-11) M) and displayed 1200-1400 specific receptors per cell at 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) corresponds to the IL-4 concentration which induces 50% maximal expression of the low affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RL/CD23) on Jijoye cells. At 4 degrees C the rate constant of association K1 is 1.7 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 and the rate contant of dissociation k -1 is 1.3 x 10(-4) s-1 (t 1/2 = 91 min.) No human recombinant lymphokines other than IL-4 were able to compete for the binding of 125I-IL-4 to its receptor.     

Specific binding, internalization, and degradation of human recombinant interleukin-3 by cells of the acute myelogenous, leukemia line, KG-1

We have studied the interaction of 35S-labeled recombinant IL-3 with the acute myelogenous leukemia cell line, KG-1. 35S-IL-3 bound to these cells in a time dependent, saturable, and specific manner at 4 degrees C. Scatchard transformation of binding isotherms demonstrated the existence of a small number (200) of binding sites, with an apparent dissociation constant of 70-105 pM. After a temperature shift from 4 degrees C to 37 degrees C, surface-bound 35S-IL-3 was rapidly internalized and processed into a trichloroacetic acid soluble form that was released into the medium. Experiments to address the specificity of the IL-3 binding site revealed that neither human IL-2, M-CSF, erythropoietin, transferrin, bovine insulin, nor murine nerve growth factor compete with IL-3 for binding to KG-1 cells. Both human and gibbon recombinant IL-3 and, surprisingly, human recombinant GM-CSF effectively competed the binding of the labeled IL-3 to these cells at 4 degrees C. The competition by GM-CSF was found to be concentration dependent, but much higher concentrations were required to achieve the levels obtained with IL-3. These results suggest that GM-CSF may also interact with the high-affinity IL-3 binding site on KG-1 cells or, alternatively, that GM-CSF binding to its own receptor may decrease the affinity of the IL-3 receptor for its ligand.     

Heterogeneity in interleukin (IL)-1 receptors expressed on human B cell lines. Differences in the molecular properties of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta binding sites

IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta although distantly related at the primary sequence level, bind to the same Mr 80,000 IL-1 receptor on various cell types. Several lines of evidence indicate, however, that the IL-1 receptor on B cells and T cells differ. By binding experiments with 125I-IL-1, marked heterogeneity in IL-1 receptor binding was observed in 13 of 24 B cell lines studied. This was classified into three categories: (I) in nine cell lines, 125I-IL-1 alpha binding revealed high (kD = 10(-10) M) and low affinity (kD = 10(-8) M) IL-1 alpha receptors, whereas 125I-IL-1 beta binding showed one class only with intermediate affinity (kD = 10(-9) M); (II) in three cell lines selective binding with 125I-IL-1 beta was observed; (III) in one cell line only, 125IL-1 alpha and 125I-IL-1 beta bind to a single class of IL-1 receptors as has been described for most cell types. Cross-linking with 125I-IL-1 alpha or 125I-IL-1 beta demonstrated their specific binding to Mr 80,000 and to Mr 68,000 in cell lines in categories I and III, whereas for those in category II, binding to the IL-1 receptor was confined to 125I-IL-1 beta. The expression of two subsets of IL-1 alpha receptors but only one class of IL-1 beta receptors was further confirmed in kinetic studies. Internalization at 37 degrees C demonstrated that only 19% of IL-1 beta was internalized and that binding with IL-1 alpha was entirely cell surface. Flow cytometry studies showed that IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta do not influence B cell surface antigen expression, suggesting that the ability of IL-1 to influence B cell proliferation is not mediated via direct binding to the IL-1 receptor only.     

The kinetics of S phase entry by FMP2.1: effect of IL-3 and GM-CSF receptor expression and ligand affinity

FMP2.1, a cloned cell line which has morphological characteristics of mast/basophil cells, requires either interleukin 3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for both survival and proliferation. IL-3 and GM-CSF were equally effective as proliferative stimuli. FMP2.1 cells were sensitive to growth factor stimulation in the G1 phase, which has a duration of 9.5 h. G1 cells were selected from FMP2.1 in log phase growth on the basis of Hoechst 33324 staining using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). It was found that G1 phase cells had to be exposed to either IL-3 or GM-CSF for approximately 1 h for cells to enter S (greater than 20%); without growth factor, FMP2.1 remained in G1 unable to progress into S. Receptor expression was analyzed to further understand this rapid activation of FMP2.1 into cycle. Autoradiography using either 125I-IL-3 or 125I-GM-CSF showed that most cells express both receptor types. In the presence of saturating concentrations of IL-3, FMP2.1 have a relatively high number of IL-3 receptors (42,000/cell) compared to other cell lines (e.g., 32D cl23; 13,000 receptors/cell), and far outnumber GM-CSF receptors on the same cells (600 receptors/cell). Although average IL-3 receptor expression differed for FMP2.1- and IL-3-dependent 32D cl23, the concentration-dependent proliferative response to IL-3 was essentially identical for both cell types. Scatchard plot analysis for 125I-IL-3 and 125I-GM-CSF binding to FMP2.1 cells at 4 degrees C revealed a single type of binding site for both ligands, with dissociation constants (Kd) of approximately 1 nM for GM-CSF and 8 pM for IL-3. The relatively high affinity IL-3 binding to a large number of available IL-3 receptors was associated with a shallow dose response of the FMP2.1 cells to IL-3, compared to the steep GM-CSF dose response which was mediated through fewer receptor sites of relatively low affinity. Mitogenic stimulation of G1 phase cells was observed with either IL-3 or GM-CSF, and appeared to be unaffected by differences in receptor number or binding affinity.     

Identification of IL-1 receptors on human monocytes

The expression and functional analysis of IL-1 beta R on human monocytes were investigated. Binding of 125I-IL-1 to human monocytes was found to be specific and saturable. Scatchard plot analysis revealed a single class of receptors with a binding constant of 600 pM and a receptor density of approximately 100 binding sites per cell. At 37 degrees C 54% of the labeled ligand was internalized over 2 h of incubation. Addition of 0.2% sodium azide to the cells reduced ligand internalization to 9% of total bound. Cross-linking studies revealed that the IL-1R in human monocytes had a Mr of 80 kDa. The addition of IL-1 to monocytes caused changes in membrane Ag expression as assessed by flow cytometric analysis. The results of this study identify IL-1 receptors on monocytes and suggest that IL-1 may act as an effector molecule for monocytes by enhancing expression of Ag correlated with cell differentiation and immune function.     

IL-3 specifically inhibits GM-CSF binding to the higher affinity receptor

The inhibition of binding between human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and its receptor by human interleukin-3 (IL-3) was observed in myelogenous leukemia cell line KG-1 which bore the receptors both for GM-CSF and IL-3. In contrast, this phenomenon was not observed in histiocytic lymphoma cell line U-937 or in gastric carcinoma cell line KATO III, both of which have apparent GM-CSF receptor but an undetectable IL-3 receptor. In KG-1 cells, the cross-inhibition was preferentially observed when the binding of GM-CSF was performed under the high-affinity binding condition; i.e., a low concentration of ¹²⁵I-GM-CSF was incubated. Scatchard analysis of ¹²⁵I-GM-CSF binding to KG-1 cells in the absence and in the presence of unlabeled IL-3 demonstrated that IL-3 inhibited GM-CSF binding to the higher-affinity component of GM-CSF receptor on KG-1 cells. Moreover, a chemical cross-linking study has revealed that the cross-inhibition of the GM-CSF binding observed in KG-1 cells is specific for the β-chain, M_r 135,000 binding protein which has been identified as a component forming the high-affinity GM-CSF receptor existng specifically on hemopoietic cells.     

Two distinct affinity binding sites for IL-1 on human cell lines

We used two human cell lines, NK-like YT-C3 and an EBV-containing B cell line, 3B6, as models to study the receptor(s) for IL-1. Two distinct types of saturable binding sites were found on both cell lines at 37 degrees C. Between 1 pM and 100 pM of 125I-IL-1-alpha concentration, saturable binding sites were detected on the YT-C3 cells with a K of 4 x 10(-11) M. The K found for the IL-1-alpha binding sites on 3B6 cells was 7.5 x 10(-11) M. An additional binding curve was detected above 100 pM on YT-C3 cells with a K of 7 x 10(-9) M and on 3B6 cells with a K of 5 x 10(-9) M. Scatchard plot analysis revealed 600 sites/cell with high affinity binding and 7000 sites/cell with low affinity for YT-C3 cells and 300 sites/cell with high affinity binding and 6000 sites/cell with low affinity for 3B6 cells. At 37 degrees C, the internalization of 125I-labeled IL-1 occurred via both high and low affinity IL-1R on both YT-C3 and 3B6 cells, whereas the rates of internalization for high affinity binding sites on YT-C3 cells were predominant in comparison to that of low affinity binding sites. In chemical cross-linking studies of 125I-IL-1-alpha to 3B6 and YT-C3 cells, two protein bands were immunoprecipitated with Mr around 85 to 90 kDa leading to an estimation of the Mr of the IL-1R around 68 to 72 kDa. In similar experiments, the Mr found for the IL-1R expressed on the murine T cell line EL4 was slightly higher (around 80 kDa). Whether these distinct affinity binding sites are shared by a single molecule or by various chains remains to be elucidated.     

Characterization of the human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine derived from activated T cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages. It stimulates myeloid and erythroid progenitors to form colonies in semisolid medium in vitro, as well as enhancing multiple differentiated functions of mature neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils. We have examined the binding of human GM-CSF to a variety of responsive human cells and cell lines. The most mature myelomonocytic cells, specifically human neutrophils, macrophages, and eosinophils, express the highest numbers of a single class of high affinity receptors (Kd approximately 37 pM, 293-1000 sites/cell). HL-60 and KG-1 cells exhibit an increase in specific binding at high concentrations of GM-CSF; computer analysis of the data is nonetheless consistent with a single class of high affinity binding sites with a Kd approximately 43 pM and 20-450 sites/cell. Dimethyl sulfoxide induces a 3-10-fold increase in high affinity receptors expressed in HL-60 cells, coincident with terminal neutrophilic differentiation. Finally, binding of 125I-GM-CSF to fresh peripheral blood cells from six patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia was analyzed. In three of six cases, binding was similar to the nonsaturable binding observed with HL-60 and KG-1 cells. GM-CSF binding was low, or in some cases, undetectable on myeloblasts obtained from eight patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. The observed affinities of the receptor for GM-CSF are consistent with all known biological activities. Affinity labeling of both normal neutrophils and dimethyl sulfoxide-induced HL-60 cells with unglycosylated 125I-GM-CSF yielded a band of 98 kDa, implying a molecular weight of approximately 84,000 for the human GM-CSF receptor.     

Specific binding of radioiodinated granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor to hemopoietic cells

The hemopoietic growth factor granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, GM-CSF, specifically controls the production of granulocytes and macrophages. This report describes the binding of biologically-active 125I-labeled murine GM-CSF to a range of hemopoietic cells. Specific binding was restricted to murine cells and neither rat nor human bone marrow cells appeared to have surface receptors for 125I-labeled GM-CSF. 125I-Labeled GM-CSF only appeared to bind specifically to cells in the myelomonocytic lineage. The binding of 125I-labeled GM-CSF to both bone marrow cells and WEHI-3B(D+) was rapid (50% maximum binding was attained within 5 min at both 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C). Unlabeled GM-CSF was the only polypeptide hormone which completely inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled GM-CSF to bone marrow cells, however, multi-CSF (also called IL-3) and G-CSF partially reduced the binding of 125I-labeled GM-CSF to bone marrow cells. Interestingly, the binding of 125I-labeled GM-CSF to a myelomonocytic cell line, WEHI-3B(D+), was inhibited by unlabeled GM-CSF but not by multi-CSF or G-CSF. Scatchard analysis of the binding of 125I-labeled GM-CSF to WEHI-3B(D+) cells, bone marrow cells and peritoneal neutrophils indicated that there were two classes of binding sites: one of high affinity (Kd1 = 20 pM) and one of low affinity (Kd2 = 0.8-1.2 nM). Multi-CSF only inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled GM-CSF to the high affinity receptor on bone marrow cells: this inhibition appeared to be a result of down regulation or modification of the GM-CSF receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interaction of recombinant monocyte-derived interleukin 1 receptor antagonist with rheumatoid synovial cells.

Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is a newly described cytokine that is produced by human monocytes cultured on adherent immunoglobulin G (IgG). These studies have characterized the binding of IL-1ra to receptors on human rheumatoid synovial cells in comparison to binding of IL-1 alpha. The human synovial cells bound 35S-IL-1ra with a Kd of 213 pM and a Ki of 134 pM. 125I-IL-1 alpha bound to the synovial cells with similar values, showing a Kd of 205 pM and a Ki of 58 pM. Cross-inhibition studies were performed to examine whether IL-1ra and IL-1 alpha interacted with the same receptors and in an identical fashion. At the highest concentrations of inhibitory proteins, the binding of each ligand was inhibited 100% by the same or opposite ligand. This result indicated that IL-1ra and IL-1 alpha bound to the same receptors and not to overlapping subsets of receptors. In addition, the binding of 35S-IL-1ra was inhibited in an identical fashion by equimolar amounts of IL-1ra or IL-1 alpha. However, twofold or greater amounts of IL-1ra in comparison to IL-1 alpha were required to offer comparable inhibition of binding of 125I-IL-1 alpha. These results suggest that IL-1ra and IL-1 alpha bind with equal avidity to IL-1 receptors but may not bind identically. Additional experiments are necessary to establish whether these two ligands may bind to different regions of the extracellular portion of the IL-1 receptor.     

Internalization of human interleukin 4 and transient down-regulation of its receptor in the CD23-inducible Jijoye cells

Human interleukin 4 (IL-4) specifically induces the low affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon R2/CD23) on the surface of the Burkitt lymphoma cell line Jijoye. At 4 degrees C 125I-IL-4 specifically binds to high affinity receptors (Kd = 4-10 x 10(-11) M; Bmax, 600-1,200 sites/cell). Following a rapid temperature shift from 4 to 37 degrees C, 80% of the receptor-bound 125I-IL-4 disappeared from the cell surface within 20 min (t1/2 = 8.9 min). For every two internalized molecules of IL-4 (t1/2 = 13 min), one molecule of IL-4 dissociated from the cell surface (t1/2 = 25 min). More than 90% of the internalized IL-4 was released in a degraded form into the medium following first order kinetics (t1/2 = 68 min). Internalization was inhibited by cytoskeletal disrupting and lysosomotropic agents. Incubating cells with 1 nM IL-4 resulted in a rapid down-regulation of IL-4 receptors (75% loss after 2 h); a reexpression of receptor to control level occurred after 20 h in spite of the presence of a large excess of IL-4. Reexpression was delayed by chloroquine and blocked by cycloheximide and actinomycin D. By using the cross-linking agent bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate, three polypeptides of Mr 130,000, 80,000, and 70,000 were specifically labeled with 125I-IL-4. These three polypeptides coordinately disappeared and reappeared with the 125I-IL-4 binding sites. The induction of Fc epsilon R2/CD23 required prolonged incubation (greater than 8 h) with IL-4 and thus may be dependent on the reexpression of IL-4 receptor.     

Expression of high affinity receptors for murine interleukin 4 (BSF-1) on hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic cells

In this report a method for the affinity purification and radiolabeling of recombinant mouse interleukin (IL)-4 is described. It is shown on the basis of several criteria that IL-4 retains full biologic activity after radioiodination and can therefore be used as a valid model for measuring the binding characteristics of native IL-4. By using Scatchard plot analysis of equilibrium binding data, it is demonstrated that 125I-IL-4 binds to a high affinity cell surface receptor which is expressed by both hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic cells. The dissociation constant for 125I-IL-4 (Kd = 20 to 60 pM) corresponds to the concentration of IL-4 which gives 50% biologic activity (i.e., 10 to 30 pM). Binding of 125I-IL-4 is rapid (t1/2 of 2 min), whereas dissociation occurs at a slow rate (t1/2 approximately 4 hr). The IL-4 receptor shows a high degree of specificity. Whereas unlabeled mouse IL-4 competed with mouse 125I-IL-4 in an equimolar fashion for binding to IL-4 receptors, several other lymphokines, including mouse IL-2, IL-3, interferon-gamma, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and human IL-1, IL-2, and IL-4 were unable to inhibit, even at molar excesses of 400 to 800-fold. At 37 degrees C, 125I-IL-4 is rapidly internalized (approximately 200 molecules/cell/min) by HT-2 cells, with at least 85% of cell surface receptors being functional in this respect. Receptors for IL-4 were found to be expressed by subclasses of T and B cells, mast cells, macrophages, and by cells of the myeloid and erythroid lineages. This wide distribution of receptor expression closely matches the known spectrum of biologic activities of IL-4, including proliferation and/or differentiation of T and B cells, mast cells and granulocytes, and induction of macrophage antigen-presenting capacity. IL-4 receptors were also found on a variety of nonhemopoietic cells such as cloned stromal cell lines from the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and brain, and on muscle, brain, melanoma, fibroblast, and liver cells. Indeed, only 5 of more than 90 cell types tested have undetectable numbers of IL-4 receptors. The biologic effects of IL-4 on nonhemopoietic cells have not yet been reported and await elucidation.     

Binding, internalization, and intracellular localization of interleukin-1 beta in human diploid fibroblasts

This study demonstrates internalization of interleukin-1 (IL-1) via its cell surface receptor on human diploid fibroblasts and shows intracellular localization of IL-1 beta. Binding experiments at 8 degrees C using confluent fibroblast monolayers revealed 5,000-15,000 IL-1 receptors/cell that bound both IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. Incubation of monolayers with 125I-IL-1 beta (10(-9) M) at 8 degrees C and then at 37 degrees C for various times up to 8 h revealed a t1/2 for internalization of receptor-bound IL-1 beta of about 1.5 h. In addition, it was shown that IL-1 beta internalized via receptors was undegraded and retained binding activity. Electron microscopic autoradiography of monolayers incubated with 125I-IL-1 beta, as above, showed a progressive increase in the ratio of cytoplasmic to cell surface-associated grains. Grains at the cell surface were primarily localized at cell processes or attachment sites, frequently close to intra- and extracellular filamentous material. During incubation at 37 degrees C, most grains were free in the cytoplasm, with few present in lysosomes or vesicles. After 1 h, approximately 15% of the grains were over nuclei. Control cultures incubated at 37 degrees C with 125I-IL-1 beta and 100-fold excess unlabeled IL-1 beta showed increased uptake of label into lysosomes and little into nuclei. This study shows that IL-1 receptors are primarily located at fibroblast processes and that receptor-mediated internalization of the ligand is slow. Nuclear localization apparently requires IL-1 receptor-specific internalization of IL-1 beta, suggesting a possible role for this process in eliciting the IL-1 signal.     

Novel receptor-mediated internalization of interleukin 2 in B cells

Novel IL-2-binding molecules (p70 and p75) mediating internalization and degradation of IL-2 were examined by employing a human B lymphoblastoid line, SKW6-4 cells. High concentrations of IL-2 induced IgM secretion in these cells through a receptor distinct from Tac antigen. The acid-wash technique revealed that more than 60% of 125I-labeled IL-2 bound to the cells became acid-unremovable in the first 30 min of incubation at 37 degrees C and degradation products of 125I-IL-2 increased after 30 min of incubation. Treatment of the cells with NaN3 buffer inhibited the appearance of acid-unremovable 125I-IL-2, suggesting that acid-unremovable 125I-IL-2 was not due to fluid-phase pinocytosis but due to internalization. Loss of labeled bands by incubation of cells with 125I-IL-2 at 37 degrees C before affinity cross-linking demonstrated that 125I-IL-2 was internalized via novel IL-2-binding molecules. These results suggest that novel IL-2-binding molecules are responsible for internalization and may mediate signal transduction in B cells in the absence of Tac antigen.     

Demonstration of neutralizing autoantibodies against IL-1 alpha in sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

We have recently reported the presence of IgG which has a potent inhibitory activity against IL-1 alpha in some sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The mechanism of this inhibition by IgG against IL-1 alpha is now elucidated. IgG with IL-1 alpha-inhibitory activity inhibited the binding of 125I-IL-1 alpha to receptors on rheumatoid synovial cells. In addition, preincubation of synovial cells with the inhibitory IgG did not block the binding of 125I-IL-1 alpha to receptors, suggesting a direct interaction between IgG and IL-1 alpha. To examine which region of the IgG, namely Fab or Fc region, has the inhibitory activity, the IgG was digested with papain, and Fab and Fc fragments were purified. Fab fragments, but not Fc fragments, inhibited both IL-1 alpha-induced thymocyte-proliferation and the binding of 125I-IL-1 alpha to receptors. We further demonstrated that the inhibitory IgG which was bound to protein A Sepharose could bind a significant amount of 125I-IL-1 alpha, whereas only a negligible binding of the radiolabeled ligand was detected when IgG without the inhibitory activity was used as control. Moreover, the binding of 125I-IL-1 alpha to IgG with the inhibitory activity was clearly blocked by Fab fragments of IgG having the inhibitory activity. Finally, affinity-purified IgG over an IL-alpha affinity column showed approximately 100-fold more potent inhibitory activity on IL-1 alpha-induced thymocyte proliferation compared with untreated IgG. From these results, we conclude that IgG molecules with IL-1-alpha-inhibitory activity are neutralizing autoantibodies against IL-1 alpha.     

IL-1 binds to high affinity receptors on human osteosarcoma cells and potentiates prostaglandin E2 stimulation of cAMP production

IL-1 is a potent bone resorbing agent. Its mechanism of action is unknown, but the presence of osteoblasts was shown to be necessary for IL-1 stimulation of bone resorption by isolated osteoclasts. This study examines the presence of IL-1R and IL-1 effects in osteoblastic cells from a clonal human osteosarcoma cell line, Saos-2/B-10. We found that the binding affinity and the number of binding sites increases substantially during the postconfluent stage. Scatchard and curve-fitting analysis revealed one class of high affinity binding sites, with Kd/Ki's of 40 +/- 17 pM (mean +/- SD) for IL-1 alpha (n = 5) and 9 +/- 7 pM for IL-1 beta (n = 5) and 2916 +/- 2438 (n = 6) receptors/cell. Incubation of the cells with 125I-IL-1 alpha (100 pM) at 4 degrees C, followed by incubation at 37 degrees C up to 4 h, revealed internalization of receptor-bound IL-1 alpha. Chemical cross-linking studies showed that the IL-1R in Saos-2/B-10 cells had a molecular mass of approximately 80 kDa. To assess the biologic effect of IL-1 in Saos-2/B-10 cells, we determined PGE2 content and adenylate cyclase activity. Although IL-1 had no effect on PGE2 synthesis, both IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta enhanced PGE2 stimulation of adenylate cyclase two- to four-fold in a dose-dependent manner. The half-maximal effect for IL-1 alpha was seen at 8 to 10 pM and for IL-1 beta at 0.6 to 1.8 pM. IL-1 did not enhance basal adenylate cyclase or stimulation by parathyroid hormone, isoproterenol, or forskolin. IL-1 enhancement of PGE2-stimulated adenylate cyclase was detected between 1 to 2 h, was maximal at 4 to 5 h, was not prevented by cycloheximide treatment, and was seen in membranes from IL-1 pretreated cells. These data show effects of IL-1 on a human osteoblast-like cell line that are mediated by high affinity receptors. These IL-1 effects could contribute to the biologic action of IL-1 on bone.     

Presence of IL-1 receptors on human and murine neutrophils. Relevance to IL-1-mediated effects in inflammation

Inflammatory responses are characterized by the infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) at the involved site. IL-1 may have an important role in mediating this response, but whether IL-1 acts directly on PMN is controversial. In this study, we examined PMN for the presence of IL-1R and determined the effect of IL-1 on PMN migration in vivo. Thioglycollate, proteose-peptone, or IL-1 elicited peritoneal exudate cells were found to bind 125I-IL-1 alpha in a specific and saturable manner. This binding was localized to the PMN in the exudate. Scatchard plot analysis indicates the presence of approximately 1700 receptors per PMN and an apparent dissociation constant of 3.0 x 10(-10) M. Binding sites for 125I-IL-1 alpha were also found on human PMN prepared from peripheral blood. There are approximately 900 receptors per cell on human PMN with a dissociation constant similar to that observed for elicited murine PMN. Binding of 125I-IL-1 alpha to the mouse and human PMN is inhibited by both recombinant human IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, indicating that both IL-1 proteins bind to the same receptor on these cells. Human PMN were able to internalize radioiodinated IL-1. We conclude that PMN possess receptors for IL-1 and that these binding sites may be important in mediating IL-1 effects on granulocytes that are involved in the inflammatory response.