人IL-6 /sIL-6R 结合分子模型的建立及在药物筛选中的应用

目的：建立人IL-6 /sIL-6R 结合的分子模型,用于筛选IL-6 /sIL-6R的抑制剂。方法：将人IL-6基因克隆至原核表达载体pET28a（+）中表达IL-6蛋白,western blot及人IL-6检测试剂盒分析鉴定表达蛋白。同法将人sIL-6R在pET15b载体中表达,纯化并用western blot检测目的蛋白。依据ELISA原理建立IL-6 /sIL-6R 结合的分子模型,并通过改变IL-6、sIL-6R及IL-6 antibody的浓度来优化该模型,用于IL-6 /sIL-6R拮抗药物的筛选。结果：人IL-6可在载体PET28a（+）中高效表达,且经western blot鉴定正确,人IL-6检测试剂盒检测显示具有较高的免疫活性。sIL-6R在PET15b中表达,western blot鉴定正确。通过对IL-6 /sIL-6R结合的分子模型的优化,得到其最佳条件为：IL-6R 1?g/well, IL-6 500ng/well, IL-6 antibody 1?g/well。应用该模型筛选发现有些化合物可显著抑制IL-6与其受体的结合。结论：成功构建IL-6 /sIL-6R结合的分子模型,为高通量筛选IL-6拮抗剂提供平台。     

Soluble interleukin-6 receptor alpha inhibits the cytokine-Induced fractalkine/CX3CL1 expression in human vascular endothelial cells in culture

Soluble form of IL-6 receptor alpha (sIL-6R) is known to serve as an agonist, without exogenous IL-6, on endothelial cells which do not express IL-6R but have only IL-6 receptor beta chain, gp130. We investigated the effect of sIL-6R on fractalkine expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in culture. sIL-6R markedly inhibited HUVEC fractalkine/CX3CL1 expression induced by interleukin (IL)-1alpha, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, or interferon (IFN)-gamma. IL-1alpha-induced fractalkine expression was inhibited by sIL-6R in time- and concentration-dependent manners. The experiment using actinomycin D indicated that sIL-6R lowered the stability of fractalkine mRNA. The inhibitory effect of sIL-6R was reversed by anti-gp130 neutralizing antibody. sIL-6R inhibited adhesion of mononuclear cells (MNCs) to HUVEC monolayers stimulated with IFN-gamma, but it did not inhibit the adhesion to monolayers stimulated with IL-1alpha. MNC chemotactic activity of conditioned medium of HUVEC stimulated with IL-1alpha or IFN-gamma was inhibited by co-treatment with sIL-6R. sIL-6R may play a regulatory role in immune responses by modulating the interaction between leukocytes and the vascular endothelium.     

鼠Ⅰ型可溶性白细胞介素1受体基因在昆虫细胞的克隆和表达

白细胞介素１（ＩＬ－１）是一种重要的细胞因子,具有广泛的生物学活性。它通过与细胞表面的白细胞介素 １受体（ＩＬ－１Ｒ）结合而起作用。以杆状病毒为载体在昆虫细胞中克隆表达了小鼠Ｉ型可溶性白细胞介素１受体（ｓＩＬ－１　ＲＩ）基因。以ＮＩＨ／３Ｔ３细胞ＲＮＡ为模板,采用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法扩增得到小鼠ｓＩＬ－ＩＲＩ的ｃＤＮＡ,克隆至杆状病毒转移载体ｐＡｃＧＰ６７Ｂ,将转移重组质粒与野生病毒ＡＣＮＰＶ ＤＮＡ共转染昆虫细胞Ｓｆ９,经同源重组得到重组杆状病毒ｒＡＣＮＰＶ。应用经纯化的ｒＡｃＮＰＶ感染昆虫细胞Ｓｆ９,表达获得重组的ｓＩＬ－１ＲＩ。经对亲和层析样品的ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ分析和对ＩＬ－１β生物活性阻断作用实验证实,表达产物能够与其配基结合,并且能够分泌至细胞培养上清中。     

Effect of soluble interleukin-6 receptor alpha and interleukin-6 secreted by polymorphonuclear leukocytes on tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression and its production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells

BACKGROUND: It has recently been shown that soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) alone or complexed with interleukin (IL)-6, besides their regulatory role in a wide variety of both normal and abnormal biologic reactions mediated by IL-6, could be an effective stimulator of the cell function. AIMS: The key question of the present study is whether the sIL-6Ralpha or sIL-6R with IL-6 released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) can influence cytokine secretion such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), which together with PMN develop the inflammatory and immune response of a host. METHODS: Cells were isolated from heparinized whole blood of healthy persons. The PMN were cultured for 1 h at 37 degrees C in 5% CO(2). After incubation, the culture supernatant of PMN was removed and was added to PBMC. The PBMC were cultured for 1 h at 37 degrees C in the same conditions. In the culture supernatants and lysates of PMN, we examined the concentrations of sIL-6R by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TNF-alpha was measured at both protein and mRNA levels. Protein levels were determined by ELISA. To examine TNF-alpha mRNA expression, we isolated mRNA from PBMC after culture, using TRIZOL Reagent. The quantity of mRNA TNF-alpha was determined by the Quantikine mRNA assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results obtained revealed that sIL-6R with IL-6 secreted by PMN may play a regulatory role in the immune response by modulating the TNF-alpha expression and its production by PBMC. This may have a significant influence on an early phase of the inflammation and other reactions mediated by TNF-alpha.     

Construction and characterization of a replication-deficient adenovirus expressing rat-soluble interleukin-6 receptor.

BACKGROUND: The pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-6 mediates its multiple effects at the cell level through a multimeric receptor consisting of a binding protein (gp80) and a signal transducer (gp130). A soluble form of gp80 (sIL-6R or gp55) is found released from the surface of cells and appears to possess interleukin-6 (IL-6) agonist activity. Increases in circulating levels of sIL-6R have been reported in different pathological conditions but the precise role of this protein in vivo remains unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cDNA encoding the extracellular domain of the rat IL-6R (sIL-6R) with an appropriate leader sequence has been cloned into the E1 region of an adenovirus vector under the control of the hCMV promoter (Ad5.sIL-6R). RESULTS: Infection of different human or rodent cell lines with Ad5.sIL-6R leads to extended production of recombinant sIL-6R protein into the culture media. The kinetics of transgene expression depends both on the cell type and the species. sIL-6R produced in this manner is biologically active as it confers responsiveness of human hepatoma cells (HepG2) to rat IL-6 stimulation. Adenovirus vectors have been shown to be highly effective for transient delivery of cytokines in vivo. Antibodies against recombinant rat soluble IL-6R were generated and an ELISA developed that allowed us to quantify sIL-6R concentrations. The sIL-6R expressing adenovirus vector has been instilled intratracheally into rats and induced an increase in lung sIL-6R concentration from Day 1 up to Day 10. We demonstrate the potency of our system to deliver in vivo or in vitro soluble cytokine receptors in a prolonged but transient manner.     

可溶性白细胞介素6受体基因在链霉菌的克隆表达研究

以分离提取的ＨｅＬａ细胞总ＲＮＡ为模板,通过ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ反应扩增得到了１０１７ｂｐ的人可溶性白细胞介素６受体（ｓＩＬ－６Ｒ）ｃＤＮＡ片段,将扩增片段克隆到ｐＵＣ１９质粒中进行序列测定。结果证明该片的序列与文献报道的ｓＩＬ－６ＲｃＤＮＡ的序列完全一致,将ｓＩＬ－６ＲｃＤＮＡ与链霉素信号肽ｍｅｌＣｌ的编码序列融合后得到的融合基因ｍｅｌ／ｓＩＬ－６Ｒ克隆到链霉菌质粒ｐＬＪ４５９中,构建成重组表达质粒ｐＬ     

重组人白介素6受体功能区片段的功能鉴定

用生物素标记重组人白介素6受体功能区片段rIL6R-28及其二联体蛋白rIL6R-53．竞争ELISA表明重组蛋白可以与配基IL-6特异结合．流式细胞术检测结果表明IL-6与生物素标记的重组蛋白所形成的复合物能够与7TD1细胞表面的gp130结合．而7TD1细胞生长分析则表明,重组蛋白可以增强IL-6对7TD1．细胞的生长刺激作用．     

Soluble gp130 is the natural inhibitor of soluble interleukin-6 receptor transsignaling responses.

Signal transduction in response to interleukin-6 (IL-6) requires binding of the cytokine to its receptor (IL-6R) and subsequent homodimerization of the signal transducer gp130. The complex of IL-6 and soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) triggers dimerization of gp130 and induces responses on cells that do not express membrane bound IL-6R. Naturally occurring soluble gp130 (sgp130) can be found in a ternary complex with IL-6 and sIL-6R. We created recombinant sgp130 proteins that showed binding to IL-6 in complex with sIL-6R and inhibited IL-6/sIL-6R induced proliferation of BAF/3 cells expressing gp130. Surprisingly, sgp130 proteins did not affect IL-6 stimulated proliferation of BAF/3 cells expressing gp130 and membrane bound IL-6R, indicating that sgp130 did not interfere with IL-6 bound to IL-6R on the cell surface. Additionally, sgp130 partially inhibited proliferation induced by leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and oncostatin M (OSM) albeit at higher concentrations. Recombinant sgp130 protein could be used to block the anti-apoptotic effect of sIL-6R on lamina propria cells from Crohn disease patients. We conclude that sgp130 is the natural inhibitor of IL-6 responses dependent on sIL-6R. Furthermore, recombinant sgp130 is expected to be a valuable therapeutic tool to specifically block disease states in which sIL-6R transsignaling responses exist, e.g. in morbus Crohn disease.     

人可溶性白介素4受体(sIL4R)在大肠杆菌中的表达和纯化

白细胞介素 4 (IL 4 )作为一种多功能的细胞因子在哮喘等变态性炎症反应中具有关键作用 .IL 4通过结合细胞表面的白介素 4受体 (IL 4R)发挥其生物学效应 .sIL 4R缺少跨膜和胞内结构域 ,结合IL 4后不能产生信号传递介导IL 4的生物学活性 ,但sIL 4R与IL 4结合的高度特异性和极高的亲和力使它非常适合作为理想的IL 4拮抗剂 ,应用于哮喘等疾病治疗 .采用RT PCR方法 ,以人单核细胞总RNA为模板扩增得到编码sIL 4R的基因片段 ,经测序确证后插入大肠杆菌高效表达质粒pBV2 2 0 ,得到重组质粒pBV2 2 0 sIL 4R ,重组质粒转化E .coliDH5α .重组菌经温度诱导后超声破碎得到包涵体 ,经SuperdexHR75分子筛柱和DEAE SepharoseFastFlow离子交换柱进行纯化 ,HPLC检测表明纯度达到 90 % .N端测序证明 ,重组sIL 4R与天然sIL 4RN端序列完全一致 .Western印迹、配基结合印迹对重组sIL 4R进行鉴定 .结果表明 ,重组sIL 4R具有结合IL 4的生物学活性     

Interleukin-6 receptor signaling. I. gp80 and gp130 receptor interaction in the absence of interleukin-6

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is used as a growth factor by various tumor cells. It binds to a gp80 specific receptor (IL-6R) and then to a gp130 transducing chain. Both receptor chains are released as soluble functional proteins which circulate in biological fluids. To study the physiological role of these soluble receptors, both proteins were purified from human plasma and the kinetic constants of equilibria between IL-6 and its natural soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) and gp130 receptor (sgp130) were measured using surface plasmon resonance analysis. Unexpectedly, natural sIL-6R and natural sgp130 were found to interact (Kd = 2.8 nM) in the absence of IL-6. No interaction was seen between the recombinant soluble receptors or between either natural soluble receptor and its recombinant partner. This binary complex was not due to copurification of IL-6 and was detected in human plasma of healthy donors. It results from either direct interaction between the two natural soluble receptors or indirect binding mediated by a yet unidentified copurified plasma molecule playing the role of an IL-6 antagonist. Once formed, the binary complex was found to be unable to bind IL-6. Soluble gp130 had already been shown to inhibit IL-6 signaling by inactivating the IL-6/IL-6R complex. In addition we show that, in the absence of IL-6, circulating natural sgp130 is able to inhibit directly the circulating sIL-6R that is a strong synergic molecule of IL-6 signaling.     

Elevation of soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in nasal allergy

To investigate soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels in nasal allergy, the sera and nasal secretions from patients with nasal allergy and from healthy subjects were subjected to a double-epitope enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Significant elevation of sIL-2R concentrations in the sera and nasal secretions was observed in the allergy patients (n = 26) compared with those of healthy subjects (n = 9). IL-2R-positive (CD25(+)) cells were observed in the crust formed in an allergic nasal mucosa. The concentration of sIL-2R in the sera correlated neither with the eosinophil count of the peripheral blood count nor with clinical severity. The concentration of sIL-2R in the nasal secretions was significantly higher compared with that in the sera from allergic patients (p < 0.01), whereas no significant difference was observed between sIL-2R levels in the sera and nasal sections from normal subjects. These findings indicate that sIL-2R plays an essential role in allergic processes by regulating IL-2R-positive cells recruited into the nasal mucosa.     

Serum levels of interleukin-6 type cytokines and soluble interleukin-6 receptor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We investigated the serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and two IL-6 family of cytokines (leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) as well as IL-6 soluble receptor (sIL-6R) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 66 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 24 healthy controls. We examined a possible association between the serum levels of these peptides and RA activity according to the Mallya and Mace scoring system and Ritchie''s index. We also evaluated the correlation between the serum levels of IL-6, LIF, CNTF and sIL-6R and duration of the disease and calculated sIL-6R/IL-6 ratio in RA patients and in the control group. IL-6 and sIL-6R were detectable in all 66 patients with RA and 24 normal individuals. LIF was also found in the serum of all patients with RA and in 16 (66.7%) normal individuals. In contrast CNTF was measurable only in 15 (22.7%) patients with RA and 24 (33.3%) normal individuals. The highest IL-6 and sIL-6R levels were found in the patients with Stages 3 and 4 of RA activity and the lowest in the control group. In contrast there were no statistically significant differences between the LIF and CNTF levels in RA patients and normal individuals. We found positive correlation between IL-6 and sIL-6R concentrations and Ritchie''s index and a lack of such correlation with LIF and CNTF. IL-6 serum level correlated positively with the disease duration, but sIL-6R, LIF and CNTF did not. Serum sIL-6R/IL-6 ratio was significantly lower in RA patients than in healthy controls. In conclusion, an increase in the serum levels of IL-6 and sIL-6R, but not LIF and CNTF concentrations, may be useful markers for RA activity.     

Shedding of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor (gp80) determines the ability of IL-6 to induce gp130 phosphorylation in human osteoblasts

Human osteoblasts produce interleukin-6 (IL-6) and respond to IL-6 in the presence of soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), but the cell surface expression of IL-6R and the mechanism of sIL-6R production are largely unknown. Three different human osteoblast-like cell lines (MG-63, HOS, and SaOS-2) and bone marrow-derived primary human osteoblasts expressed both IL-6R and gp130 as determined by flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation. However, the membrane-bound IL-6R was nonfunctional, as significant tyrosine phosphorylation of gp130 did not occur in the presence of IL-6. Phorbol myristate acetate induced a dramatic increase of both IL-6R shedding (i.e. the production of sIL-6R) and IL-6 release in osteoblast cultures, but the cell surface expression of gp130 remained unchanged. IL-6 complexed with sIL-6R, either exogenously introduced or derived from the nonfunctional cell surface form by shedding, induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of gp130. This effect was inhibited by neutralizing antibodies to either sIL-6R or gp130, indicating that the gp130 activation was induced by IL-6/sIL-6R/gp130 interaction. Protein kinase C inhibitors blocked phorbol myristate acetate-induced and spontaneous shedding of IL-6R resulting in the absence of sIL-6R in the culture medium, which in turn also prevented the activation of gp130. In conclusion, human osteoblasts express cell surface IL-6R, which is unable to transmit IL-6-induced signals until it is shed into its soluble form. This unique mechanism provides the flexibility for osteoblasts to control their own responsiveness to IL-6 via the activation of an IL-6R sheddase, resulting in an immediate production of functionally active osteoblast-derived sIL-6R.     

Cellular senescence or EGFR signaling induces Interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor expression controlled by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) signaling plays a role in inflammation, cancer, and senescence. Here, we identified soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) as a member of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Senescence-associated sIL-6R upregulation was mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). sIL-6R was mainly generated by a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10)-dependent ectodomain shedding to enable IL-6 trans-signaling. In vivo, heterozygous PTEN-knockout mice exhibited higher mTOR activity and increased sIL-6R levels. Moreover, aberrant EGF receptor (EGFR) activation triggered IL-6 synthesis. In analogy to senescence, EGFR-induced activation of mTOR also induced IL-6R expression and sIL-6R generation. Hence, mTOR activation reprograms IL-6 non-responder cells into IL-6 responder cells. Our data suggest that mTOR serves as a central molecular switch to facilitate cellular IL-6 classic and trans-signaling via IL-6R upregulation with direct implications for cellular senescence and tumor development.     

Cytokine receptors and B cell functions. I. Recombinant soluble receptors specifically inhibit IL-1- and IL-4-induced B cell activities in vitro

IL-1 and IL-4 are important mediators of B cell growth and differentiation. The cell-surface receptors for these cytokines have recently been cloned and recombinant soluble receptors have been produced that bind their respective ligand. The ability of soluble forms of the murine IL-1R (sIL-1R) and IL-4R (sIL-4R) to inhibit B cell functions in vitro was examined. Proliferation of B cells treated with anti-Ig plus IL-1 or IL-4 was inhibited by the appropriate soluble receptor. sIL-4R also inhibited IL-4-dependent B cell differentiation as measured by: induction of IgG1 and IgE secretion by LPS blasts, down-regulation of IgG3 secretion by LPS blasts, increased Ia expression, and increased Fc epsilon R (CD23) expression. The inhibitory effects of the soluble receptors were found to be highly specific in that sIL-4R had no effect on IL-1-induced B cell activity and sIL-1R had no effect on IL-4 activity, further demonstrating the existence of two independent pathways of B cell activation directed by IL-1 and IL-4.     

Preparation of soluble murine IL-6 receptor and anti-murine IL-6 receptor antibodies

Starting with a previously isolated cDNA clone encoding murine IL-6R, a stable transformed Chinese hamster ovary cell line constitutively expressing soluble murine IL-6R (smIL-6R) has been established. The smIL-6R was purified to homogeneity by sequential filtration and chromatography of culture medium. The smIL-6R augmented the sensitivity of M1 cells to IL-6 in their growth inhibition in a dose-response manner. Rat hybridomas producing mAb specific to murine IL-6R were also established. One of the clones, RS13, produced IgG2a isotype that was capable of inhibiting IL-6 activity. ELISA for the quantitation of smIL-6R was established, which could detect smIL-6R in a quantity as low as 1 ng/ml.