抗hARD1抗血清制备及其初步肿瘤免疫组化分析

人ARD1(human arrest defective 1, hARD1)基因被确定具有N-乙酰基转移酶活性, 但其生理学功能并不清楚。为了探讨hARD1基因与肿瘤的关系, 检测hARD1蛋白在不同肿瘤中的表达, 克隆了hARD1基因并进行原核表达, 利用镍离子螯合(His-bind)柱层析纯化, 得到纯度达95%以上的hARD1蛋白。以纯化的重组蛋白免疫小鼠, 制备了抗hARD1蛋白的抗血清。利用抗hARD1多抗血清检测常见的临床肿瘤病理组织, 发现hARD1蛋白在乳腺肿瘤、前列腺癌, 以及肺癌中有较高频率的表达, 其中乳腺肿瘤中的表达频率最高, 达到70%, 远高于其他肿瘤组织。表明hARD1蛋白的高表达可能是乳腺肿瘤组织的一个标志, 为进一步揭示hARD1与乳腺肿瘤的关系奠定了基础。     

抗GPNMB单克隆抗体的制备及双抗体夹心ELISA方法的建立

目的:制备抗GPNMB单克隆抗体,建立双抗体夹心ELISA检测GPNMB在胶质母细胞瘤中的表达情况.方法:以新鲜胶质母细胞瘤组织为材料,提取总RNA,通过RT-PCR扩增得到GPNMB cDNA序列,经NcoⅠ和XhoⅠ双酶切后,克隆入PET-28a(+)进行原核表达,经蛋白纯化得GPNMB-6× His融合蛋白;以该融合蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,淋巴细胞杂交瘤法制备单克隆抗体;采用Western-blot、双抗体夹心ELISA以制备所得的抗GPNMB抗体检测胶质母细胞瘤细胞系U251、U373、SHG44和星形胶质细胞系SVG12中GPNMB的表达.结果:成功构建了GPNMB原核表达载体,获得了GPNMB-6×His重组蛋白;制备得到了G203、F105和M306共3株抗GPNMB的单克隆抗体,腹水ELISA效价分别为1∶8000、1∶8000、1∶5000,抗体亚类分别为IgG2、IgG1和IgG1,进一步实验证实单克隆抗体G203和M306可用于双抗体夹心ELISA检测不同胶质细胞瘤细胞系中GPNMB的表达.结论:成功制备出抗GPNMB单克隆抗体,效价及特异性良好,并证实GPNMB在胶质母细胞瘤细胞系中高表达,为进一步研究GPNMB在胶质母细胞瘤中的作用奠定了基础.     

鼠源抗人乳腺癌MRP1/ABCC1噬菌体Fab抗体库的构建

鼠源抗人乳腺癌多药耐药相关蛋白1(multidrug resistance-associated protein 1,MRP1/ABCC1)噬菌体Fab抗体库的构建首先是利用乳腺癌组织匀浆液作为免疫原免疫BALB/c小鼠,成功免疫后提取小鼠脾组织的总RNA逆转录为cDNA。然后设计小鼠IgG各亚型的特异性Fab引物,PCR扩增Fd和L基因并依次连接到噬菌体载体pComb3中。重组体pComb3-Fab转化至E.coli XL1-Blue菌中,最后经辅助噬菌体VCSM13超感染,成功构建噬菌体Fab抗体库。以化学合成的MRP1/ABCC1膜表位10肽为抗原进行3轮淘选、富集,对淘选后获得的各级噬菌体抗体库进行ELISA检测和鉴定。成功获得的抗MRP1/ABCC1-10肽三级噬菌体Fab抗体库将为抗人乳腺癌MRP1/ABCC1 Fab抗体的制备提供保障。     

抗人肌糖蛋白C单克隆抗体的制备及鉴定

目的:制备抗人肌糖蛋白C(tenescin-C,TN-C)单克隆抗体并鉴定.方法:根据人TN-C蛋白序列,用软件预测B细胞表位;化学合成优势表位蛋白肽,分别与钥孔戚血蓝素(KLH)和兔血清白蛋白(RSA)交联;取KLH-TN-C常规免疫BALB/c小鼠,取免疫小鼠脾细胞与Sp2/0细胞融合,用分别预包被KLH-TN-C或者RSA-TN-C融合蛋白的ELISA板筛选高亲和力单克隆抗体;取骨肉瘤组织进行免疫组化染色.结果:获得蛋白优势表位数据;成功将TN-C肽交联至KLH和RSA;获得3株抗人TN-C单克隆抗体,分别为IgG1和IgG2a亚型,腹水效价为10-6左右,免疫组化有阳性着染.结论:成功获得抗人TN-C单克隆抗体.     

EpCAM蛋白的表达、纯化及其单克隆抗体的制备

目的:原核表达EpCAM蛋白并制备抗EpCAM特异性单克隆抗体,初步鉴定相应单克隆抗体的特性。方法:PCR扩增EpCAM基因胞外区,将目的基因亚克隆至载体pET-28a(+),转化至大肠埃希菌株BL21,IPTG诱导表达,组氨酸亲和层析法纯化表达产物。纯化蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,将成功免疫的小鼠脾细胞与骨髓瘤SP2/0细胞融合,经ELISA筛选得到分泌特异性抗EpCAM的单克隆抗体的细胞株,免疫BALB/c小鼠进一步制备相应的单克隆抗体,并通过Western blot(蛋白质印记)和FACS(流式细胞分析)鉴定单抗的特异性及生物学活性。结果:成功构建重组表达载体pET28a-EpCAM并在大肠杆菌中获得表达,经His-tag亲和层析法获得纯化的EpCAM重组蛋白。EpCAM重组蛋白免疫的BALB/c小鼠的脾细胞与SP2/0细胞融合、筛选,获得两株稳定分泌EpCAM抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为4B2、2F2并免疫BALB/c小鼠获得相应的单克隆抗体。Western blot结果显示4B2腹水纯化所得单抗能够识别FaDu细胞系(人咽鳞癌细胞)中的EpCAM蛋白,但2F2未能识别FaDu细胞中的变性的EpCAM蛋白。FACS结果显示两者均能和FaDu细胞中天然的EpCAM蛋白结合。讨论:成功制备了抗EpCAM的单克隆抗体,并能够识别人咽鳞癌细胞系FaDu中表达的EpCAM,为进一步研究EpCAM抗体在肿瘤治疗中的作用提供基础。     

抗P-选择蛋白人源性单克隆抗体的制备

目的:获得人源性抗P-选择蛋白(selectin)特异性抗体,为相关疾病治疗奠定基础。方法:在HEK293细胞中真核分泌表达人P-选择蛋白功能性片段,以此蛋白片段作为抗原,利用本室构建的大容量全合成人源性噬菌体抗体库进行筛选,经过3轮固相筛选后,阳性克隆得到富集;将其中富集效果最好的一株单链抗体A1改造成全抗体(IgG1),重组质粒转染H293细胞后,抗体得到表达;表达后在全抗体水平上用ELISA和Western印迹分别验证了A1抗体的特异性,并通过非竞争ELISA方法初步测定这株抗体的亲和力。结果:3轮筛选得到3株特异性噬菌体抗体,其中富集效果最好的单链抗体A1改造成全抗体形式后特异性良好,抗体亲和力Kd=2×10-8 mol/L。结论:筛选得到一株特异性较好的抗P-选择蛋白人源性单克隆抗体A1,其特异性和亲和力较好,有继续开发的价值。     

基于单个B细胞抗体基因扩增技术筛选马IgG1单克隆抗体*

在马的免疫学研究领域中,由于目前市场上缺乏商业化的马IgG单克隆抗体,使得对马的B细胞研究受到很大阻碍,IgG是B细胞受体(BCR)的重要构成成分,与B细胞分化成熟相关。为了获得马IgG特异性单克隆抗体,利用单个B细胞扩增技术进行抗体筛选。首先,将马IgG蛋白(EqIgG1-C)密码子优化后合成到真核表达载体pcDNA3.4上,纯化出抗原蛋白。随后,使用蛋白质免疫小鼠,分离脾细胞后利用流式细胞术分离特异性单个B细胞,扩增出抗体重链和轻链的可变区基因,用overlapping PCR方法扩增出线性化的完整抗体,并进行鉴定。结果从80个B细胞中获得了27株特异性重组单克隆抗体,并挑选出3株线性结合活性最强的抗体基因构建到表达载体上,共转染Expi293F^TM细胞后表达纯化,经过ELISA和Western blot验证,显示获得的抗体可以和EqIgG1-C蛋白有良好的结合作用。使用该方法可以省时高效的获得特异性抗体,为马的免疫学研究提供了重要研究工具,为鼠单克隆抗体筛选提供了技术拓展。     

抗人脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2单抗制备及应用

本研究旨在制备抗人脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2 (Lp-PLA2)单克隆抗体,对单抗进行初步评价,采用免疫层析方法学,建立一种可在社区医疗机构应用的Lp-PLA2快速检测方法。首先从NCBI获得人Lp-PLA2全长基因序列构建表达载体,在CHO-K1细胞中表达Lp-PLA2重组蛋白。以获得的重组蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,利用细胞融合技术筛选杂交瘤细胞,小鼠腹水诱生单克隆抗体。通过SDS-PAGE、ELISA等方法评价抗体性能。利用双抗夹心法制备Lp-PLA2量子点荧光免疫层析检测试剂,并使用便携式检测仪器评估试剂性能。制备并筛选得到亲和力达到1×10~(–8)的配对单克隆抗体PLA1与PLA5,抗体亚类为IgG1,能特异性识别血液中Lp-PLA2蛋白。自制Lp-PLA2量子点荧光免疫检测试剂可检测线性范围为20–2000ng/mL,与进口试剂的检测相关系数R达到0.99。综上,本研究制备得到一对高亲和力、高特异性的抗人Lp-PLA2单克隆抗体,并建立了Lp-PLA2免疫层析检测方法,该方法检测准确、操作简便,适合Lp-PLA2检测应用于社区医疗机构,为居民心血管健康管理提供了新途径。     

人源抗发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒-Gn蛋白重组抗体的研究

为研制人源抗发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒(Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus,SFTSV)Gn蛋白重组抗体,本研究利用噬菌体表面展示技术,以SFTSV全病毒颗粒和重组表达SFTSV-Gn蛋白为抗原,从人源抗SFTSV Fab噬菌体抗体库中筛选抗SFTSV-Gn蛋白的重组Fab抗体,通过ELISA对Fab抗体的结合特异性进行检测。将Fab抗体基因克隆入哺乳动物细胞表达载体HL51-14,瞬时转染293T细胞获得分泌表达的IgG抗体。通过ELISA、IFA和Western-blotting检测IgG抗体的结合特异性。采用亲和层析纯化IgG抗体,并用微量中和试验检测IgG抗体的中和活性。结果表明经过三轮富集筛选,以SFTSV病毒颗粒为抗原筛选出364株针对SFTS病毒核蛋白Fab抗体,没有筛选出特异性结合Gn蛋白的阳性克隆,而通过Gn蛋白筛选得到8株特异结合Gn蛋白的Fab抗体,其中5株来自Lambda库,3株来自Kappa库。ELISA、IFA和Western-blotting检测证实这8株IgG抗体均能特异性结合Gn蛋白。微量中和试验显示8株新筛抗体没有中和活性,但仍可为后续SFTSV人源单克隆抗体的研究提供借鉴和参考。     

抗人呼吸道合胞病毒融合糖蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及体外鉴定

目的:获得能稳定分泌抗人呼吸道合胞病毒(human respiratory syncytial virus, RSV)融合糖蛋白(fusion glycoprotein, F)单克隆抗体(monoclonal antibody, mAb)的杂交瘤细胞株,以期用于RSV感染的早期诊断和被动免疫治疗研究。方法:通过杂交瘤技术制备可特异性识别RSV F的单抗,体外鉴定生物学特性。结果:获得了可分泌抗RSV F蛋白的杂交瘤细胞株F8,体外连续传代培养2个月,能稳定分泌抗体F8,培养上清效价为1∶1000,亲和常数(Ka)为6.8×10⁸ L/mol。F8属IgG1型抗体,可特异性识别RSV F1亚单位的AA 205-222。免疫酶法蚀斑减少中和实验证实F8具有体外中和活性及融合抑制活性。结论:获得具有中和活性的抗RSV F蛋白的单克隆抗体,为RSV感染的早期诊断及被动免疫治疗等奠定了基础。     

Purification of human interleukin 1

Interleukin I (IL-1) is a lymphocyte stimulant released by human monocytes cultured for 18–24 hours in tissue culture medium containing 5% serum and the non-specific immunostimulant lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Human IL-1 is found in the conditioned medium in a low molecular weight (～ 13,000) and a high molecular weight (～ 85,000) form. The high MW activity may result from the formation of a complex between IL-1 and serum constituents. During the course of purification, the low MW IL-1 activity is often recovered in a high MW form. Hollow fiber diafiltration and membrane ultrafiltration has been found to rapidly separate low MW IL-1 from all measurable protein with a yield of 4% of the original activity. The IL-1 which converts to the high MW form during the purification is recoverable, 21% of the original activity, but contains small amounts of serum proteins. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of the low MW IL-1 resulted in a very highly purified sample which was analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Utilizing a new staining procedure which detects less than 1 ng of protein per band, the IEF-purified IL-1 revealed trace quantities ( < 1 ng) of a slowly migrating protein similar to immunoglobulin and no other bands. There were no bands which corresponded with the known electrophoretic mobility of IL-1. Since the samples applied to the gel contained significant biological activity, this result implies that human IL-1 is biologically active in picogram quantities.     

Entry of human parechovirus 1

Human parechovirus 1 (HPEV-1) is a prototype member of parechoviruses, a recently established picornavirus genus. Although there is preliminary evidence that HPEV-1 recognizes alpha(V) integrins as cellular receptors, our understanding of early events during HPEV-1 infection is still very limited. The aim of this study was to clarify the entry mechanisms of HPEV-1, including the attachment of the virus onto the host cell surface and subsequent internalization. In blocking experiments with monoclonal antibodies against different receptor candidates, antibodies against alpha(V) and beta(3) integrin subunits, in particular in combination, appeared to be the most efficient ones in preventing the HPEV-1 infection. To find out whether HPEV-1 uses clathrin-coated vesicles or other routes for the entry into the host cell, we carried out double-labeling experiments of virus-infected cells with anti-HPEV-1 antibodies and antibodies against known markers of the clathrin and the caveolin routes. At the early phase of infection (5 min postinfection [p.i.]) HPEV-1 colocalized with EEA1 (early endosomes), and later, after 30 min p.i., it colocalized with mannose-6-phosphate receptor (late endosomes), whereas no colocalization with caveolin-1 was observed. The data indicate that HPEV-1 utilizes the clathrin-dependent endocytic pathway for entry into the host cells. Interestingly, endocytosed HPEV-1 capsid proteins were observed in the endoplasmic reticulum and cis-Golgi network 30 to 60 min p.i. Depolymerization of microtubules with nocodazole inhibited translocation of the virus to the late endosomes but did not block HPEV-1 replication, suggesting that the RNA genome may be released early during the entry process.     

Extracellular human thioredoxin-1 inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1beta expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages

Oxidative stress plays an important role in atherosclerotic vascular disease, and several recent studies were focused on thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) and its potential protective role against oxidative stress. Since human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) are important cells in several inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis, we conducted this study to evaluate the impact of extracellular recombinant human Trx-1 (rhTrx-1) on gene expression in lipopolysaccharide-activated HMDM. Our results showed that rhTrx-1 was capable of reducing interleukin (IL)-1beta mRNA and protein synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was partly mediated through a reduction of NF-kappaB activation as analyzed by transient transfection and gel shift assays. In addition, we showed that the attenuation of NF-kappaB activity was the result of the reduction of both p50 and p65 subunit mRNA and protein synthesis on one hand and of the induction of I-kappaBalpha mRNA and protein expression on the other hand. Moreover, inhibition of endogenous Trx-1 mRNA was also observed, suggesting a contribution to the diminution of NF-kappaB activity since endogenous Trx-1, in contrast to the exogenous Trx-1, activates the NF-kappaB system. Finally, H2O2-oxidized rhTrx-1 reduced IL-1beta mRNA synthesis in lipopolysaccharide-activated HMDM. This result highly suggested that the rhTrx-1 used in this study could be oxidized in the culture medium and, in turn, reduced IL-1beta mRNA and protein synthesis. Taken together, these data indicated a potential new mechanism through which extracellular rhTrx-1 exerts an anti-inflammatory function in HMDM.     

MUC1-specific immune responses in human MUC1 transgenic mice immunized with various human MUC1 vaccines

Analyses of MUC1-specific cytotoxic T cell precursor (CTLp) frequencies were performed in mice immunized with three different MUC1 vaccine immunotherapeutic agents. Mice were immunized with either a fusion protein comprising MUC1 and glutathione S-transferase (MUC1-GST), MUC1-GST fusion protein coupled to mannan (MFP) or with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing both MUC1 and interleukin-2. Mouse strain variations in immune responsiveness have been observed with these vaccines. We have constructed mice transgenic for the human MUC1 gene to study MUC1-specific immune responses and the risk of auto-immunity following MUC1 immunization. Transgenic mice immunized with MUC1 were observed to be partially tolerant in that the MUC1-specific antibody response is lower than that observed in syngeneic but non-transgenic mice. However, a significant MUC1-specific CTLp response to all three vaccines was observed, indicating the ability to overcome T cell, but to a lesser extent B cell, tolerance to MUC1 in these mice. Histological analysis indicates no evidence of auto-immunity to the cells expressing the human MUC1 molecule. These results suggest that it is possible to generate an immune response to a cancer-related antigen without damage to normal tissues expressing the antigen. Received: 7 July 1999 / Accepted: 26 August 1999     

The human tumour suppressor LATS1 is activated by human MOB1 at the membrane

Downregulation of the LATS1 tumour suppressor protein kinase contributes to tumour formation in mammals and flies. Strikingly, the tumour suppressor activity depends on the interaction with Dmob (Drosphila Mps1-One binder) in Drosophila melanogaster. Recently, human LATS1 was reported to interact with human MOB1 (hMOB1), but the activation of LATS1 was not addressed. Here, we identified a highly conserved hMOB1-binding motif within LATS1's primary structure. While co-expression of LATS1 with hMOB1 did not elevate LATS1 kinase activity in mammalian cells, membrane-targeting of hMOB1 resulted in a significant increase of LATS1 activity. This stimulation was dependent on intact activation segment and hydrophobic motif phosphorylation sites, and was further found to occur a few minutes after membrane association. Therefore, we suggest a potential in vivo mechanism of LATS1 activation through rapid recruitment to the plasma membrane by hMOB1 followed by multi-site phosphorylation, thereby providing insight into the molecular regulation of the LATS tumour suppressor.     

Substrate specificity of human endonuclease III (hNTH1). Effect of human APE1 on hNTH1 activity

Base excision repair of oxidized pyrimidines in human DNA is initiated by the DNA N-glycosylase/apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) lyase, human NTH1 (hNTH1), the homolog of Escherichia coli endonuclease III (Nth). In contrast to Nth, the DNA N-glycosylase activity of hNTH1 is 7-fold greater than its AP lyase activity when the DNA substrate contains a thymine glycol (Tg) opposite adenine (Tg:A) (Marenstein, D. R., Ocampo, M. T. A., Chan, M. K., Altamirano, A., Basu, A. K., Boorstein, R. J., Cunningham, R. P., and Teebor, G. W. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 21242-21249). When Tg is opposite guanine (Tg:G), the two activities are of the same specific activity as the AP lyase activity of hNTH1 against Tg:A (Ocampo, M. T. A., Chaung, W., Marenstein, D. R., Chan, M. K., Altamirano, A., Basu, A. K., Boorstein, R. J., Cunningham, R. P., and Teebor, G. W. (2002) Mol. Cell. Biol. 22, 6111-6121). We demonstrate here that hNTH1 was inhibited by the product of its DNA N-glycosylase activity directed against Tg:G, the AP:G site. In contrast, hNTH1 was not as inhibited by the AP:A site arising from release of Tg from Tg:A. Addition of human APE1 (AP endonuclease-1) increased dissociation of hNTH1 from the DNA N-glycosylase-generated AP:A site, resulting in abrogation of AP lyase activity and an increase in turnover of the DNA N-glycosylase activity of hNTH1. Addition of APE1 did not abrogate hNTH1 AP lyase activity against Tg:G. The stimulatory protein YB-1 (Marenstein et al.), added to APE1, resulted in an additive increase in both activities of hNTH1 regardless of base pairing. Tg:A is formed by oxidative attack on thymine opposite adenine. Tg:G is formed by oxidative attack on 5-methylcytosine opposite guanine (Zuo, S., Boorstein, R. J., and Teebor, G. W. (1995) Nucleic Acids Res. 23, 3239-3243). It is possible that the in vitro substrate selectivity of mammalian NTH1 and the concomitant selective stimulation of activity by APE1 are indicative of selective repair of oxidative damage in different regions of the genome.     

Endocytosis and trafficking of human lactoferrin in macrophage-like human THP-1 cells (1)

Different cell types have been reported to internalize lactoferrin (Lf) by specific or nonspecific receptors. Our studies focused on the endocytic pathway of human Lf in macrophage-like THP-1 cells. Lactoferrin was found to be internalized by THP-1 cells differentiated with phorbol myristate acetate. Incubation of cells with chlorpromazine and dansylcadaverine, inhibitors of clathrin-dependent endocytosis, led to a 50% inhibition of Lf internalization compared with untreated cells. Bafilomycin A1 and NH(4)Cl treatment also resulted in 40%-60% inhibition, respectively, suggesting that the internalization of Lf may partly be mediated by acidic endosome-like organelles. Endocytic uptake of Lf was also cholesterol-dependent, as shown by methyl-β-cyclodextrin or nystatin treatment of the cells prior to internalization. Partial colocalization of Lf and EEA-1, a marker specific for early endosomes, could be observed. Colocalization of Lf with a specific endoplasmic reticulum marker was also detected. Our results suggest that Lf is internalized mainly by the clathrin-dependent pathway in THP-1 cells and targets the ER. The physiological consequences of this intracellular trafficking will be the subject of future investigations.     

Tocotrienols inhibit human glutathione S-transferase P1-1

Tocopherols and tocotrienols are food ingredients that are believed to have a positive effect on health. The most studied property of both groups of compounds is their antioxidant action. Previously, we found that tocopherols and diverse tocopherol derivatives can inhibit the activity of human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GST P1-1). In this study we found that GST P1-1 is also inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, by alpha- and gamma-tocotrienol. The concentration giving 50% inhibition of GST P1-1 is 1.8 +/- 0.1 microM for alpha-tocotrienol and 0.7 +/- 0.1 microM for gamma-tocotrienol. This inhibition of GST P1-1 is noncompetitive with respect to both substrates CDNB and GSH. We also examined the 3D structure of GST P1-1 for a possible tocopherol/tocotrienol binding site. The enzyme contains a very hydrophobic pit-like structure where the phytyl tail of tocopherols and tocotrienols could fit in. Binding of tocopherol and tocotrienol to this hydrophobic region might lead to bending of the 3D structure. In this way tocopherols and tocotrienols can inhibit the activity of the enzyme; this inhibition can have far-reaching implications for humans.     

Interleukin 1 induces interleukin 1. II. Recombinant human interleukin 1 induces interleukin 1 production by adult human vascular endothelial cells

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) alters several potentially pathogenic endothelial cell (EC) functions. The authors report here that recombinant human IL-1 (rIL-1) alpha (0.1 to 10 ng/ml) or IL-1-beta (1 to 100 ng/ml) induce concentration- and time-dependent increases in IL-1-beta mRNA levels in EC derived from adult human saphenous vein. rIL-1 induced IL-1-alpha mRNA only in EC treated concomitantly with cycloheximide (2 micrograms/ml). IL-1-beta mRNA production began within 1 hr of exposure to rIL-1, peaked after 24 hr, and declined thereafter. Actinomycin D prevented the appearance of IL-1 mRNA in rIL-1-treated EC. rIL-1 also induced the release of biologically active IL-1 from EC, which was inhibited by cycloheximide (1 microgram/ml). When compared on the basis of their activity in the thymocyte costimulation assay, rIL-1-alpha and rIL-1-beta were equipotent as inducers of IL-1 production by EC. EC stimulated with rIL-1 produced prostaglandin E2, which inhibits IL-1 production by other cell types and also decreases the responsiveness of thymocytes to IL-1. When EC were exposed to rIL-1 in the presence of indomethacin (1 microgram/ml), which blocked prostaglandin E2 production, greater amounts of rIL-1-induced IL-1 release were detected, although the inhibitor did not affect IL-1-beta mRNA levels. IL-1-induced IL-1 production was unlikely to be caused by endotoxin contamination of tissue culture media or IL-1 preparations, because the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antagonist polymyxin B (10 micrograms/ml) blocked LPS-induced IL-1 production by EC but did not affect IL-1 release in response to rIL-1-beta (100 ng/ml). The IL-1-inducing property of rIL-1-beta was heat-labile, whereas heated LPS stimulated EC IL-1 production. The source of IL-1 in our cultures was not monocyte/macrophages, as treatment of EC with monoclonal antibody to the monocyte antigen Mo2 under conditions that lysed adherent peripheral blood monocytes did not affect production of IL-1 by EC in response to LPS (1 microgram/ml) or rIL-1-beta (100 ng/ml). IL-1 elicits a coordinated program of altered endothelial function that increases adhesiveness for leukocytes and coagulability. IL-1-induced IL-1 gene expression in human adult EC could thus provide a positive feedback mechanism in the pathogenesis of vascular disease including atherosclerosis, vasculitis, and allograft rejection.