IL 1 induction by murine T cell clones: detection of an IL 1-inducing lymphokine

T cell activation is widely believed to depend on interleukin 1 (IL 1) provided by antigen (Ag)-presenting cells (APC). Because IL 1 is not a constitutive product of APC, we examined the features of its production during the interaction of murine T cell clones and APC. We observed that IL 1 was detectable in supernatants of most myoglobin-specific T cell clones grown with APC and Ag. Two of these T cell clones induced exceptionally high levels of IL 1 in their supernatants, and these same clones demonstrated the unusual restriction to I-Ek, which is a low responder type for sperm whale myoglobin. One of these clones was characterized additionally as to the mechanism of IL 1 induction. This clone rapidly stimulated IL 1 production in the APC population (detectable at 4 hr of co-culture) or in macrophages (M phi) or a M phi-like cell line. IL 1 induction was Ag dependent and H-2 restricted. Induction was radioresistant, both on the part of the T cell and of the IL 1 producer. The IL 1-induction process was attributable to a lymphokine produced by the T cell clone. This lymphokine was distinct from IFN-gamma, TNF and CSF-1 and may account for a principal mechanism of T----APC signalling. The induced IL 1 was the same in size, co-mitogenicity, and pyrogenicity as lipopolysaccharide-induced IL 1.     

Cytotoxic lymphokines produced by cloned human cytotoxic T lymphocytes. I. Cytotoxins produced by antigen-specific and natural killer-like CTL are dissimilar to classical lymphotoxins

Several cloned lines of IL 2-dependent human T cells derived from alloantigen, mitogen, or IL 2-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes were examined for their surface marker expression, cytolytic activity in a 51Cr-release assay, and capacity to release cytotoxic lymphokines. Thirty cell lines exhibiting either antigen-specific natural killer cell activity or lectin-dependent killer cell function, which expressed either the CD4 or CD8 surface differentiation markers, were capable of producing cytotoxin(s) in response to the lectins phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A. Cytotoxin activity was detected on the murine L929 target cell in a 16-hr cytotoxicity assay. In contrast, several nonlytic T cell tumor lines failed to produce a soluble cytotoxin. Antibodies capable of neutralizing human alpha-lymphotoxin were completely ineffective in inhibiting the cytotoxin(s) produced by any of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) cell lines. Comparative gel filtration and HPLC hydrophobic chromatography of alpha-lymphotoxin and CTL toxin produced by the CTL-830.B2 clone revealed significant differences in their elution profiles. The CTL-produced toxin and alpha-lymphotoxin exhibited similar kinetics of lysis of the L929 target cells, with 50% target cell lysis occurring at 10 hr. These data indicate human CTL produce a cytotoxin(s) antigenically distinct from alpha-lymphotoxin and imply that human cytolytic effector T cells are not the cellular source for the production of human alpha-lymphotoxin. The relationship of alpha-lymphotoxin and CTL toxin production was investigated in unseparated peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with lectins or IL 2 for 1 and 5 days. Anti-alpha-lymphotoxin antibodies were capable of neutralizing only 30 to 50% of the cytotoxic activity in 24-hr supernatants. Cytotoxic activity in supernatants harvested after 120 hr stimulation with PHA or Con A was neutralized 70 to 100%, whereas the toxin(s) released from IL 2-stimulated lymphocytes was only neutralized 30%. These data suggest the observed heterogeneity of cytotoxic lymphokines produced by unseparated mononuclear cells depends in part on the subpopulations of effector cells responding to a given stimulus and the capacity of different subpopulations to produce distinct cytotoxins.     

Human B cell lines can be triggered to secrete an interleukin 2-like molecule

To determine whether human B cells can be triggered to secrete interleukin 2 (IL-2), 19 tumor cell lines derived from patients with undifferentiated lymphomas of Burkitt's and non-Burkitt's types and 6 normal lymphoblastoid cell lines were tested. Cells were grown in the presence or absence of the new tumor promoter teleocidin, and culture supernatants were assayed for IL-2 activity using the standard CTLL-2 assay. Teleocidin (10 ng/ml) triggered IL-2 secretion in 7/8 (87%) EBV-negative lymphoma cell lines of American origin and in 6/6 (100%) normal lymphoblastoid cell lines, but in only 1/6 (16%) EBV-positive tumor cell lines of American origin. Teleocidin had no effect on 5/5 (0%) African Burkitt's cell lines. IL-2 secretion was not detected in control supernatants. IL-2 secretion correlated with the induction of IgM secretion and was linked to both EBV status and karyotype. The following similarities in the functional biological characteristics of T cell and B cell IL-2 suggest that B cell IL-2 is not a factor which mimics IL-2 activity in the CTLL-2 assay: (i) neutralization of IL-2 by anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody (DMS-1); (ii) elution of IL-2 following its adsorption to CTLL-2 cells; (iii) determination of the MW of IL-2 by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis; and (iv) ability of B cell IL-2 to support T cell proliferation and blocking of this activity by anti-tac monoclonal antibody. cDNA probes for T cell IL-2, however, did not detect IL-2 mRNA in B cells. The cell lines were also found to constitutively express IL-2 receptors detected by anti-tac monoclonal antibody, and to secrete soluble IL-2 receptors measured by ELISA. Our results imply that under certain circumstances, B cells can be triggered to secrete IL-2 or an IL-2-like molecule and thus influence T cell activation and proliferation.     

A B cell growth factor-like activity is secreted by cloned, neoplastic B cells

Supernatants from synchronized clones of neoplastic B cells (BCL1) were found to contain a B cell growth factor (BCGFI)-like activity. The BCGF activity in the BCL1 supernatants (SN) could synergize with EL-4 SN in the late phases of an IL 1-dependent BCGF I assay (days 5 through 8). These SN did not contain any detectable BCGF II, IL, 1, or IL 2 activity. In contrast to EL-4-derived BCGF I, which has a m.w. of approximately 18,000, the BCL1-BCGF activity has a m.w. of approximately 4500. Because the BCGF activity in BCL1 SN fluctuates with cell cycle in synchronized cultures, this BCL1-BCGF may play an auto-stimulatory role in B cell proliferation.     

Functions of accessory cells in B cell responses to thymus-independent antigens

The functions of adherent accessory (A) cells in thymus-independent (TI) B cell activation were investigated using homogeneous A cell lines with distinct cell surface and functional characteristics, as well as inhibitors of antigen processing and interleukin 1 (IL 1) secretion. B cell responses to both type 1 and type 2 TI antigens were found to be strictly A cell dependent. Only A cells capable of IL 1 secretion could restore responsiveness in A cell-depleted spleen cells, regardless of Ia expression or antigen-processing capability. Moreover, recombinant IL 1 completely replaced A cell function in B cell responses to both TI 1 and TI 2 antigens. Finally, T cell depletion did not diminish the reconstitution by IL 1. Thus in contrast to T cell activation, IL 1 secretion is the only A cell function required in TI B cell activation, and the data are consistent with a direct role for IL 1 in B cell activation.     

Stimulation of immunoglobulin secretion in human B lymphocytes as a direct effect of high concentrations of IL 2

In certain human IgM and IgG cell lines, immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion is highly stimulated by a B cell inducing factor (BIF) that is free of interleukin 2 (IL 2). BIF also induces Ig secretion in purified peripheral blood B cell populations that have been mitogenically stimulated by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Low concentrations of IL 2 (less than 20 U/ml) are not active in these systems. We now show that IL 2 at concentrations above 100 U/ml can induce Ig secretion in these blood B cells and B cell lines. Both conventional IL 2, purified from the human JURKAT and gibbon MLA-144 cell lines, and recombinant IL 2 are active. Very high concentrations approaching 10(4) U/ml are optimal for Ig secretion. Antibody to the T cell IL 2 receptor, anti-Tac, did not inhibit stimulation of the IgM cell line SKW6.4 by IL 2, and no Tac antigen was detected on the cells. The 9B11 monoclonal anti-IL 2 antibody that neutralizes T cell growth activity also abrogates stimulation of Ig secretion by conventional and recombinant IL 2 in the SKW6.4 cell line. However, the 1H11 monoclonal anti-(conventional thr3-glycosylated IL 2), which does not neutralize T cell growth activity, does inhibit induction of Ig secretion by the corresponding IL 2 in the B cell line. These results suggest that IL 2 stimulates B cells via a low-affinity interaction with a receptor different from the Tac receptor identified on T cells, and that the active site on the IL 2 molecule for B cells differs from that for T cell targets. If IL 2 promotes Ig secretion by binding with a low affinity to the B cell BIF receptor, IL 2 and BIF could be homologous proteins.     

Antigen-specific, MHC-restricted B cell activation by cell-free Th2 cell products. Synergy between antigen-specific helper factors and IL-4

Ag-specific and MHC-restricted Th clones of different Ag specificities and MHC haplotypes were tested for their ability to produce soluble factors capable of providing the signals required for B cell activation and IgG antibody production. Each of five Th clones tested generated significant helper activity in supernatants derived from coculture of the T cell clone with specific Ag and syngeneic APC. The same helper activity was detected in supernatants of clones stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 antibody in the absence of Ag or APC. The secreted helper activity resembled the activity of the intact Th cells in that it was Ag-specific, carrier-hapten-linked and MHC-restricted. These T cell products functioned to activate only those B cells expressing MHC products which corresponded to the specificity of each Th clone. Thus, the specificity of the cell-free T cell product mimicked precisely that expressed by the intact Th cell and presumably mediated by the cell surface TcR. In addition to the apparent presence of specific helper factor in Th clone supernatants, a role for nonspecific lymphokines was also identified in these preparations. Although recombinant or purified IL-4 alone was not sufficient to stimulate hapten-primed B cells to secrete hapten-specific IgG antibodies, mAb specific for IL-4 blocked the induction of antibody secretion by Th cell supernatant. These results indicate that stimulation of B cells to produce hapten-specific IgG antibody requires at least two distinct signals: an Ag-specific T cell signal which is restricted by MHC products expressed on the B cells, and a nonspecific signal mediated at least in part by the lymphokine IL-4.     

Stimulation of EBV-activated human B cells by monocytes and monocyte products. Role of IFN-beta 2/B cell stimulatory factor 2/IL-6

EBV infects human B lymphocytes and induces them to proliferate, to produce Ig, and to give rise to immortal cell lines. Although the mechanisms of B cell activation by EBV are largely unknown, the continuous proliferation of EBV-immortalized B cells is dependent, at least in part, upon autocrine growth factors produced by the same EBV-infected B cells. In the present studies we have examined the influence of monocytes on B cell activation by EBV and found that unlike peripheral blood T cells and B cells, monocytes enhance by as much as 30- to 50-fold virus-induced B cell proliferation and Ig production. Upon activation with LPS, monocytes secrete a growth factor activity that promotes both proliferation and Ig secretion in EBV-infected B cells and thus reproduces the effects of monocytes in these cultures. Unlike a number of other factors, rIFN-beta 2/B cell stimulatory factor 2 (BSF-2)/IL-6 stimulates the growth of human B cells activated by EBV in a manner similar to that induced by activated monocyte supernatants. In addition, an antiserum to IFN-beta that recognizes both IFN-beta 1 and IFN-beta 2 completely neutralizes the B cell growth factor activity of activated monocyte supernatants. These findings demonstrate that IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6 is a growth factor for human B cells activated by EBV and suggest that this molecule is responsible for B cell growth stimulation induced by activated monocyte supernatants. We have examined the possibility that IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6 might also be responsible for B cell growth stimulation by supernatants of EBV-immortalized B cells and thus may function as an autocrine growth factor. However, IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6 is not detectable in supernatants of EBV-immortalized B cells by immunoprecipitation. Also, an antiserum to IFN-beta that neutralizes IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6 fails to neutralize autocrine growth factor activity. This suggests that autocrine growth factors produced by EBV-immortalized B cells are distinct from IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6. Thus, the continuous proliferation of EBV-immortalized B cells is enhanced by either autocrine or paracrine growth factors. One of the mediators with paracrine growth factor activity is IFN-beta 2/BSF-2/IL-6.     

B cell maturation factor (BMF): a lymphokine or family of lymphokines promoting the maturation of B lymphocytes

Two in vitro B cell tumor lines have been used to characterize and partially purify a lymphokine, or family of lymphokines, from monoclonal helper T cell immune response supernatants. These lymphokines induce the pre-B-like 70Z/3 tumor cell to synthesize Ig L chains and express complete Ig molecules on its cell surface, and cause the mature B cell-like WEHI-279 tumor cell to increase its ratio of secretory to membrane mu production, begin high rate Ig secretion, and then die. Most of the activity responsible for these changes co-purifies during five different separation procedures, implying the existence of a discrete molecule or closely related class of molecules able to mediate all of these effects. The molecules active in these systems appear distinct from the other lymphokines IL 1, IL 2, G/M-CSA, TRF, IFN, BCGF, and the activity variously termed IL 3/BPA/PSF/HCGF/MCGF, etc. We call these B cell-differentiating molecules BMF, or B cell maturation factor(s). The BMF molecules are mildly acidic (pI 5 to 6 in various conditions), extremely hydrophobic, probably heterogeneously glycosylated glycoproteins, with an apparent m.w. of 50,000 to 55,000 by gel permeation chromatography and 16,000 by SDS-PAGE. BMF has been purified approximately 3000-fold by three sequential chromatographic steps, with the use of the B tumor line assay systems. BMF molecules thus purified also cause normal resting splenic B cells to mature to the state of active Ig secretion.     

Human B lymphoblastoid cell lines provide an interleukin 1-like signal for mitogen-treated T lymphocytes via direct cell contact

The B lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL) 8392, SB, 1788, and Daudi provide accessory cell activity for mitogen-treated T cells, whereas the T lines MOLT-4, 8402, CEM, and HSB do not provide this function. Direct cell contact is required for the accessory cell activity, and active lymphocyte growth factors could not be detected in the supernatants of the B-LCL. The B-LCL also present alloantigens to responding T cells, and this response is independent of additional accessory cells. The target for the B-LCL is the responding T cell itself, rather than a minor contaminating population of endogenous accessory cells. This conclusion is based on the finding that, under culture conditions in which T cells do not proliferate in response to PHA, accessory cell activity of the B-LCL is maintained. Paraformaldehyde- or glutaraldehyde-treated B-LCL retain their accessory cell activity at levels of these agents that completely eliminate metabolic activity of the B-LCL, as determined by incorporation of leucine, thymidine, and uridine into macromolecules. This treatment eliminates alloantigen presentation by the B-LCL. T cells treated with IO-4 or with monoclonal anti-T3 antibodies fail to respond to highly purified IL 1, and respond minimally to supra-optimal concentrations of IL 2. Nevertheless, these cells respond maximally to the accessory cell activity of the B-LCL. The IO-4 treated cells or cells exposed to anti-T3 also proliferate in response to TPA. Together, our data suggest that the B-LCL provide an IL 1-like signal for mitogen-treated T cells via direct cell contact, in the absence of detectable soluble IL 1.     

Human T4+ lymphocytes produce a phagocytosis-inducing factor (PIF) distinct from interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma

Unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with angiocentric T cell immunoproliferative disorders and concanavalin A-stimulated normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells secrete a phagocytosis-inducing factor (PIF) that induces a fivefold to 50-fold enhancement of phagocytosis of IgG-coated ox red blood cells by U937 cells. We investigated the identity, production, and mechanism of the action of PIF. PIF activity was demonstrated in supernatants from nine of 44 phytohemagglutinin-stimulated interleukin 2 (IL 2)-dependent T cell lines and clones derived from purified T4+ cells, but was not found in supernatants from 26 lines and clones derived from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated T8+ cells. In addition, PIF was produced by four of four antigen-specific T cell lines and clones after stimulation with the appropriate antigen and antigen-presenting cells, and by HUT-102, a human T cell lymphotropic virus type I-transformed T cell line. PIF from all of these sources caused significant inhibition of U937 proliferation. This proliferation-inhibiting activity co-purified with phagocytosis-enhancing activity in sizing procedures and isoelectric focusing, which yielded an estimated m.w. of 35,000 to 55,000 and an estimated isoelectric point of 5.0 to 6.0 for PIF. In contrast, IL 2, recombinant interferon-alpha, and recombinant interferon-gamma had no effect on phagocytosis by U937 cells, and antibodies to interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma did not block the phagocytosis-inducing activity of PIF-containing supernatants. PIF appears to be a distinct lymphokine produced by a subset of T4+ lymphocytes, possibly those that proliferate in response to antigen. PIF may be important in the induction of erythrophagocytosis, which is associated with certain T cell immunoproliferative disorders.     

Astrocyte-derived interleukin 3 as a growth factor for microglia cells and peritoneal macrophages

Astrocytes have been shown to release an interleukin 3 (IL 3)-like factor that induces the expression of 20-alpha-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (20-alpha SDH) in nu/nu spleen cells, and the proliferation of the IL 3-dependent cell line 32DCL. We have investigated whether astrocyte-derived IL 3 supports growth of macrophages and their representatives in the brain, the microglia cells. Evidence for intercellular communication between murine astrocytes and macrophages became already detectable in co-culture experiments: astrocytes activated with endotoxin resulted in an increased growth of peritoneal macrophages on the astrocyte monolayer. Biochemical analysis of supernatants of activated astrocytes revealed that the IL 3-like factor that stimulated 32DCL cells and the expression of 20 alpha SDH also served as a growth factor for cultured peritoneal macrophages. The same results were obtained by using microglia cells isolated from primary brain cell cultures of newborn mice, which are characterized by their positive reaction for macrophage markers such as Mac-1 and nonspecific esterase. If secreted by reactive astrocytes in vivo, the IL 3-like factor may contribute to the accumulation of macrophages and microglia cells detected in brain lesions of patients with multiple sclerosis.     

Lymphokine-like activity of 8-mercaptoguanosine: induction of T and B cell differentiation

Lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation result from ordered cellular interactions governed by soluble products (lymphokines). Dissecting the individual steps in these processes has been difficult, due to a paucity of pure lymphokines. Recently, it was reported that the derivatized ribonucleoside 8-mercaptoguanosine (8MGuo) has both mitogenic and differentiative effects on murine B cells. In the present studies, we tested 8MGuo for its ability to stimulate both B and T cell responses. In contrast to the murine studies, 8MGuo does not stimulate rat B cells to proliferate and, when tested for B cell growth factor-like activity, no stimulation was observed. The addition of 8MGuo (0.5 to 1 mM final concentration) to mitogen-stimulated B cells led to a marked increase in IgM and a modest increase in IgG secretion. When mixed with conditioned medium, 8MGuo acted synergistically in stimulating secretion of both isotypes, arguing that 8MGuo has both B cell-differentiating factor-mu (BCDF-mu) and BCDF-gamma activity. 8MGuo had no IL 2-like activity when tested on a mouse IL 2-dependent cell line, and no IL 1-like activity on addition to mouse thymocytes with or without submitogenic doses of lectin. However, when added to cultures of murine allogeneic cells in which the stimulating cell populations had been heat-inactivated, 8MGuo induced the generation of specific allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Together, these results suggest that a simple derivatized nucleoside can induce both T and B cell differentiation without concomitant proliferation, and thus represent a unique probe for studying events in lymphocyte differentiation.     

B-cell-derived interleukin 1 (IL-1)-like factor. I. Relationship of production of IL-1-like factor to accessory cell function of Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B-lymphoblast lines

The relationship of production of interleukin 1 (IL-1)-like factor to accessory function of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B lymphocytes was examined. Six of eight human EBV-B cell lines spontaneously produced and released detectable levels of thymocyte comitogenic factor in vitro, but no interleukin 2 (IL-2) activity. Eight of eight produced fibroblast proliferation activity. Culture supernatants from the two apparent nonproducers of thymocyte comitogenic activity induced the proliferation of the IL-1-dependent murine helper-T-cell clone D10G4.1 in the presence of concanavalin A (Con A). One of the EBV-B cell lines produced a potent inhibitory factor in addition to IL-1-like thymocyte comitogenic and fibroblast proliferation factors. The inhibitory factor inhibited mouse thymocyte proliferative response to Con A, and the proliferation of the IL-2-dependent CT6 cell line, but not human fibroblast growth. All but one of the eight EBV-B cell lines tested, the exception being the line that produced an inhibitory factor, were able to serve as antigen-presenting cells that enabled purified human T lymphocytes to proliferate in one-way mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) and in response to Con A. The supernatants of 14 of 16 clones derived from two of the EBV-B cell line cells contained thymocyte comitogenic activity and all 16 stimulated fibroblast proliferation. The phenotypic characteristics of the EBV-B cell lines were heterogeneous, but there was no clear-cut relationship between the cell surface phenotypes of either the cloned or uncloned EBV-B cells and their ability to produce these factors. These studies show that all of the EBV-B cell lines that can function as accessory cells have the capacity to produce an IL-1-like factor.     

Intracellular localization of human monocyte associated interleukin 1 (IL 1) activity and release of biologically active IL 1 from monocytes by trypsin and plasmin

The production of interleukin (IL 1) by normal human peripheral blood monocytes purified by Ficoll-Hypaque density sedimentation, Percoll-gradient sedimentation, and plastic adherence can be detected as early as 30 min intracellularly, and extracellularly within 1 hr after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Production of mRNA coding for the isoelectric point 7.0 species of IL 1 was also detected as early as 1 hr after LPS stimulation and reached a maximum level at 6 hr. Cell-associated IL 1 activity could be extracted with CHAPS detergent from every cell fraction (i.e., membranes, cytosol, and particulates), but was present mainly (greater than 95%) in the cytosol of LPS-activated monocytes and the myelomonocytic cell line, THP-1. The apparent m.w. of IL 1 activity on high pressure liquid chromatography gel filtration in every cell fraction was approximately 23,000 daltons, with a minor peak at 31,000 daltons, whereas the IL 1 activity in the culture supernatants was 17,000 daltons. Western blotting analysis of LPS-stimulated monocyte extracts showed two forms of IL 1 corresponding to 31,000 daltons and 25,000 daltons. Exposure of viable cells to trypsin and plasmin released biologically active 23,000 dalton IL 1 only from IL 1-producing cells such as activated monocytes and IL 1-producing Ebstein-Barr virus B lymphocyte cell lines. Consequently, biologically active IL 1 is presumably exposed on the outer surface of cell membranes. Furthermore, IL 1 release by human monocytes in plasminogen-depleted fetal calf serum was considerably decreased. Conversely, supplementation of plasminogen-depleted serum with purified plasminogen restored the IL 1 production, suggesting that plasmin or plasmin-like factors may be involved in the regulation of the release of IL 1 from IL 1-producing cells. In conclusion, the results suggest that IL 1 is rapidly produced, is pooled in the cytosol, and in part is processed by enzymes, is transferred to the plasma membranes, and is then released from the cells. Tissue plasminogen activator and serum enzymes such as plasmin may therefore be involved in the release of IL 1 from IL 1-producing cells.     

Membrane-associated IL 1-like activity on rat dendritic cells

The secretion of interleukin 1 (IL 1) by rat dendritic cells (DC) was studied in relation to their ability to induce the production of interleukin 2 (IL 2) and to induce IL 2 responsiveness. IL 1 (or IL 1-like activity) was measured by its capacity to enhance IL 2 production by EL4 cells. In contrast to peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) or splenic adherent cells, DC from thoracic duct lymph (TD-DC) or from spleen did not secrete detectable amounts of IL 1 on stimulation with LPS/Silica. However, TD-DC and splenic DC were able to enhance IL 2 production by EL4 cells directly, and were only two times less effective than PEC. By preventing cell-to-cell contact between stimulator cells and EL4 cells, it was demonstrated that most of the IL 2-inducing activity of TD-DC and PEC was associated with the cell membrane. Treatment with 1% paraformaldehyde (PFA) to abolish metabolic activity resulted in a 50% decrease (or inactivation) of IL 2-inducing activity of TD-DC in the EL4 assay. Moreover, UVB-irradiation (300 mJ/cm2) of TD-DC, which has been described to inhibit the release of IL 1 by macrophages, caused a 70% decrease in IL 2-inducing activity. In a primary allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction, neither PFA-treated TD-DC nor UV-irradiated TD-DC were able to induce T cell proliferation or IL 2 production. The cells were, however, able to induce IL 2 responsiveness, i.e., T cell proliferation in the presence of excess human recombinant IL 2. The finding that IL 1 enhanced T cell responses to PFA-treated or UV-irradiated TD-DC in the absence and in the presence of excess IL 2 indicates that loss of stimulatory activity of TD-DC may be due in part to loss or inactivation of IL 1. These results suggest that membrane-associated structures, that are identical to or mimic IL 1, are involved in the activation of T cells by DC.     

Human thymic epithelial cells produce interleukin 1

Although the thymus plays a critical role in generation of immunocompetent T lymphocytes, the precise role of the epithelial component of the thymus in the induction of T cell proliferation and maturation remains unknown. Since interleukin 1 (IL 1) is required for mature T cell activation, we have determined whether human thymic epithelial (TE) cells produce IL 1. By using a system for longterm culture of human TE cells, we found that human TE cells produced an IL 1-like factor (TE-IL 1) that augmented the proliferation of C3H/HeJ mouse thymocytes to phytohemagglutinin. IL 1 activity (20 to 200 U/ml) was detected in supernatants of TE cultures from all individuals (2 to 13 yr old) tested. IL 1 activity was also detected in supernatants of TE cultures from a 17-wk fetus but not from a 10-wk fetus. Production of TE-IL 1 was dependent on TE cell density and time in culture with optimal TE-IL 1 activity observed at 10(6) TE cells/ml after 48 to 72 hr of culture. With the use of high performance liquid chromatography, TE-IL 1 chromatographed as a molecule of 18,000 to 20,000 relative molecular mass, and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, TE-IL 1 migrated at 15,000 to 17,000 Mr. With the use of isoelectrofocusing gels, charge heterogeneity of TE-IL 1 was demonstrated with two major isoelectric points of 5.7 to 5.8 and 6.9 to 7.0. Polyclonal antibody to human monocyte IL 1 markedly inhibited the TE-IL 1 activity. In indirect immunofluorescence assay of frozen human thymic sections, rabbit anti-IL 1 antibody reacted with epithelial cells in human thymic cortex and medulla. Furthermore, high performance liquid chromatography-purified TE-IL 1 augmented human thymocyte proliferation to suboptimal concentrations of phytohemagglutinin. Thus, thymic epithelial cells are capable of providing an intrathymic source of IL 1-like cytokine (TE-IL 1), which affects thymocyte proliferation. We propose that TE-IL 1 may play an important role in intrathymic proliferation and differentiation of human thymocytes.     

The effect of in vitro UV irradiation on the production of IL 1 by murine macrophages and P388D1 cells

Ultraviolet irradiation (UV) exposure may lead to the development of multiple immunologic defects. One such defect is a dysfunction of normal antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation of T lymphocytes after whole body or in vitro UV. Although the mechanism of this interaction is not clearly defined, several possibilities have been suggested. One proposal is that UV may inhibit or abrogate the APC IL 1 signal and thus prevent normal T cell activation. To investigate this possibility further, we examined the functional consequences of UV on murine peritoneal adherent cell (PAC) activation of a cloned antigen-specific T cell hybridoma (A2.2.E10). In agreement with previous reports, we found a marked UV-induced inhibition of PAC activation of A2.2.E10 after sublethal UV. To correlate this UV-APC dysfunction with UV alterations of IL 1 production, both the IL 1-producing murine macrophage cell line P388D1 and normal murine PAC were exposed to various amounts of in vitro UV and the 24-hr post-UV IL 1 activity production of these cells was determined. The results surprisingly indicated that certain amounts of sublethal UV may actually augment the production of IL 1 activity, by using a dose range that clearly inhibits antigen presentation. This UV-induced activity was cycloheximide-sensitive, suggesting that de novo protein synthesis rather than release from cells was responsible for the increased IL 1 activity. In addition, the UV-induced IL 1 activity had a m.w. of 14K, consistent with previous reports, and demonstrated pyrogen activity when tested in the rabbit pyrogen assay. Thus UV clearly inhibits normal APC function; however, this may not be due to abrogation of IL 1 production, but rather the result of UV toxicity for other complex events involved in antigen presentation.     

Immunomodulating activity in supernatants from EBV immortalized lymphocytes

Summary Our earlier work has demonstrated that EBV immortalized B lymphocytes are involved in a factor dependent autostimulatory cycle. Soluble growth stimulating activity was released into culture supernatants by these growing B cells. Growth enhancing (GE) media from B lymphocyte lines, immortalized by EBV infection, contained soluble factor(s) which modulated the Con A response of normal human mononuclear cells. Conditioned media from these lines affected the Con A response in a biphasic manner, stimulating the blastogenic response at lower concentrations, while inhibiting at higher concentrations. At stimulatory concentrations, the blastogenic response to Con A began earlier than in controls and was markedly enhanced by day 2. GE media reduced the initial response of purified B cells to pokeweed mitogen. GE media did not support growth of IL-2 dependent cells. GE media from some EBV-carrying B cell lines had measurable IL-1 activity in the mouse thymocyte PHA response. GE media from LPS stimulated B lymphocyte lines produced significant IL-1-like effects on stimulated mouse thymocytes. These results suggested that these B cell lines may produce IL-1-like factors that cooperate in T cell responses. The possibility that such factors may play a role in B lymphocyte transformation by EBV is discussed.Supported by grants from the Concern Foundation and the Brigham Surgical Foundation