Human mononuclear phagocyte-associated antigens: II. Lymphokine-inducible antigens on the macrophage cell line,U937

We have utilized the U937 macrophage cell line as a model system for analysis of human mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) differentiation. In addition to expressing membrane antigens shared with other MNP, U937 possesses an intrinsic ability to become “activated” upon exposure to lymphokines. A heteroantiserum produced against lymphokine-stimulated U937 (anti-U937L) was utilized to detect acquired or inducible membrane antigens expressed on “activated” U937. Absorption of this antiserum to remove antibodies to nonstimulated U937 (U937N) did not remove the reactivity of anti-U937L/U937N to lymphokine-stimulated U937 as determined by an ¹²⁵I-protein A radioimmunoassay. The lymphokine-inducible antigens were not detectable on resident, human peritoneal macrophages. In addition to expression of lymphokine-inducible antigens, treated U937 cells displayed alterations in both morphology and functional activity (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity). Kinetic analysis of lymphokine-stimulated U937 indicated that antigen expression occurred as early as 1–2 hr after lymphokine exposure, plateauing at 16–18 hr of stimulation. The inducible antigens were susceptible to proteolytic degradation and expression was blocked by inhibitors of protein synthesis. Inducible antigens detectable by anti-U937L/U937N did not result from the expression of cryptic or buried membrane antigens. Thus, the U937 cell line can be utilized for production of antibodies useful in analysis of membrane antigen expression during differentiation within the MNP system.     

Membrane-associated interleukin 1 activity on human U937 tumor cells: stimulation of PGE2 production by human chondrosarcoma cells

Membrane-associated interleukin 1 (IL 1) activity was induced on the human macrophage tumor cell line, U937, by pretreatment with phorbol myristic acid (PMA). Incubation of PMA-treated, paraformaldehyde-fixed U937 cells with the murine cell line D10.G4.1 in the presence of concanavalin A caused an increase in DNA synthesis as measured by the uptake of tritiated thymidine. Paraformaldehyde-fixed U937, not pretreated with PMA, showed little or no activity. A rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against human IL 1 neutralized all membrane-associated IL 1-like activity, as measured by the inhibition of D10.G4.1 cell proliferation. PMA-treated U937 caused a pronounced enhancement of PGE2 production from a human chondrosarcoma cell line, SW-1353. Membrane-associated IL 1 induced a more potent PGE2 response than did a maximal concentration of soluble IL 1. Rabbit antihuman IL 1 neutralized membrane-bound IL 1 induction of PGE2. The data presented here raise the possibility that membrane-bound IL 1 may play a primary role in the pathophysiology of the inflammatory disease process.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of copper complexes with pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone derivatives. X-ray crystal structure of three dimeric complexes

A dimeric copper complex of the unsubstituted pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone (H(2)L), [[Cu(HL)(OH(2))](2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O, previously tested on Friend murine cell lines has been recently resynthesized to evaluate its behavior on different murine and human leukemic cell lines and has been compared, in vitro and in vivo, with its monomeric counterpart [Cu(H(2)L)(OH(2))Cl]Cl. On TS/A murine adenocarcinoma cell line in vitro, both compounds significantly inhibit cell proliferation at micromolar concentrations, although the dimeric compound is more active. Despite this cytotoxicity they lack in vivo activity on TLX5 lymphoma. The unsubstituted dimeric [[Cu(HL)(OH(2))](2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O induces apoptosis on CEM and U937 human cell lines, with IC(50) concentrations of 1.2 x 10(-5) and 6.7 x 10(-6) M, respectively, but it is inactive on K562. Moreover, it alters significantly the cell cycle of U937 and CEM lines and decreases the telomerase activity of U937. To verify if other dimeric copper complexes show relevant biological activity new complexes with N-substituted pyridoxal thiosemicarbazones have been synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic techniques. Three of them, namely [Cu(Me(2)-HL)Cl](2).6H(2)O (Me(2)-H(2)L=pyridoxal N1,N1-dimethylthiosemicarbazone) (1), [Cu(MeMe-HL)Cl](2)Cl(2).4H(2)O (MeMe-HL=pyridoxal N1,N2-dimethylthiosemicarbazone) (2), [Cu(Et-H(2)L)Cl](2)Cl(2).2H(2)O (Et-H(2)L=pyridoxal N1-ethylthiosemicarbazone) (3), were also characterized by X-ray diffractometry. These complexes are dimeric and all three present a square pyramidal coordinative geometry with the ligand showing an SNO tridentate behavior. Their biological activities have been tested in vitro on U937, CEM and K562 cell lines to ascertain their effectiveness in comparison to the corresponding unsubstituted complex [[Cu(HL)(OH(2))](2)]Cl(2).2H(2)O. Compound 1 shows weak proliferation inhibition on all three cell lines, but it does not induce apoptosis and it does not inhibit telomerase activity, compound 2 is not effective at low concentration and is toxic at higher doses; compound 3 inhibits CEM cell growth better than complex 1 but it does not exert any other biological effect.     

PKC-ERK通路在热损伤诱导单核细胞凋亡中的作用

应用流式细胞检测术、Western印迹、激酶活性测定等技术,检测PKC与ERK在热损伤诱导单核细胞株Raw264.7细胞凋亡中的作用。结果显示热损伤导致PKC短暂激活,PKC激活剂佛波脂(PMA)与热损伤联合作用导致PKC持续活化;并且PKC的持续激活抑制热损伤诱导的Raw264.7细胞凋亡,而PKC的抑制可促进细胞凋亡;ERK活性检测显示热损伤抑制ERK磷酸化,而PMA激活ERK磷酸化活化,并且这种激活作用通过PKC;进一步细胞凋亡检测显示ERK抑制剂PD098059可解除PMA对热损伤诱导Raw264.7细胞凋亡的抑制作用,从而提示PKC通过ERK负调控热损伤诱导的Raw264.7细胞凋亡。     

Succinoyl trehalose lipid induced differentiation of human monocytoid leukemic cell line U937 into monocyte-macrophages

A novel type of succinoyl trehalose lipid (STL-1) prepared from n-hexadecane-culture ofRhodococcus erythropolis SD-74 markedly inhibited the growth of a human monocytoid leukemic cell line, U937, and induced its morphological alteration along a monocyte-macrophage lineage. STL-1 markedly increased differentiation-associated characteristics in macrophage, such as nitroblue tetrazolium reducing ability, appearance of Fc receptor, phagocytic activities in U937. Furthermore, U937 cells, which were activated with STL-1 exhibited cytotoxic activity against human lung carcinoma cell line A549. However, STL-1 did not affect growth of a normal human fetal lung cell line TIG-1. The individual components of STL-1, neither sugar moiety nor fatty acids in the free form, were effective at inducing the differentiation of U937 cell. From these results, we concluded that STL-1 has low cytotoxicity against normal human cells and the ester molecule itself is responsible for the activity of inducing differentiation of human monocytoid leukemic cell line U937 into monocyte-macrophage which results in the stimulation of the production of some cytotoxic substances.     

Human immunodeficiency virus infection of T cells and monocytes proceeds via receptor-mediated endocytosis

The rates of internalization and uncoating of 32P-labelled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the human T lymphoid cell line CEM are consonant with a receptor-mediated endocytosis mechanism of entry. This interpretation was affirmed by electron microscopic observation of virions within endosomes. Virus binding and infectivity were inhibited to the same extent by pretreatment with OKT4A antibody, therefore, the CD4 receptor-dependent pathway of internalization appears to be the infectious route of entry. The pattern of internalization by the human monoblastoid cell line U937 proved to be more complex, involving rapid and efficient CD4-independent internalization. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of large intracellular vesicles, each containing several virions. Antibody against the CD4 receptor for virus efficiently blocked infection, but did not reduce significantly HIV binding or internalization in the U937 cell line. Consequently, U937 cells have a CD4-independent pathway of virus internalization that does not coincide with the route of entry for infectious HIV.     

A novel cytotoxic ternary copper(II) complex of 1,10-phenanthroline and L-threonine with DNA nuclease activity

A novel ternary copper(II) complex, [Cu(phen)(L-Thr)(H2O)](ClO4) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, L-Thr=L-threonine), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The complex crystallized in a triclinic system with space group P1 , a=7.526(15) A, b=11.651(2) A, c=12.127(2) A, alpha=115.41(3) degrees , beta=102.34(3) degrees and gamma=91.33(3) degrees . The copper(II) center is situated in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. At a concentration of 10(-6) mol L(-1), the complex exhibited potent cytotoxic effects against human leukemia cell line HL-60 and human stomach cancer cell line SGC-7901 with inhibition rates of over 90%, however, less pronounced effects were observed for human liver carcinoma cell line BEL-7402 and human non-small-cell lung cancer cell line A-549. The complex was shown to bind DNA by intercalation and cleave pBR322 DNA in the presence of ascorbate.     

The ubiquitin-like protein MNSFbeta regulates ERK-MAPK cascade

MNSFbeta is a ubiquitously expressed member of the ubiquitin-like family that has been implicated in various biological functions. Previous studies have demonstrated that MNSFbeta covalently binds to intracellular proapoptotic protein Bcl-G in mitogen-activated murine T cells. In this study, we further investigated the intracellular mechanism of action of MNSFbeta in macrophage cell line, Raw 264.7 cells. We present evidence that MNSFbeta.Bcl-G complex associates with ERKs in non-stimulated Raw 264.7. We found that MNSFbeta.Bcl-G directly bound to ERKs and inhibited ERK activation by MEK1. In Raw 264.7 cells treated with MNSFbeta small interfering RNA (siRNA) lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ERK1/2 activation was enhanced and LPS-induced JNK and p38 activation was unaffected. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of MNSFbeta increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) expression at mRNA and protein levels in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Finally, we found that transfection with MNSFbeta expression construct resulted in a significant inhibition of LPS-induced ERK activation and TNFalpha production. Co-transfection experiments with MNSFbeta and Bcl-G greatly enhanced this inhibition. Collectively, these findings indicate that MNSFbeta might be implicated in the macrophage response to LPS.     

Inhibition of human topoisomerase II by anti-neoplastic benzazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium chlorides

Previously we reported [20] that there is no correlation between the cytotoxic activity of four new structural analogs of the antitumor DNA intercalator 3-nitrobenzothiazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium chloride (NBQ-2) and their interaction with DNA. In the present study, we present evidence suggesting that the molecular basis for the anti-proliferative activity of these drugs is the inhibition of topoisomerase II. The NBQ-2 derivatives inhibited the relaxation of supercoiled DNA plasmid pRYG mediated by purified human topoisomerase II. Inhibition of the decatenation of kinetoplast DNA mediated by partially purified topoisomerase II extracted from the human histiocytic lymphoma U937 (a cell line previously shown to be sensitive to the drugs) was also caused by these drugs. The potency of the benzazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium drugs against topoisomerase II in vitro was the following: 7-(1-propenyl)-3-nitrobenzimidazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium chloride (NBQ-59) > 4-chlorobenzothiazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium chloride (NBQ-76) > 7-ethyl-3-nitrobenzimidazolo[3,2-a]quinolinium chloride (NBQ-48) > 7-benzyl-3-nitrobenzimidazolol[3,2-a]quinolinium chloride (NBQ-38). This rank of potency for topoisomerase II inhibition correlated very well with the cytotoxicity elicited by these drugs. Furthermore, significant levels of topoisomerase II/DNA cleavage complex induced by these drugs in vivo were detected when U937 cells were treated with NBQ-59 and NBQ-76 whereas NBQ-38 and NBQ-38 and NBQ-48 produced negligible amounts of the cleavage complex. Our results strongly suggest that topoisomerase II is the major cellular target of this family of compounds.     

Synthesis,characterization and X-ray structures of new antiproliferative and proapoptotic natural aldehyde thiosemicarbazones and their nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes

Synthesis and characterization of new thiosemicarbazones derived from natural aldehydes (1–9) have been investigated in order to develop a research program aimed at the development of compounds with antiviral, antibacterial, and antitumor properties. These substances contain both a chain with N and S nucleophilic centers with tuberculostatic activity, and an alkyl or terpenic moiety. In addition, a few nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes (10–18), derived also from the previously studied ligands, were synthesized and characterized by means of NMR and IR techniques. The trans-2-octenal N¹-phenylthiosemicarbazone and its nickel complex were also characterized by X-ray diffractometry. Biological studies, performed with some of these compounds, have involved both inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis tests in vitro on human leukemia cell line U937 to deepen our knowledge on the way these substances interfere with biological processes in leukemic cells.     

Simplification of the tetracyclic SIRT1-selective inhibitor MC2141: coumarin- and pyrimidine-based SIRT1/2 inhibitors with different selectivity profile

In this report we describe the synthesis and biological characterization of two series of sirtuins' inhibitors (SIRTi), designed as simplification products of the previously reported SIRT1-selective inhibitor MC2141 (4). In the first series (5a-t) we report a number of 2-substituted-1,2-dihydrobenzo[f]chromen-3-ones with a marked selectivity for the inhibition of SIRT2 over SIRT1. Some of such derivatives showed also high pro-apoptotic (5i and 5l) and/or cytodifferentiating (5d, 5i, and 5o) properties in a human leukemia cell line (U937). The second group of SIRTi (6a-q) is characterized by some analogues of cambinol (3), a well known SIRTi active against the Burkitt lymphoma. Such compounds, differently from the unselective prototype, are endowed with a selective inhibition of SIRT1 over SIRT2, and, in some cases (6j, 6k, and 6q), are more efficient than 3 to induce apoptosis in U937 cells.     

Ubiquitin-like protein MNSFβ/endophilin II complex regulates Dectin-1-mediated phagocytosis and inflammatory responses in macrophages

Post-translational modification by monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor β (MNSFβ) has been implicated in the regulation of a variety of cellular events. Previous studies have demonstrated that MNSFβ covalently binds to the intracellular pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-G in a macrophage cell line, Raw264.7, suggesting involvement of this ubiquitin-like protein in apoptosis. Most recently, we found that MNSFβ covalently conjugates to endophilin II, a member of the endophilin A family, and inhibits phagocytosis by macrophages. In this study, we further examined the mechanism of action of MNSFβ/endophilin II complex in the phagocytosis of zymosan. MNSFβ/endophilin II I mediated inhibition of phagocytosis in Raw264.7 cells was neutralized by anti-Decti-1, β-glucan receptor, mAb, indicating that MNSFβ/endophilin II is a mediator of Dectin-1 signaling in regulating phagocytosis. The β-glucan-dependent TNFα response to zymosan was significantly increased by the treatment with endophilin II siRNA and/or MNSFβ siRNA. Conversely, cotransfection of endophilin II and MNSFβ cDNAs inhibited the enhancement of zymosan-induced TNFα production. Interestingly, endophilin II siRNA did not affect Pam₃CSK₄ (TLR2 specific ligand)-induced TNFα production. Endophilin II and/or MNSFβ siRNA enhanced zymosan-induced IκBα degradation. Together, these results demonstrate that MNSFβ/endophilin II inhibits the signal pathway upstream of IKK activation, but not downstream of TLR2 signaling.     

Spontaneous production of a suppressor factor by a human macrophage-like cell line U937. II. Suppression of antigen- and mitogen-induced blastogenesis, IL 2 production and IL 2 receptor expression in T lymphocytes

U937, a human macrophage-like cell line, spontaneously produces a factor which inhibited blastogenic responses of human blood T lymphocytes stimulated with tuberculin-purified protein derivative (PPD) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA). We investigated the mechanism of suppressor action of the U937 factor. The U937 suppressor factor inhibited interleukin 2 (IL 2) production by human blood T lymphocytes stimulated with PPD or PHA. IL 1 did not overcome the inhibitory action of the U937 factor on PPD-induced IL 2 production by human blood T lymphocytes. The U937 factor also inhibited the production of IL 2 by a human leukemic cell line, JURKAT, stimulated with PHA. The U937 suppressor factor interfered with the expression of Tac antigen (IL 2 receptor) on PPD- or PHA-stimulated blood T lymphocytes. The inhibitory activity of the U937 factor on Tac expression was not affected by the addition of IL 2 or a crude lymphokine-containing T cell supernatant. Tac expression was more sensitive than IL 2 production to inhibition by U937-conditioned medium. The U937 suppressor factor was precipitable by 33 to 67% saturated ammonium sulfate and was inactivated at pH 2 or pH 11. Sephacryl S-200 Gel filtration analysis of U937 culture supernatants revealed that the inhibitory activities for blastogenesis, IL 2 production, and Tac expression co-purified in fractions with an apparent m.w. between 67,000 and 130,000. These data indicate that U937 spontaneously produces a macromolecular suppressive factor with major locus of action on the production of IL 2 and the expression of the IL 2 receptor.     

Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor promotes macrophage infiltration into the vascular wall of ApoE deficient mice

The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) regulates macrophage adhesion and migration by binding directly to matrix proteins and signaling through integrin complexes. In this study, we examined the role of uPAR on macrophage infiltration into the vascular wall. Stable murine macrophage (Raw264.7) cell lines expressing high levels of human uPAR, human urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), or both were established using expression vectors driven by the human CD68 promoter. Stimulation with human uPA specifically induced phosphorylation of early response regulated kinase (ERK) in cells expressing human uPAR but not in sham transfected cells. The human uPAR expressing Raw264.7 cells showed increased adhesion to both human uPA and vitronectin (Vn). Raw264.7 cells expressing human uPAR or both human uPAR and uPA, but not uPA alone, were detected in the aortic wall of ApoE(-/-) mice, and no cells were detected in that of age-matched C57BL/6J mice after intravenous infusion of the cells. Blocking of Mac-1/ICAM-1 interaction by anti-alphaM antibody (M1/70) significantly reduced the infiltration of huPAR-expressing Raw264.1 cells into aorta of ApoE(-/-) mice. Treatment of C57BL/6J mice with angiotensin II resulted in infiltration of Raw264.7 cells expressing human uPAR. These data demonstrate that uPAR plays a key role in promoting macrophage infiltration into the arterial wall of ApoE(-/-) mice.     

Novel pyrrole-containing histone deacetylase inhibitors endowed with cytodifferentiation activity

A novel series of aroyl-pyrrolyl-hydroxy-amides (APHAs) active as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors has been reported. The new derivatives were designed by replacing the benzene ring of the prototype 1 with both aromatic and aliphatic, monocyclic and polycyclic rings (compounds 3a-i), or by inserting a number of substituents on the methylene linker of 1 (compounds 4a-l). Compounds 3a-i and 4a-l were active at sub-micromolar level against the maize deacetylases HD1-B (class I), HD1-A (class II), and HD2. Tested at 5 microM against human HDAC1 and HDAC4, 3b, 4a, and 4j showed significant HDAC1 inhibition, whereas on HDAC4 only 4a was highly effective. On the human leukemia U937 cell line, the same compounds did not alter the cell cycle phases and failed in inducing apoptosis. However, they displayed granulocytic differentiation at 5 microM, with 3b being the most potent (76% CD11c positive cells). Tested to evaluate their effects on histone H3 and alpha-tubulin acetylation, 3b and 4a showed high H3 acetylation, whereas 4a and 4b were the most potent with alpha-tubulin as a substrate.     

Complement lysis of U937, a nucleated mammalian cell line in the absence of C9: effect of C9 on C5b-8 mediated cell lysis

Previous studies have demonstrated that in general, nucleated cells are more resistant to killing by serum complement than are erythrocytes. During studies aimed at defining the mechanisms of nucleated cell resistance, we found that the human histiocytic cell line U937 was easily lysed by homologous serum. U937 cells were also killed by serum depleted of C9, but not by serum depleted of C8, implying that the C5b-8 complex was sufficient to cause lysis of these cells. Enumeration of complexes on the cell surface demonstrated that approximately 40-fold more complexes were required to lyse U937 cells in the absence of C9 than in the presence of an excess of C9. Examination of the effects of small amounts of C9 on lysis of U937 cells by the C5b-8 complex demonstrated that at very low doses, C9 inhibited C5b-8 mediated lysis. The use of radiolabeled anti-C8 antibody showed that C5b-8 complexes were eliminated from the surface of U937 cells at 37 degrees C, and C9 at the dose causing inhibition of lysis accelerated the elimination of complexes. These results suggest that the increased lytic potential resulting from binding of small amounts of C9 to C5b-8 complexes is outweighed by enhanced elimination of complexes resulting in decreased cell death.     

Benzamide riboside induces apoptosis independent of Cdc25A expression in human ovarian carcinoma N.1 cells.

One of the mechanisms of action of a new oncolytic agent, benzamide riboside (BR) is by inhibiting inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) which catalyzes the formation of xanthine 5'-monophosphate from inosine 5'-monophosphate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, thereby restricting the biosynthesis of guanylates. In the present study BR (10 - 20 microM) induced apoptosis in a human ovarian carcinoma N.1 cell line (a monoclonal derivative of its heterogenous parent line HOC-7). This was ascertained by DNA fragmentation, TUNEL assay, [poly(ADP)ribose polymerase]-cleavage and alteration in cell morphology. Apoptosis was accompanied by sustained c-Myc expression, concurrent down-regulation of cdc25A mRNA and protein, and by inhibition of Cdk2 activity. Both Cdk2 and cdc25A are G1 phase specific genes and Cdk2 is the target of Cdc25A. These studies demonstrate that BR exhibits dual mechanisms of action, first by inhibiting IMPDH, and second by inducing apoptosis, which is associated with repression of components of the cell cycle that are downstream of constitutive c-Myc expression.     

Effects of 9,10-dihydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-5,8-dihydro-1(4H)-anthracenone derivatives on tumor cell respiration

A series of tricyclic hydroquinones, incorporating a carbonyl group in the ortho position relative to the phenol function, were tested as inhibitors of oxygen uptake against the TA3 mouse carcinoma cell line and its multidrug-resistant variant TA3-MTX-R. The title compound, which proved to be the most active one, also exhibited low micromolar dose-dependent growth inhibition of the human tumor U937 cell line (human monocytic leukemia). A tentative structure-activity relationship is proposed for these substances. A comparison between the cytotoxicities of the title compound and 4,4-dimethyl-5,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-1-one, with their activities as inhibitors of oxygen uptake by the TA3-MTX-R cell line, is presented. Also, the inhibition of oxygen uptake by 6-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone was determined and compared with its reported cytotoxicity toward P-388 (murine lymphocytic leukemia), A-549 (human lung carcinoma), HT-29 (human colon carcinoma), and MEL-28 (human melanoma) cells. The inhibition of oxygen uptake by TA3-MTX-R cells is useful as a quick test for preliminary screening of possible anticancer activity.     

Interleukin 2 activates a receptor-associated protein kinase

The interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptor complex has been shown to consist of at least two IL 2 binding molecules, one of 55 to 57 kd (gp57Tac) and one of 75 to 78 kd apparent m.w. The data presented here indicate that a protein of m.w. 78,000 (pp78) co-immunoprecipitates with gp57Tac when a monoclonal antibody against gp57Tac is used. The 78 kd molecule is phosphorylated in vitro within the immune complex only in the presence of exogenously added IL 2, whereas the 57 kd molecule is phosphorylated equally in the presence or absence of IL 2. Phosphorylation in vitro of pp78 was demonstrated in extracts of human peripheral blood T cells (PBL-T) and the human T cell line Jurkat, but not in extracts of the human macrophage line U937 or the murine T cell line 2.8.2. Metabolic phosphorylation in intact cells reflects results observed in vitro; both pp78 and gp57Tac are phosphorylated in PBL-T and Jurkat, but not in U937. These data demonstrate that the IL 2 receptor complex contains an IL 2 responsive protein kinase activity and may signal the cell through a phosphorylation event.