Induction of tumor growth inhibitory factor (TGIF) in human mononuclear cells by OK-432, a streptococcal preparation

Summary A tumor growth inhibitory factor (TGIF) was induced in the culture supernatant from mixed culture of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and a streptococcal preparation, OK-432, in vitro. The activity generated in the supernatant increased in a time-dependent fashion and first appeared 6 h after the initiation of culture, reaching its maximum around 48 h. The TGIF was cytostatic against seven of ten human tumor targets, but not against three murine tumor targets. Tumor cell growth was inhibited by a transient contact, i.e., 1 h, with TGIF. The TGIF was produced by lymphocytes but not by monocytes, because the activity was usually enhanced by elimination of plastic-adherent cells from the original PBMC fraction. The TGIF was relatively stable against heating at 56° C for 30 min, but the activity was totally destroyed after heating at 70° C for 5 min. The molecular weight of TGIF was estimated to be about 43×10³ daltons by gel filtration. No interferon (IFN) activity was detected in the TGIF-positive fractions obtained by gel filtration, and the TGIF-positive fractions did not inhibit the growth of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-sensitive mouse L929 cells. The TGIF activity was not significantly affected in neutralizing tests using specific antibodies against human IFN and TNF. The OK-432 was administered i.p. for management of cancer patients with malignant ascites. Ascites-derived mononuclear cells (ASMC) were obtained before and 3 to 5 days after OK-432 injection. The ASMC obtained after the injection produced TGIF in vitro in the absence of OK-432; the preinjection ASMC showed no such production. A positive correlation was found between TGIF-producing activity by ASMC and the effect of OK-432 injection on ascites volume. These results indicate that TGIF is induced in mononuclear cells by OK-432 not only in vitro but also in vivo and plays an important role in inhibition of tumor growth in cancer patients.     

Effect of in vitro interferon treatment on the rapid clearance of murine leukemia cells in vivo.

Previous work showed that interferon (IFN) can protect target cells from NK mediated lysis in vitro. In the present study we investigate the effect of IFN alpha/beta or IFN gamma treatment of three different murine leukemia cell lines. For this purpose FLC-745 (susceptible to the antiproliferative activity of IFN alpha/beta and gamma), FLC-3C18 (IFN alpha/beta -resistant and IFN gamma - susceptible) of DBA/2 origin and EL-4 (IFN alpha/beta - susceptible and IFN gamma - resistant) leukemia of C57B1/6 origin were treated with IFN alpha/beta or gamma in vitro and assayed for their susceptibility to natural resistance measured in vivo as organ rapid clearance 4 hr after iv injection into syngeneic mice. Using young or Poly I:C stimulated hosts, but not mice with low levels of natural resistance (i.e. older animals or mice treated with cyclophosphamide), slower elimination of treated cells was observed with: (a) FLC-745 cells treated with IFN alpha/beta and IFN gamma and (b) FLC 3C18 treated with IFN gamma. Such a delayed clearance was not observed with: (a) FLC-3C18 cells treated with IFN alpha/beta and (b) EL-4 leukemia cells preincubated with IFN alpha/beta or IFN gamma. These results suggest that under selected conditions IFNs can protect leukemic cells from in vivo natural reactivity.     

Inhibition of the T suppressor circuit of delayed-type hypersensitivity by interferon

The effects of electrophoretically pure murine interferon (Mu-IFN-alpha beta) on the T suppressor pathway and on the T effector cell of delayed hypersensitivity (TDH) were investigated in BALB/c mice, in a 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) contact-sensitivity model. Various T cell subpopulations, suppressor T cells of the afferent (Ts-aff) and efferent (Ts-eff) types, an auxiliary Ts (Ts-aux), as well as TDH were induced, and their function was assessed in transfer experiments. The results were as follows. At a dose of 5 X 10(3) U, IFN was shown to inhibit the Ts-aff response, when given to the donor animal shortly after induction of the Ts-aff subpopulation or when injected into the recipient 2 hr after spleen cell transfer. Pretreatment in vitro with IFN of the splenic cells to be transferred also abolished the Ts-aff response. Similar amounts of IFN were able to inhibit the generation of Ts-eff in the donor animals, whereas 10-fold-higher amounts were needed in vivo or in vitro to block the functional expression of Ts-eff in the recipient animal. Intravenous injection of IFN into recipients of Ts-eff on day 0 and 1 after sensitization inhibited the expression of the Ts-eff transferred 1 day before ear challenge. This suggests that the Ts-aux response required for the TDH suppression by Ts-eff is blocked by IFN. Secretion of a suppressor factor by Ts in vitro was not blocked by IFN. Treatment of the donor of suppressor factor-secreting Ts with IFN, however, blocked the induction of this Ts. The TDH were not sensitive to IFN even at amounts approximately 100 times higher than those used for the Ts inhibition in vivo as well as in vitro. These results demonstrate that low amounts of IFN may selectively block the suppressor pathway, because induction of these regulatory T cell subsets appears to be particularly sensitive to IFN. The exact mechanism of the IFN-mediated inhibition of Ts is not yet clear. The data suggest an important regulatory function of IFN in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions.     

Autologous tumor killing and natural cytotoxic activity of tumor-associated macrophages in cancer patients

Summary Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) isolated from pleural effusions and ascites fluids of cancer patients were tested for cytotoxicity against freshly isolated autologous tumor cells and K562 in a 4-h⁵¹ Cr-release assay, and in vitro effects of OK432 (a streptococcal preparation) and partially purified human leukocyte interferon (IFN) on their cytotoxicities were examined. Positive cytotoxicities against K562 were recorded for TAM samples from 2 of 23 pleural effusions and 3 of 10 ascites specimens. Tumor-associated macrophages were not cytotoxic to autologous tumor cells, while low but significant lysis was observed with tumor-associated lymphocytes (TAL) samples from 2 of 13 pleural effusions and 1 of 6 ascites specimens. In vitro treatment with OK432 resulted in an enhancement of natural cytotoxicity in 4 of 13 TAM and 10 of 15 TAL samples. An induction or augmentation of autologous tumor killing activity by OK432 was observed in 2 of 10 TAM and 8 of 11 TAL samples. In contrast, IFN failed to induce autologous tumor killing activity, although IFN-enhanced lysis of K562 was detected in 1 of 7 TAM and 2 of 9 TAL samples. These results indicated that autologous tumor killing and natural cytotoxic activities were defective in macrophages and lymphocytes at the site of the tumor growth, and both activities were strongly enhanced by OK432 rather than IFN.     

Baculovirus vectors elicit antigen-specific immune responses in mice

To characterize the induction of antigen-specific immune response mediated by baculovirus, vectors expressing the E2 glycoprotein of hepatitis C virus or the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter-enhancer were constructed. Additionally, a baculovirus vector encoding the E2 glycoprotein (Bac-G-E2) and expressing vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) in the viral envelope was generated by inserting the VSV-G coding sequence downstream of the polyhedrin promoter. Mice were subjected to intramuscular, intranasal, or subcutaneous inoculations with Bac-E2 and the cellular immune response was monitored by ELISPOT and intracellular staining. Additionally, humoral response was monitored by titrating anti-E2 antibodies. Induction of a measurable anti-E2 T-cell response was observed only after intramuscular injection and was predominantly CD8(+) specific. The immunogenic properties of baculovirus as vaccine vector were not restricted to E2 because a CEA-specific CD4(+) T-cell response was observed upon intramuscular injection of Bac-CEA. Interestingly, the Bac-G-E2 vector was shown to be a more efficient immunogen than Bac-E2, in view of the 10-fold difference in the minimal dose required to elicit a measurable T-cell response upon intramuscular injection. Induction of inflammatory cytokines such as gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 was detected as early as 6 h postinjection of Bac-G-E2. Most importantly, both vectors elicited CD8(+) T cells with effector function capable of lysing target cells loaded with a hepatitis C virus-specific epitope. Additionally, enhanced NK cytolytic activity was detected in immunized mice. Thus, these results further demonstrate that baculovirus may be considered a useful vector for gene therapy.     

Studies of the mechanisms for the induction of in vivo tumor immunity. VI. Induction of specific and nonspecific cell-mediated immunity in tumor-bearing hosts and its correlation with transplantation tumor immunity

Studies were performed to determine the development of cell-mediated cytotoxic response at tumor site in C57BL/6 mice bearing progressively growing FBL-3 ascites leukemia. The effectors isolated from tumor ascites are found to be highly cytotoxic for leukemic target cells. The levels of cytotoxicity obtained with effectors isolated from tumor site are generally higher than those obtained with immune mice. This cytotoxicity is both specific and nonspecific. The specific cytotoxicity against tumor-associated antigen is mainly mediated by T cells and the nonspecific cytotoxicity against unrelated tumor cells is mediated largely by macrophages. The T-cell-enriched preparation did not give significant natural killer activity. When testing the ability of these effectors to produce in vivo immunity against the challenge of FBL-3, it was found that only T cells could confer the transplantation-type immunity, but the immunity was transient. The macrophage-enriched preparation isolated from tumor ascites failed to give in vivo protection. These findings indicate that in FBL-3 system, mice with progressively growing tumors are able to develop immune response against tumor cells. However, this immunity is probably interfered with by a suppressor factor(s) or suppressor cells which restrict their activity to eliminate the tumor cells effectively.     

Role of antigen and,antibody in the regulation of the immune response

The enzyme dextranase could degrade antigenic dextran in vivo even when given 6-15 d after the antigen. Dextranase injected after the antigen suppressed the immune response when given 24 but not 48 h after the antigen, indicating that the antigen must interact with the immune system for 48 h to initiate a response. Thereafter, the B cells are independent of further antigen stimulation. To show whether antibody-mediated suppression of the immune response was determinant specific FITC-conjugated SRC were applied as immunogen and antibodies were raised both against the carrier (SRC) and the FITC hapten. When these antibodies were injected 1-3 h after the immunogen they only suppressed the immune response to the corresponding determinant. Anti-carrier antibodies usually enhanced the response to the hapten. Therefore, antibody-mediated suppression of the immune response is determinant-specific and cannot be mediated in vivo to a detectable extent by the Fc part of the antibodies.     

VIP induces in HT-29 cells 2'5'oligoadenylate synthetase and antiviral state via interferon beta/alpha synthesis.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), composed of 28 amino acids, is a multifunctional neurotransmitter. We have demonstrated here that its action on human transformed colonic epithelial (HT-29) cells is mediated through the induction of interferon (IFN) synthesis. We have found that these cells have a functional receptor for IFN alpha 2; binding was specific to either IFN alpha 2 or IFN beta but not to IFN gamma. VIP induced the 2'5'oligoadenylate synthetase (2'5'A synthetase) and the antiviral state with the same efficiency as poly (I).poly (C). The induction of 2'5'A synthetase activity required cellular RNA and protein synthesis, and the maximum induction occurred with 10(-7) M VIP at 24 h. VIP, like some IFN inducers, induced the synthesis of the 70 hsp which, however, preceded the expression of 2'5'A synthetase. VIP treatment caused the induction and secretion of IFN, having a titer value of 32 international units/ml. This IFN has been identified as type beta/alpha, because both 2'5'A synthetase and the antiviral activities were abolished by anti-human IFN beta/alpha antibodies, but not by anti-IFN gamma antibodies. Thus the pathway of VIP action on HT-29 cells may be outlined as 1) binding of VIP, 2) synthesis of 70 hsp, 3) induction of IFN synthesis and its secretion, 4) binding of the secreted IFN to cell surface receptors and 5) turning on the induction of 2'5'A synthetase and antiviral activities.     

Enhancement of a human antibody response in vitro mediated by interaction of interferon-alpha with T lymphocytes

This study describes the effects of human recombinant IFN-alpha 2 on antibody production in vitro. Whereas the inclusion of IFN-alpha 2 in cultures for 7 days had a relatively minor effect on pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced antibody production, it resulted in a dose-related enhancement of a hapten-specific primary antibody response. Comparison of PWM and IFN-induced [3H]thymidine uptake indicated that the observed IFN activation was not polyclonal. Pretreatment of T cells with IFN for 1 hr before recombination with untreated autologous B lymphocytes increased the anti-TNP response four-fold, whereas similar pretreatment of B lymphocytes had no effect. Furthermore, 2000 R x-irradiation of T cells before coculture with autologous B lymphocytes and IFN abrogated the TNP-specific response. These results indicate that IFN modulates TNP-specific antibody production via a radiosensitive T-helper function. Further subfractionation by panning suggests that the enhancement is mediated by the Leu-3a+ helper/inducer T cell subset. Evidence that a 1-hr exposure to IFN was sufficient to modulate antibody production prompted the examination of T cells for possible receptor mechanisms. Scatchard analysis of 125I-IFN-alpha 2 binding revealed approximately 65 high affinity IFN receptors per cell with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 4.4 X 10(-10) M. This paper is the first demonstration of the role of T cells in mediating the effects of recombinant IFN-alpha 2 on human primary antibody responses in vitro. These data further suggest that the observed modulation of hapten-specific antibody production in vitro by IFN may involve the binding of IFN to specific cellular receptors expressed by T lymphocytes.     

Interleukin-12- and gamma interferon-dependent innate immunity are essential and sufficient for long-term survival of passively immunized mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 1

Interferon (IFN) type I (alpha/beta IFN [IFN-alpha/beta]) is very important in directly controlling herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) replication as well as in guiding and upregulating specific immunity against this virus. By contrast, the roles of IFN type II (IFN-gamma) and antibodies in the defense against HSV-1 are not clear. Mice without a functional IFN system and no mature B and T cells (AGR mice) did not survive HSV-1 infection in the presence or absence of neutralizing antibodies to the virus. Mice without a functional IFN type I system and with no mature B and T cells (AR129 mice) were unable to control infection with as little as 10 PFU of HSV-1 strain F. By contrast, in the presence of passively administered neutralizing murine antibodies to HSV-1, some AR129 mice survived infection with up to 10(4) PFU of HSV-1. This acute immune response was dependent on the presence of interleukin-12 (IL-12) p75. Interestingly, some virus-infected mice stayed healthy for several months, at which time antibody to HSV-1 was no longer detectable. Treatment of these virus-exposed mice with dexamethasone led to death in approximately 40% of the mice. HSV-1 was found in brains of mice that did not survive dexamethasone treatment, whereas HSV-1 was absent in those that survived the treatment. We conclude that in the presence of passively administered HSV-1-specific antibodies, the IL-12-induced IFN-gamma-dependent innate immune response is able to control low doses of virus infection. Surprisingly, in a significant proportion of these mice, HSV-1 appears to persist in the absence of antibodies and specific immunity.     

Poly I:C activated macrophages are tumoricidal for TNF-alpha-resistant 3LL tumor cells

Successive coculture of Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) cells with T cell-derived lymphokines and LPS-activated macrophages has led to the acquisition of 3LL tumor variants (macrophage-resistant 3LL tumor variants (3LL-R)), manifesting a highly reduced sensitivity to the cytotoxic potential of T cell-derived lymphokines and LPS-activated macrophages and TNF-alpha. However, when 3LL-R cells are cocultured with Poly I:C-activated macrophages or with conditioned medium derived from these effector cells a significant lysis is observed. TNF-alpha participates in the cytolytic process of Poly I:C-activated macrophages as anti-TNF-alpha antibodies abolish the cytotoxic effect of these effector cells. In addition, class I IFN is involved because IFN-alpha and IFN-beta act synergistically on TNF-alpha mediated lysis of 3LL-R cells within 18 h. Moreover, anticlass I IFN antibodies abolish the cytolytic capacity of Poly I:C-activated macrophages. Hence, Poly I:C-induced macrophage-mediated cytolysis of 3LL-R cells may result from 1) the induction of macrophages by Poly I:C to secrete high amounts of TNF-alpha and class I IFN and 2) a synergism between IFN-alpha/IFN-beta and TNF-alpha on lysis of 3LL-R cells. This synergism does not result from a class I IFN-mediated enhancement of TNF-alpha receptor expression on 3LL-R cells. Therefore, the sensitivity of 3LL-R cells to TNF-alpha-mediated lysis in the presence of class I IFN is most probably regulated at the post-TNF-alpha receptor level. Furthermore, treatment of mice with Poly I:C strongly reduces the metastatic capacity of 3LL-R tumor cells, suggesting the participation of macrophages in the eradication of the established metastasis. Hence, TNF-alpha-resistant 3LL-R tumor cells may serve as a useful tool for the detection of alternative macrophage-related cytotoxins leading to the destruction of neoplastic cells both in vitro and in vivo.     

Interferon-specific effects on protein synthesis in P3HR-1 cells.

The effect of interferon (IFN) on protein synthesis was studied in the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line P3HR-1 by [35S]methionine labelling of the cells, followed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of cell extracts. De novo synthesis of three proteins (mol. wts. 33 000, 62 000, and 98 000, respectively) and alterations in the rate of synthesis for a small number of additional proteins were observed during the first 12 h of treatment, while the rate of overall protein synthesis was unaffected. Treatment of P3HR-1 cells with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or hydrocortisone (HC), which induce similar changes in cell cycle distribution as does IFN, did not induce comparable changes in the rates of protein synthesis. Thus, the effects were specific for IFN and not induced by the change in cell cycle distribution per se, i.e., accumulation in G0. Treatment of cells with 2'-5' pA core did not mimic the effect of IFN at the translational level. A substrain of P3HR-1 cells, selected for resistance to the anti-proliferative effect of IFN, lacked six proteins found in the wild-type. The 62 000 mol. wt. protein was induced in this substrain as well as in native P3HR-1 cells on addition of IFN. The resistant substrain still developed an anti-viral effect in response to IFN. Thus, it seems as if the anti-proliferative and anti-viral effects of IFN, at least in some cells are mediated by different intracellular molecular mechanisms.     

Stimulation of the in vivo dinitrophenyl antibody response to the DNP conjugate of L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-Tyrosine10 (GAT) polymer by a synthetic adjuvant, muramyl dipeptide (MDP): target cells for adjuvant activity and isotypic pattern of MDP-stimulated response

Specific anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) response to DNP-conjugated L-glutamine60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 (DNP-GAT) was obtained in GAT-responder mice by using synthetic N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP) as adjuvant. Significant levels of anti-DNP antibodies were observed during a secondary response to DNP-GAT, when both antigen and MDP were used for priming. In this system, MDP was able to prime the carrier-specific T cells but not the hapten specific B cells. The study of the isotypic pattern of the anti-DNP response shows that MDP stimulates only the appearance of specific anti-DNP IgG1 plaque-forming cells. Anti-DNP plaque-forming cells were stimulated in animals primed with DNP-GAT in Freund's complete adjuvant or in Maalox-pertussis and used as control IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b.     

West Nile virus noncoding subgenomic RNA contributes to viral evasion of the type I interferon-mediated antiviral response

We previously showed that a noncoding subgenomic flavivirus RNA (sfRNA) is required for viral pathogenicity, as a mutant West Nile virus (WNV) deficient in sfRNA production replicated poorly in wild-type mice. To investigate the possible immunomodulatory or immune evasive functions of sfRNA, we utilized mice and cells deficient in elements of the type I interferon (IFN) response. Replication of the sfRNA mutant WNV was rescued in mice and cells lacking interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) and IRF-7 and in mice lacking the type I alpha/beta interferon receptor (IFNAR), suggesting a contribution for sfRNA in overcoming the antiviral response mediated by type I IFN. This was confirmed by demonstrating rescue of mutant virus replication in the presence of IFNAR neutralizing antibodies, greater sensitivity of mutant virus replication to IFN-α pretreatment, partial rescue of its infectivity in cells deficient in RNase L, and direct effects of transfected sfRNA on rescuing replication of unrelated Semliki Forest virus in cells pretreated with IFN-α. The results define a novel function of sfRNA in flavivirus pathogenesis via its contribution to viral evasion of the type I interferon response.