Comparison of EGF receptors from young and old WI-38 cells

EGF receptors from young and old WI-38 cells were compared by immunoprecipitation of the receptor followed by electrophoresis. There was no difference in molecular weight between young and old receptors. Both were composed of two components with molecular weights of about 165,000 and 145,000. Young EGF receptors were phosphorylated when incubated with (gamma-32P)ATP. Old receptors had markedly reduced phosphorylation, indicating a loss of kinase activity with age. These results demonstrate a major metabolic difference between young and old cells which clarifies the nature of the decline in mitogenic response with age.     

Epidermal growth factor receptors lose ligand binding ability as WI-38 cells progress from short-term to long-term quiescence

WI-38 cells, density arrested for short periods of time, can be stimulated to re-enter the cell cycle by epidermal growth factor (EGF) alone. However, cells density arrested for longer periods have a prolonged prereplicative phase when serum stimulated and cannot be stimulated by EGF alone. Radio-ligand binding studies performed on WI-38 cells showed that actively growing cells bind [¹²⁵I]EGF at relatively low levels that increase to a maximum as the cells become contact inhibited. As the cells enter a state of deeper quiescence, EGF binding falls to one-third to one-fifth the short-term growth arrested levels, remaining constant thereafter. The EGF-receptor complexes internalize more slowly in long-term growth arrested cells, and the rate of ligand association to the receptor is lower than short-term growth arrested cells. The amount of EGF receptor protein in lysates of equal numbers of both short- and long-term quiescent cells remains the same. These results suggest that the failure of long-term growth arrested cells to respond to EGF is not due to dramatic changes in the amount of receptor protein during prolonged quiescence but more likely to an alteration in the ability of these receptors to bind ligand and/or activate the EGF signal transduction pathway. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

EGF-dependent phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in plasma membranes isolated from young and senescent WI-38 cells

Tyrosine-specific phosphorylation of the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF) in plasma membranes isolated from WI-38 cells is EGF-dependent and occurs to an equivalent extent and on identical tryptic peptides in preparations from cells of various in vitro ages. There is a marked reduction, however, in phosphorylation of receptor molecules from senescent as compared with young WI-38 cells, if enzyme activity is assayed in an immune complex following solubilization of plasma membranes with Nonidet P-40 (NP-40). Differences in the level of receptor phosphorylation in young vs. senescent NP-40 extracts are not resolved by changing the temperature at which the assay is performed, or the length of incubation. Moreover, addition of NP-40 or chloroform-methanol extracts of young cells to assays measuring receptor phosphorylation in senescent cell NP-40 preparations does not augment the senescent enzyme activity. The immunopurified senescent receptor is, however, capable of catalyzing phosphorylation of exogenous substrates. These results indicate that the loss of receptor autophosphorylation in solubilized preparations may result from a differential sensitivity of the senescent cell receptor to the detergent. This finding provides a marker for senescence and suggests subtle changes in protein structure, conformation, or regulation of the EGF receptor in senescent cells.     

Insulin-like growth factor-I: specific binding to high and low affinity sites and mitogenic action throughout the life span of WI-38 cells

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) (13 nM) can replace insulin (0.8 microM) in a serum-free medium containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) (16 nM) and dexamethasone (DEX) (140 nM) and stimulate DNA synthesis in young cultures of WI-38 cells, similar to the stimulation of serum-supplemented medium. By contrast, senescent cells become unresponsive to all of these hormones. The effect of IGF-I, EGF, and DEX is synergistic in stimulating multiple rounds of low density cell division. Total specific binding of [125]IGF-I per cell in monolayer culture does not change with age, which indicates, in light of increased cell size with age, an actual decrease in specific binding per micron2 of cell surface area. Binding can be traced to two separate cell proteins. Binding to the alpha subunit of the IGF-I transmembrane receptor may increase slightly with age while the 50% displacement remains unchanged. The remainder of the IGF-I specific binding (five- to thirty-fold more) is to a low molecular weight, cell-associated binding protein whose 50% displacement is 10 times higher, but also remains unchanged with age. Specific binding to the lower affinity sites decreases slightly with age at equal cell densities. IGF-I binding to the alpha subunit of the transmembrane receptor is independent of cell density, while binding to the low molecular weight binding protein is inversely proportional to cell density and may vary by as much as tenfold.     

HDACs and the senescent phenotype of WI-38 cells

Background  

Normal cells possess a limited proliferative life span after which they enter a state of irreversible growth arrest. This process, known as replicative senescence, is accompanied by changes in gene expression that give rise to a variety of senescence-associated phenotypes. It has been suggested that these gene expression changes result in part from alterations in the histone acetylation machinery. Here we examine the influence of HDAC inhibitors on the expression of senescent markers in pre- and post-senescent WI-38 cells.     

Repair of x-ray damage in aging WI-38 cells

Rate of strand rejoining and the ability to perform repair replication were determined in young ad old X-irradiated WI-38 cells. No differences in either process were apparent and we conclude that reduced efficiency in one or both of them is not responsible for _{in vitro} aging of human cells.     

Replicative potentials of various fusion products between WI-38 and SV40 transformed WI-38 cells and their components

Hybrid cells derived from whole-cell fusions of replicating phase-II normal fibroblast cells (WI-38s) with SV40 transformed WI-38 fibroblast cells (CL-1s) demonstrated that the majority of the hybrid experimental cells still maintained a finite life-span. Approximately 2% demonstrated sustained and possibly indefinite replication. Experimental binucleate cells and subsequent hybrid synkaryons were also formed by fusing CL-1 karyoplasts into phase-II WI-38 replicating normal fibroblasts. In addition, viable cells were constructed from WI-38 fibroblast cytoplasts with CL-1 karyoplasts. Sustained replication was not observed in these crosses.     

125I]-galanin binding sites in the human nodose ganglion

The cell bodies of centrally-projecting vagal afferent neurons are contained in the inferior vagal (nodose) ganglion. Although binding sites for a number of different neuropeptides/modulators have been detected in the human nodose ganglion, the presence of galanin binding sites has not been reported. In vitro receptor autoradiography using [125I]-galanin enabled visualisation of binding sites for galanin in the human nodose ganglion. The presence of such binding sites suggests a potential role for galanin in the neuromodulation of vagal transmission in humans.     

Synthesis of DNA-binding proteins during the cell cycle of WI-38 cells

Synthesis of DNA-binding proteins was investigated in WI-38 human diploid fibroblast cultures after stimulation with serum containing medium. Density-inhibited confluent monolayers of young (phase II) and aging (phase III) WI-38 cells can be stimulated to synthesize DNA by replacing the medium with fresh medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. Of the phase II cells, 35–50% showed a partially synchronized burst of DNA-synthesizing activity between 15 and 24 h whereas only 4–6% of phase III cells showed DNA-synthesizing activity at 20 h, and that cell fraction was increasing even at 38 h. This suggests either an extremely prolonged G 1 in stimulated phase III cells, or a heterogeneity of the population (e.g., a mixed population of pre- and postmitotic cells) for phase III cells. At various times after the change of medium, DNA-binding protein synthesis was examined in these stimulated cultures. Protein of mol. wt 20 000–25 000 D accumulated rapidly during early G 1 and declined thereafter, whereas larger protein (40 000 and 68 000 D) accumulated during the late G 1 or G 1-S transition period indicating that accumulation of these proteins is associated with the onset of DNA synthesis in the serum-stimulated cells. In cultures where the DNA synthesis has been reduced or inhibited by an excess of thymidine, hydroxyurea or dibutyryl cAMP, the accumulation of the larger proteins (40 000 and 68 000 D) was neglible as compared with non-stimulated cultures. Hydrocortisone did not exert any effect on the DNA-binding protein synthesis in phase II cells. However, it seems to increase the cell fraction which can respond to the serum factor in phase III cells as evidenced from the pattern of DNA-binding proteins synthesis.     

Characterization of beta-adrenergic receptors throughout the replicative life span of IMR-90 cells

Beta-adrenergic receptor number and receptor affinity for isoproterenol were assessed at various in vitro ages of the human diploid fibroblast cell line IMR-90. From population doubling level (PDL) 33 to 44, there was a positive correlation between beta-adrenergic receptor density and PDL (r = 0.709). Beta-adrenergic receptors, assessed by Scatchard analysis of [125I]-iodocyanopindolol (ICYP) binding, increased from 15 fmol/mg protein at PDL 33 to 36 fmol/mg protein at PDL 44. In contrast, from PDL 44 to 59, there was a negative correlation between beta-adrenergic receptor density and PDL (r = 0.768). Receptor density declined to 12 fmol/mg protein at PDL 59. When the density of beta-adrenergic receptors was expressed as receptor per cell, the findings were similar. Receptor agonist affinity for isoproterenol was determined from Hill plots of [125I]-ICYP competition with isoproterenol. There was no change in the dissociation constant for isoproterenol with in vitro age. In humans, serum norepinephrine concentrations increase with age. This increase in serum norepinephrine may be partially responsible for the decreased beta-adrenergic receptor-agonist affinity observed with age in human lymphocytes and rat heart and lung. Similar changes in receptor-agonist affinity are observed in rat heart and human lymphocytes following exposure to beta-agonists and are part of the desensitization process. The present findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the decreases in receptor agonist affinity in rat and man with age are secondary to increases in catecholamine concentrations.     

The effects of the buffer hepes on the division potential of WI-38 cells

Summary N-2-Hydroxyethylpiperazine-N′-2-ethane sulfonic acid (HEPES) and N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid (TES) have been found to be nontoxic substitutes for bicarbonate buffer in cell culture media. WI-38 embryonic human lung cells have been carried beyond the 60th passage with both HEPES and TES buffers.     

Effect of ascorbic acid on rhinovirus replication in WI-38 cells.

Exposure of WI-38 cells to ascorbic acid plus glutathione mixtures in growth medium for 2 days prior to infection with rhinovirus serotype 20 and during virus replication suppressed multicyclic but not single-cycle growth of the virus. Multicyclic growth was suppressed over the range of multiplicity of infection (m.o.i.) of 4 times 10-minus 1 minus 4 times 10-minus 4 PFU/cell. There was some suggestion that, in the presence of ascorbic acid plus glutathione, interferon was produced at the highest m.o.i. tested but at barely detectable levels.     

Expression of p53 mRNA is proliferation-dependent in the human fibroblast cell line WI-38

Abstract. Although alterations in the p53 tumour suppressor gene are one of the most frequent genetic lesions occurring in human cancers, the exact function and mechanism of action of normally regulated p53 in the control of cell cycle is unclear. To clanfy further the possible role of this gene in the control of cell proliferation, the cellular level of p53-specific mRNA and its changes during density-dependent growth, and in different proliferation states induced by serum starvation and subsequent serum-stimulation, were followed in WI-38 cells, a normal human diploid fibroblast cell line. Marked differences in the expression of p53 mRNA could be observed in the different proliferation states tested. The pattern of p53 expression proved to be inversely proportional to the growth-rate of the cultures. mRNA was considerably more abundant when cells reached confluency or were arrested by serum deprivation while serum-stimulation caused the opposite effect. These results support the hypothesis that the p53 gene plays a role in G₁ control of normal cell proliferation.     

Influence of lectins on the binding of 125I-labeled EGF to human fibroblasts.

Lectins that interact with mannose (concanavalin A), galactose (ricin, abrin), or N-acetylglucosamine (wheat germ agglutinin) block ¹²⁵I-labeled EGF binding to the surface of cultured human fibroblasts at 37° or 5°. Lectins specific for fucose or N-acetylgalactosamine, soybean agglutinin or gorse lectin, respectively, do not interfere with growth factor binding. The inhibition of ¹²⁵I-labeled EGF binding by concanavalin A at 37° or 5° could be reversed rapidly by the addition of α-methyl mannoside. The results suggest that the fibroblast membrane receptor for EGF is, or is closely associated with, a glycoprotein or glycolipid that contains mannose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine residues.     

Responses of protein synthesis and degradation in growth control of WI-38 cells

The overall rates of protein synthesis and degradation in perfusion-grown WI-38 cells were followed in the three days after a stepdown in the serum concentration of the culture medium, from 10% to 0.3%. Within three hours after the stepdown, the rate of protein synthesis had decreased and the rate of protein degradation had increased, the combined result being the cessation of protein accumulation. The degradation rate returned over the next three days to its original value, but a zero rate of accumulation was retained because the synthesis rate continued to decline. The rate of DNA synthesis remained constant for six hours after the stepdown. It then declined steadily until reaching a minimum about eight hours later. The results show that extracellular control of protein accumulation depends on adjustments in both protein synthesis and protein degradation, and that the adjustments take place rapidly. This behavior suggests that the cell cycle is arrested after a stepdown because post-mitotic cells are unable to accumulate additional protein. However, an alternative interpretation of the data is that at least part of the changed accumulation is the result, rather than the cause, of the cycle arrest, and that the arrest is caused by other, more specific, reactions than those of general protein metabolism.     

Subcellular fractionation of WI-38 fibroblasts: Compatison between young and old cells

WI-38 fibroblasts cultivated in vitro were homogenized and their subcellular organelles analysed by the techniques of differential centrifugation and isopycnic equilibration in density gradient. In these experiments, the assayed enzymes were known to be specifically associated with subcellular components in other cells types. In most cases, their behaviour and properties corresponded with observations made in earlier studies and we could consider them as being representative of the specific subcellular organelles.Some significant differences were observed between young and old fibroblasts. The specific activity of alkaline phosphodiesterase was lower in the old cells whereas for the other enzymes it was identical or higher, especially for the 5′-nucleotidase; also the particulate fractions obtained by differential centrifugation contained more material. After equilibration in density gradient, the average density of the 5′-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphodiesterase and $\text{N-}\text{acetyl}\text{-β-}\text{D}\text{-glucosaminidase}$ was less in the old than in the young cells, whereas that of the galactosyltransferase of Golgi apparatus was greater. For mitochondria, endolasmic reticulum and peroxisomes, the differences observed were small.