Molecular characterization of the murine interferon gamma receptor cDNA

Interferon gamma receptors (IFN-gamma R) exhibit remarkable species specificity. In order to understand the basis for this phenomenon, we have isolated a recombinant cDNA clone corresponding to the mouse (Mu) IFN-gamma R. Microinjection of the mRNA synthesized in vitro corresponding to the cloned cDNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes resulted in the synthesis of a protein that specifically binds Mu-IFN-gamma. Analysis of murine genomic and RNA blots with the cDNA probe indicates the presence of a single gene and a single mRNA species of about 2300 bases. Sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding the Mu-IFN-gamma R and comparison with the corresponding human IFN-gamma R sequence shows about 68% conservation of the extracellular domains and 51% conservation of the cytoplasmic domains at the nucleotide level. The results indicate that, as expected, the sequence of the receptor confers species specificity for the binding of IFN-gamma to the cell surface receptor. Moreover, it was previously shown that a human factor is required in addition to the receptor for the human IFN-gamma to function in hamster or mouse cells (Jung, V., Rashidbaigi, A., Jones, C., Tischfield, J.A., Shows, T.B., and Pestka, S. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 4151-4155). These results suggest an explanation for the second species-specific event required for function of the human receptor in mouse or hamster cells in that the intracellular domains are significantly different and thus cannot interact with the corresponding heterologous factor.     

Murine gamma interferon inhibits v-mos-induced fibroblast transformation via down regulation of retroviral gene expression.

Expression of the retroviral vector Neor myeloproliferative sarcoma virus (MPSV), which contains the v-mos oncogene and the neomycin resistance gene, leads to neoplastic transformation of mouse fibroblasts. Murine recombinant gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) could revert the neoplastic properties of established Neor MPSV-transformed cell lines to an apparently untransformed phenotype. In the presence of IFN-gamma, the Neor MPSV transformants showed a greater than 97% reduction of cloning efficiency in soft agar, strongly reduced proliferative capacity, and morphological changes. The IFN-gamma-induced phenotypic reversion was preceded by a rapid and selective reduction of all retroviral RNA species, apparently due to IFN-gamma action on the long terminal repeat of Neor MPSV. The mRNA levels of cellular genes either remained unaffected (beta-actin) or were even enhanced (H-2) in IFN-gamma-treated Neor MPSV-transformed cells. Upon removal of IFN-gamma, retroviral gene expression was fully recovered and a gradual reappearance of the transformed phenotype of these cells within 3 weeks was noted. These data show that IFN-gamma can cause a virtually complete, but reversible, inhibition of v-mos-induced neoplastic properties in transformed fibroblasts by selective down regulation of retroviral RNA levels.     

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide and gamma interferon induce transcription of beta interferon mRNA and interferon secretion in murine macrophages

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces interferon (IFN) secretion and an antiviral state in murine peritoneal macrophages (PM). These cells secrete predominantly IFN-beta, as shown by neutralization assays with monoclonal antibodies. Secretion of IFN-beta is also induced in PM by IFN-gamma. LPS and IFN-gamma synergistically stimulated PM to produce IFN in amounts almost comparable to those induced by infection with Newcastle disease virus. Low levels of IFN-beta mRNA can be detected in freshly harvested PM by hybridization assays. The accumulation of this mRNA is markedly increased in PM treated with LPS or IFN-gamma, and it is further enhanced in the presence of the inhibitor of protein synthesis, cycloheximide. Similar studies were carried out on the RAW 264.7 line of transformed macrophages. These cells are induced to secrete IFN-beta by LPS but not by IFN-gamma, suggesting that this cytokine may elicit such specific response only in PM. IFN-beta mRNA is undetectable in untreated RAW 264.7 cells, and accumulation of this mRNA is induced by LPS but not by IFN-gamma. The secretion of IFN induced by these agents in PM and by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells and the corresponding accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA are blocked by an inhibitor of protein kinase C, staurosporine. The activity of this kinase is apparently necessary to stimulate accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA. The induction of IFN-beta by IFN-gamma appears to be a characteristic response of PM and may be at least in part responsible for the resistance of these cells to viral infections.     

Differential regulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase by lipopolysaccharide and interferon gamma in murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the L-tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, which converts an essential amino acid, L-tryptophan, to N-formylkynurenine. The expression of IDO increases when inflammation is induced by wounding, infection or tumor growth. Although recent studies have suggested that IDO expression is up-regulated by IFN-gamma in various cell types and that the induction of IDO can also be mediated through an IFN-gamma-independent mechanism, these mechanisms still remain unknown. In this study, we investigated whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces the expression of IDO through an IFN-gamma-mediated signaling pathway or not. IFN-gamma-induced expression of IDO expression was inhibited only by JAK inhibitor I. However, LPS-induced expression of IDO was inhibited by LY294002 and SP600125 but not by JAK inhibitor I, SB203580, or U0126. These findings clearly indicate that LPS can induce the IDO expression via an IFN-gamma-independent mechanism and PI3 kinase and JNK in the LPS-induced pathway leading to IDO expression.     

The effects of interferon on murine erythropoiesis

The effects of interferon (IF) on erythropoietin (Ep) action and production were studied in mice. In comparison to control animals, Ep action in exhypoxic, polycythemic mice was significantly decreased (p less than 0.05) following two low dose injections of IF (2.9-3.5 X 10(4) units). In addition, renal Ep production in normal intact mice was also significantly decreased (p less than 0.01) following a single injection of IF (5.4-6.3 X 10(4) units) and hypoxic exposure.     

Expression of the murine interferon gamma receptor in Xenopus laevis oocytes

This study describes the isolation of mRNA for the murine interferon gamma receptor and its expression in frog oocytes. The binding properties and apparent molecular weight of the murine interferon gamma receptor protein synthesized in frog oocytes is similar to that found on mouse cells. This is the first report of a functional receptor for a polypeptide ligand (interferon gamma) expressed in and directly assayed on frog oocytes.     

Down regulation of lamins A and C by murine interferon beta

Treatment of spontaneously differentiated PSMB embryonal carcinoma cells with murine interferon beta results in a transient decrease in the expression of the nuclear lamins A and C. Reduced levels of mRNAs were observed 4 h after the addition of interferon beta, with reductions in the polypeptides and assembled proteins within the nuclear lamina seen after 8 h of treatment. Expression of the 72-kDa (lamin A) and the 62-kDa (lamin C) polypeptides remained down regulated for 8 h, returning to control levels after 16 h of interferon treatment. The specificity of this response is indicated by the inhibitory action of a neutralizing antibody to interferon.     

Characterization of protein kinase C activity in interferon gamma treated murine peritoneal macrophages

Macrophage activation for tumoricidal and microbicidal functions can be achieved in part by treatment with recombinant interferon gamma (IFN gamma) in vitro. We have previously demonstrated that IFN gamma treatment of murine peritoneal macrophages results in a two- to five-fold increase in the activity of Ca++, phospholipid dependent protein kinase C (Hamilton et al., J. Biol. Chem., 260:1378, 1985). We now report that this effect was not dependent upon continuing protein synthesis since treatment with cycloheximide under conditions where normal protein synthesis was inhibited by greater than 95% had no effect upon the development of increased enzyme activity. Examination of Ca++ and phospholipid requirements revealed no differences between enzyme isolated from control or IFN gamma treated cells. Similarly, protein kinase C from control and IFN gamma-treated cells could not be distinguished in terms of the diacylglycerol (DG) or phorbol diester (PMA) concentration required for stimulation of activity. Kinetic analysis of the ATP (as substrate) concentration dependence revealed that both control and treated enzyme preparations (either basal or stimulated) had comparable Km values. Maximum velocity (Vmax) was increased both by IFN gamma treatment and also by stimulation with DG or PMA. The major difference which could be discerned between protein kinase C derived from control versus IFN gamma-treated macrophages was the magnitude of the response to DG or PMA; IFN gamma treatment increased the stimulation index (i.e., ratio of basal to stimulated activity) by a factor of two to four fold. These results suggest that IFN gamma treatment leads to reversible modulation of existing protein kinase C resulting in increased catalytic efficiency when exposed to an appropriate stimulant.     

The cellular internalization of recombinant gamma interferon differs from that of natural interferon gamma

Purified natural and recombinant murine gamma interferons (MuIFN-gamma) bind at 4 degrees C to cultured L929 mouse fibroblasts with comparable receptor-binding affinity (Kd = 9 x 10(-10) M). Both 125I-labeled MuIFNs are rapidly internalized by cells at 37 degrees C, although recombinant IFN is internalized somewhat more slowly than natural IFN (t1/2 = 90 sec and 45 sec, respectively). Immunoelectronmicroscopy showed that the majority of bound recombinant MuIFN-gamma was located on the plasma membrane outside of coated areas, whereas natural interferon was found mainly in coated pits. At 37 degrees C most of the recombinant molecules entered the cytoplasm in pinocytotic vesicles, while natural interferon was internalized by the specific mechanism of receptor-mediated endocytosis [1]. However, nearly equal amounts of immunocytochemically detectable molecules of both IFNs were found in the cell nucleus within 2-3 min incubation at 37 degrees C. Thus, the process of translocation of the recombinant IFN-gamma appears to differ from that of the natural product.     

Sex steroid regulation of autoimmunity

The immune response of males and females is not identical but instead has been shown to be dimorphic in its nature, with females generally demonstrating a greater overall response than males. This dimorphism extends to both the humoral and cell mediated systems and appears to be mechanistically based on the differences in type and concentration of sex steroids in males vs females. Furthermore, growth hormone and prolactin secretions which are different in males and females may also be partly responsible for the observed dimorphism. Because autoimmune disease results from a pathological perturbation of normal immune function, it follows that expression of these disease will also demonstrate a dimorphic pattern. Examples of this autoimmune dimorphism include (but are not limited to) lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis with the two former more prevalent in females than males and the latter more severe during pregnancy. To explain autoimmune dimorphism it therefore becomes necessary firstly to describe the cellular and hormonal interactions found in normal immune regulation and thereafter extrapolate these to autoimmune phenomena.     

Differential antiviral effects of interferon in three murine cell lines.

Infectious leukemia virus production by two chronically infected NIH/MOL lines was strongly inhibited by interferon treatment of the cells. The corresponding degree of inhibition in JLSV-11 cells was much lower. Multiplication of encephalomyocarditis virus in all three cell lines was barely affected by interferon treatment. Replication of vesicular stomatitis virus, on the other hand, was highly sensitive to interferon in the JLSV-11 line and in one NIH/MOL line but was practically insensitive in the other NIH/MOL line. Anticellular actions of interferon were more pronounced in the JLSV-11 line than in the others. In response to interferon treatment, 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity was induced to a high level in JLSV-11 cells and to lower levels in the NIH/MOL lines. We failed to detect any 2',5'-oligoadenylate-dependent endonuclease activity in extracts of these cells. Double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase activity was present in extracts of interferon-treated NIH/MOL cells, but it was barely detectable in extracts of interferon-treated JLSV-11 cells. The above studies demonstrated that interferon could differentially affect the replication of three different viruses in three different cell lines, including two seemingly identical NIH/MOL lines, and that certain tentative conclusions can be drawn regarding the roles of different interferon-inducible enzyme markers in the different antiviral actions of interferons.     

Apoptosis observed in murine peritoneal macrophages treated with interferon gamma through staphylococcal enterotoxin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity

The concept of superantigens is well-known and widely accepted. In this brief communication, we analyze the behaviour of antigen-presenting cells after T-cell activation by staphylococcal enterotoxin B, a representative superantigen. We tried to activate murine T cells by inflammatory mouse peritoneal macrophage in the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin B, but no T-cell activation was observed. We, therefore, analyzed surface-specific antigens of the macrophages. They expressed insufficient amounts of MHC class II, CD80 and CD86 molecules on the surface of the cells. On the contrary, increased amounts of MHC class II and CD86 molecules on the cell surfaces were observed after incubation with interferon gamma. Interferon gamma-primed macrophages were found to be competent to activate T cells in the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin B. To our surprise, these macrophages underwent apoptosis in parallel with T-cell activation.     

Studies on the functional site on staphylococcal enterotoxin A responsible for production of murine gamma interferon

To identify the functional region(s) associated with induction of gamma interferon on the staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule, native staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecules and 12 various synthetic peptides corresponding to different regions of entire staphylococcal enterotoxin A were compared to induce gamma interferon production in murine spleen cells. The native staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule induced gamma interferon production, whereas all of the 12 synthetic peptides did not. Pre-treatment of the murine spleen cells with synthetic peptide A-9 (corresponding to amino acid residues 161-180) significantly inhibited the staphylococcal enterotoxin A-induced gamma interferon production, whereas those with other synthetic peptides did not. When native staphylococcal enterotoxin A was pre-treated with either anti-staphylococcal enterotoxin A serum or anti-peptide sera, anti-staphylococcal enterotoxin A serum and antisera to peptides A-1 (1-20), A-7 (121-140), A-8 (141-160), A-9 (161-180) and A-10 (181-200) inhibited the staphylococcal enterotoxin A-induced gamma interferon production. From these findings, the amino acid residues 161-180 on the staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule may be an essential region for murine gamma interferon production. Furthermore, the neutralizing epitopes may be also located on regions of amino acid residues 1-20, 121-140, 141-160 and 181-200 on the staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule.     

Feedback regulation of murine pantothenate kinase 3 by coenzyme A and coenzyme A thioesters

Pantothenate kinase catalyzes a key regulatory step in coenzyme A biosynthesis, and there are four mammalian genes that encode isoforms of this enzyme. Pantothenate kinase isoform PanK3 is highly related to the previously characterized PanK1beta isoform (79% identical, 91% similar), and these two almost identical proteins are expressed most highly in the same tissues. PanK1beta and PanK3 had very similar molecular sizes, oligomeric form, cytoplasmic cellular location, and kinetic constants for ATP and pantothenate. However, these two PanK isoforms possessed distinct regulatory properties. PanK3 was significantly more sensitive to feedback regulation by acetyl-CoA (IC50 = 1 microm) than PanK1beta (IC50 = 10 microm), and PanK3 was stringently regulated by long-chain acyl-CoA (IC50 = 2 microm), whereas PanK1beta was not. Domain swapping experiments localized the difference in the two proteins to a 48-amino-acid domain, where they are the most divergent. Consistent with these more stringent regulatory properties, metabolic labeling experiments showed that coenzyme A (CoA) levels in cells overexpressing PanK3 were lower than in cells overexpressing an equivalent amount of PanK1beta. Thus, the distinct regulatory properties exhibited by the family of the pantothenate kinases allowed the rate of CoA biosynthesis to be controlled by regulatory signals from CoA thioesters involved in different branches of intermediary metabolism.     

Characterization of interferon gamma receptors on osteoclasts: effect of interferon gamma on osteoclastic superoxide generation

Osteoclasts are the primary cells responsible for bone resorption. Osteoclast formation and bone resorption activities involve processes tightly controlled by a network of cytokines. The presence of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) receptors on osteoclasts is a necessary prerequisite for IFN-gamma to directly affect osteoclastic activity. To date, the presence of the IFN-gamma receptor on osteoclasts has not been established. This study provides evidence that osteoclasts express the IFN-gamma receptor. Specific binding of IFN-gamma to the osteoclastic receptor stimulates osteoclastic superoxide generation. The p91 and p47 components of the NADPH oxidase increase after IFN-gamma stimulation and may account for the enhanced superoxide generation. Antisense experiments targeting p91 and p47 subunits abrogate the increased osteoclastic superoxide production stimulated by IFN-gamma. Thus, superoxide generation by osteoclasts is stimulated by activation of a functional IFN-gamma receptor on the osteoclast.     

Production of gamma interferon by human T and null cells and its regulation by macrophages

Human mononuclear subpopulations were tested for the capacity to produce interferon after mitogenic stimulation with protein A from Staphylococcus aureus. Mononuclear cells were separated into highly enriched macrophage, T-, B-, and null-cell subpopulations by Sephadex G-10 adherence, anti-human IgG F(ab′) two-column chromatography, and rosetting with sheep erythrocytes. Interferon (IFN) production was observed in both T- and null-cell preparations, but not in macrophage or B-cell preparations. Physicochemical and antigenic characterization of IFN from T- and null-cell preparations showed that both mononuclear subpopulations produced gamma IFN (IFNγ). Regulatory studies showed that IFNγ production was differentially regulated by macrophages. Macrophage addition to T lymphocytes augmented both cellular proliferation and IFNγ production, whereas macrophage addition to null cells suppressed IFNγ production and had no effect on the minimal proliferative response observed for these cells.