TCGF(IL 2)-receptor inducing factor(s). II. Possible role of ATL-derived factor (ADF) on constitutive IL 2 receptor expression of HTLV-I(+) T cell lines

Interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptor (IL 2-R) is constitutively expressed on T cell lines established from the patients with adult T cell leukemia (ATL), which is a human T cell leukemia lymphoma virus (HTLV-1)(+) T4(+)-leukemia endemic in Japan, the United States, and other countries. Many of these cell lines continuously produce an acidic lymphokine, ATL-derived factor (ADF), which preferentially induces the synthesis and expression of IL 2-R on a sensitive HTLV-1(-) non-T cell line (YT). The induced IL 2-R was characterized by the binding of 125I-IL 2 and flow cytometry by using fluoresceinated anti-human IL 2-R monoclonal antibodies (anti-Tac). Scatchard analysis with 125I-IL 2 showed ADF induced high-affinity receptor sites on YT cells. To test the possibility that ADF produced by HTLV-1(+) T cells is involved in the abnormal expression of IL 2-R, we studied the effect of ADF on an HTLV-1(+) IL 2-dependent T cell line (ED) in which the beta-chain gene of the T cell antigen receptor (T beta) was rearranged. Unlike IL 2-independent HTLV-1(+) cell lines that constitutively expressed Il 2-R, the IL 2-R expression on ED cells declined in the absence of crude IL 2 or recombinant IL 2. When either ADF or recombinant IL 2 was added to the culture of ED cells, there was a dose-dependent enhancement of IL 2-R expression in 24 hr. ADF and IL 2 showed a synergism in the IL 2-R induction, and both factors were needed to induce the maximal receptor expression in these T cells. The lack of IL 2 production by ADF-treated YT, as well as ED cell line suggested IL 2 may not be involved in the IL 2-R induction by ADF. Northern blot hybridization with human IL 2-R cDNA probe showed the increase of IL 2-R mRNA in YT cells after ADF-treatment. ADF also enhanced IL 2-R expression of a rat T cell line transformed by HTLV-1(TARS-1), as demonstrated with anti-rat IL 2 receptor monoclonal antibodies (ART-18). An ADF-like IL 2-R-inducing factor was also detected in the conditioned medium of two HTLV-1(+) rat T cell lines (TARL-2 and TART-1), which constitutively expressed a higher number of Il 2-R than TARS-1 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

A major 50-kDa human B-cell growth factor-II induces both Tac antigen expression and proliferation by several types of lymphocytes

Many cytokines have been documented to have a multiplicity of biological effects by acting on a variety of cells. In order to determine whether human BCGF-II acts on any cells in addition to normal B cells, the effect of human BCGF-II on murine thymocytes, human peripheral blood T cells, a human natural killer-like cell line, YT, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-cell lines was further examined. BCGF-II augmented incorporation of [3H]thymidine by murine thymocytes in combination with suboptimal doses (0.5 microgram/ml) of concanavalin A (Con A) but not at lower doses (0.1 microgram/ml) of Con A, a concentration usually used for interleukin 1 (IL-1) assays. BCGF-II could not induce proliferation or Tac antigen (Ag) expression on normal peripheral blood T cells stimulated with OKT3 antibody. Both proliferation and Tac Ag expression on YT cells were also augmented by BCGF-II. BCGF-II induced both high- and low-affinity IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) on YT cells as determined by 125I-IL-2-binding assay. Two of seven EBV-transformed B-cell lines tested (ORSON and AUM cells) in response to BCGF-II exhibited augmentation of proliferation and cell surface Tac Ag expression. BCGF-II in the presence of low doses (0.1 microgram/ml) of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) also induced Tac Ag mRNA (3.5 and 1.5 kb) in these B-cell lines. The IL-2R induced on these B-cell lines, however, consisted mostly of low-affinity receptors. Both Tac Ag and its mRNA in these B-cell lines were not induced by Forskolin but by PMA, suggesting that this induction may involve protein kinase C. The present study shows that human BCGF-II can stimulate YT cells, murine thymocytes, and some EBV-transformed B-cell lines but not peripheral blood T cells. Consequently, BCGF-II can induce the growth and differentiation of a number of cell types in addition to normal B cells.     

Interleukin 2 (IL 2) up-regulates its own receptor on a subset of human unprimed peripheral blood lymphocytes and triggers their proliferation

Several reports indicate that human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) seeded in culture with purified or recombinant interleukin 2 (IL 2) immediately after separation from the blood display a substantial level of proliferation at day 5 or 6, even in the absence of any activating signal. The spontaneously IL 2 proliferating cells are large lymphocytes, and they co-purify on a Percoll gradient in the large granular lymphocytes (third (LGL) fraction) together with the natural killer (NK) activity. When LGL were separated into NKH1 (an NK-specific surface marker)-positive and NKH1-negative cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), proliferating cells were mainly found in the NKH1-negative fraction. On the contrary, when cells from Percoll fraction 3 were separated into OKT3-negative and positive cells, the majority of the proliferating cell was found in the OKT3-positive cells. These results indicate that spontaneously IL 2 proliferating (SIP) cells most probably belong to the T cell lineage, but are distinct from NK cells. Surprisingly, cells from this Percoll fraction examined immediately after separation from the blood do not express detectable amounts of IL 2 receptors as assessed by three different techniques: binding of [3H]IL 2, binding of [125I]anti-Tac antibodies, and FACS analysis with the use of anti-Tac antibodies. However, after 18 hr of culture in IL 2-supplemented medium, 5 to 7% of these cells became Tac-positive by FACS analysis. Additional analysis of IL 2 receptor induced in culture with IL 2 was performed by [125I]anti-TAC binding and by [3H]IL 2 binding. Scatchard analysis of [3H]IL 2 binding, in the range of concentrations leading to the detection of high-affinity binding sites, showed an affinity constant similar to that of conventional phytohemagglutinin blasts. The role of IL 2/IL 2 receptor interaction in the proliferation process was confirmed by the fact that proliferation, in contrast with NK activation, was clearly inhibited by anti-Tac antibodies. When LGL activated with IL 2 for 60 hr were sorted into Tac+ and Tac- cells, equal levels of NK activity was found in the two fractions. Proliferation, however, was only observed in the Tac+ population. We interpret these results to indicate that SIP cells are preactivated cells circulating in the blood. They are large cells and represent a very small proportion of circulating lymphocytes (0.3%). They express a subliminal amount of IL 2 receptor. Cultivated in the presence of IL 2, IL 2 receptor expression is enhanced to a detectable level, and the SIP cells begin to proliferate. These SIP cells could be activated T cells present in every normal individual.     

The tumor promoter teleocidin induces IL 2 receptor expression and IL 2-independent proliferation of human peripheral blood T cells

In testing the recently discovered tumor promoter teleocidin (TCD), we found that like phorbol esters, TCD was mitogenic to human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and preferentially stimulated sheep erythrocyte-rosetted (ER) T cell-enriched populations. Stimulation of PBL with TCD induced synthesis and expression of receptors for interleukin 2 (IL 2), as shown by dot-blot analysis with the use of a synthetic oligonucleotide probe, cell surface staining with anti-Tac antibody followed by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, and a functional proliferation assay in which TCD-stimulated cells were washed free of TCD and were recultured with human recombinant IL 2 (rIL 2). Increased expression of cell surface markers after TCD stimulation of PBL is not general, because TCD did not affect the expression of Leu-2a antigen, and it also reduced the density of Leu-3a and Leu-4 antigens. Stimulation of cultured, IL 2 receptor-positive PBL with rIL 2, but not TCD, was blocked by anti-rIL 2 antibodies. Furthermore, IL 2-specific mRNA was not detected in TCD-stimulated PBL, demonstrating that IL 2 was not required for TCD-induced T cell proliferation. In addition, TCD replaced IL 2 in inducing short-term proliferation of IL 2-dependent murine cytotoxic T cell lines. The findings that TCD induced IL 2-independent proliferation of T cells, and TCD and IL 2 synergized in inducing T cell proliferation, suggest that they initiate T cell proliferation via different mechanisms. The IL 2-independent activation of T cells, and the induction of IL 2 receptor expression by TCD, may be related to its ability to activate protein kinase C in cell membrane.     

Monoclonal antibody OKT11A inhibits and recombinant interleukin 2 (IL 2) augments expression of IL 2 receptors at a pretranslational level

The expression of receptors for interleukin 2 (IL 2) represents a critical event regulating the growth of normal T lymphocytes. We investigated the effects of the inhibitory monoclonal antibody OKT11A (anti-sheep erythrocyte receptor) and of purified recombinant IL 2 (rIL 2) on the expression of IL 2 receptors by activated T cells at both the protein and the mRNA levels. Adding OKT11A antibody (0.5 microgram/ml) to phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) markedly suppressed cellular proliferation (assessed by [3H]thymidine incorporation) and IL 2 receptor expression (determined by immunofluorescence assay by using the anti-IL 2-receptor antibody, anti-Tac). Northern blot analysis performed with the use of a cDNA probe specific for the human IL 2 receptor gene demonstrated that OKT11A antibody also decreased the accumulation of IL 2 receptor mRNA induced by PHA in PBMC. Purified rIL 2 (10 U/ml) alone had little effect on the expression of IL 2 receptors in unstimulated PBMC cultures. In combination with PHA or with PHA plus OKT11A, however, rIL 2 augmented both the expression of IL 2 receptor protein on PBMC and the accumulation of IL 2 receptor mRNA in PBMC. Adding anti-Tac antibody to PBMC cultures to block the interaction of IL 2 with its receptor diminished the accumulation of IL 2 receptor mRNA induced by PHA. Taken together, these data demonstrate that OKT11A antibody inhibits and IL 2 augments expression of IL 2 receptors on PHA-stimulated T cells, at least in part, at a pretranslational level.     

Direct activation of human resting T cells by IL 2: the role of an IL 2 receptor distinct from the Tac protein

High concentrations of interleukin 2 (IL 2) were shown to produce a delayed but pronounced proliferation of purified resting T cells in the apparent absence of other activation signals. Because these stimulatory effects of IL 2 occurred in the absence of detectable Tac+ cells, the possibility that IL 2 might be initially interacting with an IL 2 binding protein distinct from the Tac protein was studied. Chemical cross-linking studies with 125I-IL 2 revealed the presence of an IL 2 binding protein distinct from the Tac protein on the surface of these unstimulated T cells. This second IL 2 receptor has an estimated molecular size of 70,000 daltons, lacks reactivity with the anti-Tac antibody, and appears to be identical to the p70 protein recently proposed as a component of the high affinity IL 2 receptor. Scatchard analysis of IL 2 binding assays performed with the unactivated T cells revealed approximately 600 to 700 p70 sites per cell and an apparent Kd of 340 pM. These data indicate that the p70 protein present on resting T cells binds IL 2 with an intermediate affinity compared with the previously recognized high and low affinity forms of the receptor and may account for the high concentration of IL 2 needed to induce resting T cell proliferation. To investigate the early biologic consequences of IL 2 binding to the p70 protein, potential changes in the expression of genes involved in T cell activation were examined. Northern blotting revealed the rapid induction of c-myc, c-myb, and Tac mRNA after stimulation of resting T cells with a high concentration of IL 2. The anti-Tac antibody did not inhibit IL 2 induced expression of these genes, suggesting that the p70 protein rather than the Tac antigen or the high affinity IL 2 receptor complex mediated this signal. However, in contrast to these early activation events, the anti-Tac antibody significantly inhibited IL 2 induced T cell proliferation. This finding implicates the high affinity form of the IL 2 receptor in the proliferative response of the IL 2 activated T cells. Thus these data support a two step model for the induction of resting T cell proliferation by high doses of IL 2 involving the initial generation of an activation or "competence" signal through the p70 protein and a subsequent proliferation or "progression" signal through the high affinity form of the receptor.     

Association of protein kinase C activation with IL 2 receptor expression

Tac antigen (as a measure of the IL 2 receptor) acquisition and regulation by IL 2, an antigen-receptor agonist (anti-T3), phorbol esters, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were studied. Phorbol esters stimulated de novo acquisition of Tac antigen, which was associated with the subcellular redistribution of protein kinase C (PK-C) from cytosol to particulate membranes of human T lymphocytes. PHA and anti-T3 (alpha-T3) antibody also stimulated a transient redistribution and activation of PK-C that reached a maximum within 20 min after stimulation. Both phorbol esters and alpha-T3 could increase Tac expression and stimulate PK-C translocation on 5 and 12 day activated T cells that were at the G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle due to IL 2 deprivation. Tac antigen-specific mRNA was seen in the nucleus within 2 hr after stimulation. In contrast, IL 2 alone could only increase Tac expression and stimulate PK-C translocation on day 5 but not day 12 activated T cells. IL 2 synergizes with alpha-T3 and phorbol ester for the regulation of Tac expression. Although IL 2 increased expression of Tac, the majority if not all of these receptors possessed low affinity for IL 2. These data suggest that the activation of PK-C is a common transmembrane signal shared by IL 2 and antigen stimulation. The results also imply that PK-C activation is necessary for the regulation of Tac antigen expression.     

Activated lymphocytes in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

The expression of activation antigens (transferrin receptor, IL-2 receptor and Ia antigen) on circulating T lymphocytes from Japanese children with Type 1 diabetes was studied using five monoclonal antibodies (Ab), OKT9, anti-Tac Ab, OKIa1, anti-human HLA-DR Ab and OKT3. For detecting Ia positive T cells, the dual staining technique using OKT3 and anti-Ia antibody was employed. Four out of six patients (67%) with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes showed a raised level of either OKT9 or Tac positive cells when examined at diagnosis. These patients, however, rapidly lost these activation antigens after the insulin therapy was started. In contrast, in 32 long-standing patients, only 2 (6%) had a high percentage of OKT9 positive cells and none of them demonstrated Tac positive cells. One out of six newly diagnosed patients or three out of 21 long-standing patients had a significantly high percentage of Ia-positive T cells compared with normal subjects. In poorly controlled long-standing patients whose HbA1 value was higher than 14%, none of them had an increased number of activated lymphocytes. Therefore, it is unlikely that insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia were responsible for the changes observed in these studies. Activated lymphocytes might be related to activation of the immune system involved in pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes.     

Effect of interleukin 1 on the expression of interleukin 2 receptor (Tac antigen) on human natural killer cells and natural killer-like cell line (YT cells)

The effect of interleukin 1 (IL 1) on the expression of interleukin 2 receptor (IL 2R/Tac antigen) on human natural killer (NK) cells and the NK-like cell line, YT was studied with the use of a fluoresceinated anti-IL 2R monoclonal antibody and a Spectrum III flow cytofluorometer. IL 2R was expressed on approximately 10% of NK cells. The expression of IL 2R on NK cells was increased to approximately 25% by the in vitro culture with monocytes or IL 1 and to a less extent by the culture with IL 2 or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). IL 2R was expressed on approximately 50% of YT cells without any stimulations. The expression of IL 2R on YT cells was increased up to almost 100% by the culture with IL 1 or monocytes, but not with IL 2, IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IFN-gamma, or lectins such as concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin-P. IL 1 absorbed with YT cells or murine thymocytes lost both IL 1 activity detected by the stimulation of murine thymocyte proliferative response and enhancing activity of IL 2R expression on YT cells, suggesting that IL 1 has both activities. However, the assay system of the expression of IL 2R on YT cells is much more sensitive than the stimulation of murine thymocyte proliferative response. By the kinetic study, the enhancement of IL 2R expression was induced by only a 2-hr incubation of YT cells with IL 1. This enhancement did not proceed at 4 degrees C or by the treatment of YT cells with actinomycin D or cycloheximide, suggesting that this enhancement is energy dependent and requires the synthesis of RNA and protein but not DNA. Thus IL 1 plays an important role for the regulation of the expression of IL 2R on NK cells, and IL 1-dependent IL 2R expression on YT cells may give us a good model for the study of the molecular mechanism of the regulation of IL 2R expression.     

Soluble interleukin 2 receptors are released from activated human lymphoid cells in vitro

With the use of an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay to measure soluble human interleukin 2 receptors (IL 2R), certain human T cell leukemia virus I (HTLV I)-positive T cell lines were found to spontaneously release large quantities of IL 2R into culture supernatants. This was not found with HTLV I-negative and IL 2 independent T cell lines, and only one of seven B cell-derived lines examined produced small amounts of IL 2R. In addition to this constitutive production of soluble IL 2R by certain cell lines, normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) could be induced to release soluble IL 2R by plant lectins, the murine monoclonal antibody OKT3, tetanus toxoid, and allogeneic cells. Such activated cells also expressed cellular IL 2R measurable in detergent solubilized cell extracts. The generation of cellular and supernatant IL 2R was: dependent on cellular activation, rapid, radioresistant (3000 rad), and inhibited by cycloheximide treatment. NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of soluble IL 2R released from either the HTLV I-positive T cell line HUT 102B2 or normal phytohemagglutinin-activated PBMC demonstrated molecules of apparent Mr = 35,000 to 40,000, and 45,000 to 50,000, respectively, somewhat smaller than the mature surface receptor on these cells. The release of soluble IL 2R appears to be a characteristic marker of T lymphocyte activation and might serve an immunoregulatory function during both normal and abnormal cell growth and differentiation.     

Interleukin 2-dependent natural killer (NK) cell lines from patients with primary T cell immunodeficiencies

Bulk cultured cell lines with natural killer (NK) activity were derived by in vitro culture with interleukin 2-containing conditioned medium (IL 2-CM) of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBL) from patients with primary T cell deficiencies. Lines were developed from three patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and one patient with Nezelof's syndrome and contained several populations of cells with distinct phenotypes. All lines contained a cell population expressing the Leu-5 (50K) (sheep red blood cell receptor), 3A1 (40K), and OKT10 antigens, but lacking the pan T cell antigens Leu-1 (67K) and Leu-4 (19K) as well as the markers of T cell subsets Leu-2a (32K) and Leu-3a (56K). These cells failed to express the Leu-7 antigen and only weakly expressed OKM1. In addition, one line contained a population of Leu-5+, 3A1+, OKT10+, Leu-2a+, Leu 1-, and Leu 4- cells. Three of the lines also contained populations with classic T cell (Leu-1 and-Leu 4+) phenotypes. The lines were enriched in NK activity compared with the PBL from which they were derived. Their growth was strictly dependent on IL 2-CM. Highly purified IL 2, lacking any other detectable protein contaminants or lymphokine activities, was capable of supporting the growth of the Leu-5+, 3A1+ "null" cell populations from these lines without alteration in their functional activity or phenotype. Thus, studies of in vitro expanded cell lines from patients with severe disorders of T cell function and thymic involution indicate that this "null" cell population does not require thymic maturation to develop its effector function. This "null" cell population can be maintained in vitro in the presence of IL 2. This finding is analogous to the data obtained from study of NK cells in athymic (nude) mice.     

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.     

Developmentally controlled expression of IL 2 receptors and of sensitivity to IL 2 in a subset of embryonic thymocytes

At various times of gestation murine fetal thymocytes were tested for IL 2 receptor (IL 2-R) and T cell differentiation antigen expression. The majority of 14 to 15 day fetal thymocytes were IL 2-R and Thy-1 antigen positive, yet negative for the Lyt and L3T4 marker. A subset of IL 2-R-positive fetal thymocytes could be induced by recombinant IL 2 to proliferate over at least 10 days. Growth of these proliferating cells could not be enhanced by syngeneic feeder cells nor suppressed by monoclonal anti-I-A or anti-I-E antibodies. No antigen-specific effector functions could be induced in the proliferating Thy-1, IL 2-R-positive cells. As a whole, the results suggest a developmentally controlled rather than antigen-induced expression of IL 2-R during embryogenesis of thymocytes.     

The induction of lymphokine synthesis and cell growth in IL 3-dependent cell lines using antigen-antibody complexes

Several IL 3-dependent murine bone marrow-derived cell lines can be stimulated to grow with antigen-antibody (Ag.Ab) complexes. The Ag.Ab complexes induced lymphokine gene expression and the synthesis of IL 2, GM-CSF, IL 3, and BSF-1 (IL 4). The lymphokines produced by these IL 3-dependent cells appeared to stimulate their own growth, as both IL 3 and BSF-1 (IL 4) stimulated the growth of IL 3-dependent cells. Ag.Ab complexes also stimulate the growth of primary cultures of bone marrow cells that have been previously activated with IL 3. Normal bone marrow, IL 2-, and GM-CSF-dependent bone marrow cell lines could bind Ag.Ab complexes, but binding did not result in the induction of lymphokine synthesis or cell growth. Hyperimmune serum from mice also stimulated lymphokine synthesis and cell growth in IL 3-dependent cells, and the stimulatory activity was removed by treatment with Staphylococcus aureus protein A, suggesting the presence of Ag.Ab complexes.     

Desferoxamine blocks IL 2 receptor expression on human T lymphocytes

Thymidine uptake by PHA-stimulated human lymphocytes is reduced in the presence of 100 microM or greater concentrations of the iron-chelating agent desferoxamine (DF). We assessed expression of IL 2 receptor, 4F2 and Ia antigens, IL 2 production, and cell cycle progression by blood mononuclear cells (MNC) stimulated by PHA in the presence or absence of DF to determine whether the lack of T cell proliferation was a manifestation of inhibition of an earlier activation event. Tac antigen expression on PHA-stimulated MNC was inhibited by DF throughout 8 days of culture, and those cells which were positive had a low density of Tac antigen as compared with controls without DF. Expression of other activation antigens, 4F2 and Ia, was not impaired by DF. The supernatants of the DF-containing and control cultures contained equivalent IL 2 activity, as measured on the HT-2 cell line. Cell cycle analysis of these cultures shows that the addition of DF at the beginning of culture blocks most cells from undergoing G0 to G1 transition, whereas later addition of DF arrests the progression of the T cell blasts through the cell cycle. Separation of cells cultured with PHA and DF into Tac+ and Tac- subsets showed that progression from G0 to G1 was restricted to the former subset. These results suggest that interference with IL 2 receptor expression might contribute to the block in mitogen-induced proliferation caused by DF.     

Activation of interleukin-2 receptor gene by forskolin and cyclic AMP analogues

Forskolin (FK), a reversible activator of adenylate cyclase, markedly enhanced the expression of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2-R) on a human natural killer (NK)-like cell line, YT. The FK-induced increase in IL-2-R on YT cells closely correlated with an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) level, and was mimicked by dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP). FK induced both high and low affinity IL-2-R on the cells. Using a cDNA for the IL-2-R as a probe, the FK-induced IL-2-R expression was shown to be associated with an increase in IL-2-R mRNA. FK also enhanced the IL-2-R expression on a human T lymphotrophic virus I (HTLV-I) positive T-cell line (YTA-1H) and augmented the phorbol ester-induced expression of IL-2-R on HTLV-I negative T-cell lines (HSB-2 and HPB-ALL). These results suggest the possibility that the stimulation of adenylate cyclase may serve as a pathway leading to activation of the IL-2-R gene in certain types of lymphocytes.     

In vitro maturation of B cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. I. Synergistic action of phorbol ester and interleukin 2 in the induction of Tac antigen expression and interleukin 2 responsiveness in leukemic B cells

Recent evidence indicates that interleukin 2 (IL 2), formerly thought to serve as growth factor exclusively for activated T cells, is directly involved in human B cell differentiation. We have investigated the role of IL 2 and IL 2 receptors (as defined by monoclonal anti-Tac antibody) in the phorbol ester-induced in vitro maturation of leukemic B cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Peripheral blood lymphocytes from B cells from CLL patients with high (greater than 10(5)/microliters) white blood cell counts were depleted of residual T lymphocytes and low-density cells (primarily macrophages) by consecutive steps of E rosetting, complement-mediated lysis of OKT3+ and OKT4+ cells, and Percoll density gradient centrifugation. No OKT3+ T cells were detectable in these cell populations before or after culture. When incubated for 3 days with phorbol ester plus recombinant human IL 2 (rIL 2), 12 to 57% of highly purified B cells from four of five tested patients expressed Tac antigen. Both phorbol ester and rIL 2 were required for maximal Tac antigen expression. Functional studies revealed that phorbol ester-activated (but not resting) CLL B cells responded to rIL 2 with [3H]thymidine incorporation and with enhanced secretion of IgM. Tac+ B cells were isolated in two cases on a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. In one patient, stimulation of Tac+ B cells with rIL 2 resulted in enhanced [3H]thymidine incorporation but no change in IgM secretion, as compared with Tac- B cells; in the second patient, stimulation of Tac+ B cells with rIL 2 did not result in [3H]thymidine uptake, but did result in significant IgM secretion. These findings indicate that certain leukemic B lymphocytes can be induced to express IL 2 receptors and respond to IL 2. The use of resting clonal B cell populations arrested at distinct stages of differentiation may help to better define the stage(s) at which IL 2 acts directly on B cells to induce proliferation and/or terminal differentiation.     

Down-regulation of interleukin 1 (IL 1) receptor expression by IL 1 and fate of internalized 125I-labeled IL 1 beta in a human large granular lymphocyte cell line

The regulation of interleukin 1 (IL 1) receptor expression on a human large granular lymphocyte cell line, YT, and fate of internalized 125I-labeled IL 1 beta (125I-IL 1 beta) were studied. YT cells were selected for this study, because this cell line expresses a large number of specific high-affinity receptor for IL 1, responds biologically to exogenously added IL 1 by expressing high-affinity IL 2 receptors, and does not produce IL 1. YT cells constitutively express approximately 7 X 10(3) IL 1 receptors/cell with a Kd approximately 10(-10) M. Neither IL 2, phorbol myristic acid, nor lipopolysaccharide affected the total binding of 125I-IL 1 beta by YT cells. In contrast, the capacity of YT cells to bind 125I-IL 1 beta when incubated at 37 degrees C for 3 to 16 hr with a low dose of purified IL 1 beta (approximately 6 U/ml) was reduced by greater than 80%. The loss of binding capability gradually recovered by 16 hr after removal of IL 1 beta from cultured YT cells. The apparent loss of IL 1 receptor expression was accompanied by the internalization of 125I-IL 1 beta into cells. Acid treatment of YT cells to remove bound 125I-IL 1 beta at 4 degrees C showed that 50% of the 125I-IL 1 beta bound to cells could no longer be recovered after 30 min at 37 degrees C, and this increased to 80% after 3 hr at 37 degrees C. Fractionation of cell extracts on Percoll gradient additionally showed 125I-IL 1 beta to appear intracellularly after receptor binding on plasma membranes, and to be successively transferred to some membranous organelles (d approximately equal to 1.037) through an intermediate density organelle (d approximately equal to 1.050), and to finally end up in lysosomal cell fractions (d approximately equal to 1.05 to 1.08) after approximately 3 hr at 37 degrees C. Only approximately 5% of internalized 125I-IL 1 beta was released into culture media by 6 hr of incubation at 37 degrees C. However, the radioactivity in the TCA soluble fraction of the culture media increased gradually by 6 hr and a lysosomotropic enzyme, ethylamine, significantly inhibited both the transfer of internalized 125I-IL 1 beta to the lysosomal fraction and the degradation of 125I-IL 1 beta. This study represents the first evidence of autoregulation of IL 1 receptors by IL 1 and internalization of IL 1 molecules after binding to receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

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.     

Mechanisms of human T cell response to mitogens: IL 2 induces IL 2 receptor expression and proliferation but not IL 2 synthesis in PHA-stimulated T cells

Human peripheral blood T cells were purified by a four-step procedure which included depletion of plastic-adherent cells, rosetting with sheep red blood cells, nylon wool passage, and treatment with mouse monoclonal antibodies to human Ia antigens plus complement. The purified T cells completely failed to proliferate to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Bacterially derived recombinant human interleukin 2 (IL 2) reconstituted the proliferative response of resting T cells to PHA. The optimal concentration of IL 2 required was 100 to 200 U/ml. IL 2 alone caused no T cell proliferation. Both PHA and IL 2 needed to be present together for the proliferation of T cells to occur. Incubation of T cells with either PHA or IL 2 alone for up to 18 hr, followed by washing, then by the addition of the reciprocal reagent, resulted in no T cell proliferation. Expression of IL 2 receptors and of Ia antigens, as assessed by indirect immunofluorescent staining, revealed that both PHA and IL 2 needed to be present for Tac and Ia antigen expression by T cells. T cells incubated with PHA and IL 2 for 18 to 42 hr acquired responsiveness to IL 2. These T cells remained absolutely dependent on IL 2 for proliferation to occur. In contrast to T cells stimulated with PHA in the presence of monocytes, T cells stimulated with PHA and IL 2 released no detectable IL 2. The failure of IL 2 secretion was not caused by down-regulation of IL 2 production by IL 2 itself, because the addition of IL 2 to cultures of T cells stimulated with PHA in the presence of monocytes did not interfere with IL 2 production. These results indicate that IL 2 is a sufficient signal to induce the expression of its receptor in PHA-stimulated T cells and subsequent proliferation but is not sufficient to cause endogenous IL 2 release.