Demonstration of the origin of human mast cells from CD34+ bone marrow progenitor cells.

It has been established that murine mast cells are derived from a pluripotent bone marrow stem cell. In humans, the corresponding pluripotent cell is included in the CD34+ bone marrow population. To determine whether human mast cells arise from CD34+ human progenitor cells, enriched CD34+ cells were cultured over agarose surfaces (interphase cultures) or cocultured with mouse 3T3 fibroblasts in the presence of recombinant human (rh) IL-3. The presence of both mast cells and basophils was determined using a variety of histochemical and immunohistologic techniques, including immunogold labeling for IgE receptors and mast cell tryptase. Mast cells and basophils continued to appear in cultures when T cell, B cell, macrophage, and eosinophil committed progenitor cells were removed, but were not seen in cultures from which CD34+ cells were removed. CD34+ cells layered over agarose in the presence of rhIL-3 were shown to give rise to cultures that contained mast cells (1 to 5%) and basophils (25 to 40%). Cultures supplemented with rhIL-4 showed no additional increase in mast cells or basophils. CD34+ cells cocultured with 3T3 fibroblasts in the presence of rhIL-3 gave rise to mast cells within the fibroblast monolayer, which by 6 wk comprised up to 46% of the monolayer. CD34-cells on 3T3 fibroblasts gave rise to few mast cells (2% of the monolayer). Mast cell granules from interphase cultures contained homogeneous electron-dense material. In contrast, mast cells within 3T3 monolayers at 6 wk contained a variety of granule morphologies, including scroll, mixed, reticular, dense core, or homogeneous patterns. We conclude that both human mast cells and basophils arise from CD34+ human progenitor cells.     

Isolation of muscle derived stem cells from rat and its smooth muscle differentiation [corrected

We investigated whether stem cells (MDSC) from primary cultures of rat skeletal muscle can differentiate into the smooth muscle lineage in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and coculture with bladder smooth muscle cells. The MDSC were isolated from gastrocnemius muscle biopsies of normal 3-6 week-old Sprague-Dawley rats and purified by the preplate technique. Cells that took approximately 6 days to adhere to the collagen-coated flasks were termed late preplate (LP) cells, and were used in all the experiments. The early plate (EP) cells (pp1-pp4) contained some myogenic cells but were mostly fibroblasts (< 15% desmin+ cells) whereas the LP cells (pp5-pp6) were highly purified muscle-derived cells (pp6) (> 90% desmin+ cells). The muscle-derived stem cells (LP cells) were CD34+ or Sca-1+, CD45- and desmin+ by immunohistochemical staining. After two days of co-culture with bladder smooth muscle cells, about 25% of the muscle-derived stem cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)+. RT-PCR for alpha-SMA was positive in the VEGF stimulated MDSC, but negative in the absence of VEGF. In conclusion, rat muscle-derived stem cells exhibited stem cell properties (CD34+ or Sca-1+), and were not of hematogeous (CD45-) but of myogenic origin (desmin+). RT-PCR of alpha-SMA was positive in the VEGF stimulated muscle-derived stem cells.     

Enhancement of inositol phospholipid metabolism and activation of protein kinase C in ras-transformed rat fibroblasts

The inositol phospholipid metabolism is one of the main pathways of signal transduction in cells. We measured the activities of its key enzymes in v-Ha-ras-transformed 208F rat fibroblasts. In the ras-transformed clones, incorporation of [32P]Pi into intermediates of the inositol phospholipid metabolism was stimulated. The activities of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate kinases in the transformed clones were about 35-50% more than in untransformed cells, indicating increased inositol phospholipid metabolism. However, the activity of diacylglycerol kinase in their membrane fraction was 25-35% less than that of untransformed cells, although the total diacylglycerol kinase activity did not change. The imbalance of these kinases could constitute one of the main reasons leading to the increased level of inositol phosphates and the accumulation of diacylglycerol to 2-2.2 times that in control 208F cells. Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate-phospholipase C activity did not change on the transformation when assayed under various conditions. The increased level of diacylglycerol caused intracellular translocation, activation, and down-regulation of protein kinase C changes which may be one of the essential events in transformation by the v-Ha-ras gene.     

Absence of endothelin receptors and receptor mRNA in mammalian fibroblasts transformed with SV40 or ras oncogene

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a peptide isolated from the culture medium of endothelial cells, mediates a variety of physiological and pathological responses including mitogenesis. We have compared the expression of ET receptors in untransformed versus ras-transformed NIH-3T3 murine fibroblasts and in untransformed versus SV40-transformed Wl38 (VA13) human fibroblasts by ligand binding and Northern analysis. NIH-3T3 and Wl38 cells displayed high affinity (200 and 220 pM) and high density (23,000 sites/cell and 14,000 sites/cell for NIH-3T3 and Wl38 cells, respectively) ET receptors. Competition binding experiments using subtype-selective ligands identified these receptors as the ETA subtype. Addition of ET-1 to the cells produced a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular calcium release. Both ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells and SV40-transformed Wl38 cells (VA13) completely lacked [125I]ET-1 binding and failed to release calcium when exposed to ET-1. Northern analysis of the polyadenylat ed RNA (polyA RNA) isolated from untransformed and transformed cells revealed that the steady-state level of ETA receptor RNA was 90-95% less in transformed cells compared to untransformed cells. Thus, the loss of ET receptors as well as the receptor-mediated responses in transformed cells can be explained by down-regulation of ET receptor mRNA.     

Regulated secretion of mature cathepsin B from rat exocrine pancreatic cells.

By indirect immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy with an antibody that recognizes specifically the two forms of native mature rat cathepsin B (31 kDa and 5:25 kDa) but not the proenzyme, we detected cathepsin B not only in lysosomes of adult rat exocrine pancreatic cells but also in the trans Golgi condensing vacuoles, the zymogen granules and the pancreatic juice in the intralobular ducts. In contrast, immunocytochemistry with an antibody specific for rat cathepsin D showed the latter to be present in the same cells only in lysosomal compartments as expected. The same pattern of labeling with these two antibodies was found in the first zymogen granules to form in 17-day-old fetal rat pancreas. Counts of the extent of immunogold labeling of cathepsin B in the adult exocrine cells showed that the concentration of the enzyme was only two-fold higher in the lysosomal compartments than in the zymogen granules. To confirm these observations, rat pancreatic postnuclear supernatant (PNS), a fraction enriched in zymogen granules and rat pancreatic juice obtained by catheterization of the pancreatic duct, were subjected to 2D gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting with the cathepsin B antibody. All three samples contained a 31 kDa protein recognized by the antibody with a pI of about 4.5, the single chain mature form of cathepsin B. We then radiolabeled pancreatic PNS and zymogen granule fractions with benzyloxycarbonyl-Tyr[125I]-Ala-CHN2, an affinity label that covalently binds to the active sites of mature forms of both cathepsin B and cathepsin L. In both PNS and zymogen granule fractions this reagent labeled cathepsin B. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that the antibody to cathepsin B recognized specifically both the single chain and the double chain mature forms of cathepsin B in the native state. Finally, Northern blots with a cDNA of rat cathepsin B showed that the concentration of cathepsin B mRNA in total pancreatic RNA increased following in vivo stimulation of the exocrine pancreatic cells with optimal doses of cerulein, a cholecystokinin analogue. We conclude that significant amounts of mature cathepsin B are secreted from exocrine pancreatic cells via the apical regulated exocytotic pathway, and we discuss this in terms of models for sorting of proteins to the cores of dense cored secretory granules.     

Characterization of human embryonic stem cell-derived hematopoietic progenitor phenotype

Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into hematopoietic lineages using various methods has been reported. However, the phenotype that precisely defines the hematopoietic progenitor compartment with clonogenic activities has yet to be determined. Here, we measured and characterized progenitor function of subfractions of cells prospectively isolated from human embryoid bodies (hEBs) during hematopoietic differentiation basing on surface markers CD45, CD34, CD43, and CD38. We report that hematopoietic progenitors predominantly resided in the CD45⁺ subset. CD43⁺ cells lacking CD45 expression were largely devoid of progenitor activity. However, progenitor activity and multipotentiality was more enriched in CD45⁺ cells co-expressing CD43. CD45⁺ subset co-expressing CD34 but lacking CD38 expression (CD45⁺CD34⁺CD38^-) were further enriched for CFU capacity compared to the CD45⁺CD34⁺CD38⁺ subset. Our study demonstrates a role of CD43 in enriching hematopoietic progenitors derived from hEBs and reveals a hierarchical organization of hESC-derived hematopoietic progenitor compartments defined by phenotypic markers.     

Biosynthesis and intracellular transport of alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase in rat hepatoma cells.

We investigated biosynthesis, intracellular transport and release of beta-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase in a dexamethasone-inducible rat hepatoma cell line. Confluent cells were induced by 10 microM dexamethasone for 24 h, and metabolically labelled with [35S]methionine/cysteine, followed by immunoprecipitation of sialyltransferase and electrophoretic/fluorographic analysis. The 35S-labelled enzyme was synthesized as a 46-kDa precursor, converted to an intermediate 47-kDa form after 1 h, and gradually to a mature form of 48 kDa within the following 3 h. By means of either tunicamycin inhibition of N-glycosylation or cleavage of N-glycans from isolated sialyltransferase using N-glycosidase F, the sizes of the precursor and the mature form were reduced to 41 kDa and 43 kDa, respectively. After a 4-h chase, treatment with endoglycosidase H revealed two distinct molecular forms of sialyltransferase, bearing either two N-acetyllactosamine-type or one oligomannose-type and one N-acetyllactosamine-type N-linked sugar chain. In addition, sialyltransferase became sensitive to neuraminidase digestion after a 4-h chase. The half-life of intracellular [35S]sialyltransferase was estimated at 3 h. A soluble form was detectable in the supernatant, 2 h after the pulse. Only 12% of the initially labelled sialyltransferase was found in the medium after 12 h, while 73% of the enzyme was degraded intracellularly. To characterize a possible intracellular degradation site, we studied intracellular transport in the presence of either secretion-blocking or acidotropic agents or protease inhibitors. Degradation was significantly delayed by all treatments. Our results show that sialyltransferase follows the secretory pathway as a membrane protein and is retained at a late Golgi stage. We suggest that the bulk of sialyltransferase in rat hepatoma cells is diverted to a post-Golgi degradation pathway. This route contrasts with the post-Golgi trafficking of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase in HeLa cells, which is constitutively secreted [Strous, G. J. A. M. & Berger, E. G. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 7623-7628].     

46-kDa mannose 6-phosphate-specific receptor: biosynthesis, processing, subcellular location and topology

Synthesis of the cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate-specific receptor was followed in cells of human (fibroblasts, Hep G2 cells, U937 monocytes, blood-derived macrophages) or rat (Morris hepatoma 7777 cells) origin. The mature form of the receptor has an apparent molecular size of 46 kDa except in fibroblasts, where the apparent molecular size was 43 kDa. The receptor contains 7-8 N-linked oligosaccharide chains, about 5 of which are converted into endo H-resistant forms within 2 h of synthesis. A small fraction of the receptor (about 3% of total in U937 monocytes) is located at the cell surface while the bulk of the receptor resides in internal membranes. Part of the internal receptors (20% in fibroblasts) resides in membranes of the endocytic pathway. The receptor was not detectable in dense lysosomes. The receptor is a hydrophobic transmembrane protein partitioning with Triton X-114. The cytosolic portion of the receptor comprises a molecular size of about 5 kDa and contains the C-terminus. The luminal (or external) portion of the receptor comprises a molecular size of greater than or equal to 37.5 kDa, of which more than half is represented by carbohydrate. Cross-linking experiments suggest that the mature receptor exists in membranes as a dimer.     

Maturation-dependent adhesion of human B cell precursors to the bone marrow microenvironment

Murine B cell precursors can be induced to proliferate in culture if allowed to bind to bone marrow derived adherent cells prepared under specific conditions. We studied the binding of human B cell precursor subpopulations to various in vitro microenvironments to determine which conditions may potentially be suitable models for human B precursor differentiation. Using the markers CD10, CD34, and CD20, B lineage populations of increasing maturation were quantitated: CD10+/CD34+, CD10+/CD20-, CD10+/CD20+, and CD10-/CD20+ cells in marrow, and CD10-/CD20+ mature B cells in peripheral blood. The adhesion of subpopulations of blood and marrow-derived light density cells to adherent cell layers or matrix was studied following a 2-h incubation in 24-well plates. The absolute number of bound B lineage cells was determined by cell counts and flow cytometry analysis. The adherence of B lineage cells to passaged human marrow fibroblasts (BM-FB) was highest in the most immature CD10+/CD34+ cells (34.3 +/- 4.2%), decreasing steadily with each stage of maturation to the peripheral blood B cells (11.2 +/- 2.4%). Increased adhesion of CD10+ B cell precursors relative to CD10-/CD20+ marrow B cells was confirmed by adhesion studies using sorted cells. The two most immature B lineage cells (CD10+CD34+ and CD10+/CD20-) showed more adherence to BM-FB than any other cell type tested, except for monocytes. Only B lineage precursor cells, erythroid precursors and CD10-/CD34+ cells showed significantly greater binding to BM-FB than to plastic. B lineage precursors bound equally well to primary and passaged human marrow fibroblasts, but bound significantly less well to passaged human foreskin fibroblasts, primary human marrow stroma, extracellular matrix of marrow fibroblasts, or fibronectin. These results suggest that specific binding to marrow fibroblasts is part of the differentiation program of early B lineage precursors. This binding activity gradually and predictably decreases during B lineage differentiation, in contrast to expression of other binding receptors, such as LFA-1 and CD44, which increase during B lineage maturation.     

Tropomyosin-2 cDNA lacking the 3' untranslated region riboregulator induces growth inhibition of v-Ki-ras-transformed fibroblasts.

The levels of high molecular weight isoforms of tropomyosin (TM) are markedly reduced in ras-transformed cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that the forced expression of tropomyosin-1 (TM-1) induces reversion of the transformed phenotype of ras-transformed fibroblasts. The effects of the related isoform TM-2 on transformation are less clear. To assess the effects of forced expression of the TM-2 protein on ras-induced tumorigenicity, we introduced a TM-2 cDNA lacking the 3' untranslated region riboregulator into ras-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. TM-2 expression resulted in a flatter cell morphology and restoration of stress fibers. TM-2 expression also significantly reduced growth rates in low serum, soft agar, and nude mice. The reduced growth rates were associated with a prolongation of G0-G1. To identify the mechanism of TM-2-induced growth inhibition, we analyzed the effects of TM-2 reexpression of ERK and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activities. Levels of ERK phosphorylation and activity in TM-2-transfected tumor cells were comparable to those in mock-transfected tumor cells. JNK activity was only modestly increased in ras-transformed cells relative to untransformed NIH 3T3 cells and only slightly reduced as result of forced TM-2 expression. We conclude that the partially restored expression of the TM-2 protein induces growth inhibition of ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells without influencing ERK or JNK activities. Furthermore, the 3' untranslated region riboregulator of the alpha-tropomyosin gene is not needed for the inhibition of ras-induced growth.     

Phosphorylation of connexin43 gap junction protein in uninfected and Rous sarcoma virus-transformed mammalian fibroblasts.

Gap junctions are membrane channels that permit the interchange of ions and other low-molecular-weight molecules between adjacent cells. Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-induced transformation is marked by an early and profound disruption of gap-junctional communication, suggesting that these membrane structures may serve as sites of pp60v-src action. We have begun an investigation of this possibility by identifying and characterizing putative proteins involved in junctional communication in fibroblasts, the major cell type currently used to study RSV-induced transformation. We found that uninfected mammalian fibroblasts do not appear to contain RNA or protein related to connexin32, the major rat liver gap junction protein. In contrast, vole and mouse fibroblasts contained a homologous 3.0-kilobase RNA similar in size to the heart tissue RNA encoding the gap junction protein, connexin43. Anti-connexin43 peptide antisera specifically reacted with three proteins of approximately 43, 45 and 47 kilodaltons (kDa) from communicating fibroblasts. Gap junctions of heart cells contained predominantly 45- and 47-kDa species similar to those found in fibroblasts. Uninfected fibroblast 45- and 47-kDa proteins were phosphorylated on serine residues. Phosphatase digestions of 45- and 47-kDa proteins and pulse-chase labeling studies indicated that these proteins represented phosphorylated forms of the 43-kDa protein. Phosphorylation of connexin protein appeared to occur shortly after synthesis, followed by an equally rapid dephosphorylation. In comparison with these results, connexin43 protein in RSV-transformed fibroblasts contained both phosphotyrosine and phosphoserine. Thus, the presence of phosphotyrosine in connexin43 correlates with the loss of gap-junctional communication observed in RSV-transformed fibroblasts.     

Arachidonoyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase activity in ras-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts depends on the membrane composition.

Investigations were performed on the influence of membrane lipids on arachidonoyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase in microsomal membranes from control and ras-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Of all the tested phospholipids only sphingomyelin induced activation of acyltransferase in membranes from ras-transformed cells. No specific phospholipid effect on the acyltransferase was observed in microsomal membranes from control fibroblasts. Diacylglycerol was found to inhibit acyltransferase in both cell lines, whereas ceramide accumulation induced inhibition only in membranes from the transformed cells. The effects of diacylglycerol, ceramide, sphingomyelin and sphingomyelinase are discussed with respect to their putative roles in the signal transduction pathways in oncogene-expressing cells.     

Localization of phospholipase A2 in normal and ras-transformed cells

The cellular localization of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was examined in normal and ras-transformed rat fibroblasts using immunohistochemical techniques. Polyclonal antibodies were generated against porcine pancreatic PLA2 and were affinity purified for use in this study. The antibodies detected a 16-kD band on immunoblots of total cellular proteins from fibroblasts. In cell-free assays of phospholipase A2 activity, the purified antibodies inhibited the bulk of the enzyme activity whereas control IgG preparations had no effect. Immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that PLA2 was diffusely distributed throughout the cell. Increased concentration of PLA2 was detected under membrane ruffles in normal and ras-transformed cells. Specific immunofluorescence staining was also detected on the outer surface of the normal cells. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated the increased accumulation of PLA2 in membrane ruffles and also revealed the presence of the enzyme in microvilli and its association with intracellular vesicles. Ultrastructural localization of PLA2 and the ras oncogene protein, using a double immunogold labeling technique, indicated a spatial proximity between PLA2 and ras proteins in the ruffles of ras-transformed cells. The possible role of PLA2 in the structural rearrangements that underlie membrane ruffling is discussed.     

Differences in the expression profiles of CD45RB, Pgp-1, and 3G11 membrane antigens and in the patterns of lymphokine secretion by splenic CD4+ T cells from young and aged mice

Previous studies indicate that the 3G11, CD45RB, and Pgp-1 determinants are differentially expressed on CD4+ T cell subsets in the mouse. We used multicolor immunofluorescence staining and flow cytofluorometric analysis to examine the expression of each of these determinants on splenic CD4+ cells from young (age 3 to 6 mo) and aged (age 24 to 26 mo) C57BL/6 mice. The CD4+ pool from aged mice contained significantly reduced numbers of 3G11+ and CD45RBhi cells, but increased numbers of Pgp-1hi cells, in comparison with the young group. Analysis of the simultaneous expression of all three subset determinants on CD4+ cells revealed that, in young mice, the major fraction (greater than 50%) was 3G11+CD45RBhiPgp-1lo. Among the less prevalent cell phenotypes, reductions in 3G11 expression correlated with decreases in CD45RB levels and increases in Pgp-1 levels. The phenotype that dominated the young group (3G11+CD45RBhiPgp-1lo) was approximately fivefold less represented in the aged group. The CD4+ pool from aged mice was characterized by increases in the 3G11-CD45RBvariablePgp-1hi and the 3G11+CD45RBloPgp-1hi phenotypes. To evaluate possible age-associated differences in cytokine secretion patterns by splenic CD4+ cells, purified CD4+ cells from each age group were stimulated in vitro with immobilized anti-CD3 epsilon mAb and accessory cells. At various times thereafter, supernatants from cultures were tested for IL-2 and IL-4 content by using the CTLL.6 and 11.6 bioassays, respectively, and the CD4+ cells were assayed for [3H]TdR uptake. Cell cultures from the aged group exhibited similar peak IL-2 accumulation and lower peak [3H]TdR uptake, but greatly increased peak IL-4 accumulation, as compared with cell cultures from the young group. The expression patterns of subset determinants, in conjunction with cytokine secretion profiles, indicate that, in aged mice, marked alterations occur in the subset composition of the splenic CD4+ cell pool. These findings are discussed in the context of previous findings on changes in T cell reactivity with advancing donor age.     

Flow cytometric analysis of human bone marrow. IV. Differential quantitative expression of T-200 common leukocyte antigen during normal hemopoiesis

We have correlated the intensity of expression of CD45 Ag (T200 common leukocyte Ag) with mAb reactive with various lineages of hemopoietic cells in normal human bone marrow by using two-color immunofluorescence on a flow cytometer. Mature T lymphocytes (CD3+) and NK cells (CD16+ or CD11b+) expressed CD45 at the highest intensity. B lymphoid cells (CD19+) had three distinct levels of CD45 Ag expression. The bright CD45(3+) cells were mature B cells (CD19+, CD20+), whereas the less intense CD45(2+) cells were less mature B lymphoid cells (CD19+, CD10+). The dim CD45+ cells were very early, B lymphoid precursor cells (CD19+, CD10(2+), CD34+). The intensity of CD45 expression increased as cells matured in the monocytic lineage (CD14+, CD11b+). Among marrow granulocytic cells, CD45 intensity did not change on cells during maturation. Within the erythroid lineage, the most immature cells were CD45+ dim, and CD45 expression decreased during erythroid maturation to become undetectable on mature E. Hemopoietic progenitor cells (CD34+) expressed low levels of CD45 Ag. Expression of CD45R on marrow cells also showed intensity differences on different lineages. All NK cells (CD16+) were positive for CD45R, whereas only about one-half of the T lymphocytes (CD3+) were positive for CD45R. Almost all the cells in the erythroid and myelomonocytic lineages were CD45R-. Quantitative differences in expression of CD45R were observed on marrow B lymphoid cells which were correlated with the expression of CD45. The results show that quantitative changes in CD45 Ag expression accompany the differentiation and maturation of cells in the bone marrow. Comparisons with CD45R showed that this Ag was not always correlated with CD45. Since these Ag are the products of the same gene, these data indicate that the regulation of expression of the T200 molecules during normal hemopoietic development must be both quantitative and qualitative.     

In vitro sulfation of pulmonary surfactant-associated protein-35

Surfactant-associated protein-35 consists of a group of phospholipid-associated proteins of 26-36 kDa isolated from pulmonary alveolar surfactant. In the rat, surfactant-associated protein-35 is synthesized from 26-kDa primary translation products which are cotranslationally acetylated and glycosylated to heterogeneous 30 and 34 kDa forms. High-mannose oligosaccharide-containing precursors of surfactant-associated protein-35 are processed in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi to complex-type oligosaccharides, resulting in a mature glycoprotein which exhibits extensive charge heterogeneity in two-dimensional isoelectric focusing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Much of this charge heterogeneity is related to terminal sialylation of the two asparagine-linked oligosaccharides. In the present study, we report that surfactant-associated protein-35 is also sulfated. Sulfation of the 30 and 34 kDa forms of surfactant-associated protein-35 was clearly detected in primary cultures of rat Type II epithelial cells. These sulfated isoforms were sensitive to endoglycosidase F digestion, but resistant to neuraminidase, suggesting that sulfation occurred at oligosaccharide residues other than sialic acid. The lack of sulfation of the 26 kDa forms of surfactant-associated protein-35 and the resistance of the sulfated isoforms to endoglycosidase H digestion are consistent with Golgi-associated sulfation of the complex type oligosaccharides of surfactant-associated protein-35. Thus, sulfation is another component of the complex post-translational processing of surfactant-associated protein-35, which includes acetylation, hydroxylation, glycosylation, sialylation, sulfhydryl-dependent oligomerization and sulfation.     

IDS Transfer from Overexpressing Cells to IDS-Deficient Cells

Iduronate sulfatase (IDS) is responsible for mucopolysaccharidosis type II, a rare recessive X-linked lysosomal storage disease. The aim of this work was to test the ability of overexpressing cells to transfer IDS to deficient cells. In the first part of our work, IDS processing steps were compared in fibroblasts, COS cells, and lymphoblastoid cell lines and shown to be identical: the two precursor forms (76 and 90 kDa) were processed by a series of intermediate forms to the 55- and 45-kDa mature polypeptides. Then IDS transfer to IDS-deficient cells was tested either by incubation with cell-free medium of overexpressing cells or by coculture. Endocytosis and coculture experiments between transfected Lβ and deleted fibroblasts showed that IDS transfer occurred preferentially by cell-to-cell contact as IDS precursors are poorly secreted by transfected Lβ. The 76- and 62-kDa IDS polypeptides transferred to deleted fibroblasts were correctly processed to the mature 55- and 45-kDa forms. Lβ were not able to internalize the 90-kDa phosphorylated precursor forms excreted in large amounts in the medium of overexpressing fibroblasts. Enzyme transfer occurred only by cell-to-cell contact, but the precursor forms transferred in Lβ after cell-to-cell contact were not processed. This absence of maturation was probably due to a mistargeting of IDS precursors in these cells.