Intermediate steps in cellular iron uptake from transferrin. Detection of a cytoplasmic pool of iron, free of transferrin.

The uptake of transferrin-bound iron by receptor-mediated endocytosis has been the subject of extensive experimental investigation. However, the path followed by iron (Fe) after release from transferrin (Tf) remains obscure. Once Fe is released from Tf within the endosome, it must be transported across the endosomal membrane into the cell. The present investigation describes the presence of a cytoplasmic Tf-free Fe pool which is detectable only when cells are detached from their culture dishes at low temperature, after initial incorporation of diferric transferrin at 37 degrees C. This cellular iron pool was greatly reduced if incubation temperatures were maintained at 37 degrees C or if cells were treated with pronase. Human melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28) in culture were prelabeled by incubation with human 125I-59Fe-transferrin for 2 h, washed, and reincubated at 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C in balanced salt solution in the presence or absence of pronase. The cells were then mechanically detached from the plates and separated into "internalized" and supernatant fractions by centrifugation. Approximately 90% of cellular 59Fe and 20% of 125I-Tf remained internalized when this reincubation procedure was carried out in balanced salt solution at 37 degrees C. However, at 4 degrees C, cellular internalized iron was reduced to approximately 50% of the initial value. The release of this component of cellular 59Fe (approximately 40% of total cell 59Fe) at 4 degrees C was completely inhibited in the presence of pronase and other general proteinases at 4 degrees C and at 37 degrees C, without affecting internalized transferrin levels. Similar results were obtained in fibroblasts and hepatoma cells, indicating that this phenomenon is not unique to melanoma cells. The characterization of this Tf-free cellular Fe pool which is detectable at low temperature may yield valuable insights into the metabolic fate of iron following its transport across the membrane of the endocytotic vesicle.     

Enhanced binding of low and high density lipoproteins to human adipocyte plasma membranes: effects of temperature and proteases

The specific binding of 125I-labelled low density lipoprotein ([125I]LDL to human adipocyte plasma membranes was higher at 37 than at 0 degree C. Prior treatment of membranes with pronase had no effect on LDL binding measured at 0 degree C but consistently stimulated binding at 37 degrees C. Plasmin was similar to pronase in enhancing LDL-specific binding, but thrombin was not as effective. 125I-labelled high density lipoprotein ([125I]HDL2) specific binding to human adipocyte plasma membranes was similarly sensitive to temperature and pronase treatment. Addition of the protease inhibitor aprotinin in the adipocyte membrane binding assay significantly reduced [125I]LDL binding at 37 degrees C (p less than 0.05), suggesting the involvement of a protease activity intrinsic to the lipoproteins and (or) membranes. These data demonstrate that both LDL and HDL binding in human adipocyte plasma membranes can be "up-regulated" by specific proteolytic perturbations in a temperature-dependent manner.     

Association of cytoskeletal re-organization with capping of the complement decay-accelerating factor on T lymphocytes

Recent studies have identified cell-associated proteins that are membrane anchored by glycosyl-inositol-phospholipid structures but the biologic implications of this mode of membrane attachment are incompletely understood. Among proteins anchored in this way is the decay-accelerating factor (DAF), a complement (C) regulatory factor that functions on blood cell surfaces to prevent autologous C attack. As one approach to investigate the functional consequences of glycosyl-inositol-phospholipid-anchoring of DAF in T lymphocytes, the effects of crosslinking surface DAF molecules were compared to those of crosslinking conventionally by anchored cluster of differentiation (CD) proteins. Upon incubation with anti-DAF mAb and anti-murine IgG, DAF re-distributed to a pole of the cell with a t1/2 at 37 degrees C of 4.4 min as compared to t1/2 of 3.5 to 7 min for CD3, CD4, and CD8. Re-distribution of DAF occurred independently of CD2, CD3, CD4, or CD8. Anti-DAF immunoprecipitates of membrane extracts of cells chemically cross-linked with dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) contained only monomeric DAF. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated clustered actin, tubulin, and vimentin beneath the capped DAF protein. Pre-treatment of cells with colchicine or 8-azidoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate, but not lumicolchicine, resulted in reduction of the t1/2 for DAF to 1 to 2.6 min. Conversely, treatment of cells with cytochalasins B or D completely blocked DAF capping. The results indicate that, upon cross-linking, glycosyl-inositol-phospholipid-anchored DAF molecules undergo capping similar to conventionally anchored CD molecules and that DAF capping is associated with cytoskeletal reorganization.     

Decay-accelerating factor expression on either effector or target cells inhibits cytotoxicity by human natural killer cells.

Previous studies have shown that freshly isolated CD16+ NK cells are deficient in the expression of decay-accelerating factor (DAF), or CD55, a membrane regulator of C3 activation. In this study we investigated the significance, for NK cell-mediated lysis, of DAF expression on the target and effector cells. The effect of DAF expression on the susceptibility of NK cell targets was investigated by several means: first, DAF- cell lines were cloned from K562; second, the cloned DAF- cells were reconstituted with exogenous purified DAF; and third, anti-DAF F(ab')2 was used to block DAF function on the DAF+ K562 cells. Consistently, the presence of DAF in the target cell membrane, either naturally occurring or experimentally incorporated, afforded the target cell protection against lysis, and this protection could be blocked with anti-DAF. Similarly, targets for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity with exogenous DAF incorporated in their plasma membrane became less sensitive to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity by NK cells compared with the same target cells without incorporated DAF in their membranes. DAF incorporated in the plasma membranes of the effector NK cells made the NK cells less effective at killing K562 targets. The known function of DAF is to regulate C3 activation, and we were able to demonstrate that the isolated NK cell is capable of releasing C3. It is also possible that the participation of DAF in NK cell function represents a new, noncomplement-dependent function for DAF.     

Rapid cell surface appearance of endocytic membrane proteins in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Lactoperoxidase was used to selectively radiolabel endocytic membrane. CHO cells were incubated with enzyme at 37 degrees C for 10 min to permit lactoperoxidase internalization. Radioiodination was done at 4 degrees C. About 90% of the radioiodinated products pelleted at 100,000 X g. From 12 to 15 different electrophoretic species were detected by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis. When cells labeled by internalized lactoperoxidase were warmed to 37 degrees C, the incorporated radioactivity was lost in a biphasic manner with an overall t1/2 of approximately 20 h. Upon warming cells to 37 degrees C, the labeled species became sensitive to pronase or trypsin digestion. The increase in protease sensitivity was progressive over a 10- to 20-min period. Maximally 45% of the initially intracellular radiolabel could be released. A digest of exterior-radioiodinated cells released 50% of the incorporated radioiodine. These observations strongly suggest a rapid shuttling of approximately 90% of the radioiodinated membrane species initially present within the cell to the cell surface.     

Receptor-mediated internalization of high density lipoprotein by rat sinusoidal liver cells: identification of a nonlysosomal endocytic pathway by fluorescence-labeled ligand

Rat sinusoidal liver cells possess the surface receptor for high density lipoprotein (HDL) (Murakami, M., S. Horiuchi, K. Takata, and Y. Morino. 1987. J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 101: 729-741). The present study was undertaken to determine whether cell surface-bound HDL underwent subsequent endocytic internalization by using 125I-labeled HDL and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled HDL (FITC-HDL). The cell-associated radioactivity obtained by a 40-min incubation with 125I-labeled HDL at 37 degrees C was released into the medium as acid-precipitable forms upon further incubation at 37 degrees C. When further incubated at 0 degree C instead of 37 degrees C, however, this release was significantly reduced. A similar phenomenon was observed after the cell-associated ligands had been treated with trypsin. The cell-associated ligands obtained after a 1-hr incubation with 125I-labeled HDL at 0 degree C were largely counted for by those bound to the outer surface of the cells, thus suggesting that HDL is internalized into cells at 37 degrees C but not at 0 degree C. Moreover, when cells were incubated with FITC-HDL at 0 degree C, the cell-associated ligands were found in a pH 7.2 +/- 0.1 compartment, whereas when incubated at 37 degrees C, its microenvironmental pH became much more acidic, exhibiting pH 6.2 +/- 0.1. Furthermore, this value returned to 7.1 +/- 0.1 upon treatment with carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone known to dissipate the total protonomotive force. These results suggest, therefore, that the internalization process does follow receptor-mediated binding of HDL in rat sinusoidal liver cells. This notion was also supported by fluorescence microscopic observations.     

Complement activation induces the expression of decay-accelerating factor on human mesangial cells.

In the present study we evaluated the effect of complement activation by immune complexes (IC) on the expression of decay-accelerating factor (DAF) on human mesangial cells (MC). MC in culture were incubated with an Ag (DNP-Gelatin) that binds to fibronectin present in the MC matrix. Subsequently, MC were incubated with anti-DNP antibodies in the presence of human serum. By immunoperoxidase staining we showed that these incubations resulted in IC formation and deposition of human C3 and terminal complement components (C5b-9) on the mesangial matrix and on the surface of MC. By immunoperoxidase staining and by RIA we showed that IC formation and complement activation significantly increased DAF expression on the MC plasma membrane. The induction of DAF expression was a consequence of deposition of terminal complement components on the MC because, zymosan-activated serum and IC formation in the presence of C5- or C8-deficient serum failed to increase MC DAF expression. Furthermore, the observed increased DAF expression was the consequence of increased DAF synthesis by MC. Thus, both cycloheximide and actinomycin D blocked the increase on MC DAF observed after incubation with IC and serum. MC DAF had biophysical and functional characteristics similar to DAF in other cells. Thus, 1) MC DAF was resistant to trypsin but was removed from the MC membrane by pronase; 2) phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C removed 48 +/- 4% of MC DAF indicating that MC DAF is anchored in the cell membrane by phosphatidylinositol groups; 3) DAF isolated from MC-inhibited complement-mediated hemolysis and demonstrated a molecular mass of 83 kDa. In conclusion, deposition of terminal complement components on human MC trigger new synthesis and membrane expression of DAF. Because DAF protects cells against complement-mediated lysis, we postulate that DAF may protect glomerular cells during IC and complement-mediated glomerulonephritis.     

Receptor-bound somatostatin and epidermal growth factor are processed differently in GH4C1 rat pituitary cells

GH4C1 cells, a clonal strain of rat pituitary tumor cells, have high-affinity, functional receptors for the inhibitory hypothalamic peptide somatostatin (SRIF) and for epidermal growth factor (EGF). In this study we have examined the events that follow the initial binding of SRIF to its specific plasma membrane receptors in GH4C1 cells and have compared the processing of receptor-bound SRIF with that of EGF. When cells were incubated with [125I-Tyr1]SRIF at temperatures ranging from 4 to 37 degrees C, greater than 80% of the specifically bound peptide was removed by extraction with 0.2 M acetic acid, 0.5 M NaCl, pH 2.5. In contrast, the subcellular distribution of receptor-bound 125I-EGF was temperature dependent. Whereas greater than 95% of specifically bound 125I-EGF was removed by acid treatment after a 4 degrees C binding incubation, less than 10% was removed when the binding reaction was performed at 22 or 37 degrees C. In pulse-chase experiments, receptor-bound 125I-EGF was transferred from an acid-sensitive to an acid-resistant compartment with a half-time of 2 min at 37 degrees C. In contrast, the small amount of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF that was resistant to acid treatment did not increase during a 2-h chase incubation at 37 degrees C. Chromatographic analysis of the radioactivity released from cells during dissociation incubations at 37 degrees C showed that greater than 90% of prebound 125I-EGF was released as 125I-tyrosine, whereas prebound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF was released as a mixture of intact peptide (55%) and 125I-tyrosine (45%). Neither chloroquine (0.1 mM), ammonium chloride (20 mM), nor leupeptin (0.1 mg/ml) increased the amount of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF bound to cells at 37 degrees C. Furthermore, chloroquine and leupeptin did not alter the rate of dissociation or degradation of prebound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF. In contrast, these inhibitors increased the amount of cell-associated 125I-EGF during 37 degrees C binding incubations and decreased the subsequent rate of release of 125I-tyrosine. The results presented indicate that, as in other cell types, EGF underwent rapid receptor-mediated endocytosis in GH4C1 cells and was subsequently degraded in lysosomes. In contrast, SRIF remained at the cell surface for several hours although it elicits its biological effects within minutes. Furthermore, a constant fraction of the receptor-bound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF was degraded at the cell surface before dissociation. Therefore, after initial binding of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF and 125I-EGF to their specific membrane receptors, these peptides are processed very differently in GH4C1 cells.     

Human neutrophil elastase releases a ligand-binding fragment from the 75-kDa tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor. Comparison with the proteolytic activity responsible for shedding of TNF receptors from stimulated neutrophils.

To localize the protease(s) involved in shedding of tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNF-R) from activated neutrophils (PMN) (Porteu, F., and C. Nathan (1990) J. Exp. Med. 172, 599-607), we tested subcellular fractions from PMN for their ability to cause loss of TNF-R from intact cells. Exposure of PMN to sonicated azurophil granules at 37 degrees C resulted in inhibition of 125I-TNF binding; 50% inhibition ensued when PMN were treated for approximately 1 min with azurophil granules equivalent to 2-3 PMN per indicator cell. The TNF-R-degrading activity in azurophil granules were identified as elastase by its sensitivity to diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), alpha 1-antitrypsin and N-methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val chloromethyl ketone (MSAAPV-CK), and by the ability of purified elastase to reproduce the effect of azurophil granules. Elastase preferentially acted on the 75-kDa TNF-R, reducing by 85-96% the binding of 125I-TNF to mononuclear cells expressing predominantly this receptor, while having no effect on endothelial cells expressing almost exclusively the 55-kDa TNF-R. Elastase-treated PMN released a 32-kDa soluble fragment of p75 TNF-R that bound TNF and reacted with anti-TNF-R monoclonal antibodies. In contrast, fMet-Leu-Phe-activated PMN shed a 42-kDa fragment from p75 TNF-R, along with similar amounts of a 28-kDa fragment from p55 TNF-R. Shedding of both TNF-Rs by intact activated PMN was more extensive than shedding caused by elastase and was completely resistant to DFP and MSAAPV-CK. Thus, the TNF-R-releasing activity of azurophil granules is distinct from that operative in intact stimulated PMN and could provide an additional mechanism for the control of cellular responses to TNF at sites of inflammation.     

Internalization and degradation of receptor-bound interferon-gamma by murine macrophages. Demonstration of receptor recycling

Although the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) receptor on murine and human mononuclear phagocytes has been defined and partially characterized, very little data exists which describes the ultimate fate of receptor-bound ligand. The current studies were specifically designed to define the metabolic processes which act on murine recombinant IFN-gamma following its interaction with murine macrophages at physiologic temperatures. Ligand internalization was demonstrated by comparing binding of [125I]IFN-gamma to macrophages at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C. When binding was carried out at 4 degrees C, 96% of the cell-associated [125I]IFN-gamma remained accessible at the plasma membrane and could be stripped from the cell by exposure to pronase. In contrast, at 37 degrees C, only 35% of the cell-associated radioactivity was pronase strippable. Macrophages degraded [125I]IFN-gamma into trichloroacetic acid-soluble material at 37 degrees C at a constant rate of 7000 molecules/cell/hr over a 12-hr time period. The amount of IFN-gamma degraded correlated with the amount of IFN-gamma bound to the cell surface. The receptor was neither up- nor down-regulated by ligand or by other agents known to regulate macrophage functional activity such as IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, lipopolysaccharide, or phorbol myristate acetate. The constant uptake of IFN-gamma by macrophages was due to the presence of an intracellular receptor pool (62% of the total receptor number) and to a mechanism of receptor recycling. Evidence for the latter was obtained using lysosomotropic agents which blocked degradation but not binding and internalization of ligand and caused the intracellular accumulation of receptor. By comparing the relationship between receptor occupancy and biologic response induction, two activation mechanisms became apparent. Induction of certain functions, such as H2O2 secretion, appeared to require only a single round of receptor occupancy. However, induction of more complex functions such as nonspecific tumoricidal activity appeared to require three to four rounds of receptor occupancy. These results thus support the concept that IFN-gamma internalization and receptor recycling are essential in the induction of nonspecific tumoricidal activity by macrophages.     

Decay accelerating factor of complement is anchored to cells by a C-terminal glycolipid

Membrane-associated decay accelerating factor (DAF) of human erythrocytes (Ehu) was analyzed for a C-terminal glycolipid anchoring structure. Automated amino acid analysis of DAF following reductive radiomethylation revealed ethanolamine and glucosamine residues in proportions identical with those present in the Ehu acetylcholinesterase (AChE) anchor. Cleavage of radiomethylated 70-kilodalton (kDa) DAF with papain released the labeled ethanolamine and glucosamine and generated 61- and 55-kDa DAF products that retained all labeled Lys and labeled N-terminal Asp. Incubation of intact Ehu with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), which cleaves the anchors in trypanosome membrane form variant surface glycoproteins (mfVSGs) and murine thymocyte Thy-1 antigen, released 15% of the cell-associated DAF antigen. The released 67-kDa PI-PLC DAF derivative retained its ability to decay the classical C3 convertase C4b2a but was unable to membrane-incorporate and displayed physicochemical properties similar to urine DAF, a hydrophilic DAF form that can be isolated from urine. Nitrous acid deamination cleavage of Ehu DAF at glucosamine following labeling with the lipophilic photoreagent 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine ([125I]TID) released the [125I]TID label in a parallel fashion as from [125I]TID-labeled AChE. Biosynthetic labeling of HeLa cells with [3H]ethanolamine resulted in rapid 3H incorporation into both 48-kDa pro-DAF and 72-kDa mature epithelial cell DAF. Our findings indicate that DAF and AChE are anchored in Ehu by the same or a similar glycolipid structure and that, like VSGs, this structure is incorporated into DAF early in DAF biosynthesis prior to processing of pro-DAF in the Golgi.     

Signal transduction through decay-accelerating factor. Interaction of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor and protein tyrosine kinases p56lck and p59fyn 1.

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF or CD55) is a 70-kDa glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein that protects cells from complement-mediated lysis by either preventing the formation of or dissociating C3 convertases. Cross-linking of DAF on human peripheral T cells by polyclonal antibodies has previously been reported to lead to lymphocyte proliferation. Two mAb, both mapping to the third short consensus repeat region of DAF, were able to trigger proliferation of human peripheral T cells. To determine the role of the GPI anchor in cell activation, we transfected EL-4 murine thymoma cells with cDNA encoding either DAF or a transmembrane form of DAF (DAF-TM). The DAF-transfected cells were able to transduce late activation events as evidenced by IL-2 production, whereas DAF-TM transfected cells were unable to do so. The GPI-anchored DAF was able to transduce early activation events leading to the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 40-kDa protein and several proteins in the 85-95 kDa range--an event absent in DAF-TM-transfected cells. Furthermore, anti-DAF immunoprecipitates of DAF-transfected cells contain tyrosine kinase activity leading to the phosphorylation of 40-, 56-60-, and 85-kDa proteins, whereas anti-DAF immunoprecipitates of DAF-TM-transfected cells did not have an associated kinase activity. Both p56lck and p59fyn were associated with DAF in DAF-transfected EL-4 cells. In HeLa cells transfected with fyn, DAF associated with p59fyn. This complex of DAF with src family protein tyrosine kinases requires the GPI anchor and suggests a pathway for signaling through GPI-anchored membrane proteins.     

Characterization of a C5a receptor on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)

Elucidation of the interactions between C5a and granulocytes is central to understanding the role of C5a in inflammation. In this study, interactions between C5a and PMN have been studied at two levels. Binding of human C5a to intact human cells has been characterized by using the radiolabeled ligand 125I-C5a. Binding is shown to be reversible, saturable, and to reach equilibrium in 60 to 90 min at 0 degrees C. Results show high affinity C5a binding sites with Kd = 2 X 10(-9) M and a range of 50,000 to 113,000 binding sites per PMN. These values for C5a receptors are comparable with the number of fMLP and LTB4 receptors on PMN. Binding of C5a to PMN fails to reach equilibrium at 37 degrees C because there is an irreversible loss of available surface receptors caused by an active internalization of the ligand-receptor complex. Interactions between C5a and human PMN were characterized further by cross-linking experiments, with the use of ethylene glycol bis succinimidylsuccinate (EGS). Cross-linking of 125I-C5a to intact PMN followed by subcellular fractionation revealed a single radioactive band present only in the plasma membrane fraction and visualized by autoradiography. Similar experiments resulted in a covalent linkage between 125I-C5a and a component in the isolated plasma membrane of PMN. The covalent complex containing C5a and a putative receptor has been visualized by autoradiography as a single 60,000 Mr complex on SDS-PAGE. The complex is not present when experiments are performed in the presence of excess unlabeled C5a or in the absence of EGS. Therefore, the putative receptor for C5a on human neutrophils is estimated to be approximately 48,000 Mr, assuming contribution of 12,000 to 13,000 daltons by the ligand 125I-C5a.     

Isolation of two forms of decay-accelerating factor (DAF) from human urine.

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) was purified from human pooled urine by conventional techniques. The urine DAF was separated into two peaks, pool I and pool II, by gel chromatography. DAF-U1 was isolated from pool I by hydrophobic chromatography, and DAF-U2 from pool II by anti-DAF IgG column. The specific activities of DAF-U1 and DAF-U2 to decay membrane-phase C5 convertase were about 3% and 70% of membrane form DAF, respectively. However, both urine DAFs revealed a similar activity to each other and slightly higher activity than that of membrane form DAF in decay-accelerating fluid-phase C3 convertase of the alternative pathway.     

Localization of chemotactic peptide receptors on rabbit neutrophils

The chemotaxis of blood leukocytes is initiated by the binding of a chemoattractant to specific receptors on the leukocyte cell surface. Although a great deal is known about the biochemical and morphological events accompanying chemotactic activation, there is very little morphological information about the chemoattractant receptors themselves. This latter information is needed so that we may understand the mechanism by which these inflammatory cells detect and respond to chemical gradients. One class of chemotactic factors extensively used to characterize the complex behavioral responses following leukocyte activation are the synthetic formylmethionyl peptides. These peptides, now known to be the analogs of the naturally occurring N-terminal peptides produced by bacteria, are released into culture medium and are believed to be responsible, at least in part, for the accumulation of leukocytes at the sites of bacterial infection. We have localized the receptors for the chemotactic hexapeptide N-formylnorleucyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-norleucyl-[125I]tyrosyl-lys ine [N-fNle-Leu-Phe-Nle-[125I]Tyr-Lys] on whole rabbit peritoneal neutrophils (PMN) using light microscope autoradiography. By this method, the inherent formylpeptide receptor distribution on cells incubated at 4 degrees C appears to be uniform over the surface of both rounded and structurally polarized PMN. Following a short 37 degrees C incubation, cells retain a large proportion of labelled hexapeptide at or near the cell surface and, in addition, polarized PMN redistribute the hexapeptide anteriorly away from the cell uropod.     

Prostaglandin E1 inhibits N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-mediated depolarization responses by decreasing the proportion of responsive cells without affecting chemotaxin-induced forward light scatter changes

Hypaque-Ficoll-purified human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) equilibrated with the membrane potential-sensitive probe 3,3'dipentyloxacarbocyanine [di-O-C(5)(3)] were incubated with buffer or cytochalasin B (cyto B) followed by incubation with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) (0 to 10(-5) M) for 5 min at 37 degrees C. The cells were then stimulated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) (0 to 10(-5) M). Changes in forward light scatter (FWD-SC), 90 degrees scatter (90 degrees -SC), and fluorescence intensity were measured by flow cytometry to determine the effects of PGE1 on FMLP-induced shape change, secretion, and membrane potential responses, respectively. In other experiments, the effects of PGE1 preincubation on FMLP +/- cyto B and phorbol myristate acetate-induced (O2) production were measured by superoxide dismutase-inhibitable cyto c reduction. PGE1 had no direct effects on the FWD-SC, 90 degrees-SC, or resting potential fluorescence of unstimulated or cyto B-pretreated PMN. PGE1 produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the proportion of depolarizing PMN in response to FMLP, which was maximal at 10(-6) M (42.1 +/- 6.9% inhibition, p less than 0.005), but was apparent at 10(-8) M. The PGE1-induced inhibition was maximal after 30 sec of incubation at 37 degrees C and was caused by a decrease in the maximal percentage of depolarizing PMN without a significant change in the FMLP dose-response curve (Km = 2.43 vs 3.62 X 10(-8) M, control vs PGE1-treated) or an inhibition in the degree of depolarization by the responding subpopulation. PGE1 also inhibited the loss of 90 degrees-SC induced by FMLP in cyto B-pretreated cells (secretion response) (46.2 +/- 16.5% inhibition of the maximal 90 degrees-SC loss, n = 5, p less than 0.005), but did not affect the increase in FWD-SC seen with FMLP-induced PMN activation or the ability of cyto B to recruit more PMN to depolarize. PGE1 also inhibited FMLP +/- cyto B-induced O2 production in a dose-dependent fashion; phorbol myristate acetate-induced O2 production was also slightly inhibited, but only at high PGE1 concentrations. The data indicate that PGE1 inhibits FMLP-induced cell activation by a mechanism that involves a step distal to the recruitment of unresponsive PMN by cyto B, and that PGE1 is capable of inhibiting depolarization responses without affecting FMLP-induced shape change, providing more support for a dissociation between the two activation pathways.     

Characterization of the rebinding of 125I-epidermal growth factor released from BALB/c-3T3 cells following accumulation in the presence of chloroquine

Lysosomotropic amines, such as chloroquine and methylamine, increase the intracellular accumulation of 125I-EGF by inhibiting lysosomal degradation. It has been shown previously that BALB/c-3T3 cells, prelabeled at 4 degrees C with 125I-EGF for 3 h and subsequently chased at 37 degrees C in the presence of chloroquine, internalized the surface bound 125I-EGF which was subsequently released into the extracellular medium in a high molecular weight form which co-migrated with native 125I-EGF. The secreted 125I-EGF rebound to the cells from which it was released more efficiently than does peptide in the extracellular media. We now show that when the BALB/c-3T3 cells were prelabeled at 37 degrees C for 2 h in the presence of chloroquine, the internalized 125I-EGF released into the medium was in a high molecular weight form which co-migrated with native 125I-EGF and did not rebind anymore efficiently than did peptide in the extracellular media. This lack of rebinding was not due to an alteration in the 125I-EGF molecule since it was still capable of rebinding to naive A431 cells, nor was it due to the exhaustion of EGF receptors on the BALB/c-3T3 cells. The inhibition of rebinding was observed only when the cells were treated with EGF in the presence of chloroquine, and was not due to a general down-regulation of membrane receptors. The differences between the rebinding of 125I-EGF at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C suggest that EGF may be processed via different pathways in the cell.     

The fate of the N-formyl-chemotactic peptide receptor in stimulated human granulocytes: subcellular fractionation studies

Experiments were performed to examine how human granulocytes, stimulated by N-formyl-chemotactic peptides, process the N-formyl peptide receptor. One percent of the surface N-formyl-chemotactic peptide receptors of purified human granulocytes were covalently, specifically, and radioactively labeled at 4 degrees C using the photochemically reactive N-formyl-chemotactic hexapeptide CHO-Nle-Leu-Phe-Nle-[125I] Tyr-N epsilon (6-(4'-azido-2'-nitrophenyl-amino)hexanoyl)-Lys. After incubation in the presence of 500 nM of N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe at 37 degrees C, the cells were lysed and fractionated by isopycnic surcrose density gradient sedimentation. Receptor-associated radioactivity cosedimented with plasma membrane in fractions from cells kept at 4 degrees C or incubated at 37 degrees C for 2 min or less. Fractionation of cells incubated at 37 degrees C for longer times revealed that the radioactivity sedimented to lower densities coincident with Golgi markers and the site of noncovalently bound and internalized formyl-chemotactic peptide. To follow the redistribution of unoccupied receptors, human granulocytes were stimulated with 500 nM N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe at 37 degrees C for 5 min, washed, lysed by N2 cavitation, and fractionated by rate zonal sucrose density gradient sedimentation. Compared to unstimulated controls the specific binding of N-formyl-Met-Leu-[3H]Phe decreased 76% +/- 9% in plasma membrane fractions. N-formyl-Met-Leu-[3H]Phe-binding activity associated with an intracellular pool cosedimenting with specific granules remained unchanged. Approximately 20% of the activity lost in the plasma membrane could be accounted for by a redistribution of specific N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe binding to fractions enriched in azurophil granules. We conclude that the receptor is the carrier in the internalization of the N-formyl-chemotactic peptides to a Golgi-enriched fraction and hypothesize that after a short residency in this fraction, the receptor may dissociate from the ligand and pass onto a fraction cosedimenting with dense granules.     

Interaction of casein with human polymorphonuclear cells

Attachment of 125I-casein to PMN cells was investigated. Iodination did not decrease the chemotactic effect of casein. 125I-casein binding was increasing toward a maximum reached at about 45 min at 24, and 37 degrees C. At 4 degrees C the binding was proportional to time for 45 min. No saturation was achieved even at 15 mg/ml casein. About 40% of casein remained attached to PMN in a casein-free medium after 60 min, at 37 degrees C. Pretreatment of the cells with trypsin or butanol, or the presence of indomethacin, azide, and PMSF did not affect the binding of casein. The hydrophobic amino acid, leucin counteracted the attachment of casein. Our data show that at chemotactic doses casein is bound specifically to cell membranes by hydrophobic forces. The induction of chemotaxis may be due to micellar casein-membrane lipid complexes.     

Characterization of ligand binding and processing by bombesin receptors in an insulin-secreting cell line.

Bombesin is a tetradecapeptide which stimulates insulin secretion in vivo by isolated islets and by HIT-T15 cells, a clonal line of hamster pancreatic-islet cells. In the present study we have used [125I-Tyr4]bombesin to characterize bombesin receptors in HIT-T15 cells. [125I-Tyr4]Bombesin binding was time- and temperature-dependent: maximum binding occurred after 45 min, 90 min and 10 h at 37, 22 and 4 degrees C respectively. Thereafter, cell-associated radioactivity declined at 37 degrees C and 22 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C. Scatchard analysis of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin binding measured at 4 degrees C showed that HIT-T15 cells contain a single class of binding sites (approximately equal to 85000/cell) with an apparent Kd of 0.9 +/- 0.11 nM. Structurally unrelated neuropeptides did not compete for [125I-Tyr4]bombesin binding. However, the relative potencies of bombesin and four bombesin analogues in inhibiting the binding of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin correlated with their ability to stimulate insulin release. Receptor-mediated processing of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin was examined by using an acid wash (0.2 M-acetic acid/0.5 M-NaCl, pH 2.5) to dissociate surface-bound peptide from the cells. Following [125I-Tyr4]bombesin binding at 4 degrees C, more than 85% of the cell-associated radioactivity could be released by acid. When the temperature was then increased to 37 degrees C, the bound radioactivity was rapidly (t1/2 less than 3 min) converted into an acid-resistant state. These results indicate that receptor-bound [125I-Tyr4]bombesin is internalized in a temperature-dependent manner. In fact, the entire ligand-receptor complex appeared to be internalized, since pretreatment of cells with 100 nM-bombesin for 90 min at 37 degrees C decreased the subsequent binding of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin by 90%. The chemical nature of the cell-associated radioactivity was determined by reverse-phase chromatography of the material extracted from cells after a 30 min binding incubation at 37 degrees C. Although 70% of the saturably bound radioactivity was co-eluted with intact [125I-Tyr4]bombesin 90% of the radioactivity subsequently dissociated from cells chromatographed as free iodide. At least some of the degradation of receptor-bound [125I-Tyr4]bombesin appeared to occur in lysosomes, since chloroquine increased the cellular accumulation of [125I-Tyr4]bombesin at 37 degrees C and slowed the release of radioactivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)