Monoclonal antibody Leo Mel 3, which inhibits killing of human melanoma cells by anomalous killer cells, binds to a sugar sequence in GD2 (II3(NeuAc)2-GgOse3Cer) and several other gangliosides

Human anomalous killer (AK) cells lyse freshly isolated human melanoma cells which are insensitive to human natural killer cell-mediated lysis. Monoclonal antibody Leo Mel 3, an IgM (k), produced by a hybridoma obtained from a mouse immunized with human melanoma cells, binds to melanoma cells and inhibits their conjugate formation with AK cells as well as their AK cell-mediated lysis. Other IgM antibodies from the same fusion that bind melanoma cells do not inhibit (Werkmeister, J. A., Triglia, T., Andrews, P., and Burns, G. F. (1985) J. Immunol. 135, 689-695). Leo Mel 3 binds several different gangliosides from melanoma cells, as determined by immunostaining thin layer chromatograms. Binding is abolished by treatment of the gangliosides with neuraminidase. In solid-phase radioimmunoassay, Leo Mel 3 binds strongly to ganglioside GD2 and less strongly to gangliosides GT3, GD3, and GQ1b. It does not bind to other gangliosides including GM1, GM2, GM3, GD1a, GD1b, and GT1b. Thus, the epitope recognized by antibody Leo Mel 3 is found in the sugar sequence of ganglioside GD2, GalNAc beta 1-4[NeuAc alpha 2-8NeuAc alpha 2-3]Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1 .... This sequence may contain a target in melanoma cells recognized by AK cells.     

In vitro generation of human activated lymphocyte killer cells: separate precursors and modes of generation of NK-like cells and "anomalous" killer cells

The activation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) in culture leads to the generation of nonspecific killer cells. These cells, termed activated lymphocyte killer (ALK) cells, can kill fresh tumor cells and tumor cell lines, in addition to the natural killer (NK) cell sensitive target K562. ALK cells have features in common with both T and NK cells, but their nature and origin are unknown. In the present study, it is shown that ALK cells are in fact heterogeneous and can be generated from both large granular lymphocytes with the same phenotype as NK cells and from T cells. Cell populations enriched for NK cells, when cultured with lymphokines, rapidly acquired a T cell phenotype, enhanced cytolytic activity against K562, and the ability to lyse NK-insensitive target cells such as a melanoma cell line LiBr; these ALK cells were described as NK-like cells. On the other hand, of the cloned cells derived from PBM stimulated with irradiated B lymphoblasts and grown in lymphokines, the major proportion of cytolytic T cells (CTC) able to kill the specific stimulator lymphoblasts were also found to kill LiBr but not K562 cells. These ALK cells, which were derived from the same precursors as CTC, were designated anomalous killer (AK) cells. Consistent with this, the presence of the pan T monoclonal antibody UCHT1 from the beginning of mixed cell cultures inhibited the generation of CTC and of the AK-type of ALK cell, which killed melanoma cells, but not the NK type, which killed K562 targets. By contrast, at the effector cell level, the antibodies UCHT1 and OKT8 only blocked specific killing by CTC but did not block the killing of LiBr or of K562 targets by ALK cells. However, at the effector cell level there was additional evidence for the heterogeneity of ALK cells. Thus, monoclonal antibody 9.1C3, which blocks killing by freshly isolated NK cells, also blocked the killing of K562 targets by NK-like cells, but did not block B lymphoblast killing by CTC or melanoma cell killing by AK cells. It is concluded that after mixed lymphocyte culture, the majority of ALK cells measured by the killing of melanoma target cells arise from the same precursors and are under the same influences as classical CTC (AK cells), whereas cells killing K562 targets are derived from NK cells (NK-like cells). Once generated, the AK cells have a different mechanism of killing from both classical CTC and from NK and NK-like cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Generation of one set of monoclonal antibodies specific for b-pathway ganglio-series gangliosides.

We established six murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for b-pathway ganglio-series gangliosides by immunizing C3H/HeN mice with these purified gangliosides adsorbed to Salmonella minnesota mutant R595. The binding specificities of these MAbs were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunostaining on thin-layer chromatogram. These six MAbs, designated GGB19, GMR2, GMR7, GGR12, GMR5, and GGR13 reacted strongly with the gangliosides GD3, O-Ac-GD3, GD2, GD1b, GT1b, and GQ1b, respectively, that were used as immunogens. All these MAbs except GGB19 showed highly restricted binding specificities, reacting only with the immunizing ganglioside. None of other various authentic gangliosides or neutral glycolipids were recognized. On the other hand, MAb GGB19 exhibited a broader specificity, cross-reacting weakly with O-Ac-GD3, GQ1b, and GT1a, but not with other gangliosides or neutral glycolipids. Using these MAbs, we determined the expression of these gangliosides, especially GD1b, GT1b, and GQ1b on mouse, rat, and human leukemia cells. GD1b was expressed on rat leukemia cells, but not on mouse and human leukemia cells tested. Neither GT1b nor GQ1b was detected in these cell lines.     

A new type of anti-ganglioside antibodies present in neurological patients

High titers of anti-GA1 antibodies have been associated with neurological syndromes. In most cases, these antibodies cross-react with the structurally related glycolipids GM1 and GD1b, although specific anti-GA1 antibodies have also been reported. The role of specific anti-GA1 antibodies is uncertain since the presence of GA1 in the human nervous system has not been clarified. A rabbit was immunized with GD1a and its sera were screened for antibody reactivity by standard immunoassay methods (HPTLC-immunostaining and ELISA). Anti-GD1a antibodies were not detected but, unexpectedly, anti-GA1 IgG-antibodies were found. Antibody binding to GA1 was inhibited by soluble GA1 but also by GD1a. These results indicate that the rabbit produced antibodies that recognize epitopes present on the glycolipids, that are absent or not exposed on solid phase adsorbed GD1a. We investigated the presence of these unusual anti-ganglioside antibodies in normal and neurological patient sera. Approximately, 10% of normal human sera contained low titer of specific anti-GA1 IgG-antibodies but none of them recognized soluble GD1a. High titers of IgG-antibodies reacting only with GA1 were detected in 12 patient sera out of 325 analyzed. Of these, 6 sera showed binding that was inhibited by soluble GD1a and four of them also by GM1. This new type of anti-ganglioside antibodies should be considered important elements for understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases as well as their diagnosis.     

Inhibition of human tumor growth by IgG2A monoclonal antibodies correlates with antibody density on tumor cells

Eight monoclonal antibodies (MAb) of IgG2a isotype that were produced against human melanomas were tested for tumor growth-inhibiting properties in nude mice injected with human melanoma cells of various origins. Four of the eight MAb inhibited growth of these tumors, and all four of these antibodies reacted in antibody-dependent macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity (ADMC) assays in vitro. The MAb that were inactive in vivo also did not react in these assays in vitro. The number of antibody-binding sites per cell on the tumor cell surface was significantly higher for tumoricidal MAb as compared to unreactive MAb. On the other hand, the percentage of tumor cells binding the MAb and the binding affinity to these cells were the same for the two groups of MAb. Also, tumoricidal and nontumoricidal MAb bound with similar affinity and antibody density to Fc receptors on macrophages. The importance of the number of antibody sites on the tumor cell surface for tumor destruction by MAb was confirmed by the demonstration of tumoricidal effects of mixtures of MAb that were by themselves not tumoricidal. MAb binding to different molecules on melanoma cells were complementary in ADMC, whereas MAb directed to the same molecule but to different epitopes were not.     

Generation of murine monoclonal antibodies specific for N-glycolylneuraminic acid-containing gangliosides.

We generated two murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for mono- and disialylgangliosides having N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) as their sialic acid moiety, respectively, by immunizing C3H/HeN mice with these purified gangliosides adsorbed to Salmonella minnesota followed by fusion with mouse myeloma cells. By use of a wide variety of glycolipids, including NeuGc-containing gangliosides, the precise structures recognized by these two antibodies were elucidated through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunostaining on thin-layer chromatography. One MAb, GMR8, which was generated by immunizing the mice with purified GM3(NeuGc), reacted specifically with gangliosides having NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal- terminal structures, such as GM3(NeuGc), IV3NeuGc alpha-Gg4Cer, IV3NeuGc alpha-nLc4Cer, V3NeuGc alpha-Gb5Cer, and GD1a(NeuGc, NeuGc). None of the other gangliosides having internal NeuGc alpha2----3Gal- sequences, such as GM2(NeuGc) and GM1(NeuGc), nor corresponding gangliosides having NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal- sequences, nor neutral glycolipids were recognized. Thus, the epitope structures recognized by the MAb were found to be strictly NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal- terminal structures. In contrast, the other MAb, GMR3, which was generated by immunizing the mice with purified GD3(NeuGc-NeuGc-) adsorbed to the bacteria, reacted specifically with gangliosides having NeuGc alpha 2----8NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal- terminal sequences, such as GD3(NeuGc-NeuGc-), IV3NeuGc alpha 2-Gg4Cer, IV3NeuGc alpha 2-nLc4Cer, and V3NeuGc alpha 2-Gb5Cer, but did not react with corresponding gangliosides having NeuAc as their sialic acid moiety or with the neutral glycolipids tested. The epitope structures recognized by the MAb were suggested to be NeuGc alpha 2----8NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal- terminal structures. Using these MAbs, we determined the distribution of such gangliosides in the spleen, kidney, and liver of several mice strains. Novel gangliosides reactive with these MAbs were detected in these tissues.     

Monoclonal antibodies to disialogangliosides: characterization of antibody-mediated cytotoxicity against human melanoma and neuroblastoma cells in vitro

We previously reported the binding specificities of two anti-ganglioside GD2 murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), A1-425 and A1-267, both of which are of IgG3 isotype. A1-425 reacts specifically with ganglioside GD2, whereas A1-267 binds preferentially to GD2 but also reacts with GD3 [Tai, T., Kawashima, I., Tada, N., & Dairiki, K. (1988) J. Biochem. 103, 682-687]. In this paper, they were used for comparative analyses of antibody-mediated cytotoxicity, i.e., antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) against human melanoma and neuroblastoma cell lines. Melanoma cells were found to contain GD2 and/or GD3, whereas neuroblastoma cells expressed only GD2. Both antibodies induced high levels of ADCC and CDC to GD2/GD3-positive cells with human peripheral large granular lymphocytes (LGL) as effector cells and in the presence of human serum, respectively. A good correlation was obtained between the contents of disialogangliosides and the binding level of the antibodies; both melanoma and neuroblastoma cells with larger amounts of GD2/GD3 showed a higher level of antibody binding than did the cells with a smaller amount of GD2/GD3. Surprisingly, ADCC did not correlate well with the binding level of the antibodies. Thus, A1-425 showed stronger lytic activity than A1-267 in spite of the binding level of A1-425 being similar to or lower than that of A1-267 on the cell surfaces. Antigen-antibody complexes composed of GD2 and A1-425 showed higher binding levels to LGL than complexes of GD2 and A1-267. In contrast, free MAb molecules gave minimum binding to LGL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The role of CD18 in phorbol ester-induced human monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity

Monocyte cell surface molecules play an important role in the regulation of monocyte function. To investigate the molecular basis of monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity, we tested the ability of a variety of mediators to stimulate human monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. Phorbol myristic acetate (PMA) stimulated significant monocyte-mediated killing of tumor cells in an 18-hr indium-111 release assay. Five other cytoactive substances did not induce monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. The acquisition of monocyte cytotoxicity was associated with nearly a twofold increase in surface expression of three CD18-bearing cell surface molecules (CD11a, CD11b, CD11c). The direct involvement of the CD18-bearing molecules in monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity was investigated using monoclonal antibody (MAb) inhibition. MAb recognizing the CD18 subunit significantly inhibited monocyte-mediated killing. The inhibition by anti-CD18 MAb could not be attributed to LFA-1 (CD11a) alone, suggesting that CR3 (CD11b) and p150,95 (CD11c) may also participate in monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. In contrast, seven of eight other cell surface structures were not affected by PMA treatment, and MAb to all eight cell surface structures did not inhibit killing. These findings suggest that CD18-bearing molecules are upregulated with monocyte activation and may play a functional role in monocyte-mediated killing.     

Monoclonal antibody R24 distinguishes between different N-acetyl- and N-glycolylneuraminic acid derivatives of ganglioside GD3

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) R24 was previously shown to be directed toward ganglioside GD3 [Pukel, C. S., Lloyd, K. O., Travassos, L. R., Dippold, W. G., Oettgen, H. F., and Old, L. J. (1982) J. Exp. Med. 155, 1133-1147]. The structural specificity of the MAb has now been further characterized based on binding to structurally related glycolipids, including four GD3 derivatives with different N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) substituents. Three assay systems (enzyme immunostaining on thin-layer chromatography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immune adherence inhibition assay) were used. MAb R24 was found to react with (NeuAc-NeuAc-)GD3 and (NeuAc-NeuGc-)GD3 but not with (NeuGc-NeuAc-)GD3 or (NeuGc-NeuGc-)GD3. These results clearly indicate that the outer sialic acid (Sia) moiety of GD3 is crucial and must be a NeuAc residue, while the inner sialic acid is less involved in binding to the MAb and can be either NeuAc or NeuGc. The MAb was also found to cross-react weakly with two gangliosides, GT1a and GQ1b, but none of other gangliosides nor neutral glycolipids tested reacted. These findings suggest that the epitope detected by MAb R24 is the trisaccharide structure NeuAc alpha 2----8Sia alpha 2----3Gal-, which must be in a terminal position.     

Mouse monoclonal antibodies with specificity for the melanoma-associated ganglioside disialyllactosylceramide (GD3) also react with the structural analogue disialylparagloboside

A mouse monoclonal IgM antibody, 4.2, has previously been shown to bind preferentially to the surface of human malignant melanoma cells and to have specificity for the GD3 ganglioside (NeuAc alpha 2----8NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4GlcCer). Using overlay of antibodies on thin-layer chromatograms with glycolipids of various sources, it was shown that antibody 4.2, a further IgM and two IgG3 mouse monoclonal antibodies, selected on the basis of reactivity with GD3, also bound with similar strength to the structural analogue NeuAc alpha 2----8NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4GlcNac beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4GlcCer or disialylparagloboside. The SK-MEL 28 melanoma cell line used for immunization was shown to contain a large amount of GD3 but to lack disialylparagloboside. The demonstrated cross-reactivity may be of importance when considering the use of these antibodies for biochemical and medical purposes.     

T3 monoclonal antibody activation of nonspecific cytolysis: a mechanism of CTL inhibition

The T3 antigen is expressed on all cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to the T3 antigen previously have been shown to inhibit CTL-mediated killing of cells expressing the relevant target antigens. The mechanism of T3 MAb inhibition, however, remains undefined. In this report, we describe a novel effect of the T3 MAb: the stimulation of allospecific CTL clones to kill target cells that do not express the relevant HLA antigens. The stimulation of nonspecific killing was seen only with MAb to the T3 antigen; MAb to other function-associated antigens (e.g., LFA-1, LFA-2, LFA-3, T4, T8, HLA-A,B,C, and DR) had no effect. T3 MAb stimulated nonspecific killing by CTL clones expressing both the T4+ and T8+ phenotype and by CTL clones specific for both class I and class II HLA alloantigens. Target cell susceptibility to T3 MAb stimulated killing was variable. CTL clones lysed some target cell lines very efficiently (e.g., K562, Daudi, and M124.1) but lysed other cell lines much less efficiently (e.g., 23.1, Mann, and L cells). In CTL-mediated cytotoxicity assays with target cells expressing the relevant HLA antigens, T3 MAb demonstrated the expected inhibition of cytolysis. Thus, the ability of T3 MAb to stimulate and inhibit CTL-mediated cytolysis suggests that both effects may be the result of a common mechanism of activation.     

2-Deoxyglucose sensitizes melanoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis which is reduced by mannose

While melanoma cell lines use aerobic glycolysis, addition of a competitive inhibitor such as 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) by itself achieved only modest killing. To overcome high levels of pro-survival proteins in melanoma cells, 2DG or glucose deprivation (GD) was combined with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing-ligand (TRAIL). TRAIL treatment by itself also only induced modest killing, but combining TRAIL with 2DG or GD triggered a synergistic pro-apoptotic response in melanoma lines but not melanocytes. In melanoma cells, there was cleavage of caspases 3, 8 and Bid. Killing by combination treatments was completely blocked by a pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD. Mechanistically, 2DG and GD enhanced surface levels for both death receptors (DR4 and DR5); which was accompanied by reductions in levels of Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and survivin. Mannose pre-treatment reduced enhanced killing by combination treatments, accompanied by reduced DR5 levels. These results indicate melanoma cells in which there is altered glucose-related metabolomics can be exploited by interfering with glucose metabolism in combination with TRAIL; thereby overcoming the notorious death resistance of melanoma. Thus, a new therapeutic window is open for future clinical trials using agents targeting the glucose-related metabolome, in combination with agents triggering death receptors in patients with melanoma.     

A specific cell surface glycoconjugate controlling cell motility: evidence by functional monoclonal antibodies that inhibit cell motility and tumor cell metastasis

The biochemical basis of cell motility has been viewed as a complex process involving cell surface membrane proteins, integrin receptors, growth factors and their receptors, and cytoskeletal components [Rosen & Goldberg (1989) In Vitro 25, 1079]. The possible involvement of glycoconjugates at the cell surface in controlling cell motility has not been systematically investigated. We addressed this question using functional monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), which inhibit cell motility and the metastatic potential of tumor cells, as probes. Two such MAbs, derived from two independent processes of immunization and selection, were found to directed to a common specific carbohydrate structure, Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----R. MAb MIA-15-5 was established after immunization of mice with small cell lung carcinoma line PC7 and selected on the basis of inhibition of U937 and HEL cell migration. MAb MIA-22-20 was established after immunization with lung adenocarcinoma line MAC-10 and selected on the basis of inhibition of MAC-10 cell migration. These two MAbs were both IgM and were consistently reactive with the Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----R structure, regardless of the identity of the R group. Various other anti-H MAbs, specific to carrier isotype, did not affect cell motility. MAb MIA-15-5 reacted with 30-40% of high-metastatic variant BL6 of mouse melanoma B16 line but with only less than 5% of low-metastatic variant F1. Metastatic deposition to lung after injection of BL6 cells was inhibited if MAb MIA-15-5 was injected within 3 h but was not inhibited by injection of other anti-H antibodies under the same conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Alpha and beta subunits of the LFA-1 membrane molecule are involved in human monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion

Human monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium is an important transitional event in mononuclear phagocyte development. The molecular mechanism involved in monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells was studied using purified human monocytes and a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAb). The purified human monocytes were phenotypically characterized and expressed relatively low levels of HLA class II antigens. The monocytes were labeled with Indium-111 to provide high specific activity and a sensitive measure of adhesion. Using this radionuclide adhesion assay, monocytes demonstrated consistent and reproducible adhesion to a confluent monolayer of human umbilical vein-derived endothelial cells. To identify the cell surface molecules involved in human monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion, 15 MAb to 11 monocyte surface structures were used to attempt to inhibit adhesion. MAb recognizing 10 monocyte cell surface molecules did not inhibit adhesion. In contrast, MAb recognizing the alpha and beta subunits of LFA-1 (lymphocyte function-associated) significantly inhibited monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Monocyte adhesion was comparably inhibited by F(ab')2 and intact MAb. Significant inhibition was observed at 5 micrograms/ml of anti-LFA-1 MAb. These results indicate that the alpha and beta subunits of the LFA-1 membrane molecule are involved in human monocyte-endothelial cell adhesions.     

GD3-reactive antibodies can inhibit the lysis of autologous tumor cells by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

Summary GD3 is expressed in high concentrations on melanoma cells and may serve as a useful target antigen for mAb-mediated immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against GD3 stimulate cell-mediated immune responses against tumor cells in vitro and this activity may contribute to antitumor effects in patients with melanoma treated with GD3-reactive mAbs. In the present study the effects of GD3-reactive mAbs on autologous tumor cell lysis by a human melanoma-derived tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) population were examined. Unlike results reported for other GD3⁺ T cells isolated from melanoma patients, the tumor-specific lytic activity of the TIL line was inhibited by incubation with mAbs against GD3. Other melanoma-reactive mAbs, including those against GD2 and the high-molecular-weight melanoma-associated Ag, had no effect on the TIL lytic activity. Overall, these results indicate that mAbs against GD3 may have different effects on T cell/tumor cell interactions.     

Variant-specific monoclonal and group-specific polyclonal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 neutralizing antibodies raised with synthetic peptides from the gp120 third variable domain.

The third variable (V3) domain of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) external membrane glycoprotein gp120 is of crucial importance in eliciting neutralizing antibodies in infected persons. Polyclonal (PAb) and monoclonal (MAb) antibodies directed against selected epitopes in the V3 domain are valuable tools for analysis of the involvement of such sequences in neutralization and for definition of the relation between amino acid variability and immunological cross-reactions. The aim of this study was to obtain such site-specific antibodies. By using synthetic peptides derived from the V3 domain, a group-specific neutralizing PAb, two high-affinity HIV-1 IIIB neutralizing MAb, and two nonneutralizing MAb were raised. A 15-amino-acid peptide overlapping the tip of the V3 domain of HIV-1 MN was used to produce a rabbit PAb (W0/07). This PAb inhibited syncytium formation induced by HIV-1 IIIB and four field isolates. A similar IIIB-derived peptide was used to generate two murine immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) MAb (IIIB-V3-13 and IIIB-V3-34). Pepscan analysis mapped the binding site of IIIB-V3-34 to the sequence IRIQRGPGR. The Kds of IIIB-V3-13 and IIIB-V3-34 for gp120 were 6.8 x 10(-11) and 1.6 x 10(-10) M, respectively. These MAb neutralized IIIB but not MN and inhibited syncytium formation induced by IIIB. They are applicable in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry. A peptide covering the left base of the V3 domain was used to generate two murine IgG1 MAb (IIIB-V3-21 and IIIB-V3-26). The binding site of IIIB-V3-21 was mapped to the sequence INCTRPN. These MAb did not neutralize HIV-1 and did not inhibit syncytium formation. This study supports the notion that HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies suitable for multiassay performance can be obtained with synthetic peptides and that high-affinity MAb can be generated. Such site-specific antibodies are useful reagents in the analysis of HIV-1 neutralization. In addition, the cross-neutralization of different viral strains by PAb generated through single-peptide immunization is directly relevant to vaccine development.     

Interactions between growth factor receptors and corresponding monoclonal antibodies in human tumors

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, the type I insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor, and the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor were used to study the growth regulation of malignant cells. Anti-EGF receptor MAb 425 inhibited the growth of A 431 squamous carcinoma cells which express high numbers of EGF receptors on their surfaces. Growth inhibition induced by MAb 425 was accompanied by alterations of the cell-cycle distribution of these cells, indicating the ability of a monoclonal antibody to act as a biologically active ligand. Growth stimulation of melanoma cells by EGF was unrelated to EGF receptor expression on the cell surface. Insulin- and IGF-I-induced growth stimulation of melanoma cells was inhibited by MAb alpha IR-3 which reacts with the type I IGF receptor. This result indicates that the type I IGF receptor mediated growth stimulation not only by IGF-I but also by insulin. Normal melanocytes and cells of all stages of tumor progression expressed in tissue culture the receptor for NGF, but no effect on the growth of these cells has been observed.     

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide activation of 7OZ/3 cells by anti-lipopolysaccharide antibodies

We have investigated the ability of mAb against LPS to inhibit LPS-induced activation of 7OZ/3 pre-B cells. The fine specificity and relative affinity of these mAb for lipid A and LPS were also determined. We found that antibodies inhibited only the activity of glycolipids which they bound with relatively high affinity. However, two high affinity antibodies binding to non-lipid A epitopes did not block cellular activation. Some, but not all, relatively high affinity antibodies binding to the lipid A region of the LPS molecule inhibited biologic activity. The inhibitory antibodies bound to at least two distinct epitopes within the lipid A region. These data suggest that LPS interacts with 7OZ/3 cells in a highly specific fashion.     

Antibodies to CD9, a tetraspan transmembrane protein, inhibit canine distemper virus-induced cell-cell fusion but not virus-cell fusion

Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes a life-threatening disease in several carnivores including domestic dogs. Recently, we identified a molecule, CD9, a member of the tetraspan transmembrane protein family, which facilitates, and antibodies to which inhibit, the infection of tissue culture cells with CDV (strain Onderstepoort). Here we describe that an anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody (MAb K41) did not interfere with binding of CDV to cells and uptake of virus. In addition, in single-step growth experiments, MAb K41 did not induce differences in the levels of viral mRNA and proteins. However, the virus release of syncytium-forming strains of CDV, the virus-induced cell-cell fusion in lytically infected cultures, and the cell-cell fusion of uninfected with persistently CDV-infected HeLa cells were strongly inhibited by MAb K41. These data indicate that anti-CD9 antibodies selectively block virus-induced cell-cell fusion, whereas virus-cell fusion is not affected.     

An Arg-Gly-Asp-directed receptor on the surface of human melanoma cells exists in an divalent cation-dependent functional complex with the disialoganglioside GD2

The disialogangliosides GD2 and GD3 play a major role in the ability of human melanoma cells to attach to Arg-Gly-Asp-containing substrates such as fibronectin and vitronectin, since pretreatment of these cells with monoclonal antibodies to the oligosaccharide of GD2 and GD3 can inhibit their attachment and spreading on such adhesive proteins. This report demonstrates that human melanoma cells (M21) synthesize and express a glycoprotein receptor that shares antigenic epitopes with the vitronectin receptor on human fibroblasts and is capable of specifically recognizing the Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro sequence. In the presence of calcium, GD2, the major ganglioside of M21 cells, colocalized with this receptor on the surface of human melanoma cells and their focal adhesion plaques as demonstrated by double-label transmission immunoelectron microscopy and indirect immunofluorescence. Biochemical evidence is presented indicating that the vitronectin receptor on M21 human melanoma cells contains associated calcium and GD2. This ganglioside copurified with the glycoprotein receptor for vitronectin on affinity columns containing either an Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide, concanavalin A, or lentil lectin. This major Arg-Gly-Asp-directed receptor on M21 cells could be metabolically labeled with 45Ca2+. Chelation of this ion with EDTA caused the dissociation of GD2 from the receptor and rendered the remaining glycoprotein incapable of binding to an Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide. Reconstitution experiments demonstrated a requirement for calcium, and not magnesium, for receptor binding to Arg-Gly-Asp and indicated that addition of ganglioside can enhance this interaction.