Appearance of cytolytic granules upon induction of cytolytic activity in CTL-hybrids.

Examining a CTL-line (B6.1) with specific cytolytic activity, we have confirmed the ability of CTL-lines to produce poly C9-like, tubular complexes of two sizes (polyperforin 1 and 2). Isolated cytoplasmic granules from this cell line can induce hemolysis and contain the lysosomal marker arylsulfatase. Electron microscopial studies show that granules contain precursor molecules which are assembled into polyperforin upon addition of Ca2+. Antibodies raised against granules predominantly react with a 27-kd protein. We compared the B6.1 cell with a hybrid, PC60, derived from a cross between B6.1 and a non-cytolytic rat-thymoma. This hybrid line exhibits inducible CTL-activity. In PC60 with induced cytolytic activity, polyperforins 1 and 2, cytolytic granules and granule-associated proteins are detected. Non-cytolytic PC60 cells lack cytolytic granules and polyperforin 1, but contain polyperforin 2. These results suggest that cytolytic granules appear in parallel with the expression of cytotoxicity during T-lymphocyte differentiation.     

B cell growth modulating and differentiating activity of recombinant human 26-kd protein (BSF-2, HuIFN-beta 2, HPGF).

The human "26-kd protein' is a secreted glycoprotein expressed, for example, in (blood) leukocytes, in epithelial cells treated with various inducers, but most strongly in interleukin-1 (IL-1)-treated fibroblasts. After finding it has antiviral and 2-5A synthetase-inducing activity, one group of authors called this protein IFN-beta 2. However, recently the full-length 26-kd cDNA sequence was shown to be identical with that of a B-cell-differentiating lymphokine called BSF-2, and another report suggested that the 26-kd protein could support the growth of some transformed murine B cell lines. To define its biological activities, we expressed the recombinant 26-kd protein by translating in Xenopus laevis oocytes a pure, synthetic chimeric mRNA containing the 26-kd protein coding region surrounded by Xenopus laevis beta-globin untranslated regions. A similar construction, but containing the HuIFN-beta cDNA coding region, was used to produce HuIFN-beta by the same procedure. Both recombinant glycoproteins were secreted, glycosylated, and their amounts were measured by [35S]methionine incorporation by the oocyte. Here we show that the recombinant 26-kd protein exhibits a high growth factor activity when assayed on an IL-HP1-dependent murine B cell hybridoma (sp. act. approximately 2 X 10(8) U/mg) as well as a potent differentiating activity on human CESS cells (sp. act. approximately 5 X 10(7) U/mg). While rHuIFN-beta was inactive in the latter two assays, it had the expected antiviral activity of 1-5 X 10(8) U/mg. The parallel recombinant 26-kd protein preparations had no detectable antiviral activity (i.e. a maximal specific activity of 1-3 X 10(2) U/mg, if any). The 26-kd protein is thus clearly an interleukin, and considering the confusing nomenclature now in use, this factor may better be renamed "interleukin 6'.     

Seventy-kilodalton heat shock proteins and an additional component from reticulocyte lysate stimulate import of M13 procoat protein into microsomes.

Processing of M13 procoat protein, synthesized in a bacterial cell-free extract, to transmembrane coat protein by dog pancreas microsomes is stimulated by a system which is present in rabbit reticulocytes and depends on nucleoside triphosphates. This system consists of (at least) two components which act synergistically: members of the 70-kd heat shock protein family and (at least) one additional component. This component depends on ATP (or GTP) for its action.     

Purification, chain separation and sequence of the MRC OX-8 antigen, a marker of rat cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

The MRC OX-8 antigen is a marker of the rat cytotoxic T lymphocytes that consists of disulphide-linked chains of mol. wts. 37 and 32 kd. It is thought to be equivalent to the human T8 and mouse Lyt2,3 antigens (all now called CD8 antigens). MRC OX-8 antigen was purified from thymocytes using a monoclonal antibody column and because antigenicity was retained after reduction and alkylation the two polypeptide chains could be separated by a subsequent affinity chromatography step. Peptides were isolated from each chain and their sequences determined. A cDNA probe coding for the mouse CD8 antigen (pLY2C-1 provided by Dr L. A. Herzenberg) was used to obtain rat cDNA clones from which the sequence of the equivalent rat molecule was determined. Peptides from the 32-kd chain were identified in this translated sequence whereas peptides from the 37-kd chain were not. The 32-kd polypeptide sequence consisted of 210 amino acids and had one possible N-linked glycosylation site. The N-terminal part of the sequence was surprisingly different from both its mouse and human counterparts but, as in the other two species, it showed a clear relationship to Ig V domains.     

Biochemical characterization of HgCl2-inducible polypeptides encoded by the mer operon of plasmid R100.

Minicells carrying the subcloned mer operon from plasmid R100 were pulse-labeled with [35S]methionine, and the labeled polypeptides were analyzed at various subsequent times by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The Hg(II) reductase monomer encoded by plasmid R100 occurred as two proteins of 69 and 66 kilodaltons (kd). The minor 66-kd protein is a modified form of the 69-kd protein. This modification occurs in vivo. Both of these mer proteins are found in the soluble fraction of the cell; however, the 66-kd protein appears to have a slight affinity for the cellular envelope. Both the 69- and 66-kd mer proteins have pI values greater (pI = 5.8) than that reported (pI = 5.3) for the analogous monomer encoded by plasmid R831. The 15.1- and 14-kd mer proteins are localized in the inner membrane and are probably elements of the mer-determined Hg(II) uptake system. These two mer membrane proteins, which are antigenically unrelated to the Hg(II) reductase monomer, are quite basic (pI values greater than 7.8). The 12-kd mer protein is also a basic polypeptide that is present in the soluble fraction of the cell. Unlike the two membrane-bound mer proteins, the 12-kd mer protein is processed from a 13-kd precursor.     

The cytotoxic activity of hematoporphyrin: studies on the possible role of transition metals

Hematoporphyrin acquires a potent cytolytic activity toward erythrocytes when activated by visible light. Considerable evidence has been obtained suggesting that this toxic activity is mediated by certain active oxygen species, including singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radicals. These active oxygen species have also been proposed as intermediates in the toxic activity of peroxidases, hemin, and a variety of metal complexes. Unlike hematoporphyrin, all these compounds contain a liganded Fe atom, which appears to play a central role in the activation of molecular oxygen. In order to ascertain whether the generation of active oxygen by hematoporphyrin may also involve the participation of a metal ion we have compared the cytolytic activity of hematoporphyrin with that of hematoheme. The participation of a metal ion in the light-activated hematoporphyrin reaction was ruled out on the basis of four criteria: no increase in cytolytic activity was observed upon the addition of Fe or Cu ions; no evidence could be obtained for the incorporation of a metal ion into hematoporphyrin during light activation; hematoporphyrin is a more potent cytolytic agent than hematoheme on an equimolar basis; and the activities of the two cytolytic agents are affected differently by various activators and inhibitors of the toxic reaction. Our results further indicate that the mechanism of the cytolytic activity promoted by light-activated hematoporphyrin is distinctly different from that promoted by hematoheme in the presence of ascorbate. We conclude that the two cytolytic reactions are most likely propagated by two different forms of active oxygen.     

Lymphokine-mediated induction of cytolytic activity in a T cell hybridoma

Functionally inducible CTL hybridomas were constructed by fusing alloantigen-specific T cells (C57BL/6 alpha-DBA/2) with cells from the rat thymoma line W/FU (C58NT)D. A cloned hybridoma line (KSH.4.13.6) that was specifically cytolytic in the presence of activated rat spleen cell supernatant fluid (rat Con A SN) lost activity when transferred to normal medium. However, a cytolytic activity could be reinduced by culturing KSH.4.13.6 cells in medium containing rat Con A SN or secondary mixed leukocyte culture SN. By using various sources of SN, it was found that cytolytic induction required two different factors. PMA-induced EL-4 SN and SN from antigen-activated cloned T cells, neither of which were capable of inducing cytolytic activity alone, were able to synergize in the cytolytic induction of KSH.4.13.6 IFN-gamma and IL 1 failed to induce cytolytic activity even in the presence of EL-4 SN. Furthermore, this hybridoma produced macrophage activating factor (MAF) upon culture in rat Con A SN, although MAF production could not be induced by either specific antigen or lectins. The kinetics of induction and loss of cytolytic activity mediated by rat Con A SN were similar to those of the induction of MAF production. However, EL-4 SN, which by itself was incapable of inducing cytolytic activity, was able to induce MAF production in the KSH.4.13.6 hybrid to an extent similar to that induced by rat Con A SN. These results suggest that the induction of cytolytic activity and of MAF production in this cloned hybridoma cell line are regulated by different mechanisms. Such a functionally inducible T cell hybrid may provide a tool for biochemical and molecular analysis of T cell function and regulation, and of the characterization of cytokines required for CTL differentiation.     

Expression of two distinct cytolytic mechanisms among murine CD4 subsets

A TNF (TNF-alpha and TNF-beta)-sensitive target, L929, and two TNF-resistant targets, P815 and LK were used to compare the cytolytic activity among subsets of CD4+ (Th) clones. Cytolytic activity was induced with either Con A, CD3-mAb, or Ag-pulsed LK cells. Six Th1 clones are strongly cytolytic against all three targets. In contrast, Th2 clones are either noncytolytic or weakly cytolytic. Although there is an apparent correlation between TNF production, killing of L929 cells, and the killing of TNF-resistant targets, an anti-TNF serum (capable of neutralizing both TNF-alpha and TNF-beta) selectively inhibits CD4 clones to lyse L929 cells, whereas the lysis of P815 or LK cells was unaffected. The continuous presence of noncytotoxic levels of Actinomycin D (AcD) and cycloheximide, but not mitomycin C, cyclosporin A (CsA), or cholera toxin (ChT) inhibits the lysis of Ag-pulsed, Ia-bearing LK cells; indicating a requirement for de novo synthesis of RNA and protein for cytolytic activity. Although pretreatment with AcD, CsA, or ChT strongly inhibits production of IL-2, TNF and IFN-gamma, only clones pretreated with AcD lose cytolytic activity against Ag-pulsed, Ia-bearing LK cells. These observations support a model of TNF-independent killing of TNF-resistant targets. The TNF-independent cytolytic activity does not correlate with serine esterase activity released into media upon activation of CD4 clones. Moreover, the effects of metabolic inhibitors on serine esterase release do not correlate with their effects on cytolytic activity. Collectively, the data demonstrate that activated CD4 cells express two distinct cytolytic activities; a TNF (and IFN-gamma)-mediated cytotoxicity and a TNF (and IFN-gamma)-independent cytolytic activity. Both pathways require de novo synthesis of RNA and protein and appear to be independent of granule enzyme release. Only the TNF-independent cytolytic activity is resistant to CsA and ChT inhibition.     

51-kd protein, a component of microtubule-organizing granules in the mitotic apparatus involved in aster formation in vitro

Mitotic apparatuses (MAs) isolated from sea urchin metaphase eggs were chilled on ice to depolymerize microtubules, homogenized, and incubated with tubulin. This caused formation of many small asters with microtubules focusing on granules which were probably fragments of the centrosome. The aster-forming protein components of the granules in the homogenized MAs were solubilized in 0.5 M KCl containing 50% glycerol. After dialysis against low-ionic-strength buffer solution, proteins congregated to form granular assembly capable of initiating aster formation. Phosphocellulose column chromatography enabled the separation of the aster-forming protein fraction which contained a 51,000 molecular weight protein (51-kd protein) as a major component. The protein fraction possessing the aster-forming activity was also prepared from methaphase whole egg homogenate, and the elution profile of the 51-kd protein on phosphocellulose column also coincided with that of the aster-forming activity. The granular assembly reconstituted from the phosphocellulose fraction formed asters whose microtubules show the same growth rate and length distribution as those of asters reconstructed from the granules in the homogenized MAs. Anti-51-kd protein antibody that was raised in rabbit and affinity-purified stained the center of asters which were reconstructed either from the granules in the homogenized MAs or from the granular assembly reconstituted from the phosphocellulose fraction. These results suggest that the 51-kd protein is a component in the aster-forming activity of the centrosomal component in vitro.     

Purification and characterization of cMGF, a novel chicken myelomonocytic growth factor.

We describe the purification of a novel hematopoietic growth factor from conditioned medium of a transformed macrophage cell line. The factor, termed chicken myelomonocytic growth factor (cMGF) stimulates the growth of chicken myeloblasts transformed by myb oncogene-containing retroviruses and induces the formation of macrophage colonies in uninfected chick bone marrow cultures. The biological activity of the factor is destroyed by trypsin and by reducing reagents but not by SDS. Analysis of crude conditioned medium on non-reducing SDS gels reveals two active species of cMGF with mol. wts. of 23 and 27 kd. Incubation of radioiodinated partially purified cMGF with myeloblasts demonstrates the specific binding of 23- and 27-kd components under non-reducing, and 25- and 29-kd components under reducing conditions. Glycosylation inhibition experiments indicate that the larger molecules represent glycosylated forms of a single protein moiety. The 27-kd species has been purified to homogeneity (80 000-fold enrichment) and exerts its half maximal activity at 2 X 10(-12) M and its maximal activity at 3 X 10(-11) M. Antibodies prepared to purified cMGF completely neutralize the growth-stimulating activity of the factor.     

Light chains of sea urchin kinesin identified by immunoadsorption

Previous studies with monoclonal antibodies indicate that sea urchin kinesin contains two heavy chains arranged in parallel such that their N-terminal ends fold into globular mechanochemical heads attached to a thin stalk ending in a bipartite tail [Scholey et al., 1989]. In the present, complementary study, we have used the monoclonal antikinesin, SUK4, to probe the quaternary structure of sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) kinesin. Kinesin prepared from sea urchin cytosol sedimented at 9.6 S on sucrose density gradients and consisted of 130-kd heavy chains plus an 84-kd/78 kd doublet (1 mol heavy chain: 1 mol doublet determined by gel densitometry). Low levels of 110-kd and 90-kd polypeptides were sometimes present as well. The 84-kd/78 kd polypeptides are thought to be light chains because they were precipitated from the kinesin preparation at a stoichiometry of one mol doublet per 1 mol heavy chain using SUK4-Sepharose immunoaffinity resins. The 110-kd and 90-kd peptides, by contrast, were removed using this immunoadsorption method. SUK4-Sepharose immunoaffinity chromatography was also used to purify the 130-kd heavy chain and 84-kd/78-kd doublet (1 mol heavy chain: 1 mol doublet) directly from sea urchin egg cytosolic extracts, and from a MAP (microtubule-associated protein) fraction eluted by ATP from microtubules prepared in the presence of AMPPNP but not from microtubules prepared in ATP. The finding that sea urchin kinesin contains equimolar quantities of heavy and light chains, together with the aforementioned data on kinesin morphology, suggests that native sea urchin kinesin is a tetramer assembled from two light chains and two heavy chains.     

Selective activation of helper and cytolytic T-cell functions of L3T4+ clones with either antireceptor antibody or phorbol ester and ionophore

After activation with specific antigen and antigen presenting cells (APC) L3T4+ inducer T-cell clones can lyse Ia+ APC. The present study characterizes the mechanism of activation and specificity of L3T4+ inducer cell-mediated cytolytic function. Two methods that bypass the physiological stimulus of antigen presented on Ia+ APC were used to activate L3T4+ clones. The first method utilized an antireceptor monoclonal antibody (MAb), KJ16.133, to activate KJ16.133+ clones. The activated clones expressed nonspecific cytolytic activity, killing target cells irrespective of their H-2 haplotype or their ability to express cell surface Ia molecules. The crosslinking of bound KJ16.133 antibody greatly enhanced cytolytic activity. This activation is receptor specific because KJ16.133- clones were not activated under identical conditions. The second method of activation was provided by a synergistic action of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and ionophore A23187. These agents nonspecifically activated all L3T4+ clones tested. The simultaneous presence of the two agents is required for maximal activation. Again, the activated clones expressed potent nonspecific cytolytic activity. These observations demonstrated that L3T4+ inducer T-cell-mediated killing can be separated into two stages: an activation step, which can be specifically and nonspecifically triggered and an effector phase which causes nonspecific lysis of bystander targets. The induction of nonspecific cytolytic activity by antireceptor MAb was inhibited by anti-L3T4 MAb (GK1.5). In contrast, activation of nonspecific cytolytic activity by treatment with PMA plus A23187 was not inhibited by anti-L3T4 MAb. Under the above activation conditions, antireceptor MAb selectively induced the secretion of IL-3 and expression of nonspecific cytolytic activity. However, there was little or no concomitant proliferation and production of IL-2. In contrast, activation by PMA plus A23187 coordinately induces expression of nonspecific cytolytic activity, secretion of lymphokines (IL-3 and IL-2), and cell proliferation. Thus, the anticlonotypic activation preferentially induces certain functions whereas activation with PMA plus A23187 is not selective.     

A new 185,000-dalton skeletal muscle protein detected by monoclonal antibodies

The M line, which transverses the center of the thick filament region of skeletal muscle sarcomeres, appears to be a complex array of multiple structural elements. To date, two proteins have definitely been shown to be associated with the M line. They are MM-CK, localized in the M 4,4' substriations, and a 165,000-dalton (164 kd) protein, referred to as both M-protein and myomesin. Here we report the positive identification of a third M-line protein of 185 kd. In the course of making monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against a 165-kd fraction, we also obtained mAbs that bound to the M line of isolated myofibrils as detected by indirect immunofluorescence, but recognized a protein band of 185 kd in immunoblotting experiments with either the original immunogen or low ionic strength myofibril extracts as antigenic targets. The evidence that the 185- and 165-kd proteins are distinct protein species is based on the separation of the two proteins into discrete peaks by ion exchange chromatography, the distinctive patterns of their degradation products, and non-cross-reactivity of any of seven mAbs. These mAbs recognize three unique antigenic determinants on the 185-kd molecule and at least two and probably four sites on the 165-kd molecule as determined from competitive binding and immunofluorescence experiments. To resolve the problem of multiple nomenclature for the 165-kd protein, the 185-kd protein will be referred to as myomesin and the 165-kd protein as M-protein.     

Expression of murine and human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors in S. cerevisiae: mutagenesis of the potential glycosylation sites.

Murine (m) and human (h) granulocyte--macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF) have been expressed in large quantities in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a secretion vector containing the promoter and leader sequences of the mating pheromone alpha-factor. Functionally active mGM-CSF was identified by a proliferation assay with a factor-dependent cell line and by a granulocyte--macrophage colony formation assay using bone marrow cells. The activity of hGM-CSF was confirmed by stimulation of granulocyte--macrophage colony formation using human cord blood cells. Murine GM-CSF with various apparent mol. wts (13, 18, 24, 34 and 40 kd, as well as a smear of higher mol. wts) was detected in yeast culture medium by protein blotting using a rat monoclonal antibody specific for the mGM-CSF N-terminal region peptide. Protein blotting using a rat monoclonal antibody specific for the hGM-CSF N-terminal region demonstrated that a 15.6-kd and higher mol. wt heterogeneous species were secreted. Mutations introduced at each of the two potential N-linked glycosylation sites in mGM-CSF showed that the 13-kd protein is not glycosylated and the major 18-kd protein is mainly glycosylated at the more C-terminal site, whereas the heterogeneous higher mol. wt species were not affected by the mutations. The N-terminal amino acid of the 13-kd protein was shown to be Ser which was four amino acids in the C-terminal direction from the fusion point.     

Purification and properties of 100-kd proteins from coated vesicles and their reconstitution with clathrin.

Bullock brain coated vesicles contain a family of at least six 100-kd polypeptides which have the property of promoting clathrin assembly. These proteins have been purified from Triton X-100-extracted coated vesicles by a combination of gel filtration and chromatography on hydroxylapatite and DE-52 cellulose. Three major 100-kd species occur as complexes with a stoichiometric amount of a 50-kd polypeptide. On cross-linking these complexes, the chief products appear to contain two polypeptides of 100 kd and two of 50 kd. These 100-kd/50-kd complexes will polymerise with low concentrations of clathrin to give a relatively homogeneous population of coats predominantly of the 'barrel' size. In contrast, three other polypeptides of 100 kd lack the 50-kd protein but polymerise with clathrin under the same conditions to yield coats of a wide range of sizes including 'barrels', truncated icosahedra and particles of greater than 100 nm diameter. When clathrin cages are reassembled with a saturating amount of 100-kd/50-kd complexes and studied by electron microscopy, the additional proteins appear to follow the underlying geometry of the clathrin polyhedra, partially filling in the polygonal faces of the cage structures. Saturation appears to require approximately 3 molecules of 100-kd polypeptide per clathrin trimer.     

Implications of a rise in cytosolic free calcium in the activation of RAW-264 macrophages for tumor cell killing

The concentration of cytosolic-free calcium (Ca2+i) was determined with aequorin in RAW-264 macrophage-like cells activated in vitro for tumor cell killing with lymphokine (LK) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Treatments of these cells with optimal doses of stimulants, which evoked the development of cytolytic activity, also induced a rise in their Ca2+i. No rise in Ca2+i could be observed under treatments which failed to activate cells. The presence of both stimulants was an absolute requirement for evoking cytolytic activity and also a rise in Ca2+i. There was an apparent parallelism between the rate of activation and the rate of rise in Ca2+i. Cells which slowly developed their cytolytic activity exhibited a slow rise in Ca2+i, while macrophages which acquired their cytolytic activity at the faster rate also showed a more rapid increase in Ca2+i. The development of cytolytic activity in RAW-264 macrophages was inhibited by two intracellular calcium antagonists, TMB-8 and ruthenium red. This inhibition could be reversed by high concentrations of extracellular calcium. TMB-8, at the concentrations which were effective in inhibiting the activation process, also completely blocked the associated rise in Ca2+i. These results suggested that Ca2+i might play a role in the mechanism of tumoricidal transformation of RAW-264 macrophages.     

Induction of resistance to alkylating agents in E. coli: the ada+ gene product serves both as a regulatory protein and as an enzyme for repair of mutagenic damage.

The expression of several inducible enzymes for repair of alkylated DNA in Escherichia coli is controlled by the ada+ gene. This regulatory gene has been cloned into a multicopy plasmid and shown to code for a 37-kd protein. Antibodies raised against homogeneous O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (the main repair activity for mutagenic damage in alkylated DNA) were found to cross-react with this 37-kd protein. Cell extracts from several independently derived ada mutants contain variable amounts of an altered 37-kd protein after an inducing alkylation treatment. In addition, an 18-kd protein identical with the previously isolated O6-methyl-guanine-DNA methyltransferase has been identified as a product of the ada+ gene. The smaller polypeptide is derived from the 37-kd protein by proteolytic processing.     

Expression of the tumor necrosis factor locus is not necessary for the cytolytic activity of T lymphocytes

In order to test whether tumor necrosis factors alpha (TNF-alpha) or beta (TNF-beta, also known as lymphotoxin) are involved in the lysis of target cells by cytolytic T lymphocytes, we probed for the presence of the TNF mRNAs in several quiescent and activated CTL clones. No TNF mRNA could be found in constitutively cytolytic Lyt-2+ clones, and only two out of three clones tested accumulated TNF mRNA after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin. Of two L3T4+ clones that can be induced to become cytolytic by a combination of antigen and IL-1, only one accumulated TNF-beta mRNA in the process. The PC60 rat X mouse T cell hybrid, which becomes cytolytic in response to a combination of IL-1 and IL-2, also failed to accumulate TNF mRNA after stimulation with these agents. Our results strongly suggest that TNF-alpha or -beta are not necessary agents of the cytolytic activity exhibited by antigen-specific T lymphocytes.