Expression of the functional erythropoietin receptors on interleukin 3-dependent murine cell lines

Two distinct hemopoietic growth factors, interleukin 3 (IL-3) and erythropoietin (EPO), support the growth and development of erythroid cells in a sequential manner in vitro. Stimulation of multipotential stem cells by IL-3 appears to develop committed erythroid progenitor cells that respond to EPO. When several murine IL-3-dependent cell lines were assayed for their ability to respond to EPO, the growth and survival of the three cell lines showing the profiles of either myeloid or mast cell lineage (IC-2, DA-1, FDC-P2) were stimulated by EPO in a dose-dependent fashion. To determine whether the biologic effects were mediated through the specific receptors for EPO, we performed binding experiments on these cells with radioiodinated EPO. All of these cells displayed significant levels of specific binding for EPO. Among a family of hemopoietic growth factors, only unlabeled EPO was able to compete for the binding of radioiodinated EPO to the cells. Analysis of the binding data revealed the existence of a single case of binding sites in extremely low abundance. IC-2 cells were used to study the effects of IL-3 on the regulation of expression of EPO receptors. It was demonstrated that a decrease in IL-3 concentration in the culture medium increased the responsiveness to EPO and the amount in specific binding of EPO as well. These results suggest that some IL-3-dependent cell lines have functional EPO receptors and their expression may be modulated by IL-3.     

Interleukin 2-dependent phosphorylation of interleukin 2 receptors and other T cell membrane proteins

The addition of IL 2 to Con A-activated splenic T cells induced the rapid and time-dependent phosphorylation of membrane proteins with m.w. of 115,000 to 105,000, 90,000, and 66,000, and to a lesser extent 55,000 to 58,000, 40,000, and 34,000. Immunoprecipitations conducted with an anti-IL 2 receptor antibody indicated that the murine IL 2 receptor (55,000 to 58,000) was included in the set of IL 2-dependent phosphoproteins. Phosphorylation of these same proteins was also seen after IL 2 treatment of PHA-activated T cells and of the IL 2-dependent line CTLL-2. Membrane phosphorylation was dependent on physiologically relevant IL 2 concentrations (0.2 to 1 ng/ml), and was detected as early as 1 min after IL 2 addition, with maximal levels of phosphorylation achieved by 15 min. In contrast to these observations, the pattern of cytoplasmic protein phosphorylation remained unchanged after IL 2 addition, although IL 2 did augment the level of preexisting cytoplasmic phosphorylation induced by lectin. The pattern of membrane protein phosphorylation induced by IL 2 also overlapped in part with that induced after stimulation of Con A-activated T cells with the phorbol ester PMA. IL 2-stimulated phosphorylation was inhibited by the addition of agents that both stimulate cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases and block lymphocyte mitogenesis. No effect was seen upon addition of agents that enhance cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases. These observations support a role for specific membrane as opposed to cytoplasmic protein phosphorylation in the regulation of lymphocyte growth by IL 2, and also suggest that protein kinase A, and perhaps protein kinase C, participate as regulators of the IL 2 signaling mechanism.     

Reproducible generation of autonomous malignant sublines from non-tumorogenic murine interleukin 3-dependent mast cell lines

Murine interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent permanent mast cell lines derived from normal mouse bone marrow were established using pokeweed mitogen-stimulated spleen cell conditioned medium (SCM) as a source of IL-3. When propagated continuously in media containing a high concentration of IL-3 (20% SCM or 20 U/ml murine recombinant IL-3 (rIL-3], all the cell lines remained strictly factor-dependent in vitro and non-tumorogenic in vivo. However, we were able to reproducibly generate autonomous sublines from cultures supplemented with low amounts of IL-3 (1% SCM or 2 U/ml rIL-3). Abrogation of exogeneous growth factor dependency was always associated with neoplastic transformation. In newly generated autonomous sublines an autocrine mechanism of growth regulation was evident in vitro.     

Internalization of interleukin 2 (IL-2) by high affinity IL-2 receptors is required for the growth of IL-2-dependent T cell lines

During the growth of interleukin 2 (IL-2)-dependent T cells IL-2 binding is followed by internalization of the complex between IL-2 and the high affinity IL-2 receptor (HA-IL-2R). The respective role of IL-2 binding to HA-IL-2R and internalization of the complex has been examined. Monoclonal antibody 7D4 (IgM) blocks IL-2-dependent T cell growth although it does not affect IL-2 binding to HA-IL-2R. We show here that 7D4 inhibits T cell growth by blocking IL-2 internalization by HA-IL-2R. In contrast, Fab fragments prepared from 7D4 neither block IL-2 internalization nor inhibit T cell growth. Monoclonal 5A2, that recognizes an epitope related to the IL-2 binding site as well as its Fab fragment, inhibits T cell growth and IL-2 internalization. Monoclonal antibody 7D4, because of its pentameric structure, probably aggregates the IL-2R at the T cell surface and therefore prevents it internalization. The data presented in this paper suggest that simple occupancy of HA-IL-2R by IL-2 is not sufficient to transduce the T cell growth signal; this signal is transmitted only after internalization of the IL-2/HA-IL-2R complex.     

Interleukin 3-dependent hematopoietic progenitor cell lines

Several biological phenotypes of growth factor-dependent cell lines have been described in recent years, including those with T lymphocyte, neutrophil granulocyte, basophil/mast cell, B lymphocyte, and multipotential stem cell properties. The growth factors for each cell lineage are a subject of intense study. Continuous mouse bone marrow cultures infected with RNA type C viruses (retroviruses) produce nonadherent hematopoietic cells over a longer duration than control cultures. Marrow cultures derived from strains with spontaneously induced ecotropic endogenous retrovirus demonstrate a greater longevity than those from strains with no replicating virus. Cultures infected with murine leukemia virus also generate a greater number, compared with controls, of cloned permanent suspension cell lines dependent for growth on a 41,000-dalton glycoprotein (interleukin 3 [IL 3]). Some are multipotential with capacity for differentiation to erythroid, neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil/mast cell types. Other cloned IL 3-dependent cell lines are committed to a single pathway. Studies with Friend spleen focus-forming virus indicate that the first effect in the marrow culture is mediated through a subset of adherent hematopoietic stem cells. Bone marrow culture-derived IL 3-dependent cell lines provide a model with which to study the role of viral genes in the control of differentiation and self-renewal capacity of hematopoietic stem cells.     

Modulation of interleukin 2 internalization and interleukin 2-dependent cell growth by antireceptor antibodies

The growth factor interleukin 2 (IL2) binds to and is internalized together with high-affinity surface receptors present on lymphoid cells. This endocytosis thus results in down-regulation of the receptors. However, it is not known if the internalization is relevant to the induction of cell growth. In the present study a rat monoclonal antibody to the P55 chain of the IL2 receptor was used to examine the role of receptor internalization in the IL2-dependent autocrine human tumor T cell line IARC 301. When given alone, this antibody did not inhibit IL2 binding, internalization, or IL2-dependent cell proliferation. However, crosslinking by anti-rat immunoglobulins, which did not affect binding of the growth factor, inhibited both IL2 internalization and cell proliferation. Besides offering a novel means for the specific inhibition of the uptake of IL2 bound to IL2 high-affinity receptors, the results are compatible with the association of this receptor-ligand uptake to the growth stimulation by IL2.     

Expression and characterization of melanin-concentrating hormone receptors on mammalian cell lines

The neuropeptide melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is expressed in central and peripheral tissues where it participates in the complex network regulating energy homeostasis as well as in other physiologically important functions. Two MCH receptor subtypes, MCH-R1 and MCH-R2, have been cloned which signal through activation of Gi/o/q proteins and hence regulate different intracellular signals, such as inhibition of cAMP formation, stimulation of IP3 production, increase in intracellular free Ca2+ and/or activation of MAP kinases. Most of the data were obtained with cell systems heterologously expressing either of the MCH receptors. Fewer reports exist on studies with cell lines which endogenously express MCH receptors. Here, we describe human and other mammalian cell lines with which MCH receptor activation can be studied under "natural" conditions and we summarize the characteristics and signaling pathways of the MCH receptors in the different cell systems.     

Voltage-gated K+ channels in the mouse interleukin 3-dependent cell line,FDC-P2

Summary The electrical properties of a mouse interleukin (IL)-3-dependent cell line, FDC-P2, were examined using the tightseal whole-cell clamp technique. Under current clamp conditions with 140mM K⁺ in the pipette, the cells had a resting potential of –30 mV. Under voltage-clamp conditions, a transient outward current was elicited upon depolarization from a holding potential of –80 mV. The current was activated at potentials more positive than –10 mV and had a delayed-rectifying property. It showed rapid activation and slow inactivation during command steps. The current was abolished by Cs⁺ in the pipette, indicating that K⁺ is the charge carrier. The K⁺ current was suppressed by tetraethylammonium withK _i of <0.1mM and was not affected by scorpion toxin. Recovery from inactivation was steeply voltage dependent: As the holding potential was more hyperpolarized, the recovery became faster. Thus, with a holding potential of –80 mV, the current showed slight use-dependent inactivation, while the current decreased prominently by repetitive depolarization at a holding potential of –40 mV. These properties of the K⁺ current are similar to those of thel-type K⁺ channel current in mature T lymphocytes. The K⁺ current in FDC-P2 cells was dramatically reduced after culture in the IL-3-free medium for 1–2 days. When IL-3 was re-added to the medium, the current was re-expressed. These observations suggest that expression of the K⁺ current depends on extracellular IL-3, and that the current may play some roles in proliferation of these cells.     

Phenotypic characteristics of cell lines requiring interleukin 3 for growth

A number of cell lines have been derived from bone marrow cultures in the presence of WEHI-3 conditioned media (CM) that continue to require WEHI-3 CM for growth in vitro. Because the WEHI-3 cell line has been shown to constitutively produce a lymphokine (IL 3) that induces the expression of 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha SDH) in cultures of splenic lymphocytes from athymic mice, we examined whether these cell lines were dependent upon IL 3 for growth. The results demonstrate that the factor required for growth of these cell lines copurifies with IL 3 activity on G-100, DEAE cellulose, and CM cellulose column chromatography as well as in preparative isoelectric focusing and on hydrophobic supports in reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The biologic activity of peak fractions in each case was similar in both types of assays. These results strongly suggest that the WEHI-3 CM-dependent cell lines are dependent on IL 3 for growth in vitro. All the cell lines have readily detectable levels of 20 alpha SDH but have differing cell surface phenotypes. The C3HSFFV line is devoid of conventional lymphoid cell surface markers with the exception of Lyt-1, whereas the FDC-P1 expresses Thy-1, Ly-5, and H-11. Other cell lines have intermediate phenotypes.     

Regulation by interleukin 2 of interleukin 2 receptors and gamma-interferon synthesis by human thymocytes: augmentation of interleukin 2 receptors by interleukin 2

The role of interleukin 2 (IL 2) on the expression of IL 2 receptors and on the synthesis of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) by human thymocytes was investigated. Human thymocytes isolated from specimens obtained during cardiac surgery of infants and children were induced with one or all of the following agents: IL 2, concanavalin A (Con A), and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The expression of IL 2 receptors and gamma-IFN titers were determined. The results indicate that thymocytes cultured in complete medium do not express receptors for IL 2, nor did IL 2 by itself induce the expression of IL 2 receptors. Con A induced the expression of IL 2 receptors by a moderate number of the thymocyte population and induced the synthesis of low amounts of gamma-IFN. Preincubation of thymocytes with TPA increased the response to Con A; both the number of thymocytes expressing receptors and the synthesis of gamma-IFN were increased. Addition of IL 2 to these cultures further augmented the expression of IL 2 receptors and gamma-IFN synthesis and resulted in the optimal expression of IL 2 receptors and maximal gamma-IFN synthesis. The expression of IL 2 receptors could be detected within 24 hr and preceded the induction of proliferation; it was therefore probably not due to the clonal expansion of a population of receptor-bearing thymocytes. Conversely, inhibition of IL 2 synthesis with dexamethasone (Dex) by thymocytes activated with Con A, or inhibition of the function of IL 2 receptors by anti-Tac, resulted in a decrease in the number of IL 2 receptor-bearing thymocytes activated with Con A, or inhibition of the function of IL 2 receptors by anti-Tac, resulted in a decrease in the number of IL 2 receptor-bearing thymocytes and of gamma-IFN synthesis. Thymocytes activated with TPA and Con A were more resistant to the inhibitory effects of Dex on the expression of IL 2 receptors than thymocytes activated with Con A alone. Maximal inhibition of the expression of IL 2 receptors and of gamma-IFN synthesis was achieved as a result of the synergistic effect of anti-Tac with Dex. Therefore, when IL 2 was prevented from binding to the receptors, and IL 2 synthesis was inhibited, the number of thymocytes expressing IL 2 receptors was sharply reduced and gamma-IFN synthesis was markedly inhibited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Interleukin 2 rapidly stimulates synthesis and breakdown of polyphosphoinositides in interleukin 2-dependent, murine T-cell lines

Several T-cell functions are controlled by the regulatory peptide interleukin 2 (IL-2). Binding of IL-2 with specific receptors has been well documented, but the molecular mechanism by which IL-2/IL-2 receptor interaction is transduced is not known. We have found that treatment of IL-2-dependent T-cell lines with IL-2 is followed by a rapid stimulation of inositol phospholipid metabolism, as determined by isotopic methodology employing myo-[1,2-3H]inositol. Increased incorporation of the metabolic precursor into phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate, together with the appearance of radiolabeled phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, occurred within minutes of treatment with IL-2 of factor-dependent CT6 cells. Analysis of labeled water-soluble compounds from prelabeled cells indicated a rapid (within 1 min) stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis following IL-2 treatment. Increased recovery of [3H] inositol phosphates and appearance of [3H]inositol trisphosphate were observed after treatment with IL-2 of CT6 cells, as well as of a second IL-2-dependent cell line, CTB6. These findings suggests that inositol phospholipid-derived metabolites (i.e. diacylglycerol and inositol trisphosphate) may be part of the mechanism by which certain IL-2 signals are transduced.     

Expression of Leu-19 (NKH-1) antigen on IL 2-dependent cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic T cell lines

The Leu-19 (NKH-1) antigen is expressed on human peripheral blood NK cells and a subset of peripheral blood cytotoxic T lymphocytes that kill "NK-sensitive" tumor cell targets without major histocompatibility complex restriction. In the present study, we demonstrate that the Leu-19 (NKH-1) antigen is also expressed on most interleukin 2 (IL 2) dependent T cell lines and clones that have been maintained in long term culture. The Leu-19 (NKH-1) antigen expressed on an antigen-specific, class I directed cytotoxic T lymphocyte cell line was an approximately 200,000 to 220,000 dalton protein, similar to Leu-19 (NKH-1) protein expressed on natural killer cells and KG1a, an immature stem cell leukemia cell line. Furthermore, Leu-19 (NKH-1) was expressed on both CD4+ and CD8+ IL 2 dependent T cell clones, and was present on both cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic T cell clones. Thus expression of Leu-19 (NKH-1) antigen on cultured cell lines does not directly correlate with cytotoxic function, antigenic specificity, or cell lineage.     

Expression of interleukin 1 receptors on human peripheral T cells

The expression of interleukin 1 receptors (IL 1R) on human peripheral T cells was studied by the binding assay with 125I-labeled recombinant human interleukin 1 (IL 1) alpha and IL 1 beta and by the flow cytofluorometry with the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated IL 1 alpha. Peripheral blood lymphocytes expressed only few IL 1R without any stimulations. When they were stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A), IL 1R-positive cells began to increase by 4 hr, reached the maximum level at 48 hr, and then gradually decreased. The kinetics of the expression of IL 1 alpha R and IL 1 beta R showed the same pattern. Furthermore the binding of 125I-labeled IL 1 alpha to IL 1R on T cells was inhibited by the addition of either cold IL 1 alpha or IL beta, but not by interleukin 2 or interferons. The similar results were observed in the binding of 125I-labeled IL 1 beta. These results suggest that IL 1R on human peripheral T cells reactive for IL 1 alpha and IL 1 beta were identical. By Scatchard plot analysis, the numbers of IL 1R were estimated as 40 and 350 molecules per cell before and after Con A stimulation, respectively, and their Kd values were 3.1 X 10(-10) M and 2.8 X 10(-10) M. When purified T cells alone were stimulated with Con A, IL 1R were only marginally expressed. However, by the addition of monocytes, IL 1R were expressed on T cells in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum response was induced in the presence of 10% monocytes. The maximum IL 1R-positive T cells were approximately 30% by the detection of the flow cytofluorometry with FITC-conjugated IL 1 alpha. This enhancing activity of IL 1R expression on T cells by monocytes was inhibited by the addition of an anti-HLA-DR antibody or by the treatment of monocytes with the anti-HLA-DR antibody and complement. Furthermore T cell proliferative responses induced with IL 1 and Con A were also enhanced by the addition of HLA-DR-positive monocytes. These results suggest that IL 1R are expressed as the result of monocyte-T cell interaction in the early stage of T cell activation, and the expression of IL 1R on T cells and the responsiveness of T cells for IL 1 require the accessory function of HLA-DR-positive monocytes.     

Transfer of functional EGF receptors to an IL3-dependent cell line

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a small protein that acts as a mitogen for various epidermal, epithelial, and fibroblastic cells that bear specific EGF receptors. The molecule that binds EGF is a 175-kD transmembrane protein, with an extracellular ligand binding domain and an intracellular domain that possesses tyrosine kinase activity, thought to be involved in the mitogenic signalling process. Here we have constructed a recombinant murine retrovirus that transduces a human cDNA encoding the 175-kD protein and used this retrovirus to infect BAF3, a murine, bone marrow-derived cell line, which is dependent on the haematopoietic factor interleukin-3 (IL3) for its growth in culture. The EGF receptors expressed in the infected cells exhibit two affinity states, as well as EGF-stimulated autophosphorylation. Furthermore, EGF can replace IL3 in supporting short-term proliferation of these cells. These data identify functional properties of the EGF receptor upon expression of the 175-kD EGF binding protein in a haemotopoietic cell that does not express endogenous receptors. They also suggest that gene transfer of growth factor receptors to heterologous cells may allow novel growth stimuli to be exploited.     

Effect of infection with murine recombinant retroviruses containing the v-src oncogene on interleukin 2- and interleukin 3-dependent growth states

The cloned murine interleukin 3 (IL 3)-dependent cell lines FD.C/1, 32Dc1-23, and KP3 can each be switched to interleukin 2 (IL 2)-dependent growth states. Replication-defective retroviral vectors have been used to introduce the v-src oncogene into each of these cell lines maintained in either an IL 3- or an IL 2-dependent growth state. These cell lines maintained in an IL 3-dependent growth state were converted to lymphokine-independent growth after infection with v-src. These same cells maintained in an IL 2-dependent growth state and infected with v-src maintained strict lymphokine dependence for growth. Another cloned murine IL 3-dependent cell line, GM, can be switched to a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-dependent growth state. GM cells maintained as IL 3- or GM-CSF-dependent cells readily converted to a lymphokine-independent growth state when infected with v-src. These experiments indicate that either there exist differences in the biochemical mechanisms of signal transduction through the IL 3- and IL 2-specific receptors, or developmental processes associated with the switching of cells to an IL 2-dependent growth state influence expression of the v-src gene product. These cell lines offer new ways not only for analyzing biochemical pathways that regulate cell growth, but also for analyzing the control of oncogene expression.     

Growth of an interleukin 2/interleukin 4-dependent T cell line induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)

Lymphokine activities in conditioned medium from activated helper T cell lines are most commonly defined by the proliferation of "specific" lymphokine-dependent cell lines. Various sublines of IL 2-dependent (and ostensibly specific) HT-2 and CTLL cells have now been shown to proliferate in response to BSF-1/IL 4 as well. After activation with antigen or mitogen, D10.G4.1, an antigen-specific cloned T helper cell that has recently been shown to produce IL 4 but not IL 2, secretes two distinct cytokines that induce the growth of HT-2 cells. These "T cell growth factors" (TCGF) can be separated by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The TCGF activity of one of these factors can be blocked by 11B11, an antibody specific for IL 4. The second TCGF activity is not affected by 11B11 or by antibodies specific for IL 2. This TCGF activity can be neutralized by a goat polyclonal antibody to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and has a RP-HPLC elution profile identical to that of recombinant GM-CSF. Recombinant GM-CSF induces both proliferation and long-term growth of HT-2 but not CTLL cells, and this activity can be neutralized by the same antibody to GM-CSF. GM-CSF is best known as a factor that induces the maturation and growth of granulocytes and macrophages from bone marrow-derived hematopoietic precursor cells. The ability of GM-CSF to induce the growth of certain T cell lines indicates that this molecule may play a role in T cell-mediated immune responses, either as an autocrine growth factor or a paracrine stimulus from both lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues that produce this cytokine.     

Expression of Cry1Ac cadherin receptors in insect midgut and cell lines

Cadherin-like proteins have been identified as putative receptors for the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A proteins in Heliothis virescens and Manduca sexta. Immunohistochemistry showed the cadherin-like proteins are present in the insect midgut apical membrane, which is the target site of Cry toxins. This subcellular localization is distinct from that of classical cadherins, which are usually present in cell-cell junctions. Immunoreactivity of the cadherin-like protein in the insect midgut was enhanced by Cry1Ac ingestion. We also generated a stable cell line Flp-InT-REX-293/Full-CAD (CAD/293) that expressed the H. virescens cadherin. As expected, the cadherin-like protein was mainly localized in the cell membrane. Interestingly, toxin treatment of CAD/293 cells caused this protein to relocalize to cell membrane subdomains. In addition, expression of H. virescens cadherin-like protein affects cell-cell contact and cell membrane integrity when the cells are exposed to activated Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac.