Soluble factor-independent stimulation of human B cell response by mouse thymoma cells. Cyclosporine A-resistant and -sensitive cell contact signals

In a Th cell-dependent antibody response, the Th act on B cells partly via a helper activity that is cell contact-dependent and cyclosporine A (CsA)-resistant. This activity seems to be required to induce responsiveness of the B cells toward T cell-derived soluble factors (cytokines) generally believed to be essential for B cell proliferation as well as for Ig secretion. In our study, we have investigated a system in which human B cells are stimulated by mutant EL-4 thymoma cells of mouse origin. It was found that human B cells proliferate and secrete Ig (either 1) in the presence of EL-4 cells plus human T cell supernatant (T-SUP), or 2) in the presence of EL-4 cells alone which have been induced with PMA or IL-1. The first situation conformed to the known synergy between CsA-resistant Th signal and cytokines. However, the B response due to PMA-induced EL-4 cells was special. The PMA-inducible helper activity was CsA-sensitive at the same CsA concentration that inhibited IL-2 secretion of EL-4 cells, but the murine factors in EL-4 supernatant had no effect on human B cells; the helper effect did not occur across a semipermeable membrane. Any contribution of soluble factors from contaminating human T cells was ruled out by adding single human B cells by flow microfluorimetry to cultures with EL-4 cells and PMA. Such B cells generated clonal IgM, IgG, and/or IgA responses. CsA, thus, interfered with some cell contact-mediated signal. However, CsA did not reduce the amount of LFA-1 molecules on EL-4 cells. In conclusion, EL-4 cells can induce proliferation and differentiation of human B cells in a soluble factor-independent manner, via CsA-resistant and CsA-sensitive helper activities. This may represent an alternative pathway of B cell activation.     

Interleukin 1 alpha and interleukin 1 beta bind to the same receptor on T cells

Pure, E. coli-derived recombinant murine interleukin 1 alpha (IL 1 alpha) was labeled with 125I and used for receptor binding studies. The 125I-IL 1 binds to murine EL-4 thymoma cells in a specific and saturable manner. Scatchard plot analysis for binding studies carried out at 4 degrees C reveals a single type of high affinity binding site with an apparent dissociation constant of approximately 2.6 X 10(-10) M and the presence of approximately 1200 binding sites per cell. The rate of association of the 125I-IL 1 with EL-4 cells is slow, requiring more than 3 h to reach apparent steady state at 4 degrees C. Cell-bound 125I-IL 1 cannot be dissociated from EL-4 cells upon removal of unbound 125I-IL 1 and incubation of the cells at 4 degrees C in the presence or absence of unlabeled IL 1. Unlabeled recombinant murine IL 1 competes for 125I-IL 1 binding in a dose-dependent manner, whereas interferon-alpha A, interleukin 2 (IL 2), epidermal growth factor, and nerve growth factor have no effect. The 125I-IL 1 binding site is sensitive to trypsin, suggesting that it is localized on the cell surface. We have also examined the ability of purified recombinant human IL 1 alpha and IL 1 beta to compete for binding of the radiolabeled murine IL 1 to its receptor and to stimulate IL 2 production by EL-4 cells. Previous reports have shown that human IL 1 alpha is approximately 60% homologous in amino acid sequence with murine IL 1, but that human IL 1 beta is only about 25% homologous with either murine IL 1 or human IL 1 alpha. Despite these marked differences, however, we report here that both human IL 1 proteins are able to recognize the same binding site as mouse IL 1. In addition, murine as well as both human IL 1 proteins stimulate IL 2 production by EL-4 cells.     

Effects of eleven cytokines and of IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in a human B cell assay.

The effects of different recombinant human cytokines and cytokine inhibitors were compared in a culture system in which cell contact with mutant EL-4 thymoma cells of murine origin efficiently stimulates human B cell proliferation and Ig secretion in conjunction with human T cell supernatant. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-2 co-stimulated B cell proliferation and IgM, IgG, and IgA secretion, whereas IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IFN-gamma, or GM-CSF had weak or no activity in this regard. In contrast, TGF-beta 1 was strongly inhibitory. A very strict hierarchy of cytokine interactions was found in that IL-1 was necessary to induce TNF-alpha responsiveness, and TNF-alpha the IL-2 responsiveness, of the B cells. Most likely the small number of starting B cells in the present assay (300 FACS-separated B cells/200 microliters) minimized the effects of autocrine B cell factors. IL-4 together with IL-1 induced IgE secretion, and the IgE secretion was further increased by TNF-alpha. IFN-gamma had no modulatory effect on the IL-4 dependent IgE response in this system. Pretreatment of B cells with IL-1R antagonist (IL-1ra, which binds to IL-1R) or addition of soluble TNF receptor type 1 (sTNF-R55, which binds to TNF) completely inhibited the IL-1 or TNF-alpha effects, respectively. This occurred in a specific manner; the inhibition was reversed by a large excess of cytokine. IL-1ra also inhibited a B cell response induced by PMA-preactivated EL-4 cells alone. Because B cells responding to such preactivated EL-4 cells did not acquire TNF-alpha responsiveness, no IL-1 was apparently involved under this assay condition. It appears, therefore, 1) that IL-1ra can act on B cells and 2) that this antagonist may not only block IL-1R, but may provide a direct or indirect inhibitory signal interfering even with IL-1-independent B cell activation.     

Activation of cation transport by lymphokines in B cells without induction of DNA synthesis or immunoglobulin gene transcription

We report on an experimental model that permitted us to evaluate the biologic relevance of membrane-associated biochemical events with respect to cell proliferation and maturation, each induced by distinct sets of signals. Antigen-affinity-enriched murine B cells cultured in the presence of a proliferative signal induced by LPS showed activation of Na+/K+ ATPase and enhanced the uptake of proline, followed by RNA, protein, and DNA synthesis, without the generation of antibody. Stimulation with both the proliferative signal(s) and the maturation signal(s) derived from lymphokines of an EL-4 thymoma induced B cells to proliferate and synthesize mRNA encoding mu-chain of IgM and to mature into IgM-secreting cells. Most important, the secretory product of EL-4, in the absence of LPS, activated Na+/K+ ATPase but failed to stimulate uptake of proline and synthesis of DNA or mu-specific mRNA. A similar response was observed in splenocytes depleted of T cells and in unfractionated spleen cells. Thus a component secreted by EL-4 can induce some of the early molecular events characteristic of the proliferative response but lacks the ability to initiate blast transformation and DNA synthesis.     

Separable helper factors support B cell proliferation and maturation to Ig secretion

The 24-hr culture supernatant of Con A-activated spleen cells (SN) contains helper factors that enable maturation to high-rate polyclonal Ig secretion and enhance proliferation in cultures of mouse B cells activated with the F(ab')2 fragment of class-specific rabbit antimouse IgM antibody (anti-Ig). When interleukin 2 (IL 2), also called T cell growth factor, is removed from SN by absorption with an IL 2-dependent cell line at either 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C, all the helper activity for anti-Ig-activated B cells is also removed. Partial removal of IL 2 results in partial removal of helper activity for B cells. However, the IL 2-depleted SN appears to contain another helper factor, TRF, that enables anti-Ig-activated B cell cultures to mature to high-rate Ig secretion. This TRF activity is revealed by adding purified human IL 2 or an IL 2-containing supernatant of a cloned, lectin-activated T cell hybridoma line (FS6-14.13) to Il 2-depleted SN, which restores the polyclonal antibody response to anti-Ig. The hybridoma supernatant by itself supports proliferation of anti-Ig-activated B cell cultures, as measured by an increase in cell number, but not maturation to Ig secretion. This proliferative response is likewise IL 2 dependent, although purified IL 2 with anti-Ig is not sufficient. These experiments define separable combinations of factors acting on anti-Ig-activated B cell cultures, one of which (SN) results in both proliferation and maturation to high-rate Ig secretion, whereas the other (hybridoma supernatant) results in proliferation only. IL 2 appears to be an essential component of both combinations, although the target cell for IL 2 action in this system remains to be determined.     

Anti-Ig-mediated proliferation of human B cells in the absence of protein kinase C

Cross-linking of surface Ig has been shown to stimulate phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in murine B cells, leading to increases in [Ca2+]i and activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Preliminary evidence suggests that a similar activation mechanism occurs in human B cells. We wished to examine whether anti-Ig antibody-stimulated human B cell proliferation is as dependent upon the presence of PKC as is anti-Ig-mediated murine B cell proliferation. Using highly purified, small, dense peripheral-blood B lymphocytes from healthy adult donors, we confirmed that PMA, a direct activator of PKC, is a potent mitogen for human B cells that synergizes with anti-mu antibody. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PMA treatment abolishes detectable cellular stores of immunoreactive PKC. However, after such depletion of cellular PKC, anti-mu antibody is still capable of delivering a proliferative signal to human B cells. It is unlikely that this signal occurs solely on the basis of increases in [Ca2+]i, because the calcium ionophore A23187 does not induce a proliferative response in PMA-treated B cells similar in magnitude to that seen with anti-mu. Additionally, the finding that pretreatment of B cells with PMA ablates the ability of anti-Ig antibody to mobilize intracellular and extracellular calcium also suggests that the ability of PMA to enhance anti-Ig mediated stimulation does not depend on elevations of [Ca2+]i induced by anti-Ig. Together, these observations suggest that anti-Ig signaling of human B cells may occur via other pathways in addition to the phosphatidylinositol system of calcium influx and PKC activation.     

Activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes requires at least two spleen cell-derived helper factors besides interleukin 2

The dependency of induction of T cell cytotoxicity on lymphokines was studied. 1 X 10(5) nylon wool-purified thymic lymphocytes or 10(4) spleen cells were cultured with TNP-haptenated syngeneic UV-irradiated spleen cells in the presence of a variety of lymphokine preparations. Concanavalin A-induced spleen cell supernatants mediated strong cytotoxic responses in this system. Three other preparations, namely, a partially purified IL 2 preparation from PMA-stimulated EL-4 thymoma cells, a Con A-induced spleen cell supernatant that was absorbed with an IL 2-dependent cell line, and a Con A-induced supernatant that was dialyzed at pH 2 were all ineffective in mediating a cytotoxic response. In reconstitution experiments, cytotoxic responses were only obtained when either the absorbed preparation or the pH 2-treated preparation was mixed with the IL 2 preparation from EL-4 cells. No reconstitution occurred after mixing of the absorbed with the pH 2-treated preparation. pH 2 treatment of the absorbed preparation did not abolish its synergistic effect when added to the IL 2 preparation from EL-4 cells. These results led to the conclusion that activation of cytotoxic lymphocyte precursors requires at least two other lymphokines in addition to IL 2. One T cell cytotoxicity-inducing factor (TCF1) remained in Con A-induced supernatants after absorption with IL 2 receptor-bearing T cell line cells. It was pH 2-resistant and was not found in EL-4 supernatants. A second T cell cytotoxicity-inducing factor (TCF2) was pH 2-sensitive and was found in Con A-induced spleen cell supernatants as well as in interferon-free supernatants of PMA-stimulated EL-4 cells. This activity co-purified with IL 2. It was absorbed by the IL 2-dependent T cell line together with IL 2. IL 2 differs from TCF2 since it is pH 2-resistant.     

Role of DNA synthesis in secretion of immunoglobulin from murine B cells stimulated by T cell derived lymphokines

We have investigated whether cell division is required for induction of Ig secretion from three types of B cells, which represent distinct activation states: normal splenic B cells, anti-Ig-treated B cells, and a monoclonal murine B cell tumor, BCL1. Polyclonal Ig secretion was stimulated in vitro by LPS or by lymphokines produced by EL-4 cells (EL-4 SN), which includes B cell growth factor II (BCGF II). LPS and EL-4 SN were mitogenic for all three cell populations and stimulated substantial IgM secretion from both B cells and anti-Ig blasts. Aphidicolin, a reversible inhibitor of DNA synthesis, abolished IgM secretion from B cells and anti-Ig blasts induced by either mitogen, indicating that Ig-secreting cells in these cultures are part of a cycling population. BCL1 tumor cells respond to BCGF II (but not to interleukin 2 or B cell stimulatory factor 1) with IgM secretion and cell division, allowing a direct assessment of the influence of BCGF II-stimulated cell division on secretion of IgM. Secretion by these cells during the first 24 hr of culture was not substantially affected by aphidicolin, but secretion at 48 or 72 hr was markedly inhibited. Culture of BCL1 cells for 48 hr with aphidicolin alone had no effect on cell viability or on subsequent responsiveness if the drug was removed, eliminating non-specific toxicity as an explanation of the drug's effect. Addition of aphidicolin during the last 24 hr of culture to either normal B cells or BCL1 cells was much less effective at inhibiting IgM secretion. These results indicate that the cells that secrete IgM in response to BCGF II also synthesize DNA when exposed to this factor. Thus, induction of high-rate Ig secretion from murine B cells by some stimuli, including BCGF II, may require at least one round of cell division.     

Effect of recombinant IL 2 and gamma-IFN on proliferation and differentiation of human B cells

The effects of IL 2 and gamma-IFN on the activation of human B cells was studied with recombinant IL 2 and gamma-IFN. BCDF-responsive B lymphoblastoid cell lines and highly purified human B cells were employed as target B cells. IL 2 or gamma-IFN did not induce any IgG or IgM secretion in the B cell lines CESS and SKW6-CL4, in which IgG and IgM were inducible with conventional T cell factor(s). IL 2 alone did not induce the optimum production of Ig, but did induce proliferation in the SAC-stimulated B cell population. No Leu-1-, Leu-4-, or Leu-7-positive cells were detected in B cell populations that had been stimulated with SAC for 3 days. FACS analysis showed that a portion of the SAC-stimulated B cells (30%) were in the G2 or M stages by IL 2 stimulation. The addition of gamma-IFN together with IL 2 induced IgM and IgG secretion in SAC-stimulated B cells that was comparable with that induced by a conventional T cell factor(s). IL 2 induced proliferation not only in SAC-stimulated B cells but also in an anti-mu-stimulated B cell population. Stimulation of T cell populations with anti-mu and IL 2 did not induce significant proliferation, suggesting the direct effect of IL 2 on B cells. Double staining of anti-mu-stimulated B cells with anti-Ig and anti-Tac antibodies demonstrated that anti-mu stimulation induced an increased expression of Tac antigen on surface Ig-positive B cells. All of these results strongly supported the notion that IL 2 was one of the growth factors for B cells, and gamma-IFN was one of the differentiation factors for B cells.     

Characterization of murine T cell activation signals produced by B lymphoma cells

The activation requirements of alloreactive and antigen reactive murine T cells were examined by stimulating class II restricted T cell clones with monoclonal B lymphoma cells. One B lymphoma cell line (T27A) was found to stimulate IL 2 release from some alloreactive T cell clones without stimulating any significant T cell proliferation response. The same B lymphoma cells are capable of stimulating IL 2 release and proliferative responses from other T cell clones. Evidence is presented suggesting that B lymphoma cell stimulation of these T cell clones is largely IL 1 independent and that at least some T cell clones may require activation signals other than Ia, antigen, and IL 1. The addition of exogenous, purified IL 1 to the T cell activation assays was found to have a wide range of stimulatory effects on the proliferative responses of different T cell clones. The absence of comparable IL 1-induced stimulation of IL 2 secretion suggests that IL 1 primarily enhances antigen specific T cell proliferation through mechanisms other than acting as a co-stimulant for IL 2 release.     

Thymoma production of T cell growth factor (Interleukin 2)

Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate stimulates a subline of mouse EL-4 thymoma cells to produce, in vitro, in very high titer, T cell growth factor (Interleukin 2, IL 2). The EL-4-derived IL 2 has the same m.w. (30,000) and isoelectric point heterogeneity (pI 3.8-4.4) as the IL 2 produced by Con A-stimulated spleen cells. In addition, the thymoma-derived IL 2 exhibits the same spectrum of biologic activities as has been reported for spleen cell-derived IL 2.     

Induction of proliferation and Ig production in human B leukemic cells by anti-immunoglobulins and T cell factors

The proliferation and differentiation of human leukemic B cells (B-CLL cells) with anti-Ig and T cell-derived helper factors are described. Stimulation of B-CLL cells with anti-Ig and T helper factors could induce proliferation as well as differentiation into IgM- and IgG-producing cells. Neither anti-Ig nor T helper factors alone could induce any proliferation and/or differentiation of B-CLL cells. Not only whole molecules of anti-Ig but also F(ab')2 fragments could induce proliferation and differentiation of B-CLL cells in the presence of T helper factors, but monovalent Fab' fragments were not effective. Induction of both IgM and IgG with the same idiotype was confirmed by immunofluorescent and SDS-PAGE analysis. By employing an IL 2-dependent cytotoxic T cell line and a TRF-responsive B cell line, T cell factors were separated into a fraction with IL2 activity but no TRF activity and a fraction with TRF activity but no IL 2 activity by chromatofocusing. Anti-Ig and IL 2 fraction could induce proliferation of B-CLL cells, but TRF fraction was not effective for the induction of proliferation in anti-IG-stimulated cells. For IgM and IgG production, anti-Ig and both IL 2 and TRF fractions were required. Depletion of IL 2 fraction in the first 2 days' culture inhibited Ig production, whereas the absence of TRF fraction in the first 2 days did not show any inhibitory effect on Ig production.     

Antigen-reactive cloned helper T cells. II. Exposure of murine cloned helper T cells to IL 2-containing supernatant induces unresponsiveness to antigenic restimulation and inhibits lymphokine production after antigenic stimulation

Cloned murine helper T lymphocytes (HTL) reactive to alloantigen or to ovalbumin (OVA) become unresponsive to antigenic restimulation after exposure to antigen or to culture supernatant fluids (SF) containing multiple lymphokine activities. Unresponsiveness is manifest by a failure of antigen-stimulated cells to incorporate thymidine or to produce lymphokines after antigenic challenge. Antigen-unresponsive HTL, however, will incorporate thymidine when exposed to an exogenous source of interleukin 2 (IL 2). The duration of unresponsiveness to antigen is correlated with the concentration of IL 2 in SF to which the cloned HTL had been exposed. Chromatographic fractionation of IL 2-containing supernatant from EL-4 thymoma cells (EL-4 SF) yielded a pool of SF that was enriched for IL 2 activity. Exposure of HTL to lymphokines contained in this pool induced unresponsiveness to antigen that was comparable to that observed when HTL were exposed to unfractionated EL-4 SF. Unresponsiveness to antigen also developed after cloned HTL were stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) or with OVA and syngeneic splenic filler cells. We have used monoclonal antibody (mAb) GK1.5 (anti-L3T4) to investigate the role of lymphokine production in the induction of unresponsiveness. This antibody did not inhibit IL 2-induced thymidine incorporation by cloned HTL, and did not inhibit the induction of unresponsiveness after exposure of cloned HTL to EL-4 SF. In the presence of mAb GK1.5, however, HTL that were stimulated with Con A or OVA did not become unresponsive to antigenic restimulation, an effect that was overcome by the addition of EL-4 SF. These results suggest that HTL become unresponsive to antigen after exposure to IL 2-containing SF, and that stimulation by antigen or Con A can induce the unresponsive state by virtue of stimulating lymphokine production.     

Cyclosporin A sensitivity of the NF-kappa B site of the IL2R alpha promoter in untransformed murine T cells.

We have investigated the characteristics of IL2R alpha gene induction in untransformed murine T cells. Induction of IL2R alpha mRNA by TCR/CD3 ligands in a murine T cell clone and in short-term splenic T cell cultures was inhibited by protein synthesis inhibitors and by CsA. This result was contrary to previous observations in JURKAT T leukemia cells and human peripheral blood T cells, suggesting a difference in the mechanisms of IL2R alpha gene induction in these different cell types. The CsA sensitivity of IL2R alpha mRNA induction represented a direct effect on the TCR/CD3 response, and was not due to CsA-sensitive release of the lymphokines IL2 or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and consequent lymphokine-mediated induction of IL2R alpha mRNA. The NF-kappa B site of the IL2R alpha promoter was essential for gene induction through the TCR/CD3 complex, and the induction of reporter plasmids containing multimers of this site was significantly inhibited by CsA. Northern blotting analysis indicated that while the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B was constitutively expressed and not appreciably induced upon T cell activation, mRNA for the p105 precursor of p50 NF-kappa B was induced in response to TCR/CD3 stimulation and this induction was sensitive to CsA. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and antiserum against the p50 subunit of NF-kappa B indicated that p50 was a component of the inducible nuclear complex that bound to the IL2R alpha kappa B site. Appearance of the kB-binding proteins was insensitive to CsA at early times after activation (approximately 15 min), but was partially sensitive to CsA at later times. Based on these results, we propose that the NF-kappa B site of the IL2R alpha promoter mediates at least part of the CsA sensitivity of IL2R alpha gene induction in untransformed T cells, possibly because de novo synthesis of p105 NF-kappa B is required for sustained IL2R alpha expression.     

Interleukin 2 enhancement of lymphokine secretion by T lymphocytes: analysis of established clones and primary limiting dilution microcultures

The effect of exogenous interleukin 2 (IL 2) on lymphokine production by T lymphocytes was examined in two systems: the secretion of macrophage-activating factor (MAF) and interferon (IFN) by cloned long-term T cell lines, and a limiting dilution system for estimating the frequency of precursors of MAF-secreting cells in normal spleen. An IL 2-containing, MAF- and IFN-free supernatant from the EL-4 thymoma (EL-4 SN) significantly enhanced release of MAF and IFN by mitogen- or antigen-stimulated, cytolytic or noncytolytic T lymphocyte clones directed against alloantigens or Moloney leukemia virus-associated antigens. Highly purified IL 2 produced equivalent enhancement as EL-4 SN in cultures of alloreactive clones stimulated with concanavalin A. Kinetics experiments showed that EL-4 SN increased both the rate and duration of MAF release by T cell clones. EL-4 SN also increased MAF production when added during restimulation of limiting dilution cultures of positively selected Lyt-2+ and Lyt-2- C57BL/6 splenic T lymphocytes activated against DBA/2 alloantigens. This enhancement resulted in a threefold increase in the apparent precursor frequency of MAF-secreting cells among Lyt-2+ lymphocytes, but did not affect the frequency among Lyt-2- cells. Additional analysis indicated that average MAF production in cultures of Lyt-2-+ cells was sixfold lower than in cultures of Lyt-2- cells, and hence that EL-4 SN allowed detection of a significant proportion of Lyt-2+ cell cultures secreting low levels of MAF. Under these improved conditions, the MAF assay detected the majority of responding Lyt-2+ and Lyt-2- lymphocytes.     

Immortalization of EBV-infected B cells is not influenced by exogenous signals acting on B cell proliferation. Effects of mutant EL-4 thymoma cells and transforming growth factor-beta

We have recently developed a culture system in which 90% of B cells from human peripheral blood or spleen are induced to strongly proliferate and generate short-term clones of a mean of about 400 antibody-secreting cells. B cells are stimulated by mutant EL-4 thymoma cells in conjunction with T cell supernatant. In the present study, we first investigated whether the frequency of B cell immortalization by EBV would be higher in this system than in a conventional system by using PBMC as fillers. The results showed that the EBV-dependent cloning frequency (0.7%) was not increased compared with the system with the use of PBMC (2.1%). However, the short term proliferation of EBV-infected B cells was 20 times increased in the EL-4 system and EBV nuclear Ag-positive cells participated in this response. Recent reports showed that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) inhibited the growth of normal B cells, whereas the growth of EBV-immortalized (lymphoblastoid) cells was not inhibited. We have studied the effects of this cytokine in the EL-4 system. TGF-beta (200 pg/ml) was found to inhibit the proliferative response of normal B cells by greater than 95% and the short term response of EBV-infected B cells by 78%. In contrast, the EBV-dependent long term cloning frequency, as well as the proportion of clones producing IgM, IgG, or IgA, was not influenced at all by TGF-beta. In conclusion, potent modulation of the early proliferative response of an EBV-infected B cell population by either stimulatory or inhibitory exogenous signals did not influence the number of cells that subsequently became immortalized.     

Involvement of ERK-Nrf-2 Signaling in Ionizing Radiation Induced Cell Death in Normal and Tumor Cells

Prolonged oxidative stress favors tumorigenic environment and inflammation. Oxidative stress may trigger redox adaptation mechanism(s) in tumor cells but not normal cells. This may increase levels of intracellular antioxidants and establish a new redox homeostasis. Nrf-2, a master regulator of battery of antioxidant genes is constitutively activated in many tumor cells. Here we show that, murine T cell lymphoma EL-4 cells show constitutive and inducible radioresistance via activation of Nrf-2/ERK pathway. EL-4 cells contained lower levels of ROS than their normal counterpart murine splenic lymphocytes. In response to radiation, the thiol redox circuits, GSH and thioredoxin were modified in EL-4 cells. Pharmacological inhibitors of ERK and Nrf-2 significantly enhanced radiosensitivity and reduced clonogenic potential of EL-4 cells. Unirradiated lymphoma cells showed nuclear accumulation of Nrf-2, upregulation of its dependent genes and protein levels. Interestingly, MEK inhibitor abrogated its nuclear translocation suggesting role of ERK in basal and radiation induced Nrf-2 activation in tumor cells. Double knockdown of ERK and Nrf-2 resulted in higher sensitivity to radiation induced cell death as compared to individual knockdown cells. Importantly, NF-kB which is reported to be constitutively active in many tumors was not present at basal levels in EL-4 cells and its inhibition did not influence radiosensitivity of EL-4 cells. Thus our results reveal that, tumor cells which are subjected to heightened oxidative stress employ master regulator cellular redox homeostasis Nrf-2 for prevention of radiation induced cell death. Our study reveals the molecular basis of tumor radioresistance and highlights role of Nrf-2 and ERK.     

Immunoregulation in the rat: cellular and molecular requirements for B cell responses to types 1, 2, and T-dependent antigens

The requirements for primary in vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) development in cultures of purified rat splenic B cells have been examined. Rat B cells were directly responsive to the type 1 antigen trinitrophenyl-Brucella abortus (TNP-BA), but both T cells and adherent accessory cells were required for B cell responses to the type 2 antigen TNP-Ficoll and the T cell-dependent (TD) antigen sheep erythrocytes (SRBC). However, the cellfree supernatants from concanavalin A-induced spleen cells of rat or mouse origin replaced the requirement for T cells and macrophages, and resulted in PFC development in response to TNP-Ficoll and SRBC and augmented PFC numbers in response to TNP-BA. Culture supernatants from induced murine T cell and macrophage cell lines were used to partially deduce the molecular requirements for the support of PFC development by rat B cells to these three antigens. Supernatants from the EL-4 (EL-4 sup) and B151 K12 (B15 sup) T cell lines augmented TNP-BA responses, suggesting that B cell growth factor II (BCGF-II) mediated this effect. An admixture of purified interleukin 2 (IL 2) and B15 sup supported PFC development to SRBC; indicating that IL 2, BCGF-II, and the T cell-replacing factor in B15 sup (B15-TRF) were sufficient to support this response. In addition, the IL 2 plus B15 sup-supported anti-SRBC PFC response was increased by the addition of an interleukin 1-containing fraction from the supernatant of the macrophage line P388D1. PFC development in response to TNP-Ficoll had the most stringent requirements and only occurred in the presence of EL-4 sup and B15 sup (IL 2, BCGF-I, BCGF-II, EL-TRF, B15-TRF). These data indicate that different cellular and molecular requirements exist for PFC development in response to types 1, 2, and TD antigens by rat B cells.     

IL-4 promotes anti-Ig-mediated protein kinase C translocation and reverses phorbol ester-mediated protein kinase C down-regulation in murine B cells

Co-stimulation of B lymphocytes with IL-4 plus nonmitogenic concentrations of anti-Ig antibodies, or protein kinase C (PKC) activators, drives resting B cells into DNA synthesis. Although cross-linking of the sIg receptors provokes the generation of the intracellular second messengers, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol, the molecular mechanism utilized by IL-4R in murine B cells has not, as yet, been defined. In human B cells IL-4 has been shown to induce a transient rise in IP3 followed by a sustained elevation of cAMP. However, in murine B cells, IL-4 does not induce the release of IP3, Ca2+ mobilization, PKC translocation, or indeed modify signaling via the phosphoinositide pathway induced by ligation of sIg receptors. We now present evidence that, in murine B cells, IL-4 synergizes with nonmitogenic concentrations of anti-Ig to provoke translocation of PKC from the cytosol to membranes. In addition, the lymphokine up-regulates PKC levels and activity and prevents phorbol ester-induced PKC down-regulation in B cells. We therefore propose that (unknown) signals generated via IL-4R potentiate and/or prolong sIg-induced PKC activation. These observations may therefore provide a biochemical basis for explaining how IL-4 and anti-Ig synergize to induce B cell activation.