Binding and cytotoxicity of Ricinus communis lectins to HeLa cells, Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells and erythrocytes

The binding of Ricinus communis lectins to HeLa cells, Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells and human erythrocytes was studied in detail. Scatchard plots of binding of 125I-lectins to these cells gave biphasic lines except for HeLa cells at 0 degree C. The association constants of lectins for the three cell types at 37 degrees C were lower than those at 0 degree C. The numbers of total binding sites were estimated to be 7 to 16 X 10(7) per HeLa cell, 3 to 4 X 10(7) per Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cell and 0.4 to 1 X 10(6) per erythrocyte. A fraction, 16 to 27% of the total amount of cell-bound lectin at 37 degrees C, appeared to be bound irreversibly as judged by non-removal on washing with 0.1 M lactose, whereas no lectin was irreversibly bound at 0 degree C. In the case of erythrocytes, no lectin became irreversibly bound even at 37 degrees C. The toxicity of lectins on HeLa cells and Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells was investigated. The toxicity of ricin D was 50 times for Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells and 140 times for HeLa cells as much as that for castor bean hemagglutinin. As to the sensitivities of both cell types to these lectins, it became apparent that Sarcoma 180 ascites tumor cells were more susceptible than HeLa cells.     

Cisplatin increases immune activity of monocytes and cytotoxic T-cells in a murine model of epithelial ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is an immunologically active malignancy, but thus far immune therapy has had limited success in clinical trials. One barrier to implementation of efficacious immune therapies is a lack of knowledge of the effect of chemotherapy on the monocyte-derived component of the immune infiltrate within the tumor. We utilized the ID8 murine EOC model to investigate alterations within tumor ascites that occur following administration of platinum chemotherapy. Cisplatin treatment resulted in a significant increase in monocytes within the ascites of tumor bearing mice. We identified that CD11b⁺ cells from the ascites of mice that have been treated with cisplatin elicits an increase in IFN-ɣ expression from CD8⁺ T-cells compared to CD11b⁺ cells from a mouse treated with vehicle control (604.0 pg/mL v. 4328.0 pg/mL; p < .0001). Splenocytes derived from tumor bearing mice released increase levels of IFN-ɣ after treatment with cisplatin when incubated with dendritic cells (DCs) and tumor antigen (62.0 v. 92.1 pg/mL; p = .03). Cisplatin induced an increase in T-cell and monocyte/macrophage activation markers (CD62L and CD301). Levels of IL-10, IL-6, and VEGF in the cell free ascites of mice treated with cisplatin decreased (p > .05). These results indicate that treatment with cisplatin leads to an increase of anti-tumor activity within the ascites related to alterations in the ascites monocytes. Further investigation of these findings in humans is necessary to identify how these cells behave in different patient subgroups and if there is a role for monocyte directed therapy in conjunction with T-cell directed therapy and/or chemotherapy.     

Cisplatin increases immune activity of monocytes and cytotoxic T-cells in a murine model of epithelial ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is an immunologically active malignancy, but thus far immune therapy has had limited success in clinical trials. One barrier to implementation of efficacious immune therapies is a lack of knowledge of the effect of chemotherapy on the monocyte-derived component of the immune infiltrate within the tumor. We utilized the ID8 murine EOC model to investigate alterations within tumor ascites that occur following administration of platinum chemotherapy. Cisplatin treatment resulted in a significant increase in monocytes within the ascites of tumor bearing mice. We identified that CD11b⁺ cells from the ascites of mice that have been treated with cisplatin elicits an increase in IFN-ɣ expression from CD8⁺ T-cells compared to CD11b⁺ cells from a mouse treated with vehicle control (604.0 pg/mL v. 4328.0 pg/mL; p < .0001). Splenocytes derived from tumor bearing mice released increase levels of IFN-ɣ after treatment with cisplatin when incubated with dendritic cells (DCs) and tumor antigen (62.0 v. 92.1 pg/mL; p = .03). Cisplatin induced an increase in T-cell and monocyte/macrophage activation markers (CD62L and CD301). Levels of IL-10, IL-6, and VEGF in the cell free ascites of mice treated with cisplatin decreased (p > .05). These results indicate that treatment with cisplatin leads to an increase of anti-tumor activity within the ascites related to alterations in the ascites monocytes. Further investigation of these findings in humans is necessary to identify how these cells behave in different patient subgroups and if there is a role for monocyte directed therapy in conjunction with T-cell directed therapy and/or chemotherapy.     

DYNAMICS OF LEUKOCYTE MIGRATION INTO THE MOUSE ASCITES TUMOR

There is a marked increase in the number of peritoneal leukocytes (lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes) during the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor in mice. No local proliferation (as indicated by a labeling at 1 hr following a single ³H-TdR injection) was observed in the normal peritoneal leukocytes or those in the ascites tumor, except for a very minor labeling of some tumor macrophages. Kinetics of peritoneal leukocytes was studied with a series of twelve injections of ³H-thymidine (20 μCi every 8 hr) in normal mice as well as mice injected with 10⁶ tumor cells i.p. 2 hr after the last ³H-TdR injection. Animals were sacrificed at intervals up to 6 days. Granulocyte labeling in the blood as well as peritoneal space was near 100% in both groups of animals at all the intervals. Temporal changes in the labeling of lymphocytes (from 10% at 0 day to 22% at day 6), and monocytes (from 20% at 0 day to 57% at day 6) were identical in the blood and peritoneal space of normal animals, indicating a free exchange of cells between these compartments. Higher labeling indices than those in the controls were attained in the blood of tumor-bearing hosts (viz 40% for lymphocytes and 80% for monocytes at 6 days) suggesting an increased turnover of these cells in the circulation. In addition, peritoneal mononuclear cells of tumor-bearing mice showed even a higher labeling than those in the blood (viz 65% for lymphocytes and 92% for monocytes at 6 days) indicating a selective migration and/or retention of newly formed cells within the tumor, in contrast to a random migration into the normal peritoneal cavity. Furthermore, an identical labeling of macrophages to that of monocytes within the tumor indicated a short monocyte-macrophage transition. The preferential accumulation of young mononuclear cells into the tumor may be of functional importance.     

Protection of cultured human monocytes from lymphokine-activated killer-mediated lysis by IFN-gamma

We have recently reported that IL 2-activated killer (LAK) cells are capable of lysing cultured human monocytes. In an effort to protect autologous monocytes from lysis, we treated monolayer cultures of adherent PBMC with various doses of human rIFN-gamma and assessed their susceptibility to LAK cells. IFN-gamma was shown to lessen the sensitivity of monocytes to lysis in a dose-dependent manner. Similar treatment of FMEX, an NK-resistant melanoma tumor cell line, with IFN-gamma did not affect its susceptibility to LAK lysis. Kinetic studies demonstrated that as little as 2 h incubation with IFN-gamma was sufficient for the protective effects to take effect. Additionally, monocytes that were pulsed with IFN-gamma for 2 h, washed, and then cultured in medium alone retained their resistance to lysis for at least 3 days. Cold target inhibition studies showed that IFN-treated and untreated monocytes could effectively compete with each other for binding sites on LAK cells. Furthermore, binding studies demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the number of conjugates formed by using either IFN-treated or untreated monocytes. This indicates that resistance to lysis induced by IFN treatment affects a post-binding event and not an initial recognition signal. From these studies, it was apparent that treatment of monocytes with IFN-gamma lessened their sensitivity to LAK-mediated lysis. Thus, it may be possible through a specific sequence of IFN-gamma and IL-2 treatment that LAK activity could be manipulated against some tumor cells, but not normal cells, to abrogate some of the toxicity seen with this type of cancer therapy.     

Effects of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-2 on ascites formation and the survival time of nude mice bearing human ovarian cancer cells

 The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of intraperitoneal (i.p.) instillations of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and/or interleukin-2 (IL-2) on ascites formation and the survival time of nude mice with malignant ascites, produced by i.p. inoculation of human ovarian cancer cells. When the nude mice were treated with medium alone, ascites was observed in all mice 28 days after tumor inoculation. When the mice were treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) alone, G-CSF alone or IL-2 alone, it took 35 days for the ascites to form in all mice. When cisplatin was combined with G-CSF or IL-2, one of ten mice did not form ascites during the observation period. Surprisingly, when G-CSF and IL-2 were simultaneously administered, ascites formation was not observed in any mice. Although i.p. treatment with cisplatin alone significantly prolonged the survival time, compared to medium alone, the lytic activity of spleen cells against HRA cells was significantly suppressed. When G-CSF or IL-2 was combined with cisplatin, the suppression by cisplatin was eliminated and subsequently resulted in a prolongation of the survival time. When G-CSF was combined with IL-2, both the peritoneal and splenic macrophages/monocytes were stimulated and the splenic lytic activity was about double that following treatment with G-CSF alone on IL-2 alone, suggesting that complete inhibition of ascites formation results not only from a significant increase of the peritoneal macrophages but also from enhancement of the lytic activity. Two mice, died from dissemination of tumor in the abdominal cavity, but eight mice survived without tumor for more than 90 days. As confirmed by monitoring body weight and hematocrit, G-CSF and IL-2 seemed to have no adverse effect. From these results, we conclude that a combination therapy with G-CSF and IL-2 might be of clinical use for inhibiting large amounts of ascites, which may inhibit therapeutic effects for ovarian cancer patients. Received: 20 May 1996 / Accepted: 19 September 1996     

Negatively charged RNase-susceptible molecules on the surface of ascites tumor cells

RNase-susceptible ionogenic groups on the cell surface membranes of two leukemic and two nonleukemic strains of ascites tumor cells were studied by cell electrophoresis, DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column and paper chromatography, and indirect membrane immunofluorescence. RNase treatment of the nonleukemic ascites tumor cells (Ehrlich ascites tumor and Sarcoma 180) produced a significant reduction in their electrophoretic mobilities. When the cells were labeled with [3H]uridine then incubated with RNase, there was a marked increased in the radioactive nucleotides present in the incubation medium as compared to the results of the experiment with RNase-untreated controls. Indirect membrane immunofluorescence studies of nonleukemic ascites tumor cells suggest that the sites that react with anti-RNA antibody are distributed diffusely on their surfaces. RNase treatment of these cells markedly reduced their ability to react with the antibody. It thus appears that RNAs are present on the surface membrane of nonleukemic ascites tumor cells and that RNase digests these RNAs, removing negatively charged nucleotides from their electrophoretic surfaces. This results in a reduction in mobility. In contrast, leukemic ascites cells (L1210 and C1498) incubated with RNase showed no significant change in mobility or in the amount of nucleotides released into the incubation medium. Moreover, no fluorescence was found on the surface of cells examined by indirect membrane immunofluorescence. This suggests that leukemic ascites cells are devoid of RNAs on their surface.     

Carrier-immobilized derivatized lysoganglioside GM1 is a ligand for specific binding sites in various human tumor cell types and peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes

Biotinylation of ganglioside-protein conjugates, derived from selective N-acylation of the sphingoid amino group of deacylated ganglioside GM1 or a ganglioside mixture, yielded probes to detect specific binding sites in fixed specimens. GM1-containing neoligandoprotein significantly bound to tumor cells in sections of 15 out of 16 cases of human lung cancer, while the probe, derived from the mixture, was ineffective under these conditions. The same graduation of staining was under identical conditions observed with these two probes on fixed human tumor cells and on peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes. Attempts of biochemical isolation of proteins, responsible for this binding capacity, from tumor cell extracts in the presence of the abundant endogenous ligands led to protein bands with apparent molecular weights of 44,000, 68,000 and 72,000 with yields of 0.1-0.24 micrograms/mg protein, after the detergent extracts had been passed over a resin, exposing gangliosides of the markedly less efficient mixture, to exclude binding by non-specific ionic or hydrophobic interactions.     

Amphotericin B (Fungizone®) enhancement of nitrogen mustard uptake by human tumor cells

In HT29 human colon carcinoma cells, amphotericin B at doses above 120μg/ml increased nitrogen mustard uptake, and this was due to an increase in the apparent V_max without a change in the apparent K_m. Longer incubations (24 to 48 hr) of ascites fluid human ovarian carcinoma cells or SKMES-1 human epidermoid carcinoma cells with amphotericin B 4μg/ml enhanced the uptake of nitrogen mustard to a greater degree than that observed when cells were incubated for only 30 min. Therefore, amphotericin B can enhance nitrogen mustard by human tumor cell lines and by fresh human tumor cells.     

Potent antitumor effects of combination therapy with IFNs and monocytes in mouse models of established human ovarian and melanoma tumors

Interferon-activated monocytes are known to exert cytocidal activity against tumor cells in vitro. Here, we have examined whether a combination of IFN-α2a and IFN-γ and human monocytes mediate significant antitumor effects against human ovarian and melanoma tumor xenografts in mouse models. OVCAR-3 tumors were treated i.t. with monocytes alone, IFN-α2a and IFN-γ alone or combination of all three on day 0, 15 or 30 post-tumor implantation. Mice receiving combination therapy beginning day 15 showed significantly reduced tumor growth and prolonged survival including complete regression in 40% mice. Tumor volumes measured on day 80 in mice receiving combination therapy (206 mm(3)) were significantly smaller than those of mice receiving the IFNs alone (1,041 mm(3)), monocytes alone (1,111 mm(3)) or untreated controls (1,728 mm(3)). Similarly, combination therapy with monocytes and IFNs of much larger tumor also inhibited OVCAR-3 tumor growth. Immunohistochemistry studies showed a large number of activated macrophages (CD31(+)/CD68(+)) infiltrating into OVCAR-3 tumors and higher densities of IL-12, IP10 and NOS2, markers of M1 (classical) macrophages in tumors treated with combination therapy compared to the controls. Interestingly, IFNs-activated macrophages induced apoptosis of OVCAR-3 tumor cells as monocytes alone or IFNs alone did not mediate significant apoptosis. Similar antitumor activity was observed in the LOX melanoma mouse model, but not as profound as seen with the OVCAR-3 tumors. Administration of either mixture of monocytes and IFN-α2a or monocytes and IFN-γ did not inhibit Lox melanoma growth; however, a significant inhibition was observed when tumors were treated with a mixture of monocytes, IFN-α2a and IFN-γ. These results indicate that monocytes and both IFN-α2a and IFN-γ may be required to mediate profound antitumor effect against human ovarian and melanoma tumors in mouse models.     

Induction of endogenous tumor necrosis factor by OK-432 in ovarian cancer patients with ascites

To four ovarian cancer patients with malignant ascites, 10 KE of OK-432 was intraperitoneally administered four times at 2 day intervals for priming, and 40 KE of OK-432 was given on the 13th day after the first injection for triggering. The changes in blood monocyte and peritoneal macrophage levels and the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) and ascitic lymphoid cells (ALCs) were examined. In the two patients in whom TNF was induced in the ascites, TNF production by BMCs and ALCs was noted during priming. After triggering, increases in both the number of peritoneal macrophages and TNF production by ALCs were noted. In the other two patients, in whom TNF was not detected in the ascites, the ratio of peritoneal macrophages to ALCs did not change throughout the study period, and TNF production by the ALCs was not augmented. These findings suggest that OK-432 can exert a primary effect on both peritoneal macrophages and blood monocytes, and that OK-432 triggering can promote an increase in primed peritoneal macrophages and the release of TNF from these cells.     

Cellular metabolic control by chemical modification of cell membrane.

Various reagents used in the chemical modification of amino- and carboxy-groups of proteins, and of carbohydrates of glycoproteins and glycolipids, inhibit respiration in ascites tumor cells concomitant with release of potassium ion from those cells. The respiratory activity of washed ascites tumor cells is increased by exogenous addition of potassium ion. The lowered respiratory control index as well as oxidative phosphorylation of aged mitochondria are restored upon increasing the potassium concentration of the incubation mixture in the presence of respiratory substrates. The data suggest that the potassium ion level of cells is changed by modifying physicochemical properties of membrane components and that cellular energy metabolism is regulated by intracellular potassium ion concentration.     

Effect of lowered intracellular ATP and GTP concentrations on purine ribonucleotide synthesis and interconversion.

The effects of lowered intracellular ATP and GTP concentrations on enzymes of purine ribonucleotide synthesis and intercoversion were studied using intact Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The apparent rates of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase (EC 2.7.6.1) and of inosinate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.14) were increased in cells containing lowered purine nucleotide concentrations, but apparent activities of amidophosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.14), the purine phosphoribosyltransferases, and other enzymes of purine ribonucleotide interconversion were not affected.     

Phospholipid metabolism in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. I. Turnover rate of phosphatidylinositol.

1. Radioactive precursors, 32 PI, [1-14C]glycerol, and [1-14C]acetate, were individually injected into the peritoneal cavity of mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumor, and the rates of incorporation into phospholipid fraction of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were estimated. Although no distinct difference in specific activities was observed between phosphatidylinositol and other phospholipid classes as regards the incorporation of [1-14C]acetate of [1-14C]glycerol, a higher rate of incorporation of 32Pi into phosphatidylinositol was observed. The specific activity of phosphatidylinositol reached more than ten times that of phosphatidylcholine in the first hour. 2. The radioactivities incorporated into the phospholipids of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and liver were estimated after simultaneous injection 32Pi and [2-3H]inositol. The incorporation of 32Pi into phosphatidylinositol of liver was similar in specific activity to those of other phospholipids. The ratio (3H/32Pi) of phosphatidylinositol only slightly in the ascites tumor cells, while an appreciable decrease of the ratio was observed in the liver during the first 3 hr. 3. These results suggest that phosphatidylinositol synthesis through pathways other than de novo synthesis is rapid in ascites tumor cells.     

Alterations in biosynthesis and homeostasis of cholesterol and in lipoprotein patterns in mice bearing a transplanted lymphoid tumor

The membrane fluidity of murine lymphoid GRSL tumor cells has been shown to depend on their site of growth in the host. Tumor cells located in ascites, in contrast to those in the enlarged spleen, show a very high plasma membrane fluidity, mainly due to a decreased level of cellular (membrane) cholesterol. Yet, the rate of cholesterol biosynthesis in the tumor cells as estimated by the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and the incorporation of [14C]acetate into cholesterol was extremely high when compared to various lymphoid cells in normal control mice. Also the rate of biosynthesis and the cholesterol content in liver and spleen of tumor-bearing mice were substantially higher than in the organs of control mice. Blood plasma cholesterol, however, was decreased in tumor-bearing mice as a result of altered lipoprotein patterns. Outgrowth of the tumor was accompanied by a strong reduction in plasma high-density lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins became transiently increased, but eventually all lipoproteins, and consequently the plasma cholesterol content decreased to very low levels, especially so in the ascites plasma. The low transfer of [14C]cholesteryl ester-labeled lipoproteins between blood and ascites plasma after either intravenous or intraperitoneal injection suggested a hampered flow between the two compartments. Also apparent differences in cholesteryl ester fatty acid composition between lipoproteins of the blood and ascites plasma indicated the lack of a rapid equilibration between the two compartments. The results suggest that the limited availability of lipoproteins as an additional source of cholesterol to the rapidly growing ascites cells promotes their high membrane fluidity.     

An attempt to separate mononuclear cells fused with human red blood cell-ghosts from a cell mixture treated with HVJ (Sendai virus) using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS II).

Nucleated cells (Ehrlich ascites tumor cells or L strain cells) and human red blood cells (RBC)-ghosts were mixed and fused by ultraviolet-inactivated HVJ (Sendai virus). The cell mixture was stained with FITC conjugated anti-RBC ghost antiserum and then applied to FACS II apparatus. The apparatus sorted mononuclear cells fused with RBC-ghosts from the cell mixture on the basis of both the light scattering and fluorescence profiles. When the same procedure was carried out on a mixture containing cells and intact human RBC, the cells sorted by this method were cells into which hemoglobin had been injected. The sorted cells were capable of forming colonies in culture. This sorting method may be useful for collecting cells in which macromolecules have been injected artificially by fusion of RBC-ghosts enclosing macromolecules.     

Tumoricidal adsorption of Staphylococcus aureus organisms on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells sensitized with rabbit antibody

A tumoricidal effect was observed when protein A-bearing Staphylococcus aureus organisms were adsorbed on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells previously sensitized with antiserum from a rabbit immunized with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Electron micrographs showed that staphylococci were firmly attached to the tumor cells, which might explain how effectively the attached cocci killed the tumor cells. The tumoricidal effect was confirmed not only by an in vitro experiment but also by an in vivo one. The possible applications of the tumoricidal adsorption as an indicator for staphylococcal virulence or for selective anti-tumor action was discussed.     

Eradication of microscopic hepatic metastases by active specific immunization

Strain-2 guinea pigs, each with microscopic deposits of line 10 hepatocarcinoma in the liver, were treated by ID immunization with a mixture of irradiated tumor cells and an oil-in-water emulsion containing cell walls of Mycobacterium bovis strain Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG CWE). Injection of line 10 hepatoma cells into the hepatic portal vein led to the development of tumor foci in the liver, metastasis in the hepatic lymph node, malignant ascites, and death. Active immunization using irradiated line 10 cells and BCG CWE was effective therapy when administered 1, 7, and 14 days after intraportal injection of line 10 cells. Effective immunization required both irradiated line 10 tumor cells and the BCG cell wall emulsion. Immunization with BCG CWE admixed with irradiated line 1 tumor cells, a hepatoma antigenically distinct from line 10, did not prevent outgrowth of line 10 deposits in the liver. Animals rendered free of disease could reject a challenge of line 10 tumor cells but not of line 1 tumor cells.     

Changes in the SH-group level and respiration during gamma- and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

In experiments on Ehrlich ascites tumor cells it was shown that lipid peroxidation induced by gamma-rays and Fe2+ ions was accompanied by a decrease in the endogenous SH-group content at early times after exposure (during 3-hour incubation). It was also established that no significant changes occurred in the oxygen uptake by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells depending on radiation dose of Fe2+ ion concentration. If cells were pre-kept under hypotonic conditions an additional decrease in cell respiration and SH-group content and activation of lipid peroxidation was noted.