High affinity ligand binding is not essential for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor activation.

The high affinity receptor of the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a heterodimer composed of two members of the cytokine receptor superfamily. GM-CSF binds to the alpha-subunit (GM-R alpha) with low affinity and to the receptor alpha beta complex (GM-R alpha beta) with high affinity. The GM-CSF.GM-R alpha beta complex is responsible for biological activity. Interactions of the N-terminal helix of mouse GM-CSF with mGM-R alpha beta were examined by introducing single alanine substitutions of hydrophilic residues in this region of mGM-CSF. The consequences of these substitutions were evaluated by receptor binding and biological assays. Although all mutant proteins exhibited near wild-type biological activity, most were defective in high affinity receptor binding. In particular, substitution of Glu-21 with alanine abrogated high affinity binding leaving low affinity binding unaffected. Despite near wild-type biological activity, no detectable binding interaction of this mutant with mGM-R beta in the context of mGM-R alpha beta was observed. Cross-linking studies showed an apparent interaction of this mutant protein with mGM-R alpha beta. The deficient receptor binding characteristics and near wild-type biological activity of this mutant protein demonstrate that mGM-CSF receptor activation can occur independently of high affinity binding, suggesting that conformational changes in the receptor induced by mGM-CSF binding generate an active ligand-receptor complex.     

Synergistic activation of human monocytes by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IFN-gamma. Increased TNF-alpha but not IL-1 activity

TNF-alpha and IL-1 activities and PGE2 levels were investigated in the supernatants of highly purified human monocytes cultured for 18 h with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF). GM-CSF alone did not stimulate IL-1 or TNF-alpha activities or the production of PGE2. GM-CSF with IFN-gamma, but not with LPS, consistently activated the monocytes for TNF-alpha activity. In contrast, for increased IL-1 activity, GM-CSF synergized weakly and irregularly with LPS, but not at all with IFN-gamma. For the third monocyte product investigated, GM-CSF was a weak and inconsistent inducer of PGE2 and only in the co-presence of IFN-gamma. Thus, GM-CSF can elicit different responses in human monocytes depending both on the co-stimulus as well as the monocyte product being investigated.     

Clinical applications of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor that stimulates myeloid cell proliferation and maturation and enhances the function of terminally differentiated effector cells. Phase I and II clinical trials have demonstrated mild to moderate toxicities at doses of less than 30 micrograms/kg/day. These studies suggest a potential role for this growth factor to stimulate myelopoiesis in patients with aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, AIDS, chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression, chronic neutropenia, and following bone marrow transplantation. The potential clinical uses of GM-CSF will depend on results of studies designed to optimize its therapeutic efficacy.     

Apolipoprotein E mediates binding of normal very low density lipoprotein to heparin but is not required for high affinity receptor binding

The relationship between the cholesteryl ester content of normal human very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and its ability to bind to apolipoprotein E (apoE), heparin, and the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor have been compared. Plasma VLDL were separated by heparin affinity chromatography into two fractions: one with apoE and one without. Both fractions had the same cholesteryl ester content relative to apolipoprotein B (apoB). LDL, on the other hand, had a greater cholesteryl ester content. VLDL were modified by lipolysis to express the ability to bind apoE (Ishikawa, Y., Fielding, C. J., and Fielding, P. E. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 2744-2749). Lipolyzed VLDL with or without apoE were compared for their ability to bind to heparin or the up-regulated fibroblast LDL receptor. Lipolyzed VLDL bound with the same affinity to the receptor whether or not the particles contained apoE. ApoB, not apoE, appears then to be the important ligand for normal VLDL. On the other hand, modified VLDL without apoE, even though binding to the LDL receptor, did not bind to heparin. These data suggest that apoE mediates heparin binding in normal VLDL, that apoB mediates receptor binding, and that the cholesteryl ester content of VLDL is not a factor in the induction of the ability to bind apoE.     

Structure-function studies of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Identification of residues required for activity

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (hGM CSF), a protein containing 127 amino acids, was chemically synthesized by using automated stepwise solid-phase methods. The unpurified synthetic hGM-CSF had the same range of actions on hemopoietic cells as the purified recombinant protein. The structural requirements for the activities of synthetic hGM-CSF were examined by the design and synthesis of fragments and analogs. The synthetic fragment, hGM-CSF (54-127), containing all four of the cysteine residues found in the intact protein, lacked detectable activity. Assays of fragments shortened at the N terminus showed that the residues 1-13 were not required for activity, but that the integrity of residues 14-25, particularly residues 16, 17, and 18, was critical for biologic activity. The 14-25 region is predicted to form the first alpha-helix in hGM-CSF. Synthetic peptides within the N-terminal 53 residue region lacked detectable activity. The synthetic analog hGM-CSF (1-121), which lacks the C-terminal 6 residues, had similar activity to hGM-CSF (1-127) indicating that residues 122-127 are not required for activity. An analog, [Ala88] hGM-CSF (14-96), which lacks the hydrophobic C-terminal region and 2 cysteine residues, had low but readily detectable activity suggesting that residues 14-96 are sufficient for detectable synthetic hGM-CSF activity, although the presence of residues 97-121 are required for full activity. No dissociation of the multiple biological activities of hGM-CSF was detected.     

Three-dimensional structure of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

The crystal structure of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) has been determined at 2.8 A resolution using multiple isomorphous replacement techniques. There are two molecules in the crystallographic asymmetric unit, which are related by an approximate non-crystallographic 2-fold axis. The overall structure is highly compact and globular with a predominantly hydrophobic core. The main structural feature of rhGM-CSF is a four alpha-helix bundle, which represents approximately 42% of the structure. The helices are arranged in a left-handed antiparallel bundle with two overhand connections. Within the connections is a two-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet. The tertiary structure of rhGM-CSF has a topology similar to that of porcine growth factor and interferon-beta. Most of the proposed critical regions for receptor binding are located on a continuous surface at one end of the molecule that includes the C terminus.     

Interleukin-10 contributes development of macrophage suppressor activities by macrophage colony-stimulating factor, but not by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Macrophages are known to possess suppressor activities in immune responses. To determine the effects of GM-CSF and M-CSF on the expression of macrophage suppressor activities, monocyte-derived macrophages cultured with GM-CSF (GM-Mphis) were compared with those cultured with M-CSF (M-Mphis) for antigen-specific proliferation and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by lymphocytes. Both GM-Mphis and M-Mphis equally suppressed lymphocyte proliferation, but only M-Mphis suppressed IFN-gamma production in response to purified protein derivative (PPD). M-Mphis, but not GM-Mphis, released IL-10 not only in the course of macrophage differentiation but also in response to PPD after maturation to macrophages. From the results that (i) exogenous IL-10 suppressed IFN-gamma production, but not proliferation of lymphocytes, and that (ii) neutralizing antibody to IL-10 reversed suppressor activities of M-Mphis on IFN-gamma production, but not lymphocyte proliferation, it appeared that IL-10 was the major factor responsible for suppression of IFN-gamma production. Thus, these results suggest that only M-CSF augments IL-10-dependent suppressor activity of macrophages on IFN-gamma production and that both GM-CSF and M-CSF induce IL-10-independent macrophage suppressor activity on lymphocyte proliferation.     

Expression cloning of a receptor for human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Two cDNA clones encoding a receptor for human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF-R) were isolated by expression screening of a library made from human placental mRNA. Pools of recombinant plasmid DNA were electroporated into COS cells which were then screened for their capacity to bind radioiodinated hGM-CSF using a sensitive microscopic autoradiographic approach. The cloned GM-CSF-R precursor is a 400 amino acid polypeptide (Mr 45,000) with a single transmembrane domain, a glycosylated extracellular domain and a short (54 amino acids) intracytoplasmic tail. It does not contain a tyrosine kinase domain nor show homology with members of the immunoglobulin super gene family, but does show some significant sequence homologies with receptors for several other haemopoietic growth factors, including those for interleukin-6, erythropoietin and interleukin-2 (beta-chain) and also to the prolactin receptor. When transfected into COS cells the cloned cDNA directed the expression of a GM-CSF-R showing a single class of affinity (KD = 2(-8) nM) and specificity for human GM-CSF but not interleukin-3. Messenger RNA coding for this receptor was detected in a variety of haemopoietic cells known to display hGM-CSF binding, and cross-linking experiments revealed a similar size for the glycosylated receptors in transfected COS and haemopoietic cells.     

Optimization of the refolding of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor immobilized on affinity sorbent

A method for the production and purification of biologically active recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF), expressed in Escherichia coli, has been developed. Washing of an inclusion body fraction which allows the removal of numerous ballast proteins and on-column refolding of rhGM-CSF are specific characteristics of the method. The refolding efficiency reached 70%; the purity of the preparation constituted 95%. The biological activity was similar to those of other recombinant hGM-CSF analogs.     

The N terminus of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus G protein-coupled receptor is necessary for high affinity chemokine binding but not for constitutive activity.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) contains a gene encoding a G protein-coupled receptor (KSHV-GPCR) that is homologous to mammalian chemokine receptors. KSHV-GPCR signals constitutively (in an agonist-independent manner) via the phosphoinositide-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate pathway. Because it has been proposed that the N terminus (N-TERM) of other GPCRs may act as tethered agonists, we determined whether the N-TERM of KSHV-GPCR is necessary for constitutive signaling activity or ligand binding, or both. We show that replacement of the entire N-TERM of KSHV-GPCR with those of two other GPCRs, deletion of residues within the N-TERM, and disruption of a putative disulfide bond that may hold the N-TERM in close proximity to extracellular loop 3 do not affect constitutive signaling activity but decrease chemokine binding. There were differences in the effects of mutation of the N-TERM on binding of the chemokines growth-related oncogene alpha, which is an agonist, and interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10, which is an inverse agonist. The effects on chemokine binding were accompanied by changes in chemokine regulation of KSHV-GPCR signaling. We conclude that the N-TERM is not necessary for constitutive KSHV-GPCR signaling, i.e. the N-TERM is not a tethered agonist, but plays a crucial role in binding of chemokine ligands and of chemokine regulation of KSHV-GPCR signaling.     

Requirement of hydrophilic amino-terminal residues for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor bioactivity and receptor binding.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a glycoprotein required for the proliferation and differentiation of granulocyte and macrophage precursors. Previous investigations have identified regions in human and murine GM-CSF that are required for bioactivity. In the present study, alanine substitution mutagenesis was undertaken to define more precisely specific amino-terminal residues in murine GM-CSF that are involved in bioactivity and receptor binding. Five double alanine mutants were identified that showed at least 10-fold reductions in bioactivity (K14AK20A, K14AE21A, H15AK20A, H15AE21A, K20AE21A). Each of these mutants maintained a normal N-linked glycosylation pattern when expressed in COS-1 cells, suggesting that native polypeptide backbone conformation was preserved. The purified prokaryotic expression products of two mutants (K14AE21A and H15AE21A) had a 100-fold decrease in bioactivity and a decrease in receptor binding, indicating that the side chains of K14, H15, and E21 are required for optimal receptor binding and maximal bioactivity.     

IL-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor selectively increase HLA-DR and HLA-DP antigens but not HLA-DQ antigens on human monocytes

A number of cytokines were tested for their ability to modulate HLA-DR Ag expression on normal human monocytes. IL-4, granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF as well as IFN-gamma were able to increase HLA-DR Ag expression on monocytes. IFN-alpha was also able to augment HLA-DR Ag expression, but to a lesser degree. Macrophage-CSF, granulocyte-CSF, TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, and IL-6 were not able to augment HLA-DR Ag expression. There were distinct patterns in the ability of different cytokines to augment class II histocompatibility Ag expression. IL-4 and GM-CSF selectively increased only HLA-DR and HLA-DP, but did not increase HLA-DQ antigens on monocytes. IFN-gamma, however, was able to augment the expression of HLA-DR, HLA-DP, and HLA-DQ Ag. Combinations of IFN-gamma with either IL-4 or GM-CSF did not show any synergy for the augmentation of any of the class II antigens on monocytes.     

The DXD motif is required for GM2 synthase activity but is not critical for nucleotide binding

We tested the importance of the aspartate-any residue-aspartate (DXD) motif for the enzymatic activity and nucleotide binding capacity of the Golgi glycosyltransferase GM2 synthase. We prepared point mutations of the motif, which is found in the sequence 352-VLWVDDDFV, and analyzed cells that stably expressed the mutated proteins. Whereas the folding of the mutated proteins was not seriously disrupted as judged by assembly into homodimers, Golgi localization, and secretion of a soluble form of the enzyme, exchange of the highly conserved aspartic acid residues at position 356 or 358 with alanine or asparagine reduced enzyme activity to background levels. In contrast, the D356E and D357N mutations retained weak activity, while the activity of V352A and W354A mutants was 167% and 24% that of wild-type enzyme, respectively. Despite the major effect of the DXD motif on enzymatic activity, nucleotide binding was not altered in the triple mutant D356N/D357N/D358N as revealed by binding to UDP-beads and labeling with the photoaffinity reagent, P(3)-(4-azidoanilido)uridine 5'-triphosphate (AAUTP). In summary, rather than being critical for nucleotide binding, this motif may function during catalysis in GM2 synthase, as has been proposed elsewhere for the SpsA glycosyltransferase based on its crystal structure.     

Characterization of a cell-type-restricted negative regulatory activity of the human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene.

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulates the proliferation and maturation of normal myeloid progenitor cells and can also stimulate the growth of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) blasts. GM-CSF is not normally produced by resting cells but is expressed by a variety of activated cells including T lymphocytes, macrophages, and certain cytokine-stimulated fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Production of GM-CSF by cultured AML cells has been demonstrated, and GM-CSF expression by normal myeloid progenitors has been postulated to play a role in myelopoiesis. We have investigated the regulation of expression of GM-CSF in AML cell lines, and our results demonstrate the presence of a strong constitutive promoter element contained within 53 bp upstream of the cap site. We have also identified a negative regulatory element located immediately upstream of the positive regulatory element (within 69 bp of the cap site) that is active in AML cell lines but not T cells or K562 CML cells. Competition transfection and mobility shift studies demonstrate that this activity correlates with binding of a 45-kDa protein.     

Levels of human serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor under pathological conditions

Levels of serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in patients with various leukocyte disorders were estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Some cases of acute myelogenous leukemia and aplastic anemia showed elevated serum levels of G-CSF and/or GM-CSF, whereas almost all of 23 healthy controls showed G-CSF and GM-CSF levels lower than 100 pg/ml. High levels of both types of CSF were noted in patients with granulocytosis due to infection. These levels became lower after resolution of the infection. Daily changes in serum CSF levels were also examined in a patient with autoimmune neutropenia, and it was found that the peripheral neutrophilic granulocyte count changed almost in parallel with the serum G-CSF level but not with GM-CSF, following the pattern with a delay of about 4–5 h, suggesting the possibility that G-CSF mainly regulates peripheral neutrophil circulation.     

Characterization of the soluble human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor complex.

The human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor (GM-R) is expressed on both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues. Although the receptor has been identified by cross-linking studies as an 84,000-dalton protein, very little is known about its biochemistry. In this report, we describe a soluble binding assay for the human GM-R which allowed us to characterize the receptor complex from various sources, including plasma membranes of placenta, neutrophils, and human myeloid leukemia cell lines. Preparation of membranes as well as solubilization by Triton X-100 and N-octylglucoside resulted in a 5-10-fold lower affinity of the receptor for GM-CSF. The Kd decreased from 20 to 80 pM in intact cells to 200-500 pM in both intact and solubilized membranes. Binding in solution was rapid, specific for GM-CSF, and best fit a "one-site" model with an approximate Kd of 500 pM. The dissociation rate constant for the soluble GM-R was very similar to that of intact cells (k2 = 0.013 min-1 versus 0.017 min-1, respectively). As expected, solubilized membranes obtained from those cells expressing the highest number of GM-R (neutrophils and dimethyl sulfoxide-induced HL-60 cells; approximately 500-800 sites/cell) possessed the highest concentration of soluble GM-R (approximately 2-3 x 10(8) GM-R/micrograms). Cross-linking of 125I-GM-CSF to soluble GM-R resulted in the appearance of two specifically labeled complexes. A major 110-kDa receptor-ligand complex is found when cross-linking is performed with intact cells; both 110- and 200-kDa species are seen when cross-linking is performed with either intact membranes or soluble GM-R. These studies define methods by which intact GM-R can be solubilized and measured in solution, permitting a more complete biochemical characterization of the intact GM-R complex.     

The repeated sequence CATT(A/T) is required for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor promoter activity.

The hematopoietic growth factor GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) is expressed by activated but not resting T lymphocytes. Previously, we localized GM-CSF-inducible promoter activity to a 90-bp region of GM-CSF 5'-flanking sequences extending from bp -53 to +37. To more precisely identify the GM-CSF DNA sequences required for inducible promoter activity in T lymphocytes, we have performed mutagenesis within a region of GM-CSF 5'-flanking sequences (bp -57 to -24) that contains the repeated sequence CATT(A/T). Mutations that do not alter the repeated CATT(A/T) sequence do not eliminate inducible promoter activity, whereas mutation or deletion of either of the CATT(A/T) repeats eliminates all inducible promoter activity in T-cell lines and in primary human T lymphocytes. Thus, both copies of the direct repeat CATT(A/T) are required for mitogen-inducible expression of GM-CSF in T cells.     

Evidence that histidine-163 is critical for catalytic activity, but not for substrate binding to Escherichia coli agmatinase.

Agmatinase (agmatine ureohydrolase, EC 3.5.3.11) from Escherichia coli was inactivated by diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) and illumination in the presence of Rose bengal. Protection against photoinactivation was afforded by the product putrescine, and the dissociation constant of the enzyme-protector complex (12 mM) was essentially equal to the K(i) value for this compound acting as a competitive inhibitor of agmatine hydrolysis. Upon mutation of His163 by phenylalanine, the agmatinase activity was reduced to 3-5% of wild-type activity, without any change in K(m) for agmatine or K(i) for putrescine inhibition. The mutant was insensitive to DEPC and dye-sensitized inactivations. We conclude that His163 plays an important role in the catalytic function of agmatinase, but it is not directly involved in substrate binding.     

Stimulation and priming of human neutrophils by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor: qualitative and quantitative differences.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) increased neutrophil C3bi-receptor expression and adherence and rapidly (less than 10 min) primed neutrophils to enhanced O2- release and membrane depolarization stimulated by chemotactic peptide. Direct triggering of O2- release in suspended neutrophils was also provoked by GM-CSF but not by G-CSF. GM-CSF-induced O2- release was inhibited by cyclic AMP agonists and cytochalasin B. The biological activity was greater in non-glycosylated GM-CSF than in glycosylated GM-CSF, whereas it was identical in glycosylated and non-glycosylated G-CSFs. Direct stimulation and priming by GM-CSF were consistently greater than those by G-CSF and the combined addition of the optimal concentrations of G-CSF and GM-CSF resulted in the effects of GM-CSF alone. These findings indicate that the effects of G-CSF and GM-CSF on neutrophil functions are qualitatively and quantitatively different from each other.