The 230-kDa gamete surface protein of Plasmodium falciparum is also a target for transmission-blocking antibodies

Immunization with extracellular sexual stages of the malaria parasites can induce the production of antibodies which block the development of the parasites in the midgut of a mosquito after a blood meal. We have generated a number of monoclonal antibodies against gametes and zygotes of the human malaria Plasmodium falciparum. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reacting with a 230-kDa gamete surface protein (mAb 1B3 and 2B4 both isotype IgG2a) were found to block transmission of P. falciparum to mosquitoes. Blocking was complement dependent and this was verified in vitro by the rapid lysis of newly formed gametes and zygotes in the presence of the mAb and active complement. Both mAb reacted by immunofluorescence with the surface of gametes and zygotes from isolates of P. falciparum from various geographical areas. Each mAb immunoprecipitated a 230-kDa protein from 125I-labeled surface proteins of newly formed gametes and zygotes and immunoblotted a protein doublet of about molecular mass 260 and 230 kDa from gametocytes and gametes of P. falciparum. Only the 230-kDa protein is expressed on the surface of newly formed macrogametes and zygotes. The 230-kDa gamete surface protein forms a molecular complex with two proteins of 48 and 45 kDa. The 48- and 45-kDa gamete surface proteins have previously been shown to be targets of mAb which block infectivity of P. falciparum to mosquitoes. The present study now demonstrates that antibodies against the 230-kDa gamete surface protein block transmission of P. falciparum to mosquitoes. The 230-kDa gamete protein is thus a potential candidate for a gamete vaccine.     

Suppression of anti-mouse immunoglobulin antibodies in subhuman primates receiving murine monoclonal antibodies against T cell antigens

Murine monoclonal antibodies stimulate the production of human anti-mouse immunoglobulin antibodies (AMIA) when administered to patients. This limits their long-term usefulness as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. We report the use of three maneuvers to suppress AMIA against T cell-specific monoclonal antibodies in cynomolgus monkeys. Twelve monkeys received daily i.v. infusions of 1 mg each of anti-Leu-2a, -3a, and -5 on days 1 through 10. One group (control) received no suppressive regimen. The second group received cyclosporine, 12.5 mg/kg daily on days -7 to +14. The third group (PI) were passively immunized with 0.4 ml of hyperimmune monkey AMIA serum on days -7, -1, 2, 4, 6, and 8. The fourth group (TLI) received 1700 rad fractionated total lymphoid irradiation ending on day -1. The animals treated with TLI were markedly delayed in the onset of AMIA, which was suppressed to less than 1% of the control group. The AMIA specific for the constant region of animals receiving PI was also suppressed to one-third of control. The majority of the AMIA in all the animals was anti-idiotypic and wholly anti-idiotypic in the TLI animals.     

Studies on the mechanism of T cell inhibition by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa phenazine pigment pyocyanine

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its products have been shown to inhibit mitogen-induced human lymphocyte blastogenesis as measured by [3H]TdR uptake. The phenazine pigment pyocyanine has been identified as one of the inhibitors present in cellfree culture supernatants. To determine the mechanism of the inhibitory action of pyocyanine, we studied its effect on the early stages of T cell activation. Pyocyanine inhibited lymphocyte stimulation induced by specific antigens, the lectin concanavalin A and the calcium ionophore, ionomycin, suggesting that its inhibitory effect is not dependent on interference with the T cell antigen receptor complex itself. Using quin-2, we showed that pyocyanine did not interfere with the mitogen-induced increase in cytosolic-free Ca2+. We also showed that pyocyanine did not interfere with the function of calmodulin stimulated Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase activity, indicating that the mechanism of action of pyocyanine differs from that of the structurally related phenothiazine compounds. Analysis of IL 2 production and IL 2 receptor expression clearly showed that pyocyanine inhibits the production of this essential lymphokine as well as the expression of IL 2 receptors on the T cell membrane. This inhibition is dose dependent and not due to cellular toxicity. There was parallel inhibition of growth in cell volume as well as [3H]TdR uptake. Thus, our results demonstrate that pyocyanine inhibits T cell proliferation by decreasing the production of the critical lymphokine IL 2 and by decreasing the expression of the IL 2 receptor. Local suppression of lymphocyte stimulation by phenazine pigments such as pyocyanine may interfere with cellular immune responses that may be necessary for eradication of chronic infection with P. aeruginosa.     

Reaction of T lymphocytes with anti-T3 induces translocation of C-kinase activity to the membrane and specific substrate phosphorylation

Reaction of the T cell membrane with monoclonal antibodies to T3 can initiate cellular activation, and this is associated with increased intracellular Ca2+ and inositol-trisphosphate (IP3) release. We therefore studied the possible involvement of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent kinase (C-kinase) in these phenomena. Quantitative assays of exogenous substrate phosphorylation in unstimulated cells showed Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent kinase activity in the cytosol, but no comparable activity in the particulate fractions corresponding to membrane and cytoskeleton material. At concentrations of soluble anti-T3 that partially activate T cells in the absence of macrophages, there was a 50 to 60% decrease in C-kinase activity in the cytosol, with a comparable increase in activity in the membrane fraction. A similar transfer of activity was also induced with the known C-kinase activator, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, although redistribution was more rapid in onset, more complete, and more sustained. Redistribution of enzyme activity was additionally confirmed by qualitative assays of endogenous substrate phosphorylation. Labeling of intact cells followed by immunoprecipitation analysis with anti-T3 indicated signal-dependent phosphorylation of two components of the T3 complex and an unidentified 94,000 substrate that was resistant to reduction and alkylation. These findings are consistent with an important role for C-kinase in transduction of membrane events by the T3-Ti complex.     

Modulation of Bradykinin-Induced Inositol Trisphosphate Release in a Novel Neuroblastoma X Dorsal Root Ganglion Sensory Neuron Cell Line (F-11)

In the mouse neuroblastoma x dorsal root ganglion hybrid cell line F-11, bradykinin receptor stimulation induced the release of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and inositol-1,4-bisphosphate (IP2). Maximal stimulation of [2-3H]IP3 and [2-3H]IP2 release by bradykinin in the absence of LiCl occurred at 7 (or less) and 15 s, respectively, with average levels of 5.7-(IP3) and 3.4-(IP2) fold of control values. The EC50 for bradykinin was 33 +/- 5 nM. IP3 and IP2 concentrations returned to basal levels approximately 1 min after bradykinin addition. Bradykinin-induced IP3 release was blocked by several novel bradykinin analogues. In particular, [D-Arg0]-Hyp3-Thi5,8-[D-Phe7]-bradykinin [Hyp, hydroxyproline; Thi, beta-(2-thienyl)-L-alanine] blocked IP3 production in a dose-dependent fashion. Several of these analogues alone showed little or no agonist activity. The bradykinin receptor may be coupled to phospholipase C via a GTP-sensitive protein (Gi or Go), as preincubation for 18-20 h with pertussis toxin decreased IP3 concentrations by 45%. Bradykinin is also known to modulate the concentrations of other second messengers in neurons, increasing the concentrations of Ca2+, diacylglycerol (DG), and cyclic GMP and decreasing the concentration of cyclic AMP. These second messengers modulated bradykinin-dependent IP3 release to varying degrees. A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore, produced a 37% decrease in IP3 concentration. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, which mimics the effects of DG and activates protein kinase C, inhibited IP3 release by 80%. Dibutyryl cyclic GMP produced little or no inhibition of IP3. [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]Enkephalin (DADLE), an opioid peptide that decreases cyclic AMP concentrations, likewise had no effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Conformation of Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly bound in the active site of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate dependent protein kinase

Studies utilizing NMR spectroscopy have shown that adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) probably binds Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly (peptide 1) in one of two extended coil conformations (A or B). The relative reactivities of a series of N-methylated peptides based on the structure of peptide 1 might, therefore, be related to how well each can assume the A or B conformation. From estimates of the magnitude of steric interactions that would be induced by N-methylation of an amide in peptide 1 that is locked in either conformation, the ability of each peptide to form that conformation was predicted. The ability of A-kinase to catalyze phosphorylation of the N-methylated peptides correlated well with the ability of each peptide to form conformation A, but not conformation B. In accord with these findings, the reactivity of an unreactive N-methylated peptide was partially restored by a second change, which allowed the peptide to assume conformation A. These results suggest that, when bound in the enzymatic active site, peptide 1 has a conformation that resembles structure A much more closely than structure B.     

Serum lipids and lipoproteins in the atherosclerosis prone LA/N corpulent rat

The LA/N rat is one of two congenic strains bred from the original obese, hyperphagic and hypertensive rats of Koletsky. With the exception of hypertension the LA/N strain, when homozygous for the corpulent gene, is phenotypically similar to the parent Koletsky strain and prone to the development of vascular and myocardial lesions. Here we report a detailed analysis of the serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins B, E and A-I levels in young adult homozygous corpulent (cp/cp) rats of both sexes and in lean males of the same age which were demonstrable non-carriers (+/+) of the cp gene. Both male and female cp/cp rats were hypertriglyceridemic (282-512 mg/100 ml) and moderately hypercholesterolemic (74-84 mg/100 ml). Elevations in these lipids reflected the presence of large (622 A), triacylglycerol-rich and apoprotein-poor VLDL containing both apolipoproteins Bh and B1 and increased phospholipid-rich HDL. Similar, but less pronounced, elevations in serum apolipoproteins B and E in the cp/cp rats when compared to the +/+ animals were also noted. Apolipoproteins A-I levels were 2.7-3-fold higher in cp/cp rats. The levels of VLDL were significantly higher in female cp/cp rats; however, the levels of IDL (intermediate-density lipoproteins), LDL and HDL were significantly lower than in the more atherosclerosis prone male cp/cp rats. Similarly, apolipoprotein A-I was higher and apolipoprotein B lower in the male cp/cp than in the female cp/cp rats. The LDL (d = 1.030-1.063 g/ml) in cp/cp rats, like that in normal animals, was heterogeneous and contained apolipoproteins Bh, E, A-I and C. This fraction was significantly elevated in male cp/cp rats when compared to females but still represented less than 13% of the total serum cholesterol and less than 6% of the total serum lipids in 3-month-old cp/cp animals. The ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids was significantly lower for all lipoproteins in cp/cp rats when compared to +/+ males and these ratios for female cp/cp rats were in all cases lower than those of male cp/cp animals.     

Determination of the source of immunoreactive relaxin in the cat

We have recently reported the secretory profile of relaxin throughout gestation in the cat. Because the appearance of relaxin begins at about Day 20 (Day O = ovulation) and because implantation begins shortly before this at Days 13-14, we hypothesized that relaxin was of feto-placental origin. To test this hypothesis, we used 4 experimental groups: 1) Control (laparotomy-only at Day 23 or 42, n = 4); 2) Early Ovariectomy (Ovx, bilateral ovariectomy between Days 23 and 26, n = 4); 3) Late Ovx (bilateral ovariectomy between Days 40 and 44, n = 4); 4) Tissue Removal (removal of feto-placental units, uterus, and one ovary on Days 16, 21, 28 and 35, n = 1 per day). Pregnancies were maintained in both Ovx groups by progesterone administration. Relaxin secretory patterns in Ovx groups were similar to the Control data. Relaxin was detectable in plasma beginning at about Day 20, with maximum concentrations reached by Day 30. Relaxin concentrations were highest (immunoactivity per mg tissue) in homogenates of placental tissues as compared to luteal, fetal, or uterine tissues. Altogether, these data indicate that the feto-placental unit is the source of relaxin in the cat.     

Variation in Male Fertilities and Pairwise Mating Probabilities in Picea glauca

Frequencies of multilocus male gametes in seeds collected from clones in several blocks of a white spruce seed orchard were analyzed as part of a 2-yr study of mating system variation in this species. Observed frequencies of male gamete types departed significantly from those expected assuming equal male fertilities among clones. Male gamete frequencies in seed crops were significantly heterogeneous among clones within blocks, and among blocks within clones. Clonal male fertilities were estimated from male gamete frequency data. These estimates were highly skewed, with a small proportion of the clones contributing male gametes to the majority of the seed. The estimates were significantly heterogeneous among clones within blocks, and among blocks within clones. Between-year variation in clonal male fertilities was also pronounced, with male fertilities of some clones changing by as much as three orders of magnitude. Clonal male fertility was significantly correlated with clonal male cone production in both years. These results are important with regard to assumptions made for the estimation of general combining ability, average genetic correlation among progeny from single parents, and expected response to selection in open-pollinated plant populations.     

Cyclic glucans produced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens are substituted with sn-1-phosphoglycerol residues

In a previous study (Miller, K.J., Kennedy, E.P. and Reinhold, V.N. (1986) Science 231, 48-51) it was reported that the biosynthesis of periplasmic cyclic beta-1,2-glucans by Agrobacterium tumefaciens is strictly osmoregulated in a pattern closely similar to that found for the membrane-derived oligosaccharides of Escherichia coli (Kennedy, E.P. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79, 1092-1095). In addition to the well-characterized neutral cyclic glucan, the periplasmic glucans were found to contain an anionic component not previously reported. Biosynthesis of the anionic component is osmotically regulated in a manner indistinguishable from that of the neutral cyclic beta-1,2-glucan. We now find that the anionic component consists of cyclic beta-1,2-glucans substituted with one or more sn-1-phosphoglycerol residues. The presence of sn-1-phosphoglycerol residues represents an additional, striking similarity to the membrane-derived oligosaccharides of E. coli.