Structure and function of the interleukin 2 receptor: affinity conversion model

We cloned cDNAs of the human and mouse IL-2 receptors. Comparison of their structures allowed us to identify several conserved regions localized to exons 2 and 4, the cytoplasmic portion and the transmembrane portion. These regions might be important for the functions of the IL-2 receptor. The human IL-2 receptor, which was expressed on an IL-2-dependent murine T-cell line, CTLL-2, by cDNA transfection, was shown to be functionally active by blocking the endogenous mouse IL-2 receptor with monoclonal antibodies. On the other hand, the human IL-2 receptors expressed on non-lymphoid cells were functionally inactive. They were unable to mediate the growth signal, were of low affinity species and aberrant in internalization. We postulated that the dysfunction of the IL-2 receptors in non-lymphoid cells would be due to the absence of the putative converter protein which is expressed specifically in lymphoid cells. Since the human IL-2 receptor is active in the murine T cell, the converter may interact with the receptor at the portions conserved between man and mouse. We proposed the affinity conversion model that explained the high affinity state of the receptor by the ternary complex formation between IL-2, the IL-2 receptor and the converter.

The effect of trypsin on the growth and infectivity of human rotavirus

The effect of trypsin on the infectivity of human rotavirus (HRV) was examined using HRV strains that are cultivable only when treated with trypsin. Their infectivity in cell culture systems was enhanced in relation to enzyme concentration. The primary effect of trypsin appeared to be on the virus. Trypsin untreated HRV virions were capable of being adsorbed on the cell (MA104) but not of passing into it without trypsin. For multiple cycles of replication the presence of trypsin in the maintenance medium was required.

Variants of a human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1): induction of differentiation by retinoic acid, interferon-gamma, and T-lymphocyte-derived differentiation-inducing activity

Induction of terminal differentiation of two variant sublines derived from the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 by all-trans-beta-retinoic acid (RA) was studied. One of the variants was approximately 10 times more resistant to RA and the other, approximately 10 times more sensitive than the parent THP-1. Differentiation of the RA-resistant variant could be induced by immune interferon (IFN-gamma) and a T-lymphocyte-derived lymphokine of a differentiation-inducing activity (DIA), alone or in combination with 10 nM RA. These induced cells showed many of functional monocyte and/or macrophage characteristics, such as superoxide anion production, phagocytosis, and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. RA suppressed the expression of Fc receptors, phagocytosis, and 5'-nucleotidase activity of the resistant cells, although not the expression of the sensitive variant. These results indicate that RA-resistant cells can be fully induced to differentiate by the combination of RA and IFN-gamma or DIA.

Antitumor effect of a synthetic cord factor, 6,6'-di-O-decanoyl-alpha,alpha-trehalose (SS554), in mice

The antitumor effect on Meth-A fibrosarcoma in BALB/c mice of a synthetic cord factor, 6,6'-di-O-decanoyl-alpha,alpha-trehalose (designated as SS554), was examined. Only intratumoral injection had a curative effect; subcutaneous, per oral, or intravenous routes had no such effect. The co-presence of an oily vehicle has been shown to be necessary for antitumor activity of a natural cord factor. When SS554 was examined in suspensions of sesame oil, squalane, squalene or sesame oil and water emulsion, a 60% cure rate was achieved. However, no such effect was obtained with a suspension in Tween-PBS or a solution. It should also be noted that sequential but independent administrations of SS554 and oil were found to be as effective as the simultaneous administration of oil and SS554 in emulsion form. In the case of the emulsion, the amount of sesame oil necessary was over 10%, or 0.01 ml in absolute terms. Cures were obtained in a dose-dependent manner by injection of SS554 in amounts in excess of 1 mg. The effect of the time of administration was also examined; the best result was obtained when intratumoral injection was done on day 3 after tumor implantation. Mice cured by SS554 exhibited growth inhibition and rejection of rechallenged Meth-A cells. However, this immunity was specific; it did not extend to a rechallenge with RLmale-1 leukemia cells.

[Antitumor effect of a synthetic cord factor, 6,6'-di-O-decanoyl-alpha, alpha-trehalose (SS 554) in mice]

The antitumor effect of a synthetic cord factor (6, 6'-Di-O-decanoyl-alpha, alpha-trehalose) (SS 554) on the growth of Meth-A fibrosarcoma in BALB/c mice was examined. With regard to administration routes, only intratumoral (i.t.) injection showed a curative effect; subcutaneous (s.c.), per oral (p.o.) or intravenous (i.v.) routes has no such effect. To show the antitumor effect of known natural and synthetic cord factors, the co-presence of oily vehicles has been shown to be necessary. Accordingly, compound SS 554 examined in suspensions of sesame oil, squalane (SQA), squalene (SQE) or sesame oil and water emulsion had a curative effect with a 60% survival rate. However, no such effect was obtained with a suspension in PBS or in HCO-60 solution. In this regard, it should be noted that sequential but independent administration of SS 554 and oil was found to be equally as effective as simultaneous administration of oil with SS 554. Thus the effect of the oil should be reconsidered through an examination of the sequential appearance of effector cells. In the case of sesame oil, the amount of oil necessary was over 10%, or 0.01 mg absolutely. When the dose effect of SS 554 was examined in the presence of 10% sesame oil, doses over 1 mg exhibited a dose dependent curative effect. In tumor-bearing mice, the effect of the time of administration was also examined; the best result was obtained when intratumor injection was performed on day 3 after tumor implantation. Mice that recovered after SS 554 treatment exhibited growth inhibition and rejection of rechallenged Meth-A cells. However, this immunity was specific as it did not extend to a rechallenge with RL male-1 leukemia cells.

Antitumor effect of recombinant human interferon alpha A/D on Meth-A sarcoma in mice

Recombinant human interferon alpha A/D (IFN alpha A/D) is known to be as active on murine cells as on human cells. We studied the antitumor effect of pure IFN alpha A/D on Meth-A sarcoma subcutaneously transplanted into female syngeneic BALB/c mice. When administered systematically (intraperitoneally), IFN alpha A/D was only marginally (but significantly, P less than 0.05) effective in inhibiting tumor growth. With intralesional injection, however, IFN alpha A/D strongly suppressed the growth of Meth-A sarcoma, even leading to complete tumor regression and to subsequent immunity to Meth-A sarcoma cells in the host mice when the treatment was started early after tumor transplantation and with a high IFN alpha A/D dose. We also found that treatment of mice with IFN alpha A/D increased the level of serum alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, one of the acute-phase proteins.

Unstability of neocarzinostatin-chromophore

The unstability of neocarzinostatin (NCS), apo-NCS and NCS-chromophore (NCS-chr) has been investigated by using an extra-weak chemiluminescence (CL) analyzer. A significantly high emission intensity (10,840 counts/10 seconds) was detected from NCS under dark conditions at 20 degrees C, while no significant emission was observed in other antitumor antibiotics, such as, mitomycin C and pepleomycin. This high emission intensity of NCS was due to NCS-chr I (epoxide form) but not apo-NCS. The functional group generating the high extra-weak CL of NCS-chr I is probably the epoxide in the molecule, since the emission intensity of NCS-chr I (epoxide form) is much higher than that of NCS-chr II (hydrochloride adduct form). The extra-weak CL emission of NCS decreased under a nitrogen atmosphere and it was greatly enhanced under an oxygen atmosphere. The spectral analysis of NCS showed emission peaks around 460 and 570 nm. These observations strongly suggest that one of the emission species of NCS-chr may be due to singlet oxygen.

Role of natural killer cells in intraocular melanoma metastasis

The authors studied the role of natural killer (NK) cells in spontaneous metastasis of murine intraocular melanoma by transplanting murine B16 melanoma cells into the anterior chamber of the eye in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice and determining the number of metastatic lung tumor colonies after 40 days. Depletion of NK activity by anti-asialo GM1 serum dramatically enhanced metastasis and augmentation of NK activity by interferon inhibited it. The strong correlation between host NK activity and intraocular melanoma metastasis indicated that NK cells have an important role in spontaneous metastasis of intraocular melanoma.

[The effects of neocarzinostatin on superoxide production by monocyte-derived macrophages]

Monocyte-derived macrophages (M phi) from cancer patients injected with low doses of Neocarzinostatin (NCS, 500 units/day, three times a week) 12 times produced significantly more superoxide (O2-) than controls. Lymphocyte functions, such as PHA response, surface marker and serum IAP, before and after NCS injections were the same. M phi from normal persons cultured with NCS (0.4 microgram/ml) for three days produced more O2- than controls, but those cultured with rINF gamma did not. These results suggest that the increased O2- production of M phi from patients taking low doses of NCS may be due to the direct action of NCS on the M phi.

Selective elimination of anti-DNA antibody-producing cells by antiidiotypic antibody conjugated with neocarzinostatin

A new strategy was shown for the manipulation of autoantibody production in humans. Antiidiotypic antibody to human anti-DNA autoantibody was conjugated with neocarzinostatin (NCS), a cytotoxic agent, by using N-succimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate as a coupling agent. Human B cell clones, which produce anti-DNA autoantibodies, were killed by in vitro treatment with antiidiotype (Id)-NCS conjugates, while clones expressing an Id with irrelevant specificity were unaffected. These results indicate that treatment with anti-Id-NCS conjugates can act as a potent and specific means of generating immunosuppression of autoantibody production. This approach will have a significant advantage in aborting clones that are not effectively suppressed for the autoantibodies by anti-Id antibodies alone, and will result in a potential therapeutic treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Biological characteristics of a cold-adapted influenza A virus mutation residing on a polymerase gene

The biological function of a cold-adapted (ca) mutation residing on the PB2 gene of an influenza A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (A/AA/6/60) ca variant virus in the viral replication cycle at 25 degrees C was studied. The viral polypeptide synthesis of A/AA/6/60 ca variant at 25 degrees C was evident approximately 6 hours earlier than the wild type (wt) virus and yielded twice as many products. The quantitative analysis of viral complementary RNA (cRNA), synthesized in the presence of cycloheximide, revealed that A/AA/6/60 ca variant and a single gene reassortant that contains only the PB2 gene of the ca variant with remaining genes of the wt virus produced equal amount of cRNA at 25 degrees and 33 degrees C, which was an amount approximately four fold greater than the wt virus' cRNA synthesized at 25 degrees C. These results strongly suggest that the ca mutation residing on the PB2 gene of A/AA/6/60 ca variant affects the messenger RNA synthesis at 25 degrees C in the primary transcription.

[The anti-tumor efficacy of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells induced in vitro from peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with malignant glioma]

We studied whether lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells were capable of being induced in vitro from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of patients with malignant glioma, by using recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2). We then investigated whether they possessed anti-tumor efficacy against malignant gliomas (ONS-12, -20, -44). Human LAK cells were generated by placing 5 X 10(6) PBL into each well of 24-well plates (Corning) containing 2 ml of complete medium (CM) with 10 units of rIL-2 (TGP-3, provided by TAKEDA Chemical Industries, Ltd.). The CM consisted of RPMI 1640 with 0.1 mM nonessential amino acids, 1 microM sodium pyruvate, 5 X 10(-5) M 2-mercaptoethanol, 50 micrograms/ml gentamicin sulfate, 0.03% glutamine and 1% heat-inactivated human AB serum. The plates were incubated horizontally at 37 degrees C in a 5% CO2 atmosphere for 72-96 hours. The LAK cells were then harvested, washed three times with Hanks balanced solution, and resuspended in RPMI 1640 with 1% heat-inactivated human AB serum for the in vitro cytotoxicity assays. The anti-tumor cytotoxic activity of LAK cells was estimated in triplicate by 4-hr 51Cr release assays. The cytotoxic activity of the LAK cells against autogeneic ONS-44 glioma cells and PHA blasts was approximately 30% and a few %, respectively. The Natural Killer (NK) activity of the patient with ONS-44 glioma cells was equivalent to that of healthy subject.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of murine L cell interferon action by heparin

Heparin added together with murine L cell interferon inhibited the development of antiviral activity in mouse L cells. When added after interferon treatment, heparin had no effect on antiviral activity. There was also no inhibition of interferon action in L cells treated with heparin before addition of interferon. On the other hand, heparin did not inhibit antiviral activities of human interferon alpha and beta. Since murine L cell interferon, but not human interferon alpha and beta, binds to a heparin affinity column and can be eluted with a solution of high salt, it is presumed that murine L cell interferon and heparin must interact with each other. The apparent interaction of heparin with murine L cell interferon was prevented by protamine, a drug that neutralizes heparin. Dextran sulfate inhibited murine L cell interferon action, but dextran and chondroitin sulfate A did not. These results suggests that heparin inhibited murine L cell interferon action by the binding via sulfate groups on its molecules. Heparin also inhibited antiviral activity of murine L cell interferon in mice infected with herpes simplex virus (+GC Miyama strain).

Patterns of polypeptide synthesis in human rotavirus infected cells

Polypeptide analysis of three strains of human rotavirus (KUN, Wa and MO) were conducted using a hypertonic culture which suppressed host protein synthesis and unmasked rotavirus specific protein synthesis. As a result, eleven human rotavirus specific polypeptides (Vp 1--Vp 11) were detected by pulselabeling infected cells with [14C]-leucine. Among the 11 polypeptides, three polypeptides (Vp 7, Vp 10 and Vp 11) underwent post-translational processing, and two (Vp 7 and Vp 10) were glycosylated. Six polypeptides (Vp 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7) were identified as viral structural proteins. Comparisons of three strains of different serotypes revealed that their polypeptide profiles differed from each other in electrophoretic mobility; in particular, profiles of the glycosylated polypeptide, Vp 7, were distinct among the three strains.

Further investigation on the mode of entry of human rotavirus into cells

Entry of the KUN strain of human rotavirus into MA 104 cells was studied by electron microscopy. Double-shelled rotavirus particles attached to the cell membrane, and in the presence of trypsin their nucleic acids were expelled from the virus core into the cytoplasm through radial spaces between the capsomeres and the cell membrane pores formed after their attachment. This mechanism was considered to be analogous to those of phages.

Rapid induction of nucleoside-diphosphate kinase in HeLa S3 cells by human-type interferons

Nucleoside-diphosphate (NDP)-kinase can be considered to be induced by human-type interferons (HuIFNs) rapidly, since an enzyme increase was detected within 2 h of incubation of HeLa S3 cells with HuIFNs, while incubation with heterologous mouse IFNs had no such effect. The enzyme increase induced by HuIFNs reached a plateau at 6 h after treatment. Actinomycin D (0.5 microgram/ml) significantly blocked the enzyme increase induced by HuIFNs in the cells. A possible biological role of the enzyme in the IFN-induced biochemical events is discussed.

Low molecular weight immunosuppressive factors found in elevated amounts in cancer ascitic fluids of mice. 1. Isolation, identification and immunosuppressive effects of uric acid and uracil

A definite increase in two low molecular weight factors, G10-2 and G10-3 was found in Ehrlich ascitic fluids, parallel to tumor growth. The isolation and identification of the two factors were attempted through gel filtration and reversed phase column chromatography, using ascitic fluids obtained 13 days after intraperitoneal implantation of Ehrlich tumor cells. As a result, two highly purified factors were observed upon examination by high performance liquid chromatography. Additional analytical data, collected by UV spectrum, NMR spectrum and mass analysis, allowed us to identify G10-2 as uric acid and G10-3 as uracil. Detailed immunological analysis of uric acid and uracil revealed that the augmenting activities of mouse and human NK cells by mouse IFN alpha/beta or human rIFN alpha A/D were impaired in the presence of either compound at concentrations of 0.07 mM, the concentration detectable in the ascitic fluid of tumor bearing mice.

Inhibition of intravascular mouse melanoma dissemination by recombinant human interferon alpha A/D

The effects of pure recombinant human interferon alpha A/D (IFN alpha A/D) on natural killer (NK) activity and the experimental lung metastasis of B16-F10 melanoma were studied. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with IFN alpha A/D augmented splenic NK activity and also inhibited the experimental lung metastasis of B16-F10 melanoma in a dose-dependent manner. The augmentation of NK activity and the inhibition of experimental lung metastasis by IFN alpha A/D were completely abolished in anti-asialo GM1-pretreated mice. These results suggested that the effector cells which inhibited melanoma metastasis in the present system were mainly NK cells, and that it was by activating NK cells that IFN alpha A/D had its effect. We next studied the timing of IFN alpha A/D administration for the most effective prevention of melanoma metastasis. The inhibitory effect of IFN alpha A/D was most pronounced when it was given 12 hr before or at the same time as melanoma inoculation. This suggested that melanoma cells were susceptible to NK cells only for a short period of time after intravascular invasion.

Low molecular weight immunosuppressive factors found in elevated amounts in cancer ascitic fluids of mice. 2. 1-Methyladenosine isolated from cancer ascitic fluids enhances Listeria infection in mice

The low molecular weight fraction (mol wt less than 1,000) of Ehrlich cancer ascitic fluid has been known to enhance Listeria infection in mice. Chemical characterization of the entities in this fraction revealed four purine and pyrimidine analogues, i.e. uric acid, uracil, pseudouridine and 1-methyladenosine (m1Ado). When the effect of each of these components was studied on Listeria infection in mice, only m1Ado markedly enhanced the infection and killed the mice within a short period. The optimal enhancement was obtained when m1Ado was given intravenously to mice 3-6 days before the infection at a concentration of between 1 and 100 micrograms/mouse. On the other hand, uric acid, uracil and pseudouridine failed to show such an enhancing effect. m1Ado inhibited macrophage accumulation in the peritoneal cavity of mice after an intraperitoneal injection of phytohemagglutinin. Although m1Ado did not show any inhibitory effect on the phagocytic and bactericidal activities of macrophages in vitro, peritoneal macrophages obtained from mice which received m1Ado 3 days ahead revealed impaired bactericidal activity, suggesting the migration of different cell populations from the bone marrow of m1Ado-receiving mice. The results may suggest that m1Ado is a major factor in tumor ascites causing, in small doses, an impairment of macrophage functioning as can be detected in tumor-bearing hosts.

Virus excretion and cell-mediated immunity during cytomegalovirus infection among healthy infants and children

Specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and virus isolation were examined longitudinally to clarify the mechanism of the cessation of virus excretion in inapparent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection among healthy infants and children. We measured leukocyte procoagulant activity (LPCA) responses to CMV antigen and to a purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD), with results expressed as a percentage reduction of recalcification (RC) time. Based on the results in seropositive and seronegative adult control subjects, reductions in RC time of more than 10% were considered indicative of a positive LPCA response. The CMV-specific LPCA response was negative in all infants shedding the virus, despite the presence of circulating antibodies, but were converted from negative to positive when the virus excretion ceased. This suggests that cessation of the virus excretion in inapparent CMV infection among healthy infants and children probably results from the specific CMI.

Seroepidemiological studies on a non-A, non-B hepatitis specific antigen/antibody system (SO-antigen/anti-SO)

The patients and staff members of a haemodialysis unit were examined for their serological responses to SO-antigen, which was isolated from the urine of epidemic type non-A, non-B hepatitis patients at Tohoku University Hospital. To understand how SO-antigen or SO-antigen-related aetiology can be incriminated for the hepatitis found in the haemodialysis unit, the prevalence of SO-antigen/anti-SO system and hepatitis A and B virus-related antibodies was compared in the sera of patients and staff members. Although the SO-antigen was rarely detected in the serum, anti-SO antibody was frequently detected in the sera of patients and staff. A significantly higher prevalence was found in the serum of patients (15%, 54 out of 361) than staff members (7.1%, 13 out of 184) and volunteer blood donors (1%, 3 out of 305). The same prevalence percentages of HBV-related antibodies (either positive for anti-HBs or anti-HBc) and anti-HAV were observed among the patients, staff, and volunteer blood donors, irrespective of whether the sera were anti-SO positive or negative. Among the staff, anti-SO antibody was more frequently found in those with a history of acute hepatitis (16.7%, 3 out of 18) than in those without (6%, 10 out of 166). These prevalence ratios conformed with those of HBV-related antibodies, but the same prevalence ratios of antibody to HAV were observed between the staff with and without a history of acute hepatitis. These results indicate that the SO-antigen/anti-SO system or entity related to this immune system is distinct from HBV or HAV, and this immune system was found widely in the haemodialysis unit where type B and non-A, non-B hepatitis were also found frequently.