In vitro immunization and expansion of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes for adoptive immunotherapy using peptide-pulsed dendritic cells

The design of an effective procedure to sensitize and expand antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in vitro is essential for the development of effective adoptive cellular immunotherapy protocols for cancer. We have analyzed the capacity of tissue culture-derived dendritic cells (DC) to present specific peptide epitopes to CTL precursors. Our results demonstrate that peptide-pulsed DC were efficient in generating CTL responses specific for various viral and tumor epitopes. Furthermore, IL-7 and IL-10 potentiated the ability of the peptide-pulsed DC to trigger antigen-specific CTL responses. The CTL generated using this procedure efficiently recognized the naturally processed antigens and could be expanded approximately 100- to 1000-fold in tissue culture in 10 to 15 days without a loss of activity and specificity. The results and procedures described herein may facilitate the development of effective CTL-based adoptive immunotherapy for chronic viral diseases and cancer.

The multi-epitope approach for immunotherapy for cancer: identification of several CTL epitopes from various tumor-associated antigens expressed on solid epithelial tumors

One approach to development of specific cancer immunotherapy relies on the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for tumor-associated antigens (TAA). Induction of TAA-specific CTL could be used towards the eradication of established tumors, or to prevent their dissemination or recurrence after primary treatment. The present study identifies a set of CTL epitopes from TAA frequently found on solid epithelial tumors such as breast, lung and gastro-intestinal tumors. Specifically, HLA-A2.1 binding peptides from the MAGE2, MAGE3, HER-2/neu and CEA antigens were tested for their capacity to elicit in vitro anti-tumor CTL using lymphocytes from normal volunteers and autologous dendritic cells as antigen-presenting cells. A total of 6 new epitopes (MAGE2[10(157)], MAGE3[9(112)], CEA[9(691)], CEA[9(24)], HER2[9(435)] and HER2[9(5)]) were identified which were capable of specifically recognizing tumor cell lines lines expressing HLA-A2.1 and the corresponding TAA. In one case (CEA[9(24)]), induction of vigorous anti-tumor CTL responses required epitope engineering to increase HLA-A2.1 binding affinity. Finally, most of the newly identified epitopes (5 out of 6) were found to be highly crossreactive with other common HLA alleles of the A2 supertype (A2.2, A2.3, A2.6 and A6802), thus demonstrating their potential in providing broad and non-ethnically biased population coverage. The results are discussed in the context of the development of multi-epitope-based therapies with broad applicability for patients suffering from commonly found tumors.

Changes in composition of newly synthesized sphingolipids of HeLa cells during the cell cycle -- suppression of sphingomyelin and higher-glycosphingolipid synthesis and accumulation of ceramide and glucosylceramide in mitotic cells

Sphingolipid biosynthesis in synchronized HeLa cells was studied by pulse labeling with [14C]Ser or [14C]Gal and a simple TLC method. The major HeLa cell sphingolipids are ceramide (Cer), sphingomyelin, glucosylceramide (GlcCer), lactosylceramide (LacCer), globotriaosylceramide (Gb3Cer), N-acetylneuraminosylgangl iotriaosylceramide (GM2) and sialylparagloboside (G[M1-GlcNAc]). The sphingolipid biosynthetic profiles of HeLa cells in the G1, G1/S boundary, S and G2 phases were similar, but significant changes occurred during M phase, when incorporation of radioactivity into sphingomyelin, Gb3Cer and a mixture of GM2 and G(M1-GlcNAc) decreased, and those of Cer and GlcCer increased. These data indicate that transfer of phosphocholine and galactose to Cer and GlcCer, respectively, decreased in mitotic cells, resulting in accumulation of Cer and GlcCer. Analysis of LacCer synthase activity revealed that GlcCer accumulation was not due to reduced activity of this enzyme. The results suggest that Cer and GlcCer accumulation in mitotic cells resulted from suppression of sphingomyelin and LacCer synthesis, probably caused by vesiculation of membranous organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus.

[A case report--typhoid fever complicated with liver and gallbladder abscess, treated for long-time as fever of unknown origin]

A 25-year-old male admitted to Kawasaki municipal hospital with the diagnosis of typhoid fever. He had noticed high fever since one month ago, and had been treated with prednisolone with the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in a hospital. Then he had admitted to St. Marianna University Hospital, and Salmonella Typhi had been detected from his blood and stool. On admission, multiple liver abscess were detected by abdominal ultrasonography. S. Typhi in bile was not eliminated with CP and AMPC, but he was successfully treated with cholecystectomy and the chemotherapy of LVFX. Abscess formation was found in the resected gall bladder wall. Typhoid nodule in the lymph node, liver or other organs is a well known pathological change in the typhoid fever. But abscess formation in the liver or other organs is rare. In this case, multiple abscess is characteristic and this cause is thought to be induced by the factors that the period from onset of typhoid fever to beginning of effective therapy was too long, and that steroid therapy was done without antibiotic therapy.

Cloning and characterization of a novel oxidoreductase KDRF from a human bone marrow-derived stromal cell line KM-102

A cDNA clone coding for a novel oxidoreductase was cloned from a human bone marrow-derived stromal cell line KM-102. We screened a cDNA library constructed from the mRNA of KM-102 cells stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187 using a 32P-labeled 15-mer synthetic oligonucleotide (5'-TAAATAAATAAATAA-3') probe. This probe was designed as a complementary sequence to the three reiterated AUUUA sequences, which are contained in the 3'-untranslated regions of cytokine and some proto-oncogene mRNAs and correlate with rapid mRNA turnover. Then, we obtained one cDNA clone, and further sequence analysis revealed that it coded for a new protein exhibiting 30 to approximately 40% homology with glutathione reductase. By fusion protein analysis, this protein showed reducing activities on 2, 6-dichlorophenol-indophenol and 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) but only a weak reducing activity on oxidized glutathione. Although it lacked a stretch of hydrophobic amino acids in its N terminus, it was secreted by monkey kidney-derived COS-1 cells when we introduced the expression plasmid into them and also secreted by a human lung carcinoma cell line A549. Northern blot analysis revealed that the mRNA turnover of this protein was regulated by inflammatory stimuli in KM-102 cells. These results show that this protein may have scavenging enzyme properties and has its mRNA expression regulated in a similar fashion to cytokine genes or proto-oncogenes. Thus, we named it KDRF (KM-102-derived reductase-like factor), and KDRF may play a role in scavenging reactive oxygen intermediates, which are possibly toxic to cells, in response to inflammatory stimuli.

Evaluation of water durability at adhesion interfaces by peeling test of resin film

The water durability at adhesion interfaces was investigated by measurement of the peeled area of thin resin films bonded with 4-META resin on metal surfaces after imposing thermal stress using liquid nitrogen. Thermal stress at the adhesion interface was calculated by a computer-aided finite element method. On 18-8 stainless-steel specimens which bond strongly with 4-META resin, total interface failure occurs on specimens with resin thicker than 0.55 mm in dry condition. A resin layer of 0.25 mm was chosen to study degradation of the adhesion interface by water. The shearing stress was calculated as 16 MPa for a 0.25 mm thick resin layer. On mild-steel adherent interface with 4-META resin which degrades rapidly by water molecule, the relationship between water immersion time and degradation at the adhesion interface was discussed together with the amount of water penetrated at the interface. The method proposed in the present study is effective as a quick evaluation method for water durability at the adhesion interface.

Immunocytochemical analysis of gangliosides in rat primary cerebellar cultures using specific monoclonal antibodies

We studied the expression of ganglioside antigens in primary cultures of rat cerebellum using an immunocytochemical technique with mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for various gangliosides. Twelve MAbs that specifically recognize each ganglioside were used. Our study revealed that there is a cell type-specific expression of ganglioside antigens in the primary cultures. A number of b-series gangliosides were detected in the granule cells, whereas a-series gangliosides were not intensely expressed. GD1b was detected in the granule cells. GD2 appeared to be present in a subset of the granule cells or a type of small neurons. GD3 was associated not only with the granule cells, but also with both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. An O-Ac-disialoganglioside, which was suggested to be O-Ac-LD1, was restrictedly detected in Purkinje cells. The other gangliosides were not detected clearly in these cells. These results suggest that several gangliosides may be useful markers for identifying cells in primary cultures of the rat cerebellum; particularly b-series gangliosides such as GD2 and GD1b for the granule cells and O-Ac-LD1 for Purkinje cells.

Acceptor substrate specificity of a cloned GD3 synthase that catalyzes the biosynthesis of both GD3 and GD1c/GT1a/GQ1b

To address the role of alpha2,8-sialyltransferase (GD3 synthase) in the biosynthesis of gangliosides, we examined the substrate specificity of the enzyme. In the ganglioside synthesis pathway, it has been generally accepted that sialyltransferase II (SAT II) catalyzes the production of GD3 from GM3, and sialyltransferase V (SAT V) catalyzes the production of GD1c/GT1a/GQ1b from GM1h/GD1a/GT1b. However, acceptor specificity of the clones GD3 synthase that was isolated from human melanoma cells [Nara, K., Watanabe, Y., Maruyama, K., Kasahara, K., Nagai. Y. & Sanai, Y. (1994) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 91, 7952-7956] has revealed that this enzyme utilized the gangliosides containing the terminal Sia(alpha2-3)Gas structure of the carbohydrate moiety, which includes GM3, GM1b, GD1a and GT1B as exogenous substrates. Kinetic data also showed that the enzyme was able to utilize both GM3 and GM1b/GD1a/GT1b as acceptor substrates. These data indicate that the enzyme catalyzes the formation of not only GD3 but also GD1c, GT1a, and GQ1B in vitro. Furthermore, by transfection of the cloned human alpha2,8-sialyltransferase cDNA, transient and stable expression of GT1a and GQ1b wa also observed in COS-7 cells and Swiss 3T3 cells that originally lacked SAT II and SAT V activities. These observations indicate that the enzyme has both SAT II and SAT V activities in vivo.

Generation and characterization of anti-sulfoglucuronosyl paragloboside monoclonal antibody NGR50 and its immunoreactivity with peripheral nerve

Sulfoglucuronosyl paragloboside (SGPG) is a member of the sulfated glucuronic acid-containing glycolipid (SGGL) family found primarily in peripheral nerves. These glycolipids contain the HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope and are recognized by monoclonal IgM from patients with chronic demyelinating neuropathy and paraproteinemia. Recent studies indicate that SGGLs may serve as ligands for selectins, amphoterin, and laminin, suggesting that these glycolipids may play an important role in cellular adhesion. To elucidate the biological function of these glycolipids, we produced a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) and studied its antigenic specificity. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we found that the mAb designated as NGR50 belonged to the IgG2a subclass, and that the minimal titer (2 SD above the mean optical density value of control) of this mAb was 1:640, with 20 ng of purified SGPG as the antigen. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) immunoblotting revealed that this mAb reacted specifically with SGPG and sulfoglucuronosyl lactosaminyl paragloboside (SGLPG), which is a structural analogue of the former, but not with other glycolipids. Desulfated derivates of SGPG and SGLPG did not react with mAb NGR50. Western blot analysis showed crossreactivity with human myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), but not with rat MAG or rat glycoprotein P0. Unlike anti-HNK-1 monoclonal antibody, however, NGR50 reacted only weakly with several proteins in the 20-30-kD regions, including human P0, suggesting that mAb50 has a different fine specificity as an anti-HNK-1 antibody. Immunocytochemical study of rat sciatic nerve using mAb NGR50 revealed positive staining at the outer surface of the myelin sheath and Schwann cells, as well as in the intervening connective tissues. Faint staining was also visible at the axolemmal-myelin interface; however, compact myelin was not stained.

CD34+ human marrow cells that express low levels of Kit protein are enriched for long-term marrow-engrafting cells

Using in utero transplantation into fetal sheep, we examined the capability of human bone marrow CD34+ cells fractionated based on Kit protein expression to provide long-term in vivo engraftment. Twelve hundred to 5,000 CD34+ Kit-, CD34+ Kit(low), and CD34+ Kit(high) cells were injected into a total of 14 preimmune fetal sheep recipients using the amniotic bubble technique. Six fetuses were killed in utero 1.5 months after bone marrow cell transplantation. Two fetuses receiving CD34+ Kit(low) cells showed signs of engraftment according to analysis of CD45+ cells in their bone marrow cells and karyotype studies of the colonies grown in methylcellulose culture. In contrast, two fetuses receiving CD34+ Kit(high) cells and two fetuses receiving CD34+ Kit- cells failed to show evidence of significant engraftment. Two fetuses were absorbed. A total of six fetuses receiving different cell populations were allowed to proceed to term, and the newborn sheep were serially examined for the presence of chimerism. Again, only the two sheep receiving CD34+ Kit(low) cells exhibited signs of engraftment upon serial examination. Earlier in studies of murine hematopoiesis, we have shown stage-specific changes in Kit expression by the progenitors. The studies of human cells reported here are in agreement with observations in mice, and indicate that human hematopoietic stem cells are enriched in the Kit(low) population.

Importance of the carboxy-terminus of human interleukin-11 in conserving its biological activity

Biological activities of the carboxy-terminal (C-terminal) deletion mutants of human interleukin-11 (IL-11) were analyzed. Removal of only 1 amino-acid residue (leucine) from the C-terminus caused nearly an 80% loss of its biological activity. This shows the importance of C-terminus of human IL-11 in terms of conserving the biological activity.

Characterization of c-kit expression by primitive hematopoietic progenitors in umbilical cord blood

Human umbilical cord blood (CB) appears to be an exciting new source of transplantable stem cells for a variety of clinical conditions. In this study, we have attempted to further characterize the primitive progenitors in CB. First we analyzed the effects of early-acting growth factors on blast cell colony formation from CD34+ progenitors. Addition of Steel factor (SF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to cultures containing interleukin-3 enhanced blast cell colony formation. These results indicated that cell cycle-dormant progenitors are present in CB. Next, based on results obtained in the murine system, we tested whether c-kit expression could separate the CB progenitors into cycle-dormant vs. cycle-active progenitors. Cells were separated into CD34+ c-kit-, c-kitlow, and c-kithigh. The results suggested that the c-kitlow population contains the majority of cycle-dormant progenitors and the c-kithigh population contains most of the forming cells were in the c-kitlow population, while the opposite is true for other colony-forming cells. Expression of c-kit may be useful in identifying CB progenitors with long-term engraftment capability.

Malignant transformation of rat embryo fibroblasts by cotransfection with eleven human mutant p53 cDNAs and activated H-ras gene

Eleven different missense and one nonsense mutant-type p53 cDNAs, which have been frequently detected in human colorectal carcinomas, were constructed and examined for their ability to cooperate with activated human H-ras genes, pSK2 and pHs49, in transfection of rat embryo fibroblasts (REF). Each missense mutant-type p53 cDNA with either of the two activated H-ras genes transformed REF with a different frequency of transformation depending on the different kind of mutation, whereas wild-type p53 (with ras), nonsense mutant-type p53 (with ras), as well as mutant-type p53 (alone) and ras (alone), did not transform REF. Six transformed REF cell lines were established from cotransfection with missense mutant-type p53 cDNA and ras gene; all of them exhibiting exogenous human p53 DNA, RNA, protein, and H-ras DNA and RNA. All six transformed cell lines showed both tumorigenicity and lung metastatic potential in nude mice. They also exhibited 92 kilodalton gelatinase activity, which was not detected in parental REF. These results suggest that missense mutations in p53 gene have a role in malignant transformation as well as metastatic potential.

Expression of de-N-acetyl-gangliosides in human melanoma cells is induced by genistein or nocodazole

Neuraminic acid is the core structure of most known sialic acids. In natural systems, the amino group at the 5 position of neuraminic acid residues is usually assumed to be acylated. Previously, synthetic de-N-acetyl-gangliosides (with free amino groups at the 5 position of neuraminic acids) have been shown to modulate cellular proliferation and tyrosine phosphokinase reactions. While indirect evidence has suggested that traces of these molecules exist naturally in certain tumor cells, further exploration has been hampered by the lack of a system showing consistent expression at an easily detectable level. Using synthetic compounds as antigens, we have developed highly specific monoclonal antibodies against de-N-acetyl-GM3 and de-N-acetyl-GD3 that require both the free amino group and the exocyclic side chain of sialic acids for recognition. Cultured human melanoma cells showed low but variably detectable levels of reactivity with these antibodies. The ability of various biologically active molecules to stimulate this reactivity was explored. Of many compounds tested, only the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein induced reactivity in a dose-dependent manner. Antibody reactivity with ganglioside extracts from genistein-treated cells was abolished by chemical re-N-acetylation and/or truncation of sialic acid side chains by mild periodate oxidation. High performance thin layer chromatography immuno-overlay analysis confirmed the presence of the novel compound de-N-acetyl-GD3 in these extracts. Several other tyrosine kinase inhibitors tested did not give the same increase in de-N-acetyl-ganglioside expression. However, the microtubule inhibitor nocodazole caused a similar accumulation of these molecules, particularly in non-adherent cells expected to be arrested at metaphase. Thus, genistein may induce de-N-acetyl-ganglioside expression by virtue of its known ability to arrest cells in the G2M phase, rather than as a general consequence of tyrosine kinase inhibition. These studies also provide a system in which to analyze the enzymatic basis of de-N-acetyl-ganglioside expression and their potential roles as growth regulating molecules.

Polysialogangliosides expressed by amelanotic melanoma: a possible explanation for the poor response to anti-monosialoganglioside antibody 202 in a patient with melanoma

A 52-year-old Japanese woman developed numerous amelanotic metastatic melanomas on the skin and in various organs three years after a surgical operation for primary melanoma on the right axilla. The patient was treated with monosialoganglioside specific monoclonal antibody 202; however, no apparent clinical effects were observed. Ganglioside analysis of a metastatic tumor demonstrated that it expressed GM3, GM2, GD3, GD2, and polysialogangliosides. Since polysialogangliosides rarely appear in melanomas, their expression may explain the patient's poor response to MAb 202. The relationship between ganglioside composition and the effect of anti-ganglioside monoclonal antibody is discussed.

Expression of sialylparagloboside in a case of liposarcoma: aberrant glycosylation in tumors arising in adipose tissues

Gangliosides of liposarcoma, lipoma and lipids from omental tissues were analyzed. By immunostaining after thin layer chromatography, gangliosides of liposarcoma were identified as GM3, sialylparagloboside and GD3, whereas those of lipoma were GM3 and GD3, and those of fat in omental tissues were GM3, GD1a, GD3 and some unknown ones. Expression of sialylparagloboside is thought to be very rare.

Thioredoxin h is one of the major proteins in rice phloem sap

Sieve tubes play important roles in the transfer of nutrients as well as signals. Hundreds of proteins were found in pure phloem sap collected from rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Kantou) plants through the cut ends of insect stylets. These proteins may be involved in nutrient transfer and signal transduction. To characterize the nature of these proteins, the partial amino-acid sequence of a 13-kDa protein, named RPP13-1, that was abundant in the pure phleom sap was determined. A cDNA clone of 687 bp, containing an open reading frame of 122 amino acids, was isolated using corresponding oligonucleotides as a probe. The deduced amino-acid sequence was very similar to that of the ubiquitous thiol redox protein, thioredoxin. The consensus sequences of thioredoxins are highly conserved. No putative signal peptide was identified. Antiserum against wheat thioredoxin h cross-reacted with RPP13-1 in the phloem sap of rice plants. RPP13-1 produced in Escherichia coli was reactive to antiserum against wheat thioredoxin h. Both E. coli-produced RPP13-1 and the phloem sap proteins catalyzed the reduction of the disulfide bonds of insulin in the presence of dithiothreitol. These results indicate that an active thioredoxin is a major protein translocating in rice sieve tubes.

Immunohistochemical localization of minor gangliosides in the rat central nervous system

We previously described the differential distribution of major gangliosides (GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b and GQ1b) in adult rat brain detected by specific antibodies (Kotani, M., Kawashima, I., Ozawa, I., Terashima, T. and Tai, T. Glycobiology, 3, 137-146, 1993). We report here the distribution of minor gangliosides in the adult rat brain by an immunofluorescence technique with mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Ten MAbs (GMR6, GMB28, GMR11, GMR19, GMR2, GMR7, GGR51, AMR10, NGR54 and NGR53) that specifically recognize GM3, GM2, GT1a, GD3, O-Acdisialoganglioside, GD2, GM1b, GM4, IV3NeuAc alpha-nLc4Cer and IV6NeuAc alpha-nLc4Cer, respectively, were used. Our study revealed that there is a cell type-specific expression of minor gangliosides, as well as major gangliosides, in the rat brain. In the cerebellar cortex, GM3 was expressed intensely in the white matter and slightly in the granular layer. GD3 was present in both the granular layer and the white matter, but not in the Purkinje cell layer or in the molecular layer. An O-Ac-disialoganglioside, which was suggested to be O-Ac-LD1, was detected exclusively in both the molecular layer and Purkinje cell layer. The presence of GD2 was restricted to the granular layer. GM4 was associated with some astrocytes, but not with myelin or oligodendrocytes. GM2, GT1a, GM1b, IV3NeuAc alpha-nLc4Cer and IV6NeuAc alpha-nLc4Cer gangliosides were not clearly detected in the cerebellar cortex. In other regions, such as cerebral cortex, hippocampal formation and spinal cord, the expression of the gangliosides was also highly localized to a specific cell type and layer.

Generation of monoclonal antibodies specific for ganglioside lactones: evidence of the expression of lactone on human melanoma cells

We generated 3 murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for ganglioside lactones by immunizing C3H/HeN mice with purified lactones adsorbed to Salmonella minnesota followed by fusion with mouse myeloma cells. The use of a wide variety of glycolipids, including ganglioside lactones, enabled the precise structures recognized by these MAbs to be elucidated through an ELISA and by immunostaining on thin-layer chromatography. MAb AMR38, which was generated with GM1 lactone, showed restricted specificity, detecting only the GM1 lactone used for immunization. None of the other ganglioside lactones, intact gangliosides (including GM1) or neutral glycolipids tested were recognized. In contrast, MAbs AMR40 and AMR19, which were generated with GD1a lactone and GD3 lactone, respectively, showed broader specificities, recognizing several ganglioside lactones. However, the precise epitopes were different. MAb AMR40 reacted intensely with ganglioside lactones having an external NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal-sequence (GD1a, GM3, GM1b, GT1b, and IV3NeuAc alpha-nLc4Cer), but not with those having a NeuAc alpha 2-->8NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal- sequence. On the other hand, MAb AMR19 reacted with ganglioside lactones having a NeuAc alpha 2-->8NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal- sequence (GD3, O-Ac-GD3, GD2, GDlb, GTlb, GQlb and GTla), but not with those having a NeuAc alpha 2-->3Gal- sequence. None of the intact gangliosides or neutral glycolipids tested were recognized by the MAbs. We also determined the expression of ganglioside lactones on human melanoma cells grown in athymic nude mice by means of an immunofluorescence technique.

Effects of sex steroids on the proliferation of thymic epithelial cells in a culture model: a role of protein kinase C

Using a rat thymic epithelial cell line (TEC; IT-45R1), the present study attempted to elucidate the mechanism of action of sex steroid hormones (SH) on the proliferation of TEC. The findings were as follows: (a) the proliferation of TEC in response to SH was mediated through protein kinase C activity introduced as a result of interaction between SH and plasma-borne inhibitors; (b) the strong inhibitory effect of SH on TEC proliferation might be mediated through the SH receptor pathway because the proliferative response was triggered by progesterone (P) and androgen (A), whereas the inhibitory response was triggered by P, A and oestrogen. These results clearly suggest that the control of TEC proliferation is a 'shut-off' mechanism triggered by high plasma levels of SH. This further refers to the speculation that the development of the normal thymus may be due to a lack of this 'shut-off' mechanism so that development occurs at the adequate plasma SH levels that are often observed before puberty. However, this development is inhibited at the high plasma SH levels after puberty and/or during pregnancy.

In vitro synthesis of disialoganglioside (GD1 alpha) from asialo-GM1 using sialyltransferases in rat liver Golgi vesicles

Two gangliosides were efficiently synthesized from asialo-GM1 (Gal beta 1-3GalNAc beta 1-4Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1 Cer) and cytidine 5'-phosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NeuAc) by using sialyltransferases in rat liver Golgi vesicles in vitro. These gangliosides were rapidly purified by a combination of anion exchange and reverse-phase column chromatographies. The ganglioside structures were determined by TLC analysis, treatment with a sialidase from Salmonella typhimurium LT2, which specifically hydrolyzes alpha 2-3 N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc alpha 2-3) linkages, TLC immunostaining, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. One of the gangliosides was identified as GD1 alpha [Neu-Ac alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3(NeuAc alpha 2-6)GalNAc beta 1-4Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1 Cer]. The other ganglioside was determined to be GM1b (NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GalNAc beta 1-4Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1 Cer), which has been reported in a previous study [Pohlentz, G., Klein, D., Schmitz, D., Schwarzmann, G., Peter-Katalinic, J. & Sandhoff, K. (1988) Biol. Chem. Hoppe-Seyler 369, 55-63]. Finally, GM1b and GD1 alpha were obtained from asialo-GM1 as a starting material in 8.1% and 1.2% overall yields, respectively. This study also suggests that the novel synthetic pathway asialo-GM1-->GM1b-->GD1 alpha may exist in rat liver.

Generation of one set of murine monoclonal antibodies specific for globo-series glycolipids: evidence for differential distribution of the glycolipids in rat small intestine

We generated four murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for globo-series glycolipids by immunizing C3H/HeN mice with these purified glycolipids adsorbed to Salmonella minnesota followed by fusion with mouse myeloma cells. By use of a wide variety of glycolipids, the precise structures recognized by these MAbs were elucidated through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an immunostaining on thin-layer chromatography. These four MAbs, designated as BGR23, BGR47, BMR26, and BGR27, exhibited highly restricted binding specificities, reacting only with the globo-series glycolipids Gb3Cer, III3Gal alpha-Gb3Cer, Gb4Cer, and IV3GalNAc alpha-Gb4Cer, respectively, which were used for immunization. None of the other various glycolipids or gangliosides were recognized. We determined the localization of these globo-series glycolipids in adult rat small intestine by means of an immunofluorescence technique with these MAbs. Our study revealed that there is a differential distribution of these glycolipids in the rat tissue. III3Gal alpha-Gb3Cer was demonstrated on the cryptic cells and circular muscle, whereas Gb4Cer was localized on both the circular and longitudinal muscles. The expression of Gb3Cer was associated with the epithelium and the capillary endothelial cells in the lamina propria mucosae as well as with the tunica submucosa, whereas IV3GalNAc alpha-Gb4Cer was detected on the epithelium, capillary endothelial cells in the lamina propria mucosae, and both the muscle layers.

Hemoglobin Bethesda causing polycythemia in a Japanese family

A family with Hemoglobin Bethesda is reported. A 23-year-old man was hospitalized for the evaluation of polycythemia. Analysis of hemoglobin using high pressure liquid chromatography showed the presence of hemoglobinopathy. Separation of globin into alpha and beta chains revealed approximately 50% of the beta chain to be abnormal. Analysis of the DNA sequence of the beta chain gene identified Hb Bethesda. The family study disclosed that his father and sister also had the same hemoglobinopathy. This case is the first report of Hb Bethesda in Japan.