Estrogen-dependent, tamoxifen-resistant tumorigenic growth of MCF-7 cells transfected with HER2/neu

Since the poor prognosis associated with HER2 amplified breast cancers might be explained by a mechanistic association between p185HER2 overexpression and therapeutic resistance, we assessed the chemo-endocrine sensitivity of estrogen receptor (ER) containing MCF-7 breast cancer cells transfected with full-length HER2 cDNA. Of the 36 isolated MCF/HER2 subclones, 7 were found to overexpress p185HER2 surface receptor at levels 3 to 45-fold greater than parental or control transfected cells (MCF/neo). The overexpressing transfectants possessed increased inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate-3'-kinase activity comparable to enzyme activity in the endogenously HER2 amplified breast cancer cell lines SK-Br-3 and BT-474. The anti-p185HER2 monoclonal antibody and receptor-specific partial agonist, muMAb4D5 (4D5), known to inhibit growth of SK-Br-3 and BT-474 cells, produced no significant growth inhibitory effect on any of the transfectants including the 45-fold overexpressing MCF/HER2-18 cells which were studied in greater detail. MCF/HER2-18 cells contained at least partially functioning exogenous receptor since 4D5 (3 micrograms/ml) specifically stimulated phosphorylation of p185HER2 and its co-precipitating ptyr56 substrate within 5 min, and this was followed at 1 h by a transient induction of c-myc but not c-fos mRNA. ER content and the in vitro sensitivity of MCF/HER2-18 cells to 5-fluorouracil and adriamycin were identical to those of control transfectants and parental cells. However, these highly overexpressing transfectants had acquired low level (2 to 4-fold) resistance to cisplatin and were no longer sensitive to the antiestrogen tamoxifen (TAM). To compare the hormone-dependent tumorigenicity of the HER2 transfectants, MCF/HER2-18 and control cells (MCF, MCF/neo-3) were implanted into ovariectomized athymic nude mice. No tumors were produced in the absence of estradiol (E2) administration. In E2 supplemented mice, MCF/HER2-18 tumors grew most rapidly. When E2 treatment was stopped and daily TAM injections were initiated, MCF-7 and MCF/neo-3 tumor growth ceased immediately, while MCF/HER2-18 tumors continued to show an accelerated growth rate lasting weeks. This pattern of hormone-dependent, TAM-resistant growth exhibited by the MCF/HER2-18 tumors in nude mice supports the possibility that p185HER2 overexpression in human breast cancers may be linked to therapeutic resistance.

A murine CD4-, CD8- T cell receptor-gamma delta T lymphocyte clone specific for herpes simplex virus glycoprotein I

The role of TCR-gamma delta T lymphocytes in immune responses is currently not well understood. TCR-gamma delta cells have a limited repertoire suggesting that TCR-gamma delta T a limited number of evolutionarily conserved Ag such as nonpolymorphic MHC and heat shock proteins. TCR-gamma delta T lymphocytes appear in enhanced numbers in skin lesions produced by Mycobacterium leprae and in the synovial fluid of joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis, raising the possibility that this subset of T lymphocytes may play a role in control of infectious processes and in autoimmune diseases. We report the identification of a TCR-gamma delta T cell clone isolated from a HSV-infected mouse that recognizes glycoprotein I of HSV type 1. Clone recognition of glycoprotein I does not appear to require the expression of MHC class I or class II gene products. These data suggest that TCR-gamma delta lymphocytes may play an important role in the immune response to viral infections.

A murine CD4-, CD8- T cell receptor-gamma delta T lymphocyte clone specific for herpes simplex virus glycoprotein I

The role of TCR-gamma delta T lymphocytes in immune responses is currently not well understood. TCR-gamma delta cells have a limited repertoire suggesting that TCR-gamma delta T a limited number of evolutionarily conserved Ag such as nonpolymorphic MHC and heat shock proteins. TCR-gamma delta T lymphocytes appear in enhanced numbers in skin lesions produced by Mycobacterium leprae and in the synovial fluid of joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis, raising the possibility that this subset of T lymphocytes may play a role in control of infectious processes and in autoimmune diseases. We report the identification of a TCR-gamma delta T cell clone isolated from a HSV-infected mouse that recognizes glycoprotein I of HSV type 1. Clone recognition of glycoprotein I does not appear to require the expression of MHC class I or class II gene products. These data suggest that TCR-gamma delta lymphocytes may play an important role in the immune response to viral infections.

A large erythroid spectrin beta-chain variant

A large variant of erythrocyte beta-spectrin was found in a child presenting with hereditary elliptocytosis and anaemia. This polypeptide was phosphorylated, cross-reacted with normal beta-spectrin in immunoblotting and formed a dimer with alpha-spectrin that co-purified with normal alpha beta dimer. The molecular weight was estimated to be 330 kD by SDS gel electrophoresis, which is 84 kD (35%) larger than the normal beta-chain. This variant has been tentatively named spectrin Detroit (beta Detroit). Tryptic digests demonstrated a coexisting alpha-spectrin variant Sp alpha I/65 in the propositus, his father and a paternal uncle. Anaemia and elliptocytosis was associated with Sp alpha I/65 rather than beta Detroit, since other family members with beta Detroit in whom alpha-spectrin was normal had no morphological or clinical abnormalities. Family members were identified who had normal alpha-spectrin but were heterozygotic for the large beta-spectrin. Their erythrocyte membranes were more rigid and fragile than normal. The fragility is probably a consequence of both weaker dimer association and spectrin deficiency. Variant spectrin dimers (alpha beta Detroit) had a reduced self-association constants. Binding to ankyrin was normal. Instability of beta Detroit during erythropoiesis is suggested by the fact that it comprises only 25% of the beta-spectrin in beta Detroit heterozygote erythrocytes, and total spectrin was reduced by 20%. Although beta Detroit has some functional defects, this 84 kDa insert in erythrocyte spectrin is compatible with nearly normal function.

Purification of band 7.2b, a 31-kDa integral phosphoprotein absent in hereditary stomatocytosis

A 31-kDa human erythrocyte integral protein, band 7.2b, has been purified to better than 95% homogeneity. The polypeptide was found to be insoluble in most detergents and was isolated in denatured form by gel filtration in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and preparative electrophoresis. In intact erythrocytes that were equilibrated with 32Pi, band 7.2b was phosphorylated in response to exogenous dibutyryl cAMP. The peptide is also palmitylated, as shown by its incorporation of radioactivity when intact erythrocytes were incubated with [9,10-3H]palmitic acid. Antisera to band 7.2b were raised in rabbits, and these antibodies cross-react with 31-kDa polypeptides in human liver and kidney. Immunoblots of red cells from a number of other species were negative, with the exception of a cross-reacting 23-kDa polypeptide in rat erythrocyte membranes. Band 7.2b was absent in erythrocyte membranes from an individual with overhydrated hereditary stomatocytes.

Thrombin and parathyroid hormone mobilize intracellular calcium in rat osteosarcoma cells by distinct pathways

The mechanisms by which PTH and thrombin mobilize intracellular Ca2+ (Cai2+) were examined in UMR 106-H5 rat osteosarcoma cells. Bovine PTH-(1-34) (24 pM to 240 nM) produced a dose-dependent increase in Cai2+ (EC50, 3 nM), which returned to baseline within 75 sec. Human alpha-thrombin produced an increase in Cai2+ (ECmax, 10 U/ml) which was similar to that of PTH with respect to both magnitude and time course. Chelation of extracellular calcium with 5.0 mM EGTA did not alter the Cai2+ response to either PTH or thrombin. When added together at maximally effective concentrations, PTH and thrombin produced additive effects on Cai2+ in the presence and absence of EGTA. The additive effects of PTH and thrombin on Cai2+ were confirmed at the single cell level, using laser-based image analysis. Bradykinin (1 microM) produced a significant increase in Cai2+ in UMR 106-H5 cells which was of lesser magnitude than the peak 2- to 3-fold increase elicited by PTH or thrombin. Preexposure of cells to 10 U/ml thrombin for 2 min abolished the Cai2+ response to bradykinin, whereas preexposure to 240 nM PTH had no effect on the Cai2+ response to bradykinin. Thrombin elicited a rapid increase in the accumulation of 3H-labeled inositol phosphates (IP2 and IP3) in UMR 106-H5 cells, with increases in [3H]1,4,5-IP3 detectable as early as 15 sec after the addition of thrombin. Bradykinin increased [3H]IP production to a lesser extent than thrombin, whereas PTH neither increased [3H]IP accumulation nor potentiated the [3H]IP response to thrombin. The results suggest that thrombin and bradykinin mobilize Cai2+ from a shared IP3-responsive calcium pool, whereas PTH may use signals in addition to 1,4,5-IP3 to mobilize calcium from a distinct cellular calcium pool. Alternatively, specific calcium compartmentalization exists, and there is differential coupling of these agonists to the 1,4,5-IP3/Cai2+ pathway.

p185HER2 signal transduction in breast cancer cells

A partially agonistic monoclonal antibody, 4D5, known to bind to the extracellular domain of p185HER2 and shown to inhibit long term growth of p185HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells, was used to study signal transduction and phosphotyrosyl protein substrates associated with this receptor. Normal breast epithelial cells and breast carcinoma cells expressing low levels of p185HER2 were not affected by 4D5. HER2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells (BT-474 and SK-Br-3) exposed to 4D5 exhibited rapid phosphorylation of both p185HER2 and an associated 56-kDa phosphotyrosyl protein (ptyr56). Paralleling the 4D5- stimulated phosphorylation of p185HER2 and ptyr56 was a 5-10-fold induction of c-fos mRNA and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase activity and a 2-fold induction of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3'-kinase activity. The increased phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase activity immunoprecipitated with p185HER2 and also co-eluted with ptyr56 from an antiphosphotyrosine immunoaffinity column. These results indicate that short term (less than 6 h) 4D5 activation of p185HER2 in overexpressing breast cancer cells produces agonistic-like signaling typical of homologous tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors such as epidermal growth factor receptor. The data also suggest that ptyr56 represents a novel phosphorylated substrate associated with 4D5-stimulated p185HER2.

Characterization of an anti-p185HER2 monoclonal antibody that stimulates receptor function and inhibits tumor cell growth

The HER2 protooncogene encodes a growth factor receptor-like transmembrane protein tyrosine kinase (p185HER2) whose ligand remains to be fully characterized. The overexpression of p185HER2 is implicated in aggressive forms of breast and ovarian cancers. The role of p185HER2 in aggressive malignancy, as well as its cell surface localization, makes it an attractive target for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. In this report we have studied the modulation of p185HER2 function with 2 monoclonal antibodies, termed 4D5 and 6E9, which bind the extracellular domain of p185HER2. 4D5 inhibited proliferation of p185HER2 overexpressing SK-BR-3 human breast carcinoma cells (ED50 of approximately 1 nM) but did not inhibit proliferation of cultured human breast carcinoma MCF7 cells, low expressors of p185HER2. Monoclonal antibody 6E9 does not inhibit the growth of either cell line. Antibody binding studies revealed 2 populations of p185HER2 molecules on SK-BR-3 cells: one of high abundance (approximately 2 x 10(6) sites/cell) recognized by 4D5 (Kd approximately 6 nM) and the other of low abundance (2 x 10(4) sites/cell) recognized by 6E9 (Kd approximately 0.1 nM). 4D5, in an agonistic manner, downregulated SK-BR-3 cell surface p185HER2, was internalized, and stimulated p185HER2 phosphorylation in intact cells. Phosphoamino acid analysis of p185HER2 derived from SK-BR-3 cells incubated with the 4D5 monoclonal antibody demonstrated increased tyrosine, serine and threonine phosphorylation. 4D5, on short term (5 min) exposure to SK-BR-3 cells, stimulated inositol lipid hydrolysis as evidenced by increased intracellular levels of inositol polyphosphates (InsP) and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (sn-1,2-DAG). On longer (24 h) exposure to the cells, the antibody appeared to downregulate this signalling pathway since the intracellular levels of InsP and sn-1,2-DAG decreased by 30 to 40%. 6E9 did not inhibit SK-BR-3 cell proliferation, downregulate surface p185HER2, stimulate receptor phosphorylation, or stimulate the second messenger pathway. Despite these agonistic properties, 4D5 was an inhibitor of SK-BR-3 cell proliferation at all concentrations tested (0.7 to 70 pM). The data suggest that 4D5 is a partial or weak agonist and thus may inhibit cell proliferation by mimicking ligand-like receptor downregulation.

Growth hormone stimulates the formation of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol in rat hepatocytes

The transmembrane signaling events of GH were investigated in the liver, a major target organ of GH action. Recombinant human GH when added to freshly isolated rat hepatocytes rapidly stimulated the production of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG). The generation of DAG was biphasic with the first transient peak observed at 2 min and the second peak at 15 min (1.2-fold and 1.4-fold over control, respectively). Levels of DAG continued to be elevated above those in control cells at 30 min. The response was dose-dependent with an EC50 of 0.15 nM. Both bovine GH and rat GH, which bind to the rat GH receptor but not to the PRL receptor, also stimulated DAG production. Similarly, human PRL, which binds to the PRL but not GH receptor, stimulated DAG formation to a comparable extent. These results suggest that production of DAG may be an early signaling event mediated by hormone stimulation of both the GH and PRL receptors.

Erythrocyte cation permeability induced by mechanical stress: a model for sickle cell cation loss

Human red blood cells were subjected to mechanical shearing in a Couette viscometer at 37 degrees C, using polyvinylpyrrolidone to increase the medium viscosity. At stresses greater than 300 dyn/cm2, movement of both Na and K down their concentration gradients was observed. The net rate of both monovalent cation fluxes appeared to be linear with applied stress in the range of 300-910 dyn/cm2. The applied shear forces caused no fragmentation of the cells. Observed hemolysis was slight. The observed cation fluxes are not a result of hemolysis because the amount of K released by the hemolyzed cells is quantitatively inadequate to account for the net K efflux, and there is a net uptake of Na by the stressed erythrocytes, which cannot be a consequence of hemolysis. The rates of net Na uptake and K efflux were nearly equal (ratio = 0.93 +/- 0.40, n = 6). The stress-induced permeabilities were reversible when shearing was halted. This work demonstrates the existence of cation permeability inducible in the red cell membrane by mechanical deformation, which may be a model for the sickling-induced monovalent cation exchange observed in deoxygenated sickle cells.

Isolation and quantitation of human erythrocyte deformability classes

A new technique is described that fractionates erythrocytes according to their deformability. The method is a modification of the method of Beutler et al. (J Lab Clin Med 1976;88:328-33), in which small cellulose columns are used to remove white cells from blood samples. We find that when the length-to-width ratio of the columns is increased, the mixed cellulose bed also fractionates the red cells. Measurement of mean cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, hemoglobin level, deformability index, and cell density showed that deformability is the physical property of the erythrocyte that forms the basis for the fractionation. This is a separation modality that complements the numerous density gradient techniques for red cells. The following experimental results can be obtained by using the technique: (1) The number of cells with a defined degree of rigidity can be quantitated in an erythrocyte population. (2) Large numbers of cells that differ with respect to their deformability can be isolated. (3) Application of the method to sickle cells has quantitated the remarkable heterogeneity of these cells with regard to their deformability.

Herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D is recognized as antigen by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes from infected mice. Characterization of T cell clones

Several previous reports have described the surprising inability to detect murine CTL specific for glycoprotein D (gD), one of the important protective immunogens of HSV. Using slight variations of published procedures, we were able to show that the immune response to HSV in infected mice includes the generation of CTL specific for gD. C3H/OuJ (H-2k) mice were infected by injection in the hind footpads with purified HSV-1. Lymphocytes from draining lymph nodes were then isolated and shown to proliferate in response to, and to kill, transformed fibroblasts (H-2k) expressing HSV-1 gD. Two gD-specific T cell clones were isolated. One clone, designated CGD1, was shwon to be CD8+. This clone recognizes HSV-1 gD, but not HSV-2 gD, in the context of class I MHC molecules and kills the appropriate MHC-matched fibroblasts expressing HSV-1 gD. Unusual features of this cytolytic clone include augmentation by IL-4 of proliferative responses to Ag, inhibition of its lytic activity by a mAb specific for Thy-1 and recognition of infected fibroblasts in preference to infected lymphoblasts. The other clone, designated CGD3, was shown to be CD4+. This clone recognizes both HSV-1 gD and HSV-2 gD in the context of class II MHC molecules and has cytolytic potential.

Herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D is recognized as antigen by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes from infected mice. Characterization of T cell clones

Several previous reports have described the surprising inability to detect murine CTL specific for glycoprotein D (gD), one of the important protective immunogens of HSV. Using slight variations of published procedures, we were able to show that the immune response to HSV in infected mice includes the generation of CTL specific for gD. C3H/OuJ (H-2k) mice were infected by injection in the hind footpads with purified HSV-1. Lymphocytes from draining lymph nodes were then isolated and shown to proliferate in response to, and to kill, transformed fibroblasts (H-2k) expressing HSV-1 gD. Two gD-specific T cell clones were isolated. One clone, designated CGD1, was shwon to be CD8+. This clone recognizes HSV-1 gD, but not HSV-2 gD, in the context of class I MHC molecules and kills the appropriate MHC-matched fibroblasts expressing HSV-1 gD. Unusual features of this cytolytic clone include augmentation by IL-4 of proliferative responses to Ag, inhibition of its lytic activity by a mAb specific for Thy-1 and recognition of infected fibroblasts in preference to infected lymphoblasts. The other clone, designated CGD3, was shown to be CD4+. This clone recognizes both HSV-1 gD and HSV-2 gD in the context of class II MHC molecules and has cytolytic potential.

Mechanical properties of sickle cell membranes

The mechanical properties of sickle erythrocyte membranes were evaluated in the ektacytometer. When ghosts from the total red blood cell population were examined, the rigidity of the resealed ghosts and their rate of fragmentation by shear stress (t1/2) were normal. However, fractionation on Stractan density gradients revealed that sickle cells were heterogenous in their membrane mechanical properties. The ghosts from dense cell fractions exhibited both increased rigidity and decreased stability. Presumably, these altered mechanical properties are a reflection of the well-documented biochemical damage found in irreversibly sickle cell membranes. Nevertheless, neither of the alterations in mechanical properties are likely to be significant elements in the hemolysis of sickle cell anemia. Earlier studies of abnormal erythrocytes suggest that increases in membrane rigidity per se do not increase hemolysis, and they are, therefore, unlikely to do so in this case. The stability of membranes from the dense cell fractions was reduced to about two thirds of the control value. Comparison with the results of studies of red blood cell membranes with genetically defective or deficient spectrin suggests that a reduction in t 1/2 of 50% is not associated with significant increases in the rate of hemolysis. Although altered ghost stability and flexibility can be demonstrated in dense sickle cells, these changes in membrane mechanical properties are not likely to be significant factors in the hemolytic process.

Fibroblasts transformed with v-src show enhanced formation of an inositol tetrakisphosphate

The tyrosine kinase pp60v-src, encoded by the v-src oncogene, seems to regulate phosphatidylinositol metabolism. The effect of pp60v-src on control points in inositol phosphate production was examined by measuring the amounts of inositol polyphosphates in Rat-1 cells expressing wild-type or mutant forms of the protein. Expression of v-src-resulted in a five- to sevenfold elevation in the steady-state amount of an isomer of inositol tetrakisphosphate, whereas the concentrations of inositol trisphosphates or other inositol tetrakisphosphates were not affected. The activity of a key enzyme in the formation of inositol tetrakisphosphates, inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate 3-kinase, was increased six- to eightfold in cytosolic extracts prepared from the v-src-transformed cells, suggesting that this enzyme may be one target for the pp60v-src kinase and that it may participate in the synthesis of novel, higher order inositol phosphates.

Western blots from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels stained by metal salts

Proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis can be stained in 5 min with zinc or copper chloride. We here report that these stained but unfixed gels can be electrophoretically transferred to nitrocellulose filters and probed immunologically with the same efficiency and sensitivity as unstained gels. In this way, an immunologically defined polypeptide can be identified with a specific stained protein band on a single gel.

Herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D mediates interference with herpes simplex virus infection

We showed that the expression of a single protein, glycoprotein D (gD-1), specified by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) renders cells resistant to infection by HSV but not to infection by other viruses. Mouse (LMtk-) and human (HEp-2) cell lines containing the gene for gD-1 under control of the human metallothionein promoter II expressed various levels of gD-1 constitutively and could be induced to express higher levels with heavy metal ions. Radiolabeled viruses bound equally well to gD-1-expressing and control cell lines. Adsorbed viruses were unable to penetrate cells expressing sufficient levels of gD-1, based on lack of any cytopathic effects of the challenge virus and on failure to detect either the induction of viral protein synthesis or the shutoff of host protein synthesis normally mediated by a virion-associated factor. The resistance to HSV infection conferred by gD-1 expression was not absolute and depended on several variables, including the amount of gD-1 expressed, the dosage of the challenge virus, the serotype of the challenge virus, and the properties of the cells themselves. The interference activity of gD-1 is discussed in relation to the role of gD-1 in virion infectivity and its possible role in permitting escape of progeny HSV from infected cells.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor release associated with increased endothelial cell inositol trisphosphate and intracellular calcium

The release of eicosanoids and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from endothelial cells is thought to involve a calcium-dependent step. Using cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells as a model system, we have examined the relation between agonist-induced changes in inositol polyphosphates and calcium levels within the endothelial cells and extracellular calcium on EDRF release. In a superfusion-cascade system, EDRF was detected by the relaxation of a rabbit aortic ring without endothelium suspended beneath a column of cultured endothelial cells. Endothelial cell stimulation by bradykinin or melittin induced dose-dependent relaxation of the bioassay ring. In addition, bradykinin and melittin stimulated an increase in intracellular calcium concentration in fura-2 loaded endothelial cells and an increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins[1,4,5]P3) in cells prelabeled with 3H-myoinositol. Bradykinin stimulation produced transient increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3, fura-2 fluorescence and transient EDRF release. Melittin stimulation induced more prolonged release of EDRF from the endothelial cell column, which was correlated with sustained increases in the fura-2 signal and the level of Ins(1,4,5)P3. Omission of calcium from the cell superfusate attenuated, but did not eliminate, bradykinin-induced EDRF release and the calcium transient, whereas the melittin-induced responses were only slightly attenuated. Endothelial cells clearly demonstrate receptor-activation of phospholipase C and release of sequestered calcium from subcellular sites in response to Ins(1,4,5)P3. These results imply that EDRF release is correlated with increased intracellular calcium levels seen in the absence of extracellular calcium. However, sustained release of EDRF does require influx of extracellular calcium via an undefined mechanism.