Low and high affinity cellular receptors for interleukin 2. Implications for the level of Tac antigen

Peripheral blood adherent cells from AIDS patients inhibit normal T-colony growth through decreased expression of interleukin 2-receptors and production of interleukin 2

Adherent cells display an important accessory role on normal T-cell colony formation. Since the in-vitro proliferation of T colony-forming cells (T-CFC) from AIDS patients is extremely impaired we studied the effect of patients' adherent cells on T-CFC growth. Patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were fractionated on the basis of rosette formation with sheep red blood cells and complement-mediated cytotoxicity with OKT3 monoclonal antibody (E-T3-). Both mature (E+) T cells and E-OKT3- cell fractions failed to generate T-cell colonies although colony growth could be obtained from unfractionated PBMC. In five out of 12 AIDS patients, adherent cell-depletion of PBMC enhanced the plating efficiency. Moreover, patients' but not normal adherent cells could inhibit normal T-cell colony growth in a dose-dependent manner. Media conditioned by patients' unstimulated adherent cells (LCM-A+p) also inhibit normal T-cell colony formation. In addition, LCM-A+p were capable of inhibiting interleukin 2-receptor (IL2-R) expression and interleukin 2 (IL2) production by normal mitogen-stimulated T cells. These LCM-A+p did not contain detectable reverse transcriptase activity nor could they infect the CEM T-cell line which is permissive to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Conversely, this adherent cell-derived inhibitory activity could be abrogated by heating or treatment with proteolytic enzymes. These findings indicate that the low T-cell colony formation in some AIDS patients could be due to adherent cell-derived inhibitory activity(ies).

Interleukin-2 inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation depends on expression of the TAC receptor

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been shown to inhibit oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation. Within the immune system, IL-2 biological action is dependent strictly on the expression of the IL-2 receptor. The antibody TAC, which specifically binds the lymphocyte IL-2 receptor, has been shown to also bind oligodendrocyte progenitor cells cultured in a serumless, chemically defined medium. The expression of the TAC antigen was found necessary for IL-2 inhibition of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation. After IL-2 induced down-regulation of the TAC antigen, the progenitor cell was unresponsive to IL-2, even 72 hr after IL-2 withdrawal. During this unresponsive period, the oligodendrocyte progenitor cell was immunocytochemically negative for the TAC antigen. Thus, in contrast to IL-2 receptors on T-cells, IL-2 does not up-regulate its receptor on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. However, upon interleukin 1 (IL-1) addition both IL-2 responsiveness and TAC immunocytochemical staining reappeared. These data suggest that IL-2 inhibition of progenitor cell proliferation depends on the expression of the TAC antigen, which can be regulated by IL-1.

Identification of a high-affinity receptor for native human interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 1 alpha on normal human lung fibroblasts

Native human IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha stimulated prostaglandin E2 secretion by human embryonic lung fibroblasts at half-maximal concentrations of 3 +/- 1.2 pM (+/- SEM) and 10 +/- 2.3 pM, respectively. In contrast to the 20-50-fold lower affinities previously found for IL-1-R on 3T3 cells as well as murine and human lymphoblastoid lines, monoiodo 125I-IL-1 beta bound to normal human fibroblasts with a Kd of 8.4 +/- 4.1 pM in direct binding experiments, and with a Ki of 11.2 +/- 2.8 pM in competitive binding experiments. IL-1 alpha bound to the receptor identified by 125I-IL-1 beta with a Ki of 50 +/- 18 pM. The receptor exhibited homogeneous affinity for IL-1 beta or IL-1 alpha. The receptor did not recognize IL-2, IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, a functionally related monokine, or bovine acidic fibroblast growth factor, a structurally related mediator. Comparison of the biological response curves and binding curves obtained for IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta showed that they were parallel and that 10-15% occupancy of the estimated 3,000 sites by either species of IL-1 was sufficient to give half-maximal stimulation of prostaglandin E2 secretion. Thus, the amount of apparent signal amplification observed on fibroblasts was considerably lower than the 100-100,000 fold amplification previously reported for lymphoid lines. Crosslinking experiments revealed a major band with a corrected molecular mass of approximately 80 kD and a minor band of approximately 200 kD. Labeling of these bands was blocked by IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha but not by IL-2, IFN-gamma, or tumor necrosis factor alpha. These results demonstrate that normal human embryonic lung fibroblasts bear IL-1-R of sufficiently high affinity to mediate their biological responsiveness to low picomolar concentrations of IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha and are consistent with the existence of a single receptor mediating the biological properties of both human IL-1 species.

Studies of the mechanism by which gangliosides inhibit the proliferative response of murine splenocytes to concanavalin A

Gangliosides are known to inhibit the proliferative response of murine and human lymphocytes to antigens and mitogens in vitro. In this study the response of murine spleen cells to concanavalin A (Con A) was used as a model system. Analysis of the cellular events by flow cytometry revealed that during the first 24 hr of culture the effect of gangliosides on Con A-treated cells was minimal. At 48 hr, however, more of the ganglioside-treated cells were in G0/G1, the cells contained more RNA, and fewer cells were in S phase. These data indicate that gangliosides inhibit the transition of the cells from G0/G1 into the S phase of the cell cycle. Expression of the interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor, as measured by the binding of a monoclonal antibody to the receptor, was not inhibited by the gangliosides. Binding of 125I-labeled recombinant IL-2 to cells cultured for 48 hr with Con A was inhibited by ganglioside GD1a but not by asialo GM1. Inhibition was much more effective if the gangliosides were preincubated with IL-2 before addition of cells, but no inhibition was observed if the cells were preincubated with gangliosides and the unbound gangliosides were washed out prior to addition of the IL-2. These data suggest that interference with the binding of IL-2 to the high-affinity IL-2 receptor of activated T lymphocytes plays an important role in the inhibition of Con A-induced proliferation.

Rearrangement for the T-cell receptor gene and co-expression of immature T-cell markers and natural killer cell phenotype, in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

We describe a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia whose blasts co-expressed immature T-cell markers and nearly the entire phenotypic repertoire of NK cells. The T-cell nature of the proliferating blasts was proven by the demonstration of the rearrangement for the beta-chain of the T-cell antigen receptor. Although an abnormal phenotypic expression related to the neoplastic proliferation cannot be formally excluded, it is possible that the cells in this patient may represent the clonal expansion of a normal subpopulation of T-cell lineage NK-related cells frozen at an early stage of differentiation. These features provide arguments for discussing the controversial issue of the ontogeny of NK cells and their relationship to the T-cell lineage.

The two-chain structure of high-affinity IL-2 receptors

Binding studies with radiolabeled interleukin 2 (IL-2) have suggested that T cells possess two classes of IL-2 binding site with different affinities but a shared epitope named Tac. The gene for a 55kDa Tac-positive protein has been cloned but on transfection induced only the expression of low-affinity IL-2 binding sites. The structure of the receptor has therefore been perplexing. Here Kendall Smith discusses recent studies which disclose the existence of a new Tac-negative 75kDa IL-2 binding protein and he suggests that a high affinity IL-2 receptor consists of an α(p75) chain non-covalently linked to a β(p55) chain.

Tumour inhibition by interleukin-2 at the tumour/host interface

Until recently, lymphokines were regarded suspiciously as 'ill-defined factors'. Today, however, some of them have been clearly defined in both structural and functional terms. The interleukin-2 (IL-2) molecule and its specific membrane receptors have been the subject of particular attention. Endogenous IL-2 has proved to be an important signal for the activation and expansion of various cell-mediated immunity functions, while exogenous IL-2 has been used to activate numerous cell functions, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as in tumour immunotherapy, both alone or combined with lymphocytes previously activated in vitro (lymphokine-activated killer cells). Adoptive transfer of these cells together with high doses of IL-2 is particularly promising from the clinical standpoint, though by no means free from problems. IL-2 can also be employed in small doses locally in the presence of non-activated lymphocytes from tumour bearing mice to induce a local reaction that subsequently becomes systemic and can lead to the rejection of incipient tumours. Various host immune cells, primarily eosinophils and lymphocytes are involved in this reaction, which can also give rise to tumour-specific immune memory. In this way, the host immune system, despite its inevitable defeat in the first battle against a tumour, may acquire an important role in the long war that lies ahead.

Expression of human interleukin-2 receptor cDNA in E. coli

cDNAs for human interleukin-2 receptor were recently cloned and sequenced (Leonard et al., 1984, Nature 311, 626-631; Nikaido et al., 1984, Nature 311, 631-635; Cosman et al., Nature 312, 768-771). In the studies reported here, we describe the expression of a cDNA clone for the human interleukin-2 receptor in E. coli using an "open reading frame" expression vector pMR100. The inserted cDNA was expressed in E. coli transformants as a tripartite fusion polypeptide fused to the lambda cI protein at its amino terminus and to beta-galactosidase at its carboxy terminus. We demonstrate that the bacterially produced IL-2 receptor protein can bind to IL-2.

B cell receptors for interleukin 2: demonstration of IL2 internalization and of complementary effects of lipopolysaccharide and phorbol diester on receptor expression

We have previously shown (J. Exp. Med. 1984. 160: 1170) that murine B cells activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and rabbit anti-mouse Ig antibodies together (LPS-RaMIg blasts) express high-affinity interleukin 2 receptors (IL 2R) and respond to IL 2. This is not the case for B cells activated with either LPS alone (LPS blasts) or anti-Ig alone. In the present study IL 2R function and expression were further investigated by using this model. First, it was found that LPS-RaMIg blasts internalize IL 2 in a time- and temperature-dependent manner very similar to that occurring in CTLL (T lineage) cells. LPS blasts, however, did not internalize IL 2. LPS blasts were found to express 12 times less binding sites for anti-IL 2R monoclonal antibody (PC 61 monovalent Fab) as compared to LPS-RaMIg blasts and at least 30 times less IL 2 binding sites of high as well as of lower affinity. Second, with regard to the requirements for receptor expression, it was observed that either anti-Ig or phorbol diester (phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate) can induce IL 2R and IL 2 responsiveness (proliferation assay) in LPS blasts but not in fresh B cells. Taken together these results provide further evidence for the similarity of IL 2R function in activated B and T cells, confirm that surface-Ig cross-linkage and phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate have similar effects on B cells and suggest that LPS on the one hand, and phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate or anti-Ig on the other provide complementary signals necessary for IL 2R expression.

Intracytoplasmic phosphorylation sites of Tac antigen (p55) are not essential for the conformation, function, and regulation of the human interleukin 2 receptor

Tac antigen, the receptor for human interleukin 2 (IL-2), contains in its intracytoplasmic region a serine residue (Ser-247) that is seemingly the predominant site of protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation. A number of studies on growth factor receptors have suggested the importance of phosphorylation in receptor structure, function, and regulation. In this study, we generated site-directed mutations in the Tac antigen cDNA to generate mutant receptors in which Ser-247 or Thr-250, a probable site of minor phosphorylation, was replaced with another amino acid that is not accessible to phosphorylation. Study of the expression of these mutant genes in a T-lymphoid cell line has provided no evidence as to the essential role of the above-mentioned residues in determining the degree of receptor affinity, its ability for signal transduction, and phorbol ester-mediated regulation of the receptor. Our results strongly suggest the existence of an IL-2 receptor "complex" in which the Tac antigen is associated with another molecule(s) that is involved in receptor structure, function, and regulation.

Modulation of interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma receptor expression during T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation

Freshly isolated normal human T lymphocytes constitutively expressed receptors for interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and IFN-gamma. Upon activation, the number of IFN-alpha receptors increased, paralleling the increases in cell size to give a nearly constant density of IFN-alpha receptors. In contrast, activation of T lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (ConA), or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for 18 h decreased the specific binding of radiolabeled [Cys-Tyr-Cys] rIFN-gamma to acid-washed cells. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that the decreased binding was due to a reduction in the number of high affinity IFN-gamma receptors. Moreover, resting T lymphocytes had a single class of high-affinity IFN-gamma receptors, whereas the activated cells appeared to have both high- and lower-affinity IFN-gamma binding sites. When normalized for differences in cell size, the number of high-affinity IFN-gamma receptors per unit cell surface area was approximately twofold lower on activated than on resting T lymphocytes. At least part of the decrease was due to receptor downregulation by endogenously produced IFN-gamma, since monoclonal antibodies to IFN-gamma prevented a large portion of the PHA-induced decrease in IFN-gamma receptors.

Molecular basis for two different affinity states of the interleukin 2 receptor: affinity conversion model

Two affinity species of the interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor are different states of a single receptor molecule. We assumed that a binary complex between the IL-2 receptor and another lymphocyte-specific protein would constitute the high-affinity receptor. To test this assumption, we counted the numbers of IL-2 receptors with high and low affinity in a murine T-cell line CT/hR-1 that expresses not only murine but also human receptors by cDNA transfection. We found that human high-affinity receptors disappeared when the murine high-affinity receptors were already occupied by the ligand. The results were incompatible with a fixed number of human and murine receptors with high affinity in CT/hR-1 cells. We suggest that the high-affinity state of the IL-2 receptor is a ternary complex of IL-2, the IL-2 receptor, and a postulated "converter" protein, which is fewer in number than the receptors. The converter would be unable to form a complex with the IL-2 receptor unless IL-2 was already bound to it. The ligand binding to the receptor would cause a conformational change in the receptor, increasing its affinity to the converter. Ternary complex formation would, in turn, change the apparent affinity of the receptor to the ligand from low to high by reduction of the dissociation constant.

Demonstration of a non-Tac peptide that binds interleukin 2: a potential participant in a multichain interleukin 2 receptor complex

The interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor system plays a key role in the T-cell immune response. Although IL-2 binding was reported to be restricted to the Tac peptide, we have identified an IL-2 binding peptide that does not react with anti-human IL-2 receptor monoclonal antibodies, including anti-Tac on MLA 144, a gibbon ape T-cell line. The MLA 144 cell line expressed 6800 IL-2 binding sites per cell with a low (Kd = 14 nM) affinity for human recombinant IL-2. Using cross-linking methodology, we demonstrated that the IL-2 binding peptide on MLA 144 is larger (Mr 75,000) than the Tac peptide, which has a Mr of 55,000. An IL-2 binding peptide of similar size (Mr 75,000) was also identified in addition to the Tac peptide (Mr 54,000-57,000) on Hut 102, a human T-cell lymphotrophic virus I-induced T-cell leukemia line, and phytohemagglutinin-activated normal human and gibbon ape lymphoblasts. Anti-Tac antibody did not block the binding of 125I-labeled IL-2 to MLA 144 cells. However, this antibody abolished the binding of 125I-labeled IL-2 not only to the Tac peptide on Hut 102 cells and normal lymphoblasts but also to the Mr 75,000 IL-2 binding peptide, suggesting that this latter peptide is associated with the Tac peptide to form the high-affinity IL-2 receptor complex.

A model system for peptide hormone action in differentiation: interleukin 2 induces a B lymphoma to transcribe the J chain gene

Physiological levels of a purified T cell hormone, interleukin 2 (IL-2), were found to stimulate a cloned murine B cell line (BCL1) to secrete pentamer IgM antibody. The peptide hormone acts at the cell surface via specific IL-2 receptors and induces changes in the 5' chromatin of the J chain gene that correlate with its transcription and with the production of the J chain protein required for pentamer IgM assembly. There was no effect of IL-2 on cell proliferation nor on mu heavy chain gene transcription. These results define a specific function for IL-2 in B cell differentiation. In addition, the IL-2/BCL1 system provides a model for examining the mechanism by which signals generated by hormone-receptor interaction are transmitted to the nucleus and regulate gene expression.

A human T cell line established from a patient with Sézary syndrome. Application for assay of human interleukin 2 (IL-2)

A human T cell line, designated Sez 627, was established from a patient with Sézary syndrome. These clonal T cells have been cultured for more than 2 years in the presence of IL-2 without any antigen stimulation. The surface phenotype of Sez 627 was OKT3+, OKT4-, OKT8+, and Tac+, and infection with human T lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I) was demonstrated by Southern blot hybridization analysis. In human IL-2 assay, Sez 627 cells were found to be superior to murine CTLL-2 cells with respect to their unresponsiveness to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and species specificity for human IL-2, as well as better cryopreservation, although they were less sensitive to IL-2 than CTLL-2 cells. Using Sez 627 cells, IL-2 production by lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was examined. Decreased IL-2 production was observed in the patients with active SLE but not in most patients with inactive SLE. These findings suggest that Sez 627 is a useful human T cell line for human IL-2 assay.

Novel interleukin-2 receptor subunit detected by cross-linking under high-affinity conditions

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) binds to both high- and low-affinity classes of IL-2 receptors on activated T lymphocytes. Only the high-affinity receptors are involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis and normally transduce the mitogenic signals of IL-2; however, the structural features distinguishing the high- and low-affinity receptors are unknown. When 125I-labeled IL-2 was chemically cross-linked to activated human T lymphocytes, two major bands were identified. First, as predicted, a 68- to 72-kilodalton band, consisting of IL-2 (15.5 kilodaltons) cross-linked to the IL-2 receptor (55 kilodaltons), was observed. Second, an unpredicted 85- to 92-kilodalton moiety was detected. This band was not present when IL-2 was cross-linked to transfected C127 cells, which exclusively express low-affinity receptors. The data presented are most consistent with the existence of a 70- to 77-kilodalton glycoprotein subunit (p70) which, upon associating with the 55-kilodalton low-affinity receptor (p55), transforms it into a high-affinity site. It is proposed that p55 and p70 be referred to as the alpha and beta subunits, respectively, of the high-affinity IL-2 receptor.

Intracellular pathway of interleukin 2 following receptor-mediated endocytosis

Electron microscope autoradiography was used to examine the intracellular pathway of radioiodinated interleukin 2 [( 125I]IL2) following its receptor-mediated endocytosis in CTLL cells. Direct measurement of the kinetics of endocytosis showed that 60-70% of surface-bound [125I]IL2 was internalized after 1 h at 37 degrees C. [125I]IL2 was observed to enter cells through invagination of coated pits at the cell surface and to concentrate into lysosomal multivesicular bodies as early as 5-10 min after endocytosis. These results provide ultrastructural information on the intracellular pathway of IL2 and on its probable site of degradation within the cell.

Regulation of interleukin-2 receptor expression and receptor release

The generation and cell surface expression of IL-2 receptors was monitored by: (i) an ELISA that permits quantitative determination of detergent-solubilized or soluble IL-2 receptors; and (ii) detection of the binding of 125I-labelled recombinant IL-2 and of anti-IL-2 receptor antibodies to receptor bearing cells. Upon lectin stimulation both high and low affinity IL-2 receptors became expressed in parallel at the cell surface. Both high and low affinity receptors were upregulated by IL-2. Upon lectin activation the amount of cell-associated receptors increased and on day 2 of the culture period IL-2 receptors were detectable in the culture supernatant. IL-2 upregulated both high and low affinity IL-2R expression on T-lymphoblasts. IL-2R bearing leukemic cells and T lymphoblasts released IL-2R when cultured in vitro. IL-2R release by T lymphoblasts was enhanced dramatically by IL-2. On the other hand, IL-2-receptor positive leukemic cells released receptors in an IL-2 independent manner. Release of receptors could also be detected in serum-free medium. At least a part of the released receptors could be specifically bound to immobilized pure recombinant IL-2 and to monoclonal anti-IL-2-receptor antibodies. Small but significant amounts of soluble IL-2 receptors were detectable in the sera of normal mice. In sera of mice inoculated with IL-2-receptor positive syngeneic leukemic cells, elevated levels of IL-2 receptors were detectable. Release of IL-2 receptors seems to represent one of the major routes by which the receptors are cleared from the cell surface.

Direct evidence for the existence of nominal antigen binding sites on T cell surface Ti alpha-beta heterodimers of MHC-restricted T cell clones

The binding of nominal antigen to Ti alpha-beta heterodimers on MHC-restricted human T cell clones specific for fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FL) was detected by flow cytometry and affinity chromatography. The FL-Ti interaction is of physiologic significance, since T cell activation is induced by cross-linked arrays of FL in the absence of the specific MHC recognition. High antigen valence is required to achieve stable binding to cells and subsequent activation, which is consistent with estimated Ti-FL association constants of less than 3 X 10(5) l/mol. In addition to providing direct evidence that the Ti alpha-beta heterodimer is the receptor for antigen, these data suggest that nominal antigen binding sites exist on the Ti molecules of at least some MHC-restricted clones.

Binding and internalization of interleukin 1 by T cells. Direct evidence for high- and low-affinity classes of interleukin 1 receptor

In this report we describe, on the basis of direct IL-1 binding assays and IL-1 internalization studies, the existence of two classes of IL-1-R on a variety of T cell types. Cells of the EL4-6.1 thymoma express large numbers (approximately 20,000 per cell) of IL-1-R that have a Kd of approximately 300 pM for IL-1. Even though these receptors make up 98-99% of the total IL-1-R per cell, they appear to be nonfunctional, based on their inability to endocytose IL-1. A minor class of IL-1-R (200-400/cell) has an approximately 100-fold higher affinity for IL-1 (Kd, approximately 5 pM) and can rapidly internalize the ligand upon binding. All of the biological activity of IL-1 can be shown to occur via binding to high-affinity IL-1-R since the IL-1 concentration giving half-maximum biological activity in EL4-6.1 cells corresponds precisely to the Kd of this class of receptor. Other cell types, including normal T cells, also express both high- and low-affinity IL-1-R, but the absolute number of receptors per cell is considerably less.

Mitogenic response of human thymocytes: identification of functional Ca2+-dependent and independent signals

In contrast to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), human thymocytes do not exhibit a proliferative response to the T cell mitogens phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), or Staphylococcal protein A (SPA). In thymocytes and PBMC, Con A and PHA induce increases in free cytosolic calcium concentrations [( Ca2+]i). Since both Con A and PHA induce similar increases in [Ca2+]i in thymocytes and PBMC, the absence of thymocyte proliferation was not due to an inability to induce an increase in [Ca2+]i. The lack of proliferative response was secondary to the failure of the mitogens to induce interleukin 2 (IL-2) production. Incubation of mitogen-treated thymocytes with phorbol esters reconstituted IL-2 production and the proliferative response indicating that the cells were indeed activated by the mitogens. Similarly, addition of exogenous recombinant IL-2 also induced mitogen-treated thymocytes to proliferate. This IL-2-dependent proliferation established that SPA, Con A, and PHA triggered the expression of biologically active IL-2 receptors. Since an increase in [Ca2+]i is a prerequisite, and possibly a trigger, for IL-2 production, the failure of PHA, Con A, or SPA to result in thymocyte proliferation may be due to an inability of thymocytes to respond to increases in [Ca2+]i with subsequent IL-2 production.

Modulation of c-fos and c-myc mRNA levels in normal human lymphocytes by calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol ester

A transient expression of the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-myc is rapidly induced by growth factors or mitogens in different cell types including lectin-stimulated lymphocytes. To elucidate the early events of lymphocyte activation, we determined (by Northern blot analysis) the steady-state levels of c-fos and c-myc mRNA in normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) stimulated with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and/or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), whose biological activities are well defined. We report that ionophore A23187 (0.5 microM) or, to a significantly lesser extent, TPA (0.5 ng/ml), neither of which is mitogenic alone at these concentrations, nevertheless can induce a transient accumulation of the proto-oncogene transcripts. These results indicate that a significant accumulation of c-fos and c-myc mRNA can occur without subsequent lymphocyte proliferation. The combination of these two mitogens increases the induced levels of both types of c-onc mRNAs. The level of mRNA accumulation correlates with the degree of proliferation induced by mitogenic combinations of ionophore A23187 and TPA, as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Thus, these compounds act synergistically both with respect to c-fos and c-myc mRNA accumulation and to mitogenicity in human PBL. We also studied the level of c-fos transcripts following stimulation of the T lymphocyte T3/Ti receptor complex, using monoclonal anti-T3 antibodies. We observed that mitogenic doses of anti-T3 also induce an accumulation of c-fos mRNA, whose induction also is synergized by TPA. These results suggest that transient accumulation of c-fos; as well as c-myc, mRNA is a normal event of the immune response. They confirm that Ca2+ ionophore combined with TPA can mimic some molecular features of the early steps of normal human PBL activation.

A novel mechanism of immunosuppression mediated by ethanol

Ethanol in concentrations equivalent to levels achieved by the ingestion of moderate amounts of alcoholic beverages has been shown to inhibit human T-lymphocyte proliferation after activation in vitro by mitogens, phorbol myristic acetate, or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies. As determined by probit analysis, this inhibition was monophasic, suggesting that ethanol affected a single limiting component of T-cell proliferation. In experiments designed to test the effect of ethanol on various aspects of proliferation, it was demonstrated that ethanol did not inhibit interleukin 2 (IL-2) production or the acquisition of IL-2 receptors. However, the capacity of exogenously supplied IL-2 to stimulate proliferation of T cells that had previously acquired IL-2 receptors was suppressed by ethanol in a dose-dependent manner, and this suppression was monophasic. Consequently, ethanol was able to inhibit T-lymphocyte proliferation when added several days after the initial stimulation. This mechanism appears to be unique among immunosuppressive agents thus far studied; cyclosporin A and corticosteroids inhibit IL-2 production and are required at the initiation of activation for maximal effect. Synergistic inhibition of T-cell proliferation was seen with ethanol plus cyclosporin A: the level of inhibition with 250 ng/ml cyclosporin A alone was equivalent to the level seen with 62 ng/ml cyclosporin A plus 5 mM (24 mg%) ethanol.

Impairment of T cell activation in burn patients: a possible mechanism of thermal injury-induced immunosuppression

In the burn patient, the mechanisms leading to impaired T lymphocyte activity are unclear. The capacity for T cell proliferation and the expression of Tac antigen (IL-2 receptor) was assessed during the post-burn period in patients with injuries ranging from 5-68% total body surface area. T cell-dependent (polyclonal) immunoglobulin synthesis, mixed lymphocyte reaction and Interleukin-2 production were also determined in these patients and correlated with survival. Surviving patients demonstrated a transient reduction while terminal patients exhibited a permanent reduction in the number of Tac (+) lymphocytes, unrelated to the absolute number of T cells, during the post-burn period. The reduced percentage of IL-2 receptor-expressing T cells coincided with the suppressed antibody response and reduced alloreactivity. Although the concentration of IL-2 was decreased in all patients throughout the hospitalization period, surviving patients showed a gradual increase in its production while terminal patients gradually decreased to undetectable levels. Exogenous recombinant IL-2 induced a significant enhancement of in-vitro polyclonal immunoglobulin production and blastogenesis in the mixed lymphocyte reaction in immunosuppressed patients who demonstrated up to 50% reduction in the percentage of IL-2 receptor positive cells. Thus, the reduced capacity for production of and response to IL-2 after thermal injury may lead to the immunosuppression due to a lack of T lymphocyte clonal expansion. The permanent nature of this defect in patients who died from fatal sepsis may suggest a causative relationship.

Histamine inhibits interferon-gamma production via suppression of interleukin 2 synthesis

Histamine, a modulator of various immune functions, inhibits the production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by polyclonally activated human blood mononuclear cells. The histamine-induced inhibition of IFN-gamma synthesis can be completely eliminated by the addition of recombinant IL-2. The IFN-gamma synthesis by T8+ lymphocytes is highly dependent on IL-2 supplied either by the IL-2 producing T4+ lymphocytes or through exogenous addition of recombinant IL-2. It is concluded that histamine acts primarily on the interleukin 2 synthesis by the T4+ lymphocytes and as a consequence of this inhibition, interferon-gamma production is reduced.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor

The interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor system which is responsible for T-cell cycle progression is a unique hormone-receptor system in that both the ligand and the receptor need to be induced. In the present article I will review the biological and molecular characteristics of IL-2 and its receptor, as well as the differential triggering and growth requirements that L3T4+ (T4+) helper and Lyt-2+ (T8+) cytotoxic/suppressor T-cells display to respond. The various mechanisms of regulation operating to restrain clonal IL-2-dependent expansion of normal T-lymphocytes will be discussed.

Fibrinogen mitogenic effect on hemopoietic cell lines: control via receptor modulation

The possibility that the mitogenic effect of fibrinogen, a major plasma protein (3 mg/ml), is mediated by specific membrane receptors was studied. Specific binding analysis showed that fibrinogen receptors are present only on hemopoietic cell lines that respond to its mitogenic effect. The mitogenic fibrinogen receptor is not recognized by antibodies specific for the platelet fibrinogen receptor or is not competitively blocked by synthetic peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence, which is common to fibronectin, fibrinogen, vitronectin, and other cell-attachment proteins. The lymphoma-derived pre-B-cells (Raji) have 149,000 receptors, whereas the lymphoma-derived T cells (JM), which are 3 times smaller, have 54,000 receptors. These receptors have a Kd of 2 X 10(-7) M. They are inducible by stimuli specific for the cell lineage: activators of the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol phosphates, such as platelet activating factor for Raji cells, and adenylate cyclase agonists and cAMP analogues for JM cells. The stimuli have no mitogenic effect in the absence of fibrinogen; they do not change the Kd. Each stimulus increases the number of fibrinogen receptors in a dose-dependent manner, which correlates strongly (r = -0.98, n = 5) with an increased growth rate of cells in the presence of fibrinogen. This correlation concludes that the mitogenic effect of fibrinogen is controlled via receptor modulation.

T cell help in human antigen-specific antibody responses can be replaced by interleukin 2

Recombinant IL 2, and immunosorbent/high performance liquid chromatography-purified interleukin 2 (IL 2) obtained from the human T cell leukemic line Jurkat, but not interferon-alpha or -gamma, were able to substitute for T cells in specific antibody responses to influenza virus by T cell-depleted (E-) human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and resulted in antibody formation equivalent to that obtained in the presence of T cells. The antibody response was shown to be antigen specific by using two non-cross-reacting strains of influenza virus (A/X31 and B/HK). IL 2 in this assay therefore functions as a T cell-replacing factor. Less than 1% of T (UCHT1+) cells were present in the E- preparations, and this number did not increase during the 7-day culture with antigen and IL 2. Because the frequency of T helper cells for X31 is known to be less than 5 X 10(-5), this low number of contaminating cells excluded indirect action of IL 2 through antigen-specific T helper cells. Three to four times less IL 2 was required for antibody production by E- cells than was needed for optimal proliferation by an IL 2-dependent T cell line. Moreover, the concentration of anti-Tac required for 50% inhibition of the IL 2-induced antibody response was 50 times less than required for 50% inhibition of IL 2-dependent proliferation by the T cell line. But when T cells were added back to the E- cells, the anti-Tac inhibition curve shifted back to that obtained with the T cell line. In cell labeling experiments, Leu 11+ cells but not HNK1+ cells were increased in E- cells cultured with antigen and IL 2. This increase in Leu 11+ cells was abolished by prior passage of the E- cells through Sephadex G-10 columns without affecting the IL 2-induced antibody response. From these experiments we conclude that IL 2 can replace T cells in specific antibody responses, and that the IL 2 effect is not mediated indirectly through T cells or large granular lymphocytes.

Interleukin-2 versus phorbol-ester-induced cellular events in normal T-lymphocytes

Activation of primary T-lymphocytes (T-cells) is dependent on interactions with the T3/T-cell antigen receptor complex which results in expression of cell surface receptors for the lymphocytotrophic growth factor interleukin-2 (IL-2). In the present communication we have compared the cellular responses to phorbol ester with IL-2-induced cellular responses. Thus, the effect of respective ligand on T-cell growth, the level of expression and composition of two distinct affinity classes of IL-2 receptors, and phosphorylation of an 80,000 mol. wt cellular substrate for the Ca2+-dependent, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PK-C) was analysed. The results demonstrate that only the high affinity IL-2 receptor class is induced by phorbol esters and that both IL-2 and cell surface expression of its high affinity receptor is required for induction of low affinity IL-2 receptors. Moreover, IL-2 receptor signalling seems not to involve activation of PK-C and the results suggest that another intracellular pathway, distinct from the PK-C pathway which induces high affinity IL-2 receptors, is employed in the transmission of IL-2 growth promoting signals.

High level stable expression of human interleukin-2 receptors in mouse cells generates only low affinity interleukin-2 binding sites

A bovine papilloma virus-derived vector was used to direct the high level expression in mouse C127 cells of three different cDNAs encoding the human interleukin-2 receptor. These were: the previously described cDNA clone isolated from the T-cell lymphoma, HUT-102; a cDNA clone isolated from mitogen-activated, normal peripheral blood T cells; and an altered version of the HUT-102 receptor in which Ser247, believed to be the site of protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation, has been changed to an Ala residue. Fluorescence-activated cell-sorting using a monoclonal antibody directed against the human IL-2 receptor was used to derive stable lines of C127 cells expressing from 2-6 X 10(6) IL-2 binding sites per cell. However, all of these receptors bound IL-2 with low affinity.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of mouse interleukin-2 receptors

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which measures soluble mouse interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) was developed, using two monoclonal anti-mouse IL-2R antibodies directed against two different epitopes of the IL-2R molecule. The ELISA-reactive material was identical with the IL-2R material which was capable of binding to affinity support beads coupled with recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2). Quantitation of IL-2R in detergent-lysed cells was compared to that of the purified IL-2R, and the detection limit was estimated to be within the range of 2-10 ng/ml of a test sample. This sensitivity made it possible to determine soluble IL-2R levels in cell culture supernatants and mouse sera.

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 human interleukin-2 receptor: analysis of structure and function

Considerable information presently exists regarding the molecular, biochemical, and biological features of the human IL-2 receptor. The IL-2 receptor protein, multiple receptor mRNAs, and a single structural gene have now been identified. The important role of this receptor in normal T-cell growth is well established and its potential participation in B-cell growth and differentiation appreciated. The availability of cloned gene products for both the IL-2 receptor and IL-2 may permit the future development of novel biological agents capable of either augmenting or blunting the T-cell immune response. The intriguing interrelationship of HTLV-I and -II infection and altered IL-2 receptor expression is now being unraveled. However, the structural difference in high and low affinity receptors as well as the mechanism by which signals for T-cell growth are propagated through the high affinity receptor remain dominant, unanswered questions in the field.

Characterization of the role for calcium influx in mitogen-induced triggering of human T cells. Identification of calcium-dependent and calcium-independent signals

Entry of Ca2+ into the cell is recognized as an important activation signal for mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation. Changes in free cytosolic Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) can now be measured directly using the fluorescent reagent quin-2. To analyze the role of [Ca2+]i in human T cell activation, we have determined the effect of the calcium channel blocker, nifedipine, on phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte proliferation. At a concentration of 50 microM, nifedipine is nontoxic, and prevents PHA-induced proliferation. In parallel the drug prevents the lectin-induced increase in concentration of [Ca2+]i and interleukin 2 (IL2) secretion; IL2 receptor expression is unaffected. In the presence of exogenous IL2, cell proliferation proceeds normally. Treatment of the cells with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate prevents the inhibitory effect of nifedipine on cell proliferation. Since TPA is itself nonmitogenic and does not affect levels of cytosolic Ca2+, these data and the data on IL2 receptor expression indicate that PHA can generate an activation signal(s) which is [Ca2+]i independent.

Modulation of interleukin 2 receptor expression on normal human lymphocytes by thymic hormones

The expression of interleukin 2 receptors (IL-2R) is a critical step leading to normal lymphocyte proliferation. Since thymosin fraction 5 (TF5), a thymic hormone preparation, enhances lymphoproliferative responses of human cells, we examined the effects of TF5 on the expression of IL-2R on mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes. TF5 significantly increased the percentage and antigen density of cells expressing IL-2R after stimulation with an optimal concentration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) when the cells from the same donor exhibited suboptimal responses to PHA alone. The same effect was observed with a suboptimal PHA concentration and with OKT3 monoclonal antibody stimulation. Thymosin alpha 1, a synthetic polypeptide originally isolated in its native form from TF5, was also able to increase IL-2R expression in response to PHA, suggesting that it is the active species in TF5. The enhancement of IL-2R expression was paralleled by increased proliferative responses. Increased IL-2R expression appears to be the direct effect of thymic hormones, since abrogation of interleukin 2 production by cyclosporin A did not affect TF5-mediated enhancement of PHA-induced IL-2R expression. These results point to a physiological role of thymic hormones in the maintenance of normal levels of IL-2R expression. This immunoregulatory activity of thymic hormones might be relevant in the treatment of conditions where there is decreased IL-2R expression, such as the acquired immune-deficiency syndrome, or in the restoration of normal IL-2R expression to lymphocytes from aged individuals.

Regulation of expression of the interleukin-2 receptor on hematopoietic cells by interleukin-3

Remarkable similarities in the intracellular and genetic events occur when lymphoid and hematopoietic cells are exposed to their specific growth factors. The interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor, whose cell-surface expression is an absolute requirement for the growth and differentiation of lymphoid cells, was detected on various nonlymphoid hematopoietic cell types in this study. Cell lines consisting either of granulocyte-macrophage precursors or mast cells, which are dependent on interleukin-3 (IL-3) for their growth, expressed high levels of the IL-2 receptor on their surface. Analysis of the binding characteristics of these receptors with 125I-labeled recombinant IL-2 revealed that only receptors with low affinity for IL-2 were present on these cells. Addition of purified recombinant IL-3 to these cell lines led to an increase in IL-2 receptor gene expression within 1 hour in isolated nuclei. This IL-3--induced increase in the number of IL-2 receptors on the cell surface is maximal within 24 hours. Addition of 10,000 units of IL-2 to these cells had no apparent effect on their growth or differentiation. The presence of the receptor with only low affinity for IL-2 on hematopoietic cells and the regulation by IL-3 suggest that this receptor is involved in some important metabolic event in hematopoiesis.

Cloned T-cell proliferation and synthesis of specific proteins are inhibited by quinine

Recombinant human interleukin 2 (rIL-2) drives the proliferation of the cloned murine T-helper line L2. The initial G1 activation occurs during the first 20 hr after stimulation, with DNA synthesis (S phase) beginning approximately 20 hr after rIL-2 stimulation. Three patterns of protein synthesis were observed during G1 activation. Type I proteins (e.g., p72 and p66) were synthesized at near maximal rates as early as 4 hr after stimulation, with little change in rates of synthesis through the G1 to S phase transition. Type II proteins (e.g., p52 and p36) were detectable early after stimulation, but their rates of synthesis continued to increase throughout G1 activation, becoming maximal 24-28 hr after stimulation. Type III proteins (e.g., p93, p89, and p63) were synthesized maximally 4 or 8 hr after rIL-2 stimulation, then their rates of synthesis declined markedly to prestimulation levels. Type II proteins, p52 and p36, were shown to be correlated with cell proliferation, since their rates of synthesis were maximal while L2 cells were proliferating and declined as the cells returned to a quiescent state. The potassium channel blocker quinine inhibited cell growth and the synthesis of p52 and p36 when added 0 or 2 hr after rIL-2 stimulation but not when added 6 hr after rIL-2 stimulation. Thus, a quinine-sensitive event occurring in L2 cells between 2 and 6 hr after rIL-2 stimulation is necessary for synthesis of type II proteins, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation.

Examination of the low proliferative capacity of human jejunal intraepithelial lymphocytes

The proliferation of human jejunal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) was examined to determine how it differed from that of peripheral blood (PB) T lymphocytes. The IEL were mainly T lymphocytes of the cytotoxic-suppressor (T8+) phenotype. They demonstrated lower proliferative responses to various stimuli (2,501 +/- 565 ct/min with phytohaemagglutinin; PHA) compared to unseparated PB T lymphocytes (73,678 +/- 2,495) or the T8+ subset (68,939 +/- 10,053 ct/min) (P less than 0.001). This low proliferative response was also a characteristic of the T8+ T lymphocytes in the lamina propria (4,606 +/- 1,226 ct/min) but not the T4+ subset (43,447 +/- 10,188 ct/min) (P less than 0.05). These findings were not due to isolation techniques or to differences in kinetics. Mixing experiments revealed that the IEL did not contain cells which suppressed proliferation. In addition, the IEL could be stimulated by mitogens, as they produced the same amount of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-2 receptors as did PB T lymphocytes. Although the lectin-induced proliferative response of IEL was unaltered by the addition of autologous macrophages and minimally increased by IL-2, it was markedly enhanced by the addition of sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The enhancing effect of SRBC was not due to T cell recognition of xenogenic antigens on the erythrocytes since neither allogeneic non-T lymphocytes nor other xenogenic erythrocytes produced the same effect. Both intact SRBC and membrane fragments from osmotically lysed cells augmented lymphocyte proliferation. Thus, jejunal IEL could be activated by mitogen and proliferated as much as PB T lymphocytes if exposed to a membrane component found on SRBC.

Regulation of interleukin 2 receptor expression by interleukin 2

The regulatory influence of Interleukin 2 (IL-2) on the expression of IL-2 receptors (IL-2R) was studied using long-term cultured T-cell lines and recombinant IL-2 (r-IL-2). Three T-cell lines with different growth requirements were used as model systems: insulin-specific BK-BI-1.2 cells express IL-2R transiently after antigenic restimulation, ovalbumin-reactive BK-OVA-1R cells express IL-2R permanently, and BK-BI-2.6.C6 cells bear IL-2R constitutively but do not exhibit antigen reactivity. All three T-cell lines exhibited the property of increased IL-2R expression in the presence of r-IL-2, as tested by cytofluorometry employing monoclonal antibody AMT-13 directed at the murine IL-2R. IL-2R density was influenced selectively by r-IL-2, because the level of Thy-1.2 molecules was similar in the presence and absence of r-IL-2. With BK-BI-2.6.C6 cells, r-IL-2 was shown to upregulate high-affinity receptors. Since BK-BI-2.6.C6 and BK-OVA-1R cells were grown in the absence of feeder cells, these data show that r-IL-2 can regulate the expression of its own receptor without the participation of monokines. Results obtained with the T-cell line BK-BI-1.2, representing insulin-specific T cells with transient IL-2R expression, show that the presence of r-IL-2 did not prevent a decline in IL-2R density occurring on day 5 after antigenic stimulus. This indicates that additional mechanisms besides antigen- and IL-2-induced IL-2R upregulation are operative in controlling IL-2R density on the cell surface.

Interleukin-2 differentially regulates IL-2 receptors on murine cloned cytolytic and helper T cells

The effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the expression of IL-2 receptors by cloned cytolytic and helper T lymphocytes were studied using three anti-IL-2 receptor antibodies. IL-2 enhanced the expression of IL-2 receptors on all clones tested. A steep dose-response curve was observed with no measurable effect seen below 2 units/ml and maximal IL-2 receptor expression with greater than 5 units/ml. IL-2 receptor expression peaked 24-48 hr after the addition of IL-2. The subsequent decrease in IL-2 receptor expression correlated with a decrease in the levels of IL-2 remaining in the culture supernatants of cytolytic T lymphocyte cells. Removing residual IL-2 from cultures resulted in the rapid return of IL-2 receptor expression to unstimulated levels. The daily addition of low levels of IL-2 to cultures resulted in the prolonged expression of high levels of IL-2 receptors by non-IL-2-producing cloned cytolytic T cells. Cloned helper T cells which make IL-2 showed the initial increase in IL-2 receptor levels, but the daily addition of IL-2 did not prolong IL-2 receptor expression in these cells. These data suggest that IL-2 receptors on those cells which do not make IL-2 are regulated differently from receptors on cells which themselves make IL-2.

Administration of recombinant interleukin 2 in vivo induces a polyclonal IgM response

We studied the potential immunoenhancing effects of high doses of rIL-2 on murine T and B cell functions in vivo. Injection of rIL-2 caused a threefold or more increase in the frequencies of antigen-specific proliferative T cells, suggesting that rIL-2 initiated a polyclonal T cell response. In primary and secondary humoral immune responses, administration of rIL-2 in vivo selectively enhanced the production of IgM antibodies, whereas the IgG response was unaffected. Coadministration of rIL-2 with antigen failed to induce an isotype switch from IgM to IgG in genetically low-responding mice. Interestingly, in mice treated with rIL-2 alone (in the absence of exogenous antigen), polyclonal IgM production was induced. Polyclonal IgM production of lesser magnitude was found when mice were immunized with specific antigen in the absence of exogenous rIL-2, suggesting that local IL-2 concentrations in a primary immune response might be sufficient to elicit a polyclonal IgM response.

Characterization of synovial T lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis. I. Production of IL-2 dependent T cell clones from synovial fluid and peripheral blood

Lymphocytes obtained from the peripheral blood (PBL) or synovial fluids (SFL) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other inflammatory joint diseases were compared with the PBL from normal individuals, by cloning under limiting dilution conditions in the presence of interleukin 2 (IL-2). The precursor frequency estimates of IL-2 responsive cells from these sources did not differ appreciably. However there were marked differences in the surface marker phenotypes of the clones derived from the PBL as compared to SFL. There was a predominance of OKT4-8+ cells in SFL from RA and non RA donors with inflammatory joint disease while PBL from all sources showed a marked prevalence of OKT4+8- cells. Comparison of precursor frequencies in the presence of PBL and SFL indicated that there were variations in the capacities of the SFL and PBL IL-2 dependent cells to grow on these fillers. SFL derived cells grew equally well on PBL or SFL filler, while PBL clones grew efficiently only on PBL fillers. Collectively these results indicate that there are marked differences in the surface phenotypes and growth requirements of IL-2 responsive SFL as compared to PBL.