T cell-activating properties of an anti-Thy-1 monoclonal antibody. Possible analogy to OKT3/Leu-4

Thy-1 stimulation of mouse T cells induces a delayed T cell receptor-like signal that results in Ca2+‑independent cytotoxicity

Antibody-mediated crosslinking of Thy-1 [also known as cluster of differentiation (CD)90], results in a T cell receptor (TcR)‑like signal; however, the impact of Thy‑1 stimulation in comparison to TcR stimulation on T cell activation and effector function has yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the outcome of Thy‑1‑ and TcR‑induced stimulation of T cells was investigated in mice, using fragment crystalizable (Fc) receptor‑bound antibodies and costimulatory signals provided by syngeneic lipopolysaccharide‑matured bone marrow‑derived dendritic cells. Compared with TcR signaling, Thy‑1 signaling initiated a less robust proliferative response in T cells, as determined by tritiated‑thymidine incorporation. In addition, enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays revealed that interleukin‑2 production was reduced, and the expression of CD25 and cyclin D3 was weaker in Thy‑1‑stimulated cells, as determined by western blotting; however, the expression of cyclin‑dependent kinase 6 was similar to that in TcR‑induced T cells. Furthermore, western blotting demonstrated that the phosphorylation of ζ-chain‑associated protein kinase 70 and extracellular signal‑regulated kinase 1/2 was delayed following Thy‑1 stimulation. DNA fragmentation assays revealed that cytotoxic effector function was also slower to develop in Thy‑1‑stimulated T cells, required more time to be effective and was largely Ca2+‑independent; these findings suggested that Fas ligand rather than granule‑associated perforin was involved in T cell effector function. In conclusion, the present results suggested that Thy‑1 signaling may contribute to the regulation of T cell homeostasis and the development of non‑specific T cell‑mediated cytotoxicity. However, further studies are required to elucidate the exact physiological roles of TcR‑like signals that result from Thy‑1 crosslinking and to investigate the molecular mechanisms that are involved.

DNA-directed capture of primary cells from a complex mixture and controlled orthogonal release monitored by SPR imaging

Many biological samples are composed of several cell types. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of these complex mixtures is of major interest for both diagnostic and biomedical applications. Because large amounts of biological material are often challenging to collect, tremendous efforts have been made for a decade to design miniaturized platforms-such as lab-on-a-chip or microarrays-to run sensitive and reliable analysis from tiny quantities of starting material. Although barely explored so far, the release of resolved cellular samples constitutes an exciting strategy for further cell analysis. Herein, we propose a DNA-based biochip suitable for cell-type analysis in a label-free manner. The DNA-array is firstly converted into antibody-array using antibody-DNA conjugates. These protein-DNA hybrid molecules are chemically synthesized by covalent coupling of short oligonucleotides to antibodies directed against cell-type specific markers. We show not only specific capture of primary spleen cells on protein-DNA microarray spots but also their fast and specific orthogonal release according to the antibody-DNA combinations by incorporating restriction sites in DNA. Both molecular and cellular interactions occurring on the biochip are monitored by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging. This optical technique turns out to be a powerful way to monitor, in real-time, biological interactions occurring on the microarrayed features.

Engagement of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins results in enhanced mouse and human invariant natural killer T cell responses

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a small subset of lymphocytes that recognize glycolipid antigens in the context of CD1d and consequently produce large quantities of pro-inflammatory and/or anti-inflammatory cytokines. Several transmembrane glycoproteins have been implicated in the co-stimulation of iNKT cell responses. However, whether glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins can function in this capacity is not known. Here, we demonstrate that antibody-mediated cross-linking of the prototype mouse GPI-anchored protein Thy-1 (CD90) on the surface of a double-negative (CD4⁻CD8⁻) iNKT cell line leads to cytokine production at both the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, Thy-1 triggering enhanced cytokine secretion by iNKT cells that were concomitantly stimulated with α-galactosylceramide (αGC), consistent with a co-stimulatory role for Thy-1 in iNKT cell activation. This was also evident when a CD4+ mouse iNKT cell line or primary hepatic NKT cells were stimulated with αGC and/or anti-Thy-1 antibody. Cross-linking Ly-6A/E, another GPI-anchored protein, could also boost cytokine secretion by αGC-stimulated iNKT cells, suggesting that the observed effects reflect a general property of GPI-anchored proteins. To extend these results from mouse to human cells, we focused on CD55, a GPI-anchored protein that, unlike Thy-1, is expressed on human iNKT cells. Cross-linking CD55 augmented αGC-induced iNKT cell responses as judged by more vigorous proliferation and higher CD69 expression. Collectively, these findings demonstrate for the first time that GPI-anchored proteins are able to co-stimulate CD1d-restricted, glycolipid-reactive iNKT cells in both mice and humans.

Morphological and immunocytochemical characteristics indicate the yield of early progenitors and represent a quality control for human mesenchymal stem cell culturing

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) are a heterogeneous cell population, which is reflected in varying morphological and biological properties. Three subpopulations with intrinsic characteristics can be distinguished: small rapidly self-renewing cells, spindle-shaped cells and large, flattened cells. Unfortunately, it has neither been possible to morphologically define these distinct cells consistently, nor to relate them to specific surface marker features. Here, the primary hMSC subpopulations of three donors are clearly defined by maximum cell diameter and area. Furthermore, these cells were stained for the putative hMSC surface markers CD105, CD90 as well as CD73, and evaluated by three-colour flow cytometry and simultaneous multicolour immunocytochemistry. Interestingly, cell cultures with a high rate of triple-positive hMSC featured a higher content of rapidly self-renewing cells. On the other hand, a higher fraction of flattened cells correlated with a loss of one or more hMSC surface markers. The expression of CD73 showed the highest heterogeneity. Immunocytochemistry further confirmed that flattened cells mainly lack CD73 expression, whereas rapidly self-renewing cells were steadily positive for all three hMSC markers. In the literature, hMSC properties are especially conceded to rapidly self-renewing cells, whereas flattened cells have been suggested to represent early stages of lineage-specific progenitors. We reveal that among the recently suggested surface markers, CD73 is the most sensitive, as it seems to be down-regulated in the early stages of differentiation. Our morphological and immunocytochemical characterization of hMSC subpopulations indicates the yield of early multipotent hMSC and thereby provides a quality control approach for hMSC culturing.

Isolation, characterization, and differentiation of thy1.1-sorted pancreatic adult progenitor cell populations

We have isolated a novel progenitor cell population from adult rat pancreatic ducts, termed pancreatic-derived progenitor cells (PDPCs). Here, we report the in vitro culture, selection, and characterization of Thy1.1-positive and Thy1.1-negative PDPC subpopulations. These cells exhibit bipotentiality for differentiation into both pancreatic and hepatic cell types. Significantly, they express Pdx-1. Using a serum-free FGF-4-containing differentiation protocol, we have observed a time course of both morphological and gene expression changes indicative of hepatic lineage differentiation for the Thy1.1-positive subpopulation. These cells express albumin and store glycogen, typical features of mature hepatocytes. The Thy1.1-positive subpopulation could also readily be induced to differentiate into a pancreatic lineage with characteristic morphological changes resulting in three-dimensional islet-like structures and the transcriptional expression of insulin and glucagon in addition to Pdx-1. No morphological evidence of islet-like clusters was observed using the Thy1.1-negative population. However, Thy1.1-negative cells grown in pancreatic differentiation medium did show insulin gene transcription. Glucagon was not expressed in the undifferentiated Thy1.1-negative cells, nor was it induced in vitro after differentiation. The detection of Pdx-1 transcriptional expression in both populations indicates their potential as a novel source of non-beta-cell-derived insulin.

Spontaneous thymic lymphomas in the non-obese diabetic/Shi-scid, IL-2R gamma (null) mouse

The NOD/Shi-scid, IL-2Rgamma(null) (NOG) mouse is a severely immunodeficient mouse used for the engraftment of human tissues and cells. In this study, 2406 mice (8-62 weeks old, 503 males and 1903 females) were subcutaneously engrafted with human tissues. In 16 mice (12-26 weeks old, 1 male and 15 females), a mass was seen in the anteroventralis of the thorax on gross examination with an incidence of 0.7%. Histologically, the masses were composed of sheets of lymphoblastic cells. A 'starry sky' pattern was observed with numerous mitoses. Immunohistochemically the lymphoblastic cells were positive for Thy 1. The lymphoblastic cells were also seen in the spleen, lung, liver, kidney and heart. The gross and histopathological findings led to the diagnosis of spontaneous thymic lymphoma in NOG mice.

Characterization of murine cytomegalovirus m157 from infected cells and identification of critical residues mediating recognition by the NK cell receptor Ly49H

Activated NK cells mediate potent cytolytic and secretory effector functions and are vital components of the early antiviral immune response. NK cell activities are regulated by the assortment of inhibitory receptors that recognize MHC class I ligands expressed on healthy cells and activating receptors that recognize inducible host ligands or ligands that are not well characterized. The activating Ly49H receptor of mouse NK cells is unique in that it specifically recognizes a virally encoded ligand, the m157 glycoprotein of murine CMV (MCMV). The Ly49H-m157 interaction underlies a potent resistance mechanism (Cmv1) in C57BL/6 mice and serves as an excellent model in which to understand how NK cells are specifically activated in vivo, as similar receptor systems are operative for human NK cells. For transduced cells expressing m157 in isolation and for MCMV-infected cells, we show that m157 is expressed in multiple isoforms with marked differences in abundance between infected fibroblasts (high) and macrophages (low). At the cell surface, m157 is exclusively a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-associated protein in MCMV-infected cells. Through random and site-directed mutagenesis of m157, we identify unique residues that provide for efficient cell surface expression of m157 but fail to activate Ly49H-expressing reporter cells. These m157 mutations are predicted to alter the conformation of a putative m157 interface with Ly49H, one that relies on the position of a critical alpha0 helix of m157. These findings support an emerging model for a novel interaction between this important NK cell receptor and its viral ligand.

Expression of m157, a murine cytomegalovirus-encoded putative major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I)-like protein, is independent of viral regulation of host MHC-I

A murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV)-encoded protein, m157, has a putative major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) structure and is recognized by the Ly49H NK cell activation receptor. Using a monoclonal antibody against m157, in this study we directly demonstrated that m157 is a cell surface-expressed glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored protein with early viral gene kinetics. Beta-2 microglobulin and TAP1 (transporter associated with antigen processing 1) were not required for its expression. MCMV-encoded proteins that down-regulate MHC-I did not affect the expression of m157. Thus, m157 is expressed on infected cells in a manner independent of viral regulation of host MHC-I.

A novel approach to examining compositional heterogeneity of detergent-resistant lipid rafts

Lipid rafts play an important role in cell signalling, cell adhesion and other cellular functions. Compositional heterogeneity of lipid rafts provides one mechanism of how lipid rafts provide the spatial and temporal regulation of cell signalling and cell adhesion. The constitutive presence of some signalling receptors/molecules and accumulation of others in the lipid raft allows them to interact with each other and thereby facilitate relay of signals from the plasma membrane to the cell interior. Devising a method that can analyze these lipid microdomains for the presence of signalling receptors/molecules on an individual raft basis is required to address the issue of lipid raft heterogeneity. SDS-PAGE analysis, currently used for analyses of detergent-resistant lipid rafts, does not address this question. We have designed a cell-free assay that captures detergent-resistant lipid rafts with an antibody against a raft-resident molecule and detects the presence of another lipid raft molecule. Our results suggest that detergent-resistant lipid rafts, also known as detergent-resistant membranes, are heterogeneous populations on an immortalized mouse T-cell plasma membrane with respect to antigen receptor/signalling complex and other signalling/adhesion proteins. This cell-free assay provides a simple and quick way to examine the simultaneous presence of two proteins in the lipid rafts and has the potential to estimate trafficking of molecules in and out of the lipid microdomains during cell signalling on a single detergent-resistant lipid raft basis.

THY-1 induction is associated with up-regulation of fibronectin and thrombospondin-1 in human ovarian cancer

We recently identified THY-1 as a putative tumor suppressor gene for human ovarian cancer. To understand the carcinogenic role of THY-1, and its downstream effects on cancer cells, a THY-1 inducible system was established in the human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 based on the tetracycline (tet) regulating system. To establish an inducible system for Thy-1 expression, two plasmids, pUHD172-1neo and pTEP4mThy-1, which are neomycin and hygromycin resistant were co-transfected into the ovarian carcinoma cell line, SKOV-3. The inducibility of Thy-1 expression in the SKOV-3 cell line by doxycycline (dox) was determined by northern blot analysis, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry. A time course study revealed that Thy-1 expression is induced 3 hours post dox exposure. Expression was reversible such that 12 hours post the removal of dox almost no Thy-1 could be detected. Furthermore, 2 genes, Fibronectin (FN) and Thrombospondin (TSP-1) involved in cellular differentiation and the regulation of tumor angiogenesis, respectively, were found to be up-regulated upon THY-1 induction. In contrast, the gene SPARC was found to be independent of Thy-1 expression. This study supports the hypothesis that THY-1 plays a critical role in regulating downstream genes associated with the regulation of ovarian tumor growth and cellular differentiation.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 controls type 2 T cell-independent B cell response

The IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) is expressed on T and B lymphocytes, and the expression of the insulin- and IGF-1-signaling machinery undergoes defined changes throughout lineage differentiation, offering a putative role for IGF-1 in the regulation of immune responses. To study the role of the IGF-1R in lymphocyte differentiation and function in vivo, we have reconstituted immunodeficient RAG2-deficient mice with IGF-1R(-/-) fetal liver cells. Despite the absence of IGF-1Rs, the development and ex vivo activation of B and T lymphocytes were unaltered in these chimeric mice. By contrast, the humoral immune response to the T cell-independent type 2 Ag 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl-Ficoll was significantly reduced in mice reconstituted with IGF-1R-deficient fetal liver cells, whereas responses to the T cell-dependent Ag 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl-chicken globulin were normal. Moreover, in an in vitro model of T cell-independent type 2 responses, IGF-1 promoted Ig production potently upon polyvalent membrane-IgD cross-linking. These data indicate that functional IGF-1R signaling is required for T cell-independent B cell responses in vivo, defining a novel regulatory mechanism for the immune response against bacterial polysaccharides.

The characterization of a specific Thy-1 molecular epitope expressed on rat mesangial cells

BACKGROUND

An Experimental model of proliferative glomerulonephritis induced by an antibody against Thy-1 antigen has been established. However, the pathophysiologic role and the critical epitope of Thy-1 molecule for induction of mesangial cell dysfunction remain unknown. We have reported that monoclonal antibody 1-22-3 recognizes specific epitope which could transduce highly effective activation in mesangial cells. Identification of functional domains on cell surfaces is indispensable for understanding the molecular mechanisms of mesangial cell function. This study was undertaken to determine the functional domain containing the specific epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody 1-22-3.

METHODS

A series of glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-truncated-Thy-1 proteins were generated using pGEX 4T-1 vector. COS cells were transiently transfected with plasmid vectors which could express the rat Thy-1 and mutant-Thy-1.

RESULTS

Western blot analysis using recombinant GST-truncated-Thy-1 revealed that 1-22-3 bound to epitope at amino acids 15-23 (LRLDCRHEN). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that synthetic LRLDCRHEN peptides could inhibit the binding of 1-22-3 to rat mesangial cells and GST-Thy-1 protein. Using peptides as antigens, ELISA showed that 1-22-3 bound to the LRLDCRHEN but not to the RVNLFSDRF, which was corresponding to at amino acids 59-67 of rat Thy-1. 1-22-3 could bind the COS cells which express rat Thy-1 proteins, but could not bind rat truncated-Thy-1 which lacks residues 15-23.

CONCLUSION

Critical epitope detected by 1-22-3 in this study may play an important role in mesangial function and injury.

Transgene of MIF induces podocyte injury and progressive mesangial sclerosis in the mouse kidney

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence suggests that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a pathogenic role in glomerulonephritis. Renal expression of MIF is up-regulated in infiltrating and intrinsic renal cells, which include glomerular epithelial cells. The aim of the current study was to further clarify the role of MIF produced by podocytes in the process of renal disease.

METHODS

We generated transgenic mice carrying a murine MIF cDNA driven by cytomegalovirus enhancer and beta-actin/beta-globin promoter, a hybrid promoter transactivated in podocytes in vivo.

RESULTS

MIF expression was markedly up-regulated in podocytes in neonatal and adult transgenic kidneys. A longitudinal study of the MIF transgenic mice demonstrated a progressive matrix increase in mesangium accompanied by collagen IV accumulation, representing no significant glomerular cell hypercellularity. The glomeruli in transgenic kidney were not accompanied by influx of macrophages and T cells at the early stage of disease progression. Although a significant number of the mice showing higher expression of MIF died from renal failure at 8 weeks, most of them survived with significant proteinuria and progressive renal failure. Podocytes of transgenic mice frequently underwent characteristic ultrastructural changes, such as cell flattening, contracted foot processes, and villous transformation. In addition, immunohistochemical expression of synaptopodin, an actin-associated protein distributed in differentiated podocyte foot process, was significantly attenuated in transgenic kidney.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that podocyte-expressed MIF could induce an injury of podocytes themselves, thereby accelerating the progression of glomerulosclerosis and leading to end-stage renal failure.

Thy-1: More than a Mouse Pan-T Cell Marker

Thy-1 (CD90) is a small GPI-anchored protein that is particularly abundant on the surface of mouse thymocytes and peripheral T cells. T cell proliferation and cytokine synthesis in response to Thy-1 cross-linking by specific mAb suggests a role for Thy-1 in mouse T lymphocyte activation. However, a physiological ligand or counterreceptor for murine Thy-1 in the lymphoid compartment has not yet been identified. Thy-1 cross-linking, in the context of strong costimulatory signaling through CD28, results in an activating signal that can at least partially substitute for TCR signaling during mouse T cell activation. Remarkably, Thy-1 cross-linking also results in the potent costimulation of T cells activated through the TCR. This novel dual signaling capacity suggests a possible role for Thy-1 in the maintenance of T cell homeostasis in the absence of TCR triggering, as well as potentiating Ag-induced T cell responses.

Cholesterol and prostate cancer

Cholesterol is a neutral lipid that accumulates in liquid-ordered, detergent-resistant membrane domains called lipid rafts. Lipid rafts serve as membrane platforms for signal transduction mechanisms that mediate cell growth, survival, and a variety of other processes relevant to cancer. A number of studies, going back many years, demonstrate that cholesterol accumulates in solid tumors and that cholesterol homeostasis breaks down in the prostate with aging and with the transition to the malignant state. This review summarizes the established links between cholesterol and prostate cancer (PCa), with a focus on how accumulation of cholesterol within the lipid raft component of the plasma membrane may stimulate signaling pathways that promote progression to hormone refractory disease. We propose that increases in cholesterol in prostate tumor cell membranes, resulting from increases in circulating levels or from dysregulation of endogenous synthesis, results in the coalescence of raft domains. This would have the effect of sequestering positive regulators of oncogenic signaling within rafts, while maintaining negative regulators in the liquid-disordered membrane fraction. This approach toward examining the function of lipid rafts in prostate cancer cells may provide insight into the role of circulating cholesterol in malignant growth and on the potential relationship between diet and aggressive disease. Large-scale characterization of proteins that localize to cholesterol-rich domains may help unveil signaling networks and pathways that will lead to identification of new biomarkers for disease progression and potentially to novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

CD34+ CD90+ cells and late hematopoietic reconstitution after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) has been demonstrated to result in rapid. stable long-term engraftment. However, there has been considerable debate concerning the cells responsible for early and late hematopoietic reconstitution after PBSCT. Recently, CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells have been clearly divided into two subpopulations by flow cytometry; namely undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells and differentiated committed progenitor cells. However, only a few studies have defined which subset contained in graft products might be the most predictive for late hematopoietic reconstitution after PBSCT. In this review, we present updated information regarding the relationships between the number of infused CD34+ cells or their immature subsets such as CD34+ CD90+ cells and the late hematopoietic reconstitution after PBSCT, and discuss the threshold dose of CD34 + CD90+ cells required for sustained long-term engraftment.

Thy-1 regulates fibroblast focal adhesions, cytoskeletal organization and migration through modulation of p190 RhoGAP and Rho GTPase activity

The precise biological role of Thy-1, a glycophosphatidyl-inositol (GPI)-linked cell surface glycoprotein in non-caveolar lipid raft microdomains, remains enigmatic. Evidence suggests that Thy-1 affects intracellular signaling through src-family protein kinases, and modulates adhesive and migratory events, such as thymocyte adhesion and neurite extension. Primary fibroblasts sorted based on presence or absence of cell surface Thy-1 display strikingly distinct morphologies and differ with respect to production of and response to cytokines and growth factors. It is unclear the extent to which Thy-1 mediates these differences. Findings reported here indicate a novel role for Thy-1 in regulating the activity of Rho GTPase, a critical regulator of cellular adhesion and cytoskeletal organization. Endogenous or heterologous Thy-1 expression promotes focal adhesion and stress fiber formation, characteristic of increased Rho GTPase activity, and inhibits migration. Immunoblotting following transfection of RFL6 fibroblasts with Thy-1 demonstrates that Thy-1 expression inhibits src-family protein tyrosine kinase (SFK) activation, resulting in decreased phosphorylation of p190 Rho GTPase-activating protein (GAP). This results in a net increase in active Rho, and increased stress fibers and focal adhesions. We therefore conclude that Thy-1 surface expression regulates fibroblast focal adhesions, cytoskeletal organization and migration by modulating the activity of p190 RhoGAP and Rho GTPase.

Inhibitory Effect of Toll-Like Receptor 4 on Fusion between Phagosomes and Endosomes/Lysosomes in Macrophages

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) of macrophages recognizes LPS of Gram-negative bacteria in cooperation with CD14, which is also involved in the recognition of apoptotic cells. In this study we asked whether TLR4 plays a role in the phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages. Macrophages were prepared from peritoneal fluid of thioglycolate-treated mice carrying either a wild-type or a disrupted TLR4-encoding gene and were examined for their ability to phagocytose apoptotic mouse thymocytes, apoptotic Jurkat T cells, Ig-opsonized mouse thymocytes, Ig-opsonized zymosan particles, and latex beads. Both populations of macrophages equally expressed CD14 on their surfaces and showed almost equal activities of binding to and engulfing all these targets. However, apoptotic thymocytes, apoptotic Jurkat cells, and opsonized thymocytes disappeared more rapidly in TLR4-deficient macrophages than in wild-type macrophages, and the fusion between endosomes/lysosomes and phagosomes containing any target cells or particles was accelerated in mutant macrophages. Activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB appeared not to occur in wild-type macrophages after engulfment, and the rate of apoptotic cell degradation in wild-type macrophages remained the same regardless of the activation of NF-kappaB. Finally, immunohistochemical analyses showed that ectopically expressed TLR4 was associated with phagosomes in a macrophage-derived cell line. All these results collectively indicate that TLR4 negatively regulates the degradation of engulfed cells in macrophages via a pathway independent of NF-kappaB.

Thy-1 signaling in the context of costimulation provided by dendritic cells provides signal 1 for T cell proliferation and cytotoxic effector molecule expression, but fails to trigger delivery of the lethal hit

Cross-linking of the GPI-anchored protein Thy-1 results in T cell proliferation and IL-2 synthesis. However, the exact function of Thy-1 in the process of T cell activation remains unknown, as does the effect of costimulation on Thy-1-driven T cell responses. In this study, we have investigated the ability of Thy-1 to substitute for traditional signal 1 in the context of costimulation provided by dendritic cells. Dendritic cells dramatically enhanced T cell proliferation and IL-2 synthesis in response to Thy-1 triggering by anti-Thy-1 mAb. This effect was not dependent on dendritic cell Fcgamma receptors, but was a result of B7-mediated costimulation (signal 2). T cells were also activated when microbeads coated with a combination of anti-Thy-1 and anti-CD28 mAbs were used to supply signals 1 and 2, respectively. Thy-1-stimulated T cells adhere to target cells and express perforin, granzyme B, and Fas ligand, but fail to kill target cells due to an inability to reorganize their secretion machinery. Moreover, in contrast to TCR signaling, Thy-1 triggering failed to induce cytotoxicity in redirected lysis assays. We conclude that Thy-1 triggering can partially substitute for signal 1, which, in combination with a strong signal 2, leads to robust T cell proliferation, IL-2 synthesis, and cytotoxic effector molecule expression, but does not induce cytolytic function. The block at the level of cytotoxic effector function that results when T cells are activated in the absence of a classical, Ag-specific signal 1 may constitute a mechanism to ensure the specificity of CTL responses and prevent potentially harmful promiscuous cytotoxicity.

THY1 expression is associated with tumor suppression of human ovarian cancer

Microcell-mediated transfer of chromosome 11 into the human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 results in suppression of tumorigenicity in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. To identify the differentially expressed transcripts associated with suppression of tumorigenicity, cDNA populations from the slow-growing tumorigenic clone 11(H)8-3, tumorigenic clone 11(H)8-4, and parental SKOV-3 cells were subtracted from the nontumorigenic clones, 11(H)7-2 and 11(C)9-8. The subtracted cDNA populations were either cloned, sequenced and searched in GenBank, or analyzed by gene discovery array screening. A cDNA transcript corresponding to the THY1 gene located at chromosome 11q23 approximately q24 was found to be exclusively expressed in the two nontumorigenic cell clones. In contrast, THY1 expression was not detected in SKOV-3, the tumorigenic hybrid clones, or six other tumorigenic ovarian cancer cell lines. Further analysis using immunocytochemistry and quantitative flow cytometry with a Thy-1-specific antibody confirmed the exclusive expression of THY1 at the protein level in the two nontumorigenic clones. Several cell growth and differentiation-related genes, including thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), SPARC [secreted protein, acidic, cysteine-rich (osteonectin)], and fibronectin (FN1) were also found to be upregulated in the nontumorigenic clones; however, these were expressed in the slow-growing tumorigenic clones as well. Expression of these genes was not observed in the parental SKOV-3 cell line and therefore must be regulated by a gene or genes on chromosome 11. Our results suggest that THY1 is a putative tumor suppressor gene for ovarian cancer and that THBS1, SPARC, and FN1 are genes associated with the regulation of in vivo tumor growth rate.

The roles of membrane microdomains (rafts) in T cell activation

Detergent-resistant membrane microdomains enriched in sphingolipids, cholesterol and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins play essential roles in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. These 'membrane rafts' accumulate several cytoplasmic lipid-modified molecules, including Src-family kinases, coreceptors CD4 and CD8 and transmembrane adapters LAT and PAG/Cbp, essential for either initiation or amplification of the signaling process, while most other abundant transmembrane proteins are excluded from these structures. TCRs in various T cell subpopulations may differ in their use of membrane rafts. Membrane rafts also seem to be involved in many other aspects of T cell biology, such as functioning of cytokine and chemokine receptors, adhesion molecules, antigen presentation, establishing cell polarity or interaction with important pathogens. Although the concept of membrane rafts explains several diverse biological phenomena, many basic issues, such as composition, size and heterogeneity, under native conditions, as well as the dynamics of their interactions with TCRs and other immunoreceptors, remain unclear, partially because of technical problems.

The role of glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface proteins in T-cell activation

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface proteins are widely expressed in tissues, including cells of immunohematopoietic origin. Cross-linking of GPI-linked proteins on T lymphocytes, such as Thy-1 (CD90), Ly-6 A/E, CD48, CD59 and others, induces T-cell mitogenesis. Similar to cross-linking with T-cell receptor (TcR)-specific antibodies, ligation of GPI-anchored proteins induces an intracellular flux of calcium, an up-regulation of activation-associated cell surface proteins and the elaboration of growth-promoting lymphokines. These events are dependent on p56(lck)-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of substrates. GPI-linked proteins are constitutively clustered in sphingolipid-rich membrane domains. Actin-driven rearrangements of the cytoskeleton are probably responsible for the physical approximation of TcR and GPI-anchored proteins in mature immunological synapses. Functionally, GPI-linked proteins can supplant for signal I and productively collaborate with CD28 to fully activate T cells.

Inhibition of the function of the FcgammaRIIB by a monoclonal antibody to thymic shared antigen-1, a Ly-6 family antigen

Thymic shared antigen-1 (TSA-1) is a member of the Ly-6 family of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins. While it has been proposed that TSA-1 may play a role in thymic development, a physiological ligand for this antigen has not been identified. Here we report that a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to TSA-1, generated by immunizing a hamster with CD40 ligand (CD40L)-activated B cells, interferes with the function of FcgammaRIIB on splenic B cells and the B-cell lymphoma cell line, M12, by binding to TSA on the same cells. The interaction of anti-TSA with FcgammaRIIB resulted in an inhibition of the ability of the FcgammaRIIB to cross-link and/or aggregate soluble anti-CD3 or soluble anti-Cbeta T-cell receptor (TCR), leading to an inhibition of induction of expression of CD25 and CD69, interleukin (IL)-2 production and proliferation of naive T cells. Cross-blocking studies with mAbs strongly suggested that a physical association exists between TSA-1 and the FcgammaRIIB on the surface of activated B cells and favour the view that a functional intermolecular association exists between these two distinct membrane antigens.

Thy-1 binds to integrin beta(3) on astrocytes and triggers formation of focal contact sites

BACKGROUND

Thy-1 is an abundant neuronal glycoprotein in mammals. Despite such prevalence, Thy-1 function remains largely obscure in the absence of a defined ligand. Astrocytes, ubiquitous cells of the brain, express a putative Thy-1 ligand that prevents neurite outgrowth. In this paper, a ligand molecule for Thy-1 was identified, and the consequences of Thy-1 binding for astrocyte function were investigated.

RESULTS

Thy-1 has been implicated in cell adhesion and, indeed, all known Thy-1 sequences were found to contain an integrin binding, RGD-like sequence. Thy-1 interaction with beta3 integrin on astrocytes was demonstrated in an adhesion assay using a thymoma line (EL-4) expressing high levels of Thy-1. EL-4 cells bound to astrocytes five times more readily than EL-4(-f), control cells lacking Thy-1. Binding was blocked by either anti-Thy-1 or anti-beta3 antibodies, by RGD-related peptides, or by soluble Thy-1-Fc chimeras. However, neither RGE/RLE peptides nor Thy-1(RLE)-Fc fusion protein inhibited the interaction. Immobilized Thy-1-Fc, but not Thy-1(RLE)-Fc fusion protein supported the attachment and spreading of astrocytes in a Mn(2+)-dependent manner. Binding to Thy-1-Fc was inhibited by RGD peptides. Moreover, vitronectin, fibrinogen, denatured collagen (dcollagen), and a kistrin-derived peptide, but not fibronectin, also mediated Mn(2+)-dependent adhesion, suggesting the involvement of beta3 integrin. The addition of Thy-1 to matrix-bound astrocytes induced recruitment of paxillin, vinculin, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) to focal contacts and increased tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins such as p130(Cas) and FAK. Furthermore, astrocyte binding to immobilized Thy-1-Fc alone was sufficient to promote focal adhesion formation and phosphorylation on tyrosine.

CONCLUSIONS

Thy-1 binds to beta3 integrin and triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins in astrocytes, thereby promoting focal adhesion formation, cell attachment, and spreading.

Selective pharmacological inhibitors reveal differences between Thy-1- and T cell receptor-mediated signal transduction in mouse T lymphocytes

A compelling body of evidence suggests a role for Thy-1 (CD90), a cell surface glycoprotein of mouse T lymphocytes, in signal transduction resulting in T cell activation. Despite more than 3 decades of investigation, intracellular biochemical events governing the Thy-1 signaling cascade are only vaguely understood. We have employed selective pharmacological inhibitors of signaling molecules to compare downstream elements participating in the Thy-1 signal transduction pathway with those involved in the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3-associated signaling pathway. Mitogenic anti-Thy-1 or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) were used to cause T cells from C57BL/6 mice to proliferate in the presence or absence of different pharmacological inhibitors. Cyclosporine A, herbimycin A, LY294002, calphostin C and PD98059 all inhibited anti-Thy-1-induced T lymphocyte proliferation, indicating the involvement of calcineurin, protein tyrosine kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase C, and MEK1 (MAPK kinase 1), respectively, in Thy-1 signaling. Similar results were obtained when T cells were stimulated through the TCR with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in the presence or absence of the different inhibitors. Interestingly, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 augmented anti-Thy-1-induced T cell proliferation, whereas anti-CD3-induced proliferative response was partially suppressed by the same inhibitor. The Thy-1 signal transduction pathway, therefore, shares a requirement for calcineurin and several major kinase families with the TCR signaling pathway. However, Thy-1 and TCR-associated signaling pathways are differentially regulated by p38 MAPK.

Comparison of anti-tumor responses against TL positive lymphoma induced by skin grafting and dendritic cell immunization

When the skin of Tg.Con.3-1 transgenic mice expressing the TL (thymus leukemia) antigen in most tissues is grafted on syngeneic C3H mice, it is rejected, and a cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response against the TL antigen is induced. In this study, we first demonstrated that growth of TL positive lymphoma is suppressed in mice immunized by skin grafting. Immunization with bone marrow derived dendritic cells (DCs) from Tg.Con.3-1, was also found to be associated with an anti-tumor response, but less potent than skin grafting. Relative CTL precursor frequency with DC immunization was also approximately only one third that of skin grafting. The numbers of IFN-gamma producing cells in responder CD8 and CD4 T cell populations were higher with DC immunization than with skin grafting. However, DC immunization seems to induce non-specific immune responses, as re-stimulation with TL negative C3H spleen cells resulted in induction of almost half the number observed with TL positive cells. Thus, the actual number of IFN-gamma producing cells in specific responses to TL is not necessarily larger than with skin grafting immunization. The present results altogether suggest that DC immunization is capable of inducing an anti-tumor reaction, but also possibly unwanted immune responses. In vitro monitoring of specific and non-specific responses in the immune system, thus, is of particular importance for future development of cancer immunotherapy.

Both gamma delta T cells and NK cells inhibit the engraftment of xenogeneic rat bone marrow cells and the induction of xenograft tolerance in mice

In murine allogeneic bone marrow transplantation recipients, treatment of the hosts with a nonmyeloablative regimen, including depleting anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAbs, allows establishment of long-term mixed chimerism and donor-specific tolerance. However, in the xenogeneic rat-to-mouse combination, additional anti-Thy1.2 and anti-NK1.1 mAbs are required. We have now attempted to identify the xenoresistant mouse cell populations that are targeted by anti-NK1.1 and anti-Thy1.2 mAbs. C57BL/6 (B6) wild-type, B6 TCRbeta(-/-), and B6 TCRdelta(-/-) mice received anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAbs, followed by 3 Gy of whole body irradiation, 7 Gy of thymic irradiation, and transplantation of T cell-depleted rat bone marrow cells. Anti-NK1.1 and anti-Thy1.2 mAbs were additionally administered to some groups. Increased rat chimerism was observed in TCRdelta(-/-) mice treated with anti-CD4, anti-CD8, and anti-NK1.1 mAbs compared with similarly treated TCRbeta(-/-) mice. In TCRbeta(-/-) mice, but not in TCR delta(-/-) mice, donor chimerism was increased by treatment with anti-Thy1.2 mAb, indicating that CD4(-)CD8(-)TCRgammadelta(+)Thy1. 2(+)NK1.1(-) cells (gammadelta T cells) are involved in the rejection of rat marrow. In addition, chimerism was enhanced in both TCRbeta(-/-) and TCRdelta(-/-) mice treated with anti-CD4, anti-CD8, and anti-Thy1.2 mAbs by the addition of anti-NK1.1 mAb to the conditioning regimen. Donor-specific skin graft prolongation was enhanced by anti-Thy1.2 and anti-NK1.1 mAbs in TCRdelta(-/-) mice. Therefore, in addition to CD4 and CD8 T cells, gammadelta T cells and NK cells play a role in resisting engraftment of rat marrow and the induction of xenograft tolerance in mice.

CD4+Thy1- thymocytes with a Th-type 2 cytokine response

We have identified a small subset of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(-) thymocytes that do not express Thy1 (CD90). This Thy1(-) subset represents 1-3.7% of the total number of thymocytes in a naive mouse. CD4(+)Thy1(-) thymocytes express high levels of CD3, intermediate to high levels of heat-stable antigen (HSA), and low levels of CD25, CD45RB, CD69, CD44 and CD62L. They produce high titers of IL-4 and no IFN-gamma upon stimulation in vitro, a response characteristic of T(h)2 cells. In the thymi of mice infected neonatally with a high dose of the retrovirus Cas-Br-E MuLV, the frequency of CD4(+)Thy1(-) cells increased approximately 10-fold. High-dose virus infection resulted in decreased HSA and increased CD44 expression on CD4(+)Thy1(-) cells relative to cells from naive mice. CD4(+)Thy1(-) cells from high-dose infected mice also secreted IL-4 and not IFN-gamma upon in vitro stimulation. We previously reported that infection of newborn mice with a high dose of murine retrovirus results in the induction of a non-protective anti-viral T(h)2 T cell response; CD4(+)Thy1(-) thymocytes with a T(h)2-like cytokine profile may play a role in determining the cytokine bias of this anti-viral response.

Requirement of PIG-F and PIG-O for transferring phosphoethanolamine to the third mannose in glycosylphosphatidylinositol

Many eukaryotic proteins are anchored by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) to the cell surface membrane. The GPI anchor is linked to proteins by an amide bond formed between the carboxyl terminus and phosphoethanolamine attached to the third mannose. Here, we report the roles of two mammalian genes involved in transfer of phosphoethanolamine to the third mannose in GPI. We cloned a mouse gene termed Pig-o that encodes a 1101-amino acid PIG-O protein bearing regions conserved in various phosphodiesterases. Pig-o knockout F9 embryonal carcinoma cells expressed very little GPI-anchored proteins and accumulated the same major GPI intermediate as the mouse class F mutant cell, which is defective in transferring phosphoethanolamine to the third mannose due to mutant Pig-f gene. PIG-O and PIG-F proteins associate with each other, and the stability of PIG-O was dependent upon PIG-F. However, the class F cell is completely deficient in the surface expression of GPI-anchored proteins. A minor GPI intermediate seen in Pig-o knockout but not class F cells had more than three mannoses with phosphoethanolamines on the first and third mannoses, suggesting that this GPI may account for the low expression of GPI-anchored proteins. Therefore, mammalian cells have redundant activities in transferring phosphoethanolamine to the third mannose, both of which require PIG-F.

The CD45 tyrosine phosphatase regulates Campath-1H (CD52)-induced TCR-dependent signal transduction in human T cells

Campath-1H, a humanized mAb undergoing clinical trials for treatment of leukemia, transplantation and autoimmune diseases, produces substantial lymphocyte depletion in vivo. The antibody binds to CD52, a highly glycosylated molecule attached to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Cross-linked Campath-1H is known to activate T cells in vitro. We have investigated the molecular basis for these effects by comparing the protein tyrosine phosphorylation signals induced by Campath-1H and the CD3 mAb OKT3 in primary T cells, and in CD45(+)TCR(+), CD45(-)TCR(+) and CD45(+)TCR(-) Jurkat subclones transfected with CD52. Our results show that Campath-1H triggers similar tyrosine phosphorylation events as OKT3 in both primary T cells and in the CD45(+)TCR(+) Jurkat sub-clone, albeit at quantitatively lower levels. However, no phospholipase C gamma 1 activation nor calcium signals were detected in response to CD52 ligation. The CD52-mediated induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation was absolutely dependent upon the expression of both the TCR and the CD45 phosphotyrosine phosphatase at the cell surface. Cross-linking of Campath-1H was essential for signal transduction in all cells investigated. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used to demonstrate CD52 homo-association at the cell surface in Jurkat T cells in a TCR- and CD45-independent manner, and CD52-TCR association in CD45(+)TCR(+) cells. We propose a model to explain the activating effects of Campath-1H in which CD52 mAb cross-linking causes the trapping of TCR polypeptides within molecular complexes at the cell surface, thereby inducing signals via the TCR by a process which depends on the CD45-mediated regulation of the p56(lck) and p59(fyn) tyrosine kinases.

Pig-n, a mammalian homologue of yeast Mcd4p, is involved in transferring phosphoethanolamine to the first mannose of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol

Many cell surface proteins are anchored to the membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) moiety, which is attached to the C terminus of the proteins. The core of the GPI anchor is conserved in all eukaryotes but is modified by various side chains. We cloned a mouse phosphatidylinositol glycan-class N (Pig-n) gene that encodes a 931amino acid protein expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum, which is homologous to yeast Mcd4p. We disrupted the gene in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells. In the Pig-n knockout cells, the first mannose in the GPI precursors was not modified by phosphoethanolamine. Nevertheless, further biosynthetic steps continued with the addition of the third mannose and the terminal phosphoethanolamine. The surface expression of Thy-1 was only partially affected, indicating that modification of the first mannose by phosphoethanolamine is not essential for attachment of GPI anchors in mammalian cells. An inhibitor of GPI biosynthesis, YW3548/BE49385A, inhibited transfer of phosphoethanolamine to the first mannose in mammalian cells but only slightly affected the surface expression of GPI-anchored proteins. Biosynthesis of GPI in the Pig-n knockout cells was not affected by YW3548/BE49385A, and yeast overexpressing MCD4 was highly resistant to YW3548/BE49385A, suggesting that Pig-n and Mcd4p are targets of this drug.

Peripheral CD4+ T Cell Maturation Recognized by Increased Expression of Thy-1/CD90 Bearing the 6C10 Carbohydrate Epitope

The SM6C10 IgM autoantibody recognizes a surface determinant, 6C10, that is highly expressed on all immature thymocytes. In contrast, its expression on peripheral T cells appears developmentally regulated, i.e., absent from most naive T cells in spleen of neonatal mice, but expressed on 40–80% of naive CD4+ T cells in adult. In this paper, we demonstrate that SM6C10 recognizes a carbohydrate epitope on the Thy-1 glycoprotein using immunoprecipitation analysis, by binding to affinity-purified Thy-1 in an ELISA, and by sensitivity to N-glycosidase-F treatment. Retroviral Thy-1 gene transduction experiments into Thy-1− variant T cell lines and a pro-B cell line provide evidence that 6C10 glycosylated Thy-1 expression is not restricted to T cells but depends on the recipient cell. Therefore, differences in 6C10 levels among Thy-1+ T cells in mice likely reflect developmental regulation of posttranslational modification of the Thy-1 glycoprotein. The ability of naive CD4+ T cells to respond to anti-Thy-1 stimulation increases from neonate to adult, and 6C10− naive cells from adult mice respond poorly compared with 6C10+ cells, similar to the cells in neonatal mice. These results suggest that there is functional maturation by peripheral CD4+ T cells that coincides with 6C10 glycosylated Thy-1 up-regulation, and natural autoantibody recognizes this 6C10 carbohydrate epitope.

T-cell-activating monoclonal antibodies, reacting with both leukocytes and erythrocytes, recognize the guinea pig Thy-1 differentiation antigen: characterization and cloning of guinea pig CD90

A glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked differentiation antigen expressed on guinea pig T and B lymphocytes was identified by several monoclonal antibodies; it has been shown previously that this membrane protein induced strong polyclonal T cell proliferation upon antibody binding and costimulation by PMA. Purification by immunoadsorption and microsequencing revealed that this T-cell-activating protein is the homologue of Thy-1 or CD90. In contrast to the Thy-1 antigen of most other species, guinea pig Thy-1 has a much higher molecular weight, which is due to a more extensive N-linked glycosylation, bringing the molecular weight of the total antigen up to 36 kDa. Molecular cloning of guinea pig Thy-1 indicated that the deduced molecular weight of the protein backbone is 12,777 after removal of an N-terminal 19-amino-acid leader peptide and cleavage of the 31 amino acids for GPI anchoring the C-terminal end. Sequence comparison showed that guinea pig Thy-1 has an 82% homology to human and a 72% homology to mouse Thy-1 on the amino acid level. Immunohistological staining of cryostat sections revealed intensive staining with the monoclonal antibody H154 on fibroblasts, fibrocytes, Kupffer cells, alveolar macrophages, and mesangial cells. As observed in the human, mouse, and rat, Thy-1 is abundant in the guinea pig brain. Unlike Thy-1 expression in other species, guinea pig Thy-1 is strongly expressed on most resting, nonactivated B cells and, to a lesser extent, on erythrocytes. While treatment of erythrocytes and lymphocytes with GPI-specific phospholipase C largely decreased reactivity with mAb H154, T cells retained the proliferative response to antibody and phorbol esters.

Immobilization of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins inhibits T cell growth but not function

Accumulating evidence suggests that proteins tethered to the plasma membrane through glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors share common biological properties. In the present study we demonstrate that GPI-anchored proteins regulate T cell growth. Specifically, anti-TCR-induced proliferation was profoundly inhibited by co-immobilized mAb specific for Thy-1, CD48 and Ly6A/E. However, neither IL-2 production nor the effector function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes was impaired in these circumstances. Analysis of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) signaling pathway revealed that the association of IL-2R beta and gamma chains with the Janus kinases, JAK1 and JAK3, was not perturbed in the presence of mAb specific for GPI-linked proteins. However, in these conditions, IL-2-mediated recruitment of IL-2Ralpha, beta and gamma chains, resulting in the formation of the high-affinity hetero-trimeric IL-2R, was inhibited. The resulting phosphorylation of JAK1 and JAK3, indicative of their activation states, was correspondingly reduced. These results characterize a novel state of T cell physiology in which effector function is maintained, in the absence of clonal expansion. A physiological role for GPI-anchored proteins in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and function is discussed.

Thy-1/CD3 coengagement promotes TCR signaling and enhances particularly tyrosine phosphorylation of the raft molecule LAT

Clustering of the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein Thy-1 on the cell surface leads to T cell activation. However, despite the similarity to TCR-mediated events, cell signaling triggered by Thy-1 crosslinking, reportedly occurs in a manner independent of the TCR/CD3 complex. To investigate the relationship between responses resulting from Thy-1 or TCR engagement, a biochemically well defined system employing only affinity purified antibodies was used to crosslink these surface molecules and activation was assessed by monitoring tyrosine phosphorylation, intracellular calcium influx and IL-2 production. By these criteria, anti-CD3 mAbs moderately activated EL-4 thymoma or 2B4 hybridoma cell lines, while costimulation with anti-Thy-1-mAb strongly enhanced TCR signaling. Furthermore, a Thy-1 loss mutant cell line, did not respond to stimulation through CD3 despite expressing all essential signaling molecules. Together these results emphasized the existence of a poorly appreciated mutual interdependence between Thy-1 and CD3 for efficient cellular signaling. Thy-1/CD3-mediated activation enhanced mostly tyrosine phosphorylation of a 40 kDa protein which was identified as a transmembrane protein lacking N-linked oligosaccharides. These biochemical properties are identical to those described for a recently cloned adaptor protein called 'Linker for Activation of T cells' (LAT). Indeed, polyclonal Abs raised against a LAT-peptide (amino acids 103-131) specifically recognized the 40 kDa protein. LAT is present in microdomains of the plasma membrane enriched in sphingolipids, cholesterol, GPI-anchored proteins and a variety of signaling molecules. By contrast, the TCR/CD3 complex is excluded from these domains at least until stimulation takes place. Hence, we propose that Thy-1 promotes TCR/CD3 dependent signaling by facilitating LAT phosphorylation on tyrosine and the subsequent recruitment of downstream effector molecules.

Prevention of lethal acute hepatic failure by antimacrophage migration inhibitory factor antibody in mice treated with bacille Calmette-Guerin and lipopolysaccharide

During the past few years, the biological functions of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) have been extensively re-evaluated. This has been found to be protein involved in broad-spectrum pathophysiological states as an inflammatory cytokine, pituitary-derived hormone, and glucocorticoid-induced immunomodulator. In this study, we investigated the involvement of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of lethal liver injury. Injecting a small dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-primed Jcl:ICR mice caused a lethal hepatic injury mimicking fulminant hepatitis, in which 8 of 11 mice died within 48 hours (27% survival rate). Massive necrosis of parenchymal hepatocytes with marked mononuclear cell infiltration was observed by histological examination. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that most of the infiltrating mononuclear cells were Kupffer cells, macrophages, and, to a lesser extent, T cells. In parallel, serum aminotransferase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were increased. When an anti-MIF polyclonal antibody (0.3 mg IgG fraction/mouse) was intraperitoneally injected into mice primed with BCG, it protected them from acute hepatic failure (90% survival rate) with concomitant improvement of histological features. Injection of the antibody also suppressed the up-regulation of TNF-alpha and T-cell infiltration induced by LPS. Taken together, these results suggested that treatment with the anti-MIF antibody suppresses the endotoxin-induced fatal hepatic failure by regulating production of inflammatory cytokines and T-cell infiltration.

Cleavage of the Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchor Affects the Reactivity of Thy-1 with Antibodies

Thy-1 protein, a member of the Ig superfamily, is bound to the cell membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. We demonstrate that following anchor cleavage by phospholipase C, the reactivity of the solubilized Thy-1 with several mAbs is lost, and its reactivity with polyclonal anti-Thy-1 Abs is markedly decreased. Hence, solubilized Thy-1 cannot be detected by a range of mAbs. In contrast, enzymatic cleavage of biotinylated Thy-1 yields an intact solubilized protein that can be detected by streptavidin. These results exclude a possible proteolytic degradation of solubilized Thy-1 and suggest that the marked decrease in Thy-1 immunoreactivity following delipidation is due to conformational changes in the Thy-1 protein. We further demonstrate that addition of phospholipase C to preformed Ab-Ag complexes causes dissociation and removal of Thy-1 from the complex, indicating that delipidation of Thy-1 induces a conformational change in Thy-1 that is sufficient to dissociate bound Ab. The possibility should therefore be considered that the GPI anchor affects the conformation of a protein to which it is linked.

Allogeneic bronchoalveolar lavage cells induce the histology and immunology of lung allograft rejection in recipient murine lungs: role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on donor cells

BACKGROUND

Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expressed on accessory cells has a key role in antigen presentation. The histology and immunology of lung allograft rejection is postulated to result from donor lung accessory cells presenting alloantigens to recipient lymphocytes, and, therefore, ICAM-1 may have a crucial role in the rejection process. We have previously reported that the instillation of allogeneic (C57BL/6, I-a(b)) bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells (96% macrophages, 2% dendritic cells) into the lungs of recipient BALB/c mice (I-a(d)) induced the histology and immunology of acute lung allograft rejection. Using this model, the purpose of the current study was to determine the role of ICAM-1 on donor lung cells in lung allograft rejection.

METHODS

BALB/c mice received allogeneic BAL cells from wild-type or ICAM-1 mutant (lacking ICAM-1 expression) C57BL/6 mice by nasal insufflation weekly for 4 weeks. Recipient mice underwent BAL and serum collection for the determination of T helper 1/T helper 2 cytokines and IgG subtypes. Lung histology was graded using standard criteria for allograft rejection.

RESULTS

Although wild-type cells induced a lymphocytic vasculitis and bronchitis, ICAM-1 mutant allogeneic BAL cells only induced a lymphocytic vasculitis in recipient lungs. Both wild-type and ICAM-1 mutant cells induced up-regulated local interferon-gamma and IgG2a production, and deposition of IgG2a in recipient lungs.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that ICAM-1 on donor lung accessory cells mediates differential effects on the histology and immunology of acute lung allograft rejection.

Thy-1 antigen expression by cells in the osteoblast lineage

Identification of surface markers involved in osteoblast differentiation provides a method to isolate osteoblasts at various stages of maturation. In this study, we examined expression of the T lymphocyte differentiation antigen, Thy-1, by osteoblastic cells from different species. Murine skeletal progenitor, neonatal calvarial, and adult bone cells (ABCs) were selected to represent osteoblasts at distinct stages of maturation. Flow cytometric analysis showed that Thy-1 expression was undetectable on the progenitor cells (mouse limb bud clones 14 and 17), appeared on calvarial cells (45%+), and was decreased on ABCs (< 10%+). Thy-1 was also detected in situ on osteoblastic cells in mouse calvariae. Thy-1 mRNA expression correlated with cell surface expression. Antigen expression was markedly increased during the cells' proliferative phase in culture. Furthermore, examination of primary rat and human osteoblast-like cells revealed that significant levels of Thy-1 were also expressed on those cells derived from subconfluent culture. This study indicates that osteoblasts express Thy-1 antigen and that its expression is maximal at their earliest stage of maturation, during the proliferative phase, and then declines as the cells mature. In a role similar to the one it plays in the hematopoietic system, Thy-1 antigen may be useful as a differentiation marker in following the development of the osteoblast.

Spontaneous clustering of Thy-1 antigens on CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes lacking TCR engagement by MHC/peptide complexes

While much is known concerning CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes positively or negatively selected through interaction of their TCR with self peptides bound to self-MHC molecules, little is known of the majority of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes lacking this interaction. We developed a monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1D11, the ligand of which (1D11-L) is expressed on 60-70% of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes but not on other subsets of thymocytes and peripheral T cells. 1D11-L expression on CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes reversely correlates with their TCR engagement, in vitro and in vivo. In addition, 1D11-L+ CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes were more susceptible than 1D11-L- CD4+ CD8- thymocytes to apoptosis. We also found that T lineage cells other than CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes and a Thy-1-expressing fibroblast cell line became positive for 1D11-L by cross-linking their Thy-1 antigens with anti-Thy-1 mAb but not with their Fab fragment, suggesting that 1D11 recognizes multimerized Thy-1 antigens. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that Thy-1 antigens as well as 1D11-L are clustered on some CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes but not on the other subsets of thymocytes. Taken together, we suggest that clustering of Thy-1 antigens spontaneously and specifically occurs on CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes lacking TCR engagement by MHC/peptide complexes.

LH, Chambers DA. Mechanism of Catecholamine-Mediated Destabilization of Messenger RNA Encoding Thy-1 Protein in T-Lineage Cells

The Ig superfamily cell surface glycoprotein Thy-1 expressed on immune cells and neurons of rodents and humans is hypothesized to function in cell adhesion and signal transduction in T cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. This study analyzes effects of cAMP and catecholamines on transcriptional Thy-1 gene expression. Incubation of murine thymocytes or S49 mouse thymoma cells with dibutyryl-cAMP, 8-bromo-cAMP, cholera toxin, norepinephrine, or isoproterenol caused time- and concentration-dependent decreases in levels of Thy-1 mRNA assayed by Northern hybridization or T2 nuclease protection. After 4 h of treatment with 500 μM dibutyryl-cAMP or 8-bromo-cAMP, 1 nM cholera toxin, 100 μM norepinephrine, or 100 μM isoproterenol, Thy-1 mRNA levels were 60 to 96% lower than those of controls. Norepinephrine-mediated decreases in Thy-1 mRNA levels were prevented by the β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol (10 μM). Dibutyryl-cAMP and norepinephrine decreased the apparent half-life of S49 cell Thy-1 mRNA from ≫6 h to 2 to 3 h, whereas nuclear run-on assays showed no cAMP or norepinephrine effect on de novo transcription of the Thy-1 gene. In mutant S49 cells lacking cAMP-dependent protein kinase A, neither dibutyryl cAMP nor norepinephrine affected Thy-1 mRNA levels. These observations show that exogenous cAMP and norepinephrine can induce decreases in steady state Thy-1 mRNA levels in T-lineage cells through posttranscriptional destabilization of Thy-1 mRNA, associated with protein kinase A-mediated protein phosphorylation. Catecholamine-mediated β-adrenergic protein kinase A-dependent Thy-1 mRNA destabilization may be an example of a more general mRNA decay system regulating cellular responses to stress.

Signal transduction in leucocytes via GPI-anchored proteins: an experimental artefact or an aspect of immunoreceptor function?

Membrane proteins anchored in the membrane via a glycolipid glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) as well as some glycolipids are able to transduce signals and induce diverse functional responses in cells upon their cross-linking via antibodies or natural ligands. In some cases this signaling capacity seems to be due to associations of these molecules with specific transmembrane proteins. GPI-anchored proteins are components of membrane microdomains enriched in glycosphingolipids and cholesterol and devoid of most transmembrane proteins. These membrane specializations are relatively resistant to solubilization in solutions of some mild detergents at low temperatures. These 'GPI-microdomains' contain also cytoplasmic signaling molecules such as Src-family protein tyrosine kinases and trimeric G-proteins. Thus, at least some signaling elicited upon cross-linking of GPI-anchored proteins and glycolipids may be due to perturbation of the signaling molecules associated with these microdomains. It is suggested that these specialized areas of the membrane rich in signaling molecules interact with immunoreceptors (TCR, BCR, Fc receptors) cross-linked upon their interactions with ligands and importantly contribute to initiation of proximal phases of their signaling pathways.

Somatic hypermutation in the heavy chain locus correlates with transcription

Three mutant immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) insertion mice were generated in which a targeted nonfunctional IgH passenger transgene was either devoid of promoter (pdelta) or was placed under the transcriptional control of either its own RNA polymerase II-dependent IgH promoter (pII) or a RNA polymerase I-dependent promoter (pI). While the transgene mutation-frequency (0.85%) in memory B cells of pI mice was reduced compared to that in pII mice (1.4%), the distribution and the base exchange pattern of point mutations were comparable. In pdelta mice, the mutation frequency was drastically reduced (0.09%). The mutation frequencies correlated with the levels of transgene-specific pre-mRNA expressed in germinal center B cells isolated from the mutant mice.

Complement Receptor 3 of Macrophages Is Associated with Galectin-1-Like Protein

We have previously identified a 16-kDa protein with a pI of 5.1 (P16/5.1) that is associated with macrophage CR3. Microsequencing of P16/5.1 indicated exclusive homology to the β-galactoside-binding lectin, galectin-1. Abs specific to a galectin-1 unique peptide reacted with P16/5.1. The association of P16/5.1 with CR3 was specifically inhibited by lactose, which binds with high affinity to galectin-1. These data together with similarities in molecular mass and pI suggest that P16/5.1 is galectin-1. Two-color immunofluorescence staining revealed the expression of galectin-1 on the macrophage surface and its colocalization with CR3. However, a surplus of CR3 was free of galectin-1, and some galectin-1 molecules were associated with cell surface receptors other than CR3. Based on these results we propose two models depicting the functional significance of CR3-galectin-1 association: 1) homodimeric galectin-1 possessing a divalent sugar binding site may act as an extracellular adapter molecule that cross-links CR3 with other receptors; and 2) association of galectin-1 with β-galactosides on the extracellular domain of CR3 may modify the binding affinity of the receptor to its ligand. These possibilities are not mutually exclusive and can clarify the mode by which CR3 transmits signals in macrophages.