Structure-function analysis of the p35 subunit of mouse interleukin 12

Mouse IL-12 acts on both mouse and human cells; human IL-12 acts only on human cells. This species specificity is determined by the p35 subunit of the IL-12 heterodimer. Since mouse and human p35 sequences are 60% identical, the determinants for the species specificity most likely residue in the nonhomologous sequences of mouse p35. To identify the regions on the p35 subunit interacting with the mouse IL-12 receptor, we constructed a series of chimeric mouse-human p35 molecules by replacing mouse sequences with the nonhomologous human counterparts. An IL-12 heterodimer containing a mouse-human p35 chimera with five residues changed in three discontinuous sites had drastically reduced (750-3000-fold) bioactivities on mouse cells. However, the competitive binding activity of the same mutant IL-12 heterodimer on mouse cells was only reduced 30-fold relative to wild-type IL-12. These findings therefore suggest that 1) the mouse p35 subunit participates in both receptor binding and signaling, 2) the mutations introduced into p35 affect signaling to a much greater extent than receptor binding, and 3) the five residues identified on p35 are required for interacting with the mouse, but not with the human IL-12 receptor and as such contribute extensively to the observed species specificity of IL-12.

Interleukin 12 is produced in vivo during endotoxemia and stimulates synthesis of gamma interferon

Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) is produced in response to circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and contributes to the lethality of endotoxic shock. To address the cellular source of IFN-gamma production in vivo, T cells and B cells were magnetically purified from C57BL/6 mouse spleens 5 h following endotoxin injection. IFN-gamma RNA was abundant in splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and in a T- and B-cell-depleted population of splenocytes containing 34% NK1.1+ natural killer (NK) cells. Because interleukin 12 (IL-12) is a known inducer of IFN-gamma synthesis by cultured T cells and NK cells, we examined whether IL-12 might be involved in IFN-gamma release during endotoxemia. mRNA encoding the p40 subunit of IL-12 increased markedly in the spleens of C57BL/6 mice at 2 h after LPS injection, whereas p35 IL-12 mRNA was constitutively expressed at all times. Bioactive IL-12 (p70 heterodimer) was detected in mouse serum at 2 to 4 h after LPS injection. Similar results were obtained using a p40 subunit-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endotoxin-insensitive C3H/HeJ mice generated threefold less IL-12 p70 and IFN-gamma at these times than endotoxin-sensitive C3H/HeOuJ mice. Pretreatment of mice with polyclonal anti-mouse IL-12 antibody reduced IFN-gamma levels present at 6 h post-LPS nearly sixfold in three separate experiments. These studies support a role for IL-12 as a proximal stimulator of IFN-gamma release during endotoxemia.

Interleukin-12/T cell stimulating factor, a cytokine with multiple effects on T helper type 1 (Th1) but not on Th2 cells

At least two subsets of CD4+ T helper cell lymphocytes termed Th1 and Th2 exist in the mouse and probably in humans. They are characterized by the secretion of different lymphokines and by their functional behavior. Dysregulated expansion of one or the other subset may be one reason for the development of certain diseases. Thus, it is of importance to define the signals involved in the differentiation and activation of the two Th cell subsets. It is known and has been confirmed in this report that the cytokine interleukin (IL)-1 acts on Th2 cells but not on Th1 cells. We now report that a previously identified cytokine which was provisionally termed T cell stimulating factor is identical with IL-12 and exhibits a reciprocal behaviour to IL-1. IL-12 has several effects on Th1 cells. It can induce the proliferation of certain Th1 cells in combination with IL-2. Synthesis of interferon (IFN)-gamma by Th1 cells can be triggered by IL-2 plus IL-12. In contrast to the IFN-gamma production observed after T cell receptor (TcR) CD3 stimulation of Th1 cells with lectin Concanavalin A the IFN-gamma production induced by IL-12 + IL-2 is insensitive to the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A. Furthermore, IL-12 enhances the TcR/CD3-induced synthesis of IFN-gamma of several Th1 clones. Finally, IL-12 (+IL-2) induces homotypic cell aggregation of Th1 clones. This type of cell aggregation depends on the participation of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 molecules. In all activation systems with Th1 cells no effect of IL-1 was demonstrable. In contrast, only IL-1 but not IL-12 served as a co-stimulatory signal for several Th2 cell lines activated via the TcR/CD3 complex.

Recombinant interleukin 12 cures mice infected with Leishmania major

Resistant C57BL/6 mice infected with Leishmania major are self-healing, whereas susceptible BALB/c mice fail to contain cutaneous infection and subsequently undergo fatal visceral dissemination. These disparate outcomes are mediated by dissimilar expansions of T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in vivo during cure and progression of disease. Because interleukin 12 (IL-12) has potent T cell growth and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) stimulatory effects, we studied its effect on CD4+ T cell differentiation during murine leishmaniasis. Treatment with recombinant murine (rMu)IL-12 during the first week of infection cured 89% of normally susceptible BALB/c mice, as defined by decreased size of infected footpads and 1,000-10,000-fold reduced parasite burdens, and provided durable resistance against reinfection. Cure was associated with markedly depressed production of IL-4 by lymph node cells cultured with antigen or mitogen, but preserved or increased production of IFN-gamma relative to untreated mice. IL-4 and IFN-gamma mRNA associated with CD4+ T lymphocytes isolated from infected lymph nodes showed similar reciprocal changes in response to rMuIL-12 therapy. A single injection of anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody abrogated the protective effect of rMuIL-12 therapy and restored Th2 cytokine responses. We conclude that rMuIL-12 prevents deleterious Th2 T cell responses and promotes curative Th1 responses in an IFN-gamma-dependent fashion during murine leishmaniasis. Since BALB/c leishmaniasis cannot be cured with rMuIFN-gamma alone, additional direct effects of IL-12 during T cell subset selection are suggested. Because rMuIL-12 is uniquely protective in this well-characterized model of chronic parasitism, differences in IL-12 production may underlie heterogenous host responses to L. major and other intracellular pathogens.

Cloning and expression of murine IL-12

Human IL-12 (NK cell stimulatory factor, cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor) is a heterodimeric cytokine that can act as a growth factor for activated human T and NK cells, enhance the lytic activity of human NK/lymphokine-activated killer cells, and stimulate the production of IFN-gamma by resting human PBMC. Because in our hands, human IL-12 did not elicit similar responses in murine lymphocytes, we have cloned and expressed the murine IL-12 subunit cDNA in order to obtain recombinant protein for murine studies. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequences of the murine subunits with their human counterparts revealed that the p40 subunits are more highly conserved than the p35 subunits (70% vs 60% identity, respectively). The sizes of the p35 and p40 subunit mRNA were estimated to be 1.5 kb and 2.6 kb, respectively. RNA blot analysis showed that p35 mRNA was expressed in lymphoid tissues (spleen, thymus) and nonlymphoid tissues (lung, brain), whereas p40 mRNA expression was only detected in lymphoid cells. Incubation of splenocytes with pokeweed mitogen did not significantly affect p35 mRNA levels, however, it resulted in a decrease of p40 mRNA. Coexpression of the murine p35 and p40 cDNA clones in COS cells resulted in the secretion of IL-12, which was active in human and mouse T cell proliferation, murine NK cell activation, and murine IFN-gamma induction assays. Transfection of each subunit cDNA alone did not result in measurable secreted IL-12 activity. A hybrid heterodimer consisting of murine p35 and human p40 subunits retained bioactivity on murine cells; however, the combination of human p35 and murine p40 was completely inactive on murine cells. These results indicate that the observed inability of human IL-12 to act on murine cells is largely determined by the p35 subunit.

Cloning and expression of murine IL-12

Human IL-12 (NK cell stimulatory factor, cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor) is a heterodimeric cytokine that can act as a growth factor for activated human T and NK cells, enhance the lytic activity of human NK/lymphokine-activated killer cells, and stimulate the production of IFN-gamma by resting human PBMC. Because in our hands, human IL-12 did not elicit similar responses in murine lymphocytes, we have cloned and expressed the murine IL-12 subunit cDNA in order to obtain recombinant protein for murine studies. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequences of the murine subunits with their human counterparts revealed that the p40 subunits are more highly conserved than the p35 subunits (70% vs 60% identity, respectively). The sizes of the p35 and p40 subunit mRNA were estimated to be 1.5 kb and 2.6 kb, respectively. RNA blot analysis showed that p35 mRNA was expressed in lymphoid tissues (spleen, thymus) and nonlymphoid tissues (lung, brain), whereas p40 mRNA expression was only detected in lymphoid cells. Incubation of splenocytes with pokeweed mitogen did not significantly affect p35 mRNA levels, however, it resulted in a decrease of p40 mRNA. Coexpression of the murine p35 and p40 cDNA clones in COS cells resulted in the secretion of IL-12, which was active in human and mouse T cell proliferation, murine NK cell activation, and murine IFN-gamma induction assays. Transfection of each subunit cDNA alone did not result in measurable secreted IL-12 activity. A hybrid heterodimer consisting of murine p35 and human p40 subunits retained bioactivity on murine cells; however, the combination of human p35 and murine p40 was completely inactive on murine cells. These results indicate that the observed inability of human IL-12 to act on murine cells is largely determined by the p35 subunit.

Coexpression of two distinct genes is required to generate secreted bioactive cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor

Cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor (CLMF) is a disulfide-bonded heterodimeric lymphokine that (i) acts as a growth factor for activated T cells independent of interleukin 2 and (ii) synergizes with suboptimal concentrations of interleukin 2 to induce lymphokine-activated killer cells. We now report the cloning and expression of both human CLMF subunit cDNAs from a lymphoblastoid B-cell line, NC-37. The two subunits represent two distinct and unrelated gene products whose mRNAs are coordinately induced upon activation of NC-37 cells. Coexpression of the two subunit cDNAs in COS cells is necessary for the secretion of biologically active CLMF; COS cells transfected with either subunit cDNA alone do not secrete bioactive CLMF. Recombinant CLMF expressed in mammalian cells displays biologic activities essentially identical to natural CLMF, and its activities can be neutralized by monoclonal antibodies prepared against natural CLMF. Since this heterodimeric protein displays the properties of an interleukin, we propose that CLMF be given the designation interleukin 12.

Structure of a mouse erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase gene and mapping of erythroid-specific DNAse I hypersensitive sites

The enzyme 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALA-S) catalyzes the first step in heme biosynthesis. In this study, the mouse erythroid gene has been cloned and analyzed in order to investigate the regulation of ALA-S expression during erythroid differentiation. The gene spans approximately kbp and consists of 11 exons and 10 introns. The first exon is 37 bp, non-coding, and followed by a 6kb intron. The mRNA capsite was mapped by primer extension and defines a promoter that contains no apparent TATA element. S1 nuclease analysis detects the presence at low levels of a 45 bp-deleted form of the ALA-S mRNA created by the use of an alternative splice site at the intron 2/exon 3 junction. Five DNAse I hypersensitive sites were detected in chromatin from uninduced and induced MEL cells. One site is at the promoter; the others are in the body of the gene. No significant differences were observed in the patterns or intensity of the hypersensitive sites in the uninduced and induced MEL cells, however, no sites in ALA-S were observed in NIH 3T3 cells or in deproteinized DNA. Thus, these sites are specific for erythroid chromatin but appear to be established at an earlier stage of differentiation than represented by the uninduced MEL cell.

Nucleotide sequence of mouse 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase cDNA and expression of its gene in hepatic and erythroid tissues

The cDNA coding for 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase (EC 2.3.1.37) in both liver and anemic spleen of the mouse has been cloned. The liver clone was selected by complementation of an Escherichia coli hemA mutant. Erythroid clones were obtained by screening a cDNA library made from mouse anemic spleen RNA, using the liver cDNA as a probe. The sequences of the spleen-derived and liver-derived cDNAs are identical. The nucleotide sequence and predicted amino acid (aa) sequence of a 1.85-kb spleen-derived cDNA is presented. The mouse ALA synthase as sequence displays extensive homology to ALA synthase of chick embryonic liver. The ALA synthase mRNA, detected by Northern blot analysis, was the same size, approx. 2.3 kb, in mouse liver, anemic spleen, and mouse erythroleukemia cells. It is therefore unlikely that different isozymic forms of ALA synthase are present in mouse erythroid and hepatic tissue and this is not the basis for the different effects of heme and porphyrinogenic compounds on the expression of liver and erythroid ALA synthase.