IL-23 is essential for T cell-mediated colitis and promotes inflammation via IL-17 and IL-6

Uncontrolled mucosal immunity in the gastrointestinal tract of humans results in chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. In early clinical trials as well as in animal models, IL-12 has been implicated as a major mediator of these diseases based on the ability of anti-p40 mAb treatment to reverse intestinal inflammation. The cytokine IL-23 shares the same p40 subunit with IL-12, and the anti-p40 mAbs used in human and mouse IBD studies neutralized the activities of both IL-12 and IL-23. IL-10-deficient mice spontaneously develop enterocolitis. To determine how IL-23 contributes to intestinal inflammation, we studied the disease susceptibility in the absence of either IL-23 or IL-12 in this model, as well as the ability of recombinant IL-23 to exacerbate IBD induced by T cell transfer. Our study shows that in these models, IL-23 is essential for manifestation of chronic intestinal inflammation, whereas IL-12 is not. A critical target of IL-23 is a unique subset of tissue-homing memory T cells, which are specifically activated by IL-23 to produce the proinflammatory mediators IL-17 and IL-6. This pathway may be responsible for chronic intestinal inflammation as well as other chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases.

IL-27, a heterodimeric cytokine composed of EBI3 and p28 protein, induces proliferation of naive CD4+ T cells

An efficient Th1-driven adaptive immune response requires activation of the T cell receptor and secretion of the T cell stimulatory cytokine IL-12 by activated antigen-presenting cells. IL-12 triggers Th1 polarization of naive CD4(+) T cells and secretion of IFN-gamma. We describe a new heterodimeric cytokine termed IL-27 that consists of EBI3, an IL-12p40-related protein, and p28, a newly discovered IL-12p35-related polypeptide. IL-27 is an early product of activated antigen-presenting cells and drives rapid clonal expansion of naive but not memory CD4(+) T cells. It also strongly synergizes with IL-12 to trigger IFN-gamma production of naive CD4(+) T cells. IL-27 mediates its biologic effects through the orphan cytokine receptor WSX-1/TCCR.

Il-13 and IFN-gamma: interactions in lung inflammation

Chronic inflammatory diseases of the lungs, such as asthma, are frequently associated with mixed (Th2 and Th1) T cell responses. We examined the impact of critical Th1 and Th2 cytokines, IFN-gamma and IL-13, on the responses in the lungs. In a mouse model of airway inflammation induced by mixed T cell responses, the number of Th1 (IFN-gamma-positive) cells was found to be negatively correlated with airway hyperreactivity. In these mice, blockade of IL-13 partially inhibited airway hyperreactivity and goblet cell hyperplasia but not inflammation. In contrast, in mice that responded with a polarized Th2 response to the same Ag, blockade of IL-13 inhibited airway hyperreactivity, goblet cell hyperplasia, and airway inflammation. These results indicated that the presence of IFN-gamma would modulate the effects of IL-13 in the lungs. To test this hypothesis, wild-type mice were given recombinant cytokines intranasally. IFN-gamma inhibited IL-13-induced goblet cell hyperplasia and airway eosinophilia. At the same time, IFN-gamma and IL-13 potentiated each other's effects. In the airways of mice given IL-13 and IFN-gamma, levels of IL-6 were increased as well as numbers of NK cells and of CD11c-positive cells expressing MHC class II and high levels of CD86. In conclusion, IFN-gamma has double-sided effects (inhibiting some, potentiating others) on IL-13-induced changes in the lungs. This may be the reason for the ambiguous role of Th1 responses on Th2 response-induced lung injury.

Characterization of chemokines and chemokine receptors in two murine models of inflammatory bowel disease: IL-10-/- mice and Rag-2-/- mice reconstituted with CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells

We used quantitative PCR to investigate the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors in two Th1-mediated murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). First, mRNA levels encoding the chemokines MIG, RANTES, lymphotactin, MIP-3alpha, TCA-3, TARC, MIP-3beta, LIX, MCP-1 and MIP-1beta and the receptors CCR4, CCR6 and CCR2 were significantly increased in chronically inflamed colons of IL-10-/- mice when compared with wildtype mice. Interestingly, reversal of colitis in IL-10-/- mice by anti-IL-12 mAb was accompanied by the inhibition in the expression of LIX, lymphotactin, MCP-1, MIG, MIP-3alpha, MIP-3beta, TCA-3, CCR2 and CCR4, whereas the increased mRNA levels of MIP-1beta, RANTES, TARC and CCR6 were unaffected. Second, to investigate which chemokines and receptors were up-regulated during the inductive phase of colitis, we employed the CD4+CD45RBhigh T cell transfer model. At 4 and 8 weeks after reconstitution of Rag-2-/- mice the mRNA levels of IP-10, MCP-1, MDC, MIG, TARC, RANTES, CCR4 and CCR5 were significantly increased prior to the appearance of macroscopic lesions. Other chemokines and chemokine receptors were clearly associated with the acute phase of the disease when lesions were evident. The sum of our studies with these two models identifies chemokines that are expressed at constant levels, irrespective of inflammatory responses, and those that are specifically associated with acute and/or chronic stages of Th1-driven colitis.

IL-4 exacerbates disease in a Th1 cell transfer model of colitis

IL-4 is associated with Th2-type immune responses and can either inhibit or, in some cases, promote Th1-type responses. We tested the effect of IL-4 treatment on the development of inflammation in the CD4(+)CD45RB(high) T cell transfer model of colitis, which has been characterized as a Th1-dependent disease. IL-4 treatment significantly accelerated the development of colitis in immunodeficient recipients (recombinase-activating gene-2 (Rag2)(-/-)) of CD4(+)CD45RB(high) T cells. Quantitative analysis of mRNA expression in the colons of IL-4-treated mice showed an up-regulation of both Th1- and Th2-associated molecules, including IFN-gamma, IP-10, MIG, CXCR3, chemokine receptor-8, and IL-4. However, cotreatment with either IL-10 or anti-IL-12 mAb effectively blocked the development of colitis in the presence of exogenous IL-4. These data indicate that IL-4 treatment exacerbates a Th1-mediated disease rather than induces Th2-mediated inflammation. As other cell types besides T cells express the receptor for IL-4, the proinflammatory effects of IL-4 on host cells in Rag2(-/-) recipients were assessed. IL-4 treatment was able to moderately exacerbate colitis in Rag2(-/-) mice that were reconstituted with IL-4Ralpha-deficient (IL-4Ralpha(-/-)) CD4(+)CD45RB(high) T cells, suggesting that the IL-4 has proinflammatory effects on both non-T and T cells in this model. IL-4 did not cause colitis in Rag2(-/-) mice in the absence of T cells, but did induce an increase in MHC class II expression in the lamina propria of the colon, which was blocked by cotreatment with IL-10. Together these results indicate that IL-4 can indirectly promote Th1-type inflammation in the CD4(+)CD45RB(high) T cell transfer model of colitis.

Novel p19 protein engages IL-12p40 to form a cytokine, IL-23, with biological activities similar as well as distinct from IL-12

A novel sequence discovered in a computational screen appears distantly related to the p35 subunit of IL-12. This factor, which we term p19, shows no biological activity by itself; instead, it combines with the p40 subunit of IL-12 to form a novel, biologically active, composite cytokine, which we term IL-23. Activated dendritic cells secrete detectable levels of this complex. IL-23 binds to IL-12R beta 1 but fails to engage IL-12R beta 2; nonetheless, IL-23 activates Stat4 in PHA blast T cells. IL-23 induces strong proliferation of mouse memory (CD4(+)CD45Rb(low)) T cells, a unique activity of IL-23 as IL-12 has no effect on this cell population. Similar to IL-12, human IL-23 stimulates IFN-gamma production and proliferation in PHA blast T cells, as well as in CD45RO (memory) T cells.

Iron supplementation affects the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in IL-10 deficient mice

BACKGROUND

Iron supplements may increase disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease through the production of the hydroxyl radical because of its catalytic activity in the Fenton reaction. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of dietary and locally administered iron in the IL-10 knock-out (-/-) mouse, a model of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IL10-/- and wild-type mice received a standard or a high-iron diet (35 mg kg(-1) ferrosulphate vs. 500 mg kg(-1) ferrosulphate) after weaning. After 4 weeks the mice were sacrificed. Furthermore, a group of adult IL-10 knock-out mice was given three iron-containing enema's (0.2 mL of 1 mM ferrous-ammonium sulphate) or phosphate buffered saline. These mice were sacrificed after 1 week. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by colon tissue cultures, haematological parameters and histology was determined to assess inflammatory activity.

RESULTS

Oral as well as rectal administration of iron resulted in increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production in IL-10-/- mice. Neutrophil counts in IL10-/- on a high iron diet increased as well. No enhanced colonic inflammation was noted on histology after iron supplementation.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that dietary or topical administered iron increases pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the colon of IL10-/- mice. No significant increase of histological intestinal inflammation was observed.

Acquisition of CD24 expression by Lin-CD43+B220(low)ckit(hi) cells coincides with commitment to the B cell lineage

The present study describes three subsets of bone marrow-derived Lin CD43+B220(low) (B220(low)) progenitor cells which represent distinct stages in hematopoietic development. These populations differ in their expression of CD24 and ckit and the occurrence of IgH gene rearrangement. B220(low) CD24-ckit(hi) progenitors have their IgH loci in germ-line configuration and are multipotent since they can give rise to B cells, T cells and myeloid cells. B220lowckit(hi) cells which have acquired CD24 expression have retained IgH loci in germ-line configuration and the ability to generate B cells, however, they have lost the ability to generate T cells and myeloid cells. Thus acquisition of CD24 by B220(low) cells occurs concurrently with the transition from a multipotent to a lineage-restricted progenitor population. B220(low)CD24+ cells expressing low levels of ckit are also lineage restricted, giving rise to only B cells and have begun D-J(H) rearrangement, implying that initiation of IgH rearrangement coincides with the down-regulation of ckit expression.

Radioprotective effects of flk2/flt3 ligand

The radioprotective properties of flk2/flt3 ligand (FL) were evaluated in lethally irradiated mice. Optimum survival rates (70-80%) were observed when 5 to 20 microg of FL was administered at both 20 and 2 hours before LD100/30 radiation. Administration of FL well in advance of irradiation was essential for conferring most of the radioprotection, since a single dose given at -20 hours still resulted in a significant survival rate (65%), whereas a single dose given at -2 hours was relatively nonprotective. Histopathologic examination at 7 and 9 days postirradiation revealed significant myelopoietic activity in the bone marrow (BM) of FL-treated mice, suggesting that their survival might be due to sparing of radiosensitive hematopoietic cells. By comparison, the BM of mice treated with phosphate-buffered saline was extremely hypocellular and remained that way until they died of bacterial infection. Hematopoietic assays confirmed a marked stimulation of early white blood cell (WBC) recovery in the BM and blood of FL-protected mice relative to PBS-treated controls. By day 21, FL-protected mice showed circulating WBC numbers that were higher than preirradiation values; however, their BM colony-forming units in culture were still depressed. Moreover, these mice experienced a prolonged anemia and thrombocytopenia. These findings are discussed in light of the restricted subset of hematopoietic progenitors shown to be responsive to FL in vitro.

Role of interleukin-10 in regulation of T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent mechanisms of resistance to Toxoplasma gondii

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine which can inhibit T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell functions associated with cell-mediated immunity to intracellular infections. The production of IL-10 by mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii has been implicated in the suppression of lymphocyte proliferation observed during acute toxoplasmosis, as well as susceptibility to infection with this parasite. We have used C57BL/6 mice which lack a functional IL-10 gene (IL-10(-/-) mice) to investigate the role of IL-10 in acute toxoplasmosis. Intraperitoneal infection of IL-10(-/-) mice with T. gondii resulted in 100% mortality by day 13, whereas wild-type C57BL/6 (WT) mice survived acute infection. IL-10(-/-) mice infected with T. gondii had significantly higher serum levels of IL-12 and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) than WT mice. Early mortality of infected IL-10(-/-) mice was prevented by treatment with IL-10 and significantly delayed by neutralizing antibodies to IL-12 and IFN-gamma. Further studies revealed that SCID/IL-10(-/-) mice infected with T. gondii had delayed time to death compared to IL-10(-/-) mice, indicating that lymphocytes contributed to death of IL-10(-/-) mice. In addition, infected SCID/IL-10(-/-) mice survived longer than infected SCID mice. These latter data indicate that in mice lacking lymphocytes, endogenous IL-10 is associated with increased susceptibility to T. gondii. However, the lack of IL-10 does not alter the infection-induced suppression of T cell and NK cell functions. Our experiments reveal that IL-10 is associated with protection or increased susceptibility to infection with T. gondii, depending on whether mice possess lymphocytes, and demonstrate the important roles of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in the early infection-induced mortality observed in the IL-10(-/-) mice.

IL-10 is required to prevent immune hyperactivity during infection with Trypanosoma cruzi

Previous studies have associated the production of IL-10 with suppression of the protective cell-mediated immune response to Trypanosoma cruzi. To further understand the role of IL-10 in the resistance to and pathogenesis of Chagas' disease, we infected C57BL/6 wild-type (IL-10 +/+) or C57BL/6 IL-10 knockout (IL-10 -/-) mice with the virulent Tulahuen strain of T. cruzi. IL-10 -/- mice had a lower parasite burden and higher levels of serum TNF-alpha, IL-12, and IFN-gamma compared with infected IL-10 +/+ mice. However, infection resulted in earlier mortality of IL-10 -/- mice compared with IL-10 +/+ controls. The earlier mortality of IL-10 -/- mice could be reversed by administering rIL-10 or a neutralizing Ab specific for IL-12. A role for T cells in the early mortality of IL-10 -/- mice was suggested by experiments in which SCID IL-10 -/- mice infected with T. cruzi had a delay in time to death and significantly lower serum levels of IFN-gamma compared with IL-10 -/- mice. Furthermore, treatment of infected IL-10 -/- mice with a mAb specific for CD4 resulted in reduced serum levels of IFN-gamma and a delay in time to death. Altogether, our results demonstrate for the first time that during infection with T. cruzi there is a critical requirement for IL-10 to prevent the development of a pathologic immune response associated with CD4+ T cells and overproduction of IL-12.

IL-10 is required to prevent immune hyperactivity during infection with Trypanosoma cruzi

Previous studies have associated the production of IL-10 with suppression of the protective cell-mediated immune response to Trypanosoma cruzi. To further understand the role of IL-10 in the resistance to and pathogenesis of Chagas' disease, we infected C57BL/6 wild-type (IL-10 +/+) or C57BL/6 IL-10 knockout (IL-10 -/-) mice with the virulent Tulahuen strain of T. cruzi. IL-10 -/- mice had a lower parasite burden and higher levels of serum TNF-alpha, IL-12, and IFN-gamma compared with infected IL-10 +/+ mice. However, infection resulted in earlier mortality of IL-10 -/- mice compared with IL-10 +/+ controls. The earlier mortality of IL-10 -/- mice could be reversed by administering rIL-10 or a neutralizing Ab specific for IL-12. A role for T cells in the early mortality of IL-10 -/- mice was suggested by experiments in which SCID IL-10 -/- mice infected with T. cruzi had a delay in time to death and significantly lower serum levels of IFN-gamma compared with IL-10 -/- mice. Furthermore, treatment of infected IL-10 -/- mice with a mAb specific for CD4 resulted in reduced serum levels of IFN-gamma and a delay in time to death. Altogether, our results demonstrate for the first time that during infection with T. cruzi there is a critical requirement for IL-10 to prevent the development of a pathologic immune response associated with CD4+ T cells and overproduction of IL-12.

Enterocolitis and colon cancer in interleukin-10-deficient mice are associated with aberrant cytokine production and CD4(+) TH1-like responses

We have characterized the progressive stages of chronic intestinal inflammation that develops spontaneously in specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice with a targeted disruption in the IL-10 gene (IL-10-/-). Our longitudinal studies showed that inflammatory changes first appear in the cecum, ascending and transverse colon of 3-wk-old mutants. As the disease progressed, lesions appeared in the remainder of the colon and in the rectum. Some aged IL-10-/- mice also developed inflammation in the small intestine. Prolonged disease with transmural lesions and a high incidence of colorectal adenocarcinomas (60%) was observed in 6-mo-old mutants. Mechanistic studies have associated uncontrolled cytokine production by activated macrophages and CD4+ Th1-like T cells with the enterocolitis exhibited by IL-10-/- mice. A major role for a pathogenic Th1 response was further suggested by showing that anti-IFNgamma antibody (Ab) treatment significantly attenuated intestinal inflammation in young IL-10-/- mice. When weanlings were treated with IL-10, they failed to develop any signs of intestinal inflammation. Interestingly, IL-10 treatment of adults was not curative but did ameliorate disease progression. Our studies have also shown that inheritable factors strongly influence the disease susceptibility of IL-10-/- mice. In 3-mo-old mutants, intestinal lesions were most severe in IL-10-/- 129/SvEv and IL-10-/- BALB/c strains, of intermediate severity in the IL-10-/- 129 x C57BL/6J outbreds, and least severe in the IL-10-/- C57BL/6J strain.

flk2/flt3 ligand is a potent cofactor for the growth of primitive B cell progenitors

We have investigated the role of flk2/flt3 ligand (FL) in B cell lymphopoiesis. The ability of FL to stimulate the growth of immature B cells was assessed using distinct populations: CD43lowB220+ pre-B cells, CD43+B220+ pro-B cells, and CD43+B220low progenitors. FL failed to affect the growth of the pro-B or pre-B cells whether used alone or in combination with stem cell factor (SCF) or IL-7. In striking contrast, FL was a potent cofactor for the CD43+B220low progenitor cells, interacting with either IL-7 and/or SCF to stimulate their growth. The combination of FL with IL-7 plus SCF stimulated maximum expansion of these cells, albeit, less than that stimulated in stromal cell cultures. When the CD43+B220low progenitors were divided based on expression of heat stable Ag (CD24) into a CD24- and a CD24+ subset, the FL-responsive cells were contained only within the CD24- subset. FL interacted with SCF or with IL-7 to stimulate their growth resulting in a 20- and 50-fold increase in cellularity, respectively. Since the CD24- subset was the most immature of the B cell populations studied, our data suggest that FL costimulates the expansion of very primitive B cell progenitors.

flk2/flt3 ligand is a potent cofactor for the growth of primitive B cell progenitors

We have investigated the role of flk2/flt3 ligand (FL) in B cell lymphopoiesis. The ability of FL to stimulate the growth of immature B cells was assessed using distinct populations: CD43lowB220+ pre-B cells, CD43+B220+ pro-B cells, and CD43+B220low progenitors. FL failed to affect the growth of the pro-B or pre-B cells whether used alone or in combination with stem cell factor (SCF) or IL-7. In striking contrast, FL was a potent cofactor for the CD43+B220low progenitor cells, interacting with either IL-7 and/or SCF to stimulate their growth. The combination of FL with IL-7 plus SCF stimulated maximum expansion of these cells, albeit, less than that stimulated in stromal cell cultures. When the CD43+B220low progenitors were divided based on expression of heat stable Ag (CD24) into a CD24- and a CD24+ subset, the FL-responsive cells were contained only within the CD24- subset. FL interacted with SCF or with IL-7 to stimulate their growth resulting in a 20- and 50-fold increase in cellularity, respectively. Since the CD24- subset was the most immature of the B cell populations studied, our data suggest that FL costimulates the expansion of very primitive B cell progenitors.

Interleukin-10 is a central regulator of the response to LPS in murine models of endotoxic shock and the Shwartzman reaction but not endotoxin tolerance

Previous studies in vivo have shown that IL-10 infusion can prevent lethal endotoxic shock. Mice deficient in the production of IL-10 (IL10T) were used to investigate the regulatory role of IL-10 in the responses to LPS in three experimental systems. In a model of acute endotoxic shock, it was found that the lethal dose of LPS for IL10T mice was 20-fold lower than that for wild type (wt) mice suggesting that endogenous IL-10 determines the amount of LPS which can be tolerated without death. The high mortality rate of IL10T mice challenged with modest doses of LPS was correlated to the uncontrolled production of TNF as treatment with anti-TNF antibody (Ab) resulted in 70% survival. Additional studies suggested that IL-10 mediates protection by controlling the early effectors of endotoxic shock (e.g., TNF alpha) and that it is incapable of directly antagonizing the production and/or actions of late appearing effector molecules (e.g., nitric oxide). We also found that IL10T mice were extremely vulnerable to a generalized Shwartzman reaction where prior exposure to a small amount of LPS primes the host for a lethal response to a subsequent sublethal dose. The priming LPS dose for IL10T mice was 100-fold lower than that required to prime wt mice implying that IL-10 is important for suppressing sensitization. In agreement with this assumption, IL-10 infusion was found to block the sensitization step. Interestingly, IL-10 was not the main effector of endotoxin tolerance as IL10T mice could be tolerized to LPS. Furthermore, IL-10 infusion could not substitute for the desensitizing dose of LPS. These results show that IL-10 is a critical component of the host's natural defense against the development of pathologic responses to LPS although it is not responsible for LPS-induced tolerance.

Interleukin 10 but not interleukin 4 is a natural suppressant of cutaneous inflammatory responses

We have examined the role of endogenously produced interleukin (IL) 4 and IL-10 in the regulation of inflammatory and immune reactions in the skin. In these experiments, irritant and contact hypersensitivity (CH) responses were elicited in mice with targeted disruptions of the IL-4 (IL-4T) or IL-10 (IL-10T) gene. Our study showed that IL-4T and wild-type (wt) mice exhibited equivalent responses to the irritant croton oil. In contrast, the response of IL-10T mice challenged with croton oil was abnormally increased. When IL-10T mice were exposed to a higher dose of irritant, irreversible tissue damage occurred. By comparison, any treatment of wt mice with croton oil resulted in far less tissue damage and resolution of inflammation. Neutralizing antibody studies demonstrated that the necrosis that occurred in IL-10T mice was due to the overproduction of tumor necrosis factor. The anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody treatment of IL-10T mice did not significantly reduce the edema or the influx of inflammatory cells, suggesting that these changes were due to the uncontrolled production of other proinflammatory cytokines. T cell-dependent immune responses were also evaluated using the contact sensitizer oxazolone. The response of IL-4T mice did not differ from wt mice. In contrast, IL-10T mice mounted an exaggerated CH response, increased in both magnitude and duration as compared with wt mice. Based on these studies, we have concluded that IL-10, but not IL-4, is a natural suppressant of irritant responses and of CH, and it limits immunopathologic damage in the skin.

FLT3/FLK2 ligand promotes the growth of murine stem cells and the expansion of colony-forming cells and spleen colony-forming units

The effect of FLT3/FLK2 ligand (FL) on the growth of primitive hematopoietic cells was investigated using ThyloSca1+ stem cells. FL was observed to interact with a variety of factors to initiate colony formation by stem cells. When stem cells were stimulated in liquid culture with FL plus interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), or stem cell factor (SCF), cells capable of forming colonies in secondary methylcellulose cultures (CFU-c) were produced in high numbers. However, only FL plus IL-6 supported an increase in the number of cells capable of forming colonies in the spleens of irradiated mice (CFU-s). Experiments with accessory cell-depleted bone marrow (Lin- BM) showed that FL alone lacks significant colony-stimulating activity for progenitor cells. Nevertheless, FL enhanced the growth of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) in cultures containing SCF, G-CSF, IL-6, or IL-11. In these assays, FL increased the number of CFU-GM initiating colony formation (recruitment), as well as the number of cells per colony (synergy). Many of the colonies were macroscopic and contained greater than 2 x 10(4) granulocytes and macrophages. Therefore, FL appears to function as a potent costimulus for primitive cells of high proliferative potential (HPP). FL was also observed to costimulate the expansion of CFU-GM in liquid cultures of Lin- BM. In contrast, FL had no growth-promoting affects on progenitors committed to the erythrocyte, megakaryocyte, eosinophil, or mast cell lineages.

Cofactors are essential for stem cell factor-dependent growth and maturation of mast cell progenitors: comparative effects of interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-4, IL-10, and fibroblasts

Stem cell factor (SCF) possesses many mast cell-stimulating activities, including the ability to support the growth of mucosal-like mast cells (MMCs) and connective tissue mast cells (CTMCs). However, this study shows that, in the absence of accessory cells, SCF does not stimulate the clonal growth of primitive mast cell progenitors. Nevertheless, SCF exhibited potent growth-promoting effects when combined with the cytokines interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Our comparative studies have shown that optimal mast cell colony formation occurs when both IL-4 and IL-10 are combined with SCF. However, in the presence of SCF, these two cofactors appear to mediate different effects. IL-4 was more efficient than IL-10 in costimulating the initiation of SCF-dependent colony formation by mast cell progenitors and in sustaining the proliferation of newly generated progeny. On the other hand, IL-4 was less efficient than IL-10 in supporting mast cell differentiation, as evidenced by morphology, cell enlargement, and granule production. Although the actions of IL-4 and IL-10 were not equivalent, additional experiments indicated that their ability to serve as early- and late-acting factors, respectively, were complimentary. We have also found that the mast cells generated in colonies stimulated by IL-4, IL-10, and SCF produced high levels of histamine (6-8 pg per cell). None of the mast cells generated in our cultures synthesized heparin. A phenotypic change from safranin-negative to safranin-positive cells associated with heparin-producing CTMCs was accomplished after coculture of the mast cells with fibroblast cell lines derived from normal mice or from SI/SId mice plus soluble factors. Collectively, our observations demonstrate that SCF acts as a competence factor for mast cell progenitor growth. In addition, the ability of SCF to support certain stages of mast cell differentiation is profoundly influenced by interactions with specific cofactors.

Interleukin-10 promotes the growth of megakaryocyte, mast cell, and multilineage colonies: analysis with committed progenitors and Thy1loSca1+ stem cells

The growth-promoting activities of interleukin-10 (IL-10) were assessed in hematopoietic colony-forming assays. We found that IL-10 failed to support the clonal growth of normal and lineage-depleted (Lin-) bone marrow (BM) cells. Furthermore, IL-10 neither enhanced nor suppressed colony formation by eosinophil, neutrophil, or macrophage progenitors when combined with a variety of factors. IL-10 stimulated a modest increase in erythropoietin (Epo)-dependent erythroid colonies but had no effect on the burst-promoting activities of IL-3. However, the combination of IL-10 plus IL-3 resulted in the enhanced growth of mast cell progenitors. In addition to its mast cell stimulating activity, IL-10 promoted the growth of megakaryocyte (Mk) and Mk-mixed colonies when combined with Epo or with Epo plus IL-3, IL-6, or IL-11. Comparative studies showed that the megakaryocyte potentiating activity of IL-10 is roughly equivalent to that of IL-6 and IL-11. In experiments using Thy1loSca1+ stem cells, IL-10 was shown to enhance the number of cells initiating IL-3-dependent colony formation. IL-10 also costimulated increased colony formation when used with IL-3 and another factor such as IL-1, IL-6, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Cellular analysis of the resulting colonies indicated that IL-10 increases the formation of multilineage colonies containing erythrocytes, megakaryocytes, and/or mast cells. The ability of IL-10 to cooperatively regulate various stages of hematopoietic development is discussed.

Interleukin-10-deficient mice develop chronic enterocolitis

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) affects the growth and differentiation of many hemopoietic cells in vitro; in particular, it is a potent suppressor of macrophage and T cell functions. In IL-10-deficient mice, generated by gene targeting, lymphocyte development and antibody responses are normal, but most animals are growth retarded and anemic and suffer from chronic enterocolitis. Alterations in intestine include extensive mucosal hyperplasia, inflammatory reactions, and aberrant expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on epithelia. In contrast, mutants kept under specific pathogen-free conditions develop only a local inflammation limited to the proximal colon. These results indicate that the bowel inflammation in the mutants originates from uncontrolled immune responses stimulated by enteric antigens and that IL-10 is an essential immunoregulator in the intestinal tract.

Interleukin-10-deficient mice develop chronic enterocolitis

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) affects the growth and differentiation of many hemopoietic cells in vitro; in particular, it is a potent suppressor of macrophage and T cell functions. In IL-10-deficient mice, generated by gene targeting, lymphocyte development and antibody responses are normal, but most animals are growth retarded and anemic and suffer from chronic enterocolitis. Alterations in intestine include extensive mucosal hyperplasia, inflammatory reactions, and aberrant expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules on epithelia. In contrast, mutants kept under specific pathogen-free conditions develop only a local inflammation limited to the proximal colon. These results indicate that the bowel inflammation in the mutants originates from uncontrolled immune responses stimulated by enteric antigens and that IL-10 is an essential immunoregulator in the intestinal tract.

Anti-IL-6 antibodies suppress myeloid cell production and the generation of CFU-c in long-term bone marrow cultures

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is one of several hemopoietic growth factors produced by stromal cell lines derived from the adherent layer of long-term bone marrow cultures (LTBMCs). To evaluate the potential role of IL-6 in stromal cell-dependent myelopoiesis, we established LTBMCs and verified that IL-6 mRNA is transcribed by heterogeneous adherent cell layers and that IL-6 protein is present in culture supernatants. Established LTBMCs were then depleted of IL-6 by using a specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb). Cultures treated for 2-3 weeks with anti-IL-6 mAb showed decreased production of maturing myeloid cells and colony-forming progenitor cells (colony-forming units in culture, CFU-c) but not stem cells (spleen colony-forming units, CFU-s). In parallel experiments, it was also found that the addition of IL-6 to LTBMCs stimulated a marked increase in total cell production, CFU-c, and day-8 CFU-s. In sum, it appears that endogenous production of IL-6, although limiting, is essential for the normal level of myelopoiesis associated with stromal cell function in LTBMCs.

Interleukin 10: an overview

Since the original description of interleukin-10, a wealth of information concerning its biological properties has been gathered. Studies in vitro have rapidly identified both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive activities for IL-10. Based on these findings, in vivo studies were initiated in a variety of animal disease models to assess the importance of these activities. This review will summarize the pleiotropic properties of IL-10 and will survey current research regarding the potential of IL-10 to regulate acute and chronic inflammatory reactions.

The in vitro response of phenotypically defined mouse stem cells and myeloerythroid progenitors to single or multiple growth factors

Pluripotential stem cells (Thylo Lin- Sca+; referred to as Sca+) and primitive myeloerythroid progenitor cells (Thylo Lin- Sca-; referred to as Sca-), defined by their in vivo repopulating properties, have been purified from mouse bone marrow. In this study, the growth factor requirements of these two subsets were compared in colony-forming assays. Sca- progenitor cells grew well in interleukin (IL) 3 alone and showed maximum growth when two factors, IL-3 plus IL-1 or IL-3 plus IL-6, were combined. In contrast, Sca+ stem cells were generally not responsive to any single factor tested. Some colony formation was found when IL-3 was paired with either IL-1 or IL-6, and this was significantly enhanced as additional factors were included. A remarkable frequency of as much as 1 colony per 1.7 input Sca+ cells was achieved when IL-1, IL-3, IL-6, and colony-stimulating factors were used together. These differences in factor requirements presumably reflect the need for multiple factor signaling in the more primitive stem cell population. In most other aspects of colony formation, Sca+ and Sca- cells were very similar. They generated colonies that had equivalent distributions in size and cellular composition. One notable difference was found in the kinetics of their response. Whereas nearly all Sca- cells formed colonies within 7 days, a significant fraction of Sca+ cells delayed colony formation for greater than 1 week. During this quiescent period, cell survival was absolutely dependent on the presence of factors in the medium.

Antibody to interleukin-5 inhibits helminth-induced eosinophilia in mice

When rodents are infected with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, large numbers of eosinophils appear in their blood and lungs and their serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) is increased. Injection of a monoclonal antibody to interleukin-5 completely suppressed the blood eosinophilia and the infiltration of eosinophils in the lungs of parasitized mice but had no effect on serum IgE. In contrast, an antibody to interleukin-4 inhibited parasite-induced IgE but not the eosinophilia. These results show that interleukin-5 is important in eosinophil production in vivo and that IgE and eosinophil production are regulated by different cytokines produced by the TH2 subset of CD4-expressing T cells.

Interleukin-6 interacts with interleukin-4 and other hematopoietic growth factors to selectively enhance the growth of megakaryocytic, erythroid, myeloid, and multipotential progenitor cells

The growth-promoting activities of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in combination with different factors were assessed in bone marrow (BM) cultures prepared from normal mice and from mice treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Effects on hematopoietic colony formation with respect to number, size, and cellular composition were evaluated. In agreement with previous reports, IL-6 acts synergistically with IL-3 to stimulate increased numbers of granulocyte/macrophage (GM) and multilineage colonies in day-2 and day-4 post-5-FU BM cultures. Furthermore, day 4 but not day 2 post-5-FU BM showed enhanced GM colony formation when stimulated with IL-6 plus interleukin-4 (IL-4) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). In contrast, IL-6 did not increase the number of colonies supported by M-CSF or GM-CSF. Nevertheless IL-6 interacted with all factors, including M-CSF and GM-CSF, to stimulate an increase in colony size. Many of these myeloid colonies attained a diameter of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, suggesting they derive from high proliferative potential cells (HPP-CFC). The response of normal and day-8 post-5-FU BM containing high numbers of more mature progenitors was also assessed. We found IL-6 enhanced colony formation by lineage-restricted megakaryocytic and erythroid progenitors in the presence of IL-3 and IL-4 plus erythropoietin (Epo), respectively. The sum of these results shows that IL-6 interacts with a variety of factors to regulate the growth of progenitor cells at different stages of lineage commitment and maturation.

IL-3 and stromal cell-derived factor synergistically stimulate the growth of pre-B cell lines cloned from long-term lymphoid bone marrow cultures

The addition of IL-3 to modified Whitlock-Witte long-term lymphocyte cultures was found to enhance the growth of a small but significant number of B cell precursors supported by an adherent stromal cell monolayer. Several pre-B cell lines were cloned from IL-3-treated long-term lymphocyte cultures. The growth requirements and physical properties of one representative clone, BL/3, are described. BL/3 cells were shown to be unresponsive to IL-3 except when it is used at very high concentrations. In contrast, significant growth was stimulated by stromal cell conditioned medium previously shown to contain a pre-B cell growth factor. Optimal growth of the pre-B cell clone was stimulated by stromal cell conditioned medium plus IL-3. Synergy between the stromal cell-derived factor and IL-3 occurred when IL-3 was used over a wide range of concentrations including a relatively low amount that was ineffective as a growth stimulus by itself. The finding that more than one factor is required to sustain optimal growth of some pre-B cells parallels the complex growth requirements reported for some primitive myeloid/erythroid progenitors.

IL-3 and stromal cell-derived factor synergistically stimulate the growth of pre-B cell lines cloned from long-term lymphoid bone marrow cultures

The addition of IL-3 to modified Whitlock-Witte long-term lymphocyte cultures was found to enhance the growth of a small but significant number of B cell precursors supported by an adherent stromal cell monolayer. Several pre-B cell lines were cloned from IL-3-treated long-term lymphocyte cultures. The growth requirements and physical properties of one representative clone, BL/3, are described. BL/3 cells were shown to be unresponsive to IL-3 except when it is used at very high concentrations. In contrast, significant growth was stimulated by stromal cell conditioned medium previously shown to contain a pre-B cell growth factor. Optimal growth of the pre-B cell clone was stimulated by stromal cell conditioned medium plus IL-3. Synergy between the stromal cell-derived factor and IL-3 occurred when IL-3 was used over a wide range of concentrations including a relatively low amount that was ineffective as a growth stimulus by itself. The finding that more than one factor is required to sustain optimal growth of some pre-B cells parallels the complex growth requirements reported for some primitive myeloid/erythroid progenitors.

Multiple biological activities are expressed by a mouse interleukin 6 cDNA clone isolated from bone marrow stromal cells

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) refers to the gene product that was characterized initially as beta 2 interferon/26-kDa protein produced by human fibroblasts and later was found to be identical to B-cell stimulatory factor 2, hybridoma/plasmacytoma growth factor, and probably hepatocyte-stimulating factor. Using the human IL-6 cDNA as a probe, we have isolated functional cDNA clones from mouse bone marrow stromal cell cDNA libraries. Sequence analysis of the mouse cDNA insert revealed significant homology between the human and mouse IL-6 cDNA clones both at the level of nucleotide (65%) and deduced amino acid (41%) sequences. The NH2-terminal sequence of the deduced protein is identical to a partial NH2-terminal sequence determined previously for a hybridoma/plasmacytoma growth factor and a plasmacytoma growth factor isolated from mouse T cells and macrophages, respectively. The mRNA for mouse IL-6 is expressed in IL-1-treated stromal cells and in activated T-cell and macrophage cell lines. Supernatants from COS-7 monkey cells transfected with the cDNA clone have plasmacytoma growth factor, hepatocyte-stimulating factor, and colony-stimulating factor activities, as well as the ability to support the growth of a factor-dependent myeloid cell line, thus revealing an additional biological activity for IL-6.

The molecular cloning of interleukins 4, 5 and 6: multifunctional hemopoietic growth factors

We summarize here our recent studies on the cloning and characterization of three lymphokines which are produced by activated T cells. Interleukins 4, 5 and 6 are involved in the regulation of B cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. IL-4 can activate resting B cells, while IL-5 stimulates the proliferation of activated B cells. Both of these factors also have a role in regulating the isotype of immunoglobulin produced by cultures of D cells. IL-6 appears to induce the differentiation of B cells to secrete high levels of immunoglobulin. In addition, each of these factors is involved in the regulation of other lineages of hemopoietic cells. Thus, T cells control multiple lineages of myeloid and lymphoid cells through the diverse actions of multiple lymphokines. IL-6 is exceptional because it is produced by a variety of cell types, and its action is not restricted to hemopoietic cells.

Proliferation and differentiation of highly enriched mouse hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells in response to defined growth factors

Three distinct hematopoietic populations derived from normal bone marrow were analyzed for their response to defined growth factors. The Thy-1loT- B- G- M-population, composing 0.2% of bone marrow, is 370-fold enriched for pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. The two other populations, the Thy-1- T- B- G- M- and the predominantly mature Thy-1+ T+ B+ G+ M+ cells, lack stem cells. Thy-1loT- B- G- M- cells respond with a frequency of one in seven cells to IL-3 in an in vitro CFU-C assay, and give rise to many mixed colonies as expected from an early multipotent or pluripotent progenitor. The Thy-1- T- B- G- M- population also contains progenitor cells which responded to IL-3. However, colonies derived from Thy-1- T- B- G- M- cells are almost exclusively restricted to the macrophage/granulocyte lineages. This indicates that IL-3 can stimulate at least two distinct clonogenic early progenitor cells in normal bone marrow: multipotent Thy-1loT- B- G- M- cells and restricted Thy-1- T- B- G- M- cells. Thy-1loT- B- G- M-cells could not be stimulated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) or IL-5 (Eosinophil-CSF). The hematopoietic precursors that react to these factors are enriched in the Thy-1- T- G- B- M- population. Thus, multipotent and restricted progenitors can be separated on the basis of the expression of the cell surface antigen Thy-1.

Role of interleukin 2, interleukin 4, and alpha, beta, and gamma interferon in stimulating macrophage antibody-dependent tumoricidal activity

Pretreatment of murine peritoneal exudate macrophages with 1-5 U/ml rIFN-gamma or rIL-2, or higher concentrations of IFN-alpha or IFN-beta greatly stimulated ADCC to Rl lymphoma targets. The assay was direct counting of viable target cells after 9 and 24 h using an E/T ratio of 5:1. 2d of pretreatment was optimal for enhancing ADCC. rIL-4 was inactive and IL-4-depleted Con A-induced spleen lymphokine retained its ADCC-stimulating activity. Antibody to IFN-gamma blocked the ADCC-promoting effect of the lymphokine, suggesting a major role for this factor.

Expression of high affinity receptors for murine interleukin 4 (BSF-1) on hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic cells

In this report a method for the affinity purification and radiolabeling of recombinant mouse interleukin (IL)-4 is described. It is shown on the basis of several criteria that IL-4 retains full biologic activity after radioiodination and can therefore be used as a valid model for measuring the binding characteristics of native IL-4. By using Scatchard plot analysis of equilibrium binding data, it is demonstrated that 125I-IL-4 binds to a high affinity cell surface receptor which is expressed by both hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic cells. The dissociation constant for 125I-IL-4 (Kd = 20 to 60 pM) corresponds to the concentration of IL-4 which gives 50% biologic activity (i.e., 10 to 30 pM). Binding of 125I-IL-4 is rapid (t1/2 of 2 min), whereas dissociation occurs at a slow rate (t1/2 approximately 4 hr). The IL-4 receptor shows a high degree of specificity. Whereas unlabeled mouse IL-4 competed with mouse 125I-IL-4 in an equimolar fashion for binding to IL-4 receptors, several other lymphokines, including mouse IL-2, IL-3, interferon-gamma, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and human IL-1, IL-2, and IL-4 were unable to inhibit, even at molar excesses of 400 to 800-fold. At 37 degrees C, 125I-IL-4 is rapidly internalized (approximately 200 molecules/cell/min) by HT-2 cells, with at least 85% of cell surface receptors being functional in this respect. Receptors for IL-4 were found to be expressed by subclasses of T and B cells, mast cells, macrophages, and by cells of the myeloid and erythroid lineages. This wide distribution of receptor expression closely matches the known spectrum of biologic activities of IL-4, including proliferation and/or differentiation of T and B cells, mast cells and granulocytes, and induction of macrophage antigen-presenting capacity. IL-4 receptors were also found on a variety of nonhemopoietic cells such as cloned stromal cell lines from the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and brain, and on muscle, brain, melanoma, fibroblast, and liver cells. Indeed, only 5 of more than 90 cell types tested have undetectable numbers of IL-4 receptors. The biologic effects of IL-4 on nonhemopoietic cells have not yet been reported and await elucidation.

Expression of high affinity receptors for murine interleukin 4 (BSF-1) on hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic cells

In this report a method for the affinity purification and radiolabeling of recombinant mouse interleukin (IL)-4 is described. It is shown on the basis of several criteria that IL-4 retains full biologic activity after radioiodination and can therefore be used as a valid model for measuring the binding characteristics of native IL-4. By using Scatchard plot analysis of equilibrium binding data, it is demonstrated that 125I-IL-4 binds to a high affinity cell surface receptor which is expressed by both hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic cells. The dissociation constant for 125I-IL-4 (Kd = 20 to 60 pM) corresponds to the concentration of IL-4 which gives 50% biologic activity (i.e., 10 to 30 pM). Binding of 125I-IL-4 is rapid (t1/2 of 2 min), whereas dissociation occurs at a slow rate (t1/2 approximately 4 hr). The IL-4 receptor shows a high degree of specificity. Whereas unlabeled mouse IL-4 competed with mouse 125I-IL-4 in an equimolar fashion for binding to IL-4 receptors, several other lymphokines, including mouse IL-2, IL-3, interferon-gamma, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and human IL-1, IL-2, and IL-4 were unable to inhibit, even at molar excesses of 400 to 800-fold. At 37 degrees C, 125I-IL-4 is rapidly internalized (approximately 200 molecules/cell/min) by HT-2 cells, with at least 85% of cell surface receptors being functional in this respect. Receptors for IL-4 were found to be expressed by subclasses of T and B cells, mast cells, macrophages, and by cells of the myeloid and erythroid lineages. This wide distribution of receptor expression closely matches the known spectrum of biologic activities of IL-4, including proliferation and/or differentiation of T and B cells, mast cells and granulocytes, and induction of macrophage antigen-presenting capacity. IL-4 receptors were also found on a variety of nonhemopoietic cells such as cloned stromal cell lines from the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and brain, and on muscle, brain, melanoma, fibroblast, and liver cells. Indeed, only 5 of more than 90 cell types tested have undetectable numbers of IL-4 receptors. The biologic effects of IL-4 on nonhemopoietic cells have not yet been reported and await elucidation.

Interleukin 4 (B-cell stimulatory factor 1) can enhance or antagonize the factor-dependent growth of hemopoietic progenitor cells

Our studies show that although interleukin 4 (IL-4) fails to stimulate significant colony formation by bone marrow progenitor cells, it enhances erythroid, granulocyte, macrophage, and mast-cell colony formation when used as a costimulant with erythropoietin, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin 3 (IL-3), respectively. In contrast, IL-4 suppresses IL-3-dependent colony formation by granulocyte and macrophage progenitor cells and by multipotential progenitor cells. Furthermore, it appears to inhibit the in vitro generation of colony-forming progenitor cells from immature IL-3-dependent stem cells. We also found that IL-4 inhibits stromal cell-dependent growth of bone marrow-derived pre-B cells. The ability of IL-4 to directly or indirectly regulate both positive and negative aspects of progenitor cell growth is discussed.

Identification of a signal-transduction pathway shared by haematopoietic growth factors with diverse biological specificity

The haematopoietic growth factors multi-colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 2 specifically control the production and proliferation of distinct leucocyte series. Each growth factor acts on a unique surface receptor associated with an appropriate signal-transduction apparatus. In this report we identify a 68 kDa substrate which is phosphorylated after stimulation of different cell types with multi-colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 2. The 68 kDa substrate is also phosphorylated in each cell line stimulated with synthetic diacylglycerol, a direct activator of protein kinase C. Interestingly, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor does not induce phosphorylation of the 68 kDa molecule. The 68 kDa molecule that is phosphorylated after stimulation with each ligand yielded similar peptide maps after chymotryptic digestion; furthermore, the substrate was always phosphorylated on threonine residues. Phosphorylation of the same residues in the 68 kDa substrate suggests that activation of protein kinase C is one common signal-transduction event associated with the action of multi-colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 2.

A single bone marrow-derived stromal cell type supports the in vitro growth of early lymphoid and myeloid cells

A clonal cell line (ALC) derived from murine bone marrow stroma is capable of supporting the continuous, in vitro growth of early lymphoid and myeloid cell populations. The growth-promoting effects of ALC are in part mediated through M-CSF and a pre-B cell growth factor, both of which accumulate in ALC-culture supernatant. To analyze the lymphoid growth factor produced by ALC cells, we derived a pre-B cell indicator line that is dependent on ALC-growth-conditioned medium. Using a combination of biological and biochemical analyses, we have established that the pre-B cell growth factor produced by ALC cells is distinct from IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, and IL-4 (BSF-1), suggesting that the early stages of B-cell development are regulated by a unique stroma-derived growth factor.

Control of hemopoiesis by a bone marrow stromal cell clone: lipopolysaccharide- and interleukin-1-inducible production of colony-stimulating factors

A stromal cell line, GY30, was cloned from mouse bone marrow adherent cell layers. In culture, GY30 cells sustain the production of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (GM-CFU) but fail to support the survival of pluripotential stem cells (CFU-S). GY30 cells secrete two growth factor activities distinct from interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-2, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) but functionally similar to GM-CSF and G-CSF. The production of both CSFs is increased 70- to 200-fold by treating GY30 cells with lipopolysaccharide or IL-1. RNA blot analysis reveals the presence of GM-CSF and G-CSF transcripts and demonstrates that IL-1 regulates the production of both factors at the mRNA level. Further, these studies show that the GM-CSF secreted by GY30 cells is structurally similar to the GM-CSF produced by activated T cells.

BSF1 induces membrane protein phosphorylation but not phosphoinositide metabolism, Ca2+ mobilization, protein kinase C translocation, or membrane depolarization in resting murine B lymphocytes

The findings presented in this study provide evidence that BSF1 receptors and mIg transmit signals via dissimilar transduction mechanisms that result in a common biologic response, hyper-Ia expression. Specifically, BSF1-containing supernatant does not induce PtdInsP2 hydrolysis as determined by measurement of PtdOH and InsP3. Additionally, BSF1 does not stimulate Ca2+ mobilization, PKC translocation from cytosol to membrane, or membrane depolarization. All of these metabolic events appear to play a central role in hyper-Ia expression mediated by mIg and are initiated after treatment of resting B cells with anti-Ig antibodies. In vitro phosphorylation studies with partially purified plasma membranes from resting B cells revealed that BSF1 interaction with membrane receptors stimulates a membrane-associated protein kinase that phosphorylates an endogenous protein of 44 KDa. Anti-Ig does not stimulate phosphorylation of the 44 KDa protein, suggesting that it does not activate the membrane-associated protein kinase. This observation provides the first evidence of a signal transduction mechanism associated with BSF1-receptor ligation. It indicates that although BSF1 does not modulate events associated with PKC activation, it may function via activation of a membrane-associated protein kinase. This provides a focal point for further studies directed at elucidating signal transduction resulting from BSF1-receptor interaction.

BSF1 induces membrane protein phosphorylation but not phosphoinositide metabolism, Ca2+ mobilization, protein kinase C translocation, or membrane depolarization in resting murine B lymphocytes

The findings presented in this study provide evidence that BSF1 receptors and mIg transmit signals via dissimilar transduction mechanisms that result in a common biologic response, hyper-Ia expression. Specifically, BSF1-containing supernatant does not induce PtdInsP2 hydrolysis as determined by measurement of PtdOH and InsP3. Additionally, BSF1 does not stimulate Ca2+ mobilization, PKC translocation from cytosol to membrane, or membrane depolarization. All of these metabolic events appear to play a central role in hyper-Ia expression mediated by mIg and are initiated after treatment of resting B cells with anti-Ig antibodies. In vitro phosphorylation studies with partially purified plasma membranes from resting B cells revealed that BSF1 interaction with membrane receptors stimulates a membrane-associated protein kinase that phosphorylates an endogenous protein of 44 KDa. Anti-Ig does not stimulate phosphorylation of the 44 KDa protein, suggesting that it does not activate the membrane-associated protein kinase. This observation provides the first evidence of a signal transduction mechanism associated with BSF1-receptor ligation. It indicates that although BSF1 does not modulate events associated with PKC activation, it may function via activation of a membrane-associated protein kinase. This provides a focal point for further studies directed at elucidating signal transduction resulting from BSF1-receptor interaction.

Multilineage hematopoietic growth factor interleukin 3 and direct activators of protein kinase C stimulate phosphorylation of common substrates

In order to investigate early signal transduction events in myeloid cells, the phosphosubstrates of an interleukin 3 (IL 3)-dependent cell line, FDC-P1, have been analyzed. Using synthetic diacylglycerol as a direct activator of the unique calcium-phospholipid-dependent phosphotransferase protein kinase C (PK-C) and genetically engineered homogeneous IL 3, we have demonstrated a common element to signal transduction events associated with these stimulants. One novel substrate, p68 (68,000 kd), was rapidly phosphorylated in either IL 3- or diacylglycerol-stimulated cells. The phosphorylation of p68 was dose-dependent, with both the physiological ligand and diacylglycerol inducing the same maximal level of phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of p68 occurred in a time-dependent manner analogous to previously described kinetics of PK-C subcellular redistribution in the FDC-P1 cell line. The p68 substrate was also phosphorylated in a cell-free system under conditions designed to activate PK-C. Phosphoamino acid analysis demonstrated that the p68 molecule phosphorylated in intact cells as well as in a calcium-phospho-lipid-dependent cell-free system was phosphorylated on threonine residues, not tyrosine. These data support the hypothesis that the activation of PK-C that occurs after IL 3-receptor interaction which leads to the rapid phosphorylation of cellular proteins is an important element of the signal transduction mechanism in FDC-P1 cells. We propose that phosphorylation of the p68 molecule is a physiochemical marker for the activation of PK-C in myeloid cells, in response to the growth-promoting physiological ligand.

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.