Degradation of cyclin D3 independent of Thr-283 phosphorylation

Cyclin D3 has been shown to play a major role in the regulation of cell cycle progression in lymphocytes. It is therefore important to understand the mechanisms involved in the regulation of this protein. We have previously shown that both basal and cAMP-induced degradation of cyclin D3 in Reh cells is dependent on Thr-283 phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta). We now provide evidence of an alternative mechanism being involved in the regulation of cyclin D3 degradation. Treatment of lymphoid cells with okadaic acid (OA), an inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A), induces rapid phosphorylation and proteasomal degradation of cyclin D3. This degradation is not inhibited by the GSK-3beta inhibitors lithium or Kenpaullone, or by substitution of Thr-283 with Ala on cyclin D3, indicating that cyclin D3 can be degraded independently of Thr-283 phosphorylation and GSK-3beta activity. Interestingly, in vitro experiments revealed that PP1, but not PP2A, was able to dephosphorylate cyclin D3 efficiently, and PP1 was found to associate with His-tagged cyclin D3. These results support the hypothesis that PP1 constitutively keeps cyclin D3 in a stable, dephosphorylated state, and that treatment of cells with OA leads to phosphorylation and degradation of cyclin D3 through inhibition of PP1.

Vitamin A regulates proliferation and apoptosis of human T- and B-cells

Vitamin A is known to protect against infections, but it is not established how vitamin A metabolites stimulate the immune system. We have investigated the effects of physiological levels of retinoic acid on the function of normal human T- and B-cells. Surprisingly, we found that the proliferation of B-cells was inhibited by retinoids, and that this was due to rapid inhibition of the cell cycle machinery regulating G(1)-to-S transition. In contrast, the proliferation of T-cells was enhanced by physiological levels of retinoic acid, and the effect was due to induction of IL-2 (interleukin 2). The 'non-death-receptor'-mediated apoptosis of normal T-cells induced by prolonged (but single) stimulation of the cells was also prevented by retinoid acid, and also this effect was mediated via enhanced production of IL-2. The induction of IL-2 was at the transcriptional level, and all the effects of vitamin A on both B-and T-cells were mediated via the nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs), and not retinoid X receptors (RXRs).

[Evaluation of the new doctoral degree program at the Faculty of Medicine in Oslo 1993-98]

BACKGROUND

In 1993, the doctoral degree programme in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Oslo was substantially revised to include coursework and supervision of thesis work. PhD students were expected to complete their work towards the doctorate in three years, and funding was only provided for this period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In spring 1999, all doctoral candidates, their supervisors and members of the adjudicating committees were invited to reply to a questionnaire with the purpose of evaluating the results of the new programme over the 1993-99 period.

RESULTS

Only a few doctoral students had been able to obtain their degrees in three years, the defined length of the programme. The mean age for new PhDs was 38; however, physicians obtained their PhD at a later age than the other life scientists enrolled in the programme, and the percentage of PhDs with a medical background declined from 71% in 1993-95 to 51% in 1996-98.

INTERPRETATION

The doctoral programme should be extended from three to four years. More physicians should go into research soon after graduating from medical school and more openings for postdocs should be created. More time for research in the university clinics is also needed.

Expression of a novel factor, com1, is regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in breast cancer cells

Tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment produce a variety of factors that promote tumor growth and metastasis. We recently identified a nuclear factor, termed com1, that is up-regulated in human breast carcinoma cells on formation of experimental metastatic tumors and is assumed to act as a growth-promoting factor in breast cancer. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] is a potent inhibitor of growth in breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. We compared the growth-regulatory mechanisms of nontumorigenic and estrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells with those of the tumorigenic and tamoxifen-resistant subline MCF7/ LCC2 in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3. Proliferation of MCF7/LCC2 cells, which revealed constitutive com1 expression, was inhibited by 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-7) M). This was strongly associated with cell cycle arrest in G1 phase, consistent with accumulation of the hypophosphorylated form of the retinoblastoma protein as well as the induction of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. These cell cycle events were preceded by a transient up-regulation (5-8-fold) of com1 mRNA. Furthermore, clonal growth of the MCF7/LCC2 cells was also inhibited by 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-7) M), and when the com1-negative MCF-7 cells were stably transfected with com1, the resulting MCF7/com1 cells showed a significant decrease in colony formation. These results seem to indicate that rather than promoting growth, com1 may participate in the regulatory pathway involved in cellular growth inhibition when recruited by inhibitory signals.

Differential expression of bcl-2 homologs in human CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells induced to differentiate into erythroid or granulocytic cells

The Bcl-2 family of proteins has been shown to play a central role in the regulation of apoptosis. We have examined the expression of several Bcl-2 homologs upon stimulation of CD34(+) human hematopoietic progenitor cells. CD34(+) cells were induced to differentiate into predominantly erythroid cells in the presence of erythropoietin (Epo) and stem cell factor (SCF), while the addition of G-CSF and SCF led to differentiation predominantly into granulocytic cells, as demonstrated by immunophenotyping and morphological examination of cultured cells. In Epo- and SCF-stimulated cells, we found a marked increase in the level of Bcl-x(L) protein expression and downregulation of Bax expression, apparent from day 4 and more pronounced on days 8 and 21. In contrast, Bcl-x(L) protein expression was downregulated in G-CSF- and SCF-stimulated cells compared with cells cultured in medium alone, whereas there was no sign of change in the level of Bax. Mcl-1 expression showed a biphasic expression pattern in both early erythropoiesis and early granulopoiesis, but with an inverse regulation. Thus, Mcl-1 levels initially decreased in granulocytic progenitor cells and increased in erythroid progenitor cells. Finally, Bcl-2 expression was significantly downregulated in both Epo and SCF and G-CSF- and SCF-stimulated cells. The role of the distinct upregulation of Bcl-x(L) in early erythroid differentiation was further examined by use of specific ribozymes against Bcl-x(L). Addition of Bcl-x(L) ribozymes promoted a clear increase in cell death of Epo- and SCF-stimulated cells, while erythroid differentiation was not affected. In conclusion, we found a distinct regulation of several Bcl-2 family members in CD34(+) cells dependent on the cytokine stimulation given. The use of Bcl-x(L)-specific ribozymes suggested that Bcl-x(L) is important for survival but not for differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells.

cAMP-mediated growth inhibition of lymphoid cells in G1: rapid down-regulation of cyclin D3 at the level of translation

cAMP is an important physiological mediator of lymphoid growth inhibition. The purpose of the present study was to establish the link between cAMP and the cell cycle machinery leading to inhibition of G1/S transition in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). To unravel immediate effects of cAMP on this part of the cell cycle machinery, lymphocytes were synchronized in mid to late G1 after stimulation with phytohemaglutenin (PHA) for 32 h. We report that addition of forskolin or cAMP analogues to the cells resulted in dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein commencing as early as 30 min. A rapid effect of forskolin was noted on the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 4, which decreased significantly within 30 min of treatment. The decrease in cdk4 activity was concurrent with reduced levels of cyclin D3 protein and a decrease in the fraction of cdk4 associated with cyclin D3. The down-regulation of cyclin D3 was at the level of translation, and this event was preceded by a pronounced inhibition of Akt/protein kinase B phosphorylation at Ser 473. Taken together, our data imply that cyclin D3 is a major effector of cAMP-mediated inhibition of cell cycle progression in PBL, and that cAMP exerts its effect on cyclin D3 expression at the level of translation.

Co-induction of Mad1 and c-Myc in activated normal B lymphocytes

The purpose of the present study was to examine the expression of the Myc network proteins c-Myc, Mad1 and Max in normal cells under different growth and differentiation conditions. A dominant view has been that Mad1 as a c-Myc antagonist plays a role in growth inhibition linked to differentiation. Of particular interest to us was therefore to study the regulation of Mad1 in cells undergoing differentiation in the absence of growth cessation. To do so we utilized normal B lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood. The cells were induced to concomitant proliferation and differentiation by stimulation with a combination of anti-IgM antibodies (anti-mu) and the phorbol ester TPA. Thus, by 72 h of stimulation the percentage of plasmablasts increased from 3 to 17%, and the percentage of lymphocytes decreased from 89 to 27%. The most intriguing observation we made using this cell system was a pronounced coinduction of Mad1 and c-Myc. The levels of c-Myc and Mad1 mRNAs and proteins increased within 3 h of anti-mu stimulation, and the levels were further enhanced by TPA. Furthermore, the expressions of both c-Myc and Mad1 were reduced by forskolin, which also inhibited the anti-mu + TPA driven growth and differentiation of the B lymphocytes. The level of Max remained virtually unchanged. Taken together, our results indicate that a high level of Mad1 in normal human B cells is linked to differentiation and not to growth inhibition. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that Mad1 and c-Myc are not necessarily expressed in a reciprocal manner, which underlines an independent role of Mad1 unrelated to its function as a c-Myc antagonist.

Lovastatin inhibits G1/S transition of normal human B-lymphocytes independent of apoptosis

Lovastatin is a potent inhibitor of protein prenylation, and it has been reported to have pleiotropic cellular effects. In the present study we have elucidated the effects of lovastatin on cell cycle progression and apoptosis of normal human B-lymphocytes. When added to B-lymphocytes stimulated with anti-immunoglobulin (anti-mu) and SAC, lovastatin (20 microM) inhibited the cells in the late G1 phase of the cell cycle. Thus, no early activation parameters such as Ca(2+) flux or MYC induction were affected by lovastatin, whereas progression of cells into the second cell cycle as well as DNA synthesis was markedly reduced. We therefore examined the effects of lovastatin on components of the cell cycle machinery responsible for regulating the G1/S transition. We demonstrated that pRB phosphorylation, cdk2 activity needed for this phosphorylation, and the levels of cyclin A, D, and E were inhibited after 24 h of lovastatin treatment, while the levels of p27(Kip1) were elevated. There was no effect on p21(Cip1), cyclin D2, cdk4, and cdk6. These data are consistent with the cells being inhibited by lovastatin between 24 and 32 h into G1. Lovastatin added to stimulated B-cells in late G1 still inhibited the DNA synthesis by 60%, but at this point only minor effects were noted on the cell cycle machinery. We therefore looked for induced apoptosis as an explanation for reduced S-phase entry of the cells. However, despite the ability to enhance the apoptosis of unstimulated B-cells from 48 to 61% as judged by the TUNEL method, lovastatin only marginally affected apoptosis when administered to stimulated B-cells. Thus, it appears that accelerated apoptosis cannot account for the effect of lovastatin on cell cycle progression.

Fas ligand promotes cell survival of immature human bone marrow CD34+CD38- hematopoietic progenitor cells by suppressing apoptosis

Fas (CD95, APO-1) is a member of the TNF receptor family, and engagement of Fas by its ligand, Fas ligand (FasL), can induce apoptotic death of Fas expressing cells. Signaling through Fas has previously been shown to induce apoptosis of CD34+ human hematopoietic progenitor cells after exposure to IFN-gamma or TFN-alpha. In contrast, we found that FasL promoted a significantly increased viability of primitive CD34+CD38- cells. Thus, incubation with FasL for 48 hours reduced cell death from 46 to 29% compared to cells cultured in medium alone as measured by propidium iodide (PI) incorporation (n = 8, p < 0.02). Inhibition of apoptosis was confirmed by morphological analysis and by the Nicoletti technique. Furthermore, by using a delayed addition assay at the single cell level we found that sFasL treatment had a direct viability-promoting effect on CD34(+)CD38(-) cells. The effect of sFasL was completely blocked by NOK-1, a neutralizing mAb against FasL. In agreement with previous reports, FasL alone slightly increased cell death of more mature CD34(-)CD38+ cells, indicating an interesting shift in the responsiveness to FasL during early hematopoiesis.

Retinoic acid prevents phosphorylation of pRB in normal human B lymphocytes: regulation of cyclin E, cyclin A, and p21(Cip1)

The mechanisms underlying the growth-inhibitory effect of retinoids on normal human B lymphocytes are not well understood. We addressed this issue by examining the effect of retinoic acid on the cell cycle machinery involved in G1/S transition. When retinoic acid was administered to B cells stimulated into mid to late G1 by anti-IgM antibodies (anti-mu) and Staphylococcus aureus crude cell suspension (SAC), the phosphorylation of pRB required for S-phase entry was prevented in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Thus, 2-hour treatment with retinoic acid at the optimal concentration of 1 micromol/L prevented phosphorylation of pRB, and effects were noted at concentrations as low as 10 nmol/L. Based on our results, we suggest that the rapid effect of retinoic acid on pRB phosphorylation is due primarily to the reduced expression of cyclin E and cyclin A in late G1. This could lead to the diminished cyclin E- and cyclin A-associated kinase activities noted as early as 2 hours after addition of retinoic acid. Furthermore, our results imply that the transient induction of p21(Cip1) could also be involved. Thus, retinoic acid induced a rapid, but transient increased binding of p21(Cip1) to CDK2. The retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist TTNPB mimicked the key events affected by retinoic acid, such as pRB phosphorylation, cyclin E expression, and expression of p21(Cip1), whereas the RAR-selective antagonist Ro 41-5253 counteracted the effects of retinoic acid. This implies that retinoic acid mediates its growth-inhibitory effect on B lymphocytes via the nuclear receptors.

Activation of the cAMP signaling pathway increases apoptosis in human B-precursor cells and is associated with downregulation of Mcl-1 expression

During B- and T-cell ontogeny, extensive apoptosis occurs at distinct stages of development. Agents that increase intracellular levels of cAMP induce apoptosis in thymocytes and mature B cells, prompting us to investigate the role of cAMP signaling in human CD10+ B-precursor cells. We show for the first time that forskolin (which increases intracellular levels of cAMP) increases apoptosis in the CD10- cells in a dose-dependent manner (19%-94% with 0-1,000 microM forskolin after 48 hours incubation, IC50 = 150 microM). High levels of apoptosis were also obtained by exposing the cells to the cAMP analogue 8-chlorophenylthio-cAMP (8-CPT-cAMP). Specific involvement of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) was demonstrated by the ability of a cAMP antagonist, Rp-isomer of 8-bromo-adenosine- 3', 5'- monophosphorothioate (Rp-8-Br-cAMPS), to reverse the apoptosis increasing effect of the complementary cAMP agonist, Sp-8-Br-cAMPS. Furthermore, we investigated the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins. We found that treatment of the cells with forskolin or 8-CPT-cAMP for 48 hours resulted in a fourfold decline in the expression of Mcl-1 (n = 6, P = 0.002) compared to control cells. The expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, or Bax was largely unaffected. Mature peripheral blood B cells showed a smaller increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells in response to 8-CPT-cAMP (1.3-fold, n = 6, P = 0.045) compared to B-precursor cells, and a smaller decrease in Mcl-1 levels (1.5-fold, n = 4, P = 0.014). Taken together, these findings show that cAMP is important in the regulation of apoptosis in B-progenitor and mature B cells and suggest that cAMP-increased apoptosis could be mediated, at least in part, by a decrease in Mcl-1 levels.

Activation of the cAMP signaling pathway increases apoptosis in human B-precursor cells and is associated with downregulation of Mcl-1 expression

During B- and T-cell ontogeny, extensive apoptosis occurs at distinct stages of development. Agents that increase intracellular levels of cAMP induce apoptosis in thymocytes and mature B cells, prompting us to investigate the role of cAMP signaling in human CD10+ B-precursor cells. We show for the first time that forskolin (which increases intracellular levels of cAMP) increases apoptosis in the CD10- cells in a dose-dependent manner (19%-94% with 0-1,000 microM forskolin after 48 hours incubation, IC50 = 150 microM). High levels of apoptosis were also obtained by exposing the cells to the cAMP analogue 8-chlorophenylthio-cAMP (8-CPT-cAMP). Specific involvement of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) was demonstrated by the ability of a cAMP antagonist, Rp-isomer of 8-bromo-adenosine- 3', 5'- monophosphorothioate (Rp-8-Br-cAMPS), to reverse the apoptosis increasing effect of the complementary cAMP agonist, Sp-8-Br-cAMPS. Furthermore, we investigated the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins. We found that treatment of the cells with forskolin or 8-CPT-cAMP for 48 hours resulted in a fourfold decline in the expression of Mcl-1 (n = 6, P = 0.002) compared to control cells. The expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, or Bax was largely unaffected. Mature peripheral blood B cells showed a smaller increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells in response to 8-CPT-cAMP (1.3-fold, n = 6, P = 0.045) compared to B-precursor cells, and a smaller decrease in Mcl-1 levels (1.5-fold, n = 4, P = 0.014). Taken together, these findings show that cAMP is important in the regulation of apoptosis in B-progenitor and mature B cells and suggest that cAMP-increased apoptosis could be mediated, at least in part, by a decrease in Mcl-1 levels.

Retinoic acid induces apoptosis of human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells: involvement of retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X receptors depends on lineage commitment of the hematopoietic progenitor cells

Retinoids are bifunctional regulators of growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. In this study we explored the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on apoptosis of human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells isolated from normal bone marrow. RA (100 nM) induced an increase in the percentage of dead cells from 24% to 44% at day 6 (p < 0.05, n = 6) as compared to control cells cultured in medium alone. The effect was dose dependent and appeared relatively late. Significant differences were observed from day 4 onward. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, was demonstrated as the mode of cell death by using the TUNEL assay, which detects single strand nicks in DNA, or by the Nicoletti technique demonstrating a subdiploid population by DNA staining. RA previously was found to inhibit granulocyte colony-stimulating factor--and not granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor--stimulated proliferation of CD34+ cells. However, we found that RA opposed anti-apoptotic effects of G-CSF and GM-CSF on CD34+ cells (G-CSF: 8% dead cells at day 6; G-CSF + RA: 20%; GM-CSF: 12%; GM-CSF + RA: 27%). Moreover, RA induced apoptosis of CD34+ cells and CD34+CD71+ cells stimulated with erythropoietin. To explore the receptor signaling pathways involved in RA-induced apoptosis, we used selective ligands for retinoic acid receptors (RARs; RO13-7410) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs; RO 25-6603). We found that RARs were involved in RA-mediated apoptosis of myeloid progenitor cells, whereas RARs as well as RXRs were involved in RA-mediated apoptosis of erythroid progenitor cells.

Mad1 expression in the absence of differentiation: effect of cAMP on the B-lymphoid cell line Reh

The protein Mad1 heterodimerizes with Max to form an E-box binding complex able to interfere with the transcriptional and transforming activities of c-Myc. Downregulation of c-Myc accompanied by induction of Mad1 upon differentiation has fueled the notion that Mad1 may play a role in the cessation of proliferation associated with the differentiation process. Since studies on Mad1 expression have so far been limited to cells undergoing differentiation, it was of interest to examine Mad1 expression in a cell system unable to differentiate. To do so, we utilized the leukemia-derived B-precursor cell line, Reh, and studied the expressions of Mad1, c-Myc, Mxil, and Max during cAMP-mediated growth inhibition of these cells. Thus, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin induced growth inhibition of the cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This growth inhibition was associated with transient increased expression of Mad1 concomitant with transient downregulation of c-Myc. The Mad1 protein levels essentially paralleled those of mRNA, with peak levels at 4 h of forskolin treatment. By coimmunoprecipitation we detected increased binding of Mad1 to Max in forskolin-treated cells, indicating that the changes in Mad1 protein levels had functional implications. By continually treating Reh cells with forskolin for 72 h, we observed a sustained elevated expression of Mad1 concomitant with downregulated c-Myc expression, still without changing the differentiation profile of the Reh cells. Interestingly, we showed that other known cell cycle regulatory proteins also were transiently regulated by forskolin. To this extent, following forskolin treatment of Reh cells, cyclin E-cdk2 activity was transiently reduced concomitant with dephosphorylation of pRB. We suggest that the early changes in Mad1 and the cell cycle regulatory proteins initiate a chain of events resulting in permanent growth arrest. Thus, the increased expression of Mad1 in the absence of differentiation indicates that Mad1 expression in Reh cells is linked to growth arrest per se.

Isozymes of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA) in human lymphoid cell lines: levels of endogenous cAMP influence levels of PKA subunits and growth in lymphoid cell lines

Activation of the cAMP signaling pathway in lymphoid cells is known to inhibit cell proliferation of T and B cells as well as cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells. In order to find suitable model systems to study cAMP-mediated processes, we have examined the expression of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), endogenous levels of cAMP, and cell proliferation in eight cell lines of B lineage origin, four cell lines of T lineage origin, and normal human B and T cells. We demonstrated that the expression of mRNA and protein for one of the regulatory (R) subunits of PKA (RIalpha) was present in all the cells investigated, in contrast to the other R subunits (RIbeta, RIIalpha, and RIIbeta). Furthermore, three T cell lines and one B cell line expressed only RIalpha and C, implying these cells to contain solely PKA type I. Moreover, for the RI subunit, we observed an apparent reciprocal relationship between levels of mRNA and protein. Generally, RIalpha protein was low in cell lines where mRNA was elevated and vice versa. This was not the case for the RII subunits, where high levels of mRNA were associated with elevated levels of protein. Interestingly, we demonstrated an inverse correlation between levels of endogenous cAMP and cell growth as determined by [3H]-thymidine incorporation and cell-doubling rate (P < 0.05). Taken together, our results demonstrate great differences in PKA isozyme composition, which should be taken into consideration when using lymphoid cell lines as model system for cAMP/PKA effects in normal lymphocytes.

Multiplication and death-type of leukemia cell lines exposed to very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may reduce cell multiplication in cultures of normal, as well as transformed, white blood cells. We assessed the sensitivity of 14 different leukemia cell lines to PUFA by measuring cell number after 3 days of incubation. Ten of the examined cell lines were sensitive to 30, 60 and/or 120 microM of arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, whereas four cell lines were resistant. The sensitivity to PUFA was not associated with any particular cell lineage, clinical origin or specific mRNA pattern of bcl-2 and c-myc. Effects on cell viability were assessed by studying cell membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation and cell morphology. The sensitive cell lines Raji and Ramos died by necrosis and apoptosis, respectively, during incubation with eicosapentaenoic acid, whereas the viability of the resistant U-698 cell line was unaffected. The effects of EPA on Raji cells, was counteracted by vitamin E, indicating that lipid peroxidation was involved. However, apoptosis induced by eicosapentaenoic acid in Ramos cells, was unaffected by vitamin E, as well as eicosanoid synthesis inhibitors. In conclusion, our results indicate that a majority of leukemia cell lines are sensitive to PUFA. This sensitivity may be caused by induction of apoptosis or necrosis by very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

[Tumor suppressors--genes and proteins]

Cancer is generally understood to be a genetic disease in the sense that somatic mutations are the cause of tumour initiation and development. Our knowledge of cancer-associated genes and gene products has evolved mainly over the past 20 years. The identification and characterization of tumour suppressor genes (TSGs) as normal growth-inhibiting or apoptosis-inducing genes have helped us to understand how mutations are tumorigenic. Various TSG encoding membrane-, cytosol-, or nuclear proteins have been identified. Tumor suppressor genes are often functionally inactive in cancer cells because of mutations of both parental gene copies. Many TSGs are associated with hereditary cancer diseases or syndromes caused by the existence of one mutant allele in the germ-line. Individuals who carry only one functional gene copy, are therefore at great risk of developing cancer. Several TSGs, such as TP53, RB1 and CDKN2A, encode proteins that are significant to the cell cycle. TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, showing changes in more than 50% of all solid tumours. Both DNA repair and apoptosis are stimulated by p53-induced transcription of genes involved in the two processes. The characterization of TSGs and their gene products has led to the identification of a number of new diagnostic and prognostic molecular genetic parameters in oncology. Furthermore, some TSGs are potentially among the most promising and important targets for gene therapy in cancer and other hyperproliferative diseases.

RAR-, not RXR, ligands inhibit cell activation and prevent apoptosis in B-lymphocytes

We have previously shown that retinoids inhibit activation of human peripheral blood B-lymphocytes. In the present paper, we wished to explore the involvement of nuclear retinoid-specific receptors in this process by using ligands specific for the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs). We found that the RAR-specific ligand TTAB reduced anti-IgM-induced B-cell activation in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, at 100 nM of TTAB, DNA synthesis was reduced by approximately 60%. In contrast, the RXR-selective ligand SR11217 had no effect on DNA synthesis. Similar findings were obtained when the expression of the activation antigen CD71 (appears late in G1) was examined. The role of retinoids in apoptosis of resting peripheral blood B-lymphocytes was examined using the same receptor-selective ligands. Again, we found that the RAR-selective ligands were more potent effectors than were the RXR-selective ligands. In spite of the inhibitory effects of retinoids on B-cell proliferation, the same retinoids significantly promoted the survival of the cells. Thus, 10 nM TTAB significantly reduced spontaneous apoptosis of in vitro cultured B-cells at day 3 from 45% to 30%, as determined by vital dye staining and DNA end-labeling. Again, the RXR-specific ligand SR11217 had no effect. Interestingly, we found that CD40 ligand was able to potentiate the retinoid-mediated inhibition of apoptosis. By reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we found that peripheral blood B-lymphocytes expressed RARalpha, RARgamma, and RXRalpha, but not RARbeta, RXRbeta, or RXRgamma. Hence, the lack of effect of the RXR-specific ligand SR11217 on growth and apoptosis was not due to absence of RXRs. In conclusion, the ability of retinoids to inhibit growth and prevent apoptosis of normal human B-lymphocytes indicates a dual role of retinoids in this cell compartment, and it appears that both effects of retinoids are mediated via RARs and not RXRs.

Uncoupling of the order of the S and M phases: effects of staurosporine on human cell cycle kinases

The protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine (SSP) was employed to study the involvement of kinases in human cell cycle progression. Thirty to 100 ng/ml SSP blocks entry into S phase and M phase. Lack of entry into S phase is due to impaired activity of the retinoblastoma protein kinase. The requirement for any of the SSP-sensitive kinases for cell cycle progression can be abrogated in tumour cells. Therefore, these kinases act in a checkpoint network negatively controlling the initiation of S phase, M phase and cytokinesis, rather than being inherent parts of a substrate-product chain required for the initiation of the cell cycle phases. As a consequence of the lack of certain checkpoint effectors, tumour cells may endoreduplicate or binucleate in the presence of SSP. The latter processes, as well as meiosis, are naturally occurring in specialized cell types, leading to the idea that this checkpoint network controls the order of the cell cycle phases in normal cells. A model is presented where the cell cycle is envisioned as two independently running cycles, the S and the M cycle, which are controlled by intra and intercycledependent checkpoints in human somatic cells. The model accounts for the dependency of S and M phase initiation on the successful completion of the previous M and S phase, respectively, as well as entry into a resting state.

Involvement of ICE (Caspase) family in gamma-radiation-induced apoptosis of normal B lymphocytes

Normal lymphocytes are highly sensitive to the damaging effects of ionizing radiation, and undergo cell death by apoptosis. We have investigated the possible involvement of the Interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE) (Caspase) protease family, which appears to play an important role as intracellular mediator of apoptosis. Resting B lymphocytes isolated from human peripheral blood were irradiated (6 Gy) and cultured for 24 h, resulting in 25 +/- 5.1% apoptotic cells, as measured by the TUNEL assay (mean +/- SD, n = 6). Addition of the ICE family inhibitor Z-VAD.fmk (50 microM) completely inhibited apoptosis (2.0 +/- 1.5% at 24 h). By using fluorogenic substrates containing the peptide recognition sequences DEVD and YVAD, the type of ICE family protease involved was examined more closely. A marked transient increase in DEVD-, and absent YVAD-cleavage activity indicated the involvement of a CPP32-like protease, not an ICE-like protease. Western blot analysis demonstrated that untreated B lymphocytes expressed the proform of the ICE family members CPP32 and ICH1L, but no detectable ICE. The induction of cell death by radiation was accompanied by the activation of CPP32 as shown by the cleavage of the proform to the active subunit p17, and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), one of the known substrates of CPP32. In contrast, no activation of ICH1L could be detected. These results indicate the involvement of CPP32 and possibly other CPP32-like proteases in radiation-induced apoptosis of resting B lymphocytes.

CDw78--a determinant on a major histocompatibility complex class II subpopulation that can be induced to associate with the cytoskeleton

In the present study we demonstrate that CDw78 monoclonal antibody (mAb) recognizes a distinct subpopulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. We show that the CDw78 epitope is present on less than 10% of the total number of MHC class II molecules expressed on different cells, is not linked to a single isotype, and exhibits a characteristic expression pattern in tonsils. While mAb against MHC class II (DR, DP and DQ) stained the majority of cells both in the mantle zone and in germinal centers, the CDw78 staining was more heterogeneous with the strongest reactivity and the highest number of positive cells in the mantle zone and in the light centrocyte-rich part of the germinal centers. Antibodies to this MHC class II subpopulation (e.g. FN1) induced association with the cytoskeleton and a subsequent capping in more than 90% of peripheral blood B cells. In contrast, mAb against MHC class II (DR, DP and DQ) did not induce association with the cytoskeleton and only 10-20% of B cells were induced to cap, suggesting that CDw78 defines a population of MHC class II molecules functionally different from the majority of these antigens. Scatchard plot analysis indicates that FN1 mAb is of relatively low affinity (Ka = 1.5 x 10(8) M(-1)) and monovalent Fab fragments fail to bind to the cell surface with measurable affinity. Our data seen in the context of the ability of FN1 to co-stimulate B cells with a suboptimal dose of anti-mu suggest that CDw78 mAb might recognize a functional important subpopulation of MHC class II molecules so far not described. It seems likely that this subpopulation represents dimerized or aggregated MHC class II molecules that can selectively bind this low-affinity mAb.

Interleukin-13 in combination with CD40 ligand potently inhibits apoptosis in human B lymphocytes: upregulation of Bcl-xL and Mcl-1

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a novel T-cell-derived cytokine with IL-4-like effects on many cell types. In human B lymphocytes, IL-13 induces activation, stimulates proliferation in combination with anti-IgM or anti-CD40 antibodies, and directs Ig isotype switching towards IgE and IgG4 isotypes. We show here that IL-13 also regulates human B-cell apoptosis. IL-13 reduced spontaneous apoptosis of peripheral blood B cells in vitro, as shown by measurement of DNA fragmentation using the TUNEL and Nicoletti assays. The inhibition of cell death by IL-13 alone was significant but modest, but was potently enhanced in combination with CD40 ligand (CD40L), a survival stimulus for B cells by itself. Interestingly, IL-13 increased the expression of CD40 on peripheral blood B cells, providing a possible mechanism for the observed synergy. IL-13 alone was a less potent inhibitor of apoptosis than IL-4. Moreover, there was no additive effect of combining IL-4 and IL-13 at supraoptimal concentrations, which is consistent with the notion that the IL-4 and IL-13 binding sites share a common signaling subunit. The combination of IL-13 with CD40L augmented the expression of the Bcl-2 homologues Bcl-xL and Mcl-1, suggesting this as a possible intracellular mechanism of induced survival. By contrast, levels of Bcl-2, and two other Bcl-2 family members, Bax and Bak, remained unaltered. Given the importance of the CD40-CD40L interaction in B-cell responses, these results suggest a significant role of IL-13 in the regulation of B-cell apoptosis.

The RAR-RXR as well as the RXR-RXR pathway is involved in signaling growth inhibition of human CD34+ erythroid progenitor cells

Previous studies have shown that retinoic acid (RA), similar to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), can act as a bifunctional regulator of the growth of bone marrow progenitors, in that it can stimulate granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)- or interleukin-3 (IL-3)-induced GM colony formation, but potently inhibit G-CSF-induced growth. The present study, using highly enriched human CD34+ as well as Lin- murine bone marrow progenitor cells, demonstrates a potent inhibitory effect of 9-cis-RA on burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colony formation regardless of the cytokine stimulating growth. Specifically, 9-cis-RA potently inhibited the growth of BFU-E response to erythropoietin (Epo) (100%), stem cell factor (SCF) + Epo (92%), IL-3 + Epo (97%), IL-4 + Epo (88%), and IL-9 + Epo (100%). Erythroid colony growth was also inhibited when CD34+ progenitors were seeded at one cell per well, suggesting a direct action of RA. Using synthetic ligands to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) that selectively bind and activate RAR-RXR or RXR-RXR dimers, respectively, we dissected the involvement of the two retinoid response pathways in the regulation of normal myeloid and erythroid progenitor cell growth. Transactivation studies showed that both the RAR (Ro 13-7410) and RXR (Ro 25-6603 and Ro 25-7386) ligands were highly selective at 100 nmol/L. At this concentration, Ro 13-7410 potently inhibited G-CSF-stimulated myeloid as well as SCF + Epo-induced erythroid colony growth. At the same concentration, Ro 25-6603 and Ro 25-7386 had little or no effect on G-CSF-induced colony formation, whereas they inhibited 75% and 53%, respectively, of SCF + Epo-stimulated BFU-E colony growth. Thus, the RAR-RXR response pathway can signal growth inhibition of normal bone marrow myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells. In addition, we demonstrate a unique involvement of the RXR-RXR pathway in mediating growth inhibition of erythroid but not myeloid progenitor cells.

Expression of the Bcl-2 homologue Mcl-1 correlates with survival of peripheral blood B lymphocytes

Normal peripheral blood B lymphocytes undergo spontaneous apoptosis in vitro, and this process is regulated positively and negatively by several immunomodulatory stimuli. We have shown previously that Bcl-2 protein levels are unaltered by these factors, suggesting a Bcl-2-independent regulation of apoptosis in this system. Here, we have investigated the possibility that the three recently identified Bcl-2 homologues, Bax, Bcl-x, and Mcl-1, could be involved instead. Freshly isolated cells expressed both Bax and Mcl-1 protein, but only low levels of Bcl-xL and no detectable Bcl-xS, as determined by Western blot analysis. Upon culture of cells with apoptotic or survival stimuli, Bax and Bcl-xL protein levels remained relatively unchanged. By contrast, Mcl-1 levels decreased markedly in cells undergoing apoptosis in medium and, even more dramatically, after treatment with the apoptotic stimuli transforming growth factor beta 1 and forskolin. This decrease was rapid and preceded cell death. Furthermore, all the survival stimuli tested (interleukin 4, anti-IgM antibodies, and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) prevented the decline in Mcl-1 levels. This striking correlation between cell survival and Mcl-1 expression in peripheral blood B cells suggests the possible involvement of Mcl-1, instead of Bcl-2, in the regulation of apoptosis in these cells. The present study is the first one linking this novel Bcl-2 homologue to the control of cell death in normal cells.

All-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid inhibit growth of normal human and murine B cell precursors

In the present paper we demonstrate that physiologic levels (10 nM) of both all-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid (RA) are potent inhibitors of the growth of human as well as murine B cell precursors in vitro. Ten nanomolar concentrations of all-trans- and 9-cis-RA reduced the DNA synthesis ([3H]thymidine uptake) of human B cell precursors (CD19+ IgM-) stimulated with O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and ionomycin by approximately 55% and 70%, respectively. Human B cell precursors stimulated with low m.w. B cell growth factor were also inhibited by RA. Ten nanomolar concentrations of either isoform of RA reduced DNA synthesis by approximately 50%. No effect of RA on differentiation to sIgM positive cells was noted. The potent growth-inhibiting effect of RA on human B cell precursors was confirmed in the murine cell system. B lymphopoiesis from murine hematopoietic precursors (Lin-B220(+)-containing cells) was induced by stimulation with IL-7. Concentrations of all-trans- and 9-cis-RA as low as 10 pM reduced the colony-forming ability of the IL-7-stimulated Lin-B220(+)-containing cells. Ten nanomolar concentrations of either isoform reduced colony formation by approximately 60%. RA was not toxic to the cells, as the inhibition of colony formation after 24 h was reversible at concentrations as high as 1 microM. The growth-inhibiting effect of RA was directly mediated, as revealed by single cell analysis of the Lin-B220(+)-containing cells. Thus, vitamin A appears to have an important role in regulation of B lymphopoiesis.

All-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid inhibit growth of normal human and murine B cell precursors

In the present paper we demonstrate that physiologic levels (10 nM) of both all-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid (RA) are potent inhibitors of the growth of human as well as murine B cell precursors in vitro. Ten nanomolar concentrations of all-trans- and 9-cis-RA reduced the DNA synthesis ([3H]thymidine uptake) of human B cell precursors (CD19+ IgM-) stimulated with O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and ionomycin by approximately 55% and 70%, respectively. Human B cell precursors stimulated with low m.w. B cell growth factor were also inhibited by RA. Ten nanomolar concentrations of either isoform of RA reduced DNA synthesis by approximately 50%. No effect of RA on differentiation to sIgM positive cells was noted. The potent growth-inhibiting effect of RA on human B cell precursors was confirmed in the murine cell system. B lymphopoiesis from murine hematopoietic precursors (Lin-B220(+)-containing cells) was induced by stimulation with IL-7. Concentrations of all-trans- and 9-cis-RA as low as 10 pM reduced the colony-forming ability of the IL-7-stimulated Lin-B220(+)-containing cells. Ten nanomolar concentrations of either isoform reduced colony formation by approximately 60%. RA was not toxic to the cells, as the inhibition of colony formation after 24 h was reversible at concentrations as high as 1 microM. The growth-inhibiting effect of RA was directly mediated, as revealed by single cell analysis of the Lin-B220(+)-containing cells. Thus, vitamin A appears to have an important role in regulation of B lymphopoiesis.

TGF-beta 1 and cyclic AMP promote apoptosis in resting human B lymphocytes

TGF-beta and agents that elevate intracellular cAMP levels are potent inhibitors of B cell activation in vitro and have been shown to arrest stimulated B cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. We tested the effects of TGF-beta 1 and the cAMP-inducing agent, forskolin, on the viability of resting B cells from human peripheral blood, and found that both agents caused a significant, dose-dependent increase in cell death relative to spontaneous death in medium alone, as measured by vital dye staining with propidium iodide. Apoptosis was shown to be the overall mode of death by demonstrating DNA fragmentation using DNA nick end labeling and by verifying the characteristic morphologic changes. In contrast with TGF-beta 1 and forskolin, various B cell activation stimuli generally inhibited spontaneous apoptosis of resting cells. The most potent effects were observed with IL-4 and the phorbol ester, O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C. IL-4 also partly inhibited TGF-beta 1 and forskolin-induced apoptosis. In contrast, TPA completely reversed cell death in forskolin-treated cultures, but had no effect on TGF-beta 1-induced apoptosis, indicating that TGF-beta 1 and forskolin promote apoptosis by different mechanisms. The relative protein expression of bcl-2, a proto-oncogene that inhibits apoptosis, was unaltered by the apoptotic as well as the survival stimuli tested, suggesting that apoptosis was regulated by a bcl-2-independent mechanism. We conclude that apoptosis is a regulated phenomenon in resting human B cells. Furthermore, TGF-beta and cAMP may inhibit B cell responses not only by blocking cell cycle progression in activated cells, but also by inducing apoptosis in resting cells.

TGF-beta 1 and cyclic AMP promote apoptosis in resting human B lymphocytes

TGF-beta and agents that elevate intracellular cAMP levels are potent inhibitors of B cell activation in vitro and have been shown to arrest stimulated B cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. We tested the effects of TGF-beta 1 and the cAMP-inducing agent, forskolin, on the viability of resting B cells from human peripheral blood, and found that both agents caused a significant, dose-dependent increase in cell death relative to spontaneous death in medium alone, as measured by vital dye staining with propidium iodide. Apoptosis was shown to be the overall mode of death by demonstrating DNA fragmentation using DNA nick end labeling and by verifying the characteristic morphologic changes. In contrast with TGF-beta 1 and forskolin, various B cell activation stimuli generally inhibited spontaneous apoptosis of resting cells. The most potent effects were observed with IL-4 and the phorbol ester, O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C. IL-4 also partly inhibited TGF-beta 1 and forskolin-induced apoptosis. In contrast, TPA completely reversed cell death in forskolin-treated cultures, but had no effect on TGF-beta 1-induced apoptosis, indicating that TGF-beta 1 and forskolin promote apoptosis by different mechanisms. The relative protein expression of bcl-2, a proto-oncogene that inhibits apoptosis, was unaltered by the apoptotic as well as the survival stimuli tested, suggesting that apoptosis was regulated by a bcl-2-independent mechanism. We conclude that apoptosis is a regulated phenomenon in resting human B cells. Furthermore, TGF-beta and cAMP may inhibit B cell responses not only by blocking cell cycle progression in activated cells, but also by inducing apoptosis in resting cells.

Cross-linking of CD53 promotes activation of resting human B lymphocytes

The CD53 pan-leukocyte glycoprotein is a member of the recently described tetraspan family of cell membrane proteins. The structure and functional characteristics of these molecules indicate that they may play important roles in transmembrane signaling in different cells. Recently, it was reported that cross-linking of CD53 on human B cells led to an increase in cytoplasmic calcium fluxes. In the present study, we wished to further explore the possible role of CD53 in functional B cell responses. Cross-linking of CD53 with the use of the mAb MEM-53 and a polyclonal sheep anti-mouse Ig promoted activation of resting B cells into the G1 phase of the cell cycle as judged by increased expression of the early activation Ag CD69, increases in cellular volume, RNA synthesis, and c-myc protein levels, and enhanced binding of 7-aminoactinomycin D. In contrast, MEM-53 alone had no detectable effects. Cross-linking of anti-CD53 induced negligible S phase entry in the absence of other stimuli. However, cytokines, in particular IL-2 and IL-4, potentiated the DNA synthesis induced by cross-linking of CD53. Furthermore, cross-linking of the CD53 Ag induced Ig production in the presence of T cell supernatant. Taken together, the data suggest that CD53 plays an important functional role in B cell activation and differentiation.

Cross-linking of CD53 promotes activation of resting human B lymphocytes

The CD53 pan-leukocyte glycoprotein is a member of the recently described tetraspan family of cell membrane proteins. The structure and functional characteristics of these molecules indicate that they may play important roles in transmembrane signaling in different cells. Recently, it was reported that cross-linking of CD53 on human B cells led to an increase in cytoplasmic calcium fluxes. In the present study, we wished to further explore the possible role of CD53 in functional B cell responses. Cross-linking of CD53 with the use of the mAb MEM-53 and a polyclonal sheep anti-mouse Ig promoted activation of resting B cells into the G1 phase of the cell cycle as judged by increased expression of the early activation Ag CD69, increases in cellular volume, RNA synthesis, and c-myc protein levels, and enhanced binding of 7-aminoactinomycin D. In contrast, MEM-53 alone had no detectable effects. Cross-linking of anti-CD53 induced negligible S phase entry in the absence of other stimuli. However, cytokines, in particular IL-2 and IL-4, potentiated the DNA synthesis induced by cross-linking of CD53. Furthermore, cross-linking of the CD53 Ag induced Ig production in the presence of T cell supernatant. Taken together, the data suggest that CD53 plays an important functional role in B cell activation and differentiation.

Regulation of growth in a neoplastic B cell line by transfected subunits of 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase

cAMP inhibits the proliferation of both normal peripheral blood B and T lymphocytes as well as the proliferation of a human neoplastic B precursor cell line (Reh). To positively show that this is mediated via the the catalytic subunit, C alpha, of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, stably transfected Reh cell lines overexpressing C alpha were established. This was achieved by transfection with a construct confering hygromycin resistance together with a zinc-inducible expression of C alpha from the human metallothionine promoter. C alpha transfected clones were shown to confer a 2- to 2.5-fold zinc-dependent increase in C alpha messenger RNA, immunoreactive C, and phosphotransferase activity. The growth rate of clones transfected with C alpha was retarded, and a zinc-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation was demonstrated in the presence of a small trigger dose of forskolin. In contrast, overexpression of the regulatory subunit I alpha had no effect on cAMP-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. Furthermore, expression of mutant regulatory subunit I alpha AB, which renders cAMP-dependent protein kinase unresponsive to cAMP, clearly protected against that inhibitory effect of cAMP. These data provides evidence that activation of the C subunit (C alpha) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase mediates the inhibitory action of cAMP on cell proliferation in Reh cells.

All-trans retinoic acid directly inhibits granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced proliferation of CD34+ human hematopoietic progenitor cells

In this study we examine the effects of retinoids on purified CD34+ human hematopoietic progenitor cells. All-trans retinoic acid inhibited granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced proliferation of CD34+ cells in short-term liquid cultures in a dose-dependent fashion with maximal inhibition of 72% at a concentration of retinoic acid of 1 mumol/L. Although no significant effects were observed on granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF)--interleukin-3--or stem cell factor (SCF)-induced proliferation, the combinations of G-CSF and each of these cytokines were all inhibited. Moreover, retinol (3 mumol/L) and chylomicron remnant retinyl esters (0.1 mumol/L) in concentrations normally found in human plasma also had inhibitory effects. Single-cell experiments showed that the effects of retinoic acid were directly mediated. Retinoids also significantly inhibited G-CSF-induced colony formation in semisolid medium, with 88% inhibition observed at a concentration of retinoic acid of 1 mumol/L. However, we did not observe any effects of retinoic acid on G-CSF-induced differentiation as assessed by morphology and flowcytometry. Similar to previous findings using total bone marrow mononuclear cells, we observed a stimulation of GM-CSF-induced colony formation after 14 days. We also observed a stimulatory effect of low doses of retinoic acid (30 nmol/L) on blast-cell colony formation on stromal cell layers. Taken together, the data indicate that vitamin A present in human plasma has inhibitory as well as stimulatory effects on myelopoiesis.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) potently enhances in vitro macrophage production from primitive murine hematopoietic progenitor cells in combination with stem cell factor and interleukin-7: novel stimulatory role of p55 TNF receptors

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a bifunctional regulator of hematopoiesis, and its cellular responses are mediated by two distinct cell surface receptors. TNF-alpha generally inhibits the growth of primitive murine hematopoietic progenitor cells (Lin-Scal+) in response to multiple cytokine combinations, and the p75 TNF receptor is essential in signaling such inhibition. In the present study we show the reverse phenomenon in that TNF-alpha on the same progenitor cell population in combination with stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin-7 (IL-7) through the p55 TNF receptor can recruit additional progenitors to proliferate. In contrast, TGF-beta 1, another bifunctional regulator of hematopoietic progenitor cell growth, completely blocked SCF plus IL-7-induced proliferation. TNF-alpha increased the number of responding progenitors, as well as the size of the colonies formed. The synergistic effects of TNF-alpha were seen at the single cell level, suggesting that its effects are directly mediated. Finally, whereas SCF plus IL-7 promoted primarily granulopoiesis, the addition of TNF-alpha switched the differentiation toward the production of almost exclusively macrophages.

Stem cell factor and interleukin-7 synergize to enhance early myelopoiesis in vitro

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) has been shown to be a critical factor in murine lymphoid development. It stimulates pre-B cells to divide in the absence of stroma cells and it is an important growth regulator of immature and mature T cells. IL-7 has been shown to synergize with stem cell factor (SCF) to provide a potent growth stimulus for pre-B cells. However, the combined effects of IL-7 and SCF on murine primitive hematopoietic cells in vitro have not been established. In the present study, the effects of recombinant rat (rr) SCF and recombinant human (rh) IL-7 on primitive murine bone marrow progenitors (Lin-Sca1+) were investigated in single-cell cloning experiments. rhIL-7 alone had no proliferative effect on Lin-Sca1+ cells, but in a dose-dependent manner directly enhanced rrSCF-induced colony formation, with an average increase in colony numbers of 2.7-fold. Interestingly, the cells formed in response to SCF and IL-7 were predominantly mature granulocytes. Thus, SCF and IL-7 synergize to stimulate early myelopoiesis in vitro.

All-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid: potent direct inhibitors of primitive murine hematopoietic progenitors in vitro

Retinoic acid (RA) stimulates the clonal proliferation of mature bone marrow progenitor cells and inhibits the growth of leukemic progenitors, whereas its effects on normal primitive hematopoietic progenitors have not yet been investigated. This study investigated the ability of all-trans- and 9-cis-RA to modulate the proliferation and differentiation of murine Lin-Sca-1+ bone marrow progenitor cells. Both RA isoforms inhibited in a reversible and dose-dependent fashion, the proliferation of multi- but not single-factor responsive Lin-Sca-1+ progenitor cells. The 50% effective dose was 10 nM for both all-trans- and 9-cis-RA. Maximum inhibition was observed at 100-1,000 nM RA, resulting in a 50-75% reduction in the number of proliferative clones. Lin-Sca-1+ cells with high proliferative potential were preferentially inhibited by RA, resulting in a 80-100% inhibition depending on the hematopoietic growth factors stimulating their growth. The inhibitory effects of RA were directly mediated on the target cell, since the effects were observed at the single cell level. Furthermore, autocrine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) production can probably not account for the observed inhibitory effects of RA, since a TGF-beta neutralizing antibody did not block RA-induced inhibition. Whereas RA, in general, is a differentiation-inducing agent, treatment of Lin-Sca-1+ progenitors resulted in the accumulation of an increased fraction of blasts and immature myeloid cells. Thus, RA inhibits the proliferation as well as differentiation of normal primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Retinoblastoma protein is rapidly dephosphorylated by elevated cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in human B-lymphoid cells

Elevated cyclic AMP levels induce a rapid block in the mid-G1 phase of the cell cycle in B-lymphoid Reh cells, accompanied by a transient block in G2. The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene product has been implicated as a key regulator of eukaryotic cell growth. The Rb protein enforces its growth-suppressive effect in early G1, where it is underphosphorylated and firmly bound in the nucleus. A possible link between the cyclic AMP-mediated growth arrest and regulation of Rb protein phosphorylation was explored by Western blot analysis. We found that both forskolin and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate induced a rapid (within 3 h) dephosphorylation of Rb protein. These data were confirmed by flow-cytometric analysis of isolated nuclei costained with anti-Rb antibodies and propidium iodide. The percentage of cells containing underphosphorylated Rb protein (i.e., G1 nuclei with bound Rb protein) increased from 9 to 87% after 4 h of forskolin treatment. During the first 4 h of forskolin treatment, the cells were transiently blocked in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, and virtually no cells had passed through mitosis. The increased level of dephosphorylated Rb protein at 4 h was therefore not due to an accumulation in early G1 of cells containing underphosphorylated Rb protein. Instead, our data indicated that dephosphorylation of Rb protein occurred in cells that had already passed the point in G1 of Rb protein phosphorylation. Dephosphorylation of Rb protein was prevented by high concentrations of the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, indicating that activation of a phosphatase is involved in the cyclic AMP-mediated dephosphorylation of Rb protein. We suggest that the dephosphorylation of Rb protein is required for the forskolin-mediated arrest of the Reh cells in mid-G1.

Cyclic AMP downregulates c-myc expression by inhibition of transcript initiation in human B-precursor Reh cells

In the human pre-B cell line Reh, activation of the cyclic AMP signal transduction pathway induces a rapid, transient 10-fold down-regulation of steady-state c-myc mRNA. We have investigated the mechanisms involved in this cAMP-mediated regulation of c-myc expression. Forskolin did not alter c-myc mRNA stability. Initiation of c-myc transcripts was strongly inhibited after 1 h of forskolin treatment, as measured by nuclear run-on assays. Reinitiation of c-myc transcription was apparent after 3-4 h, and full transcriptional elongation was detected after 8 h of forskolin treatment. These data suggest that cyclic AMP downregulates c-myc expression by inhibition of transcriptional initiation.

Reciprocal regulation of mRNA and protein for subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (RI alpha and C alpha) by cAMP in a neoplastic B cell line (Reh)

The present study examines the activity, levels of expression and regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase subunits during cAMP-mediated inhibition of Reh cell proliferation. Human Reh cells express mRNAs for the RI alpha and C alpha subunits of cAK at high levels and are practically devoid of cAMP-dependent protein kinase type II. Treatment with isoproterenol, forskolin, or a cAMP analog increased RI alpha mRNA in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (maximal, 4-fold, at 4-8 h). Messenger RNA for C alpha was also stimulated by cAMP, although with slower kinetics (maximal, 2-fold, at 16-24 h). Nuclear run-on assays showed a 2-fold increase in RI alpha gene transcription, whereas that of C alpha was unchanged. In spite of the stimulatory effects of cAMP on mRNAs for both RI alpha and C alpha, phosphotransferase activity and specific [3H]cAMP binding decreased rapidly after treatment with either cAMP or forskolin. Interestingly, the decrease in R and C activity preceded the increase in RI alpha and C alpha mRNA levels, raising the question whether increased mRNA levels may be secondary to the decrease in RI alpha or C alpha protein. The finding that the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide gave changes in RI alpha and C alpha mRNA similar to cAMP and that co-treatment with cycloheximide and cAMP resulted in additive effects tend to support this notion.

Novel isozymes of cAMP-dependent protein kinase exist in human cells due to formation of RI alpha-RI beta heterodimeric complexes

We report that a human neoplastic B cell line (Reh) contains cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAK) type I (cAKI), but is practically devoid of cAK type II (cAKII). However, these cells contain a novel cAKI isozyme consisting of an RI alpha-RI beta heterodimer in association with phosphotransferase activity (RI alpha RI beta C2) eluting from DEAE-cellulose columns at a salt concentration characteristic of a cAKII. Immunoprecipitation of 8-azido-[32P]cAMP-labeled extracts and DEAE fractions employing specific antibodies directed against RI alpha and RI beta clearly demonstrated the presence of RI alpha-RI beta heterodimers. RI alpha was precipitated with RI beta antiserum and vice versa. Furthermore, disruption of disulfide bridges by reduction-alkylation abolished this coimmunoprecipitation. In addition, formation of heterodimeric complexes of RI alpha and RI beta could be demonstrated in vitro using recombinant RI proteins. Finally, the presence of low levels of RI alpha-RI beta heterodimers could also be demonstrated in human peripheral blood T lymphocytes. RI alpha-RI beta heterodimers complexed with the catalytic subunit represent a novel isozyme of cAKI (RI alpha RI beta C2), which enhances the possibilities for diversification of cAMP-mediated effects.

Constitutive expression of c-myc does not relieve cAMP-mediated growth arrest in human lymphoid Reh cells

The Reh cell system is suitable for evaluating events important for control of proliferation independently of mechanisms involved in differentiation, as Reh cells are unable to differentiate. In the human pre-B cell line Reh, activation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin induces a five to tenfold rapid, transient down-regulation of steady-state c-myc RNA within 4 hours. Concurrently, the cells are strongly growth arrested in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. To clarify if the observed growth arrest could be relieved by constitutive expression of c-myc, an exogenous c-myc gene under constitutive promoter control was introduced into Reh cells by electroporation. The c-myc-expressing construct pDMmycHyg contained human c-myc exons 2 and 3 driven by the Mo-MLV LTR and conferred hygromycin resistance. Exogenous c-myc RNA transcripts and protein were constitutively expressed in the transfected clones at levels roughly twice as high as the level in nontransfected cells. Total c-myc protein levels were unchanged upon treatment of transfected clones with forskolin. Yet, the transfected cells were not released from growth arrest. Furthermore, the transfected Reh cells did not differentiate upon forskolin treatment. Constitutive overexpression of c-myc is therefore not sufficient for relieving forskolin-mediated effects on growth arrest in Reh cells.

Cell-specific expression of human beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase transcripts differing in the 5' untranslated region

In humans, two cDNAs have been isolated encoding beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase, differing only in part of the 5' untranslated region. Primer extension data show that the two cDNAs are near full-length clones. RNase protection analysis of different cell types showed that the transcript corresponding to the alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase cDNA isolated from a B-cell library resided only in mature B cells. In contrast, the transcript corresponding to the alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase cDNA isolated from a placenta library was found in all cells tested. Our results also indicate the existence of a third alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase transcript in the hepatoma cell line HepG2. Mature B cells were found to express high amounts of alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase mRNA, compared to other cell types tested, as shown by Northern blot analysis. Moreover there was an increased expression of beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase mRNA in activated B cells compared to resting B cells. In vitro transcription and translation of the cDNAs resulted in a protein of 45 kDa, but the transcripts were translated with different efficiency, suggesting a role for the 5' untranslated region in regulation of translation. We have also made an alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase construct lacking the specific 5' regions of the two cDNAs. A transcript generated from this construct was translated more efficiently in vitro than the two alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase cDNAs.

Vitamin A is a key regulator for cell growth, cytokine production, and differentiation in normal B cells

In the present paper we demonstrate that retinol-retinol-binding protein and chylomicron remnant retinyl esters in concentrations normally found in human plasma inhibit growth of normal human B lymphocytes. Physiological concentrations of retinoic acid (about 30 nM) were less active than physiological concentrations of retinol (about 3 microM). Pharmacological concentrations of retinol and retinoic acid were more active than the concentrations normally found in plasma. Retinol (3 microM) inhibited anti-IgM-mediated DNA synthesis as measured by [3H]thymidine uptake at 72 h by 78%. Furthermore, we found that the cells were blocked in the mid-G1 phase of the cell cycle. Thus, neither MYC up-regulation measured at 3 h nor the expression of the early activation antigen 4F2 was reduced by retinol, whereas the late activation markers (transferrin receptor expression and actinomycin D staining at 48 h of stimulation) were markedly inhibited. Retinol reduced the interleukin 6 production induced by anti-IgM and interleukin 4 after 48 h, whereas the induction of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor by O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and ionomycin was less affected. We also noted that the retinoids reduced the formation of plaque-forming cells (i.e. Ig synthesis). These data imply that vitamin A present in human plasma is a normal modulator of B cell function.

Isolation and characterization of human hematopoietic progenitor cells: an effective method for positive selection of CD34+ cells

Immunomagnetic beads are well suited for positive selection of CD34+ cells. However, both unspecific binding of beads to cells as well as the effectiveness of detachment of beads from cells may represent significant problems. We used an anti-Fab antiserum (DETACHaBEAD, Dynal) for rapid and effective detachment of immunomagnetic beads from the positively selected cells. By this detachment technique, the cells remained phenotypically unaltered. To reduce unspecific binding, we have coated various anti-CD34 monoclonal antibodies directly to paramagnetic beads M450 (Dynal). Use of beads coated with BI-3C5 was found to be optimal with regard to yield and purity of the isolated cells. The yield was on average 1.5% (range 0.5-2.5%) of bone marrow mononuclear cells and the purity was usually greater than 95% CD34+ cells of the isolated cells. Subpopulations of the cells expressed myeloid markers (CD13, CD33, and to a lesser extent CD15 and CD14) or early B-lineage markers (CD19 and CD10). Most of the cells expressed CD38, and a majority of the cells also expressed CD41. In general, most of the CD34+ cells with low forward scatter expressed B-lineage markers, as was also the case for the few contaminating CD34- cells which were found to be predominantly CD37+ mature B cells. Reactivity with antibodies against T-lineage markers (CD2, CD3, CD4, CD7, and CD8) was generally detected only on 1-2% of the cells or less. Isolated cells responded to interleukin 3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, mast cell growth factor, and/or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor alone or in combinations in short-term liquid cultures. The cells were also markedly enriched for granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units as well as for early progenitor cells capable of forming blast colonies on preformed stromal feeder layers. Moreover, the CD34- population was depleted of 70-80% of CFU-GM and cells capable of blast colony formation. Thus, we conclude that the isolated cells are phenotypically unaltered after isolation, and show a normal response in various in vitro assays.

Cell cycle-dependent regulation of CDw75 (beta-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase) on human B lymphocytes

Within the hematopoietic system, CDw75 is primarily expressed on cells of the B cell lineage. Cloning and sequencing of the gene has shown CDw75 to be a beta-galactoside alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase. This enzyme plays an important role in the intracellular terminal glycosylation pathways in various cell types. In this article, we demonstrate that COS cells transfected with the CDw75 cDNA clone displayed sialyltransferase activity, in contrast to mock-transfected cells. We also found that activated B cells displayed an increased enzyme activity compared to resting cells, in accordance with the staining data. Moreover, CDw75 expression was found to be up-regulated approximately 7-9-fold from early G1 to the G2/M phases of the cell cycle in peripheral blood leukocyte B cells. This was shown by staining of in vitro activated B cells with the anti-CDw75 monoclonal antibody HH2, using cell fractions corresponding to different stages of the cell cycle. Using a combination of Hoechst 33258 and propidium iodide after bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, it is possible to distinguish between different phases of the first and second cell cycle. By combining this with HH2 immunofluorescence staining, using a multistation multiparameter flow cytometry program, we confirmed the cell cycle-dependent expression of CDw75. Immunocytochemical stainings of cytospin specimens of elutriated B cells showed that the antigen was up-regulated in late G1 before the appearance of the nuclear activation antigen Ki67. Finally, we showed that activated B cells secreted soluble CDw75 into the medium, as demonstrated by a specific blocking of HH2 staining of B cells using suboptimal concentrations of HH2. In accordance with this, we observed small, but detectable levels of soluble sialyltransferase activity in supernatants of activated B cells.

Direct mobilization of retinol from hepatic perisinusoidal stellate cells to plasma

We have studied the mechanism for mobilization of retinol from stellate cells. Our data show that perisinusoidal stellate cells isolated from liver contained retinol-binding protein (RBP) mRNA. By Western blot analysis we found that cultivated liver stellate cells secreted RBP into the medium. Cultivated stellate cells loaded in vitro with [3H]retinyl ester mobilized radioactive retinol as a complex with RBP. Furthermore, exogenous RBP added to the medium of cultured stellate cells increased the secretion of retinol to the medium. These data suggest that liver stellate cells in vivo mobilize retinol directly to the blood and that a transfer to parenchymal cells for secretion as holo-RBP is not required. The direct mobilization of retinol from liver stellate cells as retinol-RBP to blood is indirectly supported by the demonstration of RBP mRNA production and RBP secretion by lung stellate cells. The data suggest that the same mechanism for retinol mobilization may exist in hepatic and extrahepatic stellate cells. This is, vitamin A-storing stellate cells in liver, lungs, and probably also in other organs may synthesize their own RBP (or alternatively use exogenous RBP) and mobilize holo-RBP directly to the blood.

Retinyl esters in chylomicron remnants inhibit growth of myeloid and lymphoid leukaemic cells

We have studied the effects of retinyl esters in chylomicron remnants on cell growth and differentiation of myeloid and lymphoid leukaemic cells. Ten mumol l-1 retinyl ester in chylomicron remnants effectively reduced proliferation of the myeloid leukaemic cell lines HL60, U937 and KG-1, and induced differentiation of 68% and 53% of the HL60 and U937 cells, respectively, in 5 days. While no effect on cell growth of the lymphoid cell lines Daudi, Raji and SOS was observed, 10 mumol 1-1 retinyl esters in chylomicron remnants reduced the growth of the B lymphoid cell line Reh by more than 50%. Primary cell cultures from six patients with acute leukaemia (four non-lymphocytic and two lymphocytic) were incubated with chylomicron remnant retinyl esters and proliferation was measured by means of thymidine incorporation. Among the myeloid leukaemic cells, the monomyelocytic, the two promyelocytic and the monoblastic leukaemic cells were growth inhibited. Chylomicron remnants had no effect on the growth of the c-ALL primary culture, but reduced proliferation of the T-ALL primary culture by approximately 20% after 48 h. These data suggest that high doses of retinol may be used in the treatment of some forms of acute leukaemia.

Interleukin-7 differentiates a subgroup of acute lymphoblastic leukemias

The bone marrow stromal cell-derived growth factor interleukin-7 (IL-7) is known to stimulate growth of normal human B-cell precursors. In the present report, we have examined the effect of IL-7 on neoplastic B-cell precursors. Leukemic cells from 20 patients with common acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were highly purified by removing contaminating T cells and monocytes by rosetting with immunomagnetic beads. IL-7 markedly reduced the DNA synthesis in leukemic cells from three patients. This inhibition of DNA synthesis was accompanied by maturation of the cells, as demonstrated by the induced expression of the differentiation antigens CD19, CD20, CDw75, and surface mu-chain, and a decreased expression of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. By examining G1 parameters, such as MYC, 4F2, and transferrin-receptor levels analyzed by flow cytometry as well as RNA and the cell cycle regulated antigen Ki67, it appeared that the cells were inhibited late in G1. Leukemic cells from the majority of the cases (12 of the 20 patients) responded to IL-7 with enhanced DNA synthesis without detectable maturation, as has been reported for their normal counterparts. Low molecular weight B-cell growth factor greatly potentiated the IL-7-induced growth stimulation of these cells. Thus, we have shown that IL-7 is capable of inhibiting proliferation of leukemic cells isolated from a subgroup of ALLs, and that this growth inhibition is accompanied by maturation of the cells.