Influence of TNFalpha on the sialylation of mucins produced by a transformed cell line MM-39 derived from human tracheal gland cells

In order to investigate the influence of inflammation on the peripheral glycosylation of airway mucins, a human respiratory glandular cell line (MM-39) was treated by TNFalpha. The expression and the activity of sialyl- and fucosyl-transferases, involved in the biosynthesis of peripheral carbohydrate determinants like sialyl-Lewis x, were investigated by RT-PCR and by HPAEC respectively. The mRNA steady-state level of sialyl- (ST3Gal III) and of fucosyl- (FUT3) transferases was moderately up-regulated by TNFalpha; a 52% increase of alpha2,3-sialyltransferase activity was also observed in TNFalpha-stimulated MM-39 cells. After metabolic radio-labelling with [(3)H]glucosamine and [(3)H]fucose, the mucins released in the culture supernatant were purified by Sepharose CL-4B, density-gradient centrifugation and treatment with glycosaminoglycans-degrading enzymes. The mucins, released in the culture supernatant from control MM-39 cells, were constituted by two populations of molecules having the same 1.39-1.44 mg/ml density but carrying either high or low amounts of sialic acid residues at their periphery. TNFalpha was able to increase the sialylation of the weakly sialylated mucins. This effect and the enhancement of the alpha2,3-sialyltransferase activity by TNFalpha argue in favour of a regulation of the mucin sialylation by this pro-inflammatory cytokine. Despite the moderate overexpression of FUT3, no fucosylation of mucins produced by MM-39 cells was induced by TNFalpha. In conclusion, the influence of TNFalpha on the sialylation of mucins could explain why the mucins from infected patients suffering either from cystic fibrosis or from chronic bronchitis are more sialylated.

A quantitative multistandard reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator: its usefulness in studying efficiency of gene transfer

Procedures to quantify cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mRNA levels have already been described but are not universally accepted, and many investigators are skeptical about quantification. To be able to accurately monitor gene therapy, we developed a quantitative multistandard RT-PCR method. This was based on the observation that the CFTR and ribosomal phosphoprotein PO (PR-PO) genes have retained important sequence homologies between rat and human species, allowing the use of rat RNA as an internal standard. A mixture of rat and human RNAs is simultaneously reverse-transcribed in one reaction tube and amplification of CFTR leads to rat and human amplificates with identical sizes which will be discriminated by restriction analysis. PR-PO is analyzed similarly and serves as a control of template loading. RT-PCR of different amounts of RNAs gave similar CFTR/PR-PO ratios, with a coefficient variation below 10%. This technique was applied to a cell line of cystic fibrosis tracheal gland serous cells (CF-KM4) incubated with a recombinant adenovirus containing the CFTR cDNA. Kinetics and dose dependency of transgene expression could be accurately quantified. This method is precise, reproducible, and very simple and could be applied to monitor gene therapy in minute amounts of tissue such as biopsies from cystic fibrosis patients.

Characterization of a diadenosine tetraphosphate-receptor distinct from the ATP-purinoceptor in human tracheal gland cells

Human submucosal tracheal glands are now believed to play a major role in the physiopathology of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease in which ATP is used as a therapeutic agent. However, actions of ATP on tracheal gland cells are not well known. ATP binds to P2 receptors and induced secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) secretion through formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and mobilization of intracellular [Ca(2+)]. Since diadenosine polyphosphates (ApnA) are also endogenous effectors of P2 receptors, we investigated their effects in a cell line (MM39) of human tracheal gland cells. Diadenosine tetraphosphates (Ap4A) induced significant stimulation (+50+/-12%) of SLPI secretion and to a similar extent to that of ATP (+65+/-10%). No significant effects were observed with diadenosine triphosphate (Ap3A), diadenosine pentaphosphate (Ap5A), ADP and 2-methylthio-adenosine triphosphate (2-MeS-ATP). Since Ap4A was weakly hydrolyzed (<2% of total), and the hydrolysis product was only inosine which is ineffective on cells, this Ap4A effect was not due to Ap4A hydrolysis in ATP and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). A mixture of Ap4A and ATP elicited only partial additive effects on SLPI secretion. ADP was shown to be a potent antagonist of ATP and Ap4A receptors, with IC(50)s of 0.8 and 2 microM, respectively. 2-MeS-ATP also showed antagonistic properties with IC(50)s of 20 and 30 microM for ATP- and Ap4A-receptors, respectively. Single cell intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) measurements showed similar transient increases of [Ca(2+)](i) after ATP or Ap4A challenges. ATP desensitized the cell [Ca(2+)](i) responses to ATP and Ap4A, and Ap4A also desensitized the cell response to Ap4A. Nevertheless, Ap4A did not desensitize the cell [Ca(2+)](i) responses to ATP. In conclusion, both P2Y2-ATP-receptors and Ap4A-P2D-receptors seem to be present in tracheal gland cells. Ap4A may only bind to P2D-receptors whilst ATP may bind to both Ap4A- and ATP-receptors.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing signal molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone inhibits expression of P2Y receptors in cystic fibrosis tracheal gland cells

ATP and UTP have been proposed for use as therapeutic treatment of the abnormal ion transport in the airway epithelium in cystic fibrosis (CF), the most characteristic feature of which is permanent infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As for diverse gram-negative bacteria, this pathogenic bacterium accumulates diffusible N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) signal molecules, and when a threshold concentration is reached, virulence factor genes are activated. Human submucosal tracheal gland serous (HTGS) cells are believed to play a major role in the physiopathology of CF. Since ATP and UTP stimulate CF epithelial cells through P2Y receptors, we sought to determine whether CF HTGS cells are capable of responding to the AHLs N-butanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (BHL), N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (HHL), N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OdDHL), and N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OHHL), with special reference to P2Y receptors. All AHLs inhibited ATP- and UTP-induced secretion by CF HTGS cells. The 50% inhibitory concentrations were as high as 10 and 5 microM for BHL and HHL, respectively, but were only 0.3 and 0.4 pM for OdDHL and OHHL, respectively. Furthermore, all AHLs down-regulated the expression of the P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors. Ibuprofen and nordihydroguaiaretic acid were able to prevent AHL inhibition of the responses to nucleotides, but neither dexamethasone nor indomethacin was able to do this. These data indicate that AHLs may alter responsiveness to ATP and UTP by CF HTGS cells and suggest that, in addition to ATP and/or UTP analogues, ibuprofen may be of use for a combinational pharmacological therapy for CF.

A cystic fibrosis tracheal gland cell line, CF-KM4. Correction by adenovirus-mediated CFTR gene transfer

Human tracheal gland serous (HTGS) cells are now considered one principal pulmonary target for the gene therapy of cystic fibrosis (CF). We developed a CF tracheal gland serous cell line, CF-KM4, obtained by the transformation of primary cultures of CF tracheal gland serous cells homozygous for the DeltaF508 mutation by using the wild-type SV40 virus. This cell line retained epithelial and secretory features of the native CF-HTGS cells in primary culture, namely, presence of cytokeratin, constitutive secretion of secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor, absence of responsiveness to carbachol and isoproterenol, and defective cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent chloride channel activity. Adenovirus-mediated CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene transfer into CF-KM4 cells corrected the defective chloride channel activity as well as the responsiveness to adrenergic and cholinergic agonists. In contrast, control transfection using adenovirus-mediated beta-galactosidase gene transfer was totally ineffective. In conclusion, these results present a stable CF tracheal gland cell line that has retained its epithelial and CF-specific defective secretory characteristics which are corrected after CFTR gene transfer. This cell line therefore appears to be a useful tool for large-scale molecular and cellular pharmacologic investigations designed to test potential therapies of the disease CF.

High lysosomal activities in cystic fibrosis tracheal gland cells corrected by adenovirus-mediated CFTR gene transfer

Human tracheal gland serous (HTGS) cells are now believed to be a major target of cystic fibrosis (CF) gene therapy. To evaluate the efficiency of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in these cells we tested the adenovirus construction containing beta-galactosidase cDNA. We observed that the endogenous beta-galactosidase activity in cultured CF-HTGS cells was too strong to allow us to detect any exogenous beta-galactosidase activity. Immunohistological study on sections of human tracheal tissue confirmed the presence of beta-galactosidase in the serous component of the submucosal glands. We then looked for other lysosomal activities in normal and CF-HTGS cells. We showed that normal cells already have elevated enzyme values and that CF-HTGS cells contained 2-4-fold more beta-galactosidase, alpha-fucosidase, alpha-mannosidase and beta-glucuronidase activities than normal cells. An analysis of their kinetic constants has shown that this difference could be attributed to a lower K(m) of CF lysosomal enzymes. More importantly, these differences are eliminated after adenovirus-mediated CFTR gene transfer and not after beta-galactosidase gene transfer.

Characterization of two distinct P2Y receptors in human tracheal gland cells

Human submucosal tracheal glands are now believed to play a major role in the physiopathology of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease in which ATP is used as a therapeutic agent. However, actions of ATP on tracheal gland cells are poorly known. ATP-binding characteristics, and ATP-induced formation of cAMP were investigated in a cell line (MM39) of human tracheal gland cells. The binding of a radiolabelled non-hydrolysable analogue of ATP Adenosine-5'-[35S]thiotriphosphate: [35S]ATP[gammaS] was rapid (within 30 min at 4 degrees C), stable and reversible. Scatchard analysis revealed two classes of [35S]ATP[gammaS]-binding sites. Low-affinity binding sites had a Kd1 of 20 +/- 5 microM (Bmax = 150 nmol/10(6) cells) and the high-affinity binding sites had a Kd2 of 2.5 +/- 0.2 microM (Bmax = 52 nmol/10(6) cells). Competition experiments showed competition with ATP, ADP and 2-methylthio-ATP but no competition with UTP, AMP and adenosine. UTP stimulates protein secretion as well as it induced [Ca2+]i mobilization but did not affect the intracellular cAMP levels. ATP also caused induced [Ca2+]i mobilization and protein secretion but also caused an increase in cyclicAMP content of the cells, reaching a maximum after 1 min. ATP-induced cAMP formation was concentration dependent and inhibited by the P2-antagonist suramin. Reverse-transcription-PCR amplification revealed the presence of the transcripts of both the P2Y2 and the UTP-specific P2Y4 receptors. In conclusion, P2Y2 receptors, UTP-P2Y4 receptors and unidentified ATP-specific receptors seem to be present in MM39 cells which appear to be coupled differently to intracellular second-messenger systems.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide induces CF-like alteration of protein secretion by human tracheal gland cells

Human tracheal gland (HTG) serous cells are now believed to play a major role in the physiopathology of cystic fibrosis. Because of the persistent inflammation and the specific infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lung, we looked for the action of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of this bacteria on human tracheal gland cells in culture by studying the secretion of the secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) which is a specific serous secretory marker of these cells. Treatment with Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS resulted in a significant dose-dependent increase in the basal production of SLPI (+ 250 +/- 25%) whilst the SLPI transcript mRNA levels remained unchanged. This LPS-induced increase in secretion was inhibited by glucocorticoides. Furthermore, LPS treatment of HTG cells induces a loss of responsiveness to carbachol and isoproterenol but not to adenosine triphosphate. These findings indicate that HTG cells treated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS have the same behavior as those previously observed with CF-HTG cells. Exploration by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction amplification showed that LPS downregulated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mRNA expression in HTG cells indicative of a link between CFTR function and consequent CF-like alteration in protein secretory process.

Mucins secreted by a transformed cell line derived from human tracheal gland cells

High-molecular-mass glycoconjugates are secreted by the continuous cell line MM-39, which has been obtained from cultured human tracheal gland cells transformed by simian virus 40. They were purified on Sepharose(R) CL-4B and then by two steps of density-gradient centrifugation. High-molecular-mass glycoproteins resistant to digestion by hyaluronidase, chondroitin ABC lyase and heparitinase were obtained, in addition to hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans. They were susceptible to beta-elimination. They contained polylactosaminoglycan chains as well as carbohydrate chains with a terminal sialic acid in the NeuAc alpha2-3 sequence. Most of them have a buoyant density of 1.45 g/ml in CsCl-density-gradient centrifugation, except for MUC1. The MM-39 cells were also characterized by a high expression of MUC1 and MUC4 genes, but they did not express MUC2, MUC3, MUC5B and MUC5AC. Therefore the MM-39 cells synthesized mucin-like glycoproteins as well as lysozyme and mucous proteinase inhibitor [Merten, Kammouni, Renaud, Birg, Mattéi and Figarella (1996) Am. J. Respir. Cell. Mol. Biol. 15, 520-528]; they should be considered as having a mixed, both serous and mucous, phenotype.

Neuritic differentiation and synaptogenesis in serum-free neuronal cultures of the rat cerebral cortex

To better understand the dynamics of the cellular processes involved in early neocortical development, we studied the neuritic differentiation and synaptogenesis of dispersed neurons grown in serum-free cultures under a wide variety of culture conditions. Microtubule-associated protein (MAP2), phosphorylated neurofilament (SMI 31) and synaptophysin immunocytochemistry was complemented with time-lapse studies. During the first week in vitro dissociated cortical neurons developed from roundish cells without processes to neurons with axons and differentiated dendrites, going through five distinct phases. The sequence of these phases was unaltered in a wide range of culturing methods, but the timing of the steps varied among cultures started with different cell densities. Synaptic terminals were first observed after 3-4 days in vitro, coincident with the beginning of dendritic differentiation. Synaptogenesis progressed at least until the end of the third week in vitro, despite a decline in cell density during the second week in vitro. The process of cellular differentiation of cerebral cortical neurons in vitro resembled the development of these cells in the intact tissue, suggesting that organized cell migration is not a prerequisite for the differentiation of single cortical neurons.

A transformed human tracheal gland cell line, MM-39, that retains serous secretory functions

Infection with the wild type SV40 virus was used to transform primary cultures of human tracheal gland serous (HTGS) cells. Over 80 different cell lines were obtained, but the majority had lost some of their epithelial and secretory features. However, one of these cell lines, MM-39, was shown to have conserved the physiologic characteristics of the genuine HTGS cells-i.e., the presence of cytokeratin, expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mRNA, a level of secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor secretion comparable to that of the native cells (25 +/- 3 ng/10(6) cells/h), and the responsiveness to pharmacological agonists: carbachol (+260 +/- 40%), isoproterenol (+260 +/- 40%), and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (+280 +/- 30%). These characteristics describe a transformed cell line of human tracheal gland cells which has retained the features of the native serous cells. As a result, this cell line appears to be a useful tool for large-scale physiologic and pharmacologic studies of bronchial secretion at the cellular level.

Human tracheal gland cells in primary culture

For several years, tracheal gland cells have been cultured from different animal species, such as the cat (1), cow (2), and ferret (3). There are dlffer ences, however, in the structure and function of the various animal airways, rendering it difficult to extrapolate to humans. In this chapter, the author describes techniques that facilitate the isolation and culture of tracheal gland cells from humans. These techniques allow high reproducibility, optimal cell isolation, and high phenotypic expression, rendering them appropriate for physiological, pharmacological, and biomedical applications.

Evidence for, and characterization of, a lipopolysaccharide-inducible adenosine A2 receptor in human tracheal gland serous cells

Human tracheal glands are considered as the principle secretory structures in the bronchotracheal tree. In earlier studies, we successfully performed primary cultures of human tracheal gland (HTG) serous cells and noted that these cells were responsive to many secretagogues including purinergic agonists but not to the inflammatory mediator adenosine. In this study, we demonstrate that adenosine was capable of including stimulation of protein secretion by HTG serous cells which had previously been cultured in pro-inflammatory conditions (induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)). This stimulation was inhibited by 8-phenyltheophyllline but not by dipyridamole, which is indicative of a P1 purinoceptor. This inducible receptor is the adenosine A2 subtype [rank potency order: (5'-(N-ethyl)-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) > adenosine > N6-(phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (PIA); and stimulation of adenylyl cyclase]. The adenosine-induced protein secretion was concentration-dependent, however, increased intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was not dependent on the concentration of adenosine. The adenosine-induced secretion and the ATP-induced secretion were shown to be additive. This study concludes that there is evidence of a LPS-inducible adenosine A2 receptor in human tracheal gland serous cells.

Fadrozole induces delayed effects on neurons in the zebra finch song system

To analyse the influences of estradiol on the differentiation of neurons in the song motor centers RA (robust nucleus of the archistriatum) and HVc (higher vocal center), juvenile male zebra finches were treated with the aromatase inhibitor, Fadrozole (CGS 16949A). The differentiation of neurons was determined by measuring neuronal soma sizes. As adults the treated animals showed a significant shift in the distribution of neuron sizes towards smaller cell diameters in both areas. The neuroanatomical modulation caused by Fadrozole was not accompanied by changes in song behaviour.

Neuropeptide Y and norepinephrine cooperatively inhibit human tracheal gland cell secretion

The effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and norepinephrine (NE) on the secretion of human tracheal gland (HTG) cells in culture were examined using the bronchial inhibitor (BrI) as a secretory marker. NPY by itself provoked no change in secretion, neither in intracellular Ca2+ nor in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels. NE induced transient intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and an increase of intracellular cAMP and also, as previously described, a short-time concentration-dependent decrease of BrI secreted by HTG cells. When applied together on HTG cells, NPY and NE induced an increase of intracellular cAMP, a discrete sustained increase of basal intracellular Ca2+, and a long-lasting inhibition of secretion. Our data suggest that NPY acts for human tracheal gland cells as a NE neuromodulator rather than as a neurotransmitter. Thus culture of HTG cells appears to be an interesting pharmacological support for studying inhibition of bronchial secretion and could be applied in the study of pathologies where hypersecretion is observed, such as cystic fibrosis.

ATP and UTP increase secretion of bronchial inhibitor by human tracheal gland cells in culture

The effects of ATP and UTP on intracellular Ca2+ levels and on the secretion of the bronchial inhibitor and high-molecular-weight glycoproteins were studied in cultures of human bronchotracheal gland cells. ATP, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S), and UTP increased intracellular Ca2+ levels in a manner that was partially dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Other nucleotides (ADP, alpha,beta-methylene ATP, beta,gamma-methylene ATP, and 2-methylthio ATP) and adenosine were ineffective, thus suggesting the presence of a "nucleotide" receptor specific for ATP and UTP. At concentrations similar to those that raised intracellular Ca2+ concentration, ATP, UTP, and ATP gamma S stimulate the secretion of the bronchial inhibitor. ATP and UTP also increase the production of sulfated high-molecular-weight glycoproteins. These results indicate the presence in human tracheal gland cells of a nucleotide receptor that mediates intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and controls the secretion of macromolecules.

Epinephrine promotes growth and differentiation of human tracheal gland cells in culture

Submucosal gland cells isolated from human tracheas by enzymatic digestion and cultured in the absence or presence of epinephrine (E) were used to investigate the possible action of this catecholamine on the physiology of the gland secretory cells issued from the human trachea. A 3 x 10(-6) M concentration of E shortens the doubling time of growth and increases the cells' confluency rate. On the other hand, E appears to induce cell polarity in terms of differential secretion apically versus basolaterally. Furthermore, when human tracheal gland cells are cultured in the presence of E, a maximal cell stimulability by different agonists occurs from 8 days after confluency and then remains identical for 10 days, allowing us to compare the action of different adrenergic and cholinergic agonists on the proteinase bronchial inhibitor and the radiolabeled glycoconjugate secretion. As previously described, secretions of bronchial inhibitor and high molecular weight glycoconjugates were stimulated both by alpha- and beta-adrenergic and by cholinergic agonists but at a much higher rate when cells were cultured in the presence of E. These results indicate that E improves cultured human tracheal glandular cell growth and differentiation in that it increases their polarity and their ability to respond to adrenergic and cholinergic agonists.

Characterization of cAMP dependent CFTR-chloride channels in human tracheal gland cells

Human tracheal gland cells are believed to be a major site at the origin of cystic fibrosis. Since this disease is due to mutations in a protein called CFTR, we looked for the activity of CFTR in human tracheal gland cells in culture. We have identified CFTR-like chloride-selective channels as having a linear current voltage relationship and unitary conductance of 7 pS in these cells. In cell-attached patches, theophylline (1 mM), IBMX (1 mM), or a cocktail of dibutyryl cAMP (1 mM) and IBMX (0.1 mM) promoted the opening of channels. The unitary current had a reversal potential close to the cell resting potential. Replacement of choline by K+ or Na+ in the pipette solution was without effect on the current-voltage relationship, the reversal potential or the unitary conductance, which is consistent with the chloride selectivity of the channel. Channels were always found clustered and their opening probability was not noticeably dependent on membrane potential. This work therefore represents the first observation of a CFTR-like channel activity in submucosal gland cells.

Constitutive hypersecretion and insensitivity to neurotransmitters by cystic fibrosis tracheal gland cells

Submucosal glands are the major mucus-secreting cells in the tracheobronchial tree, and they appear to be affected in cystic fibrosis (CF). To study the dysregulation of pulmonary secretion in CF, human tracheal glandular (HTG) cells were isolated from tracheal mucosa of CF patients undergoing bipulmonary transplantation and compared with normal HTG cells. The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's-Ham's F-12 medium supplemented with Ultroser G, on collagen type 1-coated dishes. We observed that the secretion rates for the three specific serous secretory markers: bronchial inhibitor (BrI), lysozyme, and lactoferrin were 10, 20, and 50 times higher, respectively, in CF-HTG cells than in normal HTG cells. Furthermore, the two physiological neurotransmitters: acetylcholine and norepinephrine, which have opposite actions on the secretion of BrI (suggesting that these neurotransmitters acted as regulators of secretion) did not induce the significant modification of protein secretion observed with normal HTG cells. In combination with forskolin and calcium ionophore A23187, secretion of BrI was minimally modified, indicating a lack of responsiveness of CF-HTG cells to these agonists. In conclusion, CF-HTG cells in culture show a constitutive hypersecretion and an hyporesponsiveness to agonists. They provide a useful tool to study the regulation defect of bronchial secretion observed in CF.

Secretory proteins and glycoconjugates synthesized by human tracheal gland cells in culture

To study the proteins and glycoconjugates synthesized by serous cells from human tracheal glands (HTG), isolated HTG cells were cultured in the presence of radiolabeled precursors 14C-proline, Na2(35)SO4, and 3H-fucose. The secretory 14C/35S/3H-radiolabeled proteins and glycoproteins, de novo synthesized by HTG cells, were analyzed by gel filtration chromatography. We observed the incorporation of 14C-proline into antileukoprotease and an unknown 30 kD protein, and the incorporation of 35SO4-- and 3H-fucose into high molecular weight glycoconjugates and sulfoconjugates (M(r) > 1,000,000) and into components with apparent M(r) of approximately 250 and 100 kD. After specific chemical and enzymatic treatment, the 35S- and 3H-glycoconjugates were shown to be -O-linked mucin-like glycoproteins and proteoglycans. These results show that cultured HTG cells synthesize some of the macromolecules identified in bronchial secretions.