Role of β3 subunit of the GABA type A receptor in triple negative breast cancer proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for its heterogeneous nature and aggressive onset. The unresponsiveness to hormone therapies and immunotherapy and the toxicity of chemotherapeutics account for the limited treatment options for TNBC. Ion channels have emerged as possible therapeutic candidates for cancer therapy, but little is known about how ligand gated ion channels, specifically, GABA type A ligand-gated ion channel receptors (GABAAR), affect cancer pathogenesis. Our results show that the GABAA β3 subunit is expressed at higher levels in TNBC cell lines than non-tumorigenic cells, therefore contributing to the idea that limiting the GABAAR via knockdown of the GABAA β3 subunit is a potential strategy for decreasing the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells. We employed pharmacological and genetic approaches to investigate the role of the GABAA β3 subunit in TNBC proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression. The results suggest that pharmacological antagonism or genetic knockdown of GABAA β3 subunit decreases TNBC proliferation and migration. In addition, GABAA β3 subunit knockdown causes cell cycle arrest in TNBC cell lines via decreased cyclin D1 and increased p21 expression. Our findings suggest that membrane bound GABAA receptors containing the β3 subunit can be further developed as a potential novel target for the treatment of TNBC.

Marine transmissible cancer navigates urbanized waters, threatening spillover

Inter-individual transmission of cancer cells represents a unique form of microparasites increasingly reported in marine bivalves. In this study, we sought to understand the ecology of the propagation of Mytilus trossulus Bivalve Transmissible Neoplasia 2 (MtrBTN2), a transmissible cancer affecting four Mytilus mussel species worldwide. We investigated the prevalence of MtrBTN2 in the mosaic hybrid zone of M. edulis and M. galloprovincialis along the French Atlantic coast, sampling contrasting natural and anthropogenic habitats. We observed a similar prevalence in both species, probably due to the spatial proximity of the two species in this region. Our results showed that ports had higher prevalence of MtrBTN2, with a possible hotspot observed at a shuttle landing dock. No cancer was found in natural beds except for two sites close to the hotspot, suggesting spillover. Ports may provide favourable conditions for the transmission of MtrBTN2, such as high mussel density, stressful conditions, sheltered and confined shores or buffered temperatures. Ships may also spread the disease through biofouling. Our results suggest ports may serve as epidemiological hubs, with maritime routes providing artificial gateways for MtrBTN2 propagation. This highlights the importance of preventing biofouling on docks and ship hulls to limit the spread of marine pathogens hosted by fouling species.

Transcriptomics of mussel transmissible cancer MtrBTN2 suggests accumulation of multiple cancer traits and oncogenic pathways shared among bilaterians

Transmissible cancer cell lines are rare biological entities giving rise to diseases at the crossroads of cancer and parasitic diseases. These malignant cells have acquired the amazing capacity to spread from host to host. They have been described only in dogs, Tasmanian devils and marine bivalves. The Mytilus trossulus bivalve transmissible neoplasia 2 (MtrBTN2) lineage has even acquired the capacity to spread inter-specifically between marine mussels of the Mytilus edulis complex worldwide. To identify the oncogenic processes underpinning the biology of these atypical cancers we performed transcriptomics of MtrBTN2 cells. Differential expression, enrichment, protein-protein interaction network, and targeted analyses were used. Overall, our results suggest the accumulation of multiple cancerous traits that may be linked to the long-term evolution of MtrBTN2. We also highlight that vertebrate and lophotrochozoan cancers could share a large panel of common drivers, which supports the hypothesis of an ancient origin of oncogenic processes in bilaterians.

Multimodal immune cell phenotyping in GI biopsies reveals microbiome-related T cell modulations in human GvHD

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) is a significant complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT), but major factors determining disease severity are not well defined yet. By combining multiplexed tissue imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing on gastrointestinal biopsies from aHSCT-treated individuals with fecal microbiome analysis, we link high microbiome diversity and the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria to the sustenance of suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). Furthermore, aGvHD severity strongly associates with the clonal expansion of mainly CD8 T cells, which we find distributed over anatomically distant regions of the gut, persistent over time, and inversely correlated with the presence of suppressive Tregs. Overall, our study highlights the pathophysiological importance of expanded CD8 T cell clones in the progression of aGvHD toward more severe clinical manifestations and strongly supports the further development of microbiome interventions as GvHD treatment via repopulation of the gut Treg niche to suppress inflammation.

Recruitment of epitope-specific T cell clones with a low-avidity threshold supports efficacy against mutational escape upon re-infection

Repetitive pathogen exposure leads to the dominant outgrowth of T cell clones with high T cell receptor (TCR) affinity to the relevant pathogen-associated antigens. However, low-affinity clones are also known to expand and form immunological memory. While these low-affinity clones contribute less immunity to the original pathogen, their role in protection against pathogens harboring immune escape mutations remains unclear. Based on identification of the TCR repertoire and functionality landscape of naive epitope-specific CD8⁺ T cells, we reconstructed defined repertoires that could be followed as polyclonal populations during immune responses in vivo. We found that selective clonal expansion is governed by clear TCR avidity thresholds. Simultaneously, initial recruitment of broad TCR repertoires provided a polyclonal niche from which flexible secondary responses to mutant epitopes could be recalled. Elucidating how T cell responses develop "from scratch" is informative for the development of enhanced immunotherapies and vaccines.

Long-term persistence and functionality of adoptively transferred antigen-specific T cells with genetically ablated PD-1 expression

Engagement of the inhibitory T cell receptor programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) associates with dysfunctional states of pathogen- or tumor-specific T cells. Accordingly, systemic antibody-mediated blockade of PD-1 has become a central target for immunotherapies but is also associated with severe toxicities due to loss of peripheral tolerance. Therefore, selective ablation of PD-1 expression on adoptively transferred T cells through direct genetic knockout (KO) is currently being explored as an alternative therapeutic approach. However, since PD-1 might also be required for the regulation of physiological T cell function and differentiation, the suitability of PD-1 as an engineering target is controversial. In this study, we systematically investigated the maintenance of T cell functionality after CRISPR/Cas9-mediated PD-1 KO in vivo during and after acute and chronic antigen encounter. Under all tested conditions, PD-1 ablation preserved the persistence, differentiation, and memory formation of adoptively transferred receptor transgenic T cells. Functional PD-1 KO T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting CD19 could be robustly detected for over 390 d in a syngeneic immunocompetent mouse model, in which constant antigen exposure was provided by continuous B cell renewal, representing the longest in vivo follow-up of CAR-T cells described to date. PD-1 KO CAR-T cells showed no evidence for malignant transformation during the entire observation period. Our data demonstrate that genetic ablation of PD-1 does not impair functionality and longevity of adoptively transferred T cells per se and therefore may be pursued more generally in engineered T cell-based immunotherapy to overcome a central immunosuppressive axis.

Signatures of recent activation identify a circulating T cell compartment containing tumor-specific antigen receptors with high avidity

T cell receptor (TCR) avidity is assumed to be a major determinant of the spatiotemporal fate and protective capacity of tumor-specific T cells. However, monitoring polyclonal T cell responses with known TCR avidities in vivo over space and time remains challenging. Here, we investigated the fate and functionality of tumor neoantigen-specific T cells with TCRs of distinct avidities in a well-established, reductionist preclinical tumor model and human patients with melanoma. To this end, we used polyclonal T cell transfers with in-depth characterized TCRs together with flow cytometric phenotyping in mice inoculated with MC38 OVA tumors. Transfer of T cells from retrogenic mice harboring TCRs with high avidity resulted in best tumor protection. Unexpectedly, we found that both high- and low-avidity T cells are similarly abundant within the tumor and adopt concordant phenotypic signs of exhaustion. Outside the tumor, high-avidity TCR T cells were not generally overrepresented but, instead, selectively enriched in T cell populations with intermediate PD-1 protein expression. Single-cell sequencing of neoantigen-specific T cells from two patients with melanoma-combined with transgenic reexpression of identified TCRs by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated orthotopic TCR replacement-revealed high-functionality TCRs to be enriched in T cells with RNA signatures of recent activation. Furthermore, of 130 surface protein candidates, PD-1 surface expression was most consistently enriched in functional TCRs. Together, our findings show that tumor-reactive TCRs with high protective capacity circulating in peripheral blood are characterized by a signature of recent activation.

Recruitment of highly cytotoxic CD8+ T cell receptors in mild SARS-CoV-2 infection

T cell immunity is crucial for control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and has been studied widely on a quantitative level. However, the quality of responses, in particular of CD8⁺ T cells, has only been investigated marginally so far. Here, we isolate T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires specific for immunodominant SARS-CoV-2 epitopes restricted to common human Leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules in convalescent individuals. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8⁺ T cells are detected up to 12 months after infection. TCR repertoires are diverse, with heterogeneous functional avidity and cytotoxicity toward virus-infected cells, as demonstrated for TCR-engineered T cells. High TCR functionality correlates with gene signatures that, remarkably, could be retrieved for each epitope:HLA combination analyzed. Overall, our data demonstrate that polyclonal and highly functional CD8⁺ TCRs—classic features of protective immunity—are recruited upon mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing tools to assess the quality of and potentially restore functional CD8⁺ T cell immunity.

Traits of a mussel transmissible cancer are reminiscent of a parasitic life style

Some cancers have evolved the ability to spread from host to host by transmission of cancerous cells. These rare biological entities can be considered parasites with a host-related genome. Still, we know little about their specific adaptation to a parasitic lifestyle. MtrBTN2 is one of the few lineages of transmissible cancers known in the animal kingdom. Reported worldwide, MtrBTN2 infects marine mussels. We isolated MtrBTN2 cells circulating in the hemolymph of cancerous mussels and investigated their phenotypic traits. We found that MtrBTN2 cells had remarkable survival capacities in seawater, much higher than normal hemocytes. With almost 100% cell survival over three days, they increase significantly their chances to infect neighboring hosts. MtrBTN2 also triggered an aggressive cancerous process: proliferation in mussels was ~ 17 times higher than normal hemocytes (mean doubling time of ~ 3 days), thereby favoring a rapid increase of intra-host population size. MtrBTN2 appears to induce host castration, thereby favoring resources re-allocation to the parasites and increasing the host carrying capacity. Altogether, our results highlight a series of traits of MtrBTN2 consistent with a marine parasitic lifestyle that may have contributed to the success of its persistence and dissemination in different mussel populations across the globe.

Targeted T cell receptor gene editing provides predictable T cell product function for immunotherapy

Adoptive transfer of T cells expressing a transgenic T cell receptor (TCR) has the potential to revolutionize immunotherapy of infectious diseases and cancer. However, the generation of defined TCR-transgenic T cell medicinal products with predictable in vivo function still poses a major challenge and limits broader and more successful application of this "living drug." Here, by studying 51 different TCRs, we show that conventional genetic engineering by viral transduction leads to variable TCR expression and functionality as a result of variable transgene copy numbers and untargeted transgene integration. In contrast, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated TCR replacement enables defined, targeted TCR transgene insertion into the TCR gene locus. Thereby, T cell products display more homogeneous TCR expression similar to physiological T cells. Importantly, increased T cell product homogeneity after targeted TCR gene editing correlates with predictable in vivo T cell responses, which represents a crucial aspect for clinical application in adoptive T cell immunotherapy.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals ex vivo signatures of SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells through 'reverse phenotyping'

The in vivo phenotypic profile of T cells reactive to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 antigens remains poorly understood. Conventional methods to detect antigen-reactive T cells require in vitro antigenic re-stimulation or highly individualized peptide-human leukocyte antigen (pHLA) multimers. Here, we use single-cell RNA sequencing to identify and profile SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. To do so, we induce transcriptional shifts by antigenic stimulation in vitro and take advantage of natural T cell receptor (TCR) sequences of clonally expanded T cells as barcodes for 'reverse phenotyping'. This allows identification of SARS-CoV-2-reactive TCRs and reveals phenotypic effects introduced by antigen-specific stimulation. We characterize transcriptional signatures of currently and previously activated SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells, and show correspondence with phenotypes of T cells from the respiratory tract of patients with severe disease in the presence or absence of virus in independent cohorts. Reverse phenotyping is a powerful tool to provide an integrated insight into cellular states of SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells across tissues and activation states.

A T-cell reporter platform for high-throughput and reliable investigation of TCR function and biology

Objective

Transgenic re‐expression enables unbiased investigation of T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐intrinsic characteristics detached from its original cellular context. Recent advancements in TCR repertoire sequencing and development of protocols for direct cloning of full TCRαβ constructs now facilitate large‐scale transgenic TCR re‐expression. Together, this offers unprecedented opportunities for the screening of TCRs for basic research as well as clinical use. However, the functional characterisation of re‐expressed TCRs is still a complicated and laborious matter. Here, we propose a Jurkat‐based triple parameter TCR signalling reporter endogenous TCR knockout cellular platform (TPR^KO) that offers an unbiased, easy read‐out of TCR functionality and facilitates high‐throughput screening approaches.

Methods

As a proof‐of‐concept, we transgenically re‐expressed 59 human cytomegalovirus‐specific TCRs and systematically investigated and compared TCR function in TPR^KO cells versus primary human T cells.

Results

We demonstrate that the TPR^KO cell line facilitates antigen‐HLA specificity screening via sensitive peptide‐MHC‐multimer staining, which was highly comparable to primary T cells. Also, TCR functional avidity in TPR^KO cells was strongly correlating to primary T cells, especially in the absence of CD8αβ co‐receptor.

Conclusion

Overall, our data show that the TPR^KO cell lines can serve as a surrogate of primary human T cells for standardised and high‐throughput investigation of TCR biology.

The CMV-Specific CD8+ T Cell Response Is Dominated by Supra-Public Clonotypes with High Generation Probabilities

Evolutionary processes govern the selection of T cell clonotypes that are optimally suited to mediate efficient antigen-specific immune responses against pathogens and tumors. While the theoretical diversity of T cell receptor (TCR) sequences is vast, the antigen-specific TCR repertoire is restricted by its peptide epitope and the presenting major histocompatibility complex (pMHC). It remains unclear how many TCR sequences are recruited into an antigen-specific T cell response, both within and across different organisms, and which factors shape both of these distributions. Infection of mice with ovalbumin-expressing cytomegalovirus (IE2-OVA-mCMV) represents a well-studied model system to investigate T cell responses given their size and longevity. Here we investigated > 180,000 H2k^b/SIINFEKL-recognizing TCR CDR3α or CDR3β sequences from 25 individual mice spanning seven different time points during acute infection and memory inflation. In-depth repertoire analysis revealed that from a pool of highly diverse, but overall limited sequences, T cell responses were dominated by public clonotypes, partly with unexpectedly extreme degrees of sharedness between individual mice ("supra-public clonotypes"). Public clonotypes were found exclusively in a fraction of TCRs with a high generation probability. Generation probability and degree of sharedness select for highly functional TCRs, possibly mediated through elevating intraindividual precursor frequencies of clonotypes.

The structural basis for the functional comparability of factor VIII and the long-acting variant recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein

Essentials Recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) Fc fusion protein has a 1.5-fold longer half-life than rFVIII. Five orthogonal methods were used to characterize the structure of rFVIIIFc compared to rFVIII. The C-terminal Fc fusion does not perturb the structure of FVIII in rFVIIIFc. The FVIII and Fc components of rFVIIIFc are flexibly tethered and functionally independent.

SUMMARY

Background Fusion of the human IgG1 Fc domain to the C-terminal C2 domain of B-domain-deleted (BDD) factor VIII (FVIII) results in the recombinant FVIII Fc (rFVIIIFc) fusion protein, which has a 1.5-fold longer half-life in humans. Objective To assess the structural properties of rFVIIIFc by comparing its constituent FVIII and Fc elements with their respective isolated components, and evaluating their structural independence within rFVIIIFc. Methods rFVIIIFc and its isolated FVIII and Fc components were compared by the use of hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). The structure of rFVIIIFc was also evaluated by the use of X-ray crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and electron microscopy (EM). The degree of steric interference by the appended Fc domain was assessed by EM and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Results HDX-MS analysis of rFVIIIFc revealed that fusion caused no structural perturbations in FVIII or Fc. The rFVIIIFc crystal structure showed that the FVIII component is indistinguishable from published BDD FVIII structures. The Fc domain was not observed, indicating high mobility. SAXS analysis was consistent with an ensemble of rigid-body models in which the Fc domain exists in a largely extended orientation relative to FVIII. Binding of Fab fragments of anti-C2 domain antibodies to BDD FVIII was visualized by EM, and the affinities of the corresponding intact antibodies for BDD FVIII and rFVIIIFc were comparable by SPR analysis. Conclusions The FVIII and Fc components of rFVIIIFc are structurally indistinguishable from their isolated constituents, and show a high degree of structural independence, consistent with the functional comparability of rFVIIIFc and unmodified FVIII.

Guanine-modified inhibitory oligonucleotides efficiently impair TLR7- and TLR9-mediated immune responses of human immune cells

Activation of TLR7 and TLR9 by endogenous RNA- or DNA-containing ligands, respectively, is thought to contribute to the complicated pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These ligands induce the release of type-I interferons by plasmacytoid dendritic cells and autoreactive antibodies by B-cells, both responses being key events in perpetuating SLE. We recently described the development of inhibitory oligonucleotides (INH-ODN), which are characterized by a phosphorothioate backbone, a CC(T)XXX3-5GGG motif and a chemical modification of the G-quartet to avoid the formation of higher order structures via intermolecular G-tetrads. These INH-ODNs were equally or significantly more efficient to impair TLR7- and TLR9-stimulated murine B-cells, macrophages, conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells than the parent INH-ODN 2088, which lacks G-modification. Here, we evaluate the inhibitory/therapeutic potential of our set of G-modified INH-ODN on human immune cells. We report the novel finding that G-modified INH-ODNs efficiently inhibited the release of IFN-α by PBMC stimulated either with the TLR7-ligand oligoribonucleotide (ORN) 22075 or the TLR9-ligand CpG-ODN 2216. G-modification of INH-ODNs significantly improved inhibition of IL-6 release by PBMCs and purified human B-cells stimulated with the TLR7-ligand imiquimod or the TLR9-ligand CpG-ODN 2006. Furthermore, inhibition of B-cell activation analyzed by expression of activation markers and intracellular ATP content was significantly improved by G-modification. As observed with murine B-cells, high concentrations of INH-ODN 2088 but not of G-modified INH-ODNs stimulated IL-6 secretion by PBMCs in the absence of TLR-ligands thus limiting its blocking efficacy. In summary, G-modification of INH-ODNs improved their ability to impair TLR7- and TLR9-mediated signaling in those human immune cells which are considered as crucial in the pathophysiology of SLE.

Guanine modification of inhibitory oligonucleotides potentiates their suppressive function

Inhibitory TLR7 and/or TLR9 oligonucleotides (inhibitory oligonucleotide [INH-ODN]) are characterized by a phosphorothioate backbone and a CC(T)XXX₃₋₅GGG motif, respectively. INH-ODN 2088 is a prototypic member of this class of INH-ODN and acts as a TLR7 and TLR9 antagonist. It contains a G quadruple that leads to higher order structures by the formation of G tetrads. These structures are unfavorable for the prediction of their pharmacological and immunological behavior. We show in this study that modification of Gs within the G quadruple by 7-deaza-guanine or 7-deaza-2'-O-methyl-guanine avoids higher order structures and improves their inhibitory potential. Whereas TLR9-induced TNF-α secretion of bone marrow-derived macrophages and conventional dendritic cells was equally inhibited by INH-ODN 2088 and G-modified INH-ODNs such as INH-ODN 24888, TLR7-induced TNF-α release and TLR7- and TLR9-induced IL-12p40 release were significantly more impaired by G-modified INH-ODNs. Similarly, the IL-6 release of B cells from wild-type and autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice was more efficiently impaired by G-modified INH-ODNs. Surprisingly, INH-ODN 2088 stimulated B cells to proliferate when used in higher doses. Finally, in vivo, in wild-type and autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice, G-modified INH-ODN 24888 was significantly more efficient than unmodified INH-ODN 2088. In summary, G modification allows the development of INH-ODNs with superior inhibitory potency for inflammatory diseases with high medical need such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

Mechanism of DNA substrate recognition by the mammalian DNA repair enzyme, Polynucleotide Kinase

Mammalian polynucleotide kinase (mPNK) is a critical DNA repair enzyme whose 5'-kinase and 3'-phoshatase activities function with poorly understood but striking specificity to restore 5'-phosphate/3'-hydroxyl termini at sites of DNA damage. Here we integrated site-directed mutagenesis and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) combined with advanced computational approaches to characterize the conformational variability and DNA-binding properties of mPNK. The flexible attachment of the FHA domain to the catalytic segment, elucidated by SAXS, enables the interactions of mPNK with diverse DNA substrates and protein partners required for effective orchestration of DNA end repair. Point mutations surrounding the kinase active site identified two substrate recognition surfaces positioned to contact distinct regions on either side of the phosphorylated 5'-hydroxyl. DNA substrates bind across the kinase active site cleft to position the double-stranded portion upstream of the 5'-hydroxyl on one side, and the 3'-overhang on the opposite side. The bipartite DNA-binding surface of the mPNK kinase domain explains its preference for recessed 5'-termini, structures that would be encountered in the course of DNA strand break repair.

Effects of N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine-N-oxides on the activity of purified sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase

N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine-N-oxides (CnNO, n = 10-20 is the number of alkyl carbon atoms) stimulate the skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase activity at low concentrations and inhibit it at high concentrations. The minimum concentration (cmin), at which CnNO inhibits the ATPase, continuously decreases up to n = 16-18 and then increases. The values of Cmin are smaller than the CnNO critical micelle concentration (cmc) for C10NO-C14NO homologs, but larger than cmc for C18NO-C20NO homologs. The ATPase inhibition is caused by the CnNO-induced lipid bilayer structural perturbation in the ATPase annular region, modulated by the partition equilibria of the CnNO molecules between the bilayer and aqueous phase for short alkyl chain (n = 10-16) CnNO homologs, and between the bilayer, micelles and aqueous phase for long alkyl chain (n = 18-20) CnNO homologs.

An improved method for the sensitive monitoring of low density lipoprotein modification by myeloperoxidase

The aim of this investigation was to compare an improved fluorometric method with an UV absorbance assay for their ability to monitor low density lipoprotein (LDL) modification by myeloperoxidase (MPO) and to evaluate determining factors influencing the modification of LDL. Using absorbance at 234 nm to study the kinetics of LDL aggregation, and a native fluorescence assay for protein oxidation, we found that all components of the MPO/H2O2/Cl- system may have rate determining effects on LDL modification. While the lipoprotein modification rate correlated positively with enzyme concentration, variation of the concentration of H2O2 had a biphasic effect on the maximal rate of LDL modification with both methods. Furthermore, a positive association was found between the maximal rate of LDL modification and the acidity of the medium, with a pathophysiologically relevant optimal rate at a slightly acidic pH of 5-6, but hardly any modification above pH 6.8. In summary, both methods provide simple and useful tools for the continuous monitoring of LDL modification by the MPO/H2O2/Cl- system, but the more sensitive fluorometric method is preferable, since it allows the application of experimental conditions which are much closer to the situation in vivo.

Mechanism of the interaction of beta(2)-glycoprotein I with negatively charged phospholipid membranes

In an attempt to understand the multifunctional involvement of beta(2)-glycoprotein I (beta(2)GPI) in autoimmune diseases, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory processes, substantial interest is focused on the interaction of beta(2)GPI with negatively charged ligands, in particular, with acidic phospholipids. In this study, unilamellar vesicles composed of cardiolipin were used as in vitro membrane system to test and further refine a model of interaction based on the crystal structure of beta(2)GPI. The data suggest that beta(2)GPI anchors to the membrane surface with its hydrophobic loop adjacent to the positively charged lysine rich region in domain V. Subsequently, beta(2)GPI penetrates the membrane interfacial headgroup region as indicated by a restriction of the lipid side chain mobility, but without formation of a nonbilayer lipid phase. A structural rearrangement of beta(2)GPI upon lipid binding was detected by microcalorimetry and may result in the exposure of cryptic epitopes located in the complement control protein domains. This lipid-dependent conformational change may induce oligomerization of beta(2)GPI and promote intermolecular associations. Thus, the aggregation tendency of beta(2)GPI may serve as the basis for the formation of a molecular link between cells but may also be an essential feature for binding of autoantibodies and hence determine the role of beta(2)GPI in autoimmune diseases.

Species-specific and conserved epitopes on mouse and human E-selectin important for leukocyte adhesion

Selectins are C-type, cell surface lectins that are key players in leukocyte adhesion to the blood vessel wall endothelium. We describe here epitopes for a series of novel monoclonal antibodies (moAbs), UZ4-UZ7, directed against mouse E-selectin. All four antibodies specifically bind to mouse E-selectin, but not to P- or L-selectin, and all inhibit the adhesion of granulocytes, peripheral blood lymphocytes, and promyelocytic HL-60 cells to cytokine-activated mouse endothelium. Three moAbs, UZ5, UZ7, and UZ6, specifically inhibit mouse E-selectin-mediated adhesion by binding to epitopes in domains CR1 or CR2. moAb UZ4 inhibits leukocyte adhesion to both human and murine endothelium activated with IL-1 or other proinflammatory stimuli. UZ4 is the first described moAb that detects an epitope in the lectin domain which is conserved in both murine and human E-selectin (CXKKKL), but is not present in the other members of the selectin family, P- and L-selectin. Interestingly, UZ5, UZ6, and UZ7 more efficiently interfere with lymphocyte than with granulocyte adhesion to cytokine-activated endothelium, while UZ4 completely blocks adhesion of PMN, lymphocytes, and HL-60 and U937 cell lines. The data suggest that E-selectin-ligand engagement differs between lymphocytes and PMN, and that these differences may be accentuated by the CR1 and CR2 domains in the E-selectin cell adhesion molecule.

Comparison of HOCl traps with myeloperoxidase inhibitors in prevention of low density lipoprotein oxidation

In this study, the production of the highly toxic oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl) by the phagocytic enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) was quantitated and the concomitant alterations of low density lipoprotein (LDL) were analyzed in view of the potential role of LDL in atherosclerosis. Using the monochlorodimedone assay, it was found that HOCl is produced in micromolar concentrations. The kinetics of the decrease of tryptophan fluorescence appeared to be a sensitive method to monitor LDL alterations under near in vivo conditions. Therefore, this method was used to subsequently compare the effectiveness of MPO inhibitors that block production of HOCl with compounds that act as HOCl traps. The efficiency of MPO inhibitors to prevent LDL damage increased in the series benzohydroxamic acid < salicylhydroxamic acid < 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole < sodium azide < potassium cyanide < p-hydroxy-benzoic acid hydrazide, while for the HOCl traps the protective efficiency increased in the series glycine < taurine < methionine. We conclude that HOCl traps may have high potential therapeutic impact in vivo due to their low toxicity, although high concentrations of them would have to reach sites of inflammation. In contrast, only low concentrations of a specific MPO inhibitor would be required to irreversibly inhibit the enzyme.

Kinetics of tryptophan oxidation in plasma lipoproteins by myeloperoxidase-generated HOCl

The relative susceptibility of the apoprotein components of human lipoproteins [high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)] and their subclasses to oxidation by the myeloperoxidase/H2O2/Cl- system in vitro was studied by measuring the decrease in rate of tryptophan fluorescence. Whereas the lipoprotein-modification rate showed a saturation type of dependence on the concentration of myeloperoxidase, a biphasic dependence on the concentration of the lipoproteins was found. High concentrations of H2O2 were also found to inhibit tryptophan oxidation in LDL but to a lesser extent in HDL. The optimal rate of LDL and HDL modification was observed at pH 6.0. HDL was modified much more rapidly than LDL, which may be due to differences in size and different relative contents of protein and lipids per particle. No differences in rates of modification of LDL subclasses were observed, when the assays were standardized to equal LDL protein concentrations, but, when standardized to equal particle mass, an optimum at subclass 8 was found, which is probably due to differences in apolipoprotein B-100 conformation. It was concluded that HDL may have a beneficial effect in retarding LDL modification in inflammatory processes.

[Interactions of surfactants with model and biological membranes. XXII. Spectrophotometric determination of partition coefficient of heptacaine, a local anesthetic, between the phospholipid liposome and water phase]

The partition coefficient of the local anaesthetic heptacaine (monohydrochloride of [2-(heptaloxy)phenyl]-2-(1-piperidinyl)ethyl ester of carbamic acid) between unilamellar liposomes prepared from chromatographically pure egg yolk phosphatidylcholine and the aqueous phase (NaCl solution, ionic strength I = 0,1,pH 4,5, temperature t = 20 degrees C) was determined using UV-VIS spectrophotometry. The contribution to the anaesthetic spectra due to light scattering on liposomes was eliminated numerically using the scattering function. This procedure gave more precise results than the subtraction of liposomes spectra. The values of the partition coefficient defined with the use of molar concentrations, weight concentrations and molar fractions estimated at a wavelength of lambda = 292 nm were Kp = 1116 +/- 49, Kp(m) = 1098 +/- 48 and Kp(x) = 47575 +/- 2089, respectively.

Immobilization of galactosyltransferase and continuous galactosylation of glycoproteins in a reactor

We immobilized human milk galactosyltransferase covalently to CNBr- and tresylchloride-activated Sepharose. The enzyme was also immobilized non-covalently to Concanavalin A-Sepharose and to monoclonal anti-galactosyltransferase antibodies which were bound via their Fc-fragment to Protein G-Sepharose. With the covalent methods, up to 72% of the enzyme could be bound to the carrier, but more than 90% of the specific activity was lost. In contrast, non-covalent immobilization yielded only about 50% immobilization efficiency, but 21% and 25% of specific activity, respectively, could be recovered. The stability of immobilized galactosyltransferase as compared to native enzyme was considerably increased: at room temperature, 55% of initial immobilized activity was lost after 65 hours compared to 95% of loss of soluble enzyme activity. Immobilized galactosyltransferase was then used for continuous galactosylation of the glycoproteins ovalbumin, endo H-treated yeast invertase and bovine serum albumin-N-acetylglucosamine in a "slurry" reactor. 55%, 35% and 25%, respectively, of all acceptor sites on these glycoproteins could be galactosylated by this method.

Prescription-writing by pediatric house officers

Prescription-writing is an important aspect of medical practice. Illegible and/or incorrect prescriptions can result in loss of patient, physician, and pharmacist time and may cause therapeutic errors or drug toxicity. An examination to evaluate prescription-writing was administered to a group of pediatric house officers and faculty. Follow-up monitoring of actual prescriptions written in the pediatric clinic was performed. Deficient prescription-writing techniques and weakness in the therapeutic knowledge of beginning pediatric interns were identified. The data indicate that proper prescription-writing (especially the use of controlled substances) should be taught to house officers and that the therapeutic knowledge of beginning pediatric interns cannot be assumed to be adequate.