Poisson-like fluctuation patterns of revertants of leucine auxotrophy (leu-500) in Salmonella typhimurium caused by delay in mutant cell division

Leu+ mutants from Salmonella typhimurium leu-500 strain MA412 arise at high frequencies and mutant colonies appear over a broad range of time on selective plates. This observation suggested that these Leu+ mutants might be induced or "directed."= If such a mechanism was responsible, mutants should originate on selective plates rather than in the preceding culture in nonselective conditions and should give rise to Poisson-like fluctuation curves upon plating of sister cultures on selective medium. Poisson-like distribution profiles were indeed observed for Leu+ mutants of S. typhimurium MA412. However, an explanation for the observed Poisson-like fluctuation patterns without a need for selection-induced mutations was found. Microscopical analysis and cell mass/viable count measurements showed that the size of Leu+ mutant cells was often much larger than those of nonmutants. This size difference was a stable characteristic of a large proportion of Leu+ mutants, was observed both in stationary and growing culture and did not measurably affect the division rates of the cells in nutrient broth. As the transition from normal-sized nonmutant to oversized mutant cells during the nonselective culture phase of the fluctuation experiment may have been accompanied by a period with no or few completed cell division cycles, the number of mutant offspring may have been smaller than that of sibling nonmutants. Such underrepresentation of mutants in the final culture is expected to give rise to Poisson-like fluctuation patterns without invoking "directed" mutations.

Exogenous Isolation of Mobilizing Plasmids from Polluted Soils and Sludges

Exogenous plasmid isolation was used to assess the presence of mobilizing plasmids in several soils and activated sludges. Triparental matings were performed with Escherichia coli (a member of the γ subgroup of the Proteobacteria ) as the donor of an IncQ plasmid (pMOL155, containing the heavy metal resistance genes czc : Co r , Zn r , and Cd r ), Alcaligenes eutrophus (a member of the β subgroup of the Proteobacteria ) as the recipient, and indigenous microorganisms from soil and sludge samples as helper strains. We developed an assay to assess the plasmid mobilization potential of a soil ecosystem on the basis of the number of transconjugants obtained after exogenous isolations. After inoculation into soil of several concentrations of a helper strain ( E. coli CM120 harboring IncP [IncP1] mobilizing plasmid RP4), the log numbers of transconjugants obtained from exogenous isolations with different soil samples were a linear function of the log numbers of helper strain CM120(RP4) present in the soils. Four soils were analyzed for the presence of mobilizing elements, and mobilizing plasmids were isolated from two of these soils. Several sludge samples from different wastewater treatment plants yielded much higher numbers of transconjugants than the soil samples, indicating that higher numbers of mobilizing strains were present. The mobilizing plasmids isolated from Gent-O sludge and one plasmid isolated from Eislingen soil hybridized to the repP probe, whereas the plasmids isolated from Essen soil did not hybridize to a large number of rep probes (repFIC, repHI1, repH12, repL/M, repN, repP, repT, repU, repW, repX). This indicates that in Essen soil, broad-host-range mobilizing plasmids belonging to other incompatibility groups may be present.

Rapid method for purification of soil DNA for hybridization and PCR analysis

Monitoring of microbial DNA in soils by dot blot hybridization and PCR analysis is a useful technique for gaining insight into the survival and impact of genetically modified micro-organisms released in the environment. Most methods of DNA isolation from soils require a large number of purification steps rendering them unsuitable for quantitative analysis of multiple samples. Here we describe a very rapid method for the isolation and purification of multiple samples of soil DNA that can be used directly for dot blot hybridization and PCR analysis. Soil DNA extracts are prepared by lysozyme/SDS treatment at pH 9.0 and purified by ammonium acetate precipitation and Sephadex G50 gel filtration. In a practical application of this method, sandy soil samples were seeded with Alcaligenes eutrophus cells and exposed to high temperature (42 degrees C) or desiccation. As a result, the number of culturable A. eutrophus cells which could be recovered from the soil samples quickly declined. However, the concentration of a marker gene encoding resistance to cadmium, cobalt and zinc (czc) remained unaltered.

Synergistic toxicity of IFN-gamma-producing Escherichia coli K12 cells

Genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) are frequently used as producers of mammalian immunomodulatory proteins, e.g. interferons and interleukins. Here we have examined the question of whether such GMMs interact in a way different from that of their non-modified parent micro-organisms with mammalian antimicrobial defence systems. As a typical GMM host micro-organism we used Escherichia coli K12, and as a typical immunomodulatory protein produced by a GMM we used mouse interferon-gamma (MuIFN-gamma). Two experimental systems are described in which synergistic "toxic" biological effects are induced by a combined treatment with E. coli and MuIFN-gamma but not, or less so, by the parental strain and the recombinant protein separately. First, it is shown that the IFN-gamma-producing GMM, or mixtures of E. coli cells and IFN-gamma, are cytolytic for mouse embryo fibroblastoid cells (MEF), whereas no cell killing occurs in MEF cultures treated with control E. coli cells or in those treated with bacteria-free recombinant IFN-gamma. Second, it is demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection in mice of high but not low numbers of control E. coli K12 cells induces a shock-like mortality, whereas co-injection with IFN-gamma induces killing at low numbers. IFN-gamma-producing E. coli cells cause a mortality rate that does not differ from that of control E. coli cells, probably because in these experimental conditions the level of recombinant MuIFN-gamma per cell is insufficiently high. Taken together, these data indicate that synergistic toxic effects induced by bacteria and their recombinant products can occur and may in certain situations enhance the intrinsic toxic capacity of the GMM. Synergistic toxic effects may thus be of relevance for identifying the safety level that should be employed when working with GMMs.

Interferon-gamma/lipopolysaccharide-treated mouse embryonic fibroblasts are killed by a glycolysis/L-arginine-dependent process accompanied by depression of mitochondrial respiration

Normal mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) are killed by treatment with low doses of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This cytotoxicity has previously been shown to represent an active suicidal reaction. Here we show that the time period between first contact with IFN-gamma/LPS (t = 0 h) and cell death (t = 48 h) can be separated into two distinct periods, during which glycolytic metabolism of glucose either has a positive (8-24 h) or a negative (30-48 h) effect on cytotoxicity. During the first period (8-24 h), withdrawal of glucose from the culture medium, or inclusion in the medium of the glycolytic inhibitors deoxy-D-glucose, NaF or iodoacetate, prevented later cell death. During the second period (30-48 h), withdrawal of glucose or supplementation of the culture medium with glycolytic inhibitors was no longer protective; instead it was a requirement for cell suicide to occur. Glycolytic activity during the first period was found to be increased twofold in LPS-treated MEF and almost threefold in IFN-gamma/LPS-treated MEF. A variety of agents were found both to protect cells against IFN-gamma/LPS-induced cytotoxicity and to inhibit increased glycolysis in these cells: glucocorticoids, the serine-type protease inhibitor N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine-beta-naphthyl ester, the ADP-ribosylation inhibitors 3-aminobenzamide and nicotinamide, and the transcription and translation inhibitors actinomycin and cycloheximide. Mitochondrial function, although normal in LPS-treated cells, was markedly depressed in IFN-gamma/LPS-treated MEF. Specifically, malate- and succinate-driven respiration was found to be impaired. Furthermore, IFN-gamma/LPS-treated MEF contained one-third of the ATP level of LPS-treated MEF. Withdrawal of L-arginine from the culture medium prevented cell death in IFN-gamma/LPS-treated MEF. N-Methyl-L-arginine, which is an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO.) biosynthesis from L-arginine, also inhibited cell death. In conclusion, we propose that cell death in our experiments is due to an L-arginine/glycolysis-dependent impairment of mitochondrial respiration.

Engineering by PCR-based exon amplification of the genomic porcine interferon-gamma DNA for expression in Escherichia coli

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is coded for by a single gene containing three introns, localized within the coding region. We have previously cloned the IFN-gamma gene from a pig genomic DNA lambda library and have determined its nucleotide sequence. In order to construct the porcine IFN-gamma DNA without intervening sequence, the four exons were separately amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers matching the exon-termini. From the amplified exon-fragments the complete intron-free DNA was obtained by a strategy consisting of alternate rounds of PCR and ligation. The sequence so-obtained was used for expression in E. coli. The recombinant protein appeared as inclusion bodies which were solubilized and refolded in order to obtain biologically active IFN-gamma.

Severe cachexia in mice inoculated with interferon-gamma-producing tumor cells

Nude mice were inoculated with CHO/IFN-gamma cells, a line of Chinese hamster ovary tumor cells, that had been genetically engineered to produce murine IFN-gamma. Severe cachexia, as evident from body weight loss and reduced food intake, occurred in these mice, but not in those injected with CHO/control cells, i.e. the original, non-IFN-gamma-producing line. The essential role of IFN-gamma in the pathogenesis of cachexia was confirmed by the demonstration that monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against IFN-gamma, given prior to injection of the tumor cells, prevented cachexia. In addition to IFN-gamma, the presence of the tumor cells was also required for cachexia to develop. As evident from pair-feeding experiments, reduced food intake could only partially account for the rapid and extensive body-weight loss. Cachexia was characterized by a marked reduction in the amount of interscapular fat tissue. Injected tumor cells exclusively invaded intraperitoneal adipose tissue and elicited an inflammatory cell infiltrate, indicating that interscapular fat loss was due to humoral factors. Our data suggest that, among the humoral factors responsible for cancer-associated cachexia, IFN-gamma plays a prominent role.

Murine interferon-gamma/interleukin-1 fusion proteins used as antigens for the generation of hybridomas producing monoclonal anti-interleukin-1 antibodies

In several biological systems interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) act synergistically. We therefore examined whether it would be possible to construct IFN-gamma/IL-1 hybrid proteins that would be more active than the individual components. Hybrid proteins were examined that consisted of the amino-terminal 118 residues of mouse IFN-gamma and the 156 or 152 carboxyl-terminal residues of mouse IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta, respectively. They were obtained by ligation of the respective coding sequences and expression of the fused genes under control of the PL promotor in Escherichia coli. Both the IFN-gamma/IL-1 alpha and the IFN-gamma/IL-1 beta fusion proteins were purified by affinity chromatography on an anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody column. Analysis of biological activities showed that these fusion proteins were less active than the individual cytokines. Specific antiviral activity of the IFN-gamma/IL-1 beta hybrids was less than 0.1% that of IFN-gamma and D10.G4.1 T-cell proliferative (IL-1) activity amounted to 0.1% that of mouse IL-1. Affinity-purified preparations of the IFN-gamma/IL-1 alpha hybrid were found to contain variable proportions of a Mr 14,000 degradation product possessing IFN-gamma activity, whereas the undegraded Mr 30,000 fusion protein, while being devoid of detectable IFN-gamma activity, did possess IL-1 activity (1%). Serum from rats immunized with the IFN-gamma/IL-1 alpha hybrid contained high levels of IL-1 alpha-binding and -neutralizing antibodies and IFN-gamma-binding antibodies, but no detectable levels of IFN-gamma-neutralizing antibodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chicken macrophage activation by interferon: do birds lack the molecular homologue of mammalian interferon-gamma?

In mammalian species, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a lymphokine with a wide range of biological effects, of which the antiviral and macrophage-activating capacities are those best characterized. In birds, no equivalent with a similar range of actions has as yet been isolated. Chicken splenocytes were stimulated by mitogens in conditions that were similar to those used for the induction of mammalian IFN-gamma. Culture fluids were assayed for antiviral and macrophage-activating capacities. As much as 1000 units/ml of an interferon-like antiviral activity was found in the culture fluid of Staphylococcus aureus lysate-induced spleen cells. Seroneutralization assays with a polyclonal antiserum against purified interferon and physicochemical studies revealed that the antiviral activity is identical to or closely related to type I interferon (interferon-alpha/beta). The presence of macrophage activating factors (MAF) in the splenocyte medium was demonstrated by measuring increased production of H2O2 by chicken peritoneal macrophage cultures and a chicken macrophage cell line (HD11). The heat stability of this MAF activity was similar to that of the antiviral factor, and was completely neutralized by the anti-IFN-alpha/beta antiserum. These results show that when the classical procedure used for the production of mammalian IFN-gamma is applied to chicken splenocytes, it does not yield an equivalent for IFN-gamma/MAF. This suggests that the classification of interferons into types (alpha, beta and gamma), while generally applicable in mammals, may not be applicable in birds.

Interferon gamma, a mediator of lethal lipopolysaccharide-induced Shwartzman-like shock reactions in mice

The involvement of cytokines in the pathogenesis of a generalized, Shwartzman-like lethal inflammatory response to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) was studied by testing the ability of cytokines or neutralizing anticytokine antibodies to modify the course of the syndrome. The reaction was elicitable in non-SPF NMRI mice by two consecutive injections of S. marcescens LPS: a first injection in the footpad, followed after 24 h by an intravenous dose; the size and route of the preparatory LPS dose were found to be critical. Treatment with mAbs against IFN-gamma was found to completely prevent the reaction. Treatment with IFN-gamma on the other hand, rendered the mice more sensitive to elicitation of the reaction. In contrast, systemic administration of IFN-alpha/beta exerted a desensitizing effect. The role of endogenous cytokines in the pathogenesis of this generalized Shwartzman reaction was also documented by a study of the cytokine levels in the serum of the mice. In comparisons between mice given lethal and nonlethal induction schedules, a good correlation was found between mortality rates and height of IFN or TNF levels, but no correlation was seen with IL-6 levels. Also, in mice that were protected by anti-IFN-gamma antibody, serum IFN and TNF were undetectable, whereas IL-6 levels were as high as in unprotected mice. These data provide evidence that among the cytokines that govern the inflammatory response to LPS, endogenous IFN-gamma occupies a key position. These findings therefore also open perspectives for clinical application of IFN-gamma antagonists.

Interferon-gamma inhibits stimulated adrenocorticotropin, prolactin, and growth hormone secretion in normal rat anterior pituitary cell cultures

Preincubation of rat anterior pituitary (AP) cells with homologous interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of ACTH secretion stimulated by CRF. The effect was seen in both monolayer and aggregate AP cell cultures and was not due to cytotoxicity. In monolayer cultures IFN-gamma also inhibited PRL and GH release stimulated by various hypothalamic releasing factors. IFN-gamma did not affect the time kinetics of the ACTH response to CRF. The dose needed for half-maximal inhibition amounted to approximately 1 (antiviral) U/ml. The effect of IFN-gamma was abrogated by an IFN-gamma-neutralizing monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, ACTH secretion by the AP cells was not affected by the anti-IFN-gamma antibody added alone, indicating that in the culture system no endogenous IFN-gamma is operational in regulating the ACTH response studied. Of the other cytokines tested [interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-alpha/beta (IFN-alpha/beta)] only TNF-alpha and IL-6 were found to inhibit CRF-stimulated ACTH release, although this inhibition was less pronounced than that caused by IFN-gamma. Lipopolysaccharide, even at high doses, did not significantly inhibit the ACTH response to CRF. These results identify IFN-gamma as one of the inflammatory cytokines that, like IL-1, TNF-alpha, and IL-6, have the potential to regulate pituitary function.

Role of protein kinase C in IFN-mediated Ly-6E antigen induction

The YAC T cell lymphoma normally does not express Ly-6E mRNA or Ly-6E surface molecules but can be induced to do so on incubation with either IFN-gamma or IFN-alpha/beta. This system afforded a model to assess the possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) in IFN-mediated Ly-6E induction. First, we used various pharmacologic agents known to interfere with the function of PKC or other kinases. The PKC inhibitors H-7 and phloretin were found to block Ly-6E induction by IFN-gamma or IFN-alpha/beta both at the mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases (HA1004), of myosin L chain kinase (ML-9, A-3) or of calmodulin (R24157, W-7) failed to suppress this induction. Next, we investigated the effects of the PKC activators PMA and mezerein (MEZ) on Ly-6E expression. Although neither PMA nor MEZ by themselves could induce Ly-6E in YAC cells, both agents enhanced by up to fivefold the induction of Ly-6 mRNA and Ly-6E surface expression triggered by IFN-gamma. However, the induction of Ly-6E expression caused by IFN-alpha/beta was only marginally increased by cotreatment of YAC cells with PMA or MEZ. Altogether, these observations demonstrate that PKC or a related kinase is involved in the transduction mechanisms that lead to Ly-6E induction. However, activation of PKC is not sufficient for this induction and requires other unidentified signal(s) provided by IFN. Our data also indicate that IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha/beta induce Ly-6E through overlapping but distinct intracellular pathways with different sensitivities to PKC activators.

Role of protein kinase C in IFN-mediated Ly-6E antigen induction

The YAC T cell lymphoma normally does not express Ly-6E mRNA or Ly-6E surface molecules but can be induced to do so on incubation with either IFN-gamma or IFN-alpha/beta. This system afforded a model to assess the possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) in IFN-mediated Ly-6E induction. First, we used various pharmacologic agents known to interfere with the function of PKC or other kinases. The PKC inhibitors H-7 and phloretin were found to block Ly-6E induction by IFN-gamma or IFN-alpha/beta both at the mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases (HA1004), of myosin L chain kinase (ML-9, A-3) or of calmodulin (R24157, W-7) failed to suppress this induction. Next, we investigated the effects of the PKC activators PMA and mezerein (MEZ) on Ly-6E expression. Although neither PMA nor MEZ by themselves could induce Ly-6E in YAC cells, both agents enhanced by up to fivefold the induction of Ly-6 mRNA and Ly-6E surface expression triggered by IFN-gamma. However, the induction of Ly-6E expression caused by IFN-alpha/beta was only marginally increased by cotreatment of YAC cells with PMA or MEZ. Altogether, these observations demonstrate that PKC or a related kinase is involved in the transduction mechanisms that lead to Ly-6E induction. However, activation of PKC is not sufficient for this induction and requires other unidentified signal(s) provided by IFN. Our data also indicate that IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha/beta induce Ly-6E through overlapping but distinct intracellular pathways with different sensitivities to PKC activators.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide potentiates gamma interferon-induced cytotoxicity for normal mouse and rat fibroblasts

Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) can be cytolytic for normal mouse fibroblasts isolated from embryonic or adult tissue (R. Dijkmas, B. Decock, H. Heremans, J. Van Damme, and A. Billiau, Lymphokine Res. 8:25-34, 1989). This cytotoxicity has been shown to be transcription and translation dependent, thereby suggesting involvement of a suicidelike mechanism. The dose of IFN-gamma required for cytotoxicity is higher than that needed for antiviral and macrophage activation but can be reduced 10- to 100-fold by cotreatment of the cells with tumor necrosis factor or interleukin-1 (IL-1) or both, two cytokines that by themselves are not toxic for these cells. Here, we show that bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which alone has no effect on the viability of mouse fibroblasts, stimulates cell suicide induced by IFN-gamma. The effect was observed in cultures that were virtually free of nonfibroblastoid cells. LPS showed its toxicity-enhancing effect only if applied on the cells simultaneously with or immediately after treatment with IFN-gamma. Pretreatment of the cells with LPS was ineffective. Inclusion of antibodies directed against tumor necrosis factor alpha or IL-1 alpha in the culture medium did not block the cytotoxic effect of combined IFN-gamma plus LPS treatment. The time courses of cell toxicity appearance in fibroblasts treated with combined IFN-gamma plus LPS or IFN-gamma plus IL-1 were similar. In addition to LPS, heat-killed gram-negative (Escherichia coli) but also gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes) bacteria were found to enhance IFN-gamma-induced cell death. These findings suggest that IFN-gamma formed in vivo during infectious processes directly aggravates tissue destruction.

Enhancement of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in mice by antibodies against IFN-gamma

Acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in C57BL/6J and SJL/J mice by injection of isologous spinal cord homogenate given in conjunction with Bordetella pertussis and Freund's adjuvant. SJL/J mice showed a highly aggressive and 100% lethal form of the disease; C57BL/6J mice were much less susceptible as they had low morbidity rates (20 to 40%), low disease scores, and mostly no mortality. Treatment of these low susceptibility mice with neutralizing mAb against IFN-gamma caused an increase in morbidity rates as well as significant mortality (up to 80%). Similar antibody treatment did not affect the course of the disease in the high susceptibility SJL/J mice. However, treatment of these mice with IFN-gamma resulted in reduced morbidity and mortality. A similar but less pronounced inhibition of the disease in SJL/J mice could be obtained by administration of IFN-alpha/beta or by acute infection with lactate dehydrogenase virus. The results indicate that endogenous as well as exogenous IFN can exert a down-regulating effect on the development of EAE. They also indicate that endogenous IFN-gamma is produced during the development of EAE and plays a disease-limiting role.

Enhancement of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in mice by antibodies against IFN-gamma

Acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in C57BL/6J and SJL/J mice by injection of isologous spinal cord homogenate given in conjunction with Bordetella pertussis and Freund's adjuvant. SJL/J mice showed a highly aggressive and 100% lethal form of the disease; C57BL/6J mice were much less susceptible as they had low morbidity rates (20 to 40%), low disease scores, and mostly no mortality. Treatment of these low susceptibility mice with neutralizing mAb against IFN-gamma caused an increase in morbidity rates as well as significant mortality (up to 80%). Similar antibody treatment did not affect the course of the disease in the high susceptibility SJL/J mice. However, treatment of these mice with IFN-gamma resulted in reduced morbidity and mortality. A similar but less pronounced inhibition of the disease in SJL/J mice could be obtained by administration of IFN-alpha/beta or by acute infection with lactate dehydrogenase virus. The results indicate that endogenous as well as exogenous IFN can exert a down-regulating effect on the development of EAE. They also indicate that endogenous IFN-gamma is produced during the development of EAE and plays a disease-limiting role.

Selective up-regulation by interferon-gamma of surface molecules of the Ly-6 complex in resting T cells: the Ly-6A/E and TAP antigens are preferentially enhanced

Surface molecules encoded by the murine Ly-6 locus can transduce triggering signals in T cells and thus may play important roles in T cell function. Previously, we found that Ly-6 molecules are up-regulated by interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta in resting T cells. Here, we examined the possible influence of IFN-gamma on these molecules. Purified T cells from C57BL/6 (Ly-6.2) and BALB/c (Ly-6.1) mice were incubated in vitro with recombinant murine IFN-gamma and the expression of Ly-6 antigens was measured by flow cytofluorometry. It was found that both Ly-6A/E and T cell-activating protein (TAP) molecules are markedly enhanced while Ly-6C is less affected. Under the same conditions, other T cell surface molecules showed no or marginal changes. The effect of IFN-gamma on Ly-6A/E and TAP expression reached a maximum with as little as 10 U/ml and required only 18-24 h of incubation. Moreover, the enhancement of Ly-6A expression induced by IFN-gamma was stable for at least 5 days. Analysis of T cell subsets further revealed that IFN-gamma-induced augmentation of Ly-6A (C57BL/6 mice) involves both Lyt-2+ and L3T4+ cells while the increase of Ly-6E (BALB/c mice) is more pronounced in Lyt-2+ cells. The functional consequence of these phenotypic alterations was evaluated by studying the mitogenic responses of T cells to antibody-mediated Ly-6 cross-linking in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate. Pretreatment of resting T cells with IFN-gamma dramatically increased the responses to anti-Ly-6A and anti-Ly-6E monoclonal antibodies. IFN-gamma treatment also boosted the stimulation induced by anti-TAP monoclonal antibody when this stimulation was performed under suboptimal conditions. Therefore, IFN-gamma selectively up-regulates the Ly-6A/E and TAP activation pathways in resting T cells. We speculate that this effect may contribute to the immunoregulatory activities of IFN-gamma.

Regulation by interferons of the local inflammatory response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide

Footpad swelling developing in mice after local injection of LPS (S. marcescens) was found to consist of two phases with peaks occurring on days 2 to 3 and 6 to 8, respectively. Histopathologically, the reaction was characterized by edema and mononuclear cell infiltration; the second peak was associated with intravascular thrombosis as is typically described for the Shwartzman reaction to LPS. Recombinant DNA-derived IFN-gamma, administered by i.p. injection, had a suppressive effect on the development of the reaction. The same effect was seen with recombinant DNA-derived IFN-alpha 1 and with the natural mixture of IFN-alpha and -beta. In mice pretreated with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to IFN-gamma, the footpad response to LPS was modified in that a delayed monophasic rather than a biphasic response occurred. These data indicate that LPS induces local production of IFN-gamma, which acts as a trigger or positive regulator of the reaction. The effect of a single pretreatment with neutralizing anti-IFN-gamma antibody was found to last for as long as 6 wk. Experiments in which antibody administration was delayed till after LPS challenge indicated that endogenous IFN-gamma was also involved in the late phases of the inflammation. The results show that regulation of inflammation by interferons is complex in that local IFN-gamma acts as a positive factor, whereas systemic IFN-alpha 1 and -gamma, probably through indirect mechanisms, downregulate inflammation.

Regulation by interferons of the local inflammatory response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide

Footpad swelling developing in mice after local injection of LPS (S. marcescens) was found to consist of two phases with peaks occurring on days 2 to 3 and 6 to 8, respectively. Histopathologically, the reaction was characterized by edema and mononuclear cell infiltration; the second peak was associated with intravascular thrombosis as is typically described for the Shwartzman reaction to LPS. Recombinant DNA-derived IFN-gamma, administered by i.p. injection, had a suppressive effect on the development of the reaction. The same effect was seen with recombinant DNA-derived IFN-alpha 1 and with the natural mixture of IFN-alpha and -beta. In mice pretreated with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to IFN-gamma, the footpad response to LPS was modified in that a delayed monophasic rather than a biphasic response occurred. These data indicate that LPS induces local production of IFN-gamma, which acts as a trigger or positive regulator of the reaction. The effect of a single pretreatment with neutralizing anti-IFN-gamma antibody was found to last for as long as 6 wk. Experiments in which antibody administration was delayed till after LPS challenge indicated that endogenous IFN-gamma was also involved in the late phases of the inflammation. The results show that regulation of inflammation by interferons is complex in that local IFN-gamma acts as a positive factor, whereas systemic IFN-alpha 1 and -gamma, probably through indirect mechanisms, downregulate inflammation.

Human elongation factor 1 alpha: a polymorphic and conserved multigene family with multiple chromosomal localizations

One of the genes activated in human melanoma cells by the tumor-promoting phorbol ester is that of the elongation factor 1 alpha. A cDNA clone containing the complete 3'-end untranslated region and the nucleotide sequences coding for 227 carboxyterminal amino acids was isolated. Computer-assisted comparison with known sequences of elongation factors from other species revealed homologies up to 73% and 63% on amino acid and nucleotide sequences, respectively. Northern blot analysis of mRNA from unstimulated and phorbol ester-treated cells showed a 3- to 5-fold increase in cytoplasmic elongation factor 1 alpha mRNA after phorbol ester induction. When compared with the phorbol ester-inducible single-copy gene transcripts coding for the tissue-type plasminogen activator, the cellular mRNA content of elongation factor 1 alpha is 30 times higher. By Southern blot analysis experiments on human genomic DNA, a multi-gene family was found showing polymorphisms in restriction endonuclease fragment lengths (RFLP). Several polymorphisms were studied more extensively in the population on more than 100 DNA samples from normal individuals and in three-generation families. In situ hybridization of the cDNA probe to normal human metaphase chromosomes showed multiple chromosomal localizations of the elongation factor gene(s), with peak hybridization on the chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 15. The estimate of the gene copy number in humans is more than ten copies per (haploid) genome.

Heterogeneity of Chinese hamster ovary cell-produced recombinant murine interferon-gamma

Chinese hamster ovary cells transformed with a hybrid expression plasmid containing both the murine interferon-gamma (MuIFN-gamma) and the murine dihydrofolate reductase-coding sequences were subjected to selection in stepwise increasing concentrations of methotrexate. By this procedure the production rate of MuIFN-gamma was increased from an initial level of approximately 20,000 to approximately 500,000 antiviral units per milliliter of culture supernatant. [35S]Methionine-labeled proteins secreted by these cells were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with or without prior immunoprecipitation with polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies against splenocyte-derived MuIFN-gamma. Besides two major components of Mr 19,000 and 38,000, a multiplicity of minor components were immunoprecipitated. Cells treated with tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N-glycosylation, secrete two major components of Mr 14,000 and 27,000 and only two minor components of Mr 12,000 and 13,000. When the proteins were labeled with [35S]cysteine, a residue that is only present at the carboxyl terminus of the mature MuIFN-gamma, no minor components could be detected in the growth medium of tunicamycin-treated cells. The presented results indicate that the heterogeneity of the recombinant Chinese hamster ovary-produced MuIFN-gamma is due to at least three cumulative modifications of the Mr 14,000 MuIFN-gamma peptide: carboxyl-terminal proteolytic processing (the Mr 13,000 and 12,000 components), variations in N-glycosylation (components ranging in size from Mr 12,000 to 26,500), and dimerization (components ranging from Mr 27,000 to 50,000).

Molecular cloning of murine interferon gamma (MuIFN-gamma) cDNA and its expression in heterologous mammalian cells

A complete cDNA clone of murine interferon-gamma (MuIFN-gamma) was obtained by recombining two appropriate segments from partial cDNA clones originally identified by colony hybridization with rat IFN-gamma chromosomal gene fragments as probes. An expression vector was constructed in which the cDNA was placed under control of the SV40 early promoter. Transient expression of MuIFN-gamma was obtained by transformation of COS-1 cells. Subsequently, this interferon expression unit was linked to a vector containing a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) modular gene and used to transform DHFR(-)-CHO cells. Cell clones were selected that constitutively produce an interferon activity which by several criteria was found to be indistinguishable from natural, splenocyte-derived MuIFN-gamma.