PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Funaro

Publications and source records attributed to A Funaro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Signaling through CD38 induces NK cell activation.

Human CD38 is a signal transduction molecule, and, concurrently, an ectoenzyme catalyzing the synthesis and degradation of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a potent Ca2+ mobilizer. One facet of CD38 that has not yet been addressed is its role in NK cells. To this end, the events triggered by CD38 ligation with agonistic mAb were analyzed on freshly purified human NK cells. Ligation was followed by (i) a significant rise in the intracellular level of Ca2+, (ii) increased expression of HLA class II and CD25, and (iii) tyrosine phosphorylation of discrete cytoplasmic substrates. The phosphorylation cascade involved CD3-zeta and FcepsilonRIgamma chains, zeta-associated protein (ZAP)-70 and the proto-oncogene product c-Cbl. NK effector functions were then analyzed: CD38 signaling was able (iv) to induce release of IFN-gamma and, more prominently, of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, as assessed by measuring both mRNA and protein products; and, lastly, (v) to induce cytolytic effector functions on target cells after IL-2 activation, as shown both by cytotoxicity assays and ultrastructural changes. The tyrosine-phosphorylated substrates and all the effects mediated by CD38 were similar to those observed following triggering via CD16 (FcgammaRIIIA); moreover, Ca2+ mobilization via CD38 no longer operated in NK-derived cell lines lacking CD16. These results suggest that the activation signals transduced by CD38 in NK cells elicit relevant cellular events. The effects are similar to those elicited via CD16 and possibly rely on common signaling pathways.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed2001

Autoantibody response to CD38 in Caucasian patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: immunological and genetic characterization.

Insulin secretion is one of the functions mediated by CD38, a nonlineage pleiotropic cell surface receptor. The molecule is the target of an autoimmune response, because serum autoantibodies (aAbs) to CD38 have been detected in diabetic patients. In the healthy Caucasian population, the CD38 gene is bi-allelic (86% CD38*B and 14% CD38*A), whereas an Arg140Trp mutation has been identified in Japanese diabetic patients. We investigated the relationship between CD38 and diabetes in Caucasian patients by characterizing anti-CD38 aAbs in terms of prevalence and function (agonistic/nonagonistic activity) and by exploring the potential influence of the CD38 genetic background. A novel enzymatic immunoassay, using recombinant soluble CD38 as the target antigen, was developed for the analysis of anti-CD38 aAb titers. Sera from 19.15% of type 1 and 16.67% of type 2 diabetic patients were positive. The majority of anti-CD38 aAbs (57.14%) displayed agonistic properties, i.e., they demonstrated the capability to trigger Ca2+ release in lymphocytic cell lines. In agreement with these functional features, the presence of anti-CD38 aAbs in type 2 diabetic patients was associated with significantly higher levels of fasting plasma C-peptide and insulin, as compared with anti-CD38-counterparts. No diabetic subject carrying the Arg140Trp mutation and no preferential association between diabetes or aAb status and the CD38*A allele was found in the study population. These results show the significance of anti-CD38 aAbs as a new diagnostic marker of beta-cell autoimmunity in diabetes. Moreover, the prevalent agonistic activity of these aAbs suggests that they could mediate relevant effects on target cells by means of Ca2+ mobilization.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed2000

Antibodies binding granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor produced by cord blood-derived B cell lines immortalized by Epstein-Barr virus in vitro.

We detected natural antibodies (auto-Abs) binding human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in umbilical cord blood (CB) (23 of 94 samples screened) and peripheral blood of women at the end of pregnancy (6 of 42 samples tested). To demonstrate that Abs detected in CB were produced by the fetus, CB mononuclear cells were infected with Epstein-Barr virus in vitro. Ten cell lines producing constitutively anti-recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM-CSF) Abs were isolated and characterized. These cells displayed a male karyotype, an early activated B cell phenotype, coexpressed surface IgM and IgD, and secreted only IgM with prevailing lambda clonal restriction. Specific cell surface binding of biotinylated rhGM-CSF and high-level anti-rhGM-CSF IgM Ab production were typical features of early cell cultures. In late cell passages the frequency of more undifferentiated B cells increased. Serum Abs of either maternal or fetal origin or Abs produced in culture did not affect the granulocyte and macrophage colony stimulating activity of rhGM-CSF from bone marrow progenitors in soft agar, suggesting that the Abs produced were nonneutralizing.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed2000

Functional topography of discrete domains of human CD38.

In addition to its catalytic activities as ecto-NAD+ glycohydrolase (NADase), CD38 displays the ability to transduce signals of biological relevance. Indeed, ligation of CD38 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by agonistic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is followed by the transcription and secretion of a vast array of regulatory cytokines. The present work addresses the issue of whether the signals leading to calcium (Ca2+) mobilization, lymphocyte proliferation and release of cytokines is dependent on the epitopes recognized by the individual mAbs. Competition binding analysis identifies two families of mAbs, namely IB4, IB6 and AT2 on one side and OKT10, SUN-4B7 and AT1 on the other. Each mAb family binds epitopes that are completely or partially common. However, the functional activities of the CD38 molecule can not be simply attributed to the epitopes engaged: for instance, IB4 and OKT10 mAbs, which bind different epitopes, perform as agonistic mAbs in inducing PBMC proliferation and interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion. SUN-4B7 yields intermediate effects, whereas IB6, AT1 and AT2 mAbs are totally ineffective. The effects mediated by IB4 and OKT10 mAbs are apparent in 80% of the healthy individuals studied, whereas the effects of SUN-4B7 mAb operate only in 25% of the donors. Interleukin (IL)-6 secretion was observed in all individuals analyzed, irrespective of the epitopes triggered and of mAbs used to ligate the CD38 molecule. In addition, IB4 is the only mAb able to induce significant intracellular Ca2+ fluxes.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed2000

Correlative immunohistochemical and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of somatostatin receptor type 2 in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung.

Somatostatin receptors type 2 (sst2) have been frequently detected in neuroendocrine tumors and bind somatostatin analogues, such as octreotide, with high affinity. Receptor autoradiography, specific mRNA detection and, more recently, antisst2 polyclonal antibodies are currently employed to reveal sst2. The aim of the present study was to investigate by three different techniques the presence of sst2 in a series of 26 neuroendocrine tumors of the lung in which fresh frozen tissue and paraffin sections were available. It was possible, therefore, to compare, in individual cases, RNA analysis studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization (ISH), and immunohistochemistry. A series of 20 nonneuroendocrine lung carcinoma samples served as controls. RT-PCR was positive for sst2 in 22 of 26 samples, including 15 of 15 typical carcinoids, 5 of 6 atypical carcinoids, and 2 of 5 small-cell carcinomas. The sst2 mRNA signal obtained by RT-PCR was strong in the majority (87%) of typical carcinoids and of variable intensity in atypical carcinoids and small-cell carcinomas. A weakly positive signal was observed in 5 of 20 control samples. In immunohistochemistry, two different antibodies (anti-sst2) were employed, including a monoclonal antibody, generated in the Department of Pathology, University of Turin. In the majority of samples a good correlation between sst2 mRNA (as detected by RT-PCR) and sst2 protein expression (as detected by immunohistochemistry) was observed. However, one atypical carcinoid and one small-cell carcinoma had focal immunostaining but no RT-PCR signal. ISH performed in selected samples paralleled the results obtained with the other techniques. A low sst2 expression was associated with high grade neuroendocrine tumors and with aggressive behavior. It is concluded that 1) neuroendocrine tumors of the lung express sst2, and there is a correlation between the mRNA amount and the degree of differentiation; 2) immunohistochemistry and ISH are reliable tools to demonstrate sst2 in these tumors; and 3) sst2 identification in tissue sections may provide information on the diagnostic or therapeutic usefulness of somatostatin analogues in individual patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Identification of a 220-kDa membrane tumor-associated antigen by human anti-UK114 monoclonal antibodies selected from the immunoglobulin repertoire of a cancer patient.

Human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAb) specific for a 14-kDa perchloric acid-soluble protein (defined as UK114) were produced by somatic fusion of the human-mouse myeloma K6H6/B5 with Epstein-Barr virus-transformed peripheral B lymphocytes from a cancer patient previously treated with UK101 preparations, containing the UK114 protein. Three IgM-secreting clones were selected on the criteria of specificity for the purified UK114 protein immobilized onto plastic and adapted to grow in a serum-free medium. The reactivity of these antibodies showed a broad distribution pattern restricted to fresh tumor tissues and tumor cell lines, mainly of the adenocarcinoma type. None of the normal cells, nonmalignant cell lines, and normal tissues surrounding the neoplastic lesions were reactive. The immunochemical analysis of the target antigens showed that the HuMAb recognize a molecule of 220 kDa selectively expressed by the surface of tumor cells, as well as a cytoplasmic 14-kDa protein. The 220-kDa antigen was different from other tumor-associated antigens with similar molecular mass and, so far, unique. In the presence of human complement, two of three HuMAb are cytotoxic for tumor cells expressing the 220-kDa surface antigen. The tumor specificity and the lytic ability attributed to these HuMAb are promising features for the exploration of future clinical applications.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Antigenic characterization of recombinant, lymphoblastoid, and leukocyte IFN-alpha by monoclonal antibodies.

To gain more insight into similarities of different interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) species, we evaluated neutralization and immunoactivity of a variety of IFN preparations with various monoclonal antibodies (IFN-alpha mAb). Nine IFN-alpha mAb obtained through immunization with recombinant IFN-alpha (rmAb), lymphoblastoid IFN-alpha (LY mAb), and leukocyte IFN-alpha (LE mAb) were tested. The IFN-alpha mAb were evaluated for their ability to neutralize the antiviral activity of 11 recombinant IFN-alpha subtypes, two recombinant IFN-alpha hybrids, and lymphoblastoid and leukocyte IFN-alpha preparations. The same IFN-alpha mAb were also used in immunoblotting, and some of them were used in immunoaffinity chromatography. The results of the neutralization assay reveal that the IFN-alpha mAb significantly differ in their ability to neutralize the individual IFN-alpha species. Interestingly, none of the IFN-alpha mAb was able to neutralize all the IFN-alpha species. In particular, rmAb were unable to neutralize LE-IFN-alpha or LY-IFN-alpha, whereas LE mAb and LY mAb efficiently neutralized rIFN-alpha2. In some cases, the epitopes to which IFN-alpha mAb are directed were identified through the use of synthetic fragments of IFN-alpha2 or by evaluating the selectivity in binding to IFN-alpha subtypes.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

CD38 functions are regulated through an internalization step.

The endocytosis of the human CD38 molecule has been investigated in normal lymphocytes and in a number of leukemia- and lymphoma-derived cell lines. CD38 internalization was followed using radioiodinated Abs in an acidic elution endocytosis assay to monitor the effects of cross-linking on internalization processes and to quantify the ratio of the internalized molecule. Second, conventional, confocal, and electron microscopies were used to evaluate the morphologic effects induced by ligation of the molecule with Abs mimicking the natural ligand(s). The results demonstrated that internalization is a reproducible phenomenon following CD38 ligation with both agonistic and nonagonistic specific Abs and involving only a fraction of the entire amount of the surface molecule. It is independent from signal transduction as can be inferred by the observation that 1) both agonistic and non agonistic Abs are effective and 2) the dynamic of internalization is much slower than that of cellular signaling. Morphologic studies demonstrated that endocytosis induced as a result of CD38 ligation presents a very specific pathway consisting of subcellular organelles fundamental to the processing of the complex. Our data indicate that down-regulation by endocytosis may be, in parallel with shedding, a regulatory element in activation and adhesion processes mediated by CD38. However, internalization seems not to be a key step in triggering intracellular signaling; more likely, it is a negative feedback control mechanism which interrupts signal transduction or cell-cell cross-talks mediated by membrane CD38.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1997

Role of the human CD38 molecule in B cell activation and proliferation.

Human CD38 is a surface molecule which has been attributed the function of a signaling channel leading to cellular activation and proliferation, an ectoenzyme with multiple function as well as an inducer of Ca2+ mobilization from cytoplasmic stores. The effect mediated by CD38 have been studied in different cell populations: the results obtained in human B cells are apparently contradictory, with CD38 simultaneously leading to apoptosis in early B cells while increasing survival in cells derived from lymph node germinal center. Other effects recently reported concern a different potential in terms of signaling in early B cells and derived cell lines or in more detailed disease models of human leukemia, namely B chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. To complete the picture of the effects mediated by CD38 in the B cell compartment, we have studied the signals elicited by ligation of the human molecule in mature B cells from circulating pool and also from spleen of normal individuals. The information obtained completes the picture of CD38 and mature B cells, where we also studied the contribution of relevant cytokines involved in maintenance and differentiation of these normal cells, namely IL-1 alpha, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6. Our results indicate that human CD38 plays a key role as a co-receptor in mature B cells from normal individuals.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1996

Secretion of IFN-gamma, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IL-10 cytokines after activation of human purified T lymphocytes upon CD38 ligation.

Human CD38, a surface glycoprotein expressed by different immunocompetent cells, is associated with distinct transmembrane signaling molecules and plays a key role in the synthesis of cyclic ADP-ribose, a calcium-mobilizing compound. This study reports that CD38 ligation by specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in purified peripheral blood T cells is followed by secretion of discrete cytokines. IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IFN-gamma, and IL-10 mRNA expression were constant findings. Low levels of IL-2 mRNA were also detected in CD38-activated T lymphocyte cultures of all subjects studied. Low levels of IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA were detected in the majority of CD38-activated T cultures. Moreover, CD38 mediated cytokine induction does not require T cell proliferation or the addition of antigen presenting cells. In conclusion, human CD38 runs an activation pathway in purified T cells which operates through the induction of a cytokine profile shared by Th1 or Th2 cells.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1996

Human CD38 ligand. A 120-KDA protein predominantly expressed on endothelial cells.

Human CD38, a pleiotropic molecule with ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity, regulates activation and growth of several cell types. Its in vivo function is incompletely determined, mainly due to the lack of evidence concerning the existence of a single or multiple ligands. We recently observed that CD38 rules a selectin-type adhesion between lymphoid cells and HUVECs. A panel of murine mAbs raised against HUVEC included one (Moon-1) constantly blocking the CD38-mediated adhesion of several cell lines to HUVEC. Tissue distribution studies and an extended immunohistochemical analysis on the majority of normal human tissues revealed that the Moon-1 molecule displays a unique pattern of expression, being present at high levels on resting and activated vascular endothelium, on the majority of monocytes, platelets, NK cells, and to a lesser extent on T, B, and myeloid cells. The Moon-1 structure of an apparent molecular mass of 120 kDa proved to be a ligand for human CD38, as inferred by the direct binding observed when using a chimeric mouse CD8 alpha-human CD38 (mCD8 alpha-hCD38) molecule as a probe in Western blot experiments. Furthermore, Ab-induced modulation experiments highlighted an association between the Moon-1 molecule and human CD38 on the surface of cell lines coexpressing the two structures, which also share a common regulation system of surface expression. Finally, direct ligation of Moon-1 on T cell lines caused a relevant increase in the cytoplasmic concentration of calcium ([Ca2+]i).

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1996

Identification and characterization of an active soluble form of human CD38 in normal and pathological fluids.

Human CD38 is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in lymphocyte activation and adhesion to endothelium. The ectocellular domain of the molecule possesses properties of a bifunctional enzyme catalyzing both the synthesis from NAD+ and the hydrolysis of the calcium-releasing metabolite cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR). Surface expression of CD38 (mCD38) is rapidly and almost completely down-modulated upon ligation by specific mAb in cells from different lineages. The data presented here also show that, in addition to the existence of a mCD38, a soluble form of CD38 (sCD38) is detectable in the cell culture supernatant of allo-activated T lymphocytes and of several tumor cell lines. sCD38 is also present in vivo and is assayable in normal (fetal serum and amniotic fluid) and pathological (serum and ascites from patients with multiple myeloma, and serum from patients with AIDS) biological fluids. Immunoaffinity chromatography, SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses with mAb and polyclonal antibodies, along with metabolic labeling, yield a body of data concerning the structure of sCD38, which displays a M(r) of 39 kDa. Native sCD38 maintains the ability to inhibit the binding activity of different anti-CD38 mAb and still catalyzes the synthesis and the hydrolysis of cADPR at the same ratio observed with mCD38. Furthermore, cross-linking experiments indicate that the purified soluble molecule binds a 120 kDa molecule expressed by monocytoid cells and identified as a candidate ligand for human mCD38.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1995

Modulation of CD4 lateral interaction with lymphocyte surface molecules induced by HIV-1 gp120.

CD4, a lymphocyte surface glycoprotein, serves as co-receptor for antigen with the T cell receptor (TCR). It is also the lymphocyte receptor for HIV by binding the gp120 viral envelope protein. Interaction of gp120 with CD4 is crucial for viral infection, but is not sufficient to allow viral entry into cells. Recombinant gp120 alters CD4+ T cell responsiveness to activation stimuli. To express its co-receptor function fully, CD4 must be laterally associated with the TCR and CD45 to form multi-receptor complexes competent to transduce potent activation signals. Here, we examine the possibility that gp120/CD4 binding alters lateral associations of CD4 with other lymphocyte surface molecules, and that assembly of abnormal multi-molecular complexes is involved in the gp120-induced CD4+ T cell dysfunction and in viral entry. In the absence of gp120, CD4 displayed high association with CD3, CD5, CD45RC, CD25, CD28, CD44, and CD53; weak association with CD2, CD38, CD45RB, CD62L, and CD26; and no association with CD45RA, CD45RO, CD11b, CD11a, CD54, CD7, CD48, CD98, CD59 CD55, HLA class I and class II molecules. Treatment with gp120 significantly increased CD4 association with CD3, CD45RA, CD45RB, CD59, CD38, CD26 and HLA class I, and decreased that with CD45RC. Specificity of these results were assessed at various levels. First, gp120 did not influence lateral associations displayed by other molecules, such as HLA class II. Second, the Leu3 mAb which binds CD4 on a site overlapping the gp120 binding site, did not elicit the same CD4 lateral associations as gp120, and finally, a direct gp120/CD4+ interaction was needed to induce the lateral associations, as shown by the observation that blocking the gp120/CD4 binding by the Leu3 mAb inhibited the gp120-induced associations. These results can be interpreted in several ways gp120/CD4 interaction could trigger an inside-out signal responsible for the associations, or gp120 could induce steric modifications of CD4 that increase its affinity for the associating molecules. Alternatively, these molecules may interact directly with gp120, bridging them with CD4. It is also possible that th e associations may be mediated by additional components, interacting with both gp120 and the associating surface molecule. The last hypothesis is likely for CD59, whose gp120-induced association with CD4 required the presence of serum in the co-capping assay. Since both CD59 and gp120 bind complement, the observed association could be mediated by complement components.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1995

CD38 ligation induces discrete cytokine mRNA expression in human cultured lymphocytes.

Human CD38 is a surface glycoprotein expressed by different immuno-competent cells such as immature and activated lymphocytes, plasma cells and natural killer cells. It has recently been reported that the CD38 molecule exerts adenosine diphosphate ribosyl cyclase activity and is associated with distinct transmembrane signaling molecules. This study reports that ligation of CD38 by specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) induces multiple cytokine mRNA expression in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The mRNA for tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-12 were always detected, whereas interferon-gamma and IL-10 mRNA expression were seen in most, but not all PBMC cultures. Low levels of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA were also found. The key observation of this work is that CD38 ligation in PBMC induces a large spectrum of cytokines, many of which overlap with those induced via CD3 activation. The main differences between CD38 and CD3 activation are the low to undetectable levels of IL-2 mRNA, and the sustained IL-1 beta and IL-6 mRNA accumulation found in PBMC cultures following treatment with anti-CD38 mAb. Furthermore, PBMC proliferation was not found to be a prerequisite for CD38-mediated cytokine induction. Together, these results suggest that human CD38 activates a signaling pathway which leads to the induction of a discrete array of cytokines, and that this pathway only partially overlaps with that controlled by T cell receptor CD3.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1994

Interaction between endothelium and CD4+CD45RA+ lymphocytes. Role of the human CD38 molecule.

CD38 is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein, which is widely used as a marker for immature and activated lymphocytes, as well as plasma cells. Although its functional role and natural ligand are not known, CD38 has been shown to transduce activation signals to lymphocytes. Our work shows that CD38 is preferentially expressed by CD4+CD45RA+ cells, but not by CD4+CD45R0+ cells. CD4+CD45RA+ cells are reported to respond poorly to stimuli acting through the CD3/TCR in vitro and to display unique migration pathways in vivo. Cross-linking of CD38 by mAb did not overcome the hyporesponsiveness of CD4+ resting/naive cells to several activation stimuli; in contrast, CD38 engagement by mAb specifically inhibited their binding with human vein endothelial cells. These data suggest that CD38 may play a role in lymphocyte migration. The same inhibitory effect was detected on the (human x mouse) hybrid cell line CP410.A10, which expresses human CD38, but not on its CD38- subclone CP14. CD38 mAb did not inhibit the conventional binding assay between endothelium and several human CD38+ T and B cell lines. However, the inhibition was apparent when the binding assay was performed at 4 degrees C on a rocking shelf, conditions that minimized integrin function. These data suggest that CD38 mediates weak cell binding to endothelium, which is effective even in dynamic conditions. These features are reminiscent of those exerted by selectins, which are adhesion molecules that account for leukocyte rolling on vascular endothelial cells and play an important role in lymphocyte homing.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1994

Human CD38: a glycoprotein in search of a function.

The human CD38 molecule appears to mediate several diverse activities, including signal transduction, cell adhesion and cyclic ADP-ribose synthesis. In this article, the authors consolidate the information available on this highly interesting, multifunctional protein.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗
PubMed1994

Stimulation of T cells via CD44 requires leukocyte-function-associated antigen interactions and interleukin-2 production.

This article reports the results of the analysis of the activation signals delivered to T and B cells by means of the CD44 molecule and an agonistic mAb, i.e., CB05 mAb, which is able to induce cell activation and aggregation upon binding. The functional effects culminate in T-cell proliferation in the presence of autologous accessory cells. Such effects are barely detectable in thymocytes, while B cells prove refractory to the action of the agonistic mAb. All of these events have been followed by the expression of surface activation markers, by the transcription of selected cytokine genes (IFN-gamma, IL-4, and GM-CSF), and by the secretion of IL-2. Cell activation via CD44 has been evaluated as to its relationship with CD3 and CD2 activation pathways, proving synergistic with the latter. The CD44 signaling is protein kinase dependent. Furthermore, the role of surface molecules as cosignals in the CD44 pathway has been analyzed, showing that CD11a (and its ligand CD54), HLA class I, and CD25 are instrumental in the implementation of (a) efficient activation/proliferation signals and (b) a potent cytotoxic potential.

Carrier Proteins↗