Cytokines and Airways: Recent Insights and Therapeutic Implications.
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
B Azzarone
Publications and source records attributed to B Azzarone.
IL-4 and IL-13 specifically increase adhesion molecule and inflammatory cytokine expression in human lung fibroblasts.
Subepithelial fibrosis in the bronchi of asthmatics is the result of an irreversible lung fibroblast activation, triggered by cytokines secreted by IL-4- and IL-5-activated inflammatory cells. Here, we provide evidence that human lung fibroblasts (ICIG7 cells) express a single class of high-affinity IL-4 receptor (IL-4R). This receptor is functional and composed of at least the IL-4Ralpha and IL-13Ralpha1 chains in the absence of the IL-2Rgamma chain. The IL-4Ralpha is efficiently internalized at 37 degrees C within 15 min in the presence of IL-4, whereas this process is slower with IL-13. In ICIG7 cells, IL-4 triggers the tyrosine phosphorylation of at least two proteins (110 and 180 kDa), and up-regulates the transcription of c-fos, c-jun and c-myc proto-oncogenes. In addition, the secretion of several cytokines [IL-6, granulocyte colony stimulating factor and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)] as well as the expression of beta1 integrin and VCAM-1 adhesion molecules are augmented by IL-4. IL-13 displays similar biological activities, but less effectively than IL-4. On the other hand, ICIG7 cells could constitute a lung fibroblast population defined by the spontaneous release of several pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-11 and GM-CSF) and cell surface phenotype (CD4 and Thy-1). Through this peculiar cytokine pattern and the IL-4/IL-13-dependent activities, these cells could act as effector cells in the pathogenesis of asthma, triggering and maintaining the recruitment, homing and activation of bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells, and playing a role in the remodeling process of the airways.
Cell Adhesion Molecules↗
Inhibitor (IK) of IFN-gamma induced HLA class II antigens expression also inhibits HLA class II constitutive expression in the human Raji B cell line.
The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens is constitutive in professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) but can also be induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the majority of the non professional APCs (e.g. fibroblasts). We have recently characterised a new factor called IK which is an efficient inhibitor of IFN-gamma induction of MHC class II antigens expression. Here, we demonstrate a novel role for IK in MHC class II expression since over-expression of this protein by stable transfection into human B cells led to a total disappearance of constitutive MHC class II mRNA expression. The class II transactivator (CIITA) is necessary for both constitutive and IFN-gamma induced MHC class II expressions. Examination of CIITA mRNA in IK stably transfected clones revealed a marked reduction of CIITA mRNA transcription. Taken together these results demonstrate that the IK protein plays a key role in the constitutive expression of MHC class II antigens and that inhibition induced by IK is upstream of CIITA in this regulatory pathway.
B-Lymphocytes↗
Expression of two interleukin-15 mRNA isoforms in human tumors does not correlate with secretion: role of different signal peptides.
Interleukin (IL)-15 is a four-helix bundle cytokine sharing several biological properties with IL-2. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, human cancer cell lines of different histotypes are shown to express two IL-15 amplification products: a 524-bp band corresponding to the IL-15 mRNA found in macrophages, and another of 643 bp corresponding to an alternatively spliced mRNA including a 119-bp alternative exon. IL-15 was undetectable in the supernatant of tumor cell lines expressing either one or both of the mRNA isoforms as evaluated by a bioassay or by ELISA, indicating that IL-15 is not secreted. However, IL-15 could be detected intracellularly in some tumor cells by confocal microscopy analysis. Since the pre-proteins encoded by the two mRNA isoforms differ in the signal peptide sequence, we have analyzed the characteristics of these signal peptides and their possible role in controlling secretion. The two IL-15 cDNA isoforms, expressed in COS-7 cells, induced very low levels of IL-15 secretion. However, substitution of the sequence encoding natural signal peptide(s) with the one from IgV kappa chain in the IL-15 cDNA results in a significantly higher secretion of biologically active IL-15 (15-30-fold) upon cDNA transfection. A poor efficiency of natural signal peptides may represent one of the mechanisms involved in the control of IL-15 secretion.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Role of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15 in the tumour progression of a melanoma cell line MELP, derived from an IL-2 progressor patient.
MELP is an interleukin (IL)-2 receptor (IL-2R; alpha+ beta+ gamma-) melanoma cell line that was derived, before the beginning of the immunotherapy, from a patient whose metastasis increased in size during treatment with IL-2/interferon-alpha. In these cells, continuous culture in the presence IL-2 (1000 UI/ml) causes the selection of a cell sub-line (termed MILG) expressing the gamma-chain which is tumorigenic in nude mice. Here, we further analysed the characteristics of MELP and MILG cells as well as clones selected at limiting dilution in the presence of high concentrations of IL-2 or IL-15, or those selected after transfection for the expression of a human IL-2 transgene (MELP-CL1). MELP cells, but not six other melanomas cell lines, shed two soluble immunosuppressive molecules, CD25 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, whose levels also strongly increase in vivo during immunotherapy. In vitro MELP cells express transcripts for IL-6, transforming growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular-endothelial growth factor. Cloning at limiting dilution was obtained in culture fed with IL-2 or IL-15. All these clones, as MILG cells, express the transcript for the IL-2R gamma chain. This could favour improved interactions with cytokines using this chain. By contrast, MELP-CL1 cells, which secrete low amounts of biologically active IL-2 (200 UI/10(6) cells) exhibit a phenotype and growth characteristics similar to those of the parental MELP cells. Indeed, a crosslinking experiment with 125I-IL-2, has showed that MELP and MELP-CL1 cells display a scant IL-2 binding ability that is strongly increased in MELP cells fed for 1 week with 1000 UI/ml IL-2. These cells, as well as MILG cells express a betagamma-complex which can also bind IL-15. IL-2 induces a rapid tyrosine phoshorylation in MILG cells, which is followed by a prolonged induction of c-fos and c-jun genes. By contrast, in MELP cells IL-2 only causes a delayed induction of c-myc gene. All MELP derivatives, but not MILG cells, express the transcripts for IL-15, which is not secreted but is present as an intracellular protein. All MELP cells express the transcript for the IL-15R alpha chain. MELP-CL1 cells are not tumorigenic in nude mice, whereas MILG cells form rapidly growing tumours in 75% of the mice. Coinjection at the same site of MILG and MELP-CL1 cells causes the rapid regression of MILG tumours in 80% of the mice, whereas their bilateral injection causes the rapid development of MILG tumours in 100% of the nude mice. Finally, treatment in nude mice of MILG cells with low amounts of IL-2 (1000 UI per mouse) and IL-15 (50 ng per mouse) induces the development of much more aggressive tumours.The expression of functional IL-2Rs in a subset of human melanomas could be responsible for tumour progression.
Adult↗
Identification of a novel interleukin-15 (IL-15) transcript isoform generated by alternative splicing in human small cell lung cancer cell lines.
IL-15 is a cytokine promoting growth and differentiation of T, B and NK lymphocytes. By RT-PCR analysis, using primers allowing amplification of the entire IL-15 mRNA coding region, 9/11 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines displayed detectable IL-15 gene expression. In addition to the expected band sizing 524 bp, a larger band was also observed. Cloning and sequence analysis of the larger cDNA from two SCLC cell lines revealed a size of 643 hp due to the presence of additional 119 hp within the previously reported IL-15 cDNA sequence. The 119 hp sequence matched with an IL-15 genomic sequence downstream the IL-15 second coding exon and may represent a previously unreported alternative exon (exon A). The SCLC-associated IL-15 mRNA isoform has a shorter open reading frame (ORF) due to stop codons in exon A, followed by a new AUG codon. The predicted IL-15 precursor protein displays a shorter signal peptide but shares the same aminoacidic composition of mature IL-15 protein. A possible functional role of IL-15, different from 'IL-2-like' activity, in human tumours, is suggested.
Alternative Splicing↗
IL2 triggers a tumor progression process in a melanoma cell line MELP derived from a patient whose metastasis increased in size during IL2/INFalpha biotherapy.
Human melanomas may express both in vivo and in vitro functional IL-Rs and may be expected to directly respond to injected IL2. This may generate biological situations which may be favourable for the patient, but also for tumor progression. Here, we analyse the latter hypothesis. MELP is a melanoma cell line derived from a patient whose metastasis increased in size during IL2/IFN alpha biotherapy [correction of biotheraphy]. These cells have been characterized in vitro for their phenotype and for their sensitivity to IL2. In vitro MELP cells express an IL2-R alpha(+) beta(+) gamma(-) phenotype and IL2 treatment induces the acquisition of new functional characteristics represented (i) by the increased surface expression of two markers of metastatic evolution (ICAM-1 and CD44); (ii) by the stable induction of the IL2-R gamma with the appearance of functional IL2-R beta complex, which are also recognized by GM-CSF; (iii) by the inhibition of transcription of a regulatory cytokine such as IL6; (iv) by a differential effect of IL6 on CD44 surface expression in MELP cells treated or not with IL2 (MILG cells); (v) by the acquisition of faster growth rates and appearance of piling up and multilayer cellular organization; (vi) by the development of rapidly growing tumors in nude mice. IL2 induces in MELP cells a tumor progression process that could mimic the metastatic evolution observed in vivo during biotherapy. Therefore, MELP phenotype may help to define a subset of patients in which IL2 therapy may trigger unfavourable evolution.
Adult↗
Analysis of IL-2 receptor expression and of the biological effects of IL-2 gene transfection in small-cell lung cancer.
We have analysed the expression of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) on a panel of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines. None of the 11 SCLC cell lines studied expressed detectable surface IL-2R alpha or beta chains by indirect immunofluorescence. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses indicated that only one out of 11 cell lines expressed detectable IL-2R beta mRNA while two expressed a weak positivity for IL-2R gamma. Five SCLC cell lines were transfected with the plasmid vector RSV.5 neo containing IL-2 cDNA coding sequence. Stable transfectants secreted biologically active IL-2 (ranging from 25 to 100 U ml-1 in the culture supernatant). IL-2 transfection did not produce significant modifications in the expression of surface molecules such as IL-2R alpha and beta chains, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), CD44, HLA class I and II or in IL-2R beta or gamma mRNA. More importantly, IL-2-transfected N592 and NCI H69 cell lines completely lost their tumorigenic potential in nude mice after subcutaneous injection, whereas experimental controls transfected with RSV.5 neo vector only, displayed an in vivo growth pattern identical to that of untransfected cells. In addition, in the N592 model, IL-2-producing N592 inhibited the growth of wild-type N592 injected at the same site, while injection of parental cells on the opposite side did not significantly affect the growth of wild-type tumour cells. Histopathological analysis of the rejection process of IL-2-transfected cells demonstrated the presence of MAC-1+, MAC-3+ macrophages and of RB68C5+ granulocytes, whereas T cells were undetectable and NK cells were scarcely represented. In addition, a reduction of the tumour blood vessels was observed. The possible relevance of these data for the development of vaccination strategies using cytokine-engineered tumour cells in SCLC is discussed.
Animals↗
Is IL-15 a suitable candidate for cancer gene therapy?
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Gene Expression↗
Non random activation of endogenous interleukin-2, (IL-2), IL-2 receptor alpha and IL-2 receptor beta genes after transfection of mouse fibroblasts with a cDNA for the alpha chain of the human IL-2 receptor.
Mouse fibroblasts do not ordinarily express components for the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R alpha, beta, and gamma). An analysis of these cells by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction, however, indicates the presence of transcripts specific for the IL-2R beta and gamma genes. Transfection of the cDNA for the alpha chain of the human IL-2R into LTK- mouse fibroblast cell line (L3 cells) leads, in long-term cultures, to the formation of transcripts of endogenous mouse IL-2, IL-2R alpha and beta genes, as detected by Northern blotting. Based upon the results of the binding of 125I-labeled IL-2 to the transfected cells, three IL-2-binding proteins of 55 kDa, 65 kDa and 75 kDa were expressed by the transfected cells. The 65-kDa and 75-kDa proteins bound IL-2 in the presence of monoclonal antibodies for the IL-2R alpha chain. These polypeptides assembled to form high-affinity IL-2R, as shown by Scatchard binding analyses. The receptors were functionally active, since the expression of H-2k major histocompatibility complex antigens on the surface membranes of L3 cells was enhanced by exposing the cells to IL-2. Activation of the IL-2 gene was also observed in long-term cultures of L alpha beta cells, another LTK- transfectant expressing the human IL-2R alpha chain. This type of gene activation was not observed in LTK- fibroblasts transfected with cDNA for human IL-2 or IL-2R beta genes. In L3 and L alpha beta cells, transcription of the endogenous IL-2 gene was suppressed by cyclosporin A and enhanced by cycloheximide. These data may have implications for gene therapy of cancer cells.
Animals↗
How interleukin-2 can affect human fibroblasts behaviour.
The alpha and beta chains of the Interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R alpha and IL2R beta) were detected at the surface of cultured fibroblastic cells by flow cytometry, using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the IL2R alpha and the IL2R beta. These cells bound FITC-IL2 and this binding was inhibited by an excess of cold ligand and by mAbs recognizing the IL2 binding sites of the alpha and beta chains. Internalisation studies show that the fibroblastic IL2R/IL2 complex is internalized at 37 degrees C. By Northern Blot analysis we detected the presence of specific transcripts for the IL2R alpha and IL2R beta genes. Finally, the addition of exogenous IL2 specifically modified the surface expression of different antigens involved in the process of immunosurveillance. Indeed, IL2, at concentrations affecting the high affinity IL2R, caused the down regulation of ICAM-1 protein. IL2 also decreased the surface expression of the class I and class II HLA. By contrast, the use of IL2 concentrations which saturate the intermediate affinity IL2R beta caused the up regulation of the surface expression of the ICAM-1 protein. ICAM-1 is the natural ligand for the LFA-1 integrin expressed at the surface of lymphoid cells. ICAM-1/LFA-1 interactions favour homotypic and heterotypic cell-cell adhesion. Since human fibroblasts express an LFA-1 like molecule, we propose that in these cells IL2 can modify homotypic and heterotypic interactions acting on the surface expression of ICAM-1 protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cell Line↗
IL-2 production by myofibroblasts from post-radiation fibrosis in breast cancer patients.
The origin of cell activation in post-radiation fibrosis and its chronic extension are still poorly understood. Since local IL-2 cancer treatment sometimes triggers intraperitoneal fibrosis we have analyzed three myofibroblastic cell strains from post-radiation skin fibrosis (FPR7, FPR10 and FPR15) for their interactions with IL-2. In these cells we have observed the surface expression of the two chains of the IL-2R (IL-2R alpha beta), the presence of the 0.9 kb transcript specific for the IL-2 gene and, by flow cytometry with anti-IL-2 mAbs, the presence of IL-2 immunoreactive material inside the cells up to 8 days after subculture. The FPR cell lines secreted IL-2, as determined by ELISA. The secreted IL-2 is biologically active since it sustains the proliferation of the IL-2-dependent murine lymphoid cell line CTLL2 and preincubation with anti-IL-2 blocking mAbs completely abolishes this activity. Overnight incubation of FPR cells with polyclonal anti-IL-2 antibodies leads to a decreased expression of the membrane adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and CD44, suggesting the existence of an autocrine/paracrine loop involved in the surface expression of these antigens. By contrast, in normal adult skin fibroblasts we did not detect IL-2 gene activation. In vivo, IL-2 secretion by post-radiation fibrosis fibroblasts and the subsequent up-regulation of ICAM-1 and CD44 may represent key events during the process that leads to radiation fibrosis.
Breast Neoplasms↗
A new cytokine (IK) down-regulating HLA class II: monoclonal antibodies, cloning and chromosome localization.
The role of HLA class II Antigens in the control of the immune response is determined not only by the genetic polymorphism of these molecules, but also by their density on the cell surface. It is therefore essential to identify the signals that modulate HLA Class II gene activity in normal and neoplastic cells. We have purified a cytokine (IK factor, 19 kDa) secreted by the leukemic cell line K562 and several cancer cells, which inhibits HLA Class II antigen induction by IFN-gamma. We produced specific mAbs which antagonize the biological effect of IK in colon carcinoma Colo 205 cells induced to express HLA-DR molecules by IFN-gamma. Moreover, in Colo 205, HLA-DR can also be induced by the protein synthesis inhibitor Cycloheximide (0.1 micrograms ml-1); and addition of IK factor almost completely abolishes HLA class II expression. We have also performed the cloning and the sequencing of a specific cDNA. This probe recognizes a 2.1 Kb mRNA in different cell types. The nucleotide sequence exhibits no homologies with known cytokines. IK gene localization shows that it maps on chromosome 2p15-p14. The transient transfection of the cDNA in COS cells induces the secretion of a biologically active 19 kDa protein which is recognized in Western blot by 1C5B11 blocking mAb. This paper reports the characterization of a new cytokine down-regulating HLA class II Antigens, whose analysis will help to better understand HLA class II gene regulation and the mechanism of escape from immunorecognition in cancer cells.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
The IL-2 receptor present on human embryonic fibroblasts is functional in the absence of P64/IL-2R gamma chain.
In this study, we have investigated the IL-2R gamma gene expression in several human embryonic fibroblasts which express other components of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). Polymerase chain reaction did not allow us to detect IL-2R gamma transcripts in these cells but the functionality of the IL-2R alpha beta was not affected. Indeed, in the human IL-2R alpha+beta+gamma- embryonic lung fibroblasts ICIG-7, IL-2 induced identical phenomena to those previously reported in lymphoid cells: rapid internalization of the IL-2R alpha beta-IL-2 complex, specific phosphorylation of cellular proteins (56 and 38 kDa) and up-regulation of ICAM-1 expression. IL-2 induction of ICAM-1 was only observed in sparse cultures and for IL-2 concentrations over 180 pM. We have also observed, in these fibroblastic cells, the up-regulation of ICAM-2 expression by IL-2, both in sparse and dense cultures. These data show that p64/IL-2R gamma expression in human embryonic fibroblasts does not correlate with the ability of the IL-2R to deliver a biological signal.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Human melanoma cell line M14 secretes a functional interleukin 2.
Interleukin 2 (IL2) is an important regulator of the immune system. In this report, we have analysed five human melanoma cell lines expressing the IL2R for their ability to secrete IL2. In the M14 melanoma cell line, we observed the appearance of the 0.9 kb transcript specific for the IL2 gene, 72 h after subculture, and the secretion of a biologically active IL2 which specifically sustains the proliferation of the IL2 dependent murine lymphoid cell line CTLL2. In M14 cells, IL2 gene activation is transient as in lymphoid cells but is not inhibited by the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporine-A and FK506 which are effective on PHA-blasts. In M14 cells, recombinant IL2 (36 pM) induces the down modulation of ICAM-1 expression at the surface of M14 cells. Overnight incubation of these cells with polyclonal anti-IL2 antibodies leads to an increased expression of ICAM-1 and a decreased membrane detection of the IL2R alpha, suggesting the existence of an autocrine/paracrine loop involved in the surface expression of these antigens. A decreased expression of the ICAM-1 protein could help some melanoma cells to escape from cytolytic recognition and therefore favour their metastasis.
Cell Adhesion Molecules↗
Receptors for interleukin 2 on human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and tumor in situ.
Several human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines were found to bind 125I-labeled or fluorescein-labeled interleukin 2 (IL-2). This binding was inhibited by an excess of cold ligand, IL-2, and by anti-p55 and anti-p70 monoclonal antibodies to the alpha and beta chains, respectively, of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). A small number (300/cell) of high-affinity IL-2R (2 x 10(-12) M) and a larger number (> 13,000/cells) of intermediate-affinity IL-2R (3 x 10(-10) M) were present on these tumor cells. By affinity cross-linking, tumor cells were shown to bind 125I-IL-2 to a M(r) 66,000 and 55,000 doublet peptide. The alpha and beta chains of the IL-2R also were detected on the surface of cultured tumor cells using the relevant monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Immunoperoxidase staining with anti-p70 monoclonal antibody confirmed the expression of IL-2R on squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck in situ. The presence of transcripts for p55/IL-2R-alpha and p70/IL-2R-beta in PCI-1 cells was confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction followed by hybridization to the IL-2R-alpha complementary DNA probe or IL-2R-beta complementary DNA probe, respectively. Our observations demonstrate that intermediate-affinity and high-affinity IL-2Rs are expressed on some human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck and that the receptors are functional, because growth of these tumor cell lines can be directly inhibited by exogenously supplied IL-2. The presence of IL-2R on human solid tumors could be important to consider, in addition to immunomodulatory effects of IL-2, in developing optimal therapeutic strategies for the administration of IL-2 to patients with cancer.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Expression of the interleukin-2 receptor on human fibroblasts and its biological significance.
In this study, we have investigated the expression of the alpha and beta chains of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R alpha, IL-2R beta) both at the membrane and at transcriptional levels during the lifespan of human embryonic fibroblasts. Here we show that the mAbs IOT14 and MIK beta 1 directed against the IL-2 binding sites of the IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta respectively, stain human embryonic fibroblasts early in their life span. Data from [125I]rIL2 cross-linking experiments show the simultaneous expression of two IL-2 binding peptides of 70 and 55 kDa respectively on embryonic young fibroblasts as on lymphoid activated cells. The p55 and the p70 IL-2 binding peptides are shown to be specific for the IL-2R alpha and to the IL-2R beta by the finding that these bands are abolished by excess amounts of cold IL-2 and mAbs directed against the IL-2 binding sites of the alpha and beta chains. Scatchard analysis after [125I]IL-2 labelling shows the presence of both high affinity (150 sites with a Kd of 147 pM) and low affinity (1100 sites with a Kd of 4 nM) IL-2 binding sites. Northern blot and dot blot analysis show the presence of specific transcripts for the IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta genes in early passaged fibroblasts. By contrast, in senescent cultures, only the IL-2R beta transcript were detected. Finally, IL-2 at low concentrations (36 pM) down modulates the level of the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 in young but not in senescent cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cell Adhesion Molecules↗
Fetal myofibroblast-like cells isolated from post-radiation fibrosis in human breast cancer.
Cells were isolated from post-radiation fibrosis biopsies of patients with recurrent breast carcinoma. These cells were identified as fibroblasts and compared with fibroblasts from normal breast tissues for their proliferative activities, chromosome number and for the presence of various components of the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton. The proliferative activity of the fibrosis-derived fibroblasts did not significantly differ from that of normal breast fibroblasts. Both cell types required serum to grow and did not form colonies in soft agar. Cells from 2 of the 3 fibroses analyzed displayed aneuploid karyotypes with multiple structural abnormalities. All of the fibroblastic cells produced types I, III and V collagen, fibronectin and vimentin. However, in contrast to normal breast fibroblasts, fibrosis-derived cells produced high amounts of oncofetal fibronectin. In addition, fibrosis of fibroblasts also expressed the alpha-actin isoform which is specific for smooth-muscle cells. These results suggest that post-radiation fibrosis in malignant breast contains atypical fibroblasts with fetal and myofibroblastic characteristics.
Breast Neoplasms↗