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Biomedical subjects

H Hofstetter

Publications and source records attributed to H Hofstetter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunoglobulin E-binding site in Fc epsilon receptor (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) identified by homolog-scanning mutagenesis.

The IgE-binding site of the human low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) has previously been mapped to the extracellular domain between amino acid residues 160 and 287. We now have investigated which conformational epitope within this domain specifies the receptor-ligand interaction. The analysis of homolog-scanning mutants expressed in mammalian cells demonstrates that amino acid side chains that affect IgE binding are located in two discontinuous segments, between residues 165-190 and 224-256. The overall structure of the chimeric binding domains, as probed with 11 conformation-sensitive monoclonal antibodies, is generally not distorted, except by replacement of residues 165-183. In this region, disruption of binding function appears to be caused by global conformational constraints on the binding site. Substitution and deletion mutants demonstrate that six out of eight extracellular cysteines, Cys163, Cys174, Cys191, Cys259, Cys273, and Cys282, are necessary for IgE binding and are most likely involved in intramolecular disulfide bridges. We show that the Fc epsilon RII domain delineated by Cys163 and Cys282 encodes all the structural information required to form the IgE-binding site.

Amino Acid Sequence

Cytokine effects of CD23 are mediated by an epitope distinct from the IgE binding site.

Human CD23 and its soluble forms (sCD23) display various biological activities, in addition to their IgE binding function (IgE/BF). The IgE binding domain was recently mapped to residues between Cys163 and Cys282 but its involvement in IgE-independent, CD23 functions remains unknown. In order to clarify this point, a series of N-terminal, C-terminal and internal deletion mutants of CD23 or sCD23 were expressed in CHO cells and tested for their ability (i) to bind to IgE, (ii) to induce colony formation by human myeloid precursor cells, (iii) to promote mature T cell marker expression by early prothymocytes, and (iv) to regulate IgE synthesis. The present study indicates that cytokine activities require the presence of Cys288, while this amino acid is not necessary for IgE/BF. Blocking experiments using various conformation-sensitive monoclonal antibodies further suggest that active epitope(s) of CD23 in cytokine assays is(are) distinct from those involved in IgE/BF.

Animals

Expression and partial characterization of rat protein kinase C-delta and protein kinase C-zeta in insect cells using recombinant baculovirus.

Expression of rat protein kinase C-delta (PKC-delta) and PKC-zeta in insect cells using recombinant baculovirus resulted in the production of proteins with a molecular size of approximately 76 kD and 78 kD, respectively, as determined by immunoblotting with subtype-specific antisera. Although the PKC-zeta cDNA encoded for 592 amino acids, a 76 kD protein was also generated by in vitro transcription/translation. Extracts of cells expressing PKC-delta were able to bind phorbol ester to levels comparable to extracts of cells expressing PKC-alpha. No phorbol ester binding was, however, detected in insect cell extracts expressing PKC-zeta. However, similar levels of protein kinase activity were detected in lysates of cells expressing PKC-delta or PKC-zeta when protamine sulfate was used as exogenous substrate. Compared to protamine sulfate, both, myelin basic protein (MBP) or histone, were poor substrates for PKC-delta and PKC-zeta. In contrast to PKC-zeta, the PKC-delta enzyme activity phosphorylated MBP or histone in a phosphatidylserine-(PS)/diacylglycerol(DG)-dependent manner, albeit not to the same extent as PKC-alpha. Lack of stimulation of the enzyme activity of PKC-zeta by PS/DG, was confirmed by endogenous phosphorylation of insect cell proteins by PKC-zeta, whereas several insect cell proteins were phosphorylated by PKC-delta in a PS/DG-dependent manner, including a protein of 78 kD. Our data demonstrate that the 76 kD PKC-zeta, in contrast to PKC-delta, is unable to bind phorbol esters and displays a protein kinase activity that is independent of PS or PS/DG. In addition, staurosporine was about 2-4 order of magnitudes less effective in inhibiting the protein kinase activities of PKC-delta and PKC-zeta when compared to PKC-alpha.

Alkaloids

Purification, analysis, and enzymatic activity of recombinant human synovial fluid phospholipase A2 and N-terminal variants.

Recombinant human synovial fluid phospholipase A2 (rPLA2) and several variants with N-terminal sequences modified by addition or deletion of one or two amino acid residues (ala or Met; Des-Asn1, Leu2) have been expressed in mammalian cells and in Escherichia coli, respectively, purified to homogeneity, and characterized. The observed values for the molecular mass of rPLA2 and variants are in complete agreement with the predicted values for a correctly folded structure containing seven disulfide bridges. Moreover, the relative proportions of the various types of secondary structures of the variants of rPLA2, as measured by CD spectroscopy, are similar to that found for native porcine pancreatic PLA2, indicating that the recombinant proteins are correctly folded. Enzymatic activities of rPLA2 with modified N-termini decreased to 1.3-0.005% of the activity of the mature rPLA2, emphasizing a key role of the N-terminus for catalytic activity.

Amino Acid Sequence

Native and recombinant soluble CD23 fragments with IgE suppressive activity.

CD23-bearing cells are known to release 37,000 33,000 and 25,000 MW soluble CD23 (sCD23) fragments that were reported to display multiple biological activities, including the potentiation of IgE synthesis. We previously reported that tunicamycin treatment of RPMI-8866 cells switched the biological activity of the sCD23 released by these cells from IgE potentiation to IgE suppression. In this study we show that tunicamycin-treated cells release small CD23 fragments with a MW of 16,000. These fragments are formed by truncation of the N-terminal 160 amino acids and truncation of the carboxy-terminal end of CD23. Two observations indicate that the cleavage of surface CD23 into 16,000 MW fragments is not caused by tunicamycin-mediated inhibition of the N-glycosylation of CD23 but rather by the deletion of the carboxy terminal end of the molecule: (1) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) transfectants expressing a CD23 mutant lacking the N-glycosylation site release 37,000-33,000 MW sCD23 unless they are treated with tunicamycin; (2) transfectants expressing a CD23 deletion mutant lacking the last 33 carboxy-terminal amino acids release 16,000 MW sCD23. Highly purified native and recombinant 16,000 MW sCD23 bind to IgE and down-regulate the ongoing and the interleukin-4 (IL-4)-stimulated synthesis of IgE.

Animals

Cross-linking of CD23 antigen by its natural ligand (IgE) or by anti-CD23 antibody prevents B lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation.

The possible role of CD23 in the activation of human B lymphocytes was systematically investigated by examining the effect of: 1) anti-CD23 mAb; 2) IgE or IgE-immune complexes and; 3) native or recombinant soluble CD23 of different m.w., on B cell proliferation. Intact anti-CD23 mAb or its F(ab')2 fragments inhibit the proliferation of tonsillar B lymphocytes costimulated with either Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC) or anti-IgM and IL-4. The antibody has no effect when IL-2 or LMW-BCGF is used as the second stimulant. The response of IL-4-pretreated B cells (expressing high levels of CD23) to anti-IgM together with IL-2 or B cell-derived B cell growth factor is inhibited by anti-CD23 mAb, indicating that this antibody prevents B cell activation regardless of the B cell activators but provided that the density of CD23 on B cells is sufficient. Anti-CD23 mAb markedly inhibits DNA synthesis only when added during the first 12 h of the culture and has no effect on the ongoing proliferation of CD23-bearing B cell blasts (SAC induced and IL-4 supported or EBV transformed). Monovalent Fab fragments of anti-CD23 mAb are inactive unless they are used in tandem with goat anti-mouse Fab suggesting that the inhibition is due to cross-linking of surface CD23. Most interestingly, polymeric IgE or IgE-immune complexes have the same effect as anti-CD23 and moreover they inhibit IgM production by SAC and IL4-stimulated B cells. The inhibiting effect of IgE or of anti-CD23 mAb is not due to their neutralization of soluble CD23 because these failed to display B cell growth factor activity under various experimental conditions. It is concluded that IgE-immune complexes may regulate activation and differentiation of CD23-bearing surfaceIgM/surfaceIgD precursor B lymphocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

[Epitheliogenesis imperfecta in lambs].

In a herd of 23 ewes of the White Alp breed, a congenital epitheliogenesis imperfecta was observed in five twin-births. All lambs originated from the same father. Except in one case, only one of the twins was affected. Characteristic lesions were epidermal defects between the coronary groove and the carpal/tarsal joint, exungulation, and defects in the buccal mucosa (cheeks, palatum durum, tongue). After removal of the ram from breeding, no more abnormalities were observed.

Animals

Mechanism of formation of human IgE-binding factors (soluble CD23): III. Evidence for a receptor (Fc epsilon RII)-associated proteolytic activity.

There is mounting evidence that Fc epsilon RII (CD23) and its soluble fragments (IgE-binding factors [BFs] or soluble CD23) have pleiotropic activities. IgE-BFs are formed mainly by the proteolytic cleavage of surface Fc epsilon RII; they are first released as 37- and 33-kD unstable molecules that are subsequently transformed into 25-kD IgE-BFs. In this study, purified and radioiodinated 37-kD IgE-BFs as well as 45-kD Fc epsilon RII were used as substrates to identify the proteases leading to the formation of 25-kD IgE-BFs. These substrates generate 25-kD IgE-BFs when incubated with several Fc epsilon RII-bearing cells, including CHO1-7 cells (transfected with Fc epsilon RII cDNA); by contrast Fc epsilon RII- cells, including CHO control cells, have no effect. Highly purified unlabeled native 37-kD and recombinant 29-kD IgE-BFs also cleave labeled 45-kD Fc epsilon RII into 25-kD IgE-BFs. The proteolytic activity of these purified IgE-BFs is specifically removed by immunoprecipitation with an antibody against IgE-BFs. These data strongly suggest that Fc epsilon RII and some of its soluble fragments play an active role in the proteolytic mechanism generating IgE-BFs. They are supported by the observation that IgE-BFs released by CHO1-7 cells are cleaved exactly at the same sites as B cell-derived IgE-BFs. Taken collectively, the results are compatible with an autoproteolytic process.

Animals

Proliferation of early human myeloid precursors induced by interleukin-1 and recombinant soluble CD23.

Low affinity Fc epsilon receptors (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) or their soluble fragments have various biologic effects on B- and T-cell lineages. In this study, we have assessed the effect of recombinant soluble CD23 (rsCD23) on the proliferation of human bone marrow (BM)-derived myeloid precursors with or without recombinant interleukin-1 (rIL-1) addition. Non-adherent CD2- or CD34+ BM cell subsets were used as target cells. Our results show that rsCD23 in synergy with rIL-1 displays an interleukin-3-like activity as it promotes the proliferation of multipotential marrow precursors. This effect was abolished by anti-CD23 addition to these cultures, but was not affected by anti-IL-3 monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, sequential study indicates that rIL-1 induces bone marrow cell responsiveness to rsCD23.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte

Soluble CD23 (Fc epsilon RII) and interleukin 1 synergistically induce early human thymocyte maturation.

The ability of human thymus-derived CD7+CD2-CD3- cells to acquire mature T cell antigens was assessed. Purified CD7+ thymocytes were incubated with rIL-1, rIL-2, and/or recombinant soluble CD23 (rsCD23). Short-term incubation of these cells with only rsCD23 + rIL-1 induced mature T cell antigen expression on at least half of the cells. The induction of CD2 was functionally significant, as these cells became able to respond to CD2 triggering and could proliferate in response to IL-2. Possible sources of CD23 in the thymus are under investigation.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte

Expression of human lymphocyte IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RII/CD23). Identification of the Fc epsilon RIIa promoter and its functional analysis in B lymphocytes.

Two species, Fc epsilon RIIa and Fc epsilon RIIb, of the human low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) have recently been described. They differ by only six amino acids in the cytoplasmic N-terminus and are generated by different cell-specific transcriptional start sites that lead to distinct 5'-leader sequences in the corresponding mRNA. In this study, we present the analysis of the promoter which is regulating the expression of the B cell-specific Fc epsilon RIIa. Our data show that this promoter is flanked by several long repetitive elements that are influencing transcription in the Burkitt lymphoma B cell line Jijoye. Serial deletions of the 5'-flanking region of the promoter revealed two major regulatory segments that have either inhibitory or enhancing effects on transcription. In addition, IL-4 caused a two- to four-fold up-regulation of the Fc epsilon RIIa promoter activity and the DNA element responsible was mapped within the first 250 bp of the 5'-flanking region. These results were confirmed by transferring the DNA segment containing the putative IL-4 responsive element to a heterologous thymidine kinase promoter. It was concluded that IL-4 augments the Fc epsilon RIIa expression by transcriptional regulation.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte

Human IgE-binding factors.

The production of IgE antibodies is known to be regulated by isotype-specific mechanisms that are not antigen specific. During the last decade several studies have indicated that soluble factors with affinity for IgE (IgE-binding factors, IgE-BFs) may exert such a role by interacting with IgE-bearing B lymphocytes. In the human, some of these IgE-BFs appear to be identical to soluble CD23, a B-cell surface marker thought to be involved in the control of B-cell proliferation or differentiation. In this article, Guy Delespesse and colleagues summarize several new findings regarding the cellular origin, structure and function of IgE-BFs/sCD23.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte

Binding site for IgE of the human lymphocyte low-affinity Fc epsilon receptor (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) is confined to the domain homologous with animal lectins.

The lymphocyte low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII) is involved in two seemingly unrelated processes: (i) promotion of general B-cell growth and (ii) isotype-specific IgE synthesis. To characterize domains of Fc epsilon RII important for effector function, we have expressed Fc epsilon RII mutants in mammalian cells. The results show that the IgE-binding region of Fc epsilon RII corresponds almost exactly to a domain of 123 amino acid residues homologous with the carbohydrate-binding domain of C-type animal lectins. With the recent demonstration that Fc epsilon RII binds to IgE independently of any lectin-like activity [Vercelli, D., Helm, B., Marsh, P., Padlan, E., Geha, R.S. & Gould, H. (1989) Nature (London) 338, 649-651], it is now clear that, in this case, the lectin module has evolved to interact with a protein rather than a carbohydrate moiety. The epitopes of several independent monoclonal antibodies that inhibit the binding of IgE to Fc epsilon RII are clustered within the lectin-like domain. Some of these antibodies are also known to suppress, isotype-specifically, the interleukin 4-promoted IgE synthesis from peripheral blood mononuclear cells or the spontaneous synthesis of IgE by B cells isolated from atopic donors. The epitope of MHM6, an anti-F epsilon RII monoclonal antibody delivering an epitope-restricted growth-promoting effect on B cells, is also located within the lectin-like domain. Thus, the lectin module of Fc epsilon RII not only acts as a carbohydrate-independent, isotype-specific Fc receptor but may also participate in the general regulation of B-cell growth.

Animals

Molecular structure and expression of the murine lymphocyte low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII).

The cDNA encoding the murine low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII) has been isolated from a cDNA library prepared from B cells activated with lipopolysaccharide and interleukin 4. It encodes a 37-kDa protein of 331 amino acids with two potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Analogous to its human counterpart, there is no signal sequence and the putative transmembrane region is close to the amino terminus, indicating an inverse membrane orientation with the carboxyl terminus at the cell exterior. The predicted murine Fc epsilon RII amino acid sequence demonstrates a 57% identity with its human counterpart. The murine sequence has an additional internal repeat motif of 21 amino acids giving four repeats as compared to three in the human sequence. Furthermore, the murine Fc epsilon RII is truncated at the carboxyl terminus and the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence, a common recognition site of integrin receptors, which is found in the reverse configuration in human Fc epsilon RII, is missing. B cells activated with interleukin 4 and lipopolysaccharide have an increased amount of Fc epsilon RII mRNA as compared with resting or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated B cells. Con A-activated normal T cells, the TH-2 cell line D10, as well as the macrophage cell line J774 have no detectable Fc epsilon RII mRNA. Expression analysis using transiently transfected COS cells revealed that recombinant murine Fc epsilon RII binds anti-Fc epsilon RII as well as mouse and rat IgE but does not bind human IgE or mouse IgG. Fc epsilon RII expressed in COS cells has a molecular mass of 45 kDa whereas the Fc epsilon RII from B-cell lines is a 49-kDa protein.

Amino Acid Sequence

Human Fc epsilon R II and IgE-binding factors.

The low-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon R II) is mainly expressed on B lymphocytes, although it may also be found on some monocytes, eosinophils, and platelets. The presence of Fc epsilon R II on T cells is still controversial, but our results demonstrate that it is expressed on some HTLV-I-transformed T lymphocytes, and they strongly suggest that it may be found on a small proportion of normal T cells. Fc epsilon R II is a 45-KD glycoprotein containing one N-linked carbohydrate of complex type, O-linked carbohydrates, and sialic acid residues. Fc II is cleaved into soluble fragments with molecular weights of 37, 33, 25, and 12 KD, the first three retain the ability of binding to IgE, i.e., they are IgE-binding factors (IgE-BFs). The enzymes involved in their proteolytic cleavage are cell bound. The cDNA coding for Fc epsilon R II was cloned and functionally expressed. The predicted sequence has no homology with that of murine IgE-BFs which are of T cell origin. However, there is a striking homology with several animal lectins, and since the IgE-binding site is located in the homology region, it is possible that it binds to IgE via the carbohydrates expressed on the Fc region of this immunoglobulin. The expression of Fc epsilon R II on B cells and the release of IgE-BFs are upregulated by interleukin 4 and suppressed by gamma and alpha interferons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte