Biomedical subjects

K Pfizenmaier

Publications and source records attributed to K Pfizenmaier.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

In vitro activation and substrates of recombinant, baculovirus expressed human protein kinase C mu.

To study enzymatic activity and activation conditions of the recently identified novel protein kinase C mu (PKC mu) subtype, epitope tagged PKC mu was propagated in the baculovirus expression system and was purified to homogeneity. PKC mu displays high affinity phorbol ester binding (Kd=7 nM) resulting in enhanced phosphatidylserine-dependent kinase activity. From various lipid second messengers known to activate PKCs only diacylglycerol and PtdIns-4,5-P2, were found to promote PKC mu kinase activity. Two peptides derived from the glycogen synthase, GS-peptide and syntide 2, were found to be phosphorylated efficiently in vitro. MARCKS (myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate) served as an in vitro substrate for PKC mu too. However, in contrast to other PKCs, a peptide derived from the MARCKS phosphorylation domain is phosphorylated only at serine 156, and not at serines 152 and 163, implicating a differential regulation by PKC mu.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Tumor necrosis factors in 1996.

The 6th International Congress on Tumor Necrosis Factors and Related Molecules was held in Faliraki, Island of Rhodes, Greece, 8-12 May, 1996. This review summarizes the topics addressed and highlights some of the major advances presented during the meeting.

ADAM Proteins↗

PubMed1996

Protein kinase C mu is located at the Golgi compartment.

Protein kinase C mu (PKC mu) displays unusual structural features like a pleckstrin homology domain and an amino-terminal hydrophobic region with a putative leader peptide and transmembrane sequence. As a discrete location often is a direct clue to the potential biological function of a kinase, antibodies directed against unique amino- and carboxy-terminal domains of PKC mu were used to localize the protein within intracellular compartments in immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation studies. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed colocalization of PKC mu with the resident Golgi marker protein beta 1,4 galactosyltransferase in PKC mu transfectants and in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2, expressing endogenous PKC mu. Long-term treatment of cells with brefeldin A, which disintegrates the Golgi apparatus, disrupted PKC mu-specific staining. Cosegregation of PKC mu with beta 1,4 galactosyltransferase, but not with the endosomal marker rab5, upon density gradient fractionation and Western blot analysis of HepG2 cell extracts, provides independent evidence for a Golgi localization of PKC mu. Moreover, cellular sulfate uptake and Golgi-specific glycosaminoglycan sulfation was enhanced in PKC mu transfectants. Together, these data suggest that PKC mu is a resident protein kinase of the core Golgi compartment and is involved in basal transport processes.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1996

Characterization of different soluble TNF receptor (TNFR80) derivatives: positive influence of the intracellular domain on receptor/ligand interaction and TNF neutralization capacity.

Different soluble human TNFR80 derivatives, a solubilized form of the complete TNFR80, the TNFR80 extracellular domain, a secretory TNFR80 mutant (TR80TM-) with a deleted transmembrane region, and a TNFR80 immunoadhesin were produced in insect cells and characterized side by side with a recombinant human TNFR60 extracellular domain with respect to TNF binding affinity and neutralization of TNF bioactivity. The construct TR80TM- and the solubilized complete TNFR80 revealed a similar TNF binding and neutralization capacity, which was superior to the monovalent TNFR80 extracellular domain and comparable to the bivalent TNFR80 immunoadhesin, already known as a potent TNF antagonist. Determination of ligand off rate constants of the various receptor constructs by surface plasmon resonance revealed a correlation of low off rates with a high TNF neutralization capacity. We propose that the high TNF binding and neutralization capacity of the solubilized complete TNFR80 and TR80TM- in comparison with the monovalent extracellular TNR80 domain is due to a noncovalent self-aggregation of the receptors via their intracellular domain. This finding suggests that efficient soluble TNF antagonists can be derived from TNFR themselves without the need of construction of TNFR Ig Fc fusion proteins.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic↗

PubMed1995

The transmembrane form of tumor necrosis factor is the prime activating ligand of the 80 kDa tumor necrosis factor receptor.

The 60 kDa tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR60) is regarded as the major signal transducer of TNF-induced cellular responses, whereas the signal capacity and role of the 80 kDa TNFR (TNFR80) remain largely undefined. We show here that the transmembrane form of TNF is superior to soluble TNF in activating TNFR80 in various systems such as T cell activation, thymocyte proliferation, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor production. Intriguingly, activation of TNFR80 by membrane TNF can lead to qualitatively different TNF responses such as rendering resistant tumor cells sensitive to TNF-mediated cytotoxicity. This study demonstrates that the diversity of TNF effects can be controlled through the differential sensitivity of TNFR80 for the two forms of TNF and suggests an important physiological role for TNFR80 in local inflammatory responses.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Both tumor necrosis factor receptors, TNFR60 and TNFR80, are involved in signaling endothelial tissue factor expression by juxtacrine tumor necrosis factor alpha.

We have investigated the role of the two distinct tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors (TNFR60 and TNFR80) in endothelial cell activation employing an in vitro model of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-dependent tissue factor production of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In this model, tissue factor is produced either on addition of exogeneous TNF-alpha, or by induction of endogenous TNF-alpha via adhesion molecule-linked signal pathways. Under both conditions, tissue factor expression could be partially blocked by antagonistic antibodies against either TNFR60 or TNFR80 and was fully inhibited by simultaneous application of both antibodies. Selective inhibitors of either TNFR60 or TNFR80-induced signal pathways inhibited tissue factor expression, and selective triggering of either of the two TNF receptors by agonistic antibodies induced this response in HUVECs. Furthermore, a coculture system of HUVECs and Chinese hamster ovary transfectants expressing a noncleavable, exclusively membrane-bound form of TNF-alpha resulted in a potent activation of HUVECs with synergistic action of both TNF receptors. Together, these data underline the importance of juxtacrine pathways in endothelial cell activation of procoagulant functions and show that membrane TNF-alpha and both TNFR types play a critical role.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗

PubMed1995

PKC zeta is a molecular switch in signal transduction of TNF-alpha, bifunctionally regulated by ceramide and arachidonic acid.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) stimulates a number of signal transduction pathways in which phospholipases produce lipid second messengers. However, the immediate molecular targets of these messengers, in particular those of ceramide and arachidonic acid (AA) and their role in TNF signaling are not well defined. In this study we investigated the relationship of ceramide and AA in regulating an atypical PKC isozyme, PKC zeta. U937 cells responding to TNF-alpha treatment with NF kappa B activation displayed enhanced phosphorylation of PKC zeta, which is already detectable 30 s after stimulation. [14C]ceramide specifically binds to and regulates kinase activity of PKC zeta in a biphasic manner. Binding studies indicate high and low affinity binding with bmax values of 60 and 600 nM and Kd values of 7.5 and 320 nM respectively. At ceramide concentrations as low as 0.5 nM an up to 4-fold increase in autophosphorylation is obtained, which, at concentrations > 60 nM, again declines to basal levels. Interestingly, AA competes for ceramide binding and inhibits basal and ceramide-stimulated PKC zeta kinase activity at < 100 nM. Metabolism of [14C]ceramide in cells is slow and is inhibited in the presence of equimolar concentrations of lyso-phosphatidylcholine. Based on the bifunctional modulation of PKC zeta by the lipid messengers ceramide and AA, a model of TNF signal pathways is suggested in which PKC zeta takes a central position, acting as a molecular switch between mitogenic and growth inhibitory signals of TNF-alpha.

Arachidonic Acid↗

PubMed1995

Characterization of activators and inhibitors of protein kinase C mu.

In order to investigate regulatory mechanisms and to identify potential substrates of a novel member of the protein kinase C (PKC) family, PKC mu, specific antibodies have been raised against unique amino- and carboxy-terminal regions. PKC mu kinase activity was studied upon immunoprecipitation from stably transfected cell lines as well as from the A549 carcinoma cell line expressing the endogenous PKC mu gene. Cell fractionation revealed that PKC mu is predominantly found in the particulate fraction, suggesting an association with the membrane or membrane-bound structures. In vitro kinase assays with immunoprecipitated PKC mu demonstrated a Ca2+ independent enhancement of constitutive autophosphorylation activity by phosphatidylserine. Despite a limited in vitro phorbol ester response, an apparent phorbol ester activation of PKC mu was observed when cell cultures, instead of immunoprecipitated enzyme, were treated with either phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or 1,2 dioleoyl-sn-glycerol. Both in vitro autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation of myelin basic protein and histone III were enhanced under these conditions. However, long-term treatment with the phorbol ester did not result in downregulation of PKC mu protein levels and kinase activity. Studies with several protein kinase inhibitors revealed a novel sensitivity profile of PKC mu, with no inhibition by calphostin C, reduced sensitivity to staurosporine but, compared to other PKCs, an approximately 60-fold higher sensitivity to the selective PKA inhibitor H89. Together, the data presented here show that localization of PKC mu and regulation of its kinase activity differ from that of other PKCs suggesting a novel function of PKC mu in intracellular signal pathways.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

A bivalent immunoadhesin of the human interferon-gamma receptor is an effective inhibitor of IFN-gamma activity.

We describe here the bioengineering of a bivalent IFN-gamma-RFc immunoadhesin consisting of the extracellular domain of the human IFN-gamma receptor alpha chain (IFN-gamma-R) fused to a human IgG1 Fc region (encoding hinge, CH2 and CH3 domain) that was efficiently expressed as a covalently linked homodimer in insect cells and purified in a one-step purification procedure. The IFN-gamma-RFc fusion protein exerted a 3-fold higher ligand binding affinity in binding competition studies in vitro compared with the monovalent extracellular IFN-gamma-R domain. In addition, the in vitro antagonistic activity of IFN-gamma-RFc, as determined by inhibition of IFN-gamma-induced virus protection and HLA-DR expression, was more than 30-fold higher in comparison with the monovalent soluble receptor. The described IFN-gamma-R immunoadhesin is a potential therapeutic reagent to interfere with the disease-promoting activities of IFN-gamma in several autoimmune diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Signaling by E-selectin and ICAM-1 induces endothelial tissue factor production via autocrine secretion of platelet-activating factor and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Based on previous studies showed adhesion molecule-dependent induction of tissue factor upon endothelium-lymphocyte interactions, we investigated whether E-selectin and ICAM-1 are linked to signaling pathways leading to tissue factor gene expression. Cellular interaction was mimicked by antibody cross-linking of E-selectin and ICAM-1 on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), resulting in induction of tissue factor mRNA and protein expression. Tissue factor production could be independently abolished by antibodies against TNF-alpha and by WEB 2086, a platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist. Because WEB 2086 prevented the production and/or secretion of TNF-alpha by HUVECs, these results provide evidence for E-selectin- and ICAM-1-linked signal pathways leading to tissue factor synthesis in endothelial cells via an autocrine feedback loop involving PAF and TNF-alpha secretion.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

PubMed1995

Lymphocyte adhesion to human endothelial cells induces tissue factor expression via a juxtacrine pathway.

To study the effect of lymphocyte adhesion on the procoagulant activity of endothelial cells, we have stimulated HUVECs with interferon-gamma to upregulate adhesion molecules. Subsequent addition of lymphocytes induced the expression of tissue factor (TF) by HUVECs. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells promoted this TF synthesis via distinct adhesion molecules (CD4+ T-cells: E-selectin and ICAM-1; CD8+ T-cells: MHC-I molecules). In addition, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and -beta (TNF alpha, TNF beta) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) were involved in lymphocyte-mediated TF expression on HUVECs. We demonstrate that PAF plays a pivotal role in this process. Adhesion of lymphocytes to endothelial cell surface molecules induced the release of PAF. PAF, in turn, caused the production of TNF alpha and TNF beta, both of which are potent stimulators of TF expression.

Azepines↗

PubMed1995

A single-chain TNF receptor antagonist is an effective inhibitor of TNF mediated cytotoxicity.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is an important mediator of immune and inflammatory responses and has been recognized as a major pathogenic factor in several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. TNF receptor TR60 plays a critical role in signalling the pathogenic activities of TNF. We here describe molecular cloning and bacterial production of a single-chain antibody (scFv H398) directed against TR60 which possesses antagonistic activity. VH and VL encoding sequences were isolated by PCR from the murine hybridoma cell line H398, cloned into a scFv expression vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant antibody (Ab) fragment was found as an active soluble protein in the periplasm but also formed inclusion bodies. Re-folded scFv H398 purified from inclusion bodies was shown to be functional and stable at 37 degrees C with a half-life of 50 h. Comparison of the antigen binding characteristics of scFv with the parental enzymatically produced Fab H398 revealed that both Ab fragments have the same epitope specificity and an identical antigen binding affinity of 1.5 nM. In an in vitro assay it was demonstrated that scFv H398 is an efficient inhibitor of TNF mediated cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 22 nM, which is comparable to the antagonistic activity of natural Fab H398 with an IC50 of 12 nM. As scFv H398 possesses the high affinity TR60 binding and receptor antagonistic activity of the parental Ab H398 but is expected to be less antigenic in man, it provides a valuable tool for the development of novel therapeutic reagents against TNF mediated diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

TNF receptors TR60 and TR80 can mediate apoptosis via induction of distinct signal pathways.

TNF membrane receptors are usually co-expressed in many tissues but their relative contribution to cellular TNF responses is for most situations unknown. In a TNF cytotoxicity model of KYM-1, a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line, we recently demonstrated that each of the two TNFRs is on its own capable of inducing cell death. Here we show that both receptors are able to induce apoptosis, as revealed from a similar onset of DNA fragmentation and typical morphologic criteria. To obtain additional information about the signaling pathways involved in TR60- and TR80-induced programmed cell death, we have used a series of selective inhibitors of intracellular signaling molecules. The overall pattern emerging from these experiments provides strong evidence for distinct signal pathway usage of TR60 and TR80, indicating protein kinase(s)-mediated control of TR60 signaling and a tight linkage of TR80 to arachidonate metabolism. The subsequent establishment of KYM-1-derived cell lines that display TNFR selective resistance further supports a segregation of TR60 and TR80 signaling pathways for induction of apoptotic cell death. Moreover, these results demonstrate an independent control of the distinct signaling cascades used by TR60 and TR80. This allows a highly flexible regulation of a cellular TNF response in those cases in which both receptors contribute to overall TNF responsiveness.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1994

PKCu is a novel, atypical member of the protein kinase C family.

We have isolated the full-length cDNA of a novel human serine/threonine protein kinase gene. The deduced protein sequence shows strong homology to conserved domains of members of the protein kinase C (PKC) subfamily. Homologies reside in the duplex zinc-finger-like cysteine-rich motif and in the protein kinase domain. The lack of the C2 domain of the Ca(2+)-dependent PKCs and the presence of a unique NH2-terminal sequence with a potential signal peptide and a transmembrane domain suggest that PKC mu is a novel member of the subgroup of atypical PKCs. An open reading frame coding for 912 amino acids directs an in vitro translation product with an apparent M(r) of 115,000. In vitro phorbol ester binding studies and kinase assays with lysates of cells overexpressing PKC mu showed phorbol ester-independent kinase activity, autophosphorylation, and, in normal rat kidney (NRK) cells, predominant phosphorylation of a 30-kDa protein at serine residues. Southern analysis revealed that PKC mu is a single copy gene located on human chromosome 21. There is constitutive low level expression of the human PKC mu gene in normal tissues with a single transcript of 3.8 kilobases and elevated expression levels in selected tumor cell lines. These data suggest a role of PKC mu in signal transduction pathways related to growth control.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Molecular cloning of hydroxynitrile lyase from Sorghum bicolor (L.). Homologies to serine carboxypeptidases.

The heterotetrameric enzyme hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) from sorghum (EC 4.1.2.11) is involved in the catabolism of the cyanogenic glycoside dhurrin. We have isolated a cDNA clone comprising about 90% of the COOH terminal sequence of a precursor which encodes both subunit of HNL from Sorghum bicolor L. (SbHNL). Hence the subunits of SbHNL must be the result of post-translational processing. The deduced amino acid sequence of HNL shares significant sequence homology with members of the serine carboxypeptidase family. In particular, HNL from sorghum shares the catalytical triad Asp. His, and Ser with these enzymes which evolved in 3 groups of enzymes (carboxypeptidase, chymotrypsin, and subtilisin) by convergent evolution. Moreover, like serine carboxypeptidases, HNL from sorghum consists of two pairs of glycosylated cysteine linked A and B chains forming a heterotetramer of a molecular weight of 105,000 (carboxypeptidases 120,000). Thus, HNL from sorghum closely resembles to serine carboxypeptidases but differs from all other HNLs described so far. Western blotting experiments revealed cross reaction between carboxypeptidase from wheat and anti SbHNL antisera. Therefore, convergent evolution of HNLs from various ancestoral enzymes is conceivable. Hybridization of SbHNL cDNA to northern blots of total RNAs isolated from various organs of young sorghum seedlings shows the same expression pattern of HNL as found by means of western blotting or enzyme assays. Using PCR and Southern blot analysis, we demonstrated that the gene of SbHNL is free of introns. Further sequence analysis of cDNA clones and genomic DNA revealed a stretch of 23 adenine residues in the 3'-untranslated part of the gene. Both, intronless organisation of the gene and a genomic stretch of oligo A suggests that SbHNL may have evolved by a reverse transcription event.

Aldehyde-Lyases↗

PubMed1994

Coexpression of the human TNF receptors TR60 and TR80 in insect cells: analysis of receptor complex formation.

For investigation of a possible physical interaction between the two human tumor necrosis factor receptors, TR60 (type I) and TR80 (type II), the baculovirus expression system was used. Each of the receptors was expressed as a membrane-integrated protein in insect cells, able to specifically bind the two ligands, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin (LT alpha). Typically, about 150,000 membrane receptors per cell could be detected 40 h after infection, exerting high affinity ligand binding capacity with Kd values virtually identical to that of human cell lines. The baculovirus system allowed coexpression of both TNF membrane receptors at very high and about equal numbers to investigate the existence of heteromultimeric receptor complexes, either formed spontaneously or ligand induced. Neither saturation binding studies nor immunoprecipitation experiments gave an indication for the existence of TNF receptor heteromers. These data are in accordance with the current view of TNF signaling, in which homonultimerization, rather than heteromer formation of TNF receptors is the initial activating event.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Expression of complete human IFN-gamma receptor and its extracellular domain in insect cells: purification and characterization of the recombinant proteins.

We here describe an efficient procedure for overexpression and purification of recombinant complete human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) receptor (IFN-gamma-R) and its extracellular fragment employing a baculovirus (BV) expression system. Infection of Sf 158 cells with recombinant BV results in membrane expression of high affinity IFN-gamma-R (Kd 1.6 x 10(-10) M), with approximately 10(6) molecules/cell 40 h postinfection. Solubilized, affinity-purified IFN-gamma-R and a secreted extracellular domain of IFN-gamma-R were compared for ligand-binding capacity and antagonistic activity in an IFN-gamma bioassay. Our results show that the complete receptor has a 2.5-fold higher ligand affinity and a 15-fold higher IFN-gamma in vitro-neutralizing capacity in an in vitro virus protection assay as compared to the extracellular fragment. This suggests that the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of IFN-gamma-R contribute to stability and/or enhance formation of biologically active receptor complexes in solution.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Modulation of monocyte activation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by leukapheresis therapy.

One of the hallmarks in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the intense activation of the monocyte-macrophage system. In the present investigation, the modulation of blood monocyte activation was studied with regard to the secretion of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, and to the expression of cytokine receptors. Patients with severe active RA underwent repeated leukapheresis procedures that removed all circulating monocytes. Highly enriched monocyte preparations from the first and third leukapheresis were studied. There were striking differences between the two monocyte populations. Cells obtained from the first leukapheresis constitutively released large amounts of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), neopterin, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In particular, IL-1 beta and neopterin production were further enhanced by stimulation with either interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or TNF-alpha without a synergistic effect. In contrast, cells derived from the third leukapheresis procedure showed a close to normal activation status with only low levels of cytokine and mediator production as well as a reduced response to cytokine stimulation. The number of the receptors for IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha was not changed between first and third leukapheresis. However, TNF-binding capacity was only detectable upon acid treatment of freshly isolated monocytes. A further upregulation was noted upon 24 h in vitro culture, suggesting occupation of membrane receptors and receptor down-regulation by endogenously produced TNF-alpha. Northern blot analysis of cytokine gene expression was in good correlation with the amount of mediators determined on the protein level. These data indicate that cells of the monocyte-macrophage system are already highly activated in the peripheral blood in RA patients with active disease. These cells can be efficiently removed by repeated leukapheresis and are replenished by monocytes that have, with respect to cytokine and mediator production, a considerably lower activation status.

Antigens, CD↗