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Biomedical subjects

L Rohrschneider

Publications and source records attributed to L Rohrschneider.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Anti-colony-stimulating factor-1 antibody staining in primary breast adenocarcinomas correlates with marked inflammatory cell infiltrates and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies have shown that a marked lymphoplasmocytic reaction in breast tumors is associated with poor prognosis. Such findings raise the possibility that an inflammatory cell reaction might be a tumor-induced response that tends to promote tumor growth. PURPOSE: We assessed the expression of colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) as well as the prevalence of specific tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and monocytes in breast tumors. METHODS: Tissue sections were obtained from archival paraffin blocks from 196 breast cancer patients. Seventy-eight percent of the women had been treated by mastectomy and 22% by lumpectomy. Median age of the patients was 54 years, and median follow-up was 7.3 years. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques were used to characterize the specimens. RESULTS: Markedly high numbers of CD45RO-positive T- and L26-positive B-cell infiltrates were found in 13% and 17% of the tissue specimens, respectively. CSF-1 receptor-positive monocytes were detected in 48% and CD68-positive monocytes in 90% of the tumors. In turn, tumors with large fractions of CD68-positive monocytes also showed CSF-1 receptor-positive monocytes (P < .0001). CSF-1 was expressed significantly in 74% of the tumors and the CSF-1 receptor in more than 50% of the tumors. Tumors with high percentages of CSF-1 expressing cells also had marked monocyte infiltrates (P = .035). The presence of marked CD45RO-positive T-cell infiltrates and apparent nuclear staining of CSF-1 in tumor cells were associated with the more frequent occurrence of metastases (P = .02 and P = .04, respectively) and with poor survival (P = .02 and P = .03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Large numbers of CD45RO-positive (activated memory but noncytotoxic) T cells as well as a predominant nuclear staining pattern for CSF-1 are associated with a poor outcome in breast cancer patients. IMPLICATIONS: Nuclear retention of CSF-1 could reflect CSF-1 turnover and function in tumor cells, but new approaches are needed to establish the significance of these observations. Secreted CSF-1 appears to cause monocyte recruitment and activation, thereby modulating immune functions and potentially the expression of the CD45RO phenotype in T cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The effect of activating mutations on dimerization, tyrosine phosphorylation and internalization of the macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor.

Oncogenic activation of the macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) receptor (c-Fms) requires mutation or truncation of the carboxyl terminus and specific amino acid substitutions in or near the fourth immunoglobulin (Ig)-like loop in the extracellular domain. Using a murine c-Fms system, we investigated the effect of C-terminal truncation, substitutions at amino acids 301 and 374 in the fourth Ig-like loop of the extracellular domain, or the combined mutations on individual steps in receptor activation. The mutations at amino acids 301 and 374 were necessary, but not sufficient, for receptor dimerization in the absence of M-CSF. Only receptors with a truncated C-terminus as well as the extracellular domain mutations dimerized efficiently in the absence of M-CSF, suggesting that the C-terminus of c-Fms also regulates receptor oligomerization. Truncation of the C-terminus alone did not cause receptor dimerization and did not activate the kinase enzymatic activity. Thus, truncation of the C-terminus did not activate receptor monomers in cis. Receptors with both a truncated C-terminus and the extracellular domain mutations underwent ligand-independent aggregation, transphosphorylation, and phosphorylation of cellular proteins, followed by rapid internalization and degradation. These results suggest that M-CSF binding to c-Fms initiates activation by inducing conformational changes in both the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain and the fourth Ig-like loop of the extracellular domain, leading to the formation of stable receptor dimers.

Animals↗

Identification of the ligand-binding regions in the macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor extracellular domain.

The c-fms gene encodes the receptor for the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and its extracellular domain consists of five immunoglobulin-like subdomains. To identify which of the five immunoglobulin-like regions are involved in ligand binding, we polymerase chain reaction-cloned five segments of the extracellular domain of the murine c-fms gene, each starting with the normal initiation codon and containing successive additions of the immunoglobulin-like subdomains. These protein segments are designated A, B, C, D, and E and contain, from the N-terminal end, either one, two, three, four, or all five immunoglobulin-like subdomains, respectively. Each segment was expressed as a secreted soluble protein from a baculovirus expression vector in Sf9 insect cells. In addition, segments A, B, C, and E were produced as soluble alkaline phosphatase fusion proteins, as was a segment containing only the fourth and fifth immunoglobulin domains. These segments of the Fms extracellular domain were used to assess M-CSF binding by competition radioimmunoassays, plate binding immunoassays, and immunoprecipitation analyses. The results indicated that the first two N-terminal immunoglobulin-like domains did not interact with M-CSF but, in combination with the third immunoglobulin-like domain, provided high-affinity M-CSF binding. The fourth and fifth immunoglobulin-like domains near the cell membrane did not exhibit M-CSF binding and may inhibit interaction of M-CSF with the first three immunoglobulin domains. These results suggest that the three N-terminal immunoglobulin-like domains constitute the high-affinity M-CSF binding region and that the fourth and fifth immunoglobulin-like domains may perform functions other than ligand binding.

Animals↗

The role of kinase activity and the kinase insert region in ligand-induced internalization and degradation of the c-fms protein.

Molecular steps in endocytosis and degradation of the c-fms protein were analyzed by following the fate of mutated c-fms molecules after M-CSF binding. A mutant c-fms protein lacking tyrosine kinase activity was rapidly internalized after M-CSF binding but not degraded. Another mutant c-fms molecule that lacked most of the kinase insert region was similarly internalized after M-CSF binding and also not degraded. This indicates that the signal for internalization is separate from that directing degradation of the receptor. It has been shown previously that a c-fms mutant in which the kinase insert domain is deleted retains tyrosine kinase activity but lacks two major sites of autophosphorylation. The degradation step therefore requires both kinase activity and the kinase insert region whereas the internalization step is independent of these factors. The major sites of tyrosine autophosphorylation within the kinase insert region were next mutated to determine whether autophosphorylation in the kinase insert region of c-fms might be the signal that triggers degradation of internalized receptors. These mutant receptors were still rapidly degraded in response to M-CSF. Therefore, ligand-induced degradation of c-fms may require tyrosine phosphorylation of a protein other than the c-fms receptor itself and the kinase insert region may be necessary for recognition of this substrate.

Animals↗

The unique insert of cellular and viral fms protein tyrosine kinase domains is dispensable for enzymatic and transforming activities.

The receptors for colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), platelet derived growth factor and the c-kit protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) contain within their catalytic domains a stretch of 60-100 residues, largely unrelated in sequence, with no counterpart in other PTKs. Of the 64 amino acids within this kinase insert, 58 were deleted from the mouse CSF-1 receptor by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The mutant CSF-1 receptor was not markedly affected in its kinase activity, post-translational processing or its ability to induce autocrine transformation of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Similarly, retention of kinase and transforming activities were observed following deletion of part or all of the kinase insert from the v-fms oncoprotein. The c- and v-fms kinase inserts were probed using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and were found to be highly antigenic. Two monoclonal antibodies raised to the v-fms cytoplasmic domain both recognized epitopes within the insert, and bound enzymatically active v-fms glycoproteins. These results indicate that the fms kinase insert is located on the surface of the protein and folds separately from the rest of the catalytic domain, but is not required for the biological activity of fms PTKs ectopically expressed in mouse fibroblasts. The insert may therefore play a specific function in cells such as monocytes and trophoblasts that normally express the CSF-1 receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Integrins isolated from Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts.

Avian integrins are a complex of three integral membrane glycoproteins that are thought to have a role both in anchoring the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane and establishing linkages to the extracellular matrix. We previously demonstrated that bands 2 and 3 of integrin are phosphorylated on both tyrosine and serine residues in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) transformed with Rous Sarcoma virus (RSV) and other oncogenic retroviruses. The effects of RSV transformation on integrins from chick cells are now further characterized. The major site of tyrosine phosphorylation on band 3 in RSV transformed CEF has been identified as tyrosine 788. We also demonstrate that the product of the RSV oncogene, pp60v-src, can phosphorylate integrin in vitro, at the same residue. Tryptic peptide mapping and tunicamycin treatment indicates that a previously observed 4-8 k increase in the Mr of integrins from RSV-transformed cells can be attributed to an alteration in a post-translational modification such as glycosylation. Equilibrium gel filtration assays were used to test the ability of integrins from RSV-transformed CEF to interact with talin and fibronectin. Tyrosine phosphorylated integrins showed a decreased ability to interact with both these ligands in vitro. Conversely, integrins isolated from RSV-transformed CEF metabolically labeled in the absence of phosphatase inhibitor contained only low levels of phosphotyrosine and showed an almost normal ability to interact with ligands. Competition experiments indicated that the region of integrin containing tyrosine 788 is also important for talin binding to integrins.

Animals↗

Cytoskeletal association of pp60src. The transforming protein of the Rous sarcoma virus.

Immunoferritin labelling methods have been employed to examine the distribution of the Rous Sarcoma virus (RSV)-transforming protein pp60src in the detergent-resistant cytoskeleton of transformed cells. pp60src was found to be localized on actin microfilaments present in adhesion plaques, at adherens junctions between cells and also in microfilament bundles. This localization is consistent with the hypothesis that some of the morphological effects of transformation result from the interaction in situ of pp60src with microfilament-bound target proteins.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus syncytium formation and virus replication by castanospermine.

Castanospermine (1,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyoctahydroindolizine) is a plant alkaloid that modifies glycosylation by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase I. Castanospermine is shown to inhibit syncytium formation induced by the envelope glycoprotein of the human immunodeficiency virus and to inhibit viral replication. The decrease in syncytium formation in the presence of castanospermine can be attributed to inhibition of processing of the envelope precursor protein gp160, with resultant decreased cell surface expression of the mature envelope glycoprotein gp120. In addition, castanospermine may cause defects in steps involved in membrane fusion after binding of CD4 antigen. The antiviral effects of castanospermine may be due to modifications of the envelope glycoprotein that affect the ability of the virus to enter cells after attachment to the CD4 cell receptor.

Alkaloids↗

Phosphorylation of the fibronectin receptor complex in cells transformed by oncogenes that encode tyrosine kinases.

The fibronectin (FN) receptor in avian cells has been characterized previously as a complex of three membrane glycoproteins of about Mr 160,000, Mr 140,000, and Mr 120,000 (simply termed protein band 1, band 2, and band 3, respectively). Monoclonal antibodies to the band 3 protein of the complex prevent FN and laminin binding both in vivo and in vitro and enable the detection of the receptor proteins in the plasma membrane and in adhesion plaques. Association of the FN receptor proteins with the adhesion-plaque protein talin also has been reported. We now find that the band 2 and band 3 proteins in the complex are phosphorylated in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken cells but not in normal chicken cells. Phosphorylation occurs predominantly on tyrosine and is accompanied by a reorganization of the receptor complex in the membrane of the transformed cells. Whereas normal cells contain the FN receptor in focal contacts and cellular processes between cells, v-src-transformed cells exhibit a more diffuse distribution of this receptor. In addition to the viral v-src oncogene, cells transformed by other avian oncogenes that also encode tyrosine kinases (v-fps, v-erbB, and v-yes) also express the receptor complex proteins in the phosphorylated state regardless of whether the transforming protein is detectable in adhesion plaques. These results suggest that the altered FN and laminin receptor proteins may contribute to the transformed phenotype, but their significance and role in the transformed state remain to be established.

Animals↗

Localization of the feline sarcoma virus fgr gene product (P70gag-actin-fgr): association with the plasma membrane and detergent-insoluble matrix.

The v-fgr oncogene codes for a unique transforming protein (P70gag-actin-fgr) that contains virus-specific determinants and cell-derived sequences for both a tyrosine-specific kinase domain and an actin domain. We examined the subcellular distribution of the v-fgr protein by immunofluorescence microscopy and various cell fractionation techniques. By immunofluorescence, the v-fgr protein was localized in a diffuse cytoplasmic pattern within transformed cells. The v-fgr protein was not detectable at substratum adhesion sites. Crude membrane preparations (P100) obtained from fgr-transformed cells contained elevated levels of P70gag-actin-fgr. Further analysis of membranes on discontinous sucrose gradients revealed that P70gag-actin-fgr cofractionated with plasma membranes. Using an alternate method of fractionation, we found that the majority of the v-fgr protein remained with the insoluble matrix obtained by treating cells with a buffer containing Triton X-100. When membranes were similarly treated with detergent, nearly all of v-fgr protein remained with the residual insoluble matrix. These results suggest that the transforming activity of P70gag-actin-fgr may be directed to subcellular cytoskeletal targets at or near the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane.

Actins↗

Cell anchorage determines whether mammary tumor virus glycoproteins are processed for plasma membranes or secretion.

The subcellular localization of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) glycoproteins was analyzed in infected and cloned rat hepatocarcinoma cells cultured with the MMTV transcriptional inducer dexamethasone. When reacted with protein A-coated erythrocytes in the presence of antisera specific for viral glycoproteins or with fluorescent antisera, only some of the cells acquired surface label. This diversity was dependent on cell anchorage to the substratum. In general, the more rounded, less adherent cells contained the MMTV glycoproteins on their surfaces, whereas the flatter, more adherent cells did not. After a change in adherence, a delay preceded complete remodeling of the plasma membranes. Fluorescent antibody studies of fixed cells and analyses of viral glycoprotein synthesis and shedding using L-[35S]methionine indicated that the different expression of MMTV glycoproteins in round versus flat cells is caused by a switch in posttranslational processing. In round cells, the MMTV-encoded precursor glycoprotein is proteolytically cleaved and then transported to plasma membranes as a complex of two subunits, the smaller being the membrane anchor. In flat adherent cells, the smaller subunit is rapidly degraded in an intracellular organelle and the larger is then secreted into the medium. As indicated by labeling of cells with 125I, the concentrations of several host-encoded plasma membrane components are also influenced by cell anchorage. We propose that this switch in cell surfaces and in secretions dependent upon cell-substratum attachments may be a common control mechanism important for embryogenesis, wound healing, and cancer.

Animals↗

Regulation of cellular morphology by the Rous sarcoma virus src gene: analysis of fusiform mutants.

We have been interested in how Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) influences transformed cell morphology and compared the molecular properties of chicken embryo cells (CEC) infected with mutants of RSV that induce the fusiform transformed cell morphology with those of CEC infected by wild-type RSV, which induces the more normal round transformed cell morphology. We looked for properties shared by all fusiform mutant-infected cells, because these may be responsible for maintaining the fusiform morphology. Five different fusiform mutants, two wild-type RSVs, and one wild-type back revertant of a fusiform mutant were studied. In the fusiform mutant-infected cells, the localization and myristylation of pp60src were determined and the extent of expression of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin was examined at both the mRNA and protein levels. The phosphorylation of vinculin on tyrosine also was examined in the same CEC. Within all fusiform mutant-transformed CEC, pp60src was dramatically absent from the adhesion plaque sites normally seen in cells transformed with wild-type RSV, and these transformed CEC all expressed more fibronectin mRNA and protein in the extracellular matrix than did the wild-type RSV-transformed CEC. The absence of pp60src from the adhesion plaques was not due to lack of myristylation of the src protein, and tyrosine phosphorylation of vinculin was not related to fibronectin expression. These results suggest that the inverse relationship between pp60src in the adhesion plaques and fibronectin expression in the extracellular matrix may be interconnected phenomena and could be related to the maintenance of the fusiform transformed morphology.

Animals↗

Characterization of the human c-fms gene product and its expression in cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage.

The McDonough strain of feline sarcoma virus contains an oncogene called v-fms whose ultimate protein product (gp140v-fms) resembles a cell surface growth factor receptor. To identify and characterize the protein product of the proto-oncogene c-fms, antisera were prepared to the viral fms sequences and used to detect specific cross-reacting sequences in human choriocarcinoma cells (BeWo) known to express c-fms mRNA. Both tumor-bearing rat sera and a rabbit antiserum prepared to a segment of v-fms expressed in Escherichia coli detected a 140-kilodalton (kDa) glycoprotein in the BeWo cells. Tryptic fingerprint analysis of [35S]methionine-labeled proteins indicated that the viral fms proteins and the 140-kDa BeWo cell protein were highly related. This 140-kDa glycoprotein contained an associated tyrosine kinase activity in vitro and was labeled principally on serine after 32Pi metabolic labeling. These results suggest that the 140-kDa protein in BeWo cells is the protein product of the human c-fms proto-oncogene. This conclusion is supported by the finding that a similar protein is detectable only in other human cells that express c-fms mRNA. These other human cells include adherent monocytes and the cell line ML-1, which can be induced to differentiate along the monocyte-macrophage pathway. This is in agreement with current thought that the c-fms proto-oncogene product functions as the CSF-1 receptor specific to this pathway.

Antigens↗

Cell surface expression of the McDonough strain of feline sarcoma virus fms gene product (gp 140fms).

The unique oncogene carried by the McDonough strain of feline sarcoma virus (SM-FeSV), called v-fms, directs the synthesis of a set of related glycoproteins, called gP 180gag-fms, gp 140fms, and gp 120fms. We have prepared antibodies to these proteins and used indirect immunofluorescence techniques on viable SM-FeSV transformed cells to demonstrate that fms-specific determinants are expressed on the external surface. The fms-specific fluorescence co-localized with clathrin and was detectable in clathrin-coated pits and endocytotic vesicles. Two cell surface labeling methods indicated that gp140fms was the only fms-related protein on the cell surface. In view of the relationship between the erbB oncogene product and the epidermal growth factor receptor, and the fact that growth factor receptors utilize clathrin-coated pits in endocytosis, we believe the gp140fms transforming protein of SM-FeSV also could function as an analog of a growth factor receptor.

Animals↗

Transformation parameters and pp60src localization in cells infected with partial transformation mutants of Rous sarcoma virus.

Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-induced transformation is mediated by the action of the viral src gene product pp60src. This transforming protein is found at several cytoplasmic locations, including the adhesion plaques of RSV-transformed cells. In these studies, we have focused on the adhesion plaque location of pp60src and determined whether any of the induced transformation parameters correlate with the presence of pp60src in the adhesion plaques. A series of partial transformation mutants of RSV that induce distinct transformation phenotypes were used, and infected chicken embryo cells were examined for (i) intracellular pp60src location, (ii) vinculin localization, (iii) abundance of phosphotyrosine on vinculin, (iv) integrity of stress fibers, and (v) expression of cell surface fibronectin. The results indicate that, among the limited number of mutants studied here, the presence of pp60src in adhesion plaques is independent of growth in soft agar and the increased phosphorylation of vinculin on tyrosine, but it does correlate with the loss of cell surface fibronectin. An elevated abundance of phosphotyrosine on vinculin is insufficient to cause stress fiber dissolution and is independent of the loss of fibronectin from the extracellular matrix. However, the increased relative amount of phosphotyrosine on vinculin is related to the ability of the cells to grow in soft agar. The adhesion plaque binding and tyrosine-specific kinase activities seem to represent two independent functions of pp60src.

Animals↗

Organization of pp60src and selected cytoskeletal proteins within adhesion plaques and junctions of Rous sarcoma virus-transformed rat cells.

The localization of pp60src within adhesion structures of epithelioid rat kidney cells transformed by the Schmidt-Ruppin strain of Rous sarcoma virus was compared to the organization of actin, alpha-actinin, vinculin (a 130,000-dalton protein), tubulin, and the 58,000-dalton intermediate filament protein. The adhesion structures included both adhesion plaques and previously uncharacterized adhesive regions formed at cell-cell junctions. We have termed these latter structures "adhesion junctions." Both adhesion plaques and adhesion junctions were identified by interference-reflection microscopy and compared to the location of pp60src and the various cytoskeletal proteins by double fluorescence. The results demonstrated that the src gene product was found within both adhesion plaques and the adhesion junctions. In addition, actin, alpha-actinin, and vinculin were also localized within the same pp60src-containing adhesion structures. In contrast, tubulin and the 58,000-dalton intermediate filament protein were not associated with either adhesion plaques or adhesion junctions. Both adhesion plaques and adhesion junctions were isolated as substratum-bound structures and characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence revealed that pp60src, actin, alpha-actinin, and vinculin were organized within specific regions of the adhesion junctions. Heavy accumulations of actin and alpha-actinin were found on both sides of the junctions with a narrow gap of unstained material at the midline, whereas pp60src stain was more intense in this central region. Antibody to vinculin stained double narrow lines defining the periphery of the junctional complexes but was excluded from the intervening region. In addition, the distribution of vinculin relative to pp60src within adhesion plaques suggested an inverse relationship between the presence of these two proteins. Overall, these results establish a close link between the src gene product and components of the cytoskeleton and implicate the adhesion plaques and adhesion junctions in the mechanism of Rous sarcoma virus-induced transformation.

Actinin↗

Synthesis and processing of viral glycoproteins in two nonconditional mutants of Rous sarcoma virus.

We have studied the pattern of glycoprotein synthesis in two nonconditional mutants of Rous sarcoma virus. One mutant, SE33, produces no viral particles but synthesizes Pr92env, which is cleaved intracellularly to mature glycoproteins. The second mutant, SE521, encodes a gPr92env which is not cleaved to gp85 or gp37 and therefore produces virions with the phenotype of Bryan RSV(-) or NY8. Neither of these mutants have detectable genomic deletions. The study of these mutants has led to the following conclusions. (i) In the absence of particle production or p15 synthesis, gPr92env can be cleaved to the mature glycoprotein which is found on the cell surface. (ii) Noncleaved gPr92env is not packaged into virions but is found on the cell surface. (iii) gPr92env alone can account for subgroup specific viral interference. (iv) gPr92env is probably transported to the cell surface before additional glycosylation or cleavage to mature virion glycoprotein. The nonprocessed precursor of SE521 appears to be glycosylated normally, and thus far we have been unable to determine the basis for the defect in this mutant.

Avian Sarcoma Viruses↗