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Biomedical subjects

M E Sunday

Publications and source records attributed to M E Sunday.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

CD10/neutral endopeptidase 24.11 hydrolyzes bombesin-like peptides and regulates the growth of small cell carcinomas of the lung.

Bombesin-like peptides are essential autocrine growth factors for many small cell carcinomas (SCCas) of the lung. Herein, we demonstrate that these malignant pulmonary neuroendocrine cells express low levels of the cell surface metalloendopeptidase CD10/neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (CD10/NEP, common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen) and that this enzyme hydrolyzes bombesin-like peptides. The growth of bombesin-like peptide-dependent SCC as is inhibited by CD10/NEP and potentiated by CD10/NEP inhibition. The results provide evidence that CD10/NEP is involved in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation. Since SCCa of the lung occurs almost exclusively in cigarette smokers and cigarette smoke inactivates CD10/NEP, decreased cell surface CD10/NEP enzymatic activity may be causally related to the development of SCCa of the lung.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gastrin-releasing peptide gene expression in small cell and large cell undifferentiated lung carcinomas.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP; mammalian bombesin) is present in the neuroendocrine cells of human fetal lung and in small cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs), where it may act as a growth factor. Considering the potential importance of GRP as a tumor marker, we have conducted a retrospective immunohistochemical analysis of 176 lung tumors for markers of GRP gene expression, as well as several other markers of neuroendocrine cell differentiation: chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase, and calcitonin. The majority of carcinoids contained mature GRP, in contrast to only a minority of SCLCs and large cell lung carcinomas (LCLCs). However, a majority of SCLCs and LCLCs contained proGRP immunoreactivity. In situ hybridization did not add any information beyond what was obtained using proGRP antisera. In spite of sharing these neuroendocrine cell markers, SCLCs are associated with a graver prognosis than LCLCs. No prognostic significance was associated with immunostaining for GRP or several other markers of neuroendocrine cell differentiation.

Adult↗

Suppression of tumor formation in vivo by expression of the JE gene in malignant cells.

The early growth response gene JE encodes a monocyte chemoattractant, MCP-1. The JE/MCP-1 protein attracts and stimulates human monocytes and induces monocyte-mediated inhibition of tumor cell growth in vitro. Expression of human or murine JE/MCP-1 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells completely suppressed their ability to form tumors in nude mice. Coinjection of JE/MCP-1-expressing cells with nonexpressing CHO cells or with HeLa cells also prevented tumor formation. Since JE/MCP-1 expression had no discernible effect on the tranformed phenotype of these cells in vitro, the suppressive effect depends on host animal factors. These factors are likely to be components of the inflammatory response, because JE/MCP-1-expressing cells elicited a predominantly monocytic infiltrate at the site of injection. Our results suggest that JE/MCP-1 protein may be useful in cancer therapy.

Animals↗

Bombesin increases fetal lung growth and maturation in utero and in organ culture.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) in fetuses synthesize gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP, or mammalian bombesin) at high levels, but the role of this hormone in lung development has been obscure. The present study demonstrates that bombesin administered for 2 to 4 d toward the end of gestation in utero led to increased DNA (days 17 and 18) and saturated phosphatidylcholine (SPC) synthesis (day 18) in a dose-dependent fashion in fetal lung. These kinetics coincide with the timing of endogenous GRP gene activation in untreated fetal mouse lung, where GRP mRNA is detectable on day 16 and peaks at day 18. Electron microscopy on in vivo bombesin-treated fetal lung showed an increase in the number of cells containing lamellar bodies on both days 17 and 18, consistent with increased growth and/or maturation of type II cells. In mouse fetal lung organ cultures, the addition of bombesin led to accelerated uptake of [3H]thymidine into DNA, [3H]leucine into protein, and [3H]choline into SPC, indicating that increased growth and maturation may be direct effects. Extending these observations to another species, bombesin was found to induce growth and maturation of human fetal lung in organ culture. A monoclonal antibody to bombesin (2A11) prevented bombesin-induced increases in choline and thymidine incorporation in lung organ cultures and also blocked baseline automaturation of control lung organ cultures in serum-free medium. These data suggest that bombesin, and thus PNECs, play a role in normal lung development.

Animals↗

Altered growth of a human neuroendocrine carcinoma line after transfection of a major histocompatibility complex class I gene.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are known to serve as recognition elements for cytotoxic T cells in mediating the rejection of transplanted tumors. We demonstrate that MHC molecules may have nonimmune functions in modulating tumor cell growth in addition to their classical role in antitumor immunity. A human neuroendocrine carcinoma cell line, COLO 320, with low levels of endogenous class I expression was transfected with the murine H-2Ld gene. Eleven independent stable clones were established, four containing only pRSV-neo and seven also containing varying copy numbers of the transfected Ld gene. The ability of the different clones to grow as colonies in soft agar correlated strongly with the relative amounts of Ld antigen expression (r = 0.89; P less than 0.001). There was a weaker correlation between increased clonogenic ability and higher levels of Ld mRNA (r = 0.67; P less than 0.05). There was no correlation between clonogenic ability and relative expression of amplified c-myc gene or of integrated pRSV-neo. Furthermore, in nude mice, Ld antigen expression was associated with increased formation of metastatic lung colonies 6 weeks after intravenous injection of 10(5) cells. These observations are consistent with the concept that MHC class I antigens may have a role in modulating the growth potential of certain tumor cells independent of their involvement in immune responses.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Galanin is an estrogen-inducible, secretory product of the rat anterior pituitary.

Galanin is a peptide widely distributed throughout vertebrate central and peripheral nervous systems. Although its precise physiologic role is unknown, it can stimulate the pituitary secretion of prolactin and growth hormone. We examined the control of rat galanin (rGal) gene expression in the anterior pituitary using RNA blot and in situ hybridization analyses and using specific RIA. Pituitaries of normal male and ovariectomized female rats contained little detectable rGal mRNA. Treatment of these animals with 17 beta-estradiol increased pituitary rGal mRNA up to 4000-fold. These increases depended on time and dose of estrogen administration and correlated with up to 50-fold increases in pituitary galanin-like immunoreactivity. Galanin-like immunoreactivity was detectable in the plasma of estrogen-treated animals. Pituitary levels of rGal mRNA in female rats varied greater than 30-fold during the estrous cycle, with a peak on estrus and a nadir on diestrus. Estrogen-induced rGal gene expression was also observed in transplantable MtTW15 prolactin- and growth hormone-containing tumors but not in neuronal tissues expressing this gene. These data demonstrate that rGal is a secreted product of rat anterior pituitary cells, where its gene expression is strongly affected by physiologic levels of circulating estrogen.

Animals↗

Gastrin-releasing peptide gene expression in developing, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human thyroid C-cells.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), the mammalian homolog of bombesin, is often studied as a prototypic neuroregulatory hormone and growth factor, but its own regulation and physiological roles remain to be fully defined. We now demonstrate that the GRP gene is expressed in human thyroidal calcitonin (CT)-containing neuroendocrine cells (C-cells) in an ontogenic pattern similar to its expression in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and is also expressed at high levels in C-cell hyperplasias and neoplasias (medullary carcinomas of the thyroid). Mean GRP-like immunoreactivity is 20 times higher in 3-week-old to 5-month-old infants than in normal adults, with six of seven infants having GRP levels 6- to 67-fold higher than those in normal adults, the highest levels occurring at 2-2.5 months. CT levels are about 100 times greater than GRP levels at all time intervals, with levels of GRP and CT being linearly correlated (r = 0.98). By RNA blot analysis, GRP mRNAs are increased in neonatal thyroids compared to adult thyroids. In situ hybridization and immunoperoxidase analyses localize GRP mRNAs and peptide to a majority of C-cells in fetuses and neonates, but to only 5-18% of C-cells in normal adults. The majority of developing C-cells have a dendritic morphology, suggesting a paracrine role, although this morphology is not observed in adult C-cells. In addition, for unknown reasons, an increased percentage of C-cells positive for GRP occurs in normal thyroid adjacent to GRP-negative follicular adenomas and papillary carcinomas, an association that we term perineoplastic. We hypothesize that GRP gene expression may play a role in both normal and neoplastic growth processes.

Adenoma↗

Transient elevation of messenger RNA encoding gastrin-releasing peptide, a putative pulmonary growth factor in human fetal lung.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), the mammalian homologue of the amphibian peptide bombesin, is present in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and appears to be a growth factor for both normal and neoplastic pulmonary cells. Previously we have reported the cloning of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and gene that encode human GRP. We now report that GRP mRNAs are markedly elevated in human fetal lung during the canalicular phase of pulmonary development (from approximately 16 to 30 wk gestation). By RNA blot and in situ hybridization analyses, GRP mRNAs were first detectable in fetal lung at 9-10 wk, plateaued at levels 25-fold higher than in adult lungs from 16 to approximately 30 wk and then declined to near adult levels by 34 wk gestation. By contrast, GRP peptide levels remain elevated until several months after birth. Consistent with this, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies showed that GRP mRNA and peptide consistently colocalized in early gestation lung but that in neonatal lung, many cells that contained GRP peptide no longer contained GRP mRNA. The transient expression of high levels of GRP mRNAs during an approximately 12-wk phase of fetal lung development suggests that the secretion of GRP or its COOH-terminal peptides from pulmonary neuroendocrine cells may play a role in normal lung development.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Platelet-derived growth factor receptors form a high affinity state in membrane preparations. Kinetics and affinity cross-linking studies.

The specific binding of 125I-PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor) to intact fibroblasts becomes relatively nondissociable during incubation at 37 degrees C. To characterize the interaction of PDGF with its receptors under conditions in which there is no receptor internalization, we have studied the binding of 125I-PDGF to membrane preparations derived from mouse 3T3 cells and rat liver. The binding sites had the affinity and specificity characteristics expected of PDGF receptors. At 37 degrees C (but not at 4 degrees C) the specific binding of 125I-PDGF to membranes gradually became nondissociable as assessed by either dilution or by addition of excess unlabeled PDGF. This tight binding was not due to a covalent interaction since the polyanionic compound suramin readily dissociated specifically bound 125I-PDGF. This property of suramin was used to expose rat liver PDGF receptors which were occupied by endogenous PDGF. Affinity cross-linking studies demonstrated that the formation of the nondissociable state of 125I-PDGF binding was associated with the binding of 125I-PDGF to a 160,000-dalton protein and to a 110,000-dalton species. The cross-linked binding sites could be adsorbed to wheat germ agglutinin and to anion exchange resins. The isoelectric point of both cross-linked species determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was approximately 4.7. These data demonstrate that in membrane preparations, PDGF binds to an anionic 160,000-dalton glycoprotein which is likely to be the receptor. A high affinity state of PDGF binding, which is formed rapidly at 37 degrees C, can be dissociated by suramin.

Animals↗

Anti-receptor antibody-induced H-Y-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in nonresponder mice.

The present study examines an antiserum prepared against antigen-reactive T cells that induces murine H-Y-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses. This anti-H-Y receptor antibody (ARA) was raised in C57BL/6 male mice against splenic T lymphocytes from H-Y immune syngeneic females. Subcutaneous administration of ARA to cyclophosphamide-pretreated C57BL/6 females is able to induce H-Y-specific delayed-type footpad swelling responses. The DTH inducing capacity in ARA was selectively retained on rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulin columns and was absorbed completely by H-Y immune lymphoid cells from C57BL/6 females. The induction of H-Y DTH reactivity was due at least in part to the activation of H-Y antigen-specific T lymphocytes that could adoptively transfer DTH-like responses to naive female mice. ARA induces DTH responses in strains with the same lgh regions, including selected strains of H-Y nonresponders. Therefore, MHC-linked lr genes do not appear to be as critical when responses are triggered by ARA instead of by antigen. Possible mechanisms for the induction of immune responses by ARA are discussed.

Animals↗

Induction of immune responses by schistosome granuloma macrophages.

In mice, granuloma formation after Schistosomiasis mansoni infection is known to be a T cell-dependent response to schistosome eggs that peaks at 6 to 8 wk after infection (early) then regresses to a minimum by 20 to 32 wk (late). This decline in host responsiveness, termed modulation, has been attributed to T cell-mediated suppression. We now have investigated the macrophages from either Early or Late schistosome granulomas phenotypically and found no difference in expression of I-A subregion encoded antigens. We also tested granuloma macrophage (Gm) populations in their capacity to induce positive and negative antigen-specific immune responses to the hapten 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl (NP). As few as 10(3) to 10(4) NP-coupled Early or Late Gm given s.c. were equally capable of inducing MHC-restricted NP-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses and this DTH-inducing capability was equivalent to that of splenic adherent cell (SAC) controls. Further, both Early and Late Gm were able to generate NP-specific induction-phase suppressor cells (Ts1) when as few as 10(2) NP-coupled Gm were given i.v., the same as NP-SAC controls. Finally, NP-specific effector-phase suppressor cells (Ts3) were equally induced by Early Gm, Late Gm, or SAC controls. Therefore, macrophages derived from Early or Late schistosome granulomas or normal spleens are apparently phenotypically indistinguishable and equally capable, in extremely small quantities, of inducing NP-specific DTH, Ts1, and Ts3 immune responses.

Animals↗

Hapten-specific T cell responses to 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl. VIII. Suppressor cell pathways in cutaneous sensitivity responses.

In the current study, we examine the mechanism of suppression of cutaneous sensitivity (CS) responses to 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl succinimide ester. Intravenous administration of haptenated syngeneic spleen cells induces a state of hapten-specific tolerance involving I-J bearing suppressor T cells that function at either the induction phase or the effector phase of the CS response. The effective phase suppressor cells (Tse) are genetically restricted by both Igh and H-2 region genes. However, a third cell population is also required in he immune lymphocyte population for immune suppression. This third cell population, termed Ts3, is an I-J+, cyclophosphamide-sensitive T cell, as shown by reconstitution experiments. Further, the Tse-Ts3 interaction is restricted by genes in he H-2 and Igh gene complexes. The results are discussed with respect to the pathway of cellular interactions leading to immuno suppression.

Animals↗

Anti-receptor antibody-induced suppression of murine H-Y-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity responses.

A putative anti-H-Y receptor antiserum (ARA) was raised in C57BL/6 male mice against splenic T lymphocytes from syngeneic females immunized against H-Y antigen. When this antiserum is given i.v. to C57BL/6 females it prevents the expression of H-Y-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). The suppressive activity in ARA was selectively retained on rabbit anti-mouse immunoglobulin columns, and could be absorbed by H-Y-immune spleen cells from C57BL/6 female mice. The abrogation of H-Y DTH reactivity was at least in part due to the generation of suppressor T cells which are generated by ARA in naive female mice. ARA-generated suppressor cells specifically inhibit the induction phase of DTH responses to the H-Y antigen, having no effect on (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP)-specific cutaneous sensitivity responses or on DTH responses to minor histocompatibility antigens. Furthermore, there is a requirement for Igh gene homology between the strain producing the ARA and the strain in which the DTH response is induced. Thus, C57BL/6 ARA given to A.BY (H-2b, Igh-1e) or to B.C-8 (H-2b, Igh-1a) mice was unable to suppress homologous H-Y DTH responses in these strains. However, C57BL/6 ARA induced suppressor cells in B.C-8 mice which were capable of inhibiting H-Y DTH responses when adoptively transferred to C57BL/6 females.

Absorption↗