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Biomedical subjects

M Fresno

Publications and source records attributed to M Fresno.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Regulation of interleukin-2 responses by phosphatidic acid.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) plays a central role in the immune system by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of T lymphocytes. However, the molecular mechanism of the signal transduction through the IL-2 receptor is poorly understood. We have studied the role of phosphatidic acid (PA) on IL-2 signal transduction using cloned T lymphocytes. IL-2 stimulated a transient increase in the PA concentration in resting CTLL-2 cells prelabeled with [3H]palmitic acid. This effect was detected as early as 1 min after IL-2 addition and peaked at 5 min. IL-2 similarly increased phospholipase D activity in intact CTLL-2 cells, as inferred by phosphatidylethanol production. By contrast, IL-2 did not affect [3H]palmitic acid-labeled diacylglycerol levels. Furthermore, exogenous addition of several natural or synthetic PA to T cells mimicked IL-2 activity. Thus, PA were able to induce DNA synthesis on CTLL-2 cells, although this effect was only 10%-20% of that observed with IL-2. PA showed a synergistic effect with low doses of IL-2. In addition, PA was able to induce c-myc RNA transcription in CTLL-2 cells as well as IL-2 receptor (CD25) expression on the cell membrane with equal potency as saturating doses of IL-2. It is likely that IL-2-induced PA accumulation is a consequence of phospholipase D activation. This hypothesis is further supported by the fact that the addition of exogenous phospholipase D but not phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C also reproduced the IL-2 or PA effects mentioned above. In summary, our results suggest a role of phospholipase D activation and PA formation as second messengers of IL-2 activity.

Animals↗

Activation of human macrophages for the killing of intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma through a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is able to replicate in the cytoplasm of primary resident macrophages, but is killed by activated macrophages. Pretreatment of human macrophages with recombinant IFN-gamma and to a lesser extent with TNF-alpha, induced a significant trypanocidal activity. Furthermore, TNF-alpha had a synergistic effect with IFN-gamma on macrophage activation in T. cruzi killing. Similarly, IFN-gamma triggered the production of nitric oxide (NO) by macrophages, whereas TNF-alpha was less effective, although it was also synergistic with IFN-gamma. Both NO production and trypanocidal activity, but not superoxide (O2-) generation, induced in macrophages by TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma alone or in combination, were inhibited by N-monomethyl-L-arginine (N-MMLA), a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase activity. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found between the levels of NO production and trypanocidal activity induced by different lymphokine preparations. These results suggest that IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha are involved in the activation of the trypanocidal activity of human macrophages through a NO-dependent mechanism.

Animals↗

Differential effect of tumour necrosis factor on human thymocyte subpopulations.

We have studied the effect of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) on purified human thymocyte subpopulations. For this purpose human thymocytes were purified by negative selection with three rounds of several antibodies plus complement. TNF was able to co-stimulate in a dose-response manner the proliferation of single positive (SP) CD3+ CD4+ or CD3+ CD8+ thymocytes in the presence of optimal doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), anti-CD3 antibodies or phorbol esters. However, CD1+ CD3low CD4+ CD8+ cortical thymocytes did not proliferate significantly in response to any stimulus alone or in combination. The TNF proliferative effect on SP thymocytes was blocked by an anti-IL-2R alpha antibody. In addition, TNF enhanced the expression of the IL-2R alpha but not IL-2R beta on the cell surface of CD1- CD3+ SP thymocytes over the levels induced by the other primary stimuli, inducing as a consequence, an increase in the number of high affinity IL-2R. Furthermore, TNF was able to increase IL-2R alpha mRNA levels on SP thymocytes. On the other hand, TNF was mitogenic in the absence of any other stimulus for CD1- CD3- CD4- CD8- prethymocytes, as was IL-2, and this proliferation was not blocked by anti-IL-2R alpha antibodies. Furthermore, the proliferation of this subset in response to IL-2 and TNF was additive. TNF was able to increase directly the cell surface expression of both chains, IL-2R beta and IL-2R alpha, and the IL-2R alpha messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of CD1- CD3- CD4- CD8- prethymocytes. In summary, our results suggest that TNF may have an important role as a co-stimulatory signal in some human thymocyte subpopulations by inducing the expression of IL-2R.

Antigens, CD↗

A conformational epitope expressed upon association of CD3-epsilon with either CD3-delta or CD3-gamma is the main target for recognition by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies.

We have performed immunofluorescence analysis of COS cells transfected with human CD3 genes and detergent permeabilized to define the specificity of several anti-CD3 antibodies. We have found that the mAb OKT3, WT31, UCHT1, and Leu-4 did not stain COS cells singly transfected with the CD3-epsilon chain. However, these antibodies very strongly stained COS cells doubly transfected with a combination of CD3-epsilon plus either CD3-gamma or CD3-delta. By contrast, the antibodies SP34 and APA 1/1, which were raised against isolated SDS-denatured CD3-epsilon protein, gave a strong staining of COS cells singly transfected with CD3-epsilon as well as of the double transfectans. The recognition by this panel of anti-CD3 antibodies of CD3-gamma/epsilon and CD3-delta/epsilon complexes and not of CD3-epsilon alone was assessed by immunoprecipitation. These findings suggest that the most widely used mAb specific for the CD3 complex recognize conformational epitopes on CD3-epsilon, which are expressed when this chain is bound to either CD3-gamma or CD3-delta. It should also be highlighted that antibody WT31 clearly recognizes the CD3 moiety of the TCR/CD3 complex.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Down-regulation by tumor necrosis factor-alpha of neutrophil cell surface expression of the sialophorin CD43 and the hyaluronate receptor CD44 through a proteolytic mechanism.

Adhesion of human neutrophils to endothelial cells is a crucial step during migration to the extravascular sites of inflammation. A large number of molecules, including the CD44 and LAM-1 antigens, have been described to participate in this process. We have investigated the regulation by human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) of human neutrophil plasma membrane expression of both CD44 and LAM-1 adhesion molecules, as well as that of CD43 sialophorin, which has been involved in adhesion and activation of leukocytes. The expression of these three antigens was down-regulated in neutrophils upon TNF-alpha treatment, as determined by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation experiments. However, the expression of other cell surface molecules, such as CD45 or CD11b, was up-regulated. Similar regulatory effects were also observed upon neutrophil treatment with other activating agents such as the chemoattractant peptide formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, the calcium ionophore A23187, or the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Protease inhibitors virtually abrogated the TNF-alpha-induced down-regulation of CD43 and CD44 expression, but not that of LAM-1, suggesting the involvement of a protease activity in this process. These results underline the role of TNF-alpha on the differential regulation of cell surface expression of neutrophil adhesion molecules, thus implying modifications in the neutrophil adhesive properties.

Antigens, CD↗

The CD3-gamma and CD3-delta subunits of the T cell antigen receptor can be expressed within distinct functional TCR/CD3 complexes.

The T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) consists of two glycoproteins containing variable regions (TCR-alpha/beta or TCR-gamma/delta) which are expressed on the cell surface in association with at least four invariant proteins (CD3-gamma, -delta, -epsilon and -zeta). CD3-gamma and CD3-delta chains are highly homologous, especially in the cytoplasmic domain. The similarity observed in their genomic organization and their proximity in the chromosome indicate that both genes arose from duplication of a single gene. Here, we provide several lines of evidence which indicate that in human and murine T cells which expressed both the CD3-gamma and CD3-delta chains on their surface, the TCR/CD3 complex consisted of a mixture of alpha beta gamma epsilon zeta and alpha beta delta epsilon zeta complexes rather than a single alpha beta gamma delta epsilon zeta complex. First, a CD3-gamma specific antibody failed to co-immunoprecipitate CD3-delta and conversely, several CD3-delta specific antibodies did not coprecipitate CD3-gamma. Secondly, analysis of a panel of human and murine T cell lines demonstrated that CD3-gamma and CD3-delta were expressed at highly variable ratios on their surface. This suggested that these chains were not expressed as a single complex. Thirdly, CD3-gamma and CD3-delta competed for binding to CD3-epsilon in transfected COS cells, suggesting that CD3-gamma and CD3-delta formed mutually exclusive complexes. The existence of these two forms of TCR/CD3 complexes could have important implications in the understanding of T cell receptor function and its role in T cell development.

Animals↗

Differential effects of tumor necrosis factor on the growth and differentiation of neuroblastoma and glioma cells.

We have studied the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) on transformed neural and glial-derived cell lines. TNF-alpha at physiological doses was able to arrest the growth and inhibit DNA synthesis of N103 neuroblastoma cells. This phenomenon was accompanied by a morphological cell differentiation characterized by the outgrowth of neurites. By contrast, TNF-alpha induced an increase in the growth rate of C6 glioma cells and upon cytokine addition a higher number of C6 cells were found in the S + G2 phase of the cell cycle. C6 cells did not show morphological changes under this treatment. Analogous results were obtained with IFN-gamma. These neurotrophic and mitogenic effects of TNF-alpha suggest a putative role of this cytokine in the regeneration of brain tissue upon brain injury.

Animals↗

Cell type determines the relative proportions of (-) and (+) strand RNA during poliovirus replication.

To examine the influence of the host cell type on poliovirus RNA synthesis we compared the levels of (-) and (+) strand poliovirus RNA during infection of epithelial (HeLa and HEp-2), leukocytic (U-937, HL-60 and K-562) and nerve (IMR-32) cells. The levels of (-) strand RNA were higher in IMR-32, U-937, K-562 or HL-60 cells than those in HeLa or HEp-2 cells. By contrast, (+) strand RNA content was greater in HeLa or HEp-2 cells. Although significant levels of (+) strand RNA were detected in U-937, K-562 and HL-60 cells, no viral protein synthesis was detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of metabolically labelled proteins. The molar ratio of poliovirus (-) and (+) RNAs was 2-3 fold higher in IMR-32, U-937 and K-562 cells than in HeLa or HL-60 cells and 5-6 fold higher than in HEp-2 cells. Differentiation of HL-60 cells with a variety of inducers produced differential effects on poliovirus (-) and (+) RNA content and modified the molar ratio of (-)/(+) strand RNAs. These findings indicate that host cell components play a critical role in the regulation of the amount of poliovirus (-) and (+) strand RNAs synthesized during infection.

Cell Line↗

Characterization of a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein from Trypanosoma cruzi.

Four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for Trypanosoma cruzi were obtained. Flow cytometry analysis showed that these four MAbs stained the membranes of the three main morphological forms of T. cruzi: amastigotes, trypomastigotes, and epimastigotes. The four MAbs seemed to recognize the same 50- to 55-kDa antigen that was revealed by immunoblotting. Competition experiments revealed that they defined at least two different epitopes on the molecule. The antigen was detected on the external surface of the membrane by immunoelectron microscopy. Several experiments indicated that the 50- to 55-kDa antigen recognized by these four MAbs was a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein. (i) The antigen could be removed from the cell surface by treatment with proteases, NaOH, HNO2, and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). (ii) The phase distribution of the antigen in Triton X-114 solutions changed drastically upon treatment with PI-PLC. The antigen was found mainly in the detergent phase in nontreated samples and in the aqueous phase in PI-PLC-digested samples. (iii) A cross-reacting determinant that was found in other glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane proteins appeared after PI-PLC treatment.

Animals↗

Effects of poliovirus replication on undifferentiated and differentiated monocytic U937 cells: comparative studies with human macrophages.

Poliovirus infection of either undifferentiated or differentiated U937 cells produced a decrease in the percentage of cells positive for the surface expression of the CD4, CD11c, CD14, or 8E11 antigens. The number of 4F2 surface molecules per cell increased in infected normal U937 cells, but was unaffected in differentiated cells. The level of O2- production in infected differentiated U937 cells was approximately 50% of that found when not infected. Finally, poliovirus RNA levels and infectious particle production were similar in either cell type.

Antigens, CD↗

Synergy of tumor necrosis factor with protein kinase C activators on T cell activation.

The ability of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha to activate T lymphocytes in combination with other stimuli has been studied. TNF was strongly co-mitogenic with low doses of anti-CD3 antibodies or phorbol esters (those which are strong activators of protein kinase C, PKC) but poorly with phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin A. No synergism was seen with the calcium ionophore A23187. TNF was co-mitogenic with several phorbol esters known to activate PKC but was uneffective with inactive phorbol esters such as methyl-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Furthermore, H-7 a known inhibitor of PKC, inhibited the proliferative response of T cells induced by esters plus TNF. This effect took place at low doses of TNF and was also observed with purified T lymphocytes indicating that the effect of TNF was not dependent on accessory cells. This proliferative effect of TNF was inhibited by an anti-interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) antibody, MAR 108, which blocks IL2 binding to its receptor. Although PKC activation induced CD25 (IL2R) expression but very little IL2 synthesis, TNF did not synergize by augmenting the synthesis of this lymphokine in peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with phorbol esters. By contrast, TNF strongly increased the membrane level of CD25 and to a lesser extent that of the activation antigen, 4F2, over the levels already induced by phorbol esters on T cells. More interestingly, TNF significantly increased the number of high-affinity IL2R on purified T cells in the presence of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. Our results indicate that TNF is co-mitogenic with those stimuli which strongly activate PKC and suggest that TNF may play a role on T cell activation increasing the number of effective IL2/IL2R interactions when these are limiting.

Antigens, CD↗

Induction of T cell activation by monoclonal antibodies specific for the transferrin receptor.

The effect of the monoclonal antibodies (mAb), FG 1/5, FG 1/6 and FG 2/12, specific for different epitopes of the transferrin receptor (TfR) on T cell activation was studied. mAb FG 1/6 but not FG 2/12 or FG 1/5 was able to induce T cell proliferation in presence of submitogenic doses of phorbol esters. The costimulatory effect of FG 1/6 was seen only with phorbol esters known to be activators of protein kinase C. This proliferation occurred at low concentration (0.5 micrograms/ml) of antibody, required the simultaneous presence of both stimuli, phorbol esters and FG 1/6, and was independent of the presence of accessory cells. Furthermore, FG 1/6 mAb was able to increase the rate of modulation of CD3 surface expression induced by phorbol esters. FG 1/6 induced interleukin (IL) 2 synthesis by normal and transformed T lymphocytes. In addition, anti-IL2 receptor antibodies inhibited FG 1/6 plus phorbol ester-induced proliferation. Our results indicate that FG 1/6 mAb may provide to the T cells complementary signals to protein kinase C and that this activation is mediated by the IL2/IL 2R pathway.

Animals↗

Role of soluble cytokines on the restricted replication of poliovirus in the monocytic U937 cell line.

Poliovirus infection of monocytic U937 cells is characterized by an incomplete shut-off of host protein synthesis occurring at late times postinfection and by a slow accumulation of viral mRNA which is not efficiently translated. By using exogenous cytokines, neutralizing antibodies to different cytokines and specific cDNA probes, we have studied the involvement of soluble factors on the restricted replication of poliovirus in U937 cells. Our results show that both IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha mRNA levels increased in U937 cells upon poliovirus infection. Moreover, treatment of infected U937 cells with antibodies to IFN-gamma induced a remarkably stronger shut-off of host protein synthesis than that found in control cultures. A role of IFN-gamma in protecting the infected cells from an extensive blockade of host mRNA translation is proposed.

Biological Factors↗

[Vipoma of the pancreas. Apropos of a case and review of the literature].

Pancreatic endocrine tumors are uncommon; of this type of tumors, the Verner-Morrison's syndrome, WDHA or vipoma is diagnosed very rarely. The present paper is a report of a pancreatic vipoma in a 60 year-old female; she presented with watery diarrhea, facial flushing, hypokalemia, hypochlorhydria, metabolic acidosis and reversible renal failure; these are the usual manifestations of the syndrome. The diagnosis was made on the basis of radiological imaging, CAT and arteriography as well as the finding or elevated levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The surgical resection of the tumor was followed by the remission of the symptoms and normalization of the plasmatic levels of VIP. It is necessary to recognize this type of tumors because the only way to achieve a curative surgical resection is after an early diagnosis.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Restriction of poliovirus RNA translation in a human monocytic cell line.

The infection of the human monocytic cell line U-937 by poliovirus was characterized by a low level of virus production and a slow progression of the cytopathic effect. Infection took place in greater than 99% of the cells as revealed by a limiting dilution assay. No viral protein synthesis was evident in the infected U-937 cells when analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. However, a low level of poliovirus RNA translation was detected by immunofluorescence analysis using a mixture of polyclonal antisera against non-structural proteins. Although there was only a low level of viral protein synthesis, a gradual accumulation of viral mRNA took place in U-937 cells as revealed by RNA blot analysis. Similar results were obtained when the erythroleukemic cell line K-562 was used as a host cell for poliovirus. RNA extracted from infected U-937 cells was efficiently translated in rabbit reticulocyte extracts giving rise to a pattern of viral polypeptides similar to that detected when virion-purified RNA was the template used for the in vitro translation assay, suggesting that the poliovirus RNA present in infected U-937 cells is functional. The existence in U-937 cells of a discriminatory mechanism which differentially interferes with poliovirus RNA translation is discussed.

Cell Line↗

Poliovirus infection interferes with the phorbol ester-induced differentiation of the monocytic U937 cell line.

Monocytic U937 cells can differentiate in vitro into macrophage-like cells by treatment with phorbol esters such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). We have analyzed the effect of poliovirus infection in this pathway of differentiation. Poliovirus RNA replication took place in both untreated and PMA-treated U937 cells infected before or after PMA addition, although a slight reduction in poliovirus RNA levels was observed in PMA-treated cells at late times postinfection. Total protein synthesis remained unchanged during the first 5 h of infection both in normal and PMA-treated cells. However, an inhibition on total RNA synthesis was observed early in infection. PMA-induced c-myc mRNA expression was abolished when infection took place 1 h before PMA addition but was just partially inhibited when poliovirus was added 1 h after PMA stimulation. Fluorescence flow cytometry analysis revealed that poliovirus infection induced an increase in the number of 4F2 molecules per cell in normal U937 cells and a slight decrease in the number of positive cells for the antigens CD14, CD4 and CD11c in both untreated or PMA-treated U937 cells. These findings suggest that poliovirus infection of U937 cells interferes at various levels with monocyte maturation yielding cells which are unable to undergo the complete pathway of differentiation to macrophages.

Antigens, Surface↗

Different functional domains on the transferrin receptor molecule defined by monoclonal antibodies.

Three monoclonal antibodies (mAb) FG 1/5, FG 1/6 and FG 2/12, specific for the human transferrin receptor molecule (TR), have been used to define epitopes on the TR molecule and to block natural killer lysis. FG 2/12 mAb but not FG 1/5 or FG 1/6 blocked [125I-] transferrin binding to the cellular receptor. Furthermore, FG 1/5 and FG 1/6 mAbs competed out the binding of each other to the cells but not significantly that of FG 2/12. As expected, the binding of F2/12 but not of FG 1/5 or FG 1/6 was inhibited by transferrin. In addition, FG 2/12 inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the NK activity of purified T3- large granular lymphocyte effector cells against HeLa or Molt-4 cells but not against K-562 or U937 cells. FG 1/5 preferentially inhibited NK activity against HeLa cells and FG 1/6 mAb was completely uneffective. These inhibitions were stronger at low effector to target cell (E:T) ratios than at high E:T ratios, suggesting that NK cells and anti-TR mAbs compete for the same site in the target cell. It was shown that FG 1/5 and FG 2/12 mAbs blocked cells' conjugate formation by acting at the target cell level. Our results confirm the role of TR as a one of the target structures in NK lysis and suggest that the epitope recognized by NK cells is close to but different from the transferrin binding site.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗