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Biomedical subjects

P A Mathew

Publications and source records attributed to P A Mathew.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Activation of murine epidermal gamma delta T cells through surface 2B4.

Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) are gamma delta T cells that normally reside in murine skin. They express on their surface the 2B4 molecule, a 66-kDa glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily thought to be associated with anti-tumor cytotoxicity by natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cells. Here, we show that ligation of surface 2B4 transduces cell activation signals in DETC. Treatment with anti-2B4 monoclonal antibodies triggers the secretion of interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 by DETC lines, induces proliferation of resting DETC lines, amplifies anti-CD3-dependent proliferation of DETC freshly isolated from mouse skin; and up-regulates egr-1 and c-fos mRNA expression. These results indicate a unique pathway for DETC activation.

Animals↗

Hybrid resistance: 'negative' and 'positive' signaling of murine natural killer cells.

Murine NK cells can reject allogenic or parental-strain bone marrow cells (BMC) in vivo and can lyse T lymphoblasts in vitro. The 'missing self' hypothesis states that absence or presence of 'negative signals' from target cell class I antigens (Ag) to NK receptors determines whether or not lysis occurs. Indeed, lysis of parental-strain blasts by purified F1 NK cell subsets occurred only in the presence of anti-receptor antibodies. Evidence for 'positive signaling' to NK cells by class I Ag includes rejection of D8 (Dd) transgene to B6) BMC by B6 hosts. The outcome of other BMC transplants contradict the missing self idea, because donors with identical class I Ag differ in compatibility with certain hosts. Perhaps class I Ag-NK cell receptor interactions dominate over other target-NK cell interactions. These interactions are usually 'negative' but can be 'positive'.

Animals↗

2B4, a new member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily, is expressed on murine dendritic epidermal T cells and plays a functional role in their killing of skin tumors.

Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC), which are skin-specific members of the tissue-resident gamma delta T-cell family, are characterized by their potential to kill selected tumor targets by a non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted mechanism. We have recently identified a new receptor molecule, 2B4, that appears to be associated with non-MHC-restricted recognition of tumor targets by natural killer cells. The purpose of this study was to determine whether DETC express 2B4 molecules, and, if so, to assess their functional roles in DETC-mediated killing of tumor targets. Short-term DETC lines as well as DETC freshly procured from skin expressed surface 2B4, as detected with a specific monoclonal antibody. Removal of interleukin (IL)-2 from DETC cultures caused substantial reduction in 2B4 expression levels as well as a reduction in cytotoxic capacity against YAC-1 targets in a standard 51Cr-release assay. Conversely, exposure to IL-2, but not to IL-7, elevated both 2B4 expression and cytotoxicity. To assess the functional roles played by surface 2B4, we pretreated DETC lines with anti-2B4 antibody and then tested for their killing potential. Anti-2B4, but not the control antibody, augmented their capacity to lyse YAC-1 targets (51Cr-release assays) and to disrupt the monolayers of Pam-212-transformed keratinocytes (visual assessment). Thus, we conclude that DETC express, in an IL-2-dependent manner, 2B4 molecules, which may play a unique role in the killing of skin-derived tumors.

Animals↗

Identification of a recombinational breakpoint at the BAT5 locus in three intra-H-2 recombinant inbred mouse strains.

We have analyzed the S/D region in 14 inbred mouse strains by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using human BAT2 and BAT5 genes as probes. In all recombinant strains, the recombinational breakpoint mapped centromeric to Bat-2 (D17H6S51E). In recombinant strains B6.R4, B6.AK1 and B10.BYR1, recombination occurred within or close to the Bat-5 (D17H6S82E) locus. The immunogenicity of B10.BYR1 and B6.R4 bone marrow cell (BMC) grafts differs from that of both sets of parents, as if genes at or just centromeric to Bat-5 are involved. The phenotype of B6.AK1 BMCs (Kb Dk) is similar to that of the H2k parent suggesting no changes occurred. However, RNA blot analysis has shown that the Bat-5 gene is expressed well in bone marrow cells of B10.BR mice but not in B6.AK1 marrow cells. Analysis of a limited number of tumor cells of hemopoietic origin identified a single transcript for Bat-5. Our present data identify a recombinational hot spot at the Bat-5 locus. The expression of Bat-5 or a nearby gene may influence the immunogenicity of BMCs.

Animals↗

Cloning and characterization of the 2B4 gene encoding a molecule associated with non-MHC-restricted killing mediated by activated natural killer cells and T cells.

We have recently described a signal transducing molecule, 2B4, expressed on all NK and T cells that mediate non-MHC-restricted killing. The gene encoding this molecule was cloned and its nucleotide sequence determined. The encoded protein of 398 amino acids has a leader peptide of 18 amino acids and a transmembrane region of 24 amino acids. The predicted protein has eight N-linked glycosylation sites, suggesting that it is highly glycosylated. Comparison of 2B4 with sequences in the databanks indicates that 2B4 is a member of Ig supergene family, and it shows homology to murine and rat CD48 and human LFA-3. Northern blot analysis has shown at least three transcripts for 2B4 in adherent lymphokine-activated killer cells of several mouse strains and TCR-gamma/delta dendritic epidermal T cell lines but not in allospecific T cell clones. These three mRNA are the products of differential splicing of heterogeneous nuclear RNA. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from several mouse strains revealed that 2B4 belongs to a family of closely related genes. The 2B4 gene has been mapped to mouse chromosome 1 by analysis of 2B4 expression in recombinant inbred mouse strains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A novel function-associated molecule related to non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity mediated by activated natural killer cells and T cells.

NK cells and IL-2-propagated splenic T cells mediate non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity. The molecules involved in this process are not well defined. We describe a novel 66-kDa cell surface molecule called 2B4 that is expressed on cells that mediate non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity. All resting and rIL-2 cultured NK cells and a significant number of T cells cultured in high doses of rIL-2 are 2B4+. In fresh as well as cultured spleen cells, all non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity is contained within the 2B4+ population. In addition to defining cells capable of non-MHC-restricted killing, the 2B4 molecule is also involved in modulation of their function. In the presence of anti-2B4, the lytic activity of cultured NK cells and non-MHC-restricted T cells against a wide variety of FcR- and FcR+ targets is greatly augmented. Anti-2B4 is also able to transduce other signals in IL-2-activated NK cells such as IFN-gamma secretion and granule exocytosis. In addition, 2B4+ T cells can specifically lyse the 2B4 hybridoma cells. Unlike many other activation and adhesion molecules (such as murine CD2, LFA-1, and CD16), 2B4 expression is restricted to cells that mediate NK-like killing. Conversely, highly activated T cells that do not express 2B4 do not mediate non-MHC-restricted killing. Together these data suggest that the 2B4 molecule is likely to be a part of a receptor complex or a component of signal-transducing complex on cells that mediate non-MHC-restricted killing.

Animals↗

Expression of functional bovine cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) in Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli expression vectors containing the trc promoter and the complete DNA sequence of either the precursor or the mature form of bovine adrenocortical cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) were transformed into E. coli strain JM109 and transcription induced with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Immunoreactive cytochrome P450scc was produced using the plasmid containing the mature P450scc sequence but not with the plasmid containing the sequence of the precursor form of P450scc, even though P450scc RNA was detectable in both cases. The mature form of P450scc was detected spectrophotometrically in a reduced CO-difference spectrum in E. coli (40-60 nmol/liter culture). Cholesterol and hydroxylated derivatives (22-hydroxycholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol) produce a type 1 substrate-binding spectrum in IPTG-induced, transformed E. coli. The P450scc was found to be associated with the E. coli membrane fraction and the enzymatic activity of side chain cleavage of 25-hydroxycholesterol was reconstituted using solubilized membranes, in the presence of purified bovine adrenocortical adrenodoxin and NADPH-adrenodoxin reductase (turnover number; 15.4 nmol/min/nmol P450). This bacterial expression system provides functional P450scc, in the absence of other forms of P450, which can be used for evaluation of enzymatic and spectral properties of this mitochondrial P450 by site-directed mutagenesis.

Animals↗

Amino acid substitutions Phe66----Leu and Ser126----Pro abolish cortisol and aldosterone synthesis by bovine cytochrome P450(11)beta.

A cDNA clone encoding the complete protein sequence of the precursor form of bovine cytochrome P450(11)beta has been constructed using a combined technique of first strand cDNA synthesis by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction. Upon expression of this cDNA in COS 1 cells the P450(11)beta is found to be proteolytically processed and localized in the mitochondrion. This cDNA encodes the major form of P450(11)beta found in bovine adrenal cortex (designated 11 beta-3; Kirita, S., Morohashi, K., Hashimoto, T., Yoshioka, H., Fujii-Kuriyama, Y., and Omura, T. (1988) J. Biochem. 104, 683-686) and is capable of catalyzing 11 beta-hydroxylation of deoxycorticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, and androstenedione in COS 1 cells as well as aldosterone synthesis from deoxycorticosterone. In addition, a second form of P450(11)beta (herein designated 11 beta-4), having no detectable 11 beta-hydroxylase activity or aldosterone synthase activity, was found in the local bovine population by this cloning procedure. These two forms of P450(11)beta (11 beta-3 and 11 beta-4) contain five amino acid differences between them, all located within the amino-terminal half of the molecules. By changing 2 of the amino acids in the inactive form to the corresponding amino acids in the active form (Leu66----Phe and Pro126----Ser) both 11 beta-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthetase activities were completely restored. Neither of these changes alone led to detectable activity. Thus, upon expression in mitochondria of heterologous cells, bovine P450(11)beta catalyzes both 11 beta-hydroxylation and aldosterone synthesis as reported previously for the purified enzyme in an in vitro reconstituted system, and Phe66 and Ser126 seem to be important residues in maintaining both activities.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Incorporation of steroidogenic pathways which produce cortisol and aldosterone from cholesterol into nonsteroidogenic cells.

Cortisol production from cholesterol requires the activity of four steroid hydroxylases: cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 (P-450scc), 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (P-45017 alpha), 21-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (P-450C21) and 11 beta-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (P-45011 beta). We have previously shown that transformed, nonsteroidogenic COS 1 cells derived from monkey kidney are a useful system for expression of various forms of cytochrome P-450. The present study shows that COS 1 cell cultures multiply transfected with six plasmids containing all four steroid hydroxylases, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5----4-isomerase (3 beta HSD) and adrenodoxin produce cortisol and aldosterone when 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol is supplied to the system. When pregnenolone is used as substrate, various intermediate metabolites are detected at different time points further establishing the incorporation of complete functional steroidogenic pathways into the nonsteroidogenic cell cultures. Since the first and the last reactions in these pathways take place in the mitochondrion, the movement of various intermediate metabolites from mitochondrion to endoplasmic reticulum and back to mitochondrion occurs in and between COS 1 cells.

Adrenodoxin↗

Deduced amino acid sequence of heme binding region of chicken cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450.

The primary structure of the carboxy terminal 296 amino acids of chicken cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) was deduced from a partial cDNA clone isolated from a chicken ovarian cDNA library. The sequence contained putative steroid binding and heme binding regions. Comparison of this sequence with the corresponding sequences of three mammalian forms of P450scc shows greater than 50% homology. The heme binding region of the avian P450scc shows 76% homology with the heme binding regions of rat and human P450scc and 81% homology with that of bovine P450scc.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Enhanced messenger RNA stability and differentiation of HL 60 cells treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and cordycepin.

The effect of inhibitors of RNA synthesis on 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3-induced monocytic differentiation was studied in a well-differentiating clone AB 47 of HL 60 cells. The concentrations of these inhibitors were chosen to permit the maintenance of cell viability for at least 48 hours, and resulted in 40-60% inhibition of total cellular RNA synthesis. No impairment of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3-induced monocytic differentiation was observed with all inhibitors tested, and the presence of cordycepin actually enhanced differentiation. The phenotypic evidence of monocytic differentiation correlated with the increased levels of mRNA for c-fos and c-fms measured by hybridization to appropriate nick-translated cDNA probes. In contrast, nuclear run-on experiments showed the expected inhibition of transcription of these genes by the compounds used. The data suggest that interference by external agents with transcription of genes essential for a differentiation program brings into play compensatory mechanisms which permit the program to continue. Thus, differentiation appears to have a high priority among various competing intracellular pathways in 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3-treated HL 60 cells. Stabilization of messenger RNA levels evident in this study may therefore represent a general cellular mechanism for the correction of unwanted effects of xenobiotics on the cell.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

Molecular characterization of the rat NK cell receptor 2B4.

2B4 (CD244) is a cell surface glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily involved in the regulation of natural killer and T lymphocyte function. It is the high affinity counter-receptor for CD48. In mouse and human NK cells, crosslinking of 2B4 with a specific monoclonal antibody or with CD48 can trigger cell-mediated cytotoxicity, IFN-gamma secretion, phosphoinositol turnover and NK cell invasiveness. Recent reports of defective 2B4 signaling and NK cell function in X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome suggest that this may contribute to the progression of this human disease. Here we describe the molecular characterization of the rat 2B4 gene. The cDNA encodes a protein of 395 amino acid residues that contain two Ig domains in the extracellular region and three unique tyrosine motifs (TxYxxV/I/A) in the cytoplasmic region. The predicted protein has 81 and 68% similarity with mouse 2B4 and human 2B4, respectively. Additionally, it has 94 and 89% similarity at the protein level with the recently reported rat 2B4 related genes, r2B4R-tm and r2B4R-se respectively. Northern blot analysis indicated the presence of multiple transcripts in rat LAK cells and RNK-16 cells. Immunoprecipitation and deglycosylation studies showed that rat 2B4 is glycosylated to similar extent as that of mouse and human 2B4. The cloning of r2B4 in the light of the availability of rat NK cell lines should facilitate in vitro and in vivo experiments to decipher the functional role of 2B4 in NK cell biology.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of IFN-gamma production following 2B4 activation in human NK cells.

IFN-gamma is a cytokine that regulates various functions of the immune system. The major producers of IFN-gamma are T cells and NK cells. 2B4 is a novel activating receptor expressed on all human NK cells, a subset of CD8+ T cells, monocytes and basophils. Activation of human NK cells through surface 2B4 enhances NK cell cytolytic function and secretion of IFN-gamma. We have examined the regulation of IFN-gamma production by the human NK cell line YT upon activation through surface 2B4. Our data indicate that ligation of surface 2B4 by mAb C1.7, that specifically recognizes 2B4, induces transcriptional activation of IFN-gamma. Partial inhibition of transcription did not prevent the transcriptional upregulation of IFN-gamma. S1 nuclease protection analysis indicated that transcriptional activation as well as mRNA stability may account for the increased production of IFN-gamma by human NK cells following 2B4 stimulation.

Actins↗