Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S A Nedospasov.
The data on the expression regulation and biological role of the tumor necrosis factor and lymphotoxin, which had been obtained in the author's laboratory, are briefly reviewed in this paper.
Expression profiling provides a powerful approach to define the underlying molecular mechanisms in disease. Several techniques referred collectively to as gene profiling may be also helpful in the analysis of the phenotype of mice with targeted mutations, especially if applied to distinct histological compartments, to specific cell types or to evaluate the effect of specific challenges, such as infection. Here we review several of the existing techniques applicable to genetic knockout studies, and share our experience from the study of mice with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin (LT) deficiencies, with specific emphasis on the distinction between TNF- and LT-mediated signalling pathways in vivo. Gene expression profiling analysis of TNF/LT-deficient mice supports the notion that TNF and LT, originally discovered as distinct biological activities, manifest both distinct and redundant functions in vivo.
We studied hemopoiesis in mice deficient by the tumor necrosis factor gene. The total number of cells in long-term bone marrow cultures from these mice 2-fold surpassed that in wild-type and tumor necrosis factor p55 receptor-deficient animals. Increased cell production was related to the absence of tumor necrosis factor expression by hemopoietic precursors. The total cell production by explanted hemopoietic cells from tumor necrosis factor-deficient mice did not depend on the genotype of irradiated stromal sublayer in long-term cell cultures from wild-type mice and animals deficient by tumor necrosis factor or p55 receptor. These results suggest that tumor necrosis factor, but not its p55 receptor, is involved in transduction of signals regulating production of cultured cells. Tumor necrosis factor probably regulates hemopoiesis in long-term bone marrow cultures by initiating apoptosis of hemopoietic cells or inhibiting cell proliferation. Increased cell production probably attests to the absence of one or both effects.
By serological screening of a breast tumor cDNA library we have identified a novel human gene, tnkl, encoding an ankyrin-related protein with a high degree of similarity to tankyrase, the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase associated with human telomeres (Smith et al, Science 282: 1484). The tnkl gene maps to chromosome 10, while the tnks gene encoding tankyrase is located on chromosome 8. The predicted 1166-aa protein product of the tnkl gene is 78% identical to human tankyrase and 62% to a putative D. melanogaster protein. Since the proteins have essentially identical domain structures, the corresponding genes form a distinct gene family. The possible link between TNKL and cancer justifies its further functional analysis.
Humoral immune response against overexpressed oncogenic or tumor supressor proteins has been demonstrated for many types of cancer. In this study we report on the detection of the autologous antibody response to putative oncogene, human cortactin using serological analysis of breast carcinoma expression library. Cortactin maps to chromosome 11q13, the region amplified in about 15% of primary breast carcinomas and 30% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Cortactin overexpression due to such amplification might affect adhesive properties of human cancer cells and is associated with poor disease prognosis. Accordingly, we detected overexpression of cortactin transcript in autologous tumor and amplification/overexpression of cortactin in tumors of breast cancer patients serologically positive for this marker. We demonstrate that 15% of breast cancer patients elicit humoral immune response against human cortactin.
Hemopoietic and stromal precursor cells were studied in mice deficient for tumor necrosis factor or lymphotoxin-alpha. In normal hemopoiesis the main characteristics of hemopoiesis in knockout mice did not differ from those in wild-type mice. Implantation of bone marrow cells from mice deficient for tumor necrosis factor onto irradiated sublayer of a long-living bone marrow culture led to a notable increase in the number of mature cells and granulocytic-macrophage precursor cells. This can be due to the fact that tumor necrosis factor inhibits proliferation of hemopoietic precursor cells, while in the absence of this factor precursor cells actively proliferate. On the other hand, cell composition and number of colony-forming units of granulocytes-macrophages are significantly decreased in cultures onto which bone marrow cells from lymphotoxin-alpha-deficient mice were implanted. This can be explained by impaired expression of adhesion molecules in these animals. In addition, the number of stromal precursor cells was changed in mice deficient by genes of the tumor necrosis factor cluster.
Lymphotoxin (LT) deficient mice have profound defects in the splenic microarchitecture associated with defective expression on certain gene products, including chemokines. By using subtraction cloning of splenic cDNA from wild-type and LT alpha or TNF/LT alpha double deficient mice we isolated a novel murine gene encoding a secretory type phospholipase A2, called SPLASH. The two major alternative transcripts of SPLASH gene are predominantly expressed in lymphoid tissues, such as spleen and lymph nodes. SPLASH maps to the distal part of chromosome 4, to which several cancer-related loci have been also mapped.
We provide characterization of a highly polymorphic dinucleotide repeat in the human TNF-receptor 1 gene (TNFR1, TNFRp55, CD120a). We have observed 11 alleles at this locus in individuals from the West of Scotland. In a panel of healthy, unrelated individuals from the West of Scotland (n = 143), the overall heterozygosity was 68%, indicating the potential usefulness of these markers in immunogenetic studies.
Mice with combined lymphotoxin-alpha (LTalpha) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) deficiencies show defects in the structure of peripheral lymphoid organs such as spleen, lymph nodes, and gut-associated lymphoid tissues. To identify genes associated with this defective phenotype in spleen, we applied a gene profiling approach, including subtractive cloning and gene array hybridizations, to mice with combined TNF/LT deficiency. The differentially expressed genes identified by these techniques was then evaluated by Northern blot analysis for splenic expression in knockout mice with single LTalpha or single TNF deficiency. Most of the genes detected in this analysis are directly or indirectly associated with disrupted LT and not TNF signaling.
Inactivation of genes encoding members of TNF and TNF receptor families reveal their divergent roles in the formation and function of secondary lymphoid organs. Most lymphotoxin alpha (ltalpha)- and all lymphotoxin beta receptor (ltbetar)-deficient mice are completely devoid of lymph nodes (LNs); however, most lymphotoxin beta (ltbeta)-deficient mice develop mesenteric LNs. Tnf- and tnfrp55-deficient mice develop a complete set of LNs, while ltbeta/tnfrp55 double-deficient mice lack all LNs, demonstrating cooperation between LTbeta and TNFRp55 in LN development. Now we report that ltbeta/tnf double-deficient mice develop the same set of mucosal LNs as do ltbeta-deficient mice, suggesting that ligands other than TNF signal through TNFRp55 during LN development. These LNs retain distinct T and B cells areas; however, they lack follicular dendritic cell networks. Structures resembling germinal centers can be found in the LNs from immunized ltbeta-deficient mice but not in ltbeta/tnf double-deficient mice. Additionally, stromal components of the spleen and LNs appear to be more severely disturbed in ltbeta/tnf double-deficient mice as compared with ltbeta-deficient mice. We conclude that LTbeta and TNF cooperate in the establishment of the correct microarchitecture of lymphoid organs.
Mice deficient in lymphotoxin (LT)-alpha lack peripheral lymph nodes and Peyer's patches and have profound defects in development of follicular dendritic cell networks, germinal center formation, and T/B cell segregation in the spleen. Although LTalpha is known to be expressed by NK cells as well as T and B lymphocytes, the requirement of LTalpha for NK cell functions is largely unknown. To address this issue, we have assessed NK cell functions in LTalpha-deficient mice by evaluating tumor models with known requirements for NK cells to control their growth and metastasis. Syngeneic B16F10 melanoma cells inoculated s.c. grew more rapidly in LTalpha-/- mice than in the wild-type littermates, and the formation of experimental pulmonary metastases was significantly enhanced in LTalpha-/- mice. Although LTalpha-/- mice exhibited almost a normal total number of NK cells in spleen, they showed an impaired recruitment of NK cells to lung and liver. Additionally, lytic NK cells were not efficiently produced from LTalpha-/- bone marrow cells in vitro in the presence of IL-2 and IL-15. These data suggest that LTalpha signaling may be involved in the maturation and recruitment of NK cells and may play an important role in antitumor surveillance.
Transcription of the TNF gene is rapidly and transiently induced by LPS in cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage. Previous data suggested that multiple NF-kappaB/Rel binding sites play a role in the transcriptional response to LPS of the murine gene. However, the relevance of homologous sites in the human TNF gene remained a matter of controversy, partly because the high affinity NF-kappaB/Rel site located at -510 in the murine promoter is not conserved in humans. Here we used two sets of similarly designed human and mouse TNF promoter deletion constructs and overexpression of IkappaB in the murine macrophage cell line ANA-1 to show remarkable similarity in the pattern of the transcriptional response to LPS, further demonstrating the functional role of the distal promoter region located between -600 and -650. This region was characterized by mutagenesis of protein binding sites, including two relatively low affinity NF-kappaB/Rel sites, #2 and 2a. Mutation in each of the NF-kappaB sites resulted in 2- to 3-fold lower transcriptional activity in response to LPS. In contrast to LPS activation, the response to PMA was substantially lower in magnitude and required only the proximal promoter region. In summary, the functional topography of human and murine promoters when assayed in the same system has some marked similarities. Our observations support the notion that full LPS response of TNF gene requires both NF-kappaB and non-NF-kappaB nuclear proteins. Our data also suggest that the functional activity of a given kappaB site depends on the entire DNA sequence context in the promoter region.
The formation of germinal centers (GCs) represents a crucial step in the humoral immune response. Recent studies using gene-targeted mice have revealed that the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin (LT) alpha, and LTbeta, as well as their receptors TNF receptor p55 (TNFRp55) and LTbetaR play essential roles in the development of GCs. To establish in which cell types expression of LTbetaR, LTbeta, and TNF is required for GC formation, LTbetaR-/-, LTbeta-/-, TNF-/-, B cell-deficient (BCR-/-), and wild-type mice were used to generate reciprocal or mixed bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice. GCs, herein defined as peanut agglutinin-binding (PNA+) clusters of centroblasts/centrocytes in association with follicular dendritic cell (FDC) networks, were not detectable in LTbetaR-/- hosts after transfer of wild-type BM. In contrast, the GC reaction was restored in LTbeta-/- hosts reconstituted with either wild-type or LTbetaR-/- BM. In BCR-/- recipients reconstituted with compound LTbeta-/-/BCR-/- or TNF-/-/BCR-/- BM grafts, PNA+ cell clusters formed in splenic follicles, but associated FDC networks were strongly reduced or absent. Thus, development of splenic FDC networks depends on expression of LTbeta and TNF by B lymphocytes and LTbetaR by radioresistant stromal cells.
Genes encoding fragments of polypeptide chains of murine lymphotoxins (LT), namely, LT-alpha truncated from the N-terminus and the LT-beta extracellular domain, containing N-terminal hepta- and hexahistidine epitopes, respectively, were expressed in E. coli cells. The recombinant proteins purified by metallochelate chromatography were used to obtain polyclonal antibodies that specifically recognize murine LT.
We describe a dense cluster of DNA-protein interactions located 600 nucleotides upstream of the transcriptional start site of the human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene. This area was identified as being of potential importance for lipopolysaccharide-inducible TNF expression in the human monocyte cell line Mono Mac 6, based on reporter gene analysis of point mutations at a number of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)-like motifs within the human TNF promoter region. The area contains two NF-kappaB sites, which are here shown by DNase I and methylation interference footprinting to flank a novel binding site. UV cross-linking studies reveal that the novel site can also bind NF-kappaB as well as an unknown protein(s) of approximately 40 kDa. We show that these three adjacent kappaB-binding sites differ markedly in their relative affinities for p50/p50, p65/p65, and p65/p50, yet this 39-nucleotide segment of DNA appears capable of binding up to three NF-kappaB heterodimers simultaneously. Reporter gene studies indicate that each element of the cluster contributes to lipopolysaccharide-induced transcriptional activation in Mono Mac 6 cells. These findings suggest that NF-kappaB acts in a complex manner to activate TNF transcription in human monocytes.
BACKGROUND: A common genetic basis for IgA deficiency (IgAD) and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is suggested by their occurrence in members of the same family and the similarity of the underlying B cell differentiation defects. An association between IgAD/CVID and HLA alleles DR3, B8, and A1 has also been documented. In a search for the gene(s) in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that predispose to IgAD/CVID, we analyzed the extended MHC haplotypes present in a large family with 8 affected members. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the CVID proband, 72 immediate relatives, and 21 spouses, and determined their serum immunoglobulin concentrations. The MHC haplotype analysis of individual family members employed 21 allelic DNA and protein markers, including seven newly available microsatellite markers. RESULTS: Forty-one (56%) of the 73 relatives by common descent were heterozygous and nine (12%) were homozygous for a fragment or the entire extended MHC haplotype designated haplotype 1 that included HLA- DR3, -C4A-0, -B8, and -A1. The remarkable prevalence of haplotype 1 was due in part to marital introduction into the family of 11 different copies of the haplotype, eight sharing 20 identical genotype markers between HLA-DR3 and HLA-B8, and three that contained fragments of haplotype 1. CONCLUSION: Crossover events within the MHC indicated a susceptibility locus for IgAD/CVID between the class III markers D821/D823 and HLA-B8, a region populated by 21 genes that include tumor necrosis factor alpha and lymphotoxins alpha and beta. Inheritance of at least this fragment of haplotype 1 appears to be necessary for the development of IgAD/CVID in this family.
BACKGROUND: Functional heterogeneity in the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) gene may be responsible for the TNF-alpha response in infectious and autoimmune diseases. Recently, the TNF-238 promoter polymorphism was observed as being associated with a more destructive disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To determine the relation between TNF-238 and disease progression, the extent of joint destruction in a cohort of 101 RA patients followed for 12 years was analyzed. Furthermore, we have attempted to link this polymorphism to TNF-alpha gene transcription in monocytes and lymphocytes in vitro. PATIENTS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: The extent of joint destruction determined on X-rays of hands and feet assessed after 0, 3, 6, and 12 years was compared with TNF-238 genotypes. Functional consequences of TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms using reporter gene constructs were analyzed in cells of the monocyte and lymphocyte lineage by means of transient transfection systems. RESULTS: The rate of joint damage in -238GA patients was lower than that in the -238GG patients, independent of HLA-DR4. Damage after 12 years was 76 +/- 30 for the -238GA versus 126 +/- 13 for the -238GG patients as determined by the van der Heijde's modification of Sharp's method. Furthermore, TNF-238A was found to be in linkage disequilibrium with an additional polymorphism at position -376. Functional assays revealed no significant differences in the level of inducible reporter gene expression between the TNF-238/-376 promoter constructs in the cell types tested. CONCLUSION: In a prospective study, we show that the TNF-238GG genotype contributes to progression of joint destruction in RA, independent of the presence of HLA-DR4. However, in vitro transfection assays indicate that TNF-238A by itself or in combination with TNF-376A is not likely to be of direct functional relevance for transcriptional activation. Therefore, these polymorphisms may serve as markers for additional polymorphisms in the TNF/LT locus or neighboring genes that may influence disease severity.
The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokines lymphotoxin (LT) alpha and LTbeta form heterotrimers that are expressed on the surface of activated lymphocytes and natural killer cells; LTalpha homotrimers can be secreted as well. Mice with a disrupted LTalpha gene lack lymph nodes (LN), Peyer's patches (PP), and follicular dendritic cell (FDC) networks and reveal profound defects of the splenic architecture. However, it is unclear which of these abnormalities is the result of the absence in LTalpha homotrimers or LTalphabeta heterotrimers. To distinguish between these two possibilities, a mouse strain deficient in LTbeta was created employing Cre/loxP-mediated gene targeting. Mice deficient in LTbeta reveal severe defects in organogenesis of the lymphoid system similar to those of LTalpha-/- mice, except that mesenteric and cervical LN are present in most LTbeta-deficient mice. Both LTbeta- and LTalpha-deficient mice show significant lymphocytosis in the circulation and peritoneal cavity and lymphocytic infiltrations in lungs and liver. After immunization, PNA-positive B cell clusters were detected in the splenic white pulp of LTbeta-deficient mice, but FDC networks were severely underdeveloped. Collectively, these results indicate that LTalpha can signal independently from LTbeta in the formation of PNA-positive foci in the spleen, and especially in the development of mesenteric and cervical LN.