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Biomedical subjects

T Maciag

Publications and source records attributed to T Maciag.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Interleukin-1 alpha mediates an alternative pathway for the antiproliferative action of poly(I.C) on human endothelial cells.

The antiproliferative effect of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) on human tumor and normal cells has been well established. However, the genes involved in the dsRNA-induced antiproliferative response and the molecular mechanisms by which this occurs remain less well defined. We have studied the ability of synthetic dsRNA, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I.C)) to modify human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) growth and report that poly(I.C) induces a dose-dependent inhibition of HUVEC proliferation in vitro. In addition, the mRNA levels for the cytokines interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and interferon-beta 1 are induced in poly(I.C)-treated cells. Moreover, the growth inhibitory effects of poly(I.C) are relieved when cells are grown in the presence of an IL-1 alpha antisense oligonucleotide to the human IL-1 alpha transcript. Thus, the effects of poly(I.C) appear to be mediated, in part, through the function of IL-1 alpha, suggesting an alternative pathway for dsRNA-mediated inhibition of human endothelial cell growth.

Base Sequence

Analysis of endogenous and exogenous nuclear translocation of fibroblast growth factor-1 in NIH 3T3 cells.

Nuclear localization of fibroblast growth factors (FGF) have been reported by many laboratories. We demonstrate here that FGF-1, the precursor for acidic FGF contains a putative nuclear translocation sequence (NTS) NYKKPKL, which is able to direct the expression of the bacterial beta galactosidase (beta gal) gene to the nucleus of transfected NIH 3T3 cells. However, this NTS is unable to target either FGF-1 itself or a FGF-1-beta gal fusion protein into the nucleus, suggesting that FGF-1 may contain an additional sequence which prevents endogenously expressed FGF-1 from being translocated into the nucleus. Indeed, when FGF-1 was fused to the NTS derived from the yeast histone 2B gene, the chimeric construct also failed to be transported into the nucleus either by itself or as a beta gal fusion protein. Interestingly, when 125I-FGF-1 was used to stimulate quiescent NIH 3T3 cells, a significant amount of internalized 125I-FGF-1 (approximately 10%) was found within the nucleus and the nuclear localization of FGF-1 through the exogenous pathway could be significantly reduced by suramin, an inhibitor of the interaction of FGF-1 with its receptor. These data suggest that while FGF-1 contains a NTS, nuclear translocation requires an exogenous and not an endogenous pathway.

3T3 Cells

Heat shock induces the release of fibroblast growth factor 1 from NIH 3T3 cells.

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) is a potent angiogenic and neurotrophic factor whose structure lacks a classical signal sequence for secretion. Although the initiation of these biological activities involves the interaction between FGF-1 and cell surface receptors, the mechanism responsible for the regulation of FGF-1 secretion is unknown. We report that murine NIH 3T3 cells transfected with a synthetic gene encoding FGF-1 secrete FGF-1 into their conditioned medium in response to heat shock. The form of FGF-1 released by NIH 3T3 cells in response to increased temperature (42 degrees C, 2 hr) in vitro is not biologically active and does not associate with either heparin or the extracellular NIH 3T3 monolayer matrix. However, it was possible to derive biologically active FGF-1 from the conditioned medium of heat-shocked NIH 3T3 cell transfectants by ammonium sulfate fractionation. The form of FGF-1 exposed by ammonium sulfate fractionation is similar in size to cytosolic FGF-1 and can bind and be eluted from immobilized heparin similarly to the recombinant human FGF-1 polypeptide. Further, the release of FGF-1 by NIH 3T3 cell transfectants in response to heat shock is reduced significantly by both actinomycin D and cycloheximide. These data indicate that increased temperature may upregulate the expression of a factor responsible for the secretion of FGF-1 as a biologically inactive complex that requires an activation step to exhibit the biological activity of the extracellular polypeptide mitogen.

3T3 Cells

Inactivation of human fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) activity by interaction with copper ions involves FGF-1 dimer formation induced by copper-catalyzed oxidation.

Although the angiogenic proteins acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) both interact with the transition metal copper, itself a putative modulator of angiogenesis, a role for copper in FGF function has not been established. Using nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we detect the complete conversion of recombinant forms of human FGF-1 monomer protein to FGF-1 homodimers after exposure to copper ions. In contrast, not all forms of bovine FGF-1 isolated from bovine brain or a recombinant preparation of human FGF-2 completely formed homodimers after exposure to copper ions under similar conditions. Since the copper-induced FGF-1 homodimers reverted to the monomer form in the presence of dithiothreitol, specific alkylation of cysteine residues by pyridylethylation prevented FGF-1 homodimer formation, and preformed FGF-1 homodimers could not be dissociated by the metal chelator EDTA, FGF-1 dimer formation appeared to result from the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds by copper-induced oxidation of sulfhydryl residues. FGF-1 homodimers bound with similar apparent affinity as FGF-1 monomers to immobilized copper ions, both eluting at 60 mM imidazole. Both human FGF-1 monomer and dimer forms had a 6-fold higher apparent affinity for immobilized copper ions, as compared with human FGF-2, which eluted in the monomer form at 10 mM imidazole. Further, in contrast to FGF-1 monomers, which dissociate from immobilized heparin in 1.0 M NaCl, preformed FGF-1 homodimers had reduced apparent affinity for immobilized heparin and eluted at 0.4 M NaCl. In contrast, the apparent affinity of human FGF-2 for immobilized heparin was unaffected after exposure to copper ions. Heparin appeared to modulate the formation of copper-induced intermolecular disulfide bonds for FGF-1 but not FGF-2, since co-incubation of heparin and copper with FGF-1 monomers resulted in dimers and other oligomeric complexes. FGF-1 copper-induced homodimers failed to induce mitogenesis in [3H]thymidine incorporation assays, an effect which could be reversed by treatment with dithiothreitol, whereas FGF-2-induced mitogenic activity was relatively unaffected by pretreatment with copper. The differences between human FGF-1 and FGF-2 in protein-copper interactions may be due to differing free thiol content and arrangement between the two proteins. A recombinant human FGF-1 mutant containing the two cysteines conserved throughout the FGF family of proteins but lacking a cysteine residue (Cys 131) present in wild-type human FGF-1 but not human FGF-2 readily formed copper-induced dimers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Base Sequence

In vivo cyclooxygenase expression in synovial tissues of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and rats with adjuvant and streptococcal cell wall arthritis.

Cyclooxygenase (COX), or prostaglandin (PG) H synthase, plays a role in inflammatory diseases, but very limited data exist on the regulation of COX in vivo. We, therefore, studied the in vivo expression of COX in synovia from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), as well as joints of rats with streptococcal cell wall (SCW) and adjuvant arthritis. Extensive and intense intracellular COX immunostaining, which correlated with the extent and intensity of mononuclear cell infiltration, was observed in cells throughout RA synovia. Significantly less or equivocal staining was noted in OA and normal human synovia. Similarly, COX immunostaining was equivocal in the joints of normal and arthritis-resistant F344/N rats. In contrast, high level expression developed rapidly in euthymic female Lewis (LEW/N) rats throughout the hindlimb joints and overlying tissues including skin, preceding or paralleling clinically apparent experimental arthritis. COX was expressed in the joints of athymic LEW.rnu/rnu rats 2-4 d after injection of SCW or adjuvant but was not sustained. Physiological doses of antiinflammatory glucocorticoids, but not progesterone, suppressed both arthritis and COX expression in LEW/N rats. These observations suggest that, in vivo, (a) COX expression is upregulated in inflammatory joint diseases, (b) the level of expression is genetically controlled and is a biochemical correlate of disease severity, (c) sustained high level up-regulation is T cell dependent, and (d) expression is down-regulated by antiinflammatory glucocorticoids.

Animals

Cyclooxygenase gene expression is down-regulated by heparin-binding (acidic fibroblast) growth factor-1 in human endothelial cells.

The expression of cyclooxygenase (EC 1.14.99.1, Cox), a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of inflammatory prostanoids, is regulated by growth factors and cytokines. We have shown previously that the cytokine interleukin-1, an inhibitor of endothelial growth in vitro and stimulator of prostacyclin production, induces the expression of the 3-kilobase Cox transcript in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In contrast, the endothelial cell mitogen, heparin-binding (acidic fibroblast) growth factor-1 (HBGF-1) inhibits the synthesis of prostacyclin in HUVEC. In this report, we describe the effect of HBGF-1 on Cox mRNA expression in HUVEC. Cells cultured in the presence of HBGF-1 express diminished Cox mRNA levels whereas quiescent cells maintained in serum expressed a 7-fold higher level of the transcript for Cox. Concomitantly, the level of the Cox translation product and prostacyclin synthesis are also reduced by HBGF-1. Further, HBGF-1, in the presence of heparin, down-regulates the levels of the Cox transcript in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The onset of action of HBGF-1 is slow, requiring up to 24 h to depress the level of Cox mRNA. Lastly, the effective dose of HBGF-1 to depress Cox mRNA levels is similar to that required for mitogenesis, suggesting that cell proliferation may be required for the reduction of Cox expression in vitro. Thus, Cox may belong to a class of genes that are reversibly down-regulated during periods of endothelial cell proliferation.

Base Sequence

Differential expression in Escherichia coli of the alpha and beta forms of heparin-binding acidic fibroblast growth factor-1: potential role of RNA secondary structure.

Synthetic DNA fragments encoding the entire open-reading frame of human heparin-binding growth factor-1 (HBGF-1 beta) and its NH2-terminal truncated form (HBGF-1 alpha) were constructed. When both constructs were expressed in Escherichia coli under control of the trp-lac promoter, biologically active HBGF-1 alpha, but not HBGF-1 beta was produced in high yield. However, high level expression of HBGF-1 beta was obtained using the T7 polymerase expression vector. Computer analysis of HBGF-1 beta predicts the potential for the formation of exaggerated RNA secondary structure near the translation initiation codon and this could be implicated in contributing to the poor translation of HBGF-1 beta under the trp-lac promoter.

Base Sequence

Cytotoxic activity of chimeric proteins composed of acidic fibroblast growth factor and Pseudomonas exotoxin on a variety of cell types.

Chimeric proteins composed of acidic fibroblast growth factor (acidic FGF) and several forms of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) that cannot bind to the PE receptor have been produced in Escherichia coli by expressing chimeric genes in which DNA encoding acidic FGF is fused to various mutant forms of PE. These acidic FGF-PE fusion proteins were found to be cytotoxic to a variety of tumor cell lines including hepatocellular (PLC/PRF/5 and HEPG2), prostatic (LNCaP), colon (HT29), and breast (MCF-7) carcinomas at concentrations of 1-70 ng/ml. The cytotoxic effects of acidic FGF-PE were FGF-receptor specific as demonstrated by competition with excess acidic FGF and by showing that acidic FGF-PE bound to the FGF receptor with the same affinity as acidic FGF. Furthermore, the cell-killing activity of acidic FGF-PE was toxin-mediated, as an acidic FGF-PE mutant, which does not possess ADP-ribosylation activity, failed to kill cells. These findings demonstrate that acidic FGF-PE is a potent cytotoxic molecule that can be targeted to FGF receptor-bearing cells. Because acidic FGF is a potent angiogenic molecule, cytotoxic acidic FGF-PE chimeras may have utility as anti-angiogenic agents. These molecules could be helpful in determining the functional role of FGF receptors in cellular processes.

ADP Ribose Transferases

Production of platelet derived growth factor B chain (PDGF-B/c-sis) mRNA and immunoreactive PDGF B-like polypeptide by rheumatoid synovium: coexpression with heparin binding acidic fibroblast growth factor-1.

We present evidence supporting the hypothesis that locally produced platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) B-like polypeptides, as well as heparin binding growth factor-1 (HBGF-1), are involved in stimulating the pronounced hyperplasia of rheumatoid synovial stromal fibroblastlike cells. Explanted rheumatoid synovial tissues in vitro spontaneously secreted, in a time dependent manner, mitogenic activity for rheumatoid synoviocytes that was neutralizable by anti-PDGF antibody. PDGF B/c-sis mRNA transcripts were detected in synovium from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 5). Spontaneous PDGF B-like synthesis was detected by immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled PDGF B-like polypeptides secreted by explanted tissues. Furthermore, rheumatoid synovial tissues, particularly macrophage-like cells, immunostained specifically with anti-PDGF B chain. The extent and intensity of staining and mononuclear cell infiltration were highly correlated. Immunostaining of osteoarthritic and normal synovial tissues was significantly less than RA synovium. PDGF-B immunostaining of synovial specimens previously characterized for expression of HBGF-1, the precursor of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), revealed that the extent and intensity of expression of HBGF-1 and PDGF-B were highly correlated.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid

Recovery of mitogenic activity of a growth factor mutant with a nuclear translocation sequence.

Heparin-binding growth factor-1 (HBGF-1) is an angiogenic polypeptide mitogen for mesoderm- and neuroectoderm-derived cells in vitro and remains biologically active after truncation of the amino-terminal domain (HBGF-1 alpha) of the HBGF-1 beta precursor. Polymerase chain reaction mutagenesis and prokaryotic expression systems were used to prepare a mutant of HBGF-1 alpha lacking a putative nuclear translocation sequence (amino acid residues 21 to 27; HBGF-1U). Although HBGF-1U retains its ability to bind to heparin, HBGF-1U fails to induce DNA synthesis and cell proliferation at concentrations sufficient to induce intracellular receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation and c-fos expression. Attachment of the nuclear translocation sequence from yeast histone 2B at the amino terminus of HBGF-1U yields a chimeric polypeptide (HBGF-1U2) with mitogenic activity in vitro and indicates that nuclear translocation is important for this biological response.

Amino Acid Sequence

Extension of the life-span of human endothelial cells by an interleukin-1 alpha antisense oligomer.

The proliferative potential of human diploid endothelial cells is finite, and cellular senescence in vitro is accompanied by the failure of the endothelial cell to respond to exogenous growth factors. Senescent human endothelial cells were shown to contain high amounts of the transcript for the cytokine interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), a potent inhibitor of endothelial cell proliferation in vitro. In contrast, transformed human endothelial cells did not contain detectable IL-1 alpha messenger RNA. Treatment of human endothelial cell populations with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to the human IL-1 alpha transcript prevented cell senescence and extended the proliferative life-span of the cells in vitro. Removal of the IL-1 alpha antisense oligomer resulted in the generation of the senescent phenotype and loss of proliferative potential. These data suggest that human endothelial cell senescence in vitro is a dynamic process regulated by the potential intracellular activity of IL-1 alpha.

Base Sequence

Recombinant gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells transduced by retroviral vectors.

Endothelial cells are attractive targets for gene transfer because of their immediate contact with the bloodstream, and, therefore, they might serve as vehicles for therapeutic drug delivery. Recently, we and others reported that endothelial cells of animal origin efficiently express both secretory and nonsecretory recombinant proteins. We now show that human endothelial cells are also capable of expressing a recombinant gene following transduction with retroviral vectors. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were transduced with either the N2 or the SAX vector. Following selection with G418, cells transduced by both vectors were found to express neophosphotransferase activity, the product of the neomycin resistance gene. The fact that a recombinant gene can be readily inserted and efficiently expressed into human endothelial cells suggests that these cells may be able to serve a role in human gene therapy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Cyclooxygenase is an immediate-early gene induced by interleukin-1 in human endothelial cells.

The monokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibits endothelial cell growth and induces prostacyclin production in human endothelial cells. Since cyclooxygenase (Cox) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of prostanoids, we evaluated the ability of IL-1 to stimulate Cox expression by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro. Our data demonstrate that 1) the Cox mRNA is expressed at low levels in untreated cells; 2) IL-1 alpha induces the Cox mRNA within 2 h, and this induction is sustained for more than 24 h; 3) IL-1 alpha induction is dose-dependent; 4) cycloheximide potentiates the induction of the Cox mRNA by IL-1 alpha while actinomycin D prevents the induction, and 5) IL-1 alpha also stimulates Cox production in a time-dependent fashion which correlates with the increase in prostacyclin synthesis. These data suggest that Cox is an immediate-early gene induced by IL-1 in HUVEC and may contribute to the regulation of the endothelial cell differentiation pathway in vitro.

Blotting, Western

An abundant transcript induced in differentiating human endothelial cells encodes a polypeptide with structural similarities to G-protein-coupled receptors.

The tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) inhibits the growth of human endothelial cells and induces differentiation into capillary-like, tubular structures. We have isolated cDNA clones induced by PMA in the presence of cycloheximide and report the characterization of a novel immediate-early cDNA clone, termed edg-1, from human endothelial cells. The 3-kilobase edg-1 transcript is rapidly induced when endothelial cells are treated with PMA and superinduced in the presence of cycloheximide. While superinduction is due, at least in part, to the stabilization of the edg-1 transcript, nuclear run-on analysis demonstrates that the transcription of edg-1 is stimulated by PMA. Although the edg-1 transcript is very abundant in endothelial cells, transcripts related to human edg-1 are also detected at lower levels in vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, melanocytes, and cells of epithelioid origin. The deduced polypeptide sequence of edg-1 contains seven transmembrane domains with significant structural similarities to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPRs). Although the identity of the ligand for edg-1 is presently unknown, the structure of edg-1 polypeptide strongly implies that the edg-1 translation product is an inducible endothelial cell GPR. Since GPRs are involved in diverse biological processes such as signal transduction, cell proliferation, and differentiation, the characterization of human edg-1 as a highly inducible and abundant endothelial cell GPR suggest that it may be involved in the processes that regulate the differentiation of endothelial cells.

Amino Acid Sequence

Isolation of immediate-early differentiation mRNAs by enzymatic amplification of subtracted cDNA from human endothelial cells.

The phenomena of cell growth and differentiation result from unique transcriptional programs. Inducible genes are therefore differentially expressed in response to various biochemical stimuli that regulate cell division and differentiation. To isolate differentially expressed mRNAs of unknown sequence, two techniques, differential and subtractive hybridization, have been used. Subtractive hybridization is superior for the isolation of rare mRNAs; however, its utility is somewhat limited by the fact that large amounts of driver mRNA are required for the procedure. We have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify minute quantities of unknown subtracted sequences, and thus, enhanced the sensitivity and ease of cloning differentially expressed mRNAs. We demonstrate the utility of this technique by describing the isolation of at least four unique cDNA clones of human endothelial cell mRNAs that are induced by the tumor promoter, phorbol ester, a factor that promotes immediate early events during the endothelial cell differentiation pathway in vitro.

Base Sequence

Detection of high levels of heparin binding growth factor-1 (acidic fibroblast growth factor) in inflammatory arthritic joints.

The synovium from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and LEW/N rats with streptococcal cell wall (SCW) arthritis, an experimental model resembling RA, is characterized by massive proliferation of synovial connective tissues and invasive destruction of periarticular bone and cartilage. Since heparin binding growth factor (HBGF)-1, the precursor of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), is a potent angiogenic polypeptide and mitogen for mesenchymal cells, we sought evidence that it was involved in the synovial pathology of RA and SCW arthritis. HBGF-1 mRNA was detected in RA synovium using the polymerase chain reaction technique, and its product was immunolocalized intracellularly in both RA and osteoarthritis (OA) synovium. HBGF-1 staining was more extensive and intense in synovium of RA patients than OA and correlated with the extent and intensity of synovial mononuclear cell infiltration. HBGF-1 staining also correlated with c-Fos protein staining. In SCW arthritis, HBGF-1 immunostaining was noted in bone marrow, bone, cartilage, synovium, ligamentous and tendinous structures, as well as various dermal structures and developed early in both T-cell competent and incompetent rats. Persistent high level immunostaining of HBGF-1 was only noted in T-cell competent rats like the disease process in general. These observations implicate HBGF-1 in a multitude of biological functions in inflammatory joint diseases.

Animals