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V Haridas

Publications and source records attributed to V Haridas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human immunodeficiency virus gag and pol-specific CD8 T cells in perinatal HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Binding of fluorochrome-conjugated MHC class I tetramers is a powerful means to detect antigen-specific CD8 T lymphocytes. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, cellular immune response is essential in curtailing HIV disease progression but gaps persist in our understanding of HIV-specific cells during the disease course. In this study, we evaluated tetramer binding HIV-specific CD8 T cells in HIV-infected children. METHODS: Fluorescently labeled tetramers for HIV gag and pol were utilized to quantify antigen-specific cells by flow cytometry using a whole blood labeling method in a cohort of 19 HLA-A2+ HIV-infected children (age range 1 month to 17 years). RESULTS: Fourteen children had detectable gag (median 0.4%) and pol (median 0.1%) binding CD8 T cells, three children had gag binding cells only, and two had neither. Numbers of gag and pol binding cells correlated with each other and each correlated independently with total CD8 T cells and total CD4 T cells. CONCLUSIONS: HIV gag and pol-specific CD8 T cells are maintained during the chronic phase of HIV infection in children and CD4 lymphocytes appear to be important for sustaining their levels.

Adolescent↗

Avicins, a family of triterpenoid saponins from Acacia victoriae (Bentham), inhibit activation of nuclear factor-kappaB by inhibiting both its nuclear localization and ability to bind DNA.

Triterpenoid saponins, which are present in leguminous plants and some marine animals, possess a broad range of biological actions. We have earlier reported the extraction of avicins, a family of triterpenoid saponins obtained from the Australian desert tree Acacia victoriae (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) that inhibit tumor cell growth and induce apoptosis, in part, by perturbing mitochondrial function. These saponins have also been found to prevent chemical-induced carcinogenesis in mice. This study examines the effect of a triterpene mixture (F094) and a single molecular species (avicin G) isolated from the mixture on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced activation of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in Jurkat cells (human T cell leukemia). Both F094 and avicin G were found to be potent inhibitors of TNF-induced NF-kappaB. Treatment of Jurkat cells with avicin G resulted in a much slower accumulation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB into the nucleus whereas the degradation of IkappaBalpha was unaffected. Avicin G also impaired the binding of NF-kappaB to DNA in in vitro binding assays. Treatment of cells with DTT totally reversed the avicin G-induced inhibition of NF-kappaB activity, suggesting that sulfhydryl groups critical for NF-kappaB activation were being affected. Avicin G treatment resulted in decreased expression of NF-kappaB-regulated proteins such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2). Thus, the avicins may prove important for reducing both oxidative and nitrosative cellular stress and thereby suppressing the development of malignancies and related diseases.

Acacia↗

Triterpenoid saponins from Acacia victoriae (Bentham) decrease tumor cell proliferation and induce apoptosis.

This report describes the isolation and partial purification of novel triterpenoid saponins [Fraction 35 (F035)] and two pure biologically active derivatives (termed avicins D and G) from Acacia victoriae, an Australian desert tree of the Leguminosae family. F035 and the avicins markedly inhibited the growth of several tumor cell lines with minimum growth inhibition in human foreskin fibroblasts, mouse fibroblasts, and immortalized breast epithelial cells at similar concentrations. F035 and the avicins induced cell cycle (G1) arrest of the human MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cell line and apoptosis of the Jurkat (T-cell leukemia) and the MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cell line. The triterpenoid saponins also partially inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity in Jurkat T cells in a time-dependent manner and phosphorylation in the downstream protein Akt, whereas no affect was seen on the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. These observations as well as other work from our laboratory demonstrating mitochondrial perturbation, chemoprevention, and inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB suggest that triterpenoid saponins from A. victoriae have potential as novel anticancer agents. Recent work linking Akt signaling with glucose metabolism, stress resistance, and longevity suggests other potential applications of these compounds.

Acacia↗

Avicins: triterpenoid saponins from Acacia victoriae (Bentham) induce apoptosis by mitochondrial perturbation.

Anticancer agents target various subcellular components and trigger apoptosis in chemosensitive cells. We have recently reported the tumor cell growth inhibitory properties of a mixture of triterpenoid saponins obtained from an Australian desert tree (Leguminosae) Acacia victoriae (Bentham). Here we report the purification of this mixture into two biologically pure components called avicins that contain an acacic acid core with two acyclic monoterpene units connected by a quinovose sugar. We demonstrate that the mixture of triterpenoid saponins and avicins induce apoptosis in the Jurkat human T cell line by affecting the mitochondrial function. Avicin G induced cytochrome c release within 30-120 min in whole cells and within a minute in the cell-free system. Caspase inhibitors DEVD or zVAD-fmk had no effect on cytochrome c release, suggesting the direct action of avicin G on the mitochondria. Activation of caspase-3 and total cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) occurred between 2 and 6 h posttreatment with avicins by zVAD-fmk. Interestingly, in the treated cells no significant changes in the membrane potential preceded or accompanied cytochrome c release. A small decrease in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured. The study of these evolutionarily ancient compounds may represent an interesting paradigm for the application of chemical ecology and chemical biology to human health.

Apoptosis↗

A de novo designed peptide ligase: a mechanistic investigation.

A 33-residue de novo designed peptide ligase is reported which catalyzes the template-directed condensation of suitably activated short peptides with catalytic efficiencies in excess of 10(5) ([k(cat)/K(m)]/k(uncat)). The ligase peptide, derived from natural and designed alpha-helical coiled-coil proteins, presents a surface for substrate assembly via formation of a hydrophobic core at the peptide interface. Charged residues flanking the core provide additional binding specificity through electrostatic complementarity. Addition of the template to an equimolar fragment solution results in up to 4100-fold increases in initial reaction rates. Dramatic decreases in efficiency upon mutation of charged residues or increase in ionic strength establishes the importance of electrostatic recognition to ligase efficiency. Although most of the increase in reaction efficiency is due to entropic gain from binding of substrates in close proximity, mechanistic studies with altered substrates demonstrate that the system is highly sensitive to precise ordering at the point of ligation. Taken together these results represent the first example of a peptide catalyst with designed substrate binding sites which can significantly accelerate a bimolecular reaction and support the general viability of alpha-helical protein assemblies in artificial enzyme design.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Double-helical cyclic peptides: design, synthesis, and crystal structure of figure-eight mirror-image conformers of adamantane-constrained cystine-containing cyclic peptide cyclo (Adm-Cyst)(3).

A large number of macrocycles containing alternating repeats of cystine diOMe(-NH-CH(CO(2)Me)-CH(2)-S-)(2) and either a conformationally rigid aromatic/alicyclic moiety or a flexible polymethylene unit (X) in the cyclic backbone with ring size varying from 13- to 78-membered have been examined by spectral ((1)H NMR, FT-IR, CD) and X-ray crystallography studies for unusual conformational preferences. While (1)H NMR measurements indicated a turnlike conformation for all macrocycles, stabilized by intramolecular NH.CO hydrogen bonding, as also supported by FT-IR spectra in chloroform, convincing proof for beta-turn structures was provided by circular dichroism studies. Single-crystal X-ray studies on 39-membered cyclo (Adm-L-Cyst)(3) revealed a double-helical fold (figure-eight motif) for the macrocycle. Only a right-handed double helix was seen in the macrocycle constructed from L-cystine. The mirror-image macrocycle made up of D-cystine units exhibited a double helix with exactly the opposite screw sense, as expected. The enantiomeric figure-eights were stabilized by two intramolecular NH. CO hydrogen bonds and exhibited identical (1) H NMR and FT-IR spectra. The CD spectra of both isomers had a mirror-image relationship. The present results have clearly brought out the importance of cystine residues in inducing turn conformation that may be an important deciding factor for the adoption of topologically important structures by macrocycles containing multiple S-S linkages.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Norbornene-constrained cyclic peptides with hairpin architecture: design, synthesis, conformation, and membrane ion transport.

A novel family of hairpin cyclic peptides has been designed on the basis of the use of norbornene units as the bridging ligands. The design is flexible with respect to the choice of an amino acid, the ring size, and the nature of the second bridging ligand as illustrated here with the preparation of a large number of norborneno cyclic peptides containing a variety of amino acids in ring sizes varying from 12- to 29-membered, with the choice of the second bridging ligand being a rigid norbornene (11, 13a,b), an adamantane unit (7a,b and 8), or a flexible cystine residue (4a,b and 10). The presence of built-in handles (as protected COOH groups) permits the attachment of a variety of subunits as shown here with the ligation of Leu-Leu, Val-Val, or Aib-Aib pendants in 4b, 7b, and 13b, respectively. This novel class of constrained cyclic peptides are demonstrated to adopt beta-sheet- or hairpin-like conformation as shown by (1)H NMR and CD spectra. Membrane ion-transport studies have shown that the norborneno cyclic peptides 4b and 7b containing Leu-Leu or Val-Val pendants symmetrically placed on the exterior of the ring show high efficiency and selectivity in the transport of specifically monovalent cations. This property can be attributed to the hairpin-like architecture induced by the norbornene unit since the bis-adamantano peptide 15 containing two pairs of Leu-Leu pendants on the exterior is able to transport both monovalent (Na(+), K(+)) and divalent (Mg(2+)/Ca(2+)) cations.

Circular Dichroism↗

Bcl-x(L) suppresses TNF-mediated apoptosis and activation of nuclear factor-kappaB, activation protein-1, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a multipotential cytokine that induces apoptosis and activates nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), activation protein 1 (AP-1), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Several mechanisms have been suggested to explain these effects of TNF, one of them being the involvement of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Because Bcl-2 family members are known to affect the redox status of the cell, we examined the effect of Bcl-x(L) expression on TNF signaling. Overexpression of Bcl-x(L) in human promyelocytic lymphoma HL-60 cells downregulated TNF-induced cytotoxicity. Cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase by caspases, an early indicator of apoptosis, was also blocked by Bcl-x(L) overexpression. Activation of NF-kappaB was significantly suppressed in cells overexpressing Bcl-x(L), as was degradation of IkappaBalpha, the inhibitory subunit of NF-kappaB. NF-kappaB activation induced by serum-activated lipopolysaccharide (SALPS), ceramide, and okadaic acid was also inhibited by overexpression of Bcl-x(L), whereas that by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and H2O2 was unaffected. Besides NF-kappaB, the activation of AP-1 by TNF also was blocked by Bcl-x(L). The activation of JNK and MAPK kinase, which regulate these transcription factors, was reduced in Bcl-x(L)-transfected cells. Overall, our results demonstrate that Bcl-x(L) inhibits TNF signaling at an early step common to induction of activation of apoptosis, NF-kappaB, AP-1, MAPK, and JNK.

Apoptosis↗

VEGI, a new member of the TNF family activates nuclear factor-kappa B and c-Jun N-terminal kinase and modulates cell growth.

Recently a new member of the human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family named as VEGI was reported. However, very little is known about the biological activities displayed by this cytokine. In this report, we show that in myeloid cells VEGI activated the transcription factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) as determined by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, induced degradation of I kappa B alpha, and nuclear translocation of p65 subunit of NF-kappa B. VEGI also activated NF-kappa B-dependent reporter gene expression. In addition, VEGI activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase. When examined for growth modulatory effects, VEGI inhibited the proliferation of breast carcinoma (MCF-7), epithelial (HeLa), and myeloid (U-937 and ML-1a) tumor cells; and activated caspase-3 leading to PARP cleavage. VEGI-induced cytotoxicity was potentiated by inhibitors of protein synthesis. VEGI also induced proliferation of normal human foreskin fibroblast cells. The activity of VEGI could neither be neutralized by antibodies against TNF, nor could it compete with TNF binding, indicating that the activity of VEGI is not due to TNF and it binds to a distinct receptor. These results suggest that VEGI, a new member of the TNF family, has a signaling pathway similar to TNF and is most likely a multifunctional cytokine.

Base Sequence↗

Characterization of the intracellular domain of receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK). Interaction with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors and activation of NF-kappab and c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

Various members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily interact directly with signaling molecules of the TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family to activate nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. The receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK), a recently described TNF receptor family member, and its ligand, RANKL, promote survival of dendritic cells and differentiation of osteoclasts. RANK contains 383 amino acids in its intracellular domain (residues 234-616), which contain three putative TRAF-binding domains (termed I, II, and III). In this study, we set out to identify the region of RANK needed for interaction with TRAF molecules and for stimulation of NF-kappaB and JNK activity. We constructed epitope-tagged RANK (F-RANK616) and three C-terminal truncations, F-RANK330, F-RANK427, and F-RANK530, lacking 85, 188, and 285 amino acids, respectively. From this deletion analysis, we determined that TRAF2, TRAF5, and TRAF6 interact with RANK at its C-terminal 85-amino acid tail; the binding affinity appeared to be in the order of TRAF2 > TRAF5 > TRAF6. Furthermore, overexpression of RANK stimulated JNK and NF-kappaB activation. When the C-terminal tail, which is necessary for TRAF binding, was deleted, the truncated RANK receptor was still capable of stimulating JNK activity but not NF-kappaB, suggesting that interaction with TRAFs is necessary for NF-kappaB activation but not necessary for activation of the JNK pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification and functional characterization of DR6, a novel death domain-containing TNF receptor.

Tumor nectosis factor (TNF) receptors are key players in inflammation and immune regulation. A new member of this family, termed death receptor-6 (DR6), has been identified. Like other death receptors, DR6 is a type I transmembrane receptor, possesses four extracellular cysteine-rich motifs and a cytoplasmic death domain. DR6 is expressed in most human tissues and abundant transcript was detected in heart, brain, placenta, pancreas, thymus, lymph node and several non-lymphoid cancer cell lines. DR6 interacts with TRADD, which has previously been shown to associate with TNFR1. Furthermore, ectopic expression of DR6 in mammalian cells induces apoptosis and activation of both NF-kappaB and JNK.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

TRANK, a novel cytokine that activates NF-kappa B and c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

We searched the expressed sequence tag database using sequence homology and identified a novel cytokine, which we have named TRANK (thioredoxin peroxidase-related activator of NF-kappa B and c-Jun N-terminal kinase). The predicted amino acid sequence of TRANK was highly homologous to that of the thiol-specific antioxidant proteins. Unlike these proteins, however, TRANK had a putative secretory signal polypeptide and was found to be secreted by cells. TRANK was expressed in most tissues and cell lines, and the gene that encodes it was mapped to chromosome Xp21-22.1. TRANK activated NF-kappa B and induced the degradation of the inhibitory subunit of NF-kappa B. In addition, TRANK up-regulated the expression of NF-kappa B-dependent gene products, ICAM-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. TRANK also activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase and induced the proliferation of normal human foreskin fibroblasts. Its homology with antioxidant proteins, wide distribution in tissues, and ability to activate NF-kappa B and c-Jun N-terminal kinase suggest that TRANK plays an important role in inflammation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Overexpression of the p80 TNF receptor leads to TNF-dependent apoptosis, nuclear factor-kappa B activation, and c-Jun kinase activation.

Because they have distinct intracellular domains, it has been proposed that the p60 and p80 forms of the TNF receptor mediate different signals. Several signaling proteins have been isolated that associate with either the p60 or the p80 receptor. By using TNF muteins specific to the p60 and p80 receptors, we have previously shown that cytotoxicity and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation are mediated through the p60 form of the endogenous receptor. What signals are mediated through the p80 receptor is less clear. This study was an effort to answer that question. HeLa cells, which express only p60 receptors, were transfected with p80 receptor cDNA and then examined for apoptosis, NF-kappa B activation, and c-Jun kinase activation induced by TNF and by p60 or p80 receptor-specific muteins. The p80 mutein, like TNF and the p60 mutein, induced apoptosis and activation of NF-kappa B and c-Jun kinase in cells overexpressing recombinant p80 receptor but had no effect on cells expressing a high level of endogenous p80 receptor. The apoptosis mediated through the p60 receptor was also potentiated after overexpression of the p80 receptor, suggesting a synergistic relationship between the two receptors. Interestingly, Abs to the p80 receptor blocked apoptosis induced by all ligands but by itself activated NF-kappa B in the p80-transfected cells. Overall, our results show that the p80 receptor, which lacks the death domain, mediated apoptosis, NF-kappa B activation, and c-Jun kinase activation, but only when it was overexpressed, whereas endogenous p60 receptor mediated similar signals without overexpression.

Antigens, CD↗

TR1, a new member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, induces fibroblast proliferation and inhibits osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.

A newly identified member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily shows activities associated with osteoclastogenesis inhibition and fibroblast proliferation. This new member, called TR1, was identified from a search of an expressed sequence tag database, and encodes 401 amino acids with a 21-residue signal sequence. Unlike other members of TNFR, TR1 does not contain a transmembrane domain and is secreted as a 62 kDa glycoprotein. TR1 gene maps to chromosome 8q23-24.1 and its mRNA is abundantly expressed on primary osteoblasts, osteogenic sarcoma cell lines, and primary fibroblasts. The receptors for TR1 were detected on a monocytic cell line (THP-1) and in human fibroblasts. Scatchard analyses indicated two classes of high and medium-high affinity receptors with a kD of approximately 45 and 320 pM, respectively. Recombinant TR1 induced proliferation of human foreskin fibroblasts and potentiated TNF-induced proliferation in these cells. In a coculture system of osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, recombinant TR1 completely inhibited the differentiation of osteoclast-like multinucleated cell formation in the presence of several bone-resorbing factors. TR1 also strongly inhibited bone-resorbing function on dentine slices by mature osteoclasts and decreased 45Ca release in fetal long-bone organ cultures. Anti-TR1 monoclonal antibody promoted the formation of osteoclasts in mouse marrow culture assays. These results indicate that TR1 has broad biological activities in fibroblast growth and in osteoclast differentiation and its functions.

Animals↗

Mechanism of interaction of pH 3.0 treated tumor cells expressing lower levels of class I MHC antigens, with IL-2 activated NK cells.

Effect of lowering the levels of class I MHC antigens, on the ability of three murine (YAC, P815, SP2O) and three human (Molt4, Raji, HR7) tumor cell lines, to compete in cold target inhibition assays, was studied. Specific reduction in class I MHC levels (range 60-76%) was induced by brief exposure to citrate buffer (pH 3.0). Susceptibility of the acid pH treated tumor cells to lysis by IL-2 activated NK cells, was found to be significantly increased in all cases with the exception of YAC cells. Reduction in class I MHC antigen expression by acid pH treatment, had no significant effect on competing ability of the tumor cells. In contrast, tumor cells on which MHC class I antigens were upregulated by interferon treatment, had significantly lower ability to compete. These results suggest that the mechanisms of altered interactions between MHC I up or down regulated target cells may be different. A model compatible with increased NK susceptibility along with an unaltered ability to compete for acid pH treated tumor cells, has been proposed.

Animals↗

Antigen-presenting cells (APC) of mice with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) cause excessive activation-induced death of T helper cells.

Both experimental and clinical forms of chronic GVHD have unique immunological features. The affected animals/individuals suffer from autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and yet they are unable to mount a self MHC-restricted T cell response to foreign antigens. Pathogenesis of the latter phenomenon was investigated in an experimental model of chronic GVHD. Chronic GVHD was induced in 8-10-week-old (B6xC3H)F1 mice by tail vein injection of 5 x 10(7) spleen cells of C3H parental strain. The recipients, when tested 3 months later, were unable to mount a T helper (Th) cell response to a randomly selected immunogen, a vaccine of l0(8) killed Mycobacterium vaccae. The animals showed evidence of generalized lymphoid hyperplasia, as indicated by GVH index >1.34, and also revealed autoantibodies against erythrocytes and dsDNA, indicating establishment of chronic GVHD. However, mice with chronic GVHD of only 3 weeks duration were able to mount the Th cell response to M. vaccae. Three consecutive immunizations of these mice at 1-week intervals, with the same immunogen, resulted in the mice becoming non-responsive to the antigen. All the three responses tested, namely the DTH, lymphoproliferation and the antibody responses, were adversely affected. The non-responsiveness induced was antigen-specific. Mice receiving two immunizations with M. vaccae responded normally to Salmonella enteritidis. Pulse treatment with cyclosporin A 0.5 mg/mouse by the i.p. route, on days 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the time of immunization with M. vaccae on day 1, prevented emergence of non-responsiveness. Based on this evidence, it was concluded that repeated activation of T cells of mice with chronic GVHD induces non-responsiveness. Extent of clonal loss due to activation-induced cell death (AICD) caused by i.p. injection with a superantigen Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) was investigated in F1 mice with chronic GVHD. I.p. injection of 25 microg/mouse of SEB induced loss of SEB responding clones in both normal F1 mice and those having chronic GVHD; however, the extent of loss was much greater in the latter. In vitro antigen-specific proliferation of primed splenic T cells of normal F1 mice was observed to be quite poor when antigen was presented by APC of mice with chronic GVHD of 3 weeks duration. Proliferation profiles of T cells of normal F1 mice, in response to stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A) or SEB, were studied, using as APC irradiated spleen cells of normal F1 mice or of F1 mice with chronic GVHD of 3 weeks duration. With Con A and APC of normal F1 mice, peak proliferation was observed at 48 h, which remained at the same level up to 72 h and declined thereafter, possibly due to AICD. With SEB and the normal APC, proliferation progressively peaked at 72 h and declined thereafter. With APC of mice with chronic GVHD, the 48 h proliferative responses of both Con A and SEB were comparable to those caused by APC of normal F1 mice; however, thereafter the responses declined steeply, suggesting greater AICD. Based on these results, it was concluded that APC of mice with chronic GVHD are functionally altered to induce greater AICD.

Animals↗

Correlation of class I MHC antigen levels on some human tumor cell lines with susceptibility to LAK cells and performance in cold target inhibition assays.

Relationships between (a) levels of class I MHC antigens, (b) susceptibility to LAK cells, and (c) ability to perform in cold target competition assays were studied using K562, MOLT-4, Raji, Daudi, and HR7 human tumor cell lines. The hypothesis of inverse correlation between class I MHC antigen expression and susceptibility to LAK cells was concurrent with results using K562, HR7, and Daudi cell lines. For Raji cells, IFN-gamma had no effect on the levels of class I MHC antigen but induced resistance to LAK cells, whereas for MOLT-4 cells, enhanced MHC I expression was not accompanied with any change in susceptibility to LAK cells. In competition experiments, all five tumor cell lines were used as competitors as well as targets. Different specificities of competition were observed for different tumor cells. These results indicated that the different tumor cell lines could share one or more target structures recognized by LAK effector cells. IFN-gamma treatment lowered the ability of several tumor cell lines to inhibit target lysis in cold competition assays. Changes in the competition efficacy of tumor cells correlated better with their susceptibility to LAK cells rather than levels of class I MHC antigens.

Binding, Competitive↗

Changes in LAK susceptibility of tumor cells as their MHC class I antigen expression levels regenerate after treatment at pH 3.0.

Changes in LAK susceptibility of tumor cells in which MHC class I antigen expression was undergoing regeneration following treatment at pH 3.0, were studied. P815 (murine mastocytoma) and RAJI (human B-cell leukemia) cell lines were briefly exposed to pH 3.0 buffer which brought down the MHC class I expression on these cells by 70-80% and resulted in a 3-fold increase in their susceptibility to murine and human LAK cells, respectively. During the MHC class I regeneration phase, LAK susceptibility fell and reached normal levels at a time point when MHC class I antigens had regenerated to a level which was 60-70% of the normal. Highly significant inverse correlations were obtained between LAK susceptibility and the log of MHC class I antigen expression, for both P815 and RAJI cell lines. These results indicate that during the MHC class I regeneration phase, there is an inverse correlation between MHC class I antigen levels and LAK susceptibility. Moreover, these results also suggest that the extent of change in LAK susceptibility may depend upon the levels of basal MHC class I expression on the tumor cells.

Animals↗