Expression of the chemokine N51/KC in the thymus and epidermis of transgenic mice results in marked infiltration of a single class of inflammatory cells

Transgenic mice expressing the chemokine N51/KC in thymus, skin, and tongue showed a marked infiltration of a single class of inflammatory cells (neutrophils) in the sites of transgene expression. In the thymus, neutrophils were most numerous in the cortex and juxta-medullary regions, often forming aggregates or clusters. A similar, but less intense, neutrophilic infiltrate occurred in close proximity to the epidermal basal layer of the tongue and skin. No morphologic evidence of injury was observed in the thymus, skin, or tongue of these transgenic mice, indicating that N51/KC expression induces recruitment but not inflammatory activation of neutrophils. The lack of activation in the thymus resulted in a large senescent neutrophilic population that was phagocytosed by thymic macrophages and epithelial-reticular cells. These results indicate that N51/KC is a neutrophil chemoattractant in vivo and establish these transgenic mice as effective models to study the phenomena of recruitment and clearance of neutrophils, events that are critical for the initiation and resolution of the inflammatory response.

Porcine luteal cells express monocyte chemoattractant protein-2 (MCP-2): analysis by cDNA cloning and northern analysis

From an expression library in lambda UniZAP, derived from porcine corpus luteum (CL), a clone lambda MCP9 was detected by hybridization with a porcine MCP-1 specific probe. A pBluescriptSK-derivative pMCP9 was generated from lambda MCP9 by in vivo excision and was shown to contain an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein highly homologous to bovine monocyte chemoattractant protein-2 (MCP-2). Comparison of amino acid sequences of known MCPs identified the protein encoded by pMCP9 as porcine MPC-2. The 3' untranslated region of pMCP9 was completed by 3' RACE. Northern analysis using RNA from porcine luteal cells and probes specific for porcine MCP-1 and MCP-2 revealed that porcine luteal cells express both MCPs. According to Southern analysis MCP-2, like MCP-1, is specified by a single copy gene.

Eotaxin: cloning of an eosinophil chemoattractant cytokine and increased mRNA expression in allergen-challenged guinea-pig lungs

Eotaxin was recently identified as the major eosinophil chemoattractant in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained 3h after allergen challenge of sensitised guinea-pigs. We now report the cDNA cloning of this C-C chemokine. The 777 base-pair clone, pEo3122, consists of a 40 base 5' untranslated region, an open reading frame of 288 bases predicting a 73 amino acid mature protein plus a 23 amino acid signal peptide, and a 3' untranslated region of 449 bases containing a poly A tail. Northern blot analysis showed eotaxin mRNA in the lungs of naive and sensitised guinea-pigs, which was considerably increased after allergen challenge. Eotaxin may be an important mediator of eosinophil accumulation and activation in allergic reactions. As eotaxin stimulates human eosinophils, this chemokine and related molecules may be involved in human diseases such as asthma where eosinophil accumulation is a prominent feature.

Lung monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene expression in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Recent studies indicate that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) may play an important role in pulmonary inflammation. In vitro studies show that a number of cell types are capable of producing MCP-1. In this study, MCP-1 expression in lungs of rats with bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis is examined to evaluate its cellular origin and potential role in pathogenesis. Lung fibrosis was induced in male Fisher 344 rats by endotracheal injection on day 0. On selected days after injection, lungs were harvested for in situ and Northern hybridization analyses for MCP-1 mRNA expression, immunochemical and histochemical analyses for MCP-1 protein expression, and identification of cell type. Northern analysis revealed significant elevation in lung MCP-1 mRNA expression beginning on day 3 post-BLM treatment, increasing to a peak on day 7, and then decreasing toward control levels after day 21. In situ hybridization combined with histochemical staining with chromotrope 2R indicate that most of the cells expressing MCP-1 mRNA at these time points are primarily eosinophils. A few scattered reactive fibroblasts, some mononuclear cells, epithelial cells, and cells of certain blood vessel walls also express this mRNA. Increased MCP-1 protein expression also was found to be predominantly within and adjacent to eosinophils. The eosinophils expressing this mRNA were found predominantly within areas of active fibrosis. The kinetics of increase in the number of cells expressing significant MCP-1 mRNA in lung sections paralleled that for MCP-1 mRNA expression, as assessed by Northern analysis. These results, for the first time, demonstrate that MCP-1 is up-regulated significantly in this rat animal model, and that infiltrating eosinophils represent the major cellular source for this increased MCP-1 expression.

Expression of adhesion molecules, platelet-activating factor, and chemokines by Kaposi's sarcoma cells

The present study was designed to investigate whether cells cultured from Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a vascular tumor with a prominent leukocyte infiltration, express molecules important for the recruitment and activation of leukocytes. KS cells expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1, which was augmented by exposure to IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha. Unlike endothelial cells, resting or cytokine-activated KS cells did not express appreciable levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-2, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin on their surface. Weak expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 mRNA was detectable by Northern blot analysis and, most clearly, by PCR analysis. Upon exposure to inflammatory cytokines, KS cells produced the attractant/activating lipid platelet-activating factor. KS cells expressed appreciable levels of the chemotactic cytokines, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-8, as determined by Northern blot analysis, immunoassay, or bioassay. Chemokine production was augmented by IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha. MCP-1 expression was also detected in KS lesions by in situ hybridization. The set of molecules identified in the present study is probably important in determining the prominent leukocyte infiltration observed in KS. Tumor-associated leukocytes may amplify autocrine/paracrine circuits that sustain KS proliferation and contribute to recruitment of host vascular cells.

Stimulation of the biosynthesis of interleukin 8 by interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in cultured human chorionic cells

Human chorion, but not amnion, tissue explants produced substantial quantities of neutrophil chemoattractant in response to interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). This suggested that chorion is one of the chemoattractant producing tissues. Therefore, the biochemical properties and the regulation of a chemoattractant in human chorionic cells were examined. IL-1 alpha and TNF alpha stimulated human chorionic cells to produce neutrophil chemotactic factor in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. This chemotactic factor was a heat-stable and trypsin-sensitive protein with an apparent molecular weight of 10000, and it was also immunologically identified as a chemotactic cytokine of the human IL-8 family. Immunohistochemical observations with IL-1 alpha- and TNF alpha-treated chorion explants indicated that trophoblasts and stromal cells, including fibroblast-like and macrophage-like cells, but not endothelial cells, were characterized as IL-8-producing cells. From these observations, it is very likely that both IL-1 and TNF alpha may participate in the production of chemotactic factor/IL-8 in pre-term parturition, accompanied by an intraamniotic infection, along with their known promotive effect on the production of matrix metalloproteinases, which is connected with the destruction of matrix components of fetal membranes.

Generation of a CD11b/c upregulating and chemotactic factor by hepatocytes of endotoxic rats--nonidentity with interleukin-8

To further clarify the mechanism of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) recruitment into the liver associated with short term endotoxin infusion (1), we investigated the effect of a noval factor generated by hepatocytes of such endotoxic rats on the expression of PMN adhesion molecules CD11b/c and chemotactic activity. Conditioned medium of hepatocytes from endotoxin-infused rats shows a fast induction and dose-dependent activity for upregulating CD11b/c expression in and chemotactic activity for blood PMN of naive rats. Supernatants of naive control rats cultured in the presence of endotoxin and Kupffer cells and liver PMNs of endotoxic rats also produce activation, but to a much lesser extent. The upregulating activity can be reduced significantly by heat inactivation at 100 degrees C for 10 min and by pronase hydrolysis at 37 degrees C for 60 min. Generation of the activity does not depend on cyclooxygenase products or phospholipase A2 activity, and it does not seem to be associated with the complement pathway. The activity is associated with molecular masses of 9-12 and 27-32 kDa and cannot be reduced by antiserum to rat interleukin-8 in serial dilutions ranging from 1:50 to 1:25,600. The results show that hepatocytes from acutely endotoxin infused rats generate a small molecular weight protein factor (or factors) that is capable of upregulating PMN 11b/c expression and chemotactic activity and is seemingly different from rat interleukin-8. Thus, hepatocytes in endotoxemia may play an important role in modulating neutrophil function and contributing to the mechanism of neutrophil sequestration into the liver.

Gene expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in human monocytes is regulated by cell density through protein tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C

The present study investigated the signal transduction pathways leading to the gene expression for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in human monocytes. By Northern blot analysis, MCP-1 mRNA was undetectable in freshly isolated monocytes, but was induced and reached a maximal level at 4 h during culture. The level of accumulated mRNA altered with cell density of the monocytes and was highest at a density of 1 x 10(6) cells/ml. Nuclear run-on assay demonstrated that this cell density-dependent expression of MCP-1 mRNA was regulated at the transcriptional level, and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors, genistein and herbimycin A, completely abrogated this gene transcription. Immunoblot analysis for phosphotyrosine in whole cell lysates demonstrated gradual increases in tyrosine phosphorylation of 55-, 60-, and 70-kDa proteins during culture. Cell density regulated tyrosine phosphorylation of 70-kDa protein in parallel with alterations in MCP-1 mRNA expression. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor H-7 also abrogated the gene transcription and suppressed tyrosine phosphorylation of 70-kDa protein, whereas HA1004, a structural analogue of H-7, did not. These results suggest that MCP-1 gene expression in cultured monocytes is regulated by the cell density at the transcriptional level and that the signaling pathways leading to the gene transcription are mediated through PTK and PKC. It is also suggested that PKC activity plays a critical role in tyrosine phosphorylation of 70-kDa protein, which may mediate signals regulating the cell density-dependent expression of the MCP-1 gene.

Selective expression of monocyte chemotactic and activating factor/monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in human blood monocytes by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Neutrophils are the predominant leukocyte population in acute inflammation. Granulomatous inflammation such as tuberculosis is a specific type of chronic inflammation characterized by the predominant accumulation of macrophages. To clarify the mechanism of cellular recruitment in inflammation, the expression of chemokines, interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF)/monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), was examined in human blood monocytes in response to lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli, which could induce acute inflammation, or purified protein derivative (PPD) or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which could provoke chronic inflammation. Monocytes stimulated with PPD or M. tuberculosis expressed low levels of antigenic interleukin-8 but high levels of MCAF/MCP-1 compared with monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Northern blot analysis showed the early induction of interleukin-8 mRNA and the delayed expression of MCAF/MCP-1 mRNA in response to PPD or M. tuberculosis. Thus, the disparate expression of chemokines may contribute to the cellular recruitment in acute and chronic inflammations.

Role of the GRO family of chemokines in monocyte adhesion to MM-LDL-stimulated endothelium

We have previously shown that treatment of endothelial cells with minimally modified LDL (MM-LDL) induces the binding of monocytes to unknown endothelial receptor molecules. We now report that a member of the GRO family of chemokines plays a role in MM-LDL-induced monocyte binding. A cDNA library made from rabbit aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) treated with MM-LDL was expression screened for molecules inducing binding of a human monocyte cell line (THP-1). A cDNA was isolated with 75% homology to GRO. GRO mRNA levels were significantly elevated after exposure of RAEC or human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) to MM-LDL. HAEC treated with MM-LDL displayed an increase in a surface-associated protein that bound to antibody against GRO despite low levels of GRO in the medium. Antibody to GRO significantly inhibited the binding of monocytes to MM-LDL-treated RAEC and HAEC. The increase in GRO expression and monocyte binding were reduced by incubating MM-LDL-treated endothelial cells with heparin (in a method that releases heparan sulfate bound molecules from the cell surface). These results suggest that GRO related chemokines are bound to the surface of MM-LDL-treated endothelial cells and may contribute to the monocyte adhesion induced by MM-LDL.

Role of protein kinase pathways in IL-1-induced chemoattractant expression by human mesangial cells

Human mesangial cells produce the monocyte-specific chemotactic factor monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in response to a variety of stimuli, including the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1). The intracellular signals responsible for mediating the effects of IL-1 on MCP-1 expression in human mesangial cells have not been defined. Evidence from other types of cells suggests that protein kinases are involved in MCP-1 gene regulation. We investigated the role of protein kinase pathways in mediating IL-1-induced MCP-1 expression. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol esters or diacyglycerol up-regulated mesangial MCP-1 message and bioactivity in a fashion similar to IL-1. However, while inhibition of PKC activity completely blocked phorbol-induced MCP-1 up-regulation, induction by IL-1 was not prevented. Inhibitors of cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) also failed to block IL-1-induced MCP-1 expression. Furthermore, increasing intracellular cAMP and activating PKA attenuated basal MCP-1 mRNA levels by 82% and blocked IL-1 induced MCP-1 expression by 88%. Finally, the role of protein tyrosine kinases was studied. The structurally distinct protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors genistein, herbimycin A, and tyrphostin each caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the effects of IL-1 on mesangial MCP-1 activity. IL-1 treatment of mesangial cells resulted in the up-regulation of three tyrosine phosphoproteins with apparent molecular masses between 40 and 62 kD. These results suggest that the effects of IL-1 on MCP-1 expression are not mediated through PKC or cAMP-PKA, but may be transduced through PTKs.

Modulation of KC/gro protein (interleukin-8 related protein in rodents) release from hepatocytes by biologically active mediators

Modulation of the release of KC/gro protein (a chemoattractant for neutrophils; IL-8 related protein in rodents) from isolated hepatocytes after stimulation with biologically active mediators was investigated. The release of KC/gro protein from hepatocytes of control rats was enhanced by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha in a dose-dependent manner, but was not enhanced by IL-6. In contrast, although spontaneous release of KC/gro protein from the hepatocytes of chronically ethanol-fed rats was markedly enhanced as compared with control rats, the relative increase by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha was significantly smaller than in controls. These findings suggest that the regulation of hepatocyte KC/gro protein production might be disturbed in chronically ethanol-fed rats.

Role of serine/threonine protein kinases in the induction of JE, a platelet-derived growth factor inducible gene

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and serum both stimulate the transcription of the mouse early response gene, JE. JE and its human homolog, macrophage chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), encode potent monocyte chemotactic factors. JE/MCP-1 is a member of the chemokine superfamily of small inducible genes whose products are multifaceted mediators of inflammatory and immune responses. We now report evidence that the serine/threonine kinase inhibitors H7 and H8 but not HA1004, W-7, and ML-7 inhibit the transcriptional induction of the JE gene by serum whereas the phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, increases JE expression. Downregulation of protein kinase C by prior exposure to TPA does not inhibit the induction of JE by serum, nor does it affect the inhibition of JE induction by H7. These results suggest that one or more serine/threonine kinases may be important in the signal transduction mechanism that leads to the induction of the JE gene.

Glucocorticoids negatively regulate the transcription of KC, the mouse homolog of MGSA/GRO

The KC gene is a member of the small inducible gene family of regulated chemokines. It encodes a growth factor and chemoattractant that appears to mediate inflammatory and immune responses in vitro and in vivo. We now show that the transcriptional induction of KC by serum is inhibited by glucocorticoids. The effect of glucocorticoids is dose-dependent, requires one hour of exposure, is reversed by the protein synthesis inhibitors puromycin and cycloheximide and acts at the transcriptional level. The results support the hypothesis that the major anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids may be to inhibit the induction of immediate-early genes that encode cytokines involved in intercellular communication.

Regulation of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) mRNA production in cultured rat cells

Rat cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) is an 8-kD polypeptide originally purified from media conditioned by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-stimulated 52E, an epithelioid clone derived from the normal rat kidney (NRK) cell line. Using a fibroblastic clone of NRK cells, 49F, we found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) each induce synthesis of CINC mRNA and CINC, although in qualitatively and quantitatively different patterns. Through deadenylation experiments and by probing with oligonucleotides, we discovered that the smaller of the two major CINC transcripts appears to arise from the larger as a result of poly(A) tail removal and/or 3' cleavage.

Expression of the chemokine superfamily in rheumatoid arthritis

The infiltration of leucocytes into the joint of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is believed to be mediated by chemotactic factors released by activated cells. In this study, examination was made of the gene expression and production of the chemokine superfamily in RA patients by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoprecipitation. Cultured synovial fibroblasts were found capable of expressing and producing IL-8, GRO, monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), MIP-1 beta and RANTES in response to IL-1 alpha. The expression of IL-8, GRO, MCAF, MIP-1 alpha, and MIP-1 beta was clearly shown to increase in freshly isolated synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) of RA patients, in contrast to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of RA patients and normal subjects. The gene expression of RANTES appeared to be the same for RA SFMC, RA PBMC, and normal PBMC. Thus, the over-expression of various chemokines may promote the recruitment of inflammatory cells into rheumatoid inflamed joints.

Interleukin-4 acts as a potent stimulator for expression of monocyte chemoattractant JE/MCP-1 in mouse peritoneal macrophages

The recruitment of monocyte/macrophages to inflammatory sites is one of the important events in inflammatory reactions. We show herein that interleukin-4 (IL-4) acts as a potent stimulator for expression of monocyte chemoattractant JE/MCP-1 in mouse peritoneal macrophages. IL-4 induced the JE/MCP-1 gene expression in dose and time dependent fashion. Run-on assay suggests that IL-4 stimulates the JE/MCP-1 gene expression at transcriptional level. Monocyte chemotactic activity was detected in culture medium of the cytokine-treated cells. The chemotactic activity in the culture supernatant was completely neutralized by anti-JE/MCP-1 antiserum.

Expression of active human GRO beta and GRO gamma neutrophil chemotactic proteins in E. coli

Human GRO alpha, GRO beta, and GRO gamma are neutrophil chemoattractants structurally related to IL-8 and compete with IL-8 for binding to IL-8 receptors on neutrophils. These proteins are part of a large superfamily of chemotactic cytokines, the "chemokines," members of which share striking structural similarities. We have expressed GRO cDNA's in Escherichia coli as fusions to the MalE gene product, maltose-binding protein (MBP), in a way that allows separation of GRO and MBP moieties by factor Xa cleavage. GRO beta and GRO gamma expressed in bacteria were active in in vitro chemotaxis assays and were as effective as IL-8 in inducing chemotactic migration of neutrophils. Recombinant GRO beta was chemotactic rather than chemokinetic when tested by checkerboard analysis while GRO gamma showed evidence of chemokinetic as well as chemotactic activity. The activities of GRO beta and GRO gamma were not species-specific as both proteins were active on rat as well as human neutrophils and were inhibitable by antibodies raised against CINC, the rat GRO homolog. These data indicate that the MBP fusion protein expression system provides a rapid and simple method for obtaining large quantities of members of the chemokine protein family for biological uses.

The production of CINC/gro, a member of the interleukin-8 family, in rat anterior pituitary gland

We investigated the possibility of detection of CINC/gro, which is a IL-8-like neutrophil chemoattractant, immunoreactivity in rat normal anterior pituitary gland by immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and an ELISA. We first ascertained the possibility of detection of CINC/gro immunoreactivity in the anterior pituitary gland by immunocytochemistry. In the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, a few CINC/gro-like immunoreactive cells were observed (1-3% of all cells in the anterior pituitary). The positive cells were middle or large in size and looked angular in shape. Intense immunoreactivity was observed in the cytoplasm but not in the nucleus. Analysis by immunoblotting with anti-CINC/gro antiserum gave a characteristic single CINC/gro band with a molecular weight of 6.3 kDa. CINC/gro immunoreactivity was also detected in 3-h conditioned medium of normal anterior pituitary cells by an ELISA, and that immunoreactivity increased significantly in a time-dependent manner during 24-h incubation. This immunoreactivity could be induced by TNF-alpha in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate that CINC/gro is produced in pituitary gland and also suggests the possibility that CINC/gro may play some role asa modulator of anterior pituitary function, especially in the cross-talk mechanism between the immune and neuroendocrine systems.

Human astrocytomas and glioblastomas express monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in vivo and in vitro

Expression of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was examined in human central nervous system tumours (glioblastomas and astrocytomas) and normal human brain. Northern blot analysis demonstrated constitutive expression of MCP-1 mRNA in 6 of 12 glioblastoma cell lines. Expression could be stimulated by interleukin (IL)-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in all cell lines tested. Immunoprecipitation demonstrated secretion of both isoforms, MCP-1 alpha and -beta, of the MCP-1 protein. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis on tissues demonstrated MCP-1 mRNA expression in 17 of 17 glioblastomas, 3 of 6 anaplastic astrocytomas and 6 of 6 low-grade astrocytomas, as well as in fetal brain but not in normal adult brain. In situ hybridization on 2 glioblastomas and 1 low-grade astrocytoma indicates that neoplastic astrocytes and endothelial cells express MCP-1 mRNA in vivo. Moreover, tumour cyst fluids of glioblastomas and astrocytomas were able to induce monocyte chemoattraction in an in vitro assay. This chemotactic activity was specifically neutralized by anti-MCP-1 antibodies in 9 of 10 samples, further demonstrating the production of bioactive MCP-1 in vivo and supporting an important role for this factor in the infiltration of monocytes/macrophages into tumour tissue.

Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in human osteoblastic cells stimulated by proinflammatory mediators

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) is a member of the chemokine superfamily of genes that induces chemotaxis of monocytes in inflammatory processes. The effects of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and 1,25(OH)2D3 on MCP-1 expression in human osteoblastic cells were compared. Inflammatory or proinflammatory cytokines stimulated the production of MCP-1 in normal human osteoblastic cells as determined by RIA. The osteotrophic mediators PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3 and PDGF-BB had no effect on MCP-1 expression. In further studies, the steady-state mRNA and MCP-1 protein levels in two human osteoblastic cell lines, MG-63 and SaOS-2, were examined. MCP-1 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels was greatly increased by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. At the mRNA level, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha strongly induced MCP-1 expression; TGF-beta and IL-6 induced MCP-1 but to a lesser extent. No significant changes in MCP-1 mRNA or MCP-1 protein secretion were observed when cells were treated with PDGF-BB, PTH, and 1,25(OH)2D3. When tested on preosteoclasts, MCP-1 was shown to have no effect on the formation of multinucleated, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclastic cells.

Mouse macrophage derived monocyte chemotactic protein-3: cDNA cloning and identification as MARC/FIC

When the mouse macrophage cell line WEHI-3 is triggered with LPS it produces proteases and secondary cytokines including interleukin-6 and chemokines. In an attempt to isolate the mouse homologue of the human monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3), a cDNA library from LPS-stimulated WEHI-3 cells was screened with the full-size human MCP-3 cDNA. The longest cDNA out of several positive clones was sequenced and encoded a protein of 97 residues. Except for a third codon letter mismatch it was identical to the mouse MARC cDNA and encoded the MARC protein. The murine Fic cDNA, which encodes a Marc-mutant protein with an arginine substitution for alanine, was not identified in the other sequenced homologous isolates. Similar to the human system, in which MCP-3 is most related to MCP-1, MURINE MCP-3 was found to be more homologous to mouse MCP-1/JE than to other murine C-C chemokines. We therefore postulate that MARC/FIC is the mouse MCP-3.

Structure/activity analysis of human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) by mutagenesis. Identification of a mutated protein that inhibits MCP-1-mediated monocyte chemotaxis

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a monocyte-specific chemoattractant and activator and is a member of the chemokine-beta family of cytokines. To identify regions of MCP-1 which are required for its biological activity, we constructed human MCP-1 mutants that were expressed in eukaryotic cells and tested for their ability to attract monocytes in vitro. Deletion of amino acids 2-8 destroyed activity, suggesting that the amino-terminal region is necessary for activity. Within the deleted region, mutation of aspartate 3 to alanine produced a protein with 9% of wild-type activity, whereas mutation of asparagine 6 to alanine produced a protein with 52.9% of wild-type activity. Mutation of amino acids within the first intercysteine loop yielded variable results. Changing tyrosine 28 to aspartate or arginine 30 to leucine each produced proteins with essentially no monocyte chemoattractant activity. The side chains of these amino acids are predicted to point into a putative receptor binding cleft, and these loss-of-function mutations are consistent with this model. Also consistent is the retention of 60% of wild-type activity after mutation of serine 27 to glutamine, since the side chain of serine 27 is predicted to point away from the binding cleft. However, mutation of arginine 24, which lies outside of this area, to phenylalanine produced a protein with only 5% of wild-type activity, suggesting more complex interactions. Truncations of the carboxyl terminus, as well as mutation of aspartate 68 to leucine, generated proteins with 10-20% of wild-type activity. (Another carboxyl-terminal insertional mutation demonstrated that O-linked carbohydrate in MCP-1 alpha may be added to a threonine in the carboxyl-terminal region.) These findings are consistent with a structural model of dimeric MCP-1 which is similar to interleukin-8, in which amino acids that point into a cleft between the two carboxyl-terminal alpha-helices of the subunits are important for receptor binding. In addition, however, amino acids at the amino terminus and others outside of the interhelical cleft are also essential for activity. The carboxyl-terminal alpha-helix is not required for signaling per se but is required for maximal specific activity. Finally, four mutant proteins partially inhibited the ability of wild-type MCP-1 to attract monocytes in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Induction of monocyte chemotactic proteins MCP-1 and MCP-2 in human fibroblasts and leukocytes by cytokines and cytokine inducers. Chemical synthesis of MCP-2 and development of a specific RIA

Monocyte chemotactic proteins (MCP) belong to a group of structurally and functionally related factors, called chemokines. To facilitate additional characterization of the recently identified MCP-2, the 76-residue protein was chemically synthesized. The synthetic 7-kDa monomeric protein was chemotactic for monocytes at 1 nM and was biochemically similar to natural MCP-2. Sensitive radioimmunoassays for both MCP-1 and MCP-2 were developed. These RIAs were specific in that no cross-reactivity could be observed, and other chemokines or cytokines were not detected. Induction of MCP-1 and MCP-2 in human diploid fibroblasts and peripheral blood leukocytes as well as osteosarcoma, epidermal carcinoma, and melanoma cells by the cytokines IL-1 beta, IFN-beta, and IFN-gamma and cytokine inducers such as dsRNA, virus, endotoxin, mitogen, and phorbol ester was studied. In connective tissue cells, IL-1 beta was the best inducer of MCP-1, but IFN-gamma was a superior inducer of MCP-2. Mononuclear cells also proved to be a source of MCP-1 and MCP-2 when stimulated by most of the inducers tested. Granulocytes, however, were inefficient producers. Measles virus induced MCP-1 and MCP-2 in most cell types. In general, the yields of MCP-2 were at least 10-fold lower than those of MCP-1. It is concluded that, although MCP-2 is often coproduced with MCP-1, regulation of expression of the two chemokines is not identical. It remains to be studied under which pathological conditions MCP-2 is released in vivo and whether MCP-1 and MCP-2 can activate different target cells.

Chemotactic activity of substances derived from antibody-loaded tumor cells on granulocytes

Chemotactic activity of granulocytes attracted by tumor cells loaded either with anti-ganglioside monoclonal antibodies (mAb) or with antibody-glucose oxidase conjugates (mAb-GO) was investigated. The melanoma cell line SK-Mel-28 which expresses the ganglioside GD3 at high density as well as the neuroectodermal cell line SK-N-LO which expresses GD2 were used for the experiments. In the presence of 50% human AB-serum, antibody-loaded tumor cells induced chemotactic activity on granulocytes, probably due to the generation of C3a/C5a which could be detected in serum incubated with anti-GD3 loaded SK-Mel-28 cells. Both compounds could also be detected in vivo in the plasma of patients suffering from neuroblastoma during therapy with anti-GD2 antibodies. In another set of experiments mAb-GO conjugates generating high amounts of H2O2 in the presence of glucose were bound to these tumor cells. A significant lipid peroxidation could be observed in the simultaneous presence of iron and ascorbate. The lipid peroxidation products were measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and were also shown to induce chemotactic effects on granulocytes.