Migration of exogenous immature hematopoietic cells into adult mouse brain parenchyma under GFP-expressing bone marrow chimera

Bone marrow transplantation with GFP-expressing cells from GFP-transgenic mice resulted in migration of GFP-positive cells into peripheral tissues and brain parenchyma. Most of these cells were observed as colony-like clusters. GFP-positive clusters in the brain were stained by antibody for ER-MP12, but those in the peripheral tissues were not. Since ER-MP12 antigen has been reported as a marker for murine early-stage myeloid precursor, this might suggest that some parts of phagocytic cells in the brain parenchyma such as microglia are derived from undifferentiated pluripotent hematopoietic cells.

Antiproliferative effect of IL-1 is mediated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in human melanoma cell A375

The role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in IL-1-induced growth inhibition was investigated using IL-1-sensitive human melanoma A375-C2-1 cells and IL-1-resistant A375-R8 cells. In both cells, p38 MAPK was activated by IL-1. A selective inhibitor for p38 MAPK, SB203580, almost completely recovered the IL-1-induced growth inhibition in A375-C2-1 cells. IL-1-induced IL-6 production was also suppressed by SB203580. However, the reversal effect of SB203580 was not due to the suppression of IL-6 production because the SB203580 effect was still observed in the presence of exogenous IL-6. Down-regulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity as well as its protein level has been shown to be essential for IL-1-induced growth inhibition. SB203580 also reversed the IL-1-induced down-regulation of ODC activity and intracellular polyamine levels without affecting ODC mRNA levels in A375-C2-1 cells. In IL-1-resistant R8 cells, however, IL-1 only slightly suppressed ODC activity. In A375-C2-1 cells, the mRNA expression level of antizyme (AZ), a regulatory factor of ODC activity, has been shown to be up-regulated by IL-1. IL-1-induced up-regulation of AZ mRNA level was not affected by SB203580. These findings demonstrate that p38 MAPK plays an important role in IL-1-induced growth inhibition in A375 cells through down-regulating ODC activity without affecting the level of ODC mRNA and AZ mRNA. In IL-1-resistant A375-R8 cells, IL-1 signaling pathway is deficient between p38 MAPK activation and down-regulation of ODC activity.

Antiproliferative Effect of IL-1 Is Mediated by p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Human Melanoma Cell A375

The role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in IL-1-induced growth inhibition was investigated using IL-1-sensitive human melanoma A375-C2-1 cells and IL-1-resistant A375-R8 cells. In both cells, p38 MAPK was activated by IL-1. A selective inhibitor for p38 MAPK, SB203580, almost completely recovered the IL-1-induced growth inhibition in A375-C2-1 cells. IL-1-induced IL-6 production was also suppressed by SB203580. However, the reversal effect of SB203580 was not due to the suppression of IL-6 production because the SB203580 effect was still observed in the presence of exogenous IL-6. Down-regulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity as well as its protein level has been shown to be essential for IL-1-induced growth inhibition. SB203580 also reversed the IL-1-induced down-regulation of ODC activity and intracellular polyamine levels without affecting ODC mRNA levels in A375-C2-1 cells. In IL-1-resistant R8 cells, however, IL-1 only slightly suppressed ODC activity. In A375-C2-1 cells, the mRNA expression level of antizyme (AZ), a regulatory factor of ODC activity, has been shown to be up-regulated by IL-1. IL-1-induced up-regulation of AZ mRNA level was not affected by SB203580. These findings demonstrate that p38 MAPK plays an important role in IL-1-induced growth inhibition in A375 cells through down-regulating ODC activity without affecting the level of ODC mRNA and AZ mRNA. In IL-1-resistant A375-R8 cells, IL-1 signaling pathway is deficient between p38 MAPK activation and down-regulation of ODC activity.

Tyrosine kinase is essential for the constitutive expression of type I interleukin-1 receptor in human fibroblast cells

The effect of genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, on the constitutive expression of type I interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1RI) was examined in the human lung fibroblast cell line TIG-1, which has been shown to express only type I IL-1R. Genistein inhibited the 125I-labeled IL-1alpha binding to TIG-1 cells in both a time and dose dependent manner. Scatchard plot analysis revealed that the number of IL-1RI decreased with no change in binding affinity. Genistein did not affect the level of IL-1RI mRNA, and cycloheximide did not inhibit the down-regulatory effect of genistein. These results indicate that genistein inhibits IL-1RI expression, not at the transcriptional level, but at the post-translational level. IL-1RI expression, IL-1R associated kinase (IRAK) activity and IL-1-induced-IL-6 production were all down-regulated by pretreatment with genistein. These findings indicate that tyrosine kinase activity is essential for the constitutive expression of functional IL-1RI.

Serotonin derivative, N-(p-Coumaroyl)serotonin, isolated from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil cake augments the proliferation of normal human and mouse fibroblasts in synergy with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF)

N-(p-Coumaroyl)serotonin (CS) with antioxidative activity is present in safflower oil. We have reported that CS inhibits proinflammatory cytokine generation from human monocytes in vitro. As reactive oxygen species (ROS) affect cell proliferation, in this study the effect of CS on the proliferation of various cell types was examined. CS augments the proliferation of normal human and mouse fibroblast cells. The cells continue to proliferate in the presence of CS and form a transformed cell-like focus without transformation. CS, however, does not augment the proliferation of other cell types, either normal or tumor cells. CS augments the proliferation of fibroblasts in synergy with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF), but not with acidic FGF(aFGF) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). This study using synthesized derivatives of CS reveals that the growth-promoting activity is not due to antioxidative activity. These findings indicate that CS is a natural compound with unique growth-promoting activity for fibroblasts.

Augmentation of type I IL-1 receptor expression and IL-1 signaling by IL-6 and glucocorticoid in murine hepatocytes

IL-1 signal is transduced through type I receptor (IL-1RI). We have recently reported that LPS augments IL-1RI mRNA expression in the hepatocytes of mice in vivo, and the augmentation is mediated by the interaction of IL-1, IL-6, and glucocorticoid (GC). In this study, we examined whether IL-1RI mRNA expression level in the hepatocytes reflects those of cell surface molecule and IL-1 signaling. When primary cultured murine hepatocytes were treated with dexamethasone (Dex) or IL-6, these two reagents synergistically up-regulated IL-1RI mRNA expression in the cells. 125I-labeled IL-1 binding experiment showed that the level of binding was also up-regulated by the treatment with Dex and IL-6. Scatchard analysis revealed that the number of IL-1R increased. The increased binding of IL-1 was completely inhibited by an Ab against murine IL-1RI, indicating that Dex and IL-6 augmented the expression of cell surface IL-1RI molecule. When hepatocytes were pretreated with Dex and IL-6, the activation of IL-1R-associated kinase was augmented in response to IL-1, indicating that IL-1 signaling was also augmented. In addition, IL-1 treatment following administration of the combination of Dex and IL-6 into mice markedly increased the serum level of serum amyloid A. These results indicate that GC and IL-6 augment the expression of cell surface IL-1RI in hepatocytes, as well as IL-1 signaling and IL-1R-associated kinase activation, through up-regulation of IL-1RI mRNA level, which represents a novel regulatory network between IL-1, GC, and IL-6.

Augmentation of Type I IL-1 Receptor Expression and IL-1 Signaling by IL-6 and Glucocorticoid in Murine Hepatocytes

IL-1 signal is transduced through type I receptor (IL-1RI). We have recently reported that LPS augments IL-1RI mRNA expression in the hepatocytes of mice in vivo, and the augmentation is mediated by the interaction of IL-1, IL-6, and glucocorticoid (GC). In this study, we examined whether IL-1RI mRNA expression level in the hepatocytes reflects those of cell surface molecule and IL-1 signaling. When primary cultured murine hepatocytes were treated with dexamethasone (Dex) or IL-6, these two reagents synergistically up-regulated IL-1RI mRNA expression in the cells. 125I-labeled IL-1 binding experiment showed that the level of binding was also up-regulated by the treatment with Dex and IL-6. Scatchard analysis revealed that the number of IL-1R increased. The increased binding of IL-1 was completely inhibited by an Ab against murine IL-1RI, indicating that Dex and IL-6 augmented the expression of cell surface IL-1RI molecule. When hepatocytes were pretreated with Dex and IL-6, the activation of IL-1R-associated kinase was augmented in response to IL-1, indicating that IL-1 signaling was also augmented. In addition, IL-1 treatment following administration of the combination of Dex and IL-6 into mice markedly increased the serum level of serum amyloid A. These results indicate that GC and IL-6 augment the expression of cell surface IL-1RI in hepatocytes, as well as IL-1 signaling and IL-1R-associated kinase activation, through up-regulation of IL-1RI mRNA level, which represents a novel regulatory network between IL-1, GC, and IL-6.

Molecular analysis of constitutive IL-1alpha gene expression in human melanoma cells: autocrine stimulation through NF-kappaB activation by endogenous IL-1alpha

Constitutive production of/and acquired resistance to anti-proliferative cytokines are implicated in pathogenesis and progression of human melanoma cells. Human melanoma cells A375-C6 are sensitive to interleukin 1 (IL-1) anti-proliferative effect and do not produce IL-1. After long period of culture we have obtained cells which acquired resistance to IL-1. The resistant cells exhibited constitutive production of IL-1α. To analyse the mechanisms that lead to the expression of IL-1α in the cells, we transfected of the resistant clone A375-R8 with CAT (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) expression plasmids linked to a 5'-flanking deletion mutants of the human IL-1α gene. Two nucleotide regions (--103 to --70 bp) and (--70 to --47 bp) from the start of the first exon appeared to contain a positive regulatory element(s) while the one --421 to --103 bp contained a negative regulatory element(s).The --103 to --70 bp region contained the consensus NF(-k)B (nuclear factor-kB) binding motif.(Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that NF-kB is activated in A375-R8 cells. IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) decreased the level of IL-1α mRNA and production of IL-1α. IL-1Ra also inhibited the localization of p65 in the nuclei and CAT activity in transfectants with the plasmids containing NF-kB binding motif. These results indicate that endogenous IL-1α stimulates the gene expression and production of IL-1α in an autocrine manner through activation of NF-kB.

Serotonin derivative, N-(p-coumaroyl) serotonin, inhibits the production of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 by endotoxin-stimulated human blood monocytes

We have reported that N-(p-coumaroyl) serotonin (CS) and its derivatives with antioxidative activity are present in safflower seeds. As reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in the signaling of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we examined whether CS has a suppressive effect on inflammatory cytokine generation from human monocytes in vitro. CS at 50-200 microM reduced tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and IL-6 activities in the culture supernatants from LPS-stimulated human blood monocytes without cytotoxicity. ELISA assay revealed that the production of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 was inhibited by CS. Northern blot analysis showed that LPS-induced expression of these cytokine mRNA in monocytes was suppressed by CS. NF-kappaB activation was also inhibited by CS. These findings indicate that CS has a suppressive effect on proinflammatory cytokine production from monocytes, and this effect is based in part on the suppression of cytokine mRNA expression through inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.

Acquired resistance to the anti-proliferative effect of interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 is a recessive phenotype in A375 human melanoma cells

The proliferation of human melanoma cell line A375-6 is inhibited by several cytokines, including interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). However, during a long period of culture, the cells progressively acquire resistance to IL-1 irrespective of functional IL-1 receptor expression. These cells constitutively produce IL-1alpha and IL-6, and also acquire resistance to IL-6. In order to investigate the mechanism of the acquired resistance to these cytokines, we performed somatic cell hybridization experiments. Parental cells for the construction of hybrid cells were rendered G418- or hygromycin B-resistant by transfection with expression vectors containing drug-resistant genes. Hybridization was conducted using IL-1-resistant subclones A375-R8 and R19 and an IL-1 highly sensitive clone C2-1, which was originally resistant but became sensitive to IL-1 upon transfection with a human type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) expression plasmid. Cells produced by hybridization of resistant cells and C2-1 cells appeared to be sensitive to IL-1 and IL-6. In contrast, production of IL-1 was augmented in the hybrid cells. These results suggest that resistance to IL-1 and IL-6 is a recessive phenotype, while production of IL-1 is dominant in melanoma cells.

Apamin-sensitive Ca2+-dependent K+ current and hyperpolarization in human endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial cells have several types of Ca2+-dependent K+ current (I(K-Ca)). Here, we describe apamin-sensitive I(K-Ca) which is activated by treatment with histamine (His) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In 65 % of HUVECs examined, 100 nM apamin potently inhibited I(K-Ca) and hyperpolarization induced by His (19 and 7 % of control, respectively). In contrast, application of 5 mM tetraethylammonium, a non-selective K channel blocker, or 100 nM iberiotoxin, a selective K channel blocker for a large conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channel, had small (78 % of control) or no effects (102 % of control) on I(K-Ca), respectively. These findings suggest that apamin-sensitive Ca2+-dependent K+ channels are expressed in HUVECs and activated by receptor stimulation.

Role of glucocorticoid in the upregulation of type I interleukin-1 receptor mRNA expression in hepatocytes of endotoxin-administrated mice

The interleukin-1 (IL-1) signal is transduced through type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1RI). We have recently reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) upregulated IL-1RI mRNA expression in mouse liver in vivo and that IL-1 and IL-6 directly upregulated IL-1RI mRNA expression in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. Glucocorticoid (GC) has been reported to increase IL-1 binding to the cell surface and the expression level of IL-1R mRNA in a variety of cell types. As serum GC level is elevated in an inflammatory response, we evaluated the role of GC in LPS-induced upregulation of IL-1RI mRNA in the mouse liver. When LPS was administered to adrenalectomized (ADX) mice, IL-1RI mRNA was upregulated at a level comparable to those of untreated or sham-operated mice. A high dose of dexamethasone (Dex), however, caused upregulation of the mRNA. When primary cultured mouse hepatocytes were treated with Dex, only a weak upregulation of IL-1RI mRNA was observed. However, Dex in combination with IL-1 or IL-6 markedly enhanced the IL-1RI mRNA expression. A marked upregulation of the mRNA was also induced by treatment with a combination of IL-1 and IL-6 in the absence of Dex, reflecting the observation in ADX mice. These results suggest that the upregulation of IL-1RI mRNA in response to LPS is induced by the interaction of IL-1 and IL-6 and that GC augments their effect.

Interleukin-1-induced growth inhibition of human melanoma cells. Interleukin-1-induced antizyme expression is responsible for ornithine decarboxylase activity down-regulation

Interleukin (IL)-1 is a multi-functional cytokine and regulates cell growth either positively or negatively. Previous studies have shown that IL-1-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity down-regulation is involved in the anti-proliferative effect of IL-1 on human A375 melanoma cells. In this study, we examined the IL-1alpha-induced molecular events resulting in ODC activity down-regulation in C2-1, a A375 cell line stably transfected with human type I IL-1 receptor. Recombinant human (rh) IL-1alpha inhibited the growth and down-regulated the ODC activity of C2-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Kinetics studies showed that both the DNA synthesis and ODC activity of C2-1 cells progressively decreased from 12 h after IL-1 addition. Northern hybridization showed that IL-1 had no influence on ODC mRNA level. However, rhIL-1 induced both a decrease of ODC protein and an ODC-inhibiting activity in IL-1-treated C2-1 cells. IL-1 specifically up-modulated the mRNA level of antizyme, a protein essential for ODC regulation, but had little effect on its stability. IL-1-induced antizyme up-modulation preceded IL-1-induced down-regulation of ODC protein, ODC activity, and DNA synthesis in C2-1 cells. Run-on transcription analysis confirmed that the increased antizyme mRNA expression was due to elevated antizyme gene transcription. Furthermore, the action of IL-1 to inhibit the ODC activity and growth of C2-1 cells was blocked by expressing the antisense RNA of human antizyme in C2-1 cells. These results suggest that IL-1-induced antizyme expression is responsible for IL-1-induced ODC activity down-regulation in human melanoma cells.

Molecular cloning of a novel gene involved in serotonin receptor-mediated signal transduction in rat stomach

In Xenopus oocytes injected with small size mRNAs (500-700 b), obtained from rat stomach by fractionation, application of 10 microM 5-HT induced a substantial Ca2+-activated Cl- current (I(Cl-Ca)). I(Cl-Ca) was not elicited by 5-HT in native oocytes. Consistent results from this assay in the oocyte expression system motivated cDNA cloning experiments. A novel cDNA (named rat stomach serotonin receptor-related cDNA: RSS cDNA) which encodes a small protein involved in specific 5-HT receptor-mediated I(Cl-Ca) activation was identified. The molecular weight of RSS protein in the reticulocyte lysate translation system (approximately 10 kDa) is identical to that calculated from the amino acid sequence. Computer-aided analysis of the predicted protein does not show any obvious sequence homologies (< 18%) to any other proteins including G protein-coupled receptors. Northern analysis revealed that RSS mRNA is ubiquitously expressed at varying levels in a number of different tissues. Furthermore, the binding of [3H]spiperone, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, was examined in CHO cells, which highly expressed RSS transcripts (named CHO-RSS). Specific binding of [3H]spiperone was not clearly observed in native CHO but was detected in CHO-RSS. The dissociation constant was 10.3 nM in CHO-RSS. These results suggest that RSS protein may be a factor which facilitates 5-HT receptor expression or, alternatively, an enhancer of the affinity of native 5-HT receptor to 5-HT.

Endotoxin-induced upregulation of type I interleukin-1 receptor mRNA expression in hepatocytes of mice: role of cytokines

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) signal is transduced through the type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1RI). Although regulation of IL-1R expression has been extensively studied in vitro, little is known about it in vivo. By using RT-PCR analysis, we investigated the regulation of the IL-1RI mRNA expression level in various organs of mice at 2, 6, and 24 h following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. IL-1RI mRNA expression in response to LPS appeared to be different in various organs. As a marked and sustained increase of IL-1RI mRNA expression in the liver was observed, we investigated the mechanism of the upregulation. IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) all increased the mRNA expression in the liver when administrated in vivo. In situ hybridization revealed that upregulation of IL-1R mRNA was observed in parenchymal liver cells (hepatocytes) in response to LPS administration. When primary cultured hepatocytes were treated in vitro, IL-1, IL-6, conditioned medium from LPS-treated mouse macrophages, and serum from LPS-treated mouse upregulated IL-1RI mRNA expression, but LPS, TNF, and prostaglandin E2 failed to do so. Therefore, these results suggest that the upregulation of IL-1RI mRNA in the hepatocytes by LPS administration is mediated by cytokines, especially by IL-1 and IL-6. The results also indicate that the regulation is different in different organs, and microenvironmental factors may be important.

Identification of a novel growth-promoting factor with a wide target cell spectrum from various tumor cells as catalase

We have previously reported the purification from human erythrocyte extracts of a novel growth-promoting factor with a wide target cell spectrum. The factor has been identified as catalase. As cell extracts from a variety of tumor cell types exhibited both growth-promoting and catalase activities, the relationship between the two activities was examined using cell extracts from three different cell types, human myeloid cells (U937), human melanoma cells (A375-C6), and human B cells (Daudi). The growth-promoting and catalase activities were well correlated in these cell extracts. The antibody against human catalase absorbed not only catalase activity, but also the growth-promoting activity of extracts from these cell types. Treatment of the cell extracts from these cells with an irreversible catalase inhibitor, aminotriazole, abolished both the catalase and growth-promoting activities. In contrast, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was neither absorbed with the anti-catalase antibody, nor inhibited by aminotriazole. In addition, GSH-Px exhibited growth-promoting activity only in the presence of glutathione (GSH). These results, in conjunction with the effect of aminotriazole on the growth-promoting activity of catalase, suggest that catalase is the major growth-promoting molecule in the cell extracts, and H2O2-decomposing activity is important. Northern blot analysis revealed that these cells contained authentic catalase mRNA, and the mRNA level was compatible with the catalase and growth-promoting activities in the cell extracts. These results suggest that the growth-promoting activity in the tumor cell extracts is due to catalase.

Molcecular cloning of human antizyme cDNA

We have cloned the cDNA encoding the human ornithine decarboxylase antizyme from a 5'-stretch cDNA library of human B-cell lymphoma Daudi. The cloned human antizyme cDNA fragment consists of 1063 bp, has 80% homology to the rat antizyme cDNA, but shows almost no homology to the E. coli antizyme gene. Northern hybridization analysis shows that this gene is expressed in a number of human cell lines with an estimated mRNA transcript size of about 1.1 kb. The size of the mRNA suggests that the cloned cDNA fragment probably represents the full length of human antizyme mRNA transcript. Comparison of the human and rat antizymes demonstrates that they are highly conserved at both nucleotide and peptide levels.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) production is not essential for acquired resistance of human A375 melanoma cells to anti-proliferative effect of IL-1

The proliferation of human melanoma cell line A375-6 is inhibited by interleukin l (IL-l). However, the cells acquired resistance to IL-l after a long period of culture. We have reported that 2 resistant subclones, A375-R8 and -R19, produced IL-l alpha constitutively and that IL-l induced IL-6 production in an autocrine manner. Therefore, we supposed that IL-l alpha production renders the cells resistant to IL-l. To investigate the relationship between IL-l alpha production and IL-l resistance, we transfected the IL-l alpha expression plasmid to the IL-l-sensitive clone, A375-6, and the anti-sense mRNA expression plasmid to IL-l-resistant cells, A375-R8 and -R19. A375-6MS, a transfectant of mature IL-l alpha expression plasmid, expressed IL-l alpha mRNA and produced IL-l activity at a level comparable to the resistant cells. The transfectant also produced IL-6 and exhibited augmented expression of Mn-SOD mRNA. However, IL-l sensitivity of this transfectant was not affected. With respect to sensitivity to anti-proliferative effects of other cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF alpha, there was no difference between the transfectant and parent cells. Although A375-R8PH10 and -R19PH10, transfectants of IL-l alpha anti-sense mRNA expression plasmid, exhibited a decrease in the level of IL-l production, their IL-l sensitivity did not differ from parent cells. These results, therefore, suggest that IL-l alpha production is not essential or sufficient for the acquisition of resistance to the anti-proliferative effect of IL-l.

Type I and type II interferons upregulate functional type I interleukin-1 receptor in a human fibroblast cell line TIG-1

The regulation of type I interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) expression by type I, interferon (IFN)-alpha A/D, and type II IFN, IFN-gamma, in a human fibroblast cell line TIG-1 was investigated. After 2 h stimulation with human IFN-alpha A/D or IFN-gamma, the levels of type I IL-1R mRNA increased. We previously reported that IL-1 upregulates transcription and cell surface molecules of type I IL-1R in TIG-1 cells through induction of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and cAMP accumulation. However, indomethacin was unable to inhibit the effect of IFNs, indicating that IFNs augment IL-1R expression through a pathway distinct from that of IL-1. The augmentation was also observed in other fibroblast cell lines. Nuclear run-on assays and studies of the stability of mRNA suggested that the increase in IL-1R mRNA was a result of the enhanced transcription of IL-1R gene. Binding studies using 125I-IL-1 alpha revealed that the number of cell surface IL-1R increased with no change in binding affinity by treatment with these IFNs. Pretreatment of the cells with IFNs enhanced IL-1-induced IL-6 production, indicating that IFNs upregulate functional IL-1R. IL-1 and IFNs are produced by the same cell types, as well as by the adjacent different cell types, and are concomitantly present in lesions of immune and inflammatory reactions. These results therefore suggest that IFNs exhibit synergistic effects with IL-1 through upregulation of IL-1R. Augmented production of IL-6 may also contribute to the reactions.

Transfection of human melanoma cells with type I interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor cDNA rendered them IL-1-responsive and revealed the importance of ODC activity down-regulation in IL-1-induced growth inhibition

A human type I IL-1 receptor expression plasmid has been constructed and used to transfect human melanoma cells (A375-5), which have been shown to be unresponsive to the antiproliferative effect of IL-1. Five stable transfectant cell lines have been established, of which three are sensitive and the other two resistant to the anti-proliferative effect of IL-1. All the transfectant cell lines, but not progenitor A375-5 cells, expressed functional type I IL-1 receptors and could produce IL-6 in response to IL-1, suggesting that the unresponsiveness of A375-5 melanoma cells is exactly due to an IL-1 receptor deficiency. The three IL-1-sensitive stable transfectant cell lines expressed much more type I IL-1 receptor than the IL-1-sensitive A375-6 cells, thus they are expected to be useful for investigating the signal transduction pathway of IL-1-induced growth inhibition in melanoma cells. The two resistant cell lines produced comparable amounts of IL-6 in response to IL-1, as sensitive cell lines did, indicating that IL-6 induction does not play a major role in IL-1-induced growth inhibition in these melanoma cells. The possibility of an IL-6 receptor and/or IL-6 receptor signaling deficiency was ruled out as the IL-1-sensitive and -resistant transfectants responded similarly to a high dose of exogenous human recombinant IL-6. Examination of the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity of recombinant human IL-1 alpha treated cells showed that all the sensitive but none of the resistant cell lines could down-regulate their ODC activity. These results suggest that IL-1-induced ODC activity down-regulation is an important step in the signal transduction pathway of IL-1-induced growth inhibition of melanoma cells.

Differences in interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor and IL-1 receptor antagonist production by human monocytes stimulated with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and its stearoyl derivative, romurtide

The immunostimulatory reagents muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and its stearoyl derivative romurtide [MDP-Lys(L18)] were assessed for cytokine inducing activity in human monocytes. Both MDP and romurtide stimulated the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). Kinetics study indicated that IL-1, TNF and IL-1Ra were induced after 4 h stimulation but IL-6 was produced at a later phase. Romurtide induced these cytokines for longer period that MDP. Dose-response study indicated that romurtide was far more potent than MDP in induction of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF. Although the magnitude of the IL-1 and IL-6 induction was almost the same, that of TNF induction was greater in romurtide-stimulated monocytes than in MDP-stimulated cells. Among IL-1, IL-1 beta appeared to be a major product. In contrast to other cytokines, IL-1Ra was induced by MDP and romurtide in a similar dose and time dependent manner with similar magnitude of response. These studies indicate that MDP and romurtide, especially romurtide, are very potent inducers of both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive cytokines by human monocytes but with different efficacy and kinetics.

Interleukin-1 down-regulates type I interleukin 1 receptor mRNA expression in a human fibroblast cell line TIG-1 in the absence of prostaglandin E2 synthesis

We have shown that interleukin-1 (IL-1) up-regulates transcription of its own receptor and number of cell surface IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) type I molecule through induction of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis and subsequent intracellular cAMP accumulation in a human lung fibroblast cell line (TIG-1). In this study, the effect of IL-1 on IL-1R mRNA expression was investigated in the absence of PGE2 synthesis. In the presence of indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, IL-1 inhibited the expression of IL-1R mRNA within 4 h after treatment, and the inhibition sustained at least for 24 h. IL-1 beta as well as IL-1 alpha at higher than 1 U/ml exhibited the inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effect of IL-1 was inhibited by cycloheximide suggesting that de novo protein synthesis is required. IL-1 appeared to destabilize IL-1R mRNA within 30 min after treatment of the cells. Furthermore, this effect of IL-1 was not observed in a synthetic medium and was dependent on serum concentrations indicating that a serum component(s) is involved. These results indicate that IL-1 regulates IL-1R mRNA expression in both a positive and negative manner, and that the negative effect represents a negative feedback mechanism.

Resistance to the anti-proliferative effect of IL-1 on human melanoma cell line is associated with endogenous production of IL-1 and IL-6

A human melanoma cell line (A375-6) became resistant to the anti-proliferative effect of human IL-1 after a long period of culture. Two stable resistant sub-clones were obtained, and the mechanism of the IL-1 resistance was investigated. Resistant cells, but not sensitive cells, appeared to produce constitutively IL-1 activity. The activity was neutralized by anti-IL-1 alpha antibody but not by anti-IL-1 beta antibody. Resistant cells expressed IL-1 alpha but not IL-1 beta mRNA. Therefore, the resistant cells appeared to produce IL-1 alpha mRNA for IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) was not detected in resistant cells, indicating that the resistance is not attributable to IL-1Ra. These resistant cells were also resistant to the anti-proliferative effect of human IL-6, but not to that of human TNF. Resistant cells appeared to produce constitutively IL-6 more than sensitive cells, and IL-6 production both in sensitive and in resistant cells was augmented by exogenous IL-1. Furthermore, constitutive production of IL-6 in resistant cells was inhibited by IL-1Ra. Type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) mRNA was expressed equally in resistant and sensitive cells. These data indicate that the resistance is not the result of loss of functional IL-1R and that IL-1 induces IL-6 in an autocrine manner. It is, therefore, conceivable that endogenous IL-1 and IL-6 contribute to IL-1 resistance.

Differential production of interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor, and IL-1 receptor antagonist by human monocytes stimulated with Mycobacterium leprae and M. bovis BCG

Human blood monocytes cultured in various serum conditions were stimulated with Mycobacterium leprae or M. bovis BCG and their cytokine-inducing abilities were compared. BCG, either live or killed, induced production of interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Live BCG at a lower bacterial number was more potent than killed BCG in the induction of IL-6 and TNF. In contrast to BCG, killed M. leprae induced few cytokines except for IL-1ra. Similar results were obtained when monocytes were cultured in the presence of untreated or heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS). When FBS and human serum (HS) were compared and the effect of heat inactivation was investigated, monocytes in HS produced the most cytokines, then those in FBS, irrespective of heat inactivation, and those in heat-inactivated HS produced the least cytokines. There were no differences between live and killed M. leprae, and BCG were far more potent than M. leprae in all of our experimental conditions, indicating that the poor cytokine (IL-1, IL-6 and TNF)-inducing ability of M. leprae was not due to their viability. Cytokine production was partially in parallel with the phagocytosis of the mycobacteria. These results suggest that M. leprae favor their infection by evoking little host reaction through the induction of only low levels of immunostimulatory or proinflammatory cytokines but a substantial amount of immunosuppressive cytokine.

Development of neoglycoproteins conjugated with natural oligosaccharides through carboxyl residues of proteins and its application to recombinant human interleukin 1

In order to develop glycosylated cytokines, neoglycoproteins were synthesized utilizing naturally occurring oligosaccharides. High mannose type oligosaccharide-asparagine (Asn)s, containing Man8GN2-Asn, Man7GN2-Asn and Man6GN2-Asn, were obtained from quail ovalbumin and were coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by carbodiimide-mediated coupling. Major reaction occurred between amino residues of oligosaccharide-Asns and carboxyl residues of BSA. Approximately one molecules of oligosaccharides-Asns were coupled to per molecule of BSA with 50% yield of glycosylation. Among the oligosaccharides, Man6GN2-Asn appeared to be conjugated predominantly. While this strategy was applied to recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), three molecules of oligosaccharide-Asns were introduced into per molecule of IL-1 with 10% yield of glycosylation.

Interleukin-1 up-regulates transcription of its own receptor in a human fibroblast cell line TIG-1: role of endogenous PGE2 and cAMP

The regulation of interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) mRNA expression by IL-1 in a human lung fibroblast cell line (TIG-1) was investigated. After 2 h of stimulation with human recombinant IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta, the levels of T cell/fibroblast-type IL-1R mRNA increased, and the elevation was sustained for at least 72 h. IL-1 also stimulated synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and secondary cAMP accumulation. Exogenously added PGE2 increased the levels of both IL-1R mRNA and intracellular cAMP. Forskolin, cholera toxin and 8-Bromo adenosine (8-Br-cAMP) all increased IL-1R mRNA levels. Indomethacin blocked IL-1 stimulation of IL-1R mRNA expression, PGE2 production and cAMP. 125I-labeled IL-1 alpha-binding studies showed that this cell line expresses 2.6 x 10(4) IL-1R per cell with a Kd of 5.1 x 10(-10) M. After treatment of the cells with IL-1, the level of IL-1R increased over that of control cells. PGE2 also increased IL-1R without alteration in its affinity. Cross-linking experiments indicate that this cell line expresses the 80-kDa receptor molecule before and after treatment with PGE2; the molecular mass corresponds to the T cell/fibroblast type I IL-1R. These results indicate that IL-1 does not directly stimulate expression of IL-1R mRNA or cell surface IL-1R, but only indirectly by stimulation of endogenous PGE2.

Characterization of a new termination signal for RNA polymerase III responsible for generation of a discrete-sized RNA transcribed from salmon total genomic DNA in a HeLa cell extract

A new type of termination signal for RNA polymerase III transcription has been identified. A cloned DNA from salmon highly repetitive sequences, designated as Sm2, serves as a template for an RNA with about 140 nucleotides, but the clone does not have four or more consecutive T residues in the presumed termination site. S1 nuclease mapping analysis clearly demonstrated that termination occurred at the beginning of the AT-rich sequence in the 3' region of Sm2. Studies with a series of 3'-deletion mutants strongly suggested that an AT sequence of more than nine nucleotides functioned as a terminator. Furthermore, results with another series of 3'-deletion mutants showed that a sequence of only nine nucleotides (ATATATATT) in the noncoding strand in fact functioned as a terminator (designated as the 9AT terminator), although with relatively low efficiency compared to a tract of TTTT introduced downstream, and that new cryptic termination sites were introduced in the upstream slight AT-rich region by approach of the 9AT terminator. An AT-rich region downstream from the actual termination site of Sm2 DNA may enhance the efficiency of termination by facilitating detachment of RNA polymerase from the template DNA. Since the nucleotide sequence around the termination site appears to be conserved in the salmon repetitive sequences, this new terminator may be responsible for the generation of a discrete-sized RNA transcribed from salmon total genomic DNA in vitro.