Integrin-dependent tyrosine phoshorylation and cytoskeletal translocation of Tec in thrombin-activated platelets

Using a specific polyclonal anti-Tec antibody, we have shown that Tec is expressed in human platelets. In addition, Tec was found to undergo tyrosine phosphorylation during platelet activation. The phosphorylation increased after 1 min and remained stable after 3 min of thrombin treatment. The tetrapeptide RGDS inhibited more than 90% of thrombin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Tec and blocked its translocation to the cytoskeleton. These results suggest that Tec participates in platelet signaling downstream of integrin activation.

Dissociation between phosphodiesterase inhibition and antiproliferative effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on the Dami cell line

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors were shown to inhibit proliferation of various cell types. The present investigation was designed to study the activity of selective PDE inhibitors (8-MeoMIX, milrinone, trequinsin, rolipram, RO-201724, zaprinast, and MY-5445) on the proliferation of the Dami cell line in relation to their effects on cAMP levels and PDE isoenzymes isolated from Dami cells. All compounds, except 8-MeoMIX, elicited antiproliferative effects. Trequinsin, RO-201724, and MY-5445 (100 microM) were found to inhibit cell growth up to 60%, 83%, and 85%, respectively; milrinone, rolipram and zaprinast elicited only weak effects (19-21% at 100 microM). Their growth-inhibitory effects could not be related to their effects on cAMP levels. In addition, although PDE type III and IV inhibitors potentiated cAMP formation due to adenylycyclase activation, no potentiation could be observed when considering their antiproliferative effect. Separation and characterization of PDE of Dami cells revealed the existence of types III, IV, and V isoenzymes. The PDE inhibition found for the PDE inhibitors could not explain their antiproliferative effects. The lack of correlation with cAMP concentrations or PDE inhibition and the high concentrations needed to elicit antiproliferative effects suggest the implication of other parameters, such as cytotoxicity or lipophilicity, or other targets in addition to PDE for the PDE inhibitors tested. Lipophilicity did not seem to be of importance in antiproliferative effects. In contrast, cytotoxic effects, in particular those of trequinsin and MY-5445, could partially explain their negative action on cell growth.

c-kit ligand stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of the c-Cbl protein in human hematopoietic cells

c-kit ligand (KL) is a hematopoietic growth factor that plays a major role in the survival, expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells of various lineages. The biological actions elicited by KL are initiated by binding to its cognate receptor, c-kit, which is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase. The resulting ligand/receptor complex rapidly activates the intrinsic kit receptor tyrosine kinase and subsequent phosphorylation of specific intracellular substrates that are involved in downstream signaling events. In the present studies, we demonstrate that KL stimulates the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the proto-oncogene, c-Cbl, in two KL-responsive human hematopoietic cell lines, MO7e and TF-1. In both these cell lines we found a constitutive in vivo association between c-Cbl and the adaptor protein Grb2 and demonstrate (in vitro) that c-Cbl binds primarily to the N-terminal SH3 domain of Grb2. Furthermore, the stoichiometry of this association was not significantly affected upon c-kit receptor activation. We also provide evidence that c-Cbl is not stably associated with the kit receptor either prior to or following KL stimulation. Our findings suggest that c-Cbl is an important component in the KL signaling pathway in human hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Bcr/Abl expression stimulates integrin function in hematopoietic cell lines

Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix is largely mediated by adhesion molecules of the integrin family and is often diminished upon oncogenic transformation. However, we show here that the chronic myelogenous leukemia oncogene Bcr/Abl has positive effects on VLA-4 and VLA-5 integrin function. The presence of Bcr/Abl in the GM-CSF- or IL-3-dependent hematopoietic cell lines MO7e, 32D, and BaF/3 enhanced cell binding to both soluble and immobilized fibronectin. The effect was due to enhanced function of the VLA-5 integrin fibronectin receptor and not to increased surface expression. In parallel, Bcr/Abl stimulated cell adhesion to the VLA-4 integrin ligand VCAM-1. Stimulation of VLA-5 function directly correlated with induction of Bcr/Abl tyrosine kinase activity in a temperature-sensitive kinase mutant. Thus, Bcr/Abl stimulates integrin-dependent cell adhesion, by a mechanism involving increased ligand binding, with the tyrosine kinase activity of Bcr/Abl likely playing a key role. Consistent with these results, hematopoietic precursor cells from chronic myelogenous leukemia patients also showed increased adhesion to fibronectin.

Differential expression in human cells from the p6 promoter of human parvovirus B19 following plasmid transfection and recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV) infection: human megakaryocytic leukaemia cells are non-permissive for AAV infection

Expression from the human parvovirus B19p6 promoter fused to the firefly luciferase ('Luc') reporter gene was evaluated in a non-erythroid human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line, KB, and a human megakaryocytic leukaemia cell line, MB-02, known to become permissive for B19 replication following erythroid-differentiation. The B19p6-Luc construct was introduced into KB and MB-02 cells, both in undifferentiated and differentiated states, either via DNA-mediated transfection, or via infection with recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV), a non-pathogenic human parvovirus known to possess a broad host-range. Although Luc activity was readily detected in KB cells following transfection of the B19p6-Luc plasmid DNA, no expression from the B19p6 promoter was observed following infection with recombinant virus. In addition, transfection of the reporter plasmid resulted in high-level expression of Luc in differentiated but not in undifferentiated MB-02 cells. However, no Luc activity was detected, even in differentiated MB-02 cells, following infection with recombinant virus. Further studies with an additional recombinant as well as wild-type (wt) AAV revealed that MB-02 cells were non-permissive for AAV infection. A second human megakaryocytic leukaemia cell line, M07e, was likewise resistant to infection by recombinant as well as wt AAV. Taken together, these studies identify the first human cell type that cannot be infected by AAV. They indicate that expression from the B19p6 promoter, in the context of an AAV genome, is restricted to primary human haematopoietic cells, perhaps because parvoviral DNA replication and transcription are intrinsically coupled.

Thrombopoietin suppresses apoptosis and behaves as a survival factor for the human growth factor-dependent cell line, M07e

Thrombopoietin (TPO) has been demonstrated to have proliferative effects on hematopoietic progenitor cells and maturational effects on more committed populations which express a megakaryocyte lineage-specific phenotype. M07e is a GM-CSF or interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent human leukemic cell line having surface markers characteristic of both myeloid progenitors and megakaryocytes. The effects of TPO on the proliferation and survival of M07e cells were investigated. Following an 18-h factor starvation period to remove residual growth factor signals and phase the cells in G0/G1, TPO provides a weak proliferative signal to M07e compared to IL-3 or GM-CSF treatment under the same conditions. However, TPO synergizes with both GM-CSF and IL-3, and to a greater extent with steel factor, a competence factor for M07e, in the induction of cellular proliferation. TPO sustains cellular integrity of M07e during prolonged (18 days) growth factor withdrawal and also protects M07e cells in serum-free conditions. In addition, preincubation of M07e for 72 h in TPO maintains its survival for subsequent cytokine-induced proliferation, while control media do not. TPO suppresses growth factor withdrawal-induced apoptosis as evaluated by flow cytometric detection of both in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling and cellular DNA content via propidium iodide staining. These results suggest a role for TPO as a survival factor for M07e cells.

The involvement of the rho gene product, a small molecular weight GTP-binding protein, in polyploidization of a human megakaryocytic cell line, CMK

The role of rho proteins, which are ras p21-related small GTP-binding proteins, in megakaryocyte endomitosis was examined using a botulinum C3 exoenzyme (C3), a rho inactivating enzyme. The megakaryocytic leukemia cell line CMK expressed high levels of rhoA and rhoC mRNAs, whereas rhoB mRNA was expressed at a very low level. The addition of C3 to the culture medium caused ADP-ribosylation of the rho proteins in CMK cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This procedure also induced a higher frequency of polyploid cells with increased glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antigens on the cells. This effect of C3 on both ploidy and the antigen expression was abolished by prior incubation of C3 with an anti-C3 monoclonal antibody. Cytochalasin B, an actin polymerization inhibitor, also induced polyploid cells; however, it did not stimulate the expression of GP IIb/IIIa antigens in CMK cells. This finding suggests that C3-induced increase in the expression of GP IIb/IIIa antigens was not through the actin microfilament disassembly. The present study suggests that the rho p21 is a partly regulatory component in polyploidization and GP IIb/IIIa antigen expression of a human megakaryocytic cell line, CMK.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) induces tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of STAT5 and STAT3

The growth and differentiation of megakaryocytes are regulated by thrombopoietin (TPO), a recently characterized cytokine which exerts its effects via a member of the hematopoietin receptor superfamily, c-Mpl. Since many cytokines which bind hematopoietin receptors activate the STAT family of transcription factors, we investigated whether STAT proteins were activated by TPO. TPO induced the formation of a DNA-binding complex recognizing a known STAT-binding sequence. STAT5 was a major component of this DNA-binding complex, and STAT5 was tyrosine phosphorylated in response to TPO. Additionally, TPO-induced the tyrosine phosphorylation and DNA-binding activity of STAT3. Together with the recent demonstration of JAK2 activation in response to TPO, the data presented here define a rapid signaling pathway likely to be important in TPO-induced gene regulation.

Human foamy virus DNA forms and expression in persistently infected Dami megakaryocytic cells

We have characterized human foamy virus (HFV) proviral DNA and determined HFV expression in a persistent infection model, the Dami megakaryocytic cell line. Molecular studies were performed on parental persistently infected cells (Dami-P), as well as on derived clones (Dami-Cl). We report that in these nonlytic and non-HFV producer cells, viral DNA was found to be integrated into the cellular genome and that the few free proviral forms detected in Dami-P cells were deleted in their 5' LTR. Our molecular analysis indicates the presence of undeleted 5' LTR forms in the integrated provirus within a proviral population mainly composed of deleted forms. In addition, the deletion in the bel1 trans-activator gene, previously described by Saïb et al., was found to be highly predominant. However, in 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine treated Dami-Cl cultures, virus production occurred, providing evidence for the presence of complete viral genome. Analysis of HFV expression in Dami-Cl cells, by Northern blot and immunoprecipitation, shows that the most striking difference between cytolytic and persistent HFV infection was the lack of expression of structural viral proteins, in contrast with Bet protein expression, which is maintained. Our data suggest that the Bet protein could be involved in the maintenance of viral persistency and that the persistently infected Dami system provides a suitable model for clarifying its function.

Overexpression of cyclin D1 in the Dami megakaryocytic cell line causes growth arrest

The maturation of megakaryocytes in vivo requires polyploidization or repeated duplication of DNA without cytokinesis. As DNA replication and cytokinesis are tightly regulated in somatic cells by cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, we sought to determine the pattern of cyclin gene expression in cells that undergo megakaryocytic differentiation and polyploidization. The Dami megakaryocytic cell line differentiates and increases ploidy in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation in vitro. We used Northern blotting to analyze mRNA levels of cyclins A, B, C, D1, and E in PMA-induced Dami cells and found that cyclin D1 mRNA levels increased dramatically (18-fold). Similar increases in cyclin D1 mRNA were obtained for other cell lines (HEL and K562) with megakaryocytic properties, but not in HeLa cells. The increase in cyclin D1 was confirmed by Western immunoblotting of PMA-treated Dami cells. This finding suggested that cyclin D1 might participate in megakaryocyte differentiation by promoting endomitosis and/or inhibiting cell division. To address these possibilities, we constructed two stable Zn+2-inducible, cyclin D1-overexpressing Dami cell lines. Cyclin D1 expression alone was not sufficient to induce polyploidy, but in conjunction with PMA-induced differentiation, polyploidization was slightly enhanced. However, unlike other cell systems, cyclin D1 overexpression caused cessation of cell growth. Although the mechanism by which cyclin D1 may affect megakaryocyte differentiation is not clear, these data demonstrate that cyclin D1 is upregulated in differentiating megakaryocytic cells and may contribute to differentiation by arresting cell proliferation.

Synergistic induction of phospholipid metabolism by granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and steel factor in human growth factor-dependent cell line, M07e

Steel factor (SLF), the ligand for the c-kit proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase receptor, synergizes with several hematopoietic growth factors to produce greatly enhanced proliferation of normal human hematopoietic progenitor cells as well as that of the human growth factor-dependent myeloid cell line, M07e. The mechanisms of this phenomenon remain unknown. In an attempt to understand the cellular processes relevant to this phenomenon, we examined the effects of SLF and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on induced lipid metabolism in M07e cells. We find that both GM-CSF and SLF induced increased phosphatidylcholine (PC) turnover rates (biosynthesis and degradation) as measured by increased [3H]-choline labelling, with SLF being more potent than GM-CSF after 6 h of stimulation, but equipotent at 24 h of stimulation. The labelling of aqueous intermediates of PC metabolism was also increased by cytokine stimulation, most notably phosphocholine. Simultaneous stimulation with GM-CSF plus SLF resulted in a true synergistic induction of PC, lysoPC, and phosphocholine labelling. GM-CSF and SLF each induced asymmetric labelling of various phospholipid classes as measured by incorporation of different [3H]-fatty acids. [3H]-myristic acid labelling of phosphatidylserine was most prominently induced (approximately 12-fold). Cytosolic choline kinase activity was also upregulated more than twofold over control by SLF, which might contribute to the increased phosphocholine labelling. These effects may have relevance to the intracellular mechanisms of the synergistic proliferative stimulation of SLF plus GM-CSF on M07e cells.

Thrombopoietin activates a STAT5-like factor in hematopoietic cells

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a newly cloned cytokine which is the major regulator of circulating platelet levels, acting on both proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes. We have investigated the ability of TPO to activate the JAK/STAT pathway in megakaryocytic cell lines. We used either the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)- and/or erythropoietin (EPO)-dependent UT7 cell line in which the murine TPO receptor (mumpl) had been transfected (mumpl-UT7 transfectants) or the MO7E and DAMI cells which express endogenous human TPO receptors. We demonstrated that TPO activates the kinase JAK2 and a STAT5-like transcriptional factor but not STAT1, STAT2, STAT3 or STAT4, in a very rapid and transient manner. In order to better ascertain the specificity of the activation of STAT5-related factor by TPO, we investigated the effect of other cytokines/growth factors. Both GM-CSF and EPO activated the STAT5-like factor. In contrast, neither interferon (IFN)-gamma nor the mitogenic stem cell factor (SCF) activated STAT5, although IFN-gamma did activate STAT1 in those cells. The hematopoietic DNA binding activity related to STAT5 was identified as a p97 tyrosine-phosphorylated protein band which exhibited identical gel mobility to the mammary STAT5. Because v-mpl, a truncated form of the TPO receptor c-mpl, was shown to be oncogenic, we tested the activity of v-mpl on STAT5 and found STAT5 constitutively activated in two different v-mpl-expressing cells, the transiently transfected Cos7 cells and the stable v-mpl-UT7 transfectants. Overall, our data indicate that STAT5 is widely expressed in hematopoietic cells and activated by a number of cytokines, including TPO, GM-CSF and EPO, but not by IFN-gamma or SCF.

Stem cell factor induces phosphorylation of a 200 kDa protein which associates with c-kit

Stem cell factor (SCF) promotes limited proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and is potently synergistic in combination with growth factors such as granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 3 (IL-3) or erythropoietin (Epo). We have examined tyrosine phosphorylation induced by SCF in the megakaryoblastic cell line Mo7e and found phosphorylation of proteins of 200, 145, 120, 58 and 55 kDa. The dominant phosphotyrosylproteins in SCF treated cells were 200 and 145 kDa. Our studies indicated that the 145 kDa protein was c-kit, the receptor for SCF. Subsequent work was directed towards further characterizing the 200 kDa protein. Surface labeling of Mo7e cells suggested that p200 had an extracellular domain and could be induced to associate with c-kit after stimulation with SCF. The rapid phosphorylation of p200 and its immediate association with c-kit suggest that p200 is potentially a component of the SCF signal transduction pathway.

Induction of the c-ski proto-oncogene by phorbol ester correlates with induction of megakaryocyte differentiation

Overexpression of v-ski blocks the terminal differentiation of chicken erythroblasts, and in cooperation with v-sea causes transformation of these cells, indicating that c-ski may play a role in regulating either proliferation or differentiation in hematopoietic cells. We examined c-ski expression in four different myeloid cell lines which can be induced to differentiate by exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Two of the cell lines are multipotent and have the ability to differentiate into either erythrocytes or megakaryocytes (K562 and HEL cells), one cell line differentiates exclusively into megakaryocytes (CHRF-288-11), and the fourth cell line differentiates into either monocytes or granulocytes (HL-60). Our findings indicate that c-ski mRNA is up regulated by PMA only in those cell lines which respond by differentiating along the megakaryocyte lineage. The extent of differentiation and the observed increase in c-ski mRNA levels are positively correlated with the PMA concentration used to induce differentiation. Experiments in which CHRF-288-11 cells were treated with the protein kinase C (PKC) activator bryostatin 1 indicate that c-ski mRNA induction is not a general effect of PKC activation. The results strongly suggest that c-ski expression is correlated with megakaryocyte maturation.

Gene expression during phorbol ester-induced differentiation of cultured human megakaryoblastic cells

Platelet protein makeup is determined during transformation of megakaryoblasts to mature megakaryocytes, the immediate precursor of circulating platelets. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of megakaryocyte formation, gene expression was characterized by Northern analysis and RNA fingerprinting of cultured human CHRF-288 megakaryoblastic cells undergoing phorbol ester-stimulated megakaryocytic differentiation or serum-stimulated megakaryoblast proliferation. Protooncogenes c-fos and c-jun were coordinately upregulated in both proliferating and differentiating cells, whereas c-myc transcripts were upregulated during proliferation only. In contrast, mRNAs for transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and thromboxane receptors were coordinately upregulated during differentiation but differentially regulated during proliferation. RNA fingerprinting revealed multiple transcripts specific to either proliferating or differentiated cells. Three of these were identified by homology to known DNA sequence: CDw44 adhesion molecule (upregulated during differentiation), glutathione sulfhydryl peroxidase (downregulated during differentiation), and plectin cytoskeletal protein (upregulated during differentiation). Thus, although megakaryoblast proliferation and megakaryocyte differentiation both involve DNA and protein synthesis, each growth response is characterized by a distinct pattern of gene expression.

Shc phosphorylation in myeloid cells is regulated by granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-3, and steel factor and is constitutively increased by p210BCR/ABL

Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-3, and steel factor induce proliferation of hematopoietic cells through binding to specific, high affinity, cell surface receptors. However, little is known about post-receptor signal transduction pathways. Here we report that an SH2 domain containing protein previously implicated in the activation of p21ras, Shc, is transiently tyrosine phosphorylated in myeloid cells after stimulation with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-3, or steel factor. Also, Shc was found to be constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated in myeloid cell lines made factor independent by expression of p210BCR/ABL. A Shc-associated 140-kDa protein was identified, which was phosphorylated on tyrosine residues transiently after cytokine stimulation and constitutively after expression of p210BCR/ABL. These findings suggest that Shc could play an important role in a signal transduction pathway, which leads to the proliferation of myeloid cells.

Identification of a novel human immunodeficiency virus strain cytopathic to megakaryocytic cells

Impaired megakaryocytopoiesis may be a contributing factor to thrombocytopenia associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Because HIV isolates differ in their host range and pathogenicity, we investigated whether HIV strains with demonstrable cell tropism and increased cytopathicity for megakaryocytes could be derived from the blood of thrombocytopenic HIV-infected individuals. We derived a strain, HIV-WW, from the peripheral blood of an individual with severe thrombocytopenia and found the virus to be highly and specifically cytotoxic to CMK and DAMI megakaryocytic cells. CMK and DAMI cells were not permissive for the virus and HIV-WW induced cytopathicity for these megakaryocytic cells did not depend on viral replication. The CD4 N-terminus-binding domain of the HIV gp120 envelope protein did not appear to be involved in determining the cytopathic phenomenon. HIV may impair megakaryocytopoiesis through interactions at the cell surface in some cases rather than through viral entry and intracellular replication.

Early and late gene expression in UT-7 cells infected with B19 parvovirus

UT-7, a human megakaryocytoblastoid cell line, can be persistently infected with B19 parvovirus. We performed detailed serial analysis of parvovirus DNA replication and RNA transcription of synchronized cells. RNA transcription appeared as an early event following infection, with viral RNA detected about 6 hr after infection. In contrast, dimer-replicative intermediate forms of parvovirus DNA did not appear until more than 16 hr after infection. Northern analysis of specific transcripts showed an earlier appearance of nonstructural protein RNA (6 hr) compared to capsid protein RNA (24 hr). The addition of an inhibitor of protein synthesis to block synthesis of nonstructural protein abolished capsid protein RNA transcription as well as DNA replication. Primer extension analysis confirmed the initiation of all transcription from the single P6 promoter. RNA transcription precedes DNA replication of B19 parvovirus in these cells, and RNA processing may have a major role in regulating gene expression.

Involvement of immediate-early gene expression in the synergistic effects of steel factor in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor or interleukin-3 on proliferation of a human factor-dependent cell line

Steel factor (SLF) synergizes with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or interleukin-3 (IL-3) to stimulate proliferation of human factor-dependent cell line, MO7e. To elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying this synergism, induction of immediate-early genes was studied. Treatment of MO7e cells with SLF, GM-CSF, and IL-3 induced/enhanced expression of c-fos, junB, egr-1, and c-myc genes. SLF treatment of MO7e cells led to higher expression of c-fos, junB, and egr-1 genes than did treatment with GM-CSF or IL-3. However, GM-CSF and IL-3 had more prolonged effects on enhancement of the c-myc gene than SLF. Using optimal dosages for cell proliferation, induction of c-fos and junB was greater than additive with SLF plus GM-CSF or IL-3, as compared with each factor alone. Using suboptimal amounts of SLF with optimal GM-CSF or IL-3, induction of c-fos, junB, egr-1, and c-myc genes was greater than additive. De novo protein synthesis was not required for greater induction of these immediate-early genes by the combination of SLF plus GM-CSF. Based on nuclear run-on and actinomycin D experiments, the data suggest that the synergistic effects of SLF plus GM-CSF on the induction of immediate-early genes may be mediated in part at the level of transcription and mRNA stabilization for c-fos, at the level of mRNA stabilization for junB, and at the level of transcription for egr-1.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin act competitively to induce two different programs of differentiation in the human pluripotent cell line UT-7

The UT-7 cell line was established from a patient with a megakaryoblastic leukemia (Komatsu et al, Cancer Res 51: 341, 1991). Its proliferation is strictly dependent on the presence of hematopoietic growth factors including erythropoietin (Epo), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interleukin-3 (IL-3). We investigated the differentiation capacities of this cell line under the action of several growth factors, using immunomarkers, flow cytometry, and ultrastructural techniques. In the presence of GM-CSF and IL-3, eosinophil and basophil promyelocytes were detected, as well as a few cells with erythroid and megakaryocytic (MK) differentiation features. In contrast, Epo induced a marked erythroid differentiation with an increase of glycophorin A expression, accompanied by a few hemoglobinized cells. Differentiation induced by the growth factors took 24 to 48 hours to begin, and increased with cell passages to a plateau at 2 weeks of culture. However, this was not only due to a cell selection because the differential effects of Epo and GM-CSF were observed from a single cell clone and the phenotype could be reversed by opposite growth factors, even after a long period of culture. We subsequently investigated the phenotype of UT-7 in the presence of combinations of Epo, IL-3, and GM-CSF, and showed that GM-CSF and IL-3 act predominantly over Epo. This effect was mediated by a rapid downmodulation of Epo receptors by GM-CSF at messenger RNA and binding sites levels, without a change in receptor affinities. On the other hand, Epo had no effect on number and affinity of GM-CSF receptors. This study shows that UT-7 is a growth factor-dependent pluripotent cell line in which commitment may be directed by a hierarchical action of growth factors through an early and rapid transmodulation of growth factor receptors.

Steel factor stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of the proto-oncogene product, p95vav, in human hemopoietic cells

Steel factor (SF) (also called stem cell factor, mast cell growth factor, or c-kit ligand) is a recently cloned hemopoietic growth factor that is produced by bone marrow stromal cells, fibroblasts, and hepatocytes. In both mouse and man it acts synergistically with several colony stimulating factors, including interleukin-3 (IL-3) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), to induce the proliferation and differentiation of primitive hemopoietic precursor cells. In order to study its mechanism of action and to explore the molecular basis for its synergistic activity we have examined the proteins that become tyrosine phosphorylated in response to SF, IL-3, and GM-CSF. We report herein that SF, but not IL-3 or GM-CSF, dramatically stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of the product of the recently discovered proto-oncogene, vav, in two SF-responsive human cell lines, M07E and TF-1. Although phosphorylation is very rapid, reaching maximal levels within 2 min at 37 degrees C, co-immunoprecipitation studies suggest that c-kit may either not associate directly with p95vav or bind to it with very low affinity. Nonetheless, our data suggest that c-kit may utilize p95vav to mediate downstream signaling in hemopoietic cells.

Role of protein kinase C and the Na+/H+ antiporter in suppression of apoptosis by granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-3

Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or interleukin-3 (IL-3) suppress apoptosis in hemopoietic cells, a process of active cell death characterized by the degradation of genomic DNA into oligonucleosomic fragments. The present study was therefore initiated with the view that the two growth factors may trigger the same early events in the cell, leading to suppression of apoptosis. We provide evidence here for a role of protein kinase C and of the Na+/H+ antiporter in the signal transduction pathways activated by binding of GM-CSF or IL-3 to their respective receptors, resulting in suppression of apoptosis in target cells. First, kinetic studies indicate that the process is irreversible after two hours of deprivation. The suppression of apoptosis by GM-CSF and IL-3 is dose-dependent, with half-efficient concentrations that are in the range of the dissociation constants of the high affinity GM-CSF or IL-3 receptor, respectively. Second, the use of three inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), H7, staurosporine, and sphingosine, in concentrations that are below their toxicity limits, revert the suppression of apoptosis by IL-3 and GM-CSF. Conversely, the use of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a PKC activator, allows a bypass of receptor activation in suppression of apoptosis. Western blotting of cytosolic and membrane proteins indicate that exposure of the cells to GM-CSF, IL-3, or TPA results in translocation of PKC to the cell membrane. Our data, therefore, indicate that the activation of PKC is important in suppression of apoptosis by GM-CSF and IL-3. Third, the two amiloride derivatives 5-(N,N-hexamethylene) and 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride that specifically block the function of the Na+/H+ antiport also revert the protective effect of GM-CSF, IL-3, and TPA on MO7-E cells. Further, exposure of the cells to GM-CSF, IL-3, or TPA results in sustained pHi alkalinizatio, which is abrogated when the cells are preincubated with 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride, a specific inhibitor of the antiport. Preincubation of the cells with staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor, also significantly reduces the effect of GM-CSF or IL-3 on pHi. Taken together, our data indicate that a functional antiport is required in suppression of apoptosis by GM-CSF, IL-3, or TPA. Furthermore, our results are consistent with the view that GM-CSF or IL-3 receptor activation initiates the sequential activation of PKC and of the Na+/H+ antiporter, resulting in suppression of apoptosis in target cells.

First continuous propagation of B19 parvovirus in a cell line

The pathogenic human parvovirus B19 has extreme tropism for human erythroid progenitor cells and has resisted cultivation in conventional cell lines. We report first propagation of this virus in an erythropoietin-dependent strain of a megakaryoblastic leukemia cell line called UT-7. Virus protein was present in about 5% of cells after 1 week of culture. Appropriate ratios of major and minor capsid proteins were determined by immunoblot, and newly synthesized capsid protein was detected by immunoprecipitation of radioactively labeled cell lysates. High molecular weight monomer and dimer intermediates were detected by Southern analysis, indicating active viral replication. Approximately 1,000 genome copies were present per infected cell, and at the optimal multiplicity of infection 20- to 50-fold more virus was produced than inoculated. Virus propagation only occurred in UT-7 cells that were adapted to growth in erythropoietin; virus signal was not detected in UT-7 cells adapted for growth in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor or interleukin-3, even with exposure to erythropoietin for several days. Infectious virus was detected in cultures as long as 3 months after inoculation. Despite persistence, there was no evidence of viral integration on Southern analysis. This cell line may prove useful for the production of infectious virus and in the analysis of B19 parvovirus persistence, cytotoxicity, and permissivity.

Expression of high affinity binding sites for erythropoietin on L8057 cells, a mouse megakaryoblastic cell line, associated with cell differentiation

In this study, specific binding sites were examined for erythropoietin (EPO) on the mouse leukemic cell line, L8057. This cell line is megakaryoblastic in origin as evidenced by an enlargement of cell size, multinuclearity, intense activity of acetylcholinesterase, more expression of glycoprotein IIb and IIIa antigen, and higher ploidy distribution after the treatment with 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbor-13-acetate (TPA). The original undifferentiated cells possessed a single class of low affinity binding sites for recombinant human (rh) EPO with a Kd of 3.5 nM. Following the treatment with TPA, high affinity binding sites (Kd; 440 pM) were expressed in addition to the low affinity sites. EPO stimulated the incorporation of 3H-leucine into TPA-treated L8057 cells, and the maximal effect of EPO was observed at the same order as the Kd value of high affinity sites. The present data demonstrates that the expression of high affinity binding sites for EPO is associated with the differentiation of L8057 cells which have megakaryocytic characteristics. Furthermore, protein synthesis stimulated by EPO may be mediated through the high affinity sites.