Rapidly proliferating glial cells isolated from adult mouse brain have a differentiative capacity in response to cyclic AMP

A glial cell line designated as B2 was generated from primary cultures of oligodendrocytes/astrocytes isolated from an adult BALB/c mouse brain and maintained for over 1 year. Phenotypic characteristics of B2 cells were investigated by immunolabeling with cell type-specific markers for oligodendrocytes (O4 and galactocerebroside (GalC)), astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)), and immature neuroectodermal cells (vimentin). When cultured in a serum-containing medium, B2 cells exhibited a bipolar or a tripolar process-bearing morphology and proliferated with a 24-28 h doubling time, without requirement of exogenous growth factors. Under this culture condition, vimentin was identified in all of the B2 cells, GFAP in 7%, and O4 and GalC in less than 1% of the cells. When cultured in a serum-free medium containing 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP), B2 cells extended longer processes and 45% of the cells expressed cell type-specific markers for oligodendrocytes or astrocytes. GFAP was identified in 29% of B2 cells, O4 in 16%, and GalC in 6% of the cells, although, neither O4+GFAP+ nor GalC+GFAP+ cells were observed. B2 cells proliferated in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), but not to dbcAMP, forskolin (FK), or retinoic acid (RA). These results indicate that B2 cells are distinct from typical oligodendrocytes and astrocytes with respect to their great proliferative potential, and suggest that B2 cells, with a capacity to differentiate into oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in response to cyclic AMP, may represent a population of glial precursor cells in the adult mouse central nervous system (CNS).

Suppression of lymphocyte spontaneous proliferative response by proteolipid protein peptide in patients with HAM/TSP

To understand the immune mechanism suggested in HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP), we investigated T cell response to proteolipid protein (PLP). Because of high autologous proliferative response (APR) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in culture, the lymphocyte proliferation assay was not useful in this disease. Unexpectedly, however, APR was profoundly (70-98%) suppressed in 6 of 9 cases when PLP peptide 105-124 was added in the culture. PLP peptide 85-104 or 145-159 also suppressed APR in a few cases. Time course study showed that the peptide-mediated suppression became apparent after day 4 in culture. The results can be interpreted as that suppressor cells recognizing the PLP peptides were present in the PBMC of HAM/TSP patients and suppressed the APR as the consequence of antigen specific response. This may indicate that a T cell response to certain PLP determinants is involved in the pathomechanism of HAM/TSP at least in part. Molecular mimicry between PLP and HTLV-I may account for the T cell sensitization to PLP in HAM/TSP.

Analysis of T cell antigen receptors of myelin basic protein specific T cells in SJL/J mice demonstrates an alpha chain CDR3 motif associated with encephalitogenic T cells

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal autoimmune disease mediated by CD4+ T cells. Analysis of TCR expression revealed that limited TCR elements (V beta 8.2, V alpha 2 or 4) were utilized by myelin basic protein (MBP) specific T cells in mice with H-2u haplotype and Lewis rats. The usage of a particular beta chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) motif has also been shown. However, it remains unclear to what extent these observations can be extrapolated. Here we studied the TCR sequences of MBP 89-101/I-A(s) specific T cell clones derived from SJL/J mice, using the polymerase chain reaction on reverse transcribed mRNA. Although the V beta usage was less restricted than in H-2u mice, they predominantly utilized V beta 17a and expressed LGG or related motifs in the V beta-D beta-J beta junctions. Furthermore, a single alpha chain rearrangement between V alpha 1.1 and J alpha BBM142 with no N region diversity was preferentially used. Concordantly, immunization with a peptide corresponding to the alpha chain CDR3 was found to significantly alter the clinical course of EAE. Comparison of the published TCR junctional regions demonstrates that the CDR3 motifs (LGG in beta chain, CA*R*NY motif in alpha chains) are expressed by other encephalitogenic clones. Notably, the CA*R*NY was conserved in PL/J mice clones that recognize a distinct MBP-MHC determinant. It suggests that an antigen-independent mechanism may contribute to conserving the alpha chain motif. The implications of these observations are discussed.

[Is a false image of the senile plaque in elderly Japanese with leprosy?--pathological findings on the immunohistology]

By the advance of chemotherapy and aging of the inpatients with leprosy (mean age: 75.7 years), geriatric disease are becoming major problems in Japanese National Leprosarium. Dementia is not diagnosed inpatient with leprosy. After autopsy Alzheimer fibrillary tangle and senile plaques in the brain of aged leprosy is not easy demonstrated by routine stains. However, these is easy demonstrable a different senile plaque with accretion to the Alzheimer fibrillary tangle, if it employed the specific immunohistochemical method on these brain. We employed both tau protein and the divided beta protein, and each of protein is able to divide dementia and non-dementia into aged groups in leprosy. Low prevalence in Japanese leprosy patients is demonstrable in dementia of what happened was accurate in alzheimer disease with subtype of senile plaque.

Insulin-like growth factor II promotes in vitro cholinergic development of mouse septal neurons: comparison with the effects of insulin-like growth factor I

We investigated the effect of insulin-like growth factors II and I (IGFII and IGFI) on septal primary cultures from mouse embryonic day 15 brains. The addition of IGFII to septal cultures enhanced total choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal stimulation of ChAT activity was observed at 10 ng/ml IGFII. The effect of IGFII on ChAT activity was completely blocked by anti-IGFII/M-6-P receptor antibodies, whereas the antisera alone had no effect on the enzyme activity. Double-labeled immunohistochemical studies revealed that most ChAT-positive neurons expressed IGFII/M-6-P receptor immunoreactivity. These results indicate that the trophic effect of IGFII results from the direct action of this molecule through the IGFII/M-6-P receptor in septal cholinergic neurons. IGFI also stimulated ChAT activity, but with less potency than IGFII. Antibodies against the IGFII/M-6-P receptor inhibited approximately 50% of the IGFI response, suggesting that the effect of IGFI is mediated in part by the IGFII/M-6-P receptor. Thus, it appears that IGFII and IGFI are potent trophic factors for central cholinergic neurons and could potentially play a significant role in the differentiation, maintenance and regeneration of these neurons.

Demonstration of amyloid beta-protein secretion in a mouse neuronal cell line

We investigated the secretion of amyloid beta-protein (beta AP) in a mouse neuronal cell line SN49. SN49 cells stably transfected with mouse beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) 695 cDNA released approximately three times greater amounts of a 4 kDa protein immunoreactive with anti-beta AP antibodies than untransfected and mock-transfected cells. This 4 kDa protein was further identified as mouse beta AP by direct amino acid sequence analysis. These results strongly suggest that the beta AP secretion occurs in mouse neuronal cells as in human cells.

HSP72 induction by heat stress is not universal in mammalian neural cell lines

Heat-induced expression of 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) was investigated in a panel of neuronal and non-neuronal cell lines by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry using monoclonal antibodies directed to HSP72. By immunoblotting, HSP72 expression was observed in most cell lines of mouse (SN6.1b, CL8c4.7, NSC34.6, B2A, C2C12), rat (PC12, C-6, L3), and human (NB-1, GOTO, IMR-32, HeLa) origin under the heat-stressed condition. The mouse neuroblastoma cell line N18TG2, however, did not express HSP72 under the heat-stressed condition. By immunocytochemistry, HSP72 was undetectable in the heat-stressed N18TG2 cells, while it was identified in the heat-stressed SN6.1b cells, a clonal hybrid neuron between N18TG2 and mouse septal cholinergic neuron. By exposure to a priming sublethal heat shock, SN6.1b cells but not N18TG2 cells acquired a significant level of tolerance to a subsequent lethal heat shock. These results suggest that heat-induced expression of HSP72 may contribute to acquisition of the thermotolerant state in SN6.1b cells.

Neurite promoting activity of collagens on embryonic neurons: decreased effect at the postnatal stage

We studied the in vitro neurite outgrowth activity of fibronectin, laminin, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, type I collagen, type IV collagen, and type VIII collagen in cholinergic neuronal cell lines and primary cultured neurons. All these substances had high neurite promoting activity on primary cultured neurons from embryonic mouse brain. However, collagens had no such an effect on primary cultured neurons from postnatal brain. When neuronal cell lines were used, collagens and other extracellular matrix substances were equally and highly effective on cells originated from embryonic brain, but collagens were less effective on cells from postnatal brain. These findings suggest that postnatal neurons lose the neuritic responsiveness to collagens earlier than that of other ECM.

Binding of an SJL T cell clone specific for myelin basic protein to SJL brain microvessel endothelial cells is inhibited by anti-VLA-4 or its ligand, anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 antibody

Adhesion molecules probably are required for the migration of T lymphocytes to inflamed tissues, but the roles of these molecules have yet to be understood in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The adhesion of an SJL murine T cell clone specific for myelin basic protein (MBP) to endothelial cells (ECs) from SJL newborn brain microvessels was examined. Sixty percent of the 2 x 10(4) T cell clones stimulated once every 2 weeks with MBP were bound to ECs, whereas less than 5% of the same number of lymphocytes from peripheral lymph nodes were bound. However, binding was not central nervous system (CNS)-specific. Monoclonal antibody to VLA-4 or VCAM-1 partially inhibited the binding of the T cell clone to ECs. Binding of the T cell clone to ECs increased when the latter were incubated with IL-1 or TNF, but was not inhibited by anti-VLA-4 or VCAM-1. We suggest that the VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathway functions in the binding of the T cell clone specific for MBP to brain ECs but that adhesion molecules other than VLA-4/VCAM-1 are involved because anti-VLA-4 and anti-VCAM-1 did not produce complete inhibition.

T lymphocyte lines and clones selected against synthetic myelin basic protein 82-102 peptide from Japanese multiple sclerosis patients

As has been indicated in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the application of synthetic peptides for the selection of T cell lines may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We report here on T cell lines/clones generated from peripheral blood of MS patients against an immunodominant myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide 82-102. This study demonstrates that the selection of T cell lines against the MBP peptide is much more efficient than against whole MBP in generating a large panel of T cell lines/clones, and therefore provides a powerful strategy for studying autoimmune T cell repertoire in individual subjects. The peptide-selected lines and clones recognized MBP 82-102, shorter peptides MBP 89-101, 89-100 and guinea pig whole MBP mainly in the context of HLA-DR, but did not cross-recognize virus-derived peptides homologous to MBP 82-102. Seven out of ten clones were found to recognize MBP 82-102 in the absence of autologous antigen presenting cells (APC), and in three of the seven clones, specificity for MBP 82-102 could be demonstrated only in the absence of APC because of their strong reactivity against autologous APC. Two-color flow cytometry revealed that the clones were heterogeneous with regard to expression of CD4 and CD8 molecules. Overall, the clones selected by the peptide were rather heterogeneous in phenotype and function compared with those selected by whole MBP.

Functional erythropoietin receptor of the cells with neural characteristics. Comparison with receptor properties of erythroid cells

Radioiodinated erythropoietin (Epo) was bound specifically to the cells of two non-erythroid clonal lines, PC12 and SN6, which expressed neuronal characteristics. The binding was time-, cell number-, and dose-dependent and was reversible. Although the cloned Epo receptor from PC12 cells (derived from rat adrenal medulla) was identical to that from rat erythroid cells, significant differences in the ligand binding properties between two cell lineages were found; 1) PC12 cells had a single class of binding sites with very low affinity (Kd = 16 nM), whereas erythroid cells had two classes of binding sites with different affinities (Kd = 95 pM for high affinity sites and 1.9 nM for low affinity sites), and 2) cross-linking experiments revealed one cross-linked product of 105 kDa for PC12 cells and two products of 140 and 120 kDa for erythroid cells. Taken together with additional results, the presence of a putative accessory protein(s) that may alter the ligand binding affinity through interaction with Epo receptor is discussed. The binding of Epo to PC12 cells caused a rapid increase in the cytosolic concentration of free calcium. The presence of EGTA had no effect on the Epo binding but completely inhibited the calcium increase, indicating that Epo stimulated the calcium influx from outside of the cells. The addition of Epo to the culture media of PC12 cells elevated the intracellular concentrations of monoamines.

Thioredoxin from activated macrophages as a trophic factor for central cholinergic neurons in vitro

The conditioned medium from gamma-interferon-stimulated macrophages elevated the choline acetyltransferase activity in mouse septal neurons as well as in cholinergic hybrid cell lines SN6.10.2.2 in vitro. After purification and sequencing, the active fraction was identical to thioredoxin (TRX), and the neurotrophic activity of recombinant TRX was confirmed.

Trophic effect of erythropoietin and other hematopoietic factors on central cholinergic neurons in vitro and in vivo

In vitro granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), erythropoietin (EPO), and erythroid differentiation factor (EDF) augmented choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in mouse embryonic primary septal neurons and in cholinergic hybridoma cell line, SN6.10.2.2. This is similar to the effects seen with interleukin-3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Moreover, in vivo GM-CSF and EPO promoted survival of septal cholinergic neurons in adult rats which had undergone fimbria-fornix transections. These results suggest that some of the hematopoietic factors act on cholinergic neurons as 'neurotrophic factors' to influence the differentiation, maintenance and regeneration of these neurons.

Effect of growth factors and cytokines on expression of amyloid beta protein precursor mRNAs in cultured neural cells

We analyzed the effect of several growth factors and cytokines on the expression of amyloid beta protein precursor (APP) mRNAs in cultured mouse neuronal and glial cells. In neuronal cultures from embryonic day-15 brain. Northern blotting revealed that APP mRNAs increased by 1.3- to 2.6-fold when treated with nerve growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, interleukin 1, interleukin 2, interleukin 3, interleukin 6 or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor but not with tumor necrosis factor alpha. An S1 nuclease protection assay revealed that the enhanced APP mRNA in neuronal cultures was exclusively APP695 mRNA. On the other hand, astrocyte-enriched cultures prepared from postnatal day-2 brain did not show any significant alteration among these factors. We conclude that certain growth factors and cytokines could enhance APP 695 mRNA expression in neurons in vitro.

Constitutive expression of 65-kDa heat shock protein (HSP65)-like immunoreactivity in cultured mouse oligodendrocytes

The expression of mycobacterial 65-kDa heat shock protein (HSP65)-like immunoreactivity in cultured mouse oligodendrocytes and astrocytes was investigated using three monoclonal antibodies (ML30, IA1, 3A) specific for the mycobacterial HSP65. In western blot analysis, these antibodies recognized the proteins with molecular weights approximately of 50-, 60-, and 70-kDa expressed in both heat-stressed and unstressed glial cells. When the cells were exposed to heat stress, the expression of both 50- and 70-kDa proteins was attenuated, whereas that of the 60-kDa protein was not affected. On immunocytochemical studies, an appreciable level of HSP65 immunolabelling was identified in most (> 90%) oligodendrocytes under both heat-stressed and unstressed conditions but only marginally detectable in most (> 95%) astrocytes. These results indicate that mouse oligodendrocytes in vitro express the mycobacterial HSP65-like immunoreactivity constitutively.

Coexistence of cholinergic, catecholaminergic, serotonergic, and glutamatergic neurotransmitter markers in mouse clonal hybrid neurons derived from the septal region

Two clonal immortalized neurons designated SN6.1b and SN6.2a were isolated by limiting dilution from a mouse embryonic septal cholinergic neuronal hybrid cell line SN6 (Hammond et al., 1986). In the serum-containing medium without extra differentiating agents, one-third of SN6.1b cells stably exhibited a morphology of differentiated neurons with extensive elaborate neurites, while a majority of SN6.2a cells, along with the parent cell line SN6, were round in shape with poorly branched short processes. Neurochemical studies showed that both clones synthesized choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and glutamate. Immunocytochemically, they expressed a number of neuronal antigens, such as 200-kDa neurofilament protein, neuron-specific enolase, microtubule-associated protein 2, tau protein, tubulin, neural cell adhesion molecule, Thy-1.2, saxitoxin-binding sodium channel protein, ChAT, tyrosine hydroxylase, serotonin, and glutamate. The coexistence of cholinergic, catecholaminergic, serotonergic, and glutamatergic neurotransmitter markers in the clonal hybrid septal neurons that express a variety of immunocytochemical properties of differentiated neurons suggests that embryonic septal cholinergic neurons are potentially multiphenotypic with respect to neurotransmitter synthesis.

Establishment of mouse-immortalized hybrid clones expressing characteristics of differentiated neurons derived from the cerebellar and brain stem regions

Two clonal immortalized neurons designated CL8c4.7 and CL8a5.2 were established by somatic cell fusion between a hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase-(HPRT-) deficient neuroblastoma N18TG2 and newborn mouse cerebellar/brain stem neurons. In the serum-containing medium without extra differentiating agents, both clones exhibited a morphology of differentiated neurons. They contained high levels of glutamate but no gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The CL8a5.2 clone synthesized choline acetyltransferase and serotonin. In immunocytochemical studies, both clones expressed 200 kD neurofilament protein, neuron-specific enolase, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), tau protein, neuronal cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), HNK-1, Thy-1.2, saxitoxin-binding sodium channel protein, and glutamate. Synaptophysin immunoreactivity was identified in the neuritic terminals of CL8c4.7 cells. Most of these antigens were barely detectable on N18TG2 cells. Electrophysiologically, both clones generated action potentials in response to electrical stimuli. The hybrid clones that express characteristics of differentiated neurons derived from the cerebellar and brain stem regions might be invaluable for the study of the molecular basis of neuronal differentiation and degeneration in these regions.

Cerebral cortical amyloid protein precursor mRNA expression is similar in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases

The expression of 3 beta-amyloid protein precursor (APP) mRNAs (695, 751, and 770) in the cerebral cortex in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases was analyzed by the S1 nuclease protection assay. We found no significant Alzheimer's disease-specific alteration of APP mRNA expression when compared to the other neurological diseases as controls. Since the expression of this mRNA was not correlated with amyloid deposition, it is possible that gliosis/neuronal loss may secondarily alter APP mRNA expression. However, the current study revealed no significant correlation between them.

Neuroblastoma x spinal cord (NSC) hybrid cell lines resemble developing motor neurons

We have developed a series of mouse-mouse neural hybrid cell lines by fusing the aminopterin-sensitive neuroblastoma N18TG2 with motor neuron-enriched embryonic day 12-14 spinal cord cells. Of 30 neuroblastoma-spinal cord (NSC) hybrids displaying a multipolar neuron-like phenotype, 10 express choline acetyltransferase, and 4 induce twitching in cocultured mouse myotubules. NSC-19, NSC-34, and their subclones express additional properties expected of motor neurons, including generation of action potentials, expression of neurofilament triplet proteins, and acetylcholine synthesis, storage, and release. In addition, NSC-34 cells induce acetylcholine receptor clusters on cocultured myotubes, and undergo a vimentin-neurofilament switch with maturation in culture, similar to that occurring in neuronal development. NSC cell lines appear to model selected aspects of motor neuron development in an immortalized clonal system.

Stress induces neuronal death in the hippocampus of castrated rats

Whereas loss of CA3 neurons in the hippocampus of monkeys which died of stress ulcers suggests that some structural changes may occur, there is no direct evidence that shows stress-induced irreversible changes of neurons. When rats were orchidectomized (castrated) and stressed by restraint and immersion in water for 15 min/day for 30 days, significant loss of hippocampal CA3 and CA4 neurons was observed. Furthermore, primary cultured hippocampal neurons survived shorter when treated with corticosterone. This neuronal loss was prevented by simultaneous administration of testosterone in vivo and in vitro. These findings indicate that stress can contribute to neuronal degeneration associated with hypogonadal conditions such as aging.

Heterogeneous induction of 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) in cultured mouse oligodendrocytes and astrocytes

The expression of 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72) in cultured mouse oligodendrocytes and astrocytes exposed to heat shock was investigated by double immunolabelling with anti-HSP72 monoclonal antibody (C92F3B-1) and antibodies against galactocerebroside (GalC) or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). After 3 h recovery from heat shock, an intermediate level of HSP72 immunolabelling was localized in the nucleolus and cytoplasm of astrocytes (less than 25%) and to a lesser extent in oligodendrocytes (less than 2%). After 8-48 h, HSP72 was expressed intensely in the cytoplasm and nuclear matrix of oligodendrocytes (20-40%), while weak/intermediate immunostaining was detectable in astrocytes (5-15%). The levels of HSP72 expressed in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes decreased around 72-120 h, but a few oligodendrocytes (4%) remained intensely immunolabelled. These results indicate that heat shock induces HSP72 in both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. However, this response is heterogeneous.

Potentially amyloidogenic, carboxyl-terminal derivatives of the amyloid protein precursor

The 39- to 43-amino acid amyloid beta protein (beta AP), which is deposited as amyloid in Alzheimer's disease, is encoded as an internal peptide that begins 99 residues from the carboxyl terminus of a 695- to 770-amino acid glycoprotein referred to as the amyloid beta protein precursor (beta APP). To clarify the processing that produces amyloid, carboxyl-terminal derivatives of the beta APP were analyzed. This analysis showed that the beta APP is normally processed into a complex set of 8- to 12-kilodalton carboxyl-terminal derivatives. The two largest derivatives in human brain have the entire beta AP at or near their amino terminus and are likely to be intermediates in the pathway leading to amyloid deposition.

Cytotoxic and suppressor activities in patients with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy

Since there are several immune abnormalities and autoimmune-like features in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy/HTLV-I-associated tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), we examined cytotoxic and suppressor cell functions in HAM/TSP. In this study, we assayed cell-mediated cytotoxicity of CD8+ T-cell lines established from cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes of two patients with HAM and concanavalin A-induced suppressor cell activities of peripheral blood lymphocytes from five patients with HAM. Our study revealed that three of four CD8+ T-cell lines showed cytotoxic activities against autologous CD4+ T-cell lines infected with HTLV-I, and two of the three lines showed major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted cytotoxicity. We also demonstrated that the concanavalin A-induced suppressor function was not defective in HAM patients. Therefore, the immune abnormalities and autoimmune-like features observed in HAM/TSP may not result from defective cytotoxic or suppressor cell activities.

Alzheimer's disease amyloid beta-clipping enzyme (APP secretase): identification, purification, and characterization of the enzyme

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia, although no genetic abnormality has been identified. Recent studies have elucidated the molecular defect in AD, including the abnormal deposition of amyloid beta peptide (beta/A4) in senile plaques of affected individuals. Normal brain contains the enzyme, APP secretase, which cleaves inside the beta/A4 portion of the precursor protein (APP); abnormal processing of APP occurs in AD brain. Until now, no evidence has been provided that APP secretase is an intracellular proteinase. We have now prepared two synthetic substrates of APP secretase, both of which contain the cleavage point and are much more sensitive than substrates previously available to identify APP secretase. Using these substrates, we found an intracellular proteinase that has APP secretase activity. This proteinase has been identified as cathepsin B.