IL-7 promotes thymocyte proliferation and maintains immunocompetent thymocytes bearing alpha beta or gamma delta T-cell receptors in vitro: synergism with IL-2

IL-7 induced the proliferation of normal thymocytes and the effect was synergistically potentiated by a small dose of IL-2, which by itself hardly affected thymocyte proliferation. No synergism was observed between IL-7 and any one of the other lymphokines including IL-1, IL-3, and IL-4. The thymocyte culture stimulated with IL-7 and IL-2 consisted of single positive (CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+) and double negative (CD4-CD8-) populations, and double positive (CD4+CD8+) cells were completely deleted. Both single positive and double negative thymocytes expressed CD3, but only the former exhibited V beta 8 and V beta 6 in an expected proportion (approximately 30% in BALB/c mice) and the latter none at all. Immunoprecipitation of the cultured thymocytes by anti-TCR gamma antibody, on the other hand, revealed the presence of a TCR gamma chain. Taken together, these results indicated that the thymocyte cultured with IL-7 and IL-2 consisted of mature T cells bearing alpha beta or gamma delta TCR. Experiments using preselected thymocyte subpopulations indicated that double negative cells responded to both IL-7 and IL-2 with positive synergism when combined, while thymocytes enriched for single positive cells preferentially responded to IL-7 with little response to IL-2 and no detectable synergism. Double positive thymocytes showed no proliferation in response to IL-7 and IL-2. In contrast to single positive thymocytes, splenic T cells hardly responded to IL-7, although significant proliferation was induced in the presence of a low dose of IL-2. Thymocytes cultured with IL-7 and IL-2 showed little nonspecific cytotoxic activity, but responded to Con A or alloantigen, whereas those stimulated with a high dose of IL-2 alone exhibited potent cytotoxic activity. These results indicated that IL-7 was involved in the generation of immunocompetent T cells in the thymus in concert with IL-2.

IL-7 promotes thymocyte proliferation and maintains immunocompetent thymocytes bearing alpha beta or gamma delta T-cell receptors in vitro: synergism with IL-2

IL-7 induced the proliferation of normal thymocytes and the effect was synergistically potentiated by a small dose of IL-2, which by itself hardly affected thymocyte proliferation. No synergism was observed between IL-7 and any one of the other lymphokines including IL-1, IL-3, and IL-4. The thymocyte culture stimulated with IL-7 and IL-2 consisted of single positive (CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+) and double negative (CD4-CD8-) populations, and double positive (CD4+CD8+) cells were completely deleted. Both single positive and double negative thymocytes expressed CD3, but only the former exhibited V beta 8 and V beta 6 in an expected proportion (approximately 30% in BALB/c mice) and the latter none at all. Immunoprecipitation of the cultured thymocytes by anti-TCR gamma antibody, on the other hand, revealed the presence of a TCR gamma chain. Taken together, these results indicated that the thymocyte cultured with IL-7 and IL-2 consisted of mature T cells bearing alpha beta or gamma delta TCR. Experiments using preselected thymocyte subpopulations indicated that double negative cells responded to both IL-7 and IL-2 with positive synergism when combined, while thymocytes enriched for single positive cells preferentially responded to IL-7 with little response to IL-2 and no detectable synergism. Double positive thymocytes showed no proliferation in response to IL-7 and IL-2. In contrast to single positive thymocytes, splenic T cells hardly responded to IL-7, although significant proliferation was induced in the presence of a low dose of IL-2. Thymocytes cultured with IL-7 and IL-2 showed little nonspecific cytotoxic activity, but responded to Con A or alloantigen, whereas those stimulated with a high dose of IL-2 alone exhibited potent cytotoxic activity. These results indicated that IL-7 was involved in the generation of immunocompetent T cells in the thymus in concert with IL-2.

A stimulatory effect of recombinant murine interleukin-7 (IL-7) on B-cell colony formation and an inhibitory effect of IL-1 alpha

Using a clonal culture system, we investigated the lymphohematopoietic effects of recombinant interleukin-7 (IL-7) obtained from conditioned media of transfected COS 1 cells. IL-7 alone acted on murine bone marrow cells and supported the formation of B-cell colonies. These colony cells were positive for B220, and some of them were also found to have either IgM or Thy-1. B220+, IgM- cells, but not B220- cells sorted from fresh bone marrow cells were able to form B cell colonies in the presence of IL-7. Thus, IL-7 supported the differentiation of B220+, IgM- cells to B220+, IgM+ cells. B220+, IgM+ cells did not proliferate in the presence of IL-7. IL-7 did not affect the myeloid colony formation supported by IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and G-CSF. On the other hand, lymphocyte colony formation was not affected by IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, GM-CSF, or G-CSF. Interestingly, IL-1 alpha inhibited IL-7-induced B cell colony formation in a dose-dependent manner, while the same concentration of IL-1 alpha enhanced the myeloid colony formation by IL-3. This reciprocal effect of IL-1 alpha may act on hematopoietic progenitor cells without accessory cells. These data show that IL-7 is a B cell growth factor and that IL-1 alpha may play an important role in differentiation of myeloid and lymphoid lineages.

Putative metal finger structure of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enhancer binding protein HIV-EP1

The region containing two copies of the sequence GGGACTTTCC in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat, that is an NF-kappa B binding site, functions as an enhancer element for HIV transcriptional regulation. By a Southwestern method we have isolated a cDNA encoding the HIV-1 enhancer binding protein (HIV-EP1) from a human B-cell lambda gt11 library. DNase I footprinting analysis using the HIV-EP1 protein expressed in Escherichia coli showed that HIV-EP1 specifically bound to the HIV-1 enhancer. HIV-EP1 protein contains a domain with two tandem "zinc finger" sequences initially described in the Xenopus transcription factor IIIA. This represents the first demonstration of the structural feature of the protein that binds to the HIV-1 enhancer.

Interleukin 7 production and function in stromal cell-dependent B cell development

The role of IL-7 in the stromal cell-dependent B cell development was investigated using two stromal cell clones, ST2 and PA6; the former supports B lymphopoiesis while the latter can not. We demonstrate here that: (a) the ability of the stromal cell clone to produce IL-7 correlates well with the stromal cell activity to support B lymphopoiesis; (b) IL-7 production by ST2 is inducible rather than constitutive; (c) the IL-7-dependent B cell itself is a potent inducer of IL-7 production by ST2; (d) addition of rIL-7 to the PA6 layer renders this in vitro environment B lymphopoietic; and (e) the differentiation from early B progenitor to pre-B cell requires both IL-7 and other stromal cell molecule(s) yet to be identified.

Leucine zipper structure of the protein CRE-BP1 binding to the cyclic AMP response element in brain

By screening a lambda gt11 library with the multimerized sequence of the cAMP response element (CRE), we isolated human clones encoding the CRE binding protein, CRE-BP1, from a human brain cDNA library. CRE-BP1 expressed in Escherichia coli bound not only to the CRE element of the somatostatin and fibronectin genes, but also to the CRE element of the adenovirus E4 gene, suggesting that the protein was not distinguishable from the adenovirus transcription factor, ATF. The human CRE-BP1 clone encoded a 54.5 kd protein similar at its carboxy terminus to the leucine zipper motifs found in other enhancer binding proteins such as C/EBP and c-jun/AP-1. CRE-BP1 mRNA was expressed in all of the cells examined and was abundant in brain. The structure of CRE-BP1 and its recognition elements suggest that cellular response to extracellular stimuli is controlled by a family of transcription factors that bind to related cis-active elements and that contain several highly conserved domains.

A case of concomitant association of duodenal carcinoma and jejunal carcinoma with cerebral metastasis

A case of concomitant association of primary suprapapillary and jejunal carcinomas with cerebral metastasis is reported. A 42-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of melena. Preoperative endoscopy and abdominal angiography showed primary suprapapillary carcinoma, and brain CT showed a high density mass in the right parietal lobe causing involuntary movement of the left upper extremity. During surgery another tumor was revealed in the jejunum about 80 cm from the Treitz' ligament. These were removed surgically and examined histologically.

Effects of human recombinant interleukin 5 and 3 on the differentiation of cord blood-derived eosinophils and basophils

When mononuclear cells from umbilical-cord blood were cultured for 3 weeks, low concentrations of interleukin 3 supported the preferential growth of basophils, with eosinophils comprising a smaller proportion. These basophils contained 0.15-0.3 microgram histamine per 10(6) cells, and released histamine by the IgE-dependent and -independent stimuli. Interleukin 5 increased the number and proportion of eosinophils in a dose-dependent manner without affecting the proliferation of other cell types in the interleukin 3-supplemented cultures. These cultured eosinophils could be activated by platelet-activating factor.

Detection of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor produced by a newly established human hepatoma cell line using a simple bioassay system

A colony-stimulating factor(CSF)-producing tumor cell line (KX-87) was established from a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma and marked granulocytosis. This cell line formed tumors on nude mice in high frequency and the mice revealed marked granulocytosis. In clonogenic assays of human bone marrow cells, KX-87 conditioned medium (CM) supported the formation of colonies mainly consisting of neutrophilic granulocytes but had no burst-promoting activity. The molecular weight of the colony-stimulating activity (CSA) in KX-87CM was estimated about 25,000 daltons by gel filtration and a new bioassay system. In principle, a subline of murine hemopoietic cell line NFS-60 was cloned which was dependent on KX-87CM. Then the growth of this subline was examined by a rapid and sensitive colorimetric tetrazolium assay. From these results, it was concluded that the CSA which KX-87 cell line produced was G-CSF.

Macrophage factors which enhance the mixed leukocyte reaction initiated by dendritic cells

Stimulator cells for the allogeneic MLR are dendritic cells but not macrophages (M phi). M phi, however, enhance the MLR initiated by relatively low doses of dendritic cells. The present report demonstrates that the enhancement of the MLR is mediated by two factors produced by M phi. One is IL-1, inasmuch as it has a Mr approximately 15 kDa, and both partially purified IL-1 and rIL-1 also enhance the MLR. The other has been identified as granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF. It had a Mr approximately 25 kDa, and is reproduced by rGM-CSF. Moreover, the MLR-enhancing activity of both the 25-kDa molecule and rGM-CSF have been neutralized by anti-GM-CSF antiserum. Both IL-1 and GM-CSF have autonomous enhancing activity, but they collaborate with each other in enhancing the MLR. Both factors act on DC to augment their stimulatory activity for allogeneic T lymphocytes.

Macrophage factors which enhance the mixed leukocyte reaction initiated by dendritic cells

Stimulator cells for the allogeneic MLR are dendritic cells but not macrophages (M phi). M phi, however, enhance the MLR initiated by relatively low doses of dendritic cells. The present report demonstrates that the enhancement of the MLR is mediated by two factors produced by M phi. One is IL-1, inasmuch as it has a Mr approximately 15 kDa, and both partially purified IL-1 and rIL-1 also enhance the MLR. The other has been identified as granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF. It had a Mr approximately 25 kDa, and is reproduced by rGM-CSF. Moreover, the MLR-enhancing activity of both the 25-kDa molecule and rGM-CSF have been neutralized by anti-GM-CSF antiserum. Both IL-1 and GM-CSF have autonomous enhancing activity, but they collaborate with each other in enhancing the MLR. Both factors act on DC to augment their stimulatory activity for allogeneic T lymphocytes.

Effects of H2-receptor antagonists on plasma aldosterone response to angiotensin II in healthy subjects; (II). Comparison of cimetidine and ranitidine

The effects of H2-receptor antagonists, cimetidine and ranitidine, on plasma aldosterone response to angiotensin II (AII) were examined in six healthy subjects. The study was carried out on three different occasions with a two week interval. Cimetidine (400 mg), ranitidine (150 mg) or a placebo was given orally every 12 hours for 3 days in a double-blind, cross-over, double-dummy design. On the fourth day, 1 hour after the final (seventh) administration of the same agent, furosemide (20 mg) was injected intravenously. The plasma levels of renin activity (PRA), AII and aldosterone (PA) were determined for a 120 minute period after furosemide. PRA, AII and PA increased after furosemide with as well as without H2-receptor antagonist. The basal and stimulated levels of these parameters were not significantly different at any observation point among the three regimen groups. A significant correlation was observed between AII and PA with placebo (P less than 0.01) and ranitidine (P less than 0.01), but not with cimetidine (P greater than 0.05). The slope of the regression line with ranitidine was not significantly different from that of the placebo. These data indicate that the PA response to AII is blunted by cimetidine, but not by ranitidine. The current study supports the idea that this blunted response during cimetidine is independent of the blockade of H2-receptor.

Developmental regulation of the extrathymic differentiation potential of the progenitor cells for T cell lineage

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) generates T lineage cell lines (IL-3B series) directly from the isolated interleukin 3 (IL-3)-induced pluripotential progenitor colonies obtained form adult spleen in vitro. The phenomenon can be reproduced by the combined IL-3/IL-2 bulk culture system. In order to compare the differentiation potential of such progenitors in various ontogenical stages, we have established a number of cell lines from fetal livers (LFD series), fetal thymus (FTD15), newborn spleens (SED series), and adult spleens (SPB series) using the IL-3/IL-2 culture system. The phenotypes of cell lines varied depending upon the developmental stages; LFD lines, Thy1+CD3-CD4-CD8-B220+, FTD15, Thy1+CD3+CD4-CD8+B220-, and SPB and IL-3B lines, Thy1+CD3+CD4-CD8+B220+. Analysis of T cell receptor (TCR) genes revealed that all of the TCR genes (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) were in germ line configurations in LFD lines. In LFD17 and 19, from 17 and 19 gestation days (GD) respectively, however, germ line transcripts or TCR beta gene were detected, suggesting that they were in the earliest phase of T cell commitment. In LFD14 line from GD14 fetal liver, no such transcript could be detected. In contrast, FTD15 showed complete rearrangement of every TCR gene with full-length TCR alpha and beta gene mRNA. On the other hand, all of the SED, SPB, and IL-3B series of lines exhibited the rearrangement of every TCR gene with productive TCR alpha and beta gene mRNA. The results indicated that progenitors in postnatal spleen, in contrast to those in fetal liver, had the potential to rearrange and express the TCR genes in extrathymic conditions in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effects of glucagon and insulin on poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and blood ketone body ratio after partial hepatectomy in rats]

The effects of glucagon and insulin on liver nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and blood ketone body ratio after rat partial (68%) hepatectomy were examined. Liver weight regeneration rate was enhanced by glucagon and insulin after 5th posthepatectomy day. The maximal value of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity without glucagon and insulin was revealed as 368 +/- 64 pmole/mg/min on 5 days after the hepatectomy. In contrast, the enzyme activity with glucagon and insulin reached to the peak value as 253 +/- 42 pmole/mg/min on 2 days after the hepatectomy. The amounts of DNA per nuclear protein showed similar changes with the changes of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activity after the hepatectomy. Blood ketone body ratio showed almost similar changes in both groups, except transitional decrease in the group without glucagon and insulin on 5th postoperative day. It is suggested that, to promote remnant liver regeneration, the combined therapy of glucagon and insulin may act directly to nucleic acid metabolism through the changes of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and preserve energy charge level by the suppression of NAD consumption by massive poly(ADP-ribose) formation.

Release of high molecular weight-neutrophil chemotactic activity from human tissues, cells and secretion

Release of high molecular weight-neutrophil chemotactic activity from human tissues, cells and secretion was studied in vivo and in vitro. Lung, nasal turbinate, nasal polyps, skin of neurofibromatosis, basophils from chronic myeloid leukemia and cultured basophilic cells from cord blood released this mediator following calcium ionophore, antigen, anti-IgE or homogenization in vitro. Its release was also demonstrated in human nasal secretions from patients with allergic rhinitis following antigen challenge. Regarding mononuclear cells no release of this mediator was observed from normal donors or asthmatic patients having no active attack upon challenge with calcium ionophore, phytohemagglutinin or antigen. Homogenized duodenum released high molecular weight-neutrophil chemotactic activity but less activity in comparison with other tissues or cells mentioned above.

[Changes in N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity in the maternal plasma and utero-placental tissues during normal pregnancy and parturition]

In the ripening of the uterine cervix during parturition, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in the cervical extracellular matrix has been reported to undergo drastic changes i.e. the increase in hyaluronic acid, and the decrease in dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG; EC3.2.1.30), one of marker enzymes of lysosome, may also degrade extracellular GAG in the uterine cervix. This study is undertaken to determine if NAG plays a role in the ripening of the cervix during parturition. The maternal plasma were collected from 252 women with normal pregnancy (5-41 weeks gestation). Amnion, chorion and parietal decidua were obtained from 20 patients at more than 36 gestational weeks who had undergone cesarean section (CS) prior to labor, and from 24 who had undergone CS after the onset of labor. NAG activity in the maternal plasma gradually increased with the advance of gestation, and increased drastically after the onset of labor. The activity in the amnion and decidua, but not in the chorion, decreased significantly in the women who had undergone CS after the onset of labor compared with those who had undergone CS prior to labor. It is concluded that NAG is released into the maternal circulation from lysosomes in amnion and decidua, and it is also estimated that NAG plays a role in the ripening of the uterine cervix during parturition by degrading GAG in the cervical extracellular matrix.