Binding of 125I-labelled human alpha interferon to human lymphoid cells

Leukocyte interferon conjugated to beta-D-galactosidase for receptor studies: a preliminary report

In this report, we describe a simple procedure for labeling leukocyte interferon (IFN) with the enzyme beta-D-galactosidase (beta-gal), through a low-molecular-weight linking agent. The labeling procedure did not appear to alter the properties of the enzyme, the antiviral activity of the recombinant DNA-derived human clone A leukocyte IFN (rIFN alpha A), or the ability of the IFN to bind to Daudi cells. The binding of the putative IFN-enzyme complex to Daudi cells could be blocked by excess unlabeled IFN or by monoclonal antibody to IFN receptors. Our preliminary results indicate that enzyme labeling of IFN can result in a biologically active agent that has potential for use in the quantitation of circulating IFN and specific receptor proteins. In addition, this labeling procedure may be potentially useful with other immunomodulatory proteins.

Changes in binding of alpha interferon IFN-alpha A to HL-60 cells during myeloid differentiation

The differentiation of human leukemic HL-60 cells from their predominantly promyelocyte form to a neutrophil-like state can be induced by the addition of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or retinoic acid (RA) to the growth medium. The binding of human recombinant interferon IFN-alpha A to the undifferentiated and differentiated HL-60 cells was investigated. Within 2 days after the addition of DMSO or retinoic acid to growing HL-60 cells, the binding of IFN-alpha A to treated cells increases significantly relative to its binding to untreated cells. The difference in binding of IFN-alpha A between the treated and untreated cells continues to increase for at least 3 days. Analysis of binding curves of IFN-alpha A to neutrophil-like and promyelocytic HL-60 cells leads to the conclusion that the increased binding of [125I]IFN-alpha A to neutrophil-like cells is primarily the result of an increase in the number of binding sites on these cells.

Effects of interferon on differentiation of normal and tumor cells

As described in this review, both partially purified and recombinant interferons are potent modulators of differentiation in diverse cell culture systems (Table 2). Depending on the target cell, interferon exerts either an inhibitory or an inductive effect on cell differentiation. In certain myeloid leukemic cells, such as HL-60, interferon by itself is growth suppressive but does not induce cell maturation, whereas in combination with inducers of differentiation, such as DMSO, TPA or retinoic acid, interferon potentiates their ability to stimulate differentiation in both sensitive and resistant cell populations (Grant et al., 1982, 1983; Tomida et al., 1982). Interferon also interacts synergistically with phorbol ester tumor promoters in inhibiting melanogenesis in murine B-16 cells (Fisher et al., 1981a, 1984a) and adipocyte formation in 3T3 cells (Cioe et al., 1980), whereas the combination is synergistic in inducing differentiation in human melanoma cells (Fisher et al., 1984b,c). In contrast, interferon and TPA display antagonistic effects on differentiation in human skeletal muscle cultures, i.e. interferon induces and TPA inhibits myogenesis (Fisher et al., 1982, 1983). Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of high affinity saturable cell membrane receptors for mouse and human interferons (Aguet, 1980; Branca and Baglioni, 1981, 1982; Mogensen et al., 1981; Branca et al., 1982; Anderson et al., 1982; Joshi et al., 1982; Faltynek et al., 1983; Yonehara et al., 1983; Langer and Pestka, in preparation). Similarly, specific membrane receptors have been identified for phorbol esters and mezerein (Driedger and Blumberg, 1980; Shoyab and Todaro, 1980; Horowitz et al., 1981; Fisher et al., 1981b). These findings suggest that the plasma membrane may be a primary target for mediating the biochemical effects induced by both interferon and phorbol esters. Although the mechanism by which interferon and phorbol esters transmit the necessary membrane signal(s) required for altering differentiation are not known, a possible component of this transmembrane signaling process may involve changes in the physical dynamics of the plasma membrane. It is therefore of interest that both interferon and TPA induce early changes in the fluidity of the plasma membrane (Fisher et al., 1979, 1981b, 1984d; Castagna et al., 1979; Kuhry et al., 1983).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Studies on cell binding and internalization of human lymphoblastoid (Namalva) interferon

The binding of iodinated human lymphoblastoid Namalva interferon to Namalva cells, to a human fibroblast cell strain (FS11), and to a bovine kidney cell line (MDBK) was characterized. Scatchard analysis of the binding data indicated the presence of about 1000-2000 receptors per cell and dissociation constants of the order of 0.1 to 0.01 nM. Two subspecies of Namalva interferon (16 K and 20 K), which differ in their antiviral activity toward bovine and human cells, were found to bind with the same affinity toward bovine MDBK cells but to differ in their affinity to human cells. Experimental results indicated that at 37 degrees C the bound interferon is internalized within 15 min after binding to Namalva cells, and then degraded in the lysosomes. Exposure of Namalva cells to interferon resulted in a 40% reduction of the number of cell surface receptors (down-regulation).

Binding of 125I-labeled recombinant beta interferon (IFN-beta Ser17) to human cells

We investigated the binding of 125I-labeled beta interferon (IFN-beta Ser17), a nonglycosylated recombinant human fibroblast interferon in which cysteine at position 17 is replaced by serine by site-specific mutagenesis. An optimized chloramine T radiolabeling method produced a highly labeled, fully active 125I-IFN suitable for these studies. Unlike the case with the chloramine T method, incorporation of a single mole of Bolton-Hunter reagent into a mole of IFN-beta Ser17 led to nearly complete loss of biological activity. 125I-IFN-beta Ser17, prepared by the chloramine T method, bound specifically to human lymphoblastoid cells (Daudi) with a dissociation constant of 0.24 nM. The number of binding sites per cell was 4,000. In competition assays, unlabeled beta interferons (native, recombinant IFN-beta Cys17, and various preparations of IFN-beta Ser17) equally displaced labeled IFN-beta Ser17 on Daudi cells. Recombinant IFN-alpha-1 displaced 125I-IFN-beta binding to Daudi cells less efficiently than did unlabeled native or recombinant beta interferon. However, at the concentrations tested, native gamma interferon showed no competition with 125I-IFN. Our results indicate that IFN-beta Ser17 and native IFN-beta posses similar binding properties.

Receptors for human alpha and beta interferon but not for gamma interferon are specified by human chromosome 21

We examined the proposed role of human chromosome 21 in determining the cellular sensitivity to human alpha, beta, and gamma interferons (HuIFN-alpha, -beta, and -gamma) and the expression of the receptors for the HuIFNs with the use of mouse-human hybrid cells containing human chromosome 21. Hybrid cells (WA17) containing three copies of human chromosome 21 showed specific displaceable binding of 125I-labeled HuIFN-alpha 2 (125I-HuIFN-alpha 2), which was not observed with mouse parent (A9) cells. Crosslinking of 125I-HuIFN-alpha 2 bound to WA17 cells with disuccinimidyl suberate yielded a complex of Mr approximately equal to 150,000 similar to the 125I-HuIFN-alpha 2-receptor complex obtained with human cells as described earlier. Such a complex was not obtained with mouse parent (A9) cells or with hybrid cells containing certain other human chromosomes but not chromosome 21. Mice inoculated with mouse-human hybrid cells containing human chromosome 21 produce antibodies that block the antiviral action of HuIFN-alpha and -beta on human cells. Such antibodies could immunoprecipitate the 125I-HuIFN-alpha 2-receptor complex obtained from human cells but not free 125I-HuIFN-alpha 2, indicating that these antibodies were directed against the receptor. WA17 hybrid cells were highly sensitive to the antiviral action of HuIFN-alpha 2, -alpha (Le) and -beta but were completely insensitive to HuIFN-gamma. Furthermore, 125I-HuIFN-gamma showed specific binding to human WISH cells but not to WA17 hybrid cells or A9 mouse cells. The results indicate that the receptors for HuIFN-alpha and -beta but not for HuIFN-gamma are specified by human chromosome 21. Hybrid cells containing one, two, or three copies of human chromosome 21 were found to be increasingly sensitive to HuIFN-alpha 2, indicating that a chromosome 21-specified component (possibly the HuIFN-alpha receptor) may be a limiting factor in the cellular sensitivity to HuIFN-alpha.

Receptors for human gamma interferon: binding and crosslinking of 125I-labeled recombinant human gamma interferon to receptors on WISH cells

Purified recombinant human gamma interferon (HuIFN-gamma), labeled with 125I (125I-HuIFN-gamma), was used to study receptors for HuIFN-gamma on human WISH cells. 125I-HuIFN-gamma was bound to WISH cells, and this binding was displaced by unlabeled HuIFN-gamma but not by unlabeled recombinant HuIFN-alpha 2 or [Ser17]HuIFN-beta (HuIFN-beta with serine substituted for cysteine at position 17), indicating the presence of specific binding sites for HuIFN-gamma. The cell-bound 125I-HuIFN-gamma was crosslinked with disuccinimidyl suberate or ethylene glycol bis(succinimidyl succinate), which yielded a complex of Mr approximately 105,000 +/- 5000 as analyzed by NaDodSO4/PAGE. The formation of this complex was prevented by preincubation of cells with unlabeled HuIFN-gamma but not with HuIFN-alpha 2 or [Ser17]HuIFN-beta, indicating that HuIFN-gamma binds to a specific receptor molecule and that HuIFN-alpha 2 or HuIFN-beta do not interact with this receptor. Experiments were carried out with 125I-labeled recombinant [Ser17]HuIFN-beta (125I-[Ser17]HuIFN-beta) to verify this conclusion. Binding and crosslinking of 125I-[Ser17]HuIFN-beta to human WISH cells and Daudi cells yielded a complex of Mr approximately 150,000 similar to that obtained with 125I-HuIFN-alpha 2 as described earlier. The formation of this Mr 150,000 complex with 125I-[Ser17]HuIFN-beta was displaced by unlabeled [Ser17]HuIFN-beta and by HuIFN-alpha 2 but not by HuIFN-gamma, indicating that [Ser17]HuIFN-beta binds to the same receptor as does HuIFN-alpha 2, identified earlier, and that HuIFN-gamma does not compete with 125I-[Ser17]HuIFN-beta for this receptor. We conclude that HuIFN-gamma interacts with specific receptors that are distinctly different from the receptors recognized by HuIFN-alpha and HuIFN-beta.

Pulmonary catabolism of interferons: alveolar absorption of 125I-labeled human interferon alpha is accompanied by partial loss of biological activity

The catabolism of interferon was examined in isolated rabbit lungs which were ventilated and perfused with homologous blood. Natural human interferon-alpha (HuIFN-alpha) from lymphoblastoid Namalwa cells or recombinant DNA-derived HuIFN-alpha 2 were labeled with 125I, mixed with an excess of the respective cold interferons and added to the perfusion blood. Protein-bound and acid-soluble radioactivity, as well as antiviral activity, were measured at regular time intervals. During the first 3 h of perfusion, only very small fractions of the interferons disappeared from the perfusate, irrespective of whether lungs were inserted in the perfusion system. This indicated that catabolism of interferons in the pulmonary circulation was negligible. On the other hand, when the interferons were instilled into the bronchial-alveolar tree, absorption of antiviral activity differed from that of acid-precipitable protein-associated radioactivity. While most of the radioactivity was transferred into the perfusate, only 2% of antiviral activity of natural HuIFN-alpha and 30% of that of HuIFN-alpha 2 were recovered in the perfusate. In both cases acid-soluble radioactivity in the system reached about 10%. Since radioiodide, instilled in the bronchial-alveolar tree, was transported rapidly into the perfusate, this type of analysis did not help in locating the site(s) of degradation. Alveolar macrophages did not catabolize or inactivate interferons in vitro.

Natural killer cell cytotoxicity: role of calmodulin

The phenothiazine derivatives, fluphenazine and trifluoperazine which are known to bind to calmodulin and to inhibit its activity, abrogate the development of both spontaneous and interferon-enhanced cytotoxicity of mouse splenic lymphocytes enriched for NK cell activity. Phenothiazines also inhibit the rapid increase in cyclic GMP levels in interferon-treated splenic lymphocytes. Furthermore, treatment of mouse splenic lymphocytes with electrophoretically pure interferon, alpha/beta caused a marked decrease in the level of calmodulin within 1 to 4 hours. These results provide evidence that calmodulin may play a role in the development of NK cell cytotoxicity and that the effect of interferon on calmodulin may constitute part of the molecular mechanism of interferon action.

Receptor mediated pathways for interferon action: in vivo implications

High affinity receptors for human interferon (IFN) are a common surface component of human nucleated cells. A model culture system has been used to mark the activation of surface receptors by IFN as the first step in several, possibly separate, pathways of action, some of which depend on the continued presence of IFN. Two types of equilibrium binding can be seen: an initial one of short duration corresponding to receptor activation and a second of longer duration corresponding to activation of a second site by IFN. Various different responses to IFN are seen to be determined by one or other of these equilibria. In vivo, implications are discussed in terms of the pharmacokinetic distribution of IFN, with particular reference to intravenous injection. Desensitization of target cells with respect to late equilibrium effects is seen as a possible consequence of receptor activation against the background of changing IFN concentration in vivo. A modulating effect of combined IFN species is proposed.

Interferon receptor interaction. Internalization of interferon alpha 2 and modulation of its receptor on human cells

Studies reported earlier [ Joshi et al. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 13884-13887] have indicated that human interferon-alpha 2 (HuIFN-alpha 2) binds to a specific macromolecular receptor on human cells as identified by cross-linking with bifunctional cross-linking reagents and analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We have carried out experiments to investigate the fate of the interferon-receptor complex on the cell surface under conditions which lead to cellular response. As analyzed by cross-linking and gel electrophoresis, the interferon-receptor complex, formed on incubation with 125I-IFN-alpha 2 at 4 degrees C, persisted at the cell surface for several hours at 4 degrees C; however, if the cells were switched to 37 degrees C, there was a rapid decline in the complex, apparently due to a loss of the interferon receptors from the cell surface. This was associated with an internalization of the 125I-interferon as indicated by the fact that, on incubation at 37 degrees C, an appreciable fraction of the cell-associated interferon (approximately equal to 50%) became resistant to trypsin digestion, or dissociation on incubation in growth medium or low-pH buffer. A large fraction of the trypsin-resistant (internalized) 125I-labeled material migrated as intact interferon in polyacrylamide gels, and it was immunoprecipitated by anti-(HuIFN-alpha)antibodies but not by anti-(HuIFN-beta)antibodies. The bulk of the internalized 125I-interferon was recovered in a particulate fraction and, on cross-linking with disuccinimidyl suberate, a 150000-Mr complex could be detected. The results suggest that interferon may be internalized as a complex with the receptor, which may account for the loss of the interferon-receptors on the cell surface. This modulation of the IFN-alpha/beta receptors was induced by HuIFN-alpha and HuIFN-beta but not by HuIFN-gamma. The recovery of the IFN-alpha/beta receptors, lost upon incubation with HuIFN-alpha, took several hours and required protein synthesis. The significance of the results is discussed.

Hybrid recombinant human leukocyte interferon inhibits differentiation in murine B-16 melanoma cells

We have investigated the effects of recombinant human leukocyte interferons (IFN-alpha A and IFN-alpha D) and various hybrid recombinant human leukocyte interferons on differentiation in B-16 mouse melanoma cells. Inhibition of both spontaneous and melanocyte hormone stimulated differentiation was observed with one hybrid construct, IFN-alpha A/D (Bgl) consisting of amino acids 1 to 62 from IFN-alpha A and amino acids 64 to 166 from IFN-alpha D. In contrast, the parental human interferons, IFN-alpha A and IFN-alpha D, when used alone or in combination, as well as other hybrid human leukocyte interferons, did not cause significant inhibition of melanogenesis in B-16 mouse cells. The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) also inhibited B-16 differentiation and the combination of TPA with IFN-alpha A/D (Bgl) or mouse L-cell interferon was synergistic in delaying melanogenesis. These studies indicate that the IFN-alpha A/D (Bgl) hybrid that exhibits antiviral activity on mouse cells can also inhibit differentiation of murine cells.

Enhancement by phorbol esters of cell growth inhibiting action of interferon

When human transformed RSa cells were treated simultaneously with potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13 acetate (TPA) and interferon (IFN) (20-100 IU/ml) at the concentration which suppresses the multiplication of cells slightly, distinct synergistic suppression of cell growth was observed. Synthesis of DNA in these cells was reduced in proportion to the concentration of IFN and it was more strongly reduced by combined treatment with IFN and TPA. When IFN was pretreated with anti-IFN serum, such synergistic effect was not observed. Highly purified IFN (specific activity, 2 X 10(8) U/ml) together with TPA elicited almost the same synergistic effect on RSa cells. Similar concentration of phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (PDD) also produced synergistic effects with IFN on RSa cells. In contrast, phorbol (PHR), which lacks tumor promoting activity, did not produce such synergistic effects even at a concentration of as high as 500 ng/ml. In the case of HeLa cells and IFN-resistant IFr cells, only an additive effect was observed. Effect of TPA on the antiviral action of IFN against VSV was tested and there was almost no influence of TPA on IFN action. In accordance with these results, 2-5A synthetase activity was not induced by TPA treatment and the level of enzyme action did not change significantly by the combined treatment with TPA and IFN.

Receptors for human alpha interferon: are gangliosides involved?

Interferon (IFN) action on cells must begin with an interaction with cellular receptors. Binding and cross-linking experiments reported earlier with purified 125I-labeled recombinant human (Hu) IFN-alpha 2 have revealed that IFN-alpha 2 binds to a specific macromolecular receptor on human cells (Joshi et al., J. Biol. Chem. 257, 13884-13887, 1982). Based on indirect evidence such as neutralization of the antiviral action of IFN preparations by gangliosides and binding of IFNs to gangliosides coupled to solid supports, it has been suggested by various investigators that gangliosides may be a part of the IFN-alpha/beta receptors. Experiments presented here indicate that gangliosides could block the antiviral activity of HuIFN-beta, but not of HuIFN-alpha, although both species of IFN bound strongly to gangliosides coupled to poly-L-lysine-agarose. Furthermore, gangliosides did not inhibit the binding of 125I-labeled HuIFN-alpha 2 to specific receptors on human cells, and this binding was competed out by unlabeled HuIFN-alpha 2 and HuIFN-alpha(LE) which were preincubated with gangliosides. However, the capacity of HuIFN-beta to compete for the receptors was abolished by preincubation with gangliosides. These results were confirmed by cross-linking experiments to identify the IFN-receptor complex by gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that at least in the case of HuIFN-alpha species, the ganglioside binding is apparently not at the active site of the IFN molecules required for interaction with the receptors on the cell surface.

Tumoricidal activity of an acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60) is augmented by human interferon alpha

Normal human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and cells from a human acute promyelocytic leukemia line (HL-60) were tested for cytotoxic potential against two human glioma and one normal fibroblast line. Both the PMNs and HL-60 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the tumor targets while sparing the normal fibroblasts. However, the two glioma cell lines were not equally susceptible to the effector cells. Addition of low levels of purified human lymphoblastoid interferon alpha (IFN) during the assay period significantly enhanced the tumoricidal effect against one of the glioma targets. HL-60 cells, partially differentiated to myelocytes and metamyelocytes by incubation with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), expressed reduced levels of cytotoxicity; IFN added during the assay was able to restore the cytotoxic activity against both glioma cell lines. Undifferentiated HL-60 cells were also able to lyse K562 targets in a six hour 51Cr release assay; this activity was also significantly enhanced by IFN. Separate incubation of both effectors and targets proved that the enhancement of cytotoxic activity demonstrated was due to an effect on the HL-60 effector cells. In contrast, the lysis of HSB-2, another NK sensitive target cell, was not enhanced by the addition of IFN to a mixture of HSB-2 and HL-60 cells. Pretreatment of effector and target cells separately with IFN demonstrated a dual effect: IFN both protected HSB-2 targets from lysis by the HL-60 effectors and induced significantly greater cytotoxicity by HL-60 cells.

Complex kinetics of binding of human alpha-2 interferon to human, but not bovine cells

Human alpha-2 interferon (HuIFN-alpha 2) is an effective antiviral agent for bovine cells, but does not inhibit the proliferation of these heterologous cells. A comparison of the kinetics of binding of 125I-HuIFN-alpha 2 at 4 degrees C to several bovine and human cells, shows that the kinetics of the initial receptor interactions are very different in the two species. Binding of HuIFN-alpha 2 to bovine cells follows the simple kinetics predicted for one species of ligand interacting with one type of high-affinity receptor. The kinetics of binding to human cells showing a range of sensitivities to the antigrowth effect are complex and indicate that receptor occupancy increases the rate of association of ligand. It is suggested that dimers of HuIFN-alpha 2 may be formed on the human, but not the bovine receptor, and where these occur between receptors, their formation may relate to the inhibition of cell growth.

Human interferon alpha enters cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis

A small number of Escherichia coli-derived human interferon alpha A molecules (up to approximately 800/cell) bind specifically to high-affinity cell surface receptors on bovine kidney cells at 4 degrees. When the cells are subsequently warmed to 37 degrees, the amount of surface-bound interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) as recognized by a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody rapidly decreases. Using 125I-IFN-alpha and treatment of cells with acetic acid/sodium chloride to remove surface-bound IFN, a similar decrease of surface-bound IFN and a corresponding increase in intracellular radiolabeled material is observed following the temperature shift. An analysis of the trichloroacetic acid precipitability of the radiolabeled material in the medium, removed by acid treatment or internalized, shows that IFN is degraded intracellularly and that its degradation products are then released into the medium. The process of uptake, degradation, and release of degraded material can be inhibited by the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine. A stable conjugate of IFN with 5-nm colloidal gold was prepared without a detectable loss of antiviral activity. As shown by transmission electron microscopy, the conjugate, bound to cells at 4 degrees, was found in clathrin-coated pits and later in receptosomes following a temperature shift to 37 degrees. Morphometric quantitation showed that an excess of native IFN added during binding of the conjugate in the cold reduced the appearance of conjugate in receptosomes by 80%. These studies demonstrate that at least a portion of receptor-bound IFN enters cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Kinetic evidence for an activation step following binding of human interferon alpha 2 to the membrane receptors of Daudi cells

A single species of human interferon alpha (IFN alpha) was labelled with 125I to high incorporation for binding studies on the B-lymphoblastoid cell line, Daudi, whose growth is inhibited by low doses of IFN, the effect being saturated at about 100 U/ml (25 pM). The radiolabelled IFN was shown to be fully active and the binding affinity to cellular sites was shown to be unchanged by iodination. Experimental conditions were standardized such that binding and cell growth experiments could be performed on the same initial culture of cells. 125I-labelled IFN alpha 2 (IFN alpha prepared from Escherichia coli carrying human alpha 2 gene) was added to exponentially growing cultures (mean specific growth rate 0.77 +/- 0.07 days-1) at a mean concentration of 235000 +/- 20000 cells ml-1. Two types of binding could be discerned on growing cultures: the first with a transient peak followed by a loss or discharge of available sites, the second reaching equilibrium some 3 h after the addition of IFN. Large differences in the apparent dissociation constants were evident. The affinity of binding at the 'steady-state', appeared to be much higher. An analysis of the displacement rates for bound IFN suggested that the two reactions were occurring consecutively over the whole of the dose range studied (1-100 U/ml; 0.25-25 pM IFN). In this dose range we found that Daudi cells would eventually stop growing at all doses and that the rates of deceleration of cellular growth were linearly proportional to the dose of IFN in a double-reciprocal plot (i.e. in analogy to Michaelis-Menten kinetics). A good congruence was found between the equilibrium constants for binding and for growth inhibition (2.65 pM and 2.39 pM, respectively). The amount of IFN bound at steady state thus determines the rate at which growth is inhibited. We propose that the first reaction represents binding of IFN to surface receptors, and the second transfer of IFN to an activation complex on the cell membrane. Appropriate models and their general applicability to IFN action are discussed.

Action of different gamma interferons on mouse leukemic cells resistant to alpha and beta interferons

Phytohemagglutinin-induced interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was reported to act on mouse leukemic L1210 R cells resistant to IFN-alpha and -beta. Results reported here show that these cells are also sensitive to various preparations of murine IFN-gamma derived from different sources and purified to different degrees and that lymphokines present in the preparations are not involved in the antiviral effect of IFN. In addition, IFN-gamma preparation increases concanavalin A binding to L1210 S and L1210 R cells indicating that the sensitivity of L1210 R cells to IFN-gamma is not limited to its antiviral effect.

Characterization of an interferon receptor on human lymphoblastoid cells

A cell-free assay was developed to measure the binding of iodinated human interferon-alpha 2 to membranes prepared from lymphoblastoid Daudi cells. The kinetics of binding were similar at 0 degrees C and 30 degrees C, with 1.3-fold more interferon bound at the higher temperature. Membrane preparations treated with Triton X-100 proved to be a convenient source of solubilized receptor. An assay was developed to measure the binding of 125I-labeled interferon (125I-interferon) to solubilized receptors, based on the precipitation of interferon-receptor complexes with polyethylene glycol. Optimal binding with this assay was obtained at 0 degrees C. The solubilized receptor was analyzed by zonal sedimentation centrifugation and gel filtration. Sedimentation analysis in H2O and 2H2O gradients provided the sedimentation coefficient and the partial specific volume of the receptor-Triton X-100 complex. Gel filtration chromatography provided the Stokes radius of this complex. From these data we calculated several physical parameters, including Mr = 95,000 for the protein portion of the complex. The receptor is a highly asymmetric and hydrophobic membrane protein. 125I-Interferon could be crosslinked to receptors of intact Daudi cells or of isolated membranes by use of disuccinimidyl suberate. The covalently linked 125I-interferon-receptor complexes were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. A single band with Mr = 140,000 was detected in gel autoradiographs. If one molecule of interferon is present in this complex, the Mr of the receptor is close to 120,000. Possible reasons for the different Mr values obtained with the two analytical procedures used are discussed.

Isolated interferon alpha-receptor complexes stabilized in vitro

We describe the extraction and stabilization in vitro of discrete complexes of interferon and cellular receptor proteins. A homogeneous complex of Mr 230 000 was extracted at the time of peak receptor binding (30 min). Complex formation was specific for human interferon. At later times a second complex could also be extracted suggesting transfer of interferon to a second site.

Orientation of a human leukocyte interferon molecule on its cell surface receptor: carboxyl terminus remains accessible to a monoclonal antibody made against a synthetic interferon fragment

An 125I-labeled monoclonal antibody made against a synthetic 56-residue fragment of human leukocyte interferon (IFN) alpha 1 recognizes human, Escherichia coli-derived IFN alpha A bound to the surface of Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells. A major fraction of the antibody recognizes IFN specifically bound to the cells, because the number of bound antibody molecules corresponds to the number of cell-bound IFN molecules (as measured with radiolabeled ligand) and because the fraction of the IFN unspecifically bound to the cells is less than 10% of the total bound IFN. A synthetic carboxyl-terminal 16-residue IFN peptide, though not inhibiting binding of IFN to cells, inhibits binding of antibody to IFN. A recombinant IFN alpha A molecule with a carboxyl-terminal 13-residue deletion, though still able to compete for binding of IFN to cells, is not recognized by the antibody. Scatchard plot analysis of the binding data revealed apparent dissociation constants of 6.0 x 10(-10) M for the antibody-IFN interaction and of 4.0 x 10(-11) M for the IFN-cell receptor interaction. The antibody inhibits the binding of IFN to cells only weakly and neutralizes the antiviral activity of the ligand only when in a large molar excess. We conclude that the carboxyl-terminal 10-16 residues that are predicted from the cloned IFN cDNAs and that are present in some natural IFNs are not involved in binding to cells but are antigenic and hence exposed on the molecules' surface. That the carboxyl terminus is not directly involved in binding to cells is consistent with the observation that some IFNs with carboxyl-terminal deletions are biologically active.

Opposing effects of interferon produced in bacteria and of tumor promoters on myogenesis in human myoblast cultures

We have studied the effects of human leukocyte interferon produced in bacteria and diterpene phorbol ester tumor promoters on differentiation of normal human myoblast cultures derived from mature skeletal muscle. Interferon (100-5,000 units/ml) induced an acceleration of myotube formation and creatine kinase (CK; EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzyme transition from CK-BB to CK-MM. Heat-inactivated or trypsin-treated interferon did not affect the differentiation process. In contrast, the potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), but not its inactive structural analogues phorbol and 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, caused a dose-dependent (0.01-100 ng/ml) inhibition of myotube formation and CK isoenzyme transition. Neither interferon nor TPA had a significant effect on myoblast proliferation prior to fusion, and the cloning efficiencies were similar as well. Opposing effects of interferon and TPA were also demonstrated by simultaneous application of these agents to the cultures. These studies suggest that some of the antitumor effects of interferon may relate to its capacity to modulate cellular differentiation.

Binding of human interferon alpha to cells of different sensitivities: studies with internally radiolabeled interferon retaining full biological activity

The characteristics of interferon binding to various cells with different interferon sensitivity were studied by using [3H]leucine-labeled, pure human interferon alpha from Namalwa cells. Scatchard analysis of the binding data on cells sensitive to interferon alpha (human FL and fibroblasts and bovine MDBK) indicated the presence of two kinds of binding sites with high and low affinities. The binding constants of the high-affinity sites in these cells were similar (4 X 10(10) to 11 X 10(10) M-1). Cells insensitive to human interferon alpha (human HEC-1 and mouse L cells) were shown to have only low-affinity sites, suggesting that high-affinity binding sites are indispensable for interferon sensitivity and represent interferon receptors. However, the number of sites in three human diploid fibroblast strains and one strain trisomic for chromosome 21 were not proportionally correlated to the interferon sensitivity of the cells. The high-affinity binding to human cells was completely inhibited by both nonradioactive human interferons alpha and beta in a similar manner, but binding to bovine MDBK cells, on which human interferon beta is practically inactive, was inhibited effectively only by interferon alpha and not by beta. These results suggest that the receptor for human interferon alpha is common to human interferon beta in human cells, whereas the receptor on bovine cells binds only human interferon alpha.

Differential binding of human interferon-alpha subtypes to receptors on lymphoblastoid cells

Highly purified human interferon-alpha subtype A (HuIFN alpha A) was iodinated for use in direct ligand binding studies on human lymphoblastoid (Daudi) cells. Unlabelled preparations of HuIFN alpha subtypes A, C, D, and hybrid molecules AD (Bgl II), AD (Pvu II), and DA (Bgl II) showed different responses in competition experiments with labelled alpha A probe. Specifically, IFNs alpha D and alpha DA were unable to displace the probe, whereas IFNS alpha A, alpha C, and the hybrid alpha ADs showed similar competition curves. These results support a two-idiotope model of IFN recognition by its receptor. IFN effects on [3H]-thymidine incorporation and cell growth (long term effects) did not reflect the apparent affinities of HuIFN alpha subtypes for cell surface receptor.

Insensitivity to interferon of two subclones of human endometrial carcinoma cell line, HEC-1

Two cloned cell lines, HEC-IC and HEC-ID, derived from the human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line HEC-I, were found to be as resistant to the antiviral and anticellular activities of interferon (IFN) as were the parental cells, and 2'-5' oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase was not induced in these clones by IFN treatment. They were sensitive to the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells but their sensitivity was not changed by treatment of the cell lines with IFN. Binding of [3H]-leucine-labelled IFN-alpha to HEC-IC cells was examined, and Scatchard plot analysis showed that HEC-IC cells did not have any high-affinity binding sites for IFN-alpha. The cells had hyperploid chromosomes. HEC-IC had three copies of chromosome 21 while HEC-ID had only one copy of chromosome 21. The results suggest that these clones may have the structural gene for the IFN receptor but that functional receptor sites may be absent.

Effects of human gamma interferon on cell growth, replication of virus and induction of 2'-5'oligoadenylate synthetase in three human lymphoblastoid cell lines and K562 cells

Human alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) and beta interferon (IFN-beta) showed antiviral and anticellular effects on human lymphoblastoid Daudi and P3HR-1 cells, but up to 1,000 units/ ml of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) showed no such effect. Though a fairly high level of dsRNA-dependent 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase) was found in Daudi cells, treatment of these cells with IFN-alpha and beta enhanced the enzyme level in cells at least four-fold, but IFN-gamma did not show any such effect. Lymphoblastoid Raji cells were insensitive to the antiviral and anticellular activities of IFN-alpha, beta and gamma, but 2-5A synthetase was induced in cells by the treatment with IFN-alpha and beta, though the enzyme level was lower than that found in interferon-treated Daudi cells. Human leukemic K562 cells were completely insensitive to IFN-alpha, beta and at the same time to IFN-gamma with regard to the antiviral, anticellular activities and to the induction of 2-5A synthetase.

Effect of glycolipids and glycophorin on the activity of human interferon-beta and -gamma

We have studied neutralization of the antiviral activity of human fibroblast (IFN-beta) and immune interferon (IFN-gamma) by incubation with glycolipids (including the gangliosides GM1, GM2 and GM3, as well as various other glycolipids) and with the sialoglycoprotein, glycophorin. When 100 units/ml of IFN-beta were preincubated with 30-80 microM of the gangliosides, all antiviral activity was abolished. Similarly, 120 microM of glycophorin completely reversed the antiviral activity of 100 units/ml of IFN-beta. Glycolipids containing more than two sugars also showed moderate inhibitory effects. GM2 at a concentration of 200 microM almost completely inhibited the antiviral activity of 100 units/ml of IFN-gamma, but GM1, GM3 and glycophorin had only a moderate inhibitory effect. These results suggest that the terminal N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) residues of gangliosides and of glycophorin play an important role in the inhibition of IFN-beta, and that they may be similarly involved in the inhibition of IFN-gamma.

Radioactive human lymphoblastoid interferon. One-step purification, regulation of heterogeneous species production and its use for radioimmunoassay

Human lymphoblastoid interferon (alpha type), labeled with [3H]leucine added to virus-induced Namalwa cells, was purified quantitatively and in one step from the culture fluid by immune precipitation. The material showed, upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, only four radioactive bands with molecular weights ranging from 17000 to 21000, which coincided well with interferon activity. They coincided also with the four interferon protein bands in the electropherogram of unlabeled interferon purified by a different method. The purity of the labeled interferon was ascertained also by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the absence of dodecyl sulfate. Pulse-labeling of interferon with [3H]leucine for 1 h at various times after induction indicated that the cells always synthesized and secreted the four interferon species in parallel during the interferon production period. Competitive radioimmunoassay for human interferon alpha was achieved by the use of purified radioactive interferon, anti-(interferon alpha) serum, and bacterial adsorbent. The immune precipitation of the labeled interferon was inhibited by unlabeled interferon alpha, and 100 international reference units of interferon alpha could be measured in this way.