Role of granule proteins in lymphocyte-mediated killing

Peptidoglycan recognition protein tag7 forms a cytotoxic complex with heat shock protein 70 in solution and in lymphocytes

The peptidoglycan recognition protein Tag7 is shown to form a stable 1:1 complex with the major stress protein Hsp70. Neither protein is cytotoxic by itself, but their complex induces apoptotic death in several tumor-derived cell lines even at subnanomolar concentrations. The minimal part of Hsp70 needed to evoke cytotoxicity is residues 450-463 of its peptide-binding domain, but full cytotoxicity requires its ATPase activity; remarkably, Tag7 liberated from the complex at high ATP is not cytotoxic. The Tag7-Hsp70 complex is produced by tag7-transfected cells and by lymphokine-activated killers, being assembled within the cell and released into the medium through the Golgi apparatus by a mechanism different from the commonly known granule exocytosis. Thus, we demonstrate how a heat shock protein may perform functions clearly distinct from chaperoning or cell rescue and how peptidoglycan recognition proteins may be involved in innate immunity and anti-cancer defense.

Ligation of ICAM-1 molecules inhibits target cell-induced granule exocytosis of IL-12-activated natural killer cells

The importance of cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 is emphasized in cell-to-cell interactions that are critical in the generation of effective immune reactions. In this study, the involvement of ICAM-1 in natural killer (NK) cell activities was characterized in IL-12-activated human NK cells. To address the question of whether ligation of ICAM-1 molecules can modulate NK cell cytolytic activities, a 4-h (51)Cr-release assay was performed after pretreatment of NK cells with R6.5 mAb (anti-human ICAM-1 mAb). Ligation of membrane ICAM-1 molecules significantly inhibited IL-12-enhanced NK cytotoxicity against K562, and the pretreatment of neutralizing soluble ICAM-1 with R6.5 mAb blocked this inhibitory effect. The involvement of Ca(2+)-dependent granular exocytosis was evaluated. BLT esterase assay demonstrated that the ligation of ICAM-1 molecules inhibited granular exocytosis of NK cells. Additionally, the ICAM-1-mediated inhibition of Ca(2+) flux in NK cells was detected using Fluo-3AM, while the pretreatment of NK cells with R6.5 mAb did not affect conjugate formation between NK and K562 cells. Collectively, these results suggest that the signals transduced from ICAM-1 molecules might be sufficient to induce inhibitory effects on NK cells.

A Role for Heat Shock Protein 27 in CTL-Mediated Cell Death

CTL exocytosis of granules containing perforin and granzyme proteases induces apoptotic cell death. Either granzyme A or B can act with perforin to trigger apoptosis. Granzyme B activates a ubiquitous apoptotic cascade induced by caspase cleavage, but the granzyme A pathway is largely unknown. Using affinity chromatography with recombinant mutant inactive granzyme A, we previously isolated two granzyme A-binding proteins, PHAP (putative HLA-associated protein) I and II. PHAP II, a substrate of granzyme A, is degraded within minutes of CTL attack. Two additional cytoplasmic proteins of 27 and 53 kDa bind strongly to the mutant granzyme A column, requiring 6 M urea to elute. Sequencing identified these as the monomer and dimer of hsp27, a small heat shock protein up-regulated by stress and cellular activation. Hsp27 coprecipitates with granzyme A from cytoplasmic lysates and is not a substrate of the enzyme. Hsp27 translocates to the detergent-insoluble fraction of target cells and relocalizes from diffuse cytoplasmic staining to long filamentous fibers, especially concentrated in a perinuclear region, within minutes of CTL attack. Hsp27 may participate in morphologic changes during granule-mediated lysis. Low or absent levels of hsp27 expression in T lymphocytes, even after heat shock, may play a role in CTL resistance to granule-mediated lysis.

Different pathways of the release of cytotoxic proteins in LAK cells

Human LAK cells were shown to release cytotoxic proteins by both Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent mechanisms. CD3+ CD8+ CD16- and CD16+ CD8+ CD3- LAK cells were co-incubated with target cells in the presence of 4 mM EGTA. Although EGTA inhibited the exocytosis of cytolytic granules, supernatants obtained were cytotoxic for target cells. Cytotoxicity of CD3+ LAK cells and CD16+ LAK cells was due to cytotoxic proteins with MW 75 (p75), 35 (p35) and 22 (p22) kDa. LAK cells were also shown to release cytotoxic proteins by way of continuous secretion. After co-incubation in the absence of target cells LAK cells can secrete cytotoxic proteins with MW 75 (p75), 55 (p55), 38 (p38), 35 (p35), 25 (p25), 22 (p22) and 17 (p17) kDa.

Zanvil Alexander Cohn 1926-1993

Zanvil Alexander Cohn, an editor of this Journal since 1973, died suddenly on June 28, 1993. Cohn is best known as the father of the current era of macrophage biology. Many of his scientific accomplishments are recounted here, beginning with seminal studies on the granules of phagocytes that were performed with his close colleague and former editor of this Journal, James Hirsch. Cohn and Hirsch identified the granules as lysosomes that discharged their contents of digestive enzymes into vacuoles containing phagocytosed microbes. These findings were part of the formative era of cell biology and initiated the modern study of endocytosis and cell-mediated resistance to infection. Cohn further explored the endocytic apparatus in pioneering studies of the mouse peritoneal macrophage in culture. He described vesicular inputs from the cell surface and Golgi apparatus and documented the thoroughness of substrate digestion within lysosomal vacuoles that would only permit the egress of monosaccharides and amino acids. These discoveries created a vigorous environment for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior and visiting faculty. Some of the major findings that emerged from Cohn's collaborations included the radioiodination of the plasma membrane for studies of composition and turnover; membrane recycling during endocytosis; the origin of the mononuclear phagocyte system in situ; the discovery of the dendritic cell system of antigen-presenting cells; the macrophage as a secretory cell, including the release of proteases and large amounts of prostaglandins and leukotrienes; several defined parameters of macrophage activation, especially the ability of T cell-derived lymphokines to enhance killing of tumor cells and intracellular protozoa; the granule discharge mechanism whereby cytotoxic lymphocytes release the pore-forming protein perforin; the signaling of macrophages via myristoylated substrates of protein kinase C; and a tissue culture model in which monocytes emigrate across tight endothelial junctions. In 1983, Cohn turned to a long-standing goal of exploring host resistance directly in humans. He studied leprosy, focusing on the disease site, the parasitized macrophages of the skin. He injected recombinant lymphokines into the skin and found that these molecules elicited several cell-mediated responses. Seeing this potential to enhance host defense in patients, Cohn was extending his clinical studies to AIDS and tuberculosis. Zanvil Cohn was a consummate physician-scientist who nurtured the relationship between cell biology and infectious disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Resistance of HER2/neu-overexpressing tumor targets to lymphokine-activated-killer-cell-mediated lysis: evidence for deficiency of binding and post-binding events

HER2/neu-overexpressing tumor cell lines are relatively resistant to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell cytotoxicity when compared to HER2/neu-nonexpressing lines. HER2/neu+ targets were also resistant to binding by LAK large granular lymphocytes (LGL) as shown by visualization at the single-cell level, a target monolayer binding assay and in "cold" target inhibition experiments. HER2/neu+ LAK-resistant ovarian cell lines demonstrated an absence of ICAM-1 expression while expression of LFA-3, N-CAM, laminin and beta 1 integrins was comparable to that of HER2/neu- targets. In contrast, the HER2/neu+ breast cell line, SKBR-3, which was also resistant to lysis and binding by LAK LGL, demonstrated normal expression of ICAM-1. Anti-ICAM-1 antibodies blocked binding and lysis of HER2/neu- carcinoma targets by LAK cells, further supporting the notion that lack of ICAM-1 expression on HER2/neu+ cells contributes to their resistance. The modest binding and lysis of HER2/neu+ targets by LAK cells was significantly inhibited by anti-LFA-1 antibodies, suggesting the existence of another counter-receptor for LFA-1 on HER2/neu+ targets. The following also supported deficiencies in post-binding events when HER2/neu+ cells resisted the lytic activity of LAK cells: (a) when the relative resistance to effector cell binding was overcome by exogenous lectin. HER2/neu+ cell lines were still resistant to LAK cytolysis, and (b) HER2/neu+ targets were resistant to perforin-containing granule extracts obtained from the CTLL-R8 cytotoxic lymphocyte cell line. These results indicate that deficiency in effector binding as well as post-binding events contributes to the resistance of HER2/neu-overexpressing tumor targets to LAK-cell-mediated lysis.

Fc gamma receptor activation induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of both phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma 1 and PLC-gamma 2 in natural killer cells

Crosslinking of the low affinity immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc receptor (Fc gamma R type III) on natural killer (NK) cells initiates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. During this process, Fc gamma R stimulation results in the rapid activation of phospholipase C (PLC), which hydrolyzes membrane phosphoinositides, generating inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol as second messengers. We have recently reported that PLC activation after Fc gamma R stimulation can be inhibited by a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor. Based on the paradigm provided by the receptor tyrosine kinases, we investigated whether PLC-gamma 1 and/or PLC-gamma 2 are expressed in NK cells, and whether the PLC-gamma isoforms are tyrosine phosphorylated in response to Fc gamma R stimulation. Immunoblotting analyses with PLC-gamma 1- and PLC-gamma 2-specific antisera demonstrate that both isoforms are expressed in human NK cells. Furthermore, Fc gamma R crosslinking triggers the tyrosine phosphorylation of both PLC-gamma 1 and PLC-gamma 2 in these cells. Phosphorylation of both isoforms is detectable within 1 min, and returns to basal level within 30 min. Pretreatment with herbimycin A, a PTK inhibitor, blocked the Fc gamma R-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma 1 and PLC-gamma 2, and the subsequent release of inositol phosphates. These results suggest that Fc gamma R-initiated phosphoinositide turnover in human NK cells is regulated by the tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma. More broadly, these observations demonstrate that nonreceptor PTK(s) activated by crosslinkage of a multisubunit receptor can phosphorylate both PLC-gamma isoforms.

Identification and partial characterization of a novel plasma membrane-associated lytic factor isolated from highly purified adherent lymphokine-activated killer cells

We have identified and partially purified a novel cytolytic factor isolated from enriched plasma membranes prepared from highly purified lymphokine-activated killer cells (adherent-LAK. A-LAK cells) and a large granular lymphocytic NK cell leukemia, CRNK-16. The enriched plasma membranes were shown to be physically devoid of lytic granules and contained no detectable pore-forming protein (PFP, perforin) activity. The plasma membrane-associated cytolytic factor (designated M-CTX) was solubilized in biologically active form and was highly lytic to a large panel of target cells in 2- to 4-hr 51Cr release assays. Characteristics of the M-CTX include: (1) it is plasma membrane- not granule-associated: (2) it is not hemolytic and functions in the absence of Ca2+: (3) nucleated target cells are lysed in 2 to 4 hr at 37 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C: (4) it induces apoptotic cell death with nuclear DNA fragmentation and massive membrane blebbing: (5) it is isolated from the plasma membranes of cultured A-LAK cells, a lytically active LGL leukemia (CRNK-16), and fresh spleen cells but not from thymocytes or L929 fibroblasts: and (6) the lytic activity of the partially purified toxin is inactivated by trypsin, serum, and heat, but is not blocked by antibodies that inactivate TNF-alpha, LT or IFN-gamma. Taken collectively, these data suggest that M-CTX may represent a heretofore undescribed membrane-associated toxin possibly involved in contact-mediated cell killing.

Expression and utilization of chymotrypsin-like but not trypsin-like serine protease enzymes by nonspecific T killer cells activated by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody

Coculture of purified murine T cells with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (145-2C11) results in the induction of nonspecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) with MHC-unrestricted cytolytic activity against a range of tumor targets. Serine proteases associated with effector cell granules are among the molecules postulated to play a role in cell-mediated cytolysis. The present study examines the ability of exogenous serine protease substrates to inhibit anti-CD3-activated cytotoxic T (ACT) cell-mediated killing of P815 mastocytoma and YAC1.2 lymphoma target cells. The chymotrypsin substrate N-acetyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester (ATEE) was found to significantly inhibit ACT cell-mediated cytolysis. In contrast, the trypsin substrate N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester (BAEE) had little, if any, effect on ACT cell-mediated cytolysis. These effects were observed with both target cell populations. Conjugate inhibition studies performed with ATEE indicated that a chymotrypsin-like serine protease is involved in a postbinding event during cytolysis. Pretreatment of either target or effector cells with ATEE prior to cytolytic assay revealed that the chymotrypsin-like serine protease involved in cytotoxicity is of effector cell origin. Northern blot analysis of total RNA extracted from ACT cells revealed the presence of transcripts coding for CCP1 and CCP2 serine proteases known to be involved in antigen-specific CTL function, but little or no expression of the HF serine protease which has also been implicated in antigen-specific CTL killing. CCP2 exhibits chymotrypsin-like activity while HF displays trypsin-like activity. On the other hand, the CCP1 gene product has protease activity which resembles neither chymase nor tryptase activities. Thus, the level of mRNA expression for these serine proteases is consistent with our earlier observations, using the serine protease substrates, that a chymotrypsin-like serine protease but not a trypsin-like serine protease is involved in ACT cell-mediated cytolysis. "Lymphocyte panning" of ACT cells revealed abundant CCP1 and moderate CCP2 mRNA expression in CD4- and CD8+ anti-CD3-activated T cells with strong tumoricidal activity. CD8- anti-CD3-activated T cells with moderate cytolytic activity also expressed substantial levels of CCP1 and CCP2 mRNA, suggesting that both CD4- CD8- and CD4- CD8+ ACT cells participate in killing tumor targets. In contrast, CD4+ anti-CD3-activated T cells lacked both cytolytic activity and significant CCP1 and CCP2 mRNA expression. These findings are consistent with the involvement of chymotrypsin-like, as well as other, serine proteases in CTL-mediated lysis.

Cytolytic human lung lymphocytes: characterization of intragranular protease content and response to interleukin-2

Cytolytic lymphocytes play an important role in defense against viral and neoplastic disease. Integral to the function of these cells is the content of lysosomal granules. Recent attention has focused on a family of proteases present in the granules of natural killer (NK) cells, interleukin-2 (IL-2)-activated NK cells (LAK cells), and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). In the current investigation, lymphocytes were obtained from human lung parenchyma and peripheral blood. Following activation with IL-2, both groups of lymphocytes exhibited comparable cytolytic activity against K562 targets. Lysosomal granules obtained from these cells contained two serine proteases with molecular weights of 30 and 28 kD. These proteases were capable of hydrolyzing benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine thiobenzyl ester (BLT-ester), a substrate of cytolytic lymphocyte proteases. When compared to blood, unactivated lung lymphocytes contained significantly higher levels of protease content. Although IL-2 produced a significant increase in blood lymphocyte protease content, no change in lung lymphocyte granule protease activity was observed. We conclude that cytolytic lung lymphocytes contain high levels of lysosomal granule protease but differ from blood lymphocytes in the ability to increase protease content following activation with IL-2. The high level of protease content in cytolytic lung lymphocytes suggests that these cells could produce local tissue injury during the release of lysosomal granules.

Ultrastructural evidence of large granular lymphocyte (LGL) activity in lesions of chronic adult periodontitis

The purpose of this investigation was to determine, on the basis of ultrastructural evidence, whether large granular lymphocyte (LGL)-mediated cytotoxic activity could be identified in lesions of chronic adult periodontitis. 18 gingival papilla biopsies were obtained from 8 adult patients, each satisfying the clinical criteria for chronic adult periodontitis. One-half of each biopsy was processed for examination by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). B-lymphocyte, T-lymphocyte, and NK-cell contributions to the inflammatory cell infiltrate were determined by subjecting the remaining one-half to the 3-layer avidin-biotin affinity immunoperoxidase technique. Immunohistochemistry using the anti-human leu-11b monoclonal antibody (representative of NK-cells which are known to comprise approximately 80% of the LGL population) showed that the Leu-11b+ population comprised 3-7% of the total monocytic infiltrate. The Leu-11b+ cells tended to occur as single cells or in small clusters of 3-12 cells. Generally, the Leu-11b+ cells exhibited perivascular locations situated subjacent to the epithelial basal lamina. TEM observations showed LGLs in intimate contact with fibroblasts that exhibited morphologic changes consistent with cellular damage or degeneration. In addition, LGLs were observed to exhibit apparent non-cytotoxic contacts with plasma cells, macrophages and other monocytic cells.

Induction of target cell DNA release by the cytotoxic T lymphocyte granule protease granzyme A

The rapid breakdown of target cell DNA during CTL-mediated lysis has been difficult to explain by the granule exocytosis model of cytotoxicity. The involvement of CTL granule proteases in this process was strongly suggested by experiments in which CTL were pretreated with the serine protease inhibitor PMSF, in combination with agents that raise the pH of acidic intracellular compartments. While PMSF pretreatment alone had little effect on target lysis or DNA breakdown, the combination of PMSF and NH4Cl or monensin profoundly reduced target cell DNA release, while little effect was observed on target lysis, as measured by 51Cr release. CTL granule extracts cause release of 125I-DNA from detergent-permeabilized cells. This nuclear DNA-releasing (NDR) activity is inhibited by serine esterase inhibitors that also inhibit the granule BLT-esterase activity, and is specifically immunoabsorbed by antibodies to the CTL granule protease granzyme A. The NDR activity comigrates with BLT-esterase activity during subcellular fractionation, solubilization, gel filtration, and aprotinin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis of the affinity-purified product indicates a molecular mass of 60,000 daltons under non-reducing conditions, which moves to 30,000 daltons upon reduction, consistent with previously reported behavior of granzyme A. When the purified material was reduced and alkylated, both esterase and NDR activities comigrated at 30,000 daltons upon gel filtration. Although fully lytic concentrations of purified LGL granule cytolysin alone failed to induce target cell DNA release, a combination of purified granzyme A and the cytolysin induces substantial DNA release.

Genomic organization and chromosomal assignment for a serine protease gene (CSPB) expressed by human cytotoxic lymphocytes

The human cytotoxic serine protease ("granzyme") B gene has been isolated and sequenced. The gene is approximately 3500 bp in length and consists of five exons and four intervening introns. Its organization therefore conforms closely to that of the previously cloned serine protease genes which are expressed in mouse cytotoxic lymphocytes and rat mast cells. The 5' upstream region is characterized by an atypical "TATA"-like transcriptional promoter and by a stretch of nucleotides bearing similarity to an enhancer core sequence believed to be requisite for the tissue-specific expression of serine protease genes in the exocrine pancreas. It has previously been demonstrated that mRNA transcripts from the human serine protease B gene are heterogeneous in size, due to frequent faulty intron/exon splicing. Two cryptic splice sites, which are used to generate these aberrant mRNA transcripts, have been identified. Using DNA blot analysis of a panel of human-rodent somatic cell lines, the human serine protease B gene has been localized to chromosome 14.

Sideways killing: the cytolysis of Fc receptor-bearing cells through bridging to cytolytic T lymphocytes by antibodies specific for the T-cell receptor-T3 complex

Cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) cause cytolysis of foreign or virus-infected syngeneic cells when recognition of the target plus major histocompatibility complex (MHC) occurs via the T-cell receptor (TCR). The recognition event leads to intimate contact between the two cells and activation of the cytolytic effector. Activation and target cell lysis can also occur in the presence of antibodies to the TCR. This is accomplished by bridging the effector cell TCR to the target cell FcR by an anti-TCR monoclonal antibody (MoAb). Recent findings have placed the role of the FcR in this event in a questionable light. We confirm the importance of Fc gamma R by demonstrating that: (a) melanoma cells are killed by CTL clones in the presence of anti-TCR-CD3 antibodies only when the melanoma cells express the Fc gamma R on their surface; (b) native Ig, heat-aggregated Ig, or an Fc fragment from an antibody expressing the same isotype as the anti-TCR antibody can block the killing of high avidity Fc gamma RI-bearing cells mediated by anti-TCR antibody (F23.1); and (c) anti-Fc gamma R MoAb (2.4G2) and a truncated soluble Fc gamma RII molecule inhibit the killing of low-avidity Fc gamma RII-bearing cells mediated by anti-CD3 MoAb (145-2C11). Thus, we show that both high-avidity Fc gamma RI and low-avidity Fc gamma RII can mediate sideways killing depending upon the isotype of the anti-TCR antibody and the type of FcR present on the target cell surface.

Molecular cloning of an inducible serine esterase gene from human cytotoxic lymphocytes

A cDNA clone encoding a human serine esterase gene was isolated from a library constructed from poly(A)+ RNA of allogeneically stimulated, interleukin 2-expanded peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The clone, designated HSE26.1, represents a full-length copy of a 0.9-kilobase mRNA present in human cytotoxic cells but absent from a wide variety of noncytotoxic cell lines. Clone HSE26.1 contains an 892-base-pair sequence, including a single 741-base-pair open reading frame encoding a putative 247-residue polypeptide. The first 20 amino acids of the polypeptide form a leader sequence. The mature protein is predicted to have an unglycosylated Mr of approximately equal to 26,000 and contains a single potential site for N-linked glycosylation. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences of clone HSE26.1 are homologous with all murine and human serine esterases cloned thus far but are most similar to mouse granzyme B (70% nucleotide and 68% amino acid identity). HSE26.1 protein is expressed weakly in unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells but is strongly induced within 6-hr incubation in medium containing phytohemagglutinin. The data suggest that the protein encoded by HSE26.1 plays a role in cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

A molecular-genetic analysis of cytotoxic T lymphocyte function

Two genes that are specifically expressed in T cells with cytolytic activity were isolated from a CTL cDNA library by differential screening. Both appear to encode serine proteases, thus suggesting a cascade mechanism, similar to complement, in activated CTL. Both CTL-specific proteases have a number of unusual structural features that suggest that they will have novel substrate specificities. One of the proteins (CCPI) has been oriented to the granules found in the cytoplasm of CTL. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that these molecules play an important role in target-cell lysis by CTL. Furthermore, we believe that the detailed molecular knowledge being accumulated through these studies may lead to the development of innovative forms of immunotherapy.

A T cell- and natural killer cell-specific, trypsin-like serine protease. Implications of a cytolytic cascade

A new trypsin-like serine protease was cloned from both a murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte and a human PHA-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocyte cDNA library. In both the mouse and human system, this transcript had a T cell- and NK-specific distribution, being detected in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), some T-helper clones, and NK, but not in a variety of normal tissues. T-cell activation with Con A plus IL-2 induced mouse spleen cells to express this gene with kinetics correlating with the acquisition of cytolytic capacity. Both the mouse and human nucleotide sequences of this gene encoded an amino acid sequence with 25-40% identity to members of the serine protease family. The active-site "charge-relay" residues (His-57, Asp-102, and Ser-195 of the chymotrypsin numbering system) are conserved, as well as the trypsin-specific Asp (position 189 in trypsin). We reviewed the evidence of this serine protease's role in lymphocyte lysis and proposed a "lytic cascade." We discussed the biological and clinical implications of a cascade, proposing these enzymes as markers for cytolytic cells and as targets for rational drug therapy. Genetic and acquired deficits in the lethal hit-delivery system are considered as a basis for approaching some immunodeficiency states, including severe EBV infections, T-gamma leukemias, and T8+ lymphocytosis syndromes.

The killing of mouse trophoblast cells by granulated metrial gland cells in vitro

Mouse placental cell preparations have been maintained in culture, and the types of cell that attached to the culture dish were classified according to morphological criteria. However, these morphological criteria were insufficient to determine from which trophoblast layer in the placenta all of the types of cell found in the cultures originated. Some placental cell preparations were co-cultured with granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells and these cultures were studied using time-lapse video. Various responses to contacts between GMG cells and trophoblast cells were observed. These responses included the killing of trophoblast cells by GMG cells.

Possible involvement of CTL granule proteases in target cell DNA breakdown

We have carried out experiments to test whether the granule exocytosis model for lymphocyte cytotoxicity can account for the rapid target DNA breakdown seen during CTL-induced cytotoxicity. Dense granules isolated from cloned mouse CTL and from rat NK tumor cells cause target DNA breakdown during granule cytolysin-mediated lysis of tumor cells, while the purified granule cytolysin caused lysis without DNA breakdown. When target cells are permeabilized with detergent, granule extracts have the ability to release 125I-DNA from nuclei in the absence of detectable cytolysin activity. This activity formed the basis for a nuclear DNA release (NDR) assay; this activity was a property of dense granules of cytotoxic lymphocytes but generally not of other types of lymphoid cells. NDR activity in NK tumor granules had a pH optimum of 7 and was inhibited by micromolar levels of Zn+2, and could be purified away from the granule cytolysin by column chromatography. NDR activity in CTL dense granules could be inactivated by submillimolar concentrations of the protease inhibitors PMSF and DFP (but not soybean trypsin inhibitor or TLCK). In support of the relevance to CTL cytotoxicity of these findings with the NDR assay, pretreatment of CTL with PMSF in the presence of agents raising the intragranular pH inactivated 125I-DNA release from target cells (but not the 51Cr release). These results suggest that a CTL granule component(s), probably a protease, is required for target DNA breakdown.

Cloning and chromosomal assignment of a human cDNA encoding a T cell- and natural killer cell-specific trypsin-like serine protease

A cDNA clone encoding a human T cell- and natural killer cell-specific serine protease was obtained by screening a phage lambda gt10 cDNA library from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes with the mouse Hanukah factor cDNA clone. In an RNA blot-hybridization analysis, this human Hanukah factor cDNA hybridized with a 1.3-kilobase band in allogeneic-stimulated cytotoxic T cells and the Jurkat cell line, but this transcript was not detectable in normal muscle, liver, tonsil, or thymus. By dot-blot hybridization, this cDNA hybridized with RNA from three cytolytic T-cell clones and three noncytolytic T-cell clones grown in vitro as well as with purified CD16+ natural killer cells and CD3+, CD16- T-cell large granular lymphocytes from peripheral blood lymphocytes (CD = cluster designation). The nucleotide sequence of this cDNA clone encodes a predicted serine protease of 262 amino acids. The predicted protein has a 22-amino acid presegment, a 6-amino acid prosegment, and an active enzyme of 234 amino acids with a calculated unglycosylated molecular weight of 25,820. The active enzyme is 71% and 77% similar to the mouse sequence at the amino acid and DNA level, respectively. The human and mouse sequences conserve the active site residues of serine proteases--the trypsin-specific Asp-189 and all 10 cysteine residues. The gene for the human Hanukah factor serine protease is located on human chromosome 5. We propose that this trypsin-like serine protease may function as a common component necessary for lysis of target cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.

Separation of the pore-forming and cytotoxic activities from natural killer cell cytotoxic factor

The influence of Ca2+ on the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cell cytotoxic factor (NKCF) was analyzed. When the natural killer susceptible cell line K562 was exposed to NKCF in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+, two peaks of cell damage were found. The first peak was observed after 30-40 min of incubation as a result of pore formation on the surface of target cells. The second was a peak of cytolytic activity which appeared after 24 h of incubation. Upon dilution of the NKCF preparation, only the first peak was observed. Therefore, NKCF produced by large granular lymphocytes in response to K562 consists of different proteins and represents pore-forming and cytolytic activities.

Dissociation of membrane binding and lytic activities of the lymphocyte pore-forming protein (perforin)

Granules isolated from CTL and NK cells contain a cytolytic pore-forming protein (PFP/perforin). At low temperatures (on ice), PFP binds to erythrocyte membranes without producing hemolysis. Hemolysis occurs when the PFP-bound erythrocytes are warmed up to 37 degrees C, which defines a temperature-dependent, lytic (pore-formation) step distinct from the membrane-binding event. Ca2+ and neutral pH are required for both membrane binding and pore formation by PFP. Serum, LDL, HDL, and heparin inhibit the hemolytic activity of PFP by blocking its binding to lipid membranes. Lysis by PFP that has bound to erythrocyte membranes is no longer susceptible to the effect of these inhibitors. The hemolytic activities associated with intact granules and solubilized PFP show different requirements for Ca2+ and pH, indicating that cytolysis produced by isolated granules may involve an additional step, possibly fusion of granules with membranes. It is suggested that three distinct Ca2+- and pH-dependent events may be involved during cell killing by CTL and NK cells: fusion of cytoplasmic granules of effector cells with their plasma membrane, releasing PFP from cells; binding of the released PFP to target membranes; and insertion of monomers and the subsequent formation of lytic pores in the target membrane. The serum-mediated inhibition of membrane binding by PFP could prevent the accidental injury of bystander cells by cell-released PFP, but would allow cytolysis to proceed to completion once PFP has bound to the target membrane.

The pore-forming protein (perforin) of cytolytic T lymphocytes is immunologically related to the components of membrane attack complex of complement through cysteine-rich domains

Structural, functional and immunological similarities between the ninth component of complement (C9) and the lymphocyte pore-forming protein (PFP, perforin) have recently been described (8-10). PFP is shown here to be immunologically related to all other components of the membrane attack complex (MAC) of human complement, namely, C5b-6, C7, C8, and C9. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purified human C5b-6, C7, C8, or C9 react with other components of the MAC and with mouse lymphocyte PFP. The antigenic epitopes shared by human complement proteins and mouse lymphocyte PFP are limited to cysteine-rich domains. Only complement proteins that have been reduced and alkylated elicit the production of crossreactive antibodies when used as immunogens. The nonreduced forms of complement components or lymphocyte PFP neither react with these antibodies nor give rise to crossreactive antibodies. The homologous domains of complement proteins and lymphocyte PFP may play related functions in their attachment to lipid membranes and assembly of membrane lesions.

Identification and characterization of a pore-forming protein of human peripheral blood natural killer cells

We show here that human peripheral blood NK cells contain a pore-forming protein (PFP) with an Mr of 70,000-72,000 that assembles structural lesions (with an average internal diameter of 150-170 A) and forms functional channels. The PFP was isolated by affinity chromatography from human NK cells, using a specific anti-C9 antiserum as the immunoadsorbent. The NK cells were isolated from PBL by positive or negative selection by indirect rosetting using a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against different NK and T cell surface antigens. PFP was identified in NK cells freshly isolated and isolated from cultured PBL, both stimulated with interleukin 2, but not in NK cell-depleted lymphocytes. In planar bilayers, the channels formed by the NK cell-derived PFP are highly voltage resistant, with most channels persisting in the open state once they have inserted into the bilayer. The unit conductances of these channels range 0.3-1 nS in 0.1 M NaCl. The channels show poor selectivity for monovalent and divalent ions. The PFP is also released from human NK cells stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187, suggesting that this protein, like the one produced by murine CTL lines, may be similarly secreted during cell-mediated killing. Its identification in primary human NK cell cultures indicates that this protein may play an active role in NK cell-mediated killing.