The human LT system. VII. Release of soluble forms and delivery to target L-929 cells by lectin-preactivated human lymphocytes in the absence of protein synthesis and secretory processes

Lymphotoxins - a multicomponent system of growth inhibitory and cell-lytic glycoproteins

Activated lymphocytes from experimental animals and man can release materials, termed lymphotoxins , which cause growth inhibition and cell lysis in vitro. These molecules, from human lymphocytes, are glycoproteins which can be divided into five molecular weight classes. These forms are heterogeneous, for each MW class can be further subdivided into multiple charge subclasses. It is now clear certain MW classes are interrelated and form a system of cell toxins. The larger classes (greater than 140,000 d) are associated with nonclassical antigen-binding receptors (R), which can be of T cell origin. The smaller forms (less than 90,000 d) do not express R function and are derived from the larger forms, possibly by enzymatic action. Two MW classes, one receptor-associated and one non-receptor associated, have been purified to homogeneity and their peptide composition is being studied. Functional studies reveal the larger MW forms derived from alloimmune cell populations; can induce selective and nonselective destruction of cells in vitro. Antibodies which inhibit the in vitro cell lytic ability of various human LT forms can block different classes of human lymphocyte cell killing reactions in vitro.

Enhanced release of lymphotoxins by interferon-treated cells

Pretreatment of human peripheral blood lymphocytes with interferon significantly enhances the release of lymphotoxins (LTs) observed at subsequent incubation of the cells, for 3 hr, with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Fractionation of the LTs by gel filtration shows that interferon (IFN) strongly increases the release of certain LTs produced by these cells, while it has little effect on the release of others. The release of LTs from the IFN-treated cells is dependent on stimulation by PHA, requires Ca2+ ions, and can be blocked by prostaglandin E1, but it is independent of protein synthesis.