Extinction of B-cell surface differentiation markers in hybrids between murine B-lymphoma and myeloma cells

Flt3high and Flt3low CD34+Progenitor Cells Isolated From Human Bone Marrow Are Functionally Distinct

We generated monoclonal antibodies against the human Flt3 receptor and used them to study the characteristics of normal human bone marrow cells resolved based on Flt3 expression. Human CD34+ or CD34+lin− marrow cells were sorted into two populations: cells expressing high levels of Flt3 receptor (Flt3high) and cells with little or no expression of Flt3 receptor (Flt3low). Flt3 receptor was detected on a subset of CD34+CD38− marrow cells, as well as on CD34+CD19+ B lymphoid progenitors and CD34+CD14+CD64+ monocytic precursors. Flt3 receptor was also present on more mature CD34−CD14+ monocytes. In colony-forming assays, Flt3high cells gave rise mainly to colony-forming unit–granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) colonies, whereas Flt3low cells produced mostly burst-forming unit-erythroid colonies. There was no difference in the number of multilineage CFU-Mix colonies between the two cell fractions. Cell cycle analysis showed that a large number of the Flt3low cells were in the G0 phase of the cell cycle, whereas Flt3highcells were predominantly in G1. Cell numbers in the suspension cultures initiated with Flt3high cells were maintained in the presence of Flt3 ligand (FL) alone, and increased in response to FL plus kit ligand (KL). In contrast, cell numbers in the suspension cultures started with Flt3low cells did not increase in the presence of FL, or FL plus KL. Upregulation of Flt3 receptor on Flt3low cells was not detected during suspension culture. CD14+ monocytes were the major cell type generated from CD34+lin−Flt3high cells in liquid suspension culture, whereas cells generated from CD34+lin−Flt3low cells were mainly CD71+GlycA+ erythroid cells. These results show clear functional differences between CD34+Flt3high and CD34+Flt3low cells and may have implications concerning the in vitro expansion of human hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Flt3high and Flt3low CD34+Progenitor Cells Isolated From Human Bone Marrow Are Functionally Distinct

We generated monoclonal antibodies against the human Flt3 receptor and used them to study the characteristics of normal human bone marrow cells resolved based on Flt3 expression. Human CD34+ or CD34+lin− marrow cells were sorted into two populations: cells expressing high levels of Flt3 receptor (Flt3high) and cells with little or no expression of Flt3 receptor (Flt3low). Flt3 receptor was detected on a subset of CD34+CD38− marrow cells, as well as on CD34+CD19+ B lymphoid progenitors and CD34+CD14+CD64+ monocytic precursors. Flt3 receptor was also present on more mature CD34−CD14+ monocytes. In colony-forming assays, Flt3high cells gave rise mainly to colony-forming unit–granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) colonies, whereas Flt3low cells produced mostly burst-forming unit-erythroid colonies. There was no difference in the number of multilineage CFU-Mix colonies between the two cell fractions. Cell cycle analysis showed that a large number of the Flt3low cells were in the G0 phase of the cell cycle, whereas Flt3highcells were predominantly in G1. Cell numbers in the suspension cultures initiated with Flt3high cells were maintained in the presence of Flt3 ligand (FL) alone, and increased in response to FL plus kit ligand (KL). In contrast, cell numbers in the suspension cultures started with Flt3low cells did not increase in the presence of FL, or FL plus KL. Upregulation of Flt3 receptor on Flt3low cells was not detected during suspension culture. CD14+ monocytes were the major cell type generated from CD34+lin−Flt3high cells in liquid suspension culture, whereas cells generated from CD34+lin−Flt3low cells were mainly CD71+GlycA+ erythroid cells. These results show clear functional differences between CD34+Flt3high and CD34+Flt3low cells and may have implications concerning the in vitro expansion of human hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of two isoforms of the murine oct-1 transcription factor

Oct-1 is a ubiquitously expressed regulatory gene of the POU domain family. The Oct-1 protein binds to the octamer motif present in the control regions of a variety of genes such as the immunoglobulins, histone H2B and snRNAs. To learn about Oct-1 and its possible role in B-cell maturation, we have used oct-2 cDNA to screen a murine pre-B cell, cDNA library. Two cDNA clones were identical in their POU-homeo box DNA binding domain, but differed in their 3'-region. Whereas one clone (oct-1a) was very similar to its human oct-1 homologue, the other (oct-1b), contained an additional 72 bp sequence (designated E1) at the serine threonine rich coding region (position 1485 of the human oct-1), and a deletion of another 72 bp sequence (designated E2) downstream (position 1920). These changes preserve the protein reading frame. DNA blot analysis indicates that murine oct-1 is a single copy gene and that the two oct-1 isoforms oct-1 is expressed as a large approximately 10 kb transcript in all the cell are generated by alternative RNA splicing. RNA blots showed that oct-1 is expressed as a large approximately 10 kb transcript in all the cell lines tested. PCR analysis of the E1 and E2 72 bp regions, indicated the presence of a third isoform containing both E1 and E2 (Oct-1c). Oct-1a and Oct-1b were present in all cell types examined, but the level of expression was lower in liver and spleen as compared to testis, thymus and kidney. The ratio of Oct-1b to Oct-1a ranged between 0.2 to 0.5, for all tissues examined except for testis which expressed higher amounts of oct-1b and/or oct-1c. Our findings thus show that the pattern of expression of the oct-1 gene is more complex than hitherto thought.

Detection of human leukemia inhibitory factor by monoclonal antibody based ELISA

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is known to exhibit multiple functions by regulating the growth and differentiation of multiple normal cell types as well as malignant cells. To have a better understanding of the role of LIF, it is important to determine the level of LIF in various biological samples by developing an easy, sensitive and LIF specific assay. In this study, we have established a double monoclonal antibody (mAb) based ELISA. Four hybridoma cell lines (D3.14.1, D4.16.9, D25.1.4 and D62.3.2) secreting murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against recombinant human leukemia inhibitory factor (rHuLIF) were produced by immunization of BALB/c mice with rHuLIF and by fusing immune spleen cells with P3X63Ag8U.1 myeloma cells. These mAbs each belong to the IgG1 isotype and have unique isoelectrofocusing point patterns. All four mAbs were shown to have high affinities for rHuLIF (Kd = 7 x 10(-10) to 6 x 10(-11) M) and were able to recognize the native as well as the reduced rHuLIF in an immunoblotting assay. All these mAbs showed no cross-reactivities to IL-1, IL-3, IL-6, TNF-alpha, GCSF and GMCSF. MAb D3.14.1 showed a weak binding to Oncostatin M but not to rMuLIF whereas the other three mAbs D4.16.9, D25.1.4 and D62.3.2 showed cross-reactivity to rMuLIF but not to Oncostatin M. Data obtained from a competitive binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) suggested that these four mAbs recognized different epitopes on rHuLIF. Using mAb D4.16.9 as coat antibody and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugated mAb D3.14.1 as the conjugate antibody we established a double mAb based ELISA specific for human LIF which could detect as little as 100 pg/ml and 10 pg/ml of rHuLIF in the absence and in the presence of the ELAST ELISA amplification system, respectively. The addition of serum had very minimal effect on this ELISA.

The vascular endothelial growth factor proteins: identification of biologically relevant regions by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies

Angiogenesis plays critical roles in organ development during embryonic and fetal life, wound healing and in a variety of pathological conditions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a secreted growth factor specific for vascular endothelial cells which induces angiogenesis in vivo. To gain a better understanding of the physiological role of VEGF, we have generated and characterized four murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using the 165 amino acid species of recombinant human VEGF as immunogen. These mAbs (A3.13.1, A4.6.1, B4.3.1 and B2.6.2) belong to IgG1 isotype and have high affinities for VEGF (dissociation constants range from 2.2 x 10(-9) to 4 x 10(-10) M). Two different epitopes were detected with these mAbs. One epitope is recognized by mAbs A3.13.1 and B2.6.2, and the other recognized by mAbs A4.6.1 and B4.3.1. The epitope recognized by mAb A4.6.1 appears to be continuous while mAb B2.6.2 recognizes a discontinuous epitope. MAb A4.6.1 recognized three species of VEGF generated by alternative splicing, VEGF121, VEGF165 and VEGF189 while mAb B2.6.2 binds only VEGF165 and VEGF189. Results using an in vitro bovine adrenal cortex endothelial cell proliferation assay, in in vivo vascular permeability assay and an in vivo embryonic chicken angiogenesis assay showed that mAb A4.6.1 has potent VEGF neutralizing activities. MAb A4.6.1 was shown to block the binding of VEGF to its receptor(s) suggesting the inhibitory mechanism for VEGF activities. These well-defined mAbs should be very powerful tools to understand the structure-function relationship of various domains of VEGF and may have therapeutic potential.

Production of heparanase by normal and neoplastic murine B-lymphocytes

The production of heparanase, an endoglycosidase capable of degrading heparan sulfate from the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM), was investigated in various murine B-lymphoid tumors representing distinct maturation stages of the B-cell lineage. We found that heparanase is produced and released by 3 out of 4 pre-B lymphomas and by 4 B lymphomas examined. In contrast, 5 plasmacytomas and resting normal B lymphocytes, expressed little, if any, heparanase activity. Treatment with LPS resulted in high expression of the enzyme by normal B-lymphocytes, but there was no effect on the constitutive production of heparanase by myeloma or B-lymphoma cells. Our results indicate that heparanase is produced by B cells during discrete stages of their maturation. We suggest that heparanase may play a role in B-cell migration by enabling pre-B and B lymphocytes to leave the bone-marrow compartment and recirculate among peripheral lymphoid organs.

The construction and use of a human-mouse myeloma analogue suitable for the routine production of hybridomas secreting human monoclonal antibodies

A human-mouse myeloma analogue termed HMMA2.11TG/O was constructed by fusion of the mouse myeloma cell line P3x63Ag8.653, a mutant derivative of MOPC21, with bone marrow mononuclear cells from a patients with IgA myeloma. The HMMA2.11TG/O cell line is resistant to 6-thioguanine and ouabain and sensitive to HAT. The cell line secretes no detectable immunoglobulin and has a hybrid karyotype and cell surface phenotype. An average fusion efficiency for growth of hybridomas of 1/17,000 fused cells was obtained in fusions with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM), Pokeweed Mitogen (PWM) stimulated PBM, and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) transformed polyclonal B cell lines. Over 75% of hybrids secrete detectable immunoglobulin and the cloning efficiency of the hybrids at 1 cell/well averages 25%. Antibody secreting cloned hybridoma cell lines were obtained by fusion directly with PBM from an immunized volunteer and by fusion with in vitro, secondarily immunized, EBV transformed polyclonal cell lines. Five hybridomas secreting human monoclonal IgM anti-tetanus antibodies and 2 secreting human monoclonal IgG anti-tetanus antibodies were selected and cloned from 6 fusions performed specifically for anti-tetanus antibody. Immunoglobulin and antibody secretion by cloned hybrids has been stable for 5-10 months at present. Immunoglobulin and antibody secretion in routine cultures passaged every 3-4 days has been 8-42 micrograms/ml. This human-mouse myeloma analogue should prove useful for the routine production of human monoclonal antibodies.

A synergistic effect between anti-idiotype antibodies and anti-neoplastic drugs in the therapy of a murine B-cell tumor

Antibodies directed against idiotypic determinants of the cell-surface IgM of a B lymphoma, 38c, were effective in delaying development of the tumor and in some instances in preventing its growth. The efficacity of the anti-idiotype antibodies was markedly increased when they were injected in combination with anti-neoplastic drugs. Since chemotherapy, as such, is limited by the general toxicity of the drugs it was of advantage to apply them in low doses. The drug doses used were mostly ineffective by themselves, yet were active in combination with the antibody in a more than additive fashion. We performed studies designed to elucidate the mechanism of the synergy between the anti-idiotype antibodies and the drugs. The data suggest that the activity of the antibody is partly indirect and is mediated through the host's effector cells. In the case of one drug, daunomycin, the activity is also, at least in part, mediated through peritoneal exudate cells (PEC). Daunomycin injected intraperitoneally activated PEC. Such activated PEC, when injected into recipient mice, could replace the drug in its synergy with the antibody. In conclusion, it was shown that it is possible to increase the effectiveness either of antibodies to tumor cells or of cytotoxic drugs by combination therapy.

Membrane immunoglobulins of spontaneous B lymphomas of aged BALB/c mice

Four cell lines derived from spontaneous BALB/c lymphoma tumors were analyzed with regard to the type of their membrane immunoglobulins (Ig). Using lactoperoxidase iodination of membrane proteins combined with immunoprecipitation and electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel, three of these cell lines (X16c, L10A and K46) were found to express the monomeric form of IgM and IgD as well as half molecules. One cell line (M12) lacked both IgM and IgD. The apparent mol. wt of the lymphoma micro chain was about 80 000 and exceeded the mol. wt. of 75 000 determined for micro chains secreted by myeloma cells. The mol. wt. of the delta heavy chain was found to be 66 000. Immunofluorescence showed that the L10A and X16c lines expressed lambda light chains on their cell surface. Another Ig-bearing cell line (K46) expressed both lambda and kappa chains. Thus, three out of the four B lymphomas examined expressed both IgM and IgD with light chains of the Lambda type. These results, together with our previous findings which demonstrate the presence of Ia and Fc receptors on the same cells, indicate that spontaneous B lymphomas in BALB/c mice are the malignant counterpart of mature B lymphocytes.