Identification of granzyme A isolated from cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-granules as one of the proteases encoded by CTL-specific genes

Oxidative and Non-Oxidative Antimicrobial Activities of the Granzymes

Cell-mediated cytotoxicity is an essential immune defense mechanism to fight against viral, bacterial or parasitic infections. Upon recognition of an infected target cell, killer lymphocytes form an immunological synapse to release the content of their cytotoxic granules. Cytotoxic granules of humans contain two membrane-disrupting proteins, perforin and granulysin, as well as a homologous family of five death-inducing serine proteases, the granzymes. The granzymes, after delivery into infected host cells by the membrane disrupting proteins, may contribute to the clearance of microbial pathogens through different mechanisms. The granzymes can induce host cell apoptosis, which deprives intracellular pathogens of their protective niche, therefore limiting their replication. However, many obligate intracellular pathogens have evolved mechanisms to inhibit programed cells death. To overcome these limitations, the granzymes can exert non-cytolytic antimicrobial activities by directly degrading microbial substrates or hijacked host proteins crucial for the replication or survival of the pathogens. The granzymes may also attack factors that mediate microbial virulence, therefore directly affecting their pathogenicity. Many mechanisms applied by the granzymes to eliminate infected cells and microbial pathogens rely on the induction of reactive oxygen species. These reactive oxygen species may be directly cytotoxic or enhance death programs triggered by the granzymes. Here, in the light of the latest advances, we review the antimicrobial activities of the granzymes in regards to their cytolytic and non-cytolytic activities to inhibit pathogen replication and invasion. We also discuss how reactive oxygen species contribute to the various antimicrobial mechanisms exerted by the granzymes.

Antibody Therapies for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Unconjugated, Toxin-Conjugated, Radio-Conjugated and Multivalent Formats

In recent decades, therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has remained relatively unchanged, with chemotherapy regimens primarily consisting of an induction regimen based on a daunorubicin and cytarabine backbone, followed by consolidation chemotherapy. Patients who are relapsed or refractory can be treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation with modest benefits to event-free and overall survival. Other modalities of immunotherapy include antibody therapies, which hold considerable promise and can be categorized into unconjugated classical antibodies, multivalent recombinant antibodies (bi-, tri- and quad-specific), toxin-conjugated antibodies and radio-conjugated antibodies. While unconjugated antibodies can facilitate Natural Killer (NK) cell antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), bi- and tri-specific antibodies can engage either NK cells or T-cells to redirect cytotoxicity against AML targets in a highly efficient manner, similarly to classic ADCC. Finally, toxin-conjugated and radio-conjugated antibodies can increase the potency of antibody therapies. Several AML tumour-associated antigens are at the forefront of targeted therapy development, which include CD33, CD123, CD13, CLL-1 and CD38 and which may be present on both AML blasts and leukemic stem cells. This review focused on antibody therapies for AML, including pre-clinical studies of these agents and those that are either entering or have been tested in early phase clinical trials. Antibodies for checkpoint inhibition and microenvironment targeting in AML were excluded from this review.

CD1d- and PJA2-related immune microenvironment differs between invasive breast carcinomas with and without a micropapillary feature

Background

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast is characterized by its unique morphology and frequent nodal metastasis. However, the mechanism for development of this unique subtype has not been clearly elucidated. The aim of this study was to obtain a better understanding of IMPC.

Methods

Using representative cases of mixed IMPC, mRNA expression in the micropapillary area and usual invasive area was compared. Then, immunohistochemical analyses for 294 cases (76 invasive carcinomas with a micropapillary feature [ICMF] and 218 invasive carcinomas without a micropapillary feature [ICNMF]) were conducted. Clinicopathological analyses were also studied.

Results

DNA microarray analyses for mixed IMPC showed that BC-1514 (C21orf118) was commonly upregulated in the micropapillary area. CAMK2N1, CD1d, PJA2, RPL5, SAMD13, TCF4, and TXNIP were commonly downregulated in the micropapillary area. Immunohistochemically, we confirmed that BC-1514 was more upregulated in ICMF than in ICNMF. CD1d and PJA2 were more downregulated in ICMF than ICNMF. All patients with cases of PJA2 overexpression survived without cancer recurrence during the follow-up period, although the differences for disease-free (p = 0.153) or overall survival (p = 0.272) were not significant.

Conclusions

The CD1d- and PJA2-related tumour microenvironment might be crucial for IMPC. Further study of the immune microenvironment and micropapillary features is warranted.

Granzyme A in Human Platelets Regulates the Synthesis of Proinflammatory Cytokines by Monocytes in Aging

Dysregulated inflammation is implicated in the pathobiology of aging, yet platelet-leukocyte interactions and downstream cytokine synthesis in aging remains poorly understood. Platelets and monocytes were isolated from healthy younger (age <45, n = 37) and older (age ≥65, n = 30) adults and incubated together under autologous and nonautologous conditions. Synthesis of inflammatory cytokines by monocytes, alone or in the presence of platelets, was examined. Next-generation RNA-sequencing allowed for unbiased profiling of the platelet transcriptome in aging. Basal IL-8 and MCP-1 synthesis by monocytes alone did not differ between older and younger adults. However, in the presence of autologous platelets, monocytes from older adults synthesized greater IL-8 (41 ± 5 versus 9 ± 2 ng/ml, p < 0.0001) and MCP-1 (867 ± 150 versus 216 ± 36 ng/ml, p < 0.0001) than younger adults. Platelets from older adults were sufficient for upregulating the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines by monocytes. Using RNA-sequencing of platelets followed by validation via RT-PCR and immunoblot, we discovered that granzyme A (GrmA), a serine protease not previously identified in human platelets, increases with aging (∼9-fold versus younger adults, p < 0.05) and governs increased IL-8 and MCP-1 synthesis through TLR4 and caspase-1. Inhibiting GrmA reduced excessive IL-8 and MCP-1 synthesis in aging to levels similar to younger adults. In summary, human aging is associated with changes in the platelet transcriptome and proteome. GrmA is present and bioactive in human platelets, is higher in older adults, and controls the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines by monocytes. Alterations in the platelet molecular signature and signaling to monocytes may contribute to dysregulated inflammatory syndromes in older adults.

Identification of Serpinb6b as a species-specific mouse granzyme A inhibitor suggests functional divergence between human and mouse granzyme A

The granzyme family serine proteases are key effector molecules expressed by cytotoxic lymphocytes. The physiological role of granzyme (Gzm) A is controversial, with significant debate over its ability to induce death in target cells. Here, we investigate the natural inhibitors of GzmA. We employed substrate phage display and positional proteomics to compare substrate specificities of mouse (m) and human (h) GzmA at the peptide and proteome-wide levels and we used the resulting substrate specificity profiles to search for potential inhibitors from the intracellular serpin family. We identified Serpinb6b as a potent inhibitor of mGzmA. Serpinb6b interacts with mGzmA, but not hGzmA, with an association constant of 1.9 ± 0.8 × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) and a stoichiometry of inhibition of 1.8. Mouse GzmA is over five times more cytotoxic than hGzmA when delivered into P815 target cells with streptolysin O, whereas transfection of target cells with a Serpinb6b cDNA increases the EC50 value of mGzmA 13-fold, without affecting hGzmA cytotoxicity. Unexpectedly, we also found that Serpinb6b employs an exosite to specifically inhibit dimeric but not monomeric mGzmA. The identification of an intracellular inhibitor specific for mGzmA only indicates that a lineage-specific increase in GzmA cytotoxic potential has driven cognate inhibitor evolution.

Are all granzymes cytotoxic in vivo?

Granzymes are serine proteases mainly found in cytotoxic lymphocytes. The most-studied member of this group is granzyme B, which is a potent cytotoxin that has set the paradigm that all granzymes are cyototoxic. In the last 5 years, this paradigm has become controversial. On one hand, there is a plethora of sometimes contradictory publications showing mainly caspase-independent cytotoxic effects of granzyme A and the so-called orphan granzymes in vitro. On the other hand, there are increasing numbers of reports of granzymes failing to induce cell death in vitro unless very high (potentially supra-physiological) concentrations are used. Furthermore, experiments with granzyme A or granzyme M knock-out mice reveal little or no deficit in their cytotoxic lymphocytes’ killing ability ex vivo, but indicate impairment in the inflammatory response. These findings of non-cytotoxic effects of granzymes challenge dogma, and thus require alternative or additional explanations to be developed of the role of granzymes in defeating pathogens. Here we review evidence for granzyme cytotoxicity, give an overview of their non-cytotoxic functions, and suggest technical improvements for future investigations.

Dynamic control of self-specific CD8+ T cell responses via a combination of signals mediated by dendritic cells

It is acknowledged that T cell interactions with mature dendritic cells (DC) lead to immunity, whereas interactions with immature DC lead to tolerance induction. Using a transgenic murine system, we have examined how DC expressing self-peptides control naive, self-reactive CD8+ T cell responses in vitro and in vivo. We have shown, for the first time, that immature DC can also stimulate productive activation of naive self-specific CD8+ T cells, which results in extensive proliferation, the expression of a highly activated cell surface phenotype, and differentiation into autoimmune CTL. Conversely, mature DC can induce abortive activation of naive CD8+ T cells, which is characterized by low-level proliferation, the expression of a partially activated cell surface phenotype which does not result in autoimmune CTL. Critically, both CD8+ T cell responses are determined by a combination of signals mediated by the DC, and that altering any one of these signals dramatically shifts the balance between autoimmunity and self-tolerance induction. We hypothesize that DC maintain the steady state of self-tolerance among self-specific CD8+ T cells in an active and dynamic manner, licensing productive immune responses against self-tissues only when required.

The orphan granzymes of humans and mice

The granzyme/perforin pathway is a central pathway for lymphocyte-mediated killing in both the innate and adaptive immune systems. This pathway is important in a variety of host defenses, including viral clearance and tumor cell killing, and its dysregulation results in several human and rodent diseases. To date, the majority of reports in this field have concentrated on the functions of granzymes A and B. Recent reports, however, suggest that the non-A/non-B 'orphan' granzymes found in both humans and mice are potentially significant. Although the functions of these orphan granzymes have yet to be fully established, initial data suggests their importance in both immune and nonimmune cells.

The oligomeric structure of human granzyme A is a determinant of its extended substrate specificity

The cell death-inducing serine protease granzyme A (GzmA) has a unique disulfide-linked quaternary structure. The structure of human GzmA bound to a tripeptide CMK inhibitor, determined at a resolution of 2.4 A, reveals that the oligomeric state contributes to substrate selection by limiting access to the active site for potential macromolecular substrates and inhibitors. Unlike other serine proteases, tetrapeptide substrate preferences do not correlate well with natural substrate cleavage sequences. This suggests that the context of the cleavage sequence within a macromolecular substrate imposes another level of selection not observed with the peptide substrates. Modeling of inhibitors bound to the GzmA active site shows that the dimer also contributes to substrate specificity in a unique manner by extending the active-site cleft. The crystal structure, along with substrate library profiling and mutagenesis, has allowed us to identify and rationally manipulate key components involved in GzmA substrate specificity.

Noncaspase proteases in apoptosis

Biochemical and genetic analysis of apoptosis has determined that intracellular proteases are key effectors of cell death pathways. In particular, early studies have pointed to the primacy of caspase proteases as mediators of execution. More recently, however, evidence has accumulated that noncaspases, including cathepsins, calpains, granzymes, and the proteasome complex, also have roles in mediating and promoting cell death. An important goal is to understand the importance of distinct noncaspases in various forms of apoptosis, and to determine whether pathways mediated by noncaspase proteases intersect with those mediated by caspases. In this review the roles of noncaspase proteases in the biochemistry of apoptosis will be discussed.

Granzyme A loading induces rapid cytolysis and a novel form of DNA damage independently of caspase activation

Cytotoxic lymphocytes trigger apoptosis by releasing perforin and granzymes (Grn). GrnB activates the caspase apoptotic pathway, but little is known about GrnA-induced cell death. Perforin was used to load recombinant GrnA and GrnB and enzymatically inactive variants into target cells. GrnA induces single-strand DNA breaks that can be labeled with Klenow polymerase and visualized on alkaline gels. GrnA-induced DNA damage but not cytolysis requires GrnA proteolysis. GrnA-induced membrane perturbation, nuclear condensation, and DNA damage are unimpaired by caspase blockade. GrnA fails to induce cleavage of caspase-3, lamin B, rho-GTPase, or PARP. GrnA-induced cytotoxicity and cleavage of PHAP II, a previously identified GrnA substrate, are unimpaired in Jurkat cells that overexpress bcl-2. Therefore, GrnA activates a novel apoptotic pathway.

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.

Granzyme A is an interleukin 1 beta-converting enzyme

Apoptosis is critically dependent on the presence of the ced-3 gene in Caenorhabditis elegans, which encodes a protein homologous to the mammalian interleukin (IL)-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE). Overexpression of ICE or ced-3 promotes apoptosis. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated rapid apoptosis is induced by the proteases granzyme A and B. ICE and granzyme B share the rare substrate site of aspartic acid, after which amino acid cleavage of precursor IL-1 beta (pIL-1 beta) occurs. Here we show that granzyme A, but not granzyme B, converts pIL-1 beta to its 17-kD mature form. Major cleavage occurs at Arg120, four amino acids downstream of the authentic processing site, Asp116. IL-1 beta generated by granzyme A is biologically active. When pIL-1 beta processing is monitored in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage target cells attacked by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, intracellular conversion precedes lysis. Prior granzyme inactivation blocks this processing. We conclude that the apoptosis-inducing granzyme A and ICE share at least one downstream target substrate, i.e., pIL-1 beta. This suggests that lymphocytes, by means of their own converting enzyme, could initiate a local inflammatory response independent of the presence of ICE.

Granzyme A released upon stimulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes activates the thrombin receptor on neuronal cells and astrocytes

Granzymes are a family of serine proteases that are harbored in cytoplasmic granules of activated T lymphocytes and are released upon target cell interaction. Immediate and complete neurite retraction was induced in a mouse neuronal cell line when total extracts of granule proteins were added. This activity was isolated and identified as granzyme A. This protease not only induced neurite retraction at nanomolar concentrations but also reversed the stellation of astrocytes. Both effects were critically dependent on the esterolytic activity of granzyme A. As neurite retraction is known to be induced by thrombin, possible cleavage and activation of the thrombin receptor were investigated. A synthetic peptide spanning the N-terminal thrombin receptor activation sequence was cleaved by granzyme A at the authentic thrombin cleavage site Leu-Asp-Pro-Arg-Ser. Antibodies to the thrombin receptor inhibited both thrombin and granzyme A-mediated neurite retraction. Thus, T-cell-released granzyme A induces cellular responses by activation of the thrombin receptor. As brain-infiltrating CD4+ lymphocytes are the effector cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, granzyme A released in the brain may contribute to the etiology of autoimmune disorders in the nervous system.

Distribution of serine esterase activity in the lymphoid system of C57BL/6 mice, effect of aging on the enzymatic activity

1. The activity of serine esterase (SE) was investigated in the lymphoid system of C57BL/6 mice. SE activity increased in the lymphoid tissues with their content of mature T-lymphocytes, except that high levels were also observed in various populations of bone marrow cells. 2. The maturation of T-lymphocytes in the thymus was accompanied by an increase in their SE activity. 3. Experiments on the influence of age on SE activity showed that while thymocytes were not affected, a three-fold increase in activity occurs in spleen lymphocytes between the ages of 26 and 78 wk.

Organization of the gene encoding the mouse T-cell-specific serine proteinase "granzyme A"

The mouse serine protease granzyme A is a member of a closely related family of T-cell-associated proteolytic enzymes, designated granzymes A-G. Previous studies have indicated that granzymes A and B are involved in various T-cell-mediated processes. Here we report the genomic organization of the granzyme A gene. We have cloned a 15-kb DNA fragment from a genomic library of a cloned CD8+ T-cell line and sequenced the exon-intron boundaries. The gene consists of five exons, and its genomic organization is very similar to that described for granzymes B, C, and F. In addition, we have sequenced 1.4 kb of the 5'-region and 1.1 kb of the 3'-region flanking the granzyme A gene. Putative promoter and enhancer elements were identified by sequence comparison with known consensus sequences. Some of these regulatory elements seem to be associated exclusively with granzyme A, whereas others are shared by members of the granzyme family.

Human and murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte serine proteases: subsite mapping with peptide thioester substrates and inhibition of enzyme activity and cytolysis by isocoumarins

The active site structures of human Q31 granzyme A, murine granzymes (A, B, C, D, E, and F), and human granzymes (A, B, and 3) isolated from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were studied with peptide thioester substrates, peptide chloromethyl ketone, and isocoumarin inhibitors. Human Q31, murine, and human granzyme A hydrolyzed Arg- or Lys-containing thioesters very efficiently with kcat/KM of 10(4)-10(5) M-1 s-1. Murine granzyme B was found to have Asp-ase activity and hydrolyzed Boc-Ala-Ala-Asp-SBzl with a kcat/KM value of 2.3 X 10(5) M-1 s-1. The rate was accelerated 1.4-fold when the 0.05 M NaCl in the assay was replaced with CaCl2. The preparation of granzyme B also had significant activity toward Boc-Ala-Ala-AA-SBzl substrates, where AA was Asn, Met, or Ser [kcat/KM = (4-5) X 10(4) M-1 s-1]. Murine granzymes C, D, and E did not hydrolyze any thioester substrate but contained minor contaminating activity toward Arg- or Lys-containing thioesters. Murine granzyme F had small activity toward Suc-Phe-Leu-Phe-SBzl, along with some contaminating trypsin-like activity. Human Q31 granzyme A, murine, and human granzyme A were inhibited quite efficiently by mechanism-based isocoumarin inhibitors substituted with basic groups (guanidino or isothiureidopropoxy). Although the general serine protease inhibitor 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin (DCI) inactivated these tryptases poorly, it was the best isocoumarin inhibitor for murine granzyme B (kobs/[I] = 3700-4200 M-1 s-1). Murine and human granzyme B were also inhibited by Boc-Ala-Ala-Asp-CH2Cl; however, the inhibition was less potent than that with DCI. DCI, 3-(3-amino-propoxy)-4-chloroisocoumarin, 4-chloro-3-(3-isothiureidopropoxy)isocoumarin, and 7-amino-4-chloro-3-(3-isothiureidopropoxy)isocoumarin inhibited Q31 cytotoxic T lymphocyte mediated lysis of human JY lymphoblasts (ED50 = 0.5-5.0 microM).

Cell surface-associated proteinases in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity: enhancement of enzyme expression is unique to activation with interferon-alpha

The human NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity reaction is sensitive to proteinase inhibitors with specificity for chymotrypsin-like enzymes inhibitable by 1-tosylamide 2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone (TPCK). Evidence is presented in support of previous data suggesting that this type of cytotoxicity is attributable to enzymes associated with the surface membrane of the NK cell. Activation of the cells with IFN-alpha results in increased cytolytic activity, the suppression of which requires an almost two- to threefold increase in the concentration of proteinase inhibitors. Treatment of NK cells with IFN-alpha results in increased surface binding of [3H]diisopropyl fluorophosphate ([ 3H]DFP). This effect is not inhibited by cycloheximide (50 micrograms/ml), suggesting translocation of preexisting enzymes to the surface membrane. TPCK can compete with [3H]-DFP for binding to the cell surface and can abrogate the increase in [3H]DFP binding observed after IFN-alpha stimulation of the cells. Treatment with IFN-gamma does not increase cell surface-associated proteolytic activity and stimulation with IL-2 results in much smaller increments. The sensitivity of cytotoxicity to proteinase inhibitors is confined to the initial 2-5 min of the reaction. This suggests that cell surface-associated proteinases play a role in the programming of NK cells for lysis, whereas subsequent events may be dependent on secreted enzyme moieties.

N-alpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine thiobenzyl ester (BLT) serine esterase in human cytolytic effector cells and cell line targets

The granules of in vitro primed cytotoxic mouse T cells and cytotoxic cell lines have been shown to contain high levels of N-alpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine thiobenzyl ester (BLT) esterase. The enzyme activity has been suggested to be associated with the cytotoxic capacity of killer cells. We investigated human leucocytes and found that neutrophils, monocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), natural killer (NK) cells [large granular lymphocytes (LGL)], and interleukin 2 activated killer (LAK) cells, which all display efficient cytotoxic capacity, show only marginal BLT esterase activity. The low BLT esterase activity in human lymphocytes increases about twofold when cells are stimulated in vitro with interleukin 2 (IL-2), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), or cultured in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). Mouse T lymphocytes have about 20 times more BLT esterase activity than human T lymphocytes. The BLT activity in mouse T cells also increases about twofold in MLC. The human leukaemia cell lines (K562, U937, MOLT-4, Jurkat) and the mouse mastocytoma line (P815), which are frequently used as target cells, contain more BLT esterase activity than human resting or activated lymphocytes. We did not find a direct correlation between the cytotoxic capacity and the BLT esterase activity of killer cells.

Interleukin 1 induction of a serine esterase in a murine T cell line is inhibited by fetal calf serum

In PC60 cells a serine esterase associated with the cytotoxic granules (BLT-esterase) is induced by interleukin 1 (IL-1). The induction was markedly reduced by fetal calf serum (FCS). A defined culture medium was therefore developed in which the PC60 cells proliferated equally well as in serum-containing medium. In this new medium, IL-1 induced BLT-esterase to much higher levels of activity than in serum-containing medium. When testing IL-1 induction of BLT-esterase with various batches of FCS, no correlation was found between cell proliferation and the responses to IL-1. It was concluded that FCS contains one (or several) inhibitor(s) of IL-1 action.

Inhibition of lymphocyte protease granzyme A by antithrombin III

T-lymphocytes contain a cytoplasmic granule associated homo-dimeric protease designated granzyme A. Upon T-cell target cell interaction, the granules undergo exocytosis and granzyme A, and other granule constituents, are released. Here we show that granzyme A secreted into plasma is immediately inactivated by antithrombin III. The rate of complex formation is enhanced 400-fold in the presence of heparin. Two different complexes are generated: granzyme A-antithrombin III and granzyme A-(antithrombin III)2, respectively, indicating that both active centers of granzyme A are functional. Thus, the proteolytic activity of lymphocyte protease granzyme A, whose physiologically relevant function is unknown, is well regulated in plasma.

Human T cell specific proteinase (HuTSP) is encoded by the T cell and natural killer cell specific human Hanukah factor (HuHF) gene

HuTSP, a serine proteinase which is specifically associated with activated t lymphocytes, was purified to homogeneity and characterized. N-terminal amino acid sequencing revealed identity with a sequence predicted from the human Hanukah factor (HF) gene, which was isolated from a human T cell cDNA library. The dimeric structure of HuTSP, together with its extensive sequence homologies with the murine T cell specific proteinase, MTSP-1, suggests phylogenetic conservation of this serine proteinase family.

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.

Induction of T cell serine proteinase 1 (TSP-1)-specific mRNA in mouse T lymphocytes

An oligonucleotide probe corresponding to nucleotides of a cDNA encoding the T cell-associated proteinase 1 (TSP-1) was chosen to study the induction and expression of TSP-1-specific transcripts in mouse T lymphocytes and tissues. We demonstrate that TSP-1 mRNA is only expressed in activated T lymphocytes and is absent from all mouse tissues tested including those containing resting mature T lymphocytes. Expression of the TSP-1 gene was observed in T lymphocytes in vitro in response to either phorbolester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate), Ca2+ ionophore (A23187), lectin or alloantigen. In general, TSP-1 mRNA appeared and peaked later compared to interleukin 2 transcripts. Furthermore, TSP-1 mRNA was inducible in vitro in both Ly-2+ and L3T4+ lymphocyte populations treated with alloantigen and/or lectin. The transcription of the TSP-1 gene was always accompanied by the expression of proteinase activity. High expression of TSP-1 transcripts was also observed in in vivo derived T effector cells specific for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. However, TSP-1 mRNA was predominantly associated with virus-specific Ly-2+ T cells and correlated with their proteinase and cytolytic activities. The data suggest that TSP-1 gene transcription is a useful marker to characterize T effector cells in vitro and in vivo.

Granzymes, a family of serine proteases released from granules of cytolytic T lymphocytes upon T cell receptor stimulation

The cytolytic potential of T effector cells appears to be intimately related to the presence of proteins stored in specialized cytoplasmic granules. A striking biological property of isolated granules is their lytic activity for a variety of target cells in a nonrestricted manner. Proteins contained within these granules of CTLs are specifically released upon target cell recognition. We have isolated and characterized six granule-associated proteins in two murine CTL lines in addition to the pore-forming and target membrane-disrupting perforin. Six full length cDNA clones have been identified in a CTL-specific cDNA expression library which code for the granule-associated serine esterases, designated as granzymes A to F. Granzymes A and B represent the genuine proteins encoded by the H factor/CTLA-3 cDNA and the CTLA-1/CCPI cDNA, respectively. The covalent amino acid structures of all six granzymes show the hallmarks for serine proteases and are highly related to that of rat mast cell protease I and II and cathepsin G, which have been found in granules of mast cells and neutrophilic granulocytes, respectively. The primary translation products are processed by removal of a hydrophobic signal peptide and a two residue-long propeptide at the amino-terminus. Immuno-electron microscopy shows that granzymes and perforin are stored together within secretory granules of CTLs. Simultaneous release of at least two of these granzymes has been observed during degranulation of a murine CTL line by anti-T3 antibodies. The biological role, particularly the proteolytic events elicited by granzyme A and other granzymes in the context of target cell recognition, are not known at present. It is unlikely that they form a proteolytic activation cascade together with pore-forming proteins analogous to the complement system. The strictly regulated secretion of granzymes and the lack of measurable enzymatic activity in the case of granzymes B, C, E and F towards a variety of synthetic substrates suggest a highly specific function for each of them.

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.

Granzyme A secretion by normal activated Lyt-2+ and L3T4+ T cells in response to antigenic stimulation

Granzyme A is a serine esterase initially isolated from cytoplasmic granules of cytolytic T cell lines (Masson, D. et al., EMBO J. 1986. 5: 1595). Among normal T lymphocytes activated by allogeneic stimulation it is found in both Lyt-2+ and L3T4+ subsets in comparable amounts. Here we show that normal alloantigen-activated T cells secrete the enzyme specifically when mixed with appropriate stimulator cells. Specific enzyme release is dependent on external calcium and removal of calcium blocks further secretion within a few minutes. Both Lyt-2+ and L3T4+ cells specifically secrete the enzyme with similar rates, and anti-L3T4 and anti-Lyt-2 antibodies block secretion by the responder cells expressing these markers. Anti-LFA-1 antibodies, on the other hand, block secretion by either subset.

A family of serine esterases in lytic granules of cytolytic T lymphocytes

Cytoplasmic granules of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) contain, in addition to the pore-forming protein perforin, a family of highly homologous serine esterases, granzymes A-H. The serine esterase affinity label diisopropyl fluorophosphate reacts strongly with granzymes A and D, to a lesser extent with B, E, F, G, and H, and not at all with C and F. For granzymes A and D, synthetic substrates have been found. Antibodies raised against granzyme B strongly cross-react with A, G, and H, and antibodies to granzyme D recognize C, E, and F. These antigenic relationships correlate with similarities in the N-terminal amino acid sequences. At least 60% homology is observed between the eight proteins, and all are similar to rat mast cell protease 2. Sequence analysis suggests the identity of granzyme A with a protease predicted from a CTL-specific cDNA clone (H factor) and of granzyme B, G, or H with a protein encoded by the CTL-specific cDNA clone CTLA 1/CCP 1.