Induction of an anti-viral response and 2',5'-oligo A synthetase by interferon in several thymidine kinase-deficient cell lines

Overexpression of a heterologous thymidine kinase delays apoptosis induced by factor deprivation and inhibitors of deoxynucleotide metabolism

Perturbing deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) metabolism with inhibitors of the de novo synthesis of dNTP causes apoptosis in the interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent pre-B cell line BAF3. Under these conditions apoptosis is prevented when deoxyribonucleosides for dNTP synthesis are supplied in the culture medium. On the other hand, removal of IL-3 from cultures of BAF3 cells resulted in down-regulation of thymidine kinase activity, rapid imbalance in dNTP levels, and apoptosis. In this study we show that overexpression of a heterologous thymidine kinase, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK), in BAF3 cells protects these cells from apoptosis induced by either inhibitors of dNTP synthesis or IL-3 deprivation. This protection against apoptosis is abrogated by 9-(4-hydroxybutyl)-N2-phenylguanine, a specific inhibitor of herpes simplex virus-1 TK. These results suggest that deoxyribonucleoside kinases, particularly TK, may be important in the regulation of apoptosis in hemopoietic cells.

Biologic agents as biochemical modulators: pharmacologic basis for the interaction of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs and interferon

Biochemical modulation of cytotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic agents is one means of enhancing the activity and selectivity of antitumor drugs. Traditionally this approach has utilized detailed information regarding a particular enzymatic reaction or biochemical pathway to develop potential modulating agents. In contrast, the reported clinical therapeutic activity of IFN in combination with cytotoxic agents has prompted a reexamination of the biochemical actions of the cytokine. Interferon elicits a number of cellular actions that might contribute to its pharmacologic activity, including both direct antitumor effects and host-mediated actions. The best understood are those related to the cytotoxicity of the fluoropyrimidine antimetabolites and include enzymatic reactions involved in fluoropyrimidine metabolic activation, catabolism, and interaction with its target enzyme. However, even in this instance, a mechanistic association of a specific pharmacologic action with therapeutic activity remains to be determined. These studies demonstrate that cytokines and other biologic agents may exert specific biochemical modulations that augment (or potentially attenuate) the activity of the cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents.

Interferon selectively inhibits the expression of mitochondrial genes: a novel pathway for interferon-mediated responses

As an approach to identifying genes involved in physiological actions of interferons we used differential probes to screen a cDNA library from mouse L-929 cells treated with interferon alpha/beta. We identified two negatively regulated mRNA species which have been examined by analysis of the corresponding mRNAs and by DNA sequencing. Comparison with the GenBank database showed that these cDNA clones corresponded to mitochondrially encoded genes for cytochrome b and subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase. A further cDNA encompassing three mitochondrial genes was used as a probe to show that a third mRNA, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5, was also down-regulated by interferon while a fourth, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6, was unaffected. Expression of cytochrome b was also inhibited in mouse NIH 3T3 cells treated with interferon alpha/beta and in human Daudi lymphoblastoid cells treated with interferon alpha. The ability of interferon to reduce mitochondrial mRNA levels could be blocked by cycloheximide suggesting that these effects are mediated by an interferon-responsive nuclear gene which encodes a product capable of regulating mitochondrial gene expression. Analysis of proteins synthesized in the presence of emetine, a specific inhibitor of cytoplasmic translation, showed that the synthesis of several mitochondrial translation products, including cytochrome b, was reduced after treatment with interferon. Our results reveal a novel effect of interferon on cellular physiology which could have important consequences for understanding the effects of interferons as well as suggesting new mechanisms for the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and function.

Beta and gamma interferons act synergistically to produce an antiviral state in cells resistant to both interferons individually

We showed previously that the mouse fibroblastoid cell line Ltk-aprt- is resistant to the antiviral effects of beta interferon. This lack of response reflects a partial sensitivity to the interferon that is accompanied by a failure to activate expression of several interferon-regulated genes, although certain other genes respond in a normal manner. We show here that Ltk-aprt- cells were also unable to establish an antiviral state and to activate expression of 2,5-oligo(A) synthetase when treated with gamma interferon. Strikingly, however, treatment with a combination of beta interferon and gamma interferon provided complete protection against viral replication. Although the cells were completely insensitive to up to 250 U of the interferons per ml added singly, essentially complete protection from viral cytopathic effects was achieved when as little as 10 U of each of the interferons per ml were combined. Expression of 2,5-oligo(A) synthetase was also sensitive to this synergistic effect. Activation of an antiviral state could also be achieved by sequential treatment, first with gamma interferon and then with beta interferon. Partial protection against viral replication could be achieved by pretreatment with gamma interferon for as little as 1 h before incubation with beta interferon and could be blocked by the addition of specific antibodies or by cycloheximide, indicating that gamma interferon induces the synthesis of a protein which can act synergistically with a signal produced by the beta-interferon receptor. We suggest that Ltk-aprt- cells suffer from defects in one or more components of the gene activation pathways for both type I and type II interferons. Nonetheless, gamma interferon is able to activate the expression of a gene encoding a protein required for signal transduction. This protein acts synergistically with a transient signal produced in response to beta interferon, thereby activating the expression of a further group of genes.

Interferon-induced expression of different genes is mediated by distinct regulatory pathways

Interferons (IFNs) regulate the expression of multiple genes and the regulatory sequences associated with several of these genes have been identified. How cell-surface IFN receptors communicate with such regulatory elements is as yet unknown. We have characterized the IFN responses of a mutant murine cell line (Ltk-aprt-) which is unable to mount an antiviral response when treated with IFN-beta. In contrast to its inability to activate antiviral pathways in these cells, IFN-beta inhibits their growth to the same level as observed in their parental L-929 line which is fully responsive to IFN, suggesting that distinct pathways account for antiviral and cytostatic responses. In agreement with this, Northern blot and nuclear run-on analyses show that the induction of transcription of three distinct genes (2,5(A) synthetase, BS-I-150, and BS-II-4) is blocked in Ltk-aprt- cells whereas another gene (I-8) is activated normally. Our results show that the defective responses observed in this cell line are not due to a nonfunctional IFN-beta cell-surface receptor and suggest that multiple pathways exist between the receptor and upstream gene regulatory elements.

Induction of an antiviral state by interferon in the absence of elevated levels of 2,5-oligo(A) synthetase and eIF-2 kinase

A series of clones has been derived from an interferon-resistant murine cell line, Ltk- aprt-, and their antiviral properties have been characterized. In the parental Ltk- aprt- line interferon is unable to establish antiviral properties or to increase the levels of 2,5-oligo(A) synthetase, the 2,5-oligo(A)-activated endonuclease F, 2',5'-phosphodiesterase, or eIF-2 kinase. However, interferon did prevent replication of vesicular stomatitis, Mengo virus, and reovirus in some of the derivative cell lines. The effect of interferon on the levels of the enzymes of the 2,5-oligo(A) and eIF-2 kinase pathways did not correlate directly with the antiviral properties of these cell clones. Greatly increased levels of 2,5-oligo(A) synthetase occurred in one clone without activation of an antiviral state. Another clone exhibited antiviral activity without detectably increased 2,5-oligo(A) synthetase activity. Changes in the levels of endonuclease F and 2',5'-phosphodiesterase were slight in all the clones examined. Neither 2,5-oligo(A) synthetase nor eIF-2 kinase levels were altered by interferon in another clone and yet an antiviral state was established and prevented replication of vesicular stomatitis, Mengo virus, and reovirus. The results show that mechanisms other than the 2,5-oligo(A) and eIF-2 kinase pathways are likely to contribute to the antiviral effects of interferon.

Activation of metallothionein expression is potentiated by DNA sequences present in the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene

A mouse cell line (Ltk-aprt-) which is resistant to the anti-viral effects of interferon also has a reduced ability to synthesize metallothionein on exposure to cadmium. Like the ability to respond to interferon, cadmium-induced metallothionein synthesis is restored to wild-type levels in clones obtained by introducing a thymidine kinase gene into Ltk-aprt-cells. Transfection of other genes does not have such an effect. Since metallothionein expression is also activated by interferon the results suggest that the regulation of several genes which are responsive to interferon can be modulated by specific sequences present in the Herpes virus thymidine kinase gene.

Changes in thymidine kinase activity during differentiation of HL-60 leukemic cells

Induction of granulocyte maturation in HL-60 leukemic cells by DMSO (1.2%) or RA (1 microM) is accompanied by a 50-60% decrease in cellular thymidine kinase activity. Similarly, the differentiation of HL-60 cells into monocyte-macrophage phenotype by the addition of PMA is paralleled by a 60-80% suppression of thymidine kinase specific activity. Measurement of thymidine kinase kinetic parameters shows that the Vmax decreases from 0.7 pmol/min in control cells to 0.43 pmol/min in PMA-treated cells and to 0.38 pmol/min in RA-treated cells. The Km of the enzyme is not affected by either inducing agent and remains at 2.1 microM. Studies with PMA analogs suggest that thymidine kinase modulation is coupled to HL-60 differentiation.

Growth of wild-type and interferon-sensitive mengovirus in tk- L cells

Cells lacking thymidine kinase (tk) have been reported to fail to respond to the action of interferon (IFN). While some laboratories have confirmed this observation, others have failed to do so. We studied the effect of IFN on four freshly isolated tk- lines of mouse L cells infected with mengovirus. In all cases, normal antiviral activity was induced. The antiproliferative activity of IFN was studied using the parental L cell line, a tk- derivative, and a tk- (tk+) subline into which the tk gene of herpes simplex virus was introduced. All three lines had a doubling time of about 20 h. In all cases, 2,000 U/ml of IFN increased this time to about 50 h. In contrast to the above results, an IFN-sensitive mutant of mengovirus (is-1) grew much better in protected tk- cells than in protected normal cells. This phenomenon appears to be dependent on the fact that tk- cells were routinely maintained in medium containing 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUDR). In the absence of this drug, the virus behaved normally. The implications of this observation are discussed.