Purification and properties of the alpha-interferon receptor of human lymphoblastoid (Namalva) cells

Detergent extraction of the human alpha-beta interferon receptor: a soluble form capable of binding interferon

After examining a variety of detergents we find that receptors for human alpha interferon can be solubilized, in active form, from plasma membranes of lymphoid cells using the detergent CHAPS. The complexes formed, in solution, with interferon are stable enough to be separated chromatographically.

Radiolabeling of the interferon-alpha receptor

The action of alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) is initiated by its binding to a specific cell-surface glycoprotein, the IFN-alpha receptor, which is not well characterized. IFN-alpha A was reacted with an 125I-labeled, cleavable, heterobifunctional reagent. The derivatized IFN-alpha A was bound to human Daudi cells and photoactivated, forming a covalent IFN/receptor complex of apparent molecular weight 130,000-140,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cleavage of the complex produced a new 125I-labeled 110 kDa band, representing the 125I-labeled IFN-alpha receptor free of IFN-alpha. This result provides a better estimate of the apparent molecular weight of the IFN-alpha receptor, and also provides a tool for tracking the migration of the free receptor in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Characterization of gp39, a B-lymphocyte associated differentiation antigen which is also present on granulocytes and macrophages

The biosynthesis and biochemical characteristics of the 39,000 cell surface glycoprotein detected by Mab 41H.16 were investigated. Experiments utilizing tunicamycin, endoglycosidase H, endoglycosidase F and N-glycosidase F indicate that the mature molecule expressed at the cell surface is composed largely of N-linked oligosaccharides of both the complex and high mannose types. When synthesized in the presence of tunicamycin, the molecule appeared on the cell surface with a Mr of 32,000. Digestion with both endoglycosidase H and endoglycosidase F yielded a single band of Mr 37,000. Parallel experiments with N-glycosidase F revealed species of approx. 35,000 and 32,000. Synthesis in the presence of monensin yielded a 37,500 product. [3H]Glucosamine and [3H]mannose were incorporated into the molecule but no evidence for fucose incorporation could be found. Microheterogeneity of gp39 with respect to Mr and oligosaccharide structure was demonstrated by biosynthetic labelling and lectin chromatography. Biosynthetic pulse-chase labelling showed that the de novo synthesis of the 39,000 molecule occurs without detectable precursor formation. Results of temperature-dependent phase separation experiments were consistent with gp39 being an integral membrane protein. Two-dimensional electrophoresis showed heterogeneity of the isoelectric points associated with the N-linked oligosaccharides. Galactose oxidase/NaB[3H]4 labelling showed that a terminal sialic acid protects a galactose residue. All results are consistent with the conclusion that the gp39 molecule is an integral membrane glycoprotein composed of heterogeneous N-linked oligosaccharides of both the complex and high mannose types.

A biological approach to optimize interferon treatment in hairy cell leukemia

Progress with the clinical application of interferons to neoplastic diseases has been slow and complicated by the need for attention to a new spectrum of therapeutic and toxic effects manifested by the interferons. In this report, we present a new approach to define clinically effective but atoxic doses of interferon-alpha for treatment of hairy cell leukemia. In order to find in vivo biologically active interferon doses, the biochemical marker neopterin was selected as a means to assess a cellular interferon response in vivo. Subcutaneous administration of minimal doses of recombinant interferon-alpha-2 (5-8 X 10(5) U/day), which induced maximum neopterin release in serum and urine, proved to be clinically effective: Eight of nine patients responded to this dose regimen. This response rate was comparable to that of a conventional dose schedule (3 X 10(6) U/sqm/day) which was also applied to nine patients (eight responders). Whereas no difference in the clinical efficacy between the two therapeutic strategies could be established, toxicity was clearly confined to the conventional dose regimen. These preliminary results suggest that at least in hairy cell leukemia the therapeutic dose range of interferon can be separated from the toxic.

The interferon receptors

Early studies on the mode of action of interferons have indicated that a receptor system on the cell surface is involved in its action. The first direct evidence to a high-affinity binding site was found only after pure interferon was available. Two different receptors, one specific for interferons-alpha and beta, and the other for interferon-gamma were recognized. A correlation between affinity to the receptor and specific activity was established. Cross-linked complexes of labeled interferons with their receptors were visualized on gel electrophoresis and even partially purified. Internalization of interferons after binding to the receptor was reported. The role of gangliosides as helpers of interferon binding was recently investigated. Fragments of interferons which still retained binding capacity were described and helped in elucidating the binding site on the interferon molecule.