Two Novel Monoclonal Antibodies against the MUC4 Tandem Repeat Reacting with an Antigen Overexpressed by Lung Cancer

Review of the adenocarcinoma cell surface receptor for human alpha-fetoprotein; proposed identification of a widespread mucin as the tumor cell receptor

The identification of a tumor cell receptor for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has long been sought in the field of medicine. The uptake and endocytosis of AFP by rat tumor cells in 1983 sparked a series of confirmatory reports which were extended to include multiple tumor types in rats, mice, and humans. The following year, French investigators characterized the binding properties of the AFP receptor but they did not purify and characterize the receptor. It was not until 1991-1992 that an AFP receptor was partially purified and characterized from both human monocytes and breast cancer cells. By 1993, monoclonal antibodies had been raised against the "AFP receptor" derived from breast cancer extracts with claims that the receptor was a widespread oncoprotein biomarker for cancer. To date, that receptor has yet to be identified due to its complex multimeric structure and carbohydrate composition. The present report will review the literature of the multiple AFP receptors previously including their cellular uptake, transmembrane passage, and partial biochemical characterization. . In addition, evidence derived from computer modeling, proteolytic/fragmentation cleavage patterns, domain structure analysis, and protein binding software analysis will be presented in a proposed identification of a widespread protein/gene family of transmembrane proteins which fits many, if not most, of the criteria attributed to the AFP receptor. The proposed receptor protein family is tentatively identified as an epithelial cell surface mucin constituting one (or more) of many classes of single-pass transmembrane proteins. Present data do not support the concept that the AFP receptor is a "universal" tumor receptor and/or biomarker, but rather a widespread mucin protein that functions primarily in protecting and lubricating epithelial mucosal layers, and engaging in signal transduction; the mucin only binds AFP as a molecule serving in a subordinate or ancillary function.

Identification of an HLA-A*0201-restrictive CTL epitope from MUC4 for applicable vaccine therapy

Recent research has indicated that MUC4 plays an important role in the development of many tumors and may prove useful as a novel cancer immunotherapy target. We aimed to identify HLA-A*0201-restrictive cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes of the cancer-associated antigen MUC4. The MUC4 sequence was scanned for immunogenic peptides using HLA-binding prediction software. Dendritic cells (DCs) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were induced by cytokines. Five possible CTL epitopes were selected by software analysis, synthesized, and used to pulse mature DCs. The CD8(+) T cells from PBMCs from an HLA-A*0201 healthy donor were stimulated with autologous MUC4-peptide-loaded DCs and expanded in vitro. T cell activation was assessed by ELISPOT, and cytotoxicity was determined by (51)chromium ((51)Cr)-release assays. Our results show that CTLs induced by peptide P01204 could lyse T2 cells pulsed with peptide P01204 and HCT-116 cells (MUC4(+), HLA-A2(+)). Compared with a control peptide, P01204 increased the number of IFN-gamma producing T cells. Overall, these results suggest that P01204 is a novel HLA-A*0201-restrictive CTL epitope of the cancer-associated antigen MUC4. This will provide a foundation for the development of tumor-specific peptide vaccines.

Budesonide reduces multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 expression in an airway epithelial cell line (Calu-1)

The objective of this study was to determine the expression and activity of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) in a human airway epithelial cell line (Calu-1) and to further assess whether budesonide, a potent antiasthma corticosteroid, alters the expression and activity of MRP1 in these cells. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the Western blot analysis demonstrated the MRP1 mRNA and MRP1 protein in Calu-1 cells. Indomethacin, probenecid, and verapamil significantly enhanced the fluorescein accumulation and reduced the fluorescein efflux, consistent with the MRP1 activity in the Calu-1 cells. Following 14-day budesonide treatment, fluorescein accumulation increased and fluorescein efflux decreased, consistent with the inhibition of MRP1 activity by budesonide. At a concentration (10 microM) devoid of cytotoxicity, budesonide treatment decreased MRP1 mRNA and MRP1 protein expression in Calu-1 cells by 38% and 42%, respectively. In addition, budesonide (10 microM) enhanced the sensitivity of the MRP1 overexpressing COR-L23R cells to vincristine, suggesting the chemosensitizing effect of budesonide. Thus, budesonide inhibits MRP1 expression and may be useful as a chemosensitizer in tumor chemotherapy.