Biophysical characterization of human-cell-expressed, full-length κI O18/O8, AL-09, λ6a, and Wil immunoglobulin light chains

Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis involves the deposition of insoluble monoclonal AL protein fibrils in the extracellular space of different organs leading to dysfunction and death. Development of methods to efficiently express and purify AL proteins with acceptable standards of homogeneity and structural integrity has become critical to understand the in vitro and in vivo aspects of AL protein aggregation, and thus the disease progression. In this study, we report the biophysical characterization of His-tagged and untagged versions of AL full-length (FL) κI and λ6 subgroup proteins and their mutants expressed from the Expi293F human cell line. We used an array of biophysical and biochemical methods to analyze the structure and stability of the monomers, oligomerization states, and thermodynamic characteristics of the purified FL proteins and how they compare with the bacterially expressed FL proteins. Our results demonstrate that the tagged and untagged versions of FL proteins have comparable stability to proteins expressed in bacterial cells but exhibit multiple unfolding transitions and reversibility. Non-reducing SDS-PAGE and analytical ultracentrifugation analysis showed presence of monomers and dimers, with an insignificant amount of higher-order oligomers, in the purified fraction of all proteins. Overall, the FL proteins were expressed with sufficient yields for biophysical studies and can replace bacterial expression systems.

Pathologic light chain amyloidosis oligomer detection in urinary extracellular vesicles as a diagnostic tool for response and progression of disease

Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis is a plasma cell dyscrasia producing amyloidogenic light chains (LC) that misfold and form amyloid deposits that cause damage in vital organs, primarily the heart and kidneys. Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) are nanoparticles produced by renal epithelial cells throughout the nephron. We previously showed that uEVs from active renal AL amyloidosis patients contain LC oligomers that are large (>250kDa), resistant to heat and chemical denaturation, but of low abundance. Renal dysfunction in AL amyloidosis results in high urine protein, compounding technical challenges to use uEVs as analytical tools. In this study, we assess the use of uEVs as analytical diagnostic tools for response and disease progression in AL amyloidosis. Our results suggest that uEV protein concentration, urine volume, and particle concentrations are not directly correlated. Multiple strategies for overcoming non-specific antibody binding in uEV samples were validated in our study. We demonstrated that the sensitivity for pre-clinical testing is improved with a urine sample requirement algorithm that we developed. The findings of our study will provide a pathway toward development of critically needed tools for patient management. Sensitive detection of LC oligomers from a non-invasive urine sample rather than an invasive renal biopsy will reduce patient burden and healthcare costs. The ability to detect LC oligomers in patients with renal progression, despite positive hematologic response; will allow clinicians to confidently treat, but not overtreat, patients at risk of ongoing significant renal injury.

Light chain amyloidosis induced inflammatory changes in cardiomyocytes and adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a progressive, degenerative disease characterized by the misfolding and amyloid deposition of immunoglobulin light chain (LC). The amyloid deposits lead to organ failure and death. Our laboratory is specifically interested in cardiac involvement of AL amyloidosis. We have previously shown that the fibrillar aggregates of LC proteins can be cytotoxic and arrest the growth of human RFP-AC16 cardiomyocytes in vitro. We showed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AMSC) can rescue the cardiomyocytes from the fibril-induced growth arrest through contact-dependent mechanisms. In this study, we examined the transcriptome changes of human cardiomyocytes and AMSC in the presence of AL amyloid fibrils. The presence of fibrils causes a 'priming' immune response in AMSC associated with interferon associated genes. Exposure to AL fibrils induced changes in the pathways associated with immune response and extracellular matrix components in cardiomyocytes. We also observed upregulation of innate immune-associated transcripts (chemokines, cytokines, and complement), suggesting that amyloid fibrils initiate an innate immune response on these cells, possibly due to phenotypic transformation. This study corroborates and expands our previous studies and identifies potential new immunologic mechanisms of action for fibril toxicity on human cardiomyocytes and AMSC rescue effect on cardiomyocytes.

Immunoglobulin light chain amyloid aggregation

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a devastating, complex, and incurable protein misfolding disease. It is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of plasma cells (fully differentiated B cells) producing an excess of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains that are secreted into circulation, where the light chains misfold, aggregate as amyloid fibrils in target organs, and cause organ dysfunction, organ failure, and death. In this article, we will review the factors that contribute to AL amyloidosis complexity, the findings by our laboratory from the last 16 years and the work from other laboratories on understanding the structural, kinetics, and thermodynamic contributions that drive immunoglobulin light chain-associated amyloidosis. We will discuss the role of cofactors and the mechanism of cellular damage. Last, we will review our recent findings on the high resolution structure of AL amyloid fibrils. AL amyloidosis is the best example of protein sequence diversity in misfolding diseases, as each patient has a unique combination of germline donor sequences and multiple amino acid mutations in the protein that forms the amyloid fibril.

Mesenchymal stromal cells protect human cardiomyocytes from amyloid fibril damage

BACKGROUND AIMS

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a protein misfolding disease characterized by extracellular deposition of immunoglobulin light chains (LC) as amyloid fibrils. Patients with LC amyloid involvement of the heart have the worst morbidity and mortality. Current treatments target the plasma cells to reduce further production of amyloid proteins. There is dire need to understand the mechanisms of cardiac tissue damage from amyloid to develop novel therapies. We recently reported that LC soluble and fibrillar species cause apoptosis and inhibit cell growth in human cardiomyocytes. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can promote wound healing and tissue remodeling. The objective of this study was to evaluate MSCs to protect cardiomyocytes affected by AL amyloid fibrils.

METHODS

We used live cell imaging and proteomics to analyze the effect of MSCs in the growth arrest caused by AL amyloid fibrils.

RESULTS

We evaluated the growth of human cardiomyocytes (RFP-AC16 cells) in the presence of cytotoxic LC amyloid fibrils. MSCs reversed the cell growth arrest caused by LC fibrils. We also demonstrated that this effect requires cell contact and may be mediated through paracrine factors modulating cell adhesion and extracellular matrix remodeling. To our knowledge, this is the first report of MSC protection of human cardiomyocytes in amyloid disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This important proof of concept study will inform future rational development of MSC therapy in cardiac LC amyloid.

Assessment of renal response with urinary exosomes in patients with AL amyloidosis: A proof of concept

Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a fatal complication of B-cell proliferation secondary to deposition of amyloid fibrils in various organs. Urinary exosomes (UEX) are the smallest of the microvesicles excreted in the urine. Previously, we found UEX of patients with AL amyloidosis contained immunoglobulin light chain (LC) oligomers that patients with multiple myeloma did not have. To further explore the role of the LC oligomers, UEX was isolated from an AL amyloidosis patient with progressive renal disease despite achieving a complete response. LC oligomers were identified. Mass spectrometry (MS) of the UEX and serum identified two monoclonal lambda LCs. Proteomics of the trypsin digested amyloid fragments in the kidney by laser microdissection and MS analysis identified a λ6 LC. The cDNA from plasma cell clone was from the IGLV- 6-57 family and it matched the amino acid sequences of the amyloid peptides. The predicted mass of the peptide product of the cDNA matched the mass of one of the two LCs identified in the UEX and serum. UEX combined with MS were able to identify 2 monoclonal lambda LCs that current clinical methods could not. It also identified the amyloidogenic LC which holds potential for response assessment in the future.

SNX17 affects T cell activation by regulating TCR and integrin recycling

A key component in T cell activation is the endosomal recycling of receptors to the cell surface, thereby allowing continual integration of signaling and Ag recognition. One protein potentially involved in TCR transport is sorting nexin 17 (SNX17). SNX proteins have been found to bind proteins involved in T cell activation, but specifically the role of SNX17 in receptor recycling and T cell activation is unknown. Using immunofluorescence, we find that SNX17 colocalizes with TCR and localizes to the immune synapse in T- conjugates. Significantly, knockdown of the SNX17 resulted in fewer T-APC conjugates, lower CD69, TCR, and LFA-1 surface expression, as well as lower overall TCR recycling compared with control T cells. Lastly, we identified the 4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin domain of SNX17 as being responsible in the binding and trafficking of TCR and LFA-1 to the cell surface. These data suggest that SNX17 plays a role in the maintenance of normal surface levels of activating receptors and integrins to permit optimum T cell activation at the immune synapse.

COMMD1 is linked to the WASH complex and regulates endosomal trafficking of the copper transporter ATP7A

COMMD1 deficiency results in defective copper homeostasis, but the mechanism for this has remained elusive. Here we report that COMMD1 is directly linked to early endosomes through its interaction with a protein complex containing CCDC22, CCDC93, and C16orf62. This COMMD/CCDC22/CCDC93 (CCC) complex interacts with the multisubunit WASH complex, an evolutionarily conserved system, which is required for endosomal deposition of F-actin and cargo trafficking in conjunction with the retromer. Interactions between the WASH complex subunit FAM21, and the carboxyl-terminal ends of CCDC22 and CCDC93 are responsible for CCC complex recruitment to endosomes. We show that depletion of CCC complex components leads to lack of copper-dependent movement of the copper transporter ATP7A from endosomes, resulting in intracellular copper accumulation and modest alterations in copper homeostasis in humans with CCDC22 mutations. This work provides a mechanistic explanation for the role of COMMD1 in copper homeostasis and uncovers additional genes involved in the regulation of copper transporter recycling.

The cytoskeletal adaptor protein IQGAP1 regulates TCR-mediated signaling and filamentous actin dynamics

The Ras GTPase-activating-like protein IQGAP1 is a multimodular scaffold that controls signaling and cytoskeletal regulation in fibroblasts and epithelial cells. However, the functional role of IQGAP1 in T cell development, activation, and cytoskeletal regulation has not been investigated. In this study, we show that IQGAP1 is dispensable for thymocyte development as well as microtubule organizing center polarization and cytolytic function in CD8(+) T cells. However, IQGAP1-deficient CD8(+) T cells as well as Jurkat T cells suppressed for IQGAP1 were hyperresponsive, displaying increased IL-2 and IFN-γ production, heightened LCK activation, and augmented global phosphorylation kinetics after TCR ligation. In addition, IQGAP1-deficient T cells exhibited increased TCR-mediated F-actin assembly and amplified F-actin velocities during spreading. Moreover, we found that discrete regions of IQGAP1 regulated cellular activation and F-actin accumulation. Taken together, our data suggest that IQGAP1 acts as a dual negative regulator in T cells, limiting both TCR-mediated activation kinetics and F-actin dynamics via distinct mechanisms.

2B4 utilizes ITAM-containing receptor complexes to initiate intracellular signaling and cytolysis

2B4 is a member of the SLAM receptor family capable of activating NK cell cytotoxicity in the context of EBV infection. SAP (SLAM Associated Protein) deficiency causes defective signaling downstream of SLAM family receptors and high susceptibility to EBV. 2B4 costimulates natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) and TCR initiated signals to induce cellular cytotoxicity and cytokine release. The 2B4-SAP signal transduction pathway is not predicted to overlap with the TCR-ITAM pathway, although SAP is required for some TCR-induced signals. We therefore examined the functional relationship between SLAM family receptor 2B4 and ITAM-containing adaptor complexes. Removal of FcɛRIγ or CD3ζ-containing complexes, using genetically manipulated cell lines or siRNA specific suppression, significantly reduces 2B4-initiated functions in NK and T cells, respectively. Consistent with this relationship, Syk and ZAP-70 are capable of transducing 2B4 signals for calcium mobilization and cytolysis. Furthermore, ITAM-containing molecules constitutively associate with SAP. These results suggest a potential physical association between 2B4 and the ITAM receptor complexes that is required for 2B4-initiated signaling and cell-mediated killing.

PI3K links NKG2D signaling to a CrkL pathway involved in natural killer cell adhesion, polarity, and granule secretion

The NK cell-activating receptor NKG2D plays a critical role in the destruction of malignant cells, but many of the cell-signaling mechanisms governing NKG2D-mediated cellular cytotoxicity are unknown. We have identified an NKG2D-mediated signaling pathway that governs both conjugate formation and cytotoxic granule polarization. We demonstrate that an interaction between the regulatory subunit of PI3K, p85, and the adaptor protein CrkL is required for efficient NKG2D-mediated cellular cytotoxicity. We show decreased NK cell-target cell conjugate formation in NK cells treated with PI3K inhibitors or depleted of CrkL. Independent of adhesion, we find that microtubule organization center polarization toward target cells expressing the NKG2D ligand MICA or toward anti-NKG2D-coated beads is impaired in the absence of CrkL. Ab-stimulated granule release is also impaired in NK cells depleted of CrkL. Furthermore, our data indicate that the small Ras family GTPase Rap1 is activated downstream of NKG2D engagement in a PI3K- and CrkL-dependent manner and is required for conjugate formation, MTOC (microtubule organizing center) polarization, and NKG2D-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Taken together, our data identify an NKG2D-activated signaling pathway that collectively orchestrates NK cell adhesion, cell polarization, and granule release.

PI3-Kinase Links NKG2D Signaling to a CrkL Pathway Involved in Natural Killer Cell Adhesion, Polarity, and Granule Secretion (134.3)

The NK cell activating receptor NKG2D plays a critical role in the destruction of malignant cells, but many of the cell-signaling mechanisms governing NKG2D-mediated cellular cytotoxicity are unknown. We have identified an NKG2D-mediated signaling pathway that governs both conjugate formation and cytotoxic granule polarization. We demonstrate that an interaction between the regulatory subunit of PI3K, p85, and the adaptor protein CrkL is required for efficient NKG2D-mediated cellular cytotoxicity. We show decreased NK cell - target cell conjugate formation in NK cells treated with PI3K inhibitors or depleted of CrkL. Independent of adhesion, we find that microtubule organization center polarization toward target cells expressing the NKG2D ligand MICA or toward anti-NKG2D coated beads is impaired in the absence of CrkL. Antibody-stimulated granule release is also impaired in NK cells depleted of CrkL. Furthermore, our data indicate that the small Ras-family GTPase Rap1 is required for NK cell killing and is activated downstream of NKG2D engagement in a PI3K- and CrkL-dependent manner. Taken together, our data identify an NKG2D-activated signaling pathway that collectively orchestrates NK cell adhesion, cell polarization and granule release.

NK cell receptors 2B4 and NKp46 utilize FcεRIγ for cell-mediated cytotoxicity (134.18)

ITAM-containing adaptors such as CD3ζ, FcεRIγ, and DAP12 are linked to a variety of activating receptors on NK cells and are thus presumed to be important for NK cell cytotoxicity, but whether these ITAM adaptors are unique or functionally redundant in the development of cytotoxicity has remained elusive. Two receptors expressed on NK cells, 2B4 and NKp46, can activate "natural cytotoxicity" against EBV transformed B cells or redirect ADCC. We therefore examined the requirement for ITAM adaptors in 2B4 and NKp46-initiated cytotoxicity using siRNA suppression. Here we provide evidence that FcεRIγ is required for 2B4-initiated cytotoxicity in redirected ADCC assays, whereas CD3ζ and DAP12 are not. Importantly, 2B4 surface levels were not altered by suppression of FcεRIγ, suggesting the possibility that this ITAM adaptor was functioning to costimulate 2B4-initiated killing. Interestingly, FcεRIγ, but not CD3ζ, was important for NKp46-initated cytotoxicity in redirected ADCC assays and siRNA toward FcεRIγ led to a significant reduction in NKp46 surface levels. FcεRIγ is thus an important ITAM adaptor molecule for cytotoxicity initiated by 2B4 through the regulation of NKp46 cell surface levels. FcεRIγ may also be important for killing EBV transformed cells since 2B4 and NKp46 are involved in killing EBV transformed B cells. This work was supported by NCI grant CA47752 to D.D.B. and NIH grant F31-AI75632 to A.T.B.

Dynamin 2 regulates granule exocytosis during NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity

NK cells are innate immune cells that can eliminate their targets through granule release. In this study, we describe a specialized role for the large GTPase Dynamin 2 (Dyn2) in the regulation of these secretory events leading to cell-mediated cytotoxicity. By modulating the expression of Dyn2 using small interfering RNA or by inhibiting its activity using a pharmacological agent, we determined that Dyn2 does not regulate conjugate formation, proximal signaling, or granule polarization. In contrast, during cell-mediated killing, Dyn2 localizes with lytic granules and polarizes to the NK cell-target interface where it regulates the final fusion of lytic granules with the plasma membrane. These findings identify a novel role for Dyn2 in the exocytic events required for effective NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Cutting edge: syntaxin 11 regulates lymphocyte-mediated secretion and cytotoxicity

Little is known about the regulatory roles of specific soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins in cytotoxic lymphocytes. Recent information suggests that mutations in the SNARE protein syntaxin 11 result in a form of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL). Because genetic abnormalities in key granule components (e.g., perforin) or in regulators of secretion (e.g., Munc13-4) underlie the other identified forms of FHL, we assessed whether syntaxin 11 might also serve a related regulatory role. We determined that syntaxin 11 is expressed in NK cells and activated CTLs and is located in discrete membrane-associated structures in the cytoplasm. Enhanced expression of syntaxin 11 augments the secretion and killing of tumor targets, and suppression of syntaxin 11 expression inhibits these functions. Our data identify and characterize a role for syntaxin 11 in granule exocytosis and in the generation of cell-mediated killing. These results also provide new insights on the mechanisms of hemopoietic dysregulation in FHL.

Differential regulation of human NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by the tyrosine kinase Itk

NK cells are effector lymphocytes that can recognize and eliminate virally infected and transformed cells. NK cells express distinct activating receptors, including an ITAM-containing FcR complex that recognizes Ab-coated targets, and the DNAX-activating protein of 10 kDa-containing NKG2D receptor complex that recognizes stress-induced ligands. The regulatory role of specific tyrosine kinases in these pathways is incompletely understood. In this study, we show that, in activated human NK cells, the tyrosine kinase IL-2-inducible T cell kinase (Itk), differentially regulates distinct NK-activating receptors. Enhanced expression of Itk leads to increases in calcium mobilization, granule release, and cytotoxicity upon stimulation of the ITAM-containing FcR, suggesting that Itk positively regulates FcR-initiated cytotoxicity. In contrast, enhanced Itk expression decreases cytotoxicity and granule release downstream of the DNAX-activating protein of 10 kDa-containing NKG2D receptor, suggesting that Itk is involved in a pathway of negative regulation of NKG2D-initiated granule-mediated killing. Using a kinase mutant, we show that the catalytic activity of Itk is required for both the positive and negative regulation of these pathways. Complementary experiments where Itk expression was suppressed also showed differential regulation of the two pathways. These findings suggest that Itk plays a complex role in regulating the functions initiated by distinct NK cell-activating receptors. Moreover, understanding how these pathways may be differentially regulated has relevance in the setting of autoimmune diseases and antitumor immune responses where NK cells play key regulatory roles.

NKG2D-mediated signaling requires a DAP10-bound Grb2-Vav1 intermediate and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase in human natural killer cells

NKG2D is an important immunosurveillance receptor that responds to stress-induced ligand expression on tumors and virus-infected cells. Human natural killer cells express NKG2D and require the transmembrane adaptor DAP10 to initiate their full cytotoxic activation. However, DAP10 has no immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif and thus the mechanism of recruiting 'downstream' effector proteins is unclear. We show here that binding of the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3- kinase to DAP10 could not by itself trigger cell-mediated cytotoxicity and that binding of an intermediate consisting of the DAP10 binding partner Grb2 and the effector molecule Vav1 (Grb2-Vav1) to DAP10 was sufficient to initiate tyrosine-phosphorylation events. For full calcium release and cytotoxicity to occur, both Grb2-Vav1 and p85 had to bind to DAP10. These findings identify a previously unknown mechanism by which NKG2D-DAP10 mediates cytotoxicity and provides a framework for evaluating activation by other receptor complexes that lack immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs.

The isoforms of phospholipase C-gamma are differentially used by distinct human NK activating receptors

The two isoforms of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma couple immune recognition receptors to important calcium- and protein kinase C-dependent cellular functions. It has been assumed that PLC-gamma1 and PLC-gamma2 have redundant functions and that the receptors can use whichever PLC-gamma isoform is preferentially expressed in a cell of a given hemopoietic lineage. In this study, we demonstrate that ITAM-containing immune recognition receptors can use either PLC-gamma1 or PLC-gamma2, whereas the novel NK cell-activating receptor NKG2D preferentially couples to PLC-gamma2. Experimental models evaluating signals from either endogenous receptors (FcR vs NKG2D-DAP10) or ectopically expressed chimeric receptors (with ITAM-containing cytoplasmic tails vs DAP10-containing cytoplasmic tails) demonstrate that PLC-gamma1 and PLC-gamma2 both regulate the functions of ITAM-containing receptors, whereas only PLC-gamma2 regulates the function of DAP10-coupled receptors. These data suggest that specific immune recognition receptors can differentially couple to the two isoforms of PLC-gamma. More broadly, these observations reveal a basis for selectively targeting the functions initiated by distinct immune recognition receptors.

NKG2D-DAP10 triggers human NK cell-mediated killing via a Syk-independent regulatory pathway

The immune recognition receptor complex NKG2D-DAP10 on natural killer cells is stimulated by specific ligands carried on virus-infected and malignant cells. Because DAP10 does not have an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) in its cytoplasmic tail, its ability to trigger killing has been debated. Here we show that a crucial Tyr-Ile-Asn-Met amino acid motif in the cytoplasmic tail of DAP10 couples receptor stimulation to the downstream activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Vav1, Rho family GTPases and phospholipase C. Unlike that of ITAM-containing receptors, the activation of NKG2D-DAP10 proceeds independently of Syk family protein tyrosine kinases. Yet the signals initiated by NKG2D-DAP10 are fully capable of inducing killing. Our findings identify a previously unknown mechanism by which receptor complexes that lack ITAM motifs can trigger lymphocyte activation.

Regulation of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by the adaptor protein 3BP2

Stimulation of lymphocytes through multichain immune recognition receptors activates multiple signaling pathways. Adaptor proteins play an important role in integrating these pathways by their ability to simultaneously bind multiple signaling components. Recently, the 3BP2 adaptor protein has been shown to positively regulate the transcriptional activity of T cells. However, the mechanisms by which signaling components are involved in this regulation remain unclear, as does a potential role for 3BP2 in the regulation of other cellular functions. Here we describe a positive regulatory role for 3BP2 in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. We also identify p95(vav) and phospholipase C-gamma isoforms as binding partners of 3BP2. Our results show that tyrosine-183 of 3BP2 is specifically involved in this interaction and that this residue critically influences 3BP2-dependent function. Therefore, 3BP2 regulates NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by mobilizing key downstream signaling effectors.

Regulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase during NK cell activation

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 modulates a variety of cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation and cell death. However, we report here a novel function for p38, i.e. the regulation of cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity. Stimulation of NK cells by either cross-linking of their FcgammaRIII receptors or by binding to NK-sensitive target cells induces the phosphorylation and activation of p38, and also of its upstream regulators MKK3/MKK6. Pharmacologic analyses suggest that Src-family and Syk-family protein tyrosine kinases couple the NK cell surface receptors to p38 activation. The role of p38 in the cytotoxic function of NK cells was tested by treatment of NK cells with the cell-permeable, p38-specific inhibitor SB203580. Interestingly, exposure to the drug reduced both antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and natural cytotoxicity, but maximal inhibitory concentrations resulted in only partial inhibition. Collectively, these results suggest that the p38 MAPK pathway is stimulated during the development of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and that efficient killing is influenced by both p38-dependent and p38-independent pathways. More broadly, this study identifies the regulation of cell-mediated killing as a novel role for p38 in cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Seasonal variability in CH4 emissions from a landfill in a cool, semiarid climate

Methane exchange with the atmosphere was measured during three seasons at the Rooney Road landfill in Jefferson County, CO. Substantial spatial and temporal variability in exchange rates were observed. Mean fluxes to the atmosphere were 534, 1290, and 538 mg CH4/m2/day, respectively, in the fall of 1994, winter of 1994-1995, and summer of 1995. Median fluxes were 12.42, 8.62, and 5.65 mg CH4/m2/day, respectively, during those seasons. Forty-three of 177 measurements had small negative fluxes, suggesting methanotrophic activity in the landfill cover soils. Despite probable methanotrophic activity in cover soils, landfills without gas collection systems may emit substantial CH4 to the atmosphere, with large spatial and seasonal variability.

Cutting edge: a role for the adaptor protein LAT in human NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Stimulation of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity involves the coupling of proximal Src and Syk family protein tyrosine kinases to downstream effectors. However, the mechanisms linking these second messenger pathways are incompletely understood. Here, we describe a key role for the LAT (p36) adaptor protein in human NK cell activation. LAT is tyrosine phosphorylated upon stimulation of NK cells through FcgammaRIII receptors and following direct contact with NK-sensitive target cells. This NK stimulation induces the association of LAT with several phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. In addition to the biochemical evidence showing LAT involvement in NK cell activation, a genetic model shows that LAT is required for FcR-dependent phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma. Furthermore, overexpression of LAT in NK cells leads to increased Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and "natural cytotoxicity," thus demonstrating a functional role for LAT in NK cells. These data suggest that LAT is an important adaptor protein for the regulation of human NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Cutting Edge: A Role for the Adaptor Protein LAT in Human NK Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity

Stimulation of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity involves the coupling of proximal Src and Syk family protein tyrosine kinases to downstream effectors. However, the mechanisms linking these second messenger pathways are incompletely understood. Here, we describe a key role for the LAT (p36) adaptor protein in human NK cell activation. LAT is tyrosine phosphorylated upon stimulation of NK cells through FcγRIII receptors and following direct contact with NK-sensitive target cells. This NK stimulation induces the association of LAT with several phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. In addition to the biochemical evidence showing LAT involvement in NK cell activation, a genetic model shows that LAT is required for FcR-dependent phosphorylation of phospholipase C-γ. Furthermore, overexpression of LAT in NK cells leads to increased Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and “natural cytotoxicity,” thus demonstrating a functional role for LAT in NK cells. These data suggest that LAT is an important adaptor protein for the regulation of human NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

The Vav-Rac1 pathway in cytotoxic lymphocytes regulates the generation of cell-mediated killing

The Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Vav, is activated in hematopoietic cells in response to a large variety of stimuli. The downstream signaling events derived from Vav have been primarily characterized as leading to transcription or transformation. However, we report here that Vav and Rac1 in natural killer (NK) cells regulate the development of cell-mediated killing. There is a rapid increase in Vav tyrosine phosphorylation during the development of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and natural killing. In addition, overexpression of Vav, but not of a mutant lacking exchange factor activity, enhances both forms of killing by NK cells. Furthermore, dominant-negative Rac1 inhibits the development of NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity by two mechanisms: (a) conjugate formation between NK cells and target cells is decreased; and (b) those NK cells that do form conjugates have decreased ability to polarize their granules toward the target cell. Therefore, our results suggest that in addition to participating in the regulation of transcription, Vav and Rac1 are pivotal regulators of adhesion, granule exocytosis, and cellular cytotoxicity.

Functional role for Syk tyrosine kinase in natural killer cell-mediated natural cytotoxicity

Natural killer (NK) cells are named based on their natural cytotoxic activity against a variety of target cells. However, the mechanisms by which sensitive targets activate killing have been difficult to study due to the lack of a prototypic NK cell triggering receptor. Pharmacologic evidence has implicated protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) in natural killing; however, Lck-deficient, Fyn-deficient, and ZAP-70-deficient mice do not exhibit defects in natural killing despite demonstrable defects in T cell function. This discrepancy implies the involvement of other tyrosine kinases. Here, using combined biochemical, pharmacologic, and genetic approaches, we demonstrate a central role for the PTK Syk in natural cytotoxicity. Biochemical analyses indicate that Syk is tyrosine phosphorylated after stimulation with a panel of NK-sensitive target cells. Pharmacologic exposure to piceatannol, a known Syk family kinase inhibitor, inhibits natural cytotoxicity. In addition, gene transfer of dominant-negative forms of Syk to NK cells inhibits natural cytotoxicity. Furthermore, sensitive targets that are rendered NK-resistant by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I transfection no longer activate Syk. These data suggest that Syk activation is an early and requisite signaling event in the development of natural cytotoxicity directed against a variety of cellular targets.

Sequential involvement of Lck and SHP-1 with MHC-recognizing receptors on NK cells inhibits FcR-initiated tyrosine kinase activation

Recognition of major histocompatibility (MHC) class I complexes on target cells by killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIR) blocks natural killer (NK) and T cell cytotoxic function. The inhibitory effect of KIR ligation requires the phosphotyrosine-dependent association of KIR with the cytoplasmic SH2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1. Using a somatic genetic model, we first define a requirement for the Src family protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) Lck in mediating KIR tyrosine phosphorylation. We then investigate how KIR ligation interrupts PTK-dependent NK cell activation signals. Specifically, we show that KIR ligation inhibits the Fc receptor (FcR)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the FcR-associated zeta signaling chain, the PTK ZAP-70, and phospholipase C gamma. Overexpression of catalytically inactive SHP-1 (acting as a dominant negative) restores the tyrosine phosphorylation of these signaling events and reverses KIR-mediated inhibition of NK cell cytotoxic function. These results suggest sequential roles for Lck and SHP-1 in the inhibition of PTK following MHC recognition by NK cells.

Clonotypic differences in signaling from CD94 (kp43) on NK cells lead to divergent cellular responses

Ligation of MHC class I-recognizing receptors on NK cells dramatically modulates their secretory and cytotoxic function. This study focuses on characterizing key signaling events regulating these activities after ligation of the C-type lectin superfamily member, CD94. We isolated separate clonal populations of human NK cells in which ligation of CD94 (kp43) either triggered cell-mediated cytotoxicity (group A clones) or potently inhibited NK cell activation (group B clones). We then evaluated the proximal signaling events that regulate these alternative responses. CD94 stimulation of group A clones induced the rapid activation of intracellular protein tyrosine kinases (i.e., lck and ZAP-70), phospholipase C, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. In contrast, CD94 ligation on group B clones had none of the above noted effects and instead inhibited the FcR-induced tyrosine phosphorylations of ZAP-70 and phospholipase C-gamma 2, the formation of phospho-zeta/ZAP-70 complexes, and the release of inositol phosphates. These results define distinct proximal signaling events initiated after CD94 ligation and suggest that clonotypic differences in signaling generate fundamentally different NK cell-mediated responses.

Clonotypic differences in signaling from CD94 (kp43) on NK cells lead to divergent cellular responses

Ligation of MHC class I-recognizing receptors on NK cells dramatically modulates their secretory and cytotoxic function. This study focuses on characterizing key signaling events regulating these activities after ligation of the C-type lectin superfamily member, CD94. We isolated separate clonal populations of human NK cells in which ligation of CD94 (kp43) either triggered cell-mediated cytotoxicity (group A clones) or potently inhibited NK cell activation (group B clones). We then evaluated the proximal signaling events that regulate these alternative responses. CD94 stimulation of group A clones induced the rapid activation of intracellular protein tyrosine kinases (i.e., lck and ZAP-70), phospholipase C, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. In contrast, CD94 ligation on group B clones had none of the above noted effects and instead inhibited the FcR-induced tyrosine phosphorylations of ZAP-70 and phospholipase C-gamma 2, the formation of phospho-zeta/ZAP-70 complexes, and the release of inositol phosphates. These results define distinct proximal signaling events initiated after CD94 ligation and suggest that clonotypic differences in signaling generate fundamentally different NK cell-mediated responses.

Interaction between lck and syk family tyrosine kinases in Fc gamma receptor-initiated activation of natural killer cells

Ligation of the Fc gamma R on natural killer (NK) cells results in the tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple substrates critical for intracellular signaling and activation of NK cell effector functions. However, it remains unclear which nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinases (PTK) participate in this process. In this report we demonstrate that Fc gamma R ligation induced the tyrosine phosphorylation and increased the catalytic activities of both syk family PTKs, ZAP-70, and syk. The phosphorylation of ZAP-70 and syk was enhanced markedly by overexpression of wild-type lck but not by a kinase-inactive mutant, suggesting that early Fc gamma R-initiated activation of lck results in the subsequent regulation of syk family PTKs. The regulatory interplay between src and syk family PTKs was emphasized further by the observation that lck overexpression enhanced the association of ZAP-70 with the zeta chain of the Fc gamma R complex. Additional analyses indicated that lck induced the subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma 2. Interestingly, the regulatory effects of lck on ZAP-70, syk, and PLC-gamma 2 could not be replaced by overexpression of either fyn or src, demonstrating a selective role for lck in effectively coupling Fc gamma R stimulation to critical downstream signaling events. Taken together, our results suggest not only that Fc gamma R stimulation on NK cells is coupled to the intracellular activation of both ZAP-70 and syk, but that the src family member, lck, can selectively regulate this tyrosine kinase cascade.

Tyrosine kinase activation provides an early and requisite signal for Fas-induced apoptosis

Selective cell death plays a critical role in the development of the immune repertoire and in the elimination of target cells expressing foreign Ags. The apoptosis induced by ligation of the Fas Ag, a member of the TNFR/nerve growth factor receptor superfamily, contributes to both of these modes of cell loss. However, in spite of the molecular cloning of the Fas Ag and the identification of a specific cytoplasmic domain required for its function, it remains unclear as to which Fas-induced second messengers mediate the development of programmed cell death. We, therefore, evaluated Fas-initiated signal transduction in susceptible cell types. We determined that Fas ligation induces the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins. These phosphorylation events occur within 1 min and decline toward baseline by 30 min. In addition, Fas ligation increases the in vitro protein kinase activity of the tyrosine phosphorylated proteins. Pharmacologic inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases block, in a concentration-dependent manner, Fas-induced DNA fragmentation and prolong cell survival. These results suggest that protein tyrosine kinase activation is an early and obligatory signal in Fas-induced apoptosis.

Tyrosine kinase activation provides an early and requisite signal for Fas-induced apoptosis

Selective cell death plays a critical role in the development of the immune repertoire and in the elimination of target cells expressing foreign Ags. The apoptosis induced by ligation of the Fas Ag, a member of the TNFR/nerve growth factor receptor superfamily, contributes to both of these modes of cell loss. However, in spite of the molecular cloning of the Fas Ag and the identification of a specific cytoplasmic domain required for its function, it remains unclear as to which Fas-induced second messengers mediate the development of programmed cell death. We, therefore, evaluated Fas-initiated signal transduction in susceptible cell types. We determined that Fas ligation induces the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins. These phosphorylation events occur within 1 min and decline toward baseline by 30 min. In addition, Fas ligation increases the in vitro protein kinase activity of the tyrosine phosphorylated proteins. Pharmacologic inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases block, in a concentration-dependent manner, Fas-induced DNA fragmentation and prolong cell survival. These results suggest that protein tyrosine kinase activation is an early and obligatory signal in Fas-induced apoptosis.

Interleukin-2 signal transduction in human NK cells: multisite phosphorylation and activation of the tyrosine kinase p56lck

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) potently stimulates natural killer (NK) cell proliferation and cytotoxic function. However, the molecular mechanisms by which IL-2 delivers activation signals from the IL-2 receptor to the NK cell interior are incompletely understood. Previous studies demonstrated that IL-2 stimulation induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple proteins in NK cells, together with a prominent reduction in the electrophoretic mobility of p56lck. The present studies indicate that IL-2 induces a rapid (< or = 1 min) increase in the catalytic activity of p56lck, as measured by increases in protein tyrosine kinase activity in vitro. Furthermore, in response to IL-2, p56lck itself undergoes complex alterations in serine and tyrosine phosphorylation. Cyanogen bromide cleavage maps indicate that IL-2 stimulates a pronounced increase in the phosphorylation of the NH2-terminal region of p56lck containing multiple known sites of serine phosphorylation. In addition, IL-2 induced a marked increase in the phosphorylation of a COOH-terminal peptide containing the regulatory Tyr-505 residue of p56lck. These results suggest that p56lck serves as a substrate for both protein serine and tyrosine kinases activated during stimulation of this cell type with IL-2. Furthermore, these results indicate that the pleiotropic effects of IL-2 on NK cell physiology are initiated and regulated by a complex and multitiered interaction of different protein kinases including p56lck.

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation and p56lck modification in IL-2 or phorbol ester-activated human natural killer cells

Protein tyrosine kinases play fundamental roles in the transduction of signals that regulate cell growth, differentiation, and functional responses to a diversity of external stimuli. It is therefore likely that understanding protein tyrosine kinase activity in NK cells will be crucial in further defining the intracellular regulation of their unique and specialized functions. We investigated the role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in receptor-mediated signal transduction using stimuli known to play major roles in regulating NK cell activation. Immunoblot analyses with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies demonstrated that IL-2, a potent stimulus for NK cell proliferation and an agent that enhances NK cytotoxic function, induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of at least eight proteins in clonal CD16+/CD3-human NK cells. In contrast, IL-4, which modulates NK cell function without inducing proliferation, had no apparent effect on protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Because protein kinase C (PKC) activation plays a prominent, yet distinct role in NK cell-mediated cytolytic reactions, we next investigated whether PKC activation affects NK cell protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Surprisingly, PKC-activating agents, including the phorbol esters 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and 4 beta-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate, as well as the synthetic diacylglycerol,1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, also induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of a distinct set of proteins. The 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate homolog, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, which does not activate PKC, also failed to induce protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Further, the PKC inhibitor, 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-methylglycerol blocked tyrosine phosphorylation induced by 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol. In subsequent studies, both CD8+ and CD8- NK clones were found to express the src-family tyrosine kinase, p56lck, which was detected by immunoblot analysis with anti-p56lck antiserum. In both types of clonal NK cell lines, IL-2 and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol appeared to stimulate the differential phosphorylation of p56lck as evidenced by the appearance of higher molecular mass isoforms on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Thus, our results identify and characterize a potential role for tyrosine phosphorylation and for the lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase p56lck in the signaling events that regulate NK cell activation.

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation and p56lck modification in IL-2 or phorbol ester-activated human natural killer cells

Protein tyrosine kinases play fundamental roles in the transduction of signals that regulate cell growth, differentiation, and functional responses to a diversity of external stimuli. It is therefore likely that understanding protein tyrosine kinase activity in NK cells will be crucial in further defining the intracellular regulation of their unique and specialized functions. We investigated the role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in receptor-mediated signal transduction using stimuli known to play major roles in regulating NK cell activation. Immunoblot analyses with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies demonstrated that IL-2, a potent stimulus for NK cell proliferation and an agent that enhances NK cytotoxic function, induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of at least eight proteins in clonal CD16+/CD3-human NK cells. In contrast, IL-4, which modulates NK cell function without inducing proliferation, had no apparent effect on protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Because protein kinase C (PKC) activation plays a prominent, yet distinct role in NK cell-mediated cytolytic reactions, we next investigated whether PKC activation affects NK cell protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Surprisingly, PKC-activating agents, including the phorbol esters 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and 4 beta-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate, as well as the synthetic diacylglycerol,1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, also induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of a distinct set of proteins. The 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate homolog, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, which does not activate PKC, also failed to induce protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Further, the PKC inhibitor, 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-methylglycerol blocked tyrosine phosphorylation induced by 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol. In subsequent studies, both CD8+ and CD8- NK clones were found to express the src-family tyrosine kinase, p56lck, which was detected by immunoblot analysis with anti-p56lck antiserum. In both types of clonal NK cell lines, IL-2 and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol appeared to stimulate the differential phosphorylation of p56lck as evidenced by the appearance of higher molecular mass isoforms on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Thus, our results identify and characterize a potential role for tyrosine phosphorylation and for the lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase p56lck in the signaling events that regulate NK cell activation.