Thiocyanate supplementation decreases atherosclerotic plaque in mice expressing human myeloperoxidase

Elevated levels of the heme enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. MPO predominantly catalyzes formation of the oxidants hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from Cl(-), and hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN) from SCN(-), with these anions acting as competitive substrates. HOSCN is a less powerful and more specific oxidant than HOCl, and selectively targets thiols; such damage is largely reversible, unlike much HOCl-induced damage. We hypothesized that increased plasma SCN(-), and hence HOSCN formation instead of HOCl, may decrease artery wall damage. This was examined using high-fat fed atherosclerosis-prone LDLR(-/-) mice transgenic for human MPO, with and without SCN(-) (10 mM) added to drinking water. Serum samples, collected fortnightly, were analyzed for cholesterol, triglycerides, thiols, MPO, and SCN(-); study-long exposure was calculated by area under the curve (AUC). Mean serum SCN(-) concentrations were elevated in the supplemented mice (200-320 μM) relative to controls (< 120 μM). Normalized aortic root plaque areas at sacrifice were 26% lower in the SCN(-)-supplemented mice compared with controls (P = 0.0417), but plaque morphology was not appreciably altered. Serum MPO levels steadily increased in mice on the high-fat diet, however, comparison of SCN(-)-supplemented versus control mice showed no significant changes in MPO protein, cholesterol, or triglyceride levels; thiol levels were decreased in supplemented mice at one time-point. Plaque areas increased with higher cholesterol AUC (r = 0.4742; P = 0.0468), and decreased with increasing SCN(-) AUC (r = - 0.5693; P = 0.0134). These data suggest that increased serum SCN(-) levels, which can be achieved in humans by dietary manipulation, may decrease atherosclerosis burden.

Histamine induces interleukin-6 expression in the human synovial sarcoma cell line (SW982) through the H1 receptor

METHODS

The effect of histamine on inositol phosphate generation and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release from the synovial sarcoma cell line SW982 was investigated.

RESULTS

SW982 cells express functional H1 and H2 receptors. The H1 receptor antagonist [3H]-mepyramine binds to membranes from SW982 cells with high affinity and the binding was potently blocked by H1 antagonists. Histamine potently stimulated phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis and Ca2+ mobilization with EC50 of 4.0 +/- 0.8 microM and 1.3 +/- 0.6 microM respectively and these activities were blocked by the H1 selective antagonist mepyramine. Histamine (EC50 = 1.8 +/- 1.1 microM) stimulated the release of IL-6 that was attenuated by selective H1 antagonists. The PKC inhibitor, GF1090203X, blocked the histamine stimulated IL-6 release. The H2 selective antagonist, cimetidine, had no significant effect on histamine-induced PI turnover, Ca2+ mobilization and IL-6 release.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that histamine stimulates IL-6 release from SW982 cells by binding to the H1 receptor and this is coupled to the PI/PKC signal transduction pathway. Development of an H1 antagonist that inhibits the release of IL-6 from synoviocytes may be beneficial for the treatment of inflammatory joint disease.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis develops in CC chemokine receptor 7-deficient mice with altered T-cell responses

CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is involved in the initiation of immune responses by mediating the migration of naïve T cells and mature dendritic cells to T-cell-rich zones of secondary lymphoid organs where antigen presentation occurs. To address whether CCR7 plays a role in the development of autoimmunity, we induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in CCR7-deficient mice on a C57BL/6 background (CCR7(-/-)) using the neuroantigen, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 amino acid peptide (MOG((35-55))) and Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTX). CCR7(-/-) mice acquired disease with an intensity similar to wild-type littermates. MOG((35-55))-specific lymphocyte responses were dominant in the spleen of CCR7(-/-) mice, rather than in lymph nodes as observed in wild-type mice. These results indicate that effective immune responses (with altered kinetics) can develop in the absence of CCR7 but develop in the spleen rather than lymph nodes as CCR7 is necessary for T and dendritic cells to enter lymph nodes.

Immunomodulation in type 1 diabetes by NBI-6024, an altered peptide ligand of the insulin B epitope

NBI-6024 is an altered peptide ligand (APL) corresponding to the 9-23 amino acid region of the insulin B chain (B(9-23)), an epitope recognized by inflammatory interferon-gamma-producing T helper (Th)1 lymphocytes in type 1 diabetic patients. Immunomodulatory effects of NBI-6024 administration in recent-onset diabetic patients in a phase I clinical trial (NBI-6024-0003) were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay. Analysis of the mean magnitude of cytokine responses to B(9-23) and NBI-6024 for each cohort showed significant increases in interleukin-5 responses (a Th2 regulatory phenotype) in cohorts that received APL relative to those receiving placebo. A responder analysis showed that Th1 responses to B(9-23) and NBI-6024 were observed almost exclusively in the placebo-treated diabetic population but not in nondiabetic control subjects and that APL administration (five biweekly subcutaneous injections) significantly and dose-dependently reduced the percentage of patients with these Th1 responses. The results of this phase I clinical study strongly suggest that NBI-6024 treatment shifted the Th1 pathogenic responses in recent-onset type 1 diabetic patients to a protective Th2 regulatory phenotype. The significance of these findings on the clinical outcome of disease is currently under investigation in a phase II multidose study.

Regulation of the PU.1 gene by distal elements

The transcription factor PU.1 (also known as Spi-1) plays a critical role in the development of the myeloid lineages, and myeloid cells derived from PU.1(-/-) animals are blocked at the earliest stage of myeloid differentiation. Expression of the PU.1 gene is tightly regulated during normal hematopoietic development, and dysregulation of PU.1 expression can lead to erythroleukemia. However, relatively little is known about how the PU.1 gene is regulated in vivo. Here it is shown that myeloid cell type-specific expression of PU.1 in stable cell lines and transgenic animals is conferred by a 91-kilobase (kb) murine genomic DNA fragment that consists of the entire PU.1 gene (20 kb) plus approximately 35 kb of upstream and downstream sequences, respectively. To further map the important transcriptional regulatory elements, deoxyribonuclease I hypersensitive site mapping studies revealed at least 3 clusters in the PU.1 gene. A 3.5-kb fragment containing one of these deoxyribonuclease I hypersensitive sites, located -14 kb 5' of the transcriptional start site, conferred myeloid cell type-specific expression in stably transfected cell lines, suggesting that within this region is an element important for myeloid specific expression of PU.1. Further analysis of this myeloid-specific regulatory element will provide insight into the regulation of this key transcriptional regulator and may be useful as a tool for targeting expression to the myeloid lineage.

Identification and functional analysis of mutations in the hypocretin (orexin) genes of narcoleptic canines

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder affecting animals and humans. Exon skipping mutations of the Hypocretin/Orexin-receptor-2 (Hcrtr2) gene were identified as the cause of narcolepsy in Dobermans and Labradors. Preprohypocretin (Hcrt) knockout mice have symptoms similar to human and canine narcolepsy. In this study, 11 sporadic cases of canine narcolepsy and two additional multiplex families were investigated for possible Hcrt and Hcrtr2 mutations. Sporadic cases have been shown to have more variable disease onset, increased disease severity, and undetectable Hypocretin-1 levels in cerebrospinal fluid. The canine Hcrt locus was isolated and characterized for this project. Only one novel mutation was identified in these two loci. This alteration results in a single amino acid substitution (E54K) in the N-terminal region of the Hcrtr2 receptor and autosomal recessive transmission in a Dachshund family. Functional analysis of previously-described exon-skipping mutations and of the E54K substitution were also performed using HEK-293 cell lines transfected with wild-type and mutated constructs. Results indicate a truncated Hcrtr2 protein, an absence of proper membrane localization, and undetectable binding and signal transduction for exon-skipping mutated constructs. In contrast, the E54K abnormality was associated with proper membrane localization, loss of ligand binding, and dramatically diminished calcium mobilization on activation of the receptor. These results are consistent with a loss of function for all three mutations. The absence of mutation in sporadic cases also indicates genetic heterogeneity in canine narcolepsy, as reported previously in humans.

Expression and activity of ADAMTS-5 in synovium

ADAMTS proteinases, belonging to the adamalysin subfamily of metalloproteinases, have been implicated in a variety of cellular events such as morphogenesis, cell migration, angiogenesis, ovulation and extracellular matrix breakdown. Aggrecanase-1 (ADAMTS-4) and aggrecanase-2 (ADAMTS-5) have been identified in cartilage and are largely responsible for cartilage aggrecan breakdown. We have shown previously that synovium, the membrane lining diarthrodial joints, generates soluble aggrecanase activity. We report here the expression, localization and activity of ADAMTS-5 from human arthritic and bovine synovium. ADAMTS-5 was expressed constitutively in synovium with little or no transcriptional regulation by recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha or all-trans-retinoate, factors previously shown to upregulate aggrecanase activity in cartilage. Aggrecanase activity generated by synovium in vitro and recombinant ADAMTS-5 cleaved aggrecan extensively, resulting in aggrecan fragments similar to those generated by chondrocyte-derived aggrecanases, and the activity was inhibited by heparin. ADAMTS-5 was immunolocalized in human arthritic synovium, where staining was mostly pericellular, particularly in the synovial lining and around blood vessels; some matrix staining was also seen. The possibility that synovium-derived ADAMTS-5 may play a role in cartilage aggrecan breakdown is discussed.

Mesenchymal cells engulf and clear apoptotic footplate cells in macrophageless PU.1 null mouse embryos

Apoptosis is one of the key tools used by an embryo to regulate cell numbers and sculpt body shape. Although massive numbers of cells die during development, they are so rapidly phagocytosed that very few corpses are ever seen in most embryonic tissues. In this paper, we focus on the catastrophic cell death that occurs as the developing footplate is remodelled to transform webbed regions into free interdigital spaces. In the wild-type embryo, these dead cells are rapidly engulfed and cleared by macrophages. We show that in a macrophageless mouse embryo, null for the haemopoetic-lineage-specific transcription factor, PU.1, the task of phagocytosis is taken over by ‘stand-in’ mesenchymal neighbours in a clear example of cell redundancy. However, it takes three times as many of these mesenchymal phagocytes to complete the task and, at each stage of the clearance process - in the recognition of apoptotic debris, its engulfment and finally its digestion - they appear to be less efficient than macrophages. A molecular explanation for this may be that several of the engulfment genes expressed by macrophages, including the ABC1 transporter (believed to be part of the phagocytic machinery conserved from Caenorhabditis elegans to mouse), are not upregulated by these ‘stand-in’ phagocytes.

Turning blood into brain: cells bearing neuronal antigens generated in vivo from bone marrow

Bone marrow stem cells give rise to a variety of hematopoietic lineages and repopulate the blood throughout adult life. We show that, in a strain of mice incapable of developing cells of the myeloid and lymphoid lineages, transplanted adult bone marrow cells migrated into the brain and differentiated into cells that expressed neuron-specific antigens. These findings raise the possibility that bone marrow-derived cells may provide an alternative source of neurons in patients with neurodegenerative diseases or central nervous system injury.

Characterization of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor GABAB(1e), a GABAB(1) splice variant encoding a truncated receptor

We have identified a splice variant encoding only the extracellular ligand-binding domain of the gamma-aminobutyric acid B (GABA(B)) receptor subunit GABA(B(1a)). This isoform, which we have named GABA(B(1e)), is detected in both rats and humans. While GABA(B(1e)) is a minor component of the total pool of GABA(B(1)) transcripts detected in the central nervous system, it is the primary isoform found in all peripheral tissues examined. When expressed in a heterologous system, the truncated receptor is both secreted and membrane associated. However, GABA(B(1e)) lacks the ability to bind the radiolabeled antagonist [(3)H]CGP 54626A, activate G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels, or inhibit forskolin-induced cAMP production when it is expressed alone or together with GABA(B(2)). Interestingly, when co-expressed with GABA(B(2)), not only does the truncated receptor heterodimerize with GABA(B(2)), the association is of sufficient avidity to disrupt the normal GABA(B(1a))/GABA(B(2)) association. Despite this strong interaction, GABA(B(1e)) fails to disrupt G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium activation by the full-length heterodimer pair of GABA(B(1a))/GABA(B(2)).

ADAMTS9, a novel member of the ADAM-TS/ metallospondin gene family

ADAM-TS/metallospondin genes encode a new family of proteins with structural homology to the ADAM metalloprotease-disintegrin family. However, unlike other ADAMs, these proteins contain thrombospondin type 1 (TSP1) repeats at the carboxy-terminal end and are secreted proteins instead of being membrane bound. Members of the ADAM-TS family have been implicated in the cleavage of proteoglycans, the control of organ shape during development, and the inhibition of angiogenesis. We have cloned a new member of the ADAM-TS/metallospondin family designated here as ADAMTS9. This protein has a metalloprotease domain, a disintegrin-like domain, one internal TSP1 motif, and three carboxy-terminal TSP1-like submotifs. In contrast to other ADAM-TS family members, ADAMTS9 is expressed in all fetal tissues examined as well as some adult tissues. Using FISH and radiation hybrid analysis, we have localized ADAMTS9 to chromosome 3p14.2-p14.3, an area known to be lost in hereditary renal tumors.

Transcription factor PU.1 is necessary for development of thymic and myeloid progenitor-derived dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells that are specialized for Ag processing and presentation. These cells are believed to derive from both myeloid- and lymphoid-committed precursors. Normal human PBMC-derived, human CD14+ cell (monocyte)-derived, and mouse hematopoietic progenitor-derived DCs were shown to express the hematopoietic cell-restricted, ets family transcription factor PU.1. These populations represent myeloid progenitor-derived DCs. Hematopoietic progenitor cells from PU.1 gene-disrupted (null) mice were unable to generate MHC class IIhigh, CD11c+ myeloid-derived DCs in vitro. Mouse thymic DCs are proposed to be derived from a committed lymphoid progenitor cell that can give rise to T cells as well as DCs. Previously, we showed that CD4 and CD8 T cells developed in PU.1 null mice in a delayed manner and in reduced number. We examined the thymus of 10- to 12-day-old PU.1 null mice and found no evidence of DEC-205+, MIDC-8+ DCs in this tissue. Our findings indicate that PU.1 regulates the development of both thymic and myeloid progenitor-derived populations of DCs, and expand its known role in hematopoietic development.

The copper transport protein Atox1 promotes neuronal survival

Atox1, a copper transport protein, was recently identified as a copper-dependent suppressor of oxidative damage in yeast lacking superoxide dismutase. We have previously reported that Atox1 in the rat brain is primarily expressed in neurons, with the highest levels in distinct neuronal subtypes that are characterized by their high levels of metal, like copper, iron, and zinc. In this report, we have transfected the Atox1 gene into several neuronal cell lines to increase the endogenous level of Atox1 expression and have demonstrated that, under conditions of serum starvation and oxidative injury, the transfected neurons are significantly protected against this stress. This level of protection is comparable with the level of protection seen with copper/zinc superoxide dismutase and the anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 that had been similarly transfected. Furthermore, neuronal cell lines transfected with a mutant Atox1 gene, where the copper binding domain has been modified to prevent metal binding, do not afford protection against serum starvation resulting in apoptosis. Therefore, Atox1 is a component of the cellular pathways used for protection against oxidative stress.

The transcription factor PU.1 does not regulate lineage commitment but has lineage-specific effects

PU.1 is a transcription factor shown to regulate the expression of many important genes in myeloid and B cells. At birth, mice homozygous for the disruption of the PU.1 gene have erythrocytes, megakaryocytes, and T cells, but no mature myeloid or B cells. Cells with an inability to develop to maturity were found in this mouse for B cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells, and monocytes. Rescue of early monocytic cells by transfection with the PU.1 gene results in renewed development to macrophages. These results demonstrate that PU.1 is an important regulator in the development of cells in the hematopoietic system.

Nephroblastoma overexpressed gene (NOV) codes for a growth factor that induces protein tyrosine phosphorylation

NOV (nephroblastoma overexpressed gene) is a member of the CCN (connective tissue growth factor [CTGF], Cyr61/Cef10, NOV) family of proteins. These proteins are cysteine-rich and are noted for having growth-regulatory functions. We have isolated the rat NOV gene, and the DNA sequence shares 90% identity with the mouse and 80% identity with the human sequences. The rat NOV gene was expressed in all rat tissues examined, including brain, lung, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, thymus and skeletal muscle. Higher levels of rat NOV mRNA were seen in the brain, lung and skeletal muscle compared to the other tissues. Examination of NOV expression in various human cell lines revealed that NOV was expressed in U87, 293, T98G, SK-N-MC and Hs683 but not in HepG2, HL60, THP1 and Jurkat. The human NOV gene was transfected into 293 cells and the expressed protein purified. When 3T3 fibroblasts were treated with this recombinant NOV protein, a dose-dependent increase in proliferation was observed. Analysis of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins revealed that when 3T3 cells were treated with NOV, a 221 kDa protein was phosphorylated. These data suggest that NOV can act as a growth factor for some cells and binds to a specific receptor that leads to the phosphorylation of a 221 kDa protein.

Mutants of ETS domain PU.1 and GGAA/T recognition: free energies and kinetics

The ETS family members display specific DNA binding site preferences. As an example, PU.1 and ETS-1 recognize different DNA sequences with a core element centered over 5'-GGAA-3' and 5'-GGAA/T-3', respectively. To understand the molecular basis of this recognition, we carried out site-directed mutagenesis experiments followed by DNA binding studies that use electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and surface plasmon resonance methods. EMSA experiments identified amino acid changes A231S and/or N236Y as being important for PU.1 recognition of both 5'-GGAA-3' and 5'-GGAT-3' containing oligonucleotides. To confirm these data and obtain accurate binding parameters, we performed kinetic studies using surface plasmon resonance on these mutants. The N236Y substitution revealed a weak protein-DNA interaction with the 5'-GGAA-3' containing oligonucleotide caused by a faster release of the protein from the DNA (k(off) tenfold higher than the wild-type protein). With the double mutant A231S-N236Y, we obtained an increase in binding affinity and stability toward both 5'-GGAA-3' and 5'-GGAT-3' containing oligonucleotides. We propose that substitution of alanine for serine introduces an oxygen atom that can accept hydrogen and interact with potential water molecules or other atoms to make an energetically favorable hydrogen bond with both 5'-GGAA-3' and 5'-GGAT-3' oligonucleotides. The free energy of dissociation for the double mutant A231S-N236Y with 5'-GGAA-3' (delta deltaG((A231S-N236Y) - (N236Y)) = -1.2 kcal mol confirm the stabilizing effect of this mutant in the protein-DNA complex formation. We conclude that N236Y mutation relaxes the specificity toward 5'-GGAA-3' and 5'-GGAT-3' sequences, while A231S mutation modulates the degree of specificity toward 5'-GGAA-3' and 5'GGAT-3' sequences. This study explains why wild-type PU.1 does not recognize 5'-GGAT-3' sequences and in addition broadens our understanding of 5'-GGAA/T-3' recognition by ETS protein family members.

PU.1 and the granulocyte- and macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptors play distinct roles in late-stage myeloid cell differentiation

PU.1 is a hematopoietic cell-specific ets family transcription factor. Gene disruption of PU.1 results in a cell autonomous defect in hematopoietic progenitor cells that manifests as abnormal myeloid and B-lymphoid development. Of the myeloid lineages, no mature macrophages develop, and the neutrophils that develop are aberrantly and incompletely matured. One of the documented abnormalities of PU. 1 null (deficient) hematopoietic cells is a failure to express receptors for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF, and M-CSF. To elucidate the roles of the myeloid growth factor receptors in myeloid cell differentiation, and to distinguish their role from that of PU.1, we have restored expression of the G- and M-CSF receptors in PU.1-deficient cells using retroviral vectors. We have similarly expressed PU.1 in these cells. Whereas expression of growth factor receptors merely allows a PU.1-deficient cell line to survive and grow in the relevant growth factor, expression of PU.1 enables the development of F4/80(+), Mac-1(+)/CD11b(+) macrophages, expression of gp91(phox) and generation of superoxide, and expression of secondary granule genes for neutrophil collagenase and gelatinase. These studies reinforce the idea that availability of PU.1 is crucial for normal myeloid development and clarify some of the molecular events in developing neutrophils and macrophages that are critically dependent on PU.1.

Differentiation of the mononuclear phagocyte system during mouse embryogenesis: the role of transcription factor PU.1

During mouse embryogenesis, macrophage-like cells arise first in the yolk sac and are produced subsequently in the liver. The onset of liver hematopoiesis is associated with the transition from primitive to definitive erythrocyte production. This report addresses the hypothesis that a similar transition in phenotype occurs in myelopoiesis. We have used whole mount in situ hybridization to detect macrophage-specific genes expressed during mouse development. The mouse c-fms mRNA, encoding the receptor for macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1), was expressed on phagocytic cells in the yolk sac and throughout the embryo before the onset of liver hematopoiesis. Similar cells were detected using the mannose receptor, the complement receptor (CR3), or the Microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) as mRNA markers. By contrast, other markers including the F4/80 antigen, the macrophage scavenger receptor, the S-100 proteins, S100A8 and S100A9, and the secretory product lysozyme appeared later in development and appeared restricted to only a subset of c-fms-positive cells. Two-color immunolabeling on disaggregated cells confirmed that CR3 and c-fms proteins are expressed on the same cells. Among the genes appearing later in development was the macrophage-restricted transcription factor, PU.1, which has been shown to be required for normal adult myelopoiesis. Mice with null mutations in PU.1 had normal numbers of c-fms-positive phagocytes at 11.5dpc. PU.1(-/-) embryonic stem cells were able to give rise to macrophage-like cells after cultivation in vitro. The results support previous evidence that yolk sac-derived fetal phagocytes are functionally distinct from those arising in the liver and develop via a different pathway.

Commitment to the monocytic lineage occurs in the absence of the transcription factor PU.1

Mice homozygous for the disruption of the PU.1 (Spi-1) gene do not produce mature macrophages. In determining the role of PU.1 in macrophage differentiation, the present study investigated whether or not there was commitment to the monocytic lineage in the absence of PU.1. Early PU.1-/- myeloid colonies were generated from neonate liver under conditions that promote primarily macrophage and granulocyte/macrophage colonies. These PU.1-/- colonies were found to contain cells with monocytic characteristics as determined by nonspecific esterase stain and the use of monoclonal antibodies that recognize early monocyte precursors, including Moma-2, ER-MP12, ER-MP20, and ER-MP58. In addition, early myeloid cells could be grown from PU.1-/- fetal liver cultures in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Similar to the PU.1 null colonies, the GM-CSF-dependent cells also possessed early monocytic characteristics, including the ability to phagocytize latex beads. The ability of PU.1-/- progenitors to commit to the monocytic lineage was also verified in vivo by flow cytometry and cytochemical analysis of primary neonate liver cells. The combined data shows that PU.1 is absolutely required for macrophage development after commitment to this lineage.

Mutation analysis of the Pip interaction domain reveals critical residues for protein-protein interactions

The PU.1 interaction partner (Pip) is a member of the interferon regulatory factor family that regulates gene expression through heterodimerization with the ETS transcription factor PU.1. Binding of Pip alone to DNA is weak, and usually it is recruited by phosphorylated PU.1 to form a strong ternary complex with specific DNA sequences. An approach combining sequence homology analysis, secondary structure predictions, and a precise mutational strategy has been used to determine critical residues within the Pip heterodimerization domain that contribute to ternary complex formation. We have delimited the Pip interaction domain to residues 245-422 by using deletion analysis. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved polar amino acids within two predicted alpha-helices contained in this region, and which are highly conserved in the IRF family, confirmed the importance of these residues for Pip-PU.1 interaction with DNA as well as for trans-activation activity. Our results suggest the existence of a functional epitope essential for heterodimerization between Pip and PU.1 and possibly, in general, between interferon regulatory factor family members and their partners.

Myeloperoxidase polymorphism is associated with gender specific risk for Alzheimer's disease

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a myeloid-specific enzyme that generates hypochlorous acid and other reactive oxygen species. MPO is present at high levels in circulating neutrophils and monocytes but is not detectable in microglia, brain-specific macrophages, in normal brain tissue. However, an earlier study indicated that MPO is present in macrophage-microglia at multiple sclerosis lesions, suggesting that reactivation of MPO gene expression may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases involving macrophage-microglia. In the present study, MPO is shown to colocalize with amyloid beta (Abeta) in senile plaques in cerebral cortex sections from Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain tissue. Microglia costaining for MPO and CD68 are closely associated with plaques, suggesting that plaque components induce MPO expression in microglia. In support of this interpretation, treatment of rodent microglia with aggregated Abeta(1-42) was shown to induce MPO mRNA expression. Also, the ApoE4 allele, the major AD risk factor associated with increased Abeta deposition, was shown to correlate with increased MPO deposition in plaques (P = 0.01, ANOVA). Finally, a genetic polymorphism links MPO expression to Alzheimer's risk, in that a higher expressing SpSp MPO genotype was associated with increased incidence of AD in females, and decreased incidence in males (P = 0.006). These findings suggest that the MPO polymorphism is a gender-specific risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

Murine GBP-2: a new IFN-gamma-induced member of the GBP family of GTPases isolated from macrophages

We have cloned a new member of the interferon (IFN)-induced guanylate-binding protein (GBP) family of GTPases, murine GBP-2 (mGBP-2), from bone marrow-derived macrophages. mGBP-2 is located on murine chromosome 3, where it is linked to mGBP-1. With the identification of mGBP-2 there are now two human and two murine GBPs. Like other GBPs, mGBP-2 RNA and protein are induced by IFN-gamma. In addition, mGBP-2 shares with the other GBPs important structural features that distinguish this family from other GTPases. First, mGBP-2 contains only two of the three consensus sequences for nucleotide binding found within the classic GTP binding regions of other GTPases. A second amino acid motif found in mGBP-2 is a potential C-terminal site for isoprenoid modification, called a CaaX sequence. mGBP-2 is prenylated, as detected by [3H]mevalonate incorporation, when expressed in COS cells and preferentially incorporates the C-20 isoprenoid geranylgeraniol. Surprisingly, despite having a functional CaaX sequence, mGBP-2 is primarily cytosolic. GBP proteins are very abundant in IFN-exposed cells, but little is known about their function. mGBP-2 is expressed by IFN-gamma-treated cells from C57Bl/6 mice, whereas mGBP-1 is not. Thus, the identification of mGBP-2 makes possible the study of GBP function in the absence of a second family member.

Neutrophils deficient in PU.1 do not terminally differentiate or become functionally competent

PU.1 is an ets family transcription factor that is expressed specifically in hematopoietic lineages. Through gene disruption studies in mice we have previously shown that the expression of PU.1 is not essential for early myeloid lineage or neutrophil commitment, but is essential for monocyte/macrophage development. We have also shown that PU.1-null (deficient) neutrophils have neutrophil morphology and express neutrophil-specific markers such as Gr-1 and chloroacetate esterase both in vivo and in vitro. We now demonstrate that although PU.1-null mice develop neutrophils, these cells fail to terminally differentiate as shown by the absence of messages for neutrophil secondary granule components and the absence or deficiency of cellular responses to stimuli that normally invoke neutrophil function. Specifically, PU.1-deficient neutrophils fail to respond to selected chemokines, do not generate superoxide ions, and are ineffective at bacterial uptake and killing. The failure to produce superoxide could, in part, be explained by the absence of the gp91 subunit of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, as shown by our inability to detect messages for the gp91(phox) gene. Incomplete maturation of PU.1-deficient neutrophils is cell autonomous and persists in cultured PU.1-deficient cells. Our results indicate that PU.1 is not necessary for neutrophil lineage commitment but is essential for normal development, maturation, and function of neutrophils.

Myeloid development is selectively disrupted in PU.1 null mice

The ets family transcription factor PU.1 is expressed in monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, B cells, and early erythroblasts, but not in T cells. We have recently shown that PU.1 gene disruption results in mice with no detectable monocytes/macrophages and B cells but T-cell development is retained. Although neutrophil development occurred in these mice, it was delayed and markedly reduced. We now proceed to demonstrate that PU. 1 null hematopoietic cells fail to proliferate or form colonies in response to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte CSF (G-CSF), and granulocyte/macrophage CSF (GM-CSF). In contrast, PU.1 null cells did proliferate and form colonies in response to interleukin-3 (IL-3), although the response was reduced as compared with control littermates. Compared with control cells, PU.1 null cells had minimal expression of G- and GM-CSF receptors and no detectable M-CSF receptors. The size of individual myeloid colonies produced from PU.1 null primitive and committed myeloid progenitors in the presence of IL-3, IL-6, and stem cell factor (SCF) were reduced compared with controls. Under these conditions, PU.1 null progenitors produced neutrophils but not monocytes/macrophages. These observations suggest that PU.1 gene disruption induces additional cell-autonomous effects that are independent of the alterations in myeloid growth factor receptor expression. Our results demonstrate that PU.1 gene disruption affects a number of developmentally regulated hematopoietic processes that can, at least in part, explain the changes in myeloid development and reduction in myeloid and neutrophil expansion observed in PU.1 null mice.

Defective trophoblast function in mice with a targeted mutation of Ets2

Members of the Ets family of transcription factors mediate transcriptional responses of multiple signaling pathways in diverse cell types and organisms. Targeted deletion of the conserved DNA binding domain of the Ets2 transcription factor results in the retardation and death of homozygous mouse embryos before 8.5 days of embryonic development. Defects in extraembryonic tissue gene expression and function include deficient expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, gelatinase B), persistent extracellular matrix, and failure of ectoplacental cone proliferation. Mutant embryos were rescued by aggregation with tetraploid mouse embryos, which complement the developmental defects by providing functional extraembryonic tissues. Rescued Ets2-deficient mice are viable and fertile but have wavy hair, curly whiskers, and abnormal hair follicle shape and arrangement, resembling mice with mutations of the EGF receptor or its ligands. However, these mice are not deficient in the production of TGFalpha or the EGF receptor. Homozygous mutant cell lines respond mitogenically to TGFalpha, EGF, FGF1, and FGF2. However, FGF fails to induce MMP-13 (collagenase-3) and MMP-3 (stromelysin-1) in the Ets2-deficient fibroblasts. Ectopic expression of Ets2 in the deficient fibroblasts restores expression of both matrix metalloproteinases. Therefore, Ets2 is essential for placental function, mediating growth factor signaling to key target genes including MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in different cell types, and for regulating hair development.

Localization of agonist- and antagonist-binding domains of human corticotropin-releasing factor receptors

The CRF receptors, CRFR1 and CRFR2, are members of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Despite their considerable sequence similarity, CRFR1 and CRFR2 have quite different affinities for the peptide ligand rat/human CRF. Previous studies using chimeric receptors between human CRFR1 and CRFR2 have identified three potentially important regions in the second and third extracellular domains of CRF receptor for the binding of rat/human CRF. The present report further demonstrates that these same three regions also affect the binding of urocortin and sauvagine, two other members of the CRF peptide family, albeit to different extents. We also show that a fourth region in the third extracellular domain, Asp254, has been identified to be important for sauvagine but not CRF or urocortin binding. Thus, the three peptide ligands not only interact with a different set of regions on CRFR1 and CRFR2 but also differentially interact with some of the same regions. These data could, at least in part, account for the much higher affinity of CRFR2 for urocortin and sauvagine compared with rat/human CRF. We have also identified two amino acid residues, His199 in the third transmembrane domain and Met276 in the fifth transmembrane domain, that are important for binding the non-peptide high-affinity CRFR1 antagonist NBI 27914. Mutations of His199 and Met276 to the corresponding amino acids in CRFR2 each decreased the binding affinity of NBI 27914 for CRFR1 by 40- and 200-fold, respectively. This suggests that the transmembrane regions are critically important in forming the binding pocket for the nonpeptide antagonist.

Methylation of an ETS site in the intron enhancer of the keratin 18 gene participates in tissue-specific repression

The activities of ETS transcription factors are modulated by posttranscriptional modifications and cooperation with other proteins. Another factor which could alter the regulation of genes by ETS transcription factors is DNA methylation of their cognate binding sites. The optimal activity of the keratin 18 (K18) gene is dependent upon an ETS binding site within an enhancer region located in the first intron. The methylation of the ETS binding site was correlated with the repression of the K18 gene in normal human tissues and in K18 transgenic mouse tissues. Neither recombinant ETS2 nor endogenous spleen ETS binding activities bound the methylated site effectively. Increased expression of the K18 gene in spleens of transgenic mice by use of an alternative, cryptic promoter 700 bp upstream of the enhancer resulted in modestly decreased methylation of the K18 ETS site and increased RNA expression. Expression in transgenic mice of a mutant K18 gene, which was still capable of activation by ETS factors but was no longer a substrate for DNA methylation of the ETS site, was fivefold higher in spleen and heart. However, expression in other organs such as liver and intestine was similar to that of the wild-type gene. This result suggests that DNA methylation of the K18 ETS site may be functionally important in the tissue-specific repression of the K18 gene. Epigenetic modification of the binding sites for some ETS transcription factors may result in a refractory transcriptional response even in the presence of necessary trans-acting activities.

Expression and characterization of a putative high affinity human soluble leptin receptor

Leptin, a circulating 16-kDa protein secreted by adipocytes, decreases body weight by reducing food intake and enhancing energy utilization. Leptin receptors that share homology to the glycoprotein gp130 have been recently cloned. In addition, differentially spliced leptin receptor messenger RNAs have been identified. Functional mutations in either the leptin or leptin receptor gene cause obesity. In the present study, expression of the full length human leptin receptor complementary DNA encoding the long cytoplasmic domain of leptin receptor in COS7 cells resulted in high affinity membrane binding of 125I-leptin (Ki approximately 200 pM); no detectable binding was present in the medium. In addition, we expressed the extracellular domain of human leptin receptor in COS7 cells and identified a soluble leptin receptor in the conditioned medium that binds human and mouse leptin with high affinity comparable with the full length membrane receptor. Transfected COS7 cells expressing the soluble leptin receptor also demonstrated modest specific 125I-leptin binding in whole cells, presumably due to association of the soluble leptin receptor to cell membrane proteins. Data from cross-linking studies identified two specific bands in the 125I-leptin/soluble leptin receptor complex with molecular masses of approximately 130-150 kDa and 300 kDa. The 130-150 kDa molecular mass was confirmed in Western blot analysis and Coomassie staining of the purified soluble receptor and probably represents the glycosylated form of the receptor. The 300-kDa band most likely represents a homodimer of the soluble leptin receptor complex because HPLC gel filtration analysis of the 125I-leptin/soluble leptin receptor complex identified a single peak corresponding to a molecular mass of approximately 340 kDa. The soluble leptin receptor antagonized 125I-leptin binding to the membrane receptor, suggesting its potential utility as a functional tool for determining the role of endogenous leptin.

Localization of ligand-binding domains of human corticotropin-releasing factor receptor: a chimeric receptor approach

Two CRF receptors, CRFR1 and CRFR2, have recently been cloned and characterized. CRFR1 shares 70% sequence identity with CRFR2, yet has much higher affinity for rat/human CRF (r/hCRF) than CRFR2. As a first step toward understanding the interactions between rat/human CRF and its receptor, the regions that are involved in receptor-ligand binding and/or receptor activation were determined by using chimeric receptor constructs of the two human CRFR subtypes, CRFR1 and CRFR2, followed by generating point mutations of the receptor. The EC50 values in stimulation of intracellular cAMP of the chimeric and mutant receptors for the peptide ligand were determined using a cAMP-dependent reporter system. Three regions of the receptor were found to be important for optimal binding of r/hCRF and/or receptor activation. The first region was mapped to the junction of the third extracellular domain and the fifth transmembrane domain; substitution of three amino acids of CRFR1 in this region (Val266, Tyr267, and Thr268) by the corresponding CRFR2 amino acids (Asp266, Leu267, and Val268) increased the EC50 value by approximately 10-fold. The other two regions were localized to the second extracellular domain of the CRFR1 involving amino acids 175-178 and His189 residue. Substitutions in these two regions each increased the EC50 value for r/hCRF by approximately 7- to 8-fold only in the presence of the amino acid 266-268 mutation involving the first region, suggesting that their roles in peptide ligand binding might be secondary.

Stimulation of macrophages by lipopolysaccharide alters the phosphorylation state, conformation, and function of PU.1 via activation of casein kinase II

We previously reported that LPS stimulation of the RAW264.7 murine macrophage cell line rapidly induced a structural change within the N terminus of the transcriptional regulatory factor PU.1. PU.1 is required for the expression of a variety of cytokine, cytokine receptor, and integrin genes. Western blot analysis of nuclear extracts prepared from LPS-stimulated macrophages revealed increased phosphorylation of PU.1 at serine residues relative to that in unstimulated controls. PU.1-DNA complexes prepared using nuclear extracts from LPS-stimulated macrophages were less sensitive to protease digestion compared with PU.1-DNA complexes generated using nuclear extracts prepared from unstimulated cells. This altered protease sensitivity probably reflects a conformational change within PU.1 resulting from LPS-induced phosphorylation. This possibility was supported by the finding that in vitro-phosphorylated PU.1 was similarly resistant to protease digestion. Transient transfection studies suggest that LPS-induced phosphorylation of PU.1 at serine 148, located within a casein kinase II (CKII) consensus motif, increases the transactivation function of PU.1. Other serine/CKII sites located at positions 41, 45, 132, and 133 do not appear to be required for LPS-induced PU.1 function. Lastly, we found that LPS also increased the enzymatic activity of CKII in these cells. To our knowledge, these are the first studies to demonstrate that LPS can stimulate CKII activity, induce PU.1 phosphorylation, and enhance the capacity of PU.1 to activate transcription in macrophages.

Stimulation of macrophages by lipopolysaccharide alters the phosphorylation state, conformation, and function of PU.1 via activation of casein kinase II

We previously reported that LPS stimulation of the RAW264.7 murine macrophage cell line rapidly induced a structural change within the N terminus of the transcriptional regulatory factor PU.1. PU.1 is required for the expression of a variety of cytokine, cytokine receptor, and integrin genes. Western blot analysis of nuclear extracts prepared from LPS-stimulated macrophages revealed increased phosphorylation of PU.1 at serine residues relative to that in unstimulated controls. PU.1-DNA complexes prepared using nuclear extracts from LPS-stimulated macrophages were less sensitive to protease digestion compared with PU.1-DNA complexes generated using nuclear extracts prepared from unstimulated cells. This altered protease sensitivity probably reflects a conformational change within PU.1 resulting from LPS-induced phosphorylation. This possibility was supported by the finding that in vitro-phosphorylated PU.1 was similarly resistant to protease digestion. Transient transfection studies suggest that LPS-induced phosphorylation of PU.1 at serine 148, located within a casein kinase II (CKII) consensus motif, increases the transactivation function of PU.1. Other serine/CKII sites located at positions 41, 45, 132, and 133 do not appear to be required for LPS-induced PU.1 function. Lastly, we found that LPS also increased the enzymatic activity of CKII in these cells. To our knowledge, these are the first studies to demonstrate that LPS can stimulate CKII activity, induce PU.1 phosphorylation, and enhance the capacity of PU.1 to activate transcription in macrophages.

Cloning of a cDNA encoding a novel interleukin-1 receptor related protein (IL 1R-rp2)

We have identified and isolated both the rat and human cDNAs for a novel putative receptor related to the interleukin-1 type 1 receptor. We have named this protein interleukin 1 receptor related protein two (IL 1R-rp2). The rat cDNA for IL1R-rp2 was first identified using oligonucleotides of degenerate sequence in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) paradigm with rat brain mRNA as the template. The protein encoded by both of these cDNAs are 561 amino acids long and exhibit 42% and 26% overall identity with the interleukin-1 type 1 and type 2 receptors, respectively. RNase protection assays from rat tissues revealed a predominant expression for IL 1R-rp2 in the lung and epididymis with lower levels detected in the testis and cerebral cortex. By in situ hybridization we were able to determine that the expression in rat brain appeared to be non-neuronal and associated with the cerebral vasculature. When expressed transiently in COS-7 cells the receptor was incapable of high affinity binding to either [125I]-recombinant human IL 1 alpha or [125I]-recombinant human IL 1 beta. Together, these data demonstrate the existence of a novel protein that is related to the interleukin-1 receptor but does not bind IL-1 by itself.

PU.1 but not ets-2 is essential for macrophage development from embryonic stem cells

Transcription factors play an important role choreographing lineage commitment and expansion of blood cells. Nuclear factors that are expressed primarily or exclusively in hematopoietic cells are likely candidates for regulating blood cell development. The transcription factor PU.1 is found only in hematopoietic cells, whereas ets-2, a related family member, is ubiquitously expressed. To compare the role of these two transcription factors in macrophage development, embryonic stem (ES) cells with a homozygous disruption of either the PU.1 or the ets-2 gene were generated. The ability of both knockout ES cells to differentiate to macrophages was tested. Normal development of macrophages, as determined by histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis, from PU.1 knockout ES cells was significantly blocked. Furthermore, the expression of known markers associated with macrophages, such as c-fms, CD11b, CD18 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor, were not detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In contrast to the PU.1 knockout ES cells, macrophages, development from the ets-2 knockout ES cells was normal. Although both PU.1 and ets-2 are found in macrophages, these data show a distinct role for the lineage-restricted PU.1 transcription factor in macrophage development.

Targeted disruption of the PU.1 gene results in multiple hematopoietic abnormalities

PU.1 is a member of the ets family of transcription factors and is expressed exclusively in cells of the hematopoietic lineage. Mice homozygous for a disruption in the PU.1 DNA binding domain are born alive but die of severe septicemia within 48 h. The analysis of these neonates revealed a lack of mature macrophages, neutrophils, B cells and T cells, although erythrocytes and megakaryocytes were present. The absence of lymphoid commitment and development in null mice was not absolute, since mice maintained on antibiotics began to develop normal appearing T cells 3-5 days after birth. In contrast, mature B cells remained undetectable in these older mice. Within the myeloid lineage, despite a lack of macrophages in the older antibiotic-treated animals, a few cells with the characteristics of neutrophils began to appear by day 3. While the PU.1 protein appears not to be essential for myeloid and lymphoid lineage commitment, it is absolutely required for the normal differentiation of B cells and macrophages.

New insights on DNA recognition by ets proteins from the crystal structure of the PU.1 ETS domain-DNA complex

Transcription factors belonging to the ets family regulate gene expression and share a conserved ETS DNA-binding domain that binds to the core sequence 5'-(C/A)GGA(A/T)-3'. The domain is similar to alpha+beta ("winged") helix-turn-helix DNA-binding proteins. The crystal structure of the PU.1 ETS domain complexed to a 16-base pair oligonucleotide revealed a pattern for DNA recognition from a novel loop-helix-loop architecture (Kodandapani, R., Pio, F., Ni. C.-Z., Piccialli, G., Klemsz, M., McKercher, S., Maki, R. A., and Ely, K. R. (1996) Nature 380, 456-460). Correlation of this model with mutational analyses and chemical shift data on other ets proteins confirms this complex as a paradigm for ets DNA recognition. The second helix in the helix-turn-helix motif lies deep in the major groove with specific contacts with bases in both strands in the core sequence made by conserved residues in alpha3. On either side of this helix, two loops contact the phosphate backbone. The DNA is bent (8 degrees) but uniformly curved without distinct kinks. ETS domains bind DNA as a monomer yet make extensive DNA contacts over 30 A. DNA bending likely results from phosphate neutralization of the phosphate backbone in the minor groove by both loops in the loop-helix-loop motif. Contacts from these loops stabilize DNA bending and may mediate specific base interactions by inducing a bend toward the protein.

Cloning and characterization of an alternatively processed human type II interleukin-1 receptor mRNA

Two types of interleukin (IL)-1 receptors with three extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, limited homology (28%), and different pharmacological characteristics termed type I and type II have been cloned from mouse and human cell lines. Both receptors exist in transmembrane and soluble forms; the soluble IL-1 receptor is thought to be post-translationally derived from cleavage of the extracellular portion of the membrane receptors. In preliminary cross-linking studies with radiolabeled IL-1, we found that monkey kidney COS1 cells express a soluble receptor with molecular mass of approximately 55-60 kDa, which is different from previously reported soluble IL-1 receptors. This soluble IL-1 receptor protein from COS1 cells was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography using recombinant IL-1beta as the ligand and shown to have an affinity for human 125I-IL-1beta (KD approximately 2-3 nM) comparable to the human type II IL-1 receptor (IL-1RII). The purified protein was microsequenced, and the sequence information was used to design primers to clone the COS1 IL-1RII using reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction; the DNA comparison with monkey COS1 and human IL-1RII indicate that they are 95% identical at the nucleic acid and amino acid levels. In addition, another cDNA, which represents an alternatively processed mRNA of the IL-1RII gene, was also cloned both from monkey COS1 and human Raji cells and was shown to have approximately 95% sequence identity between these species. While the cDNA of the novel alternatively processed gene has a 5' end identical to the IL-1RII, the 200 base pairs at the 3' end are different and the sequence predicts a soluble IL-1 receptor protein of 296 amino acids. Radioligand binding studies of the alternatively processed IL-1RII mRNA demonstrated kinetic and pharmacological characteristics similar to the known type II IL-1 receptor. COS7 cells (which lack IL-1 receptor) transfected with the transmembrane form of the human IL-1RII cDNA showed 125I-IL-1beta binding in both the membrane fractions and supernatant. In contrast, COS7 cells transfected with the alternatively processed human IL-1RII cDNA showed high affinity 125I-IL-1beta binding (Ki approximately 1.2 nM) predominantly in the supernatant; a very small amount of detectable membrane IL-1 binding activity was also observed presumably due to association of the soluble IL-1 receptor and membrane-integrated proteins. In cross-linking and ligand blot studies, the alternatively processed human IL-1RII cDNA-transfected COS7 cells expressed a soluble IL-1 receptor with molecular masses ranging from 60 to 160 kDa, further indicating the association between this soluble IL-1 receptor and other soluble proteins. In summary, we report the purification and characterization of a soluble IL-1 receptor expressed by COS1 cells and the cloning of an alternatively processed type II IL-1 receptor mRNA from both human and COS1 cells. The alternative splicing of a primary transcript leading to a secreted protein provides a potentially important mechanism by which soluble IL-1RII can be produced.

Identification of the transcription factors NF-YA and NF-YB as factors A and B that bound to the promoter of the major histocompatibility complex class II gene I-A beta

The Y box is a conserved sequence in the promoter of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes, which contains a CCAAT sequence (CCAAT box). Previously, we partially purified the DNA-binding protein that recognizes the Y box of the I-A beta gene and showed that it consisted of two components (factors A and B) both of which were necessary for optimal DNA binding. The genes for the heteromeric protein NF-Y (NF-YA and NF-YB), which binds to the I-E alpha Y box have been cloned. We subsequently isolated the genes for NF-YA and NF-YB using oligonucleotides designed from the published sequences. NF-YA and NF-YB were tested for binding to the I-A beta and I-E alpha Y boxes. While neither NF-YA or NF-YB alone bound to the Y box, when the components were mixed the complex bound to the I-A beta Y box with high affinity. Moreover, NF-YA and NF-YB could be complemented for binding to DNA by factor B or factor A, respectively. These results suggest that the active binding protein is NF-YA in factor A extracts and NF-YB in factor B extracts. Finally, antibodies against NF-YA and NF-YB were shown to induce a supershift when nuclear extracts were added to the double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide covering the Y box of the I-A beta gene. Antisense expression constructs of both NF-YA and NF-YB were made and their effect on expression from the I-A beta promoter was tested. Either antisense construction, when transfected into cells, lowered the expression of a reporter gene linked to the I-A beta promoter. This study provides direct evidence of the identification of NF-YA and NF-YB as the previously described factors A and B. Moreover, these results strongly implicate NF-Y in the expression of the MHC class II gene I-A beta.

Rat p67 GBP is induced by interferon-gamma and isoprenoid-modified in macrophages

The guanylate binding proteins, GBPs, are a family of interferon-induced GTP-binding proteins that include the rat p67. We report here that rat p67, for which interferon regulation had not previously been demonstrated, is induced by IFN-gamma and also by LPS in both cultured bone marrow-derived macrophages and microglia. The basal level of rat p67 in macrophages is low but increases dramatically between 2 and 4 hours after treating cells with either IFN-gamma or LPS. It then remains elevated over the next 24 hours. Rat p67 is isoprenoid modified. The isoprenoid modification was detected in p67 isolated both from primary IFN-gamma-activated macrophages and when the gene for p67 was transfected into COS cells. This is the first demonstration of in vivo prenylation of a GBP. The interferon regulation and prenylation of rat p67 point toward this protein being significant in the functions of both activated macrophages and microglia.

The transcription factor PU.1 is involved in macrophage proliferation

PU.1 is a tissue-specific transcription factor that is expressed in cells of the hematopoietic lineage including macrophages, granulocytes, and B lymphocytes. Bone marrow-derived macrophages transfected with an antisense PU.1 expression construct or treated with antisense oligonucleotides showed a decrease in proliferation compared with controls. In contrast, bone marrow macrophages transfected with a sense PU.1 expression construct displayed enhanced macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-dependent proliferation. Interestingly, there was no effect of sense or antisense constructs of PU.1 on the proliferation of the M-CSF-independent cell line, suggesting that the response was M-CSF dependent. This was further supported by the finding that macrophages transfected with a sense or an antisense PU.1 construct showed, respectively, an increased or a reduced level of surface expression of receptors for M-CSF. The enhancement of proliferation seems to be selective for PU.1, since transfections with several other members of the ets family, including ets-2 and fli-1, had no effect. Various mutants of PU.1 were also tested for their ability to affect macrophage proliferation. A reduction in macrophage proliferation was found when cells were transfected with a construct in which the DNA-binding domain of PU.1 was expressed. The PEST (proline-, glutamic acid-, serine-, and threonine-rich region) sequence of the PU.1 protein, which is an important domain for protein-protein interactions in B cells, was found to have no influence on PU.1-enhanced macrophage proliferation when an expression construct containing PU.1 minus the PEST domain was transfected into bone marrow-derived macrophages. In vivo, PU.1 is phosphorylated on several serine residues. The transfection of plasmids containing PU.1 with mutations at each of five serines showed that only positions 41 and 45 are critical for enhanced macrophage proliferation. We conclude that PU.1 is necessary for the M-CSF-dependent proliferation of macrophages. One of the proliferation-relevant targets of this transcription factor could be the M-CSF receptor.

A new pattern for helix-turn-helix recognition revealed by the PU.1 ETS-domain-DNA complex

The Ets family of transcription factors, of which there are now about 35 members regulate gene expression during growth and development. They share a conserved domain of around 85 amino acids which binds as a monomer to the DNA sequence 5'-C/AGGAA/T-3'. We have determined the crystal structure of an ETS domain complexed with DNA, at 2.3-A resolution. The domain is similar to alpha + beta (winged) 'helix-turn-helix' proteins and interacts with a ten-base-pair region of duplex DNA which takes up a uniform curve of 8 degrees. The domain contacts the DNA by a novel loop-helix-loop architecture. Four of amino acids that directly interact with the DNA are highly conserved: two arginines from the recognition helix lying in the major groove, one lysine from the 'wing' that binds upstream of the core GGAA sequence, and another lysine, from the 'turn' of the 'helix-turn-helix' motif, which binds downstream and on the opposite strand.

Identification of a transcription factor that binds to the S box of the I-A beta gene of the major histocompatibility complex

Class II genes of the MHC show a striking homology upstream of the transcription start site that is composed of three conserved sequences (S, X and Y boxes, each separated by 15-20 bp). The presence of the S-box sequence in the mouse MHC class II gene I-A Beta was examined for its influence on the expression of this gene. Deletion or mutation of the S box decreased the induction of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in B lymphocytes by 32%. In macrophages, deletion or mutation of the S box abolished interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) inducibility of CAT activity. Using a gel-retardation assay, we have identified a nuclear factor whose binding site overlaps the 7-mer conserved sequence of the S box. This factor is present in lymphocytes, macrophages, mastocytes and fibroblasts. Surprisingly, binding of this nuclear factor to DNA was induced by IFN-gamma in bone-marrow-derived macrophages, but not in macrophage-like cell lines. The binding site for this factor was defined by DNase I footprinting and partially purified by using an affinity column containing double-stranded oligonucleotides containing a sequence of the S box. A prominent protein of 43 kDa was found that bound specifically to the S-box sequence.

Ras-mediated phosphorylation of a conserved threonine residue enhances the transactivation activities of c-Ets1 and c-Ets2

The Ras oncogene products regulate the expression of genes in transformed cells, and members of the Ets family of transcription factors have been implicated in this process. To determine which Ets factors are the targets of Ras signaling pathways, the abilities of several Ets factors to activate Ras-responsive enhancer (RRE) reporters in the presence of oncogenic Ras were examined. In transient transfection assay, reporters containing RREs composed of Ets-AP-1 binding sites could be activated 30-fold in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and 80-fold in the macrophage-like line RAW264 by the combination of Ets1 or Ets2 and Ras but not by several other Ets factors that were tested in the assay. Ets2 and Ras also superactivated an RRE composed of Ets-Ets binding sites, but the Ets-responsive promoter of the c-fms gene was not superactivated. Mutation of a threonine residue to alanine in the conserved amino-terminal regions of Ets1 and Ets2 (threonine 38 and threonine 72, respectively) abrogated the ability of each of these proteins to superactivate reporter gene expression. Phosphoamino acid analysis of radiolabeled Ets2 revealed that Ras induced normally absent threonine-specific phosphorylation of the protein. The Ras-dependent increase in threonine phosphorylation was not observed in Ets2 proteins that had the conserved threonine 72 residue mutated to alanine or serine. These data indicate that Ets1 and Ets2 are specific nuclear targets of Ras signaling events and that phosphorylation of a conserved threonine residue is a necessary molecular component of Ras-mediated activation of these transcription factors.

Activation of transcription by PU.1 requires both acidic and glutamine domains

The B-lymphocyte- and macrophage-specific transcription factor PU.1 is a member of the ets family of proteins. To understand how PU.1 functions as a transcription factor, we initiated a series of experiments to define its activation domain. Using deletion analysis, we showed that the activation domain of PU.1 is located in the amino-terminal half of the protein. Within this region, we identified three acidic subdomains and one glutamine-rich subdomain. The deletion of any of these subdomains resulted in a significant loss in the ability of PU.1 to transactivate in cotransfection studies. Amino acid substitution analysis showed that the activation of transcription by PU.1 requires acidic residues between amino acids 7 and 74 and a group of glutamine residues between amino acids 75 and 84. These data show that PU.1 contains two types of known activation domains and that both are required for maximal transactivation.

Induction of a prenylated 65-kd protein in macrophages by interferon or lipopolysaccharide

Treatment of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in changes in the abundance of a number of prenylated proteins. The most significant change involved a protein of 65 kd (p65) that became one of the most abundant prenylated proteins following treatment. The 65-kd protein was induced by agents that stimulate macrophage activation (IFNs or LPS) but not by cytokines that promote macrophage proliferation, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), M-CSF, or interleukin-3. The majority of p65 was localized to subcellular fractions containing internal and plasma membranes but was not detected in nuclear membranes. The farnesyltransferase inhibitor BZA-5B caused a dramatic decrease in p65 prenylation, suggesting that this protein may be modified by the C15 isoprenoid farnesyl. These observations provide the first direct evidence that interferons and LPS cause changes in the abundance of specific isoprenoid-modified proteins in macrophages.

Co-crystallization of an ETS domain (PU.1) in complex with DNA. Engineering the length of both protein and oligonucleotide

The PU.1 transcription factor is a member of the ets gene family of regulatory proteins. These molecules play a role in normal development and also have been implicated in malignant processes such as the development of erythroid leukemia. The Ets proteins share a conserved DNA-binding domain (the ETS domain) that recognizes a purine-rich sequence with the core sequence: 5'-C/AGGAA/T-3'. This domain binds to DNA as a monomer, unlike many other DNA-binding proteins. The ETS domain of the PU.1 transcription factor has been crystallized in complex with a 16-base pair oligonucleotide that contains the recognition sequence. The crystals formed in the space group C2 with a = 89.1, b = 101.9, c = 55.6 A, and beta = 111.2 degrees and diffract to at least 2.3 A. There are two complexes in the asymmetric unit. Production of large usable crystals was dependent on the length of both protein and DNA components, the use of oligonucleotides with unpaired A and T bases at the termini, and the presence of polyethylene glycol and zinc acetate in the crystallization solutions. This is the first ETS domain to be crystallized, and the strategy used to crystallize this complex may be useful for other members of the ets family.

Repression of I-A beta gene expression by the transcription factor PU.1

The PU.1 protein is an ets-related transcription factor that is expressed in macrophages and B lymphocytes. We present evidence that PU.1 binds to the promoter of the I-A beta gene, i.e. a PU box located next to the Y box. Transfection of PU.1 in B lymphocytes or in interferon-gamma-treated macrophages represses I-A beta gene expression. The inhibitory effect of PU.1 was obtained with the DNA binding domain of the protein, but not with the activation domain. Using the gel shift retardation assay we found that in vitro transcribed/translated NF-YA and NF-YB bind to the Y box of the I-A beta promoter. When PU.1 was added to the assay, a supershifted DNA band was found, indicating that PU.1 and NFY proteins bind to the same DNA molecule. We conclude that I-A beta gene expression is repressed by PU.1 binding to the PU box domain.

Repression of major histocompatibility complex I-A beta gene expression by dbpA and dbpB (mYB-1) proteins

The induction of major histocompatibility complex class II gene expression is mediated by three DNA elements in the promoters of these genes (W, X, and Y boxes). The Y box contains an inverted CCAAT box sequence, and the binding activity to the CAAT box is mediated by factor NF-Y, which is composed of subunits NF-YA and NF-YB. We have found that transfection of either dbpA or dbpB (mYB-1) or both inhibits I-A beta gene expression. Although the genes for some members of the Y-box family of binding proteins have been isolated by screening an expression library using the Y-box sequence, under our conditions no binding of dbpA or dbpB to the Y box of the I-A beta or I-E alpha promoter was detected. This suggested that repression of I-A beta gene expression by dbpA and dbpB was not due to competition for binding to the Y-box sequence. The results suggest two other mechanisms by which dbpA and dbpB can inhibit transcription from the I-A beta promoter. When dbpA was added, the binding of NF-YA to DNA increased, which could be explained by interaction between these two proteins whose purpose is to increase the binding affinity of NF-YA for DNA. However, this complex was unable to stimulate transcription from the I-A beta promoter. Thus, dbpA competed for the interaction between NF-YA and NF-YB by binding to NF-YA. When dbpB factor was added together with NF-YA and NF-YB, the binding of the NF-YA--NF-YB complex was reduced. This suggested that dbpB may complete with NF-YB for interaction with NF-YA. These results provide an example of how dbpA and dbpB may regulate transcription of promoters that utilize NF-Y as a transcription factor.

Binding of an ETS-related protein within the DNase I hypersensitive site of the HER2/neu promoter in human breast cancer cells

Promoter elements accounting for HER2 (c-erbB-2/neu) overexpression were searched for in several human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-453, BT-474, ZR-75-1, MCF-7) known to express constitutively a 30-fold range in HER2 transcripts per gene copy. HER2 overexpressing cells showed a single prominent DNase I hypersensitive site near a conserved and hitherto unrecognized ets response element (GAGGAA), located 38 bases down-stream from the CAAT box and directly 5' of the TATA box in the human HER2 promoter. Transient transfection of HER2 promoter constructs (0.125, 0.5, and 2.0 kilobase pairs (kb)) demonstrated that the most proximal promoter region (0.125 kb) was capable of conferring up to 30-fold enhanced activity in HER2-overexpressing cell lines relative to low HER2-expressing control lines. Site-directed mutagenesis of the ets response element (GAGGAA-->GAGAGA) caused a > or = 60% reduction in promoter activity affecting at least 0.5 kb of upstream HER2 regulatory sequence. Gel-shift assays with nuclear extracts and oligonucleotide sequences spanning the 0.125-kb promoter region detected an ETS-immunoreactive complex, present most abundantly in cells overexpressing HER2, whose high-affinity binding depended on the GAGGAA response element. Methylation interference confirmed the ETS-specific pattern of protein binding by this complex to guanine bases in the ets response element. UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation implicate a approximately 60-kDa ETS protein, and candidate ETS genes expressed in these breast cancer cells include GABP alpha, elk-1, elf-1, and PEA3.