Analysis of the binding site on intercellular adhesion molecule 3 for the leukocyte integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1

Intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM-3, CD50) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is a constitutively expressed ligand for the leukocyte integrin LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18). ICAM-3 is expressed at high levels by all resting leukocyte populations and antigen presenting cells and is a major ligand for LFA-1 in the resting immune system. ICAM-3 is a signal transducer and may play a key role in initiating immune responses. Mutant ICAM-3 Fc-chimeric proteins were quantitatively analyzed for their ability to bind COS cells expressing human LFA-1. The LFA-1-binding site on ICAM-3 is located in the N-terminal 2 Ig domains. Domains 3-5 do not significantly contribute to adhesion. The binding site has been further resolved by rational targeting of 14 point mutations throughout domains 1 and 2, coupled with modeling studies. Within domain 1 a cluster of residues (Glu37, Leu66, Ser68, and Gln75), that are predicted to lie on the CC'FG face of the Ig fold, play a dominant role in LFA-1 binding.

Structure, biosynthesis, and transduction properties of the human mu-psi L complex: similar behavior of preB and intermediate preB-B cells in transducing ability

In human preB cells, the mu chain is associated with a surrogate light chain composed of the VpreB and lambda-like gene products. Using anti-peptide antibodies directed against VpreB and lambda-like epitopes, we identified the discrete components of the mu-psi L (pseudo-light) chain complex in various preB cell lines, and in intermediate preB-B cells that co-expressed the psi L and the kappa chain. The lambda-like gene product was identified as a single band at 20 kDa, disulfide linked to the mu chain. VpreB was detected at 16 kDa and, depending upon the cell lines, an isoform of this polypeptide was also present at 15 kDa. In addition, lambda-like--VpreB chain complexes not associated with mu were identified both in cell lysates and culture supernatants. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that VpreB was transiently associated with two new polypeptides of molecular weights 17.5 and 36 kDa. Expression of mu-psi L and co-expression of mu-psi L and microL at the surface of preB and intermediate preB-B cells respectively was detected by cytofluorimetry. The signal transduction ability of the complex in both types of cells was shown by measuring the calcium mobilization and the phosphorylation of tyrosyl residues upon stimulation by anti-mu. Signal events were similar in both cases, but differed from those induced in a mature B cell line. This points to a definite function of the preB cell receptor and suggests that the intermediate preB-B cell line still lacks some molecular components that condition initiation of a mature B cell transduction signal.

Organization and expression of the lambda-like genes that contribute to the mu-psi light chain complex in human pre-B cells

Lambda-like genes encode a polypeptide chain that associates with VpreB and mu chain in the so-called mu-psi light chain complex specifically expressed in pre-B cells. In humans, the lambda-like gene cluster contains three genes, termed 14.1, 16.1, and F lambda 1. The 14.1 gene contains three exons and was previously sequenced. The 16.1 and F lambda 1 have been isolated from cosmid libraries. They both contain only the exons 2 and 3 that appear highly homologous to their 14.1 counterparts. The lambda-like gene cluster has been mapped on chromosome 22, close and distal to the BCR gene, in the order (14.1; F lambda 1) and 16.1. Hybridization with the 14.1 exon 1 probe did not detect an equivalent on 16.1 and F lambda 1 genes, but instead, only revealed the X6 gene, that was previously identified 5 kb upstream of the IGLC locus. It appears, therefore, that the gene organization of the lambda and lambda-like loci is strikingly similar, with a three-exon-containing gene 5' of a series of J lambda-C lambda or J lambda-C lambda-like tandemly organized genes. Analysis of the transcripts in a 8 week old human fetal liver clearly indicated that 14.1 was the only functional gene of the lambda-like cluster. Various forms of transcripts resulting from alternate splicing have been characterized. The major component consisted of a full-length (exons 1-2-3) mRNA, whereas a minor (1-3) transcript was identified. Only the full-length transcript could encode a functional polypeptide chain corresponding to the 22 kDa light chain surrogate.

Epitope mapping and functional properties of anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-3 (CD50) monoclonal antibodies

Intercellular adhesion molecule-3 (ICAM-3, CD50), a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily, is a major ligand for the lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1, CD18/CD11a) in the resting immune system and plays a role as a signaling and costimulatory molecule on T lymphocytes. In this study we have generated a large panel of anti-ICAM-3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and show that the biological effects of these antibodies are critically dependent on the epitope recognized. By using an adhesion assay employing COS cells expressing LFA-1 binding to recombinant chimeric ICAM-3-Fc proteins (which overcomes the confounding effects of interleukocyte LFA-1/ICAM binding events), we have been able to examine the effects of these antibodies in blocking LFA-1/ICAM-3 adhesion. Our data suggests that only a small minority of ICAM-3 mAb, recognizing a distinct epitope, are able to mimic the effects of LFA-1 binding to ICAM-3. Moreover these antibodies are functionally distinct as defined by their costimulatory activity and ability to elicit interleukin-2 production and cell proliferation in T lymphocytes.

The human pre-B cell receptor: structural constraints for a tentative model of the pseudo-light (psi L) chain

In human pre-B cells, the mu chain is associated with a surrogate light chain composed of the lambda-like and Vpre-B gene products. This pre-B cell receptor presumably triggers early steps of B cell differentiation, We have determined the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the lambda-like chain, showing that the mature chain results from the cleavage of a leader segment of 44 residues, leaving a polypeptide of 169 amino acids having partial features of the Ig light chain domains, with the exception of the first 50 amino acid NH2-terminal region. We have completed the nucleotide sequence of the Vpre-B gene, which appears to contain 126 residues in its mature form of which the 24 COOH-terminal portion was not Ig-related. Analysis of transfectants has provided direct evidence that lambda-like and Vpre-B chains assemble together even in the absence of heavy chain, prompting the search for a structural basis of this interaction. Comparison with the domain organization of the regular Ig lambda chain suggests that most of the psi L chain can be accommodated within a CL-VL-like structure, with an extra "subdomain" contributed by the non-Ig-like portions of both the lambda-like and Vpre-B polypeptides.

The human intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM3) gene is located in the 19p13.2-p13.3 region, close to the ICAM1 gene

The chromosomal location of the intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM3) gene, coding for a lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 counterreceptor and selectively expressed by human leukocytes, was analyzed by in situ hybridization with the cDNA coding sequence as a probe. This sequence mapped to the p13.2-p13.3 region of chromosome 19, close to the ICAM1 gene chromosomal location.

Role of ligands in the activation of LFA-1

Lymphocyte function-associated-antigen-1 (LFA-1) is able to bind selectively to its ligands intercellular adhesion molecules 1 and 3 (ICAM-1 and ICAM-3), suggesting that LFA-1 can exist in distinct ligand-specific binding states. In the case of ICAM-1, apart from ligand itself and the recently cloned molecule cytohesin-1, the natural physiological regulators of LFA-1-mediated binding to ICAM-1 are unknown. We have investigated the role of ligands (ICAM-1 and ICAM-3) in LFA-1 activation by using ICAM-blocking monoclonal antibodies and a fixation protocol for "freezing" LFA-1 on the surface of cells after prior exposure to ICAM-1 and ICAM-3. These studies not only confirm that LFA-1 exists in distinct ICAM-specific activation states, but also demonstrate that ICAM-1 plays a role in the activation of LFA-1 binding to ICAM-3.

Organization and expression of the pseudo-light chain genes in human B-cell ontogeny

In pre-B cells, the mu chain is expressed at the cell surface in association with a "light chain surrogate" encoded by the V pre-B and the lambda-like genes. This mu-psi-L complex presumably triggers early steps of the B cell differentiation, possibly by controlling the Ig gene rearrangements. In the humans, the lambda-like complex contains 3 genes, located in the 22q11.2-q12.3 band, telomeric to the IGCL locus, with which they share a similar organization, pointing to a common genetic origin. Only one lambda-like gene, 14.1, is functional and specifically expressed with V pre-B in pre-B cells. This expression starts in cells which still have the IGH locus in germline configuration (pro-B stage) and ceases as soon as the IGL loci rearrange. These pre-B specific transcripts provide useful markers of cells of the B lineage in both physiological and pathological situations.

Fate of fatty acids taken up as cholesteryl ester by rat hepatocytes in primary culture from high-density lipoprotein

Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were incubated in the presence of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) labelled with [1-14C]oleyl or [1-14C]linoleyl cholesteryl ester. Labelled HDL were prepared by selective delipidation with heptane, relipidation and sequential ultracentrifugations. Hepatocytes took up cholesteryl esters and cholesteryl ether their non-hydrolizable analog, at the same rate. The uptake increased with time, the cholesteryl ester/protein ratio and the amount of added HDL. It was not dependent on the nature of acyl chain or on the nature of the bond. The uptake did not depend on a specific interaction between HDL and cell membranes, since cholesteryl ester was taken up from HDL to the same extent as from albumin complexes. Linoleic and oleic acids released from cholesteryl esters taken up by hepatocytes were mainly reesterified into phosphatidylcholine and triacylglycerols. Linoleic acid was preferentially channelled into PC. A portion of these lipids were secreted by hepatocytes during a 24-h reincubation in a medium devoid of lipoprotein. Nearly the same amount of radioactivity was recovered in secreted phospholipids as in secreted triacylglycerols, in contrast with hepatocytes labelled with free fatty acids which secreted very little radioactivity as phospholipids. From these results and the high content in polyunsaturated fatty acids of cholesteryl esters, one can hypothesize that hepatic cholesteryl ester uptake may contribute to biliary phosphatidylcholine production, and therefore to polyunsaturated fatty acid sparing.

Lambda-like and V pre-B genes expression: an early B-lineage marker of human leukemias

V pre-B and lambda-like genes are selectively expressed in human pre-B cells and encode polypeptide chains that associate in a mu-pseudolight chain complex that may regulate some crucial steps of early B-cell differentiation. We have followed by polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis the expression of these "pre-B-specific" genes in correlation with the status (rearranged v germline) of Ig gene loci (H, kappa, lambda) in a panel of 32 leukemias pertaining mostly to the B lineage and including a number of ambiguously characterized samples. All cells that had rearranged the H locus only expressed V pre-B and lambda-like transcripts, in agreement with a pre-B status. In this group, some biphenotypic leukemias (mostly My/B) might, in fact, be already engaged in the B lineage. Rearrangement of V kappa or V lambda loci correlated with the disappearance of the pre-B gene products. In a pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line that was induced to mature to the B-cell stage in culture upon kappa gene rearrangement, the mu-pseudolight chain complex was actually replaced by the classical mu-kappa molecule. Finally, V pre-B and lambda-like genes were found expressed in two leukemic cells that had retained all Ig loci in germline configuration. This finding raises the possibility of having an early pro-B progenitor in which V pre-B and lambda-like products associate with a H chain surrogate in a complex that would trigger an early event of B-cell differentiation such as the H locus rearrangements.