Artificial cartilage bio-matrix formed of hyaluronic acid and Mg2+-polyphosphate

Here we show that inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), a polyanionic metabolic regulator consisting of multiple phosphate residues linked by energy-rich phosphoanhydride bonds, is present in the synovial fluid. In a biomimetic approach, to enhance cartilage synthesis and regeneration, we prepared amorphous polyP microparticles with Mg2+ as counterions. The particles were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analyses. Similar particles were obtained after addition of Mg2+ ions to a solution containing hyaluronic acid, as a major component of the synovial fluid, and soluble Na-polyP. The viscous paste-like material formed, composed of globular microparticles with diameter of 400 nm, strongly promoted the adhesion of chondrocytes and caused a significant upregulation of the expression of the genes encoding collagen type 3A1, as a marker for chondrocyte differentiation, and SOX9, a transcription factor that regulates chondrocyte differentiation and proliferation. The expression level of the collagen type 3A1 gene was also enhanced by exposure of chondrocytes to synovial fluid that was found to contain polyP with a size of about 80 phosphate residues. This stimulatory effect was abolished after pre-incubation of the synovial fluid with the polyP degrading alkaline phosphatase. We propose a strategy for treatment of joint dysfunctions caused by osteoarthritis based on the application of amorphous Mg2+-polyP microparticles thatprevent calcium crystal formation in the synovial fluid using scavenging Ca2+ ions (Mg2+/Ca2+ exchange) and enhance chondrocyte function after binding of the Ca2+-polyP to hyaluronic acid at the cartilage surface.

CD8beta endows CD8 with efficient coreceptor function by coupling T cell receptor/CD3 to raft-associated CD8/p56(lck) complexes

The extraordinary sensitivity of CD8+ T cells to recognize antigen impinges to a large extent on the coreceptor CD8. While several studies have shown that the CD8beta chain endows CD8 with efficient coreceptor function, the molecular basis for this is enigmatic. Here we report that cell-associated CD8alphabeta, but not CD8alphaalpha or soluble CD8alphabeta, substantially increases the avidity of T cell receptor (TCR)-ligand binding. To elucidate how the cytoplasmic and transmembrane portions of CD8beta endow CD8 with efficient coreceptor function, we examined T1.4 T cell hybridomas transfected with various CD8beta constructs. T1.4 hybridomas recognize a photoreactive Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite (PbCS) peptide derivative (PbCS (4-azidobezoic acid [ABA])) in the context of H-2K(d), and permit assessment of TCR-ligand binding by TCR photoaffinity labeling. We find that the cytoplasmic portion of CD8beta, mainly due to its palmitoylation, mediates partitioning of CD8 in lipid rafts, where it efficiently associates with p56(lck). In addition, the cytoplasmic portion of CD8beta mediates constitutive association of CD8 with TCR/CD3. The resulting TCR-CD8 adducts exhibit high affinity for major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide. Importantly, because CD8alphabeta partitions in rafts, its interaction with TCR/CD3 promotes raft association of TCR/CD3. Engagement of these TCR/CD3-CD8/lck adducts by multimeric MHC-peptide induces activation of p56(lck) in rafts, which in turn phosphorylates CD3 and initiates T cell activation.

Conditional autoimmunity mediated by human natural anti-Fc(epsilon)RIalpha autoantibodies?

Natural antibodies provide an early defense mechanism against pathogens, show a frequent self-reactivity, and are present throughout life. Two questions concern the physiological control of self-reactivity and the pathogenetic link to autoimmune disease. Here we propose a concept of conditional autoimmunity involving natural antibodies against the alpha chain of the high-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc(epsilon)RIalpha ). Like other natural antibodies, anti-Fc(epsilon)RIalpha antibodies are found in sera of healthy donors. We now report the first human recombinant anti-Fc(epsilon)RIalpha autoantibodies isolated by repertoire cloning from a human tonsillar IgM library. These high-affinity antibodies recognize Fc(epsilon)RIalpha on cells and trigger histamine release from freshly isolated blood basophils. However, the latter effect requires IgE removal from the Fc(epsilon)RI. The same conditional histamine release is seen when using sera from individual normal donors and affinity-purified anti-Fc(epsilon)RIalpha antibodies isolated from multidonor therapeutic IgG preparations. We propose that such anti-Fc(epsilon)RIalpha antibodies can become pathogenic and that this is dependent on the state of occupancy of the Fc(epsilon)RIalpha by its natural ligand IgE. We suggest that an imbalance between Fc(epsilon)RIalpha occupancy and natural anti-Fc(epsilon)RIalpha antibodies may be implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune urticaria.

Transfer of high copy number plasmid into mammalian cells by calcium phosphate transfection

Using flow cytometry, single cell sorting, confocal microscopy and fluorescent plasmids, a thorough study of DNA uptake, DNA fate and DNA expression in mammalian cells transfected with the widely used calcium-phosphate precipitation method was executed. We show for the first time that up to 100,000 plasmid molecules can be delivered into individual cells, but also that DNA transfer into cells is a dynamic process that follows a defined kinetics of uptake and intracellular processing. Analyses by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy have also supported results suggesting endocytosis during Ca-Pi transfection. We also demonstrate that expression-enhancing treatment with glycerol during transfection did not result in increased DNA uptake. While cells with maximal DNA load appear to express the highest level of the transgene, these cells are negatively impacted in terms of growth and survival.

Development of stable cell lines for production or regulated expression using matrix attachment regions

One of the major hurdles of isolating stable, inducible or constitutive high-level producer cell lines is the time-consuming selection procedure. Given the variation in the expression levels of the same construct in individual clones, hundreds of clones must be isolated and tested to identify one or more with the desired characteristics. Various boundary elements (BEs), matrix attachment regions, and locus control regions (LCRs) were screened for their ability to augment the expression of heterologous genes in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Of the chromatin elements assayed, the chicken lysozyme matrix-attachment region (MAR) was the only element to significantly increase stable reporter expression. We found that the use of the MAR increases the proportion of high-producing clones, thus reducing the number of clones that need to be screened. These benefits are observed both for constructs with MARs flanking the transgene expression cassette, as well as when constructs are co-transfected with the MAR on a separate plasmid. Moreover, the MAR was co-transfected with a multicomponent regulatable beta-galactosidase expression system in C2C12 cells and several clones exhibiting regulated expression were identified. Hence, MARs are useful in the development of stable cell lines for production or regulated expression.

CHO expression of a novel human recombinant IgG1 anti-RhD antibody isolated by phage display

Replacement of the hyperimmune anti-Rhesus (Rh) D immunoglobulin, currently used to prevent haemolytic disease of the newborn, by fully recombinant human anti-RhD antibodies would solve the current logistic problems associated with supply and demand. The combination of phage display repertoire cloning with precise selection procedures enables isolation of specific genes that can then be inserted into mammalian expression systems allowing production of large quantities of recombinant human proteins. With the aim of selecting high-affinity anti-RhD antibodies, two human Fab libraries were constructed from a hyperimmune donor. Use of a new phage panning procedure involving bromelin-treated red blood cells enabled the isolation of two high-affinity Fab-expressing phage clones. LD-6-3 and LD-6-33, specific for RhD. These showed a novel reaction pattern by recognizing the D variants D(III), D(IVa), D(IVb), D(Va), D(VI) types I and II. D(VII), Rh33 and DFR. Full-length immunoglobulin molecules were constructed by cloning the variable regions into expression vectors containing genomic DNA encoding the immunoglobulin constant regions. We describe the first, stable, suspension growth-adapted Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line producing a high affinity recombinant human IgG1 anti-RhD antibody adapted to pilot-scale production. Evaluation of the Fc region of this recombinant antibody by either chemiluminescence or antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) assays demonstrated macrophage activation and lysis of red blood cells by human lymphocytes. A consistent source of recombinant human anti-RhD immunoglobulin produced by CHO cells is expected to meet the stringent safety and regulatory requirements for prophylactic application.

Large-scale transient expression in mammalian cells for recombinant protein production

Large-scale transient expression from mammalian cells is a new technology. Breakthroughs have been achieved for non-viral delivery methods: transfections can now be done at the 1-10 L scale with mammalian cells grown in suspension. Production of 1-20 mg/L of recombinant protein have been obtained in stirred bioreactors. Modified alphaviruses have provided a fast and efficient expression technology based on viral vectors.

T cell recognition of hapten. Anatomy of T cell receptor binding of a H-2kd-associated photoreactive peptide derivative

To elucidate the structural basis of T cell recognition of hapten-modified antigenic peptides, we studied the interaction of the T1 T cell antigen receptor (TCR) with its ligand, the H-2Kd-bound Plasmodium berghei circumsporozoite peptide 252-260 (SYIPSAEKI) containing photoreactive 4-azidobenzoic acid (ABA) on P. berghei circumsporozoite Lys259. The photoaffinity-labeled TCR residue(s) were mapped as Tyr48 and/or Tyr50 of complementary determining region 2beta (CDR2beta). Other TCR-ligand contacts were identified by mutational analysis. Molecular modeling, based on crystallographic coordinates of closely related TCR and major histocompatibility complex I molecules, indicated that ABA binds strongly and specifically in a cavity between CDR3alpha and CDR2beta. We conclude that TCR expressing selective Vbeta and CDR3alpha sequences form a binding domain between CDR3alpha and CDR2beta that can accommodate nonpeptidic moieties conjugated at the C-terminal portion of peptides binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encoded proteins.

Protection against lethal Escherichia coli bacteremia in baboons (Papio anubis) by pretreatment with a 55-kDa TNF receptor (CD120a)-Ig fusion protein, Ro 45-2081

Fusion proteins of the human 55-kDa TNF receptor extracellular domain with hinge and C2/C3 constant domains of human IgG1 or IgG3 heavy chains were tested in a primate sepsis model. Twenty-four baboons received 4.6, or 0.2 mg/kg of TNFR5-G1,3, or placebo, before the administration of a lethal dose of live Escherichia coli. Treatment with TNFR5-G1,3 decreased 5-day mortality from 88% in the placebo group to 12% in the TNFR5-G1,3-treated animals (p < 0.01 by Fisher's exact test). Treatments with TNR5-G1 and TNFR5-G3 in doses from 0.2 to 4.6 mg/kg were efficacious. Free plasma TNF was neutralized by all treatments, but inactive TNF/TNFR5-G1,3 complexes remained in circulation for prolonged periods. TNFR5-1,3 treatments attenuated the hemodynamic disturbances, reduced fluid requirements, and decreased the systemic IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 responses. In addition, TNFR5-G1,3 treatment shortened the granulocytopenia and reduced the loss of cellular TNF receptors from granulocytes. The decrease in fibrinogen concentrations and increase in prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times were significantly attenuated by TNFR5-G1,3 treatment. TNFR5-G1,3 treatment markedly attenuated the rise in plasma lactate concentration. Histologic studies of TNFR5-G1,3 revealed dose-dependent protection against tissue injury by Escherichia coli administration.

Protection against lethal Escherichia coli bacteremia in baboons (Papio anubis) by pretreatment with a 55-kDa TNF receptor (CD120a)-Ig fusion protein, Ro 45-2081

Fusion proteins of the human 55-kDa TNF receptor extracellular domain with hinge and C2/C3 constant domains of human IgG1 or IgG3 heavy chains were tested in a primate sepsis model. Twenty-four baboons received 4.6, or 0.2 mg/kg of TNFR5-G1,3, or placebo, before the administration of a lethal dose of live Escherichia coli. Treatment with TNFR5-G1,3 decreased 5-day mortality from 88% in the placebo group to 12% in the TNFR5-G1,3-treated animals (p < 0.01 by Fisher's exact test). Treatments with TNR5-G1 and TNFR5-G3 in doses from 0.2 to 4.6 mg/kg were efficacious. Free plasma TNF was neutralized by all treatments, but inactive TNF/TNFR5-G1,3 complexes remained in circulation for prolonged periods. TNFR5-1,3 treatments attenuated the hemodynamic disturbances, reduced fluid requirements, and decreased the systemic IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 responses. In addition, TNFR5-G1,3 treatment shortened the granulocytopenia and reduced the loss of cellular TNF receptors from granulocytes. The decrease in fibrinogen concentrations and increase in prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times were significantly attenuated by TNFR5-G1,3 treatment. TNFR5-G1,3 treatment markedly attenuated the rise in plasma lactate concentration. Histologic studies of TNFR5-G1,3 revealed dose-dependent protection against tissue injury by Escherichia coli administration.

Primary structure and biological activity of human brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a 27-kDa basic protein of noncovalently linked 13.5-kD subunits related to nerve growth factor and is produced by the central nervous system (CNS). BDNF has been shown to promote the survival of neurons located in or directly connected with the CNS and is likely to function in adjusting the cell number within neuronal populations to the need of this projection field. Here we describe the primary structure of a human BDNF cDNA, the biological activities of pure recombinant human BDNF, and the tissue distribution of rat BDNF. BDNF mRNA can be found in some peripheral tissues as well as in the CNS, and recombinant human BDNF is a potent neurotrophic factor for primary peripheral sensory neurons.

Expression of Herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein C antigens in Escherichia coli

DNA fragments encoding structural information of the Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein C (gC) gene were cloned into pUC plasmids [Vieira and Messing, Gene 19 (1982) 259-268]. None of the hybrid plasmids were able to direct the synthesis of significant amounts of gC related peptides. Several of the plasmid-bearing strains, however, exhibited inhibition characteristics which can be correlated with the presence on the plasmid of specific gC gene sequences. After insertion of gC DNA fragments into expression vector pMF2 between phage lambda repressor gene cI and lacZ, significant amounts of cI::gC::beta-galactosidase fusion proteins are synthesized. These tripartite fusion proteins are immunologically reactive with anti-HSV-1 antisera. The expression system based on pMF2 can be generally used to identify and express foreign antigens in Escherichia coli.

Suppression of melanoma development and regression of melanoma in xiphophorine fish after treatment with immune RNA

In xiphophorine fish suffering from a genetically caused melanoma, both suppression of melanoma development and regression of the existing melanoma were observed after treatment of the fish with an "anti-melanoma immune RNA." This RNA was extracted from the lymphoid organs of guinea pigs immunized with fish melanoma. RNA from guinea pigs immunized with fish skin or liver and RNA from nonimmunized guinea pigs were ineffective. RNase treatment of the anti-melanoma immune RNA diminished its activity, although Pronase treatment did not. Analysis of antisera obtained from guinea pigs and rabbits immunized with either melanoma or normal skin of xiphophorine fish revealed differences in the immune responses induced by these tissues. The anti-melanoma sera recognized antigens in melanoma extracts, which were not present in skin extracts. These antigens were not recognized by the anti-skin sera. The results suggest specificity of the anti-melanoma immune RNA.