Placental growth factor and its receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1: novel targets for stimulation of ischemic tissue revascularization and inhibition of angiogenic and inflammatory disorders

In contrast to VEGF and its receptor VEGFR-2, PlGF and its receptor VEGFR-1 have been largely neglected and therefore their potential for therapy has not been previously explored. In this review, we describe the molecular properties of PlGF and VEGFR-1 and how this translates into an important role for PlGF in the angiogenic switch in pathological angiogenesis, by interacting with VEGFR-1 and synergizing with VEGF. PlGF was effective in the growth of new and stable vessels in cardiac and limb ischemia, through its action on different cell types (i.e. endothelial, smooth muscle and inflammatory cells and their precursors) that play a cardinal role in blood vessel formation. Accordingly, blocking its receptor VEGFR-1 with monoclonal antibodies (anti-VEGFR-1 mAb), expressed on al these cell types, successfully attenuated blood vessel formation during cancer, ischemic retinopathy and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, while blocking this receptor was effective in reducing inflammatory disorders like atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, blocking the anti-angiogenic receptor VEGFR-2 was without effect. This indicates that in the latter diseases the beneficial effects of anti-VEGFR1 mAb were mainly due to its effect on inflammatory cells. Importantly, VEGFR-1 was also present on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, the precursors of inflammatory cells. Thus, these preclinical studies show proof-of-principle that PlGF and VEGFR-1 are promising therapeutic targets to treat angiogenesis and inflammation related disorders. Clinical trials will reveal whether this is also true for patients.

A 17-kDa CD4-binding glycoprotein present in human seminal plasma and in breast tumor cells

We previously isolated gp17, a human seminal plasma glycoprotein, which specifically interacts with the D1-D2 region of CD4, a T cell surface molecule involved in antigen recognition mediated by helper T cells also acting as a receptor for the human immunodeficiency virus. In this study we report that monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reacting with gp17 are able to inhibit the binding of gp17 to immobilized soluble CD4. An immunohistochemical analysis shows that gp17 is also expressed in mammary tumor cells upon hormone treatment and in biopsies from breast cancer patients. A structural characterization of gp17, including amino acid sequencing, indicates that the protein has an extensive structural similarity with a glycoprotein designated as seminal actin-binding protein (SABP), also secreted by male sexual glands. SABP is in turn identical to gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) or prolactin-inducible protein (PIP), a factor known as a highly specific and sensitive marker of primary and metastatic apocrine breast cancer. To establish further the correspondence of gp17 and GCDFP-15/PIP/SABP, the latter was expressed in bacteria from a cloned cDNA and purified by affinity chromatography to either anti-gp17 mAb-Sepharose or CD4-Sepharose. The purified recombinant protein is shown to inhibit the binding of labeled, pure g17 to immobilized soluble CD4. The finding that breast cancer cells express a protein able to interact with the CD4 domains involved in the recognition of class II major histocompatibility antigens suggests a possible mechanism by which a tumor may affect the activity of tumor-infiltrated CD4+ T cells.

Interaction of seminal plasma proteins with cell surface antigens: presence of a CD4-binding glycoprotein in human seminal plasma

We report in this paper the presence in the human seminal plasma of a glycoprotein capable of binding to CD4, a surface antigen expressed on the surface of T-cells, macrophages, and sperm cells, which acts as a coreceptor in antigen-mediated T-cell activation and as a receptor for the AIDS virus, HIV-1. This protein, namely gp17 (apparent MW = 17,500 Da), was purified by affinity chromatography and characterized by SDS/PAGE analysis. Its binding to CD4 was inhibited by anti-CD4 mAbs directed against V1, a region of CD4 implicated in the binding to MHC class II antigens and to the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120, but not by mAbs directed against other CD4 determinants. The presence of a CD4-masking factor in human seminal plasma may be relevant to the modulation of maternal immunity at insemination and to the control of sexual transmission of HIV-1.

Surface plasmon resonance analysis of gp17, a natural CD4 ligand from human seminal plasma inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus type-1 gp120-mediated syncytium formation

We have previously isolated from human seminal plasma a CD4 ligand, the gp17 glycoprotein, which shares sequence identity with three previously identified proteins: secretory actin-binding protein (SABP) from seminal plasma, gross-cystic-disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) and prolactin-inducible protein (PIP) from breast tumor cells. Functions of these glycoproteins are unknown. To further characterize the physical interaction between gp17 and CD4 we used surface plasmon resonance and demonstrated that gp17-CD4 binding affinity is high. Competition experiments indicated that gp17 interferes with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope protein/CD4 binding, although it binds to a site distinct from but close to the gp120-binding site. We observed moreover that gp17 inhibits syncytium formation between transfected cells expressing the wild-type HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein and CD4, respectively. Our results suggest that gp17, which may function as an immunomodulatory CD4-binding factor playing a role at insemination, may also play a role in controlling HIV spread in the sexual tract.

Synthetic CD4 exocyclics inhibit binding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope to CD4 and virus replication in T lymphocytes

CD4 functions as a major T-cell surface receptor for human immunodeficiency virus by binding the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope protein gp120 with relatively high affinity. We have developed constrained aromatically modified analogs of the secondary structures of the first domain of CD4 in order to analyze surfaces involved in binding of gp120. Complementarity determining-like regions (CDRs) of the D1 domain of CD4 were reproduced as synthetic aromatically modified exocyclic (AMEs) forms. The exocyclic CDR3.AME(82-89), derived from the CDR3 (residues 82-89) region of CD4 D1 domain, specifically inhibited binding of recombinant gp120 to both recombinant soluble CD4, and CD4+ Jurkat cells, and blocked syncytium formation and virus particle production caused by HIV-1 infection. We have previously shown that the CDR3.AME analog binds to the CD4 CDR3 region and creates a disabled CD4 heterodimer. We propose that the AME prevents the formation of an essential homodimeric surface needed for efficient HIV binding. Additionally the disabled CD4 receptor may be less able to signal the cell to allow HIV replication and HIV infection. Such compounds may represent a new receptor specific approach to modulate biological functions.

Antigenicity of HIV-derived T helper determinants in the context of carrier recombinant proteins: effect on T helper cell repertoire selection

T helper (Th) epitopes can be included in a recombinant protein with B and CTL epitopes to create more effective immunogens. To determine whether the antigenicity of HIV Th epitopes is preserved in this altered molecular context, human Th clones specific for peptides of HIV gp120 and reverse transcriptase p66 were challenged with recombinant proteins carrying the antigenic epitopes in different sites. We found that a given epitope was recognized by a specific T cell clone only when it was inserted in a particular position of the carrier. However, the permissive position was not the same for all epitopes. Enzymatic excision from a nonpermissive context or insertion of a polyserine spacer between the epitope and the carrier restored antigenicity. Nevertheless, antigenicity was not abolished in a synthetic peptide encompassing the epitope and the neighboring residues from the nonpermissive location. These data suggest that, in this case, the primary sequence of the chimeric protein flanking the HIV peptide is not responsible for loss of antigenicity. Furthermore, constructs carrying the epitope in a given position were recognized by peptide-specific Th clones raised from some individuals, but not from others. We show that this is due neither to individual modes of processing nor to the use of distinct major histocompatibility complex MHC class II restriction elements, but rather that it is related to the fine specificity of the clones. To study the effect of epitope context on selection of T cell repertoire in a naive individual, T cell lines were generated in vitro by stimulation with different peptide constructs. This resulted in the induction of diverse clonotypes defined by the pattern of recognition of different constructs, by T cell receptor V beta gene usage and by fine epitope mapping.

Binding to CD4 of synthetic peptides patterned on the principal neutralizing domain of the HIV-1 envelope protein

The interaction between the viral envelope protein gp120 and the cellular surface antigen CD4 is a key event in HIV-1 infection. Reciprocal high affinity binding sites have been located in the first domain of CD4 and in the carboxy-terminal region of gp120, respectively. Upon infection, the membranes of the target cells fuse; sites of CD4 and gp120, distinct from their high affinity binding sites, play a role in the post-binding events leading to syncytia formation. We have studied the interactions of CD4 with gp120 and gp120-derived peptides using an in vitro assay based on immobilized recombinant soluble CD4 (sCD4). In this system CD4 binds to recombinant soluble gp120 and to anti-receptor peptides derived from the high affinity CD4-binding site of gp120, as well as to peptides corresponding to the principal neutralizing domain (PND) of the envelope protein, i.e., to the domain required for HIV-1-mediated syncytium formation. Competition experiments performed using epitope-specific mAbs and a variety of peptides indicated that PND-derived peptides are specifically recognized by a CD4 site adjacent to, but distinct from, the high affinity gp120-binding site of CD4. Synthetic peptides patterned on the PND of different viral isolates were retained onto sCD4-based affinity columns at different extent; some of the structural requirements for binding were analyzed. Studies performed on CD4+ T-cells showed that PND-derived peptides also interact with CD4 in its native membrane-bound conformation. These results indicate that a direct contact takes place between CD4 and the gp120 domain participating in HIV-induced syncytia formation.

Differential antibody reactivity and CD4 binding of the mammary tumor marker protein GCDFP-15 from breast cyst and its counterparts from exocrine epithelia

Analysis of biopsies from breast cancer patients demonstrated that GCDFP-15 (gross cystic disease fluid protein-15) is a specific immunocytochemical marker of primary and secondary apocrine breast tumors. The protein has an amino acid sequence identical to SABP (secretory actin-binding protein), to PIP (prolactin-inducible protein) and to gp17, a protein isolated from human seminal plasma. The latter was found to bind to CD4, a T-cell co-receptor involved in antigen recognition, thereby inhibiting the ability of the receptor to interact with the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120. We compare here the ability of independently purified GCDFP-15, SABP and gp17 and of recombinant PIP both to cross-react with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against GCDFP-15 or gp17, respectively, and to bind to CD4. We show that, although the various factors share the ability to bind to the panel of antibodies used, differences in the pattern of MAb recognition can be demonstrated. By comparing the kinetic constants for binding of GCDFP-5 and gp17 to CD4 by biosensor technology, significant differences in binding affinities were observed between the 2 factors, thus reflecting structural differences. Surface plasmon resonance analysis also showed that anti-GCDFP-15 and anti-gp17 antibodies inhibit the binding of CD4 to GCDFP-15 and gp17, respectively, to different extents. Our data thus indicate that, while the various forms of the protein are encoded by the same cDNA, tissue specificities due to post-translational modifications exist. This information may be relevant for developing more sensitive and accurate tests for the use of GCDFP-15 as a diagnostic mammary tumor marker and, most importantly, raises the possibility that GCDFP-15 may constitute a breast tumor-specific antigen.

Mapping the CD4 binding domain of gp17, a glycoprotein secreted from seminal vesicles and breast carcinomas

gp17, a secretory CD4-binding factor isolated from the human seminal plasma, is identical to the gross cystic disease fluid protein-15, a specific marker for primary and metastatic breast tumors. We previously demonstrated that gp17 binds to CD4 with high affinity and strongly inhibits T lymphocyte apoptosis induced by sequential cross-linking of CD4 and T cell receptor (TCR). To further characterize the gp17/CD4 interaction and map the gp17 binding site, we produced a secreted form of recombinant gp17 fused to human IgG1 Fc, gp17-Ig. We showed that gp17-Ig exhibits a binding affinity for CD4 similar to that of native gp17. As no information about gp17 structure is presently available, 99 overlapping gp17 peptides were synthesized by the Spot method, which allowed the mapping of two CD4 binding regions. Alanine scanning of CD4-reactive peptides identified critical residues, selected for site-directed mutagenesis. Nine gp17-Ig mutants were generated and characterized. Three residues within the carboxy-terminal region were identified as the major binding domain to CD4. The Spot method combined with mutagenesis represents a refined approach to distinguish the contact residues from the ones contributing to the conformation of the CD4-binding domain.

Minimal sequence requirements for synthetic peptides derived from the V3 loop of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to enhance HIV-1 binding to cells and infection

We previously demonstrated that a 23-mer peptide (DB3) derived from the V3 loop of the surface glycoprotein of HIV-1 MN strain was able to bind to soluble CD4 and enhance HIV-1 infection. The mechanism and structural features required for these biological activities were studied by using shortened DB3 derivatives and DB3 analogs carrying single amino acid substitutions. We found that peptides in which the aromatic amino acid in position 15 or 16 had been replaced by an uncharged hydrophobic residue (DB3-I15 and DB3-I16), analogs in which positively charged amino acids were replaced by corresponding D-enantiomers, and shortened DB3-derivatives lost both enhancing activity and ability to bind to soluble CD4. Other peptide variants in which a positively charged amino acid was replaced by asparagine at positions 3 (DB3-N3), 6 (DB3-N6), and 19 (DB3-N19), respectively, retained both enhancing and binding activities, although with different efficiencies. The CD4 binder peptides DB3 and DB3-N19, but none of the CD4 nonbinder peptides, enhanced CD4 expression on peptide-treated cells as well as gp120 binding to both CD4+ cells and soluble CD4. These findings strongly suggest that the peptide/CD4 interaction induced an increase in both CD4 expression and CD4/gp120 binding affinity, which in turn mediated the enhancement of viral infection. A model of the structural conformation of DB3 peptide required for its biological activities is discussed.

Control of nucleo-cytoplasmic HLA-DRA mRNA partitioning by interaction of a retention signal with compartmentalized proteins

Transport of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is still a poorly understood process in which RNA signal sequences and cognate RNA-binding proteins may be involved. We have analysed the transport of the mRNA encoded by HLA-DRA, a member of the immunologically important MHC class II multigene family. We report that, in transient transfection experiments, HLA-DRA mRNA molecules encompassing a signal situated in the 3' untranslated region predominantly accumulate in the nucleus. We also show that the RNA sequence involved interacts with compartmentalized proteins of either nuclear or cytoplasmic origin. Deletion of the mRNA region encompassing this retention site results both in the abrogation of protein binding and in the release of HLA-DRA mRNA into the cytoplasm. In addition, we have found that the distribution of these HLA-DRA mRNA binding proteins is different in different cell types; in particular, their pattern of expression in Ntera-2, a human teratocarcinoma cell line, is distinct from that observed in Raji, a human B-lymphoma cell line, and is modulated by growth in retinoic acid. We conclude that recognition of a mRNA retention signal by proteins located in different compartments on either side of the nuclear membrane may regulate the nucleo-cytoplasmic partitioning of HLA-DRA transcripts and, perhaps, of MHC class II mRNA in general.

Structural studies on synthetic peptides from the principal neutralizing domain of HIV-1 gp120 that bind to CD4 and enhance HIV-1 infection

In previous studies we have demonstrated that synthetic peptides, corresponding to sequences in the (307-330) region of the gp120 principal neutralizing domain of different HIV-1 isolates are specifically recognized by a site distinct from the high affinity gp120-binding site of CD4. Interestingly, a peptide designed from the HIV-1 MN strain is able to enhance viral infection, while a HTLV-IIIB derived analogue is at least ten-fold less efficient and no effect is shown by other tested peptides. This enhancing effect occurs in the early step of infection and it is not strain restricted. A correlation between structure and biological functions evidenced by CD, FT-IR, and preliminary mono and bidimensional NMR is presented in this paper. The experimental data are compared to the predictions obtained by theoretical calculations.

Abnormal restriction pattern of PIP gene associated with human primary prostate cancers

The PIP gene, localized in the 7q34 region that contains a number of fragile sites such as FRA 7H and FRA TI, codes for gp17/PIP, a protein secreted by breast apocrine tumors. We analyzed the integrity of this gene in 20 tumors of the urogenital tract. We found rearranged EcoRI fragments in 5 of 15 primary prostate carcinomas. No rearrangement was found in normal prostates derived from five patients undergoing prostatocystectomy during treatment of bladder cancers. By Southern blot hybridization with PIP gene exon-specific probes, the rearrangements were mapped at or near the 3' end of the gene. These abnormalities were found, not only in the neoplastic cells invading the prostatic tissues, but also in seminal vesicles without histologic tumoral features. These data suggest a critical role of the PIP gene or neighboring genes in prostate cancer.

Competition of HLA-DR and a beta 2 domain peptide for HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 binding to CD4

HLA class II molecules and the HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 are ligands of CD4. Reciprocal interaction sites have been well characterized for gp120 and CD4, but require further definition for HLA class II and CD4. A major CD4 binding site encompassing amino acids 134-148 in the beta 2 domain of HLA-DR has been previously identified. Recently, we have shown, by extensive characterization of mutated CD4 molecules expressed in COS cells, that HLA class II antigens interact mainly through the HIV gp120 binding site and possibly through a second minor interaction site mapping on the same face of the molecule. Based on the direct binding in vitro of iodinated affinity-purified HLA-DR1 molecules to polystyrene immobilized human IgG3-CD4, we now report on reciprocal binding inhibition of gp120, HLA-DR1 and the DR beta 2 synthetic peptide to CD4. The results strongly suggest that gp120 and the beta 2 region (amino acids 134-148) of HLA-DR1 bind mainly to the same part of CD4 domain 1 and that the CD4 binding site of HLA-DR requires the existence of a class II homodimer. In that case, alpha 2 chain residues might interact with CD4 residues different from those involved in the binding of gp120 but located close to them in the first domain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Downstream sequence adjacent to AUG affects translation of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase in eukaryotic cells

The CAT gene is widely used as a reporter in eukaryotic systems because of the efficient translation of its mRNA. We report here that a sequence occurring in the CAT mRNA at +15 nucleotides from CAT AUG is essential for translation. This sequence includes a stem-loop structure, which, however, exhibits a calculated stability significantly lower than that required for a hairpin to act as an enhancer of translation in vitro. Replacement of this region with the corresponding sequence from mRNAs that are normally translated in eukaryotic systems drastically reduced translation of CAT in COS cells, although the consensus sequence around the AUG, known to be required for high-level translation initiation, was conserved. These observations may be relevant for the exploitation of the CAT reporter system for analysis of the mechanisms of translation initiation by means of fusion constructs.

Reversion of a transcriptionally defective MHC class II-negative human B-cell mutant

RJ2.2.5, a mutant derived from the human B-lymphoma cell, Raji, is unable to express the MHC class II genes because of a recessive transcriptional defect attributed to the lack of an activator function. We report the isolation of a RJ2.2.5 revertant, namely AR, in which the expression of the mRNAs encoded by these genes is restored. Comparison of the binding of nuclear extracts or of partially purified nuclear preparations from the wild-type, the mutant and the revertant cells to a conserved MHC class II promoter element, the X-box, showed no alteration in the mobility of the complexes thus formed. However, in extracts from RJ2.2.5, and other MHC class II negative cell lines, such as HeLa, the amount of complex observed was significantly higher than in wild-type Raji cells. Furthermore, the binding activity exhibited by the AR revertant was lower than that of the RJ2.2.5 and higher than that of Raji. The use of specific monoclonal antibodies indicated that in all cases c-Jun and c-Fos or antigenically related proteins were required for binding. An inverse correlation between the level of DNA-protein complex formed and the level of MHC class II gene mRNA expressed in the three cell lines was apparent, suggesting that overexpression of a DNA binding factor forming complexes with class II promoter elements may cause repression of MHC class II transcription. A model which reconciles the previously ascertained recessivity of the phenotype of the mutation carried by RJ2.2.5 with the findings reported here is discussed.

Molecular basis of T lymphocyte CD4 antigen functions

The T cell surface antigen CD4 plays a pivotal role in the MHC class II-restricted response of specific T lymphocytes and serves as the major receptor of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). Recent studies have shown the high complexity of CD4 functions in physiological and pathological conditions. We report here a short review of recent developments in the field and discuss the structural features which regulate the functions mediated by the CD4 coreceptor in mature T lymphocytes.

Potent inhibition of CD4/TCR-mediated T cell apoptosis by a CD4-binding glycoprotein secreted from breast tumor and seminal vesicle cells

We previously isolated a CD4 ligand glycoprotein, gp17, from human seminal plasma; this glycoprotein is identical with gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15), a factor specifically secreted from primary and secondary breast tumors. The function of gp17/GCDFP-15 in physiological as well as in pathological conditions has remained elusive thus far. As a follow up to our previous findings that gp17 binds to CD4 with high affinity and interferes with both HIV-1 gp120 binding to CD4 and syncytium formation, we investigated whether gp17 could affect the T lymphocyte apoptosis induced by a separate ligation of CD4 and TCR. We show here that gp17/GCDFP-15 is in fact a strong and specific inhibitor of the T lymphocyte programmed cell death induced by CD4 cross-linking and subsequent TCR activation. The antiapoptotic effect observed in the presence of gp17 correlates with a moderate up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression in treated cells. The presence of gp17 also prevents the down-modulation of Bcl-2 expression in Bcl-2bright CD4+ T cells that is caused by the triggering of apoptosis. Our results suggest that gp17 may represent a new immunomodulatory CD4 binding factor playing a role in host defense against infections and tumors.

Relative ratios of lactoferrin, albumin, and acid phosphatase seminal levels as sperm quality markers in fertile and infertile men

Human seminal plasma proteins from fertile and infertile men were fractionated by electrophoresis. The amounts of three Coomassie-stained protein bands were measured by densitometry. Their relative ratios were constant in normospermic men but varied in the infertile patients. Laboratory manipulation of the semen was shown not to affect the protein ratios as observed after liquefaction, incubation at various temperatures, and storage at -20 degrees C. The three proteins were purified by chromatographic techniques and identified as lactoferrin, albumin, and acid phosphatase by electrophoresis, high-pressure liquid chromatography, and enzyme assays. The use of these proteins to evaluate the contributions of different fluids to seminal plasma is discussed.

Recognition of distinct HLA-DQA1 promoter elements by a single nuclear factor containing Jun and Fos or antigenically related proteins

The activity of MHC class II promoters depends upon conserved regulatory signals one of which, the extended X-box, contains in its X2 subregion a sequence related to the cAMP response element, CRE and to the TPA response element, TRE. Accordingly, X2 is recognized by the AP-1 factor and by other c-Jun or c-Fos containing heterodimers. We report that the X-box dependent promoter activity of the HLA-DQA1 gene is down-modulated by an array of DNA elements each of which represented twice either in an invertedly or directly repeated orientation. In this frame, we describe a nuclear binding factor, namely DBF, promiscuously interacting with two of these additional signals, delta and sigma, and with a portion of the X-box, namely the X-core, devoid of X2. The presence of a single factor recognizing divergent DNA sequences was indicated by the finding that these activities were co-eluted from a heparin-Sepharose column and from DNA affinity columns carrying different DNA binding sites as ligands. Competition experiments made with oligonucleotides representing wild type and mutant DNA elements showed that each DNA element specifically inhibited the binding of the others, supporting the contention that DBF is involved in recognition of different targets. Furthermore, we found that DBF also exhibits CRE/TRE binding activity and that this activity can be competed out by addition of an excess of sigma, delta and X-core oligonucleotides. Anti-Jun peptide and anti-Fos peptide antibodies blocked not only the binding activity of DBF, but also its X-core and sigma binding; this blockade was removed by the addition of the Jun or Fos peptides against which the antibodies had been raised. In vitro synthesized Jun/Fos was able to bind to all these boxes, albeit with seemingly different affinities. The cooperativity of DBF interactions may explain the modulation of the X-box dependent promoter activity mediated by the accessory DNA elements described here.