Altered glycosylation of beta 1 integrins associated with reduced adhesiveness to fibronectin and laminin

The carbohydrate structures of the beta 1 integrins obtained from a mouse metastatic melanoma B16 F1 and its weakly metastatic wheat-germ agglutinin-resistant mutant Wa4-b1 were studied comparatively. The results indicated that the integrins from both cells contain high mannose-type and bi-, tri- and tetra-antennary complex-type sugar chains. No significant difference was found in the outer chain branching between both integrins, but sialylation of the sugar chains of the mutant's integrin was markedly decreased and almost all the outer chain moieties of tri- and tetra-antennary oligosaccharides of the mutant's integrin were fucosylated, resulting in the formation of X-antigenic determinants, Gal beta 1-->4 (Fuc alpha 1-->3) GlcNAc. In contrast, the integrin from parental cell contained no X-antigenic determinant. These structural differences found in the integrin are thought to account for the reduction in the metastatic potential of the mutant which also shows reduced adhesion to fibronectin and laminin as compared with the parental cell.

N-linked sugar chains of mouse B16 melanoma cells and their low-metastasizing variant selected by wheat germ agglutinin

The N-linked sugar chains of metastasizing mouse B16 melanoma cells (F1) and their wheat germ agglutinin-resistant variant (Wa4-b1) showing a dramatic decrease in metastasizing and tumorigenic potentials were liberated from their membrane glycoproteins by hydrazinolysis, and their structures were comparatively analysed. The results indicated that both cell lines contain high-mannose-type and bi-, tri- and tetraantennary complex-type oligosaccharides, and their ratios are similar. However, outer chain moieties of tri- and tetraantennary oligosaccharides of the variant are extensively fucosylated, resulting in the formation of X-antigenic determinants, Gal beta 1----4(Fuc alpha 1----3)GlcNAc. Oligosaccharides containing X-antigenic determinants amounted to 71% of the total complex-type oligosaccharides. Fucosylation occurs on every N-acetyllactosamine unit and the number of the determinants ranges from one to three in triantennary oligosaccharides and one to four in tetraantennary oligosaccharides. The determinants occur predominantly in non-sialylated forms, although some are in sialylated forms. Oligosaccharides containing non-sialylated X-antigenic determinants and those containing sialylated X-antigenic determinants are approximately in the ratio 6:1. Since no significant difference was found in the extent of branching of complex-type oligosaccharides of the two cell lines, it is suggested that non-fucosylated outer chains are important for the expression of metastasizing potential by the tumour cells.

Reduced cell adhesion to fibronectin and laminin is associated with altered glycosylation of beta 1 integrins in a weakly metastatic glycosylation mutant

A weakly metastatic wheat-germ-agglutinin-resistant mutant Wa4-b1 was previously shown to be less adherent to endothelial cell extracellular matrix than the more metastatic parental B-16 melanoma cells. This report describes reduced adhesion and spreading of Wa4-b1 cells on the cell-binding domain of fibronectin (CBD) and laminin (LN). Cell surface receptors which mediate such interactions are members of the integrin family of membrane glycoproteins. An antibody that recognizes the beta 1 integrin subunit inhibited spreading on both the CBD and LN. The integrins of the mutant cells immunoprecipitated by the antibody appeared to be structurally altered, showing a greater electrophoretic mobility. The mobility difference between the parent and the mutant receptors was abolished following removal of the glycan moieties of the receptors enzymatically using glycopeptidase F, or chemically using trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, suggesting that the structural alteration of the mutant receptors is in glycosylation. The altered receptors may be responsible for the observed decrease in cell adhesion and spreading of the mutant cells to the CBD and LN. Such a decrease in Wa4-b1 cell interaction with extracellular matrix components may play a role in their decreased metastatic potential.

Biological activity of autoantibodies associated with Graves' dermopathy

To test the hypothesis that Graves' dermopathy is due to cross-reactivity of thyroid autoantibody(ies) with a cellular target in pretibial skin, we tested the serum and serum immunoglobulin fraction of 20 such patients for their effects on the metabolic activities of cultured thyrocytes (rat FRTL cells), human pretibial skin fibroblasts, and human fibroblasts of other origins. The incorporation of 3H-labeled thymidine, amino acids, and glucosamine into DNA, protein, and glycosaminoglycans, respectively, was measured. TSH and the serum of each of the 20 patients with Graves' dermopathy markedly stimulated the synthesis of DNA, protein, and glycosaminoglycans by FRTL cells, but not by fibroblasts, whereas assays of serum from 38 of 40 patients with Graves' disease without dermopathy did not stimulate these processes in FRTL cells more than normal serum. Stimulatory activity was associated with immunoglobulins. Serum dermopathy-associated antibodies disappeared with the disappearance of the skin lesions. These results suggest that the serum of patients with dermopathy contains antibodies that recognize a component of the TSH receptor different from that recognized by serum of Graves' patients without dermopathy, the former acting in some manner to induce lesions in pretibial skin. The skin target remains unidentified.

Membrane lipids of B16 melanoma cells and heat-resistant variants

Membrane lipid composition and fluidity of a series of B16 melanoma cell variants with increased resistance to heat were analysed for changes within the lipid component that may contribute to the acquisition of heat resistance. Within one series of heat-resistant lines the cholesterol content of the cells decreased as their heat resistance increased. The most heat-resistant line, WH75, had 40 per cent less cholesterol than the parent line. No change in the composition of phospholipid fatty acids was found. An increased level of membrane fluidity in WH75 was demonstrated by electron paramagnetic resonance using 5- or 12-doxyl stearic acid. When challenged by heat the increase in membrane fluidity was similar for WH75 and for the parent line. Thus the increased heat resistance of the variants is probably not due to their ability to adapt to heat challenge by increasing membrane thermostability. The inverse relationship between heat resistance and cholesterol content was not demonstrated in two other series of heat-resistant variants. The cholesterol decrease, therefore, is not a universal response of cells as they acquire heat resistance.

Monoclonal antithyroglobulin antibodies derived from immunizations of mice with human eye muscle and thyroid membranes

A mouse hybridoma clone secreting an immunoglobulin M monoclonal antibody (K-5-4), which reacted with human thyroglobulin (Tg), was obtained from spleen cells of mice immunized with crude membranes of human eye muscle tissues (Em). Its binding to Tg could be inhibited by another monoclonal anti-Tg (F1-11-1) derived from spleen cells of mice immunized with human thyroid cell membranes, but K-5-4 did not inhibit the binding of F1-11-1 to Tg. This finding suggests that K-5-4 may react with a site on the Tg molecule which is susceptible to conformational changes, such as that induced by binding of another anti-Tg antibody at another site on Tg. K-5-4 reacted with human, mouse, rat, guinea pig, bovine, and porcine Tg. Binding and immunohistological staining experiments failed to detect binding of K-5-4 to Em tissue. The very low frequency of one Tg-reacting hybridoma from 6 X 10(8) spleen cells fused after Em immunization contrasts with the relative ease with which monoclonal anti-Tgs were generated from spleen cells of mice immunized with crude human thyroid membranes. In the latter case, 1 anti-Tg hybridoma was generated for every 100,000 spleen cells fused, and an extensive library of monoclonal anti-Tgs was collected. Some of these antibodies were specific for human Tg only, while others cross-reacted with Tg of other animal species. None had the species reativity pattern of K-5-4. The anti-Tgs were used to affinity purify human Tg directly from supernatant of thyroid homogenate; the purified Tg was, in turn, used to affinity purify human polyclonal but monospecific anti-Tg directly from serum of patients in a simple and rapid procedure. We conclude that the monoclonal anti-Tgs are useful reagents in isolating and purifying Tg and anti-Tg.

Heat shock protein levels are not elevated in heat-resistant B16 melanoma cells

Heat-resistant variants have been selected from B16 melanoma cells and from surface mutants previously derived from them. The aim of the present study was to explore the possible role of heat shock proteins in the manifestation of this heat resistance. The major heat shock proteins evident after heating have subunit molecular weights of 68, 70, 89, and 110K on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The 68-kDa protein is not evident in any of the unheated B16 cell lines while the levels of the other heat shock proteins are elevated after heating. The constitutive levels of the 70, 89, and 110-kDa heat shock proteins were assessed after gel electrophoretic separation of proteins in several of the heat-resistant variants. No major differences were found in the levels of these proteins between the heat-sensitive parent lines and the heat-resistant variants. We therefore conclude that heat shock proteins are not a determining factor in the heat-resistant phenotype of B16 melanoma cells.

Helper and suppressor activities of lymphocyte subsets on antithyroglobulin production in vitro

We studied the regulatory activities of T cells on specific antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) and nonspecific immunoglobulin secretion in cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of five patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases and high levels of serum anti-Tg. PBL were separated into a non-T population, including B-cells and monocytes, and a T-cell population by rosetting with sheep red cells. T-Cells were further separated into T helper (Th) and T suppressor (Ts) subsets by a panning technique using the monoclonal antibodies anti-Leu 3a and anti-Leu 2a, respectively. The three sets of cells, i.e. B, Th, and Ts, from patients and from normal individuals were cocultured in various combinations and stimulated with the polyclonal stimulant pokeweed mitogen. A sensitive plaque assay was used to enumerate cells producing anti-Tg and protein A-binding immunoglobulins. The PBL of both patients and normal individuals had Tg-specific suppressor cells. Ts-cells from patients in syngeneic or allogeneic combinations with B- and Th-cells at a ratio of 1:1:1 suppressed the pokeweed mitogen-induced anti-Tg response to 41 +/- 8% (+/-SE) and 50 +/- 20% of the control value, respectively, while Ts from normal individuals suppressed the response to 7 +/- 3% of the control value. The suppressive effect of the Ts-cells from patients and normal individuals on nonspecific immunoglobulin secretion was similar (reduced to 10-15% of control). Thus, there appeared to be a deficiency in Tg-specific suppressor activity in PBL of patients. On the other hand, Th-cells from patients (syngeneic or allogeneic) cocultured with patient B-cells produced a greater anti-Tg response than Th-cells from normal individuals. The helper activities of Th-cells of patients and normal individuals on nonspecific immunoglobulin secretion were similar. Thus, there appeared to be an increase in Tg-specific helper activity in PBL of patients.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal individuals can be induced to secrete immunoglobulin G antibodies against self-antigen thyroglobulin in vitro

Autoantibodies to the self-antigen thyroglobulin (Tg) are usually not found in sera of normal individuals, but are often present in sera of patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. To determine if the presence of such autoantibodies could be due to the abnormal appearance of self-reactive B cells, which are otherwise absent in normal subjects, or to an alteration in the mechanisms regulating such B cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from normal individuals and patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases were cultured and stimulated in vitro with the polyclonal stimulant pokeweed mitogen (PWM). A modified plaque assay was used to enumerate cells secreting protein A-binding immunoglobulins (Igs) and specific antibodies against Tg. PBL from all individuals tested, including normal subjects (n = 26), could be induced by PWM to produce antibodies against Tg in vitro and these antibodies were of IgG isotypes. PBL from patients with detectable serum anti-Tg had more inducible cells secreting anti-Tg [27,000 +/- 10,700 (+/- SD)/10(6) PBL] than those from patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, who had no detectable serum anti-Tg (8,000 +/- 5,000), and those from normal individuals (7,200 +/- 4,200). The demonstration of inducible mature (IgG) anti-Tg-producing cells in normal individuals suggests that subclinical autoimmunity against certain self-antigens may be a normal phenomenon in man and that its escalation into clinical autoimmune conditions is prevented through regulation of the specific self-reactive cells.

An improved assay for thyrotropin-binding blocking activity in serum of patients with Graves' disease

An improved assay for detecting blocking or inhibitory activity on TSH-binding (TBBA) in neat serum of patients with Graves' disease is described. The assay is sensitive, reproducible, simple, and quick. Crude membranes prepared from guinea pig fat (FCM) were used as the source of TSH receptors. One major feature of the assay is the use of small amounts of FCM to increase assay sensitivity. The sensitivity of the assay was found to be inversely proportional to the amount of FCM used. Using a quantity of 10-20 micrograms crude FCM achieved a satisfactory balance between assay sensitivity and accuracy. The assay employs two sequential one-hour incubations at room temperature, first incubating the FCM with the serum sample, followed by removal of excess sample and washing, and then incubating the exposed FCM with 125I-TSH for quantitative determination of specific TSH binding. The assay is recommended as a standard method for measurement of blocking activity in serum of specific TSH binding. Seventy-four percent of the patients with Graves' disease showed positive blocking activity while all normal individuals and patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and with nonautoimmune thyroid disorders were negative.

Stable heat-resistant clones selected from wild-type and surface variants of B-16 melanoma

Stable heat-resistant clones were selected from wild-type B-16 melanoma cells and from three of their surface variants resistant to the lectins wheat-germ agglutinin, ricin and concanavalin A. The selection procedure included three or four cycles of heating the cells in culture at 43 degrees C for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 h interspersed with growth at 37 degrees C. The survivability of the heat-resistant (HR) variant cells at elevated temperatures of 43 degrees C for 160 min and 45 degrees C for 40 min was 2-4 logs greater than that of their respective parents. This acquired property of heat resistance appeared to be a stable phenomenon, persisting in these cell lines for more than 80 generations. One HR variant cell line carried in tissue culture for 250 generations showed no change in the heat-resistance characteristic. Acquisition of resistance appeared to be a gradual process with intermediate stages preceding the more pronounced degree of resistance. These newly selected HR variants join the existing surface variants of B-16 melanoma to result in a large family of variants from the same cell lineage to make this system a powerful tool for studying the relationship between heat sensitivity, metastasis and hyperthermia treatment of cancer.

Lectin-resistant variants of mouse melanoma cells. II. In vitro characteristics

Lectin-resistant variants of B-16 melanoma cells were selected with wheat-germ agglutinin, ricin and concanavalin A. They exhibited altered metastasizing capacity and tumorigenicity in C57BL mice. Several in vitro properties were defined and compared including homotypic adhesiveness, microfilament organization, melanin release, activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, DNA content, and karyotypes. The possible relevance of these properties in vitro for the malignant behavior displayed in vivo is discussed. The usefulness of this approach of selecting surface variants to study the problem of metastasis is also discussed.

Altered adhesiveness of tumor cell surface variants with reduced metastasizing capacity--reduced adhesiveness to vascular wall components in culture

Heterotypic adhesiveness of surface variant clones of B-16 melanoma cells exhibiting different metastasizing capacity was studied with respect to components of the vascular wall in culture including endothelial (E) and smooth muscle (SM) cells from adult bovine aorta, and the extracellular matrices laid down by them. The ricin-resistant cells (ricinR) and the wheat-germ agglutinin-resistant (WGAR) cells, both of which showed reduced hematogenous metastases in vivo, showed reduced adhesiveness specifically to endothelial cells and extracellular matrices. This reduced heterotypic adhesiveness is in contrast to the homotypic adhesive properties in which respect the ricinR cells had similar values to the parental cells, while the WGAR cells had much higher values than the latter. There appeared to be a positive correlation between metastasizing capacity and specific adhesiveness to E cells and the extracellular matrix surfaces.

Membrane-binding antibodies in patients with Graves' disease and other autoimmune diseases

Abnormally high levels of activity (BA) of immunoglobulins (Igs) to membranes containing TSH receptors were observed in patients with Graves' disease. The assay to detect such BA used guinea pig fat as the membrane source. [125I]Protein A was used to develop the binding antibodies (in serum or IgG). The assay was able to detect specific BA in microgram quantities or less of IgG in about 50% of the sera of patients with Graves' disease. The presence or amount of serum BA did not correlate consistently with either the presence in serum of TSH binding inhibitory Ig or the clinical estimate of thyrotoxicity in Graves' disease. High levels of BA were frequently found in sera of patients with other autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, BA found in the latter disorders frequently was positive not only when using fat cell membranes but also when using liver kidney, or skeletal muscle membranes. The assay may detect a heterogeneous population of Igs binding specifically to membranes and may reflect a general state of autoimmunity.

The influence of membrane mutations on metastasis

In an effort to assess the effect of surface carbohydrates upon the metastasizing properties of tumor cells, lectin-resistant mouse melanoma cells were selected. Wheat-germ-agglutinin-resistant lines displayed mainly decreased metastasis properties as well as well-defined alterations in surface carbohydrates: in a glycopeptide with four side chains, two of them were missing their terminal sialic acid residues while two fucoses were newly attached to the oligosaccharide. The enzymatic defect could be pinpointed to an over-60-fold increase in fucosyltransferase, while the sialyltransferase did not decrease significantly. Revertants were again selected with lectins and their fucosyltransferase activities returned to normal values again. The metastasizing potential of the revertants was not yet assessed carefully but a return of some of the metastasizing potential was noted.

Lectin-resistant variants of mouse melanoma cells. I. Altered metastasizing capacity and tumorigenicity

From C57BL mouse melanoma B-16 cells, variant clones were selected in vitro which were resistant to the lectins wheat-germ agglutinin and ricin. Cells were also selected which survived toxic concentrations of concanavalin A. Four different in vivo assays using intradermal, intravenous, intraperitoneal and intramuscular injections were used to assess the tumorigenicity and metastasizing capacity of these lectin-resistant variants. It was concluded that to obtain a complete picture of the malignant properties of a given cell line or clone, all four assays have to be carried out. In comparison with the parental cells, the WGA-resistant cells showed a most dramatic decrease in metastasizing capacity through both lymphatic and vascular channels. Tumorigenicity was also reduced. The ricin-resistant cells showed a defective development into lung tumors and thus displayed a reduction in metastasis through the hematogenous route. Since this line did not change its capacity to metastasize via the lymphatic route, and the tumorigenicity was not significantly altered, it will be a good model for studies seeking to dissociate these two properties. The Con-A-selected cells, when injected intravenously, developed tumor nodules in the liver in addition to those in the lungs, while no striking alterations in tumorigenicity or metastasizing capacity could be detected in this line.

Carbohydrate changes in glycoproteins of a poorly metastasizing wheat germ agglutinin-resistant melanoma clone

Glycoproteins of a metastasizing line of B16 mouse melanoma and a poorly metastasizing wheat germ agglutinin-resistant clone were compared. Cell surface proteins and glycoproteins were isotopically labeled by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination and by NaB3H4 reduction after oxidation by periodate or galactose oxidase and subsequently analyzed by gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Differences were observed in the relative mobilities of several major cell surface components. Binding of 125I-labeled lectins to total cellular proteins on polyacrylamide gels following electrophoresis showed that the major wheat germ agglutinin-binding components of F1 cells were altered in Wa-4 cells. Similar differences were not observed in concanavalin A-binding components. Total cellular glycopeptides were analyzed after separation into structurally distinct classes. The acidic "complex" N-glycosidic glycopeptides from the resistant cells were of lower molecular weight than those from the parent cells. No differences were observed among the mannose-rich N-glycosidic glycopeptides or the alkali-labile O-glycosidic oligosaccharides. Structural studies involving methylation analysis revealed that in the altered glycopeptides of the resistant cells the amount of neuraminic acid residues was decreased to one-half, concomitant with an increase in the amount of fucose. The lost sialic acid was bound to C-3 of galactose, whereas the increased fucose was found on C-3 of 4-substituted N-acetylglucosamine. A possible basis for the glycosylation change and its relation to the biological behavior are discussed.

[Human non-epithelial tumors in "nude" mice: morphology and growth characteristics]

Morphology and growth characteristics of an osteosarcoma and a glioblastoma are described after direct transplantation in nude (thymusless) mice. In osteosarcoma neither characteristic had changed after 14 months' observation. In contrast, some of the glioblastoma transplants (22 months' observation) showed dedifferentiation of morphology and grew faster than others derived from the same biopsy. The possible reasons for the different growth pattern of the two tumors are discussed.

Reconstitution capacity of bone marrow cells from nude mice in radiation chimeras

Lethally irradiated mice were reconstituted with bone marrow cells from 'nude' or normal mice. It was found that the radioprotective capacity of bone marrow cells from normal and thymusless 'nude' mice is similar and that the immune responses to sheep red cells in radiation chimeras reconstituted with normal and nude bone marrow cells are also similar. Bone marrow cells from nude mice, in spite of the lack of the thymus, develop into hematopoietic cells and contain also T-precursor cells.

The immune response of mice to phiX174. The potentiation of B-cell immunity and the suppression of T-cell help by pertussis vaccine

The primary and secondary responses to phiX174 have been studied in T cell-deprived (T- minus) and control CBA mice including sham-operated (T+) and normal mice. The effect of pertussis on the immune response of these mice has been measured. It is concluded that: (1) the gammaG and memory responses to phiX are produced in T- minus mice even though greatly reduced in comparison with T+ and normal mice; (2) pertussis appears to enhance the gammaG response in T- minus mice while suppressing it in T+ and normal mice.

Primary-type antibody response in vitro

Organ cultures of lymph nodes obtained from nonimmunized rabbits were incubated with bacteriophage d, X174; as a result, 19S antibody was produced first, and then 7S antibody. Differences between this response and the secondary response to d? X174 induced in vitro suggest that the foriiier is a primary response.