A novel chemokine ligand for CCR10 and CCR3 expressed by epithelial cells in mucosal tissues

Mucosae-associated epithelial chemokine (MEC) is a novel chemokine whose mRNA is most abundant in salivary gland, with strong expression in other mucosal sites, including colon, trachea, and mammary gland. MEC is constitutively expressed by epithelial cells; MEC mRNA is detected in cultured bronchial and mammary gland epithelial cell lines and in epithelia isolated from salivary gland and colon using laser capture microdissection, but not in the endothelial, hemolymphoid, or fibroblastic cell lines tested. Although MEC is poorly expressed in skin, its closest homologue is the keratinocyte-expressed cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CTACK; CCL27), and MEC supports chemotaxis of transfected lymphoid cells expressing CCR10, a known CTACK receptor. In contrast to CTACK, however, MEC also supports migration through CCR3. Consistent with this, MEC attracts eosinophils in addition to memory lymphocyte subsets. These results suggest an important role for MEC in the physiology of extracutaneous epithelial tissues, including diverse mucosal organs.

Isolation and analysis of genes for amylolytic enzymes of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima

In addition to the previously identified 4-alpha-glucanotransferase gene mgtA and the alpha-amylase gene amyA of Thermotoga maritima strain MSB8 we have now isolated three further genes encoding amylolytic enzymes from a gene library of this ancestral bacterium. The genes code for the extremely thermostable enzymes pullulanase (pulA), maltodextrin phosphorylase (agpA) and alpha-glucosidase (aglA) and have the potential to encode polypeptides with calculated molecular masses of 96.3 kDa, 96.1 kDa and 52.5 kDa, respectively. Comparative amino acid sequence analysis revealed that PulA and AgpA are clearly related to other known enzymes with similar function. AglA, on the other hand, was not related to other alpha-glucosidases but appears to belong to an enzyme family containing alpha-galactosidases and 6-phospho-beta-glucosidases. Enzyme properties are reported which demonstrate the extreme thermostability of these T. maritima enzymes.

Distinct binding specificities of integrins alpha 4 beta 7 (LPAM-1), alpha 4 beta 1 (VLA-4), and alpha IEL beta 7

Integrin receptors are important for regulating lymphocyte recirculation and recruitment to sites of inflammation. Transfectants of the B cell lymphoma 38C13 were generated that differ exclusively in the expression of integrin beta 1 or beta 7 subunits allowing for a functional comparison of lymphocyte Peyer's patch HEV adhesion molecule 1 (LPAM-1) (alpha 4 beta 7) and very late antigen 4 (VLA-4) (alpha 4 beta 1) in an identical cellular environment. Whereas 38-beta 7 transfectants bound to purified and cellular mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM-1), unstimulated 38-beta 1 cells failed to bind MAdCAM-1. Treatment of 38-beta 1 cells with Mn2+ but not with PMA induced low level binding to MAdCAM-1. MAdCAM-1 adhesion of 38-beta 7 cells was constitutive and not enhanced by Mn2+ treatment. Similarly, MAdCAM-1-dependent adhesion to mucosal high endothelial venules was shown for 38-beta 7 but not for 38-beta 1 cells. The results therefore establish the LPAM-1-MAdCAM-1 interaction as the functionally dominant adhesion pathway for regulating lymphocyte homing to mucosal sites. Nonetheless, the activated VLA-4 on some lymphocytes may be involved in MAdCAM-1 recognition or promote binding to MAdCAM-1 in other tissues. By contrast, 38-beta 7 and 38-beta 1 transfectants did not differ in their binding capacity for vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) or fibronectin and LPAM-1 did not display any preference for interacting with either MAdCAM-1 or VCAM-1. LPAM-1 may therefore contribute significantly to cellular functions previously attributed to VLA-4. Interestingly, functional analysis of the intraepithelial lymphocyte integrin alpha IEL beta 7 which is structurally related to LPAM-1 did not reveal detectable binding activity for MAdCAM-1, VCAM-1, or fibronectin.

alpha 4 integrins and tumor metastasis

Taken together, alpha 4 integrins may influence metastatic process at various stages (Fig. 1). The detachment of tumor cells from the primary tumor and the invasion of the surrounding tissue represent the onset of tumor metastasis. There is good experimental evidence that at the primary tumor site expression of alpha 4 integrins inhibits the ability of melanoma cells to break loose. This could be achieved either by strengthening of homotypic adhesion to adjacent tumor cells or by down regulation of matrix metalloproteases that are required for tumor cell migration through the extracellular matrix. After entering the blood circulation, alpha 4 integrins on tumor cells derived from melanomas, sarcomas or lymphomas rather promote than inhibit accumulation of disseminated cells in distant organs. The positive effects of alpha 4 integrins at this stage of metastasis formation appear to depend on alpha 4 integrin interactions with ligands expressed on the surface of endothelial cells. While VCAM-1 is expressed on endothelial cells exposed to inflammatory cytokines, MAdCAM-1 is constitutively expressed on mucosal endothelium. In addition, it is conceivable that tumor cell aggregates trapped in the microcirculation may trigger local inflammatory reactions that result in VCAM-1 up-regulation. Tumor cell-bound alpha 4 integrins may strengthen adhesion to endothelium and promote trans-endothelial migration (HAUZENBERGER et al. 1997; MEERSCHAERT and FURIE 1994). Successful formation of new tumor colonies in distant organs is the final step in the metastatic cascade. Interestingly, alpha 4 integrin dependent mechanisms may either promote or inhibit this process. Thus, it was observed that alpha 4 integrins may direct cancer cells like CHO and lymphoma cells to organ compartments, where ligands for alpha 4 integrins are expressed (e.g., bone marrow). Depending on the tumor type this event may result in enhanced metastasis formation. However, as was documented for murine lymphoma cells alpha 4 integrins may also inhibit tumor cell growth either by inducing apoptosis or by reducing the proliferation rate. Based on numerous studies on human cancers and experimental tumor models, alpha 4 integrins may represent attractive target molecules for therapeutic manipulation of tumor cell behavior. To this end, however, it will be of great importance to precisely define the molecular basis for the adverse effects of alpha 4 integrins on metastasis formation.

Predominant role of alpha 4-integrins for distinct steps of lymphoma metastasis

To analyze the role of alpha4-integrins in lymphoma metastasis, sublines of the T-cell lymphoma LB were generated by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer that differ exclusively in the expression of alpha4-integrins. Using LB-alpha4 and control LB-NTK cells, we demonstrate that expression of alpha4-integrins strongly suppresses metastasis formation of LB lymphoma cells in secondary lymphoid organs such as spleen, mesenteric and peripheral lymph nodes, or Peyer's patches after i.v. injection into syngeneic BALB/c mice. Moreover, alpha4-integrin expression inhibited development of metastatic tumors in liver, lung, and kidney. Expansion of LB lymphoma cells in bone marrow was not affected by alpha4-integrin expression. In vivo migration assays using 51Cr-labeled lymphoma cells demonstrated that low-metastatic LB-alpha4 cells accumulated with the same efficiency as high-metastatic LB-NTK cells in all target organs examined and were even enriched in mucosal lymphoid organs. Collectively, these results indicate that alpha4-integrins inhibit metastasis formation of lymphoma cells at a stage subsequent to the invasion of target organs.

Thermotoga maritima AglA, an extremely thermostable NAD+-, Mn2+-, and thiol-dependent alpha-glucosidase

The gene for the alpha-glucosidase AglA of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima MSB8, which was identified by phenotypic screening of a T. maritima gene library, is located within a cluster of genes involved in the hydrolysis of starch and maltodextrins and the uptake of maltooligosaccharides. According to its primary structure as deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the gene, AglA belongs to family 4 of glycosyl hydrolases. The enzyme was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized. The T. maritima alpha-glucosidase has the unusual property of requiring NAD+ and Mn2+ for activity. Co2+ and Ni2+ also activated AglA, albeit less efficiently than Mn2+. T. maritima AglA represents the first example of a maltodextrin-degrading alpha-glucosidase with NAD+ and Mn2+ requirement. In addition, AglA activity depended on reducing conditions. This third requirement was met by the addition of dithiothreitol (DTT) or beta-mercaptoethanol to the assay. Using gel permeation chromatography, T. maritima AglA behaved as a dimer (two identical 55-kDa subunits), irrespective of metal depletion or metal addition, and irrespective of the presence or absence of NAD+ or DTT. The enzyme hydrolyzes maltose and other small maltooligosaccharides but is inactive against the polymeric substrate starch. AglA is not specific with respect to the configuration at the C-4 position of its substrates because glycosidic derivatives of D-galactose are also hydrolyzed. In the presence of all cofactors, maximum activity was recorded at pH 7.5 and 90 degrees C (4-min assay). AglA is the most thermoactive and the most thermostable member of glycosyl hydrolase family 4. When incubated at 50 degrees C and 70 degrees C, the recombinant enzyme suffered partial inactivation during the first hours of incubation, but thereafter the residual activity did not drop below about 50% and 20% of the initial value, respectively, within a period of 48 h.

Regulation of Egr-1-dependent gene expression by the C-terminal activation domain

The present study analyzes the role of the C-terminal activation domain for Egr-1 transcriptional activity using N-terminal deletion mutants. Mutant N372 comprising the entire C-terminal activation domain and partly truncated DNA-binding and nuclear translocation domains functioned as the transdominant repressor of Egr-1-dependent gene transcription. Activity of the SV40 promoter, however, was not affected by the N372 mutant. Analysis of additional Egr-1 mutants revealed that the transdominant negative effect of N372 was dependent on truncation of the zinc finger motifs that mediate DNA binding. Reconstitution of the zinc fingers was sufficient to generate Egr-1 proteins with potent transcriptional activity. The inhibitory mutant N372 is efficiently translocated to the nucleus, but fails to bind DNA and does not displace DNA-bound wildtype Egr-1. These results provide evidence for an Egr-1-specific cofactor that interacts with the C-terminal activation domain and is essential for Egr-1 transcriptional activity.

Sequence motifs in the integrin alpha 4 cytoplasmic tail required for regulation of in vivo expansion of murine lymphoma cells

The binding of integrins to cognate ligands is tightly controlled by intracellular signals. Conversely, integrin occupancy generates biochemical signals inside the cell. The present study examined whether concepts of integrin function established by in vitro analysis apply to regulation of receptor function in complex biologic settings in vivo using a mouse model of tumor metastasis. Integrin alpha 4 subunits were truncated at amino acid Gln1014 (A4-1014), preserving the conserved GFFKR motif, and at position Glu1021 (A4-1021). In vitro adhesion assays revealed that cytoplasmic tail truncations did not affect constitutive ligand binding of alpha 4 integrins, while agonist-induced adhesion was abolished by the alpha 4-1014, but not by the alpha 4-1021, mutation. Inducible ligand binding of alpha 4 integrins was dependent on cytoskeletal function, whereas constitutive adhesion was not. In vivo metastasis formation assays demonstrated that expansion of murine T lymphoma cells in spleen is strongly inhibited by the wild-type alpha 4 subunit and the alpha 4-1021 mutant. In contrast, the in vivo phenotype of alpha 4 integrin expression in lymphoma cells was completely abrogated by the alpha 4-1014 mutation. Cross-linking of alpha 4 integrins in vitro inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of LB cells expressing wild-type alpha 4 subunits or the alpha 4-1021 mutant, but not of LB-A4-1014 cells. In summary, these results demonstrate that sequence motifs regulating cytoskeleton-dependent alpha 4 integrin activation in vitro are essential for the control of LB lymphoma cell expansion both in vitro and in vivo.

Lymph node (but not spleen) invasion by murine lymphoma is both CD44- and hyaluronate-dependent

Similar to activated T cells, LB T cell lymphoma expresses the CD44 cell surface Ag. In addition, the vast majority of LB cells also express the beta 2 (CD18) and alpha L (CD11a) chains of LFA-1 integrin. In view of the finding that anti-CD18 mAb blocked spleen, but not lymph node invasion by LB cells inoculated s.c. into BALB/c mice, we tested the ability of anti-CD44 mAb (IM 7.8.1) to block the infiltration of LB cells into the lymph nodes. We found that, as opposed to anti-CD18 mAb, anti-CD44 mAb, as well as its F(ab')2 or Fab fragment, prevented lymph node infiltration but had no effect on spleen invasion. This conclusion was based on histologic examination and [3H]thymidine incorporation into proliferating LB cells invading the lymphoid organs. Histologic analysis further demonstrated that LB cells invade the lymph node via the afferent lymphatics. The surface expression of CD44 molecules on LB cells was enhanced after PMA activation. PMA activation also enabled in vitro binding of the lymphoma to hyaluronic acid (HA), a known ligand of CD44. Because anti-CD44 mAb, its F(ab')2 or Fab fragment, and hyaluronidase blocked this binding, we also tested the ability of the enzyme to inhibit lymph node invasion by LB cells. We established through histologic examination and [3H]thymidine incorporation that hyaluronidase protected the lymph node, but not the spleen, from invasion by the lymphoma.

Lymph node (but not spleen) invasion by murine lymphoma is both CD44- and hyaluronate-dependent

Similar to activated T cells, LB T cell lymphoma expresses the CD44 cell surface Ag. In addition, the vast majority of LB cells also express the beta 2 (CD18) and alpha L (CD11a) chains of LFA-1 integrin. In view of the finding that anti-CD18 mAb blocked spleen, but not lymph node invasion by LB cells inoculated s.c. into BALB/c mice, we tested the ability of anti-CD44 mAb (IM 7.8.1) to block the infiltration of LB cells into the lymph nodes. We found that, as opposed to anti-CD18 mAb, anti-CD44 mAb, as well as its F(ab')2 or Fab fragment, prevented lymph node infiltration but had no effect on spleen invasion. This conclusion was based on histologic examination and [3H]thymidine incorporation into proliferating LB cells invading the lymphoid organs. Histologic analysis further demonstrated that LB cells invade the lymph node via the afferent lymphatics. The surface expression of CD44 molecules on LB cells was enhanced after PMA activation. PMA activation also enabled in vitro binding of the lymphoma to hyaluronic acid (HA), a known ligand of CD44. Because anti-CD44 mAb, its F(ab')2 or Fab fragment, and hyaluronidase blocked this binding, we also tested the ability of the enzyme to inhibit lymph node invasion by LB cells. We established through histologic examination and [3H]thymidine incorporation that hyaluronidase protected the lymph node, but not the spleen, from invasion by the lymphoma.