Molecular identification and characterization of two medium-chain acyl-CoA synthetases, MACS1 and the Sa gene product

In this study, we identified and characterized two murine cDNAs encoding medium-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (MACS). One, designated MACS1, is a novel protein and the other the product of the Sa gene (Sa protein), which is preferentially expressed in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Based on the murine MACS1 sequence, we also identified the location and organization of the human MACS1 gene, showing that the human MACS1 and Sa genes are located in the opposite transcriptional direction within a 150-kilobase region on chromosome 16p13.1. Murine MACS1 and Sa protein were overexpressed in COS cells, purified to homogeneity, and characterized. Among C4-C16 fatty acids, MACS1 preferentially utilizes octanoate, whereas isobutyrate is the most preferred fatty acid among C2-C6 fatty acids for Sa protein. Like Sa gene transcript, MACS1 mRNA was detected mainly in the liver and kidney. Subcellular fractionation revealed that both MACS1 and Sa protein are localized in the mitochondrial matrix. (14)C-Fatty acid incorporation studies indicated that acyl-CoAs produced by MACS1 and Sa protein are utilized mainly for oxidation.

Abnormal uterus with polycysts, accumulation of uterine prostaglandins, and reduced fertility in mice heterozygous for acyl-CoA synthetase 4 deficiency

Arachidonate released by various stimuli is rapidly reesterified into membrane phospholipids initiated by acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and subsequent acyl-transfer reactions. ACS4 is an arachidonate-preferring enzyme abundant in steroidogenic tissues and postulated to modulate eicosanoid production. Female mice heterozygous for ACS4 deficiency become pregnant less frequently and produce small litters with extremely low transmission of the disrupted alleles. Striking morphological changes, including extremely enlarged uteri and lumina filled with numerous proliferative cysts of various sizes, were detected in ACS4+/- females. Furthermore, marked accumulation of prostaglandins was seen in the uterus of the heterozygous females. These results indicate that ACS4 modulates female fertility and uterine prostaglandin production.

Roles of endogenous retroviruses and platelets in the development of vascular injury in spontaneous mouse models of autoimmune diseases

MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice spontaneously develop immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, granulomatous arteritis, and thrombocytopenia. Recent genetic analyses in a few different strains of lupus-prone mice have pointed out a close correlation between autoantibodies reactive with the endogenous retroviral env gene product, gp70, and the development and severity of glomerulonephritis. We have also shown that autoantibodies reactive with endogenous retroviral gp70 are closely correlated with the development of necrotizing polyarteritis in another lupus-prone strain of mice, SL/Ni. However, suggested pathogenicity of anti-gp70 autoantibodies has not yet been directly tested. To examine if anti-gp70 autoantibodies induce glomerular and vascular pathology, we established from unmanipulated MRL/lpr mice hybridoma clones that secrete monoclonal antibodies reactive with endogenous xenotropic viral env gene products. As reported separately, a high proportion of these anti-gp70 antibody-producing hybridoma clones induced in syngeneic non-autoimmune and severe combined immunodeficiency mice proliferative or wire loop-like glomerular lesions with granular deposits of gp70, IgG, and C3 in affected glomeruli. Some mice transplanted with these anti-gp70 autoantibody-producing hybridoma cells also showed massive subendothelial deposition of electron-dense materials in small arterioles in the kidneys. Furthermore, we identified an IgG2a-producing anti-gp70 hybridoma clone that induced microvascular intraluminal platelet aggregation, thrombocytopenia, and amenia upon transplantation into syngeneic non-autoimmune mice. This anti-gp70 autoantibody bound onto the surfaces of mouse platelets, and specifically precipitated a platelet protein with an approximate relative molecular mass of 40000. Attachment of activated platelets to the intimal surfaces of small arteries was also observed by electron microscopy in mice transplanted with the pathogenic anti-gp70 IgG2a-producing hybridoma cells, suggesting an interaction between antibody-bound platelets and endothelial cells.

Establishment of monoclonal anti-retroviral gp70 autoantibodies from MRL/lpr lupus mice and induction of glomerular gp70 deposition and pathology by transfer into non-autoimmune mice

Several strains of mice, including MRL/MpJ mice homozygous for the Fas mutant lpr gene (MRL/lpr mice), F(1) hybrids of New Zealand Black and New Zealand White mice, and BXSB/MpJ mice carrying a Y-linked autoimmune acceleration gene, spontaneously develop immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis. The involvement of the envelope glycoprotein gp70 of an endogenous xenotropic virus in the formation of circulating immune complexes and their deposition in the glomerular lesions have been demonstrated, as has the pathogenicity of various antinuclear, antiphospholipid, and rheumatoid factor autoantibodies. In recent genetic linkage studies as well as in a study of cytokine-induced protection against nephritis development, the strongest association of serum levels of gp70-anti-gp70 immune complexes, rather than the levels of antinuclear autoantibodies, with the development and severity of glomerulonephritis has been demonstrated, suggesting a major pathogenic role of anti-gp70 autoantibodies in the lupus-prone mice. However, the pathogenicity of anti-gp70 autoantibodies has not yet been directly tested. To examine if anti-gp70 autoantibodies induce glomerular pathology, we established from unmanipulated MRL/lpr mice hybridoma clones that secrete monoclonal antibodies reactive with endogenous xenotropic viral env gene products. Upon transplantation, a high proportion of these anti-gp70 antibody-producing hybridoma clones induced in syngeneic non-autoimmune and severe combined immunodeficiency mice proliferative or wire loop-like glomerular lesions. Furthermore, deposition of gp70 in glomeruli and pathological changes were observed after intravenous injection of representative clones of purified anti-gp70 immunoglobulin G, demonstrating pathogenicity of at least some anti-gp70 autoantibodies.

Immunization with a single T helper cell epitope abrogates Friend virus-induced early erythroid proliferation and prevents late leukemia development

Synthetic peptide vaccines containing a single Th cell epitope identified in the gp70 envelope glycoprotein of Friend murine leukemia helper virus induced potent protective immunity against Friend virus infection. H-2a/b mice immunized by a single s.c. injection of the CFA emulsion containing a peptide that represented the N-terminal gp70 epitope recovered slowly from initial development of splenomegaly, and most did not develop late leukemia, whereas most of the control mice given an injection of CFA alone showed sustained leukemic splenomegaly after the challenge with Friend virus. The mice of the same genetic background immunized with the C-terminal Th cell epitope by a single injection of a separate synthetic peptide eliminated virus-producing cells from the spleen within 12 days after inoculation of Friend virus complex, and did not develop early splenomegaly or polycythemia. H-2a/a mice were not protected by immunization with either one of the two synthetic peptides. Earlier production and more rapid class switching of virus-neutralizing Abs were observed in H-2a/b mice immunized with the peptide vaccines after the challenge with Friend virus, compared with the responses of the control mice. Detailed kinetic and immunohistopathologic analyses suggested that Th cells might be directly involved in the growth inhibition and elimination of virus-infected erythroid precursor cells.

Immunization with a single T helper cell epitope abrogates Friend virus-induced early erythroid proliferation and prevents late leukemia development

Synthetic peptide vaccines containing a single Th cell epitope identified in the gp70 envelope glycoprotein of Friend murine leukemia helper virus induced potent protective immunity against Friend virus infection. H-2a/b mice immunized by a single s.c. injection of the CFA emulsion containing a peptide that represented the N-terminal gp70 epitope recovered slowly from initial development of splenomegaly, and most did not develop late leukemia, whereas most of the control mice given an injection of CFA alone showed sustained leukemic splenomegaly after the challenge with Friend virus. The mice of the same genetic background immunized with the C-terminal Th cell epitope by a single injection of a separate synthetic peptide eliminated virus-producing cells from the spleen within 12 days after inoculation of Friend virus complex, and did not develop early splenomegaly or polycythemia. H-2a/a mice were not protected by immunization with either one of the two synthetic peptides. Earlier production and more rapid class switching of virus-neutralizing Abs were observed in H-2a/b mice immunized with the peptide vaccines after the challenge with Friend virus, compared with the responses of the control mice. Detailed kinetic and immunohistopathologic analyses suggested that Th cells might be directly involved in the growth inhibition and elimination of virus-infected erythroid precursor cells.