Glucocorticoids inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced up-regulation of arginase in rat alveolar macrophages.

1. As arginase by limiting nitric oxide (NO) synthesis may play a role in airway hyperresponsiveness and glucocorticoids are known to induce the expression of arginase I in hepatic cells, glucocorticoid effects on arginase in alveolar macrophages (AM Phi) were studied. 2. Rat AM Phi were cultured in absence or presence of test substances. Thereafter, nitrite accumulation, arginase activity, and the expression pattern of inducible NO synthase, arginase I and II mRNA (RT - PCR) and proteins (immunoblotting) were determined. 3. Lipopolyssacharides (LPS, 20 h) caused an about 2 fold increase in arginase activity, whereas interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), like LPS a strong inducer of NO synthesis, had no effect. 4. Dexamethasone decreased arginase activity by about 25% and prevented the LPS-induced increase. Mifepristone (RU-486) as partial glucocorticoid receptor agonist inhibited LPS-induced increase by 45% and antagonized the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone. 5. Two different inhibitors of the NF-kappa B-pathway also prevented LPS-induced increase in arginase activity. 6. Rat AM Phi expressed mRNA and protein of arginase I and II, but arginase I expression was stronger. Arginase I mRNA and protein was not affected by IFN-gamma, but increased by LPS and this effect was prevented by dexamethasone. Both, LPS and IFN-gamma enhanced the levels of arginase II mRNA and protein, effects also inhibited by dexamethasone. As IFN-gamma did not affect total arginase activity, arginase II may represent only a minor fraction of total arginase activity. 7. In rat AM Phi glucocorticoids inhibit LPS-induced up-regulation of arginase activity, an effect which may contribute to the beneficial effects of glucocorticoids in the treatment of inflammatory airway diseases.

Photoreceptor cells with unusual functional properties on the ventral nerve of Limulus.

Normal photoreceptor cells on the ventral nerve of Limulus respond to a moderately intense flash with a large receptor potential or current. Occasionally, cells are found in which the same flash evokes only a small receptor potential or current. Our investigations reveal physiological reasons for the poor light sensitivity in these "unusual cells." In unusual cells prolonged illumination with intense light evokes a step-like inward current with an amplitude of some nanoamperes, but without a large transient peak. The current appears to be summed up of single photon responses with amplitudes smaller than about 50 pA. Their time course is similar to that of small single photon responses forming the so-called macroscopic C1 component in normal cells. The macroscopic current evoked by an intense flash has slow activation and deactivation kinetics and reaches a saturated amplitude of about 4-5 nanoamperes. The light-intensity dependence of the current evoked by flashes or by prolonged illumination has a slope of about 1 in log-log plots. The decay kinetics of the current is similar to that of the C1 component measured in normal cells after the block of the C2 component. Occasionally, the step-like current is superposed by large standard bumps. These bumps are blocked by the Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid, while the sustained inward current persists. We conclude that in unusual cells the light-activated current is identical to the C1 component of normal cells. The phospholipase C pathway that in normal cells presumably gives rise to the C2 component functions only with a low efficiency in unusual cells.

Enhanced HIV infectivity and changes in GP120 conformation associated with viral incorporation of human leucocyte antigen class I molecules.

BACKGROUND: Assembly of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) occurs at the level of the plasma membrane of the host cell. During this process HIV incorporates significant quantities of cell surface-derived molecules into its lipid bilayer including human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and lymphocyte function antigen-1. Several studies indicate that virion-bound host-cell-derived molecules are functional and affect the biological properties of HIV-1. Virion-associated HLA class II and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 enhance the infectivity of T-cell line-adapted (TCLA) viruses. No role for virion-associated HLA class I molecules has yet been identified. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of HLA class I molecules in HIV replication and infectivity. METHODS: HLA class I negative human cells lines transfected with the HLA Cw4 gene were infected with different TCLA viruses as well as primary X4 isolates. The infectivity of HLA Cw4 positive and negative viruses was determined on indicator cell lines and on phytohaemagglutinin-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. An entry polymerase chain reaction assay was used to determine differences in entry-competence of Cw4 positive and negative viruses. The expression of selected gp120 epitopes on native Env molecules derived from Cw4 positive and negative viruses was determined by a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunoprecipitation experiments were performed to investigate the presence of gp120/HLA Cw4 complexes. Neutralization assays determined the differences in susceptibility to neutralization between HLA Cw4 negative and positive viruses. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The infectivity of primary HIV-1 X4 isolates and of TCLA viruses is increased upon viral incorporation of HLA Cw4 molecules. This effect is associated with changes in viral envelope proteins conformation including an enhanced expression of the V3 loop of gp120, and of epitopes that are exposed upon CD4 binding. The gp120 conformational changes are consistent with the formation of a multimolecular complex between HLA class I and gp120/160. HLA Cw4 incorporation is also associated to a lower susceptibility to antibody neutralization. These findings have important implications for understanding the immune response to cryptic and conformational epitopes of the viral envelope.

Two distinct regions of the CD28 intracytoplasmic domain are involved in the tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav and GTPase activating protein-associated p62 protein.

The T cell-associated CD28 molecule plays a key role in T cell co-stimulation. Its ligation induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of numerous proteins including CD28 itself as well as a restricted set of substrates of 97 and 62-68 kDa which are poorly phosphorylated by the tyrosine kinases induced by CD3-TCR triggering. In this study, we identify these substrates as the product of the vav proto-oncogene and as a 62 kDa protein that could correspond at least in part to p62dok, the 62 kDa adaptor molecule associated to p120 Ras-GTPase activating protein. Both p97vav and p62 are tyrosine phosphorylated upon CD28 ligation by mAb or by its counter-receptor B7-1/CD80. Using CD28 mutants, we also show that Vav and p62 tyrosine phosphorylation is regulated by distinct domains within the CD28 cytoplasmic tail: residues 173-181 for Vav and residues 182-202 for p62. Finally, the phosphorylation of Vav and p62 does not require an intact binding site for Grb-2 or p85 SH2 domains. We thus demonstrate that the CD28 cytoplasmic domain contains at least three functionally independent regions involved in CD28-induced signal transduction, since in addition to the Grb-2 and p85 SH2 domain binding site (Tyr173), residues 173-181 and 182-202 are associated with Vav and p62 tyrosine phosphorylation respectively.

Inability of rat alveolar macrophages to recycle L-citrulline to L-arginine despite induction of argininosuccinate synthetase mRNA and protein, and inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis by exogenous L-citrulline.

In the present study it was tested whether rat alveolar macrophages (AMphi) convert L-citrulline to L-arginine to maintain nitric oxide (NO) synthesis under conditions of limited availability of L-arginine. Rat AMphi (0.5 x 10(6) cells/well, cultured for 20 h in the absence or presence of 1 microg/ml lipopolysaccharides, LPS), were incubated for 6 h in amino acid-free Krebs solution and nitrite accumulation was determined as a measure of NO synthesis. After culture in the absence of LPS, nitrite in the incubation media was at the detection limit, independent of the addition of L-arginine or L-citrulline. AMphi, cultured in the presence of LPS, produced about 4 nmol per 10(6) cells and 6 h nitrite, and L-arginine enhanced nitrite accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner, maximally about threefold (EC50: 55 microM). In LPS-treated AMphi L-citrulline (up to 10 mM) failed to enhance nitrite accumulation, but rather inhibited it by about 50% in the presence of 100 microM L-arginine, i.e. when NO synthesis was enhanced. L-Arginine in the culture medium was 3H-labelled and its metabolism analysed by HPLC. In medium of AMphi exposed to LPS [3H]-L-arginine was reduced by about 60% after a 20-h culture period and this was almost balanced by an almost equal increase in [3H]-L-citrulline and [3H]-L-ornithine, i.e. L-arginine was markedly consumed. When [14C]-L-citrulline was added to the culture medium of AMphi, no significant formation of [14C]-L-arginine could be detected. On the other hand, argininosuccinate synthetase mRNA (by RT-PCR) and protein (by Western blot) was marginally detectable in control AMphi, but clearly induced after exposure to LPS. Finally, L-citrulline was shown to inhibit L-arginine uptake in a concentration dependent manner, by about 50% at 10 mM. In conclusion, although the expression of argininosuccinate synthetase in rat AMphi can be induced by LPS, AMphi appear not to be able to recycle significant amounts of L-citrulline to L-arginine to maintain sustained NO synthesis. On the contrary, at high concentrations L-citrulline can reduce NO synthesis, and this effect appears to be caused by inhibitory effects on L-arginine uptake.

Two distinct intracytoplasmic regions of the T-cell adhesion molecule CD28 participate in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase association.

Through the interaction with its ligands, CD80/B7-1 and CD86/B7-2 or B70, the human CD28 molecule plays a major functional role as a costimulator of T cells along with the CD3-TcR complex. We and others have previously reported that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inducibly associates with CD28. This association is mediated by the SH2 domains of the p85 adaptor subunit interacting with a cytoplasmic YMNM consensus motif present in CD28 at position 173-176. Disruption of this binding site by site-directed mutagenesis abolishes CD28-induced activation events in a murine T-cell hybridoma transfected with human CD28 gene. Here we show that the last 10 residues of the intracytoplasmic domain of CD28 (residues 193-202) are required for its costimulatory function. These residues are involved in interleukin-2 secretion, p85 binding, and CD28-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. In contrast, the CD28/CD8O interaction is unaffected by this deletion, as is the induction of other second messengers such as the rise in intracellular calcium and tyrosine phosphorylation of CD28-specific substrates. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that, within these residues, the tyrosine at position 200 is involved in p85 binding, probably together with the short proline-rich motif present between residues 190 and 194 (PYAPP).

Functional expression of human CD28 in murine T cell hybridomas.

CD28 is a 44 kDa Ig superfamily cell surface molecule expressed on most mature T cells. Through its interaction with the recently identified B7/BB1 counter-receptor, it is believed to play an important role as a co-stimulator of T cells along with the TCR-CD3 complex. Activation of T cells with CD28 mAbs synergizes with TCR-CD3 and CD2 stimulation, resulting in long term T cell proliferation, differentiation of cytotoxic T cells and production of large amounts of cytokines. In order to further delineate the role of CD28 in signal transduction and T cell activation, human CD28 was transfected into CD3+ murine T cell hybridomas. High levels of cell surface CD28 expression was achieved by protoplast fusion. The transfected molecule retained all the native CD28 mAb epitopes found on human T cells. In these transfectants, CD28 mAbs, similarly to CD3 mAbs, were able to induce Ca2+ mobilization, IL-2 promoter induction (measured as beta-galactosidase activity in T cells hybridomas pre-transfected with the IL-2-lac Z reporter gene), IL-2 secretion, TNF alpha production and apoptosis (observed as growth arrest and genome fragmentation). The parental host cells, or cells transfected with vector alone, responded only to mAbs to CD3. IL-2 secretion in the transfectants was obtained using either an IgM mAb to CD28 or IgG mAbs presented on the surface of IgG-FcR+ B lymphoma cells. Optimal activation via CD28 was inhibited by suboptimal concentrations of soluble CD3 mAb, suggesting an interaction between the two pathways. The immunosuppressive drugs Cyclosporin A and FK506 completely blocked CD28 and CD3 mediated IL-2 production in these transfectants whereas rapamycin had only a partial inhibitory effect. Finally, since the transfected human CD28 molecule confers full functional responsiveness to the murine T cell hybridomas without the need for costimulators such as PMA, this model is ideal for studying the structure-function relationships of the CD28 molecule as well as the transmembrane and cytoplasmic associations implied in CD28 signaling.

Signalling through CD28 T-cell activation pathway involves an inositol phospholipid-specific phospholipase C activity.

Stimulation of the human T-cell line, Jurkat, by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against the CD28 molecule leads to sustained increases in intracellular levels of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i); the initial rise in Ca2+ comes from internal stores, followed by Ca2+ entry into the cells. The CD28 molecule also appears to activate polyphosphoinositide (InsPL)-specific phospholipase C (PLC) activity in Jurkat cells, as demonstrated by PtdInsP2 breakdown, InsP3 and 1,2-diacylglycerol generation and PtdIns resynthesis. We also observed that interleukin-2 (IL2) production induced via CD28 triggering was sensitive to a selective protein kinase C inhibitor. Of the four other anti-CD28 mAbs (CD28.2, CD28.4, CD28.5, CD28.6) tested, only one (CD28.5) was unable to generate any InsPL-specific PLC or IL2 secretion. However, the cross-linking of cell-bound CD28.5 with anti-mouse Ig antibodies led to an increase in [Ca2+]i. CD28-molecule clustering in itself appears to be a sufficient signal for induction of PLC activity.

CD28 mAbs with distinct binding properties differ in their ability to induce T cell activation: analysis of early and late activation events.

A panel of eight different CD28 mAbs was used to analyse the structure-function relationships of the CD28 molecule. The results of binding inhibition experiments show a complex and heterogeneous pattern of inhibition; however a subgroup of mAbs was identified, namely CD28.1, CD28.3, and CD28.5, which exhibited almost identical inhibition profiles. To test the hypothesis that the different binding specificities are related to functionally distinct subregions of the CD28 molecule, the ability of each mAb to (i) induce IL-2 release and (ii) increase intracellular calcium [(Ca2+)i] in Jurkat T cells was analysed. The results show that the mAbs CD28.1, CD28.3, and CD28.5 are almost totally unable to induce IL-2 release, and their ability to increase (Ca2+)i is relatively low. All other mAbs are able to induce a marked (Ca2+)i rise, however they strongly differ in their ability to induce IL-2 release. Such differences cannot be explained by differences in the isotypes or binding kinetics of the mAbs. These results imply the existence of functionally distinct subregions on the CD28 molecule. In addition, the (Ca2+)i rise may be associated with either high or low IL-2 secretion following CD28 triggering.