Interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC): a novel non-ELR CXC chemokine with potent activity on activated T cells through selective high affinity binding to CXCR3.

Chemokines are essential mediators of normal leukocyte trafficking as well as of leukocyte recruitment during inflammation. We describe here a novel non-ELR CXC chemokine identified through sequence analysis of cDNAs derived from cytokine-activated primary human astrocytes. This novel chemokine, referred to as I-TAC (interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant), is regulated by interferon (IFN) and has potent chemoattractant activity for interleukin (IL)-2-activated T cells, but not for freshly isolated unstimulated T cells, neutrophils, or monocytes. I-TAC interacts selectively with CXCR3, which is the receptor for two other IFN-inducible chemokines, the IFN-gamma-inducible 10-kD protein (IP-10) and IFN-gamma- induced human monokine (HuMig), but with a significantly higher affinity. In addition, higher potency and efficacy of I-TAC over IP-10 and HuMig is demonstrated by transient mobilization of intracellular calcium as well as chemotactic migration in both activated T cells and transfected cell lines expressing CXCR3. Stimulation of astrocytes with IFN-gamma and IL-1 together results in an approximately 400,000-fold increase in I-TAC mRNA expression, whereas stimulating monocytes with either of the cytokines alone or in combination results in only a 100-fold increase in the level of I-TAC transcript. Moderate expression is also observed in pancreas, lung, thymus, and spleen. The high level of expression in IFN- and IL-1-stimulated astrocytes suggests that I-TAC could be a major chemoattractant for effector T cells involved in the pathophysiology of neuroinflammatory disorders, although I-TAC may also play a role in the migration of activated T cells during IFN-dominated immune responses.

Identification of C-C chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) as the monocyte hemofiltrate C-C chemokine (HCC)-1 receptor.

Hemofiltrate C-C chemokine (HCC)-1 is a recently cloned C-C chemokine that is structurally similar to macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha. Unlike most chemokines, it is constitutively secreted by tissues and is present at high concentrations in normal human plasma. Also atypical for chemokines, HCC-1 is reported not to be chemotactic for leukocytes. In this paper, we have investigated the chemokine receptor usage and downstream signaling pathways of HCC-1. Cross-desensitization experiments using THP-1 cells suggested that HCC-1 and MIP-1alpha activated the same receptor. Experiments using a panel of cloned chemokine receptors revealed that HCC-1 specifically activated C-C chemokine receptor (CCR)1, but not closely related receptors, including CCR5. HCC-1 competed with MIP-1alpha for binding to CCR1-transfected cells, but with a markedly reduced affinity (IC50 = 93 nM versus 1.3 nM for MIP-1alpha). Similarly, HCC-1 was less potent than MIP-1alpha in inducing inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in CCR1-transfected cells. HCC-1 induced chemotaxis of freshly isolated human monocytes, THP-1 cells, and CCR1-transfected cells, and the optimal concentration for cell migration (100 nM) was approximately 100-fold lower than that of MIP-1alpha (1 nM). These data demonstrate that HCC-1 is a chemoattractant and identify CCR1 as a functional HCC-1 receptor on human monocytes.

The Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines (DARC) is expressed in endothelial cells of Duffy negative individuals who lack the erythrocyte receptor.

The Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines (DARC), first identified on erythrocytes, functions not only as a promiscuous chemokine receptor but also as a receptor for the malarial parasite, Plasmodium vivax. The recent finding that DARC is ubiquitously expressed by endothelial cells lining postcapillary venules provides a possible insight into the function of this receptor because this anatomic site is an active interface for leukocyte trafficking. However, the biological significance of DARC is questionable since it has not yet been determined whether individuals lacking the expression of this protein on their erythrocytes (Duffy negative individuals), who are apparently immunologically normal, express the receptor on endothelial cells. However, we report here that DARC is indeed expressed in endothelial cells lining postcapillary venules and splenic sinusoids in individuals who lack the erythrocyte receptor. These findings are based on immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular biological analysis of tissues from Duffy negative individuals. We also present data showing that, in contrast to erythrocyte DARC, cells transfected with DARC internalize radiolabeled ligand. We conclude that the DARC may play a critical role in mediating the effects of proinflammatory chemokines on the interactions between leukocyte and endothelial cells since the molecular pathology of the Duffy negative genotype maintains expression on the latter cell type.

Structure and distribution of an Alu-type deletion mutation in Sandhoff disease.

Sandhoff disease is a recessively inherited lysosomal storage disease resulting from a deficiency of beta-hexosaminidase activity. The enzyme occurs in two major forms, beta-hexosaminidase A, composed of an alpha- and beta-subunit and beta-hexosaminidase B, composed of two beta-subunits. Both isozyme activities are deficient in Sandhoff disease, owing to mutations of the HEXB gene encoding the common beta-subunit. We have cloned and fully characterized a deletion at the HEXB gene from fibroblasts of a patient with the infantile form of Sandhoff disease. The deletion removes approximately 16 kb of DNA including the HEXB promoter, exons 1-5 and part of intron 5. It most likely arose from recombination between two Alu sequences, with the breakpoints occurring at the midpoint between the left and right arms in each case and regenerating an intact Alu element in the deletion sequence. The deletion allele accounts for 27% of the Sandhoff mutant alleles we analyzed. Two cell lines were shown to be homozygous for the deletion and both had the infantile form of the disease. Four additional patients were compound heterozygotes with other mutations, all of whom displayed a different clinical phenotype. Finally, the mutant allele was present in different ethnic backgrounds, suggesting that it may have been subject to genetic drift.

Differential expression of three T lymphocyte-activating CXC chemokines by human atheroma-associated cells.

Activated T lymphocytes accumulate early in atheroma formation and persist at sites of lesion growth and rupture, suggesting that they may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Moreover, atherosclerotic lesions contain the Th1-type cytokine IFN-gamma, a potentiator of atherosclerosis. The present study demonstrates the differential expression of the 3 IFN-gamma-inducible CXC chemokines--IFN-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), monokine induced by IFN-gamma (Mig), and IFN-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC)--by atheroma-associated cells, as well as the expression of their receptor, CXCR3, by all T lymphocytes within human atherosclerotic lesions in situ. Atheroma-associated endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and macrophages (MO) all expressed IP-10, whereas Mig and I-TAC were mainly expressed in ECs and MO, as detected by double immunofluorescence staining. ECs of microvessels within lesions also expressed abundant I-TAC. In vitro experiments supported these results and showed that IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and CD40 ligand potentiated IP-10 expression from IFN-gamma-stimulated ECs. In addition, nitric oxide (NO) treatment decreased IFN-gamma induction of IP-10. Our findings suggest that the differential expression of IP-10, Mig, and I-TAC by atheroma-associated cells plays a role in the recruitment and retention of activated T lymphocytes observed within vascular wall lesions during atherogenesis.

Cloning and sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding the beta-subunit of mouse beta-hexosaminidase.

A cDNA encoding the prepro-beta-polypeptide of mouse beta-hexosaminidase (Hex) was isolated from a mouse lymphoblast cDNA library. The cDNA contains an open reading frame corresponding to a polypeptide of 536 amino acids which shows 74% homology with the human prepro-beta-polypeptide. An examination of the amino acid sequence identifies a putative signal peptide and five possible glycosylation sites, two of which are identical to the confirmed glycosylation sites of the human beta-chain. The amino acid sequence also shows a structurally similar though not identical site for internal cleavage responsible for the generation of mature beta a- and beta b-polypeptides.

Expression of IFN-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant by human endothelial cells is cyclosporin A-resistant and promotes T cell adhesion: implications for cyclosporin A-resistant immune inflammation.

IFN-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC) is a recently discovered member of the CXC chemokine family. It is a potent T cell chemoattractant expressed by IFN-gamma-treated astrocytes, monocytes, keratinocytes, bronchial epithelial cells, and neutrophils. In this study, we show that I-TAC is also expressed by IFN-gamma-treated endothelial cells (EC), both at the mRNA and protein levels. Induction of the I-TAC message is rapid and sustained over 24 h. TNF-alpha does not induce I-TAC mRNA alone, but does act synergistically with IFN-gamma. Blocking Abs to I-TAC, or to its receptor, CXCR3, reduce T cell adhesion to EC monolayers demonstrating that the expressed protein is functional. Finally, the expression of I-TAC by EC is resistant to the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A, suggesting that I-TAC may contribute to the chronic immune inflammation characteristic of graft arteriosclerosis.

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase synthesis and turnover in human lymphoid cells.

We have studied the turnover and synthesis of purine nucleoside phosphorylase by using a polyclonal rabbit antiserum to this protein. The turnover of purine nucleoside phosphorylase was studied in the B lymphoblast cell, WI-L2, by specific immunoprecipitation of [3H]leucine-labeled proteins. The half-lives for total protein and purine nucleoside phosphorylase were 14.5 and 14.1 hr, respectively. For cells cultured in the presence of inosine the half-life of purine nucleoside phosphorylase was reduced to 11.2 hr. The synthesis of purine nucleoside phosphorylase was analyzed during phytohemagglutinin-stimulated T cell transformation by pulse labeling cells with [35S]methionine. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase synthesis increased greater than 10-fold during the first 12 hr of transformation and continued to a maximum of 30-fold. The relative rate of purine nucleoside phosphorylase labeled to total proteins was 0.04% in unstimulated T cells and increased to 0.18% 12 hr after stimulation. These studies identify some preferential synthesis of purine nucleoside phosphorylase during the early stages of T cell transformation.

Chemokine-dependent upregulation of CD11b on specific leukocyte subpopulations in human whole blood: effect of anticoagulant on rantes and MIP-1 beta stimulation.

The effect of anticoagulant (heparin vs EDTA) on chemokine induced CD11b upregulation on neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes in human whole blood was determined. For most of the chemokines (IL-8, GRO-alpha, MCP-1, MIP-1 alpha) the difference in the response of leukocytes in EDTA anticoagulated blood vs those in heparinized blood was the degree of their maximal response, with a slightly higher maximal increase in CD11b expression usually seen in cells from EDTA anticoagulated blood. Two chemokines were exceptions to this: RANTES and MIP-1 beta. RANTES is considered to be a stimulator of monocytes and eosinophils and not of neutrophils. As expected, neutrophils in heparinized whole blood did not respond to RANTES; however, neutrophils in EDTA anticoagulated blood had a significant increase in CD11b when exposed to high concentrations (1 microM) of RANTES. RANTES-induced CD11b expression on monocytes and eosinophils in these samples were the same in either heparin or EDTA. In EDTA anticoagulated blood, MIP-1 beta did not elicit a response in either monocytes, eosinophils or neutrophils; however, in heparinized blood, all three cell types increased CD11b expression upon exposure to 1 microM MIP-1 beta.

Uncoupling of early signal transduction events from effector function in human peripheral blood neutrophils in response to recombinant macrophage inflammatory proteins-1 alpha and -1 beta.

Macrophage inflammatory proteins-1 (MIP-1) alpha and beta are members of the C-C branch of the platelet factor 4 superfamily of cytokines, recently designated the "chemokine" superfamily. It has been suggested that the major cellular targets for the biologic activities of the C-C chemokines are the mononuclear leukocytes. However, the original designation of murine MIP-1 proteins as inflammatory mediators was based on suggestions that they activated neutrophil functions such as chemotaxis, the respiratory burst, and degranulation. In this study, we have evaluated the ability of human (Hu) MIP-1 alpha and beta to affect purified human neutrophil function. Although both rHuMIP-1 alpha and -1 beta stimulated significant calcium mobilization in human monocytes, only HuMIP-1 alpha exerted a detectable effect on neutrophils. HuMIP-1 alpha stimulated a small, dose-dependent increase in intracellular calcium, which was accompanied by a simultaneous change in right-angle light scatter, the latter indicating induction of shape change. While the effect of HuMIP-1 alpha on calcium mobilization in neutrophils was small when compared with that elicited by IL-8 or Gro alpha, it had similar characteristics to that by other receptor-dependent neutrophil agonists in that it was dependent on pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins and on both mobilization of calcium from intracellular sources as well as influx from the extracellular environment. In addition, stimulation of neutrophils with HuMIP-1 alpha led to desensitization to subsequent additions of HuMIP-1 alpha. The stimulatory effect of HuMIP-1 alpha on neutrophil calcium mobilization and shape change was not coupled to other standard measures of neutrophil effector function. For instance, neither HuMIP-1 alpha nor -1 beta had any detectable stimulatory effect on the Na+/H+ antiport, degranulation, actin polymerization, or chemotaxis. Moreover, although HuMIP-1 alpha binding could easily be measured on monocytes or monocytic cell lines, the number of sites were too few to characterize on neutrophils by the same technique. Taken together, these results show that neither HuMIP-1 alpha nor -1 beta stimulate significant neutrophil activation and support the concept that the biologic effects of members of the C-C branch of the platelet factor 4 superfamily are not primarily directed toward neutrophils.

Functional and biochemical analysis of the cloned Duffy antigen: identity with the red blood cell chemokine receptor.

The Duffy blood group antigen has been postulated to be a receptor on red blood cells (RBCs) for the malarial parasite Plasmodium vivax and a promiscuous receptor for the chemokine superfamily of inflammatory proteins. Recently, the Duffy antigen glycoprotein D cDNA has been cloned (Chaudhuri et al: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90:10793, 1993). We have analyzed the binding properties of the cloned Duffy antigen. Duffy-antigen cDNAs expressed in human embryonic kidney cells produced cell-surface proteins that reacted with two known anti-Duffy monoclonal antibodies. Direct ligand binding and displacement experiments using recombinant chemokine proteins also show that the cloned Duffy protein is the RBC chemokine receptor. Radiolabeled chemokines of both the C-C (RANTES and MCP-1) and C-X-C (IL-8 and MGSA/gro) subclasses bound reversibly to transfected cells with dissociation constants in the nanomolar range. Chemokines of either class displaced heterologous chemokines, indicating that they were competing for a single site on the transfected cells. Although the chemokines bound to the transfected cells with high affinity, there was no evidence for signal transduction, as measured by transient increases in intracellular calcium ion concentration, through the Duffy antigen/RBC chemokine receptor in transfected cells. Lastly, we have performed a computer analysis on the amino acid structure of the Duffy antigen/RBC chemokine receptor. Although the cloned Duffy antigen has been postulated to be a nine-transmembrane-spanning receptor, our analysis suggests that the molecule most likely belongs to the seven-transmembrane-spanning receptor superfamily and is therefore similar to other chemokine receptors previously identified.

Proteolytic processing of pro-alpha and pro-beta precursors from human beta-hexosaminidase. Generation of the mature alpha and beta a beta b subunits.

There are two major isozymes of human lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase (beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase, EC 3.2.1.52), hexosaminidase A, alpha(beta a beta b), and hexosaminidase B, 2(beta a beta b). The alpha subunit contains a single polypeptide chain, while the beta subunit is composed of two nonidentical chains (beta a and beta b) derived from a common pro-beta precursor. The mature subunits, like those of most lysosomal enzymes, are produced through the proteolytic processing of propolypeptides once they enter the lysosome. In order to define the structure of the alpha and beta subunits generated in the lysosome, the alpha, beta a, and beta b polypeptides of hexosaminidase A and B were separated by a combination of molecular sieve and ion exchange high performance liquid chromatography, and amino-terminal sequences were determined. These were localized to the deduced amino acid sequences of previously isolated cDNAs coding for the prepro-alpha and beta polypeptides. From this analysis, the sites of hydrolysis generating the mature alpha, beta a, and beta b chains from hexosaminidase A and B could be determined. First, the signal peptide, required for processing of the pre-propolypeptides through the rough endoplasmic reticulum was predicted from the first in-frame Met residue on the cDNA. Second, amino acid sequencing defined the amino termini of the mature polypeptide chains and identified the pro-sequences removed from both the pro-alpha and pro-beta polypeptides. Third, an internal cleavage resulted in the removal of a tetrapeptide, Arg-Gln-Asn-Lys, and tripeptide, Arg-Gln-Asn, from the pro-beta chain of hexosaminidase A and B, respectively , to generate the beta b and beta a chains. This result localized the beta b and beta a chains to the amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal halves of the pro-beta sequence, respectively. Finally, we previously reported minimal or no carboxyl-terminal processing of the pro-beta chain in the lysosome. On the other hand, we suggest that there is trimming at the carboxyl terminus of the pro-alpha chain based on comparison of molecular weights of deglycosylated alpha with the isolated beta b and beta a chains comprising the mature beta subunit with those predicted from the cDNA. Thus, in the lysosome the pro forms of hexosaminidase A and B undergo extensive proteolytic processing which, while specific in nature, has the appearance of removing easily accessible, nonessential domains, rather than contributing to biosynthetic maturation of function.

Molecular cloning, functional expression, and signaling characteristics of a C-C chemokine receptor.

The immunoregulatory proteins C-C chemokines are potent chemoattractants of lymphocytes and monocytes, as well as activators and attractants of eosinophils and basophils. We have isolated a cDNA that encodes a seven transmembrane-spanning receptor, with homology to other chemoattractant receptors, that encodes a protein designated C-C CKR-1 that acts as a receptor for the C-C chemokines. Human and murine macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), human human monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and RANTES all bind to the C-C CKR-1 with varying affinities. Chemokine binding affinity does not predict how well the ligand will transmit a signal through the receptor: RANTES and human MIP-1 alpha induce a similar intracellular calcium flux while binding with disparate affinities, while MCP-1 and human MIP-1 beta induce calcium mobilization only at high concentrations. Finally, C-C chemokines were shown to bind a C-C CKR-1-related gene product encoded by cytomegalovirus, suggesting a role for C-C chemokines in viral immunity.

Diverging signal transduction pathways activated by interleukin 8 (IL-8) and related chemokines in human neutrophils. IL-8 and Gro-alpha differentially stimulate calcium influx through IL-8 receptors A and B.

Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and Gro-alpha are members of the CXC branch of a family of cytokines recently designated the "chemokine" superfamily. Recent evidence indicates that, contrary to previously held beliefs, IL-8 and Gro-alpha may not be perceived equivalently by neutrophils. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of IL-8 and Gro-alpha on the rate of calcium influx in human neutrophils and in 293 cells transfected with type A or type B IL-8 receptors. Of these two chemokines, only Gro-alpha induced an influx of calcium in neutrophils as judged by the sensitivity of the mobilization of calcium to the extracellular calcium chelator EGTA and to the nonselective divalent cation channel inhibitor SK&F 96365, as well as by manganese quenching experiments. IL-8 was similarly without effect on the rate of Mn2+ influx in 293 cells transfected with IL-8 receptor A (IL-8RA) or IL-8RB. On the other hand, Gro-alpha induced an SK&F 96365-sensitive increase of the rate of Mn+2 influx in IL-8RB-, but not in IL-8RA-transfected 293 cells. These results indicate not only that neutrophils respond differently to IL-8 than they do to Gro-alpha but, furthermore, that the consequences of the binding of IL-8 and Gro-alpha to IL-8RB are distinct.

Translation initiation in the HEXB gene encoding the beta-subunit of human beta-hexosaminidase.

The human lysosomal enzyme beta-hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.52) is a glycoprotein composed of dimers of alpha- and/or beta-subunits. The subunits of the enzymes are synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and transported through the Golgi apparatus to the lysosome. As such, each subunit contains an amino-terminal signal peptide that directs the nascent polypeptide into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. The signal peptide cleavage site of the beta-polypeptide is known, but its NH2 terminus has not been determined due to the presence of three candidate initiation codons upstream of the cleavage site. In this study, we identified the mRNA cap site, confirming the presence of all three AUGs in the majority of HEXB mRNA. To identify the site of translation initiation, we mutated the three ATGs by deletion and site-directed mutagenesis and showed that all three AUG codons can be used for translation initiation after expression in COS cells. Furthermore, in each case, a fully processed, i.e. mature lysosomal, and enzymatically active beta-hexosaminidase was produced indicating that a functional signal peptide was synthesized. However, expression of a frameshift mutation in the normal construct, created by insertion of a single nucleotide between the first and second ATG, resulted in no significant enzyme activity or beta-subunit protein. We conclude, therefore, that the first in-frame ATG is used exclusively in vivo, in keeping with the scanning model of eukaryotic translation initiation. Interestingly, substitution of all three ATGs with CTG resulted in a significant amount of mature beta-hexosaminidase, showing that under these conditions, initiation could occur from non-AUG codons. Translation initiation from the first AUG gives the prepro-beta-polypeptide a signal peptide of 42 amino acids that has an unusually long hydrophobic core more typical of membrane spanning domains. Such a large hydrophobic core has not been found in other cleavable signal peptides.

Introduction of the alpha subunit mutation associated with the B1 variant of Tay-Sachs disease into the beta subunit produces a beta-hexosaminidase B without catalytic activity.

Lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase (beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase, EC 3.2.1.52) occurs in two major isozyme forms, hexosaminidase A (alpha beta) and hexosaminidase B (beta beta). Although dimer formation is required for enzymatic activity, both subunits contain active sites which share many common substrates. However, the alpha subunit alone confers on hexosaminidase A the specificity for negatively charged substrates, e.g. GM2 ganglioside. Recently, a point mutation, producing a single amino acid substitution in the alpha subunit (Arg178-His), has been found to be associated with the B1 variant phenotype of Tay-Sachs disease (Ohno, K., and Suzuki, K. (1988) J. Neurochem. 50, 316-318). This variant is characterized by normal levels of hexosaminidase A as measured by a common artificial substrate, but an absence of activity toward alpha subunit-specific substrates. However, because of the presence of an active beta subunit in the mutant hexosaminidase A, it has not been possible to determine whether the affected alpha subunit has undergone a change in substrate specificity or become totally inactive. In order to define the full effect of the B1 mutation we have taken advantage of the common evolutionary origin of the genes coding for the alpha and beta subunits. Since the B1 mutation occurs in a region of extended identity between the two subunits, we have duplicated the Arg178-His mutation in a cDNA coding for the human beta subunit (Arg211-His). By expression of the mutant construct in monkey COS cells we have been able to examine the effect of this mutation on beta subunits which are capable of forming stable, active homodimers, an experiment that could not readily be accomplished with heterodimeric hexosaminidase A. Our data show that beta homodimers containing the Arg211-His substitution are formed and are transported into the lysosome in a manner identical to that of normal pro-hexosaminidase B. However, the mutant homodimers are processed at a slower rate and are less stable in the lysozyme. Their most striking feature was a total lack of normal hexosaminidase B activity. We conclude that while the effect of the Arg178-His substitution is not strictly limited to the active site, the severe B1 phenotype results from a totally inactive alpha-subunit in hexosaminidase A.

Identification of a promiscuous inflammatory peptide receptor on the surface of red blood cells.

Erythrocytes have long been appreciated as transporters and exchangers of O2 and CO2 between the lungs and the tissues. Here we examine the role of erythrocytes as potential mediators of inflammatory processes by assessing their ability to bind to a number of inflammatory peptides of the chemokine (for chemoattractant cytokine) superfamily. Radiolabeled chemokines of either the C-X-C (IL-8, MGSA/gro, NAP-2) or C-C (RANTES, MCP-1) class bind reversibly to red cell surface receptors numbering 1000-9000 sites/cell with a Kd of approximately 5 nM. In contrast to what is seen for chemokine binding to target inflammatory cells, chemokines of either class displace heterologous chemokines, indicating that the proteins are competing for a promiscuous receptor. Chemical cross-linking with radiolabeled chemokines reveals a 30-38-kilodalton protein on the red cell surface, and cross-linking is inhibited in the presence of heterologous unlabeled chemokines. These data show that red blood cells possess a multispecific receptor for the newly identified chemokine superfamily of inflammatory cytokines, and thus the red cell may play a novel role as a regulator of inflammatory processes.