Selective association of a 22-38 kDa glycoprotein with MHC class II DP antigen on activated human lymphocytes at the plasma membrane.

Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis (2D-PAGE) of cell surface human DP and DR class II antigens identified a glycoprotein, designated pX, that is associated at the cell surface with DP but not DR class II antigen in activated T, B and NK lymphocytes but not in resting B lymphocytes, Raji B lymphoma cells, activated thymic epithelial cells or activated monocytes. pX is a heavily glycosylated protein with an apparent molecular mass spanning between 38 kDa and 22 kDa, that is reduced, after deglycosylation with Endo-F, to 22 kDa. The pX structure appears nonpolymorphic and independent of DP polymorphism, as suggested by 2D-PAGE migrational pattern of 125I-labelled Endo-F deglycosylated DP immunoprecipitates from T cells blasts derived from four donors with different DP allotypes. The apparent absence of polymorphism of pX is further suggested by two-dimensional peptide mapping of a single spot derived from 2D-PAGE of 125I-labelled DP deglycosylated immunoprecipitates from two donors.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor induces the binding of STAT1 and STAT3 to the IFNgamma response region within the promoter of the Fc(gamma)RI/CD64 gene in human neutrophils.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been recently shown to induce the high-affinity Fc receptor for IgG (Fc(gammaRI)/CD64) in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms whereby G-CSF exerts this effect, we examined whether the cytokine induces the binding of transcription factors to the IFNgamma response region (GRR), a well characterized regulatory element in the Fc(gammaRI) promoter that is responsible for the transcriptional induction of this gene. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we show that in human PMN, G-CSF activates a GRR-binding complex which contains members of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of proteins, namely STAT1 and STAT3. In keeping with this result, treatment of neutrophils with G-CSF led to tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3, as determined by immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. This is the first demonstration that in human neutrophils, the induction by G-CSF of Fc(gammaRI) gene expression may be mediated by the binding of STAT1 and STAT3 to the GRR sequence.

Epidermal growth factor induces, in the EL alpha 4-2 cell line, herpes simplex virus-1 alpha 4 gene transcription in the absence of the viral trans-activator VP16.

We have constructed a fibroblast cell line (EL alpha 4-2) which constitutively expresses the alpha 4 gene of herpes simplex virus type 1. We studied the induction of the alpha 4 gene, in the absence of the viral activator VP16, by stimulating EL alpha 4-2 cells with different growth factors. Here we report that a rapid, transient induction of the alpha 4 gene occurs only when EL alpha 4-2 fibroblasts are stimulated with purified epidermal growth factor (EGF). Such an induction does not require de novo protein synthesis. The role of cellular factors on the EGF-mediated induction of the alpha 4 gene has been analyzed by gel mobility shift assays using nuclear extracts from EL alpha 4-2 cells stimulated or not with EGF. The results obtained show that two factors bind to TAATGARAT (R = purine) regardless of EGF-stimulation. We conclude that a mechanism, different from the one involving VP16, is responsible for alpha 4 gene activation in EL alpha 4-2 cells and that the DNA-protein architecture is maintained at the TAATGARAT regulatory site regardless of changes in the transcriptional state induced by EGF.

Double doors and gatekeepers: HIV co-receptors and chemokines.

The identification of CD4 as the HIV receptor immediately triggered a search for the development of novel therapeutic agents aimed at blocking receptor binding. Initial experimental approaches to this problem failed, but led to the observation that one or more other receptors for HIV, or co-receptors, must be involved in the entry of the virus in cells. In 1996 evidence was reported of a second viral receptor, already known under several names and renamed "fusin." Shortly thereafter the CCR5 molecule was identified as a co-receptor for the second type of HIV strain. This second discovery left no doubts: the second receptor for the virus encompassed at least two members of the chemokine receptor family. The identification of these co-receptors has led to several important new observations about HIV, including the fact that chemokines are potent in vitro inhibitors of viral replication, at least in T lymphocytes; however, there is still little information on their role in vivo. Nevertheless, unlike chemokines, the role of chemokine receptors in vivo has already emerged as being of substantial importance.

Immunologic reconstitution by interleukin-2: facts and open questions.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2), one of the most potent immunoregulatory and inflammatory cytokines, is being tested in phase III clinical trials in order to demonstrate its efficacy in combination with current antiviral agents in preventing the occurrence of opportunistic infections and death in individuals infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the meantime, its capacity to boost the number of CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood has been confirmed by a number of individual phase I/II trials conducted in different countries by independent investigators. In the face of this remarkable result, little is known of the effects exerted by this cytokine once administered to infected individuals in terms of its impact on different immunologic functions. The recent acquisitions on the important role played by latently infected cells in in vivo infection in reinitiating HIV replication and cytopathicity once antiviral therapy is suspended or becomes suboptimal, has shed new light on the possibility of utilizing immunologic strategies, including IL-2, for eradicating the virus from latent reservoirs. Results from a clinical trial conducted at our Institute indicate a decrease in lymphocyte-associated HIV DNA after IL-2 administration, supporting this hypothesis.

Activation of distinct transcription factors in neutrophils by bacterial LPS, interferon-gamma, and GM-CSF and the necessity to overcome the action of endogenous proteases.

Human neutrophils can be induced to actively transcribe a number of early-response genes, in particular those encoding cytokines, chemokines, and the high-affinity surface receptor for IgG, FcgammaRI. Although little is known to date about the regulation of gene transcription in neutrophils, several indications point to a role for distinct transcription factors, such as members of the NF-kappaB and STAT families. In this study, we investigated whether these transcription factors become activated under stimulatory conditions which are known to induce gene transcription in neutrophils. Unexpectedly, we found that conventional procedures employed to prepare cellular extracts cause the release of proteolytic activities that are normally stored in intracellular granules, resulting in the degradation of various NF-kappaB/Rel and STAT proteins. To circumvent this problem, we developed an alternative procedure which allowed us to show that in neutrophils, LPS and TNFalpha induce a NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity which essentially consists of p50/RelA dimers, and that IFNgamma promotes the binding of STAT1 homodimers to the IFNgamma response region of the FcgammaRI promoter. Moreover, we report that neutrophil stimulation with GM-CSF results in the formation of a STAT5-containing DNA-binding activity. Collectively, the current findings open new perspectives about mechanisms that are likely to regulate gene transcription in neutrophils. In addition, the procedure described herein could prove useful in other cell types that express high levels of endogenous proteases.

High affinity receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RI/CD64) gene and STAT protein binding to the IFN-gamma response region (GRR) are regulated differentially in human neutrophils and monocytes by IL-10.

Since IL-10 has been shown to up-regulate the expression of the high affinity receptor for IgG (FcgammaRI/CD64) in human monocytes, we examined whether the cytokine exerts a similar action toward polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Unexpectedly, we found that in neutrophils, IL-10 failed to induce either the mRNA accumulation or the surface expression of FcgammaRI. Consistent with these findings, stimulation of PMN with IFN-gamma, but not with IL-10, resulted in the induction of specific DNA-binding activities to the IFN-gamma response region (GRR), a regulatory element located in the FcgammaRI gene promoter, required for transcriptional activation. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), we confirmed that in PBMC, IL-10 induces the binding to the GRR of both STAT1 and STAT3, two members of the STAT family. In neutrophils, however, these activators did not bind to the GRR in response to IL-10, despite the fact that both STAT1 and STAT3 are expressed in these cells. On the other hand, IFN-gamma was an efficient inducer of STAT1 binding to the GRR in both PMN and PBMC. The lack of inducible GRR-binding activity in IL-10-treated PMN could not be ascribed to a lack of IL-10R, and did not appear to reflect an inhibitory effect of the cytokine. Taken together, our data suggest that IL-10 is unable to induce FcgammaRI gene expression in neutrophils because the intracellular signaling pathway triggered by the cytokine is impaired at the level of, or upstream of, STAT1 and/or STAT3 activation.

Positive selection of apoptosis-resistant cells correlates with activation of dominant-negative STAT5.

The STAT5 activation has important roles in cell differentiation, cell cycle control, and development. However, the potential implications of STAT5 in the control of apoptosis remain unexplored. To evaluate any possible link between the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) JAK2/STAT5 transduction pathway and apoptosis, we have investigated apoptosis-resistant cells (ApoR) that arose from positive selection of the erythroid-committed Ba/F3EpoR cells triggered to apoptosis by ectopic expression of the HOX-B8 homeotic gene. We show that JAK2 is normally activated by Epo in both Ba/F3EpoR and ApoR cells. In contrast, both STAT5a and STAT5b isoforms are uniquely activated in a C-truncated form (86 kDa) only in ApoR cells. Analysis of ApoR and Ba/F3EpoR subclones confirmed that the switch to the truncated STAT5 isoform coincides with apoptosis survival and that ApoR do not derive from preexisting cells with a shortened STAT5. In addition, ApoR cells die in the absence of Epo. This indicates that resistance to apoptosis is not because of a general defect in the apoptotic pathway of ApoR cells. Furthermore, we show that the 86-kDa STAT5 protein presents a dominant-negative (DN) character. We hypothesize that the switch to a DN STAT5 may be part of a mechanism that allows ApoR cells to be selectively advantaged during apoptosis. In conclusion, we provide evidence for a functional correlation between a naturally occurring DN STAT5 and a biological response.

c-fos proto-oncogene transient transcription is negatively affected in the ELa4-2 transformed rat cell line.

To study the effects of the regulatory phosphoprotein ICP4 of the Herpes simplex virus, (HSV), a DNA tumor virus, on the induction of gene expression by the epidermal growth factor (EGF), we have constructed a cell line, ELa4-2, which constitutively expresses the a-4 gene product. The ELa4-2 cells are derived from the rat fibroblast EL2, in which EGF induces a marked c-fos and c-myc proto-oncogene transcription. Here we report that in ELa4-2 cells, the gene expression induced by EGF was negatively affected in respect to that obtained stimulating the parental EL2 cells. In particular, we studied the c-fos and c-myc proto-oncogene transcription induced by EGF. We found that in ELa4-2 cells the c-fos induction was dramatically reduced in comparison with the c-fos induction obtained in the parental EL2 cells. On the contrary, the c-myc induction by EGF was not affected by the presence of ICP4. Finally, we compared the HSV infectivity in ELa4-2 versus the EL2 cells. We showed that the virus growth capability was reduced, in the cells expressing ICP4.

Multiple cis-acting elements are required for proper transcription of the mouse V delta 1 T cell receptor promoter.

To gain insight into the developmentally regulated expression of the mouse TCR V delta-gene segments, we have investigated the role of the 5' promoter region of the V delta 1-gene. Transient transfection assays showed that a construct encompassing 267 nucleotides upstream from the mapped transcriptional start site was capable of driving promoter activity when transfected into V delta 1+ T cells. The inclusion of an additional 459-bp 5' segment to this construct did not affect promoter activity. However, a deletion of 222 5' nucleotides from the same construct dramatically decreased promoter activity. In vivo genomic footprinting localized several protein-DNA interactions to the stretch of DNA shown to have transcriptional activity. A computer analysis revealed that the segments of DNA participating in these protein-DNA interactions were identical to the previously described cyclic AMP response element (CRE), E box, and leukemia virus E26 cis-acting elements. Transient transfection assays performed with -267 bp constructs containing mutations at each of the localized cis-acting elements revealed that the CRE, E box, and Ets elements work together in driving promoter activity and that the CRE and Ets elements are the most important for driving transcription. Gel mobility shift analyses showed that each of these cis-acting elements is capable of binding specific nuclear factors present in V delta 1-expressing cells. These data indicate that multiple transcription factors acting in concert are responsible for V delta 1 gene expression.

A selective defect of IFN-gamma- but not of IFN-alpha-induced JAK/STAT pathway in a subset of U937 clones prevents the antiretroviral effect of IFN-gamma against HIV-1.

IFN-gamma induces transcription of several IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Recently, the IFN-gamma-dependent Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT pathway has been shown to mediate the activation of some ISGs, by the sequential phosphorylation of two JAK kinases (JAK1 and JAK2) and of STAT1. Given that the JAK/STAT is the major, but not the only pathway linked to the IFN-gammaR, aim of our work was to investigate the signal-transduction pathway(s) by which IFN-gamma exerts its effects on acute replication of HIV in monocytic cells. To this end, we utilized clones previously derived from the U937 promonocytic cell line, differing for their efficient (plus clones) or inefficient (minus clones) abilities of supporting HIV replication. Unlike IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma did not inhibit HIV replication in plus clones, whereas virus production in minus cells was efficiently inhibited by both types of IFN. Plus clones generated a JAK/STAT signal-transduction pathway in response to IFN-alpha, but not IFN-gamma. In contrast, minus clones responded to either cytokines. The functional defect of plus clones in response to IFN-gamma was correlated to a selective defect of IFN-gammaR2, but not IFN-gammaR1, membrane expression. Surprisingly enough, IFN-gamma stimulation of plus clones induced IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3gamma). These results strongly support the hypothesis that the JAK/STAT pathway is responsible for the antiretroviral effect of IFN-gamma, and further provide evidence for a potential second pathway triggered by IFN-gamma in the absence of IFN-gammaR2 chain cell surface expression and involving ISGF3gamma.

Envelope-dependent restriction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 spreading in CD4(+) T lymphocytes: R5 but not X4 viruses replicate in the absence of T-cell receptor restimulation.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replicates in activated CD4(+) T lymphocytes. However, only CD4(+) Th2 and Th0, but not Th1, CD4(+) T-cell clones have been reported to efficiently support HIV-1 replication. This dichotomous pattern was further investigated in the present study in Th1, Th2, or Th0 cell lines derived from umbilical human cord blood and in T-cell clones obtained from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy adults. Both primary and laboratory-adapted HIV-1 strains with CCR5 as the exclusive entry coreceptor (R5 viruses) efficiently replicated in Th1, Th2, and Th0 cells. In sharp contrast, CXCR4-dependent (X4) viruses poorly replicated in both polarized and unpolarized CD4(+) T cells, including adults' PBMC infected several days after mitogenic stimulation. Unlike the X4 HIV-1(NL4-3), a chimera in which the env gene had been replaced with that of the R5 HIV-1(NL(AD8)), efficiently replicated in both Th1 and Th2 cells. This X4-dependent restriction of HIV replication was not explained by either the absence of functional CXCR4 on the cell surface or by the inefficient viral entry and reverse transcription. T-cell receptor stimulation by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies fully rescued X4 HIV-1 replication in both Th1 and Th2 cells, whereas it did not alter the extent and kinetics of R5 HIV-1 spreading. Thus, R5 HIVs show a replicative advantage in comparison to X4 viruses in their ability to efficiently propagate among suboptimally activated T lymphocytes, regardless of their polarized or unpolarized functional profiles. This observation may help to explain the absolute predominance of R5 HIVs over X4 viruses observed after viral transmission and during early-stage disease.

Expression and activation of a C-terminal truncated isoform of STAT5 (STAT5 Delta) following interleukin 2 administration or AZT monotherapy in HIV-infected individuals.

Intermittent administration of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) to individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been shown to raise and maintain the absolute number of circulating CD4(+) T cells to normal or near normal levels. One of the signaling pathways triggered by IL-2 is the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT). In particular, IL-2 activates the tyrosine kinases JAK1 and JAK3 and the transcription factors STAT3 and STAT5. We have previously observed that most HIV(+) individuals, unlike healthy seronegative controls, show a constitutive activation of STAT1 and a C-terminal truncated isoform of STAT5 (STAT5 Delta). In the present study, we have analyzed the protein level and activation state of STAT5 isoforms expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of two HIV-infected individuals who showed a good or a poor response to intermittent IL-2 administration, respectively, and of a single individual before and after initiation of Zidovudine monotherapy. We provide evidence that both therapeutic interventions enhanced the expression and activation of the C-terminal truncated isoform of STAT5 (STAT5 Delta) in vivo.

In vivo administration of recombinant IL-2 to individuals infected by HIV down-modulates the binding and expression of the transcription factors ying-yang-1 and leader binding protein-1/late simian virus 40 factor.

Leader binding protein-1 (LBP-1)/late SV40 factor (LSF) and ying yang-1 (YY1) transcription factors are involved in the regulation of HIV expression. In particular, YY1 and LBP-1 have been shown to cooperate in repressing HIV-1-long terminal repeat reporter gene expression by in vitro cotransfection experiments. However, no information is available on the levels of expression and activation of these transcription factors in PBMC of HIV-infected individuals. Therefore, we have evaluated the expression and DNA binding activity of YY1 and LBP-1 (LSF) in PBMC of HIV-infected individuals before, during, and after administration of IL-2 in association with antiretroviral therapy (ART), a regimen under consideration for broad clinical use in this disease based on its ability to stably raise the absolute number of circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes. Both YY1- and LBP-1 (LSF)-DNA binding were profoundly down-modulated during administration of IL-2/ART, and a proteolytic activity probably responsible for the reduced expression of the two cellular transcription factors was found activated in PBMC of individuals receiving the immunotherapeutic regimen. This study is the first evidence of modulation of cellular transcription factors following IL-2/ART administration and provides a potential correlate of the transient raises in plasma viremia early reported in patients receiving IL-2 in the absence of ART, thus underscoring the importance of always administering this cytokine to HIV-infected individuals together with potent antiretrovirals.

Constitutive activation of STATs upon in vivo human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) either upregulates or downregulates the expression of several cytokines and interferons (IFNs) that use the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway for signal transduction. However, very little is known on the state of activation of the JAK/STAT pathway after HIV infection either in vivo or in vitro. In this regard, we report here that a constitutive activation of a C-terminal truncated STAT5 (STAT5triangle up) and of STAT1alpha occurs in the majority ( approximately 75%) of individuals with progressive HIV disease. We have further demonstrated that, among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), STAT5triangle up is activated preferentially in CD4(+) T cells. In contrast to a published report, expression of STATs from PBMCs of infected individuals was comparable with that of seronegative donors. In addition, in vitro infection of mitogen-activated PBMCs with a panel of laboratory-adapted and primary HIV strains characterized by differential usage of chemokine coreceptors did not affect STAT protein levels. However, enhanced activation of STAT was observed after in vitro infection of resting PBMCs and nonadherent PBMCs by different viral strains. Thus, constitutive STAT activation in CD4(+) T lymphocytes represents a novel finding of interest also as a potential new marker of immunological reconstitution of HIV-infected individuals.

Mediastinal large-cell lymphoma with sclerosis. Genotypic analysis establishes its B nature.

The Southern blot hybridization technique has been applied to study the configuration of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes in 6 cases of the so called mediastinal large cell lymphoma with sclerosis. This lymphoma has been recently recognized as a separate entity among non-Hodgkin lymphomas mainly affecting young adult patients. The B-cell origin of this neoplasm was suggested by means of immunohistochemical analysis. However, the immunophenotypical B-cell related markers used do not always exhibit lineage fidelity. The Southern blot analysis demonstrated the presence of unique heavy and k-light chain immunoglobulin gene rearrangements, establishing genotypically their B-cell origin.

Defective nef alleles in a cohort of hemophiliacs with progressing and nonprogressing HIV-1 infection.

Deletion of the nef gene results in viral attenuation and confers protection against challenge with wild-type simian immunodeficiency virus in macaques. Regarding HIV-1 infection, a few long-term nonprogressors (LTNP) with nef deletions have been described. In this study, the nef genes of a group of seven LTNP and eight progressors, all belonging to the same cohort of infected hemophiliacs, were analyzed by cloning and sequencing from both virion RNA and peripheral blood mononuclear cell-associated proviral DNA. Defective nef sequences coexisted with full-length nef open reading frames in five of seven LTNP and two of eight progressors. The proportion of disrupted nef sequences within each individual was significantly higher in LTNP (ranging from 10 to 63%) than in progressors (ranging from 9 to 21%) (P = 0.013). Moreover, in-frame small deletions predicting to encode Nef were found in all RNA- and DNA-derived clones from one LTNP and four progressors. A chimeric virus in which the nef gene of NL4.3 was substituted with the nef allele containing the deletion of two alanines at position 49-50 found in two progressors showed a defective replicative capacity compared to NL4.3 virus. In summary, hemophiliacs with either progressing or nonprogressing HIV-1 infection are characterized by the presence of defective nef variants.

Vesicular stomatitis virus infection induces a nuclear DNA-binding factor specific for the interferon-stimulated response element.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has a broad host range. It replicates in the cytoplasm and causes rapid cytopathic effects. We show that following VSV infection, a nuclear factor that binds to a select set of interferon-stimulated responsive elements (ISRE) is induced in many cell types. This factor, tentatively called VSV-induced binding protein (VIBP), was estimated to have an approximate molecular mass of 50 kDa and was distinct from known members of the interferon regulatory factor family, that are known to bind to the ISRE. Induction of VIBP required tyrosine kinase activity but did not require cellular transcription. Treatment of cells with cycloheximide, which inhibits translation, only partially inhibited induction of VIBP. However, type I interferons and staurosporine, both of which inhibit VSV transcription, inhibited VIBP induction. Moreover, a double-stranded RNA analog, poly(I)-poly(C) also induced a DNA-binding activity very similar to that of VIBP. These results indicate that a preexisting cellular protein is activated upon VSV infection and that this activation requires primary viral transcripts. The functional activity of VIBP was analyzed in cells stably transfected with a herpesvirus thymidine kinase-luciferase reporter gene that is under control of the ISRE. While activity of the control promoter without ISRE was strongly inhibited following VSV infection (as a result of virus-mediated transcriptional shutdown of the host cell), the inhibition was reversed by the ISRE-containing promoter, albeit partially, which suggests that VSV infection differentially affects transcription of host genes. Although VIBP was induced in all other cells tested, it was not induced in embryonal carcinoma cells after VSV infection, suggesting developmental regulation of VIBP inducibility.

The binding subunit of pertussis toxin inhibits HIV replication in human macrophages and virus expression in chronically infected promonocytic U1 cells.

We have recently shown that the binding subunit of pertussis toxin (PTX-B) inhibits the entry and replication of macrophage-tropic (R5) HIV-1 strains in activated primary T lymphocytes. Furthermore, PTX-B suppressed the replication of T cell-tropic (X4) viruses at a postentry level in the same cells. In this study we demonstrate that PTX-B profoundly impairs entry and replication of the HIV-1(ADA) (R5), as well as of HIV pseudotyped with either murine leukemia virus or vesicular stomatitis virus envelopes, in primary monocyte-derived macrophages. In addition, PTX-B strongly inhibited X4 HIV-1 replication in U937 promonocytic cells and virus expression in the U937-derived chronically infected U1 cell line stimulated with cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6. Of interest, TNF-alpha-mediated activation of the cellular transcription factor NF-kappaB was unaffected by PTX-B. Therefore, PTX-B may represent a novel and potent inhibitor of HIV-1 replication to be tested for efficacy in infected individuals. In support of this proposition, a genetically modified mutant of PTX (PT-9K/129G), which is safely administered for prevention of Bordetella pertussis infection, showed an in vitro anti-HIV profile superimposable to that of PTX-B.