A monoclonal antibody against meningococcus group B polysaccharides distinguishes embryonic from adult N-CAM.

The neural cell adhesion molecules (N-CAM) occur chiefly in two molecular forms that are selectively expressed at various stages of development. Highly sialylated forms prevalent in embryonic and neonatal brain are gradually replaced by less sialylated forms as development proceeds. Here we describe a monoclonal antibody raised against the capsular polysaccharides of meningococcus group B (Men B) which specifically distinguishes embryonic N-CAM from adult N-CAM. This antibody recognizes alpha 2-8-linked N-acetylneuraminic acid units (NeuAc alpha 2-8). Immunoblot together with immunoprecipitation experiments with cell lines or tissue extracts showed that N-CAM are the major glycoproteins bearing such polysialosyl units. Moreover we could not detect any sialoglycolipid reactive with this antibody in mouse brain or in the neural cell lines examined. By indirect immunofluorescence staining this anti-Men B antibody decorated cells such as AtT20 (D16/16), which expressed the embryonic forms of N-CAM, but not cells that expressed the adult forms. In primary cultures this antibody allowed us to follow the embryonic-to-adult conversion in individual cells. In addition, the existence of cross-reactive polysialosyl structures on Men B and N-CAM in embryonic brain cells for caution in efforts to develop immunotherapy against neonatal meningitis.

A monosialoganglioside is a monoclonal antibody-defined antigen of colon carcinoma.

The antigen of a monoclonal antibody that is specific for cells of human carcinoma of the colon is a monosialoganglioside as determined by the direct binding of antibody to thin-layer chromatograms of total lipid extracts of tissues. Binding of antibody to chromatograms is detected by autoradiography after the application of iodine-125-labeled F(ab')2 of rabbit immunoglobulin G antibodies to mouse immunoglobulins.

E-selectin ligands recognised by HECA452 induce drug resistance in myeloma, which is overcome by the E-selectin antagonist, GMI-1271.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the clonal expansion and metastatic spread of malignant plasma cells to multiple sites in the bone marrow (BM). Recently, we implicated the sialyltransferase ST3Gal-6, an enzyme critical to the generation of E-selectin ligands, in MM BM homing and resistance to therapy. Since E-selectin is constitutively expressed in the BM microvasculature, we wished to establish the contribution of E-selectin ligands to MM biology. We report that functional E-selectin ligands are restricted to a minor subpopulation of MM cell lines which, upon expansion, demonstrate specific and robust interaction with recombinant E-selectin in vitro. Moreover, an increase in the mRNA levels of genes involved in the generation of E-selectin ligands was associated with inferior progression-free survival in the CoMMpass study. In vivo, E-selectin ligand-enriched cells induced a more aggressive disease and were completely insensitive to Bortezomib. Importantly, this resistance could be reverted by co-administration of GMI-1271, a specific glycomimetic antagonist of E-selectin. Finally, we report that E-selectin ligand-bearing cells are present in primary MM samples from BM and peripheral blood with a higher proportion seen in relapsed patients. This study provides a rationale for targeting E-selectin receptor/ligand interactions to overcome MM metastasis and chemoresistance.

Identification of the gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancer-associated antigen detected by monoclonal antibody 19-9 in the sera of patients as a mucin.

Monoclonal antibody 19-9, produced by a hybridoma prepared from spleen cells of a mouse immunized with a human colon carcinoma cell line, detects an antigen in the serum from most patients with gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancer (M. Herlyn, H.F. Sears, Z. Steplewski, and H. Koprowski, J. Clin. Immunol., 2: 135-140, 1982). The epitope of this antibody is a carbohydrate with the sugar sequence (formula; see text) in which NeuNAc is N-acetylneuraminic acid, Gal is galactose, GlcNAc is N-acetylglucosamine, and Fuc is fucose. In the colon carcinoma cell line and many gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers, this sequence occurs in a monosialoganglioside containing a sialylated Lea-active pentasaccharide (sialylated lacto-N-fucopentaose II, IV3-alpha-NeuNAc-III4-alpha-Fuc-LcOse4, in which LcOse4 is Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1-4Glc) (J. L. Magnani et al. J. Biol. Chem., 257: 14365-14369, 1982). However, the antigen in the sera of patients occurs mainly as a mucin, not a ganglioside, based on the following evidence. Little antigen is extracted by organic solvents from sera, and that which is extracted remains at the origin under conditions of thin-layer chromatography where the ganglioside antigen migrates up the plate. Upon gel filtration of serum on Sephacryl S-400, the antigen is eluted in the void volume, indicating a molecular weight of greater than or equal to 5 X 10(6). Incubation for 5 hr at 37 degrees in 0.1 N NaOH destroys the serum antigen but does not affect the ganglioside antigen. The density of the serum antigen as determined in a CsCl gradient is 1.50 g/ml, while in 4 M guanidine. HCl its density is 1.43 g/ml. Finally, antigen affinity purified by antibody 19-9 from the serum of a cancer patient belonging to the Le(a-b+) blood group contains Leb antigen, consistent with the multiple antigenic specificities exhibited by mucins.

Monoclonal antibodies reactive with mucin glycoproteins found in sera from breast cancer patients.

Monoclonal antibodies to mucin glycoproteins have previously been shown to detect elevated antigen levels in sera from breast cancer patients. To determine whether different mucin epitopes represent better targets for serum assays, we have produced and characterized 14 new monoclonal antibodies directed against the mucin glycoproteins detected by antibody W1. Many of the new antibodies differed from each other in their ability to bind to mucins from various sources. Cross-competition analyses of antibody binding indicated that while epitopes for some antibodies were distinct, most epitopes showed complex structural or steric relationships with those for other antibodies. Antibody M26 bound glycolipids from meconium and kidney, indicating that it recognized a carbohydrate epitope. Antibodies M15, M22, M23, and M27 bound to structurally or sterically related epitopes on deglycosylated milk-derived mucin, suggesting that they recognized core protein epitopes. Enzyme immunoassays were developed with the new antibodies and evaluated for their ability to discriminate between sera from breast cancer patients and from controls with benign breast disease. The best single test in terms of sensitivity and specificity used a combination of two antibodies, antibody M29 for antigen capture and antibody M38 for antigen detection. A second test using antibody M26 for antigen capture and antibody M38 for antigen detection detected elevated antigen levels in sera from some patients which were in the control range of the M29/M38 test. By combining results from these tests, significantly more cancer patients were detected than with the W1 and CA 15.3 tests.

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies B1 and B3 that react with mucinous adenocarcinomas.

B1 and B3 are two newly isolated monoclonal antibodies that react uniformly with the surface of many mucinous carcinomas of the colon, stomach, and ovary but with a limited number of normal tissues, among which are glands of the stomach, epithelia of the trachea and bladder, differentiated epithelium of the esophagus, and small bowel mucin. They also react uniformly with many human tumor cell lines, including MCF7, MDA-MB-468, and HTB20 (breast), A431 (epidermoid), HT29 (colon), HTB33 (cervical), and DU145 (prostate). Immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that B1 and B3 react with epitopes present on a large number of glycoproteins, ranging in molecular weight from greater than 200,000 to less than 40,000. Using a panel of 37 different carbohydrate residues attached to albumin to form neoglycoproteins, it was found that B1 reacts with Ley and H-type 2 and B3 reacts with Ley, di-Lex, and tri-Lex antigens. Thus, each antibody reacts with a distinct portion of a carbohydrate residue. Because of the limited reactivity of these antibodies with normal tissues, they merit evaluation in the treatment of cancer.

Analysis of a human tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG-72) identified by monoclonal antibody B72.3.

Monoclonal antibody B72.3 binds a high-molecular-weight tumor-associated glycoprotein identified as TAG-72. This study reports the partial purification and characterization of TAG-72 from a xenograft of a human carcinoma cell line, LS-174T, which expresses high levels of this antigen. The tumor homogenate was initially fractionated by Sepharose CL-4B chromatography. The high-molecular-weight TAG-72, found in the exclusion volume, was then subjected to two sequential passages through B72.3 antibody affinity columns. At each step of the procedure, TAG-72 content was quantitated using a competition radioimmunoassay, and the degree of purification was expressed as the ratio of antigen in units to total protein. The three-step procedure produced a purification of TAG-72 with minimal contamination by other proteins as shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by staining with Coomassie Blue or periodic acid/Schiff reagent. The density of affinity-purified TAG-72, as determined by cesium chloride gradient ultracentrifugation, was found to be 1.45 g/ml. This density determination, together with the high molecular weight of TAG-72, its resistance to Chondroitinase digestion, the presence of blood group-related oligosaccharides, and sensitivity to shearing into lower-molecular-weight forms suggest that TAG-72 is a mucin-like molecule.

Glycolipid antigen expression in human lung cancer.

Several mouse monoclonal antibodies which recognize carbohydrate sequences distinguish between different types of human lung cancer immunohistologically. These antibodies bind to glycolipid antigens produced by the cancer cells. When these glycolipids are separated by thin-layer chromatography, immunostaining of the chromatograms yields complex patterns of antigen-positive bands. To determine whether glycolipid patterns are useful in the classification of lung cancer, 16 human lung cancer cell lines comprising the major histological types of primary lung cancer were studied. Neutral glycolipids and gangliosides were isolated and separated by thin-layer chromatography. Six anti-carbohydrate antibodies which recognize structurally related antigens were used for immunostaining. Neuraminidase treatment of the chromatograms was used to detect "cryptic" sialylated antigens. All the cell lines were unique with regard to the type, amount, and chromatography pattern of the glycolipid antigens produced. Small cell lung cancer cell lines synthesized the greatest variety of antigens, whereas cell lines with large cell cytology synthesized the least. Interestingly, there was an inverse relationship between expression of some glycolipid antigens and DNA amplification of the c-myc oncogene. This suggests that enhanced c-myc expression may influence the types of glycolipids expressed at the surface of lung tumor cells.

Rational targets for the early detection of lung cancer.

The fact that routinely effective treatments for disseminated lung cancer are not available has prompted the search for effective early detection systems. It is important to identify lung cancer while it is still confined to the bronchial epithelium and is potentially curable with local modalities. We have previously reported on an immunologically based assay to identify antigens expressed on shed bronchial epithelial cells. This assay resulted in a statistically significant correlation of immunostaining with the eventual development of lung cancer 2-4 years prior to routine clinical detection. Attempts to further improve this approach require an understanding of the basis for its success. Based on the work of Hakomori and coworkers, this difucosylated Lewis X structure would be a likely marker of carcinogenic transformation of the bronchial epithelium. In fact, an antibody to this structure was useful for sputum immunocytochemistry analysis for early lung cancer detection. Other carbohydrate structures would also be reasonable markers to evaluate for early detection application, based on the known pattern of expression of these structures in fetal, dysplastic, and neoplastic lung tissue. Another antibody used for sputum immunostaining recognizes a 31-kd protein structure; the antibody is not a known member of a likely class of early detection targets. The reported cases of lung cancer missed by the immunostaining approach included principally adenocarcinoma of the lung, suggesting that the addition of a marker(s) of that type of morphologic differentiation should be considered. Markers to dissect the various forms of lung adenocarcinoma are being characterized and are available for evaluation in early detection applications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a potent E-selectin antagonist.

An early step of the inflammatory response-the rolling of leukocytes on activated endothelial cells-is mediated by selectin/carbohydrate interactions. The tetrasaccharide sialyl Lewis(x) (sLe(x)) 1 is a ligand for E-, P-, and L-selectin and, therefore, serves as a lead structure to develop analogues which allow the control of acute and chronic inflammation. Here we describe the efficient synthesis (10 linear steps) of the potent sLe(x) mimetic 2. Compared to sLe(x), compound 2 showed a 30-fold improved affinity in a static, cell-free E-selectin-ligand binding assay (IC(50) = 36 microM). These data were confirmed by a marked inhibition in an in vitro cell-cell rolling assay which simulates in vivo conditions (IC(50) approximately 40 microM). The assays are predictive for the in vivo efficacy of test compounds as indicated by a marked inhibitory effect of 2 in a thioglycollate induced peritonitis model of acute inflammation in mice (ED(50) approximately 15 mg/kg).

Carbohydrate sequences detected by murine monoclonal antibodies.

The carbohydrate sequences of cell surface glycolipids change during differentiation and oncogenic transformation. To detect these structural changes, murine monoclonal antibodies have been produced in many different laboratories. Some of these antibodies are used to distinguish various cell types such as normal and transformed cells, while others are used to analyze developmentally regulated antigens. Recently, the structures of many of these carbohydrate antigens have been determined. The availability of these well-defined monoclonal antibodies will be useful for the study of the regulation and function of glycoconjugates.

The antitumor monoclonal antibody MOv2 recognizes the Lewis A hapten.

Monoclonal antibody MOv2, produced against ovarian carcinoma, was previously found to bind a carbohydrate epitope (CAMOv2) present on mucins, glycoproteins and a neutral glycolipid. In this paper, the structure of the carbohydrate epitope is determined by immunological reactivity with purified glycolipids and oligosaccharides. Using solid-phase radioimmunoassay and immunostaining of thin layer chromatograms, MOv2 binds strongly to Le(a)-active pentasaccharide ceramide. A smaller neutral glycolipid also weakly binds MOv2. Fifty percent inhibition of binding to Le(a)-active pentasaccharide ceramide is achieved with approximately 8 microM concentration of lacto-N-fucopentaose II (LNF II). Lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) also partially inhibits at about 10(3) times higher concentration suggesting that the faster migrating glycolipid antigen contains this carbohydrate sequence. Binding to Le(a)-active hapten is further confirmed by the specific inhibition of binding by authentic anti-Le(a) monoclonal antibodies but not by anti-Le(b) MOv2 antibody in a serum assay among healthy blood donors also supports these results. In conclusion, we have obtained direct evidence from several independent experiments that antibody MOv2 recognizes the Le(a)-active hapten.

E-selectin ligands as mechanosensitive receptors on neutrophils in health and disease.

Application of mechanical force to bonds between selectins and their ligands is a requirement for these adhesion receptors to optimally perform functions that include leukocyte tethering and activation of stable adhesion. Although all three selectins are reported to signal from the outside-in subsequent to ligand binding, E-selectin is unique in its capacity to bind multiple sialyl Lewis x presenting ligands and mediate slow rolling on the order of a micron per second. A diverse set of ligands are recognized by E-selectin in the mouse, including ESL-1, CD44 (HCELL), and PSGL-1 which are critical in transition from slow rolling to arrest and for efficient transendothelial migration. The molecular recognition process is different in humans as L-selectin is a major ligand, which along with glycolipids constitute more than half of the E-selectin receptors on human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). In addition, E-selectin is most efficient at raising the affinity and avidity of CD18 integrins that supports PMN deceleration and trafficking to sites of acute inflammation. The mechanism is only partially understood but known to involve a rise in cytosolic calcium and tyrosine phosphorylation that activates p38 MAP kinase and Syk kinase, both of which transduce signals from clustered E-selectin ligands. In this review we highlight the molecular recognition and mechanical requirements of this process to reveal how E-selectin confers selectivity and efficiency of signaling for extravasation at sites of inflammation and the mechanism of action of a new glycomimetic antagonist targeted to the lectin domain that has shown efficacy in blocking neutrophil activation and adhesion on inflamed endothelium.

Immunostaining free oligosaccharides directly on thin-layer chromatograms.

Oligosaccharides are chromatographed on amino-bonded high-performance thin-layer chromatography silica gel plates and after chromatography the aldehydes on the reducing ends of the oligosaccharides react with the amino groups on the silica gel. Bound oligosaccharides are immunostained directly on the chromatograms by monoclonal antibodies. The binding of antibodies is detected by autoradiography after a second incubation with 125I-labeled goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin. Using this method, 10 pmol of lacto-N-difucopentaose I (Leb hapten) and lacto-N-fucopentaose III (Lex hapten) are detected directly on the thin-layer chromatograms by monoclonal antibodies 10c17 and 534F8, respectively. Previously undescribed larger oligosaccharides containing these epitopes are also detected in human milk. This method may be used to identify and characterize antibody-binding oligosaccharides liberated from glycoconjugates by hydrazinolysis, by trifluoroacetolysis, by ozonolysis, or by treatment with endoglycosidases. This technique may also be used to determine the structural specificity of other carbohydrate-binding proteins such as lectins, toxins, and hormones or of bacteria and viruses that bind to cell surface glycoproteins.

Identification of Schistosoma mansoni glycolipids that share immunogenic carbohydrate epitopes with glycoproteins.

The immunoreactivity of sera of infected hosts against glycolipids derived from Schistosoma mansoni eggs, adult male worms, and cercariae was analyzed by immunostaining of glycolipids resolved by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Eggs contained the greatest number of immunogenic glycolipids and bound the largest proportion of serum antibodies. Virtually all of the immunogenic egg glycolipids were neutrally charged and contained oligosaccharide chains larger in size than five sugar residues. The glycolipids of each developmental stage were shown by use of five monoclonal antibodies to share schistosome-specific carbohydrate epitopes that were also present on glycoproteins. Several of the carbohydrate epitopes were expressed throughout the life cycle, yet the overall structures of the glycolipids were not conserved. Quantitative analyses by solid-phase binding assays indicated that the carbohydrate epitopes were differentially expressed between the glycolipids and glycoproteins of developmental stages. Sera from infected humans and mice both contained very high levels of anti-carbohydrate antibodies that were reactive with the glycolipids, irrespective of the stage or intensity of disease. Mice harboring unisexual infections of either male or female worms also recognized the egg glycolipids in a pattern indistinguishable from that of patently infected mice. A greater proportion of the humoral response against egg antigens in infected humans was directed against protein determinants, as compared with infected mice.