Production of antigen-specific human IgGs by in vitro immunization.

BACKGROUND: We previously developed in vitro immunization based on a fusion protein containing the transcriptional transactivator (Tat) of human immunodeficiency virus and a double domain, called ZZ, derived from protein A of Staphylococcus aureus. In this approach, naïve human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) trigger a specific IgM antibody (Ab) response in the presence of ZZTat. In the present study, we attempted to raise a specific IgG Ab response. RESULTS: We found that PBMCs incubated with ZZTat and a mixture containing anti-CD40, IL4 and IL21 secrete anti-Tat IgG Abs in their supernatants, indicating that the cytokine cocktail provides an isotypic switch. Then, we deciphered the Tat determinant involved in the phenomenon and found that it is located in the region 22-57 and that, within this region, the cysteine-rich domain and the basic residues play a crucial role. Finally, we prepared a fusion protein containing a fragment derived from the NY-ESO-1 cancer/testis antigen (Ag) and showed that PBMCs incubated with ZZfNY-ESO-1Tat trigger a specific anti-fNY-ESO-1 IgG Ab response, which demonstrates the possibility of transferring immunizing ability to an Ag unrelated to Tat. CONCLUSION: Our ZZTat-based in vitro immunization approach that offers the possibility to raise an IgG Ab response against NY-ESO-1 might represent a valuable first stage for the generation of fully human IgG specific Abs.

Production of human antibodies by in vitro immunization using a fusion protein containing the transcriptional transactivator of HIV-1.

Antigen-specific activation of human B cells represents a key step for the production of monoclonal antibodies. Several approaches have been developed over the last thirty years in order to improve the process of lymphocyte activation in vitro. In the present study, we investigated whether the transcriptional transactivator (Tat) of human immunodeficiency virus, which possesses numerous biological activities, is able to trigger antibody secretion when incubated with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. No such effect was observed when using Tat as a free protein. However, we found a significant IgM antibody production when Tat was previously fused to a double domain, called ZZ, derived from protein A of Staphylococcus aureus. The effect was also observed when the fusion protein, called ZZTat101, was incubated with purified B cells, indicating that the phenomenon does not require T-cell help. Antibody secretion was observed in the absence of cytokines that are usually used during in vitro immunization experiments, indicating that ZZTat101 provides the signals required for the initiation of the immune response. Antibody secretion was observed using a ZZTat mutant, containing only the Tat residues 22 to 57, called ZZTat22-57, indicating that this region is sufficient to initiate the immune response. In contrast, the effect was not found with a ZZTat22-57 mutant devoid of the seven Tat cysteines located between residues 22 and 37, demonstrating that these residues play a crucial role in the phenomenon. Our results pave the way to the development of a new in vitro immunization method based on antigens associated with ZZTat.

Distribution and ultrastructure of tachykinin-like immunoreactivity in the frog (Rana esculenta) spinal cord, notably, the dorsal horn.

Tachykinins are involved in pain transmission at the spinal level. In frog, at least four tachykinins [TK] have been isolated from the brain, but their organization in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord is still poorly known. We have reexamined TK distribution by immunocytochemistry using an antibody recognizing the sequence common to all tachykinins in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia of the green frog Rana esculenta. A dense tachykinin-like immunoreactivity (TK-LI) was observed in the dorsolateral fasciculus or Lissauer's tract running ventromedial to the entry of the dorsal root and in numerous small and medium-sized dorsal root ganglion cells showing a primary afferent origin for part of TK-LI of the dorsal horn. The observation of numerous cell bodies in the dorsal horn, in addition, suggested a local or propriospinal origin. One group of cells was localized at the entrance of the Lissauer's tract TK-LI fibers into the dorsal horn, and another group was localized in the upper dorsal horn, a region with a low density of TK-LI fibers. It was suggested that the latter group may correspond to neurokinin B. Electron microscopic examination of the Lissauer's tract showed numerous immunoreactive axons, some located at the center of glomerular-like arrangements, suggesting that the information brought by these fibers may be transmitted and most probably modulated before their entry in the dorsal horn. In conclusion, the functional organization of tachykinins in the frog spinal cord seems to be similar to that of mammals, albeit with a different morphological organization.

Pharmacological in vitro evaluation of new substance P-cyclodextrin derivatives designed to drug targeting towards NK1-receptor bearing cells.

Some biological properties of new bifunctional conjugates designed for drug targeting were evaluated through in vitro experiments. Eight peptidylcyclodextrin compounds were used, which correspond to modified beta- or gamma-cyclodextrin (CD) grafted on neuropeptide substance P (SP) or a shorter derivative (SP(4-11)). Using anti-SP and anti-CD antibodies as molecular probes, we showed that the main structural features of the two moieties of these adducts were preserved. Binding experiments, using CHO cells expressing the human SP-specific NK1 receptor, demonstrated the functionality of all peptidylcyclodextrin derivatives, which exhibited IC50 values in a 10(-9)-10(-7) M range. All compounds were able to induce a pharmacological response, triggering phosphatidylinositol turnover with EC50 values in the same range as the natural ligand. Moreover, autoradiography analysis of rat spinal corn sections proved that [125I]SP binding was dose-dependently displaced by one selected compound (a gamma-CD-SP), showing a similar affinity of this adduct for the rat neurokinin 1 receptor. Our observations demonstrate that these peptidylcyclodextrins efficiently target NK1 receptor-expressing cells.

A monoclonal antibody directed against the neurokinin-1 receptor contains a peptide sequence with similar hydropathy and functional properties to substance P, the natural ligand for the receptor.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) PS12, obtained using the complementary peptide methodology, mimics the neuropeptide substance P (SP) in recognizing the SP-binding domain of the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) and eliciting production of polyclonal antibodies cross-reacting with SP with a high affinity (Déry et al., 1997. J. Neuroimmunol. 76, 1-9). The aim of the present study was to investigate which structural features of mAb PS12 might account for this molecular mimicry. Cloning and sequencing of variable regions of both light (VL) and heavy (VH) chains of this 'SP-like' antibody did not indicate any primary sequence homology between SP and any antibody region. Instead, they revealed a striking similarity between the hydropathic profile of SP and that of an 11-amino-acid region in the light chain encompassing the second complementarity determining region (CDR2). When applied to CHO cells expressing the human NK1R, a synthetic extended 17-amino-acid peptide (denoted CDR2L) corresponding to this VL region inhibited the high-affinity binding of radiolabeled SP and antagonized the SP-induced inositol phosphate production. Moreover, a re-examination of the sequences of several antibodies that previously served in the design of CDR-derived bioactive peptides indicated that these antibodies also carried the hydropathic image of the respective ligands that they mimic. In agreement with previous observations on artificial synthetic peptides, our data thus suggest that the molecular mimicry between natural proteins (i.e. antibody and hormone, for example) could be understood on a structural level directly related, at least in part, to hydropathic homology. These results could then guide the search for bioactive paratope-derived peptides of potential pharmacological interest. We also observed inverse hydropathy between multiple CDRs of mAb PS12 (including CDR3H and CDR3L) and the peptide epitope, confirming the importance of hydropathic complementarity in antigen-antibody interactions.

Identification in the NK1 tachykinin receptor of a domain involved in recognition of neurokinin A and septide but not of substance P.

The three mammalian tachykinins, substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB), exert their physiological effects through specific receptors, NK1, NK2 and NK3, respectively. However, homologous binding studies have recently demonstrated that, contrary to the generally accepted belief, NKA could bind NK1 receptor with high affinity (Hastrup and Schwartz, 1996). Using COS-7 cells expressing the human NK1 receptor, we show that two simultaneous point mutations (E193L and V195R) in a restricted five amino acid sequence (the (193-197) region), selected because of its hydropathic complementarity with the common C-terminal extremity of tachykinins, abolish both the high-affinity binding and highly potent biological activity of NKA, without affecting those of SP. In addition, the same mutations also suppressed the high functional activity of septide, a synthetic SP atypical agonist ([pGlu6-Pro9] SP 6-11). These results suggest that the (193-197) region, located at the end of the second extracellular loop of the receptor, could be part of a common high-affinity binding domain for both NKA and septide, distinct from the SP binding site.

Birth-related changes in energy metabolism enzymes and Na-K-ATPase in kidney proximal convoluted tubule cells.

In the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) of rat kidney, reabsorption is known to take place during fetal life, but no data on Na-K-ATPase and mitochondrial energy metabolism enzymes in this epithelium were available at fetal and neonatal stages. With use of the quantitative histochemistry approach, Na-K-ATPase, citrate synthase (tricarboxylic acid cycle), 3-ketoacid CoA-transferase and thiolase (ketone body oxidation), beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (fatty acid oxidation), and acetylcarnitine transferase (acetyl-CoA transport through mitochondrial membrane) were microassayed in PCT and metanephric mesenchyme of fetal and newborn rat kidney. The data indicate that, during fetal life, PCT differentiation involves concomitant increases in Na-K-ATPase and oxidative enzyme activities, supporting the hypothesis that mitochondria could play an active role in cellular ATP turnover when reabsorptive functions develop. Birth resulted in marked increases in the activities of Na-K-ATPase and of fatty acid and ketone body oxidation enzymes in the PCT, whereas no changes in enzyme activities occurred in the metanephric mesenchyme between the fetal and the newborn stage.

Thyroid hormones regulate development of energy metabolism enzymes in rat proximal convoluted tubule.

Ketone bodies represent preferred energy substrates in the adult rat proximal tubule. They are abundant in the plasma of suckling rats and might represent an important oxidative substrate for the immature proximal tubule. The postnatal development of two enzymes involved in ketone body oxidation pathway, 3-ketoacid-CoA transferase and acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, and of citrate synthase and carnitine acetyltransferase was studied in microdissected rat proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) at 1, 8, 16, and 21 days after birth. The enzyme levels in PCT of juxtamedullary and subcapsular nephrons were compared at 8, 16, and 21 days. A role of thyroid hormones in regulating the development of these enzymes was investigated by studying 8- and 21-day-old pups made hypothyroid by propylthiouracyl (PTU) treatment, as well as 21-day hyperthyroid rats. PTU treatment had no effect on enzyme activities on day 8. In contrast, the activity of all mitochondrial enzymes, except acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, was significantly decreased in 21-day-old hypothyroid pups. In hypothyroid animals, the normal development of 3-ketoacid-CoA transferase, citrate synthase, and carnitine acetyltransferase could be restored after treatment by triiodothyronine (T3). In addition, one single injection of T3 to 8-day-old control pups induced a precocious rise in the activity of 3-ketoacid-CoA transferase, citrate synthase, and carnitine acetyltransferase in juxtamedullary PCT and in the activity of citrate synthase and carnitine acetyltransferase in subcapsular PCT. Altogether, these results point out the importance of the postnatal physiological rise in T3 in triggering the development of some mitochondrial oxidative enzymes in the PCT.

Effect of glucocorticoids on mitochondrial oxidative enzyme and Na-K-ATPase activities in the rat proximal tubule and thick ascending limb of Henle.

The activities of three mitochondrial oxidative enzymes (citrate synthase, 3-ketoacid-CoA transferase, beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase) and Na-K-ATPase were microassayed in isolated segments of the rat proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) and medullary thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (mTAL). The effects of adrenalectomy (ADX) and ADX plus exogenous glucocorticoids were analyzed. The hormonal replacement was daily injections of dexamethasone (10 micrograms/100 g body weight/24 h) for 5 days. ADX lowered the activity of all oxidative enzymes studies in the mTAL, but not in the PCT and led to a decrease in Na-K-ATPase in both nephron segments. Dexamethasone restored the normal level of oxidative enzymes and Na-K-ATPase in the mTAL and of Na-K-ATPase in the PCT. We conclude that the activities of citrate synthase, 3-ketoacid-CoA transferase and beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and of Na-K-ATPase are coordinately regulated in the mTAL and that glucocorticoids are essential for the long-term regulation of these enzyme activities in this nephron segment. In contrast, the activities of mitochondrial oxidative enzymes are not influenced by glucocorticoids in the PCT. This study presents the first evidence for a cell-specific regulation by glucocorticoids of oxidative metabolism in the nephron of adult rat kidney.

Lack of control by adrenal steroids of oxidative enzymes and Na/K-ATPase development in the rat proximal tubule.

The activities of citrate synthase, 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase, and Na/K-ATPase were determined in the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) of midcortical nephrons from 16-, 21- and 30-day-old and adult rats. Enzyme microassays based on NAD amplification were run on tubule segments microdissected from lyophilized tissue sections, and the activities were expressed per unit of tissue dry weight. The activities of 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase (+ 155%) and citrate synthase (+ 44%) increased between 16 and 30 days, while no significant change in Na/K-ATPase activity occurred during this period. The results obtained in PCT from subcapsular nephrons were similar. It is concluded that active transport of Na+ coupled to mitochondrial ATP production might be mature in the PCT by the time of weaning, consistent with data on the development of Na+ reabsorption. Since adrenalectomy on day 16 induced no changes in the activities of oxidative enzymes or Na/K-ATPase on day 21 in midcortical or subcapsular PCT, the physiological rise in circulating glucocorticoids, characteristic of the weaning period, does not trigger the development of oxidative enzymes and Na/K-ATPase in the PCT of the developing rat kidney.

Coordinate development of oxidative enzymes and Na-K-ATPase in thick ascending limb: role of corticosteroids.

The postnatal development of mitochondrial ATP-producing pathways and Na-K-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) in the rat medullary thick ascending limb of Henle (MTAL) was studied by measuring the activities of 3-ketoacid-CoA transferase, fumarase, citrate synthase, and Na-K-ATPase in microdissected MTAL of 16, 21, and 30-day-old pups and in adults. The role of adrenal steroids in the development of these four markers was also investigated by studying 21-day-old rats adrenalectomized on day 16 and given dexamethasone or aldosterone or NaCl injections from day 16 to day 21. There were large and correlated increases in the activities of the oxidative enzymes in the MTAL of control rat kidneys between 16 and 30 days after birth; Na-K-ATPase activity in the MTAL also greatly increased during the same period. Adrenalectomy completely prevented the developmental increases in MTAL oxidative enzymes and Na-K-ATPase; dexamethasone restored the development of all four enzymes, whereas aldosterone had no effect. We conclude that the postnatal maturation of Na+ reabsorption functions in MTAL cells involves coordinated increases in the capacity to produce ATP by oxidative metabolism and in Na-K-ATPase activity. This maturation process is probably triggered by the rise in circulating glucocorticoids that occurs during the weaning period.