Two types of mouse T helper cell. IV. Th2 clones secrete a factor that inhibits cytokine production by Th1 clones.

A cytokine synthesis inhibitory factor (CSIF) is secreted by Th2 clones in response to Con A or antigen stimulation, but is absent in supernatants from Con A-induced Th1 clones. CSIF can inhibit the production of IL-2, IL-3, lymphotoxin (LT)/TNF, IFN-gamma, and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) by Th1 cells responding to antigen and APC, but Th2 cytokine synthesis is not significantly affected. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) also inhibits IFN-gamma production, although less effectively than CSIF, whereas IL-2 and IL-4 partially antagonize the activity of CSIF. CSIF inhibition of cytokine synthesis is not complete, since early cytokine synthesis (before 8 h) is not significantly affected, whereas later synthesis is strongly inhibited. In the presence of CSIF, IFN-gamma mRNA levels are reduced slightly at 8, and strongly at 12 h after stimulation. Inhibition of cytokine expression by CSIF is not due to a general reduction in Th1 cell viability, since actin mRNA levels were not reduced, and proliferation of antigen-stimulated cells in response to IL-2, was unaffected. Biochemical characterization, mAbs, and recombinant or purified cytokines showed that CSIF is distinct from IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IFN-gamma, GM-CSF, TGF-beta, TNF, LT, and P40. The potential role of CSIF in crossregulation of Th1 and Th2 responses is discussed.

Interleukin 10: a novel stimulatory factor for mast cells and their progenitors.

We have characterized the mast cell stimulating activity of murine cytokine synthesis inhibitory factor, referred to as interleukin 10 (IL-10). It was found that IL-10 alone failed to support the growth of mast cell lines and mast cell progenitors. Nevertheless, it dramatically enhanced their growth when combined with IL-3 or IL-4. Moreover, IL-4 plus IL-10 supported the proliferation of mast cells as well as IL-3, suggesting that these two factors may provide a pathway for their development independent of IL-3. However, optimal mast cell growth was stimulated by the combination of IL-10, IL-4, and IL-3. This particular set of cytokines are coordinately produced by activated T cells and may constitute an effective network regulating early and late stages of mast cell development during certain immune responses.

Multiple VH gene segments encode murine antistreptococcal antibodies.

Most mouse strains are able to mount a diverse antibody response against group A streptococcal carbohydrate (GAC). We have previously reported that murine anti-GAC antibodies are for the most part restricted to IgM and IgG3 subclasses. In addition, despite extensive heterogeneity in their isoelectric focusing patterns, greater than 50% of A/J anti-GAC antibodies share a common light chain defined by spectrotypic and idiotypic (VK1GAC) criteria. We have used protein and DNA sequencing strategies to examine the genetic basis of diversity in murine anti-GAC antibodies. In particular, we report that, (a) multiple, closely homologous VH gene segments contribute to the generation of anti-GAC antibodies, (b) a common framework sequence, related to the VK27 subgroup, probably defines VK1GAC, and (c) the A/J anti-GAC VH regions and BALB/c anti-inulin VH sequences are 95% homologous at the protein level and are likely encoded by overlapping VH gene families. Lastly, we discuss the genetic mechanisms that might permit the evolution of multiple, closely homologous germline VH gene segments in the context of highly divergent flanking region sequences.

Cell surface molecule associated with lymphocyte homing is a ubiquitinated branched-chain glycoprotein.

Partial amino acid sequence analysis of a purified lymphocyte homing receptor demonstrates the presence of two amino termini, one of which corresponds precisely to the amino terminus of ubiquitin. This observation extends the province of this conserved polypeptide to the cell surface and leads to a proposed model of the receptor complex as a core polypeptide modified by glycosylation and ubiquitination. Independent antibodies to ubiquitin serve to identify additional cell surface species, an indication that ubiquitination of cell surface proteins may be more general. It is proposed that functional binding of lymphocytes to lymph node high endothelial venules might involve the ubiquitinated region of the receptor; if true, cell surface ubiquitin could play a more general role in cell-cell interaction and adhesion.

The structural genes for three Drosophila glue proteins reside at a single polytene chromosome puff locus.

The polytene chromosome puff at 68C on the Drosophila melanogaster third chromosome is thought from genetic experiments to contain the structural gene for one of the secreted salivary gland glue polypeptides, sgs-3. Previous work has demonstrated that the DNA included in this puff contains sequences that are transcribed to give three different polyadenylated RNAs that are abundant in third-larval-instar salivary glands. These have been called the group II, group III, and group IV RNAs. In the experiments reported here, we used the nucleotide sequence of the DNA coding for these RNAs to predict some of the physical and chemical properties expected of their protein products, including molecular weight, amino acid composition, and amino acid sequence. Salivary gland polypeptides with molecular weights similar to those expected for the 68C RNA translation products, and with the expected degree of incorporation of different radioactive amino acids, were purified. These proteins were shown by amino acid sequencing to correspond to the protein products of the 68C RNAs. It was further shown that each of these proteins is a part of the secreted salivary gland glue: the group IV RNA codes for the previously described sgs-3, whereas the group II and III RNAs code for the newly identified glue polypeptides sgs-8 and sgs-7.

Secretion of mature mouse interleukin-2 by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: use of a general secretion vector containing promoter and leader sequences of the mating pheromone alpha-factor.

We have constructed a general expression vector which allows the synthesis and secretion of processed gene products in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This vector contains yeast DNA, including the promoter of the mating pheromone (alpha-factor), its downstream leader sequence, and the TRP5 terminator. A cDNA [encoding mature mouse interleukin-2 (IL-2); Yokota et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82 (1984) 68-72] was fused immediately downstream to the alpha-factor leader sequence. The resulting recombinant plasmid directed the synthesis of mature mouse IL-2 in S. cerevisiae, with most of the T-cell growth-factor (TCGF) activity secreted into the culture fluid and extracellular space. TCGF activities in the cell extract, as well as in the culture fluid, increased in parallel with cell growth. Production of mature mouse IL-2 was inhibited by tunicamycin (TM), with precursor molecules accumulating in the cell extract. The precursor was processed accurately at the junction between the alpha-factor peptide leader sequence and the coding sequence downstream, yielding mature IL-2. The Mr of the secreted mouse IL-2 determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was 17 kDal, a value expected for the mature mouse IL-2 polypeptide based on the nucleotide (nt) sequence.

Identification of an arginine important for enzymatic activity within the covalent structure of yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase.

Previously we presented evidence for an essential arginine involved in binding inorganic pyrophosphate during catalysis by yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase [Cooperman, B. S., & Chiu, N. Y. (1973b) Biochemistry 12, 1676]. In the present work we show this residue to be arginine-77. Arginine-77 reacts with [14C]phenylgloxal considerably faster than the other five phenylglyoxal is selectively blocked in the presence of the competitive inhibitor calcium pyrophosphate. Our procedure leading to the identification of Arg-77 utilizes the following steps: CNBr cleavage, digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease and with pepsin, and peptide mapping. All of these steps are performed below pH 5, a restriction imposed by the lability of the phenylglyoxal-arginine adduct at neutral pH. In related work, we find the model compound N alpha-acetyl(diphenylglyoxal)arginine to hydrolyze 10 times more slowly at pH 4 than at pH 7. The high yields of derivatized peptides obtained in this work suggest the potential general utility of our procedure for locating arginine residues derivatized with phenylglyoxal within the covalent structure of proteins.

Cloning of the Escherichia coli gene for primosomal protein i: the relationship to dnaT, essential for chromosomal DNA replication.

The Escherichia coli gene encoding one of the primosomal proteins, protein i, was cloned by the use of synthetic oligonucleotide probes. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a coding region for protein i of 537 base pairs preceded by a possible promoter sequence. The gene is located adjacent to the dnaC locus, probably both being in a single operon. The protein i gene was shown to be closely related to the dnaT locus based on the following observations. (i) A multicopy plasmid carrying only the protein i gene suppresses the temperature-sensitive phenotype of a dnaT strain and restores the ability of the strain to carry out stable DNA replication in the absence of protein synthesis. (ii) An extract from a dnaT strain does not support replication of the plasmid pBR322 in vitro; addition of purified protein i restores its activity. These results indicate that protein i is encoded by dnaT and that it is essential for chromosomal DNA replication and is involved in the induction of stable DNA replication during the SOS response.

A single gene from yeast for both nuclear and cytoplasmic polyadenylate-binding proteins: domain structure and expression.

Nuclear and cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding proteins have been purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and antisera have been used to isolate a gene that encodes them. The gene occurs in a single copy on chromosome 5 and gives rise to a unique, unspliced 2.1 kb transcript. The nuclear protein appears to be derived from the cytoplasmic one by proteolytic cleavage into 53 and 17 kd polypeptides that remain associated during isolation. DNA sequence determination reveals four tandemly arrayed 90 amino acid regions of homology that probably represent poly(A)-binding domains. A 55 residue A-rich region upstream of the initiator methionine codon in the mRNA shows an affinity for poly(A)-binding protein comparable to that of poly(A)180-220, raising the possibility of feedback regulation of translation.

An RNA polymerase II transcription system from rat liver. Purification of an essential component.

An enzyme system capable of supporting accurate initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II has been prepared from rat liver. Transcription depends upon at least three activities in addition to RNA polymerase II. One activity, designated alpha, has been purified 30,000-fold to near homogeneity. From all promoters tested, the synthesis of full-length runoff transcripts by RNA polymerase II depends upon alpha. alpha appears to consist of a single 35,000-dalton polypeptide and is inactivated by N-ethylmaleimide and heat. Similarities between alpha and transcription activities in fractions TFIIB (Matsui, T., Segall, J., Weil, P. A., and Roeder, R. G. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 11992-11996) and [CB] (Samuels, M., Fire, A., and Sharp, P. A. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 14419-14427) from human cells are discussed.

Two types of murine helper T cell clone. I. Definition according to profiles of lymphokine activities and secreted proteins.

A panel of antigen-specific mouse helper T cell clones was characterized according to patterns of lymphokine activity production, and two types of T cell were distinguished. Type 1 T helper cells (TH1) produced IL 2, interferon-gamma, GM-CSF, and IL 3 in response to antigen + presenting cells or to Con A, whereas type 2 helper T cells (TH2) produced IL 3, BSF1, and two other activities unique to the TH2 subset, a mast cell growth factor distinct from IL 3 and a T cell growth factor distinct from IL 2. Clones representing each type of T cell were characterized, and the pattern of lymphokine activities was consistent within each set. The secreted proteins induced by Con A were analyzed by biosynthetic labeling and SDS gel electrophoresis, and significant differences were seen between the two groups of T cell line. Both types of T cell grew in response to alternating cycles of antigen stimulation, followed by growth in IL 2-containing medium. Examples of both types of T cell were also specific for or restricted by the I region of the MHC, and the surface marker phenotype of the majority of both types was Ly-1+, Lyt-2-, L3T4+, Both types of helper T cell could provide help for B cells, but the nature of the help differed. TH1 cells were found among examples of T cell clones specific for chicken RBC and mouse alloantigens. TH2 cells were found among clones specific for mouse alloantigens, fowl gamma-globulin, and KLH. The relationship between these two types of T cells and previously described subsets of T helper cells is discussed.

T-cell and mast cell lines respond to B-cell stimulatory factor 1.

The murine lymphokine B-cell stimulatory factor 1 (BSF-1) has been described previously in terms of its action on B lymphocytes. We now provide evidence that BSF-1 is also responsible for two additional biological activities. The first of these is the stimulation or maintenance of a state of activation in mouse T-cell lines. The second activity is the increase in the proliferative rate of certain mast cell lines costimulated with interleukin 3. The T-cell and mast cell activities are mediated by purified BSF-1 and copurify with BSF-1 from supernatants of certain T-cell lines. Each of these activities is inhibited by monoclonal anti-BSF-1 but not by monoclonal anti-interleukin 2 antibody. The antibody inhibition results also indicate that BSF-1 is the major or only source of these two activities in the activated T-cell supernatants that we have tested.

Expression of murine and human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors in S. cerevisiae: mutagenesis of the potential glycosylation sites.

Murine (m) and human (h) granulocyte--macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF) have been expressed in large quantities in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using a secretion vector containing the promoter and leader sequences of the mating pheromone alpha-factor. Functionally active mGM-CSF was identified by a proliferation assay with a factor-dependent cell line and by a granulocyte--macrophage colony formation assay using bone marrow cells. The activity of hGM-CSF was confirmed by stimulation of granulocyte--macrophage colony formation using human cord blood cells. Murine GM-CSF with various apparent mol. wts (13, 18, 24, 34 and 40 kd, as well as a smear of higher mol. wts) was detected in yeast culture medium by protein blotting using a rat monoclonal antibody specific for the mGM-CSF N-terminal region peptide. Protein blotting using a rat monoclonal antibody specific for the hGM-CSF N-terminal region demonstrated that a 15.6-kd and higher mol. wt heterogeneous species were secreted. Mutations introduced at each of the two potential N-linked glycosylation sites in mGM-CSF showed that the 13-kd protein is not glycosylated and the major 18-kd protein is mainly glycosylated at the more C-terminal site, whereas the heterogeneous higher mol. wt species were not affected by the mutations. The N-terminal amino acid of the 13-kd protein was shown to be Ser which was four amino acids in the C-terminal direction from the fusion point.

Enzymatic deamidation of methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins in Escherichia coli catalyzed by the cheB gene product.

The methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) of Escherichia coli undergo reversible methylation that has been correlated with adaptation of cells to environmental stimuli. MCPI, the product of the tsr gene, accepts methyl groups at multiple sites that are located on two tryptic peptides, denoted K1 and R1. A second modification of the MCPs, which is not methylation, has been designated the CheB-dependent modification. A CheB-dependent modification occurs on methyl-accepting peptide K1 and allows additional methyl groups to be incorporated into this peptide. We have performed partial amino acid sequence analyses on radiolabeled peptides K1 and R1 derived from MCPI and have identified several methyl-accepting sites. We found that, in the absence of CheB-dependent modification, a site in peptide K1 is unable to accept methyl groups. Correlation of this protein sequence data with the nucleotide sequence of the tsr gene [Boyd, A., Kendall, K. & Simon, M.I. (1983) Nature (London) 301, 623-626] suggests that CheB-dependent modification of MCPI is the enzymatic deamidation of glutamine to methyl-accepting glutamic acid. Possible roles for this deamidation in bacterial chemotaxis are discussed.

Structure of Escherichia coli dnaC. Identification of a cysteine residue possibly involved in association with dnaB protein.

The nucleotide sequence of the Escherichia coli dnaC gene and the primary structure of the dnaC protein were determined. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the dnaC protein matched that predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the 735-base pair coding region. The dnaC gene lacks characteristic promoter structures; neither the "Pribnow box" nor the "-35 sequence" was detected within 222 base pairs upstream from the initiator ATG codon. There is, however, a typical Shine-Dalgarno sequence 7-10 base pairs before the ATG codon. An upstream open reading frame, separated by just 2 base pairs from the coding region of dnaC, encodes the COOH-terminal half of the dnaT product (protein i; Masai, H., Bond, M. W., and Arai, K. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 83, 1256-1260). The dnaC protein contains 245 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 27,894 consistent with the observed value (29,000). Similar to dnaG and dnaT, dnaC uses several minor codons; the significance of these minor codons to the low level expression of the protein product in E. coli cells remains to be determined. The in vitro site-directed mutagenesis method was employed to determine the functional region involved in interaction with dnaB protein. The first cysteine residue located in the NH2-terminal region of the dnaC protein (Cys69) was shown to be important for this activity. Overall sequence homology between dnaC protein and lambda P protein, functionally analogous to the dnaC protein in the lambda phage DNA replication, is not extensive. There are, however, several short stretches of homologous regions including the NH2-terminal eight amino acids and the Cys78 region of dnaC protein.

Increased autoantibody production by NZB/NZW B cells in response to IL-5.

We previously demonstrated that B cells from NZB/NZW but not nonautoimmune mice secrete high levels of autoantibodies in response to factor(s) derived from type 2 Th cell (Th2) clones. Supernatants from type 1 Th cell clones, which contain a different set of lymphokines, were not stimulatory. In the present experiments, we attempted to define the active Th2 factor(s) and to better understand the cellular basis for the hyperresponsiveness. In response to optimal concentrations of supernatant (Th2-Sup), B cells from 3-mo-old NZB/NZW mice produced up to 40-fold greater amounts of IgM anti-DNA compared with unstimulated B cells, whereas BALB/c B cells produced levels only slightly above background. Although Th2-Sup contained large amounts of IL-4, comparable concentrations of rIL-4 alone did not stimulate NZB/NZW B cells. Furthermore, a blocking anti-IL-4 mAb did not prevent Th2-Sup-stimulated autoantibody production. Th2-Sup was fractionated by HPLC, and the stimulatory factor(s) was found in fractions known to contain IL-5 (also known as B cell growth factor II). Indeed, a highly purified preparation of IL-5 reproduced the effects of Th2-Sup by stimulating NZB/NZW B cells to produce high levels of IgM anti-DNA antibodies while enhancing production by nonautoimmune cells only slightly. In limiting dilution studies, NZB/NZW compared with BALB/c spleens contained a three- to four-fold greater frequency of DNA-specific B cells that were responsive to IL-5. Together, the results suggest a potential role for IL-5 in the pathogenesis of NZB/NZW autoimmune disease.

A normative study of Nelson's (1976) modified version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in healthy older adults.

A modified version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (mWCST) proposed by Nelson (1976) was administered to 229 healthy community-dwelling older adults, composed of 97 men and 132 women, ages 45 to 91. Investigating the impact of demographic factors such as age, education, and gender on mWCST performance, results indicated that mWCST performance was significantly affected by both age and education. Unlike the standard WCST, however, gender did not significantly influence mWCST performance. Because demographic factors appear to exert a significant influence on mWCST performance of normal older adults, demographically-corrected norms were calculated according to the procedure described by Heaton, Grant, and Matthews (1991). In addition, longitudinal analysis of mWCST performance revealed that significantly fewer nonperseverative errors were committed at retest approximately one year later. Number of categories completed and perseverative errors did not appear to demonstrate significant practice effects in this sample. Accounting for demographic influences and the inspection of practice effects on serial administration of the mWCST may improve upon its sensitivity and specificity for use in the clinical assessment of executive function in older adults.

Identification of a novel thymocyte growth-promoting factor derived from B cell lymphomas.

We found a unique thymocyte growth-promoting activity in supernatants (SN) from subclones of the B cell lymphoma CH12.LX. We have tentatively named this activity B-TCGF (for B cell-derived T cell growth factor) and characterized the activity produced by the CH12.LX.4866 subclone. This SN did not induce thymocyte proliferation alone, however, it enhanced both adult and fetal (Day 15 of gestation) murine thymocyte proliferation in the presence of IL-2, IL-4, or IL-7. Other known cytokines were screened for a B-TCGF-like activity using both adult and fetal thymocytes. IL-6 was found to be active only on adult thymocytes, while TNF alpha and GM-CSF were found to be active only on fetal thymocytes. However, neutralizing antibodies against these cytokines did not block the B-TCGF activity present in CH12.LX.4866 using either adult or fetal thymocytes. These observations suggest that the B-TCGF activity is mediated by a novel factor(s). The apparent molecular weight of this novel molecule(s) was 27-50 kDa determined by sizing HPLC.

A mouse T cell product that preferentially enhances IgA production. I. Biologic characterization.

Supernatants from a subset of helper T cell clones can enhance IgA, IgE, and IgG1 production in cultures of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated, T cell-depleted spleen cells. The lymphokine interleukin (IL)-4 has been shown to cause the IgE and IgG1 enhancement produced by these supernatants. IgA enhancement, however, is mediated by a factor distinct from IL-4, although IL-4 can potentiate the effect of the IgA-enhancing factor. IgA-enhancing factor is also distinct from IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interferon-gamma and acts directly on B cells. Purified IgA-enhancing factor enhances IgA production three- to sixfold yet causes less than a twofold increase in other isotypes. The IgA enhancing activity is not inhibited by concentrations of interferon-gamma that inhibit IL-4 activities. In the accompanying article, we show that this IgA enhancing activity is a novel property of the lymphokine IL-5.