The antibiotic rifampicin is a nonsteroidal ligand and activator of the human glucocorticoid receptor.

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) belongs to a superfamily of ligand-regulated nuclear steroid hormone receptors. The steps in the signal transduction pathway leading to the biological effects of glucocorticoids (GCs) include sequentially binding of the steroid to the GR ligand binding domain (LBD), receptor transformation, nuclear translocation and either positive or negative gene transactivation. Rifampicin (RIF) is a macrocyclic antibiotic used as an antituberculosis agents. As the incidence of tuberculosis has been increasing, in part because of the AIDS epidemic, a growing number of patients are being exposed to the adverse effects of this antibiotic. Indeed, this compound, as are the GCs, is often implicated in noxious drug interactions, because of its strong ability to induce drug-metabolizing enzymes. Moreover, in humans, RIF, as are the GCs, has been described as a potential immunodepressor, associated notably with the reduction of mitogenic responsiveness of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Here, we report that RIF activates the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR). Transient expression of wild-type, deleted or mutated GRs; sucrose density gradient sedimentation; and the BIAcore technique strongly suggest that RIF binds to the receptor with the physiological consequence that this antibiotic acts as an immunodepressor. Given the wide use of RIF in the treatment of coinfection of tuberculosis and HIV, this report is highly relevant to current medical practice.

Interactions of the human, rat, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli 3-methyladenine-DNA glycosylases with DNA containing dIMP residues.

In DNA, the deamination of dAMP generates 2'-deoxy-inosine 5'-monophosphate (dIMP). Hypoxanthine (HX) residues are mutagenic since they give rise to A.T-->G.C transition. They are excised, although with different efficiencies, by an activity of the 3-methyl-adenine (3-meAde)-DNA glycosylases from Escherichia coli (AlkA protein), human cells (ANPG protein), rat cells (APDG protein) and yeast (MAG protein). Comparison of the kinetic constants for the excision of HX residues by the four enzymes shows that the E.coli and yeast enzymes are quite inefficient, whereas for the ANPG and the APDG proteins they repair the HX residues with an efficiency comparable to that of alkylated bases, which are believed to be the primary substrates of these DNA glycosylases. Since the use of various substrates to monitor the activity of HX-DNA glycosylases has generated conflicting results, the efficacy of the four 3-meAde-DNA glycosylases of different origin was compared using three different substrates. Moreover, using oligo-nucleotides containing a single dIMP residue, we investigated a putative sequence specificity of the enzymes involving the bases next to the HX residue. We found up to 2-5-fold difference in the rates of HX excision between the various sequences of the oligonucleotides studied. When the dIMP residue was placed opposite to each of the four bases, a preferential recognition of dI:T over dI:dG, dI:dC and dI:dA mismatches was observed for both human (ANPG) and E.coli (AlkA) proteins. At variance, the yeast MAG protein removed more efficiently HX from a dI:dG over dI:dC, dI:T and dI:dA mismatches.

Cytokine targeting in tumors using a bispecific antibody directed against carcinoembryonic antigen and tumor necrosis factor alpha.

The use of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in cancer therapy is limited by its short circulatory half-life and its severe systemic side effects. To overcome these limitations, we evaluated the capability of a bispecific antibody (BAb) directed against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and human TNFalpha to target this cytokine in tumors. A BAb was constructed by coupling the Fab' fragments from an anti-CEA monoclonal antibody (MAb) to the Fab' fragments from an anti-TNFalpha MAb via a stable thioether linkage. The double specificity of the BAb for CEA and TNFalpha was demonstrated using a BIAcoreTM two-step analysis. The affinity constants of the BAb for CEA immobilized on a sensor chip and for soluble TNFalpha added to the CEA-BAb complex were as high as those of the parental MAbs (1.7 x 10(9) M-1 and 6.6 x 10(8) M-1, respectively). The radiolabeled 125I-labeled BAb retained high immunoreactivity with both CEA and TNFalpha immobilized on a solid phase. In nude mice xenografted with the human colorectal carcinoma T380, the 125I-labeled BAb showed a tumor localization and biodistribution comparable to that of 131I-labeled anti-CEA parental F(ab')2 with 25-30% of the injected dose (ID)/g tumor at 24 h and 20% ID/g tumor at 48 h. To target TNFalpha to the tumor, a two-step i.v. injection protocol was used first, in which a variable dose of 125I-labeled BAb was injected, followed 24 or 48 h later by a constant dose of 131I-labeled TNFalpha (1 microg). Mice pretreated with 3 microg of BAb and sacrificed 2, 4, 6, or 8 h after the injection of TNFalpha showed a 1.5- to 2-fold increased concentration of 131I-labeled TNFalpha in the tumor as compared to control mice, which received TNFalpha alone. With a higher dose of BAb (25 microg), mice showed a better targeting of TNFalpha with a 3.2-fold increased concentration of 131I-labeled TNFalpha in the tumor: 9.3% versus 2.9% ID/g in control mice 6 h after TNFa injection. In a one-step injection protocol using a premixed BAb-TNFalpha preparation, similar results were obtained 6 h postinjection (3.5-fold increased TNFalpha tumor concentration). A longer retention time of TNFalpha was observed leading to an 8.1-fold increased concentration of TNFalpha in the tumor 14 h postinjection (4.4 versus 0.5% ID/g tumor for BAb-treated and control mice, respectively). These results show that our BAb is able, first, to localize in a human colon carcinoma and, there, to immunoabsorb the i.v.-injected TNFalpha, leading to its increased concentration at the tumor site.

Characterization of a new intrabody directed against the N-terminal region of human p53.

Genes encoding the rearranged immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable regions of DO-1, a monoclonal antibody directed against human p53, have been used to construct a single-chain antibody. DO-1 recognizes an N-terminal epitope in the region involved in the transactivation function of p53 and the binding of Mdm2. The DO-1 single chain scFv expressed in the periplasm of E. coli or at the surface of the filamentous phage M13 retained the immunological specificity and affinity of the full length antibody. Furthermore, the DO-1 recombinant antibody was able to inhibit the in vitro binding of Hdm2, and was shown to be a powerful protecting agent of p53's DNA binding activity at 37 degrees C. The DO-1 single-chain antibody has been used to construct single-chain intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) for expression in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of mammalian cells. These anti-p53 intrabodies were additionally modified by addition of a Ckappa domain to increase cytoplasmic and nuclear stability. Here we show that expression of the DO-1 single-chain antibody in the H1299 cell line results in an inhibition of p53's transactivation function. The DO-1 intrabody is a useful tool to study those functions of p53 driven by the N-terminal region of the protein.

Extracellular ATP increases cytosolic free calcium in thymocytes and initiates the blastogenesis of the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-treated medullary population.

Exogeneous nucleotides or nucleosides may influence lymphocyte functions such as proliferation and cytotoxicity. We report that ATP, and to a lesser extent ADP, at concentrations as low as 0.3 mM, are highly mitogenic for medullary mature thymocytes, when added in combination with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), which is only weakly mitogenic by itself. Under the same conditions, the other nucleotides (AMP; GTP, ITP, 2'd-deoxyATP), the non-hydrolysable ATP analogs (p[NH]ppA, pp[CH2]pA) and adenosine are unable to trigger thymocyte blastogenesis. p[NH]ppA, a potent inhibitor of ATP hydrolysis, potentiates the ATP mitogenic effect. In contrast, T-cell-enriched splenocytes do not proliferate in response to ATP + PMA. These data and measurements of interleukin 2 synthesis suggest that ATP may efficiently deliver in thymocytes the calcium signal necessary for the initiation of blastogenesis (in medullary cells). Indeed, among all nucleotides tested, only ATP or ADP were able to increase the intracellular free calcium level in thymocytes, but not in splenocytes. Our results led us to suggest that thymocytes express on their surface receptors specific for ATP, which might be P2 type nucleotide receptors and could be involved in the lymphocyte response through the regulation of intracellular free calcium levels.

Adenosine-induced cyclic AMP increase in pig lymphocytes is not related to adenylate cyclase stimulation.

Adenosine-cyclic AMP relationships have been studied in pig mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes. The early 2--3-fold increase in cyclic AMP accumulation elicited by adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine, an adenosine deaminase-resistant analogue, could not be correlated to similar effects on the adenylate cyclase activity of disrupted cell preparations, but rather to the competitive inhibition of the low Km (0.17 muM) cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. The existence of adenosine receptors coupled to lymphocyte adenylate cyclase, which had been proposed by several authors, could not be confirmed by this study Adenosine-cyclic AMP relationships do not appear to be involved in concanavalin A stimulation of pig lymphocytes.

Studies of (Na+ + K+)-sensitive ATPase activity in pig lymphocytes. Effects of concanavalin A.

(Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity is demonstrated in plasma membranes from pig mesenteric lymph nodes. After dodecyl sulfate treatment plasma membranes have an 18-fold higher (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, while their ouabain-insensitive Mg2+-ATPase is markedly lowered. A solubilized (Na+ +K+)-ATPase fraction, obtained by Lubrol WX treatment of the membranes, has very high specific activity (21 mumol Pi/h per mg protein). Concanavalin A has no effect on these partially purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, while inhibits (40%) this activity in less purified fractions which still contain Mg2+-ATPase activity.

Alamethicin or detergent permeabilization of the cell membrane as a tool for adenylate cyclase determination.

Treatment of mouse lymphocytes with very low concentrations of alamethicin or Lubrol PX induces spontaneous permeabilization of the plasma membrane to ATP and allows determination of adenylate cyclase activity in whole cells. The permeabilized cells retain responsiveness to hormones (isoproterenol, adenosine analogs) and to fluoride. The main advantage of this new method is that it does not require any homogenization step, and thus adenylate cyclase activities can be accurately and reproducibly measured with very low amounts of cells. It should be especially useful for the study of purified lymphocyte subpopulations.

Unmasking of membrane enzyme activities and the problem of subcellular localization of adenylate cyclase in pig lymph node lymphocytes.

A large-scale purification of plasma membranes from pig lymph node lymphocytes is described. Centrifugation on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient was performed in a zonal rotor. Adenylate cyclase activity of untreated fractions displayed a profile different from that of plasma membrane enzymatic markers and was maximal at higher density. However, when latent adenylate cyclase was unmasked by Lubrol PX treatment, its maximum was shifted to lower density and was no longer significantly different from that of plasma membrane markers. These results are discussed in terms of cell surface topography.

The proposed 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor in human leukemic cells is an artefact.

It is now well established that human lymphoblastoid cell lines showing immaturity characters display ecto-5'-nucleotidase activities lower than normal levels. A recent paper (Sun, A.S., Holland, J.F. and Ohnuma, T. (1983) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 762, 577-584) mentioned that this phenomenon resulted from the presence of a 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor in these cell lines. We demonstrate here that the use of 5'-[3H]AMP as a substrate, and inadequate analysis of the products formed, led them to a misinterpretation. [3H]Adenosine derived from 5'-[3H]AMP hydrolysis was further transformed into [3H]inosine by the adenosine deaminase activity of the leukemic cell lines tested; [3H]inosine was precipitated with the excess substrate and was not taken into account in the ecto-5'-nucleotidase determination, which led the authors to confuse this adenosine deaminase activity with a 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor. We did not observe 5'-nucleotidase inhibition by leukemic cell cytosol when convenient assay methods were used and showed that the presence of such an inhibitor remains to be established.

Effect of HIV-1 peptide presentation on the affinity constants of two monoclonal antibodies determined by BIAcore technology.

We studied two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs 9-11 and 41-1) which are specific for dominant and conserved epitopes located on HIV-1 transmembrane Gp41. These MAbs recognize both Gp41 and a synthetic HIV-1 envelope peptide (39GC) which is a fragment of Gp41. The interactions between MAbs 9-11 and 41-1 and 39GC either coupled to a sensor chip or to alkaline phosphatase were investigated using BIAcore technology. The association and dissociation rate constants as well as the affinity constants were determined. BIAcore technology allows real-time determination of the interaction between two molecules without the need for any labeling, neither isotopic nor enzymatic. The peptide 39GC was immobilized by coupling to dextran on the BIAcore biosensor through a disulfide bond with a cysteine residue added to the N-terminus of the synthetic peptide. The two native cysteine residues located in the loop of Gp41 were protected by ethylcarbamoyl residues (CONHC2H5); this chemical modification prevented the formation of the S-S bridge and in particular the internal loop. We specifically studied the interaction between the MAbs and either the protected peptide or the peptide whose cysteine residues had been deprotected in situ by alkaline treatment. The results showed that MAb 41-1 recognized 39GC either protected (Ka = 7.6 x 10(6) M-1) or unprotected (Ka = 1.48 x 10(8) M-1), whereas MAb 9-11 recognized only the unprotected form (Ka = 2.18 x 10(8) M-1). Our results suggest that the epitope MAb 9-11 is directed against a part of the peptide sequence which includes the two native cysteines. The difference in affinity observed for MAb 41-1 between the protected and the unprotected forms of 39GC was found to be due to a lower rate of dissociation for unprotected 39GC; these results illustrate the importance of peptide conformation on antibody recognition and might be explained by a conformational change due to reconstitution of the internal loop following deprotection of the thiol groups. MAbs 9-11 and 41-1 also recognized 39GC conjugated to alkaline phosphatase and deprotected. We observed a difference between the rate constants for MAb 41-1 binding to free peptide and its binding to the peptide-enzyme conjugate which might be due to changes in peptide flexibility. In contrast, the rate constants of MAb 9-11 were the same in both experiments, suggesting that the rigidity of the internal loop prevents changes in 9-11 epitope conformation.

Streptabody, a high avidity molecule made by tetramerization of in vivo biotinylated, phage display-selected scFv fragments on streptavidin.

Phage display is a powerful method of isolating of antibody fragments from highly diverse naive human antibody repertoires. However, the affinity of the selected antibodies is usually low and current methods of affinity maturation are complex and time-consuming. In this paper, we describe an easy way to increase the functional affinity (avidity) of single chain variable fragments (scFvs) by tetramerization on streptavidin, following their site-specific biotinylation by the enzyme BirA. Expression vectors have been constructed that enable addition of the 15 amino acid biotin acceptor domain (BAD) on selected scFvs. Different domains were cloned at the C-terminus of scFv in the following order: a semi-rigid hinge region (of 16 residues), the BAD, and a histidine tail. Two such recombinant scFvs directed against the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were previously selected from human non-immune and murine immune phage display libraries. The scFvs were first synthesized in Escherichia coli carrying the plasmid encoding the BirA enzyme, and then purified from the cytoplasmic extracts by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Purified biotinylated scFvs were tetramerized on the streptavidin molecule to create a streptabody (StAb). The avidity of various forms of anti-CEA StAbs, tested on purified CEA by competitive assays and surface plasmon resonance showed an increase of more than one log, as compared with the scFv monomer counterparts. Furthermore, the percentage of direct binding of 125I-labeled StAb or monomeric scFv on CEA-Sepharose beads and on CEA-expressing cells showed a dramatic increase for the tetramerized scFv (>80%), as compared with the monomeric scFv (<20%). Interestingly, the percentage binding of 125I-labeled anti-CEA StAbs to CEA-expressing colon carcinoma cells was definitely higher (>80%) than that obtained with a reference high affinity murine anti-CEA mAb (30%). Another advantage of using scFvs in a StAb format was demonstrated by Western blot analysis, where tetramerized anti-CEA scFv could detect a small quantity of CEA at a concentration 100-fold lower than the monomeric scFv.

In vitro and in vivo secretion of cloned antibodies by genetically modified myogenic cells.

In vivo production of recombinant antibodies by engineered cells may have applications for gene therapy of certain cancers and of certain severe viral diseases. It would also permit the development of new animal models of autoimmune diseases and new approaches for in vivo ablation of specific cell types for fundamental purposes. Using gene transfer of an anti-human thyroglobulin monoclonal antibody, we show here that several cell types permitting autologous grafting of genetically engineered cells are efficiently able to secrete antibodies in vitro. Those cells include skin fibroblasts, hepatocytes, and myogenic cells. We also show that the secreted antibodies display an affinity for the antigen close to that of the parental antibody, with, however, slight differences varying according to the cell type. This indicates that the foldings of antigen combining sites of antibodies produced in B cell- and non-B cell contexts are very similar. Finally, we report that, when implanted in the forelimb of a mouse, genetically modified myogenic cells are able to secrete antibodies for at least 4 months. Taken together, our observations point to the notion that genetic modification of patient cells may be used for long-term antibody-based gene therapies.

Thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies obtained from random single chain FV libraries contain the same heavy/light chain combinations as occur in vivo.

Three combinatorial libraries were constructed from unpurified, CD19(+), and antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) B cells extracted from thyroid tissue of Graves' disease patients. Fifteen of the 41 randomly derived anti-TPO single chain variable region fragments (scFvs), showed VH1-3/V lambda 1-51 or VH1-69/V lambda 1-40 heavy/light chain pairing similar to that obtained with TPO-specific scFv derived from an in-cell library. One VH1-3/V lambda 1-51 scFv, A16, showed exactly the same nucleotide sequence as in-cell scFv ICB7, demonstrating that in vivo rearrangement can be obtained from a random combinatorial library. The majority of the scFvs used a heavy chain gene derived from the VH1-3 gene segment, whereas the light chain gene segments used were more heterogeneous, with dominance of the V kappa 1-39 and V lambda 1-51 gene segments. The anti-TPO scFvs showed high affinities to TPO, with values between 0.77 and 12.3 nM, and defined seven antigenic regions on the TPO molecule. The anti-TPO fragments, particularly VH1-3/V lambda 1-51 randomly associated scFv B4, which mimic natural H/L pairing, and VH1-3/V lambda 1-40 in-cell-derived scFv ICA5, efficiently displaced the TPO binding of serum autoantibodies from 20 Graves' disease patients. Our study directly demonstrates that antibodies derived from combinatorial libraries are likely to represent in vivo pairing, leading to high affinity antibody fragments mimicking the binding of serum autoantibodies to TPO.

Selective recognition of M235T angiotensinogen variants and their determination in human plasma by monoclonal antibody-based immunoanalysis.

The common M235T mutation of human angiotensinogen has been shown to be associated with a 10-20% increase in plasma angiotensinOgen level and increased frequency of essential and pregnancy-induced hypertension. The detection of such a common factor in the plasma of individuals at risk could be a useful tool for modern molecular-based medicine. The recognition of M235T variants was investigated using four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against human angiotensinogen; two immunometric assays were developed. The first assay (using mAbS 7B2 and 4G3) allowed the direct determination of angiotensinogen concentrations and did not show a significant difference with the enzymatic measurement of angiotensinogen. The second assay (using mAbs 1H8 and 1C11) showed a fine distinction between the T235 mutant and M235 wild-type forms of angiotensinogen, with a greater affinity for the latter, as confirmed by biosensor BIAcore experiments. This assay was extremely sensitive in measuring the proportions of the M235 and T235 forms present in the test samples, the first time such a distinction has been achieved in the serpin family. The simple immunoanalysis of the plasma allowed the direct determination of the M235T genotype of the individual tested. Furthermore, it was shown that the T174M mutation, described as being in complete linkage disequilibrium with the M235T mutation, had no influence on these results. Moreover, this assay suggested the presence of the M235 and T235 angiotensinogens in approximately equal amounts in heterozygous plasmas. In conclusion, the immunometric assay described in this study should provide original tools for investigating the relationship between M235T genotype, plasma angiotensinogen levels, and regulation of blood pressure.

The [Ca2+]i increase induced in murine thymocytes by extracellular ATP does not involve ATP hydrolysis and is not related to phosphoinositide metabolism.

We have previously demonstrated that exogenous ATP can give medullary thymocytes the calcium message required for the induction of their blastogenesis. In the present study, using the highly sensitive calcium indicator Indo-1, we have measured the effect of exogenous nucleotides on the cytosolic-free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i of thymocytes, and determined inositol phosphate (IP) formation in the same cells, in parallel assays. The results were compared to those obtained with the mitogenic lectin concanavalin A (ConA) in similar experiments. They show that ATP does not mobilize calcium from its internal stores but stimulates its influx from the extracellular medium. Nevertheless, these data do not rule out the possibility that the nucleotide acts through specific P2 purinergic sites.

Systematic mapping of regions of human cardiac troponin I involved in binding to cardiac troponin C: N- and C-terminal low affinity contributing regions.

The Spot method of multiple peptide synthesis was used to map in a systematic manner regions of the human cardiac troponin I sequence (hcTnI) involved in interactions with its physiological partner, troponin C (cTnC). Ninety-six 20-mer peptides describing the entire hcTnI sequence were chemically assembled; their reactivity with [125I]cTnC, in the presence of 3 mM Ca2+, enabled the assignment of six sites of interaction (residues 19-32, 45-54, 129-138, 145-164, 161-178 and 191-210). For several sites, a good correlation with literature data was obtained, thus validating this methodological approach. Synthetic peptides, each containing in their sequence an interaction site, were prepared. As assessed by BIACORE, all of them exhibited an affinity for cTnC in the range of 10(-6)-10(-7) M, except for hcTnI [39-58] which showed a nanomolar affinity. This peptide was also able to block the interaction between hcTnI and cTnC. We therefore postulate that despite the existence of multiple cTnC interaction sites on the hcTnI molecule, only that region of hcTnI allows a stabilization of the complex. Residues 19-32 from the N-terminal cardio-specific extension of hcTnI were also found to be involved in interaction with cTnC; residues 19-32 may correspond to the minimal sequence of the extension which could switch between the N- and C-terminal TnC domains, depending on its phosphorylation state. Finally, two Ca(2+)-dependent cTnC binding domains within the C-terminal part of hcTnI (residues 164-178 and 191-210) were also mapped. The latter site may be linked with the cardiac dysfunction observed in stunned myocardium.

Anti-digoxin scFv fragments expressed in bacteria and in insect cells have different antigen binding properties.

A gene encoding a single-chain antibody fragment directed against digoxin (named 1C10 scFv) was cloned in two expression systems. For this purpose, a new baculovirus transfer cassette fully compatible with the procaryotic pHEN vector was constructed. Baculovirus production led to higher yield than did Escherichia coli expression. The procaryotic fragment showed variations in the fine specificity profile but an affinity constant nearly identical to that of the 1C10 Fab, whereas the eucaryotic scFv fragment had a lower affinity with a specificity profile identical to original mAb. The half-lives of the digoxin:scFv complexes and the global specificity are compatible with therapeutic use of this antibody fragment.

[Kinetics of Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ activated ATPase from lymphocyte plasma membranes]. / Etude cinétique de l'activité ATPase activée par Ca2+ ou Mg2+ des membranes plasmiques lymphocytaires

The kinetic study of the C2+ ATPase activity of lymphocyte plasma memebranes allowed some properties of this enzyme to be evidenced. The Ca2+-activated hydrolysis of ATP is independent of a non-specific alkaline phosphatase. The substrate of the ATPase activity is the chelate Ca2+- ATP. Mg2+ may substitute for Ca2+ both as chelating ion and as activating ion. Several results suggest that we have only one ATPase, activated either by Ca2+-, or by Mg2+ with less efficiency; both chelates hve the same Km; pH values for maximum activity and transition temperatures are identical; the effects of free ions are also the same, activation at low concentration and inhibition at high concentration.

[Fluorescence study of lymphocyte plasma membranes]. / Etude par fluorescence des membranes plasmiques de lymphocytes

ANS binding parameters--dissociation constant, number of binding sites, rotation freedom--are measured by fluorescence studies of a complex between ANS and lymph node cell plasma membranes. Divalent ions, Mg++ and Ca++, enhance the complex fluorescence intensity without shifting its maximum wavelength : this enhancement is induced by affinity and quantum yield increases, while the number of binding sites remains constant. The complex fluorescence quenching by ethacrynic acid shows the presence of free SH groups in the ANS binding site. An energy transfer takes place between membrane protein tryptophan residues and bound ANS ; the energy transfer yield is unaffected by Ca++ ions. A correlation of these results is postulated with the biological activity of the membrane.