Immunohistochemical expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in reversible endotoxic shock studied by a novel monoclonal antibody against rat iNOS.

An antirat monoclonal antibody (mAb) against inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), ANOS11, was used for immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of iNOS in various organs and tissues of adult rats in experimental endotoxic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. The phenotype of iNOS-expressed cells was also examined immunohistochemically using various mAbs. In control rats, very few cells were positive for ANOS11 except in the thymus. After intravenous injection of LPS, the number of iNOS-positive cells increased rapidly in almost all organs, except the thymus and brain, peaked 6 h after the injection, and decreased slowly. Of the numerous inflammatory cells that infiltrated the lungs, liver, and spleen after LPS injection, many were positive for ANOS11. Besides inflammatory cells, hepatocytes and endothelial cells of the aorta were also positive for ANOS11 but only around 6 h after injection. The cellular composition of iNOS-positive infiltrated cells changed along with the progression of endotoxic shock. At 4 to 6 h after injection, most iNOS-positive cells were considered polymorphonuclear leukocytes judging by their positive reactivity to OX42 and their nuclear morphology. The population of iNOS-positive macrophages positive for ED1 or ED2 increased with time. After 24 h, many iNOS-positive macrophages were found around the focal necrosis in the liver and spleen. These results indicate that the expression of iNOS in neutrophils, endothelial cells, and hepatocytes precedes that of macrophages in experimental endotoxic shock. The expression of iNOS in various cells and organs is closely associated with the progress and pathological changes of endotoxic shock.

Development of EIA systems for active-form MAP kinase.

Quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) systems, that can distinguish between active-form subtypes of mitogen-activated protein kinases (p44 and p42 MAP kinase, also called ERK1 and ERK2), were developed employing subtype-specific antibodies as a solid phase and an antibody specific for the phosphorylated region of MAP kinases as the detector. Using these systems, we investigated the dynamic changes in the activity of ERK1 and ERK2 in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-treated rat mesangial cells and nerve growth factor (NGF)-treated PC12. Both ERK1 and ERK2 were activated immediately after stimulation, and the activity reached a maximum at 5-10 min. The total activity of both subtypes correlated well with that obtained using the conventional method. Compared with the usual methods, these systems should have a higher specificity and be more convenient and suitable for experiments with multiple samples. Moreover, as these EIA systems can be applied not only to rat MAP kinases but also to human, mouse and rabbit MAP kinases, they are potentially very useful for a range of investigations.

Monoclonal antibodies to human interferon-gamma. I. Antibodies to a synthetic carboxyl-terminal peptide.

Two types of hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAB) against human interferon-gamma (HuIFN-gamma) were obtained by somatic cell hybridization between mouse myeloma P3U1 cells and spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with a conjugate of a synthetic carboxyl-terminal peptide (residues 131-146) of HuIFN-gamma and bovine thyroglobulin. One of the antibodies bound to recombinant HuIFN-gamma produced in E. coli as well as to natural HuIFN-gamma, while the others bound only to recombinant HuIFN-gamma. These 2 types of MAB did not neutralize the anti-viral activity of HuIFN-gamma. They were useful for effectively purifying recombinant HuIFN-gamma and quantitatively determining it by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

beta-Amyloid protein-dependent nitric oxide production from microglial cells and neurotoxicity.

beta-Amyloid protein (A beta) is the major component of the senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and microglial cells have been shown to be closely associated with these plaques. However, the roles of A beta and microglial cells in pathogenesis of AD remain unclear. Incubation of rat microglial cells with A beta(1-40) caused a significant increase in nitrite, a stable metabolite of nitric oxide (NO), in culture media, while there was no detectable increase in nitrite in astrocyte-rich glial cells or cortical neurons after incubation with A beta(1-40). Nitrite production by microglial cells was also induced by A beta(1-42), but not A beta(25-35). An inhibitor of NO synthase, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), as well as dexamethasone and actinomycin D, dose-dependently inhibited this nitrite production. Among the various cytokines investigated such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), only IFN-gamma markedly enhanced A beta-dependent nitrite production. Cultured cortical neurons were injured by microglial cells stimulated with A beta in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of IFN-gamma. Neurotoxicity caused by the A beta plus IFN-gamma-stimulated microglial cells was significantly attenuated by NMMA. Thus, although further investigations into the effect of A beta on human microglial cells are needed, it is likely that A beta-induced NO production by microglial cells is one mechanism of the neuronal death in AD.

Monoclonal antibodies to human interferon-gamma. II: Antibodies with neutralizing activity.

Two types of hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAB) with neutralizing activity against human interferon-r (HuIFN-r) were obtained by somatic cell hybridization between mouse myeloma P3UI cells and spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with purified recombinant HuIFN-r and a conjugate of a synthetic amino-terminal peptide (residues 4-21) of HuIFN-r and bovine thyroglobulin. One of these MAB recognized the amino-terminal region (residues 4-21) of HuIFN-r, and the other recognized some region in the internal part (residues 22-130) of the molecule. These results suggest that another region, in addition to the amino-terminal region, contributed to the biological activity of rHuIFN-r. A combination of one of these MAB and a previously described MAB directed to the carboxyl-terminal region (residues 131-146) of HuIFN-r enables a quantitative and sensitive assay method of biologically active rHuIFN-r.

Monoclonal antibodies against hst-1 gene product.

Four monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the hst-1 gene product (hst-1 protein) were obtained by a somatic cell hybridization technique. The recognition sites of these MAbs designated HS-131, HS-210, HS-233 and HS-276 on the hst-1 protein were evaluated by competitive binding assay with synthetic polypeptides. HS-131 MAb and HS-276 MAb recognize the epitope located within the 59-73 and the 197-206 amino acid sequences, respectively. The epitopes recognized by HS-210 and HS-233 MAbs could not be determined, but these MAbs showed neutralizing activity against hst-1 protein. Using HS-131 and HS-233 MAbs, a sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay (sandwich EIA) has been developed. The assay sensitivity was 1.2-2.5 pg/well of hst-1 protein. Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors were not cross-reactive up to a concentration of 1 microgram/ml.

Establishment of hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies against C epsilon 2 and C epsilon 4 domains of human IgE.

Three kinds of hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the epsilon chain of human IgE were constructed by somatic cell hybridization between mouse myeloma P3U1 cells and spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with human IgE purified from the culture supernatant of U-266 cells. These MAbs were used effectively for the purification and determination of human IgE. The recognition site in the IgE molecule of each antibody was examined by using various epsilon chain fragment peptides produced in Escherichia coli. From these experiments, it was suggested that one recognized C epsilon 2 and the second C epsilon 4. The third did not recognize the C epsilon 1-C epsilon 4 domains of the recombinant epsilon chain from E. coli, although it bound to the epsilon chain of natural human IgE.

Stabilization of inducible nitric oxide synthase by monoclonal antibodies.

We have produced 14 monoclonal antibodies to inducible nitric oxide synthase purified from rat peritoneal cytotoxic activated macrophages. None of the antibodies showed neutralizing activity, but some of them enhanced the enzyme activity through stabilization of the enzyme.

A human hybrid hybridoma producing a bispecific monoclonal antibody that can target tumor cells for attack by Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A.

By fusing a human hybridoma producing an IgG2 kappa antibody against human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells with an Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B lymphocyte producing an IgG2 kappa antibody against Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A, we established a hybrid hybridoma producing a bispecific monoclonal antibody reacting with both A431 cells and the exotoxin. Human IgG was purified from the culture supernatant of the hybrid hybridoma, and the bispecific monoclonal antibody in the IgG preparation was further separated from the two parental antibodies by hydroxyapatite high-performance liquid chromatography. The human bispecific monoclonal antibody thus obtained efficiently targeted the antibody-reactive cells, A431, for attack by the exotoxin in vitro.

Establishment of monoclonal antibodies against human nerve growth factor.

We have generated and characterized a monoclonal antibody to human nerve growth factor (hNGF). The monoclonal antibody NGFA-133 neutralizes hNGF activity, as assayed by neurite-outgrowth of nerve cells from chick embryonal dorsal root ganglion. Using this antibody, we have developed a sensitive and specific two-site enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system for hNGF. The assay is based on a sandwiching of the antigen between NGFA-133 coated on a microtiter plate and the same monoclonal antibody (NGFA-133) conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The two-site EIA was sensitive enough to detect 920 fg/well of hNGF and did not cross-react either human neurotrophin-3 (hNT-3) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) denatured hNGF.

A human-human hybridoma secreting anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin-A monoclonal antibody with highly potent neutralizing activity.

A hybridoma secreting human monoclonal antibody (MAB) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PEA) was constructed by fusing Epstein-Barr virus-transformed peripheral blood lymphocytes with human B lymphoblastoid cell line TAW-925. The human-human hybridoma stably produced human IgG2 MAB at the rate of 0.4-0.5 microgram/ml per 10(6) cells per day for more than six months, and the MAB was capable of neutralizing the in vitro cytotoxic and in vivo lethal effects of PEA with approximately 100- and 70-fold, respectively, higher activity than serum polyclonal antibody preparations.

Establishment of hybridoma secreting human monoclonal antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

The HAT (hypoxanthine, aminopterin, thymidine) sensitive and ouabain resistant human B lymphoblastoid cell line TAW-925 was obtained from 6-thioguanine resistant B lymphoblastoid cell line WI-L2. Hybridomas were obtained at a high frequency (10(-4)-10(-5) when TAW-925 was hybridized with cells transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. Using TAW-925 as a parental cell line, we have obtained a hybridoma which stably secretes human monoclonal antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

Interaction between endothelium-derived relaxing factors, S-nitrosothiols, and endothelin-1 on Ca2+ mobilization in rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

S-Nitrosothiols (S-nitrosocysteine, S-nitrosoglutathione and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine), which belong to the group of endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs), caused decreases of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced sustained increase of [Ca2+]i in rat VSMCs was completely abolished by preaddition of at least an equal molar quantity of S-nitrosocysteine (Cys-SNO). Also exposure of VSMCs to a mixture of Cys-SNO and ET-1 at the same time resulted in the transient increase only. These results suggest that S-nitrosothiols may have no significant effect on ET-1-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores via inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate production but do affect Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane.

Enhancers of the non-peroxidative metal porphyrin chemiluminescence reaction.

Metal porphyrins catalyse luminol chemiluminescence at pH13 without added peroxide. The effects of 22 different surface active compounds on this reaction were studied using six metal porphyrins and one metal porphyrin conjugate. The most active catalyst was Mn-meso-tetra(4-sulphonatophenyl)porphine. Tween-20 enhanced the activity of this catalyst best at a Tween-20 to luminol ratio of 74:1. However, lauryl sulphate enhanced best at an optimum lauryl sulphate to luminol ratio of over 1000:1 and both detergents enhanced the reaction when present below their critical micelle concentrations. Negatively charged aliphatic compounds such as fatty acids enhanced the reaction but positive-charged aliphatic compounds inhibited it. Small differences in enhancer structure resulted in differing enhancement. For example, linoleic acid enhanced Mn-meso-tetraphenyl porphine more than 10-fold, yet linolenic acid inhibited this catalyst. Conjugation of a metal porphyrin to antibody did not influence its enhancement by detergents. The results indicate that the enhancement mechanism does not require formation of pure detergent micelles but that direct association between enhancer and catalyst may be important.

Correlation of interferon gamma inducing ability to sugar binding specificities of various lectins.

Various lectins were examined to determine possible induction of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in human leukocytes. Among the seven positive lectins (Concanavalin A, pea lectin, lentil lectin, rice bran agglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, wheat germ agglutinin, phytohemagglutinin-P), six except rice bran agglutinin belonged to those which recognize carbohydrate chains connected to polypeptide through a glycosylamine linkage between N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and asparagine residues. The specificity of carbohydrate chain recognition of rice bran agglutinin, residual one positive lectin, has not been reported. Induction of IFN-gamma by wheat germ agglutinin, one of the positive lectins, was inhibited by the addition of GlcNAc during the induction, but not by the addition of glucose, galactose, alpha-methylmannose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylmannosamine, and lactose.

Effective production of anti-tetanus toxoid and anti-HBsAg human monoclonal antibodies by serum-free culture of hybridomas.

Two hybridoma systems, mouse·human-human (m·h-h) heterohybridoma and human-human (h-h) hybridoma, have been established, and hybridomas secreting anti-tetanus toxoid and anti-HBsAg human monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), both having a neutralizing activity have been obtained. Cell-line improvement was shown to be an efficient method for improving the productivity in a cell culture process. Two kinds of serum-free media, GFS (a serum substitute)-containing media and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-containing media, have been established to produce human MoAbs. m·h-h Heterohybridomas could be cultivated for a long period by perfusion culture in an agitation vessel, but h-h hybridomas could not. We found that h-h hybridomas show growth-associated antibody production kinetics and established two kinds of long-term cultivation systems: continuous perfusion culture and semicontinuous immobilized perfusion culture. We also scaled up batch culture and short-term perfusion culture to 200-L and 50-L fermentors, respectively. Processes for large-scale purification from the culture supernatants of both GFS- and PEG-containing serum-free media have also been developed.

Immunologic and molecular characterizations of T cell-derived T cell activating factor.

Culture supernatants from several subclones of a human T hybrid line (24A) stimulated with PMA showed co-stimulatory activity in the proliferation of Con A-stimulated murine thymocytes, but did not show any IL 2 activity. Some subclones did not show co-stimulatory activity even when stimulated with PMA, excluding the possibility of a carry-over effect. The factor found in the culture supernatants increased IL 2 production in normal T cells stimulated with a suboptimal concentration of PHA. The factor also induced IL 2 production in a T hybrid clone, T-394.1, when the latter was stimulated with a suboptimal concentration of mitogens, indicating a direct effect by this T cell-derived factor on mitogen-stimulated T cells inducing IL 2 production. This factor also induced the generation of other lymphokines such as BCDF and IFN-gamma. Northern blot analysis showed that the factor induced an increase in mRNA for IL 2 as well as IL 2 receptor. These results indicated that T cells could secrete a factor with IL 1-like activity. However, Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA from a T hybrid clone does not cross-react with cDNA for IL 1 (beta) derived from human monocytes.

Monoclonal antibodies against human neurotrophin-3.

Hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against human neurotrophin-3 (hNT-3) were established using recombinant hNT-3 produced in CHO cells and E. coli as immunogens. Of the five MoAbs obtained, MoAb 3w3 showed the highest antibody titer and also best neutralized NT-3 activity as measured by the survival of chick embryonic day-8 dorsal root ganglia neurons. A sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for NT-3 was established with solid phase MoAb 3W3 and the Fab' fragment of MoAb 3W3 conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. The detection limit was 2.7 pg/well of NT-3 and no cross-reactivity with nerve growth factor up to 100 ng/well was observed. Using this EIA system we have screened a variety of cell lines for NT-3 production. Among these tested, only human Burkitt's lymphoma Namalwa cells were found to be producing NT-3.

A new sensitive chemiluminescence probe, L-012, for measuring the production of superoxide anion by cells.

A sensitive chemiluminescence method for measuring the production of superoxide anion (O2-) by activated EoL-1 cells (human eosinophilic leukemia cell line) is described. Recently, we succeeded in synthesizing a new chemiluminescence probe, 8-amino-5-chloro-7-phenylpyrido[3,4-d]pyridazine-1,4(2H,3H)dione (L-012). In the presence of L-012, activated EoL-1 cells which produce reactive oxygen species generated a marked chemiluminescence with negligible background. The L-012-dependent chemiluminescence was completely abolished by 100-300 U/ml superoxide dismutase, indicating that the main reactive oxygen species detected in this reaction was O2-. The light intensity and the sensitivity of L-012 to O2- were higher than those of other chemiluminescence probes such as luminol and Cypridina luciferin analog (MCLA). Thus, L-012 would provide an improved chemiluminescence method for measuring O2- from cells.

Effective production of anti-tetanus toxoid and anti-HBsAg human monoclonal antibodies by serum-free culture of hybridomas.

Two hybridoma systems, mouse.human-human (m.h-h) heterohybridoma and human-human (h-h) hybridoma, have been established, and hybridomas secreting anti-tetanus toxoid and anti-HBsAg human monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), both having a neutralizing activity have been obtained. Cell-line improvement was shown to be an efficient method for improving the productivity in a cell culture process. Two kinds of serum-free media, GFS (a serum substitute)-containing media and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-containing media, have been established to produce human MoAbs. m.h-h Heterohybridomas could be cultivated for a long period by perfusion culture in an agitation vessel, but h-h hybridomas could not. We found that h-h hybridomas show growth-associated antibody production kinetics and established two kinds of long-term cultivation systems: continuous perfusion culture and semi-continuous immobilized perfusion culture. We also scaled up batch culture and short-term perfusion culture to 200-L and 50-L fermentors, respectively. Processes for large-scale purification from the culture supernatants of both GFS- and PEG-containing serum-free media have also been developed.