Transforming growth factor beta 1 selectively regulates early murine hematopoietic progenitors and inhibits the growth of IL-3-dependent myeloid leukemia cell lines.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been shown to be associated with active centers of hematopoiesis and lymphopoiesis in the developing fetus. Therefore, the effects of TGF-beta 1 on mouse hematopoiesis were studied. TGF-beta 1 is a potent inhibitor of IL-3-induced bone marrow proliferation, but it does not inhibit the proliferation induced by granulocyte/macrophage, colony-stimulating factor (CSF), granulocyte CSF, and erythropoietin (Epo). TGF-beta 1 also inhibits IL-3-induced multipotential colony formation of bone marrow cells in soft agar, which includes early erythroid differentiation, while Epo-induced terminal differentiation is unaffected. In addition, IL-3-induced granulocyte/macrophage colonies were inhibited; however, small clusters of differentiated myeloid cells were consistently seen in cultures containing IL-3 and TGF-beta 1. Thus, TGF-beta 1 selectively inhibits early hematopoietic progenitor growth and differentiation but not more mature progenitors. TGF-beta 1 is also a potent inhibitor of IL-3-dependent and -independent myelomonocytic leukemic cell growth, while the more mature erythroid and macrophage leukemias are insensitive. Therefore, TGF-beta 1 functions as a selective regulator of differentiating normal hematopoietic cells, and suppresses myeloid leukemic cell growth.

Resistance training in patients with schizophrenia: Concept and proof of principle trial.

Resistance training has been shown to contribute to the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, which is why it can help reducing morbidity and mortality in schizophrenia patients. Moreover, positive effects on different schizophrenia symptom domains have been proposed. However, a specific resistance training tailored to the needs of schizophrenia patients and its evaluation is still lacking. The objective in this proof of principle trial was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a newly developed 12-week resistance program according to current recommendations of the WHO and the American College of Sports Medicine. We employed a single blind, parallel assignment clinical trial design with participants randomized to attend either a resistance training including three 50min units per week or a balance and tone program as control condition. The primary outcome was the impact on health-related difficulties assessed with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS). Secondary outcome parameters included the level of functioning, schizophrenia symptoms, selected cognitive parameters as well as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. In our proof of principle trial, we could not find significant time or group effects of resistance training on the WHO-DAS. However, we could observe significant positive effects on the level of functioning assessed with the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) over the course of time, which were more pronounced in the intervention group. Our findings indicated that patients with schizophrenia could safely participate in resistance training with relevant improvements in their level of functioning. Well-powered replication trials are needed to provide more efficacy data.

Vaccine implementation factors affecting maternal tetanus immunization in low- and middle-income countries: Results of the Maternal Immunization and Antenatal Care Situational Analysis (MIACSA) project.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the characteristics of existing maternal tetanus immunization programmes for pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and to identify and understand the challenges, barriers and facilitators associated with maternal vaccine service delivery that may impact the introduction and implementation of new maternal vaccines in the future. DESIGN: A mixed methods, cross sectional study with four data collection phases including a desk review, online survey, telephone and face-to-face interviews and in country visits. SETTING: LMICs. RESULTS: The majority of countries (84/95; 88%) had a maternal tetanus immunization policy. Countries with high protection at birth (PAB) were more likely to report tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (TTCV) coverage targets > 90%. Less than half the countries included in this study had a TTCV coverage target of > 90%. Procurement and distribution of TTCV was nearly always the responsibility of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), however planning and management of maternal immunization was often shared between EPI and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) programmes. Receipt of TTCV at the same time as the antenatal care visit correlated with high PAB. Most countries (81/95; 85%) had an immunization safety surveillance system in place although only 11% could differentiate an adverse event following immunization (AEFI) in pregnant and non-pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations arising from the MIACSA project to strengthen existing services currently delivering maternal tetanus immunization in LMICs include establishing and maintaining vaccination targets, clearly defining responsibilities and fostering collaborations between EPI and MNCH, investing in strengthening the health workforce, improving the design and use of existing record keeping for immunization, adjusting current AEFI reporting to differentiate pregnant women and endeavoring to integrate the provision of TTCV within ANC services where appropriate.

DPP4 truncated GM-CSF and IL-3 manifest distinct receptor-binding and regulatory functions compared with their full-length forms.

Dipeptidylpeptidase 4 (DPP4/CD26) enzymatically cleaves select penultimate amino acids of proteins, including colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), and has been implicated in cellular regulation. To better understand the role of DPP4 regulation of hematopoiesis, we analyzed the activity of DPP4 on the surface of immature blood cells and then comparatively assessed the interactions and functional effects of full-length (FL) and DPP4 truncated (T) factors (T-granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (T-GM-CSF)) and T-interleukin-3 (T-IL-3)) on both in vitro and in vivo models of normal and leukemic cells. T-GM-CSF and -IL-3 had enhanced receptor binding, but decreased CSF activity, compared with their FL forms. Importantly, T-GM-CSF and -IL-3 significantly, and reciprocally, blunted receptor binding and myeloid progenitor cell proliferation activity of both FL-GM-CSF and -IL-3 in vitro and in vivo. Similar effects were apparent in vitro using cluster-forming cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia regardless of cytogenetic or molecular alterations and in vivo using animal models of leukemia. This suggests that DPP4 T-molecules have modified binding and functions compared with their FL counterparts and may serve regulatory roles in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.

Flt3 signaling involves tyrosyl-phosphorylation of SHP-2 and SHIP and their association with Grb2 and Shc in Baf3/Flt3 cells.

Flt3 ligand (FL) is an early-acting potent co-stimulatory cytokine that regulates proliferation and differentiation of a number of blood cell lineages. Its receptor Flt3/Flk2 belongs to class III receptor tyrosine kinases that also include the receptors for colony-stimulating factor 1, Steel factor, and platelet-derived growth factor. Using CSF-1 receptor/Flt3 chimeras, two groups have characterized some of the post-receptor signaling events and substrate specificity of murine Flt3 receptor. However, there are few studies on the signaling pathway through human Flt3. We examined human Flt3 signaling pathways in a murine IL-3-dependent hematopoietic cell line Baf3, which stably expresses full-length human Flt3 receptor. This subline proliferates in response to human FL. Like the chimeric murine Flt3, human Flt3 undergoes autophosphorylation, associates with Grb2, and leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc on ligand binding. We found that SHP-2, but not SHP-1, is tyrosine-phosphorylated by FL stimulation. SHP-2 does not associate with Flt3, but binds directly to Grb2. SHIP is also tyrosine-phosphorylated and associates with Shc after FL simulation. We further examined the downstream signaling pathway. FL transiently activates MAP kinase. This activation could be blocked by PD98059, a specific MEK inhibitor. PD98059 also blocked cell proliferation in response to FL. These results demonstrate that SHP-2 and SHIP are important components in the human Flt3 signaling pathway and suggest that SHP-2 and SHIP, by forming complexes with adapter proteins Grb2 and Shc, may modulate MAP kinase activation, which may be necessary for the mitogenic signaling of Flt3.

Myelosuppressive effects in vivo with very low dosages of monomeric recombinant murine macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha.

Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha has myelosuppressive/myeloprotective effects in vivo in mice. We recently reported that > 99.7% of recombinant murine (rm) MIP-1 alpha polymerizes rapidly at relatively high concentrations in physiological salt solution, and it is the monomeric form of MIP-1 alpha that is active in vitro as a myelosuppressive factor. Polymerized MIP-1 alpha is inactive in this effect and does not block the myelosuppressive action of monomeric MIP-1 alpha. MIP-1 alpha could be maintained in monomeric form in physiological saline if diluted to low concentrations. This led us to reevaluate the actual amounts of MIP-1 alpha necessary for myelosuppression in vivo. C3H/HeJ mice were injected intravenously (i.v.) with monomeric rmMIP-1 alpha or control diluent and effects were evaluated on progenitor cells--multipotent colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM), burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E), and colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM)--as described in previous studies in which MIP-1 alpha concentrations were used that we now know to have been mainly in polymerized form. Monomeric MIP-1 alpha rapidly decreased cycling rates and absolute numbers of myeloid progenitor cells in marrow and spleen. These effects, which occurred with about 1000-fold less MIP-1 alpha than we previously reported, were dose-dependent, time-related, and reversible. Suppressive effects were noted within 3 hours for cell cycling and within 24 hours for absolute numbers of progenitor cells in marrow and spleen and were lost by 48 hours. Decreased circulating neutrophils were noted at 48 hours. Column-separated polymerized rmMIP-1 alpha was inactive in vivo. These results demonstrate the potency of low doses of monomeric MIP-1 alpha in vivo. Since clinical administration of large amounts of an agent that is mainly in an inactive form may result in severe pharmacological side effects, the information presented here is of relevance for potential clinical trials using MIP-1 alpha as a myelosuppressive/myeloprotective agent.

Comparative analysis of signaling pathways between mast cell growth factor (c-kit ligand) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in a human factor-dependent myeloid cell line involves phosphorylation of Raf-1, GTPase-activating protein and mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Mast cell growth factor (MGF, the ligand for c-kit receptor) can stimulate proliferation of factor dependent myeloid cell line, M07e, and MGF synergizes with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or IL-3 in this effect. The effect of MGF on protein tyrosine kinase activity in M07e cells was investigated by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine mAb and this was compared with effects of GM-CSF. MGF stimulation rapidly induced or enhanced at least 12 tyrosine phosphorylated bands. Major bands had molecular weights of 145, 120, 110, 98, 62, 55 and 42 kD. P145, the most prominent phosphorylated protein, was identified as c-kit product using anti-c-kit-mAb (YB5.B8), suggesting ligand-dependent receptor autophosphorylation. Five of six tyrosine phosphorylated bands induced or enhanced by GM-CSF stimulation comigrated with those tyrosine phosphorylated by MGF (138, 120, 76, 55 and 42 kD). P42 was identified, at least in part, as mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. MGF induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a complex of GTPase-activating protein (GAP, 120 kD) and GAP associated proteins (p62/p190) as detected by anti-GAP Ab immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine mAb. GM-CSF also stimulated slightly but consistently tyrosine phosphorylation of GAP and p190 but not p62. Both MGF and GM-CSF enhanced Raf-1 phosphorylation and increased Raf-1 associated kinase activity in vitro. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed Raf-1 phosphorylation by these two growth factors occurred almost exclusively on serine residues. No tyrosine phosphorylation of Raf-1 protein was detected. These data suggest shared and unshared components of signaling pathways of both factors, which may be involved in cell proliferation.

Chemokine regulation of hematopoiesis and the involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive G alpha i proteins.

Chemokines have been implicated in regulation of various aspects of hematopoiesis, including negative regulation of the proliferation of immature subsets of myeloid progenitor cells (MPCs), chemotaxis of MPCs, and survival enhancement of MPCs after delayed growth factor addition. Since chemokine receptors are seven-transmembrane-spanning G-protein-linked receptors and the chemotactic effect in vitro of the CXC chemokine SDF-1 is pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive, implying the involvement of G alpha i proteins as mediators of SDF-1-induced chemotaxis, we evaluated the effects of PT on other chemokine actions influencing MPCs. While the in vitro survival-enhancing effects of SDF-1 on GM-CSF and steel factor-dependent mouse bone marrow granulocyte macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) were pertussis toxin-sensitive, the suppressive effects of the CC chemokine MIP-1 alpha and the CXC chemokine IL-8 on colony formation by GM-CSF and steel factor-sensitive CFU-GM were insensitive to pertussis toxin. These results suggest that not all chemokine-mediated effects on MPCs are necessarily mediated through pertussis toxin-sensitive G alpha i proteins.

Synergistic induction of phospholipid metabolism by granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and steel factor in human growth factor-dependent cell line, M07e.

Steel factor (SLF), the ligand for the c-kit proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase receptor, synergizes with several hematopoietic growth factors to produce greatly enhanced proliferation of normal human hematopoietic progenitor cells as well as that of the human growth factor-dependent myeloid cell line, M07e. The mechanisms of this phenomenon remain unknown. In an attempt to understand the cellular processes relevant to this phenomenon, we examined the effects of SLF and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on induced lipid metabolism in M07e cells. We find that both GM-CSF and SLF induced increased phosphatidylcholine (PC) turnover rates (biosynthesis and degradation) as measured by increased [3H]-choline labelling, with SLF being more potent than GM-CSF after 6 h of stimulation, but equipotent at 24 h of stimulation. The labelling of aqueous intermediates of PC metabolism was also increased by cytokine stimulation, most notably phosphocholine. Simultaneous stimulation with GM-CSF plus SLF resulted in a true synergistic induction of PC, lysoPC, and phosphocholine labelling. GM-CSF and SLF each induced asymmetric labelling of various phospholipid classes as measured by incorporation of different [3H]-fatty acids. [3H]-myristic acid labelling of phosphatidylserine was most prominently induced (approximately 12-fold). Cytosolic choline kinase activity was also upregulated more than twofold over control by SLF, which might contribute to the increased phosphocholine labelling. These effects may have relevance to the intracellular mechanisms of the synergistic proliferative stimulation of SLF plus GM-CSF on M07e cells.

Physical characteristics and polymerization during iron saturation of lactoferrin, a myelopoietic regulatory molecule with suppressor activity.

Lactoferrin (LF) has been implicated in normal regulation of myeloid blood cell production in vitro and in vivo and abnormalities in LF-cell interactions have been associated with progression of leukemia and other hematopoietic disorders. LF may be clinically useful and for this reason we studied selected biochemical characteristics of LF. Purified human milk LF was saturated with iron from solution and analyzed by gel electrophoresis, ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The metalloprotein was found to contain several molecular weight species on polyacrylamide gels. High resolution ion-exchange chromatography demonstrated the binding of LF to both anionic and cationic media under identical conditions indicating a bipolar charge distribution. Gel filtration studies revealed a tetramerized form of LF, the formation and stability of which was dependent on the ionic strength of the solution.

Steel factor regulates cell cycle asymmetry.

Asymmetric segregation of cell-fate determinants during mitosis (spatial asymmetry) is an essential mechanism by which stem cells are maintained while simultaneously giving rise to differentiated progenitors that ultimately produce all the specialized cells in the hematopoietic system. Temporal cell cycle asymmetry and heterogeneity are attributes of cell proliferation that are also essential for maintaining tissue organization. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are regulated by a complex network of cytokines, some of which have very specific effects, while others have very broad ranging effects on HSCs. Some cytokines, like steel factor (SLF), are known to synergize with other cytokines to produce rapid expansion of progenitor cells. Using the human growth factor-dependent MO7e cell line as a model for synergistic proliferation, we present evidence that links proliferation asymmetry to SLF synergy with GM-CSF, and suggests that temporal asymmetry and cell cycle heterogeneity can be regulated by SLF in vitro. We also show that CDK-inhibitor and cell cycle regulator, p27kip-1, may be involved in this temporal asymmetry regulation. We propose that SLF/GM-CSF synergy is, in part, due to a shift in proliferation pattern from a heterogeneous and asymmetric one to a more synchronous and symmetric pattern, thus contributing dramatically to the rapid expansion that accompanies SLF synergy observed in MO7e cells. This kinetic model of asymmetry is consistent with recent evidence showing that even though SLF synergy results in a strong proliferative signal, it does not increase primary HSC self-renewal, which is believed to be highly dependent on asymmetric divisions. The factor-dependent MO7e/SCF- synergy/asymmetry model described here may therefore be useful for studies of the effects of various cytokines on cell cycle asymmetry.

Chemokines, chemokine receptors and hematopoiesis.

Hematopoiesis during steady state conditions is regulated and finely tuned by a network of cytokines and their effects on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and on accessory cells that influence the stem and progenitor cells. Amongst the numerous cytokines implicated in this regulation are members of the CC, CXC and C family of chemokines. Twenty-five chemokine members have been demonstrated to have the capacity to suppress the proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells. Three chemokines have been implicated in the chemotaxis of these stem and progenitor cells, and one has been linked to their survival after growth factor withdrawal. This review focuses on the proliferation-suppressing, chemotaxis-induced, and cell survival effects of different chemokine family members on myeloid progenitor cells. This is placed in the context of what we know and don't know about the intracellular signaling events mediating these effects. This information and what is yet to be learned in this area could have important clinical implications for treatment of disease.

Biology and mechanisms of action of synergistically stimulated myeloid progenitor cell proliferation and suppression by chemokines.

A number of cytokines can act together to stimulate/enhance the proliferation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in a greater than additive fashion. An example of this is the combination of a colony-stimulating factor with a potent costimulating molecule such as steel factor. Certain members of the chemokine family of cytokines can suppress this synergistically enhanced proliferation. This review focuses on cytokines involved in these stimulating/enhancing/suppressing effects with regard to biological activity and what is beginning to be learned about the intracellular signal transduction events that may be mediating these effects. Examples of intracellular mediators involved include, but are not limited to, the Raf-1/ MAP kinase pathway and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21cip-1 and p27kip-1 for cell proliferation, and eukaryotic initiation factor-4E and 4E binding protein 1 for protein synthesis.

Steel factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor act together to enhance choline-lipid turnover during synergistically stimulated proliferation of the human factor dependent cell line, M07E.

The hematopoietic growth factors granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and steel factor have been shown to synergize in the stimulation of proliferation of the human factor-dependent cell line M07e. We investigated the possible involvement of lpid-mediated signaling in granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and steel factor induced proliferative synergism. It was found that treatment of M07e cells with these factors alone stimulates choline lipid metabolism and that they cooperate to further enhance this effect. Therefore a choline lipid signal transduction pathway may operate as part of the series of events leading to synergistic growth induced by the combination of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and steel factor.

Polymerization of murine macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha inactivates its myelosuppressive effects in vitro: the active form is a monomer.

Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) 1 alpha has myelosuppressive and myeloprotective activity. That MIP-1 alpha polymerizes is known; this phenomenon was evaluated in terms of myelosuppression by assessing the effects of recombinant murine MIP-1 alpha on colony formation of murine and human myeloid progenitor cells in vitro. The following results are reported: (i) Polymerization is diluent- and concentration-dependent. (ii) Monomeric MIP-1 alpha is the active suppressive form for myeloid progenitor cells in vitro. (iii) Polymerized MIP-1 alpha is inactive and does not interfere with suppression by monomeric MIP-1 alpha. (iv) MIP-1 alpha has approximately 1000-fold higher specific activity than has been reported, but its effects are still specific for immature subsets of myeloid progenitors. (v) Suppression is initiated during the DNA-synthesis phase of the cell cycle. We conclude that polymerization of MIP-1 alpha might be a control mechanism that limits the myelosuppressive effects of monomeric MIP-1 alpha.

Kinetic selectivity of cholinephosphotransferase in mouse liver: the Km for CDP-choline depends on diacylglycerol structure.

The effects of different 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols on the kinetic properties of CDP-choline:1,2-diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase (EC 2.7.8.2) from mouse liver microsomes have been studied. Initial-velocity experiments were carried out with various concentrations of several species of diacylglycerol at different fixed concentrations of CDP-choline. Kinetic analysis of these data showed a family of intersecting lines consistent with a sequential kinetic mechanism of catalysis. The Km and Vmax. values derived from rate data revealed a pronounced effect of diacylglycerol species utilization on the Km value for CDP-choline. There was a biphasic relationship between diacylglycerol chain length and the Km for CDP-choline. Substitution of an unsaturated fatty acid in the sn-2 position of distearin also dramatically increased the CDP-choline Km value as well as the Vmax. 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol was the preferred substrate over other disaturated species, but 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycerol could not be utilized. These results demonstrate the kinetic mechanism of in vitro catalysis and suggest a regulatory role for CDP-choline concentration in the diacylglycerol species selectivity of cholinephosphotransferase resulting in the de novo biosynthesis of different molecular species of phosphatidylcholine.

Lactoferrin-lipopolysaccharide interactions. Effect on lactoferrin binding to monocyte/macrophage-differentiated HL-60 cells.

Lactoferrin (LF) has been implicated in a number of functions including the negative regulation of myelopoiesis in vitro and in vivo, an effect mediated by suppression of cytokine release from monocytes/macrophages. This suppression is abrogated by bacterial LPS. In the present study, HL-60 cells were induced to differentiate to monocytes/macrophages by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, and LF-binding assays were performed. After differentiation, HL-60 cells showed a twofold increase of LF-binding sites with no difference in the specificity or affinity of LF between pre- and post-differentiated cells. CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c Ag, which have been associated with specific binding sites for LPS on monocytes/macrophages, were also increased three- to fourfold after differentiation. With the use of this system, the effect of LPS on LF binding was studied. At 37 degrees C, LPS enhanced LF binding on HL-60 cells, especially after differentiation. Conversely, at 4 degrees C, LPS inhibited LF binding. There was little effect of temperature on LF binding in the absence of LPS. In the presence of polymyxin B sulfate, the enhanced LF binding by LPS was abrogated. Also, pretreatment with mAbCD11 and/or mAb5D3, which are associated with or directed against candidate LPS receptors, reduced LF binding. Cross-linking studies using an iodinated, photoactivatable LPS derivative ([125I]ASD-LPS) demonstrated directly the specific binding of LPS to LF. These data indicate a dichotomous nature of LF binding on monocyte/macrophage-differentiated HL-60 cells--one being mediated by specific LF receptors whereas the other is apparently mainly via LPS receptors after formation of an LF-LPS complex. These interactions, for which a model is proposed, help to explain the mechanism behind LPS abrogation of the myelopoietic suppressive effects of LF, and a situation that probably occurs during bacterial infection.

Transduction of human IL-9 receptor cDNA into TF1 cells induces IL-9 dependency and erythroid differentiation.

Human growth factor-dependent cell line TF1, which lacks interleukin (IL)-9 receptors (R) and does not grow in IL-9, was transduced with a retroviral vector containing human IL-9R cDNA and a selection marker. An IL-9-dependent TF1 cell line, which could also grow in other cytokines, was established after selection in G418 and could produce mature RBC in response to cytokine stimulation. TF1 cells transduced with the same viral vector without the IL-9R insert cDNA (mock control) and then selected responded the same as nontransduced TF1 cells. They failed to grow in response to IL-9 and did not generate RBC. An increased number and size of burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E)-like colonies were detected from IL-9R-transduced TF1 cells, compared with mock-transduced cells, in response to erythropoietin (EPO) and IL-9. To evaluate self-renewal and differentiation capacity, colony-replating assays were performed in the presence of IL-3, GM-CSF, IL-9, and EPO. After four replatings, the cloning efficiency of IL-9R-transduced TF1 cells decreased from 98% to 38%, most likely due to terminal erythroid cell differentiation. In contrast, no change in replating efficiency was detected in mock-transduced cells. TF1 cells stably expressing IL-9R and responding to IL-9 can serve as a cell line model to study the intracellular signals mediating IL-9-induced erythroid cell proliferation and differentiation.