Independent regulation of H-2K and H-2D gene expression in murine teratocarcinoma somatic cell hybrids.

Cells of two teratocarcinoma stem cell lines (PCC4 azaguanine [aza] 1 and F9 5-bromodeoxyuridine [BrdU]) were fused with normal mouse spleen cells and mouse thymoma-derived cells (BW 5147), respectively. Hybrid clones were tested for the expression of molecules coded by the H-2K and -2D genes both by absorption analysis of conventional H-2 sera and by indirect antibody-binding radioimmunoassay with monoclonal antibodies. Somatic cell hybrids between PCC4 aza 1 and spleen cells morphologically resemble teratocarcinoma stem cells and do not express H-2 antigens. However, after differentiation in vitro, one of these hybrid clones expresses the H-2K and -2D gene products of both parental cell lines, one close expresses H-2-D- but not H-2K-coded antigenic determinants, and one clone remains H-2 negative. Somatic cell hybrids between F9 BrdU and BW 5147 resemble fibroblasts. Analysis of a series of hybrid clones revealed some clones that express both the H-2K- and H-2D-coded antigenic specificities of both parental alleles, some that express H-2D gene products strongly and the H-2K gene products very weakly, and some that express H-2D- but not H-2K-coded molecules. These results imply independent regulation of expression of the H-2K and -2D genes. The H-2D gene products appear to be preferentially expressed if the hybrid cells are capable of expressing H-2. The results suggest complex regulatory mechanisms that are H-2K and H-2D specific.

Anti-viral activity induced by culturing lymphocytes with tumor-derived or virus-transformed cells. Identification of the anti-viral activity as interferon and characterization of the human effector lymphocyte subpopulation.

A viral inhibitor(s) is released in the supernate of mixed cultures containing human or mouse lymphocytes and cells from certain lines. The inhibitor is active against a variety of unrelated viruses and is a protein that is not toxic for cells. It does not inactivate viruses directly, but inhibits viral replication through an intracellular mechanism that involves synthesis by the cells of both RNA and protein. These characteristics identify the inhibitor as an interferon. The anti-viral activity is contained in at least two molecular species, of approximately 25,000 and 45,000 daltons, respectively. In addition to the anti-viral activity, the supernates of the mixed cultures display an anti-cellular activity, the inhibition of DNA synthesis and of cell multiplication. The anti-viral and the anti-cellular activities are positively correlated in supernates from various cultures and in partially purified preparations. The human cell population responsible for interferon production is composed mainly of Fc-receptor positive, surface immunoglobulin negative, non-T-cell lymphocytes. The ability of certain cell lines to induce interferon seems to be preferentially associated with tumor origin or with in vitro transformation by certain viruses (Epstein-Barr virus, murine sarcoma virus).

Cytotoxic T-cell responses in mice infected with influenza and vaccinia viruses vary in magnitude with H-2 genotype.

Secondary effector T-cell populations generated by cross-priming with heterologous influenza A viruses operate only in H-2K or H-2D compatible situations, when assayed on SV40-transformed target cells infected with a range of influenza A viruses. The H2-Kb allele is associated with a total failure in the generation of influenza-immune cytotoxic T cells, though this is not seen for the primary response to vaccinia virus. In both influenza and vaccinia development of effector T cells operating at H-2Db is greatly depressed in B10.A(2R) (kkkddb) and B10.A(4R) (kkbbbb), but not in B10 (bbbbbb), mice. However, there is no defect in viral antigen expression at either H-2Kk or H-2Db in B10.A(2R) target cells. This apparently reflects some inadequacy in the stimulator environment, as (A/J X B6) F1 T cells can be induced to respond at H-2Db when exposed to vaccinia virus in an irradiated B6 but not in a B10.A(4R) recipient. The present report, together with the accompanying paper by Zinkernagel and colleagues, records the first rigorous demonstration of both a nonresponder situation and a probable Ir-gene effect for conventional infectious viruses. Possible implications for the evolution of H-2 polymorphism and mechanisms of Ir gene function are discussed.

Simian virus 40 (SV40)-transgenic mice that develop tumors are specifically tolerant to SV40 T antigen.

The ability to mount an immune response to simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen was evaluated using mice from two distinct SV40 transgenic lines derived from injection of the same gene construct. Our studies demonstrate functional immune tolerance to SV40 T antigen in a SV40 transgenic line that consistently develops tumors of the choroid plexus by 7 mo of age. Antibodies to SV40 T antigen are undetectable in the serum of these animals; furthermore, mice from this line are unable to generate SV40-specific CTL after primary or secondary immunization with the virus, although they mount a normal CTL response to vaccinia virus when appropriately immunized. In contrast, we find that mice from a second transgenic line of low tumor incidence can mount a humoral response to SV40 T antigen, and upon immunization they generally respond with a vigorous cytotoxic T cell response to SV40 T antigen. These data suggest that specific immune tolerance to the product of an integrated viral oncogene may be induced, and is likely a reflection of the time in development at which the gene product first appears. Immune tolerance or responsiveness to the endogenous oncogene product may in turn play a role in the tumorigenic potential of such genes.

Complement-mediated antiserum cytotoxic reactions to human chromosome 7 coded antigen(s): immunoselection of rearranged human chromosome 7 in human-mouse somatic cell hybrids.

Immunoselection via complement-dependent lysis of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids containing chromosome 7, with antisera reactive to cell surface antigen(s) coded for by chromosome 7, has resulted in growth of somatic cell hybrids containing rearranged human chromosome 7s. Investigation of these hybrids has localized the gene(s) coding for the relevant cell surface antigen(s) to the short arm of human chromosome 7. The simian virus 40 integration site and the gene coding for human beta-glucuronidase appear to be localized to the long arm of chromosome 7 in this hybrid clone.

The use of flow microbluorimetry in the analysis of the phenotype expression of mouse histocompatibility antigens.

Quantitation of the expression of cell surface antigens has hitherto been limited to analysis by either cytotoxicity tests or radioimmune assays (5, 15). We report here the use of a new methodology to analyze and quantitate the expression of mouse histocompabililty antigens (H-2 locus) in hybrid clones and parental cell types. The binding of fluorescein-tagged antibody is measured on a cell-to-cell basis in large viable cell populations using flow microfluorimetric techniques. These techniques have been used to measure hapten and immunoglobulin binding to lymphocyte populations (8, 9, 14). However, this is the first report in which these techniques have been used to examine the expression of the H-2 locus. The advantage of this approach is twofold: first, a large and statistically significant sample population may be analyzed one cell at a time, thus revealing the fine detail of heterogeneity in the expression of the cell surface markers within a population. Second, as has been demonstrated for analysis of specific components of the immune system, this method does permit fluorescence-activated sorting of cell types according to their different surface populations (8, 9, 14).

Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines secrete the major plasma proteins and hepatitis B surface antigen.

Analysis of the cell culture fluid from two new human hepatoma-derived cell lines reveals that 17 of the major human plasma proteins are synthesized and secreted by these cells. One of these cell lines, Hep 3B, also produces the two major polypeptides of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen. When Hep 3B in injected into athymic mice, metastatic hepatocellular carcinomas appear. These cell lines provide experimental models for investigation of plasma protein biosynthesis and the relation of the hepatitis B viru genome to tumorigenicity.

Biosynthesis and processing of a human precursor complement protein, pro-C3, in a hepatoma-derived cell line.

A 180,000-dalton single-chain molecule (human pro-C3) is the precursor of the third component of human complement (C3), a disulfide-linked two-chain protein. The pro-C3 is converted by limited proteolysis to C3. The relationship between pro-C3 and C3 was established with the use of Hep G2, a cell line derived from a human hepatocellular carcinoma, which synthesizes at least 17 plasma proteins.

Metastatic hibernomas in transgenic mice expressing an alpha-amylase-SV40 T antigen hybrid gene.

Mice transgenic for a hybrid gene containing the liver promoter of the mouse amylase gene (Amy-1a) fused to the SV40 tumor antigen coding region unexpected developed malignant brown adipose tissue tumors (malignant hibernomas). Expression of the alpha-amylase gene had previously been thought to be confined to the liver parotid, and pancreas; however, analysis of white and brown adipose tissue from nontransgenic mice revealed expression of the endogenous Amy-1a gene in these tissues. Gene constructs driven by the Amy-1a liver promoter thus provide a means of targeting gene expression to the adipocyte cell lineage in transgenic mice. Moreover the high frequency of metastases in the liver, lungs, spleen, heart, and adrenals of these mice provides an experimental system in which to study the development of disseminated malignancy.

Complement biosynthesis by the human hepatoma-derived cell line HepG2.

The human hepatoma-derived cell line, HepG2, synthesized and secreted functional complement proteins C1r, C1s, C2, C3, C4, C5, factor B, C1 inhibitor, C3b inactivator, a small amount of C6, and trace amounts of C8; but failed to produce detectable C1q, C7, or C9. Immunochemically, C2, C3, C4, C5, and B were isolated from culture medium as proteins with molecular sizes and subunit structures identical to the corresponding components isolated from serum. C2 and factor B from cellular lysates had slightly lower molecular weights than the corresponding proteins in culture medium. C3, C4, and C5 were detected as single chain precursor molecules in cellular lysates. These results demonstrate that human C5, like C3 and C4, is synthesized as a single chain precursor that is converted by limited proteolysis to the native two-chain molecule. It also establishes the precursor-product relationship for human pro-C4 and native C4, pro-C5, and native C5.

Biosynthesis and glycosylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in human tumor-derived cell lines A431 and Hep 3B.

Biosynthesis of the receptor for epidermal growth factor was investigated in two human tumor-derived cell lines, Hep 3B and A431. When grown in the presence of tunicamycin, both cells expressed a receptor-related species p135, the presumptive aglycosylated form of the biosynthetic precursor, gp145, of the mature form of the receptor, gp165, expressed at the cell surface. Two additional receptor-related species, p115 and p70, were detected when A431, but not Hep 3B, cells were treated with tunicamycin. Furthermore, digestion of the A431 receptor-related proteins with endoglycosidase F resulted in the detection of these three aglycosylated species. P70 appears to be the aglycosylated form of gp95, the presumptive intracellular precursor of the receptor-related species gp120 that is secreted by A431 but not Hep 3B cells; gp120 has a complex pattern of N-linked glycosylation, with consequent molecular weight and charge heterogeneity. P115 may be the aglycosylated form of a third biosynthetic intermediate, possibly a gp135 species detected in the early time points of pulse-chase labeling. Alternatively, p115 and gp135 may be derived co- or post-translationally by Ca2+-mediated proteolysis from p135 and gp145, respectively. The implications of the complexity of the biosynthesis of this molecule with regard to the multiple opportunities it affords the cell to modulate cell proliferation are discussed.

Expression and biosynthetic variation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived cell lines.

Expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) was analyzed in six human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived and one human hepatoblastoma-derived cell line, each of which retained the differentiated phenotype and functions of the parenchymal hepatocyte. The level of receptor expression of each hepatoma cell line was similar to that of the normal human fibroblast, approximately 10(5) molecules per cell. However, NPLC/PRF/5, a subline of the PLC/PRF/5 cell line obtained following reestablishment of a xenograft tumor in vitro, was found to express 4 x 10(6) high-affinity EGF receptor molecules per cell. Proliferation of the NPLC/PRF/5 cell line was inhibited in the presence of nanomolar quantities of ligand. Receptor overexpression was found to result from EGF receptor gene amplification without apparent rearrangement of the EGF receptor coding sequences. Although cell-specific variability in posttranslational processing of EGF receptor N-linked oligosaccharides in the hepatoma cell lines was found, no difference between the receptors in PLC/PRF/5 and NPLC/PRF/5 was observed and no aberrant receptor-related species were detected. EGF receptor gene amplification in the NPLC/PRF/5 cell line is probably a reflection of genome instability and selection of variants with augmented growth potential in limiting concentrations of EGF in vivo. When viewed in this light, EGF receptor overexpression could represent a manifestation of tumor progression in the EGF-responsive hepatocyte.

Tumorigenicity of intraspecific somatic cell hybrids in nude mice.

Intraspecific somatic cell hybrids between normal mouse peripheral blood lymphocytes and a highly tumorigenic L-cell line (C1-1D) produced tumors in nude mice. While the hybrid cells were tumorigenic, the length of time necessary for tumor appearance and the size of the tumor varied. Correlation between the growth rate of the parenteral and hybrid cells in vitro or their plating efficiency in methyl cellulose with the rapidly of tumor growth in vivo was not found.

Sequential loss of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to simian virus 40 large T antigen epitopes in T antigen transgenic mice developing osteosarcomas.

The role of CTL tolerance in tumor immunity to SV40 large T antigen (T ag)-induced tumors was studied using T ag transgenic mice of the line 501 (H2b). 501 mice express SV40 T ag under the influence of the alpha-amylase promoter, which leads to the development of osteogenic osteosarcomas late in life and eventual death between 12 and 17 months of age. We determined the ability of 501 mice to respond to the four H2b-restricted T ag CTL epitopes, which include epitope I (T ag 206-215), epitope II/III (T ag 223-231), the immunorecessive epitope V (T ag 489-497), restricted by H2-Db, and epitope IV (T ag 404-411), restricted by H2-Kb. We demonstrate that 501 mice are partially tolerant to the H2b-restricted T ag epitopes. Immunization of 4-month-old 501 mice with T ag-transformed syngeneic cell lines or a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing full-length T ag elicited CTL responses against the H2-Kb-restricted T ag epitope IV only. In contrast, immunization of 4-month-old 501 mice with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing individual T ag epitopes as minigenes elicited CTLs against epitopes I, IV, and V, but not against epitope II/III. Complete tolerance to epitopes I, IV, and V developed in 501 mice, but the age when tolerance was detected varied for each epitope. Tolerance to epitope I occurred by 6 months of age and was accelerated in the absence of CD4+ T cells. Tolerance to the immunorecessive epitope V was observed in 12-month-old 501 mice but was independent of the presence of osteosarcomas. In contrast, CTLs specific for epitope IV were detected in mice from 3 to 14 months of age but not in mice that had developed osteosarcomas. Analysis of epitope IV-specific CD8+ cells derived from 3-month-old 501 mice with H2-Kb/epitope IV tetramers revealed decreased numbers of epitope IV-specific CD8+ cells in 501 mice relative to C57BL/6 mice, with a further decrease in older 501 mice. Tumor progression resulted in loss of H2-Kb/epitope IV tetramer staining CD8+ cells. Thus, progression to tolerance to individual T ag CTL epitopes in 501 mice is epitope dependent.

Immunohistochemical localization of the mouse stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 in human tissues and tumors.

Normal human tissues and various human tumors were surveyed by immunohistochemical techniques for expression of the stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA-1). The antibody reacted with many normal and neoplastic human tissues. In most instances, equivalent human and mouse tissues expressed SSEA-1; however, different tissue localization patterns were sometimes seen between these two species. Most SSEA-1-positive tumors originate from tissues that normally expressed this antigen; however, some breast and ovarian tumors are SSEA-1 positive, and these organs are SSEA-1 negative. SSEA-1-positive tumors were composed of both immunoreactive and nonreactive tumor cells. These data show that SSEA-1, initially defined as a mouse embryonic antigen, represents a heterogenetic antigen present in many normal human tissues. It is retained on many but not all neoplastic cells originating in these normal tissues and also appears on the surface of some tumor cells developing in SSEA-1-negative tissues.

Chromosome abnormalities in peripheral blood cells of hepatitis B virus chronic carriers.

Cytogenetic analysis of metaphase chromosome spreads from peripheral blood cells of hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic carriers and HBV-negative individuals of the same ethnic origin revealed a significantly higher incidence of chromosome breaks and other mitotic aberrations in the HBV chronic carriers. The highest incidence of chromosome breaks was found in chronic carriers who evidenced circulating HBV. Such an association between HBV and these genetic lesions assumes importance in light of the known correlation between HBV chronic carrier status and the high risk of hepatocellular carcinogenesis, where a mutagenic effect of HBV cannot be excluded.

Differential expression of the zinc finger gene TCF17 in testicular tumors.

TCF17, the human homologue of the rat zinc finger gene Kid1, is highly expressed in neurons derived from the retinoic acid-treated human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell line, NTERA-2. This differentiation-related up-regulation of TCF17 prompted us to investigate its expression during human spermatogenesis and in human testicular germ cell tumors considered to be precursors of EC. Expression of TCF17 increases as spermatogonia differentiate into spermatocytes, indicating that this gene is developmentally regulated during spermatogenesis. TCF17 mRNA levels are high in carcinoma in situ and in seminoma, a tumor derived from carcinoma in situ but still of low-grade malignancy. However, TCF17 expression is decreased in highly malignant EC. The differential regulation of TCF17 during neoplastic germ cell differentiation may be of predictive value in germ cell tumor diagnosis.

Expression of a carbohydrate differentiation antigen, stage-specific embryonic antigen 1, in human colonic adenocarcinoma.

The expression of the carbohydrate structure defined by monoclonal antibody to murine stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA-1) was examined, using immunofluorescence, in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of normal fetal and adult human colon and human colonic adenocarcinoma. SSEA-1 was expressed in all human colonic adenocarcinoma tissues examined, although in some cases the staining was heterogeneous. In normal human colonic mucosa, under the conditions used, faint staining was seen in the lower crypts and in only 26% of the crypts examined. When human fetal colon was tested, SSEA-1 was expressed in much larger amounts and in over 50% of all crypts. Transitional mucosa, immediately adjacent to human colonic adenocarcinomas, was also tested, and in this case, increased SSEA-1 expression was seen not only in the lower crypts but also in the upper crypts and surface epithelium. These results show that the increased expression of SSEA-1 in human colonic adenocarcinoma is an oncodevelopmental marker for this cancer. In addition, the results suggest that increased expression of SSEA-1 may be a preneoplastic change in human colon.

Epigenetic Control of Early Mouse Development.

Although the genes sequentially transcribed in the mammalian embryo prior to implantation have been identified, understanding of the molecular processes ensuring this transcription is still in development. The genomes of the sperm and egg are hypermethylated, hence transcriptionally silent. Their union, in the prepared environment of the egg, initiates their epigenetic genomic reprogramming into a totipotent zygote, in which the genome gradually becomes transcriptionally activated. During gametogenesis, sex-specific processes result in sperm and eggs with disparate epigenomes, both of which require drastic reprogramming to establish the totipotent genome of the zygote and the pluripotent inner cell mass of the blastocyst. Herein, we describe the factors, DNA and histone modifications, activation and repression of retrotransposons, and cytoplasmic localizations, known to influence the activation of the mammalian genome at the initiation of new life.

Abnormalities of chromosome 1 and loss of heterozygosity on 1p in primary hepatomas.

Cytogenetic analysis of eight human hepatoma-derived cell lines and one primary hepatocellular carcinoma biopsy revealed multiple chromosome abnormalities; however, only chromosome 1 was consistently affected by rearrangements. Pseudopolysomy 1 as well as chromosome 1 deletions and/or translocations that resulted in loss of the distal 1p region from at least one copy of chromosome 1 were observed in all but one of the cell lines analysed. Molecular analyses of tumor-derived and normal genomic DNA from six cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and from two of hepatoblastoma, using a panel of chromosome 1p-specific DNA probes indicated allelic loss in the distal 1p region in five of the six hepatocellular carcinomas but not in either hepatoblastoma. These results suggest the location of a gene in the distal 1p region whose functional loss may be involved in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.