Phagocytosis of antigens by Langerhans cells in vitro.

Dendritic cells (DC) isolated from lymphoid tissues are generally thought to be nonphagocytic in culture. It has therefore been unclear how these cells could acquire particulate antigens such as microorganisms for initiation of primary immune responses. Lymphoid DC derive in part from cells that have migrated from nonlymphoid tissues, such as Langerhans cells (LC) of skin. The ability of LC to internalize a variety of particles was studied by electron, ultraviolet, phase, and differential interference contrast microscopy, and by two-color flow cytometry. Freshly isolated LC in epidermal cell suspensions phagocytosed the yeast cell wall derivative zymosan, intact Saccharomyces cerevisiae, representatives of two genera of Gram-positive bacteria, Corynebacterium parvum and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as 0.5-3.5-microns latex microspheres. During maturation in culture, the phagocytic activity of these cells was markedly reduced. Likewise, freshly isolated splenic DC were more phagocytic than cultured DC for two types of particle examined, zymosan and latex beads. Unlike macrophages, LC did not bind or internalize sheep erythrocytes before or after opsonization with immunoglobulin G or complement, and did not internalize colloidal carbon. The receptors mediating zymosan uptake by LC were examined. For this particle, C57BL/6 LC were considerably more phagocytic than BALB/c LC and exhibited a reproducible increase in phagocytic activity after 6 h of culture followed by a decline, whereas this initial rise did not occur for BALB/c LC. These differential kinetics of uptake were reflected in the pattern of zymosan binding at 4 degrees C, and endocytosis of the soluble tracer fluorescein isothiocyanate-mannose-bovine serum albumin at 37 degrees C. Zymosan uptake by LC from both strains of mice was inhibited in the presence of mannan or beta-glucan, although to different extents, but not by antibodies specific for CR3 (CD11b/CD18). These data indicate that zymosan uptake by LC can be mediated by a mannose/beta-glucan receptor(s) that is differentially expressed in the two strains of mice and that is downregulated during maturation of LC in culture.

Surface properties of bacillus Calmette-Guérin-activated mouse macrophages. Reduced expression of mannose-specific endocytosis, Fc receptors, and antigen F4/80 accompanies induction of Ia.

Infection of the mouse peritoneal cavity by bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) markedly alters the surface properties of the macrophages induced, compared with cells obtained from uninfected control animals or after injection of thioglycollate broth. Quantitative binding assays with radiolabeled ligands or antibodies showed that BCG-activated peritoneal macrophages (BCG-PM) expressed one-fourth or less receptor activity for mannose-terminal glycoconjugates as well as reduced levels of Fc receptors and of antigen F4/80 compared with nonactivated macrophages. Endocytosis mediated by mannose-specific receptors was reduced in parallel. In contrast, surface Ia antigen was increased threefold in the same adherent cell population. Radioautographic analysis confirmed that greater than 80% of adherent cells still expressed low levels of the macrophage-specific mannosyl receptor and antigen F4/80, and that I antigens had been induced on 64% of macrophages rather than on other cells. Control experiments established that only the BCG-PM macrophages released H2O2 after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate, whereas both BCG-PM and thioglycollate-induced macrophages produced superoxide anion and plasminogen activator. The BCG-PM were viable, secreted normal levels of lysozyme, and displayed a stable phenotype after cultivation for 60 h. Inhibitors of oxygen products, prostaglandins, and proteases did not alter reduced endocytosis by BCG-PM. These studies indicated that expression of macrophage surface markers is reversed by BCG-activation, and that their known enhanced ability to lyse target cells extracellularly is associated with decreased endocytosis via specific receptors. Whether these changes are a result of an altered cell population or of modulation of selective surface properties is not known.

Mannose receptor and its putative ligands in normal murine lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs: In situ expression of mannose receptor by selected macrophages, endothelial cells, perivascular microglia, and mesangial cells, but not dendritic cells.

The mannose receptor (MR) has established roles in macrophage (Mphi) phagocytosis of microorganisms and endocytic clearance of host-derived glycoproteins, and has recently been implicated in antigen capture by dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. MR is the founder member of a family of homologous proteins, and its recognition properties differ according to its tissue of origin. Given this heterogeneity and our recent discovery of a soluble form of MR in mouse serum, we studied the sites of synthesis of MR mRNA and expression of MR protein in normal mouse tissues. We demonstrate that synthesis and expression occur at identical sites, and that mature Mphi and endothelium are heterogeneous with respect to MR expression, additionally describing MR on perivascular microglia and glomerular mesangial cells. However, MR was not detected on DCs in situ, or on marginal zone or subcapsular sinus Mphi, both of which have MR-like binding activities. We also compared expression of MR to the binding of a recombinant probe containing the cysteine-rich domain of MR. We show that MR and its putative ligand(s) are expressed at nonoverlapping sites within lymphoid organs, consistent with a transfer function for soluble MR. Therefore, in addition to endocytic and phagocytic roles, MR may play an important role in antigen recognition and transport within lymphoid organs.

Receptor-mediated entry of beta-glucuronidase into the parasitophorous vacuoles of macrophages infected with Leishmania mexicana amazonensis.

125I-labeled rat preputial gland beta-glucuronidase was shown by light and electron microscopic radioautography to accumulate within the parasitophorous vacuoles of in vitro derived bone marrow macrophages infected with Leishmania mexicana amazonensis. beta-glucuronidase uptake was mediated by the mannose receptor, since the penetration of the ligand was inhibited by mannan. Uptake was detected as soon as 4 h after incubation of infected cells with the ligand, and increased at 24 and 48 h. The label persisted in the vacuoles for at least 24 h after a 24-h pulse with the ligand, a finding compatible with the relatively long half-life of labeled beta-glucuronidase in normal macrophages. Parasitophorous vacuoles were also labeled in macrophages exposed to the ligand only before infection, indicating that secondary lysosomes containing the ligand fused with the parasitophorous vacuoles. Another mannosylated ligand, mannose-BSA, which, in contrast to beta-glucuronidase, is rapidly degraded in macrophage lysosomes, did not detectably accumulate in the vacuoles. The results support and extend information previously obtained with electron opaque tracers that emphasizes the phagolysosomal nature of Leishmania parasitophorous vacuoles. In addition, the results suggest that appropriate mannosylated molecules may be used as carriers for targeting of leishmanicidal drugs to the parasitophorous vacuoles of infected macrophages.

Ras-activated endocytosis is mediated by the Rab5 guanine nucleotide exchange activity of RIN1.

RIN1 was originally identified by its ability to inhibit activated Ras and likely participates in multiple signaling pathways because it binds c-ABL and 14-3-3 proteins, in addition to Ras. RIN1 also contains a region homologous to the catalytic domain of Vps9p-like Rab guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Here, we show that this region is necessary and sufficient for RIN1 interaction with the GDP-bound Rabs, Vps21p, and Rab5A. RIN1 is also shown to stimulate Rab5 guanine nucleotide exchange, Rab5A-dependent endosome fusion, and EGF receptor-mediated endocytosis. The stimulatory effect of RIN1 on all three of these processes is potentiated by activated Ras. We conclude that Ras-activated endocytosis is facilitated, in part, by the ability of Ras to directly regulate the Rab5 nucleotide exchange activity of RIN1.

Membrane trafficking along the phagocytic pathway.

Phagosome maturation involves extensive remodelling of the phagosomal membrane as a result of intracellular transport events. Newly formed phagosomes exchange membrane-associated and soluble proteins with early endosomes by fusion. Budding of vesicles from the phagosome and fusion with Golgi-derived vesicles may also contribute to the remodelling of the phagosomal compartment. As a consequence of changes in membrane composition, phagosomes acquire the ability to fuse with late endocytic compartments. In vitro reconstitution and other studies suggest that the trafficking events underlying phagosome maturation require several GTP-binding proteins, including Rab5 and Galphas', NSF-SNAP-SNARE complexes and coatomers.

Sequential actions of Rab5 and Rab7 regulate endocytosis in the Xenopus oocyte.

To explore the role of GTPases in endocytosis, we developed an assay using Xenopus oocytes injected with recombinant proteins to follow the uptake of the fluid phase marker HRP. HRP uptake was inhibited in cells injected with GTPgammaS or incubated with aluminum fluoride, suggesting a general role for GTPases in endocytosis. Injection of Rab5 into oocytes, as well as Rab5:Q79L, a mutant with decreased GTPase activity, increased HRP uptake. Injection of Rab5:S34N, the dominant-negative mutant, inhibited HRP uptake. Injection of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) stimulated HRP uptake, and ATPase-defective NSF mutants inhibited HRP uptake when coinjected with Rab5:Q79L, confirming a requirement for NSF in endocytosis. Surprisingly, injection of Rab7:WT stimulated both uptake and degradation/activation of HRP. The latter appears to be due to enhanced transport to a late endosomal/prelysosomal degradative compartment that is monensin sensitive. Enhancement of uptake by Rab7 appears to function via an Rab5-sensitive pathway in oocytes since the stimulatory effect of Rab7 was blocked by coinjection of Rab5:S34N. Stimulation of uptake by Rab5 was blocked by Rab5:S34N but not by Rab7:T22N. Our results suggest that Rab7, while functioning downstream of Rab5, may be rate limiting for endocytosis in oocytes.

ARF6 targets recycling vesicles to the plasma membrane: insights from an ultrastructural investigation.

We have shown previously that the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF)-6 GTPase localizes to the plasma membrane and intracellular endosomal compartments. Expression of ARF6 mutants perturbs endosomal trafficking and the morphology of the peripheral membrane system. However, another study on the distribution of ARF6 in subcellular fractions of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells suggested that ARF6 did not localize to endosomes labeled after 10 min of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) uptake, but instead was uniquely localized to the plasma membrane, and that its reported endosomal localization may have been a result of overexpression. Here we demonstrate that at the lowest detectable levels of protein expression by cryoimmunogold electron microscopy, ARF6 localized predominantly to an intracellular compartment at the pericentriolar region of the cell. The ARF6-labeled vesicles were partially accessible to HRP only on prolonged exposure to the endocytic tracer but did not localize to early endocytic structures that labeled with HRP shortly after uptake. Furthermore, we have shown that the ARF6-containing intracellular compartment partially colocalized with transferrin receptors and cellubrevin and morphologically resembled the recycling endocytic compartment previously described in CHO cells. HRP labeling in cells expressing ARF6(Q67L), a GTP-bound mutant of ARF6, was restricted to small peripheral vesicles, whereas the mutant protein was enriched on plasma membrane invaginations. On the other hand, expression of ARF6(T27N), a mutant of ARF6 defective in GDP binding, resulted in an accumulation of perinuclear ARF6-positive vesicles that partially colocalized with HRP on prolonged exposure to the tracer. Taken together, our findings suggest that ARF activation is required for the targeted delivery of ARF6-positive, recycling endosomal vesicles to the plasma membrane.

Epidermal growth factor and membrane trafficking. EGF receptor activation of endocytosis requires Rab5a.

Activated epidermal growth factor receptors recruit various intracellular proteins leading to signal generation and endocytic trafficking. Although activated receptors are rapidly internalized into the endocytic compartment and subsequently degraded in lysosomes, the linkage between signaling and endocytosis is not well understood. Here we show that EGF stimulation of NR6 cells induces a specific, rapid and transient activation of Rab5a. EGF also enhanced translocation of the Rab5 effector, early endosomal autoantigen 1 (EEA1), from cytosol to membrane. The activation of endocytosis, fluid phase and receptor mediated, by EGF was enhanced by Rab5a expression, but not by Rab5b, Rab5c, or Rab5a truncated at the NH(2) and/or COOH terminus. Dominant negative Rab5a (Rab5:N34) blocked EGF-stimulated receptor-mediated and fluid-phase endocytosis. EGF activation of Rab5a function was dependent on tyrosine residues in the COOH-terminal domain of the EGF receptor (EGFR). Removal of the entire COOH terminus by truncation (c'973 and c'991) abrogated ligand-induced Rab5a activation of endocytosis. A "kinase-dead" EGFR failed to stimulate Rab5a function. However, another EGF receptor mutant (c'1000), with the kinase domain intact and a single autophosphorylation site effectively signaled Rab5 activation. These results indicate that EGFR and Rab5a are linked via a cascade that results in the activation of Rab5a and that appears essential for internalization. The results point to an interdependent relationship between receptor activation, signal generation and endocytosis.

Regulatory role for GTP-binding proteins in endocytosis.

Guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins have been implicated in the transport of newly synthesized proteins along the secretory pathway of yeast and mammalian cells. Early vesicle fusion events that follow receptor-mediated endocytosis as measured by three in vitro assays were blocked by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) and aluminum fluoride. The effect was specific for guanosine nucleotides and depended on the presence of cytosolic factors. Thus, GTP-binding proteins may also have a role in the transport of molecules along the endocytic pathway.

A regulatory role for ARF6 in receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6), ARF6 mutants, and ARF1 were transiently expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and the effects on receptor-mediated endocytosis were assessed. Overexpressed ARF6 localized to the cell periphery and led to a redistribution of transferrin receptors to the cell surface and a decrease in the rate of uptake of transferrin. Similar results were obtained when a mutant defective in guanosine triphosphate hydrolysis was expressed. Expression of a dominant negative mutant, ARF6(T27N), resulted in an intracellular distribution of transferrin receptors and an inhibition of transferrin recycling to the cell surface. In contrast, overexpression of ARF1 had little or no effect on these parameters of endocytosis.

Evidence of a role for heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins in endosome fusion.

Guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins are required for intracellular vesicular transport. Mastoparan is a peptide component of wasp venom that increases nucleotide exchange in some classes of G alpha subunits of regulatory heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins). Mastoparan and other compounds that increase nucleotide exchange by G proteins inhibited endosome fusion in vitro and reversed the effects of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-gamma-S), a nonhydrolyzable GTP analog. Addition of beta gamma subunits of G proteins to the fusion assay antagonized the stimulatory effect of GTP-gamma-S, confirming the participation of G proteins. These results indicate that GTP-binding proteins are required for endosome fusion and in particular that a G protein is involved. Given the function of G proteins in signal transduction, these findings may provide insight into the mechanism by which endosomal vesicles become competent for fusion after their formation at the cell surface.

Alterations in the protein composition of maturing phagosomes.

We investigated the protein composition of J774-E clone macrophage phagosomes isolated at different stages of phagolysosome biogenesis. Phagosomes formed by internalizing antibody-coated Staphylococcus aureus for 3 min followed by chase for 0, 4, 9, or 15 min were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. Enrichment and purity of the phagosome preparations were quantitated by radiolabeled ligand recovery, enzyme markers, and electron microscopy. One-dimensional SDS-PAGE analyses of the isolated phagosomes revealed virtually identical protein compositions. However, Western blot analyses with antibodies directed against selected proteins of known itineraries along the endocytic pathway demonstrated distinct differences in phagosome protein compositions. Accumulating within the maturing phagosome were the 31-kD subunit of the vacuolar proton pump, cathepsin D,beta-glucuronidase, the cation dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, and LAMP-1. Decreasing within the maturing phagosome were the FcII receptor, the mannose receptor, and alpha-adaptin. These results indicate that although the macrophage phagosome's total protein composition changes little during phagolysosome formation, the maturing phagosome both receives and eliminates, possibly by protein recycling, specific membrane and sequestered proteins.

A mannose receptor mediates mannosyl-rich glycoprotein-induced mitogenesis in bovine airway smooth muscle cells.

The putative mannose receptor (MR), previously implicated in mannosyl-rich glycoprotein-induced mitogenesis in bovine airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells, was studied to determine its properties. Specific binding of the mitogenic neoglycoprotein, mannosylated bovine serum albumin (Man-BSA) to ASM cells was saturable, with an apparent Kd = 5.0 x 10(-8) M. Cell-bound ManBSA-colloidal gold conjugate was localized by electron microscopy to clathrin-coated pits on the cell surface, and was found to undergo internalization to endosomes; this was inhibitable by weak bases and swainsonine, that also inhibited ligand-induced mitogenesis. The ASM-MR, isolated by mannose-affinity chromatography, had the same apparent molecular mass as the macrophage (Mø) MR (M(r) = 175 kD), and was immunoprecipitated by an anti-MøMR immune serum. This antiserum blocked 125I-labeled-ManBSA binding to intact ASM cells, stimulated mitogenesis, and immunolocalized the ASM-MR in cytoplasmic vesicles compatible with endosomes. A monoclonal antibody directed against the MøMR also reacted with the ASM-MR; like the polyclonal antibodies, it stimulated mitogenesis as effectively as beta-hexosaminidases. These data indicate that the ASM-MR shares a number of functional and structural properties with the MøMR and suggest that similar receptors may have different main functions in different cells.

The mannose receptor and other macrophage lectins.

The macrophage expresses a variety of cell surface lectins with activities that support specific functional roles and correspond to various differentiation states characteristic of this cell type. Recently, research has been carried out to investigate the mannose receptor, the advanced glycosylation end products receptor, the mannose-6-phosphate-receptor, the beta-glucan receptor, sialoadhesin and several galactose-specific binding proteins.

The mannose receptor is a pattern recognition receptor involved in host defense.

The mannose receptor recognizes the patterns of carbohydrates that decorate the surfaces and cell walls of infectious agents. This macrophage and dendritic cell pattern-recognition receptor mediates endocytosis and phagocytosis. The mannose receptor is the prototype of a new family of multilectin receptor proteins (membrane-spanning receptors containing eight-ten lectin-like domains, which appear to play a key role in host defense) and provides a link between innate and adaptive immunity. Recent advances include the identification of three new members of the mannose receptor family, additional work on defining the molecular requirements for sugar binding, a role for the mannose receptor in antigen presentation of lipoglycan antigens and evidence that the mannose receptor is associated with a signal transduction pathway leading to cytokine production.

Receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and trafficking--paradigms revisited.

The recognition of growth factors and other cell signaling agents by their cognate cell surface receptors triggers a cascade of signal transducing events. Ligand binding and subsequent activation of many signal transducing receptors increases their rate of internalization. Endocytosis of the receptor has always been viewed as primarily a mechanism for signal attenuation and receptor degradation, but recent evidence suggests that internalization may result in the formation of specialized signaling platforms on intracellular vesicles. Thus, understanding how interactions between receptors and intracellular signaling molecules, such as adaptors, GTPases, and kinases, are regulated will undoubtedly provide insight into the ways that cells sense and adapt to the extracellular milieu.

Generation of macrophage variants with 5-azacytidine: selection for mannose receptor expression.

Mannose receptors are expressed only in primary macrophages. Established macrophage-derived cell lines, although apparently possessing the potential to synthesize mannose receptors, do not express them on their plasma membranes. Using the drug 5-Azacytidine, mannose receptor expression was induced in the macrophage-derived mouse cell line J774. Receptor positive cells were sorted through a fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) prior to cloning. Clones were isolated which continuously express mannose receptors in culture. These macrophages were able to endocytose beta-glucuronidase and phagocytose yeast particles via mannose receptors. Secretion of the lysosomal enzyme beta-hexosaminidase was also reduced in proportion to the degree of mannose receptor expression.

Immunolocalization of endosomal cathepsin D in rabbit alveolar macrophages.

Intravacuolar proteolysis appears to be an important component of antigen presentation, the activation of peptide hormones, and the conversion of biologically important mediators from inactive precursors. Cathepsin D has been identified in the endosomes of rabbit alveolar macrophages by biochemical analyses [Diment and Stahl, J. Biol. Chem. 260,15311, 1985; Diment et al., J. Biol. Chem. 263,6901, 1988]. Using affinity-purified goat antirabbit cathepsin D IgG, we have localized cathepsin D to the endosomes of rabbit alveolar macrophages. Immunofluorescent staining of frozen sections showed labeling in lysosomes and small vesicles in the periphery of the cell. Label was not seen on the plasma membrane. With immunoperoxidase labeling at the electron microscopic level on cells containing endocytosed mannose-BSA gold, we saw labeling in endosomes and classical lysosomes. When the results were quantitated using immunogold labeling of thin cryosections, we found that the majority of cathepsin D (62.2%) was present in lysosomes, 4.0% in large clear vacuoles, a surprisingly high percentage (29.3%) in small vesicles, 4.9% in endosomes, and none on the plasma membrane. We conclude from this study that, in addition to being present in lysosomes, cathepsin D is present in endosomes and in small peripheral vesicles.