CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells exert accessory function in lipopolysaccharide-induced T cell stimulation and CD80 expression on monocytes.

CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells, which circulate in peripheral blood with very low frequency, exert essential accessory function during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human T lymphocyte activation, resulting in interferon gamma production and proliferation. In contrast, stimulation of T cells by "conventional" recall antigens is not controlled by blood stem cells. These conclusions are based on the observation that depletion of CD34(+) blood stem cells results in a loss of LPS-induced T cell stimulation as well as reduced expression of CD80 antigen on monocytes. The addition of CD34-enriched blood stem cells resulted in a recovery of reactivity of T cells and monocytes to LPS. Blood stem cells could be replaced by the hematopoietic stem cell line KG-1a. These findings may be of relevance for high risk patients treated with stem cells or stem cell recruiting compounds and for patients suffering from endotoxin-mediated diseases.

Human vascular smooth muscle cells express interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE), but inhibit processing of the interleukin-1beta precursor by ICE.

Local immunoregulatory processes during normal vascular biology or pathogenesis are mediated in part by the production of and response to cytokines by vessel wall cells. Among these cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 is considered to be of major importance. Although vascular smooth muscle (SMC) and endothelial cells (EC) expressed both IL-1alpha and IL-1beta as cell-associated, 33-kilodalton (kD) precursors, SMC neither contained detectable mature IL-1beta, nor processed recombinant IL-1beta precursor into its mature 17-kD form. Thus, we investigated the expression and function of IL-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE) in vascular cells. We demonstrate in processing experiments with recombinant IL-1 precursor molecules that EC processed IL-1beta, in contrast to SMC. Despite the failure of SMC to process IL-1beta, these cells expressed ICE mRNA, immunoreactive ICE protein, and the expected IL-1beta nucleotide sequence. The lack of processing was explained by our finding that extracts of SMC specifically and concentration dependently blocked processing of IL-1beta precursor by recombinant or native ICE. The initial biochemical characterization of the inhibitory activity showed that it is heat-labile, has a molecular size of 50-100 kD, and is associated to the cell membrane compartment. Inhibition of processing, i.e., activation of IL-1beta precursor by SMC may constitute a novel regulatory mechanism during normal vascular biology or pathogenesis of vascular diseases.

The role of fetal calf serum in the primary immune response in vitro.

The mode of action of 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) on the primary immune response in vitro was investigated. Fetal calf serum (FCS) was preincubated with 2-ME and lyophilized to remove free 2-ME. This 2-ME-treated FCS was able to substitute the function of adherent cells in the primary immune response against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in vitro; Fractionation of 2-tme-treated FCS on a Sephadex G-100 column showed that 2-ME acted on a high molecular serum component which after activation, could substitute for macrophages. In order to obtain a humoral immune response against SRBC in vitro, spleen cells require selected FCS. These "good" sera could be distinguished from "deficient" sera by their higher content of this 2-ME-activated factor. The height of the in vitro immune response to SRBC was dependent on the amount of activated factor added to the culture medium. FCS normally required in the culture medium could be completely replaced by the factor-containing fraction without deleterious effect on the culture medium. The factor should be added to the spleen cells during the first 24 h of culture and remain there for 72 h in order to obtain an optimal immune response. The factor could be partially absorbed by spleen cells but not by SRBC. The relationship between macrophage, 2-ME, and FCS in eliciting an in vitro primary immune response is discussed.

The cell proliferation-associated antigen of antibody Ki-67: a very large, ubiquitous nuclear protein with numerous repeated elements, representing a new kind of cell cycle-maintaining proteins.

The antigen defined by mAb Ki-67 is a human nuclear protein the expression of which is strictly associated with cell proliferation and which is widely used in routine pathology as a "proliferation marker" to measure the growth fraction of cells in human tumors. Ki-67 detects a double band with apparent molecular weights of 395 and 345 kD in immunoblots of proteins from proliferating cells. We cloned and sequenced the full length cDNA, identified two differentially spliced isoforms of mRNA with open reading frames of 9,768 and 8,688 bp encoding for this cell proliferation-associated protein with calculated molecular weights of 358,761 D and 319,508 D, respectively. New mAbs against a bacterially expressed part and a synthetic polypeptide deduced from the isolated cDNA react with the native Ki-67 antigen, thus providing a circle of evidence that we have cloned the authentic Ki-67 antigen cDNA. The central part of the Ki-67 antigen cDNA contains a large 6,845-bp exon with 16 tandemly repeated 366-bp elements, the "Ki-67 repeats", each including a highly conserved new motif of 66 bp, the "Ki-67 motif", which encodes for the epitope detected by Ki-67. Computer analysis of the nucleic acid and the deduced amino acid sequence of the Ki-67 antigen confirmed that the cDNA encodes for a nuclear and short-lived protein without any significant homology to known sequences. Ki-67 antigen-specific antisense oligonucleotides inhibit the proliferation of IM-9 cell line cells, indicating that the Ki-67 antigen may be an absolute requirement for maintaining cell proliferation. We conclude that the Ki-67 antigen defines a new category of cell cycle-associated nuclear nonhistone proteins.

Perforin-mediated lysis of tumor cells by Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-activated killer cells.

Immunotherapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is clinically established in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. In our attempt to clarify the underlying immunological mechanism, we could previously show that stimulation of PBMC with BCG leads to the generation of cytotoxic BCG-activated killer (BAK) cells. Among others, these BAK cells as well as lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells have been suggested as possible effector cells during BCG therapy. To understand BCG-induced activation of effector lymphocytes more precisely, we investigated the lytic pathways of human BAK cells and compared BAK cell cytotoxicity with LAK cell cytotoxicity. Perforin and Fas ligand (FasL) are the major cytolytic molecules of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Our results demonstrate that BAK and LAK cells showed an increased expression of perforin and FasL as compared with unstimulated controls. Killing of T-24 bladder tumor as well as Jurkat cells by BAK and LAK cells was predominantly mediated via perforin as demonstrated by a drastically reduced lysis in the presence of concanamycin A and EGTA/MgCl2, respectively. In contrast, lysis (radioactive release assay) and membrane disintegration (Annexin V binding) of both targets by BAK and LAK cells could not be blocked with an inhibitory anti-FasL monoclonal antibody (NOK-1). Nevertheless, T-24 and Jurkat were susceptible to killing by recombinant soluble FasL and by Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing membrane-bound FasL. We conclude that cellular mediators of BCG effector mechanisms, such as BAK and LAK cells, kill their targets via perforin and independent of the FasL pathway. Because we also found increased numbers of perforin-expressing lymphocytes in patients after BCG therapy, our findings have potential clinical relevance because BCG therapy would not be impaired by FasL resistance of target cells, which recently has been described for some tumors.

Fc gamma receptor I (CD64)-negative human monocytes are potent accessory cells in viral antigen-induced T cell activation and exhibit high IFN-alpha-producing capacity.

Blood monocytes represent a heterogeneous cell population with respect to phenotype and function. We have previously described that a minor subset of Fc gamma receptor I-negative (CD64-) monocytes, comprising < 10% of all monocytes, exhibits a significantly higher accessory capacity in allogeneic or purified protein derivative (PPD) of tuberculin-induced T cell activation than the majority of CD64-expressing (CD64+) monocytes. CD64- monocytes were also found to represent the major source of Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-induced interferon (IFN)-alpha within human monocytes. In the present study we demonstrate that CD64- monocytes are also the main producers of IFN-alpha in response to Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or influenza (type A) antigens. The virus-induced IFN-alpha release by monocytes, but mainly that by CD64- monocytes, can be further increased by co-culture with autologous T cells, which alone do not produce significant amounts of IFN-alpha in response to virus. In addition, CD64- and CD64+ monocytes also differ in their accessory capacity in virus-induced T cell responses. CD64- monocytes exposed to influenza antigens induced higher IFN-gamma release and proliferation by the responding autologous T cells than virus-exposed CD64+ monocytes. In virus-stimulated monocyte/T cell co-cultures, CD64- monocytes also induced larger size cell clusters than CD64+ monocytes, indicating direct cell-to-cell interaction with a higher number of T cells, which represent the main component of these clusters.

Heterogeneity of human peripheral blood monocyte subsets.

In recent years the number of reports describing phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets of human blood leukocytes, and in particular of subtypes of antigen-presenting cells has continuously increased. A great diversity was described not only for dendritic cells (DC), but also for human blood monocytes (Mo) and macrophages (Mac). Similar to DC, the different types of Mo subsets could be defined by distinct phenotypes and immunoregulatory functions. The characterization of blood Mo subpopulations revealed that some of them exhibit common features with myeloid or lymphoid DC and tissue Mac, but also demonstrate the existence of novel unique cell populations. The generation of lymphoid and myeloid DC and their heterogeneity has been the subject of recent reviews. Here we focus on Mo from human peripheral blood and summarize the data (including our own) dealing with their phenotypic and functional, in particular immunoregulatory properties.

HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 affects phenotype and function of monocytes in vitro.

We investigated the effect of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) recombinant gp120 (rec.gp120) on phenotype and function of cultured monocytes. Rec.gp120 significantly reduced the accessory function of monocytes to stimulate autologous lymphocytes with anti-CD3, the Fc receptor-mediated chemiluminescence of monocytes, and the expression of CD4 and Fc receptor I/II, while the expression of the monocyte marker CD14 and major histocompatibility complex class I and II was not influenced. According to these phenotypic results, preincubation of monocytes with rec.gp120 depressed anti-CD3 antibody-induced T cell stimulation and Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis as determined by chemiluminescence. Interferon-gamma release of lymphocytes induced by purified protein derivative of tuberculin was enhanced by gp120. These effects of isolated gp120 on monocyte immune functions in vitro might contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of HIV-1 infection in vivo.

The beta-thromboglobulins and platelet factor 4: blood platelet-derived CXC chemokines with divergent roles in early neutrophil regulation.

The recruitment of neutrophil granulocytes to sites of tissue injury is one of the earliest events during host defense. Several chemotactic cytokines belonging to the CXC subfamily of chemokines are thought to be implicated in this kind of response. Especially those CXC chemokines that are stored in blood platelets and become immediately released upon activation are likely to dominate neutrophil-dependent host defense at the onset of inflammation. The major platelet-derived CXC chemokines are the beta-thromboglobulins and platelet factor 4 (PF-4), which are both released into the blood at micromolar concentrations. The availability as well as the functional activity of these mediators appear to be subject to tight control by diverse regulatory mechanisms. These include proteolytic processing of chemokine precursors, oligomer formation, and the differential usage of neutrophil-expressed receptors. Herein we review our work on early neutrophil regulation by PF-4, the beta-thromboglobulin neutrophil-activating peptide 2 (NAP-2) and its major precursor connective tissue-activating peptide III (CTAP-III). We moreover propose a model to assess the contribution by either of these chemokines to coordinated recruitment and activation of neutrophils in response to acute tissue injury.

A novel molecular variant of the neutrophil-activating peptide NAP-2 with enhanced biological activity is truncated at the C-terminus: identification by antibodies with defined epitope specificity.

The human neutrophil-activating peptide 2 (NAP-2) belongs to the so-called beta-thromboglobulin/interleukin 8-family of chemotactic and reparative host defense cytokines. NAP-2 represents one of several N-terminally truncated cleavage products that originate from platelet-derived precursor molecules through proteolytic processing. Among these homologous isoforms that are comprised as beta-thromboglobulin antigen (beta-TG Ag), NAP-2 is recognized as the major component, having the highest potential for the activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). We now present evidence that there exists a second molecular form of NAP-2 with even higher biological activity. This novel isoform was detected in concentrates of culture supernatants from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and could be separated from authentic NAP-2 by several steps of column chromatography. It had an N-terminus identical to that of NAP-2 but was biochemically different as indicated by its slightly lower molecular weight and a higher isoelectric point. To examine our hypothesis that the polypeptide represented a C-terminally truncated variant of NAP-2, we prepared synthetic peptides that were used for the induction and characterization of two rabbit antibody fractions, directed against different and defined epitopes within the C-terminal alpha-helix of the NAP-2 molecule. Comparison of reactivity patterns of these antibodies in Western blots as well as in a NAP-2 biological assay (PMN degranulation assay) confirmed that the variant NAP-2 was truncated at its C-terminus by at least one and by maximally three residues. The specific activity of the truncated polypeptide was estimated to be about four-fold higher than that of authentic NAP-2, as determined in the PMN degranulation assay. Thus, proteolytic modification at the C-terminus appears to play a role in the regulation of NAP-2-biological activity.

Interaction of human lymphocyte subpopulations with interleukin 2 (II-2).

Human peripheral blood T-lymphocytes were fractionated by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation on Percoll. T-cells of low density were capable of proliferation in the presence of the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA) as measured by colony formation, whereas cells of high density were not. Addition of supernatant of PHA-stimulated cultures to cells of high density resulted in proliferation which suggested that these cell fractions lacked interleukin-2 (II-2) producing T-helper cells. This finding was supported by the demonstration that T-cells of high density did not produce II-2 but could be induced to do so by adding II-1 producing monocytes. The data area explained on the basis of the present model of intercellular events leading to activation and proliferation of lymphocytes.

Molecular characterization of the gene locus of the human cell proliferation-associated nuclear protein defined by monoclonal antibody Ki-67.

The human antigen defined by the monoclonal antibody Ki-67, the 'Ki-67 protein', is an ubiquitously expressed human nuclear protein strictly associated with cell proliferation and is widely used in routine pathology as a 'proliferation marker' to measure the growth fraction in human tumours. In immunoblots of proteins from proliferating cells, Ki-67 detects two bands with the apparent molecular weights of 345 and 395 kDa. Recently we reported on the cloning and sequencing of the complete cDNA of the Ki-67 protein. We found two isoforms of cDNA with full lengths of 11.4 and 12.5 kb, respectively, likely formed by the alternative splicing of exon 7. The remarkable exon 13 at the 'centre' of this gene contains 16 homologous segments of 366 bp (Ki-67 repeats), each including a highly conserved new motif of 66 bp (Ki-67 motif). Computer analyses confirmed that the cDNAs encode for a new class of nuclear proteins. The complete gene locus of the Ki-67 protein, comprising a 74 bp 5' region and a 264 bp 3' region, has been sequenced and aligned to a continuous sequence of 29,965 bp length located on chromosome 10q25-ter. The gene is organized in 15 exons with sizes from 67 to 6845 bp and in 14 introns with sizes from 87 to 3569 bp. Three introns contain homologue copies of 'Alu-repeats'. Interestingly, the introns flanking the alternative spliced exon 7 are free of any consensus donor and acceptor splicing signal. All other intron-exon transitions contained a potential branch site. The complete 5' region including the first two exons represents a CpG-rich island. We found the transcription initiation site in exon two adjacent to the consensus sequence of a cap site. Upstream of this cap site no TATA- or CCAAT-box could be located, but downstream we found two remarkable directly repeated elements of 24 bp lengths each containing a TATA box in inverse orientation.

Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein mediates CD14-independent intercalation of lipopolysaccharide into phospholipid membranes.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS, endotoxin) stimulate mononuclear cells to release cytokines which initiate endotoxic effects. Interaction of LPS at low concentrations with target cells is CD14-dependent whereas at high LPS concentrations it is CD14-independent. Here, we demonstrate by resonance energy transfer (RET) technique that nonspecific, CD14-independent intercalation of LPS into membrane systems can be mediated by lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP). It is proposed that in this pathway, LBP breaks down LPS aggregates, transports the smaller units to and inserts them into the phospholipid cell matrix. We furthermore show that LBP also mediates the intercalation of other negatively charged amphiphilic molecules. We propose a model explaining CD14-independent cell activation at high endotoxin concentrations.

Discontinuous density gradient separation of human mononuclear leucocytes using Percoll as gradient medium.

The use of a new commerically available medium (Percoll) for fractionation of human mononuclear leucocytes is described. Cells can be fractionated on the basis of their densities with high reproducibility. The separated cells were characterized by morphological and functional criteria. Monocytes can be obtained in the low density fractions with a purity of 70%--90%. Lymphocytes were found in high density fractions with a purity up to 99%. No separation between E-rosette forming (E-RFC) and surface immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes was obtained. However, a reduced number of high avidity E-rosette forming lymphocytes (HAE-RFC) was found within low density lymphocytes. Best spontaneous DNA synthesis and reaction in mixed leucocyte culture (MLC) were obtained with cells isolated from the 1.066/1.068 density interface, whereas the stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or pokeweed mitogen (PWM) had a peak response with cells from the 1.064/1.066 density interface. Colony forming myelopoietic stem cells and colony forming T-lymphocytes were detected in fractions of low density.

Application of a new ultra-microculture system. II. Stimulation of human B lymphocytes.

An ultra-microtechnique for culturing human B-lymphocytes in glass capillary tubes using a volume of 2 microliter is described. The advantage of this ultra-microculture system is that only a small number of lymphocytes and minute amounts of culture medium (or test factors) are required. Optimal culture conditions for the formation of Ig-secreting plaque-forming cells (PFC) after stimulation of mononuclear cells with pokeweed mitogen are given. Furthermore it is shown that immunoglobulin secreted into culture supernatants by purified B cells in the presence of T cell subsets can be measured in a microELISA.

A new ultra-microculture system. I. Stimulation of human T lymphocytes by phytohemagglutinin (PHA).

We have developed an ultra-microtechnique for culturing lymphocytes in glass capillary tubes at a final culture volume of 1 microliter or 2 microliter. The advantage of the method is that a substantially lower number of cells and minute amounts of culture medium are required. The cultures are premixed in microtubes, sucked into glass capillary tubes and incubated for an appropriate culture period. For determination of [3H]thymidine ([3H]TdR) incorporation, the cells are transferred into the wells of microtiter plates. Some special accessories have been developed which allow routine use of this system for large numbers of cultures. Optimal culture conditions for stimulation of human T lymphocytes by PHA are described.

T-lymphocyte colony formation of murine spleen cells in a one-stage micro agar culture.

A one-stage agar culture technique for stimulation of T-lymphocyte colony-forming units (TL-CFU) derived from murine spleen cells is described. The cultures are in glass capillaries in a volume of 30 microliter. Both, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) stimulate growth of TL-CFU. The technique does not require prestimulation of lymphocytes in liquid culture or addition of growth factor(s). The most important requirements for optimal colony growth are a low concentration of agar (less than 0.1%) and the appropriate number of seeded cells (60 X 10(3) per culture). This one-stage micro agar culture is economical and easily handled. Many cultures can be prepared and rapidly evaluated. The plating efficiency is about 10 colonies per 10(4) nucleated spleen cells. The T-cells character of the TL-CFU was demonstrated by treatment of the spleen cells with a monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 antibody (anti-Thy-1.2) and complement before assaying for colony growth and also by staining the cells in the cultures with anti-Thy-1.2-FITC. Growth characteristics of TL-CFU indicate that cell interactions are operative during activation and proliferation. The nature of the cells cooperating in this system is discussed.

The use of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to analyse large numbers of mRNA species from a single cell.

A PCR method is described for determining the expression of multiple heterogeneous mRNAs from single cells. The total mRNA pool of a single selected cell is subjected to reverse transcription and subsequent tailing with poly(dA). This cDNA is preamplified by a sequence non-specific PCR protocol using oligo(dT)-containing primers. The single cell cDNA library obtained permits the analysis of virtually unlimited numbers of mRNA species per cell using sequence-specific PCR. This procedure of multiple mRNA analysis enables phenotyping of any cell for its mRNA composition and could be used to study the cytokine mRNA expression of individual human T cells ex vivo. The method should greatly facilitate the analysis of combinatorial expression of known genes in any cell.

Production of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1-beta) and endothelial cell activation in human liver allograft rejection.

Intragraft production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1-beta) was determined in rejecting human liver grafts during acute rejection and in chronic graft dysfunction. The localization of cytokine-producing cells was then correlated with the distribution of monocytes and macrophages as their main producers, as well as with effector functions such as endothelial cell activation. In selected patients collateral TNF-alpha plasma levels were measured. In normal liver and biopsies taken during an uncomplicated course, few TNF-alpha and even fewer IL-1-beta positive macrophages were found. During acute rejection episodes of all degrees of severity liver grafts were infiltrated by large numbers of TNF-alpha-positive monocytes, and concomitant TNF-alpha plasma levels were elevated compared with uncomplicated controls. In marked contrast IL-1-beta production by macrophages and vascular and sinus endothelial cells was restricted to the most severe, irreversible rejection episodes. The localization of cytokine-positive cells coincided with areas of maximum induction of ICAM-1 and von Willebrand Factor. In chronic graft dysfunction increased numbers of mature macrophages were found. A large proportion of these were positive for TNF-alpha as well as IL-1-beta. Distinct from acute rejection episodes, however, parallel TNF-alpha plasma levels were not elevated, suggesting cytokine storage rather than secretion. The present results indicate an important local role of TNF-alpha and IL-1-beta in the early phase of the rejection process. They presumably activate endothelial cells to upregulate the expression of adhesion molecules, thereby facilitating mononuclear cell adhesion and extravasation. Therefore, specific inactivation of cytokines or of their actions may prove to be a powerful tool in the prevention and treatment of allograft rejection in the future.

Elimination of monocytes from cultures activated with recall antigens.

Recent data provide evidence that antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell clones or antigen-activated T-cell lines can kill antigen-presenting cells (APC). We focused our studies on monocytes acting as APC in cultures of T cells freshly isolated from peripheral blood. The presence of monocytes in culture was monitored by their ability to emit light during phagocytosis of latex particles (latex-induced chemiluminescence). Using this approach as well as flow cytometry, evidence is presented that monocytes are eliminated from cultures with T cells activated with recall antigens (PPD or TT). The mechanism of monocyte elimination involved apoptosis as judged from in situ detection of DNA strand breaks by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase assay. The antigen- but not lectin-dependent monocyte elimination was MHC-restricted and mediated by CD4+ T lymphocytes. This finding supports the hypothesis that elimination of APC is a general phenomenon during T-cell activation and may represent an important immunoregulatory mechanism.