PECAM-1/CD31 trans-homophilic binding at the intercellular junctions is independent of its cytoplasmic domain; evidence for heterophilic interaction with integrin alphavbeta3 in Cis.

PECAM-1/CD31 is a cell adhesion and signaling molecule that is enriched at the endothelial cell junctions. Alternative splicing generates multiple PECAM-1 splice variants, which differ in their cytoplasmic domains. It has been suggested that the extracellular ligand-binding property, homophilic versus heterophilic, of these isoforms is controlled by their cytoplasmic tails. To determine whether the cytoplasmic domains also regulate the cell surface distribution of PECAM-1 splice variants, we examined the distribution of CD31-EGFPs (PECAM-1 isoforms tagged with the enhanced green fluorescent protein) in living Chinese hamster ovary cells and in PECAM-1-deficient endothelial cells. Our results indicate that the extracellular, rather than the cytoplasmic domain, directs PECAM-1 to the cell-cell borders. Furthermore, coculturing PECAM-1 expressing and deficient cells along with transfection of CD31-EGFP cDNAs into PECAM-1 deficient cells reveal that this PECAM-1 localization is mediated by homophilic interactions. Although the integrin alphavbeta3 has been shown to interact with PECAM-1, this trans-heterophilic interaction was not detected at the borders of endothelial cells. However, based on cocapping experiments performed on proT cells, we provide evidence that the integrin alphavbeta3 associates with PECAM-1 on the same cell surface as in a cis manner.

Urokinase receptor (CD87) regulates leukocyte recruitment via beta 2 integrins in vivo.

The urokinase receptor (CD87; uPAR) is found in close association with beta 2 integrins on leukocytes. We studied the functional consequence of this association for leukocyte adhesion and migration. In vivo, the beta 2 integrin-dependent recruitment of leukocytes to the inflamed peritoneum of uPAR-deficient mice was significantly reduced as compared with wild-type animals. In vitro, beta 2 integrin-mediated adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium was lost upon removal of uPAR from the leukocyte surface by phosphatidyl-inositol-specific phospholipase C. Leukocyte adhesion was reconstituted when soluble intact uPAR, but not a truncated form lacking the uPA-binding domain, was allowed to reassociate with the cell surface. uPAR ligation with a monoclonal antibody induced adhesion of monocytic cells and neutrophils to vascular endothelium by six- to eightfold, whereas ligation with inactivated uPA significantly reduced cell-to-cell adhesion irrespective of the beta 2 integrin-stimulating pathway. These data indicate that beta 2 integrin-mediated leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and recruitment to inflamed areas require the presence of uPAR and define a new phenotype for uPAR-deficient mice. Moreover, uPAR ligation differentially modulates leukocyte adhesion to endothelium and provides novel targets for therapeutic strategies in inflammation-related vascular pathologies.

A role for the alphavbeta3 integrin in the transmigration of monocytes.

The beta2 integrins and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are important for monocyte migration through inflammatory endothelium. Here we demonstrate that the integrin alphavbeta3 is also a key player in this process. In an in vitro transendothelial migration assay, monocytes lacking beta3 integrins revealed weak migratory ability, whereas monocytes expressing beta3 integrins engaged in stronger migration. This migration could be partially blocked by antibodies against the integrin chains alphaL, beta2, alphav, or IAP, a protein functionally associated with alphavbeta3 integrin. Transfection of beta3 integrin chain cDNA into monocytes lacking beta3 integrins resulted in expression of the alphavbeta3 integrin and conferred on these cells an enhanced ability to transmigrate through cell monolayers expressing ICAM-1. These monocytes also engaged in alphaLbeta2-dependent locomotion on recombinant ICAM-1 which was enhanced by alphavbeta3 integrin occupancy. Antibodies against IAP were able to revert this alphavbeta3 integrin-dependent cell locomotion to control levels. Finally, adhesion assays revealed that occupancy of alphavbeta3 integrin could decrease monocyte binding to ICAM-1. In conclusion, we show that alphavbeta3 integrin modulates alphaLbeta2 integrin-dependent monocyte adhesion to and migration on ICAM-1. This could represent a novel mechanism to promote monocyte motility on vascular ICAM-1 and initiate subsequent transendothelial migration.

Crucial role of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 expression on nonhematopoietic cells for B cell localization within the splenic white pulp.

During immune responses the initial activation of B cells takes place in T cell zones of periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths (PALS) of the splenic white pulp. After initial activation, B cells migrate into the primary follicles and, in association with follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), undergo clonal expansion and differentiation giving rise to germinal centers (GCs). Peanut agglutinin binding (PNA+) cells of the GC differentiate further into memory or plasma cells. Here we report that in tumor necrosis factor receptor 1-deficient mice (TNFR1(-/-)), the location of B cells was altered and that plasma cells were abnormally distributed in the splenic PALS. In contrast to lymphotoxin alpha-deficient mice (LTalpha-/-), bone marrow or fetal liver transplantation did not correct the abnormal organization of the spleen, location of B cells, the lack of an FDC network, nor the antibody response in TNFR1(-/-) mice. These results argue for a crucial role of TNFR1 expression on nonhematopoietic cells for the maintenance of the splenic architecture and proper B cell location. In addition, the lack in development of an FDC network after adoptive transfer suggests that either FDCs are not of bone marrow origin or that they depend on signals from nonhematopoietic cells for maturation.

The promoter of macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor is active in astrocytes.

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a hematopoietin whose actions are essential for growth and survival of macrophages, placental development, ramification of microglia and tumor progression. The expression of the receptor for macrophage colony-stimulating factor (c-fms) is regulated by two distinct promoters: distal and proximal. The distal promoter is active in trophoblasts during embryogenesis and the proximal promoter directs expression to the cells of myeloid lineage. Here we report the generation of transgenic mice expressing beta-galactosidase under the control of the human proximal c-fms promoter and demonstrate the promoter activity in astrocytes, cells of neurological origin that partially take over the role of the macrophages in the central nervous system. Enzymatic activity of beta-galactosidase was detected in homogenated spleen, bone marrow and brain and in the cell extracts from peritoneal macrophages of transgenic mice. Immunohistochemical staining of brain showed the presence of beta-galactosidase in astrocytes. We hypothesize that M-CSF released by astrocytes, upon stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) or interleukin-1 (IL-1), regulates the expression of its own receptor.

CD31/PECAM-1 is a ligand for alpha v beta 3 integrin involved in adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium.

To protect the body efficiently from infectious organisms, leukocytes circulate as nonadherent cells in the blood and lymph, and migrate as adherent cells into tissues. Circulating leukocytes in the blood have first to adhere to and then to cross the endothelial lining. CD31/PECAM-1 is an adhesion molecule expressed by vascular endothelial cells, platelets, monocytes, neutrophils, and naive T lymphocytes. It is a transmembrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily (IgSF), with six Ig-like homology units mediating leukocyte-endothelial interactions. The adhesive interactions mediated by CD31 are complex and include homophilic (CD31-CD31) or heterophilic (CD31-X) contacts. Soluble, recombinant forms of CD31 allowed us to study the heterophilic interactions in leukocyte adhesion assays. We show that the adhesion molecule alpha v beta 3 integrin is a ligand for CD31. The leukocytes revealed adhesion mediated by the second Ig-like domain of CD31, and this binding was inhibited by alpha v beta 3 integrin-specific antibodies. Moreover alpha v beta 3 was precipitated by recombinant CD31 from cell lysates. These data establish a third IgSF-integrin pair of adhesion molecules, CD31-alpha v beta 3 in addition to VCAM-1, MadCAM-1/alpha 4 integrins, and ICAM/beta 2 integrins, which are major components mediating leukocyte-endothelial adhesion. Identification of a further versatile adhesion pair broadens our current understanding of leukocyte-endothelial interactions and may provide the basis for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and metastasis formation.

Endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression is suppressed by melanoma and carcinoma.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) mediates extravasation of circulating leukocytes into inflamed tissues, and presumably, plays a role in the immigration of cytotoxic effector lymphocytes into tumor metastases. Since metastases are rarely cleared by blood-borne cells from the immune system, we asked whether the tumor may escape host defense by interfering with the mechanism of effector cell extravasation. Here we show that in mice and humans, VCAM-1 expression is repressed on tumor-infiltrating vascular endothelial cells in the lungs. On lung blood vessels distant from the tumor, VCAM-1 is constitutively expressed. When melanoma and endothelioma cells were cultured on either side of a Nucleopore membrane, the expression of VCAM-1 on the endothelioma cells was inhibited and VCAM-1 gene transcription was suppressed. We propose that the downregulation of VCAM-1 is a mechanism by which vascularized melanoma and carcinoma avoid invasion by cytotoxic cells of the immune system.

Murine platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1)/CD31 modulates beta 2 integrins on lymphokine-activated killer cells.

Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells are able to colonize sites of tumor lesions in mouse and man. The molecular mechanisms of homing in on tumors are largely unknown. However, before LAK cells can reach the tumor, they must adhere to the vascular endothelial within the lesion and then extravasate. We developed a novel mAb, EA-3, which recognizes the murine homologue of the human adhesion molecule CD31. It is present on a subpopulation of murine LAK cells and all endothelial cells. CD31 was also involved in the adhesion of LAK cells to endothelium. Since CD31 can initiate integrin activation by inside-out signaling after binding to its ligand, EA-3 was used to minimic this in adhesion assays. It induces modifications in the beta 2 integrin LFA-1, leading to increased binding capacities of the cells to endothelium. In contrast, beta 1 integrins and RGD-binding integrins were not affected. These results suggest that expression of CD31 might confer adhesive advantages for LAK cells prone to tumor infiltration.

A role for Lys-His-Gly-NH2 in avian and murine B cell development.

Lys-His-Gly-NH2 has been claimed to selectively induce B cell precursors to differentiate into mature B lymphocytes. In the present study, the effects of this tripeptide and a control compound having the reverse sequence (Gly-His-Lys-NH2) on growth and differentiation of chicken and mouse B cell precursors were investigated. When chicken bone marrow (BM) cells from 15-day-old embryos were treated for 18 hr with either of the tripeptides, the frequency of Bu-1 antigen-bearing cells increased. Moreover, when embryonic bursa cells were stimulated in vitro with phorbol myristate acetate, which induces them to proliferate and undergo terminal differentiation into immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells, these compounds caused a 10-fold increase in the number of Ig-secreting cells but did not increase cell proliferation. They had no effect on neonatal or adult bursa cells. Embryonic bursa cells were cultured in the presence of either of the tripeptides and metabolically labeled with [35S]methionine. When immunoprecipitated Ig was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, no differences in mu heavy or lambda light chain diversity patterns could be detected, indicating that neither of these compounds enhances Ig diversification. The effect of these tripeptides on murine B cell precursors was assayed in cultures of BM cells depleted of mature B cells by 5-fluorouracil. When precursor cells were incubated without adherent BM stromal cells, they did not respond to the tripeptides. However, after incubation of precursors with adherent stromal BM cells for 2 days, followed by treatment with either of the two tripeptides, differentiation into lipopolysaccharide-reactive mature B cells took place. Incubation of precursors with adherent stromal BM cells in the absence of tripeptides was not sufficient to allow the precursors to complete differentiation. In addition, both tripeptides acted synergistically with interleukin 1 or interleukin 3. In conclusion, these tripeptides seem to enhance precursor B cell differentiation in a lineage-nonspecific manner rather than to function as lineage-specific differentiation hormones.

Functional maturation of murine B lymphocyte precursors--III. Soluble factors involved in the regulation of growth and differentiation.

When 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistant bone marrow (BM) cells are depleted of B-cells and then cultured in insert chambers [separated from a layer of adherent BM (aBM) cells by a nucleopore membrane], no mature, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reactive B-cells are formed. Factors acting on B-cell precursors are not produced unless nonadherent accessory cells have been cultured with aBM cells in the surrounding well. Moreover, soluble products are insufficient to induce differentiation of B-cell precursors unless the cells have been conditioned by direct contact with aBM cells. Such preconditioned precursors complete differentiation when cultured with IL-3 plus IL-1 in dishes coated with fibronectin. In cultures supplemented with IL-3, IL-1 and fibronectin, a pleomorphic layer of aBM cells is generated after a few days. This is not the case in cultures lacking IL-3. Therefore, an important function of IL-3 may be to recruit an adherent accessory cell type from the pool containing precursors of the B-cell as well as myeloid lineages. This view is further supported by experiments on the generation of colonies containing antibody secreting B-cells from day 15 fetal liver precursors which depends on soluble products secreted by aBM cells. When aBM cells established in the absence of IL-3 are present, more than one cell type (or cell product) is limiting. However, if aBM cell layers are generated in the presence of IL-3, only B-cell precursors seem to be limiting. Since macrophages play an important role in the aBM population, the effect of CSF-1 was investigated. Even though CSF-1 potentiates the effect of IL-3 and IL-1, it cannot replace these interleukins. Like IL-3, it may influence B-cell differentiation in an indirect manner by modifying the microenvironment. Another important function of macrophages seems to be related to the production of C3, which binds to CR2 after degradation. P14, a peptide of the CR2 binding C3d fragment, strongly inhibits maturation of B-cell progenitors. A larger CR2 binding peptide, P28, is inhibitory at low concn but stimulatory at higher concn. It is assumed that aggregated P28 may cross-link with CR2 and thereby transfer a differentiation signal to the cell.

Functional maturation of murine B lymphocyte precursors. I. Selection of adherent cell-dependent precursors from bone marrow and fetal liver.

A cell culture assay is described which is suitable to explore interactions between cells of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment on one side and B lymphocyte progenitors on the other. First, a heterogeneous adherent BM (aBM) cell population was established on Cytodex 1 microcarriers. Then, adherent cell and surface IgM+(sIgM+) cell-depleted BM precursors or adherent cell-depleted day 12 fetal liver cells were added. The generation of B cells in these cultures was monitored by staining with fluorochrome-labeled anti-mu-chain antibody and by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction of protein A plaque-forming cells at limiting dilution. In the absence of aBM cells, some B cells arose after 24 hr from BM precursors but not from day 12 fetal liver cells. With aBM cells, BM precursors gave rise to a distinct second wave of B cells starting after 5 days of culture. When fetal liver cells were cultured on aBM cells, B cells appeared after a delay of 4 to 5 days. By using Ig allotype-congenic mouse strains (C.AL 20, BALB/c) and an allotype-specific plaque assay, we established that mature B cells originate from the putative progenitors and not from the aBM cell population. In an attempt to eliminate the aBM cell-independent progenitor subset, mice were pretreated with 5-fluorouracil 5 days before BM cells were collected. The remaining cells still contained B cells, but the frequency of c mu+ sIgM- pre-B cells was less than 10(-5). Remaining B cells were removed by anti-mu panning. In cultures of this precursor cell population, LPS-responsive B cells appeared after a delay of about 1 wk, and their generation was totally aBM cell-dependent and was maintained for more than 2 wk.

Functional maturation of murine B lymphocyte precursors. II. Analysis of cells required from the bone marrow microenvironment.

The development of mature B cells in cultures of early B cell precursors depends on the presence of a confluent adherent bone marrow (aBM) cell layer. Adherent and sIgM+ cell-depleted bone marrow (BM) from untreated or 5-fluorouracil-pretreated donors or day 12 fetal liver cells were used as precursor cell populations. When adherent cells from thymus or highly enriched BM-derived macrophages were co-cultured with precursor cells, mature B cells were not developed. Similarly, aBM cell layers generated in the presence of hydrocortisone and horse serum were unable to support aBM cell-dependent precursor differentiation, even though cortisone was removed before the addition of precursor cells. In contrast, this type of microenvironment promoted the differentiation of precursor of myeloid cell lineages. Repeated treatment of established aBM cell populations with a monoclonal anti-macrophage antibody (31.3, known to recognize a surface marker on a subset of BM macrophages) and complement abolished the capacity of otherwise functional aBM cells to sustain the development of B cell precursors. Macrophage-depleted aBM cells regained their function after supplementation with highly enriched BM-derived macrophages grown in vitro. Limiting dilution analysis of aBM cells in microcultures containing saturating numbers of early B cell progenitors also suggests the participation of more than one cell type in the BM cell population. In conclusion, differentiation of early B cell progenitors requires macrophages in addition to at least one additional cell type contained in the aBM cell population.

Differentiation of murine B cell precursors in agar culture. Frequency, surface marker analysis and requirements for growth of clonable pre-B cells.

A semi-solid agar assay is described in which B cell progenitors, already present in day 12 fetal liver, generate colonies which contain antibody-secreting cells. Panning experiments, in which cells which initiate colony formation are depleted on plates coated with monoclonal antibodies, suggest that by the 13th day of gestation they express the antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody AA4.1 and by day 14 they also express the B220 form of Ly-5 recognized by the monoclonal antibody 14.8. By similar criteria the precursor cells do not express mu, I-A, I-E or Lyb-2. Growth of cells in this assay is dependent upon soluble products provided by either fetal liver adherent cells, bone marrow adherent cells or colony-stimulating factor-containing conditioned media derived from placenta cells, L929 cells, WEHI-3 B(D-) cells, T helper cells or mouse lung cells. These experiments define two sets of growth conditions. In the first, when support is provided by fetal liver adherent cells, the limiting component appears to be the B cell precursor, allowing us to estimate the frequency of these cells during ontogeny. We find approximately 1 clonable pre-B cell in 300 000 fetal liver cells on day 12 of gestation and 1 in 6000 by day 16. Under the second set of growth conditions, when support is provided by bone marrow adherent cells or colony-stimulating factor-containing conditioned media, more than one cell, colony or cell product is limiting. Highly purified samples of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, colony-stimulating factor 1 and multilineage-hematopoietic growth factor are effective in this assay suggesting that the colony-stimulating factors are the active components under these conditions.

Differentiation markers and accessory function of murine macrophages derived from cultured bone-marrow stem cells.

Murine bone-marrow cells cultured in the presence of colony-stimulating factor from mouse-lung-conditioned medium give rise to macrophages which function as accessory cells in antigen-specific T helper cell induction. Virtually all Ia+ bone-marrow stem cell-derived macrophages express determinants encoded in the I-A subregion. A second set of macrophages bears I-A as well as I-E/C-endoced determinants. The products of the I-A and I-E/C subregion, but not those of the I-J subregion, are involved in T helper cell induction.