Neutralization of pH in the Golgi apparatus causes redistribution of glycosyltransferases and changes in the O-glycosylation of mucins.

Addition of the weak base ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) or the proton pump inhibitor bafilomycin A1 to cultured HeLa and LS 174T cells effectively neutralized the pH gradient of the secretory pathway. This resulted in relocalization of the three studied glycosyltransferases, N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2, beta1,2 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I, and beta1,4 galactosyltransferase 1, normally localized to the Golgi stack, the medial/trans-Golgi and the trans-Golgi/TGN, respectively. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoelectron microscopy, and subcellular fractionation of the tagged or native glycosyltransferases showed that NH4Cl caused a relocalization of the enzymes mainly to vesicles of endosomal type, whereas bafilomycin A1 gave mainly cell surface staining. The general morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus was retained as judged from immunofluorescence and electron microscopy studies. When the O-glycans on the guanidinium chloride insoluble gel-forming mucins from the LS 174T cells were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after neutralization of the secretory pathway pH by NH4Cl over 10 days shorter O-glycans were observed. However, no decrease in the number of oligosaccharide chains was indicated. Together, the results suggest that pH is a contributing factor for proper steady-state distribution of glycosyltransferases over the Golgi apparatus and that altered pH may cause alterations in glycosylation possibly due to a relocalization of glycosyltransferases.

Posttranscriptional regulation of acute phase serum amyloid A2 expression by the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of its mRNA.

Human acute-phase serum amyloid A protein (A-SAA) is a major acute phase reactant, the concentration of which increases dramatically as part of the body's early response to inflammation. A-SAA is the product of two almost identical genes, SAA1 and SAA2, which are induced by the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1 and IL-6. In this study, we examine the roles played by the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of the SAA2 mRNA in regulating A-SAA2 expression. SAA2 promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene constructs carrying the SAA2 5'-UTR and/or 3'-UTR were transiently transfected into the HepG2 human hepatoma cell line. After induction of chimeric mRNA with IL-1beta and IL-6, the SAA2 5'- and 3'-UTRs were both able to posttranscriptionally modify the expression of the luciferase reporter. The SAA2 5'-UTR promotes efficient translation of the chimeric luciferase transcripts, whereas the SAA2 3'-UTR shares this property and also significantly accelerates the rate of reporter mRNA degradation. Our data strongly suggest that the SAA2 5'- and 3'-UTRs each play significant independent roles in the posttranscriptional regulation of A-SAA2 protein synthesis.

In vitro real-time characterization of cell attachment and spreading.

A method based on the piezoelectric quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique for in vitro real-time characterization of cell attachment and spreading on surfaces has been developed. The method simultaneously measures the resonant frequency, f, and the dissipation energy, D, of the oscillating system. The QCM responses are sensitive to very small amounts (a few hundreds) of cells and highly specific to surface chemical properties. The first results from deposition of cells on two polystyrene surfaces of different wettability in serum-containing medium are reported. It has previously been shown that a decrease in f is related to the degree of cell spreading. In our data it appears that the extent or quality of cell attachment is reflected in an increase in D caused by adhering cells. The combined information from f and D measured by this technique might therefore be useful to probe cell-surface interactions for biomaterials.

Use of the acute phase serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) gene promoter in the analysis of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators: differential kinetics of SAA2 promoter induction by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha compared to IL-6.

A cytokine responsive construct, pGL2-SAA2pt, was generated by cloning the acute phase promoter of human serum amyloid A2 (SAA2) upstream of a luciferase reporter gene. The construct responds to the inflammatory mediators MoCM, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in a manner that closely mimics the response of the endogenous SAA2 gene to such stimuli: i.e. single treatments induce transcriptional activation by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha to a greater extent than by IL-6 at 12-24 h. However, timecourse experiments show that the kinetics of induction generated by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha are quite distinct from IL-6, IL-6 having a much greater effect at 3-6 h. IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha synergize with IL-6 to give a 10-fold increase in transcriptional readout over single cytokine treatments. The kinetics of this synergistic response resembles that generated by IL-6 alone. The IL-1 receptor antagonist, hIL-1ra, can specifically block the IL-1 beta driven transcriptional activation of pGL2-SAA2pt, but not that driven by TNF-alpha or IL-6. Furthermore, in synergistic cytokine combinations, it blocks only the IL-1 beta driven component indicating that the effect is biological and not attributable to toxicity. Consequently assays utilizing pGL2-SAA2pt will be useful both for the investigation of the kinetics of inflammatory signalling in a cytokine specific manner, and for the evaluation of the pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of novel natural and synthetic molecules.

Muscarinic-induced mucin secretion and intracellular signaling by hamster tracheal goblet cells.

Hamster tracheal epithelial cell cultures were used to investigate muscarinic regulation of high-molecular-weight glycoconjugate (HMWG) secretion by airway goblet cells. HMWG were radiolabeled with N-acetyl-D-[1-(3)H]glucosamine, precipitated with trichloroacetic acid and phosphotungstic acid, and counted by liquid scintillation. Carbachol (100 microM) increased HMWG secretion (166.6 +/- 18.7%, P < 0.001, n = 20), and this response was blocked by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. Ca2+ may not be essential for carbachol response since 1) carbachol-activated secretion was not inhibited by chelating extracellular Ca2+ with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) or by reducing both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA-acetoxymethyl ester in low-Ca2+ medium; 2) the carbachol response was only partially blocked in low-Ca2+ medium; and 3) calcium ionophore did not stimulate HMWG secretion. However, carbachol-stimulated secretion was abolished by pertussis toxin (PTX), indicating the involvement of a PTX-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G protein), and by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine chloride. Furthermore, carbachol-stimulated secretion was not inhibited by overnight incubation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. In conclusion, carbachol-stimulated secretion of HMWG appears to be coupled to a PTX-sensitive G protein and requires the activation of a phorbol ester-insensitive PKC isoform.

Expression and regulation of constitutive and acute phase serum amyloid A mRNAs in hepatic and non-hepatic cell lines.

'Acute phase' and 'constitutive' SAA (A-SAA and C-SAA, respectively) mRNA levels were measured in hepatic and non-hepatic cell lines after treatment with monocyte conditioned medium (MoCM), with or without dexamethasone (Dex). A-SAA mRNAs were detected in MoCM-treated hepatoma cell lines (PLC/PRF/5, HuH7, HepG2, and Hep3B), a fibroblast cell line (MRC5), six epithelial cell lines (RT4/ 31, SW13, Hela Ohio, HCT-8, CaCo2, and KB), and an endothelial cell line ECV304. In KB cells, Dex alone caused a dramatic increase in A-SAA mRNA levels. C-SAA was detected in all hepatic and non-hepatic cell lines. Two differentially regulated size classes of C-SAA mRNA were detected in the hepatoma cell lines. A-SAA mRNA levels were measured in ECV304 cells treated with IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF alpha and Dex, in various combinations, and revealed different profiles to those seen for hepatic cells. The extent of polyadenylation of A-SAA mRNA in ECV304 and KB cells differed whereas the polyadenylation of C-SAA mRNA remained constant. These data suggest that the parameters that determine the steady state mRNA levels and post-transcriptional regulation of A-SAA and C-SAA mRNAs are different and are cell type specific.

Ribozyme mediated cleavage of acute phase serum amyloid A (A-SAA) mRNA in vitro.

The 1000-fold induction of acute phase serum amyloid A (A-SAA) in the liver during inflammation indicates that this protein plays an important, though ill-defined, role in host defence. Paradoxically, prolonged overproduction of A-SAA is a causative factor in secondary amyloidosis and possibly other diseases such as atherosclerosis; the ability to down-regulate A-SAA synthesis is therefore of considerable clinical importance. We have successfully generated anti-SAA hammerhead ribozymes and we report that they are capable of cleaving A-SAA mRNA in vitro.

Bioelectric characteristics of exon 10 insertional cystic fibrosis mouse: comparison with humans.

Two important issues that can be addressed by animal models are disease pathogenesis and the testing of new treatments, including gene therapy. How closely these models mimic the relevant disorder in humans will determine their usefulness. This study examines how closely the characteristic bioelectric features of cystic fibrosis (CF) are reproduced in the airways and intestinal tract of the exon 10 insertional mutant mouse (cf/cf). In agreement with CF subjects these cf/cf mutant mice demonstrate the following: 1) reduced adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-related chloride secretion throughout the respiratory and intestinal tracts both in vivo and in vitro, 2) calcium-related chloride secretion that is preserved in the airways but reduced in the intestine, and 3) a more negative nasal potential difference and increased amiloride response compared with wild-type animals, likely to relate to increased sodium absorption. In contrast to humans, sodium absorption is not increased in the small intestine and is reduced in the trachea of the cf/cf mice. We conclude that the majority of the salient electrophysiological features of CF required for studies of pathogenesis or testing of new treatments are present in these cf/cf mice.

Characterization, expression and evolution of mouse beta 2-glycoprotein I (apolipoprotein H).

beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2I) is a 50kDa serum glycoprotein of ill defined function. Based upon its capacity to bind negatively charged phospholipids a number of possible inhibitory roles for beta 2I have been proposed. We have cloned and sequenced a full length mouse beta 2I cDNA clone and demonstrated that mouse beta 2I does not behave as an acute phase reactant following an experimentally induced inflammation. Phylogenetic analysis of the known mammalian beta 2I homologues has provided evidence that mouse beta 2I is the most divergent and is evolving at a faster rate than beta 2I in other species.

The major acute phase reactants: C-reactive protein, serum amyloid P component and serum amyloid A protein.

Following an acute phase stimulus, such as infection or physical injury, many liver-derived plasma proteins are increased in concentration. These provide enhanced protection against invading micro-organisms, limit tissue damage and promote a rapid return to homeostasis. Diana Steel and Alexander Whitehead discuss the gene structure, regulation and possible clinical significance of the most dramatically induced acute phase reactants.

Characterization and comparison of ion transport across sheep and human airway epithelium.

This study aimed to assess the suitability of sheep tracheal epithelium as a model for studies of human airway ion transport. Ovine and human airway epithelium were mounted in Ussing chambers under short circuit conditions. Bumetanide (100 microM) reduced short-circuit current (Isc) by a mean of 21.3% +/- SEM 2.0, n = 8, in sheep, and 30.4% +/- 9.7, n = 3, in human airway epithelium. Acetazolamide (100 microM) decreased Isc by 10.6% +/- 1.2, n = 18, in sheep, and 5.8% +/- 2.9, n = 3, in human airways. Phloridzin (200 microM) reduced Isc by 4.7% +/- 0.8, n = 7, and 3.1% +/- 5.1, n = 3 in sheep and human tissue respectively. Amiloride (100 microM) decreased Isc by 42.9% +/- 3.5, n = 12, in sheep airways, whilst bathing the mucosal surface with Na(+)-free solutions reduced Isc by 67.4% +/- 4.2, n = 18. The sequential addition of acetazolamide, bumetanide, phloridzin, amiloride and mucosal Na(+)-free solutions totally inhibited the basal Isc in both sheep and human tissues, suggesting that Cl- and HCO3- secretion, Na(+)-glucose co-transport and amiloride-sensitive and -insensitive Na+ absorption contribute to the Isc. The similarities between the species suggest that sheep tracheal epithelium is a useful model for basal studies of airway ion transport, and may prove a valuable tool for further regulatory studies.

Non-invasive liposome-mediated gene delivery can correct the ion transport defect in cystic fibrosis mutant mice.

We report gene transfer to the Edinburgh insertional mutant mouse (cf/cf), delivering CFTR cDNA-liposome complexes into the airways by nebulization. We show full restoration of cAMP related chloride responses in some animals and demonstrate, in the same tissues, human CFTR cDNA expression. Overall, a range of correction was seen with restoration of about 50% of the deficit between wild type mice and untreated cf/cf controls. We report modest correction in the intestinal tract following direct instillation and provide initial encouraging safety data for both the respiratory and intestinal tract following the liposome mediated gene delivery. The non-viral nature and potentially lower immunogenicity of DNA-liposomes suggest that this may offer a therapeutic alternative to adenoviral therapies.

A constitutively expressed serum amyloid A protein gene (SAA4) is closely linked to, and shares structural similarities with, an acute-phase serum amyloid A protein gene (SAA2).

The acute-phase reactant serum amyloid A (SAA) is a polymorphic apolipoprotein encoded by a family of highly homologous and closely linked genes: SAA1, SAA2, and SAA3. We have isolated a human genomic cosmid clone containing the gene encoding a fourth, constitutively expressed member of the human SAA superfamily, C-SAA, together with an SAA2*2 (SAA2 beta) gene. The gene encoding C-SAA shares the same 5' to 3' orientation as SAA2*2 and has the characteristic four-exon structure of the other members of the SAA superfamily. The exons of the gene encoding C-SAA share only limited sequence identity with those of SAA1, SAA2, and SAA3; they specify an mRNA, represented by the CS-1 cDNA reported previously by us, which is expressed at low levels (relative to the acute-phase SAAs) in normal and acute-phase liver. The gene encoding C-SAA is located 9 kb downstream of SAA2*2 and therefore occupies the locus that has been identified as containing the SAA4 gene.

Biosynthesis of human acute-phase serum amyloid A protein (A-SAA) in vitro: the roles of mRNA accumulation, poly(A) tail shortening and translational efficiency.

Human 'acute-phase' serum amyloid A protein (A-SAA) is a major acute-phase reactant (APR) and an apolipoprotein of high density lipoprotein 3 (HDL3). We have examined several parameters of A-SAA biosynthesis in PLC/PRF/5 hepatoma cells in response to monocyte conditioned medium (MoCM) and dual treatment with interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 (IL-1 beta + IL-6). Treatment of PLC/PRF/5 cells with MoCM or IL-1 beta + IL-6 caused a dramatic and rapid increase in A-SAA mRNA and protein synthesis; A-SAA mRNA was first detectable at 3 h, with peak levels reached by 24 h. A-SAA mRNA accumulation is accompanied by a gradual and homogeneous decrease in the length of the A-SAA poly(A) tail; the poly(A) tail shortening does not apparently affect the intrinsic stability of A-SAA mRNA. Analysis of RNA isolated from the ribonucleoprotein, monosome and polysome fractions of cytokine-treated PLC/PRF/5 cells showed that most A-SAA mRNA was associated with small polyribosomes, regardless of time post-stimulus, suggesting that the translational efficiency of A-SAA mRNA is constant throughout cytokine-driven induction. Moreover, the transit time of A-SAA protein out of the cell is also constant throughout the time course of induction. These data provide evidence of a paradox with regard to the transcriptional upregulation of A-SAA by IL-1 beta + IL-6 and the relative synthesis of A-SAA protein and suggest a role for post-transcriptional control of A-SAA biosynthesis during the acute phase.

Effects of purified Pseudomonas rhamnolipids on bioelectric properties of sheep tracheal epithelium.

The effects of purified rhamnolipids from Pseudomonas aeruginosa on short circuit current in respiratory epithelium have been studied in sheep tracheal epithelium mounted in Ussing chambers under short circuit conditions. In low concentrations (100 microM) mucosal addition of rhamnolipids produces a decrease in short circuit current of 22% and in conductance of 4%. At higher concentrations (> 100 microM), large increases in tissue conductance accompany a greater reduction in short circuit current, suggesting disruption of the intercellular junctions. Serosal addition of rhamnolipids has no effect on ion transport. Pretreatment of the tissues with the sodium channel blocker amiloride (100 microM) or bathing the mucosal surface with sodium-free solution significantly decreased the rhamnolipid-induced fall in short circuit current but did not prevent it completely. Inhibition of chloride transport, sodium-glucose cotransport, and bicarbonate secretion with bumetanide, phloridzin, and acetazolamide, respectively, did not significantly alter the rhamnolipid effect. This suggests that the effect of rhamnolipids on short circuit current is mediated predominantly but not exclusively by an effect on sodium transport. The effects of rhamnolipids on ion transport occur at concentrations within the range occurring in the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis. The changes in ion transport may explain some of the known effects of rhamnolipid on mucociliary clearance.

Identification of novel members of the serum amyloid A protein superfamily as constitutive apolipoproteins of high density lipoprotein.

A novel serum amyloid A protein (SAA) has been identified as a normal apolipoprotein component of non-acute phase high density lipoprotein. This novel SAA has been designated "constitutive" SAA (C-SAA) to distinguish it from "acute phase" SAA (A-SAA). C-SAA was partially sequenced, and immunochemical analyses indicated that it constitutes a distinct subclass of apolipoproteins within the SAA superfamily. A C-SAA cDNA clone was isolated from a human liver library and sequenced. The clone predicts a pre-C-SAA molecule of 130 residues from which an 18-residue leader peptide is cleaved. The 112-residue mature molecule is 8 residues longer than human A-SAA; the size difference is due to the presence of an octapeptide between positions 70 and 77 that is not found in the corresponding region of human A-SAA. Paradoxically, octapeptides of similar composition are found at similar positions in the A-SAAs of a number of other species. The C-SAA octapeptide specifies the first two residues of a NSS tripeptide, the only potential N-linked glycosylation site in the molecule. Studies indicate that approximately 50% of these sites are glycosylated, thereby giving rise to two size classes, 14 and 19 kDa, of C-SAA in vivo. Human acute phase liver contains little C-SAA mRNA relative to the levels of A-SAA mRNA, and the treatment of PLC/PRF/5 hepatoma cells with monocyte-conditioned medium does not induce C-SAA mRNA concentrations to detectable levels, in contrast to the massive induction of A-SAA mRNA observed. C-SAA is therefore not a major acute phase reactant.

Second-messenger regulation of sodium transport in mammalian airway epithelia.

1. Sodium absorption is the dominant ion transport process in conducting airways and is a major factor regulating the composition of airway surface liquid. However, little is known about the control of airway sodium transport by intracellular regulatory pathways. 2. In sheep tracheae and human bronchi mounted in Ussing chambers under short circuit conditions, the sodium current can be isolated by pretreating tissues with acetazolamide (100 microM) to inhibit bicarbonate secretion, bumetanide (100 microM) to inhibit chloride secretion and phloridzin (200 microM) to inhibit sodium-glucose cotransport. This sodium current consists of amiloride-sensitive (57%) and amiloride-insensitive (43%) components. 3. The regulation of the isolated sodium current by three second messenger pathways was studied using the calcium ionophore A23187 to elevate intracellular calcium, a combination of forskolin and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor zardaverine to elevate intracellular cyclic AMP, and the phorbol ester 12,13-phorbol dibutyrate (PDB) to stimulate protein kinase C. 4. In sheep trachea, A23187 produces a dose-related inhibition of the sodium current with maximal effect (38% of ISC) at 10 microM and IC50 1 microM. This response affects both the amiloride-sensitive and insensitive components of the sodium current and is not altered by prior stimulation of protein kinase C or elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP. In human bronchi, A23187 (10 microM) produced a significantly greater inhibition of ISC (68%), a response which was unaffected by prior treatment with PDB or forskolin-zardaverine. 5. In sheep trachea, stimulation of protein kinase C with PDB produced a dose-related inhibition of ISC maximal (56% of ISC) at 50 nM (IC50 7 nM). This response was abolished by amiloride (100 microM) pretreatment suggesting a selective effect on the amiloride-sensitive component of the sodium current. The response was not altered by prior elevation of intracellular calcium or cyclic AMP. PDB (10 nM) caused a similar inhibition of ISC in human bronchi (43%). The effect of PKC stimulation following pretreatment with A23187 was diminished in human bronchi. Elevating intracellular cyclic AMP did not alter this response. 6. Addition of forskolin (1 microM) together with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor zardaverine (100 microM) produced a mean 35-fold increase in intracellular cyclic AMP in sheep trachea. This was associated with a small, but significant, 6% transient increase in ISC followed by a significant 4% fall. Neither effect could be abolished by amiloride pretreatment. In human bronchi, a small decrease in ISC which could not be distinguished from that occurring in controls was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Nucleotide sequence and expression of the human gene encoding apolipoprotein H (beta 2-glycoprotein I).

Human apolipoprotein H (ApoH), also called beta 2-glycoprotein I, is a 50-kDa serum glycoprotein whose function is not clearly defined. We have cloned and sequenced ApoH cDNAs both from human liver and from a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). Both cDNA sequences predict a protein 345 amino acids (aa) in length. This sequence includes a 19-aa hydrophobic, N-terminal signal sequence which is not present in the mature protein [Lozier et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81 (1984) 3640-3644]. It differs from this previously reported aa sequence at two positions, both of which strengthen the conservation among the four short consensus repeats within the ApoH molecule. COS-1 cells transiently transfected with the ApoH cDNA in a eukaryotic expression vector produced a single species of ApoH mRNA and secreted in the ApoH protein. The level of ApoH mRNA expressed by HepG2 cells is downregulated by incubation with inflammatory mediators, implying that ApoH is a negative acute-phase protein.

Heterogeneous modulation of acute-phase-reactant mRNA levels by interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 in the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5.

The acute-phase response to tissue injury and inflammation is accompanied by a dramatic increase in the hepatic synthesis of plasma proteins known as acute-phase reactants (APRs). This response is mediated by cytokines produced in part by activated macrophages at the site of inflammation; glucocorticoids have also been implicated as playing a regulatory role. The effects of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 beta and -6, alone or in combination, and in the absence or presence of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone, on the levels of APR mRNAs in the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5 were analysed. The accumulation of APR mRNAs [the complement components C3, factor B and Cl inhibitor; the major APRs C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A protein and the CRP analogue serum amyloid P protein] was determined in dose-response and time-course studies. The APRs differed from each other in their responses to IL-1 beta alone, IL-6 alone, and IL-1 beta plus IL-6. Dexamethasone enhanced the cytokine-driven induction of a subset of APR mRNAs. These studies detail the heterogeneity of the 'in vitro' acute-phase response to defined mediators.

Amyloid resistance in A/J mice is not determined by genetic variants at, or close to, the serum amyloid P component locus.

An experimental model to assess the utility of variants of the serum amyloid P component (SAP) gene in predicting resistance to amyloidosis resulting from chronic inflammation was developed. F2 mice were generated from amyloid resistant (A/J) and amyloid susceptible (C57BL/6J) progenitor strains. Mice were injected daily with azocasein for 30 days, a treatment protocol determined to produce little amyloid deposition in the A/J progenitor strain and substantial amyloid deposition in the C57BL/6J progenitor strain. In a blind study the F2 spleens were subjectively scored for amyloid deposition and DNA was isolated from F2 livers and subjected to Southern blot analysis to determine the inheritance of progenitor strain specific SAP restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). No correlation between relative amyloid resistance and SAP genotype was observed, indicating that SAP RFLPs have no value in predicting predisposition to amyloid disease in the mouse model studied.