Quantitative comparison of C-X-C chemokines produced by endotoxin-stimulated human alveolar macrophages.

The C-X-C chemokines are a structurally related and functionally redundant family of proteins with neutrophil chemotactic activity. Many of the C-X-C chemokines are produced by endotoxin-stimulated alveolar macrophages (AMs), but knowledge of their relative quantities and their relative contributions to the total chemotactic activity released from these cells is incomplete. Human AMs were stimulated with or without Escherichia coli endotoxin for 2, 4, 8, and 24 h. The mRNA sequences of interleukin (IL)-8, the 78-amino acid epithelial cell-derived neutrophil activator (ENA-78), growth-related protein (GRO) alpha, GRObeta, and GROgamma were cloned by PCR and identified by sequence analysis. The relative mRNA quantities were compared by Northern analysis, and IL-8 was found to predominate. Similarly, IL-8 protein concentrations in the cell supernatants were consistently higher than either the ENA-78 or GRO concentration, and by 24 h, IL-8 concentrations were 10-fold higher than those of the other C-X-C chemokines. Blocking polyclonal antibodies to IL-8 substantially reduced the chemotactic activity in the AM supernatants, whereas antibodies to ENA-78 and GRO had little or no effect. We conclude that IL-8 is the predominant C-X-C chemokine and the dominant neutrophil chemoattractant accumulating in 24-h supernatants of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human AMs. These studies provide insight into potentially effective strategies of interrupting AM-derived inflammatory signals in the lungs.

Receptor recognition and specificity of interleukin-8 is determined by residues that cluster near a surface-accessible hydrophobic pocket.

To determine the regions of interleukin-8 (IL-8) that allow high affinity and interleukin-8 receptor type 1 (IL8R1)-specific binding of chemokines, we produced chimeric proteins containing structural domains from IL-8, which binds to both IL8R1 and interleukin-8 receptor type 2 (IL8R2) with high affinity, and from GRO gamma, which does not bind to IL8R1 and binds to IL8R2 with reduced affinity. Receptor binding activity was tested by competition of 125I-IL-8 binding to recombinant IL8R1 and IL8R2 cell lines. Substitution into IL-8 of the GRO gamma sequences corresponding to either the amino-terminal loop (amino acids 1-18) or the first beta-sheet (amino acids 18-32) reduced binding to both IL8R1 and IL8R2. The third beta-sheet of IL-8 (amino acids 46-53) was required for binding to IL8R1 but not IL8R2. Exchanges of the second beta-sheet (amino acids 32-46) or the carboxyl-terminal alpha-helix (amino acids 53-72) had no significant effect. When IL-8 sequences were substituted into GRO gamma, a single domain containing the second beta-sheet of IL-8 (amino acids 18-32) was sufficient to confer high affinity binding for both IL8R1 and IL8R2. The amino-terminal loop (amino acids 1-18) and the third beta-sheet (amino acids 46-53) of IL-8 had little effect when substituted individually but showed increased binding to both receptors when substituted in combination. Individual amino acid substitutions were made at positions where IL-8 and GRO gamma sequences differ within the regions of residues 11-21 and 46-53. IL-8 mutations L49A or L49F selectively inhibited binding to IL8R1. Mutations Y13L and F21N enhanced binding to IL8R1 with little effect on IL8R2. A combined mutation Y13L/S14Q selectively decreased binding to IL8R2. Residues Tyr13, Ser14, Phe21, and Lys49 are clustered in and around a surface-accessible hydrophobic pocket on IL-8 that is physically distant from the previously identified ELR binding sequence. A homology model of GRO gamma, constructed from the known structure of IL-8 by refinement calculations, indicated that access to the hydrophobic pocket was effectively abolished in GRO gamma. These studies suggest that the surface hydrophobic pocket and/or adjacent residues participate in IL-8 receptor recognition for both IL8R1 and IL8R2 and that the hydrophobic pocket itself may be essential for IL8R1 binding. Thus this region contains a second site for IL-8 receptor recognition that, in combination with the Glu4-Leu5-Arg6 region, can modulate receptor binding affinity and IL8R1 specificity.

IL-8 induces neutrophil chemotaxis predominantly via type I IL-8 receptors.

IL-8 is a potent proinflammatory cytokine that has a key role in the recruitment and activation of neutrophils during inflammation. IL-8 reacts with neutrophils via two distinct types of IL-8-R. Receptor-specific Abs were raised against peptides derived from the first extracellular domain of each IL-8-R. Anti-IL-8-R1 and anti-IL-8-R2 selectively block 125I-IL-8 binding to rIL-8-R type 1 or 2, respectively. The anti-peptide Abs were used to assess the role of each receptor in the chemotactic response of neutrophils to GRO alpha and to IL-8. Anti-IL-8-R2 blocks GRO alpha-induced chemotaxis of neutrophils. Chemotaxis to GRO alpha is not inhibited by anti-IL-8-R1. Thus GRO alpha stimulates chemotaxis exclusively through IL-8-R2 and independently of IL-8-R1. Surprisingly, anti-IL-8-R1 inhibits the majority (78 +/- 3%) of IL-8-induced neutrophil chemotaxis. Only a minor proportion of IL-8-induced chemotaxis (29 +/- 5%) is inhibited by anti-IL-8-R2. These findings indicate that chemotaxis to IL-8 is mediated predominantly by type 1 IL-8-Rs and suggest that IL-8-R1 is an appropriate target for therapeutic strategies to limit neutrophil influx in diseases where neutrophils contribute to pathophysiology.

Role of the GRO family of chemokines in monocyte adhesion to MM-LDL-stimulated endothelium.

We have previously shown that treatment of endothelial cells with minimally modified LDL (MM-LDL) induces the binding of monocytes to unknown endothelial receptor molecules. We now report that a member of the GRO family of chemokines plays a role in MM-LDL-induced monocyte binding. A cDNA library made from rabbit aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) treated with MM-LDL was expression screened for molecules inducing binding of a human monocyte cell line (THP-1). A cDNA was isolated with 75% homology to GRO. GRO mRNA levels were significantly elevated after exposure of RAEC or human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) to MM-LDL. HAEC treated with MM-LDL displayed an increase in a surface-associated protein that bound to antibody against GRO despite low levels of GRO in the medium. Antibody to GRO significantly inhibited the binding of monocytes to MM-LDL-treated RAEC and HAEC. The increase in GRO expression and monocyte binding were reduced by incubating MM-LDL-treated endothelial cells with heparin (in a method that releases heparan sulfate bound molecules from the cell surface). These results suggest that GRO related chemokines are bound to the surface of MM-LDL-treated endothelial cells and may contribute to the monocyte adhesion induced by MM-LDL.

Biological and kinetic characterization of recombinant human macrophage inflammatory peptides 2 alpha and beta and comparison with the neutrophil activating peptide 2 and interleukin 8.

We examined the biological and kinetic characteristics of two new members of the intercrine family of cytokines. Human macrophage inflammatory peptides 2 alpha and beta (huMIP-2 alpha and beta) were compared to human interleukin 8 (huIL-8), neutrophil activating peptide 2 (huNAP-2), and N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP). The huMIP-2 peptides were the least potent cytokine tested in triggering neutrophil degranulation. They were also less potent neutrophil chemotaxins than fMLP or huIL-8. However, they were more effective than NAP-2 in stimulating chemotaxis of neutrophils. The binding studies showed that huMIP-2 peptides could interact with specific receptors on human blood neutrophils. Moreover, huMIP-2 peptides competed for up to 60% of the huIL-8 binding sites on neutrophils whereas huIL-8 competed for almost 100% of either of the huMIP-2 peptide binding sites. These data suggest the huMIP-2 peptides have little or no affinity for 40% of the huIL-8 receptors. In addition, detectable amounts of mRNA for huMIP-2 alpha were found in samples from human alveolar macrophages stimulated with Staphylococcus aureus, toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST), but not in samples stimulated with S. aureus enterotoxin A (SEA) or Escherichia coli endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide = LPS). In conclusion, huMIP-2 alpha and beta are weak neutrophil stimulating agents, which may increase inflammation in diseases such as toxic shock syndrome.

Two distinct human endothelin B receptors generated by alternative splicing from a single gene.

A novel variant of endothelin B receptor (ETB) has been found in human brain, placenta, lung, and heart by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. This variant ETB1 has an additional 30 nucleotide sequence with splice sites at both ends. This results in a 10 amino acid increase in the length of the second cytoplasmic domain of ETB. Polymerase chain reaction on genomic DNA indicates that this sequence is part of the 134 bp intron which separates the second and third exons and is contiguous with the third exon of the ETB gene. Southern blot analysis of chromosomal DNA and genomic PCR results indicate that ETB1 arises by alternative RNA splicing of the single copy ETB gene. The insert sequence in ETB1 gene is absent in bovine, rat, and porcine DNA, and is unique to human DNA. Both ETB and ETB1 have been expressed in heterologous systems to examine their ligand binding and functional properties. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of RNA from ETB1 expressing cells indicates that the additional sequence is stably expressed.

Incomplete process of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor produced in yeast and its effect on the biological activity.

Partially purified recombinant human Platelet-derived Growth Factor BB homodimer isolated from yeast culture media contains variable amounts of unprocessed PDGF-BB. This unprocessed PDGF-BB is found as a result of incomplete cleavage of the precursor to form the mature protein. Although the signal peptide is efficiently removed, a fraction of the PDGF secreted has an extended sequence corresponding to the truncated yeast alpha-factor leader. The data suggest that it is the amino acid chain from the truncated a-factor leader and not the sugar moiety attached to it that is responsible for the higher mitogenic activity found in this unprocessed molecule compared to highly purified PDGF-BB.

Preliminary crystallographic analysis of murine macrophage inflammatory protein 2.

Macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) has been crystallized by vapor diffusion of an 11 mg/ml protein solution in 100 mM-ammonium acetate against 30 to 40% polyethylene glycol (average molecular mass of 3350 Da). The crystals belong to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and have unit cell dimensions of a = 42.7 A, b = 59.3 A, and c = 100.3 A. The molecular mass of the protein and volume of the unit cell suggest that there are four monomers in the asymmetric unit. A data set to 2.3 A has been collected, and the self-rotation function identifies the presence of a non-crystallographic 2-fold axis.

Macrophage inflammatory protein 1 modulates macrophage function.

Macrophage inflammatory protein 1 (MIP 1), initially purified from the conditioned medium of endotoxin-stimulated macrophages, is a low m.w. heparin-binding protein doublet comprising two peptides, MIP 1 alpha and MIP 1 beta. Although native doublet MIP 1 has previously been shown to exert pyrogenic, mitogenic, and proinflammatory effects on other cell types, its actions on its cell of origin, the macrophage, have not been well catalogued. Our study reports several aspects of macrophage function that are modulated by MIP 1. MIP 1 was not directly cytotoxic for WEHI tumor cells, but MIP 1-treated macrophage exhibited enhanced antibody-independent macrophage cytotoxicity for tumor targets. MIP 1 treatment stimulated proliferation of mature tissue macrophages, and this effect was enhanced upon costimulations with either CSF-1 or granulocyte-macrophage-CSF. Thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal exudate macrophages incubated with native doublet MIP 1-secreted bioactive TNF and IL-6, as well as immunoreactive IL-1 alpha, and these effects were enhanced significantly when the cells were costimulated with IFN-gamma. Purified preparations of the recombinantly derived MIP 1 alpha peptide alone stimulated the secretion of TNF, IL-1 alpha, and IL-6 by peritoneal macrophages, but MIP 1 beta did not. In fact, as little as eightfold excess MIP 1 beta blocked TNF-induction by MIP 1 alpha to a significant degree. By contrast to these apparent "macrophage activating" properties of MIP 1, the cytokine failed to trigger the macrophage oxidative burst, or to up-regulate the expression of Ia on the macrophage surface. Taken together, these data reveal that MIP 1 peptides act as autocrine modulators of their cells of origin, and raise the possibility that MIP 1 peptides may play a role in modulating macrophage responses to inflammatory stimuli in vivo.

Thermostabilization of recombinant human and bovine CuZn superoxide dismutases by replacement of free cysteines.

Human CuZn superoxide dismutase (HSOD) has two free cysteines: a buried cysteine (Cys6) located in a beta-strand, and a solvent accessible cysteine (Cys111) located in a loop region. The highly homologous bovine enzyme (BSOD) has a single buried Cys6 residue. Cys6 residues in HSOD and BSOD were replaced by alanine and Cys111 residues in HSOD by serine. The mutant enzymes were expressed and purified from yeast and had normal specific activities. The relative resistance of the purified proteins to irreversible inactivation of enzymatic activity by heating at 70 degrees C was HSOD Ala6 Ser111 greater than BSOD Ala6 Ser109 greater than BSOD Cys6 Ser109 (wild type) greater than HSOD Ala6 Cys111 greater than HSOD Cys6 Ser111 greater than HSOD Cys111 (wild type). In all cases, removal of a free cysteine residue increased thermostability.

Characterization of the terminal regions of hepatitis C viral RNA: identification of conserved sequences in the 5' untranslated region and poly(A) tails at the 3' end.

We have determined the nucleotide sequence at the extreme 5' and 3' termini of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome. Our analyses of these sequences show (i) the nucleotide sequence in the 5' untranslated region is highly conserved among HCV isolates of widely varying geographical origin, (ii) within this region, there are blocks of nucleotide sequence homology with pestiviruses but not with other viruses, (iii) the relative position of short open reading frames present in the same region of the HCV genome is similar to that of the pestiviral genome, (iv) RNAs truncated at the 5' and 3' ends are found, but the origin and functions of these RNAs are unknown, and (v) poly(A) tails appear to be present on 3' subgenomic RNAs. These data differentiate HCV from the flaviviruses and indicate a closer evolutionary relationship of HCV with the pestiviruses. However, HCV also appears to be substantially different from other known pestiviruses. These data are consistent with the assignment of HCV to a separate viral genus.

Enhancing and suppressing effects of recombinant murine macrophage inflammatory proteins on colony formation in vitro by bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells.

Purified recombinant (r) macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIPs) 1 alpha, 1 beta, and 2 were assessed for effects on murine (mu) and human (hu) marrow colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colonies. Recombinant MIP-1 alpha, -1 beta, and -2 enhanced muCFU-GM colonies above that stimulated with 10 to 100 U natural mu macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) or rmuGM-CSF, with enhancement seen on huCFU-GM colony formation stimulated with suboptimal rhuM-CSF or rhuGM-CSF; effects were neutralized by respective MIP-specific antibodies. Macrophage inflammatory proteins had no effects on mu or huBFU-E colonies stimulated with erythropoietin (Epo). However, natural MIP-1 and rMIP-1 alpha, but not rMIP-1 beta or -2, suppressed muCFU-GM stimulated with pokeweed mitogen spleen-conditioned medium (PWMSCM), huCFU-GM stimulated with optimal rhuGM-CSF plus rhu interleukin-3 (IL-3), muBFU-E and multipotential progenitors (CFU-GEMM) stimulated with Epo plus PWMSCM, and huBFU-E and CFU-GEMM stimulated with Epo plus rhuIL-3 or rhuGM-CSF. The suppressive effects of natural MIP-1 and rMIP-1 alpha were also apparent on a population of BFU-E, CFU-GEMM, and CFU-GM present in cell-sorted fractions of human bone marrow (CD34 HLA-DR+) highly enriched for progenitors with cloning efficiencies of 42% to 75%. These results, along with our previous studies, suggest that MIP-1 alpha, -1 beta, and -2 may have direct myelopoietic enhancing activity for mature progenitors, while MIP-1 alpha may have direct suppressing activity for more immature progenitors.

Cloning and characterization of cDNAs for murine macrophage inflammatory protein 2 and its human homologues.

A cDNA clone of murine macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) has been isolated from a library prepared from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and the nucleotide sequence determined. This cDNA was used to clone cDNAs for human homologues of MIP-2 from a library prepared from phorbol myristate acetate-treated and LPS-stimulated U937 cells. Two homologues were isolated and sequenced. Human MIP-2 alpha and MIP-2 beta are highly homologous to each other and to a previously isolated gene, human gro/melanoma growth-stimulating activity (MGSA). These three human genes, MIP-2 alpha, MIP-2 beta, and gro/MGSA, constitute a sub-family within the cytokine family represented by platelet factor 4 and interleukin 8.

Survival of primates in LD100 septic shock following therapy with antibody to tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha).

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of treatment with anti-TNF monoclonal antibody in preventing the deleterious effects of sepsis in a nonhuman primate. Experiments were carried out on anesthetized baboons intravenously infused with a lethal dose of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Twelve baboons (six control and six experimental) received 2 hr infusions of E. coli. The experimental group was administered a bolus of anti-TNF antibody, 15 mg/kg, 30 min after beginning the E. coli infusion. Control baboons lived an average of 19 hr (12-34 hr). All antibody-treated baboons survived more than 7 days with a significantly improved quality of life compared to the control group. Although some adverse changes occurred during the monitoring period in surviving baboons, they maintained nearly normal arterial pressures, and serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations. The severe histopathologic changes in lungs, liver, adrenals, kidneys, and spleen documented at death in baboons receiving E. coli only were absent after 7 days in baboons given E. coli and early post-treatment with antibody to TNF.

Resolution of the two components of macrophage inflammatory protein 1, and cloning and characterization of one of those components, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta.

A number of macrophage-derived mediators have been implicated in the vascular changes of inflammation. We recently reported the isolation of a novel monokine, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 (MIP-1), which causes local inflammatory responses in vivo, and induces superoxide production by neutrophils in vitro. Purified native MIP-1 comprises two peptides with very similar physical characteristics. We report here the resolution of MIP-1 into component peptides by SDS-hydroxylapatite chromatography, and compare the NH2-terminal sequences of the two peptides, now referred to as MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta. A synthetic oligonucleotide probe pool corresponding to the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of MIP-1 beta was used to isolate a cDNA clone containing its coding sequence. The sequence codes for a 109 amino acid-long polypeptide, of which 69 amino acids correspond to the mature product. Comparison of this MIP-1 beta cDNA with our previously cloned MIP-1 alpha sequence reveals that the MIP-1 peptides, members of a growing family of potential inflammatory mediators, are distinct but highly homologous (58.9% sequence identity) products of different genes.

The isolation, characterization and nucleotide sequence of the phosphoglucoisomerase gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have isolated the gene which encodes the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI) from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by functional complementation of a yeast mutant deficient in PGI activity with DNA from a wild-type yeast genomic library. The cloned gene has been localized by hybridization of specific DNA fragments to total yeast poly(A)+ RNA and by complementation of the mutant phenotype with subclones. The gene is expressed as an abundant mRNA of 1.9-kb and encodes a protein of 554 amino acids with an Mr of 61310. The nucleotide sequence of the gene as well as the 5' and 3' flanking regions are presented. The predicted PGI amino acid sequence shows a high degree of homology with the sequence predicted for human and mouse neuroleukin, a putative neurotropic factor. The codon usage within the coding region is very restricted, characteristic of a highly expressed yeast gene.

Cloning and characterization of a cDNA for murine macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP), a novel monokine with inflammatory and chemokinetic properties.

In the course of studies on cachectin/TNF being conducted in our laboratory, a novel macrophage product has been detected and characterized. Termed macrophage inflammatory protein or MIP, this protein appears to be an endogenous mediator of the inflammatory events induced by endotoxin. A cDNA cloned probe for this protein has been isolated from a lambda gt10 phage library prepared from poly(A)+ RNA obtained of endotoxin-induced RAW264.7 cells. The sequence codes for a 92 amino acid-long polypeptide, of which 69 amino acids correspond to the mature product. The sequence predicts a molecular weight of 7,889 and structural analysis of the protein indicates a characteristic signal sequence alpha-helix and a hydrophobic core. Sequence data also confirm no sequence similarity to any other protein listed in the Dayhoff data base.

High level expression of proinsulin in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Human proinsulin (PI) has been expressed to a high level (100 mg/liter) as a human superoxide dismutase-PI fusion protein in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. At the junction of the two proteins is a methionine residue, allowing PI to be released from the fusion by reaction with cyanogen bromide. The fusion is expressed using a regulated, hybrid promoter containing the regulatory region of the alcohol dehydrogenase II promoter and the 3' end of a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter, allowing the recombinant yeast cells to be stably maintained. Production of the fusion protein is induced by growth in medium lacking a fermentable carbon source. The heterologous fusion protein is probably insoluble within the cell, since electron microscopy reveals the presence of 'inclusion bodies'. In a cell-free extract the fusion protein is also insoluble, but can be solubilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate, and cleaved with cyanogen bromide. The PI that is produced contains incorrect disulfide bonds. After sulfitolysis, the product can be easily purified, renatured, and processed to yield insulin.