Identification and characterization of a 100-kD ligand for CD6 on human thymic epithelial cells.

CD6 is a 130-kD glycoprotein expressed on the surface of thymocytes and peripheral blood T cells that is involved in TCR-mediated T cell activation. In thymus, CD6 mediates interactions between thymocytes and thymic epithelial (TE) cells. In indirect immunofluorescence assays, a recombinant CD6-immunoglobulin fusion protein (CD6-Rg) bound to cultured human TE cells and to thymic fibroblasts. CD6-Rg binding to TF and TE cells was trypsin sensitive, and 54 +/- 4% of binding was divalent cation dependent. By screening the blind panel of 479 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from the 5th International Workshop on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens for expression on human TE cells and for the ability to block CD6-Rg binding to TE cells, we found one mAb (J4-81) that significantly inhibited the binding of CD6-Rg to TE cells (60 +/- 7% inhibition). A second mAb to the surface antigen identified by mAb J4-81, J3-119, enhanced the binding of CD6-Rg to TE cells by 48 +/- 5%. Using covalent cross-linking and trypsin digestion, we found that mAb J4-81 and CD6-Rg both bound to the same 100-kD glycoprotein (CD6L-100) on the surface of TE cells. These data demonstrate that a 100-kD glycoprotein on TE cells detected by mAb J4-81 is a ligand for CD6.

Expression of trimeric CD40 ligand in Pichia pastoris: use of a rapid method to detect high-level expressing transformants.

Pichia pastoris is a yeast capable of expressing large amounts of some proteins. When expression vectors are introduced into P. pastoris, individual transformants typically express widely varying amounts of protein. Because clones expressing the highest level of protein occur infrequently during the transformation process, finding them can be very labor-intensive. We developed an immunological based filter screening method that rapidly detects transformants secreting large amounts of a heterologous protein. We have applied this method to the expression of a soluble trimeric form of CD40L, a molecule that regulates B-cell responses. Using this method, we identified transformants with one to 13 copies of the CD40L expression cassette. Maximum expression was obtained with clones containing eight or more copies of the expression cassette, and a clone with eight copies was selected for further analysis. High cell density fermentation of this clone using a mixed glycerol:methanol feed yielded 255 mg CD40L per liter of supernatant.

Temperature lability and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation of cholesteryl ester hydrolase as a function of age in developing rat testis.

Cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH) was measured at 32 degrees C and 37 degrees C, and with and without cofactors for stimulation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, in 104,000 X g supernatants from rats aged 14-365 days. Activity at the two temperatures was also partially resolved by cation exchange FPLC. Total specific activity of CEH was relatively constant, with or without addition of cofactors, from 14 to 47 days, during which time temperature labile CEH was a very small fraction of total CEH activity. At later times, 51-150 days, activity was increased as much as two-fold, both with and without cofactors, with most of the increase occurring in the temperature labile fraction. Activation of temperature stable and temperature labile activities, where present, by protein kinase cofactors could be demonstrated in all age groups, but was highly variable as a function of age and protein concentration used in the assay. Apparent induction of temperature labile activity over the interval 47-51 days coincides with reported increases in testosterone synthesis and first appearance of spermatozoa in the testis. This and other lines of evidence suggest unique roles for these enzymes in regulation of availability of free cholesterol for testosterone and membrane synthesis, respectively.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of CD19 in pre-B and mature B cells.

Cross-linking of B cell surface immunoglobulins (sIg) results in activation of mature B cells and stimulates a molecular signaling mechanism for antigen-specific B cell expansion and differentiation. This signaling pathway is dependent on tyrosine (Tyr) phosphorylation and results in the activation of sIg-associated src family kinases and p72SYK. Rapid Tyr phosphorylation occurs on multiple protein substrates. Here we show that activation of B cells by cross-linking sIg results in an increase in Tyr phosphorylation of the lineage-restricted B cell surface antigen CD19, and show that it is a major substrate of activated Tyr kinase following sIg stimulation. Lower levels of constitutive CD19 Tyr phosphorylation occurred in most sIg+ mature B cell lines examined and in normal dense tonsillar B cells. We also find that when CD19 is Tyr-phosphorylated it becomes competent to interact with SH2 domains suggesting a mechanism whereby, following B cell activation, CD19 could be linked to intracellular signaling pathways. In sIg- pre-B cell lines, CD19 was expressed but was not constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine. Upon CD19 cross-linking, Tyr phosphorylation of CD19 was induced in sIg- pre-B cell lines. CD19 cross-linking also directly induced Tyr phosphorylation of CD19 and other substrates in mature B cells. The ability of CD19 to signal in the absence of sIg expression may provide important stimulation in pre-B cell development.