Unexpected thymic hyperplasia in transgenic mice harboring a neuronal promoter fused with simian virus 40 large T antigen.

The hypothalamic peptide growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) regulates the secretion and production of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary (M. C. Gelato and G. R. Merriam, Annu. Rev. Physiol. 48:569-591). To study GRF gene regulation, transgenic mice were generated that harbor the human GRF promoter fused to the coding sequences from the simian virus 40 early region. These mice had normal hypothalamic functions but unexpectedly suffered from severe thymic hyperplasia. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that large T antigen was expressed in the thymic epithelial cells. These cells have endocrine properties and are known to produce thymic hormones [corrected]. The thymic hyperplasia was the apparent consequence of inappropriate production of T-cell maturation factors by epithelial cells and could involve increased self renewal of apparently normal T stem cells in the thymus.

Effects of monoclonal antibodies that block transferrin receptor function on the in vivo growth of a syngeneic murine leukemia.

The ability of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the murine transferrin receptor to inhibit the growth of transplanted syngeneic AKR/J SL-2 leukemic cells has been investigated. Two rat IgM antibodies, RI7 208 and REM 17.2, which both block transferrin receptor function, inhibited the growth of SL-2 leukemic cells in vitro at concentrations of 5-10 micrograms per ml. However, RI7 208 was more effective than REM 17.2 in prolonging survival of tumor-bearing mice. The antitumor effects of RI7 208 MAb were dependent on both the antibody dose and number of leukemic cells inoculated. The serum clearance of [75Se]methionine-labeled RI7 208 and REM 17.2 antibodies was similar and consisted of an initial rapid phase over the first 2 days followed by a slower phase. A single dose of 2 mg of antibody maintained a serum MAb concentration (greater than 10 micrograms/ml) sufficient to inhibit SL-2 leukemic cell growth in vitro for 2-3 days. The liver, kidney, and spleen were the major sites at which each of the antibodies accumulated regardless of whether trace or saturating amounts of antibody were administered. The specific activity of antibody found in s.c. SL-2 tumors was about 2-fold less than that of liver. It was shown that multiple doses of R17 208 MAb administered on a schedule aimed at maintaining a therapeutic serum level of MAb for 1-3 weeks were more effective than a single dose. Further, administration of RI7 208 MAb, in combination with the anti-Thy-1.1 MAb 19E12, was more effective than either antibody alone. SL-2 mutant cells were selected that were resistant to growth inhibitory effects of RI7 208 in vitro. The effects of RI7 208 MAb on the growth of these mutant cells in vivo suggests the major mechanism by which the MAb inhibits SL-2 tumor growth is by directly blocking receptor function. Acute toxicity associated with administration of the MAb was minimal. However, assays of myeloid and erythroid colony-forming units in bone marrow and spleen of mice given multiple doses of RI7 208 showed a depression of stem cell activity in bone marrow and elevated numbers of erythroid and cellular colony-forming units in the spleen.

The human leucocyte-common (LC) molecule: dissection of leukaemias using monoclonal antibodies directed against framework and restricted antigenic determinants.

Monoclonal antibodies have previously been raised against two separate antigenic determinants on the human LC molecule. One, F10.89.4, recognizes a 'framework' epitope on all LC molecules; these are found on the majority of leucocytes. The other, F8.11.13, recognizes only a 'restricted' epitope present on a subset of these molecules; this subset is found on B lymphocytes and a subpopulation of T lymphocytes. LC molecules on myeloid cells do not carry the 'restricted' antigenic determinant. We have investigated the differential expression of these LC epitopes on human leukaemias, using immunofluorescence on fresh leukaemic blasts and established cell lines. Our study shows that, as on normal haemopoietic cells, LC molecules on B leukaemias bear both 'framework' and 'restricted' epitopes, while the majority of T leukaemias bear only the 'framework' determinant. The small proportion of T cells that are F8.11.13+ ('restricted' epitope) are relatively mature, being of either OKT4+ or OKT8+ phenotype, and may be in an activated state (HLA-DR+). However, in contrast to normal haemopoietic cells, some myeloid leukaemias carry both 'framework' and 'restricted' epitopes (30% AML and AMML samples are F10.89.4+, F8.11.13+), and it is within this group that all TdT+ AML and AMML cases lie. Thus, these monoclonal antibodies should be useful for studying haemopoiesis in man and for analyzing human haemopoietic malignancies.

The human thymus microenvironment: in vivo identification of thymic nurse cells and other antigenically-distinct subpopulations of epithelial cells.

We have studied the human thymus microenvironment in order to identify subsets of cells that may be responsible for the induction of different aspects of T-lymphocyte differentiation, education and MHC restriction. Using immunofluorescence on tissue sections and cell suspensions we have found MHC products (HLA-A, B, C and DR) to be present throughout the thymus epithelium whilst human T-cell antigens are absent from all non-lymphoid cells. In contrast, Thy-1 antigen (expressed on approximately 1% paediatric human thymocytes) has a differential expression amongst thymic epithelial cells, being confined to those in the subcapsular cortex and to 'thymic nurse cells' (TNC). The former represent the site to which thymocyte precursors first migrate upon entering the thymus. The latter are large epithelial cells, located within the cortex, whose plasma membrane totally enclose a number of thymus lymphocytes; these cells are therefore good candidates for the mediators of direct contact (stromal) induced thymocyte maturation.

Human Thy-1 antigen: cell surface expression on early T and B lymphocytes.

Human Thy-1 is present on the surface of only a small proportion of haemopoietic cells (thymus--0.2-10%; bone marrow--0.1-0.5%). We have analysed these Thy-1+ cells in more detail using immunofluorescence on a wide range of human haemopoietic cell lines and fresh leukaemic blasts; both situations where rare cells can become clonally expanded. The data demonstrate that Thy-1 is confined to the early stages of T- and B-lymphocyte development, and is absent from all myeloid cells. The Thy-1+ B cells represent late pre-B (c mu+)/early sIgM+ B cells. The Thy-1+ T cells are situated in the outer thymic cortex. Dual immunofluorescence analysis of FACS separated Thy-1+ thymocytes shows them to have the antigenic phenotype and morphology of prothymocytes/early thymocytes (some overlap seen with CALLA, TdT, OKT6 and OKT1).

Identification and characterization of the human Pgp-1 glycoprotein.

Two monoclonal antibodies have been raised against human Pgp-1 by the immunization of mice with human fibroblasts. The human molecule, like the previously identified mouse counterpart, is an abundant membrane protein (Mr approximately 95 000) with a broad tissue distribution. Pgp-1 is phosphorylated, and phosphoamino acid analysis demonstrates that this occurs exclusively on serine residues. A major difference between the mouse and the human is that 50-60% of human thymocytes are Pgp-1+ compared to 5-10% of mouse thymocytes at an equivalent stage in development. Immunofluorescence studies of cryostat sections showed that the majority of human medullary thymocytes are strongly stained with Pgp-1-specific antibody, whereas the expression of Pgp-1 on cortical thymocytes is much more heterogeneous.