Arginine deiminase PEG20 inhibits growth of small cell lung cancers lacking expression of argininosuccinate synthetase.

BACKGROUND: Some cancers have been shown to lack expression of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), an enzyme required for the synthesis of arginine and a possible biomarker of sensitivity to arginine deprivation. Arginine deiminase (ADI) is a microbial enzyme capable of efficiently depleting peripheral blood arginine. METHODS: Argininosuccinate synthetase expression was assessed in human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) by immunohistochemistry (IHC), with expression also assessed in a panel of 10 human SCLC by qRT-PCR and western blot. Proliferation assays and analyses of apoptosis and autophagy assessed the effect of pegylated ADI (ADI-PEG20) in vitro. The in vivo efficacy of ADI-PEG20 was determined in mice bearing SCLC xenografts. RESULTS: Approximately 45% of SCLC tumours and 50% of cell lines assessed were negative for ASS. Argininosuccinate synthetase-deficient SCLC cells demonstrated sensitivity to ADI-PEG20, which was associated with the induction of autophagy and caspase-independent cell death. Arginine deiminase-PEG20 treatment of ASS-negative SCLC xenografts caused significant, dose-dependent inhibition of tumour growth of both small and established tumours. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a role for ADI-PEG20 in the treatment of SCLC, and a clinical trial exploring this therapeutic approach in patients with ASS-negative SCLC by IHC has now been initiated.

Minimal information about T cell assays: the process of reaching the community of T cell immunologists in cancer and beyond.

Many assays to evaluate the nature, breadth, and quality of antigen-specific T cell responses are currently applied in human medicine. In most cases, assay-related protocols are developed on an individual laboratory basis, resulting in a large number of different protocols being applied worldwide. Together with the inherent complexity of cellular assays, this leads to unnecessary limitations in the ability to compare results generated across institutions. Over the past few years a number of critical assay parameters have been identified which influence test performance irrespective of protocol, material, and reagents used. Describing these critical factors as an integral part of any published report will both facilitate the comparison of data generated across institutions and lead to improvements in the assays themselves. To this end, the Minimal Information About T Cell Assays (MIATA) project was initiated. The objective of MIATA is to achieve a broad consensus on which T cell assay parameters should be reported in scientific publications and to propose a mechanism for reporting these in a systematic manner. To add maximum value for the scientific community, a step-wise, open, and field-spanning approach has been taken to achieve technical precision, user-friendliness, adequate incorporation of concerns, and high acceptance among peers. Here, we describe the past, present, and future perspectives of the MIATA project. We suggest that the approach taken can be generically applied to projects in which a broad consensus has to be reached among scientists working in fragmented fields, such as immunology. An additional objective of this undertaking is to engage the broader scientific community to comment on MIATA and to become an active participant in the project.

Preleukemic expression of TL antigens in x-irradiated C57BL/6 mice.

Anomalous appearance of TL (thymus-leukemia) antigens is a characteristic feature of radiation-induced leukemias of C57bl/6 mice. We now report that thymocytes of irradiated C57BL/6 mice express TL antigens long before the development of overt leukemia. Thus, TL is a marker for preleukemic changes occurring during radiation leukemogenesis. Low levels of murine leukemia virus (MuLV)-related antigens are also detected on preleukemic thymocytes. Comparative tests on individual mice show no direct correlation between TL and MuLV antigen expression.

Production of TL antibody by mice immunized with TL- cell populations. A possible assay for thymic hormone.

TL(-) mice make TL antibody when immunized with spleen or bone marrow cells from TL(+) donors, despite the fact that these cells do not express TL antigen. This has been shown to depend on maturation of TL(-) precursors, contained in the inoculum, into TL(+) cells under influence of the recipient's thymus; the differentiated TL(+) cells then evoke production of TL antibody.

The G-IX system. A cell surface allo-antigen associated with murine leukemia virus; implications regarding chromosomal integration of the viral genome.

This report concerns a cell surface antigen (G(IX); G = Gross) which exhibits mendelian inheritance but which also appears de novo in cells that become productively infected with MuLV (Gross), the wild-type leukemia virus of the mouse. In normal mice, G(IX) is a cell surface allo-antigen confined to lymphoid cells and found in highest amount on thymocytes. Four categories of inbred mouse strains can be distinguished according to how much G(IX) antigen is expressed on their thymocytes. G(IX) (-) strains have none; in the three G(IX) (+) categories, G(IX) (3), G(IX) (2), and G(IX) (1), the amounts of G(IX) antigen present (per thymocyte) are approximately in the ratios 3:2:1. A study of segregating populations derived mainly from strain 129 (the prototype G(IX) (3) strain) and C57BL/6 (the prototype G(IX) (-) strain) revealed that two unlinked chromosomal genes are required for expression of G(IX) on normal lymphoid cells. The phenotype G(IX) (+) is expressed only when both genes are present, as in 129 mice. C57BL/6 carries neither of them. At one locus, expression of G(IX) is fully dominant over nonexpression (G(IX) fully expressed in heterozygotes). At the second locus, which is linked with H-2 (at a distance of 36.4 +/- 2.7 units) in group IX (locus symbol G(IX)), expression is semidominant (50% expression of G(IX) in heterozygotes); gene order T:H-2:Tla:G(IX). As a rule, when cells of G(IX) (-) mice or rats become overtly infected with MuLV (Gross), an event which occurs spontaneously in older mice of certain strains and which also commonly accompanies malignant transformation, their phenotype is converted to G(IX) (+). This invites comparison with the emergence of TL(+) leukemia cells in TL(-) mouse strains which has been observed in previous studies and which implies that TL(-) --> TL(+) conversion has accompanied leukemic transformation of such cells. So far the only example of G(IX) (-) --> G(IX) (+) conversion taking place without overt MuLV infection is represented by the occurrence of GCSA(-):G(IX) (+) myelomas in BALB/c (GCSA:G(IX) (-)) mice. Unlike the other Gross cell surface antigen described earlier, GCSA, which is invariably associated with MuLV (Gross) infection and never occurs in its absence, G(IX) antigen sometimes occurs independently of productive MuLV infection; for example, thymocytes and some leukemias of 129 mice are GCSA(-):G(IX) (+), and MuLV-producing sarcomas may be GCSA(+):G(IX) (-). The frequent emergence of cells of G(IX) (+) phenotype in all mouse strains implies that the structural gene coding for G(IX) antigen is common to all mice. There is precedent for this in the TL system, in which two of the Tla genes in linkage group IX appear to be ubiquitous among mice, but are normally expressed only in strains of mice carrying a second (expression) gene. It is not yet certain whether either of the two segregating genes belongs to the MuLV genome rather than to the cellular genome. This leaves the question whether MuLV may have a chromosomal integration site still debatable. But there is a good prospect that further genetic analysis will provide the answer and so elucidate the special relationship of leukemia viruses to the cells of their natural hosts.

Antigens of leukemias induced by naturally occurring murine leukemia virus: their relation to the antigens of gross virus and other murine leukemia viruses.

Leukemias can be induced in W/Fu inbred rats by neonatal inoculation of normal thymus cells of C58 mice. These leukemias are not transplantable to C58 mice or to adult W/Fu rats, but they can be kept in passage in W/Fu rats aged 0 to 7 days. Adult W/Fu rats inoculated repeatedly with these isogenic leukemias produce cytotoxic and precipitating antibodies. These antisera are of particular value in the analysis of the antigens of leukemia cells and of leukemia viruses because their mode of preparation precludes the formation of antibody against any normal constituents of the cell. Analysis based on the cytotoxic test indicates the presence of 2 distinct cell surface antigens in leukemias induced by Passage A Gross virus or occurring spontaneously in mice of high-incidence strains. All leukemias and other tissues known to contain G (Gross) leukemia antigen have both determinants, but certain leukemias of low-incidence strains have only 1 of them and so were previously classified G-. Immunoprecipitation with these antisera reveals the presence of a cellular antigen common to G+ cells and absent from G- cells; the same antigen can be demonstrated in ether-treated Gross virus, but not in intact virus. This antigen is present also in ether-treated preparations of the Friend, Moloney, and Rauscher leukemia viruses, but not in Bittner (mammary tumor) virus. Thus it may be regarded as a group-specific antigen of murine leukemia viruses, in contrast to the type-specific cellular antigens demonstrable by the cytotoxic test. Four additional antigens associated with leukemias induced by wild-type Gross virus have been demonstrated by immunoprecipitation, but their relation to viral and cellular antigens has not been determined.

Surface alloantigens of plasma cells.

A serological study of immunoglobulin-forming cells of the mouse, normal and malignant, shows that they lack all known surface differentiation antigens of the thymocyte-lymphocyte axis: TL, theta, Ly-A, Ly-B, and MSLA. Two systems of normal alloantigens are expressed on these cells, H-2 and a new system named PC. The gene Pca (Plasma cell antigen) which specifies PC.1 alloantigen segregates as a mendelian dominant not closely linked with H-2. This cell surface antigen is absent from thymocytes, leukemias, and very probably from thymus-derived lymphocytes also; it is present on cells of the liver, kidney, brain, and lymph nodes as well as on hemolytic plaque-forming cells of the spleen, and on myelomas. So PC.1 is properly classified as a differentiation alloantigen. The strain distribution of PC.1 does not conform to that of any known immunoglobulin allotype or cell surface alloantigen previously described. Thus the cell surface antigens of immunoglobulin-producing cells are clearly different from those of cells belonging to the thymocyte-lymphocyte axis. Each family of cells has distinctive alloantigens, and the two families share alloantigens of only one known system, H-2. This implies that either immunoglobulin-producing cells are not derived from thymic lymphocytes, or if they are, the program responsible for the transition must include extensive revision of cell surface structure.

Isoantigens of the H-2 and Tla loci of the mouse: interactions affecting their representation on thymocytes.

H-2 and TL isoantigens of the mouse are specified by the closely linked genetic loci H-2 and Tla. A. study of their representation on thymocytes was performed in order to reveal any interactions between the determinant genes or their products affecting the synthesis or disposition of these components of the thymocyte surface. The method employed was quantitative absorption of cytotoxic antibody by viable thymocytes. The phenotypic expression of TL antigens was found to reduce the demonstrable amount of certain H-2 antigens to as little as 34% of the quantity demonstrable on TL- thymocytes. A reduction was observed in all three H-2 types tested, (H-2(b), H-2(a), and H-2(k)). As antigenic modulation (change of TL phenotype from TL+ to TL-, produced by TL antibody) is known to entail a compensatory increase in H-2(D) antigen, it is concluded that the TL phenotype, rather than the Tla genotype, influences the surface representation of H-2 antigens. The two known TL+ phenotypes of thymocytes (TL.2 and TL.1,2,3) depress H-2 equally. The H-2 specificities affected are those determined by the D end of the E-2 locus, which is adjacent to Tla; antigens of the K end, which is distal to Tla, are not depressed. The reduction of demonstrable H-2 antigen on the thymocytes of TL+ x TL- progeny is half that of thymocytes of TL+ x TL+ progeny and the reduction affects equally the products of both H-2 alleles (cis and trans in relation to Tla), indicating that the mechanism of H-2 reduction by TL is extrachromosomal. Whether it involves diminished synthesis of H-2 or steric masking by TL at the cell membrane is unknown, but in either case the reciprocal relation of TL and H-2(D) antigens implies that they probably occupy adjacent positions on thymocytes and that the gene order, H-2(K): H-2(D):Tla is reflected in cell surface structure. Extrachromosomal interaction, apparently involving control of synthesis, occurs also within the TL system of antigens. Thymocytes of TL.2 x TL.1,2,3 progeny express the full homozygous quantity of antigens TL.1 and TL.3 (but not of TL.2), in contrast to the half-quantity present in thymocytes of TL- x TL.1,2,3 progeny. Another example of interaction is implicit in the finding that thymocytes of TL-1,2,3 x TL.1,2,3 progeny have more TL.2 antigen than thymocytes of TL.2 x TL.2 progeny, but in this instance there is nothing to indicate whether the mechanism is chromosomal or extrachromosomal. Thus the quantitative surface representation of at least some H-2 and TL antigens is influenced by the cellular complement of H-2:Tla genes as a whole. Comparison of H-2 heterozygous thymocytes with H-2 homozygous thymocytes in quantitative absorption tests shows (a) more than the expected 50% of each parental-type H-2 antigen on heterozygous cells, and (b) a greater suppression of H-2 by TL in H-2 heterozygotes in comparison with H-2 homozygotes. Both results may be explained on the basis of differences in the density of H-2 antigenic sites and consequent differences in the efficiency of absorption of H-2 antibody. These considerations may be useful in other contexts, e.g. in estimating the representation of Rh antigens on the red cells of human subjects homozygous and heterozygous for Rh components.

Thymus-leukemia (TL) antigens of the mouse. Analysis of TL mRNA and TL cDNA TL+ and TL- strains.

A thymus-leukemia (TL)-specific probe, pTL1, has been generated from a TL-coding gene of BALB/c mice. Multiple species of TL mRNA were detected in TL+ cells by Northern blot analysis with pTL1, and different Tla haplotypes could be distinguished on the basis of characteristic patterns of TL mRNA. No TL-related message was found in normal or leukemic TL- cells, including thymocytes from Tlab mice. However, TL mRNA could be detected in TL+ leukemias occurring in Tlab mice. A cDNA library has been made from ASL1 (a TL+ leukemia of A mice [Tlaa]), and pTL1+ clones have been sequenced. At least three structurally distinct TL genes are expressed in ASL1. Sequence comparison of TL genes from three Tla haplotypes indicates that TL genes are highly conserved (greater than 90% homology) and are more distantly related to H-2 genes. Several polyadenylation sites have been found in the 3' untranslated region of TL genes, and differential polyadenylation contributes to the size heterogeneity of TL transcripts. The predicted amino acid sequence of TL products indicates that TL and H-2 are similar in domain structure and disulfide bonds, but differ in glycosylation sites and in cytoplasmic domain sequences.

Some biochemical properties of thymus leukemia antigens solubilized from cell membranes by papain digestion.

Thymus leukemia (TL) alloantigenic activity was solubilized by papain proteolytic digestion from intact RADA1 tumor cells. If the cells were labeled with amino acids and fucose, the TL alloantigen could be isolated as a doubly labeled glycoprotein fragment by indirect precipitation from the papain digest. This TL glycoprotein fragment was approximately the same mol wt as the papain-digested H-2.4 alloantigen fragment as judged by chromatography on Sephadex G-150 in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The carbohydrate chain of the TL glycoprotein obtained by exhaustive pronase digestion behaved as a glycopeptide of approximately 4,500 mol wt, as compared with the glycopeptide of the H-2.4 alloantigen that had a mol wt of about 3,500. Thus, the TL alloantigen can be solubilized by papain digestion as a glycoprotein fragment similar in mol wt to the H-2 alloantigen glycoprotein fragment. The carbohydrate chain of the TL glycoprotein is larger than the H-2 carbohydrate chain.

Serologically demonstrable alloantigens of mouse epidermal cells.

Single cells were prepared from mouse tail epidermis by a method which gives high viability counts and so permits their use in cytotoxicity tests. According to tests with standard alloantisera, the antigen phenotype of mouse epidermal cells is H-2(+)theta(+)Sk(+)H-Y(+)TL(-)Ly-A(-)Ly-B,C(-)PC(-). The skin differentiation alloantigen Sk, which is responsible for homograft reactions directed selectively against skin, is expressed also on brain, but not on other cell types; it is present on the transplanted neuroblastoma C1300. Cytotoxicity tests with epidermal cells of H-2 congenic mouse stocks confirm that the Sk locus is not closely linked to H-2. The lymphoid cell differentiation antigen theta also is present on both epidermal cells and brain. Mice frequently retain theta-incompatible or Sk-incompatible skin grafts although they have formed substantial titers of theta or Sk antibody in response to grafting. Male (H-Y) antigen is demonstrable on epidermal cells by cytotoxicity tests with H-Y antibody, as it is also on one other type of cell, spermatozoa.

Mouse isoantigens: separation of soluble TL (thymus-leukemia) antigen from soluble H-2 histocompatibility antigen by column chromatography.

Mouse H-2 histocompatibility antigen has been extracted, solubilized, and partly purified from the cells of an A strain spontaneous leukemia carrying TL (thymus-leukemia) antigens. H-2 and TL. 1, 2, 3 activities were measured by inhibition of the cytotoxic effect of the corresponding isoantibodies. TL activity was associated with the H-2 active fraction obtained by solubilization and fractionation by gel filtration. TL specificity was largely separated from H-2 antigen by subsequent chromatography on DEAE Sephadex as an adjacent component in a series of fractions. The soluble H-2 antigen prepared from the leukemia cells was tested for most of the specificities determined by H-2(a) with no exceptional results. TL. 1, 2, 3 activities, measured as each component separately, were located in approximately the same position; there is no clear indication yet whether the three TL specificities are separable from one another. It appears that in addition to the close genetic linkage between the H-2 and TL loci, and their reciprocal interaction in producing H-2 and TL antigens, these antigens exhibit some similarity at the chemical level.

Age-related changes in cell surface antigens of preleukemic AKR thymocytes.

Thymocytes from preleukemic AKR mice aged 5-6 mo have an altered pattern of cell surface antigens. The expression of four MuLV-related antigens on the cell surface (GIX, GCSA, gp70, p30) is markedly increased in comparison to 2-mo-old AKR mice and approximates the heightened levels of these antigens found on thymic leukemia cells. H-2 and Thy-1 alloantigens also show characteristic modifications in relation to age and leukemia development. In contrast to the high Thy-1/low H-2 levels on 2-mo-old AKR thymocytes, thymocytes from 6-mo-old mice and thymic leukemia cells frequently show a low Thy-1/high H-2 surface phenotype. As thymocytes from mouse strains with a low incidence of leukemia do not show these changes, they appear to represent a stage in the conversion of normal cells to leukemia cells.

Immunoglobulin and other surface antigens of cells of the immune system.

Immunoglobulins (Ig) on cells of the immune system: The cytotoxicity test, with class-specific and type-specific anti-Ig sera, identifies kappa and micro determinants on mouse lymphocytes. The proportion of kappa(+) cells is characteristic for each source of cells: 30% of bone marrow cells, 40% of cells from peripheral lymph nodes, 45% of lymphocytes from peripheral blood or peritoneal cavity, and 50% of spleen cells. No Ig was demonstrable on thymocytes or on leukemia cells (most of which arise from thymus-derived [T] cells). Cytotoxicity tests were performed on various myelomas secreting different Ig; the only positive reactions were given by kappagamma1 myelomas (all four kappagamma1 myelomas tested were sensitive to both anti-kappa and anti-gamma1). Hemolytic plaque-forming cells (PFC) of IgG type had no demonstrable surface Ig, but a proportion of IgM PFC were kappa(+)micro(+). Virtually all rosette-forming cells (RFC) have surface Ig, more than 90% of them being inhibited by anti-kappa, 50% by anti-micro, and 10-30% by antisera to other heavy chains. Anti-lambda sera gave no positive reactions with any cell type, which is in keeping with the low level of this light chain in mouse serum. Ig and other differentiation antigens as markers for T and B cells: Thymocytes are hallmarked by the alloantigens TL, theta, and the Ly series, and it is generally held that extrathymic lymphoid cells that bear them are derived from thymocytes. There is one alloantigen marker for the thymus-independent (B) cell, and that is PC, which appears late in differentiation. (The mouse-specific lymphocyte (MSLA) and mouse-specific bone marrow-derived lymphocyte (MBLA) antigens recognized by heteroantisera, not used in the present study, are other candidates for T and B cell markers.) Making use of antisera to these surface antigens to inhibit the function of cells that carry them, we find the following: Approximately 30% of RFC, 60% of IgM PFC, and 90% of IgG are PC(+) and so are identified as B cells. No T markers were demonstrable on these cell populations. Thus if T cells do become RFC or PFC they presumably lose their T surface markers in the process (cf. the quantitative reduction of T markers accompanying the thymocyte --> lymphocyte transition). Cells that have the potential to initiate graft-versus-host (GVH) reactions have the T cell surface phenotype theta(+)Ig(-). Adoptive transfer of thymus-dependent antibody-forming capacity (response to sheep erythrocytes) required theta(+) cells but transfer of a thymus-independent immune response to Brucella antigen did not. Cells with surface Ig were involved in both types of adoptive transfers. Thus the presently available T markers do not provide evidence for T cells carrying surface Ig. Suppression of the Ig phenotype by antibody: antigenic modulation? A phenotypic change from Ig(+) to Ig(-) occurs when Ig(+) lymphocytes or myeloma cells are incubated with anti-Ig sera in vitro in the absence of complement (C). As with antigenic modulation in the TL system, which it resembles, this phenomenon is temperature dependent and in the case of lymph node cells (LNC) can be inhibited by high doses of actinomycin D.

Antigenic modulation. Loss of TL antigen from cells exposed to TL antibody. Study of the phenomenon in vitro.

Antigenic modulation (the loss of TL antigens from TL+ cells exposed to TL antibody in the absence of lytic complement) has been demonstrated in vitro. An ascites leukemia, phenotype TL.1,2,3, which modulates rapidly and completely when incubated with TL antiserum in vitro, was selected for further study of the phenomenon. Over a wide range of TL antibody concentrations modulation at 37 degrees C was detectable within 10 min and was complete within approximately 1 hr. The cells were initially sensitized to C' by their contact with antibody, thereafter losing this sensitivity to C' lysis together with their sensitivity to TL antibody and C' in the cytotoxic test. The capacity of the cells to undergo modulation was abolished by actinomycin D and by iodoacetamide, and by reducing the temperature of incubation to 0 degrees C. Thus modulation apparently is an active cellular process. Antigens TL. 1,2, and 3 are all modulated by anti-TL.1,3 serum and by anti-TL.3 serum. This modulation affects all three TL components together, even when antibody to one or two of them is lacking. aAnti-TL.2 serum does not induce modulation and in fact impairs modulation by the other TL antibodies. The influence of the TL phenotype of cells upon the demonstrable content of H-2 (D region) isoantigen, first shown in cells modulated in vivo, has been observed with cells modulated in vitro. Cells undergoing modulation show a progressive increase in H-2 (D region) antigen over a period of 4 hr, with no change in H-2 antigens of the K region. Restoration of the TL+ phenotype of modulated cells after removal of antibody is less rapid than TL+ --> TL- modulation and may require several cell divisions.

A unique antigenic epitope of human melanoma is carried on the common melanoma glycoprotein gp95/p97.

Analysis of antibodies present in the serum of melanoma patient FD has shown that they detect a unique tumor epitope present only on the autologous melanoma cell line SK-MEL-131. Previous results had shown that the unique FD epitope is carried on a common glycoprotein of approximately 90 kD, widely expressed on melanoma and a few other cell types. We now show by sequential radioimmunoprecipitation and partial amino acid sequencing that this common molecule is a previously recognized melanoma antigen, originally identified by mouse mAbs, designated gp95 or p97 (and also known as melanotransferrin). Thus, FD is the first of the class I (unique) melanoma antigens that has been characterized and related to a known cell surface molecule.

Leukemia-associated transplantation antigens related to murine leukemia virus. The X.1 system: immune response controlled by a locus linked to H-2.

Two BALB radiation leukemias are strongly rejected by hybrids of BALB with certain other mouse strains, although BALB mice themselves exhibit no detectable resistance whatever. Hybrids immunized with progressively increased inocula are resistant to 200 x 10(6) or more leukemia cells; their serum is cytotoxic for the leukemia cells in vitro and protects BALB mice against challenge with these BALB leukemias. The antigenic system thus identified has been named X.1. In (BALB x B6) hybrids the major determinant of resistance was shown to be a B6 gene in the K region of H-2. This is likely to be the Rgv-1 (Resistance to gross virus) locus of Lilly, which may thus be identified in this case as an Ir (Immune response) allele conferring ability to respond to X.1 antigen on MuLV and leukemia cells, and so responsible for production of X.1 antibody and the rejection of X.1(+) leukemia cells by hybrid mice. Immunoelectron microscopy with X.1 antiserum (from immunized hybrids) shows labeling both on the cell surface and on virions produced by the leukemia cells. It is not known whether X.1 comprises only one or more than one antigen. Three radiation-induced BALB leukemias, one A strain radiation-induced leukemia, and 15/15 AKR primary spontaneous leukemias were typed X.1(+) by the cytotoxicity test. Several other leukemias, including one induced by passage A Gross virus and one long-transplanted AKR ascites leukemia carried in (B6 x AKR)F(1) hybrids, were X.1(-). Normal mice of strains with a high incidence of leukemia and one other strain (129) express X.1 antigen, but evidently in amounts too small for certain detection in vitro; by the method of absorption in vivo, however, these strains could be typed X.1(+) and other strains X.1(-). We ascribe the X.1 antigen system tentatively to a sub-type of MuLV that is not passage A Gross virus and is probably not the dominant sub-type in strains with a high incidence of leukemia. After repeated passage in hybrids, one of the BALB leukemias became relatively resistant to rejection by the hybrid, partially lost its sensitivity to X.1 antiserum in vitro, and in electron micrographs was seen to produce fewer virions. The serum of untreated (BALB x B6) hybrids often contains cytotoxic antibody against leukemia cells, some of it probably anti-X.1. But another commonly occurring antibody, which is cytotoxic for C57BL leukemia EL4, appears to belong to another (undefined) system.

Serum-mediated leukemia cell destruction in AKR mice.

AKR mice with spontaneous leukemia were infused with normal serum from a variety of species. Leukemia cell destruction was produced by serum from strains of mice possessing the full spectrum of complement components, but not by serum from strains with a genetically determined deficiency of C5. Serum from guinea pigs, horses, and humans also causes destruction of leukemia cells. The antileukemic factor in normal serum was heat labile (56 degrees C for 35 min) and could be inactivated by cobra venom factor (CVF). Tests of individual complement factors from guinea pig serum and from human serum suggest that C5 is the antileukemic complement component in normal serum. Evidence was obtained that complement also plays a role in the antileukemic effect of interferon and endotoxin.

Extracellular matrix-modulated expression of human cell surface glycoproteins A42 and J143. Intrinsic and extrinsic signals determine antigenic phenotype.

We have used serologic, biochemical, and genetic methods to characterize two stage-specific human differentiation antigens of neural and melanocytic cells: A42 (57,000 Mr glycoprotein) and J143 (140,000/30,000 Mr glycoprotein). The genes determining A42 and J143 cell surface expression in rodent-human hybrids were chromosomally mapped, and the respective human chromosomes were introduced into rodent cells derived from distinct differentiation lineages. Serologic analysis of the resulting hybrid clones has permitted the identification of two types of regulatory signals determining A42 and J143 expression. First, both antigens are expressed in hybrids constructed with antigen-positive human cells and also in certain hybrids constructed with antigen-negative human cells, indicating that intrinsic signals provided by the differentiation program of the rodent fusion partner induce antigen expression. Second, a series of human-mouse neuroblastoma hybrids, which are A42- or J143- when cultured on plastic surfaces, can be induced to express the antigens when cultured on substrates coated with extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by bovine corneal endothelial cells or fibronectin. This induction of antigen expression by extrinsic, ECM-derived signals is accompanied in the neuroblastoma hybrids by increased substrate adhesiveness and cell spreading and by characteristic changes in cell morphology. A similar program of phenotypic changes is also seen in spontaneous variants of human neuroblastoma and Ewing's sarcoma cells and in ECM-induced Ewing's sarcoma cells. These findings suggest that ECM-derived signals have a role analogous to mitogens and soluble differentiation factors in modulating differentiation phenotypes and tissue-specific patterns of cell surface antigen expression.