Activation of the interferon-inducible protein kinase PKR by hepatocellular carcinoma derived-hepatitis C virus core protein.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major etiological agent of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We demonstrate herewith that HCV core proteins encoded by sequences isolated from HCC tumor tissues, but not those derived from their non-tumor counterparts in the same liver, co-localise in vitro and in vivo and co-immunoprecipitate with PKR in hepatocytic Huh7 cells. We show that this association in fact augments the autophosphorylation of PKR and the phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2alpha, which are two markers of PKR activity. The present study therefore identifies a novel model of virus-cell interactions whereby a viral protein, the HCV core, activates PKR activity.

Expression of hepatitis C virus NS5A natural mutants in a hepatocytic cell line inhibits the antiviral effect of interferon in a PKR-independent manner.

The impact of hepatitis C virus NS5A protein mutations on interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) signaling pathway, cell proliferation, and viability is an important issue that is still under debate. We have therefore combined transient and stable expression in a human hepatocytic cell line (Huh7) of 3 full-length NS5A sequences, isolated from patients with or without response to IFN-alpha therapy. Expression of all 3 NS5A-reduced IFN-alpha global antiviral activity on both vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) replication. We did not show, however, an effect of these 3 NS5A proteins on double-stranded RNA-dependent kinase (PKR) expression and activity as well as colocalization and coimmunoprecipitation between NS5A and PKR. We also failed to show an effect of the 3 NS5A mutants tested on cell proliferation and viability. Overall, our results support an important role of NS5A in controlling IFN-alpha antiviral activity; they show, however, that PKR-independent mechanisms are implicated, at least in liver-derived cells.

Interferons and IRF-1 induce expression of the survival motor neuron (SMN) genes.

BACKGROUND: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a common recessive disorder, characterized by degeneration of motor neurons of the spinal cord. Deletions, conversions, or mutations of the survival motor neuron gene (SMN) are responsible for SMA. A highly homologous centromeric copy of the SMN gene (SMNc) remains intact in SMA patients. However, there is an inverse correlation between the amount of the SMNc gene product and the clinical severity of the disease. An understanding of SMN and SMNc gene regulation is, therefore, an important step towards therapy for SMA. RESULTS: We identified a candidate Interferon-Stimulated Response Element (ISRE), overlapping with an Interferon Regulatory Factors binding motif (IRF-E) in the promoter region of SMN and SMNc genes. Both ISRE and IRF-E motifs are involved in mediating transcriptional induction of interferon-stimulated gene expression. We, therefore, investigated whether SMN and SMNc genes were regulated by interferons (IFN). Here we show that both IFN-beta and IFN-gamma rapidly induced SMN and SMNc mRNA and protein expression in various cell lines. The transcription factor IRF-1 bound to the candidate ISRE/IRF-E sequence of SMN and SMNc genes in vitro and overexpression of IRF-1 induced expression of both genes in transfection assays. IRF-1 is, therefore, at least in part responsible for the induction of SMN and SMNc by IFNs. In primary culture of fibroblasts from SMA patients, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma induced SMNc gene expression and restored protein defect.

Antagonistic action of IFN-beta and IFN-gamma on high affinity Fc gamma receptor expression in healthy controls and multiple sclerosis patients.

Monocyte-macrophage activation by IFN-gamma is characterized by a pronounced increase of high affinity Fc receptors for IgG (Fc gamma RI), capable of triggering respiratory burst, phagocytosis, Ab-dependent cytotoxicity, and release of proinflammatory cytokines. In view of the antagonism of IFN-beta on IFN-gamma action, of interest in the chronic inflammatory disorder multiple sclerosis, we examined the possible effect of IFN-beta on IFN-gamma induction of Fc gamma RI gene expression. We found that IFN-beta significantly down-regulated IFN-gamma-induced Fc gamma RI surface expression in peripheral blood monocytes from healthy donors, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This down-regulation of Fc gamma RI surface levels did not correspond to a decrease in Fc gamma RI mRNA, suggesting a posttranscriptional effect of IFN-beta. Down-regulation of Fc gamma RI surface expression correlated with diminished cellular signaling through Fc gamma RI, since the IFN-gamma-induced increase in Fc gamma receptor-triggered respiratory burst was nearly completely abrogated by simultaneous addition of IFN-beta. Finally, the same antagonism between both IFNs on Fc gamma RI surface expression was observed in peripheral blood monocytes derived from multiple sclerosis patients; inhibition by IFN-beta was even increased (82+/-11%), as compared with healthy controls (67+/-4%). These results may partially help explain the beneficial effect of IFN-beta in multiple sclerosis.

Characterization of a constitutive type III nitric oxide synthase in human U937 monocytic cells: stimulation by soluble CD23.

The soluble cleavage fragment of the low-affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor/CD23 (sCD23 25000 MW) and antibodies directed against their receptors on monocytes, CD11b and CD11c, stimulate the production of nitric oxide (NO) by these cells and we have suggested that the enzyme involved could be related to the endothelial constitutive type III nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS). In the present work, we have analysed the characteristic properties of this NOS isoform in the model of the human promonocytic cells U937 By reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the presence of an mRNA coding for type III NOS was found in U937 cells and the corresponding protein was detected by immunofluorescence in permeabilized cells with a specific anti-ecNOS monoclonal antibody (mAb). Membrane extracts displayed a NOS activity dependent on the presence of calcium and calmodulin in the reaction medium and that was abrogated in the presence of EGTA. Recombinant soluble CD23 (25000 MW) was found to trigger an NO-dependent cGMP accumulation in these cells, which was abrogated by calcium chelators and inhibitors of the calcium/calmodulin complex. Moreover, sCD23 elicited a transient augmentation of intracytoplasmic free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i that was dependent on the presence of calcium in the external buffer and was prevented in the presence of EGTA, indicating that it was due to a calcium influx. In conclusion, human promonocytic cells such as U937 exhibit a functional type III NOS that can be stimulated by calcium-raising agents, such as sCD23.

Beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists regulate the IL-4-induced phenotypical changes and IgE-dependent functions in normal human monocytes.

The beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists salbutamol and fenoterol were tested for their regulatory effects on human monocyte phenotype and functions, either alone or in combination with interleukin-4 (IL-4). These drugs enhanced in a dose-dependent manner the IL-4-induced membrane and mRNA expression of the low-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE) (CD23), as well as the release of its soluble form, sCD23. Salbutamol and fenoterol alone elicited expression of the monomorphic beta 2-chain (CD18) of the leukocyte functional antigen (LFA1) family. This effect appeared to be restricted to CD11b (CR3) and CD11c (gp 150-95), because CD11a (LFA-1 alpha chain) was not modified. beta 2-Adrenoceptor stimulation was also found to potentiate the effect of IL-4 on CD11b, CD11c, and CD18 expression. In contrast, these agents alone did not alter the level of major histocompatibility complex class II and CD14 antigens or modify their respective up- and down-regulation by IL-4. Ligation of CD23 on IL-4-preincubated (CD23+) monocytes with IgE/anti-IgE immune complexes induced the release of free radicals nitric oxide and of the proinflammatory mediators IL-6 and thromboxane B2 (TxB2). Addition of salbutamol, inactive alone, potentiated the generation of superoxide anion and of nitric oxide generation, as well as the production of IL-6 and TxB2 triggered by CD23 ligation. These results indicate that beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulation potentiates in vitro the IL-4-induced phenotypical and functional changes on monocytes and suggest that such an interaction could occur in IgE-dependent immune reactions.

CD23-mediated cell signalling.

Signal transduction through ligation of the CD23 (Fc epsilon RII) molecule was analysed in human B cells and monocytes. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the IgE binding site of CD23 were found to trigger phosphoinositide hydrolysis and calcium mobilization in B cells, but not in monocytes. These early events were also obtained with an IgE+anti-IgE complex, which supposedly mimicks the physiological situation of a multivalent antigen inducing the cross-linking of cell-bound IgE. Redistribution of CD23 was also found to evoke cAMP accumulation both in B lymphocytes and monocytes. Moreover, we present evidence indicating a possible cross-talk between the IL-4- and CD23-induced second messengers. We suggest that the alternative transduction pathways elicited by ligation of CD23 are linked to the CD23 isoform(s) expressed by these cells and may result from their association with different sets of molecules.

Inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases suppress IL-4-induced CD23 expression and release by human B lymphocytes.

The pleiotropic lymphokine IL-4 is a growth and differentiation factor for human B cells. IL-4 induces the expression of the CD23 (Fc epsilon RII) molecule on B lymphocytes and promotes the release of its soluble form (sCD23); the cleavage fragments of the latter have been reported to modulate IL-4-dependent IgE biosynthesis. In the present work, we have tested the effects of inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) and protein phosphatases (PP) on the induction by IL-4 of the membrane and soluble forms of CD23. The PTK inhibitors genistein and lavendustin A were found to suppress, in a dose-dependent way, the induction by IL-4 of CD23 membrane expression as well as CD23 release by resting and SAC-preactivated B lymphocytes. No such suppression was detected with inhibitors of serine and threonine kinases. The addition of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor sodium orthovanadate also resulted in a marked decrease in CD23 induction by IL-4. Cell viability was little affected by these inhibitors. However, a diminution of the large activated B cell population was observed, which correlated with an inhibition of the entry in the S phase. Partial inhibition of sCD23 release was also observed with okadaic acid and calyculin A, two inhibitors of serine/threonine PP, but only at concentrations which block PP1 in addition to PP2A. These results suggest that protein tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation may play a major role in IL-4 signalling. This conclusion was strengthened by the observation that a mAb anti-CD45, a membrane tyrosine phosphatase, inhibited IL-4-induced sCD23 release by B lymphocytes.

Ligation of CD23 triggers cyclic AMP generation in human B lymphocytes.

The low affinity IgE receptor CD23 may play a role in several B lymphocyte functions, such as cell activation and multiplication, Ag presentation, and IgE production. We have previously reported that ligation of the CD23 molecule with anti-CD23 mAb, or IgE-anti-IgE complexes, leads to phosphoinositide hydrolysis and calcium mobilization through the generation of Inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate via a process involving a Pertussis toxin insensitive GTP-binding protein. In our work, we show that anti-CD23 mAb elicit an increase in cAMP concentration in human peripheral blood-derived B lymphocytes. This effect was detected both in resting and in IL-4-stimulated B cells displaying, respectively, low and high levels of CD23. Maximum cAMP accumulation was reached about 20 min after addition of the mAb. Involvement of Fc gamma RII in this process could be excluded because cAMP increase was also triggered by mAb anti-CD23 F(ab')2 fragments. Accumulation of cAMP was also observed when IgE-sensitized activated B lymphocytes were challenged with the specific hapten. Several lines of evidence indicate that the cAMP increase after CD23 ligation may result, in part, from the stimulation of phosphoinositidase C, inasmuch as it was markedly impaired by treatment with TMB-8, an inhibitor of InsP3-induced calcium release from intracytoplasmic stores and with BAPTA, an intracellular calcium chelator. Addition of GTP-gamma S to permeabilized B cells or to membrane preparations did not potentiate the effect of the mAb, suggesting that a Gs protein is not directly implicated in the generation of cAMP. Besides, cAMP accumulation is not due to the production of PG because it is not modified by indomethacin, an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway. Pretreatment of B lymphocytes with either anti-CD23 mAb or IL-4 led to autologous as well as heterologous desensitization. This negative cross-talk, at the level of cAMP, between the signaling pathways triggered by ligation of CD23 and of the IL-4 receptor, could contribute to the inhibitory effect of anti-CD23 mAb on IL-4-dependent B cell activation and differentiation.

Intracellular signaling events associated with the induction of DNA synthesis in human B lymphocytes. I. Stimulation of PKC-dependent and -independent pathways by LMW-BCGF.

The low molecular weight B cell growth factor (LMW-BCGF) induces the G1 --> S transition in human B lymphocytes activated by a first signal, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan (SAC) or anti-mu antibody. It also stimulates proliferation of normal long-term B cell lines and some B cell tumors. We have previously reported that LMW-BCGF induces the hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides (PI) and a rise in intracellular free calcium concentration, through the generation of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) (Renard et al., J. Immunol. 18, 1705, 1988). In the present work we have analyzed the possible association between early signaling events elicited by LMW-BCGF in SAC-activated B cells and its ability to provoke DNA synthesis, notably at the level of phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PK-C) activation. Inhibitors of PLC and of InsP3-induced calcium release were found to block LMW-BCGF-dependent DNA synthesis. An increase in membrane-associated protein kinase C (PK-C) activity was detected after the addition of the growth factor and the mitogenic effect of LMW-BCGF was partially suppressed when B cell blasts were incubated with staurosporine or H-3, two inhibitors of PK-C activity. In addition, the mitogenic effect due to the addition of LMW-BCGF was not modified by the incubation of B cell blasts with high concentrations of TPA, even if this treatment inhibited cellular response to a low concentration of TPA. LMW-BCGF also increased intracellular pH in B cell blasts and lymphokine-induced mitogenic activity was reduced when the Na+/H+ amiloride or ethylisopropyl amiloride (EIPA) antiport blockers were added. These results suggest that (i) LMW-BCGF-induced PI breakdown and CA2+ mobilization and cell alkalinization are associated with the induction of cell proliferation, and (ii) the activation of PK-C does not appear to be the sole pathway activated by LMW-BCGF.

Intracellular signaling events associated with the induction of DNA synthesis in human B lymphocytes. II. Different pathways triggered by IL-2 and IL-4.

In attempts to detect associations between early signaling events triggered by interleukins and the induction of DNA synthesis, inhibitors of various second messenger pathways were tested for their effects on IL-2- and IL-4-elicited mitogenesis in preactivated human B lymphocytes. Inhibitors of phosphoinositidase C and of InsP3-induced calcium release suppressed IL-4- but not IL-2-mediated proliferation. The response to both lymphokines was also impaired by an inhibitor of the calcium/calmodulin complex and was modulated by variations of the [Ca2+]i. PKC inhibitors and PK-C depletion did not significantly alter the response to IL-2 and IL-4. The response to IL-2, but not to IL-4, was inhibited by cAMP analogues or by agents that raise cAMP. In contrast, IL-4, but not IL-2, stimulated cAMP accumulation in activated B cells. Taken together, these observations indicate that IL-2 and IL-4 use different signaling pathways to induce the G1-->S transition in these cells and suggest that the IL-4 inhibition of the B cell response to IL-2 may result from its effect on cAMP generation.

Ligation of CD23 triggers cAMP generation and release of inflammatory mediators in human monocytes.

Transduction through the CD23 molecule (Fc epsilon RII) was analyzed in normal human monocytes using monoclonal antibodies to CD23 (MHM6 and 135) and IgE/anti-IgE immune complexes. Monocytes expressing an increased amount of CD23 molecules were obtained by stimulation with IL-4 (30 U/ml). Anti-CD23 mAb as well as IgE/anti-IgE immune complexes were unable to induce any significant calcium mobilization [Ca2+]i in CD23-bearing monocytes whereas they elicited [Ca2+]i increase in B lymphocytes of the same donors. Despite their failure to induce calcium mobilization, the same CD23 ligands triggered a dose-dependent increase of intracellular cAMP, with a maximum 20 to 30 min after the onset of stimulation. This effect is mediated via CD23 inasmuch as: 1) F(ab)'2 fragments are as active as intact anti-CD23 mAb and 2) it is not observed in CD23- monocytes. The increase in cAMP was only partially altered in the presence of 1 microM indomethacin suggesting that it was not due to the release of PG. The possible role of CD23 in the activation of human monocytes was next documented by showing that anti-CD23 mAb and IgE/anti-IgE immune complexes induced the generation of IL-6 and of thromboxane B2 by CD23+ but not by CD23- monocytes. In addition, the IgE/anti-IgE-induced IL-6 production was potentiated in the presence of cAMP inducer such as the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol. These results indicate that ligation of CD23 induces cAMP generation in CD23+ human monocytes and that CD23 may regulate the IgE-dependent functions in normal human monocytes.

Transient nuclear location of the IL-2 receptor during T cell activation.

Binding of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to its membrane receptor (IL-2R) on target cells is followed by internalization of the IL-2R. The subsequent intracellular fate of IL-2R is not known. This paper describes the intracellular location of the p55 subunit of the IL-2R during IL-2 mediated T cell activation and growth of two mouse T helper clones. IL-2R was visualized by immunohistochemistry using two rat monoclonal antibodies (5A2 and 7D4). Immunostaining shows that the p55 subunit of the IL-2R is transiently present in the nucleus of activated T cells. The intranuclear location of the IL-2R suggests that the p55 subunit, either alone or in conjunction with the IL-2 or the p70 subunit, may be implicated in the regulation of gene expression involved in T cell proliferation.

Human B cell activating factor (BCAF): production by a human T cell tumor line.

In a previous study, we demonstrated that supernatants from human T cell clones stimulated by a pair of anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies cause resting human B cells to become activated and to proliferate in the absence of any other signals. The activity responsible for these effects was shown to be different from already characterized lymphokines and in particular from IL-2 and IL-4, and was named B Cell Activating Factor or BCAF. In this paper, we describe the production of BCAF by a human T cell tumor line T687 after phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation; this production can be potentiated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). We further show that the stimulatory phase can be separated from the secretory phase thereby avoiding contamination of BCAF-containing supernatant by PMA and PHA. Supernatants produced under these conditions do not contain either IL-4 or IFN but contain traces of lymphotoxin and 2 to 10 ng/ml of IL-2. The T687 cell line will allow us to obtain a large volume of supernatant for biochemical study and purification of the molecule(s) responsible for BCAF activity.

p55 IL-2 receptor mRNA precursors in murine T lymphocyte nuclei.

An unusual family of cDNA clones homologous to human p55 IL-2R sequences was isolated from the murine HT-2 Th cell line. These clones were mapped, partially sequenced, and compared with previously published human and mouse IL-2R sequences. They appear to consist of various combinations of exons and introns, suggesting that they are derived from p55 IL-2R mRNA precursors. The configuration of exons in the splicing intermediates indicates that the murine and human gene organizations are similar and that the 3' end of intron 3 is well conserved between the two species. RNA mapping experiments using nuclear, cytoplasmic, and total RNA and probes derived from various parts of the p55 IL-2R gene support and extend the sequence data. They indicate that detectable amounts of immature p55 IL-2R mRNA are found specifically in the cell nucleus of the HT-2 cell line. Similar data were obtained for the Th cell clone 52.3 and the cytotoxic T cell line CTLL. All these results indicate that the T cell nucleus contains significant amounts of immature p55 IL-2R mRNA.

Nuclear location of the p55 subunit of the IL-2 receptor following activation of the HT-2 T helper cell line.

After mitogenic or antigenic stimulation, T cells express interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R). The mechanism and control of signal transduction following binding of IL-2 to IL-2R are poorly understood. Using two rat monoclonal antibodies (5A2 and 7D4) specific for two distinct epitopes of the p55 subunit of mouse IL-2R, we have studied the cellular localization of this molecule by immunocytochemistry during the IL-2-mediated activation of mouse T helper cell clone HT-2. During the activation cycle, nuclear staining for the p55 subunit of the IL-2 receptor was transiently observed. It is suggested that the transient nuclear location of the IL-2R may play a critical role in the control of T-cell activation, proliferation and/or differentiation.

Soluble mediators can replace helper T cells in the activation of resting B lymphocytes: evidence for a human B cell activating factor.

We were interested in studying the participation of T cell-derived soluble factors in the early steps of B cell activation. Thus supernatants containing such factors were obtained following activation of human T cell clones and their effects on isolated B cells investigated. These supernatants induced activation, blastogenesis and proliferation of purified resting human B cells. Our results strongly suggest the existence of a B cell Activating Factor (BCAF) of apparent molecular weight (m.w.) of 12,000-15,000 daltons which acts directly on resting B cells and replaces helper T cells in B cell activation.