The role of the -50 region of the human gamma-globin gene in switching.

During the switch from human gamma- (fetal) to beta- (adult) globin gene expression, the gamma and beta genes are expressed competitively by an alternating transcription mechanism. The -50 region of the gamma gene promoter has been proposed to be responsible for the early competitive advantage of the gamma genes and to act as a stage selector element (SSE) in hemoglobin switching. We analyzed the effect of mutating the -50 region of the gamma gene in the presence of a competing beta gene in transgenic mice. This shows that the -50 region does not affect silencing of the beta gene in early development and does not act as a stage selector. However, it affects the ratio of gamma versus beta gene expression in the early, but not later, stages of fetal development. Interestingly, both the wild-type and mutant minilocus constructs show a higher frequency of alternate transcription than observed in the complete locus, suggesting that sequences normally present between the gamma and beta genes facilitate the interaction of the locus control region (LCR) and beta-globin gene in the complete locus.

In vivo transposition of Minos, a Drosophila mobile element, in mammalian tissues.

Transposable elements have been used widely in the past 20 years for gene transfer and insertional mutagenesis in Drosophila. Transposon-based technology for gene manipulation and genomic analysis currently is being adopted for vertebrates. We tested the ability of Minos, a DNA transposon from Drosophila hydei, to transpose in mouse tissues. Two transgenic mouse lines were crossed, one expressing Minos transposase in lymphocytes under the control of the CD2 promoter/locus control region and another carrying a nonautonomous Minos transposon. Only mice containing both transgenes show excision of the transposon and transposition into new chromosomal sites in thymus and spleen cells. In addition, expression of Minos transposase in embryonic fibroblast cell lines derived from a transposon-carrying transgenic mouse resulted in excision of the transposon. These results are a first step toward a reversible insertional mutagenesis system in the mouse, opening the way to develop powerful technologies for functional genomic analysis in mammals.

Enforced expression of GATA-3 during T cell development inhibits maturation of CD8 single-positive cells and induces thymic lymphoma in transgenic mice.

The zinc finger transcription factor GATA-3 is of critical importance for early T cell development and commitment of Th2 cells. To study the role of GATA-3 in early T cell development, we analyzed and modified GATA-3 expression in vivo. In mice carrying a targeted insertion of a lacZ reporter on one allele, we found that GATA-3 transcription in CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive thymocytes correlated with the onset of positive selection events, i.e., TCRalphabeta up-regulation and CD69 expression. LacZ expression remained high ( approximately 80% of cells) during maturation of CD4 single-positive (SP) cells in the thymus, but in developing CD8 SP cells the fraction of lacZ-expressing cells decreased to <20%. We modified this pattern by enforced GATA-3 expression driven by the CD2 locus control region, which provides transcription of GATA-3 throughout T cell development. In two independent CD2-GATA3-transgenic lines, approximately 50% of the mice developed thymic lymphoblastoid tumors that were CD4(+)CD8(+/low) and mostly CD3(+). In tumor-free CD2-GATA3-transgenic mice, the total numbers of CD8 SP cells in the thymus were within normal ranges, but their maturation was hampered, as indicated by increased apoptosis of CD8 SP cells and a selective deficiency of mature CD69(low)HSA(low) CD8 SP cells. In the spleen and lymph nodes, the numbers of CD8(+) T cells were significantly reduced. These findings indicate that GATA-3 supports development of the CD4 lineage and inhibits maturation of CD8 SP cells in the thymus.

Murine MHC class II locus control region drives expression of human beta-glucocerebrosidase in antigen presenting cells of transgenic mice.

Gaucher disease is the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder in humans, resulting from an inherited deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Although the enzyme is ubiquitously expressed, cells of the reticuloendothelial system are particularly affected since they accumulate the undigested glucosylceramide substrate through their role in scavenging and breaking down cell debris. Gaucher disease is an attractive target for somatic gene therapy. To test the ability to express the enzyme in the affected cell types we have generated transgenic mice expressing human glucocerebrosidase under the control of the murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II Ead locus control region (LCR). The four transgenic lines express the human enzyme in a copy number-dependent manner, independent of the integration site of the transgene. Over-expression of the human enzyme in mice did not result in any abnormal phenotype or pathology during the period of observation (> 2 years). The enzyme is expressed in B cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, thymic epithelial cells, and macrophages in various tissues: the peritoneal cavity, bone marrow, spleen, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, Kupffer cells in the liver and alveolar macrophages in lungs. Expression in the brain was limited to perivascular macrophages and was not seen in microglial cells. Therefore, the MHC class II LCR could potentially be of use in somatic gene therapy for type 1 Gaucher disease.

Microinjection of cre recombinase RNA induces site-specific recombination of a transgene in mouse oocytes.

We have developed a strategy for producing single copy transgenic mouse lines using Cre-loxP site specific recombination. The method is based on transient expression of the recombinase after injection of in vitro transcribed mRNA into the cytoplasm of fertilised eggs containing multiple copies of the transgene. The success rate of the recombination event is 100% (15 out of 15).

The expression of bacterial nitroreductase in transgenic mice results in specific cell killing by the prodrug CB1954.

The enzyme nitroreductase, isolated from Escherichia coli B, converts CB1954 ((5-aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitro-benzamide) into a cytotoxic DNA interstrand cross-linking agent. The E. coli B gene (nfnB, NTR) encoding nitroreductase (NTR) was cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors. When driven by a CMV promoter, 5-10% of the stably transfected mouse fibroblasts expressed the NTR enzyme. These cells were killed at a concentration of 20 microM CB1954 in comparison to nonexpressing cells which were killed at a much higher concentration (500 microM). We subsequently generated transgenic mice to test the prodrug system in vivo. Nitroreductase was expressed specifically in T cells driven by the control elements of the human CD2 locus. Upon CB1954 treatment, transgenic mice show extensive cell depletion in thymus and spleen (14-16% of normal cell numbers), whereas all other tissues are unaffected by prodrug administration. These results raise the possibility of using the NTR gene in anticancer therapy.

Correction of the X-linked immunodeficiency phenotype by transgenic expression of human Bruton tyrosine kinase under the control of the class II major histocompatibility complex Ea locus control region.

Bruton tyrosine kinase (Btk) is essential for the development of pre-B cells to mature B cell stages. Btk-deficient mice manifest an X-linked immunodeficiency (xid) defect characterized by a reduction of peripheral IgMlow IgDhigh B cells, a lack of peritoneal CD5+ B cells, low serum levels of IgM and IgG3, and impaired responses to T cell independent type II (TI-II) antigens. We have generated transgenic mice in which expression of the human Btk gene is driven by the murine class II major histocompatibility complex Ea gene locus control region, which provides gene expression from the pre-B cell stage onwards. When these transgenic mice were mated onto a Btk- background, correction of the xid B cell defects was observed: B cells differentiated to mature IgMlowIgDhigh stages, peritoneal CD5+ B cells were present, and serum Ig levels and in vivo responses to TI-II antigens were in the normal ranges. A comparable rescue by transgenic Btk expression was also observed in heterozygous Btk+/- female mice in those B-lineage cells that were Btk-deficient as a result of X chromosome inactivation. These findings indicate that the Btk- phenotype in the mouse can be corrected by expression of human Btk from the pre-B cell stage onwards.

The human beta-globin locus control region confers an early embryonic erythroid-specific expression pattern to a basic promoter driving the bacterial lacZ gene.

The beta-globin locus control region (LCR) is contained on a 20 kb DNA fragment and is characterized by the presence of five DNaseI hypersensitive sites in erythroid cells, termed 5'HS1-5. A fully active 6.5 kb version of the LCR, called the muLCR, has been described. Expression of the beta-like globin genes is absolutely dependent on the presence of the LCR. The developmental expression pattern of the genes in the cluster is achieved through competition of the promoters for the activating function of the LCR. Transgenic mice experiments suggest that subtle changes in the transcription factor environment lead to the successive silencing of the embryonic epsilon-globin and fetal gamma-globin promoters, resulting in the almost exclusive transcription of the beta-globin gene in adult erythropoiesis. In this paper, we have asked the question whether the LCR and its individual hypersensitive sites 5'HS1-4 can activate a basic promoter in the absence of any other globin sequences. We have employed a minimal promoter derived from the mouse Hsp68 gene driving the bacterial beta-galactosidase (lacZ) gene. The results show that the muLCR and 5'HS3 direct erythroid-specific, embryonic expression of this construct, while 5'HS1, 5'HS2 and 5'HS4 are inactive at any stage of development. Expression of the muLCR and 5'HS3 transgenes is repressed during fetal stages of development. The transgenes are in an inactive chromatin conformation and the lacZ gene is not transcribed, as shown by in situ hybridization. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that the LCR requires the presence of an active promoter to adopt an open chromatin conformation and with models proposing progressive heterochromatization during embryogenesis. The results suggest that the presence of a beta-globin gene is required for LCR function as conditions become more stringent during development.

Delivery of DNA into mammalian cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis and gene therapy.

The correction of genetically based disorders by the introduction of a therapeutic genetic construct into the appropriate cell type ("gene therapy"), has become a distinct possibility in recent years. In order for gene therapy to be a practical alternative to more conventional pharmaceutical approaches to treatment, it must be administrable in vivo. This demands that a system be developed that can specifically target the DNA to the desired cell type once introduced into the patient. Among the procedures that are currently being pursued, the delivery of DNA to cells by receptor mediated endocytosis (RME), comes closest to fulfilling this crucial requirement. The natural physiological process of RME can be exploited to deliver genetic material to cells. An antibody or ligand to a cell surface receptor that is known to undergo endocytosis, is complexed with DNA through a covalently linked polycationic adjunct (e.g., polylysine, protamines). Such complexes retain their binding specificity to the cell surface and are taken up into the cell where they enter the endosomal compartment via normal endocytotic processes. In addition, steps must be taken to avoid degradation of the DNA within the endosome-lysosome. Cells can be treated with the lysosomatropic agent chloroquine during the transfection procedure. Alternatively, the components of viruses that enter cells by endocysis and possess an endosomal "break out" capacity can be used. Replication defective adenovirus coupled to the ligand-DNA complex gives transfection efficiencies of virtually 100% on tissue culture cells in vitro. Synthetic peptides that mimic the membrane fusing region of influenza virus hemagglutinin, have also been successfully used as part of the ligand-DNA complex to bring about endosomal escape. Preliminary studies have demonstrated the potential of this method to specifically target DNA to the cell type of choice in vivo. Delivery of genes by receptor-mediated endocytosis offers the greatest hope that gene therapy can be an inexpensive, easily applicable, widespread technology.

Phenotype and adhesion characteristics of rat thymic macrophages cultivated in serum-free medium.

Rat thymic macrophages (TMF) were cultivated in serum-free medium (Biorich 2) using an explant technique. This medium favored the growth of macrophages and inhibited the proliferation of other non-lymphoid cells. Macrophage characteristics of cultivated cells were confirmed by their morphology, NSE activity and positivity (approx. 95%) with ED1 and Mar 1 mAbs (pan-macrophage markers in the rat). The majority of non-adherent cells (NAC) released in culture medium during the proliferation of TMF also possessed macrophage characteristics. Both adherent TMF and NAC were heterogeneous cells expressing cortical/CMZ phenotype (ED2+, R-MC 41+, R-MC 42+) and CMZ/medullary phenotype (R-MC 43+, R-MC 44+). NAC population contained higher proportion of cells expressing class II MHC molecules, IL-2R and 1F119 antigen compared to adherent TMF. The TMF phenotype changed during cultivation and upon stimulation with inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha). TMF formed rosettes with syngeneic or allogeneic thymocytes both at 37 and 4 degrees C. The percentages of rosettes was dependent on the incubation time and TMF/thymocyte ratio. A higher percentage of immature thymocytes (CD4-CD8- or CD4+CD8+) bound to TMF compared to mature, cortisone-resistant thymocytes. The involvement of TMF membrane molecules in TMF/thymocyte adhesion was tested by preincubation of TMF with specific mAbs. It was found that Mar 1 mAb was partially inhibitory, OX-42 (anti CD11b) was slightly stimulatory, whereas other mAbs had no significant effect.

Primary culture of rat thymic non-lymphoid cells: influence of culture time on the expression of macrophage differentiation antigens defined by monoclonal antibodies.

A panel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised to rat thymic non-lymphoid cells has been shown to discriminate between distinct subpopulations of macrophages depending on their anatomic localization in the thymus. These reagents were used in this study to examine the expression of macrophage-associated antigens in primary culture of rat thymic stromal cells. The phenotype of both adherent macrophage (AM) monolayers and non-adherent cells (NAC) released in culture medium was studied at different time points after cultivation. More than 95% AM expressed ED1 and R-MC 38 antigens (pan-macrophage markers), class I MHC antigens (OX-18) and iC3b receptor recognized by OX-42 mAb. Most of them (70-85%) were reactive with ED2, R-MC 40, 41 and 42 mAbs specific for cortical and cortico-medullary zone (CMZ) macrophages. A much smaller percentage was positive with R-MC 43/44 and R-MC 46/47 mAbs staining CMZ/medullary macrophages and a subset of cortical macrophages, respectively. A minor subset of AM expressed class II MHC molecules which progressively decreased during cultivation. NAC were phenotypically heterogeneous. In comparison with adherent cells they contained a lower percentage of cortical/CMZ phenotype macrophages. In addition, NAC were slightly enriched in R-MC 43+ cells and more significantly expressed IA/E antigens (85-95%). ED3, R-MC 39 and 45 mAbs reactive with thymic macrophages in situ were mostly non-reactive with AM and NAC in culture.

Expression and function of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on rat thymic macrophages in culture.

The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was studied on freshly isolated rat thymic macrophages (TMF) and after their cultivation in serum-free medium using monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1A 29 and a streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique. ICAM-1 was expressed on about 80% of freshly isolated TMF. Upon cultivation, the percentage of ICAM-1+ TMF decreased to about 30-40% in 12-day-old culture. Using double immunofluorescence staining it was found that ICAM-1 was expressed both on cortical (R-MC 40+) and CMZ/medullary (R-MC 43+) macrophage subsets. ICAM-1 was up-regulated on TMF in culture by recombinant IFN-gamma, IL1 and TNF-alpha and was down-regulated by dexamethasone. Syngeneic thymocytes bound to cultivated TMF in a rosette form at both 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C. IFN-gamma treatment did not increase the binding formation. The binding between thymocytes and IFN-gamma-stimulated TMF at 37 degrees C was inhibited by pretreatment of TMF with anti-ICAM-1 mAb or pretreatment of thymocytes with anti-LFA-1 mAb, indicating that ICAM-1 on TMF is one of the ligands involved in TMF/thymocyte adhesion and subsequent direct cell-cell communication.