SA-1, a nuclear protein encoded by one member of a novel gene family: molecular cloning and detection in hemopoietic organs.

We report the molecular cloning of a novel gene family. The first member of this family was cloned from a mouse lambda gt11 cDNA library using the B92 monoclonal antibody (mAb) raised against stromal cell extracts. This was followed by RACE-PCR using mRNA from the stromal cell line. A 4 kb cDNA was obtained encoding a unique protein sequence of 1258 aa, that we designate stromal antigen (SA)-1. The human SA-1 gene was cloned by homology from a thymus cDNA library and the sequence of the predicted protein was found to be highly homologous to the murine SA-1 (>98.9%). Another cDNA was cloned and the deduced protein (SA-2) was 71% homologous to SA-1. Northern blot and PCR analysis indicated that on the mRNA level the SA-1 gene is expressed in all tissues analyzed and probably encodes a single transcript. The identification of SA-1 protein in tissues and cells required combined immunoprecipitation and Western blotting using a polyclonal antiserum raised against a predicted peptide of SA-1 and the B92 mAb. Using this assay we identified a protein of about 120 kDa in hemopoietic organs. Subcellular fractionation indicated that SA-1 is a nuclear protein. Thus, despite the ubiquitous expression on the mRNA level, the protein was predominantly detected in hemopoietic organs and may therefore be controlled on a post-transcriptional level. The SA-1 gene described in this study is highly conserved between mouse and man. This implies a crucial function for this protein.

Nuclear antigen expressed by proliferating cells.

We describe a novel mouse monoclonal antibody (PRA-72) that recognizes a nuclear antigen associated with cell proliferation. The monoclonal antibody stained the nuclei of logarithmically growing cultured stromal cells. The nuclear staining disappeared when these cells entered Gzero phase of the cell cycle. Western blot analysis revealed a nuclear protein which appeared as a doublet at 35-40 KD, which was undetectable in extracts from confluent cells. Immunocytological study of purified cell populations from various cell cycle phases revealed peripheral nuclear staining in all stages except mitosis, when the chromosomes were observed enveloped with the antigen. In co-cultures of quiescent stromal cells and proliferating hemopoietic precursors, only the latter showed nuclear staining by PRA-72 monoclonal antibody. Further indications for selective expression of the antigen by proliferating cells were found by an immunohistochemical study of various tissues including newborn mouse bone marrow and its surrounding connective tissue, mouse tongue epithelium, and human carcinoma of the colon. This antibody may, therefore, prove useful in the evaluation of human tumors.

A hematopoietic organ-specific 49-kD nuclear antigen: predominance in immature normal and tumor granulocytes and detection in hematopoietic precursor cells.

A 49-kD protein was specifically detected in hematopoietic organs by Western blotting with a novel mouse monoclonal antibody (B92) raised against stromal cells. The protein was found in the immunizing cells using a sensitive method. However, its detection in the bone marrow by the B92 antibody seemed to stem from the abundance of p49 in immature cells of the myeloid lineage. Study of the bone marrow following in vivo irradiation or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment, in vitro culture with differentiation-inducing factors and long-term culture, and cell sorting all pointed in the same direction: the protein was found in early myeloid cells and in hematopoietic precursor cells. These results were in accordance with the specific presence of p49 in primary radiation-induced myeloid leukemia and its absence in spontaneous B lymphoma. Immunofluorescent staining using B92 antibody detected a nuclear antigen forming a dotted pattern in early myeloid cells and day 12 colony-forming units-spleen (CFU-S). Nuclear localization of p49 was further demonstrated by subcellular fractionation followed by Western blotting. We thus identified a nuclear protein that within the hematopoietic population is detected in hematopoietic precursor cells, predominates in early myeloid cells, and is reduced following differentiation. These properties imply that p49 might be involved in the regulation of hematopoietic cell growth or differentiation.

5' upstream sequences of MyD88, an IL-6 primary response gene in M1 cells: detection of functional IRF-1 and Stat factors binding sites.

Transcription regulatory elements have been analyzed in upstream sequences of an Interleukin-6 (Il-6) primary response gene, MyD88. MyD88 2.3 kb mRNA is strongly and persistently induced in the course of myeloleukemic M1 cells differentiation with Il-6. MyD88 cDNA sequences were found in a region of 12 kb of mouse genomic DNA. Using Il-6 treated M1 cell RNAs, two transcription start sites have been localized, approximately 100 bp upstream from the 5' end of the cloned cDNA. We sequenced 1.4 kb of 5' genomic DNA including the first exon. In 5' of mRNA transcription start site, MyD88 nucleotidic sequence is 85% identical to 5' complementary sequences of the rat 3'-ketoacetyl CoA thiolase gene, over 1.2 kb. A DNA element conferring Il-6-inducible transcription to reporter genes, and localized 30 bp upstream of MyD88 first RNA start site, contains overlapping binding sites for cytokine activated transcription factors Stat and for the Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 and -2 (IRF-1 and IRF-2). In vitro binding assays showed that attachment of Stat factors to this element early in Il-6 treatment requires tyrosine kinase activation. IRF1, an activator of transcription, is also induced to bind to this sequence at later times. A model of persistent activation of MyD88 gene through these two types of factors is proposed.

Interleukin-6 activates and regulates transcription factors of the interferon regulatory factor family in M1 cells.

Activation of (2'-5') A synthetase gene expression in interleukin-6 (IL-6)-treated myeloleukemic M1 cells correlates with protein binding to the interferon response sequence enhancer (IRS). A new interferon response sequence complex, F6, is induced by IL-6 independently of interferon and is identified here as comprising the interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) and IRF-2, by use of specific antibodies in DNA mobility shift assays with probes containing IRF binding sites. IRF-1 and IRF-2 have, respectively, positive and negative transcriptional effects on interferon-beta and interferon-inducible genes. In the IL-6-treated M1or cells, IRF-1 binding is activated early and maximally at 1 h, whereas the onset of IRF-2 binding is delayed. In a cell variant M1res, where (2'-5') A synthetase is no more induced, IRF-2 binding is constitutive, and IRF-1 binding is not seen before or after IL-6 treatment. In sensitive M1or cells, IL-6 rapidly induces IRF-1 mRNA, but in M1res cells, IRF-1 mRNA is constitutively high and not changed by IL-6. IRF-2 mRNA levels are also constitutive and not inducible by IL-6 even in M1or cells. The dissociation between induction of mRNAs and of protein binding observed suggests that the activity of the IRF proteins is regulated by IL-6. Transcripts of a third member of the IRF gene family, ICSBP, encoding a protein known to act as repressor, were found to be strongly down-regulated by IL-6. The rapid activation of IRF-1 and the modulation of the other transcription factors of this family may play a role in the early phase of IL-6 action on the M1 cells.

Terminal differentiation of myeloleukemic M1 cells induced by IL-6: role of endogenous interferon.

During terminal differentiation of myeloleukemic M1 cells triggered by IL-6, an induction of IFN-activated genes, such as IRF-1, class I MHC, and (2'-5')-A synthetase, is observed. Antibodies to murine type I IFN, inhibit most (2'-5')-A synthetase induction but do not inhibit IL-6-induced growth-arrest and differentiation. IL-6 induction of (2'-5')-A synthetase subforms, however, differs from that of IFN. IL-6 in fact induces a cell surface form of (2'-5')-A synthetase that is not induced by IFN.

Interleukin-6 induces the (2'-5') oligoadenylate synthetase gene in M1 cells through an effect on the interferon-responsive enhancer.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) activates (2'-5') A synthetase (2'-5' AS) gene expression in differentiating myeloleukemic M1 cells. Antibodies to type I interferon (IFN) inhibit 2'-5' AS induction but not differentiation. Analysis of the mechanism of 2'-5' AS induction shows that it does not result from increased IFN formation, but from a synergism between IL-6 and endogenously secreted IFN. IL-6 can activate expression of a CAT construct fused to the interferon response sequence (IRS) of the 2'-5' AS gene. In extracts of IL-6-treated M1 cells, changes in protein binding to IRS DNA can be demonstrated. One of the effects of IL-6 on M1 cells is, therefore, to induce DNA binding factors, some of which act on the same enhancer sequence as IFNs, resulting in a synergistic gene activation. M1 variants resistant to differentiation by IL-6 have lost the ability to induce the 2'-5' AS gene.

IL-1 production by T6 (CD1a) positive cord blood mononuclear cells (Langerhan's cell precursors?).

Human cord blood (CB) mononuclear cells were fractionated into peanut agglutinin positive (PNA+) and PNA negative (PNA-) subsets. The PNA+ subset was enriched for T6+(CD1a)Ia+ cells, which we have previously shown to resemble the Langerhans cells (LCs) of the skin, and therefore described as circulating LCs precursors. Supernatants of PNA+ and PNA- cells, and of FACS purified populations of T6+ CB cells, cultured with and without LPS, were tested for IL-1 activity. It was found that cord blood PNA+ mononuclear cells as well as purified populations of T6+ CB cells produce significant amounts of, both extracellular and cell associated, IL-1 as compared to PNA- and T6- cells, and comparable to those produced by macrophages. LPS stimulation mainly affected T6+ cells. It can be concluded that cord blood T6+ cells, presumably LCs precursors, are capable of IL-1 production.

T6 positive cells in the peripheral blood of burn patients: are they Langerhans cells precursors?

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 14 patients suffering thermal injury were separated by affinity chromatography on peanut agglutinin (PNA) coupled to Sepharose macrobeads. The resulting PNA positive subset was 14% of the total mononuclear population. About 30% of these cells were found to coexpress T6(CD1), Ia-like and the myeloid differentiation antigens My4(CDw14) and Mo1(CD11). In comparison, the PNA+ subset from normal blood donors (about 5% of total mononuclear cells) contained mature monocytes that were found to be T6 negative. Electron microscopic studies using immunogold labeling showed that the T6 positive cells were slightly smaller than monocytes but larger than the classical lymphocytes and had common morphologic features with the Langerhans cells of the skin. Considering that patients suffering extensive damage of the epidermis require fast renewal of all skin elements, it is possible that the cells we identified in their peripheral blood are the precursors of the Langerhans cells of the skin en route from bone marrow to the epidermis.

Internalization by receptor-mediated endocytosis of T6 (CD1 "NA1/34") surface antigen in T6 positive human cord blood cells (Langerhans cell precursors?).

A subset of T6 positive cells was recently separated from normal human cord blood mononuclear cells. It was shown to coexpress HLA-DR and myeloid differentiation antigens (Mo1, MY4). The phenotype and ultrastructure of the cells suggested that these T6 positive cells might be the precursors of the Langerhans cells of the skin. We have previously demonstrated by immunogold labeling techniques that the T6 surface antigen of human Langerhans cells of the skin is internalized in unfixed Langerhans cells or indeterminate cells by a process of receptor-mediated endocytosis. This process involved the formation of coated pits, coated vesicles, endosomes and lysosomes. Following this process, in Langerhans cells, gold labeled Birbeck granules appeared in the cell center often in continuity with endosomes. In the present study, we used an indirect immunogold labeling technique to reveal the T6 antigen present on the surface of living T6 positive cord blood mononuclear cells. We observed the internalization of the T6 surface antigen by a process of receptor-mediated endocytosis similar to that described in Langerhans cells of the skin. This process, however, was not followed by the appearance of intracytoplasmic Birbeck granules.

Fractionation of human bone-marrow mononuclear cells with peanut agglutinin: phenotypic characterization with monoclonal antibodies.

Bone marrow mononuclear cells were fractionated by affinity chromatography on immobilized peanut agglutinin (PNA). The resulting PNA+ fraction represented 10% of the total cell number. Twenty percent of the cells within the PNA+ compartment coexpressed the T6, Ia, Mo1, and My4 differentiation antigens and possessed Fc and C3 receptors. The similarity in cell surface antigen phenotype led us to hypothesize that this subset may be a cellular precursor of dendritic cells found in the skin (Langerhans cells) or in the parenchimal organs of the body (D-cells).

A subset of human cord blood mononuclear cells is similar to Langerhans cells of the skin: a study with peanut agglutinin and monoclonal antibodies.

Mononuclear cells were fractionated from human cord blood by affinity chromatography on immobilized peanut agglutinin, as previously described (Rosenberg et al., Hum Immunol 7:67, 1983). The PNA+ subset was found to be composed mainly of a population of cells phenotyped as Ia+, T6+, M01+, and MY4+. The presence of mononuclear cells coexpressing these antigens was demonstrated by three techniques: double labeling immunofluorescence using FITC and rhodamine conjugated goat antimouse IgG; fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS); and by direct counting (under the microscope) of cells stained by either individual or a combination of a variety of monoclonal antibodies. The PNA+ cells expressed cytoplasmic structures similar to Birbeck granules. In view of the fact that Langerhans cells of the skin share a similar phenotype and express Birbeck granules, we suggest that this subset may be the precursor of the Langerhans cells of the skin. In addition, these cells may also be the precursors of the dendritic cells found in the spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, and liver.

Alloantibodies to PHA-activated lymphocytes detect human Qa-like antigens.

Platelet-absorbed sera were obtained from placental clots after delivery by multiparous women. These sera contained antibodies that react with PHA-activated lymphocytes after the latter are separated from peripheral blood and expanded with interleukin 2. These alloantibodies did not react with resting T lymphocytes, but reacted with B lymphocytes, PHA-activated lymphocytes, or both types of cells obtained from some but not all of the T lymphocyte donors. Reactions against B lymphocytes were associated with anti-Ia-like antibodies on the basis of blockage by turkey antibodies against human Ia. Reactions against PHA-activated lymphocytes that were blocked by turkey anti-beta 2m were classified as 'HT'. Several antibodies were found to give reactions to HT determinants in separate panels of lymphocytes from Tel Aviv and Boston. The reproducibility of the cytotoxicity reactions was 89%. Altogether, 23 of 1100 sera were found to contain these reactions when screened by a panel of cells obtained from 30 individuals of known HLA phenotypes. Correlation coefficients were determined for all reactions, determining three clusters of significant reactivities: sera 965 and 1032 defined HT-2; sera SF48 and 1642 defined HT-3; and sera 1136, 1605, 1014, and 1227 defined HT-4. HT-2 was found to be inherited with HLA in 11 siblings from four families. Some of these antibodies react with antigens (non-HLA) containing beta 2m that were expressed on activated lymphocytes, but not on resting T lymphocytes, and did not react with thymocytes from the same donors of the peripheral lymphocytes. Our findings suggest that the HT alloantigens expressed on lectin-activated lymphocytes are class I differentiation antigens of a system analogous to the murine Qa system.

The cells involved in the immune response of fish: II. PHA-induced clonal proliferation of carp lymphocytes in soft agar culture.

Lymphocytes from peripheral blood of carp proliferate in a clonal culture in soft agar, in the presence of phytohemagglutinin, generating several morphologically distinct types of colonies. Cells from colonies developing on the surface of the agar (surface colonies) and cells from colonies developing within the agar (agar colonies) were studied. Several differences were found between cells from the two types of colonies with respect to morphology, ultrastructure and the distribution of cytoplasmic determinants antigenically related to serum immunoglobulin. Colonies were quantitated as a function of the number of cells seeded, in primary cultures of peripheral blood leukocytes and in secondary (replated) cultures of isolated surface colony cells. The numbers of surface colonies and agar colonies in the two systems were comparable. Preferential formation of surface over agar colonies was noted, and there was an initial concentration of cells (individual for each fish) which resulted in optimal colony growth. This method was found to be suitable for isolating highly homogeneous subpopulations of PHA-responsive lymphocytes, which could subsequently be further expanded in liquid culture. A requirement for an exogenously produced growth factor (possibly similar to mammalian Interleukin 2) in the maintenance of long-term clonal cultures is suggested.