Thymosin alpha 1 modulates the expression of high affinity interleukin-2 receptors on normal human lymphocytes.

In this report we demonstrate that thymosin alpha 1 (T alpha 1), a synthetic peptide composed of 28 amino acid residues, and thymosin fraction 5 (TF5) enhance the number of high affinity interleukin 2 receptors (IL-2R) expressed by human peripheral blood lymphocytes in response to in vitro stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Thymosins did not, however, alter the affinity of the IL-2R for its ligand. Dose-response studies using a wide range of concentrations indicated a bimodal distribution of responsiveness to T alpha 1. In most experiments the high and low concentration peaks of activity were observed at 10(-8) M and 10(-12) M, respectively, although peak responses were observed at different T alpha 1 concentrations in different donors. No effects were elicited by thymosins in the absence of mitogenic stimulation. Thymosin enhancement of PHA-induced high affinity IL-2R expression directly correlated with increased levels of Tac antigen expression, as determined by flow cytometry, and enhanced interleukin 2 (IL-2) production. Since the biological effects of IL-2 are associated with the occupancy of high affinity IL-2R, the findings presented in this report strongly suggest that thymosins play a significant role in the regulation of immune responses through the modulation of high affinity IL-2R expression.

Beta-endorphin modulation of IL-1-induced IL-2 production.

We have studied the effects of natural opioids on interleukin-1 (IL-1) -induced interleukin 2 (IL-2) production by the lymphoid cell line EL-4. beta-Endorphin (beta-end) significantly enhanced IL-2 production by IL-1-stimulated EL-4 cells. Similar results were obtained using the LBRM33-1A5 cell line. beta-End induced significant enhancement (35-100%) of IL-1-induced IL-2 production at all concentrations of IL-1 tested (2-0.25 U/ml) and the effects were seen with both IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. The dose response of beta-end augmentation of IL-1-induced IL-2 production was bimodal, with peak activities seen at high (10(-8)-10(-10) M) and low (10(-16) M) beta-end concentrations. The specificity of beta-end effect was studied using the opioid antagonist naloxone. Naloxone completely abolished the enhancing effects of beta-end, indicating that the effects might be mediated through binding to opioid receptors. In addition, other opioid peptides, including gamma-endorphin and enkephalins, elicited similar effects. Northern blotting analysis revealed higher levels of IL-2 mRNA in beta-end-treated IL-1-induced EL-4 cells than in IL-1-induced control cells. Thus, beta-end might enhance IL-2 production by either augmenting the transcription rate or increasing IL-2 mRNA stability. These results suggest that beta-end might play an important role in the regulation of lymphokine production in the periphery in addition to its known interactions with IL-1 in the central nervous system.

Characterization of the immunoregulatory properties of thymosin alpha 1 on interleukin-2 production and interleukin-2 receptor expression in normal human lymphocytes.

Thymosin alpha 1 (T alpha 1) and thymosin fraction 5 (TF5) have been shown to induce lymphocyte maturation and differentiation as well as to modulate mature immune responses to antigens and mitogens. The present study focused on the characterization of the mechanisms involved in T alpha 1 and TF5 enhancement of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression in human mononuclear cells. We provide evidence that TF5 and T alpha 1 modulate an early event(s) during lymphocyte activation by mitogens. A short preincubation period (30 min) of non-adherent cells with thymosins, followed by extensive washing and subsequent exposure to PHA, was sufficient to enhance the production of IL-2 and the expression of IL-2R induced by the mitogen. Furthermore, the concomitant addition of PHA and thymosin during the preincubation period is not necessary for the enhancing effects to occur. We have also studied the role of macrophages on thymosin modulation of these responses. Results presented here indicate that macrophages are not essential for the interaction of thymosins with T-cells. However, macrophages are an absolute requirement during the exposure to the mitogen after preincubation with thymosins for the manifestation of TF5- and T alpha 1-mediated enhancing effects on IL-2 production and IL-2R expression. Human recombinant interleukin-1 beta (rIL-1 beta) was able to replace this macrophage requirement, indicating that production of IL-1 by these cells is a critical event in thymosin modulation of the IL-2 system. Two-color flow cytometric analysis and experiments involving the use of highly purified helper/inducer (Th, CD4+) and cytotoxic/suppressor (Tc, CD8+) T-cell populations indicated that both, Th and Tc cell populations are targets of thymosin activity. These studies provide additional evidence that thymosins play an important role in the modulation of the normal immune response and begin to define the mechanisms underlying T alpha 1 immunoregulatory properties.

Modulation of human natural killer cell cytotoxic activity, lymphokine production, and interleukin 2 receptor expression by thymic hormones.

Thymic hormone preparations have been shown to modulate natural killer (NK) activity in vivo in mice. We have investigated the effects of thymosin fraction 5 (TF5) on the in vitro NK cell activity of highly purified human large granular lymphocytes (LGL). The results indicate that TF5 but not kidney fraction 5 (a preparation used as control) is able to enhance the spontaneous NK activity of normal LGL. In addition, TF5 exhibited additive effects with recombinant interferon-alpha in enhancing NK activity in vitro. TF5 also enhanced interleukin 2 production and interleukin 2 receptor expression as well as interferon-gamma production in mitogen-stimulated LGL. Thymosin-alpha 1, a synthetic polypeptide originally isolated in its native form from TF5, also exhibited enhancing effects on LGL activities, suggesting that it is the active species in TF5. These results indicate that thymic hormones might regulate NK activity through the induction of lymphokine production and receptor expression by LGL.

Immunoultrastructural studies of human NK cells: I. Ultracytochemistry and comparison with T cell subsets.

Human NK activity is known to be associated with a population of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) exhibiting several immunophenotypic surface markers including Leu-11a (NKP-15), Leu-7 (HNK-1), Leu-3a (T4), and Leu-2a (T8). Based upon correlation with cytolytic activity, Leu-11a is now considered the most specific antigenic marker for human NK cells. Present investigation compared the ultrastructure of cells expressing Leu-11a, Leu-7, Leu-3a, and Leu-2a, both in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and the purified LGL fraction. Subcellular cytochemical reactions were investigated in Leu-7+ or Leu-11a+ PBL or LGL and in cells conjugated with K562 targets (indicating NK cytolytic potential). The surface markers, localized with monoclonal antibodies, were detected by immunoelectron microscopy by using direct or indirect avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) or colloidal gold methods. A peroxidase-colloidal gold double-labeling system was used to identify subsets of Leu-7+ or Leu-11a+ cells. Previously described ultrastructural features of LGL including a villous surface, reniform nuclei, low nuclear/cytoplasm ratios, and abundant cytoplasm with vesicles, vacuoles, electron-dense granules, parallel tubular arrays (PTA), or paracrystalline inclusions were associated with Leu-7+, Leu-11a+, Leu-7+/Leu-11a+, Leu-7+/Leu-11a-, and Leu-7-/Leu-11a+ PBL or LGL. Results showed that the Leu-7+/Leu-11a+ cells were the most abundant NK cells in PBL. Lymphocyte subsets with Leu-3a or Leu-2a surface marker showed some ultrastructural features including PTA similar to Leu-7+ cells and Leu-11a+ cells, and their subsets. These T-cells appeared ultrastructurally more similar to the Leu-7+/Leu-11a- subset. Cytochemical studies showed that electron-dense cytoplasmic granules and PTA typical of the Leu-11a+ cells and Leu-7+ cells contained glycoprotein, acid phosphatase, and arylsulfatase. Large cytoplasmic vacuoles were heterogeneous and typically contained electron-dense material with DAB reactivity, membranous material, PTA, and/or paracrystalline inclusions. Glycoprotein, acid phosphatase, and arylsulfatase, and peroxidase reactive material were also found in these vacuoles. These features suggested that the vacuoles could be secondary lysosomes. The coexistence of intact PTA or degenerating PTA in the same vacuoles with paracrystalline inclusions suggested that the latter are possibly derived from PTA.

Modulation of interleukin 2 receptor expression on normal human lymphocytes by thymic hormones.

The expression of interleukin 2 receptors (IL-2R) is a critical step leading to normal lymphocyte proliferation. Since thymosin fraction 5 (TF5), a thymic hormone preparation, enhances lymphoproliferative responses of human cells, we examined the effects of TF5 on the expression of IL-2R on mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes. TF5 significantly increased the percentage and antigen density of cells expressing IL-2R after stimulation with an optimal concentration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) when the cells from the same donor exhibited suboptimal responses to PHA alone. The same effect was observed with a suboptimal PHA concentration and with OKT3 monoclonal antibody stimulation. Thymosin alpha 1, a synthetic polypeptide originally isolated in its native form from TF5, was also able to increase IL-2R expression in response to PHA, suggesting that it is the active species in TF5. The enhancement of IL-2R expression was paralleled by increased proliferative responses. Increased IL-2R expression appears to be the direct effect of thymic hormones, since abrogation of interleukin 2 production by cyclosporin A did not affect TF5-mediated enhancement of PHA-induced IL-2R expression. These results point to a physiological role of thymic hormones in the maintenance of normal levels of IL-2R expression. This immunoregulatory activity of thymic hormones might be relevant in the treatment of conditions where there is decreased IL-2R expression, such as the acquired immune-deficiency syndrome, or in the restoration of normal IL-2R expression to lymphocytes from aged individuals.

beta-Endorphin augments the cytolytic activity and interferon production of natural killer cells.

We have investigated the in vitro effects of the neurohormone beta-endorphin (b-end) on natural killer (NK) activity and interferon (IFN) production mediated by large granular lymphocytes (LGL). LGL-enriched fractions from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal human volunteers were obtained by fractionation over discontinuous Percoll gradients. LGL were preincubated with or without various concentrations of b-end or the closely related peptides alpha-endorphin (a-end), gamma-endorphin (g-end), or D-ALA2-beta-endorphin (D-ALA2-b-end), a synthetic b-end analogue. NK activity was assayed on 51Cr-labeled K562 target cells. Preincubation of LGL effectors (but not K562 targets) for 2 to 18 hr with concentrations of b-end between 10(-7) M and 10(-10) M produced significant augmentation of NK cytolytic activity (mean percentage increase: 63%). The classic opiate antagonist naloxone blocked the enhancing effect when used at a 100-fold molar excess relative to b-end. Neither a-end nor g-end could augment NK activity, whereas D-ALA2-b-end produced an enhancement comparable with that produced by b-end. In addition, incubation of LGL with b-end in the presence of phytohemagglutinin or poly I:C significantly augmented IFN production. These findings demonstrate that b-end enhances NK activity and IFN production of purified LGL, and suggests that b-end might bind to an opioid receptor on LGL that can be blocked by naloxone. These results lend support to the concepts of regulation of the immune response by neurohormones and the functional relationship between the nervous and immune systems.

Recombinant interferon-gamma inhibits the B cell proliferative response stimulated by soluble but not by Sepharose-bound anti-immunoglobulin antibody.

Recombinant-derived interferon-gamma (reIFN-gamma) was found to inhibit B cell proliferation that was stimulated by soluble goat anti-mouse IgD or goat anti-mouse IgM antibodies, but not that stimulated by Sepharose-bound anti-Ig antibodies. Recombinant IFN-gamma also inhibited the BSF-1-enhanced soluble anti-Ig B cell proliferation but did not block BSF-1 enhancement of Sepharose anti-Ig-stimulated B cell DNA synthesis. Recombinant IFN-gamma concentrations as low as 0.001 U/ml were effective in suppressing the soluble anti-Ig-stimulated B cell proliferative response, and this inhibitory effect could be partially reversed by co-culture with a hybridoma anti-IFN-gamma antibody. Recombinant IFN-gamma appeared not to inhibit action of resting B cells from G0 to early G1, because it did not inhibit the increases in cell size that were stimulated by anti-delta antibody. However, it was effective in partially suppressing the anti-delta-induced increases in expression of B cell surface Ia. For reIFN-gamma to exert its maximum suppressive effect, it had to be added within the first 7 hr after the onset of culture with anti-Ig. Because reIFN-gamma is a lymphokine that can be detected in vivo, we suggest that it may play a key role in influencing physiologic B cell activation that is induced by antigens or immune complex-mediated cross-linking of surface Ig.

Mechanism of immune transfer by RNA extracts. Immune RNA induces the synthesis of idiotype-bearing antigen receptors in noncommitted cells.

Immune RNA (I-RNA) was extracted form lymphoid organs of BALB/c mice immunized with AKR lymphoid cells. Incubation of normal BALB/c spleen cells with this I-RNA (but not with normal RNA) resulted in leukocyte migration inhibition reactions (LMIR) against AKR extracts but not against purified protein derivative or BALB/c sarcoma extracts. This transfer was abolished by pretreating I-RNA with RNAse but not with pronase. The active fraction of I-RNA was retained by and could be eluted from Poly-U Sepharose columns. Normal cells pretreated with I-RNA also reacted in the presence of an anti-idiotypic anti-serum of anti-(BALB/c anti-AKR) specificity. Pretreatment of cells with anti-idiotypic serum plus complement did not inhibit the subsequent transfer of LMIR with I-RNA. Idiotypic receptors were expressed on I-RNA treated cells less than one hour after I-RNA treatment. Using an I-RNA of double specificity, the results suggested that I-RNA entered into and acted on the cells through a nonspecific mechanism. Finally, I-RNA could induce BALB/c anti-AKR idiotypic markers in C57Bl/6 cells, genetically committed for different idiotypes, while RNA extracted from C57Bl/6 immune cells could not induce in BALB/c cells their own genetically acquired idiotypes. This series of data would prove that I-RNA acting as a mRNA is able to induce in normal noncommitted cells the de novo synthesis of antigen receptors similar or identical to those present in the surface of in vivo immunized lymphoid cells of the same strain.

Transfer of cell migration inhibition in vitro with xenogeneic RNA in experimental allergic orchitis.

Experimental allergic orchitis (EAO) was induced in rats following the injection of homologous testicular homogenate (THr) emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant. Immune RNA (iRNA) was extracted from the spleen and lymph nodes. Normal guinea-pig peritoneal exudate cells (GP-PEC), when incubated in vitro with iRNA, were able to specifically recognise and respond to the immunising antigens (THr and PPD) as assessed by the direct migration inhibition reaction (MIR). Positive MIR's were also observed when incubated peritoneal exudate cells were tested against testicular homogenates from mice and guinea-pigs. This would confirm the presence of a common testicular antigen(s) in the three species studied. The reaction would appear to be organ-specific, kidney homogenate being unable to cause migration inhibition. GP-PEC incubated with iRNA which had been pretreated with RNAse did not show antigen-specific migration inhibition. Similarly, GP-PEC treated with RNA extracted from non-immunised donor rats did not respond.

In vitro transfer of cellular immunity in experimental allergic orchitis by means of immune RNA.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) extracts were obtained from lymph nodes of guinea-pigs that had previously been immunized with a purified testicular antigen emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant. The RNA extracts were incubated with normal guinea-pig peritoneal exudate cells (NGP-PEC). After treatment, the NGP-PEC cells showed specific inhibition of migration when tested with the specific antigen. No inhibition of migration was observed when cells were tested with an unrelated antigen or when the cells were incubated with RNA obtained from animals immunized with adjuvant alone. Failure of inhibition of migration was also observed when the 'immune' RNA was degraded with RNAse. The appearance of this I-RNA in the immunized guinea-pigs correlates with the appearance of delayed hypersensitivity in vivo.

Transfer of experimental allergic orchitis with immune RNA studies in vivo.

Ribonucleic acid extracts (RNA) obtained from the lymph nodes and spleens of guinea pigs, which were immunized with testicular antigen emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), were injected intraperitoneally into normal guinea pigs. The transferred guinea pigs developed a delayed hypersensitivity to sperm antigens and testicular lesions which resembled the lesions obtained in the donor RNA guinea pigs. When the transfer was performed with RNA extracted from guinea pigs immunized with FCA alone or with 'immune' RNA treated with Ribonuclease, neither cellular immunity nor testicular lesions were observed.