Reconstitution of functional receptors for human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF): evidence that the protein encoded by the AIC2B cDNA is a subunit of the murine GM-CSF receptor.

The high-affinity receptor for human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) is composed of two subunits, alpha and beta. The alpha subunit binds GM-CSF with low affinity, whereas the beta subunit does not bind GM-CSF by itself. The alpha and beta subunits together form the high-affinity GM-CSF receptor. The beta subunit has extensive sequence homology with the mouse interleukin 3 (IL-3) receptor (AIC2A) and its homologue (AIC2B) that does not bind IL-3 or other cytokines including GM-CSF. To examine the function of these receptor components, we expressed the alpha subunit of the hGM-CSF receptor with the human beta subunit or the mouse AIC2A or AIC2B in a mouse IL-3-dependent pro-B-cell line, Ba/F3, and in a mouse IL-2-dependent T-cell line, CTLL2. Coexpression of the alpha and beta subunits in Ba/F3 and CTLL2 cells resulted in high-affinity hGM-CSF binding and growth response to low concentrations of hGM-CSF. Whereas Ba/F3 cells expressing the alpha subunit alone proliferated in response to high concentrations of hGM-CSF, CTLL2 cells expressing the alpha subunit alone did not respond to hGM-CSF at all. Since Ba/F3 cells express endogenous AIC2A and AIC2B whereas CTLL2 expresses neither of them, we examined the possibility that either AIC2A or AIC2B is involved in the formation of a functional GM-CSF receptor. The expression of the human alpha subunit with AIC2B, but not with AIC2A, in CTLL2 cells conferred a growth response to hGM-CSF. These results indicate that the beta subunit of the GM-CSF receptor is required for generation of growth signals and that AIC2B is likely the beta subunit of the mouse GM-CSF receptor.     

Cloning of the low-affinity murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor and reconstitution of a high-affinity receptor complex.

A cDNA clone (clone 71) that encodes a low-affinity receptor for murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has been isolated by direct expression. This molecule is the homologue of the human GM-CSF receptor alpha subunit, although homology between these molecules is surprisingly low (less than 35% amino acid identity). The cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 387 amino acids, which contains the conserved features of the hematopoietin receptor superfamily. When expressed in COS-7 cells, this clone encodes a protein that binds radiolabeled murine GM-CSF with low affinity. Coexpression of clone 71 with a cDNA corresponding to a low-affinity interleukin 3 (IL-3) receptor (AIC2A) did not alter the affinity of binding of either GM-CSF or IL-3. However, coexpression of clone 71 with the IL-3 receptor-related cDNA AIC2B generated high-affinity binding sites for murine GM-CSF but not murine IL-3. These studies show that clone 71 and AIC2B are capable of forming an alpha beta complex capable of binding murine GM-CSF with high affinity, while AIC2A appears not to be a component of the murine GM-CSF receptor.     

Functional reconstitution of the human interleukin-3 receptor.

The high-affinity receptors for human interleukin-3 (IL-3), GM-CSF, and IL-5 are composed of alpha and beta subunits. The alpha subunits are primary ligand binding proteins specific for each ligand, whereas the three human receptors share a common beta subunit (beta c). In contrast to humans mice have two closely related genes, AIC2A and AIC2B, which are homologous to human beta c. The AIC2A gene encodes a low-affinity murine IL-3 binding protein, and the AIC2B protein is the beta subunit shared between murine GM-CSF receptors (mGMR) and IL-5 receptors (mIL-5R). To examine the function of these receptor components, we established various stable transfectants of murine IL-2-dependent CTLL-2 cells. CTLL-2 transfectants expressing both the alpha and beta subunits of the human IL-3 receptor (hIL-3R) proliferated in response to physiologic concentrations of hIL-3. Coexpression of hIL-3R alpha with AIC2B but not with AIC2A in CTLL-2 cells conferred a growth response to hIL-3. Although CTLL-2 transfectants expressing hIL-3R alpha alone did not proliferate in the presence of hIL-3, hIL-3-responsive sublines were repeatedly isolated. These sublines expressed endogenous AIC2B but not AIC2A. These results indicate that human beta c is essential for hIL-3 signaling and that AIC2B is a murine equivalent of human beta c. We also showed that hIL-3 and hGM-CSF induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins in CTLL transfectants, similar to those observed in human factor-dependent TF-1 cells stimulated with hIL-3 and hGM-CSF.     

The interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R): the IL-2R alpha subunit alters the function of the IL-2R beta subunit to enhance IL-2 binding and signaling by mechanisms that do not require binding of IL-2 to IL-2R alpha subunit.

Interleukin 2 (IL-2)-mediated signaling through its high-affinity receptor involves a complex interrelationship between IL-2 and two IL-2-binding chains, IL-2R alpha and beta chains. Previously with the reagents available it was difficult to define functional interactions between these two IL-2R subunits involved in IL-2 binding and signal transduction. To extend our understanding of the interplay between the two binding subunits we have done studies with the monoclonal antibody HIEI, which interferes with interaction of IL-2R alpha and beta chains (IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta, respectively). Furthermore, we used two forms of IL-2, recombinant native IL-2 and F42A, an IL-2 analog (Phe-42----Ala substitution) that binds only to IL-2R beta. Analog F42A manifested 75-100% of the bioactivity of wild-type IL-2. This observation is inconsistent with the strict hierarchical IL-2-binding affinity conversion model previously proposed by Saito and coworkers [Saito Y., Sabe, H., Suzuki, N., Kondo, S., Ogura, T., Shimizu, A. & Honjo, T. (1988) J. Exp. Med. 168, 1563-1572] that predicted an ordered sequence of events in which IL-2 must first bind to IL-2R alpha before its interaction with IL-2R beta. Previous investigations using IL-2 variants were interpreted to show that IL-2R alpha merely acts to concentrate IL-2 to the cell surface and that no other meaningful interaction occurred between IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta. However, our data are inconsistent with this view. We draw this conclusion on the basis of our observation that antibody HIEI, which reacts with an epitope of IL-2R alpha and interferes with interaction of this chain and IL-2R beta, inhibits the IL-2-dependent proliferative effects mediated by analog F42A. Furthermore, by blocking interaction of IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta with the antibody HIEI, a decrease in the affinity of radiolabeled analog F42A for IL-2R beta was seen. In our proposed model IL-2R alpha contributes several functions to IL-2-mediated signaling through the high-affinity IL-2R. These functions include concentration of IL-2 within the two-dimensional surface of the plasma membrane as well as alteration of the functional capacity of IL-2R beta, an effect that does not require prior binding of IL-2R to IL-2R alpha. The IL-2R alpha-mediated augmentation of IL-2R beta functions involves affinity conversion of IL-2R beta, increasing its affinity for IL-2, and may involve facilitation of Il-2-mediated signaling after binding of IL-2 to this IL-2R beta.     

Identification and initial characterization of a rat monoclonal antibody reactive with the murine interleukin 2 receptor-ligand complex.

Xenogeneic monoclonal antibodies were prepared to the murine interleukin 2 (IL-2)-dependent HT2 cell line. One rat IgM monoclonal antibody (7D4) was identified that inhibited proliferation of the HT2 cells and of IL-2-dependent CTLL cells in the presence of crude rat IL-2 as well as of purified human IL-2. The level of inhibition was dependent on both antibody and IL-2 concentration. Cell distribution studies using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter showed that the antigen identified by 7D4 is expressed at a high density on HT2 cells and on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced T-cell blasts and at a substantially lower density on lipopolysaccharide-induced B-cell blasts; 7D4 binding was not detected on greater than 95% of nonactivated thymocytes, T cells, or B cells. Competition binding studies indicated that 7D4 fails to inhibit the binding of 3H-labeled human IL-2 to CTLL cells. However, 7D4 specifically immunoprecipitated 3H-labeled human IL-2 from detergent extracts of HT2 cells or Con A-induced T-cell blasts that had been pulsed with [3H]IL-2; in contrast, 7D4 did not react with free [3H]IL-2. Initial biochemical analysis of immunoprecipitates with 7D4 of detergent extracts from surface-iodinated Con A-activated spleen cells showed a major band having apparent molecular weight of 48,000-62,000. Collectively, these results suggest that 7D4 detects an epitope on the IL-2 receptor distal to the ligand binding site or another molecule that physically associates with the receptor.     

Antibodies to actin in autoimmune neutropenia

In an effort to characterize the cellular antigens recognized by anti-neutrophil antibodies in autoimmune neutropenia, we studied sera, purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) and isolated F(ab')2 from 70 neutropenic patients suspected of this diagnosis. Anti-neutrophil antibodies were found in the sera of 36 of these patients by either 125I-staph A binding or immunofluorescence cytometric techniques that detected increased binding of patients' IgG to normal neutrophils. Anti-neutrophil antibody positive sera were then evaluated for specific binding to electrophoretically separated neutrophil membrane-associated proteins by immunoblotting. A 43-Kd protein was consistently identified by eight anti-neutrophil antibody positive sera. The specificity of binding to this protein was confirmed with affinity purified IgG and F(ab')2 fragments prepared from these sera. Sera from 20 healthy normal controls and from 22 non-neutropenic, anti-neutrophil antibody negative rheumatoid arthritis patients failed to bind this protein. Separate studies identified the 43-Kd protein as actin. Purified Acanthamoeba actin comigrated with the protein and was specifically bound by anti-neutrophil antibody positive IgG. Moreover, two actin-specific monoclonal antibodies bound to the 43-Kd membrane-associated protein in immunoblots. In addition, a rabbit anti-actin antiserum not only bound to this same 43-Kd protein but also expressed anti-neutrophil antibody activity against normal human neutrophils, as did purified human anti-actin IgG prepared by affinity chromatography from the serum of one of the index patients. These studies indicate that the anti-neutrophil antibodies of certain patients with autoimmune neutropenia include autoantibodies specific for actin. The molecules on the surface of neutrophils, which have actin-like antigenic epitopes and are recognized by these anti-actin antibodies, remain to be characterized.     

The interleukin (IL) 2 receptor beta chain is shared by IL-2 and a cytokine, provisionally designated IL-T, that stimulates T-cell proliferation and the induction of lymphokine-activated killer cells.

Late-phase human T-cell lymphotropic virus I-associated adult T-cell leukemia cells express IL-2 receptors (IL-2R) but no longer produce IL-2. We have reported that the IL-2-independent adult T-cell leukemia line HuT-102 secretes a cytokine, provisionally designated IL-T, that stimulates T-cell proliferation and lymphokine-activated killer cell activity. Stimulation of proliferation of the cytokine-dependent human T-cell line Kit-225 mediated by HuT-102-conditioned medium or by 3200-fold-purified IL-T was not blocked by the addition of antibodies against IL-2 or IL-2R alpha subunit. However, IL-T-mediated stimulation of this human T-cell line was inhibited by addition of Mik-beta 1, an antibody that binds specifically to IL-2R beta subunit. In addition, the activation of large granular lymphocytes to lymphokine-activated killer cells mediated by IL-T-containing conditioned medium was not blocked by antibodies directed toward IL-2 or IL-2 alpha but was inhibited by an antibody to IL-2R beta, suggesting the requirement of this receptor subunit for IL-T action. This conclusion was confirmed using an IL-3-dependent murine myeloid precursor cell line, 32D, that expresses IL-2R alpha and IL-2R gamma, but not IL-2R beta. Neither IL-2 nor IL-T stimulated 32D cell proliferation. However, after transfection with the gene encoding human IL-2R beta, 32D beta cells proliferated on addition of either cytokine. The IL-T-mediated stimulation of 32D beta proliferation was inhibited by an anti-IL-2R beta antibody but not by an anti-IL-2 antibody. Thus, the IL-T-mediated stimulation of T-cell and lymphokine-activated killer cell activation requires the expression of the IL-2R beta subunit.     

Cross-clade HIV-1 neutralization by an antibody fragment from a lupus phage display library

A single-chain fragment containing antibody V domains (scFv) isolated from a lupus antibody library displayed the ability to bind gp120 and the conserved gp120 determinant composed of residues 421-436. The scFv neutralized R5 and X4-dependent HIV-1 strains from clades B, C, and D. The lupus repertoire may be useful as a source of neutralizing antibodies to HIV.     

Identification of the C3bi receptor of human monocytes and macrophages by using monoclonal antibodies.

We have obtained four monoclonal antibodies, IB4, OKM1, OKM9, and OKM10, all directed against the C3bi receptor of human monocytes and macrophages (M phi). Two criteria were used to determine the specificity of these antibodies. First, culture surfaces coated with the antireceptor antibodies caused specific down modulation of C3bi receptor activity on M phi adherent to these substrates. Second, receptor protein purified by using IB4 or OKM1 retained the ability to bind selectively to C3bi-coated erythrocytes. Each of the antibodies recognizes a distinct epitope on the C3bi receptor; they do not compete with one another for binding to monocytes. Further, when immobilized on a solid support, each of the antibodies binds a molecule from M phi lysates that can simultaneously bind one of the other monoclonal anti-C3bi receptor antibodies. OKM10 binds and masks the ligand-binding site of the C3bi receptor, while IB4, OKM1, and OKM9 bind to sites remote from the C3bi binding site. All four antibodies immunoprecipitated polypeptides of Mr 185,000 and 105,000 from 125I-surface-labeled M phi. IB4 also precipitates polypeptides of Mr 185,000, 153,000, and 105,000. We conclude that the C3bi receptor of human M phi is a complex composed of two polypeptides, Mr 185,000 and 105,000. We have identified monoclonal antibodies reacting with four distinct antigenic determinants of this complex. The determinant recognized by antibody OKM10 is at or near the ligand-binding site of the receptor. The determinant recognized by antibody IB4 is shared by at least two other leukocyte surface proteins.     

Structural Characterization of a Minimal Antibody against Human APOBEC3B

APOBEC3B (A3B) is one of seven human APOBEC3 DNA cytosine deaminases that restrict viral infections as part of the overall innate immune response, but it also plays a major role in tumor evolution by mutating genomic DNA. Given the importance of A3B as a restriction factor of viral infections and as a driver of multiple human cancers, selective antibodies against A3B are highly desirable for its specific detection in various research and possibly diagnostic applications. Here, we describe a high-affinity minimal antibody, designated 5G7, obtained via a phage display screening against the C-terminal catalytic domain (ctd) of A3B. 5G7 also binds APOBEC3A that is highly homologous to A3Bctd but does not bind the catalytic domain of APOBEC3G, another Z1-type deaminase domain. The crystal structure of 5G7 shows a canonical arrangement of the heavy and light chain variable domains, with their complementarity-determining region (CDR) loops lining an antigen-binding cleft that accommodates a pair of α-helices. To understand the mechanism of A3Bctd recognition by 5G7, we used the crystal structures of A3Bctd and 5G7 as templates and computationally predicted the A3B-5G7 complex structure. Stable binding poses obtained by the simulation were further tested by site-directed mutagenesis and in vitro binding analyses. These studies mapped the epitope for 5G7 to a portion of C-terminal α6 helix of A3Bctd, with Arg374 playing an essential role. The same region of A3Bctd was used previously as a peptide antigen for generating a rabbit monoclonal antibody (mAb 5210-87-13), suggesting that this region is particularly immunogenic and that these antibodies from very different origins may share similar binding modes. Our studies provide a platform for the development of selective antibodies against A3B and other APOBEC3 family enzymes.     

Phase I trial of an interleukin-2 (IL-2) fusion toxin (DAB486IL-2) in hematologic malignancies expressing the IL-2 receptor.

DAB486IL-2 is a recombinant fusion toxin in which the native receptor binding domain of diphtheria toxin has been replaced with human interleukin-2 (IL-2). It selectively binds and intoxicates only cells that bear the high-affinity receptor for IL-2. In the first clinical trial of a genetically engineered ligand fusion-toxin, we have treated 18 patients with chemotherapy-resistant IL-2 receptor expressing hematologic malignancies with escalating doses of DAB486IL-2. The maximal tolerated dose of a daily intravenous bolus of DAB486IL-2 was 0.1 mg/kg per day for 10 doses, established by asymptomatic, reversible elevations of hepatic transaminases without changes in other tests of liver function. Other mild reversible side effects noted were rash, nausea, elevated creatinine, chest tightness, and fever. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed a monophasic clearance of 5.8 +/- 0.7 minutes with peak levels of 3,549 +/- 1,041 mg/mL at the 0.1 mg/kg dose. Approximately 50% of patients developed an antibody response to diphtheria toxin or DAB486IL-2. The presence of such antibodies did not preclude patients from experiencing an antitumor response as four of the six patients with antitumor effect had detectable antibody titers. Although this was a phase I trial designed to define the safety of DAB486IL-2, remissions were observed in three patients lasting from 5 to over 18 months. The ability to achieve significant tumor reductions in this group of heavily treated patients is encouraging and suggests additional trials are warranted in hematologic malignancies.     

Monoclonal antibody against the common beta subunit (beta c) of the human interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptors shows upregulation of beta c by IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

High-affinity receptors for human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and IL-5 are composed of two distinct subunits, alpha and beta. Each receptor has its own ligand-specific alpha subunit, and the three receptors share the common beta subunit, beta c. Using a transfectant of NIH3T3 cells expressing the high-affinity human GM-CSF receptor, monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against beta c were generated. These MoAbs specifically bound to cells bearing beta c and immunoprecipitated the beta c protein of 120 Kd. Using these MoAbs, expression of beta c was examined. It is known that IL-1 augments the proliferative response of a human factor-dependent hematopoietic cell line TF-1 to either GM-CSF, IL-3, or IL-5, and that it upregulates the high-affinity receptors for GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5. Antibody binding and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that IL-1 increased cell surface expression of beta c. This enhancement by IL-1 was accompanied by an increased level of beta c mRNA. In addition, we found that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) also increased the expression of beta c, although it did not augment the proliferative response of TF-1 to GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5.     

Induction and upregulation by interleukin 2 of high-affinity interleukin 2 receptors on thymocytes and T cells.

We show that purified recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) alone induces the expression of high- and low-affinity interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptors in vitro on human T cells and thymocytes that have not been activated previously by lectins or other inducing agents. IL-2 receptors are expressed after 24 hr, as determined by the binding of 125I-labeled monoclonal anti-IL-2 receptor antibody 2A3, which binds equally to high- and low-affinity receptors. High-affinity receptors were distinguished from low-affinity receptors by the binding of 125I-labeled IL-2 to T cells and by the proliferative response of thymocytes to IL-2, in concentrations that selectively interact with the high-affinity class of IL-2 receptors. The IL-2-induced proliferation of thymocytes in vitro induced by IL-2 alone is dependent upon the concentration of IL-2 and is inhibited by monoclonal anti-Tac antibody, indicating that the proliferative response is mediated by the binding of IL-2 to the receptors. In addition, we demonstrate that IL-2 augments the number of high-affinity receptors on concanavalin A-activated thymocytes. These results document that IL-2 acts as a hormone that induces the activation of thymocytes and T cells, as evidenced by the de novo induction of biologically active, high-affinity IL-2 receptors. IL-2 also upregulates the expression of high-affinity IL-2 receptors on activated thymocytes. These observations illustrate the biologic importance of the regulatory role of IL-2 in the immune response.     

Cloning and characterization of KAP3: a novel kinesin superfamily-associated protein of KIF3A/3B.

We previously reported that KIF3A and KIF3B form a heterodimer that functions as a microtubule-based fast anterograde translocator of membranous organelles. We have also shown that this KIF3A/3B forms a complex with other associated polypeptides, named kinesin superfamily-associated protein 3 (KAP3). In the present study, we purified KAP3 protein by immunoprecipitation using anti-KIF3B antibody from mouse testis. Microsequencing was carried out, and we cloned the full-length KAP3 cDNA from a mouse brain cDNA library. Two isoforms of KAP3 exist [KAP3A (793 aa) and KAP3B (772 aa)], generated by alternative splicing in the carboxyl terminus region. Their amino acid sequences have no homology with those of any other known proteins, and prediction of their secondary structure indicated that almost the entire KAP3 molecule is alpha-helical. We produced recombinant KAP3 and KIF3A/3B using a baculovirus-Sf9 expression system. A reconstruction study in Sf9 cells revealed that KAP3 is a globular protein that binds to the tail domain of KIF3A/3B. The immunolocalization pattern of KAP3 was similar to that of KIF3A/3B in nerve cells. In addition, we found that KAP3 does not affect the motor activity of KIF3A/3B. KAP3 was associated with a membrane-bound form of KIF3A/3B in a fractional immunoprecipitation experiment, and since the KIF3 complex was found to bind to membranous organelles in an EM study, KAP3 may regulate membrane binding of the KIF3 complex.     

CD66 identifies a neutrophil-specific epitope within the hematopoietic system that is expressed by members of the carcinoembryonic antigen family of adhesion molecules.

Preliminary results from the IVth Leucocyte Culture Conference have classified the monoclonal antibody (MoAb), YTH 71.3.2, as CD66. Two other MoAbs, YPC 2/12.1 and CE6/2D3.1, share a common cellular specificity, reacting with cells of the neutrophil series and colonic epithelium. The YTH 71.3.2 and CE6/2D3.1 MoAbs both recognize a similar CD66 defined epitope that is distinct from that identified by YPC 2/12.1. By Western blotting, these antibodies react with different molecular species from cells of different lineages. The antibodies identify 50- to 55-Kd, 80- to 100-Kd, and 130- to 200-Kd components present in a semi-purified carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) preparation from colonic adenocarcinomas and a 90- to 130-Kd molecule from HL-60 cells. With the colonic cell line, LS174T, YPC2/12.1 stains diffuse bands of 160 to 200 Kd and 90 to 130 Kd with equal intensity, whereas the binding of CE6/2D3.1 and YTH 71.3.2 is biased toward the lower molecular weight set of molecules. Remarkably, all three antibodies recognize CEA-related molecules. Defined analyses using HeLa cells transfected with CEA, NCA(NCA-50/90), and CGM6(NCA-95) cDNAs show that the three MoAbs identify CEA to varying degrees. While YTH 71.3.2 and CE6/2D3.1 also bind to NCA-50/90, YPC 2/12.1 recognizes an epitope expressed by both the NCA-50/90 and NCA-95 molecular species.     

Antivinculin antibodies in sera of patients with immune thrombocytopenia and in sera of normal subjects.

We have characterized a 120-Kd antigen that frequently reacts with serum antibodies from patients with immune thrombocytopenia or normal subjects. Immunoblots made after two-dimensional nonreduced/reduced sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) or two-dimensional isoelectric focusing/SDS-PAGE demonstrated that this 120-Kd protein has the same molecular weight under nonreduced or reduced conditions, is not a surface protein, and has an isoelectric point (pl) of 6.4 to 6.5. From these data, one likely candidate is the intracellular platelet protein, vinculin. Monoclonal antivinculin antibody reacts with this 120-Kd protein, and purified human platelet vinculin is bound by antibodies that recognize the 120-Kd protein. Therefore, we conclude that this 120-Kd protein is identical to vinculin. Data obtained from a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrate the presence of naturally occurring antivinculin antibodies in many normal sera. However, the incidence of antivinculin antibodies in patient sera (67%; 55 of 82 sera) is significantly (P less than .01) higher than that in normal sera (40%; 32 of 80 sera), and there is a significant difference (P less than .05) between the mean levels of antivinculin antibodies in patient and normal sera. Whereas the levels of these antibodies in patient and normal sera overlap, 2 of 82 sera from patients with thrombocytopenia express unusually high levels of such antibodies. The pathologic significance of these antibodies remains to be determined.     

A 100-kilodalton protein is associated with the murine interleukin 2 receptor: biochemical evidence that p100 is distinct from the alpha and beta chains.

Two proteins that specifically bind the T-cell growth factor interleukin 2 (IL-2) have been identified previously on the surface of T cells; these proteins have been designated IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta for the alpha and beta chains of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). The association of these independent binding proteins with each other on the surface of activated T cells correlates with the generation of high-affinity binding sites. These high-affinity sites transduce the major mitogenic signal of IL-2, yet the mechanisms of association of the alpha and beta chains with each other as well as signal transduction in response to IL-2 are unknown. Cotransfection experiments of cDNAs encoding the alpha and beta chains in T cells and fibroblasts have suggested functional requirements for other T cell-specific factor(s). We now provide biochemical evidence for a distinct 100-kDa protein that interacts with the alpha or beta chains, or both, on the surface of the IL-2-dependent cell line CTLL-2 as well as activated murine splenocytes. This same 100-kDa protein is capable of being chemically cross-linked to 125I-labeled IL-2.     

Interleukin-3, GM-CSF, and TPA induce distinct phosphorylation events in an interleukin 3-dependent multipotential cell line

The mechanism of action of the hemopoietic growth factor, murine interleukin-3 (mIL-3), was investigated using an mIL-3-dependent multipotential hematopoietic cell line, B6SUtA1. Murine granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mGM-CSF) was as potent as mIL-3 in stimulating these cells. In addition, sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of phosphotyrosine phosphatase, and 12-O-tetradecanoyl- phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a known activator of protein kinase C, also stimulated DNA synthesis in these cells, suggesting that protein phosphorylation might be involved in the mechanism of action of mIL-3 and mGM-CSF. To assess this possibility, intact B6SUtA1 cells exposed for brief periods to mIL-3, mGM-CSF, and TPA were analyzed for changes in phosphorylation patterns using metabolic 32P-labeling and antibodies to phosphotyrosine. Both mIL-3 and mGM-CSF induced the serine-specific phosphorylation of a 68-Kd cytosolic protein, whereas all three agents stimulated the serine-specific phosphorylation of a 68-Kd membrane protein. Furthermore, mIL-3 stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the 68-Kd membrane protein, as well as of 140-, 90-, 55, and 40-Kd proteins. The 90-Kd protein was also tyrosine phosphorylated in response to mGM-CSF. These phosphotyrosine containing proteins were not detected in TPA-treated cells. These results indicate that protein phosphorylations on tyrosine and serine residues occur in B6SUtA1 cells following short-term incubation with mIL-3 or mGM-CSF and that most of these phosphorylation events are mediated by kinases other than protein kinase C (PkC).