Modification of a human monoclonal antibody Fab fragment specific for Plasmodium falciparum 19-kDa C-terminal merozoite surface protein 1 by site-directed mutagenesis

We recently produced human monoclonal antibody Fab fragments specific for the 19-kDa C-terminal merozoite surface protein 1 of Plasmodium falciparum in a bacterial expression system. The effect of single amino acid modifications in the third complementarity-determining regions of the heavy and light chains on affinity was examined in one of the Fab fragments, Pf25. Recombination polymerase chain reaction was used to modify Tyr(92) or Ile(97) in the light chain and Val(101) or Trp(107) in the heavy chain. No effective replacements for Tyr(92) and Val(101) were found, but possible substitutions of Ile(97) with Gly, Leu, Glu, Ala and Ser, and of Trp(107) with Arg and Ser were demonstrated. Of these modified Fab fragments, the affinities of Fabs with Ile(97)-Leu and Trp(107)-Ser mutations were slightly higher than that of the original Fab. The effects of these modifications on the antigen-antibody interaction are discussed.     

Killing of intraerythrocytic<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Plasmodium falciparum</Emphasis> by lysosomotropic amino acid esters

Esters of amino acids are known to penetrate into cells by simple diffusion. Subsequently, they are hydrolyzed by hydrolases to release the parent amino acid. Due to the abundance of hydrolases in phagolysosomes, amino acids accumulate, there because the rate of influx and hydrolysis exceed the rate of amino acid efflux through specific carriers. The osmotic effect of this accumulation results in the disruption of the organelles. This mechanism has been demonstrated to be responsible for the killing of Leishmania amastigotes by amino acid esters. In this investigation, it is shown that all esters tested, including alcohol esters, N-acetyl esters and the esters of some dipeptides, inhibit the growth of Plasmodium falciparum in culture. Inhibition is time-dependent and, in some cases, ring-stage parasites are more sensitive than trophozoites. Similar to the findings with Leishmania, alcohol esters of Glu, Leu, Met, Phe and Trp are more toxic to Plasmodium whereas Ala, Gly, His and Ile are much less noxious. Esters caused the release of acridine orange that selectively accumulates in the phagolysosome-like food vacuole of the parasite, attesting the ostensible destruction of this organelle by osmotic lysis. The toxicity of the N-acetyl esters is probably associated in part to their ability to inhibit cytosolic proteases. Since excess of amino acids can also inhibit proteolysis, the effect of free amino acids on parasite growth was also tested. Of the 19 odd amino acids tested, only three, namely Cys, His and Trp, were found to be toxic to the parasites at millimolar concentrations and the reasons for their possible specific toxicity are discussed.     

Effects of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1 beta and monocytes on lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) induction from natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocytes.

Roles of monocytes and cytokines were investigated on LAK induction from T and NK cells. Monocytes augmented more T-LAK induction than did NK-LAK. Expression of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-mRNA and their cytokine production were superior in NK cells compared with T cells in parallel with their LAK activities. An increase of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IFN-gamma production was induced by co-culturing NK or T cells with autologous monocytes. The augmentation of T cell cytokine production and T-LAK activity by monocytes was more prominent than that of NK cells. TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta were generated 24 h after IL-2 stimulation, and these cytokines were able to almost substitute for monocytes in LAK induction. Conversely, LAK induction was almost completely suppressed by both anti-IL-1 beta and anti-TNF-alpha antibodies, if they were added within 24 h after the start of the LAK induction. IFN-gamma, which was produced at a later stage, scarcely affected LAK induction in spite of the cooperation with TNF-alpha. The results obtained indicate conclusively that the superiority of NK-LAK depends on their superior productivity of both IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, and that the up-regulation of LAK induction by monocytes is largely due to the enhanced generation of both cytokines.     

Vacuolating megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts: functional studies of novel variants in MLC1

Nine new unrelated patients presenting vacuolating myelinopathy with subcortical cysts were identified and analyzed for variations in the MLC1 gene. We detected 12 mutations (p.Leu37fs, p.Met80Val, p.Leu83Phe, p.Pro92Ser, p.Ser93Leu, p.Ile108fs, p.Gly130Arg, p.Cys171fs, p.Glu202Lys, p.Ser269Tyr, p.Ala275Asn, and p.Leu310_311insLeu) of which nine were novel. In one patient we did not detect mutations. Using a heterologous system, three new missense variants (p.Glu202Lys, p.Ser269Tyr, and p.Ala275Asn) and a single leucine insertion (p.Leu310insLeu)--lying in a stretch of seven leucines--were functionally assayed by determining total protein levels and mutant protein expression at the plasma membrane. No correlation was observed between mutation, clinical features, and plasma membrane expression of mutant protein.     

Discrimination between NK and LAK cytotoxic activities of murine spleen cells by MTT assay: differential inhibition by PGE(2) and EDTA

In the present study we propose a mathematical approach to improve the analysis of NK and LAK activities measured by MTT assay adapted for murine cells. We found that to calculate NK activity, high E:T ratios should be used (up to 50:1) and the phenomenon fits to a linear least-squares analysis. However, 5-fold less effector cells (10:1, E:T) should be used to detect LAK activity and the phenomenon has a nonlinear exponential behavior. Using this approach, we showed that EDTA inhibits LAK but not NK activity whereas PGE(2) inhibits NK but not LAK activity. In conclusion, this analytical approach allowed the discrimination between NK and LAK activities and exposed differences between these two cytotoxic activities.     

结核分枝杆菌抗原分析及免疫交叉反应研究

目的：筛选和鉴定结核分枝杆菌特异性和保护性抗原，研究结核杆菌的免疫反应特点，以探索结核病诊断和治疗的新途径。方法：采用超声破碎和滤膜抽滤的方法分别得到菌体蛋白和滤液蛋白，通过Western blot试验用结核杆菌的单克隆抗体及结核病人血清来检测蛋白样品，把发生阳性反应的蛋白在BECKMAN LF3200／多肽氨基酸序列测定仪上进行N末端序列分析，并用结核杆菌的单抗对自身抗原组蛋白进行了检测。结果：结核杆菌的31kD和30kD蛋白与结核杆菌的单抗及病人血清反应均呈阳性，但与正常小鼠血清和健康人血清反应呈阴性。31kD和30kD蛋白的N末端序列分别为：Ala Glu Val Asp Trp Leu Val Phe Ala Val和Phe Ser Arg Pro Gly Leu Pro Val Glu Tyr。结核分枝杆菌的单抗与自身抗原组蛋白能发生免疫交叉反应。结论：结核杆菌的31kD和30kD蛋白是免疫保护性抗原，对免疫交叉反应分子基础的进一步研究必将增加对结核免疫机理的了解。     

Human pulmonary natural killer (NK) cells exhibit limited lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity

The spontaneous activity of natural killer (NK) cells against most solid tumor targets is low but can be increased by incubation with interleukin 2 (IL-2). This phenomenon, termed lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity, has been used in recent clinical trials against some pulmonary malignancies. We compared the LAK activity of blood and lung lymphocytes after activation with IL-2. Lung lymphocytes did not develop LAK activity despite demonstrating a significant increase in NK activity against K562 targets after incubation with IL-2. This functional difference correlated with a reduced expression of Leu-19, a marker present on virtually all LAK cells derived from peripheral blood, on lung NK cells. Because pulmonary macrophages (PM) are important regulators of NK function, we next investigated whether PM could be responsible for the functional and phenotypic differences noted. Measuring NK and LAK activity in parallel, we found that the addition of PM to IL-2-activated lymphocytes resulted in a preferential suppression of LAK activity and a loss of Leu-19 expression from IL-2-activated blood lymphocytes as well as a Leu-19+ T cell clone. We conclude that pulmonary NK cells are phenotypically and functionally different from peripheral blood NK cells and that this likely reflects local regulation, perhaps by PM.     

Mutation analysis of the feedback inhibition site of phenylalanine-sensitive 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase of Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli, the phenylalanine-sensitive 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (DAHPS) AroG catalyzes the first committed step in the biosynthesis of aromatic compounds. To investigate the feedback inhibition site of AroG, mutated enzymes prepared with sequence-overlap extension PCR were expressed and purified. The enzymatic activity assay showed that the amino acid replacements at Phe144, Leu175, Leu179, Phe209, Trp215Ala and Val221 completely or partially relieved feedback inhibition of AroG addressed by the phenylalanine. Ile10Ala and Delta(1-15) desensitized feedback inhibition and caused a 70 approximately 90% loss of the specific catalytic activities. These results strongly suggest an involvement of the interior region and the N-terminus of the polypeptide chain of AroG in the formation of the feedback inhibition site of DAHPS.     

Immunomagnetic isolation of NK and LAK cells.

The present study describes the immunomagnetic isolation of human natural killer (NK) and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells. Antibodies against CD56 and sheep anti-mouse IgG-coated magnetic monodisperse particles (Dynabeads M-450) were used for the positive isolation of CD56+ cells from unstimulated mononuclear cells (PBMC). A highly enriched population of CD56+ cells (less than or equal to 3% contaminating cells) was obtained with this method. The cellular yield of CD56+ cells was high (5.3% of the unseparated PBMC). The CD56+ cells remained unactivated after separation and preserved their functional characteristics, as measured by cytotoxic activity against the NK sensitive K562 cells. Incubating the CD56+ cells with IL-2 resulted in high LAK activity, as measured by cytotoxic activity against Daudi cells. Large numbers of functionally active CD56+ cells were obtained from IL-2 stimulated lymphocytes using anti-CD56 coated Dynabeads 450. A further enrichment of effector cells with LAK activity was accomplished by depleting the CD56+ cells for T-cells by anti-CD3 coated Dynabeads M450. The immunomagnetic isolation technique described was easy to perform, did not require expensive equipment and yielded NK and LAK cells of satisfactory purity.     

Functional characterization of missense variants in the creatine transporter gene (SLC6A8): improved diagnostic application

Creatine transporter deficiency is an X-linked mental retardation disorder caused by mutations in the creatine transporter gene (SLC6A8). So far, 20 mutations in the SLC6A8 gene have been described. We have developed a diagnostic assay to test creatine uptake in fibroblasts. Additionally, we expanded the assay to characterize novel SLC6A8 missense variants. A total of 13 variants were introduced in the SLC6A8 cDNA by site-directed mutagenesis. All variants were transiently transfected in SLC6A8-deficient fibroblasts and tested for restoration of creatine uptake in deficient primary fibroblasts. Thus, we proved that nine variants (p.Gly87Arg, p.Phe107del, p.Tyr317X, p.Asn336del, p.Cys337Trp, p.Ile347del, p.Pro390Leu, p.Arg391Trp, and p.Pro554Leu) are pathogenic mutations and four variants (p.Lys4Arg, p.Gly26Arg, p.Met560Val, and p.Val629Ile) are nonpathogenic. The present study provides an improved diagnostic tool to classify sequence variants of unknown significance.     

Imbalanzen neutraler Plasma-Aminosäuren als pathogenetischer Faktor der Anorexie

Summary Studies in anorectic tumor-bearing rats indicate that anorexia is correlated to imbalances of neutral amino acids in blood and CNS. Consequently plasma amino acids of patients with neoplastic and non-neoplastic internal diseases were studied during phases of anorexia; special regard was given to the precursors of dopamine and serotonin. Anorectic patients were compared to non-anorectic patients with neoplasia. During anorexia, plasma levels of valine and leucine and hence the ratio of the molar concentrations of Val+Leu+Ile/Phe+Tyr were significantly decreased in each anorectic patient as compared to non-anorectic patients whose ratios were always within the normal ranges. As aromatic and branched-chain amino acids compete for penetration of the blood brain barrier, the decrease of the amino acid ratio may induce a raised flux of phenylalanine and tyrosine into the CNS which results in an increased activation of dopaminergic neurons — known to cause anorexia.

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Abkürzungen AS Aminosäuren - CML Chronisch-myeloische Leukämie - Ile Isoleucin - Leu Leucin - m männlich - M Median - Phe Phenylalanin - Tyr Tyrosin - Val Valin - VZK Verzweigtkettige Aminosäuren - w weiblich Herrn Prof. Dr. W. Kaufmann zur Vollendung des 60. Lebensjahres gewidmet     

Mediation of human NK-activity by components in extracts of Viscum album

Viscum album extracts (Iscador) were investigated for their potency to influence NK cytotoxicity in vitro. In vitro short term cytotoxicity assays (4 h) with human peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNC) and human K 562 tumor cells showed a drastic enhancement of NK cytotoxicity in the presence of V. album extracts. The presence of the V. album components during tumor cell lysis was essential since preincubation of PMNC with V. album extract followed by thorough washing did not lead to enhancement of NK cytotoxicity. One responding effector cell was identified as a member of the large granular lymphocyte (LGL) family carrying both Leu 7 and Leu 11 surface markers. Furthermore, monocytes depleted of LGL, but not differentiated macrophages, showed a weak enhancement of their cytolytic activity in the presence of V. album extract. Fractionation of V. album extracts revealed two active fractions one (C1) with about 3-4000 D and the other (C2) less than 1000 D. Both components enhanced NK cytotoxicity of LGL (Leu 7+, Leu 11+) as well as of monocytes showing enhancing effects also against moderately NK-sensitive tumor cell lines.     

Evidence that Protein Kinase C Activation is Essential for Killing by IL-2-Activated Lymphocytes

Previous pharmacological evidence has suggested that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is necessary for T and natural killer (NK) killing of different target cells. In the present study we find, using interleukin 2 (IL-2)-activated lymphocytes (LAK cells), that phosphorylation of a well-characterized 80-kDa PKC substrate increases during conjugation to target cells. Furthermore, down-regulation of PKC by pretreatment with the active phorbol esters PDB (24 h) or PMA (2 h), but not with the inactive phorbolester PDD, simultaneously inhibits killing by LAK cells. H-7, an inhibitor of PKC, also inhibited LAK-cell killing without affecting the target-effector cell conjugate formation. We also demonstrate that pretreatment of target cells with phorbol ester (PMA) decreases killing, suggesting that PKC activation in the target cell population may also influence killing although the effect may vary depending on the particular target cell used. We conclude that PKC activation is essential for triggering of lysis in LAK cells.     

Polymers containing enzymatically degradable bonds, 2. Poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] chains connected by oligopeptide sequences cleavable by chymotrypsin

Copolymers of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide ( 1 ) with p-nitrophenyl esters of N-methacryloylated oligopeptides ( 2–16 ) were prepared. These copolymers were crosslinked below the gel point by diamines ( 17–27 ). The crosslinks connecting poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] chains contained an oligopeptidic sequence of 2–4 amino acids, cleavable by α-chymotrypsin: -Gly-X-Y- (X… Gly, Ala, β-Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, D -Phe; Y… Phe, Tyr), -Gly-Gly-Phe-Y-; -U-Gly-Val-Phe- (U… Ala, Gly); -Gly-Phe-W- (W… Ala, Gly, D -Phe); -Gly-Phe-Ala-U-. The changes in the distribution of molecular weights of the studied copolymers, after incubation with α-chymotrypsin, allowed us to estimate the amount of degradable crosslinks and to determine the relationship between the structure and cleavability. The results are interpreted from the viewpoint of the contribution of subsite (S-P) interactions to the degradability of the studied polymers.     

Kinetic Analysis of Lymphokine-Activated Killer (LAK) Cells: Lytic Parameters and Determination of LAK Cell Frequency

Kinetic analysis was used to define lytic events in murine lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell-mediated tumour cell lysis. The maximum rate of target cell lysis (Vmax) and Km (target cell number resulting in 1/2 Vmax) were determined. Single cell lytic assays demonstrated that only LAK effector cells bound to target cells (i.e. non-lytic, bystander lymphocytes did not influence the determination of kinetic parameters) in contrast to natural killer (NK) cell lysis. This finding allowed for LAK cell frequency determinations where Km approximates the concentration of lytic LAK effector cells within a given number of lymphocytes. Frequencies determined in this manner were not significantly different from those obtained using the more cumbersome single cell lytic assay. Furthermore, frequencies determined for the same lymphocyte population against four different NK-resistant tumour targets, that varied in their sensitivity to LAK cell lysis, were not significantly different. In addition, LAK cell lytic programming of target cells was found to be the rate limiting lytic event. This study provides a means of determining reliable estimates of LAK cell frequencies within a lymphocyte population, which will be useful in studies evaluating LAK cytolytic mechanisms and the effects of drugs, biological response modifiers, or disease states on LAK cell lytic activity.     

Effects of Heat Shock on Cytolysis Mediated by NK Cells, LAK Cells, Activated Monocytes and TNFs α and β

We have recently shown that a heat treatment of a murine target cell line, WEHI 164, induces resistance to lysis mediated by tumour necrosis factors alpha (TNF-α) and beta (TNF-β). In the present study the effect of the heat shock of target cells on cytotoxicity mediated by natural killer cells (NK cells), lymphocyte-activated killer cells (LAK cells), activated monocytes, TNF-α, and TNF-β was investigated, First, WEHI 164 cell line and six human cell lines (ME 180, K 562, U 937, HeLa, MCF 7, and SK-OV 3) were screened for their sensitivity to different forms of lysis, and then sensitive cell lines were heat-treated. Pretreatment of target cells at 42° C for 45-60 min also rendered human target cell lines more resistant to lysis by rTNFs, and the acquired resistance was accompanied by an increased resistance to activated monocytes, but not to NK cells or LAK cells. Thus, the heat-induced resistance mechanisms capable of protecting target cells from lysis by rTNFs and by activated monocytes do not elicit resistance to lysis by NK cells and LAK cells, supporting the hypothesis that mediators other than TNFs are involved in NK cell-and LAK cellmediated killing.     

Differential effects of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate and simple sugars on NK and LAK activities suggesting differences of their cytotoxic mechanism.

The increase of intracellular cyclic AMP levels suppresses the cytotoxic activities of lymphocytes and monosaccharides interfere with cell to cell and cell to cytokine interactions, and these effects on natural killer (NK)/antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) activities were examined. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP markedly suppressed NK, IL-2-augmented NK and ADCC activities in a dose-dependent manner but not previously induced LAK activity. Induction of LAK was inhibited. Dibutyryl cyclic GMP had no effect. Addition of mannose 6-phosphate and galactose 6-phosphate strongly inhibited NK and ADCC activities, but not LAK activity. These results suggest that the lytic mechanism for NK and ADCC activity is different from that of LAK activity.