Analysis of two cDNA clones encoding the B lymphocyte antigen CD20 (B1, Bp35), a type III integral membrane protein

Two cDNA clones encoding the pan-B cell CD20 antigen were isolated from a COS cell expression library. The two clones bear identical coding sequences and differ only in the length of the 3' untranslated region. The predicted CD20 sequence is 297 residues long and contains three hydrophobic domains, one of which is long enough to span the membrane twice. COS cells transfected with either CD20 clone express an immunoreactive protein of 33 kD.     

NKG2D在NK细胞杀伤血液肿瘤细胞中的作用

本研究旨在探讨NKG2D在NK细胞杀伤血液肿瘤细胞时是否发挥作用。将多种血液肿瘤细胞株作为靶细胞,并在靶细胞中检测NKG2D相应配体的表达,而后进行杀伤实验。将靶细胞与羧基荧光素二醋酸盐琥珀酰亚胺酯(CFSE)共孵育,同时将NK细胞系NK92MI分别与NKG2D特异性封闭抗体或同型对照抗体共孵育。之后将NK92MI分别与多种血液肿瘤细胞共同培养,2 h后用流式细胞分析方法检测靶细胞的凋亡率。结果显示:加入NKG2D特异性封闭抗体后,NK细胞对于急性髓系白血病细胞Kasumi-1的杀伤作用减弱约30%,而在其他血液肿瘤细胞株中封闭NKG2D并未明显影响NK细胞对于靶细胞的杀伤。结论:在NK细胞作用于某些靶细胞时,NKG2D促进NK细胞的杀伤作用。     

肿瘤患者自然杀伤细胞受体NKG2A和NKG2D的表达

目的通过研究肿瘤患者外周血自然杀伤（NK）细胞表面NKG2A和NKG2D的表达情况,探讨二者表达失衡与肿瘤免疫逃逸的关系。方法采用流式细胞术检测40例肿瘤患者和10名正常对照者外周血NK细胞表面NKG2A和NKG2D的表达情况。用全自动五分类血液分析仪测定各病例的血常规。结果肿瘤患者和正常对照组白细胞数值差异无统计学意义;肿瘤患者淋巴细胞比率低于对照组,而NK细胞明显高于对照组;肿瘤患者NK细胞表面抑制性受体NKG2A和活化性受体NKG2D均明显高于对照组,但肿瘤患者NKG2D荧光强度呈降低趋势。结论肿瘤患者NK细胞表面NKG2A／NKG2D表达失衡,可能是肿瘤免疫逃逸的机制之一。     

Activation of human natural killer cells by herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells

Human natural killer (NK) cells were shown to be much more cytolytic for WISH cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) than for uninfected cells during 18-hour 51Cr release assays. Cold-target competition experiments involving high cold target to radiolabeled target cell ratios demonstrated that infected cells specifically competed for lytic activity against infected cell targets, and, therefore, the infected cells were not inherently more sensitive to lysis than uninfected cells. In contrast to these findings, depletion experiments involving low ratios of cold HSV-1-infected targets to labeled infected target cells resulted in increased lytic activity against uninfected cell targets. This finding suggested that NK effectors with specificity for WISH cell surface determinants had become highly activated during the depletion incubation. The addition of interferon alpha and particularly interleukin 2 to NK cytotoxicity assays enhanced NK cytolytic activity against both infected and uninfected target cells in a dose-dependent manner. Interleukin 1 did not give this effect. However, the enhanced lytic activity of NK cells following exposure to low doses of infected cell cold targets cannot be explained solely on the basis of release of the three lymphokines tested, since interleukin 1 was not effective, interleukin 2 was not detected in culture supernatants derived from the competition experiments, and NK cells preferentially lyse HSV-1-infected target cells independent of the enhancing effects of interferon. Together, the results indicated that NK cells recognize and bind to specific target cell surface structures which may, in turn, enhance their lytic activity.     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding human apolipoprotein H (β2-Glycoprotein I)*

Summary Apolipoprotein H, also known as β-₂-glycoprotein I, was purified from human serum, and antiserum produced to denatured apolipoprotein H detected a cDNA clone from a γ gt11 library derived from human liver. This cDNA coded for the complete sequence of the mature protein. The cDNA insert, along with a polymerase chain reaction product which extended the 5′ end of the message, were subcloned and both strands were sequenced. The apolipoprotein H precursor was found to code for 345 amino acids, 326 of which appear in the mature protein. The deduced amino acid sequence of human apolipoprotein H differs from its rat homologue by the presence of a 48-amino acid stretch which is absent from the rat protein. The remainder of the proteins share a greater than 80% similarity. The amino acid sequence of apolipoprotein H consists largely of repeated units approximately 60 amino acids in length. These repeats are comparable to “sushi structures” found in a large number of diverse proteins, including complement components, receptors and regulators of complement activation, serum proteins, membrane-associated adhesion proteins, and other structural and catalytic proteins. Apolipoprotein H was shown to be transcribed by human hepatoma cell lines Hep 3B and Hep G2, and rat liver by detection of mRNA using northern blot analysis. The nucleotide sequence data were deposited in the GenBank Nucleotide Sequence Database, accession number M62839 (April 4, 1991)     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding human apolipoprotein H (beta 2-glycoprotein I).

Apolipoprotein H, also known as beta-2-glycoprotein I, was purified from human serum, and antiserum produced to denatured apolipoprotein H detected a cDNA clone from a lambda gt11 library derived from human liver. This cDNA coded for the complete sequence of the mature protein. The cDNA insert, along with a polymerase chain reaction product which extended the 5' end of the message, were subcloned and both strands were sequenced. The apolipoprotein H precursor was found to code for 345 amino acids, 326 of which appear in the mature protein. The deduced amino acid sequence of human apolipoprotein H differs from its rat homologue by the presence of a 48-amino acid stretch which is absent from the rat protein. The remainder of the proteins share a greater than 80% similarity. The amino acid sequence of apolipoprotein H consists largely of repeated units approximately 60 amino acids in length. These repeats are comparable to "sushi structures" found in a large number of diverse proteins, including complement components, receptors and regulators of complement activation, serum proteins, membrane-associated adhesion proteins, and other structural and catalytic proteins. Apolipoprotein H was shown to be transcribed by human hepatoma cell lines Hep 3B and Hep G2, and rat liver by detection of mRNA using northern blot analysis.     

Ganglioside gm2 as a target structure recognized by human natural killer cells

This report investigates the possibility that the ganglioside GM2 is a common target structure for natural killer cells. A subpopulation of lymphocytes, NK cells may play a role in vivo in controlling the growth of certain tumors.     

Response of resting human peripheral blood natural killer cells to interleukin 2

The present study shows that recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) purified to homogeneity induces a rapid and potent enhancement of spontaneous cytotoxicity of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The cells mediating cytotoxicity after 18-h treatment with IL-2 have surface markers of natural killer (NK) cells and are generated from the peripheral blood subset containing spontaneous cytotoxic cells. A parallel production of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) is induced by recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2), and NK cells appear to be the major producer cells, whereas T cells are unable to produce IFN-gamma under these experimental conditions. However, the kinetics of the enhancement of cytotoxicity are faster than those of IFN-gamma production, and monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma antibodies do not suppress this effect, making it unlikely that the IFN- gamma produced is responsible for the enhancement. The enhancement of NK cell activity induced by rIL-2 precedes any proliferative response of the lymphocytes, which is instead observed in longer-term cultures of both NK and T cells.     

Stable expression of cDNA encoding the human interleukin 2 receptor in eukaryotic cells

Human interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor cDNA derived from HUT 102B2 cells was stably expressed in murine L cells. These L cell transfectants (a) displayed surface receptors of the aberrant size of the IL-2 receptors on HUT 102B2 cells, (b) did not respond to exogenous IL-2 with augmented proliferation, and (c) expressed low affinity but not high affinity receptors for IL-2.     

Isolation of cDNA clones encoding putative odourant binding proteins from the antennae of the malaria-transmitting mosquito, Anopheles gambiae

One way of controlling disease transmission by blood-feeding mosquitoes is to reduce the frequency of insect-host interaction, thus reducing the probability of parasite transmission and re-infection. A better understanding of the olfactory processes responsible for allowing mosquitoes to identify human hosts is required in order to develop methods that will interfere with host seeking. We have therefore initiated a molecular approach to isolate and characterize the genes and their products that are involved in the olfactory recognition pathway of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae, which is the main malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa. We report here the isolation and preliminary characterization of several cDNAs from male and female A. gambiae antennal libraries that encode putative odourant binding proteins. Their conceptual translation products show extensive sequence similarity to known insect odourant binding proteins (OBPs)/pheromone binding proteins (PBPs), especially to those of D. melanogaster. The A. gambiae OBPs described here are expressed in the antennae of both genders, and some of the A. gambiae OBP genes are well conserved in other disease-transmitting mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.     

Isolation and expression of cDNA clones encoding a human receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RII)

We have cloned and expressed a cDNA encoding a human receptor for IgG (Fc gamma R) from the monocyte cell line U937. The deduced structure is a 35-kD transmembrane protein with homology to the mouse Fc[gamma 2b/gamma 1] receptor amino acid sequence of approximately 60% in the extracellular domain. The signal sequence is homologous to the mouse Fc gamma R alpha cDNA clone, while the transmembrane domain shares homology with mouse Fc gamma R beta cDNAs. The cytoplasmic domain is apparently unique. The extracellular domain shows significant homology to proteins of the Ig gene superfamily, including the human c-fms protooncogene/CSF-1 receptor. Mouse Ltk- cells transfected with the human Fc gamma R cDNA express a cell-surface receptor that selectively binds human IgG and is recognized by the anti-Fc gamma RII mAb IV.3. Antibodies against peptides derived from the human Fc gamma R sequence specifically stain U937 cells, but not an Fc gamma RII-bearing B-lymphoblastoid cell line (Daudi). These results identify the human Fc gamma RII as the homologue of mouse Fc[gamma 2b/gamma 1] R, and provide evidence for heterogeneity of Fc gamma RII expressed on monocytes and B cells.     

Differential expression of genes encoding immunomodulatory proteins in response to amphotericin B in human mononuclear cells identified by cDNA microarray analysis

Amphotericin B (AMB) is an antifungal agent that possesses immunomodulatory properties that may contribute to its infusion-related toxicity and activity. It has previously been shown to induce the expression of genes encoding the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and the chemokines IL-8 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 beta in the human monocytic cell line THP-1. In an effort to identify additional AMB-responsive genes, the gene expression profiles of both THP-1 cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) on exposure to AMB were assessed using cDNA microarray analysis. In addition to genes known to be AMB responsive, we found the genes encoding IL-1 alpha and MIP-1 alpha to be AMB responsive in both THP-1 cells and hPBMCs. Increases in MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta were also observed in the supernatants of hPBMCs exposed to AMB. The expression of several genes in response to AMB was unique to either cell type. Furthermore, variability in gene expression in hPBMCs was observed between donors. These genes and respective gene products may have significance in the infusion-related toxicity and activity of AMB.     

Expression of the NKTa clonotype in a series of human natural killer clones with identical cytotoxic specificity

Over a period of 3 yr, a series of ten NK clones that express a unique clonotypic T cell receptor-like structure, termed NKTa, has been generated from a single individual. These clones were derived from either peripheral blood nonadherent cell fractions (JT9, JT10, JT11), NKH2-purified cells (CNK8, CNK9), or NKTa-purified cells (CNK11, CNK12, CNK13, CNK14, CNK15). Flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from this individual showed that NKTa+ cells occur with a frequency of approximately 0.15%. The existence of NKTa+ cells in peripheral blood was confirmed by use of immunorosette enrichment techniques, flow cytometric purification, and subsequent clonal expansion of NKTa+ cells. Phenotypic analysis of NKTa+ clones showed that all expressed NKH1 as well as T3, T8, T11, T12, and Mo1 antigens. Only five of ten clones expressed NKH2 antigen. All NKTa+ clones had broad cytolytic activity against a series of seven different target cells that was similar to that of other NK clones. In addition, cytotoxicity of each clone could be inhibited by preincubation of effector cells with monoclonal anti-NKTa or by preincubation of target cells with monoclonal anti-TNKTAR. Although half of the NKTa+ clones appeared phenotypically different from the other half with regard to the expression of NKH2 antigen, analysis of T cell receptor gene rearrangements indicated that all NKTa+ clones contained identical gene rearrangements of C beta 2.     

Immunoregulating properties of peptides related to tumor rejection antigens: effect on human monocytes and natural killer cells

The authors analyzed the effect of several 15-amino acid peptides with sequences related to tumor-rejection antigens, tyrosinase, and the MAGE family on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors cultured for periods of 1 to 7 days. Some of these peptides promoted stimulation of monocytes, manifested by phenotypic changes, release of interleukin (IL)-1a, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and induction of nitric oxide synthase on differentiated CD14++/+ CD16+ DR++ monocytes. An increase in the percentage of cytotoxic monocytes (CD14+/- CD16+) containing granule-associated DNase activity was also observed. Active peptides induced the release of IL-2 and interferon-gamma. Nonspecific natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity was also observed against classical target cell lines (K-562 and Daudi) and allogenic melanoma cell lines AC and BB, together with an increase in granule-associated DNase in the natural killer cell-enriched population. Monocytes were needed to enhance this innate response, because peptides failed to induce the release of IL-2 on monocyte-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Data show an enhancement of the rapid innate immune response by peptides related to tumor rejection antigens and suggest that they could also determine the nature of a slow and more definitive specific immune response against tumor cells.     

Recognition of the class Ib molecule Qa-1(b) by putative activating receptors CD94/NKG2C and CD94/NKG2E on mouse natural killer cells

The heterodimeric CD94/NKG2A receptor, expressed by mouse natural killer (NK) cells, transduces inhibitory signals upon recognition of its ligand, Qa-1(b), a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex class Ib molecule. Here we clone and express two additional receptors, CD94/NKG2C and CD94/NKG2E, which we show also bind to Qa-1(b). Within their extracellular carbohydrate recognition domains, NKG2C and NKG2E share extensive homology with NKG2A (93-95% amino acid similarity); however, NKG2C/E receptors differ from NKG2A in their cytoplasmic domains (only 33% similarity) and contain features that suggest that CD94/NKG2C and CD94/NKG2E may be activating receptors. We employ a novel blocking anti-NKG2 monoclonal antibody to provide the first direct evidence that CD94/NKG2 molecules are the only Qa-1(b) receptors on NK cells. Molecular analysis reveals that NKG2C and NKG2E messages are extensively alternatively spliced and approximately 20-fold less abundant than NKG2A message in NK cells. The organization of the mouse Cd94/Nkg2 gene cluster, presented here, shows striking similarity with that of the human, arguing that the entire CD94/NKG2 receptor system is relatively primitive in origin. Analysis of synonymous substitution frequencies suggests that within a species, NKG2 genes may maintain similarities with each other by concerted evolution, possibly involving gene conversion-like events. These findings have implications for understanding NK cells and also raise new possibilities for the role of Qa-1 in immune responses.     

Intravenous injection of naked DNA encoding secreted flt3 ligand dramatically increases the number of dendritic cells and natural killer cells in vivo

The trace number of dendritic cells (DCs) present in tissues has limited the study of DC biology and development of clinical applications utilizing DCs. Here we show that hydrodynamics-based gene delivery of naked DNA encoding secreted human flt3 ligand (hFLex) can dramatically increase the number of functional DCs and natural killer (NK) cells. After a single injection of the hFLex gene, hFLex levels in mouse serum reached approximately 40 microg/ml and remained above 1 microg/ml for 5-6 days. Sustained levels of serum hFLex correlated with significant increases in the size of the lymphoid organs and in the proportion of dendritic cells and NK cells in both lymph nodes and spleen. The increase in DC and NK cell numbers started from day 5, and reached peak levels between day 8 and day 12. The levels then returned to normal on day 20. These DCs and NK cells were functional as evidenced by mixed leukocyte reactions and lysis of YAC-1 cells, respectively. These results suggest that delivery of the hFLex gene provides a simple, efficient, and inexpensive way of increasing DC and NK cell populations in vivo, and may have broad applications in the further study of DC and NK cell biology and in the development of immunotherapy strategies.     

Human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein UL16 causes intracellular sequestration of NKG2D ligands,protecting against natural killer cell cytotoxicity

The activating receptor, NKG2D, is expressed on a variety of immune effector cells and recognizes divergent families of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related ligands, including the MIC and ULBP proteins. Infection, stress, or transformation can induce NKG2D ligand expression, resulting in effector cell activation and killing of the ligand-expressing target cell. The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) membrane glycoprotein, UL16, binds to three of the five known ligands for human NKG2D. UL16 is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and cis-Golgi apparatus of cells and causes MICB to be similarly retained and stabilized within cells. Coexpression of UL16 markedly reduces cell surface levels of MICB, ULBP1, and ULBP2, and decreases susceptibility to natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Domain swapping experiments demonstrate that the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of UL16 are important for intracellular retention of UL16, whereas the ectodomain of UL16 participates in down-regulation of NKG2D ligands. The intracellular sequestration of NKG2D ligands by UL16 represents a novel HCMV immune evasion mechanism to add to the well-documented viral strategies directed against antigen presentation by classical MHC molecules.     

Identification and characterization of a pore-forming protein of human peripheral blood natural killer cells

We show here that human peripheral blood NK cells contain a pore-forming protein (PFP) with an Mr of 70,000-72,000 that assembles structural lesions (with an average internal diameter of 150-170 A) and forms functional channels. The PFP was isolated by affinity chromatography from human NK cells, using a specific anti-C9 antiserum as the immunoadsorbent. The NK cells were isolated from PBL by positive or negative selection by indirect rosetting using a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against different NK and T cell surface antigens. PFP was identified in NK cells freshly isolated and isolated from cultured PBL, both stimulated with interleukin 2, but not in NK cell-depleted lymphocytes. In planar bilayers, the channels formed by the NK cell-derived PFP are highly voltage resistant, with most channels persisting in the open state once they have inserted into the bilayer. The unit conductances of these channels range 0.3-1 nS in 0.1 M NaCl. The channels show poor selectivity for monovalent and divalent ions. The PFP is also released from human NK cells stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187, suggesting that this protein, like the one produced by murine CTL lines, may be similarly secreted during cell-mediated killing. Its identification in primary human NK cell cultures indicates that this protein may play an active role in NK cell-mediated killing.     

The transmembrane sequence of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C as a determinant in inhibition of a subset of natural killer cells

Molecular interactions with the extracellular domains of class I major histocompatibility complex proteins are major determinants of immune recognition that have been extensively studied both physically and biochemically. However, no immunological function has yet been placed on the transmembrane or cytoplasmic amino acid sequences of these proteins despite strict conservation of unique features within each class I major histocompatibility complex locus. Here we report that lysis by a subset of natural killer (NK) cells inhibited by target cell expression of human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-Cw6 or -Cw7 was not inhibited by expression of chimeric proteins consisting of the extracellular domains of HLA-C and the COOH-terminal portion of HLA-G. Assays using transfectants expressing a variety of HLA-Cw6 mutants identified the transmembrane sequence and, in particular, cysteine at position 309 as necessary for inhibition of 68% (25/37) of NK cell lines and 23% (33/145) of NK clones tested. Moreover, these NK clones inhibited by target cell expression of HLA-Cw6 and dependent upon the transmembrane sequence were found not to express or to only dimly express NK inhibitory receptors (NKIR1) that are EB6/HP3E4-positive. Furthermore, assays using monoclonal antibody blocking suggest that an NK receptor other than NKIR1 or CD94 is responsible for recognition dependent upon the transmembrane sequence of HLA-Cw6.