Production of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α by Alveolar Macrophages of Lung Cancer Patients

The abilities of human alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained from healthy donors and patients with lung cancer to produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were compared with those of their blood monocytes after activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TNF activity was assayed by measuring cytotoxicity against actinomycin D-treated L929 cells and TNF was determined quantitatively by sandwich enzyme-linked immnnosorbent assay (ELISA) with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against TNF-α. Unstimulated AM from healthy donors released variable amounts of TNF spontaneously, whereas blood monocytes did not. When treated with LPS for 24 h, AM and monocytes produced TNF dose-dependently, but TNF production by AM was significantly more than that by blood monocytes. This TNF activity was inhibited completely by monoclonal anti-TNF-α antibody. Macrophages generated by in vitro maturation of monocytes induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) produced more TNF than freshly isolated monocytes. No difference was found in the abilities of AM from healthy donors and patients with lung cancer to produce TNF after activation stimuli. These observations suggest that human AM may be important in in vivo antitumor defense of the lung through TNF-α production.     

Production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by alveolar macrophages of lung cancer patients

The abilities of human alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained from healthy donors and patients with lung cancer to produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were compared with those of their blood monocytes after activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TNF activity was assayed by measuring cytotoxicity against actinomycin D-treated L929 cells and TNF was determined quantitatively by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against TNF-alpha. Unstimulated AM from healthy donors released variable amounts of TNF spontaneously, whereas blood monocytes did not. When treated with LPS for 24 h, AM and monocytes produced TNF dose-dependently, but TNF production by AM was significantly more than that by blood monocytes. This TNF activity was inhibited completely by monoclonal anti-TNF-alpha antibody. Macrophages generated by in vitro maturation of monocytes induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) produced more TNF than freshly isolated monocytes. No difference was found in the abilities of AM from healthy donors and patients with lung cancer to produce TNF after activation stimuli. These observations suggest that human AM may be important in in vivo antitumor defense of the lung through TNF-alpha production.     

Inflammation amplifies the antitumor cytostasis by human peritoneal macrophages.

The effect of an inflammatory environment on the antitumor cytostatic ability of human macrophages was examined. Peritoneal macrophages of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) were collected, when CAPD was without complication, during an intercurrent infectious inflammation and after recovery. Inhibition of 3H-thymidine uptake served as a measure of cytostasis by macrophages co-cultured with target murine cells MOPC-315 plasmacytoma, WEHI-3B myelomonocytic leukemia and L929 transformed fibroblasts. Macrophages from inflammatory peritoneum expressed a markedly enhanced cytostasis, irrespective of the nature of the tumor cell. Endotoxin (LPS) challenge of inflammatory macrophages failed to further reinforce the cytostasis towards MOPC-315 plasmacytoma, but reinforced the cytostasis towards WEHI-3B leukemia (sensitive to inhibition by IL-1) and towards L929 (sensitive to TNF alpha). Cytostasis by supernatants of human peritoneal macrophages against L929 was markedly inhibited by anti-rHuTNF alpha and against WEHI-3B by anti-rHuIL-1 beta. The results suggest a link between inflammatory function and antitumor cytostasis by macrophages. This link is constituted by mediators involved in the activation process of macrophages.     

Prolonged exposure to IL-1beta and IFNgamma induces necrosis of L929 tumor cells via a p38MAPK/NF-kappaB/NO-dependent mechanism

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) is a cytokine that shares with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) the ability to initiate largely similar signaling pathways, leading to proinflammatory gene expression. In contrast to TNF, however, IL-1beta is not believed to induce tumor cell death. Here we demonstrate that prolonged treatment with IL-1beta, in combination with interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), is cytotoxic for L929 tumor cells. IL-1beta/IFNgamma-induced cytotoxicity requires only minimal amounts of IL-1beta and shows morphological features of necrosis. Although TNF induces a similar response, we could exclude a contribution of endogenous TNF production in the effect of IL-1beta/IFNgamma. Cell death in response to IL-1beta/IFNgamma is independent of caspases, but requires the IL-1beta/IFNgamma-induced production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NO. Moreover, necrosis and iNOS/NO production could be prevented by treatment of the cells with a p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) or IkappaB kinase beta inhibitor. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that prolonged exposure to IL-1beta plus IFNgamma induces L929 tumor cell necrosis, via a p38MAPK and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent signaling pathway, leading to the expression of iNOS and the production of toxic NO levels.     

Potentiation of topoisomerase inhibitor-induced DNA strand breakage and cytotoxicity by tumor necrosis factor: enhancement of topoisomerase activity as a mechanism of potentiation

A combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the topoisomerase I inhibitor, camptothecin, or the topoisomerase II inhibitors, teniposide and amsacrine, produced dose-dependent synergistic cytotoxicity against the murine L929 fibrosarcoma cells. Similar synergy was not observed with a combination of TNF and bleomycin. To define the role of TNF in the augmentation of tumor cell killing by topoisomerase I or II inhibitors, the effect of TNF on the production of enzyme-linked DNA strand breaks induced in cells by topoisomerase inhibitors was investigated. L929 cells incubated for 1 h with the topoisomerase inhibitors contained protein-linked strand breaks. In contrast, TNF alone did not induce DNA strand breakage. However, when cells were incubated simultaneously with TNF and camptothecin, amsacrine, Adriamycin, actinomycin D, teniposide, or etoposide, increased numbers of strand breaks were produced. Preincubation of the cells with TNF for 30 min or 3 h before the addition of camptothecin or etoposide resulted in no more strand breaks than that observed in cells incubated with the drugs alone. TNF treatment of L929 cells produced a rapid and transient increase in specific activity of extractable topoisomerases I and II. These increases were maximum at 2-5 min of TNF treatment and by 30 min the activities of extractable enzymes were equal to or less than those detected in extracts from untreated cell controls. The transient nature of the increase in extractable topoisomerase activity may explain the kinetics and significance of the order of addition of TNF and inhibitors for maximal synergistic activity. These data are consistent also with a role for topoisomerase-linked DNA lesions in the TNF-mediated potentiation of killing of L929 cells by topoisomerase inhibitors.     

Interleukin 1, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor, and transforming growth factor beta increase cell resistance to tumor necrosis factor cytotoxicity by growth arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle

During infection, inflammation, immune responses, and neoplastic growth, various cytokines are produced affecting both susceptibility to and protection from cellular death. We have studied the protective effect of pretreatment of the L929 fibroblast cell line with interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), or transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta) on subsequent TNF/actinomycin D-induced cytotoxicity. The protective effects of these cytokines on TNF cytotoxicity were time and concentration dependent. TGF-beta was the most effective cytokine, followed by TNF, IL-1 beta, and IL-6. Activators of protein kinase C also afforded protection, and TGF-beta acted synergistically with either phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or the calcium ionophore A-23187. TGF-beta-induced protection against TNF was observed in cells subjected to prolonged treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Cells pretreated with prostaglandin E2 or cholera toxin amplified the sensitivity to TNF and inhibited TGF-beta-mediated resistance, whereas indomethacin enhanced the protective effect of TGF-beta. Cells cultured in the presence of IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, or TGF-beta for 6 h inhibited DNA synthesis, and this was associated with concomitant growth arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. On the other hand, prostaglandin E2 or cholera toxin stimulated the progression of cells from G1 toward G2 + M which was associated with increased TNF sensitivity. We conclude that these cytokines protect against death by arresting growth in the G1 phase of the cell cycle.     

Mechanism of the cytotoxic effect of tumor necrosis factor

The mechanism of murine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines (L929, HeLa, K562) was investigated. Electron microscopic observation revealed that most of the organellas of L929 cells incubated with partially purified murine TNF underwent almost complete lysis with no drastic disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane, while injection of the TNF into the cytoplasm or nuclei of L929 cells caused no apparent morphological change or growth inhibition. Preincubation of the TNF with tumor cells (L929, HeLa, K562) resulted in a decrease in cytotoxic activity which was proportional to their susceptibility to TNF, thus indicating their absorption of TNF. The susceptibility of L929 tumor cells to TNF was apparently suppressed by treatment with proteases, suggesting the existence of protease-sensitive recognition sites for TNF on the tumor cell.     

Association of lysosomal activity with sensitivity and resistance to tumor necrosis factor in murine L929 cells

The cytotoxic mechanism of action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was examined using murine L929 fibrosarcoma cells in vitro. Two cell lines were evaluated: parental TNF sensitive (L929S) (50% cytotoxic concentration, 2-6 ng/ml); and TNF resistant (L929R) (50% cytotoxic concentration, greater than 10,000 ng/ml). The latter resistant cell line was developed by serial passage in increasing concentrations of recombinant human TNF. Sensitive cells demonstrated cytolytic and cytostatic effects at TNF concentrations between 2 and 6 ng/ml, respectively. However, TNF failed to show any selective depression of RNA, DNA, or protein synthesis or ATP content in these cells until general cell death was apparent, as defined by the cell rounding and lifting off the plastic surface. The cytokine also failed to cause DNA single-strand breaks, as detected by alkaline elution techniques. TNF was also found to be no more active in glutathione-depleted cells than in target cells containing normal glutathione levels. In contrast, various nonspecific lysosomotropic agents such as ammonium chloride and D-saccharic acid lactone led to a marked inhibition of the cytotoxic action of TNF in vitro. Furthermore, significant differences in lysosomal enzyme activity were noted between L929S and L929R cells. The changes in L929R cells involved a 50% reduction in total lysosomal protein levels and a marked depression of beta-glucuronidase activity. In contrast, L929R lysosomal hexosaminidase activity was significantly elevated over the L929S cells. From these studies it is concluded that the antitumor activity of TNF does not involve specific inhibition of macromolecular synthesis, ATP production, or the level of reduced thiols. Instead, TNF cytotoxicity appears to require functional lysosomes, which are altered when TNF resistance develops in vitro.     

Antitumor effect of tumor necrosis factor against various primarily cultured human cancer cells

The antitumor activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) against various primarily cultured human cancer cells (32 cases) was investigated by the 51Cr cytotoxic release assay and the tumor stem cell assay. Over 50% sensitivity (the ratio to the cytotoxicity in L929 cells) was noted in 4 of 14 cases of gastric cancer (28.6%), 7 of 9 cases of leukemic cells (77.8%), and 1 case each of pancreatic carcinoma and ovarian cancer. Scarcely any sensitivity, however, was observed in 1 case of acute promyelocytic leukemia or in some of the gastric cancer cases. No correlation was observed between the histological type of the cancer and TNF sensitivity. The above results seem to confirm that TNF has significant antitumor activity against human cancer cells.     

Two discrete types of tumor necrosis factor-resistant cells derived from the same cell line.

From the murine fibrosarcoma cell line L929s, which is sensitive to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated cell lysis, two discrete types of TNF-resistant variants were derived by TNF selection. Cells of the first type (named L929r1) were not sensitized to TNF cytotoxicity by cotreatment with either inhibitors of protein or RNA synthesis, or gamma-interferon, despite the presence of a functional gamma-interferon response. L929r1 constitutively produced TNF in the supernatant and expressed membrane-bound TNF, which was not bound to the TNF receptor. In fact, TNF receptors could not be demonstrated on L929r1 cells, not even after low pH treatment and/or incubation with antiserum to TNF. L929r1 exhibited a stable TNF-resistant phenotype in the absence of further TNF selection. No evidence could be obtained that TNF acted as an autocrine growth factor for these cells. L929r2, the second type of TNF-resistant L929 cells, became sensitive to TNF lysis in the presence of RNA or protein synthesis inhibitors, or in the presence of gamma-interferon. TNF induced the secretion of interleukin 6 in these cells, additionally showing that functional TNF signaling in these cells indeed takes place, but does not lead to cell lysis under normal conditions. L929r2 did not produce TNF, also not upon stimulation with exogenous TNF. The number and binding affinity of TNF receptors were not consistently different between L929s and L929r2 cells. In the absence of further TNF selection, L929r2 gradually reverted to TNF sensitivity. This sensitivity was not reversible to TNF resistance by the gene-regulatory agents 5-azacytidine or sodium butyrate. Treatment with these agents also did not affect the TNF sensitivity of L929s cells nor the TNF resistance of L929r1 and L929r2 cells. In summary, our results suggest the existence among cells of the same cell line of discrete mechanisms for acquisition of resistance to TNF-mediated cell lysis.     

Antitumor effect of the tumor necrosis factor against various types of human cancer cells

The antitumor activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNA) against various human cancer cells (32 cases) was investigated by 51Cr cytotoxic release assay and tumor stem cell assay. Over 50% sensitivity (the ratio of cytotoxicity for L929 cells) was shown by 4 of 14 cases of gastric cancer (28.6%), 7 of 9 cases of leukemic cells (77.8%), and 1 case each of pancreatic carcinoma and ovarian cancer. However, scarcely any sensitivity was shown by APL, a portion of the gastric cancer cells, normal lymphocytes or colony-forming cells tested. No correspondence was observed between the histological type of the cancer and TNF sensitivity. The above results seem to confirm the significant antitumor activity of TNF against human cancer cells.     

Distinction of partially purified human natural killer cytotoxic factor from recombinant human tumor necrosis factor and recombinant human lymphotoxin

Natural killer cell cytotoxic factor (NKCF), a cytotoxic factor contributing to human natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, was generated from lymphocyte-conditioned medium using various stimuli. Crude NKCF activity was concentrated, and partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration. NKCF activities eluted as two molecular weight peaks, corresponding to Mr 33,000-43,000 (pool I) and approximately Mr 5,000 (pool II). The cytotoxic activity and target specificity of the partially purified NKCFs were found to be different from both recombinant human TNF and recombinant human lymphotoxin. In the NKCF assay, up to 10(6) units/ml of TNF and lymphotoxin had virtually no effect, whereas both NKCFs lysed 22% (range 17-33%) of the NK-sensitive target K562. In contrast, TNF and lymphotoxin were active in a standard assay against the sensitive murine L929 fibroblast cell line in all concentrations tested (10(-1)-10(6) units/ml). In addition, the effect of these cytotoxic factors in a short-term (4-h) chromium-release assay using peripheral blood mononuclear cells as effector cells was tested: only NKCF (pool I), but not TNF, lymphotoxin, or low molecular weight NKCF (pool II), enhanced NK and lymphokine-activated killer cell cytolysis, both against the NK-sensitive target K562 and the NK-resistant melanoma cell line SK-MEL 30. Results were not affected in the presence of neutralizing antibodies against TNF. NKCF could, therefore, be distinguished from TNF and lymphotoxin with respect to their biological activities.     

大肠杆菌内毒素体外诱生肿瘤坏死因子及影响因素的分析

本实验应用细胞培养及细胞毒生物测定法分别观察了各因素（单独或组合后）对培养上清中肿瘤坏死因子（ＴＮＦ）细胞毒性的诱生作用。结果表明：经不同浓度ＬＰＳ刺激后小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞培养上清对Ｌ９２９靶细胞具有强烈的细胞毒性（Ｐ＜０．０１）。不同浓度的庆大霉素也表现出一定的ＴＮＦ诱生作用（Ｐ＜０．０５）。当各因素分别与ＬＰＳ配伍后发现，低浓度的氢化考的松便可对ＬＰＳ诱生ＴＮＦ产生抑制（Ｐ＜０．０５），随着浓度增高抑制性加强（Ｐ＜０．０１）。关于激活或抑制效应产生的机理尚有待于深入研究。     

Protective effect of esculentoside A on radiation-induced dermatitis and fibrosis

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of esculentoside A (EsA) on radiation-induced cutaneous and fibrovascular toxicity and its possible molecular mechanisms, both in vivo and in vitro. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Mice received drug intervention 18 hours before 30 Gy to the right hind leg. Alterations in several cytokines expressed in skin tissue 2 days after irradiation were determined by ELISA. Early skin toxicity was evaluated 3 to 4 weeks after irradiation by skin scoring, and both tissue contraction and expression of TGF-beta1 were determined for soft-tissue fibrosis 3 months after irradiation. In vitro, the effect of EsA on radiation-induced nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production in different cell types was measured by application of 2, 4, and 8 Gy. RESULTS: In vivo, EsA reduced levels of IL-1alpha, MCP-1, VEGF, and TGF-beta1 in cutaneous tissue and reduced soft-tissue toxicity. In vitro, EsA inhibited the IL-1alpha ordinarily produced after 4 Gy in A431 cells. In Raw264.7 cells, EsA reduced levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and NO production costimulated by radiation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In L-929 cells, EsA inhibited VEGF, TNF, and MCP-1 production at 2, 4, and 8 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: Esculentoside A protects soft tissues against radiation toxicity through inhibiting the production of several proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators in epithelial cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, and skin tissue.     

Inflammation amplifies the antitumor cytostasis by human peritoneal macrophages

The effect of an inflammatory environment on the antitumor cytostatic ability of human macrophages was examined. Peritoneal macrophages of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) were collected, when CAPD was without complication, during an intercurrent infectious inflammation and after recovery. Inhibition of³H-thymicline uptake served as a measure of cytostasis by macrophages co-cultured with target murine cells MOPC-315 plasmacytoma, WEHI-3B rnyelomonocytic leukemia and L929 transformed fibroblasts. Macrophages from inflammatory peritoneum expressed a markedly enhanced cytostasis, irrespective of the nature of the tumor cell. Endotoxin (LPS) challenge of inflammatory macrophages failed to further reinforce the cytostasis towards MOPC-315 plasmacytoma, but reinforced the cytostasis towards WEHI-3B leukemia (sensitive to inhibition by IL-1) and towards L929 (sensitive to TNFα). Cytostasis by supernatants of human peritoneal macrophages against L929 was markedly inhibited by anti-rHuTNFa and against WEHI-3B by anti-rHuIL-lβ. The results suggest a link between inflammatory function and antitumor cytostasis by macrophages. This link is constituted by mediators involved in the activation process of macrophages.     

Influences of interleukins 2 and 4 on tumor necrosis factor production by murine mononuclear phagocytes

Administration of recombinant human interleukin 2 (IL-2) to mice gave rise to peritoneal macrophages and blood monocytes that were primed to produce large amounts of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Macrophages from IL-2-treated athymic mice responded less well than those from euthymic mice. In addition to its in vivo priming effect, IL-2 was able to directly stimulate TNF production in vitro by purified monocytes. Macrophages responded to IL-2 generally less well than monocytes both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast to IL-2, recombinant murine interleukin 4 (IL-4) down-regulated TNF synthesis by macrophages. In vitro pretreatment of macrophages with IL-4 largely abolished their ability to synthesize TNF in response to IL-2 or lipopolysaccharide. Also, administration of IL-4 to mice blocked the ability of IL-2 and lipopolysaccharide to prime macrophages in vivo for TNF production. Overall, these results demonstrate that IL-2 and IL-4 can act antagonistically to regulate TNF production by macrophages. In spite of its down-regulatory action on TNF production, IL-4 was unable to protect mice against the lethal toxic effects of lipopolysaccharide or IL-2.     

Coordinated induction of autocrine tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 in normal human monocytes and the implications for monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity

Cytokine production and cytotoxicity for tumor cells are two important aspects of monocyte function and the inflammatory response against tumors and infectious agents. In the present studies we provide direct evidence at the mRNA and protein levels for the existence of autocrine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and its importance as a mediator of human monocyte cytotoxicity for WEHI-164 tumor cells. The induction of TNF and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) mRNA by exogenous TNF or IL-1 beta, as determined by Northern blot analysis, is time dependent in normal human monocytes isolated by countercurrent elutriation. With either TNF or IL-1 beta as the stimulus, TNF mRNA is induced first, peaks within 1-3 h, and declines to nearly undetectable levels by 9 h. TNF mRNA accumulation is enhanced in the presence of cycloheximide indicating that de novo protein synthesis is not required for maximal TNF mRNA induction. In contrast, IL-1 beta mRNA is induced later, peaks at 3-9 h, and remains considerably elevated at 18 h. IL-1 beta mRNA accumulation is partially suppressed in the presence of cycloheximide. TNF and IL-1 beta protein production as assayed by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays correlates well with respective mRNA induction. Both TNF and IL-1 beta enhance monocyte cytotoxicity as single agents; however, their combined effect is less than additive. When both agents are combined, TNF mRNA levels, as assessed by densitometric analysis of slot blots, are approximately equal to those induced by TNF alone. In contrast, IL-1 beta mRNA levels are additive. Our studies provide evidence for highly coordinated and interrelated pathways of autocrine TNF and IL-1 induction in human monocytes and demonstrate the role of TNF and IL-1 in regulating monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity for tumor cells.     

Leukemic Cell Lysis by Activated Human Macrophages: Significance of Membrane-associated Tumor Necrosis Factor

In this study, we analyzed the mechanism(s) of leukemic cell lysis by human macrophages. Peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages were activated with recombinant interferon-γ and lipopoly-saccharide and their lytic activity against two leukemic cell lines (K562 and HL-60 cells) was assessed by an ¹¹¹In releasing assay. Activated macrophages lysed these leukemic cells, and the lytic activity against leukemic cells was almost completely inhibited by anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody. The macrophage-lysate prepared from activated macrophages also exhibited significant lytic activity against leukemic cells; this lytic activity was inhibited by anti-TNF antibody. The leukemic cells that we used for the cytotoxicity assays were resistant to recombinant TNF. The culture supernatant of activated macrophages did not show any lytic activity. These findings suggest that cell-associated TNF plays a role in macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity against leukemic cells.     

Biological effects of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor and its novel muteins on tumor and normal cell lines

We investigated optimal conditions for cytotoxicity to tumor cell lines by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF) and the effect of amino-terminal deletions on the bioactivity of the rhTNF molecule. Two of four deletion muteins (-4 and -7) of rhTNF exhibit 2- to 3-fold enhancement of cytotoxicity/cytostasis against a variety of human carcinomas, a fibrosarcoma, and a melanoma cell line with no toxicity on normal fibroblastic and epithelial cultures. Of the two other muteins the -8 displayed equivalent and/or increased cytotoxicity/cytostasis while the -10 was consistently less cytotoxic than the parent on the same cell lines. Continuous exposure to TNF for greater than or equal to 96 h led to maximal cytotoxicity to tumor lines (99.99% with L929 cells) with no evidence of recovery. Pretreatment with actinomycin D (0.003-10 micrograms/ml for 1 h) rendered 82% of rhTNF-resistant cell lines (both tumor and normal) susceptible to its cytotoxic action within 24 h. However, the highest nontoxic concentrations of Actinomycin D necessary for rendering normal cell lines susceptible to TNF action were about 10-3000-fold higher than those necessary for converting resistant tumor cell lines. Similarly, preinfection of L929 cells with vesicular stomatitis virus (multiplicity of infection, 10(-2)-10(-4) for 1 h) rendered the cells 2-10-fold more susceptible to the cytotoxic action of rhTNF in 18 h. Our data suggest that rhTNF and its muteins represent potentially useful anticancer agents; however, adequate dosing and prolonged exposure may be critical in demonstrating cytotoxicity/cytostasis. The data also show that although normal and tumor cell lines became susceptible to cytotoxicity by rhTNF and actinomycin D, combination therapy of the two agents may be possible at defined concentrations.