Antigen/major histocompatibility complex-specific activation of murine T cells transfected with functionally rearranged T-cell receptor genes.

The genes encoding the alpha and beta chains of the T-cell antigen receptor isolated from a cytochrome c-specific, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted murine T-cell hybridoma were introduced into a mouse T-cell line of helper lineage by electroporation. In order to examine the contributions of those gene products to antigen and/or MHC specificity, the resultant transfectants were tested for functional antigen and/or MHC recognition. Only those transfectants that express both the introduced genes (alpha and beta) contributed by the normal T cell can respond specifically to the appropriate antigen/MHC pair. None of the transfectants that express only one of the introduced genes (alpha or beta) of the normal T cell, or paired hybrid genes (i.e., one gene from the normal T cell and the other from the fusion partner), can respond to the same combination of antigen and MHC product recognized by the donor T cell. However, one clone expressing the transfected genes that encode the alpha and beta chains of the fusion partner shows reactivity to the antigen-presenting cells even in the absence of the antigens. These data suggest that the alpha beta heterodimer of the T-cell receptor is required to define the fine specificity of a T cell.     

Intracellular dynamics of sst5 receptors in transfected COS-7 cells: maintenance of cell surface receptors during ligand-induced endocytosis

Internalization of G protein-coupled receptors is crucial for resensitization of phosphorylation-desensitized receptors, but also for their long term desensitization through sequestration. To elucidate the mechanisms regulating cell surface availability of the somatostatin (SRIF) receptor subtype sst5, we characterized its internalization properties in transfected COS-7 cells using biochemical, confocal microscopic, and electron microscopic techniques. Our results demonstrated rapid and efficient sequestration of specifically bound [125I]Tyr0-D-Trp8-SRIF (up to 45% of bound radioactivity). Combined immunocytochemical detection of sst5 and visualization of a fluorescent SRIF analog by confocal microscopy revealed that whereas the internalized ligand progressively clustered toward the cell center with time, immunoreactive receptors remained predominantly associated with the plasma membrane. The preservation of cell surface receptors was confirmed by binding experiments on whole cells revealing a lack of saturability of [125I]Tyr0-D-Trp8-SRIF binding at 37 C. Binding was rendered saturable by the drug monensin, showing that receptor recycling played a key role in the preservation of cell surface receptors. Electron microscopy demonstrated that in addition to receptor recycling, internalization of receptor-ligand complexes triggered a massive recruitment of sst5 receptor molecules from intracellular stores to the membrane. This combination of recycling and recruitment of spare receptors may protect sst5 from long term down-regulation through sequestration and, therefore, facilitate extended SRIF signaling.     

Expression of bovine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase cDNA in COS-7 cells.

A bovine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (GT; EC 2.4.1.90) cDNA in an Okayama-Berg vector, pLsGT, was constructed from a partial cDNA clone and a genomic fragment. We report that the cDNA sequence of pLsGT, in a transient expression assay in COS-7 cells, codes for an enzymatically active GT protein. There is an approximately 12-fold increase in the GT activity in pLsGT-transfected cells compared to cells transfected with the antisense bovine GT construct, pLasGT, or pSV2Neo or mock-transfected cells. The increased activity is correlated with the increase in bovine GT mRNA, which is distinguishable from COS GT mRNA with a 3'-end-specific probe of pLsGT. The expressed GT activity is modulated by alpha-lactalbumin, which changes the acceptor specificity to glucose to synthesize lactose. Polyclonal antibody raised against SDS/PAGE-purified bovine milk GT and a monoclonal antibody (mAb 4-10) directed against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the amino-terminal region of the protein encoded by pLsGT bind the expressed protein, and the resulting immunoprecipitates exhibit GT enzymatic activity.     

N-linked glycosylation is required for optimal AT1a angiotensin receptor expression in COS-7 cells

The nature and role of glycosylation in AT1 angiotensin receptor (AT1-R) function were investigated by expressing glycosylation-deficient influenza hemagglutinin (HA) epitope-tagged rat AT1a-Rs (HA-AT1a-Rs) in COS-7 cells. All three asparagine residues (Asn4, Asn176, Asn188) contained within consensus sites for N-linked glycosylation could be glycosylated in Cos-7 cells and appeared to be glycosylated on the endogenous AT1-R in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells. Heterogeneity of glycosylation at each site accounted for the broad migration pattern of the AT1-R in SDS-PAGE. Mutation at each glycosylation site, either alone or in combination, had little effect on ligand binding parameters (although the N4K mutant had higher affinity) or signaling activity. However, an increasing number of mutated glycosylation sites was associated with decreasing cell surface receptor expression, which was minimal for the unglycosylated N4K/N176Q/N188Q receptor. Decreased surface expression of mutant HA-AT1a-Rs was correlated with decreased total cell receptor content as revealed by immunoblotting with an anti-HA antibody. These findings suggest that glycosylation enhances receptor stability, possibly by protecting nascent receptors from proteolytic degradation.     

Stimulation of proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by a transfected splice variant of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor

Recent evidence indicates that growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) functions as an autocrine/paracrine growth factor for various human cancers. A splice variant (SV) of the full-length receptor for GHRH (GHRHR) is widely expressed in various primary human cancers and established cancer cell lines and appears to mediate the proliferative effects of GHRH. To investigate in greater detail the role of SV1 in tumorigenesis, we have expressed the full-length GHRHR and its SV1 in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells that do not possess either GHRHR or SV1. In accordance with previous findings, the expression of both GHRHR and SV1 restored the sensitivity to GHRH-induced stimulation of cell proliferation, with SV1 being more potent than the GHRHR. Furthermore, MCF-7 cells transfected with SV1 proliferated more quickly than the controls, even in the absence of exogenously added GHRH, suggesting the existence of intrinsic, ligand-independent activity of SV1 after its transfection. In agreement with the stimulation of cell proliferation, the levels of proliferation markers cyclin D1, cyclin E, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were elevated in MCF-7 cells treated with GHRH, cultured in both serum-free and serum-containing media. In addition, SV1 caused a considerable stimulation of the ability of MCF-7 cells to grow in semisolid medium, an assay considered diagnostic for cell transformation. Collectively, our findings show that the expression of SV1 confers oncogenic activity and provide further evidence that GHRH operates as a growth factor in breast cancer and probably other cancers as well.     

Genetic association of osteopontin (OPN) and its receptor CD44 genes with susceptibility to Chinese gastric cancer patients

Purpose

(1) To investigate associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in osteopontin (OPN) and its receptor—cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) genes and gastric cancer susceptibility. (2) To explore the correlation of OPN and CD44 expression of gastric cancer.

Methods

We detected 26 SNPs of the genes in gastric cancer patients from the Chinese Han population by Sequenom technique and performed expression of OPN in combination with CD44 in 243 tissues samples of the cases by tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

We found that the minor alleles of OPN rs4754C>T and OPN rs9138C>A remained strongly associated with decreased gastric cancer risk (P = 1.53 × 10^?4, odds ratio (OR) 0.642, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.511–0.808 and P = 1.59 × 10^?4, OR 0.642, 95 %CI 0.510–0.809). OPN variant rs1126772A>G and CD44 variant rs353639A>C significantly contributed to elevated risk of gastric cancer (P = 0.042, OR 1.279, 95 % CI 1.008–1.622 and P = 0.047, OR 1.334, 95 % CI 1.003–1.772). Haplotypes of OPN and CD44 variants significantly influenced risk of gastric cancer. Clinical data indicated that rs4754 and rs9138 of OPN were significantly associated with smoking (P = 0.029, OR 0.343, 95 % CI 0.127–0.926 and P = 0.029, OR 0.343, 95 %CI 0.127–0.926) and OPN rs1126772 revealed associations with tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.025, OR 1.765, 95 % CI 1.073–2.905) and tumor differentiation (P = 0.031, OR 1.722, 95 % CI 1.049–2.825). OPN expression was observed in 133 of the 243 cases (54.7 %) by IHC and was correlated with serosa invasion (P = 0.013), TNM stage (P = 0.003) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002). CD44 expression was found in 92 of the 243 cases (37.9 %) and was associated with tumor size (P = 0.005) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.023), respectively. The OPN expression displayed a positive association with CD44 (P = 0.01, r _s = 0.164).

Conclusions

We found that the polymorphisms rs4754, rs9138 and rs1126772 of OPN gene and rs353639 of CD44 gene were significantly associated with gastric cancer. Our IHC data indicated that interaction of OPN and CD44 protein would promote progression and metastasis of gastric cancer.     

Effect of pesticides on estrogen receptor transactivation in vitro: a comparison of stable transfected MVLN and transient transfected MCF-7 cells

The estrogenic potential of four pesticides (endosulfan, prochloraz, tolchlofos-methyl and propamocarb) was compared in parallel with 17beta-estradiol (E2) by reporter constructs in transient transfected MCF-7BUS and in stable transfected MVLN cells. Similar detection limit and half maximum effect concentration was determined for E2, whereas the maximum effect concentration of E2 was much higher in MCF-7BUS (10 nM) than in MVLN (150 pM), with the induced response being approximately six times the level in MVLN cells. Alone the four pesticides elicited the same relative response in the two bioassays, and similar data was obtained upon co-exposure with E2 for endosulfan and propamocarb. In contrast to the transient MCF-7BUS system, endosulfan further increased the E2 induced response in MVLN cells, whereas propamocarb did not induce the E2 response in MVLN cells as observed in MCF-7BUS cells. In conclusion, high agreement between the two reporter assays was observed, although some performance characteristics have to be considered.     

Expansion of HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by dendritic cells transfected with mRNA encoding cytoplasm- or lysosome-targeted Nef

Transfection with synthetic mRNA is a safe and efficient method of delivering antigens to dendritic cells for immunotherapy. Targeting antigens to the lysosome can sometimes enhance the CD4+ T-cell response. We transfected antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with mRNA encoding Gag-p24 and cytoplasmic, lysosomal, and secreted forms of Nef. Antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells were able to lyse the majority of transfected targets, indicating that transfection was efficient. Transfection of APCs with a Nef construct bearing lysosomal targeting signals produced rapid and prolonged antigen presentation to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Polyclonal CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell lines recognizing multiple distinct epitopes were expanded by coculture of transfected dendritic cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from viremic and aviremic HIV-infected subjects. Importantly, lysosome-targeted antigen drove a significantly greater expansion of Nef-specific CD4+ T cells than cytoplasmic antigen. The frequency of recognition of CD8 but not CD4 epitopes by mRNA-expanded T cells was inversely proportional to sequence entropy and was similar to ex vivo responses from a large chronic cohort. Thus human dendritic cells transfected with mRNA encoding lysosome-targeted HIV antigen can expand a broad, polyclonal repertoire of antiviral T cells, offering a promising approach to HIV immunotherapy.     

Replication of a plasmid bearing a human Alu-family repeat in monkey COS-7 cells.

Monkey COS-7 cells were transformed with BLUR8 DNA, a pBR322 plasmid containing a human Alu-family sequence at the BamHI site. Within 24 hr of transformation 2-5% of the BLUR8 molecules recovered resisted cleavage by Dpn I, indicating they had replicated. Electron microscopy revealed appropriately sized circular molecules with replication bubbles whose centers were mapped to the Alu insert. A 16-base-pair deletion within the Alu sequence prevented replication. The results indicate that certain Alu sequences can serve as origins of replication in COS-7 cells.     

Comparative levels of CALLA/neutral endopeptidase on normal granulocytes, leukemic cells, and transfected COS-1 cells

We discovered that the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen, CALLA (CD10), was identical to human neutral endopeptidase 3.4.24.11 (NEP), a Zn-binding glycoprotein with an extracellular active site capable of hydrolyzing several biologically active peptides. In this study we compare the expression of CALLA/NEP in terms of antigenic density and enzymatic activity at the cell surface and of messenger RNA (mRNA) levels on granulocytes, leukemic cells, and CALLA-transfected COS-1 cells. Mature granulocytes, the only readily available source of normal human CALLA, express relatively low but constant levels of antigen, NEP activity (3.5 pmol/min/10(6) cells), and mRNA. The two major CALLA-mRNA species of 6.5 kb and 3.8 kb, observed to date in a variety of cells and tissues, were also found in four independent granulocyte preparations. With leukemia cell lines, a correlation was established between the density of CALLA antigen and the level of enzymatic activity (3.4 to 21.0 pmol/min/10(6) cells). This paper constitutes the first report of NEP activity on blast cells derived from patients with non-T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); the levels of activity were variable (1.5 to 35.9 pmol/min/10(6) cells for six cases) but correlated with the level of CALLA assessed by flow cytometry. Heterogeneous levels of expression of the CALLA-mRNA species were also observed in non-T ALL cases that correlated with the level of CALLA expression at the surface of these cells. Very high levels of NEP activity were achieved by transfecting COS-1 cells with pSV-CALLA; 20% of the transfected cells were CALLA+ and expressed 550 pmol/min/10(6) cells. Extracts prepared from COS-1 cells transfected with pSV-CALLA (carrying human NEP cDNA) and pSVENK19 (carrying rabbit NEP-cDNA), respectively, gave Michaelis constant (Km) values of 50 mumol/L and similar inhibition curves with thiorphan. Thus the recombinant proteins encoded by these two genes have similar enzymatic properties, confirming the high degree of their structural relatedness. The expression of high levels of CALLA/NEP on COS-1 cells should allow the use of this system to test the effects of specific mutations on activity and might lead to the understanding of the role of CALLA in the onset and/or progression of leukemia.     

HBV pre-X转染HepG2细胞后差异表达基因的筛选

目的:检测HBV Pre-X在真核表达栽体PcDNA3.1-myc-his-HBV pre-X转染的HepG2细胞中的表达,并筛选其中的代谢相关差异表达基因.方法:将构建的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-mychis-HBV pre-X转染HepG2细胞后蛋白免疫印迹检测:将pcDNA3.1-myc-his-HBV pre-X和pcDNA3.1-myc-his载体分别转染HepG2细胞后,提取mRNA后逆转录为cDNA,运用基因表达谱芯片技术分析差异表达基因.结果:构建的真核表达载体经ApsI、BstXI双酶切鉴定,转染HepG2细胞后HBV pre-X表达经蛋白免疫印迹证实:经基因表达谱芯片分析发现,其中基因表达水平显著上调和下调的分别是200个和62个.结论:筛选HBV pre-X转染HepG2细胞后的代谢相关差异表达基因,从而为乙型肝炎病毒合并糖尿病、脂肪肝等代谢性疾病的分子生物学机制的研究提供了重要依据.     

人瘦素的基因克隆及其在COS-7细胞中的表达

目的 构建重组人瘦素哺乳细胞表达载体并在COS-7细胞表达重组人瘦素。方法 提取脂肪细胞总RNA，用RT-PCR扩增人瘦素cDNA并克隆至载体pUCm-T，并对克隆基因进行DNA序列分析。以克隆的人瘦素cDNA为模板，用特异引物扩增瘦素基因，经KpnI和BamH I酶切，插入相应酶切的哺乳细胞表达载体pcDNA3，构建重组哺乳细胞表达载体并转染COS-7细胞，RT-PCR和Western印迹检测其在COS-7细胞中的表达。结果 RT-PCR扩增的DNA片断和预期的人瘦素cDNA大小一致；序列分析显示，克隆的基因序列和文献报道的人瘦素基因序列一致；经RT-PCR和Western印迹鉴定，转染的COS-7细胞可表达、分泌人瘦素。结论 构建了人瘦素的哺乳动物细胞表达载体，并成功地在COS-7细胞中获得重组人瘦素的分泌表达。     

Expression of CD44 variant isoforms CD44v3 and CD44v6 is increased on T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and is correlated with disease activity

Objective

To quantify the expression of CD44 and variant isoforms CD44v3 and CD44v6 on T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to assess correlations of the level of expression of these molecules with disease manifestations.

Methods

Information on clinical and demographic characteristics was collected, and blood samples were obtained from 72 patients with SLE and 32 healthy control subjects matched to the patients by sex, race, and age. Expression of CD44 and variants CD44v3 and v6 on T cell subsets was determined by flow cytometry, and Pearson's correlations of their expression levels with clinical variables, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores, and presence of lupus nephritis were determined. Wilcoxon's rank sum tests and conditional multivariable regression analyses were applied to identify differences in the expression of CD44 between patients with SLE and healthy controls.

Results

Expression of CD44 was higher on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from SLE patients compared with controls (P ≤ 0.03). Expression of CD44v3 and CD44v6 was also higher on total T cells and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from SLE patients compared with controls (P ≤ 0.03). Cell surface levels of CD44v3 on total T cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells as well as cell surface expression of CD44v6 on total T cells and CD4+ T cells were correlated with the SLEDAI score (P < 0.05). The presence of lupus nephritis was associated with the expression of CD44v6 on total T cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD4−CD8− T cells (P < 0.05). Positivity for anti–double‐stranded DNA antibodies was associated with the expression levels of CD44v6 on T cells (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

These results indicate that expression levels of CD44v3 and CD44v6 on T cells may represent useful biomarkers of SLE activity.

     

Identification of CD44+CD24+ gastric cancer stem cells

Objective  

Purification and characterization of cancer stem cells (CSCs) can lead to the identification of targets for therapeutic interventions of cancer. With regard to gastric cancer, studies have not yet defined and characterized CSCs.     

Expression of CD44 in rat hepatic progenitor cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Small hepatocytes (SHs) are hepatic progenitor cells, but the phenotypical difference between SHs and mature hepatocytes (MHs) has never been demonstrated. METHODS: The profile of gene expression was examined to clarify the difference between SHs and MHs by using a DNA microarray. Genes that were specifically expressed in SHs were identified and RT-PCR analysis of them was performed. Immunocytochemistry for CD44 standard form (CD44s) and variant form 6 (CD44v6) was performed using cultured SHs and the d-galactosamine (GalN)-injured rat liver. From the GalN-treated liver, CD44s+ cells were obtained by sorting and RT-PCR analysis was performed. RESULTS: Analysis using the DNA microarray and RT-PCR of them revealed restricted expression of CD44s and CD44v6 in SHs. In culture, CD44s appeared at day 3 and increased with the proliferation of SHs. CD44v6 expression was delayed compared to that of CD44s. With GalN-administration, CD44+ hepatocytes appeared around periportal areas at days 3 and 4 and then decreased. Sorted CD44s+ cells could form colonies and possessed hepatic markers. CONCLUSIONS: CD44 is a specific marker of SHs. The expression of CD44 mRNA and protein is restricted to SHs, and is up-regulated at the time when SHs start to proliferate both in vitro and in vivo.     

Transcription of Drosophila small hsp-tk hybrid genes is induced by heat shock and by ecdysterone in transfected Drosophila cells.

Hybrid genes containing the 5' region of Drosophila heat shock protein (hsp) genes, ligated to the herpesvirus thymidine kinase (tk) gene, were transfected into Drosophila line S3 cells. Constructions containing sequences upstream from hsp70, or from any of the small hsp genes, showed heat-inducible tk expression. Ecdysterone-inducible tk expression was seen only in transfections with small hsp-tk hybrid genes. Plasmids containing a synthetic "heat shock consensus sequence" or a deletion of the hsp23 upstream region were totally inactive in transfection studies.