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Thymopoietin (TP) was originally isolated as a 5-kDa 49-aa protein from bovine thymus in studies of the effects of thymic extracts on neuromuscular transmission and was subsequently observed to affect T-cell differentiation and function. We now report the isolation of cDNA clones for three alternatively spliced mRNAs that encode three distinct human T-cell TPs. Proteins encoded by these mRNAs, which we have named TP alpha (75 kDa), TP beta (51 kDa), and TP gamma (39 kDa), contain identical N-terminal regions, including sequences nearly identical to that of the originally isolated 49-aa protein, but divergent C-terminal regions. TP mRNAs are expressed in many tissues, most abundantly in adult thymus and fetal liver of the tissues so far examined. Distinct structural domains and functional motifs in TPs alpha, beta, and gamma suggest that the proteins have unique functions and may be directed to distinct subcellular compartments.

Thymopoietin, a polypeptide hormone of the thymus that has pleiotropic actions on the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems, potently interacts with the neuromuscular nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Thymopoietin binds to the nicotinic alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BGT) receptor in muscle and, like alpha-BGT, inhibits cholinergic transmission at this site. Evidence is given that radiolabeled thymopoietin similarly binds to a nicotinic alpha-BGT-binding site within the brain and does so with the characteristics of a specific receptor ligand. Thus specific binding to neuronal membranes was saturable, of high affinity (Kd = 8 nM), linear with increased tissue concentration, and readily reversible; half-time was approximately 5 min for association and 10 min for dissociation. Binding of 125I-labeled thymopoietin was displaced not only by unlabeled thymopoietin but also by alpha-BGT and the nicotinic receptor ligands d-tubocurarine and nicotine; various other receptor ligands (muscarinic, adrenergic, and dopaminergic) did not affect binding of 125I-labeled thymopoietin. Thymopoietin was shown by ELISA to be present in brain extracts, displacement curves of thymus and brain extracts being parallel to the standard thymopoietin curve, and Western (immuno) blot identified in brain and thymus extracts a thymopoietin-immunoreactive polypeptide of the same molecular mass as purified thymopoietin polypeptide. We conclude that thymopoietin and thymopoietin-binding sites are present within the brain and that the receptor for thymopoietin is the previously identified nicotinic alpha-BGT-binding site of neuronal tissue.

Thymopoietin is a polypeptide hormone of the thymus with physiological effects on the immune system and on acetylcholine-mediated transmission at the neuromuscular synapse. Elucidation of the structure and function of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor has been facilitated by the use of the electric organs of Torpedo ray or Electrophorus eel as rich sources of the receptor and by the use of snake polypeptide toxins such as alpha-bungarotoxin as highly selective labels of the acetylcholine binding site. We now show that thymopoietin binds with high affinity (Ka approximately equal to 2.5 X 10(9) M-1) to the acetylcholine binding region of the acetylcholine receptor of Torpedo californica, as evidenced by similar and complete inhibition of the binding of radiolabeled thymopoietin or alpha-bungarotoxin by either of these polypeptides. These findings raise intriguing questions concerning the mechanisms whereby alpha-bungarotoxin and the thymopoietin affect acetylcholine receptor function, since these two polypeptides with such similar binding properties have very different functional effects.

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.

Thymopoietin is a thymic hormone that induces differentiation of thymocytes from precursor cells which arise in hemopoietic tissues. This paper describes a sensitive in vitro assay for the induction of Thy 1.2 antigen on null lymphocytes from germ-free athymic (nu/nu) mice. The sensitivity and specificity of the bioassay were increased by adding high concentrations of ubiquitin (a nonspecific inducer) to the induction incubations. The bioassay was sufficiently sensitive to detect thymopoietin at less than 0.25 ng/ml. A dose-response relationship was shown between thymopoietin concentration and the percentage of cells induced to express Thy 1.2 antigen. When normal human plasma was assayed, induction was registered with activity corresponding to thymopoietin at greater than 1 ng/ml in plasma from infants or young adults. Activities in the thymopoietin range of 0.25 ng/ml were registered with plasma from healthy subjects over 50 years of age. Thymectomy was followed by loss of this inductive activity from the plasma. This bioassay permits clinical studies on T (thymus-derived) cell inducers released by the human thymus into the circulation.

Reactivity of a monoclonal antibody with human Langerhans cells was demonstrated by a double-labeling immunofluorescence technique. Ia-bearing cells of the epidermis (Langerhans cells) were reactive with this antibody both in frozen sections and in cell suspensions prepared from human epidermis. This monoclonal antibody was unreactive with non-Ia-bearing epidermal cells and with peripheral blood B cells, T cells, and monocytes but did not bind to 70% of intrathymic lymphocytes. These observations further distinguish Langerhans cells from classical monocytes. Furthermore, this monoclonal antibody is a highly specific marker for the in vivo identification and in vitro isolation of Langerhans cells.

A polypeptide of 8500 molecular weight is described that induces the differentiation of T (thymus-derived) cell and B (bone-marrow-derived) cell immunocytes in vitro, apparently via beta-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase activation. This polypeptide shows a high degree of evolutionary conservation, exhibiting close structural, functional, and immunological similarity when isolated from such diverse origins as cells of mammals and higher plants. This polypeptide was detected in animal cells, yeast, bacteria, and higher plants, and so may well be a universal constituent of living cells.

OKT3 monoclonal antibody to human T cells inhibits the target cell lysis mediated by allogeneic cytotoxic T cells and the generation of these effector cells in mixed lymphocyte culture. This marked inhibition of cell-mediated lysis is not found with other monoclonal antibodies also reactive with cell surface antigens of human T cells (OKT1, OKT4, OKT5, OKT6, OKT8, and OKT11). OKT3 antibody is mitogenic and this effect appears to require receptor activation in that it occurs at low concentrations (10(-12) M range) of OKT3 antibody, requires intact OKT3 IgG, and is inhibited by a factor(s) in human plasma. By contrast, the inhibition of allogeneic cell-mediated lysis by OKT3 antibody appears to be due to steric hindrance in that it requires higher concentrations of OKT3 antibody (10(-8) M range), Fab fragments retain approximately 10% activity, and inhibition is demonstrable in the presence of human plasma. These findings are consistent with the suggestion that OKT3 antibody reacts with the human T-cell antigen-recognition structure.

Three cell surface antigens that are structurally related to the human major histocompatibility antigens (called HLA antigens) have been characterized from the leukemic T cell line MOLT-4. One antigen is a glycoprotein of Mr 49,000 recognized by two monoclonal antibodies. OKT6 and NA1/34, and is associated with a Mr 12,000 subunit that crossreacts serologically with beta 2-microglobulin but can be distinguished from it by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A second antigen, defined by the monoclonal antibody OKT10, is a Mr 46,000 protein associated with a small subunit distinct from beta 2-microglobulin. The OKT10 antigen is not restricted to T cells and is found on all T and B lymphoblastoid cell lines tested. The third protein is a beta 2-microglobulin-associated glycoprotein of Mr 43,000 that is serologically distinct from the OKT6 (NA1/34), OKT10, and HLA antigens. It is found on some, but not all, T cell lines but is absent from any other hematopoietic cell lines tested.

In an attempt to clarify the regulatory mechanism that accounts for the shift of protein A24 in the mitotic cycle, we demonstrated the existence of an enzyme, provisionally termed isopeptidase, that cleaves A24 stoichiometrically into histone H2A and ubiquitin. Properties of this enzyme are (i) most eukaryotes, including mammals, amphibia, chicken, and yeast, contain isopeptidase in the cytoplasm; (ii) a significant increase in enzyme binding to chromatin occurs when cells enter mitosis; (iii) Escherichia coli does not contain isopeptidase; (iv) isopeptidase has a molecular weight of 38,000; (v) at an ionic strength that induces globular conformation of H2A, isopeptidase activity is repressed; (vi) a SH group is an essential cofactor; and (vii) most divalent cations (except Mg2+ and Ca2+) are inhibitory. In view of the stoichiometric conversion of A24 into H2A and ubiquitin by isopeptidase in vitro, A24 probably contains a Gly-Gly dipeptide in isopeptide linkage but no other intervening polypeptides. Since ubiquitin in various eukaryotes binds to protein other than H2A, and is proteolytically released, isopeptidase probably acts on isopeptide bonds in general and not uniquely on those of A24. Inasmuch as isopeptidase is present throughout the cell cycle, the level of A24 in chromatin appears to be controlled by a balance between isopeptidase and an as yet unestablished H2A-ubiquitin ligase.

Bone marrow from a patient with aplastic anemia was shown by multiple criteria to have a block in early myeloid differentiation. This block was overcome in vitro by elimination of marrow lymphocytes. Furthermore, this differentiation block was transferred in vitro to normal marrow by coculturing with the patient's marrow. We suggest that some cases of aplastic anemia may be due to an immunologically based suppression of marrow cell differentiation rather than to a defect in stem cells or their necessary inductive environment.

Two monoclonal antibodies (OKT27 and OKT27b) have been produced that react with distinct epitopes of a 95-kDa peptide. The T27 antigen is widely distributed, being expressed on B lymphocytes, monocytes, and adult T-leukemic cells but not on polymorphonuclear leukocytes or platelets. There was a low level of T27 expression on resting T cells that increased on T-cell activation. In preliminary studies, the OKT27b antibody coprecipitated a 55-kDa peptide, as well as the 95-kDa peptide, from the radiolabeled cells of the HuT 102B2 cell line. Preclearance with anti-Tac, a monoclonal antibody to the 55-kDa peptide of the multichain interleukin 2 receptor, removed the 55-kDa but not the 95-kDa peptide from subsequent OKT27b immunoprecipitates of HuT 102B2 extracts, suggesting the possibility that the T27 peptide was associated with the Tac peptide. However, the precipitation of the p55 Tac peptide by OKT27b was quite inconsistent. Thus, additional information was sought using a flow cytometric energy transfer technique to provide a physical estimation of the proximity between the Tac and the T27 peptides. The flow cytometric version of the fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique permits the determination of inter- and intramolecular distances at 2- to 10-nm levels on a cell-by-cell basis. Using this approach, there was a mean energy transfer of 7.3% with HuT 102B2 cells when fluorescein isothiocyanate anti-Tac served as the donor and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate OKT27 served as the acceptor. In contrast, there was no energy transfer in comparable studies observed when fluorescein anti-Tac and rhodamine anti-transferrin receptor antibodies were used. These observations support the conclusion that there is a close nonrandom proximity in HuT 102B2 cells between the 95-kDa peptide identified by the OKT27 monoclonal antibody and the p55 Tac peptide of the multichain interleukin 2 receptor.

Thymopoietin, a 49 amino acid polypeptide hormone of the thymus discovered by its effect on neuromuscular transmission, was later shown to induce T-cell differentiation and to affect immunoregulatory balance. A radioimmunoassay for thymopoietin revealed a crossreaction with a product found in spleen and lymph node but not other tissues. This product, named splenin, differs from thymopoietin only in position 34, aspartic acid for bovine thymopoietin and glutamic acid for bovine splenin. Synthetic pentapeptides corresponding to residues 32-36, called thymopentin and splenopentin, reproduce biological activities of thymopoietin and splenin, respectively. Thus thymopoietin and thymopentin affect neuromuscular transmission and induce the phenotypic differentiation of T precursor cells in vitro while inhibiting phenotypic differentiation of B cells. Splenin and splenopentin, in contrast, do not affect neuromuscular transmission, and they induce both T- and B-cell precursors.

The effects of the thymic polypeptide thymopoietin (Tpo) on the properties of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AcChoR) were investigated by patch clamp techniques on mouse C2 myotubes and by biochemical assays on AcChoR-rich membrane fragments purified from the Torpedo marmorata electric organ. At high concentrations (greater than 100 nM), Tpo inhibits the binding of cholinergic agonists to the AcChoR in a Ca2+-insensitive manner. At lower concentrations (2 nM), Tpo applied on C2 myotubes simultaneously with nondesensitizing concentrations of acetylcholine results in the appearance of long closed times separating groups of openings. This effect depends on the presence of Ca2+ in the external medium. Outside-out recordings, performed with various concentrations of EGTA in the intracellular medium, suggest that Ca2+ acts on the cytoplasmic face of the membrane after entry through acetylcholine-activated channels. Parallel studies with T. marmorata AcChoR-rich membranes show that in the presence of Ca2+ Tpo causes a decrease in the apparent equilibrium dissociation constant of the noncompetitive blocker [3H]phencyclidine, enhances, at low concentrations, the binding of [3H]acetylcholine, and also alters the binding kinetics of the fluorescent agonist 6-(5-dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonamido)-n-hexanoic acid beta-(N-trimethylammonium bromide) ethyl ester to the AcChoR. It was concluded that, in the presence of Ca2+, Tpo displaces the conformational equilibrium of the AcChoR towards a high-affinity desensitized state and increases the transition rate towards the same state.

A monoclonal antibody was produced to human peripheral blood T cells. This hybridoma antibody, termed OKT4, was reactive by indirect immunofluorescence with only 55-60% of the peripheral blood T cell population (OKT4+) and unreactive with normal B cells, null cells, and macrophages. The OKT4- T cell population contained the previously described TH2+ subset that has been shown to contain cytotoxic/suppressor cells. With cell-sorter separation of OKT4+ and OKT4- cells, it was shown that these T cell subsets were functionally discrete. Both gave proliferative responses with concanavalin A, alloantigens, and phytohemagglutinin although OKT4+ cells were much more responsive to the latter. OKT4+ cells alone responded to soluble antigens whereas OKT4- cells alone were cytotoxic after alloantigenic sensitization of unfractionated T cells. However, both OKT4+ and OKT4- cells were required during sensitization for optimal development of cytotoxicity. These data suggest that the OKT4+ subset represents a helper population and that the OKT4- subset contains the cytotoxic effector population. OKT4 could be a valuable reagent for determining alterations of these functional subsets in human diseases.

A simple and rapid method for the determination of human T lymphocyte subclasses in buffy coat preparations or whole blood is described. This technique uses flow cytometry to distinguish lymphocytes from other leukocytes on the basis of their light-scattering properties. Lymnphocyte subclasses were enumerated by cellular immunofluorescence; the immunofluorescent signals were produced by monoclonal antibodies to surface differentiation antigens on T cells. Conventional techniques of enumerating T lymphocyte subclasses entail time-consuming (up to 2 days) density gradient and E rosette enrichement, and require at least 20 ml of blood. The method described here uses as little as 50 microliters of whole blood for each antibody tested and produces results within in 2 hr.

Human thymopoietin and splenin were isolated from human thymus and spleen, respectively, by monitoring tissue fractionation with a bovine thymopoietin RIA cross-reactive with human thymopoietin and splenin. Bovine thymopoietin and splenin are 49-amino acid polypeptides that differ by only 2 amino acids at positions 34 and 43; the change at position 34 in the active-site region changes the receptor specificities and biological activities. The complete amino acid sequences of purified human thymopoietin and splenin were determined and shown to be 48-amino acid polypeptides differing at four positions. Ten amino acids, constant within each species for thymopoietin and splenin, differ between the human and bovine polypeptides. The pentapeptide active site of thymopoietin (residues 32-36) is constant between the human and bovine thymopoietins, but position 34 in the active site of splenin has changed from glutamic acid in bovine splenin to alanine in human splenin, accounting for the biological activity of the human but not the bovine splenin on the human T-cell line MOLT-4.

Thymin, a purified polypeptide isolated from bovine thymus, was shown to induce the expression of differentiation antigens characteristic of thymocytes [TL and Thy-1 (theta)] when incubated in vitro with mouse bone marrow or spleen cells. This induction occurred in 5-10% of the cells from bone marrow after a 2-hr incubation with subnanogram concentrations of thymin. The induced cells expressed more TL and Thy-1 (theta) antigens than average normal thymocytes.

A series of monoclonal antibodies was used to define three discrete stages of human intrathymic T-cell differentiation. The earliest stage was confined to <10% of thymocytes, which were.reactive with both OKT9 and OKT10. Subsequently, approximately 70% of human thymocytes acquired a thymocyte-restricted antigen, OKT6, lost OKT9 antigen, and expressed reactivity with OKT4 and OKT5. These last two monoclonal antibodies were previously shown to define inducer (helper) and cytotoxic/suppressor populations, respectively, in peripheral blood. The OKT4(+), OKT5(+), OKT6(+) "common" thymocyte population represents the majority of thymocytes and accounts for more than 70% of thymocytes. With further maturation, thymocytes lose OKT6 reactivity, segregate into OKT4(+) and OKT5(+) subsets, and acquire reactivity with OKT3 (and OKT1). This latter stage corresponds to the more functionally mature subset. The possible relationship of acute lymphoblastic leukemia of T-cell lineage to these proposed stages of intrathymic differentiation was determined. Analysis of 25 tumor populations showed that 21 could be related to one or another differentiative stage. The majority (15/21) were derived from an early thymocyte or prothymocyte subpopulation, 5/25 were derived from a common thymocyte subpopulation, and 1/25 was derived from a mature (OKT3(+)) subpopulation. These data suggest that is it now possible to define stages of T-cell differentiation that can be related to T-cell malignancies in humans.