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We developed a membrane bound reporter and selection molecule for sorting by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) of cells producing a protein of interest. This molecule is composed of a transmembrane (TM) domain, fused on its extracellular end to a biotin mimetic peptide (BMP) and on its intracellular side to puromycin N-acetyl transferase (PAC). In this format BMP is displayed on the cell membrane surface and PAC faces the cell cytoplasm. BMP was detected and quantified on the cell surface by fluorescently labelled streptavidin, allowing cell sorting by FACS, according to the reporter expression level. The reporter and a gene of interest (GOI) were connected on the same transcript via an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). The reporter expression level was found to correlate with that of the GOI, enabling sorting of high producer cells by FACS. Thus, the highest fluorescent cells sorted had also the highest protein of interest (POI) productivity level.

Objective The viability of normal and malignant B-cells was shown to depend on the constitutive activation of the nuclear factor (NF)- κB pathway. Thus, attempts to find efficient inhibitors of NF-κB play a central role in the search for novel anti-B lymphoma therapies. We studied the effects of two NF-κB inhibitors, Bay 11-7085 (BAY) and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), on the viability of B-lymphoma cell lines. Methods We investigated the mechanism(s) of the cytotoxic effect of the NF-κB inhibitors, BAY, and CAPE on human-lymphoma and nonhematological cell lines. Results BAY and CAPE were shown to kill Ramos-Burkitt's lymphoma cells with IC 50 values of 0.7 μM and 4 μM, respectively. The rapid killing by BAY (h) vs the slower killing by CAPE (1–3 days), and their differential effects on the stages of the cell cycle, indicated that these drugs induce killing by different mechanisms. BAY and CAPE induced a loss of the cytoplasmic compartment and generated pyknotic nuclei, which lacked nuclear or nucleosomal fragmentation, features characteristic of necrosis rather than apoptosis. BAY also induced a rapid loss of the mitochondrial potential and rapid inhibition of p65 NF-κB binding to its κB motif without reducing the level of nuclear p65. Conclusion Our results indicate that BAY causes a necrotic rather than apoptotic cell death, either through its effect on the NF-κB pathway and/or by affecting additional molecular targets. The high sensitivity of B-lymphoma cell lines to the cytotoxicity of BAY, justify further research to explore its potential therapeutic effect on human B lymphomas.

Interaction of CD40L and its cognate receptor is an essential component of B-lymphocyte signaling, affecting various aspects of B-cell differentiation pathways and immunoglobulin gene expression. However, much less is known about the biological consequences of B-cell signaling through tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and its cognate receptors TNF-R1 and 2. We used Ramos Burkitt's lymphoma cell line as a model system to study the direct effects of these cytokines on B cells. Treatment of Ramos cells with either TNF-alpha or CD40L, but not with interleukin (IL)- 4, interferon (IFN)-gamma and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, resulted in enhanced cell aggregation and enhancement of adherence to glass cover-slips. Scanning electron microscopy showed that Ramos cells have a polarized cell surface morphology and exhibit at least 3 cell surface morphological domains: microvilli, filopodia and ruffled membranes. The cells adhered to the glass matrix through multiple filopodia/podopodia-like cell processes and demonstrated distinct ruffled-like membrane projections on their opposite pole. Induction by TNF-alpha or CD40L, but not with IL-4, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta, resulted in increased number and complexity of both types of membrane projections. TNF-alpha and CD40L upregulated the expression of the adhesion molecule intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and the Fas receptor on Ramos cells, without affecting the expression levels of membrane immunoglobulin M or its secretion rate. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and flow cytometry demonstrated that Ramos cells expressed TNF-R1 but very little if any TNF-R2, indicating that TNF-alpha exerted its effects on Ramos cells through the former receptor.