Ad. Watts et al., Soluble TNF-alpha receptors bind and neutralize over-expressed transmembrane TNF-alpha on macrophages, but do not inhibit its processing, J LEUK BIOL, 66(6), 1999, pp. 1005-1013
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is initially synthesized as a type
II integral membrane protein (transmembrane TNF-alpha) after macrophage act
ivation, In this study we have investigated some aspects of the regulation
of expression and biological activity of transmembrane TNF-alpha by both so
luble TNF-alpha receptors (sTNF-alpha R) and inhibitors of TNF-alpha. proce
ssing. We show, using the technique of receptor-mediated Ligand precipitati
on (RMLP), that a dimeric construct of the type I sTNF-alpha R binds to tra
nsmembrane TNF-alpha, expressed on the mouse macrophage cell. Line RAW264.7
, under cell culture conditions. This interaction between sTNF-alpha R and
transmembrane TNF-alpha does not prevent processing and release of soluble
TNF-alpha. A specific hydroxamic acid-based inhibitor of processing, BB1101
(British Biotech), was found to increase the total cellular levels of whol
e-cell, 26-kDa, precursor TNF-alpha by 2.2-fold. However, the inhibitor inc
reased the levels of precursor TNF-alpha present solely on the cell surface
(i.e., transmembrane TNF-alpha) by 5.1- to 7.5-fold. This increase in the
levels of transmembrane TNF-alpha on the activated human monocytoid cell li
ne mono mac 6 was associated with a similar (6.7-fold) increase in TNF-alph
a-mediated cytotoxicity toward the human adenocarcinoma cell line Cole 205,
which is sensitive only to the transmembrane form of TNF-alpha. Mono mac 6
cells, expressing transmembrane TNF-alpha, were found to be killing the Co
le 205 target cells through apoptosis, This cytotoxicity could be neutraliz
ed by pre-incubating the mono mac 6 cells with either sTNF-alpha R or polyc
lonal anti-TNF-alpha serum.