Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0033036 (APC)
 10,214 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The corecognition of antigen and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (Ia molecules) by the T-cell receptor is a cell surface event. Before antigen is recognized, it must be taken up, processed, and displayed on the surface of an Ia-bearing accessory cell (antigen-presenting cell, APC). The exact nature of antigen processing and the subsequent associations of antigen with the APC plasma membrane, Ia molecules, and/or the T-cell receptor are not well defined. To further analyze these events, we have characterized the processing and presentation of the soluble polypeptide antigen bovine insulin. We found that this antigen requires APC-dependent processing, as evidenced by the inability of metabolically inactivated APCs to present native antigen to antigen plus Ia-specific T-T hybridomas. The ability of the same APCs to present antigen after uptake and processing showed that this antigen subsequently becomes stably associated with the APC plasma membrane. To characterize the basis for this association, we analyzed its sensitivity to enzymatic digestion. APCs exposed to antigen, treated with phospholipase A2, and then immediately fixed lost the ability to stimulate bovine insulin plus I-Ad-specific hybridomas. In contrast, the ability of these same APCs to stimulate I-Ad allospecific hybridomas was unaffected. This effect of phospholipase is not mimicked by the broadly active protease Pronase, nor is there evidence for contaminating proteases in the phospholipase preparation. These results suggest that one consequence of antigen processing may be an antigen-lipid association that contributes to the anchoring of antigen to the APC membrane. The implications of this model are discussed.
 ...
PMID:Phospholipase treatment of accessory cells that have been exposed to antigen selectively inhibits antigen-specific Ia-restricted, but not allospecific, stimulation of T lymphocytes. 352 95

Mutations in the APC gene are responsible for various familial and sporadic colorectal cancers. Min mice carry a dominant mutation in the homolog of the Apc gene and develop multiple adenomas throughout their small and large intestine. Quantitative trait loci studies have identified a locus, Mom1, which maps to the distal region of chromosome 4, that dramatically modifies Min-induced tumor number. We report here the identification of a candidate gene for Mom1. The gene for secretory type II phospholipase A2 (Pla2s) maps to the same region that contains Mom1 and displays 100% concordance between allele type and tumor susceptibility. Expression and sequence analysis revealed that Mom1 susceptible strains are most likely null for Pla2s activity. Our results indicate that Pla2s acts as a novel gene that modifies polyp number by altering the cellular microenvironment within the intestinal crypt.
 ...
PMID:The secretory phospholipase A2 gene is a candidate for the Mom1 locus, a major modifier of ApcMin-induced intestinal neoplasia. 778 Oct 71

A novel phospholipid, 1-fatty acyl-2-(12-aminododecyl) phosphatidylcholine (APC), was synthesized and reacted with two different activated agarose matrices, differing in the spacer arm length: N-hydroxysuccinimidylester agarose (1-atom spacer arm) and N-hydroxysuccinimidylester-6-aminohexanoic acid agarose (8-atom spacer arm). Both immobilized phosphatidylcholines were readily degraded by Bacillus cereus phospholipase C at similar rates. By contrast, Crotalus adamanteus phospholipase A2 hydrolyzed long-spacer arm phosphatidylcholine, but had less than one tenth of the activity towards the short-spacer arm one. These results are interpreted in terms of a chain length-related steric hindrance caused by the matrix, affecting phospholipase A2 but not phospholipase C activity, supporting the view that the first involves a deeper burrowing of the substrate into the enzyme molecule.
 ...
PMID:Differential hydrolysis of immobilized phosphatidylcholines by phospholipases A2 and C. 799 9

Stimulation of OVA-specific suppressor T cell (Ts) hybridoma and bee venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-specific Ts hybridoma with Ag-pulsed APC or by cross-linking of CD3 resulted in the formation of Ag-specific glycosylation-inhibiting factor (GIF). Affinity-purified Ag-specific GIF preparations, obtained by using Ag-coupled Sepharose or anti-TCR alpha-chain-coupled Affi-Gel, contained a 55-kDa peptide, which bound both polyclonal anti-GIF Abs and anti-TCR-alpha mAb in immunoblotting. The same hybridomas constitutively secrete 13-kDa bioactive GIF peptide that has no affinity for homologous Ag, but neither the Ag-specific GIF activity nor 55-kDa GIF peptide was detectable in culture supernatants of unstimulated cells. Northern blot analysis of mRNA from the anti-CD3-stimulated hybridoma with 32P-labeled GIF cDNA revealed only 0.6 kb mRNA, which encodes the 13-kDa nonspecific GIF. No mRNA of the 55-kDa GIF was detectable. A representative OVA-specific Th hybridoma, DO 11.10 cells contain the 0.6 kb GIF mRNA and constitutively secrete inactive GIF peptide. However, the Th hybridoma failed to secrete the 55-kDa peptide or any peptide with the TCR-alpha determinant upon stimulation with anti-CD3. It appears that the formation of the 55-kDa peptide with the TCR-alpha determinant is unique for a subset of T cells including Ts cells that form bioactive GIF.
 ...
PMID:Biochemical characterization of antigen-specific glycosylation-inhibiting factor from antigen-specific suppressor T cells. I. Identification of a 55-kilodalton glycosylation-inhibiting factor peptide with TCR alpha-chain determinant. 859 20

Mutations of the APC gene cause familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) in humans and multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) in laboratory mouse strains. A dominant modifying gene (Mom1), which partially suppresses the min phenotype, has been mapped to mouse chromosome 4. This region is syntenic with human chromosome 1p35-p36. The phospholipase A2 (Pla2s) locus is an excellent candidate for Mom1 and the equivalent human locus PLA2G2A is found on chromosome 1p35. It does not necessarily follow, however, than any modifier of mouse polyposis also influences human disease. In order to test whether a locus on 1p modifies FAP, subjects from 28 FAP families have been typed at microsatellite loci on this chromosome arm. The severity of their duodenal polyposis has also been assessed by endoscopy. Pedigree (lod score) linkage analysis found no evidence of a simple, dominant modifying gene, comparable with the action of Mom1 in inbred mouse strains. Given the more complex genetic and environmental interactions likely to exist in outbred human populations, it is probably more appropriate to use tests which do not specify a mode of inheritance. Using these methods of analysis, the data suggest that a locus on chromosome 1p35-p36 may influence the severity of duodenal FAP.
 ...
PMID:A modifying locus for familial adenomatous polyposis may be present on chromosome 1p35-p36. 873 Feb 79

Mice with hereditary intestinal polyposis have mutations of the APC gene which causes formation of multiple polyps. At least one other gene influences the susceptibility for development of polyps in mice, and the locus was named Mom1. The causative gene for the Mom1 locus has recently been cloned and was found to be identical to the secretory type II phospholipase A2 (PLA2S-II) gene. Although the mechanism of contribution of PLA2S-II to formation of polyps is unclear, abnormalities of the PLA2S-II gene contribute to cellular transformation in mice. We speculated that this gene could contribute to tumorigenesis in human neoplasms. The human homologue of this gene maps to 1p35-36.1. Chromosomal deletions involving this region are frequently observed in neuroblastomas. We analyzed 19 neuroblastomas to detect point mutations of the PLA2S-II gene by PCR-single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP). A polymorphism was detected at codon 32; no point mutations were found in the coding region of the gene. Moreover, in cases that were heterozygous at codon 32, three samples had hemizygous deletion of the gene. Taken together, PLA2S-II is frequently hemizygously deleted, but no point mutations are observed in neuroblastomas.
 ...
PMID:Molecular analysis of the secretory phospholipase A2 gene, a candidate of Mom1 gene, in neuroblastomas. 902 30

Colon cancer provides an attractive setting for chemoprevention trials because of the frequency and variation of familial predisposition that is observed in this malignancy. Additionally, the adenomatous polyp, the precursor of colon cancer, is a valuable intermediate marker for judging the effectiveness of candidate chemopreventive agents. Inherited colon cancer susceptibility varies from mild to severe. Conditions with extreme susceptibility include the autosomal dominantly inherited syndromes of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). These are highly penetrant syndromes with extreme cancer risk. FAP arises from mutations of the APC gene and HNPCC from mutations of the mismatch repair genes. Specific and individual genetic diagnosis is now possible in both syndromes, thus allowing identification of genetically affected individuals for chemoprevention trials. FAP accounts for less than 1% of colon cancers, while HNPCC may be present in up to 5% of cases. Familial clustering is common in the remainder of cases, which are often referred to as sporadic, but probably arise in part from inherited susceptibility. Epidemiologic studies have shown that first-degree relatives have a two- to four-fold increased risk of acquiring colon cancer compared to the general population. Ten percent of individuals in the U.S. have a first-degree with colon cancer. This clinically identifiable higher risk group thus constitutes a large potential cohort for chemoprevention trials. The common familial cases of colon cancer can be further stratified by severity. A relative diagnosed under the age of 50 or two first-degree relatives affected with colon cancer confers an even greater risk for this malignancy, estimated to be four to six times that of the general population. Adenomatous polyps also precede the development of colon cancer in these categories, thereby providing a readily identifiable clinical endpoint to judge the effectiveness of chemoprevention. It is expected that genetic markers will soon be available for more precise identification of common colon cancer susceptibility. Candidate markers include mild mutations of the APC and mismatch repair genes, glutathione transferase isoenzymes, acetylator status, and phospholipase A2 expression. Bile acid concentrations of the bowel may be genetically and/or environmentally determined and likely have a role in colon cancer susceptibility. We recently identified a large kindred with polyp and cancer susceptibility arising from a mild mutation of the APC gene. There are over 4,000 kindred members and mutational testing has demonstrated 140 gene carriers to date. We expect to institute chemoprevention trials in this kindred using adenomatous polyp number as an endpoint of effectiveness.
 ...
PMID:Cohorts with familial disposition for colon cancers in chemoprevention trials. 902 9

The elicitation of a specific immune response against allergens depends on the recognition of antigenic determinants (epitopes) by specific T and B lymphocytes. In order to determine the relevant epitopes for human T and B cells and their features in the regulation and production of specific IgE and/or IgG antibodies, we have investigated the immune response to bee venom phospholipase A2 (PLA) in allergic and non-allergic subjects. This enzyme represents the major allergen in bee sting allergy. It consists of 134 amino acid residues with a carbohydrate side chain at position 13 and is available as recombinant protein. We have developed PLA-specific T-cell clones from bee sting allergic and non-allergic human subjects. Using a panel of dodecapeptides overlapping in 10 residues and a large set of 18-25 mer overlapping peptides, we detected three epitopes that were recognized by peripheral blood T-cells and T-cell clones. A fourth determinant involved the carbohydrate moiety on Asn13 of PLA. Whereas the CHO-depending epitope seems to be mostly active in allergics, the other three epitopes are equally recognized by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of both allergic and non-allergic individuals. In T-cell clones, the ratio of IL-4/IFN gamma cytokines and the quality of the activating signal depend on the strength of the binding of the MHC-II/Ag/TcR complex between APC and T-cells. The number of antigen-specific APC-T-cell contact sites can be varied in vitro by changing the dose of antigen added to the cell culture. While isotype switch for both IgE and IgG4 requires IL-4, this cytokine suppresses antigen-specific IgG4 production by already switched B-cells. Therefore, IL-4 and IFN gamma display counter-regulatory effects on the production of IgE being responsible for atopic states and IgG4 antibodies which are signs of a normal immune response to allergen and act as protective antibodies. The combination of this counter-regulation of IgE and IgG4 antibodies with the fundamental law of mass action for chemical equilibrium reactions revealed that the antigen concentration governs to a great part the ratio of IL-4/IFN gamma secretion and therefore the formation of IgE and IgG and allergy or protection, together with the equilibrium constant K, which represents immunological individuality and a measure of Ag presentation.
 ...
PMID:Allergen dose dependent cytokine production regulates specific IgE and IgG antibody production. 909 57

Development of IgE-mediated allergic conditions is dependent on the secretion of a Th2 cytokine pattern, including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. The induction of anergy would be one mechanism to abrogate cytokine secretion by Th2 cells, which may be pivotal to the allergic response. We demonstrate here that incubation of cloned human CD4+ phospholipase A2 (PLA)-specific Th2 cells with antigenic peptide, in the absence of professional APC, results in a state of nonresponsiveness. The anergic T cells failed to proliferate or secrete IL-4 in response to optimal stimulation with PLA and autologous, professional APC. Secretion of IL-5 and IL-13, however, was only partially inhibited. The anergic state of the Th2 cells was not associated with CD3 or CD28 down-regulation. However, anergy did appear to be closely related to alterations in signaling pathways, mediated through the TCR, of the cells. In contrast to untreated Th2 cells, anergized Th2 cells failed to respond to anti-CD3 mAb with either increased tyrosine kinase activity or increased levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of p56(lck) or ZAP70. A strong and sustained intracellular calcium flux, observed in untreated Th2 cells in response to anti-CD3 mAb, was absent in anergic Th2 cells. Furthermore, the induction of anergy seems to represent an active process, associated with increased levels of basal tyrosine kinase activity, cytokine production, and CD25 up-regulation in anergic Th2 cells. Together, our results indicate that anergy in Th2 cells is associated with defective transmembrane signaling through the TCR.
 ...
PMID:Defective TCR stimulation in anergized type 2 T helper cells correlates with abrogated p56(lck) and ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase activities. 920 Apr 38

Altered peptide ligands (APL) can modify T cell effector function by their diversity in binding to the TCR or MHC class II-presenting molecules. The capacity to inhibit Th2 cytokine production by allergen-specific T cells would contribute to combating allergic inflammation. The presence of APL generated by Ala-substitutions in a synthetic dodeca-peptide spanning an immunodominant epitope of bee venom phospholipase A2 (PLA) was investigated in human T cells. Four of five substituted peptides reduced proliferation, IL-4, and IFN-gamma production by cloned PLA-specific Th0 cells proportionately. However, one APL, PLA-F82A, inhibited IL-4 but had no effect on IFN-gamma production. This uncoupling of IL-4 from IFN-gamma production was also observed on immunogenic restimulation of the cloned T cells pre-exposed to the APL/APCs. It appeared to result from lower affinity of binding to MHC class II by the APL compared with the native peptide. The APL also inhibited IL-4 production by polyclonal T cells. In consequence of the change in cytokine secretion, the production of IgG4 in vitro increased by PLA-F82A stimulation, compared with the native peptide. Exposure of the cloned T cells to either the APL or the native peptide, in the absence of professional APC, induced anergy such that proliferation and production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 was abrogated on immunogenic rechallenge. Defective T cell activation appeared to result from alterations in transmembrane signaling through the TCR, specifically to lack of tyrosine phosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase, ZAP-70.
 ...
PMID:An altered peptide ligand specifically inhibits Th2 cytokine synthesis by abrogating TCR signaling. 997 49


1 2 Next >>