Cells of a human acute monocytic leukemia line (THP-1) acquire macrophage-like characteristics following exposure to a diterpene ester, mezerein. Activated cells release both growth inhibitory and stimulatory activities in serum-free medium. Growth inhibition is observed only with malignant target cells while growth stimulation is noted with cells derived from normal tissues and certain malignant lines.
The first aim of the current proposal is to purify the factor responsible for growth inhibition using preparative isoelectrofocusing, molecular-sieve chromatography and non-SDS and SDS gel electrophoresis.
The second aim i s to establish the biological similarities between these activites and other macrophage products such as: interferon, tumor necrosis factor, colony stimulating factor and interleukin 1. The third objective is to confirm target cell specificity with purified inhibitor as a prelude to in vivo studies on tumor response. The final objective is to establish the mechanism of inhibitor action by determining cell cycle dependent sites of action and cell surface binding capacity. The macrophage-monocyte cell series is known to secrete a number of growth mediators many of which are specific for tumor cells. The purification, biochemical characterization and clinical application of many of these mediators has been difficult because either small amounts are produced in vitro or they are produced as part of a complex biological fluid. The current cell system is particularly attractive for the study of macrophage products because: the source is a continuously replicating cell line, inhibitor is produced in a serum-free environment, and preliminary experiments imply that production and purification of large quantities of inhibitor may be accomplished rapidly. The long range goal of this work is to provide a growth inhibitory substance specific for malignant cells.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA033637-02
Application #
3171430
Study Section
Cognition and Perception Study Section (CP)
Project Start
1984-04-01
Project End
1987-02-28
Budget Start
1985-03-01
Budget End
1986-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
University Park
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
16802
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Gaffney, E V; Koch, G A; Tsai, S C et al. (1987) Quantitation of human interleukin-1 beta with polyclonal antibodies. J Immunol Methods 101:271-7
Tsai, S C; Gaffney, E V (1986) Inhibition of cell proliferation by interleukin-1 derived from monocytic leukemia cells. Cancer Res 46:1471-7
Gaffney, E V; Dell'Aquila, M L; Lingenfelter, S E et al. (1986) Characterization of a colony-stimulating factor produced by the human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1. J Leukoc Biol 39:409-21
Gaffney, E V; Tsai, S C (1986) Lymphocyte-activating and growth-inhibitory activities for several sources of native and recombinant interleukin 1. Cancer Res 46:3834-7
Gaffney, E V; Tsai, S C; Lingenfelter, S E et al. (1985) Biological response modifiers released by a mezerein-treated human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1. J Biol Response Mod 4:396-407