title: Potentiation of human lymphokine-activated killer cell activity by swainsonine, an inhibitor of glycoprotein processing.
abstract: Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a secreted glycoprotein which acts as an activation and proliferative signal for lymphocytes expressing membrane-bound glycoprotein IL-2 receptors. We have recently established that swainsonine (SW), an inhibitor of mannosidase II during N-linked glycoprotein processing, augmented mitogen-induced mononuclear leukocyte IL-2 receptor expression and IL-2-induced proliferation. The objective of the present investigation was to examine the effect of SW on lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell induction. Human mononuclear leukocytes were treated with various concentrations of SW (0.1-10 micrograms/ml) and IL-2 (1-100 units/ml) for up to 72 h. SW augmented IL-2-induced LAK activity directed against human lung carcinoma, melanoma, and leukemia cells 2-3-fold. LAK activity generated in the presence of SW at suboptimal doses of IL-2 (10 units/ml) was similar to that observed with higher concentrations of IL-2 (100 units/ml) alone. SW treatment alone or in combination with IL-2 increased the percentage of IL-2 receptor-positive cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with SW subsequently enhanced IL-2-induced lymphocyte proliferation. SW-treated mononuclear leukocytes exhibited an increase in high-mannose type glycoproteins based upon [3H]mannose labeling, susceptibility to alpha-mannosidase, and binding to concanavalin A-Sepharose. These results indicate that modulators of glycoprotein processing may be useful in lowering the concentrations of IL-2 required for LAK induction and maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Merrell Dow Research Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Bowlin
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: McKown
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Sunkara
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008358:Mannose / Q000378:metabolism; D008361:Mannosidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D017026:Swainsonine
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D006020:Glycopeptides; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D008361:Mannosidases; D008358:Mannose; D017026:Swainsonine