title: Classification of alpha 2-macroglobulin-cytokine interactions based on affinity of noncovalent association in solution under apparent equilibrium conditions.
abstract: alpha 2-Macroglobulin (alpha 2M) binds numerous cytokines; however, since binding affinities have not been determined, it is difficult to compare various alpha 2M-cytokine interactions or predict whether alpha 2M-cytokine complexes will form in the presence of other cytokine-binding macromolecules. In this investigation, we used a novel method to demonstrate that transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), TGF-beta 2, nerve growth factor-beta (NGF-beta), platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) reversibly associate with alpha 2M-methylamine to form noncovalent complexes. Apparent equilibrium was achieved in less than 15 min. Noncovalent alpha 2M-cytokine complexes were converted into covalent complexes; however, this occurred slowly. Therefore, a rapid equilibrium assumption was applied and equilibrium dissociation constants were determined using a single binding site model. KD values for the binding of cytokines to alpha 2M-methylamine varied by 2 orders of magnitude. The rank order of affinity was TGF-beta 2 (13 +/- 2 nM) > TGF-beta 1, NGF-beta > PDGF-BB > or = bFGF > TNF-alpha. Native alpha 2M bound TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, NGF-beta, PDGF-BB, and TNF-alpha. Interferon-gamma did not bind to native alpha 2M or alpha 2M-methylamine. Each cytokine bound native alpha 2M with lower affinity than alpha 2M-methylamine except for TGF-beta 2 which bound both forms with equal affinity. In non-equilibrium systems, alpha 2M-methylamine appeared to bind more TGF-beta 2 due to the more rapid dissociation of TGF-beta 2-native alpha 2M complex. The classification of alpha 2M-cytokine complexes according to binding affinity should predict which complexes are most likely to form in cell culture and under various conditions in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Crookston
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gonias
mesh_terms: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D016207:Cytokines / Q000737:chemistry*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008744:Methylamines; D011485:Protein Binding; D012996:Solutions; D013816:Thermodynamics; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D016207:Cytokines; D008744:Methylamines; D012996:Solutions; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins