Ciliates synthesize cell type-specific chemical signals, designated pheromones, that in association with their mating type systems control the switching between the reproductive (mitotic growth) and mating (non-reproductive, sexual) stages of their life cycles. In the protozoan ciliate Euplotes, pheromones have been isolated and characterized for their genetic determination and molecular structures and interestingly, Euplotes raikovi pheromones (designed as Er-1, Er-2, and so forth) have been functionally linked with growth factors of higher eukaryotes as for instance the epidermal growth factor and the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2). However, the activity of pheromones in mammalian cells and their underlying cellular basis are currently unknown. In an attempt to elucidate the pharmacological features and the functional effects of Er-1 in human cells, we have performed an in vitro study using Jurkat cells (IL-2 producing human T lymphocyte cell line, commonly used to study T cell signalling), that express functional IL-2 receptors. In particular, the present study was designed to investigate the role of Er-1 on relevant aspects of cell growth and cytokine gene expression and/or release. Since the cross-talk among IL-2 system, T-cells, and malignant cells plays an important role in brain tumors, we also sought to investigate the possible effects of Er-1 on human glioma cell line (U-373 cells). Our results provide the first insight into the impact of the Euplotes raikovi pheromones on the physiology of human cells, showing that Er-1 may increase the growth of T-cells, but not glioma cells, cultured under restrictive culture conditions. In addition, Er-1 was found to significantly increase gene expression levels and production of specific cytokines in Jurkat cells. The work allowed us to parallel the events which occur in vitro with those occurring in the microorganism ecosystem and discover Euplotes raikovi as a fruitful mine of compounds with bioactive properties in mammalian cells.
Functional activity of the ciliate Euplotes raikovi pheromone in human cell lines. REPORT of the XIIIth scientific meeting of the Italian Association of Developmental and Comparative Immunobiology (IADCI), Camerino MC
VALLESI, Adriana;ALIMENTI, Claudio;
2012-01-01
Abstract
Ciliates synthesize cell type-specific chemical signals, designated pheromones, that in association with their mating type systems control the switching between the reproductive (mitotic growth) and mating (non-reproductive, sexual) stages of their life cycles. In the protozoan ciliate Euplotes, pheromones have been isolated and characterized for their genetic determination and molecular structures and interestingly, Euplotes raikovi pheromones (designed as Er-1, Er-2, and so forth) have been functionally linked with growth factors of higher eukaryotes as for instance the epidermal growth factor and the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2). However, the activity of pheromones in mammalian cells and their underlying cellular basis are currently unknown. In an attempt to elucidate the pharmacological features and the functional effects of Er-1 in human cells, we have performed an in vitro study using Jurkat cells (IL-2 producing human T lymphocyte cell line, commonly used to study T cell signalling), that express functional IL-2 receptors. In particular, the present study was designed to investigate the role of Er-1 on relevant aspects of cell growth and cytokine gene expression and/or release. Since the cross-talk among IL-2 system, T-cells, and malignant cells plays an important role in brain tumors, we also sought to investigate the possible effects of Er-1 on human glioma cell line (U-373 cells). Our results provide the first insight into the impact of the Euplotes raikovi pheromones on the physiology of human cells, showing that Er-1 may increase the growth of T-cells, but not glioma cells, cultured under restrictive culture conditions. In addition, Er-1 was found to significantly increase gene expression levels and production of specific cytokines in Jurkat cells. The work allowed us to parallel the events which occur in vitro with those occurring in the microorganism ecosystem and discover Euplotes raikovi as a fruitful mine of compounds with bioactive properties in mammalian cells.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
