A mast cell surface antigen, DNA thereof and an antibody against the antigen are provided. The amino acid sequence of this mast cell surface antigen is the translation of the coding region of its DNA. The base sequence of this DNA has been clarified in the following manner. Namely, mast cells obtained by incubating cord blood monocular cells are co-incubated with primary culture of fibroblasts to give connective tissue type mast cells (MC-TC). Then mRNA is extracted from this MC-TC cell extraction and a cDNA library is constructed therefrom. Immunological screening is carried out with the use of anti-MC-TC antiserum and the base sequence of the positive clone thus obtained is identified. Owing to the clarification of the amino acid sequence of this mast cell antigen, it becomes possible to reveal the role of mast cells in the pathology of allergic diseases and thus an antibody against mast cells can be easily obtained.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The mast cell surface antigen comprises an amino acid sequence listed in SEQ ID NO. 1, or a substantially identical amino acid sequence. This amino acid sequence is a translation of the coding region of DNA of the mast cell surface antigen. The base sequence of the DNA of the mast cell surface antigen has been clarified in the following manner. Namely, as explained in detail in an embodiment section, after mast cells are obtained from cord blood monocular cells, mRNA is extracted from cell extraction of these mast cells, and a cDNA library is constructed from the mRNA. Immunological screening of the cDNA library is carried out using the antiserum, and the base sequence of the positive clone thus obtained is identified by means of a DNA sequencer. In the base sequence listed in SEQ ID NO. 2, a sequence of 36-38, namely ATG, is the initiation codon, and a sequence of 2394-2396, namely, TGA, is the termination codon. In other words, a sequence of 36-2396 is the coding region, and the base sequence in the range codes the amino acid sequence listed in SEQ ID NO. 1. Identification of the amino acid sequence of this mast cell antigen allows us to clarify the role of the mast cells in development of allergic diseases, and thus to obtain the antigen which specifically reacts to the mast cells.

An antibody against the mast cell surface antigen can be obtained in the following steps, for example. Firstly, the mast cell antigen comprising the amino acid sequence listed in SEQ ID NO. 1 is injected to a mammal (except human) for immunization, and fused cells are prepared by fusing the antibody producing cells obtained from the immunized mammal with myeloma cells. Then, from the fused cells, a clone which produces an antibody that reacts with the mast cell surface antigen is selected and cultured, and the supernatant of the culture is purified. The antibody allows us to specifically remove or eliminate the mast cells, and thus to treat allergic diseases. In short, this antibody is expected to work as antiallergic agent.

Cells that produce this antibody can be obtained in the following steps, for example. Firstly, the mast cell antigen comprising the amino acid sequence listed in SEQ ID NO. 1 is injected to a mammal (except human) for immunization, and fused cells are prepared by fusing the antibody producing cells obtained from the immunized mammal with myeloma cells. Then, from the fused cells, a clone which produces an antibody that reacts with the mast cell surface antigen is selectively cultured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the ratio of chymase positive mast cells and measured values of tryptase concentration for the mast cells before and after coculture;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the base sequence of Bcsc-1 (SEQ ID NO: 8); and

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a construction of a cDNA expression vector BCMGSNeo.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[1] Culture of MC-TC

Cord blood treated with heparin was layered over the Ficoll Hypaque solution (specific gravity: 1.077, Sigma Inc.), centrifuged at 300×g for 30 minutes at room temperature to separate the mononuclear cells, which were then suspended in RPMI1640 medium (Nissui Seiyaku) containing 10% of FBS (Gibco BRL), 50 ìM of 2-mercaptoethanol, 4 mM of L-glutamine, 100 U/ml of penicillin and 50 ìg/ml of streptomycin. The concentration of the mononuclear cells in the suspension was adjusted to 5×10⁶/ml, and the suspension was poured into a collagen coated culture dish (Iwaki Glass) having a diameter of 10 cm, and, added with SCF (100 ng/ml, PeproTech Inc.) and IL-6 (50 ng/ml, PeproTech Inc.), cultured for 2 weeks to obtain two-week cultured cells containing neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, basophils and precursor cells of mast cell. SCF is a factor participating in differentiation and proliferation of mast cells expressed on fibroblasts. It is an abbreviation for stem cell factor.

The cord blood mononuclear cells obtained in the above were cultured in the presence of 100 ng/ml of SCF and 50 ng/ml of IL-6 for 6 weeks, and when the human mast cells became predominant, that is, when the number of human mast cells reached the order of 10⁶, the mast cells were further cocultured with a primary culture of human fibroblasts. Specifically, the human mast cells were transferred to a monolayer of human fibroblasts from either skin or lung tissues, and cultured for 2 months in the presence of 50 ng/ml SCF.

The ratio of chymase positive mast cells and the concentration of tryptase were measured for the mast cells before and after the coculture. The result is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows that before the coculture of mast cells, i.e. for the human mast cells cultured for 10-16 weeks in the presence of SCF and IL-6 (the left end of the graph in FIG. 1), the ratio of chymase positive cells and the concentration of tryptase were both very low, whereas those for the human mast cells after cocultured with human fibroblasts for 6-8 weeks (the center of the graph in FIG. 1) and those for the human mast cells cocultured with lung fibroblasts (the right end of the graph in FIG. 1) showed remarkable increases, especially for the human mast cells cocultured with skin fibroblasts.

Staining was performed to the mast cells cultured for 15 weeks in the presence of SCF and IL-6 and the mast cells cocultured with skin fibroblasts for 2 months after having been cultured for 6 weeks, using antibodies against tryptase and those against chymase. As a result, in case of staining against tryptase, it was confirmed that both types of mast cells were wholly stained, whereas in case of staining against chymase, it was confirmed that most cells cocultured with fibroblast were stained but cells which were not cocultured were only partly stained. The results show that MC-T is differentiated into MC-TC by the coculture.

As described above, connective tissue type-human mast cells, or MC-TC, were obtained by culturing cord blood monocular cells in the presence of SCF and IL-6 and subsequently coculturing them with the primary culture of human skin fibroblasts.

[2] Preparation of mRNA

According to the manual of "Quick-Prep Micro mRNA Purification Kit" of Pharmacia, poly(A)+mRNA was extracted from the cell extraction of the above MC-TC in the following steps.

2×10⁶ of MC-TC was centrifuged and washed with PBS twice, added with 400 ìL of elution buffer accompanying the aforementioned kit, stirred well by a vortex mixer (rotary beater), further added with 800 ìL of elution buffer and stirred by the vortex mixer. The solution obtained was transferred into an assist tube (Assist) made of polypropyrene, and centrifuged at 14,000 rpm for 5 minutes to separate the precipitate.

1 mL of oligo dT cellulose was centrifuged at 14,000 rpm to separate the supernatant.

The oligo dT cellulose in 2) was added to the cell extraction in 1), and the solution was well mixed by inverting the assist tube for 3 minutes, centrifuged at 14,000 rpm for 5 seconds to separate the supernatant, which was then washed with 1 mL of high salt concentration buffer 5 times and then in low salt concentration buffer 2 times.

The precipitate was suspended in 300 ìL of low salt concentration buffer, put in a microspin column accompanying the aforementioned kit, which was centrifuged for 5 seconds, and washed with 500 ìL of low salt concentration buffer 3 times.

200 ìL of elution buffer warmed up to 65° C. was added to the column, and 10 ìL of glycogen solution and 400 ìL of potassium acetate solution were further added. After 1 mL of 95% ethanol was added, the column was centrifuged at 14,000 rpm for 1 hour at 4° C., and dried under reduced pressure.

[3] Construction of cDNA Library

According to the manual of "Zap-cDNA synthesis kit" of Stratagene, a cDNA library was constructed from mRNA obtained in the above [2]. Size fractionation was carried out using CL-2B gel accompanying this kit.

[4] Immunological Screening

A phage solution of the cDNA library constructed in the above [3] was diluted with SM buffer (containing 50 mM of Tris-HCl (pH7.5), 100 mM of NaCl, 10 mM of MgSO₄.H₂O, and 0.01% gelatin), to give a phage concentration of 2.5-4×10⁵ pfu/mL. This solution was dispensed per 100 ìL to 10 centrifuging tubes. Added with 500 ìL of overnight culture solution of Escherichia coli (XL-1 blue) (which was cultured overnight in 5 mL of NZY medium so as to obtain O.D.₆₀₀=1.5), the solution was stirred with a vortex mixer, and incubated at 37° C. for 15 minutes. Further added with 7 mL of soft agarose (which was made to give a concentration of 0.6%, by dissolving agarose gel for electrophoretic migration in a culture medium), the solution was stirred by the vortex mixer, and spread in a 14×10 cm square dish. When the agarose was set, the dish was soaked in 20 mL of IPTG, and with a dried nitrocellulose filter thereon, incubated at 37° C. for 4 hours. For the NZY medium, 5 g of NaCl, 2 g of MgSO₄.7H₂O, 5 g of yeast extract, and 5 g of NZamine (casein hydrolysate) were dissolved in 1 liter of water, the pH was adjusted to 7.5 with NaOH, the solution added with 15 g agar was sterilized and dissolved in an autoclave.

After the incubation, the filter was removed, and washed with shaking with 300 mL PBS for 15 minutes, which was repeated 2 times. Then, the PBS was discarded. Added with 300 mL of PBS (PBS-SM) containing 0.5% skim milk, the filter was washed with shaking for 1 hour at room temperature for blocking. Added with a rat antiserum (which is an antiserum obtained from a rat which provided its spleen cells for preparation of a later-described hybridoma clone ahMC5C12 (Accession No. FERM BP-6070)) diluted 1:400 in PBS-SM, the filter was washed with shaking for 1 hour at room temperature. The antiserum solution was discarded, and the solution was washed with shaking with PBS plus 0.05% Tween (PBS-T) for 5 minutes at room temperature, which was repeated 4 times. Then, added with 200 mL of peroxydase labeled anti-rat IgG (Medical & Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.) diluted 1:1000 in PBS-SM, the filter was washed with shaking for 1 hour at room temperature, washed with shaking 4 times with 500 mL of PBS-T, and further twice with 100 mL of PBS.

The filter was drained, soaked in a color substrate solution (solution of 12 mg of diaminobenzidine/25 mL of PBS, added with 50 ìL of 2.5% cobalt chloride and 50 ìL of 2% nickel sulphate), and further added with 80 ìL of 30% hydrogen peroxide solution for color development. Based on the location of color development, associated clones were selected.

[5] Determination of Base Sequence

According to the manual of the aforementioned "Zap-cDNA synthesis kit" of Stratagene, in vivo excision of 2 positive clones obtained by immunological screening from the Uni-ZAP XR vector was carried out. The clones were subcloned in pBluescript phagemid and grown with Escherichia coli. The base sequences of the respective clones were determined using ABI PRISM 377 DNA sequencer of Perkin Elmer.

In homology search by BLAST conducted against the database for the obtained base sequences, the base sequence of one clone was approximately coincided with that of tryptase III, and the base sequence of the other clone was approximately coincided with that of a gene named Breast cancer suppressor candidate-1 (Bcsc-1) (FIG. 2). In FIG. 2, SEQ ID NO. 8, a sequence of 1-2552 represents Bcsc-1. BLAST is an abbreviation of Basic Local Alignment Search Tool.

A clone having the approximately identical base sequence to that of tryptase III was determined to have nothing to do with the target cell surface antigen, since tryptase III is a well-known enzyme which exists in mast cell granules. Then, it was determined whether the clone having the approximately identical base sequence to that of Bcsc-1 is the target cell surface protein.

[6] Transfection to BHK Cells

Among the cDNA obtained in the above, the part designated as a region for coding protein of Bcsc-1 stored in the database was inserted to an expression vector which was prepared according to the method of Karasuyama et al. (see FIG. 3; Karasuyama, H. & Melchers, F.: Eur. J. Immunol., 18, 97-104, 1988, Karasuyama, H., Tohyama, N. & Tada, T.: J. Exp. Med., 169, 13-35, 1989, Yagita, H., Nakamura, T., Karasuyama, H. & Okumura, K.,: Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. USA, 86, 645-649, 1989, Karasuyama, H., Kudo, A. & Melchers, F.: J. Exp. Med., 172, 969-972, 1990). Particularly, in introduction of XhoI and NotI restriction enzyme fragments into Bcsc-1, cagCTCGAGatggaggaggctctgggg (SEQ ID NO. 3) was used as 5′ XhoI primer, and tctggatGĆGGCCGCtcaaaggcaaagat (SEQ ID NO. 4) was used as 3′ NotI primer. As PCR conditions, the Bcsc-1 was heated at 94° C. for 4 minutes, reacted at 95° C. for 1 minute and 15 seconds, at 60° C. for 1 minute and 10 seconds, and 72° C. for 3 minutes, which was repeated 39 times, and then reacted at 72° C. for 5 minutes. The Bcsc-1 introduced with XhoI and NotI site was treated with XhoI and NotI, and then inserted to BCMGSNeo which was also treated with XhoI and NotI.

The BHK cells were introduced to Bcsc-1 by lipofection and genetically transformed. Namely, the BHK cells were spread in 10% FCS DMEM (Nissui Seiyaku) to give a density of 50-70%, and after cultured overnight, cultured at 37° C. for 2 hours in a fresh medium. The BHK cells were washed 3 times with serum-free DMEM. 100 ìL of serum-free DMEM containing 2.5 ìL (2.5 ìg) of Bcsc-1 introduced BCMGSNeo, and 200 ìL of equivalent mixture of 100 ìL of serum-free DMEM containing 100 ìL of lipofectamin were added to 800 ìL of serum-free DMEM, and the BHK cells were cultured at 37° C. for 3 hours.

[7] Preparation of Anti-Bcsc-1 Antibody

Bcsc-1 introduced pET-28 a vector was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with His-tag. The fusion protein was purified on a nickel chelate column, and a rabbit was immunized with the purified protein in a usual manner, to prepare an antiserum, namely, anti-Bcsc-1 polyclonal antibody. Introduction of Bcsc-1 to pET-28 a vector was carried out as follows. EcoRI and XhoI restriction fragments were introduced to Bcsc-1, and after treated with XhoI and EcoRI, the Bcsc-1 was inserted to pET-28 a vector which was also treated with XhoI and EcoRI. The introduction of EcoRI and XhoI restriction fragments to Bcsc-1 were carried out by PCR amplification using tcagGAATTCatggaggaggctct (SEQ ID No. 5) as 5′ EcoRI primer and ggtaCTCGAGaaaggcaaagatagc (SEQ ID No. 6) as 3′ XhoI primer.

[8] Cell Staining and Western Blot

The BHK cells obtained in the above [6] (which were expressed by insertion of Bcsc-1 gene) were cultured overnight in 10% FCS DMEM containing 500 ìg/mL of G418 to separate the culture. The anti-Bcsc-1 polyclonal antibody (diluted 1:10³) obtained in the above [7] was placed on the culture, which was then reacted at 37° C. for 1 hour, and rinsed with PBS. Further added with FITC labeled anti-rabbit IgG (H+L) (Medical & Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.) (diluted 1:100), the culture was reacted at 37° C. for 1 hour to observe localization within the cells by a fluorescence microscope.

Also, protein recognized by this anti-Bcsc-1 polyclonal antibody was searched by Western blot, using mast cell extract, Bcsc-1 introduced BHK cell extract, extract of eosinophil in which differentiation was induced using IL-5, peripheral blood cell extract, extract of HL-60, that is, a peripheral blood system cell line, and extract of eosinophil differentiated from HL-60, as antigens.

As a result, when the mast cell extract was stained, diffuse fluorescence was recognized in the whole cytoplasma. Accordingly, it seemed that the Bcsc-1 gene is not against the mast cell surface antigen. In Western blot, when the Bcsc-1 introduced BHK cells were antigens, a band was detected at around 45 kD, which was substantially coincided with molecular weight expected from the inserted Bcsc-1. On the other hand, when the mast cell was the antigen, a band was recognized at around 90 kD. The difference in the results between 2 cell extracts gives support to a fact that the Bcsc-1 gene is not against the mast cell surface antigen.

[9] Determination of Base Sequence

The gene sequence found by the present inventors was compared with that of Bcsc-1 (SEQ ID NO. 8) stored in the database (FIG. 2). As a result, the base sequence obtained by the present inventors had one extra base A (943 in FIG. 2 or 943 of SEQ ID NO. 2) around 140 bp upstream of the initiation codon (ATG of 1055-1057 in FIG. 2) of Bcsc-1. Accordingly, it became apparent that the initiation codon of the base sequence obtained by the present inventors (36-38 in FIG. 2 or 36-38 of SEQ ID NO. 2) is located around 1000 bp upstream of the Bcsc-1 initiation codon. Furthermore, the region containing a newly found initiation codon was a typical transcription initiation sequence (ACCATGG). The protein coded by the base sequence obtained by the present inventors (SEQ ID NO. 2) was named MASA-1.

[10] Introduction of MASA-1 to BHK cells

Transfection of the BHK cells by MASA-1 was carried out in the same manner as in the above [6]. However, tcttgcCTCGAGatggtgcacttctgtgg (SEQ ID NO. 7) was used as 5′ XhoI primer.

[11] Determination of MASA-1 Properties

Using the MASA-1 introduced BHK cells instead of the Bcsc-1 introduced BHK cells, cell staining and Western blot were performed in the similar way to the above [8]. However, in cell staining, a monoclonal antibody 5C12 produced by a below mentioned hybridoma ahMC5C12 was used as a primary antibody. As a result, a band at around 90 kD was observed by Western blot using the MASA-1 introduced BHK cells as an antigen, as in the case of using the mast cells, and cell surface expression was observed as well by cell staining. Expression in RBL-2H3 rat mast cells was also observed. However, no expression was observed in cord blood, eosinophil, peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL), and HL-60 peripheral blood cell line. From the above, it was confirmed that the protein coded by MASA-1 is a mast cell surface specific protein.

[12] Hybridoma ahMC5C12 (Accession No. FERM BP-6070)

Here, as an example, a method for preparing the hybridoma ahMC5C12 is explained. Firstly, the cells obtained from cord blood cells cultured for 2 weeks in Embodiment 1 (10⁶ cells/0.10 ml) was injected into the abdominal cavity of an infant rat 4 days after birth to ablate the induction ability of antibody production for all antigens in the cells. Then, 1.5 months later, the rat was injected to its abdominal cavity with both the MC-TC (10⁶ cells/0.10 ml) obtained in the above [1] and complete adjuvant for immunization. Further, the rat was injected to its abdominal cavity with the cells alone 2 times every 2 weeks. The spleen was taken out 4 days after the final immunization and the cell fusion was carried out as follows.

Spleen cells taken out from the rat and myeloma cells of a mouse were mixed in a ratio of 10:1, and added with 50% polyethylene glycol 1500 as a fusion accelerator to carry out cell fusion. After the cell fusion, the cells were suspended in HAT medium containing 10% bovine serum in such a way that the cell concentration for a spleen cell becomes 5˜10⁵ cells/ml, and distributed to a 96 well microtiter plate (Nalge Nunc International) by 200 ìl for every well. The hybridomas were cultured in a CO₂ incubator (5% CO₂, 37), and grown in HAT medium. Screening of the hybridomas of spleen cells and myeloma cells was carried out. The cells were then adapted and cultured in IMDM (Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium) supplemented with 10% FCS (Fetal Calf Serum). Among antibodies in the culture supernatant of the hybridomas, by using MC-TC separated from skin lesion of mastocytoma as antigens, clones which produce antibodies specific to the antigens were separated by the fluorescent antibody method and named ahMC5C12 (FERM BP-6070). The harvested clone cells were suspended in 90% bovine serum containing 10% DMSO and kept in liquid nitrogen. The monoclonal antibodies, specific to mast cell surface antigens produced by the clones, were harvested by growing the ahMC5C12 in the abdominal cavity of a nude mouse and purifying the antibodies.

INDUSTRIAL AVAILABILITY

It is possible to make clear the role of the mast cells in development of allergic diseases since the present invention identifies the amino acid sequence of a mast cell surface antigen. Furthermore, since use of an antibody to the mast cell surface antigen of the present invention allows us to specifically remove or eliminate the mast cells, treatment of allergic diseases becomes possible.
 

Claim 1 of 1 Claim

1. An isolated mast cell surface antigen comprising the amino acid sequence listed in SEQ ID NO. 1

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