Treatment of marrow stroma with interferon-alpha restores normal beta 1 integrin-dependent adhesion of chronic myelogenous leukemia hematopoietic progenitors. Role of MIP-1 alpha.

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Abstract

The mechanisms by which interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) restores normal hematopoiesis in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are not well understood. We have recently demonstrated that IFN-alpha acts directly on CML hematopoietic progenitors to restore their adhesion to marrow stroma by modulating beta 1 integrin receptor function. In the present study we examined the effect of IFN-alpha treatment of marrow stroma on subsequent adhesion of CML progenitors. Stromal layers were preincubated with IFN-alpha (10,000 microns/ml) for 48 h. Subsequent coincubation with CML progenitors for 2 h resulted in significantly increased adhesion of CML progenitors. We demonstrated that alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha 5 beta 1 integrin receptors were involved in the enhanced adhesion of CML progenitors, suggesting that IFN-alpha-treated stroma can upregulate CML integrin function. This effect is due, at least in part, to IFN-alpha-induced increased stromal production of the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), which upregulates beta 1 integrin-dependent adhesion of CML progenitors to stroma. Thus, IFN-alpha treatment of marrow stroma restores beta 1 integrin-dependent adhesion of CML progenitors, at least in part through induction of MIP-1 alpha production. These observations provide further insights into mechanisms by which IFN-alpha may restore normal hematopoiesis in CML.

Authors

R Bhatia, P B McGlave, C M Verfaillie

Platelet activating factor produced in vitro by Kaposi's sarcoma cells induces and sustains in vivo angiogenesis.

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Abstract

Imbalance in the network of soluble mediators may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). In this study, we demonstrated that KS cells grown in vitro produced and in part released platelet activating factor (PAF), a powerful lipid mediator of inflammation and cell-to-cell communication. IL-1, TNF, and thrombin enhanced the synthesis of PAF. PAF receptor mRNA and specific, high affinity binding site for PAF were present in KS cells. Nanomolar concentration of PAF stimulated the chemotaxis and chemokinesis of KS cells, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. The migration response to PAF was inhibited by WEB 2170, a hetrazepinoic PAF receptor antagonist. Because neoangiogenesis is essential for the growth and progression of KS and since PAF can activate vascular endothelial cells, we examined the potential role of PAF as an instrumental mediator of angiogenesis associated with KS. Conditioned medium (CM) from KS cells (KS-CM) or KS cells themselves induced angiogenesis and macrophage recruitment in a murine model in which Matrigel was injected subcutaneously. These effects were inhibited by treating mice with WEB 2170. Synthetic PAF or natural PAF extracted from plasma of patients with classical KS also induced angiogenesis, which in turn was inhibited by WEB 2170. The action of PAF was amplified by expression of other angiogenic factors and chemokines: these included basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor, placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and its specific receptor flk-1, hepatocyte growth factor, KC, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2. Treatment with WEB 2170 abolished the expression of the transcripts of these molecules within Matrigel containing KS-CM. These results indicate that PAF may cooperate with other angiogenic molecules and chemokines in inducing vascular development in KS.

Authors

F Bussolino, M Arese, G Montrucchio, L Barra, L Primo, R Benelli, F Sanavio, M Aglietta, D Ghigo, M R Rola-Pleszczynski

Endothelial cell injury initiates glomerular sclerosis in the rat remnant kidney.

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Abstract

The development of progressive glomerulosclerosis in the renal ablation model has been ascribed to a number of humoral and hemodynamic events, including the peptide growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). An important role has also been attributed to angiotensin II (AII), which, in addition to its hemodynamic effects, can stimulate transcription of TGF-beta 1. We postulated that increased glomerular production of AII, resulting from enhanced intrinsic angiotensinogen expression, stimulates local TGF-beta 1 synthesis, activating glomerular matrix protein synthesis, and leads to sclerosis. Using in situ reverse transcription, the glomerular cell sites of alpha-1 (IV) collagen, fibronectin, laminin B1, angiotensinogen, and TGF-beta 1 mRNA synthesis were determined at sequential periods following renal ablation. The early hypertrophic phase was associated with global, but transient, increases in the mRNA for alpha-1 (IV) collagen. No changes were noted for fibronectin, TGF-beta 1, and angiotensinogen mRNAs. At 24 d after ablation, at which time sclerosis is not evident, endothelial cells, particularly in the dilated capillaries at the vascular pole, expressed angiotensinogen and TGF-beta 1 mRNAs, as well as fibronectin and laminin B1 RNA transcripts. By 74 d after ablation angiotensinogen and TGF-beta 1 mRNAs were widely distributed among endothelial and mesangial cells, and were particularly prominent in regions of evolving sclerosis. These same regions were also notable for enhanced expression of matrix protein mRNAs, particularly fibronectin. All receptor blockade inhibited angiotensinogen, TGF-beta 1, fibronectin, and laminin B1 mRNA expression by the endothelium. We conclude that, as a result of hemodynamic changes, injured or activated endothelium synthesizes angiotensinogen, triggering a cascade of TGF-beta 1 and matrix protein gene expression with resultant development of the segmental glomerular sclerotic lesion.

Authors

L K Lee, T W Meyer, A S Pollock, D H Lovett

Rabbit model of Lyme borreliosis: erythema migrans, infection-derived immunity, and identification of Borrelia burgdorferi proteins associated with virulence and protective immunity.

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Abstract

Erythema migrans (EM), persistent skin infection, and visceral dissemination can be induced reproducibly in the adult male New Zealand White rabbit by intradermal injection of as few as 10(3) Borrelia burgdorferi. EM was found to persist for 7 +/- 3 d. Skin culture positivity (infection) cleared within a mean of 6.7 +/- 1.4 wk after infection and similarly visceral infection was not demonstrated after 8 wk; infection-derived immunity to intradermal challenge was evident 5 mo after initial infection. The extent of the protection against EM and dermal infection induced by untreated infection was directly related to the extent of prior in vitro passage of the B31 strain. Initial infection with as few as 4 x 10(3) B31 passage 4 induced complete protection against EM and skin infection upon subsequent challenge with 4 x 10(7) B31, passage 4. Initial infection with B31 passage 27 led to partial protection against EM along with complete protection against skin infection. Initial infection with passage 47 led to partial protection against EM, but conferred no protection against skin infection. Using serum from rabbits fully immune to reinfection, we defined a set of B. burgdorferi proteins present in virulent B31, but absent in the avirulent American Type Culture Collection B31 strain, termed "va" for virulent strain associated. The va proteins of B31 passages 1, 27, and 47 differed strikingly, thus raising the possibility that these changes may relate in a causal way to the differences in induction of protective immunity observed.

Authors

D M Foley, R J Gayek, J T Skare, E A Wagar, C I Champion, D R Blanco, M A Lovett, J N Miller

Muscle-specific overexpression of lipoprotein lipase causes a severe myopathy characterized by proliferation of mitochondria and peroxisomes in transgenic mice.

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Abstract

In extrahepatic tissues lipoprotein lipase (LPL) hydrolyzes triglycerides thereby generating FFA for tissue uptake and metabolism. To study the effects of increased FFA uptake in muscle tissue, transgenic mouse lines were generated with a human LPL minigene driven by the promoter of the muscle creatine kinase gene. In these mice human LPL was expressed in skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle, but not in other tissues. In proportion to the level of LPL overexpression, decreased plasma triglyceride levels, elevated FFA uptake by muscle tissue, weight loss, and premature death were observed in three independent transgenic mouse lines. The animals developed a severe myopathy characterized by muscle fiber degeneration, fiber atrophy, glycogen storage, and extensive proliferation of mitochondria and peroxisomes. This degree of proliferation suggests that FFA play an important role in the biogenesis of these organelles. Our experiments indicate that LPL is rate limiting for the supply of muscle tissue with triglyceride-derived FFA. Improper regulation of muscle LPL can lead to major pathological changes and may be important in the pathogenesis of some human myopathies. Muscle-specific LPL transgenic mouse lines will serve as a useful animal model for the investigation of myopathies and the biogenesis of mitochondria and peroxisomes.

Authors

S Levak-Frank, H Radner, A Walsh, R Stollberger, G Knipping, G Hoefler, W Sattler, P H Weinstock, J L Breslow, R Zechner

Collagen-induced arthritis in the BB rat. Prevention of disease by treatment with CTLA-4-Ig.

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Abstract

Antigen-specific T cell activation requires two independent signalling events, one mediated through T cell receptor engagement by the antigen-presenting cell-expressed peptide/class II major histocompatibility complex, and the second through the cognate interactions of costimulatory molecules expressed on the T cell and antigen-presenting cell. There is evidence from in vitro and in vivo experimental systems suggesting that the CD28/B7 costimulatory pathway is crucial for induction of maximal T cell proliferation and T helper-B cell collaboration for IgG production. This pathway can be blocked by CTLA-4-Ig, a soluble form of CTLA-4 which binds with high avidity to the CD28 ligands, B7-1 and B7-2. Here, we show that CTLA-4-Ig treatment prevents clinical and histological manifestations of disease in a collagen-induced arthritis model of rheumatoid arthritis in the diabetes resistant BB/Wor rat, when therapy is initiated before immunization with bovine type II collagen (BIIC). Anti-BIIC antibody titers are reduced in CTLA-4-Ig-treated rats compared to diseased control animals. Histologically, joints from CTLA-4-Ig-treated animals show no histological abnormalities, in contrast to control antibody-treated animals, which show complete erosion of the articular cartilage and bone. Despite the efficacy of CTLA-4-Ig in preventing clinical and histological signs of arthritis and reducing antibody responses to BIIC, delayed type hypersensitivity responses to collagen 18 d or more after CTLA-4-Ig treatment ends are similar in CTLA-4-Ig-treated and untreated rats, suggesting that the prolonged disease suppression observed does not result from induction of T cell anergy.

Authors

D B Knoerzer, R W Karr, B D Schwartz, L J Mengle-Gaw

Colchicine alters the quantitative and qualitative display of selectins on endothelial cells and neutrophils.

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Abstract

Since colchicine-sensitive microtubules regulate the expression and topography of surface glycoproteins on a variety of cells, we sought evidence that colchicine interferes with neutrophil-endothelial interactions by altering the number and/or distribution of selectins on endothelial cells and neutrophils. Extremely low, prophylactic, concentrations of colchicine (IC50 = 3 nM) eliminated the E-selectin-mediated increment in endothelial adhesiveness for neutrophils in response to IL-1 (P < 0.001) or TNF alpha (P < 0.001) by changing the distribution, but not the number, of E-selectin molecules on the surface of the endothelial cells. Colchicine inhibited stimulated endothelial adhesiveness via its effects on microtubules since vinblastine, an agent which perturbs microtubule function by other mechanisms, diminished adhesiveness whereas the photoinactivated colchicine derivative gamma-lumicolchicine was inactive. Colchicine had no effect on cell viability. At higher, therapeutic, concentrations colchicine (IC50 = 300 nM, P < 0.001) also diminished the expression of L-selectin on the surface of neutrophils (but not lymphocytes) without affecting expression of the beta 2-integrin CD11b/CD18. In confirmation, L-selectin expression was strikingly reduced (relative to CD11b/CD18 expression) on neutrophils from two individuals who had ingested therapeutic doses of colchicine. These results suggest that colchicine may exert its prophylactic effects on cytokine-provoked inflammation by diminishing the qualitative expression of E-selectin on endothelium, and its therapeutic effects by diminishing the quantitative expression of L-selectin on neutrophils.

Authors

B N Cronstein, Y Molad, J Reibman, E Balakhane, R I Levin, G Weissmann

Close encounters with ET-1.

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Abstract

Authors

K R Chien

Acid aspiration-induced lung injury in rabbits is mediated by interleukin-8-dependent mechanisms.

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Abstract

Acid aspiration lung injury may be mediated primarily by neutrophils recruited to the lung by acid-induced cytokines. We hypothesized that a major acid-induced cytokine was IL-8 and that a neutralizing anti-rabbit-IL-8 monoclonal antibody (ARIL8.2) would attenuate acid-induced lung injury in rabbits. Hydrochloric acid (pH = 1.5 in 1/3 normal saline) or 1/3 normal saline (4 ml/kg) was instilled into the lungs of ventilated, anesthetized rabbits. The rabbits were studied for 6 or 24 h. In acid-instilled rabbits without the anti-IL-8 monoclonal antibody, severe lung injury developed in the first 6 h; in the long-term experiments, all rabbits died with lung injury between 12 and 14 h. In acid-instilled rabbits given the anti-IL-8 monoclonal antibody (2 mg/kg, intravenously) either as pretreatment (5 min before the acid) or as treatment (1 h after the acid), acid-induced abnormalities in oxygenation and extravascular lung water were prevented and extravascular protein accumulation was reduced by 70%; in the long-term experiments, anti-IL-8 treatment similarly protected lung function throughout the 24-h period. The anti-IL-8 monoclonal antibody also significantly reduced air space neutrophil counts and IL-8 concentrations. This study establishes IL-8 as a critical cytokine for the development of acid-induced lung injury. Neutralization of IL-8 may provide the first useful therapy for this clinically important form of acute lung injury.

Authors

H G Folkesson, M A Matthay, C A Hébert, V C Broaddus

Activation of Cl secretion during chemical hypoxia by endogenous release of adenosine in intestinal epithelial monolayers.

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Abstract

Intestinal ischemia is characterized by rapid early inhibition of absorptive function and the appearance of net secretion, although why active secretion persists in the setting of a mucosal energy deficit is unknown. The cryptlike epithelial line T84, a well-characterized model of intestinal Cl- secretion, develops a prominent increase in short-circuit current (Isc, indicative of active Cl- transport) in response to "hypoxia" induced by metabolic inhibitors. The increased Isc is associated with the initial decrease in monolayer ATP content. The Isc is transient and disappears with progressive energy depletion, although graded degrees of ATP depletion induce a more sustained Isc response. Chromatographic analysis and secretory bioassays show that the Isc response to metabolic inhibitors is related to the endogenous release of adenosine into the extracellular space in quantities sufficient to interact locally with stimulatory adenosine receptors. Unlike its classical role as a metabolic feedback inhibitor, adenosine appears to function as an autocrine "feed-forward" activator of active intestinal Cl- secretion. These studies suggest a novel role for adenosine in the conversion of the gut from an absorptive to a secretory organ during ischemic stress, thus contributing to the initial diarrheal manifestation of intestinal ischemia.

Authors

J B Matthews, K J Tally, J A Smith, A J Zeind, B J Hrnjez