Heel contact as a function of substrate type and speed in primates

In this report we provide detailed data on the patterns and frequency of heel contact with terrestrial and arboreal supports in primates. These data can help resolve the question of whether African apes and humans are uniquely "plantigrade" (Gebo [1992] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 89:29-58; Gebo [1993a] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 91:382-385; Gebo [1993b] Postcranial Adaptation in Nonhuman Primates), or if plantigrady is common in other primates (Meldrum [1993] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 91:379-381). Using biplanar and uniplanar videotapes, we recorded the frequency and timing of heel contact for a variety of primates (32 species) walking on the ground and on simulated arboreal supports at a range of natural speeds. Our results indicate that Pongo as well as the African apes exhibit a "heel-strike" at the end of swing phase. Ateles and Hylobates make heel contact on all supports shortly after mid-foot contact, although spider monkeys do so only at slow or moderate speeds. Data available from uniplanar videotapes suggest that this pattern occurs in Alouatta and Lagothrix as well. No other New or Old World monkey or prosimian in this study made heel contact during quadrupedalism on any substrate. Thus, heel contact occurs in all apes and atelines, but only the great apes exhibit a heel-strike. We suggest that heel contact with the substrate is a by-product of an active posterior weight-shift mechanism involving highly protracted hindlimbs at touchdown. Force plate studies indicate that this mechanism is most extreme in arboreally adapted primate quadrupeds walking on arboreal supports. Although heel contact and heel-strike may have no evolutionary link, it is possible that both patterns are the result of a similar weight shift mechanism. Therefore, the regular occurrence of heel contact in a variety of arboreal primates, and the absence of a true biomechanical link between limb elongation, heel contact, and terrestriality, calls into question the claim that hominid foot posture was necessarily derived from a quadrupedal terrestrial ancestor.

Protective effect of zinc on keratinocyte activation markers induced by interferon or nickel

Zinc therapies exert beneficial effects in several cutaneous pathologies through their antiinflammatory properties, but target cells and mechanisms of action are still uncertain. We wondered whether markers of the keratinocyte activation state, such as the expression of immune surface antigens (ICAM-1 and HLA-DR) and the production of TNF-alpha, frequently detected in inflammatory reactions, may be reduced by zinc. For this purpose, we used normal human keratinocytes derived from plastic skin surgery and cultured in low-calcium medium (MCDB153). We studied the effects of ZnSO4 (12.5 to 50 microM) alone or in combination with IFN-gamma (5 U/ml), a mediator of inflammation produced by activated T-cells, or nickel (5-10 micrograms/ml), a sensitizing metal hapten. Using FACS analysis, we showed that the combination of zinc with nickel or the addition of ZnSO4 24 h before IFN-gamma or NiSO4 treatments reduced ICAM-1 expression on the keratinocyte surface (p < 0.01). However, zinc did not modify the IFN-gamma induced expression of HLA class II antigen on keratinocytes. Zn2+ could also reduce the TNF-alpha secretion of keratinocytes stimulated by IFN-gamma or Ni2+ during 48 h. Taken together, these data indicate that zinc can directly reduce some keratinocyte activation markers frequently observed in vivo; this action may be involved in the antiinflammatory effect of Zn(2+)-associated therapies in cutaneous inflammatory reactions.

Immunophenotypic and ultrastructural evidence of the langerhans cell origin of the canine cutaneous histiocytoma

Canine cutaneous histiocytoma (CCH), a histiocytic benign, dermal, self-healing tumor in the young dog, and epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) are thought to be related. In this study, we used immunohistochemical staining and transmission electron microscopy for 5 fresh CCH and 17 fixed tumors, to examine if, on the basis of their immunophenotype and their ultrastructural morphology, these tumor cells originate as LCs. The immunophenotype of CCH: canine CD11a, 11c, 18, 45, MHC II positive and ACM1, human CD14 negative, was different from canine macrophage immunophenotype but very similar to the canine LC phenotype. Furthermore, we have described ultrastructural markers in CCH cells for the first time: these consist of coated vesicles, regularly laminated bodies, pleiomorphic inclusions, paracrystalline structures, and deep invaginations of the plasma membrane, usually observed in congenital self-healing histiocytosis, a human LC tumor, or occasionally observed in human LC. The occurrence of such immunophenotype and ultrastructural markers confirmed the common lineage of LCs and CCH cells.

Detection of HIV-specific DNA sequences in epidermal Langerhans cells infected in vitro by means of a cell-free system

As dendritic antigen-presenting cells in skin and mucous membranes, Langerhans cells (LC) are found in areas at risk of inoculation by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). LC have been reported as targets for HIV-1. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether LC can be experimentally infected by HIV provided by a cell-free infection system. A cell-free suspensions was prepared from viral particles provided by chronically infected cell lines (U937 or H9 cells) by low-speed centrifugation followed by 0.45-microns filtration. LC-enriched epidermal cell (EC) suspensions with no CD3+ cells (assessed by flow cytometry and electron microscopy) and uninfected U937 cells (cell-free infection system control) were infected with two isolates (HTL VIII-B and RF). The infectiousness of the cell-free virus fluids was controlled on U937 cells where proviral DNA was amplified (gag, pol, and env gene sequences by the polymerase chain reaction, PCR) and release of virus particles into the supernatant was controlled either by measure of the reverse transcriptase (RT) activity or detection of viral RNA amplified by RT-PCR for the gag gene sequences). Proviral DNA (gag gene sequences) was found in LC-enriched epidermal cellular DNA from day 4 post-infection with isolate HTL VIII-B and from day 7 with isolate RF. Although the RT activity did not reach a significantly high level, viral RNA was found in the supernatant of LC-enriched EC cultures at the same time as proviral DNA was detected in LC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of cytokines on the gamma interferon-induced tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase expression by human keratinocytes

Incubation of human keratinocytes with gamma interferon (gamma-IFN) has been shown to potently induce the synthesis of a 53 kDa protein which was recently identified as tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TRS). However, in spite of the high sensitivity of cultured keratinocytes to TRS induction by gamma-IFN, the study of inflammatory skin lesions has allowed the detection of the protein only in a few cases, suggesting regulatory mechanisms from soluble endogenous mediators with antagonistic activity on the induction of TRS by gamma-IFN. Among these mediators, we wondered whether cytokines selected for possible anti-inflammatory activity and potentially derived from activated resident skin cells, such as IL-4, IL-10, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta, may be involved in the modulation of the keratinocyte TRS expression. To assess this possibility, we investigated the modulation of the synthesis of TRS by human cultured keratinocytes upon stimulation by various gamma-IFN/cytokine combinations. The effects were evaluated by immunoblotting assay revealed by enhanced chemiluminescence, with the aid of a specific antibody to the TRS protein. Results failed to demonstrate any effect of the tested cytokines, whether on the basal level of the TRS, or on the gamma-IFN-induced enzyme expression in keratinocytes. It is thus unlikely that such cytokines can account for the infrequency of the TRS detection in inflammatory skin processes. Further investigations of alternative working hypothesis should help elucidate the regulation of TRS in human keratinocytes.

Active cell membrane mechanisms involved in the exclusion of Rh 123 allow distinction between normal and tumoral cells

Human cell lines derived from three epithelial carcinomas (CaSki, HeLa, SiHa), one B lymphoma (BL60), one promyelocytic (HL60), one monocytic (U937) leukemia, one chronic myelogenous leukemia (sensitive K562S; multichemoresistant K562R) and normal human skin fibroblasts were compared for their capacity of staining with rhodamine 123 (Rh 123) and their kinetics of dye exclusion. Cells were exposed for 30 min to 10 micrograms/ml of Rh 123 in culture medium; fluorescence intensity was measured by flow cytometry immediately or 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after staining. The highest fluorescence intensity was observed in carcinoma cell lines; there was no incorporation in multichemoresistant K562R cells. Exclusion of Rh 123 was evaluated from 0 to 4 h, both by flow cytometry and by fluorimetry. Fluorescence intensity measured by flow cytometry decreased slightly in carcinoma and leukemia cells and rapidly in fibroblasts. In all cell lines Rh 123 exclusion was inhibited by 40 mumol/L verapamil and 5 mmol/L probenecid. Thus, incorporation and exclusion of Rh 123 allows distinction between normal and tumoral cells; moreover, inhibition of exclusion by verapamil and probenecid favors the involvement of active cell membrane mechanisms in the exclusion process.

Extensive C-terminal deletion in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env glycoprotein arising after long-term culture of chronically infected cells

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) chronically infected (CI) cell lines were established from HIV-1HIB/LAI-infected MT-4 cells that survived acute infection. The HIV env gene expressed in the two long-term cultured cell lines differed from that of the lines cultured for shorter periods, by coding for a glycoprotein gp 160 that had the C terminus deleted. One long-term cultured cell line, CI-17, was studied in detail. An insertion of a premature stop codon in the env gene caused about 90% of gp160 molecules to be truncated (gp160x), lacking both cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains; these species were secreted into the cell medium, and could form oligomers with other truncated gp160 molecules as well as with their normal counterparts. CI-17 cells constantly yielded high levels of viral protein and relatively low quantities of infectious virus, without cytopathicity. However, acute infection of fresh MT-4 cells with CI-17-derived virus led to cytopathicity, the rate of which as well as the Env glycoprotein pattern depended on multiplicity: (i) using an infection dose of 10(-4) ID50/cell, cells died 7 to 8 days post-infection with normal gp160 synthesis predominating; (ii) with 10(-2) ID50, gp160x was produced as early as 48 h post-infection and cell death was delayed. Predominant gp160x formation occurred again when new CI cell lines were obtained with CI-17-derived virus. Thus, two human immunodeficiency virus variants, a normal and a defective one, are persistently expressed in CI-17 cells. The other long-term cultured CI cell line also expressed gp160 with a similar (albeit slightly longer) deletion of a C-terminal region in most molecules, but the cell lines that were cultured for shorter periods did not. These results suggest that the emergence of HIV variants with a C-terminal deletion in the Env glycoprotein, which coexist with normal virus, may play a role in maintaining the long-term growth capacity and viability of CI cells.

Immunohistochemical characterisation of probable intravascular haematopoiesis in the vasa rectae of the renal medulla in acute tubular necrosis

Immunohistochemistry was applied to identify the nature of the nucleated cells that accumulate in the vasa rectae of the corticomedullary junction in acute tubular necrosis. In all 6 cases studied, there were intravascular cells that reacted with monoclonal antibodies to erythroblast, macrophages, myeloid cells, T and B lymphocytes and rare megakaryocytes. The findings are consistent with the occurrence of intravascular haematopoiesis in the renal medulla in acute tubular necrosis.

Immunogold localization of the 97-kD antigen of linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) detected with patients' sera

The classification of linear IgA bullous dermatosis in the group of subepidermal blistering diseases is still a matter of controversy. This situation is due partly to the considerable clinical heterogeneity of the disease but also results from the difficulties in characterization and localization of the specific basement membrane zone antigen(s) recognized by immunoglobulin (Ig)A antibodies. In the present study, we have combined the Western blot detection of circulating autoantibodies with an ultrastructural immunogold labeling of human skin antigens using the same patients' sera. Our results, obtained with a short series of sera showing exclusive IgA class reactivity with the epidermal portion of salt-split skin, indicate that the antibodies recognizing the 97-kD antigen on immunoblot bind to the hemidesmosomal plaques of basal keratinocytes and the adjacent lamina lucida. These homogeneous laboratory results remain in striking contrast to the heterogeneity of clinical pictures in the patients studied, suggesting a participation of complementary, possibly not humoral, phenomena in the pathogenesis of linear IgA bullous dermatosis.

Localization of viral protein X in simian immunodeficiency virus macaque strain and analysis of its packaging requirements

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) encode the accessory viral protein X (Vpx) known to be incorporated into virions in amounts comparable to those of the Gag proteins. The localization of Vpx within SIVmac-infected HUT-78 cells and SIVmac virions was studied by immunoelectron microscopy. Vpx appeared to be associated with extracellular virions as well as budding viral particles at the surface of infected cells. Immunolabelling of purified viral cores suggested that Vpx was a component of the amorphous material surrounding the core structure. Furthermore, a detergent insoluble fraction containing SIV core proteins was devoid of Vpx. To investigate the protein requirement for packaging of Vpx, BHK-21 cells were co-infected with vaccinia virus recombinants encoding Vpx and other SIV proteins able to assemble into virus-like particles. Analysis by immunoprecipitation of the extracellular particulate material as well as immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that co-expression of Vpx with the Pr56gag polyprotein was sufficient for the formation of pseudo-virions containing Vpx. Virus-like particles that appeared upon expression of p16gag did not contain Vpx. The results suggest that Vpx is packaged into viral particles through its binding to the Gag polyprotein. The precise positioning of Vpx within the space separating the viral envelope from the core structure is postulated to result from the reorganization of viral proteins that occurs upon Gag polyprotein cleavage and budding.

[Adhesion molecules and inflammatory dermatoses]

In inflammatory dermatoses, adhesion molecules are involved in the interaction of leukocytes with endothelial cells, extra-cellular matrix and epidermal cells. In dermatosis where epidermal cells are the main targets of inflammation, the keratinocytes are activated and participate to the local immune reaction through the secretion of cytokines and the expression of the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 and the HLA-DR antigens. Induction of ICAM-1 by IFN gamma or TNF alpha on keratinocytes that do not express this molecule in normal skin may account for the recruitment of T cells into the epidermis. In the dermis, an up-regulation of ICAM-1 expression occurs on endothelial cells activated by cytokines (IL-1, TNF alpha...) and is usually correlated with an induction of ELAM-1 and less frequently VCAM-1. These adhesion molecules are involved in the recruitment of inflammatory cells but also in the control of their retention and migration through the skin.

Establishment of nickel-specific T cell lines from patients with allergic contact dermatitis: comparison of different protocols

Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, secondary to hapten-specific T lymphocyte activation in sensitized individuals. The present study reports on the establishment of T cell lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of nickel-allergic patients, initially cultured with nickel, IL-2, or PHA and IL-2. It was possible to derive hapten-specific T cell lines from the three protocols, and the best proliferative responses to nickel were observed when PBMC were cultured in the presence of nickel in vitro. T cell lines initially cultured with IL-2 always gave better specific proliferative responses to nickel than those derived with PHA and IL-2. Phenotypical analysis of the nickel-specific T cell lines showed that they were mainly composed of activated CD8+ TcR alpha beta + T lymphocytes. These results emphasize the importance of initial culture conditions for the generation of hapten-specific T cell lines and suggest that CD8+ lymphocytes could play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic contact dermatitis.

Epidermal and mucosal dendritic cells and HIV1 infection

The major modes of HIV1 transmission involve circumstances and behavior that promote exchange of blood or body fluids containing HIV virus and/or HIV infected cells. In the second group, semen, vaginal secretions, exudates and occasionally saliva have been documented as sources of transmission. If the skin, protected by the horny layer, does not seem easily infected, the mucous membrane and especially the vaginal, rectal or oral mucosa are the main sites of HIV entry in absence of lesions. In mucosa, a well identified population of dendritic cells may be considered as the first target of HIV1: the Langerhans cells. Originated from the bone marrow, the Langerhans cells migrate into the peripheral epithelia (skin, mucous membranes) and play a key role in the immune surveillance system against foreign antigens. They act as antigenpresenting cells through a specific cooperation with CD4+ lymphocytes after migration to the proximal lymph nodes. As HIV1-susceptible cells, Langerhans cells in genital or rectal mucosa may be the first infected cell type and may be the vectors of infection for CD4 positive T cells. It is clearly demonstrated that LC may be infected in HIV1 seropositive patients. Recently in vitro, experimental infection of Langerhans cells was reproduced using a co-culture assay with HIV1 infected cells. Recent data obtained with transgenic mice containing HIV1 gene underline the key role of Langerhans cells in the pathogenesis process of HIV infection.

Effect of various metals on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and tumour necrosis factor alpha production by normal human keratinocytes

Nickel, cobalt and chromium are metals very often implicated in allergic contact dermatitis. In vivo, keratinocytes, which are the first target cells, can be directly activated to participate in the local reaction, especially through the expression of the membrane antigen ICAM-1, a ligand of the leucocyte antigen LFA-1, and the production of cytokines. Our aim was to assess the effects of sensitizing metal haptens (nickel, cobalt and chromium) compared with the toxic metal cadmium on the induction of ICAM-1 and the production of TNF alpha by epidermal cells. For this purpose, normal human keratinocytes obtained during plastic skin surgery were cultured in low-calcium defined medium (MCDB153) and the metals were used in non-toxic concentrations. Using FACS analysis, ICAM-1 expression was found to be induced only by nickel. This stimulation appeared as early as 24 h after stimulation. All the metals induced a low expression of TNF alpha detectable by immunocytochemistry correlating with the induction of the nuclear stress protein Hsp72 which is closely linked genetically with the TNF alpha locus. However, only Ni2+, Co2+ and Cr2+ induced a significant release of TNF alpha detectable by ELISA after 48 h stimulation. This secretion was lower than that observed with known stimulants such as lipopolysaccharide. These results indicate that the metals studied are able to induce an aggressive cellular effect, and that nickel, by its ICAM-1 induction, may play a major role in the keratinocyte activation state during allergic contact dermatitis.

Keratinocytes from junctional epidermolysis bullosa do adhere and migrate on the basement membrane protein nicein through alpha 3 beta 1 integrin

BACKGROUND

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) encompasses several genodermatoses characterized by skin blistering, and possibly disturbed wound healing. Although the molecular defects underlying JEB are not known, we have demonstrated previously that nicein, an adhesive laminin-related basement membrane component, is immunologically altered in the very severe JEB of Herlitz type (H-JEB), and was expressed to a lesser extent in skin from patients with inversa JEB (I-JEB). In this study, we assessed adhesion and migration of H-JEB and I-JEB keratinocytes on exogenous nicein and laminin to get insights on the biologic function defective in JEB skin.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Adhesion of cultured epidermal keratinocytes from H-JEB and I-JEB patients was assayed by quantitation of cell attachment 1 hour after seeding into microtiter wells coated with nicein or laminin. Cell migration and modulation by function-blocking antibodies to integrins was quantified by computer-assisted image analysis of the tracks left by the cells in a phagokinetic assay using gold particles coated with nicein or laminin.

RESULTS

In spite of the fact that H-JEB keratinocytes do not produce normal immunoreactive nicein, they were able to adhere on exogenous nicein similarly to normal and I-JEB keratinocytes which produce nicein. Adhesion of both JEB and normal keratinocytes to laminin was weak compared with nicein. At low and high concentrations of nicein, a reduced migration response occurred with H-JEB keratinocytes whereas I-JEB cells behaved like their normal counterparts. Integrin alpha 3 beta 1 was dominantly involved in adhesion and migration of all these cells. Laminin did not support the migration of either JEB or normal keratinocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

H-JEB and I-JEB keratinocytes which produce no or less nicein than normal keratinocytes are able to adhere and migrate on exogenous nicein. Integrin alpha 3 beta 1 which is specifically involved in migration and adhesion of keratinocytes on nicein does not appear altered in JEB. These data indicate that defective nicein rather than modifications of the nicein-recognizing receptor play a central role in the pathogenesis of H-JEB.