Prevention of mercuric chloride-induced nephritis in the brown Norway rat by treatment with antibodies against the alpha 4 integrin

HgCl2 induces the synthesis of anti-GBM Abs with the development of glomerular and interstitial nephritis, as well as proteinuria, in the Brown Norway rat. The development of this autoimmune disease is a consequence of the appearance of an autoreactive T cell subset-inducing activation of B cells. The administration to mercury-treated rats of the mouse anti-human VLA alpha 4 HP2/1 mAb, which cross-reacts with the rat homologue integrin, completely abrogated the interstitial cell infiltrates. As demonstrated by peripheral blood analysis, this effect is not a result of the depletion of circulating leukocytes or leukocyte subsets. Interestingly, the administration of Abs specific for the alpha 4 integrin also highly reduced anti-GBM Ab synthesis, thus preventing detectable glomerular deposits and proteinuria. Our results confirm that in vivo alpha 4 functions in adhesive interaction of circulating leukocytes and vascular endothelium, and is centrally important in the extravasation and migration of T lymphocytes to sites of tissue injury. We also found a complete absence of interstitial cell infiltrates, together with a positive glomerular IgG lineal deposition pattern, when anti-GBM Abs were passively transferred to rats pretreated with anti-alpha 4 mAb, thus indicating an independent role of alpha 4 integrin in both extravasation of immune cells and production of autoantibodies. Furthermore, these in vivo findings provide preliminary evidence for the participation of the VLA-4 integrin in mediating the intercellular interaction of leukocytes regulating the production of Abs, most likely through the existence of additional yet unknown ligand(s).

Antibody to very late activation antigen 4 prevents antigen-induced bronchial hyperreactivity and cellular infiltration in the guinea pig airways

This report examines the effect of an anti-VLA-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) HP1/2 on antigen-induced bronchial hyperreactivity to methacholine, and on eosinophil and T lymphocyte infiltration in the airways of guinea pigs sensitized and challenged by aerosolized ovalbumin and used 24 h thereafter. The intravenous administration of 2.5 mg/kg of HP1/2, but not of its isotype-matched mAb 1E6, 1 h before and 4 h after antigen inhalation, markedly inhibited the increased bronchopulmonary responses to intravenous methacholine, as well as airway eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and in bronchial tissue. HP1/2 also suppressed the antigen-induced infiltration of the bronchial wall by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, identified by immunohistochemical technique using specific mAbs that recognize antigenic epitopes of guinea pig T cells. Treatment with HP1/2 also resulted in a significant increase in the number of blood eosinophils, suggesting that inhibition by anti-VLA-4 mAb of eosinophil recruitment to the alveolar compartment may partially account for their accumulation in the circulation. These findings indicate that eosinophil and lymphocyte adhesion and subsequent infiltration into the guinea pig airways that follow antigen challenge are mediated by VLA-4. Furthermore, concomitant inhibition of antigen-induced bronchial hyperreactivity and of cellular infiltration by anti-VLA-4 mAb suggests a relationship between airway inflammation and modifications in the bronchopulmonary function.

Phenotypic and functional activation of monocytes in HIV-1 infection: interactions with neural cells

To investigate mechanisms that facilitate transendothelial migration of HIV-infected leukocytes and their interactions with neural tissues early in the disease, we studied peripheral blood from Centers for Disease Control class A patients. Patients' monocytes displayed increased quantities of the adhesion molecules CD11a, CD11b, and very late antigen 4 (VLA-4). Expression of these correlated directly with the numbers of monocytes that migrated through confluent endothelium. These ligands also mediated leukocyte interactions with cultured human neural cell lines. Although patients' cells bound in greater numbers, there was no evidence of target cell injury. To evaluate the direct effect of HIV-1 on monocyte neuroadhesion, we compared infected with uninfected monocytoid (U-937,THP-1) and T lymphoblastoid (MT-4) cell lines. HIV infection increased the neuroadhesiveness of monocytoid lines only. By using lines with more than 95% HIV-infected cells, we demonstrated that HIV-1 gp120 participates with lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 and VLA-4 to mediate monocyte-neural cell interactions.

Augmentation of stimulated eosinophil degranulation by VLA-4 (CD49d)-mediated adhesion to fibronectin

We examined the effect of VLA-4-mediated adhesion to purified fibronectin (FN) on the stimulated release of the granular protein, eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), in human peripheral blood eosinophils. In initial studies, optimal time-course and concentration-effect relationships were determined; eosinophil adhesion to FN-coated styrene plates was maximal in wells coated with 10 micrograms/ml FN after incubation in the wells for 60 min (17,097 +/- 3,670 adherent eosinophils/well versus 6,789 +/- 925 adherent eosinophils/well in control wells; P < 0.005). Treatment of eosinophils with 10(-8) to 10(-6) M formylmethionylleucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) + 5 micrograms/ml cytochalasin B (CYTB) caused a concentration-dependent increase in EPO release, which was augmented by preincubation of eosinophils for 120 min in FN-coated (10 micrograms/ml) styrene wells versus eosinophils preincubated in control wells. At 10(-6) M FMLP+CYTB, initial adhesion to FN for 120 min caused an increase in the secretion of EPO from 367 +/- 26 to 485 +/- 25 ng/10(6) eosinophils (P = 0.0001). Treatment of eosinophils during incubation in FN-coated wells with the anti-VLA-4 monoclonal antibody HP2/1 attenuated stimulated EPO secretion caused by 10(-6) M FMLP+CYTB from 497 +/- 40 to 285 +/- 26 ng/10(6) eosinophils (P < 0.02). Similarly, treatment with HP2/1 caused a decrease in eosinophil adhesion to FN-coated styrene from 12,693 +/- 1,866 to 6,206 +/- 852 adherent cells/FN-coated well (P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prolonged impairment of very late activating antigen-mediated T cell proliferation via the CD3 pathway after T cell-depleted allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

One of the major obstacles in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) is prolonged T cell dysfunction resulting in a variety of infectious complications in the months to years after hematologic engraftment. We previously showed that immobilized extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as fibronectin (FN), the CS-1 domain of FN, or collagen (CO) acted synergistically with immobilized anti-CD3 to induce T cell proliferation. In addition, the comitogenic effect of ECMs could be mimicked by immobilized mAb reactive with a common beta 1 chain (CD29) of very late activating (VLA) antigens which include ECM receptors. Since the interaction of T cells with ECMs appears to play an important role in the process of T cell reconstitution following allo-BMT, we examined the expression of VLA antigens (alpha 1-alpha 6, beta 1) and their functional roles in CD3-mediated T cell proliferation at various times after T cell depleted allo-BMT. VLA beta 1 as well as VLA alpha 4, alpha 5, and alpha 6 expression was lower than normal controls during the first 3 mo after allo-BMT and auto-BMT, whereas these expressions returned to normal levels by 4 mo after allo-BMT and auto-BMT. Although alpha 1 and alpha 2 were not expressed on lymphocytes from normal controls, these antigens were expressed on lymphocytes at the detectable levels (5-15%) from patients after allo-BMT and auto-BMT. Both CD29 and CD3 were expressed at normal levels on lymphocytes from patients > 3 mo after allo-BMT, whereas T cell interaction with ECM through VLA proteins or crosslinking of VLA beta 1 expressed by T cells with anti-CD29 mAb results in poor induction of CD3-mediated T cell proliferation for a prolonged period (> 1 yr) after allo-BMT. In contrast, T cell proliferation induced by crosslinking of anti-CD2 or anti-CD26 with anti-CD3 was almost fully recovered by 1 yr post-allo-BMT. After autologous BMT, impaired VLA-mediated T cell proliferation via the CD3 pathway after auto-BMT returned to normal levels within 1 yr despite no significant difference in CD3 and CD29 expression following either allo- or auto-BMT. The adhesion of T cells from post-allo-BMT patients to FN-coated plate was normal or increased compared to that of normal controls. Moreover, the induction of the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp105 protein by the ligation of VLA molecules was not impaired in allo-BMT patients. These results suggest that there are some other defects in the process of VLA-mediated signal transduction in such patients. Our results imply that disturbance of VLA function could explain, at least in part, the persistent immunoincompetent state after allo-BMT and may be involved in susceptibility to opportunistic infections after allo-BMT.

In vivo evidence of the role of alpha 4 beta 1-VCAM-1 interaction in sarcoma, but not in carcinoma extravasation

Tumor-cell invasion can occur via either lymphatics or blood vessels. When in the blood circulation, tumor cells have to adhere to endothelium lining the blood vessels before they can extravasate. Several families of adhesion molecules have been recognized: selectins and their oligosaccharide-containing ligands and integrins and their counter-receptors belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Besides their essential role in leukocyte extravasation, these adhesion molecules have been proposed by vitro experiments to be involved in tumor-cell invasion by facilitating the adhesion of malignant cells to endothelium leading to extravasation and metastasis. We have previously shown that, in vitro, several sarcoma cell lines adhere strongly to cultured endothelial cells via alpha 4 beta 1-VCAM-1 interaction. Here we show that sarcoma cells, especially in the metastatic lesions, were strongly alpha 4 beta 1 positive but did not express alpha 4 beta 7, which is another receptor for VCAM-I. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the capillary endothelium within metastatic sarcoma lesions reacted strongly with anti-VCAM-I antibody and very often the alpha 4 beta 1-expressing sarcoma cells were localized in the close vicinity of VCAM-I-expressing vessels. As control material we analyzed carcinoma specimens, but could not detect any alpha 4-integrin expression on malignant cells even though the endothelial cells were often VCAM-I positive. These results suggest that carcinomas do not use alpha 4 beta 1-VCAM-I in extravasation and, taken together, provide circumstantial evidence that in vitro findings of alpha 4 beta1-VCAM-I-dependent sarcoma cell adhesion to endothelium can be extended to in vivo situations.

Functional role of VLA-1 (CD49A) in adhesion, cation-dependent spreading, and activation of cultured human T lymphocytes

The functions of VLA-1 (CD49a, alpha 1 beta 1 integrin), a potential ECM protein receptor on activated human T lymphocytes in vivo, were investigated. Within a panel of 25 long-term cultured IL-2-dependent T cell lines, tau delta and CD8+ alpha beta cells expressed significantly higher levels of alpha 1 beta 1 than CD4+ alpha beta cells. While VLA-1-high tau delta or CD8+ cells adhered to plastic wells coated with collagen IV, collagen I, or fibronectin, moAb 1B3.1 to VLA-1 only inhibited the adherence to collagen IV. tau delta and CD8+ VLA-1-high T cells layered upon collagen IV in the presence of Mg2+ also spread elongated cytoplasmic extensions, which were abrogated by moAb 1B3.1. In contrast, spreading on fibronectin or spontaneous non-ECM-related spreading were not inhibited. Crosslinking of surface VLA-1 molecules with plastic-bound moAb 1B3.1 selectively induced expression of IL-2R on two of six VLA-1+ clones, both of which expressed tau delta TCR. Thus, CD49a is a specific collagen IV receptor in VLA-1-high tau delta and CD8+ alpha beta cells and can transmit signals to these lymphocytes to spread and express IL-2R.

Involvement of adhesion molecules in human monocyte adhesion to and transmigration through endothelial cells in vitro

Although the accumulation of monocyte-derived foam cells in the subendothelium is a key step in early atherogenesis, the mechanism responsible for monocyte adhesion to and subsequent transmigration through endothelial cells (ECs) has not been defined fully. We investigated the kinetics and the role played by adhesion molecules in the adhesion and transmigration of human monocytes using an in vitro three-dimensional model system comprising ECs cultured on collagen gels. Monocyte adhesion to untreated EC layers increased with time, reached a maximum after 3 h, and then declined. Monocyte transmigration through untreated EC layers also increased with time and reached a plateau after 3-4 h. Prestimulation of ECs with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta; 25 U/ml) for 4 h enhanced monocyte adhesion (40.7 +/- 1.4%) and transmigration (37.9 +/- 1.6%) significantly compared with the value for untreated EC layers. In unstimulated EC layers, anti-leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) plus anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) inhibited monocyte adhesion and transmigration significantly by 19% and 20%, respectively, whereas anti-very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) plus anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mAbs did not. In IL-1 beta-stimulated EC layers, anti-LFA 1 plus anti-ICAM-1 mAbs inhibited the adhesion and transmigration by 32% and 30%, respectively and anti-VLA-4 plus anti-VCAM-1 mAbs did so by 18% and 27%, respectively. These results suggest that the monocyte-EC interaction in unstimulated ECs is mediated, in part, by the LFA-1-ICAM-1 pathway and in IL-1 beta-stimulated ECs, in part, by both LFA-1-ICAM-1 and VLA-4-VCAM-1 pathways.

Involvement of very late activation antigen 4 (VLA-4) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) in tumor necrosis factor alpha enhancement of experimental metastasis

In this study, we examined the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on pulmonary metastasis of murine melanoma B16-BL6 by focusing on the intercellular adhesion molecules involved in the metastatic process. TNF-alpha administration before B16-BL6 inoculation significantly enhanced the experimental pulmonary metastasis. The enhancement was seen when TNF-alpha was administered 4 h, but not 24 h, before B16-BL6 inoculation. Administration of 50-5000 units of TNF-alpha increased the number of metastatic lung colonies in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated a high expression of very late activation antigen 4 (VLA-4) on the surface of B16-BL6 cells. Immunoperoxidase staining demonstrated that a ligand for VLA-4, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, was expressed on lung vascular endothelium 4 h after administration of TNF-alpha. Pretreatment of B16-BL6 cells with an anti-VLA-4 monoclonal antibody abolished the TNF-alpha-enhanced pulmonary lung colonies. Administration of an anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 monoclonal antibody also abolished the enhancement. These results indicate that the interaction between VLA-4 on tumor cells and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 on activated endothelial cells is critically involved in TNF-alpha enhancement of metastasis.

Functional regulation of the human integrin VLA-1 (CD49a/CD29) by divalent cations and stimulatory beta 1 antibodies

We have investigated the regulation by divalent cations Mg2+, Ca2+ and Mn2+ of the functional activity of the human integrin VLA-1 expressed on neuroblastoma NB100 cells. VLA-1-mediated adhesion of NB100 cells to ligand collagen type I was supported by either mM concentrations of extracellular Mg2+ or microM levels of Mn2+. In contrast, Ca2+ alone did not induce activation of VLA-1 but exerted a potent inhibitory effect on the Mg(2+)-supported cell adhesion. We have also demonstrated that VLA-1 can be directly activated by the stimulatory monoclonal antibody TS2/16 specific for the integrin beta 1 subunit, resulting in effective adhesion of NB100 cells to type I collagen. This study has been possible by using a novel blocking VLA-alpha 1 specific monoclonal antibody, 5E8D9.

Lymphocyte adhesion to brain capillary endothelial cells in vitro

The presence and upregulation of adhesion molecules on bovine brain endothelial cells (BBEC) were investigated. Monolayers of BBEC were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-1 beta (rhIL-1 beta), and interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) to simulate in vitro an inflammatory site in the cerebral capillaries. Adhesion of lymphocytes to BBEC increased 4.1-fold after stimulation of the endothelial cells for 4 h with 5 or 10 ng/ml LPS. Lymphocyte adhesion increased after incubation of the BBEC for 4 h with IL-1 and was increased 3.7-fold using 100 ng/ml IL-1. BBEC pre-incubated with IL-6 for 4 h also showed an increase in adhesion of lymphocytes, and cells pretreated with 100 ng/ml IL-6 showed a 3-fold increase in lymphocyte adherence. Specific monoclonal antibodies directed against CD11a, CD18, and VLA-4 were able to block adherence of lymphocytes to stimulated BBEC. These results indicate that the in vitro activation of BBEC may serve as a model for the study of inflammation of the blood-brain barrier.

Inhibition of T cell activation by the extracellular matrix protein tenascin

Tenascin (TN) is an extracellular matrix protein that is expressed widely in the fetus and sparingly in the adult, but reappears at high levels in certain areas of tissue insult such as tumor matrices and sites of wound healing. We show here that soluble TN inhibits proliferation of human T cells in response to alpha CD3 Ab co-immobilized with the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN). TN also inhibits proliferation driven by alpha CD3/IL-2 or by phorbol ester/IL-2, and it prevents high level induction of IL-2R. The presence of TN in culture medium does not detectably alter the pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation resulting from T cell triggering with alpha CD3, but at later time points prevents the appearance of functional NF-AT1 transcription factor complexes in T cell nuclear extracts. These findings are consistent with the postulated role for TN as a natural antagonist to FN action, and suggest that T cell responses occurring at tissue sites in which TN is expressed could be influenced by its presence.

Differential effects of interleukin 1-alpha (IL-1 alpha) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on motility of human melanoma cell lines on fibronectin

Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induce a motogenic response in a number of benign and malignant cells. We examined the chemokinetic effects of these cytokines on the cell migration of four melanoma cell lines on fibronectin using modified Boyden chambers and video-time lapse analysis. Flow cytometry analysis of IL-1 receptors, TNF receptors, and shifts in beta 1 integrin expression were correlated with the effects of these cytokines on cell migration on fibronectin. The four melanoma cell lines exhibited heterogeneous expression of types I and II IL-1 receptors as well as p60 TNF receptors. Scant p80 TNF receptor expression was detected on only one cell line. Three of four melanoma cell lines demonstrated type I IL-1 receptors by Western blotting. IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha induced heterogeneous modulation of beta 1 integrin expression in the four melanoma cell lines tested; downward shift of the alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 4, and beta 1 integrin subunits was detected among three of the melanoma cell lines as were upward shifts of the alpha 4, alpha 5, and alpha 6 integrin subunits among three of the melanoma cell lines. IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha induced enhanced migration on fibronectin in one of the melanoma cell lines and were related to an upward shift in the alpha 4 and alpha 5 integrin subunit expression. Taken together, the findings indicate that expression of a particular receptor for IL-1 or TNF does not necessarily signal a motogenic response in melanoma cells, but induces heterogeneous shifts in beta 1 integrin expression. However, upregulation in alpha 4 and alpha 5 integrin subunits appears to relate to enhanced migration on fibronectin.

Induction of programmed cell death in human hematopoietic cell lines by fibronectin via its interaction with very late antigen 5

Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules such as fibronectin (FN), collagens, and laminin have important roles in hematopoiesis. However, little is known about the precise mechanisms by which ECM molecules regulate proliferation of human hematopoietic progenitor cells. In this study, we have investigated the effects of ECM molecules, particularly of FN, on the proliferation of a myeloid leukemia cell line, M07E, which proliferates in response to either human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or stem cell factor (SCF). The [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell enumeration assays showed that FN strikingly inhibited GM-CSF- or SCF-induced proliferation of M07E cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas little or no inhibition was induced by collagen types I and IV. The growth suppression of M07E cells was not due to the inhibitory effect of FN on ligand binding or very early events in the signal transduction pathways from the GM-CSF or SCF receptors. DNA content analysis using flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide revealed that the treatment of M07E cells with FN did not block the entry of the cells into the cell cycle after stimulation with GM-CSF or SCF, whereas the treatment resulted in the appearance of subdiploid peak. Furthermore, FN was found to induce oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation in the cells even in the presence of GM-CSF or SCF, suggesting the involvement of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the FN-induced growth suppression. The growth suppression or apoptosis induced by FN was rescued by the addition of either anti-FN antibody, anti-very late antigen 5 monoclonal antibody (anti-VLA5 mAb), or GRGDSP peptide, but not by that of anti-VLA4 mAb or GRGESP peptide, suggesting that the FN effects on M07E cells were mediated through VLA5. In addition, the FN-induced apoptosis was detectable in VLA5-positive human hematopoietic cell lines other than M07E cells, but not in any of the VLA5-negative cell lines. These results suggest that FN is capable of inducing apoptosis via its interaction with VLA5, and also raise the possibility that the FN-VLA5 interaction may contribute, at least in part, to negative regulation of hematopoiesis.

The mouse VLA-2 homologue supports collagen and laminin adhesion but not virus binding

Human VLA-2 (alpha 2 beta 1) mediates cellular adhesion to collagen and laminin and cell attachment by the human pathogen echovirus 1. We report here the cloning, sequencing and functional expression of the mouse VLA-2 alpha subunit homologue. This integrin subunit is closely related to its human counterpart, with 84% amino acid identity between the human and murine proteins. Conserved structural features include an identical number of amino acids, the presence of an I domain, and identity in the number and position of N-linked glycosylation sites and putative divalent cation binding regions. Murine and human alpha 2 show 30% amino acid divergence within the cytoplasmic tail, a difference that can be detected with antisera directed against the C-terminal peptides. Functionally, mouse alpha 2 was capable of mediating cell attachment to collagen and laminin, and responded to both intra- and extracellular signals with changes in its ligand affinity. In contrast, unlike its human homologue, mouse alpha 2 did not promote binding of echovirus 1. Comparison of the primary structure of the homologues leads us to predict that echovirus 1 may bind in the region of the first two thirds of the human alpha 2 I domain, where the sequences are most divergent, whereas more conserved flanking regions, and the conserved terminal one third of the I domain, may be involved in adhesion to collagen and laminin.

Roles for integrin very late activation antigen-4 in stroma-dependent erythropoiesis

Adhesion molecules are required for development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the respective hematopoietic microenvironments. We previously showed that development of the erythroid progenitor cells is dependent on their direct adhesion to the stroma cells established from the erythropoietic organs. In this stroma-dependent erythropoiesis, we examined the role of adhesion molecules in erythropoiesis by blocking antibodies. The development of the erythroid cells on stroma cells was inhibited by anti-very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4 integrin) antibody, but not by anti-VLA-5 antibody, although the erythroid cells express both VLA-4 and VLA-5. Whereas high levels of expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and fibronectin, ligands for VLA-4, were detected in the stroma cells, the adhesion and development of the erythroid progenitor cells were partly inhibited by the blocking antibody against VCAM-1. VLA-5 and fibronectin could mediate adhesion of the erythroid progenitor cells to the stromal cells, but the adhesion itself may not be sufficient for the stroma-supported erythropoiesis. The stromal cells may support erythroid development by the adhesion through a new ligand molecule(s) for VLA-4 in addition to VCAM-1, and such collaborative interaction may provide adequate signaling for the erythroid progenitor cells in the erythropoietic microenvironment.

The role of the leukocyte adhesion molecules VLA-4, LFA-1, and Mac-1 in allergic airway responses in the rat

Chronic airway inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The leukocyte adhesion molecules VLA-4 of the beta 1 integrin family, and LFA-1 and Mac-1 of the beta 2 family have a demonstrated role in leukocyte-endothelial adherence and may play a role in airway inflammation in asthma. We studied the effects of blocking VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29) and both LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) airway responses and inflammation in rats. BN rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OA) subcutaneously and were challenged 14 d later with aerosolized OA. Twelve rats were treated prior to challenge with anti-rat VLA-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb), 10 rats received both anti-LFA-1 and anti-Mac-1 mAb, and 14 rats received a control mAb. The pulmonary resistance (RL) was measured for 8 h after challenge. The inflammatory response was evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and by measuring the lung and airway inflammatory cells retrieved by enzymative dispersion. The early response was significantly decreased in both the anti-VLA-4 group (131% baseline RL) and the anti-LFA-1/Mac-1 group (118%; p < 0.05) compared with the control group (202%). The late response was also significantly decreased in both the anti-VLA-4 (3.7) and anti-LFA-1/Mac-1 (2.6) groups compared with the control group (19.7). The significant differences in bronchoalveolar lavage were a decrease in neutrophils in the LFA-1/Mac-1 group and an increase in macrophages in the anti-VLA-4 group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adhesion through the LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18)-ICAM-1 (CD54) and the VLA-4 (CD49d)-VCAM-1 (CD106) pathways prevents apoptosis of germinal center B cells

In the germinal center (GC), B cells are either selected to become memory cells or are eliminated through the process of programmed cell death. FDC which are intimately associated with the GC B cells are thought to be important in this selection process. Previously, we have shown that the LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18)-ICAM-1 (CD54) and VLA-4 (CD49d)-VCAM-1 (CD106) adhesion pathways are involved in FDC-B cell interaction. In the present study, we have explored whether these adhesive interactions contribute to the process of B cell selection by studying the effects on apoptosis of GC B cells. Using FDC and B cells derived from human tonsils, we found that only B cells adherent to FDC remain viable: disruption of FDC-B-cell clusters with mAb against LFA-1 alpha (CD11a), VLA-4 (CD49d), ICAM-1 (CD54), or VCAM-1 (CD106) results in apoptosis of the B cells. Furthermore, we found that GC B cells, upon adhesion to plastic-coated purified ICAM-1 (CD54) or VCAM-1 (CD106), show diminished apoptosis. Importantly, we observed that, at low concentration, ICAM-1 (CD54) and VCAM-1 (CD106) act synergistically with anti-IgM, in inhibiting apoptosis. Together, our data strongly suggest that adhesion of B cells via the LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18)-ICAM-1 (CD54) pathway and VLA-4 (CD49d)-VCAM-1 (CD106) pathway contributes to B cell selection.

The heat-stable antigen can alter very late antigen 4-mediated adhesion

The integrin very late antigen, (VLA-4) alpha 4 beta 1 and its counter receptor vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) are involved in B cell maturation and pre-B cell attachment to bone marrow stroma cells. We have analyzed whether heat-stable antigen (HSA), a marker for immature leukocytes, is involved in such cell adhesion phenomena. HSA is a glycolipid-anchored, highly glycosylated surface protein differentially expressed on cells during the maturation of both the hematopoietic and nervous systems. We found that pre-B cells lacking HSA (due to targeted disruption of both alleles) can still bind via VLA-4 to tumor necrosis factor alpha-stimulated endothelioma cells. This binding, however, cannot be blocked by an anti-VCAM-1 antibody. Restoration of HSA expression restores the inhibitable VCAM-1 binding. We also found that pre-B cells lacking HSA did not bind to the FN40 fragment of fibronectin but reexpression of HSA restored VLA-4-mediated binding to fibronectin. Thus, expression of HSA on pre-B cells modifies the binding specificity of VLA-4 for two known ligands.

Cell-cell interactions that regulate the development of B-lineage cells

Significant progress has been made recently in our understanding of the functions of lymphocyte-associated surface proteins. The latest developments involve the identification of ligands or co-receptors for many of these surface proteins. The signal transduction mechanisms utilized by these molecules are also beginning to be elucidated.

The pathogenesis of adoptive murine autoimmune diabetes requires an interaction between alpha 4-integrins and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1

An adoptive transfer model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the nonobese diabetic mouse was used to examine the roles of alpha 4-integrin, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1); and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes. Antibodies specific for both alpha 4-integrin and one of its ligands, VCAM-1, were able to delay onset of diabetes and decrease the incidence of the disease in adoptive transfer studies. This blocking of disease was accompanied by a marked decrease in lymphocytic infiltration of the islets of Langerhans. Furthermore, these antibodies preferentially block entrance of CD4 T cells into the tissue. Antibodies specific for ICAM-1 had little effect on the onset or incidence of IDDM. Thus, we conclude that an alpha 4-integrin-VCAM-1 interaction is important in T cell entry into the islets of Langerhans and in the pathogenesis of IDDM. In addition, the cascade of events leading to T cell transit across endothelium may be different for CD4 and CD8 cells, and may differ depending on the endothelium involved. Our results support the more general conclusion that an alpha 4-integrin-VCAM-1 interaction may be crucial in allowing activated effector CD4T cells to leave the blood and enter tissue to clear infection.

Protection against adoptive transfer of autoimmune diabetes mediated through very late antigen-4 integrin

The very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) integrin expressed on the surface of lymphocytes and macrophages can regulate their migration to inflammatory sites as well as control cellular activation. The role of VLA-4 in the establishment of autoimmune diabetes is not easily predicted given the multiplicity of adhesion pathways and their differential use by various cell types. The contribution of VLA-4 to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was investigated by administration of VLA-4-specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) in an adoptive transfer model of disease in NOD mice. This study shows that VLA-4-specific MoAbs profoundly inhibit the development of diabetes with protection sustained by repeated MoAb exposure. Insulitis was completely inhibited during treatment and progressed to a severe degree once MoAb treatment was suspended, yet approximately 40% of treated recipients failed to become diabetic during 1-2 months post-treatment. Although we cannot rule out depletion of a relatively minor subpopulation of cells by prolonged anti-VLA-4 MoAb exposure, this inhibition of diabetes onset by treatment with MoAbs to VLA-4 supports a dependence on VLA-4 for cellular functions leading to diabetes and demonstrates that a significant disease modifying effect can be mediated by targeting the VLA-4 integrin.

Morphological aspects of LFA-1/ICAM-1 and VLA4/VCAM-1 adhesion pathways in human lymph nodes

Monoclonal antibodies specific for the adhesion molecules participating in lymphocyte homing, lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) and very late antigen 4 (VLA4), and their respective ligands, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), were used to characterize their expression pattern in human lymph nodes by immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic techniques. The location of LFA-1-positive lymphocytes and selective expression of ICAM-1 on the luminal plasma membrane of high endothelial venule endothelium suggested that the LFA-1/ICAM-1 adhesion pathway participates only in the initial step of the lymphocyte migration process. Lymphocytes passing through endothelium appear not to be influenced by this pathway. VCAM-1 was detected occasionally on the endothelium of high endothelial venules in the hyperplastic lymph nodes in the mesentery, but not in peripheral lymph nodes. VLA4-positive lymphocytes tended to be more frequently observed within high endothelial venules in mesenteric lymph nodes than in peripheral ones. Strong expression of both ligands, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, was noted on the plasma membrane of follicular dendritic cells, and was especially prominent on their labyrinthine folding, and on the interdigitating cells in the paracortex. Furthermore, both LFA-1- and VLA4-positive lymphocytes localized around these cells. This suggests that LFA-1/ICAM-1 and VLA4/VCAM-1 adhesion pathways play an important role in the lymphocyte recognition of antigen-presenting cells.

Role of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1/very late activation antigen 4 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1/lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 interactions in antigen-induced eosinophil and T cell recruitment into the tissue

To determine the role of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1)/very late activation antigen 4 (VLA-4) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)/lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) interactions in causing antigen-induced eosinophil and T cell recruitment into the tissue, we studied the effect of the in vivo blocking of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, VLA-4, and LFA-1 by pretreatment with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to these four adhesion molecules on the eosinophil and T cell infiltration of the trachea induced by antigen inhalation in mice. The in vivo blocking of VCAM-1 and VLA-4, but not of ICAM-1 and LFA-1, prevented antigen-induced eosinophil infiltration into the mouse trachea. On the contrary, the in vivo blocking of VCAM-1 and VLA-4, but not of ICAM-1 and LFA-1, increased blood eosinophil counts after antigen challenge, but did not affect blood eosinophil counts without antigen challenge in sensitized mice. Furthermore, the expression of VCAM-1 but not ICAM-1 was strongly induced on the endothelium of the trachea after antigen challenge. In addition, pretreatment with anti-IL-4 mAb decreased the antigen-induced VCAM-1 expression only by 27% and had no significant effect on antigen-induced eosinophil infiltration into the trachea. The in vivo blocking of VCAM-1 and VLA-4 inhibited antigen-induced CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration into the trachea more potently than that of ICAM-1 and LFA-1. In contrast, regardless of antigen challenge, the in vivo blocking of LFA-1, but not of ICAM-1, increased blood lymphocyte counts more than that of VCAM-1 and VLA-4. These results indicate that VCAM-1/VLA-4 interaction plays a predominant role in controlling antigen-induced eosinophil and T cell recruitment into the tissue and that the induction of VCAM-1 expression on the endothelium at the site of allergic inflammation regulates this eosinophil and T cell recruitment.

Adhesion molecules utilized in binding of intraepithelial lymphocytes to human enterocytes

The expression of adhesion molecules by human duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) was examined by two-color flow cytometry. Resting IEL expressed LFA-1, HML-1, CD44. Stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) resulted in down-regulation of expression of these molecules with induction of expression of ICAM-1 and VLA-4. VLA-4 expression was also found on non-activated IEL from patients with celiac disease. In addition, IEL expressed an antigen recognized by a novel monoclonal antibody D2.1. The molecular mass of D2.1 is heterogeneous: 82 kDa in peripheral blood lymphocytes and 44 kDa in an IEL line. Expression of this antigen was also up-regulated by PHA. To determine the involvement of these antigens in binding of IEL to human enterocytes, we developed a system based on adherence of an IEL cell line to the I407 fetal intestinal cell line. Monoclonal antibodies VLA-4, D2.1 and to a lesser extent ICAM-1 blocked adherence of IEL to I407 cells. These data suggest that VLA-4 and D2.1 may be involved in adherence of IEL to human enterocytes or secreted matrix molecules in vivo.