Interleukin 1 stimulates its own receptor expression on human fibroblasts through the endogenous production of prostaglandin(s)

Culture of human dermal fibroblasts in collagen gels: modulation of interleukin 1-induced prostaglandin E2 synthesis by an extracellular matrix

Human dermal fibroblasts, cultured as suspensions in collagen gels and as monolayers, were stimulated with recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (rIL 1 beta) at 72 h, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was assayed 24 h later. Fibroblasts in gels were less responsive to rIL 1 beta than monolayers, PGE2 synthesis increasing from less than 1 ng/microgram DNA without rIL 1 beta to maxima of 11.3 and 32.9 ng/micrograms DNA, with half maximal release occurring at 7.47 and 0.75 pM rIL 1 beta for the gel and monolayer cultures, respectively. Increased PGE2 was first detected 4 h after addition of rIL 1 beta to gels and was inhibited by 10(-5) M indomethacin. The amount of PGE2 synthesized per fibroblast increased with the time the gels had been in culture when stimulated with rIL 1 beta and was proportional to the number of fibroblasts in the gels, but inversely related to the collagen concentration. A common feature of these experiments was significantly greater induction of PGE2 synthesis at higher cell densities in collagen gels. Exogenous 10(-4) M arachidonic acid further increased PGE2 synthesis by rIL 1 beta-stimulated fibroblasts, but the differential in the amount of PGE2 released from fibroblasts at high and low population densities in the gels was maintained. These results are consistent with interleukin 1 (IL 1) stimulating PGE2 synthesis in dermal fibroblasts by increasing cyclooxygenase activity. Furthermore, the results show that dermal fibroblasts have an additional regulatory mechanism, related to the cell population densities or their interactions with an extracellular matrix, to finely modulate the amount of PGE2 synthesized in response to IL 1.

Interleukin-1 inhibits PGE2 binding to macrophage-like P388D1 cells by a cyclic AMP-independent process

The interaction between interleukin IL-1 alpha and PGE2 on P388D1 cells has been investigated. Preincubation of murine macrophage-like cells, P388D1, with IL-1 alpha (0-73 pM) reduced the binding of PGE2 to these cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Scatchard analysis showed that IL-1 alpha decreased the PGE2 binding by lowering both the high and low affinity receptor binding capacities (from 0.31 +/- 0.02 to 0.12 +/- 0.01 fmol/10(6) cells for the high affinity receptor binding sites and from 2.41 +/- 0.12 to 1.51 +/- 0.21 fmol/10(6) cells for the low affinity receptor binding sites). However, the dissociation constants of the receptors of the IL-1 alpha-treated cells remained unchanged. Inhibition of PGE2 binding by IL-1 alpha did not involve changes in either protein phosphorylation or intracellular cyclic AMP levels. Our data clearly show that IL-1 alpha inhibits the binding of PGE2 to monocytes/macrophages and may thereby counter the immunosuppressive actions of PGE2.

In vitro and in vivo interleukin-8 production in human renal cortical epithelia

The signals resulting in leukocytes infiltrating the tubulointerstitial compartment during renal inflammatory disease are not well understood. A recently described cytokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8), has been demonstrated to be chemotactic for lymphocytes and neutrophils at picomolar and nanomolar concentrations, respectively. Cytokeratin positive, renal cortical epithelial cells (RCEC) with tubular attributes were cultured from kidney tissue from six human subjects. We report that these human renal cortical epithelial cells in primary cell culture respond to either IL-1 beta, TNF or LPS in both a time- and dose-dependent manner by expressing IL-8 mRNA and secreting antigenic IL-8 peptide. In addition, RCEC were found to be strongly positive for cell-associated antigenic IL-8 peptide by immunostaining after 24 hour incubation with IL-1 beta, TNF and LPS. To ascertain whether IL-8 was present in renal disease associated with infiltrating leukocytes, we performed immunohistochemistry on renal biopsy specimens from patients with acute allograft rejection. Both proximal and distal tubular epithelial cells were found to be strongly positive for cell-associated antigenic IL-8. These findings suggest that the human renal tubule epithelial cell may actively participate in acute inflammatory processes in the kidney, including allograft rejection, by effecting and directing leukocyte chemotaxis via the production of IL-8.

IL-1 beta and prostaglandins regulate integrin mRNA expression

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of IL-1 beta on integrin expression in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. Human recombinant IL-1 beta (rIL-1 beta) produced significant increases in both alpha 2- and alpha 5-subunit mRNA levels, as well as a smaller increase in alpha v-subunit mRNA. In contrast, IL-1 beta decreased alpha 4-subunit mRNA levels by approximately 30% relative to untreated controls. These findings suggest that human IL-1 beta differentially regulates expression of integrins. When cultures were treated with both IL-1 beta and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, the expression of alpha 2-, alpha 5-, and alpha v-subunit mRNA levels were dramatically increased relative to untreated controls; co-treatment with 0.5 mM prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) partially reversed this effect. Indomethacin alone did not affect integrin mRNA levels. Treatment with IL-1 beta or IL-1 beta + indomethacin also induced significant changes in MG-63 morphology (i.e., increased cell elongation) and increased the ability of cells to contract collagen gels. PGE2 reversed the above effects on cell morphology and gel contraction. These findings indicate that (a) IL-1 beta differentially regulates the expression of integrins and (b) that PGE2, which is induced by IL-1 beta, may provide a negative feedback loop which counteracts the stimulatory effect of IL-1 beta on integrin gene expression. It is suggested that products of inflammation may affect cell behavior by differentially regulating the expression of various integrins.

Cytokines, fibrosis and the failure of glaucoma filtration surgery

Current therapies for the prevention of fibrosis after glaucoma filtering surgery can be effective but often produce unwanted side effects. An understanding of the cellular basis of the fibrotic reaction may lead to better treatments. Wound repair revolves around angiogenesis and the activation of fibroblasts by cytokines. These peptides, a number of which have been described, act together in intricately complicated networks to encourage fibroblast chemotaxis, proliferation and contractility, as well as to stimulate the production of glycosaminoglycans and collagen. Since interferons seem to inhibit many of these responses, they deserve further evaluation in the treatment of ocular fibrosis.

Oligonucleotides antisense to the interleukin 1 receptor mRNA block the effects of interleukin 1 in cultured murine and human fibroblasts and in mice

Phosphodiester and phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (18 mers) were constructed antisense to sequences of the recently cloned murine and human IL-1 receptors. Murine antisense oligonucleotides inhibited IL-1-stimulated PGE2 synthesis by murine fibroblasts in culture in a time (days) and concentration-dependent (3 microM-30 microM) fashion. Murine sense oligonucleotide and an oligonucleotide antisense to human IL-1 receptor were without effect. Moreover, murine antisense oligonucleotides did not affect tumor necrosis factor- or bradykinin-stimulated PGE2 synthesis by murine fibroblasts. Similarly, antisense oligonucleotides to the human, but not the murine, IL-1 receptor inhibited IL-1-stimulated PGE2 synthesis by cultured human fibroblasts. The attenuation of the cellular response to IL-1 caused by the antisense oligonucleotides correlated with a loss in cell surface receptors for IL-1, without any change in the number of bradykinin receptors on these cells. When antisense oligonucleotides were encapsulated in liposomes, they blocked completely the appearance of newly synthesized IL-1 receptors and IL-1-stimulated PGE2 synthesis. In mice, subcutaneous injection with an oligonucleotide antisense to the murine IL-1 receptor markedly inhibited the infiltration of neutrophils in response to subsequent injection of IL-1. These data suggest that antisense oligodeoxynucleotides may share a role in the design of antiinflammatory therapeutics.

Oxygen free radicals and human diseases

Free radicals and other reactive oxygen species are constantly formed in the human body. Many of them serve useful physiological functions, but they can be toxic when generated in excess and this toxicity is often aggravated by the presence of ions of such transition metals as iron or copper. Excess generation of reactive oxygen species within tissues can damage DNA, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. Which of these is the most important target of damage depends upon the cell type subjected to the oxidative stress and upon how it is imposed.

A new view of prostaglandin E regulation of the immune response

Prostaglandins, particularly those of the E series, are widely regarded as immunosuppressive products of eukaryotic cells that can downregulate many aspects of B- and T-cell function. In this article, Richard Phipps and colleagues present a different concept of E series prostaglandins, based on recent evidence supporting a role for prostaglandins as potentiators of immunoglobulin class switching and of the synthesis of selected cytokines and cytokine receptors.

Are cytokines involved in osteoarthritic pathophysiology?

The putative role and mechanism of action of cytokines in the progression of arthritic diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) has received particular attention because of the important interaction between articular cartilage and synovium in the pathophysiology of the diseased state. Maintaining matrix homeostasis in the normal adult cartilage phenotype requires normal turnover of matrix components, principally collagen and proteoglycan. Chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts are targeted, via specific cell-surface receptors, by cytokines like interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) to produce matrix proteases and to suppress the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycan. Thus, cytokines not only favor tissue destruction, but also inhibit tissue repair. A structurally heterogeneous group of factors capable of directly antagonizing cytokine action is described, which acts either by blocking cytokine-receptor binding, inhibiting local cytokine synthesis, or complexing the cytokine into an inactive form. Furthermore, many growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), can counteract the net effect of cytokines by stimulating the synthesis of matrix components or natural inhibitors of cartilage degrading enzymes.

Simultaneous expression and regulation of G-CSF and IL-6 mRNA in adherent human monocytes and fibroblasts

The regulation of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA was studied in human adherent monocytes in response to the protein kinase C activator, oleolyl-acetylglycerol (OAG), the calcium-ionophore A23187 and the cyclic AMP elevating agents, dibutyryl c-AMP (DBcAMP), cholera toxin and isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX). G-CSF and IL-6 transcripts were simultaneously expressed in response to OAG, A23187, DBcAMP, IBMX and cholera toxin. However, the time course demonstrated a difference; a rapid induction by OAG and A23187 and a delayed pattern by cAMP elevating agents. In addition it appeared that the induction of CSFs by DBcAMP was independent of the adherence procedure or the presence of fetal bovine serum but could be counteracted by the simultaneous addition of H8, an inhibitor of the cAMP dependent kinases. Finally, experiments were performed to study in how far comparable mechanisms operate in other cell types. Human fetal lung fibroblasts were stimulated with A23187, DBcAMP and OAG. All these agents induced simultaneous expression of G-CSF and IL-6 mRNA and secretion of proteins, indicating that different signalling pathways exist in both cell types which regulate the expression of both genes.

Interleukins 1 alpha and 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are paracrine inhibitors of human melanocyte proliferation and melanogenesis

Interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha are epidermal cytokines that produce many similar biologic effects. We have investigated the possibility that these cytokines act as regulators of melanization and proliferation of cultured normal human melanocytes (NHM). All three cytokines elicited a dose-dependent decrease in the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase after 48 h of treatment. IL-1 alpha had the greatest inhibitory effect, resulting in a 22% inhibition of tyrosinase activity at a concentration of 3 x 10(-14) M. An equivalent effect was elicited by 4 x 10(-11) M IL-6 and 10(-11) M TNF-alpha. All three cytokines also inhibited melanocyte proliferation, as measured by a decrease in the rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation and an increase in doubling time. IL-1 alpha at 6 x 10(-14) M, 6 x 10(-13) M, and 3 x 10(-12) M, TNF-alpha at 10(-10) M, 10(-9) M, and 10(-8) M, and IL-6 at 4 x 10(-10) and 1.2 x 10(-9) M produced a dose-dependent inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation. The effects of IL-1 alpha, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 were cytostatic, not cytotoxic, because melanocytes remained viable following several treatments with the cytokines. Also, melanocytes treated with IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha recovered and resumed proliferation after cessation of treatment. These effects of IL-1 alpha, IL-6 and TNF-alpha do not seem to be mediated by stimulation of eicosanoid production, because inhibition of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism by indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, did not reverse the inhibitory effects on either proliferation or tyrosinase activity of NHM. This is the first demonstration that NHM respond to epidermal cytokines, and suggests a role for paracrine and possibly autocrine regulation of melanocytes by immune modulators.

Joint occurrence of collagen mRNA containing cells and macrophages in human atherosclerotic vessels

Cells with enhanced levels of collagen type I and III mRNA were identified and localized in frozen tissue sections from samples of human atherosclerotic renal and common iliac arteries by in situ hybridization using complementary 35S-labeled RNA probes. Serial sections were immunohistochemically stained for smooth muscle cells, monocytes, and differentiated macrophages. In the fibromuscular intima and in the fibrous plaques, cells with enhanced transcriptional activity were located mainly in the vicinity of differentiated macrophages. In three patients, lack of enhanced transcriptional activity in a proliferated intima was connected with complete absence of macrophages, thus indicating a quiescent stage of atherosclerosis. Immunohistochemical staining of serial sections for smooth muscle cells (SMC) revealed the presence of this cell type throughout the proliferated intima in atherosclerotic arteries including those areas in which enhanced collagen mRNAs were detected. The present results support the idea that macrophages play an important role in the activation of collagen synthesis in SMC of atherosclerotic vessel walls.

Interleukin-1: biology, pathophysiology, and clinical prospects

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a cytokine with multiple biologic activities. Since its first description in 1972, significant work has been done, leading to an understanding of the biology of IL-1, which plays a central role in many important functions of the immune system. The biologic activities of IL-1 make it an attractive factor for use in clinical oncology, both as an antitumor agent and for the hematologic recovery of cancer patients receiving other forms of therapy. In this review the biologic effects of IL-1 are summarized. The possible involvement of IL-1 in the pathogenesis of some diseases is reviewed. Future prospects for the use of IL-1 in the treatment of malignancies are discussed.

Interleukin-6 production by tumor necrosis factor and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rat renal cells

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced by various cell types, including monocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. IL-6 has also been detected in the urine of normal and renal transplant patients. Thus, the possible production of this cytokine by glomeruli and mesangial cells was investigated. Rat glomeruli were obtained by serial sieving of cortical homogenates of blood-free kidneys. Mesangial cells were obtained from the glomeruli and cultured under standard methods in RPMI 1640 medium containing 15% fetal calf serum. Glomeruli or confluent monolayers cells were then incubated in RPMI 1640 for 18 hr, in the presence or not of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or platelet-activating factor (PAF). IL-6 activity was measured using the IL-6-dependent cell line subclone (B 9-9) and expressed with respect to a standard curve established with recombinant IL-6. Glomeruli generate IL-6 upon TNF alpha (100 ng/ml) and LPS (1 microgram/ml), 11,500 +/- 3000 and 22,000 +/- 7500 U/ml, respectively. Nonstimulated mesangial cells produced 50 +/- 5 U/ml (mean +/- SEM, n = 4) of IL-6. TNF alpha (1 ng/ml) and LPS (1 microgram/ml) induced the production of 800 +/- 90 and 40,000 +/- 5000 U/ml, respectively (n = 4). In contrast, PAF (0.1 nM-1 microM) did not increase IL-6 production from glomeruli or mesangial cells. These results demonstrate that renal cells spontaneously generate minimal amounts of IL-6 and that this production is significantly increased by TNF alpha or LPS. A synergy between LPS and TNF alpha was induced in glomerular cells with 10 ng/ml of TNF alpha and graded concentrations of LPS. Thus, the production of IL-6 by glomerular cells and its modulation by other cytokines or endotoxins may play a role in the local immunological processes leading to immune glomerular diseases.

Interleukin 1: the first interleukin

The name 'interleukin' and the designation of interleukin 1 (IL-1) derived from the Second International Lymphokine Workshop held in Switzerland in 1979. Since then interest in the original interleukin (IL-1) has increased exponentially as measured by the numbers of publications and meetings. The main reasons for this can be seen in the accompanying centrefold. The perception of IL-1 as a biological mediator in every organ system has attracted scientists from widely different backgrounds into this area and a steady succession of important and often surprising insights into IL-1 biology has ensured that interest has been sustained at a high level. This overview of the biology of IL-1 on the tenth anniversary of its turbulent life has been compiled by Franco di Giovine and Gordon Duff. It is of necessity selective and biased towards human IL-1 and begins with some general points (mainly cautionary) as a backdrop to the centrefold.

Human fibroblasts release reactive oxygen species in response to interleukin-1 or tumour necrosis factor-alpha

Human fibroblasts in primary culture released reactive oxygen species upon stimulation with cytokines such as interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1) or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). The primary radical produced was O2.- as determined by e.s.r. spin trapping and cytochrome c reduction. In contrast to the oxidative burst in granulocytes and monocytes, radical formation took place continuously for at least 4 h. Low-level chemiluminescence was increased by stimulation with IL-1 and TNF. Spectral characteristics and tests with azide led to the conclusion that the photoemissive species were excited carbonyls and not singlet oxygen. Further, there was a liberation of ethane from the cells. Radical production and light emission were not altered by either xanthine or allopurinol, nor by azide, cyanide or rotenone. O2.- production increased in the presence of NADH or NADPH, making an NAD(P)H oxidase a likely source.

Interleukin-1 and hematopoiesis

Interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta are 17.5 kDa peptides which exert a wide variety of biological activities. Both forms of interleukin bind to a common 60-70 kDa receptor expressed by most somatic cells. One major effect of interleukin-1 is to induce the expression of other genes, including genes for other interleukins (IL-6), colony stimulating factors (GM-CSF and G-CSF) and growth factors (PDGFA) and adhesion proteins (ELAM-1, ICAM-1). In vitro, cells of the hematopoietic stroma including thymic epithelium, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, T-lymphocytes, and macrophages, are all capable of responding to interleukin-1 by expressing most of these IL-1 inducible genes. Accordingly, because interleukin-1 has no direct effect on hematopoietic progenitor cells, its major effect on hematopoiesis is to regulate the expression of hematopoietic growth factor genes by other cells. The mechanism by which interleukin-1 induces gene expression is to first induce mRNA accumulation which accounts for an increase in translation of the mRNA. The accumulation of RNA, interestingly, does not result from increased transcription of these genes but by the stabilization of the mRNA. Ordinarily, the hematopoietic growth factor gene transcripts have a very short half-life but in an interleukin-1 induced cell, the half-life of these transcripts is markedly prolonged (greater than 24 h). This particular effect of IL-1 on transcript stability likely accounts for virtually all of the hematopoietic activities of interleukin-1 including: (1) induction of growth factors; (2) synergy with other factors; (3) priming; and (4) auto-induction. Three clinical models of hematopoiesis are presented which suggest that the interleukin-1 CSF network is operative in vivo. The ability of interleukin-1 to induce the expression of hematopoietic growth factor genes as well as genes whose products regulate cellular function and traffic suggest that interleukin-1 is an essential molecular master switch for a number of cellular responses occurring in organisms facing the vicissitudes of their environment.

Prostaglandin E2 selectively increases interferon gamma receptor expression on human CD8+ lymphocytes

We previously reported that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) at a physiologic concentration (10(-8) M) and interferon gamma (IFN gamma), acting sequentially, were required for the differentiation of suppressor cells in mitogen-stimulated cultures. The present study was designed to test whether PGE2 might mediate IFN gamma-dependent effects on CD8+ cells by altering the number and/or affinity of their IFN gamma receptors. CD8+ and CD4+ cells when cultured for 18 h expressed comparable numbers of IFN gamma receptors of a single high affinity. Incubation with 10(-8) M PGE2 for 18 h, however, increased the number of IFN gamma receptors on CD8+ cells without affecting the binding affinity. Similar effects were not observed with CD4+ cells, nor when CD8+ cells were cultured in 10(-8) M PGD2. Concentrations of PGE2, which were ineffective in the induction of IFN gamma-dependent suppressor cell differentiation, also did not affect IFN gamma receptor expression on CD8+ cells. This observation of a specific stimulatory effect of PGE2 on the display of IFN gamma receptors of CD8+ cells suggests a novel mechanism for eicosanoid function through tissue-specific regulation of hormone receptors.