Modulation of human neutrophil function by fibronectin degradation products isolated from cryoglobulins

Occurrence of C-reactive protein in cryoglobulins

A previous case report described the formation of a complex between a monoclonal IgA with cryolabile properties and C-reactive protein (CRP). Our study provides the first evidence for the frequent occurrence of CRP in cryoglobulins (Cg) of all three types according to Brouet's classification. We performed a systematic immunochemical analysis of cryoglobulins from 18 patients by Western blotting and in 15 of 18 cryoprecipitates a single band (23 KD), immunoreactive with anti-CRP antibody, was demonstrable irrespective of the clonal composition of the cryoglobulins. This band was detectable in 4/5 of type I, in 6/8 of type II, and in 5/5 of type III cryoprecipitates, classified according to Brouet et al. In addition, the complement proteins C1q and C3 were present in nearly all CRP-containing cryoglobulins, presumably reflecting previous activation of the classical complement pathway at least. All three CRP-negative cryoprecipitates were derived from sera with low cryoglobulin content (1-2 g/l). Longitudinal investigation of 23 cryoprecipitates from seven patients confirmed that successful detection of CRP by Western blotting depends on the protein concentration of the cryoglobulins. Since complexed CRP was previously shown to be an effective activator of complement, via C1q binding, CRP may modulate pathophysiologic effects mediated by cryoglobulins in vivo.

Calcium-dependent secretion in human neutrophils: a proteomic approach

Bactericidal, proteolytic and signal proteins released by activated neutrophils play a major role in infection fighting and inflammatory processes. These proteins are mainly stored in organelles called granules until induction of their controlled exocytosis. The present work deals with the characterization of the proteins which are secreted upon activation of human neutrophils by ionomycin and calcium. Proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. Almost all the previously described soluble components of neutrophil granules could be identified. Moreover, several additional proteins were shown to be secreted by activated neutrophils, namely calgranulins, human cartilage glycoprotein of 39 kDa (HC gp-39), chitotriosidase, and annexin XI. Their subcellular localization and possible functions are discussed.

p40(phox) is phosphorylated on threonine 154 and serine 315 during activation of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase. Implication of a protein kinase c-type kinase in the phosphorylation process

The superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase complex of phagocytic cells is a multicomponent system containing a membrane-bound flavocytochrome b and a small G protein Rac as well as cytosolic factors p67(phox) (phagocyte oxidase), p47(phox), and p40(phox), which translocate to the membrane upon activation. In a previous paper, we reported that p40(phox) undergoes phosphorylation on multiple sites upon stimulation of the NADPH oxidase by either phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or by formyl peptide with a time course that is strongly correlated with that of superoxide production (Fuchs, A., Bouin, A. P., Rabilloud, T., and Vignais, P. V. (1997) Eur. J. Biochem. 249, 531-539). In this study, through phosphoamino acid and tryptic peptide maps of in vivo and in vitro phosphorylated p40(phox), we show that p40(phox) is phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues during activation of the NADPH oxidase in dimethyl sulfoxide-differentiated HL60 promyelocytes as well as in isolated human neutrophils. In vitro phosphorylation studies using casein kinase II and protein kinase C (PKC) as well as the effect of various protein kinase inhibitors on the isoelectric focusing pattern of p40(phox) in whole cell lysates point to a role of a PKC type kinase in the phosphorylation of p40(phox). Directed mutagenesis of all PKC consensus sites enable us to conclude that Thr154 and Ser315 in p40(phox) are phosphorylated during activation of the NADPH oxidase.

Biochemical and immunochemical properties of B lymphocyte cytochrome b558

Like neutrophils, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized B lymphocytes express all constituents of the NADPH oxidase complex necessary to generate superoxide anion O2-. The NADPH oxidase activity in EBV-B lymphocytes is only 5% of that measured in neutrophils upon PMA stimulation. Cytochrome b558 is the sole redox membrane component of NADPH oxidase; it is the protein core around which cytosolic factors assemble in order to mediate oxidase activity. In the present study, we have compared the structural and functional properties of cytochrome b558 from EBV-B lymphocytes and neutrophils. Cytochrome b558 from EBV-B lymphocyte plasma membrane, like that from neutrophils, is characterized by a heterodimeric structure with a highly glycosylated beta subunit, known as gp91-phox. While the amount of cytochrome b558 recovered after purification from EBV-B lymphocytes (approximately 0.24 nmol from 1010 cells) was low compared to that recovered from neutrophils (approximately 10 nmol), the biochemical properties of purified cytochrome b558 from both EBV-B lymphocytes and neutrophils were quite similar with respect to their differential spectra, redox potential, and FAD binding site. Once cytochrome b558 was extracted from the EBV-B lymphocyte membrane, it was able to mediate, in a reconstituted system of O2- production the same oxidase turnover as that found for cytochrome b558 extracted from neutrophils. A comparison between membrane bound and soluble cytochrome b558 suggested that the weak oxidase activity measured in intact EBV-B cells might be the result not only of the small amount of expressed cytochrome b558, but also of a defect of the activation process in lymphocyte membrane.

Characterization of neutrophil NADPH oxidase activity reconstituted in a cell-free assay using specific monoclonal antibodies raised against cytochrome b558

The immunochemical characterization of NADPH oxidase activity of cytochrome b558 purified from human neutrophils was determined after reconstitution in a cell-free assay using the native hemoprotein and recombinant purified cytosolic activating factors. The oxidase activity showed a strict dependence on the heme content at each step of the hemoprotein purification process. The immunochemical properties of the reconstituted oxidase made use of monoclonal antibodies raised against membrane-bound and octyl-glucoside-extracted cytochrome b. From nine specific monoclonal antibodies reacting with gp91-phox cytochrome b558, two were selected, both of which were found to bind to the beta subunit of cytochrome b558 and to inhibit superoxide formation in the oxidase reconstituted cell-free assay. The extent of inhibition was dependent on the phospholipid environment. Neutrophil membrane extracts from X-linked chronic granulomatous disease patients did not produce O2- in the reconstituted system and did not bind to the antibodies.

Further characterization of the gelatinase-containing particles of human neutrophils

In addition to azurophil and specific granules, a third storage compartment is known to exist in the neutrophils. This compartment which consists of morphologically heterogeneous particles is characterized by a high specific activity in gelatinase. A gelatinase enriched fraction was prepared by subcellular fractionation of neutrophil homogenates using rate zonal centrifugation. This fraction was enriched in diamine oxidase. Among the proteins released from the neutrophils upon stimulation by formyl peptides, those belonging to the gelatinase enriched fraction were determined after removal of the proteins from specific and azurophil granules by selective immunoadsorption. Gelatinase was recovered together with tetranectin, beta 2-microglobulin and diamine oxidase in the same fraction. Differences in the kinetics of release of gelatinase and diamine oxidase versus vitamin B-12-binding protein suggest that the proteins belong to distinct subcellular structures.