Identification, characterization, and homologous up-regulation of latent (cryptic) receptors for tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rat liver plasma membranes

Role of TNF-α in human female reproduction

TNF-α is a highly versatile cytokine, playing an important role in both apoptosis and inflammation, which is central to reproduction. It belongs to the Th1 type of cytokines. Thus, TNF-α is a proinflammatory cytokine and is involved during follicle development and ovulation, corpus luteum formation and regression and cyclic endometrium function. It has been postulated to be detrimental to the survival of the conceptus due to apoptosis of human primary villous trophoblast cells, leading to miscarriage. However, TNF-α may have a dual role in early pregnancy. Hormonally regulated uterine TNF-α in the mother is probably essential for trophoblast cell invasion, while increased production of TNF-α by maternal macrophages may facilitate labor. The current knowledge on the role of TNF-α and its receptors in the female reproduction is described in this review.

Sensitization by interleukin-6 of rat hepatocytes to tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) elicits hepatocyte apoptosis in toxic liver injury and is also central in hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy. In both circumstances interleukin (IL)-6 levels are also elevated. In mouse liver IL-6 attenuated Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis indicating its interference with pro-apoptotic signal chains. It was, therefore, the aim to examine the modulation by IL-6 of TNFalpha-induced apoptosis in rat hepatocytes.

METHODS

Primary rat hepatocytes were treated with IL-6 prior to induction of apoptosis with TNFalpha/actinomycin D or anti-Fas antibody M-20. Apoptosis was detected by determination of caspase-3 activation and bisbenzimide staining of condensed nuclei. Expression of TNFalpha receptors was analyzed by semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ligand binding studies with [125I]-TNFalpha.

RESULTS

IL-6 treatment doubled TNFalpha/actinomycin D-induced caspase-3 activity and significantly enhanced chromatin condensation. By contrast IL-6 inhibited Fas-induced increase in caspase-3 activity by 45% and significantly reduced chromatin condensation. IL-6 increased the mRNA level of TNF-R1 1.35-fold and augmented cell surface binding of [125I]-TNFalpha 3-fold. The latter and TNFalpha-mediated caspase activation was attenuated by prostaglandin E(2).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-6 - in contrast to its anti-apoptotic modulation of the Fas-induced pathway - exerted a pro-apoptotic effect on the TNFalpha/actinomycin D-induced apoptosis by increasing the number of TNF-R on hepatocytes.

Effect of acute alcohol administration on TNF-alpha binding to neutrophils and isolated liver plasma membranes

The mechanisms underlying the effects of alcohol (ethanol, ETOH) on host defense are poorly understood. ETOH modulation of the cytokine regulatory network is one possible way by which ETOH could alter nonspecific immune function. In this study we examined the ability of acute alcohol intoxication to alter lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha binding to neutrophils and isolated liver plasma membranes. Rats were injected intravenously with a primed constant infusion of ETOH for 7 hr to maintain blood ETOH concentration at approximately 35 mM. Four hours after the start of ETOH infusion, the animals received intravenously either sterile saline or LPS (100 micrograms/100 g body weight) and were sacrificed at the end of ETOH infusion. Blood neutrophils and liver plasma membranes were isolated, and TNF-alpha binding characteristics determined using recombinant human [125I]TNF-alpha. ETOH treatment alone induced a significant decrease (51%) of neutrophil Bmax for TNF-alpha, without affecting the cytokine binding to plasma membranes. LPS, with or without ETOH, significantly decreased (61%) neutrophil Bmax for TNF-alpha and increased (115%) its binding to liver plasma membranes. The KD values of binding to either neutrophils or liver plasma membranes were not altered by ETOH or LPS treatment of animals. By decreasing the cytokine binding to neutrophils, ETOH may impair the control exerted by TNF-alpha on cell function, thus damaging host defense.

Identification and characterization of receptors for tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the brain

Specific receptors for murine TNF have been identified in homogenates of rodent brain. These receptors are saturable and bind TNF with sufficient affinity to ensure occupancy by cytokine elaborated during infection. 125I-mTNF was detected in four specific complexes of Mr 130,000, 90,000, 66,000 and 60,000 after affinity labeling. Solubilization of brain membranes into detergent increased binding capacity 4-fold which indicates the presence of latent receptors for mTNF in the brain. Specific binding was greatest in the brainstem, least in the cerebellum and was also detected in the cortex, thalamus and basal ganglia.