Intracellular protein phosphorylation in murine peritoneal macrophages in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS): effects of kinase-inhibitors and LPS-induced tolerance

Aucubin as a natural potential anti-acute hepatitis candidate: Inhibitory potency and hepatoprotective mechanism

BACKGROUND

Hepatic inflammation can substantially impact the development of acute hepatitis. It is a pressing need to identify and exploit novel therapeutic targets as well as effective drug therapies against acute hepatitis. Aucubin (AU) is one of the main active components extracted from the leaves of Eucommia ulmoides and possesses significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, the protective effect and mechanism of AU on acute hepatitis have not been reported yet.

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the protective effect of AU on LPS-induced acute hepatitis and the mechanism of action.

METHODS

The limma package was used to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LPS-induced acute hepatitis and normal groups based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) microarray data. Network pharmacology predicted targets for AU therapy against acute hepatitis, and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of the biological processes involved in these targets. The key pathways were analyzed by protein-protein interaction, KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes), and GSEA (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis) enrichment. The important interaction targets between AU and key pathways were evaluated by molecular simulation. The in silico predicted mechanism was verified based on in vitro and in vivo experiments.

RESULTS

A total of 116 intersection targets between AU prediction targets and differentially expressed genes were identified. They were functionally involved in the imbalance of "inflammation-anti-inflammation" and "oxidation-antioxidation" systems in the process of LPS-induced cases. In vitro experiments revealed that AU reduced inflammation in LPS-induced HepG2 cells by reducing the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, as well as iNOS enzyme activity levels. In addition, LPS-induced oxidative stress can be alleviated by AU via adjusting the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), Malone dialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Protein-protein interaction and GSEA results showed that AU might exert anti-inflammatory effects mainly through the STAT3/NF-κB signal pathway. Molecular dynamics simulation as well as in vivo tests further demonstrated AU restrained nuclear transfer of NF-κB (P65), probably through reducing phosphorylation of STAT3. In addition, AU appears to reduce oxidative stress by upregulating NRF2/HO-1.

CONCLUSION

We explored potential targets and signal pathways of AU in inhibiting acute hepatitis. AU exerted anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and may be a useful candidate drug for the treatment of acute hepatitis.

LPS Tolerance Inhibits Cellular Respiration and Induces Global Changes in the Macrophage Secretome

Inflammatory response plays an essential role in the resolution of infections. However, inflammation can be detrimental to an organism and cause irreparable damage. For example, during sepsis, a cytokine storm can lead to multiple organ failures and often results in death. One of the strongest triggers of the inflammatory response is bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), acting mostly through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Paradoxically, while exposure to LPS triggers a robust inflammatory response, repeated or prolonged exposure to LPS can induce a state of endotoxin tolerance, a phenomenon where macrophages and monocytes do not respond to new endotoxin challenges, and it is often associated with secondary infections and negative outcomes. The cellular mechanisms regulating this phenomenon remain elusive. We used metabolic measurements to confirm differences in the cellular metabolism of naïve macrophages and that of macrophages responding to LPS stimulation or those in the LPS-tolerant state. In parallel, we performed an unbiased secretome survey using quantitative mass spectrometry during the induction of LPS tolerance, creating the first comprehensive secretome profile of endotoxin-tolerant cells. The secretome changes confirmed that LPS-tolerant macrophages have significantly decreased cellular metabolism and that the proteins secreted by LPS-tolerant macrophages have a strong association with cell survival, protein metabolism, and the metabolism of reactive oxygen species.

Endotoxin-induced desensitization of THP-1 cells is not associated with altered G protein binding or content

In rats endotoxin tolerance is characterized by decreased endotoxin-stimulated peritoneal macrophage arachidonic acid metabolism and decreased GTP binding protein function. The hypothesis that THP-1 cells can be altered in a similar manner by pretreatment with endotoxin was tested. These studies examined endotoxin's ability to stimulate eicosanoid and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in control and desensitized THP 1 cells. Additionally, membrane GTPγ 35S binding and Western blot analyses with specific antisera to G i1,2α, Gi3a, Gαcommon, and the β subunit of G in control and endotoxin-desensitized THP-1 cells were assessed. Endotoxin (10 μg/ml) stimulated thromboxane (Tx) B2 production in THP-1 cells. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PT), resulted in significant inhibition of TxB2 production at concentrations not inhibited by equimolar concentrations of PT-B protomer. The latter observations suggest a role of PT-sensitive G protein in endotoxin activation of THP-1 cells. Pre-exposure to endotoxin (1 μg/ml) for 18 h desensitized THP-1 cells to endotoxin-stimulated TxB2 production and endotoxin-stimulated TNFα. To determine if endotoxin pretreatment affects G protein function, THP-1 cell membranes were isolated from endotoxin pretreated and control cells for equilibrium binding with GTPγ35S, a nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP. Neither the total number of binding sites (Bmax) nor the dissociation constant (Kd) for GTPγ35S in desensitized THP-1 cells were significantly different from those of control cells. PT-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of G proteins in control and LPS-desensitized THP-1 cells demonstrated no difference in the quantity of G protein labelled versus desensitized cells. Immunoblots also showed no difference between control and desensitized cells in the membrane content of specific heterotrimeric G proteins. The data demonstrate that pre-exposure to endotoxin desensitizes the cells subsequent endotoxin stimulation of mediator production. However, unlike the in vivo rat model, this is not associated with a decrease in G protein binding or content.

Downregulation by lipopolysaccharide of Notch signaling, via nitric oxide

The Notch signaling pathway appears to perform an important function in inflammation. Here, we present evidence to suggest that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) suppresses Notch signaling via the direct modification of Notch by the nitration of tyrosine residues in macrophages. In the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line and in rat primary alveolar macrophages, LPS was found to inhibit Notch1 intracellular domain (Notch1-IC) transcription activity, which could then be rescued by treatment with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. Nitric oxide (NO), which was produced in cells that stably express endothelial NOS (eNOS) and brain NOS (bNOS), also induced the inhibition of Notch1 signaling. The NO-induced inhibition of Notch1 signaling remained unchanged after treatment with 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-alpha]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a guanylyl-cyclase inhibitor, and was not found to be mimicked by 8-bromo-cyclic GMP in the primary alveolar macrophages. With regards to the control of Notch signaling, NO appears to have a significant negative influence, via the nitration of Notch1-IC, on the binding that occurs between Notch1-IC and RBP-Jk, both in vitro and in vivo. By intrinsic fluorescence, we also determined that nitration could mediate conformational changes of Notch1-IC. The substitution of phenylalanine for tyrosine at residue 1905 in Notch1-IC abolished the nitration of Notch1-IC by LPS. Overall, our data suggest that an important relationship exists between LPS-mediated inflammation and the Notch1 signaling pathway, and that this relationship intimately involves the nitration of Notch1-IC tyrosine residues.

Analysis of a bacterial lipopolysaccharide-activated serine kinase that phosphorylates p65/L-plastin in macrophages

We previously identified p65/L-plastin as a phosphorylated protein in LPS-stimulated macrophages and determined its phosphorylation site. In vitro kinase assay using peptide substrates revealed that LPS-stimulated kinase activity selectively phosphorylated their serine-5 (Ser-5) residue. Kinase inhibitors for cAMP-dependent kinase such as H-89 inhibited the Ser-5 phosphorylation, but cAMP was not essential for the kinase activity. The LPS-stimulated kinase activity in cytosol fractions of macrophages was recovered as a sharp peak by anion exchange chromatography. These findings suggest that an as yet unknown H-89-sensitive serine kinase is rapidly activated by LPS stimulation and then phosphorylates p65/L-plastin, playing a vital role in macrophage activation.

Zinc and energy requirements in induction of oxidative stress to retinal pigmented epithelial cells

In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells are believed to be detrimentally affected. It is thought that zinc may play a part in this process. In the past, therefore, zinc supplementation has been suggested as a treatment for AMD. Experimental data shown here confound this view by indicating that whereas low amounts of zinc do protect RPE cells in culture from stress-induced effects, greater amounts of zinc have the opposite influence. These effects are partly dependent upon the "health status" of the cells. Experimental data presented herein also show that zinc-induced death of RPE cells can, however, be attenuated by compounds such as antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol, trolox, and metipranolol), or cellular energy substrates (pyruvate and oxaloacetate). It is therefore concluded that a combination of zinc and antioxidants or energy substrates rather that zinc alone should provide a safer and more effective way to treat a disease such as AMD.

Ceramide inhibits lipopolysaccharide-mediated nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 induction in macrophages: effects on protein kinases and transcription factors

The goal of this study was to elucidate whether triggering the sphingomyelin pathway modulates LPS-initiated responses. For this purpose we investigated the effects of N-acetylsphingosine (C(2)-ceramide) on LPS-induced production of NO and PGE(2) in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages and explored the signaling pathways involved. We found that within a range of 10-50 microM, C(2)-ceramide inhibited LPS-elicited NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 induction accompanied by a reduction in NO and PGE(2) formation. By contrast, a structural analog of C(2)-ceramide that does not elicit functional activity, C(2)-dihydroceramide, did not affect the LPS response. The nuclear translocation and DNA binding study revealed that ceramide can inhibit LPS-induced NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation. The immunocomplex kinase assay indicated that IkappaB kinase activity stimulated by LPS was inhibited by ceramide, which concomitantly reduced the IkappaBalpha degradation caused by LPS within 1-6 h. In concert with the decreased cytosolic p65 protein level, LPS treatment resulted in rapid nuclear accumulation of NF-kappaB subunit p65 and its association with the cAMP-responsive element binding protein. Ceramide coaddition inhibited all the LPS responses. In addition, LPS-induced PKC and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation were overcome by ceramide. In conclusion, we suggest that ceramide inhibition of LPS-mediated induction of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 is due to reduction of the activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1, which might result from ceramide's inhibition of LPS-stimulated IkappaB kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and protein kinase C.

Down-modulation through protein kinase C-alpha of lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of membrane CD14 in mouse bone marrow granulocytes

We have previously shown that stimulation of mouse bone marrow granulocytes (BMC) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces the expression of CD14. We found here that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) blocks this LPS effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which PMA can block the LPS signaling pathway in BMC. The unmodified binding of a radiolabeled LPS in PMA-treated cells indicated that the PMA effect was not the consequence of a shedding or an internalization of the LPS receptor, but was rather due to a biochemical event that follows the interaction of LPS with its receptor. The observations that a selective activator of protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha (sapintoxin D) mimics the PMA effect, whereas a selective PKC-alpha inhibitor (Ro-320432) antagonizes this effect, suggest a regulatory role of PKC-alpha in the LPS signaling pathway in mouse BMC.

Inhibitory action of 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxam ide (PK 11195) on some mononuclear phagocyte functions

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are widely distributed throughout the body, but their functions are unknown. They are found on mononuclear phagocytes, and they are up-regulated in a number of neurological and other disease states. We explored the functional consequences of PBR ligand binding to mononuclear-derived cells using the high-affinity ligands 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxam ide (PK 11195) and 4'-chlorodiazepam (7-chloro-5-(4'-chlorophenyl)-1, 3-dihydro-1-methyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one; Ro 5-4864). The functions were the following: respiratory burst; secretion of glutamate, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha); toxicity of culture supernatants towards SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells; and expression of the inflammatory surface markers HLA-DR and Fcgamma RII (CDw32). PK 11195 inhibited the respiratory burst response, reduced release of glutamate and IL-1beta, and suppressed secretion of products cytotoxic to neuronal cells. Selectivity was suggested by the failure of PK 11195 to influence TNF-alpha secretion or expression of HLA-DR and CDw32. Powerful ligands of PBRs, such as PK 11195, may be useful inhibitors of selective macrophage functions, retarding both local and systemic inflammation. Since PK 11195 readily enters the brain, it may be beneficial in treating central as well as peripheral inflammatory diseases.

Unresponsiveness of MyD88-deficient mice to endotoxin

MyD88 is a general adaptor protein that plays an important role in the Toll/IL-1 receptor family signalings. Recently, Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4) have been suggested to be the signaling receptors for lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we demonstrate that MyD88 knockout mice lack the ability to respond to LPS as measured by shock response, B cell proliferative response, and secretion of cytokines by macrophages and embryonic fibroblasts. However, activation of neither NF-kappaB nor the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family is abolished in MyD88 knockout mice. These findings demonstrate that signaling via MyD88 is essential for LPS response, but the inability of MyD88 knockout mice to induce LPS-dependent gene expression cannot simply be attributed to lack of the activation of MAP kinases and NF-kappaB.

Tolerance to pyrogens

In humans or experimental animals, the repeated confrontation with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria, but not with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) from gram-positive bacteria, leads to attenuation of almost all pathophysiologic effects mediated by proinflammatory cytokines. Our experiments in guinea pigs and rats demonstrate that attenuation of the febrile response during the development of LPS tolerance is associated with a reduced production of cytokines rather than a decrease in responsiveness to cytokines. Cross-tolerance experiments demonstrate that different stimuli influencing LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis can modify the development of tolerance. On the other hand, the lack of cross-tolerance between LPS and MDP indicates that MDP can activate the cytokine cascade and induce the febrile response in animals tolerant to LPS. This may indicate distinct receptors and signal pathways for LPS and MDP, leading to activation of the cytokine cascade. LPS tolerance has also been demonstrated in ex vivo and in vitro studies. In cultures of monocytes, diminished synthesis of TNF and NO reported after LPS restimulation could be prevented and reversed by interferon and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These findings add an additional hypothesis in tolerance development.

Altered macrophage intracellular signaling induced by protein-calorie malnutrition

Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) contributes to increased morbidity and mortality through impairment of host defense mechanisms and reduced macrophage function. The present study examined alterations in macrophage intracellular signaling associated with the impairment in host defense capabilities. Mice were randomized to either control (regular diet) or protein-free diets (PCM) and pair-fed for 1 week. Following endotoxin stimulation, peritoneal macrophages from PCM mice produce significantly less TNF-alpha and IL-6 product and had significantly less cell-associated IL-6 when compared to macrophages from control mice. Similarly, macrophages from PCM mice had a significant reduction in mRNA levels for both TNF-alpha and IL-6. Other macrophage intracellular signaling mechanisms, such as calcium flux and tyrosine kinase phosphorylation were also altered by PCM. The etiology of PCM-induced defects in macrophage function and intracellular signaling remain unknown but may be related to the neuroendocrine response to PCM.

Lack of cross tolerance between LPS and muramyl dipeptide in induction of circulating TNF-alpha and IL-6 in guinea pigs

In guinea pigs, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria and muramyl dipeptide (MDP) from gram-positive bacteria are potent inducers of systemic production of proinflammatory cytokines and fever. However, there is a striking difference between these two bacterial pyrogens in so far as repeated administration of LPS, but not of MDP, in short-term intervals induces tolerance by a progressive downregulation of the systemic cytokine network. In the present study, we investigated MDP-induced fever and the systemic release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in LPS-tolerant guinea pigs in comparison with naive animals. Endotoxin tolerance was induced by repeated intramuscular injections of 20 microg/kg LPS at intervals of 3 days. In response to the last of five injections with LPS, systemic production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 as well as the development of a febrile response was abrogated almost completely. Those guinea pigs that had developed an LPS tolerance could, however, produce the same amounts of TNF-alpha and IL-6 as naive animals in response to a challenge with MDP. Also, MDP-induced fever was identical in LPS-tolerant and naive guinea pigs. These results provide evidence for a lack of cross tolerance between LPS and MDP in induction of circulating cytokines and fever in guinea pigs.

Protein kinase C regulates macrophage tumor necrosis factor secretion: direct protein kinase C activation restores tumor necrosis factor production in endotoxin tolerance

BACKGROUND

Macrophages pretreated in vitro with endotoxin (LPSp) secrete less tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in response to a second LPS activating (LPSa) stimulus. Protein kinase C (PKC) is required for TNF secretion in a macrophage stimulated with LPSa. In these experiments we examined the role of PKC in TNF signal transduction in naive and tolerant macrophages.

METHODS

Murine macrophages were cultured +/- LPSp for 24 hours. Cultures were washed and treated for 1 hour with PKC inhibitors or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a direct PKC activator. Cells were then stimulated with a range of LPSa for 6 hours, and TNF was determined by bioassay.

RESULTS

LPSa-stimulated TNF secretion by nontolerant macrophages was inhibited by LPSp in the absence of PMA. PKC inhibitors decreased TNF by naive macrophages and exaggerated inhibition in tolerant cells. Depletion of PKC by 24 hours of PMA decreased TNF production by both naive and tolerant macrophages. PKC activation with PMA 1 hour before LPSa augmented TNF secretion in naive cells and reversed TNF inhibition of tolerant cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct PKC activation with PMA restored TNF secretion in LPS-tolerant macrophages. Endotoxin tolerance may alter the LPSa signal transduction pathway between the LPS receptor and PKC activation.

Estradiol down-regulates LPS-induced cytokine production and NFkB activation in murine macrophages

PROBLEM

In vivo and in vitro studies have indicated that estradiol can affect cytokine production in different cell types. This study examines whether estradiol affects inflammatory cytokine production by murine splenic macrophages.

METHODS

Mouse splenic macrophages were first treated with 17 beta-estradiol, followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The production of cytokines by macrophages with or without estradiol treatment was determined at both the protein and mRNA levels. The nuclear factor-kB (NFkB) activity of activated mouse splenic macrophages was also evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.

RESULT

Our results show that 17 beta-estradiol decreases LPS-induced IL-1 alpha, IL-6, and TNF-alpha production but not IL-10, IL-12, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) production by splenic macrophages. Furthermore, inhibition of cytokine production by 17 beta-estradiol was associated with a decreased LPS-induced NFkB-binding activity.

CONCLUSION

Because cytokines are important mediators of immune function, the alteration of cytokine production by 17 beta-estradiol may thus have a profound effect on the outcome of immune response during inflammation.

Endotoxin contamination in fetal bovine serum and its influence on tumor necrosis factor production by macrophage-like cells J774.1 cultured in the presence of the serum

Trace amounts of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide: LPS) are assumed to contaminate commercially available fetal bovine serum (FBS) for tissue or cell culture during the manufacturing process. We examined how cultured cells were affected by the endotoxin and how much endotoxin was in the FBS. Macrophage-like J774.1 cells maintained in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with FBS containing low doses of LPS for 15 or 21 days showed less TNF production in response to LPS than the cells maintained under LPS-free conditions, and the affected responses of the cells were not recovered by an additional 21 day culture in medium with LPS-free FBS. Concentrations of LPS in 40 lots of FBS obtained from 13 international manufacturers were measured by a highly sensitive and LPS-specific chromogenic limulus assay. The median of endotoxin levels in these lots was 46 ng/ml and the maximum was 38.8 ng/ml. Relatively higher concentrations of LPS (> 1 ng/ml) or lower levels (< 10 pg/ml) were found in 9 and 6 lots, respectively. The majority of the FBS lots contained various levels of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, and all lots contained high-density lipoprotein (HDL). However, no correlation was found between LPS and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan or HDL level in the lots. Each FBS was added to macrophage-like J774.1 cells which had been maintained in LPS-free medium. Five lots of FBS induced significant TNF production by the cells without addition of any stimulant. These active 5 FBS contained relatively higher levels of LPS and pretreatment of the FBS with polymyxin B eliminated their ability to induce TNF production. No correlation was found between (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan levels in FBS and the TNF-inducing capability of FBS. These results show that considerable lots of FBS contain significant levels of LPS, which must affect cell culture.

Role of calcium in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 signal transduction in naive and endotoxin-tolerant murine macrophages

OBJECTIVE

Dysregulated macrophage cytokine production may predispose to organ failure during sepsis. Macrophages pretreated in vitro with low-dose endotoxin (LPSp) become "tolerant" to subsequent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation (LPSa), characterized by inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and augmentation of interleukin-1 (IL-1). To understand cytokine dysregulation we examined the Ca2+ dependence of TNF and IL-1 signal transduction to LPSa and whether it was altered by LPSp.

METHODS

Murine peritoneal exudate macrophages received +/- 100 ng/mL of LPSp for 24 hours. Cultures were pretreated for 2 hours with specific signal transduction inhibitors (verapamil, a Ca2+ channel inhibitor; TMB-8, an inhibitor of intracellular Ca2+ release; U73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C; or W7, a calmodulin inhibitor) before 24 hours LPSa-stimulation. TNF and IL-1 mRNA were estimated 6 hours after LPSa by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Supernatant TNF and IL-1 were measured by bioassay.

RESULTS

Treatment with verapamil, TMB-8, U73122, or W7 markedly inhibited TNF release by LPSa, but had little effect on IL-1 release. Reprogramming by LPSp did not alter the Ca2+ signal transduction pathways for either cytokine. U73122 and verapamil did prevent the augmentation of IL-1 release seen after LPSp. TNF message was present after LPSa despite reprogrammed inhibition of TNF protein by LPSp. Signal transduction inhibitors that blocked Ca2+ altered TNF and IL-1 message in reprogrammed macrophages in a pattern similar to their effects on naive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracellular Ca2+ is required for TNF protein release by naive macrophages and TNF mRNA transcription of both naive and LPSp reprogrammed cells, however LPSa-stimulated IL-1 release in peritoneal macrophages does not require Ca2+ dependent signaling pathways.

Endotoxin induced expression of tumour necrosis factor, tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity by peritoneal macrophages

Peritoneal fluid was collected aseptically from 30 healthy adult horses and 115 horses with acute gastrointestinal disease and supernatant was separated from cells by centrifugation followed by freezing until assayed for endotoxin and tumour necrosis factor activity. Peritoneal macrophages obtained from healthy horses were incubated in vitro for 3, 6, 12 or 24 h in the absence (media control) or presence of Escherichia coli 055:B5 endotoxin (final concentrations of 1, 10, 100 or 1000 ng/ml). Macrophages obtained from horses with acute gastrointestinal disease were incubated for 12 h in the absence (media control) or presence of 100 ng endotoxin/ml. At the conclusion of the incubation, macrophage supernatants were collected and frozen at -70 degrees C until analysed for tumour necrosis factor activity. Macrophage membranes were lysed and frozen at -70 degrees C until assayed for tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 activity. Compared to cells incubated with media, incubation of macrophages, obtained from healthy horses, with endotoxin significantly increased tumour necrosis factor, tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 activity. These increases were dependent on the endotoxin concentration and the duration of incubation. Compared to cells incubated with media alone, incubation of macrophages, obtained from horses with acute gastrointestinal disease with endotoxin, significantly increased tumour necrosis factor and tissue factor activity. Endotoxin induced tumour necrosis factor activity in vitro was significantly less for macrophages from horses with acute gastrointestinal disease, as compared to that produced by similarly treated cells obtained from healthy horses. For those horses with acute gastrointestinal disease, macrophages obtained from horses with either endotoxin or tumour necrosis factor activity in the peritoneal fluid supernatant had significantly less endotoxin induced tumour necrosis factor in vitro, as compared to similarly treated cells obtained from horses without endotoxin or tumour necrosis factor activity in the peritoneal fluid supernatant. The results of this study indicate that exposure of equine peritoneal macrophages to endotoxin results in a significant increase in tumour necrosis factor, tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 activity. After in vitro exposure to endotoxin, there is significant down-regulation of inflammatory mediator production by peritoneal macrophages obtained from endotoxaemic horses. These results suggest that these macrophages may exhibit early endotoxin tolerance.

Role of calcium during lipopolysaccharide stimulation of neutrophils

This study investigated the role of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca]i) as a possible intermediate in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) second messenger pathway for the activation of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs]). Isolated PMNs were loaded with the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2. The PMNs were stimulated with either LPS or the positive control formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). As expected, PMN exposure to fMLP increased [Ca]i. However, LPS stimulation did not induce any detectable changes. Depletion of intracellular Ca stores with thapsigargin, or extracellular Ca with EGTA, significantly inhibited the upregulation of the CD11b/CD18 integrin in response to fMLP but not LPS. We conclude that [Ca]i is not an early intermediate in the second-messenger pathway for the activation of PMNs by LPS.

Lipopolysaccharide stimulates differential expression of myristoylated protein kinase C substrates in murine microglia

Microglia rapidly respond to lipoplysaccharide (LPS) by transformation from resting to active states and secretion of several neuro- and immuno-regulators including tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). With longer LPS treatment, microglia are converted to reactive or phagocytic states with characteristics similar to macrophages in inflammation and injury processes. We have investigated LPS-mediated changes in two myristoylated substrates of protein kinase C (PKC): MARCKS (myristoylated alaninerich C kinase substrate) and MRP (MARCKS-related protein). Within 6 hours of addition, LPS induced a twofold increase in [3H]myristoylated and immunoreactive MARCKS protein and a sevenfold increase in MRP. The differential effect of LPS on expression of MRP vs. MARCKS was even more dramatic at the level of transcription: S1 nuclease protection assays revealed a 40-fold increase in MRP mRNA levels (maximum at 4-6 hours), whereas a threefold increase was observed for MARCKS. TNF alpha and colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), two cytokines which are induced by LPS, did not reproduce the observed effect of LPS on MARCKS and MRP gene transcription. CSF-1 also induced differential transcription of MRP, but of lower magnitude (threefold) and more sustained than by LPS. Accordingly, these two substrates for PKC are differentially up-regulated by LPS, apparently independent of TNF alpha or CSF-1.

The interferon-inducible protein kinase PKR modulates the transcriptional activation of immunoglobulin kappa gene

PKR is an interferon (IFN)-induced serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates protein synthesis through phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2 (eIF-2). In addition to its demonstrated role in translational control, recent findings suggest that PKR plays an important role in regulation of gene transcription, as PKR phosphorylates I kappa B alpha upon double-stranded RNA treatment resulting in activation of NF-kappa B DNA binding in vitro (Kumar, A., Haque, J., Lacoste, J., Hiscott, J., and Williams, B.R.G. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 6288-6292). To further investigate the role of PKR in transcriptional signaling, we expressed the wild type human PKR and a catalytically inactive dominant negative PKR mutant in the murine pre-B lymphoma 70Z/3 cells. Here, we report that expression of wild type PKR had no effect on kappa-chain transcriptional activation induced by lipopolysaccharide or IFN-gamma. However, expression of the dominant negative PKR mutant inhibited kappa gene transcription independently of NF-kappa B activation. Phosphorylation of eIF-2 alpha was not increased by lipopolysaccharide or IFN-gamma, suggesting that PKR mediates kappa gene transcriptional activation without affecting protein synthesis. Our findings further support a transcriptional role for PKR and demonstrate that there are at least two distinct PKR-mediated signal transduction pathways to the transcriptional machinery depending on cell type and stimuli, NF-kappa B-dependent and NF-kappa B-independent.

Complex intracellular signal transduction regulates tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) synthesis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelium

Endothelial cells are central in fibrinolysis because of their high production of both activators (t-PA, uPA) and inhibitors (PAI-1). The t-PA and PAI-1 synthesis could be regulated by signals transduction at several cellular levels. The purpose of this in vitro study, on cultured endothelial cells, was to explore the receptor/second messenger regulation of the t-PA and PAI-1 synthesis. Quiescent confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cells, cultured in passage 1, were exposed to different test substances. Samples from the conditioned medium were collected after 16 and 24 h and analysed for t-PA and PAI-1 antigen. All data presented were related to the data from control dishes (= 100%), in the same experiment. The results from the present study (mean +/- 95% confidence interval) demonstrated the following. (1) Forskolin, with a documented direct cAMP-inducing effect, decreased the basal PAI-1 production to 61 +/- 15%, and Na-nitroprusside, with a documented cGMP-inducing effect, increased the basal PAI-1 production to 141 +/- 38% without affecting the basal t-PA production. The surface receptor agonists isoprenalin or ephedrine, which indirectly affect adenylate cyclase, had no effect on t-PA or PAI-1 production. (2) Phorbolester (PMA), which directly activates proteinkinase C (PKC), increased the basal t-PA and PAI-1 production to 350 +/- 71%, and 163 +/- 35% respectively. (3) Thrombin, but not endothelin-1 (ET-1), increased the basal t-PA and PAI-1 production to 195 +/- 34% and 136 +/- 18%, respectively, indicating an PKC-mediated thrombin effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interferon-gamma and lipopolysaccharide reduce cAMP responses in cultured glial cells: reversal by a type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor

The aim of the present study was to determine whether two classical macrophage activators, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) could affect the accumulation of the second messenger cAMP in cultured rat microglia and astrocytes. Purified microglia and astrocyte secondary cultures obtained from the neonatal rat were grown for 3 days in basal medium Eagle (BME) + 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). Exposure of microglia to LPS resulted into a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the accumulation of cAMP induced by receptor-mediated (isoproterenol or prostaglandin E2) or direct (forskolin) activation of adenylate cyclase. The inhibitory effect of LPS was rapid (a 10 min preincubation was sufficient to approach a maximal effect), occurred at low doses (IC50 = 1.2 ng/ml), and was not abrogated by pertussis toxin. A selective inhibitor of type IV phosphodiesterase (rolipram, 100 nM) prevented the effect of LPS on cAMP accumulation, while inhibitors of other forms of phosphodiesterase were unable to do so. IFN-gamma (100 u/ml) also caused a depression of the evoked cAMP accumulation in microglia after a 10 min preincubation, and its effect was prevented by rolipram, as in the case of LPS. Astrocytes differed from microglia in that LPS (1-100 ng/ml) did not inhibit the accumulation of cAMP induced by either isoproterenol or forskolin; on the other hand, IFN-gamma did have an inhibitory effect (though less pronounced than in microglia) that could be prevented by rolipram.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of macrophage activation and human immunodeficiency virus production by invasive Salmonella strains

Salmonellae possess the ability to adhere to and invade macrophages and in so doing trigger a number of intracellular events that are associated with cellular activation. As an initial approach to defining the mechanisms by which invasive salmonellae alter macrophage function, we have explored the impact of Salmonella infection on the production of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in U1 cells, a promonocytic cell line latently infected with the virus. Infection of U1 cells with a pathogenic strain of Salmonella enteritidis resulted in a marked induction of macrophage activation and HIV production. The stimulatory effect of salmonellae was mediated by signals other than lipopolysaccharide. Salmonella mutants with specific defects in invasion or intracellular survival were markedly less effective in the induction of HIV production. In contrast to S. enteritidis, strains of Yersinia enterocolitica, Legionella pneumophila, and Escherichia coli did not induce HIV production. However, all of these bacteria induced comparable levels of gene expression mediated by the HIV long terminal repeat. The results of this study are consistent with the notion that invasive salmonellae possess the ability to activate the macrophage by at least one mechanism that is not shared with several other species of gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, the expression of this unique property is maximal with Salmonella strains that are not only invasive but also capable of prolonged survival within the macrophage. Our results indicate that the U1 cell line may be a very useful model system with which to examine the biochemical pathways by which internalized salmonellae modulate the activation state of the macrophage.

Production of tumor necrosis factor induced by synthetic low-toxicity lipid A analog, DT-5461a, is mediated by LPS receptor sites and tyrosine kinase-MAP kinase signaling pathway in murine macrophages

The synthetic low-toxicity lipid A analog DT-5461a induces endogenous TNF production in mice. The activity of TNF so induced is probably the main contributor to the antitumor effect of this compound. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism by which DT-5461a induces TNF production in murine macrophage RAW 264 cells. DT-5461a mimicked the ability of LPS to induce TNF production in a dose-dependent manner. DT-5461a at higher concentrations inhibited specific binding of [3H]LPS to the cells and reduced LPS-induced TNF production to the level induced by DT-5461a alone. In addition, DT-5461a, as well as LPS, induced tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP kinases, the early signal transduction pathway of this production. Herbimycin A, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, inhibited the LPS- and DT-5461a-induced tyrosine phosphorylation, expression of TNF mRNA, and subsequent TNF secretion. These results suggest that DT-5461a and LPS induce TNF production in murine macrophages through the common receptor sites and the similar early signaling pathway.

Bacterial endotoxin induces [Ca2+]i transients and changes the organization of actin in microglia

We have employed amoeboid microglia purified from primary cultures of neonatal rat brain to examine the effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a potent activator of immune cells, on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in brain macrophages. In single brain macrophages loaded with indo 1, pulse administration of LPS elicited a rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i. From a total of 70 cells examined, all responded to LPS with a similar [Ca2+]i transient, indicating a good homogeneity of the cell population with regard to the LPS response. It was concluded that the rise of cytosolic [Ca2+]i originated from intracellular stores because the response to LPS occurred similarly in the presence or in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. A second administration of LPS to the same cells resulted in a second but reduced [Ca2+]i transient. In contrast to the first response to LPS, this second response was totally dependent on the presence of Ca2+ in the extracellular medium. The first response to LPS was strongly inhibited by ruthenium red and could be suppressed in a reversible manner by preincubating the cells with caffeine in the absence of Ca2+ in the extracellular medium. These results indicate that caffeine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores may be the major source of Ca2+ in the response of brain macrophages to LPS. The possible release of Ca2+ from phosphatidylinositol(3,4,5)-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive stores in brain macrophages was also evaluated by stimulating cells with the IP3-mobilizing agonist histamine. Brain macrophages were heterogeneous with regard to the histamine response since histamine induced a [Ca2+]i rise in only 30% of cells examined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gamma interferon induces rapid and coordinate activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and calcium-independent protein kinase C in human monocytes

Gamma interferon plays an important role in regulating the functional properties of mononuclear phagocytes. In the present study, the role of activated protein kinases in the mechanism of action of gamma interferon cell signaling in human peripheral blood monocytes was investigated. Analysis in vitro of 100,000 x g cytosolic fractions from untreated and interferon-treated cells showed that agonist treatment resulted in time- and concentration-dependent increases in phosphotransferase activity when myelin basic protein (MBP) was used as the substrate. Anion-exchange chromatography of high-speed supernatants prepared from detergent extracts of interferon-treated cells revealed two discrete peaks of MBP phosphotransferase activity. Immunoblotting of fractions from these peaks with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies and with antibodies that specifically recognize the family of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases detected a MAP kinase with a subunit M(r) of 42,000 in the earliest-eluting peak (peak 1). Phosphorylation of the 42,000-M(r) protein on tyrosine was observed only after treatment of cells with interferon. The contribution of MAP kinase to the interferon-stimulated activity in peak 1 was confirmed by quantitative immunoprecipitation with anti-MAP kinase and antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. The conclusion that the interferon-activated MBP kinase in peak 1 could be accounted for by an activated MAP kinase was also supported by the finding that fractions from Mono Q peak 1 demonstrated activity towards a MAP kinase-specific substrate. The later-eluting peak of interferon-activated MBP phosphotransferase activity appeared to be accounted for by an activated protein kinase C (PKC). This conclusion is based upon analyses of immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation experiments with antibodies to PKC and was also supported by the observed inhibition of this kinase with a PKC pseudosubstrate peptide. The interferon-stimulated PKC present in Mono Q peak 2 was active in the absence of calcium ions, suggesting that it is a calcium-independent isoform of PKC.

Transforming growth factor-alpha expression in peritoneal macrophages elicited from SENCAR and B6C3F1 mice: responses to lipopolysaccharide and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

Recent findings in our laboratory indicated that peritoneal macrophages (MPs) elicited from phorbol ester-sensitive SENCAR mice generated significant amounts of superoxide when stimulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in vitro; negligible responses were observed for MPs derived from relatively resistant B6C3F1 mice. We hypothesized a similar strain-dependent secretion of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) by TPA-stimulated MPs. TGF-alpha secreted by MPs was quantitated by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After 72 h (maximal secretion), for MPs derived from B6C3F1 mice, in vitro exposure to 10 microgram/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS; non-lipid-A-detoxified) resulted in maximal induction (708 pg/mL), in vivo exposure to intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered TPA (2 micrograms/mouse) alone resulted in a minimal response (32 pg/mL), and prior in vivo exposure to TPA significantly inhibited (more than 90% suppression) the LPS-stimulated MP response in culture (i.e., to 62 pg/mL). Although significant amounts of TGF-alpha could be detected in both SENCAR- and B6C3F1-derived MPs (i.e., approximately 2-3 ng/5 x 10(6) cells), SENCAR MPs did not secrete TGF-alpha in response to either TPA or LPS. In addition, the use of the semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to detect TGF-alpha-specific mRNA did not support the strain dependency observed for LPS-stimulated TGF-alpha secretion, i.e., detectable transcripts were observed in MP RNA derived from both strains. In conclusion, although TPA itself demonstrated negligible effects on TGF-alpha expression in murine MPs, prior in vivo exposure inhibited LPS-stimulated transcriptional activation and intracellular TGF-alpha production. The negligible TGF-alpha secretion determined for LPS-stimulated SENCAR-derived MPs suggested the possibility of a strain-specific defect in the posttranslational processing of the proTGF-alpha molecule.

Protein phosphorylation in murine peritoneal macrophages induced by infection with Salmonella species

Infection of peritoneal macrophages from C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice with Salmonella typhimurium or S. enteritidis induced extensive phosphorylation in a set of proteins with molecular masses of 85, 72, 35, 30, and 23 kDa, which were different from those induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The phosphorylated proteins of 35, 30, and 23 kDa (pp35, pp30, and pp23, respectively) originated from the infecting bacteria, because living bacteria could induce these phosphorylated proteins themselves, and no induction of the proteins occurred in macrophages after phagocytosis of heat-killed or UV-irradiated organisms. When the infected macrophages were disrupted and separated into bacterial and macrophage debris fractions, pp85 and pp72 remained in the macrophage debris fraction, with none in the bacterial fraction. Induction of pp85 and pp72 in infected macrophages was inhibited in the presence of chloramphenicol but not cytochalasin D, suggesting that bacterial growth in the macrophages is necessary for induction of both proteins. Neither of these proteins could be detected in macrophages infected with Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, or Listeria monocytogenes. These results support the view that phosphorylation of the 85- and 72-kDa proteins occurs in the macrophages during the early phases of the interaction between Salmonella organisms and macrophages. The functions of specific proteins remain to be clarified.