Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) is the predominant beta 2 (CD18) integrin mediating human neutrophil migration through synovial and dermal fibroblast barriers

Interferon-β decreases LPS-induced neutrophil recruitment to cardiac fibroblasts

Introduction: Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) are crucial cells in damaged heart tissues, expressing TLR4, IFN-receptor and responding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-β (IFN-β) respectively. While CF interact with immune cells; however, their relationship with neutrophils remains understudied. Additionally, theimpact of LPS and IFN-β on CF-neutrophil interaction is poorly understood. Methods: Isolated CF from adult rats were treated with LPS, with or without IFN-β. This study examined IL-8 secretion, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, and neutrophil recruitment, as well as their effects on MMPs activity. Results: LPS triggered increased IL-8 expression and secretion, along with elevated ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, all of which were blocked by TAK-242. Pre-treatment with IFN-β countered these LPS effects. LPS treated CF showed higher neutrophil recruitment (migration and adhesion) compared to unstimulated CF, an effect prevented by IFN-β. Ruxolitinib blocked these IFN-β anti-inflammatory effects, implicating JAK signaling. Analysis of culture medium zymograms from CF alone, and CF-neutrophils interaction, revealed that MMP2 was mainly originated from CF, while MMP9 could come from neutrophils. LPS and IFN-β boosted MMP2 secretion by CF. MMP9 activity in CF was low, and LPS or IFN-β had no significant impact. Pre-treating CF with LPS, IFN-β, or both before co-culture with neutrophils increased MMP2. Neutrophil co-culture increased MMP9 activity, with IFN-β pre-treatment reducing MMP9 compared to unstimulated CF. Conclusion: In CF, LPS induces the secretion of IL-8 favoring neutrophils recruitment and these effects were blocked by IFN-. The results highlight that CF-neutrophil interaction appears to influence the extracellular matrix through MMPs activity modulation.

The Involvement of Neutrophil in the Immune Dysfunction Associated with BVDV Infection

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) induces immune dysfunction that often results in a secondary bacterial infection in the infected animals. The underlying mechanism of BVDV-induced immune dysfunction is not well understood. The role of BVDV-infected macrophage-secreted factors was investigated. BVDV-infected monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) supernatants down-regulated the expression of neutrophil L-selectin and CD18. Regardless of the biotype, phagocytic activity and oxidative burst were downregulated by BVDV-infected MDM supernatants. However, only supernatants from cytopathic (cp) BVDV down-regulated nitric oxide production and neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) induction. Our data suggested that BVDV-induced macrophage-secreted factors caused immune dysfunction in neutrophils. Unlike lymphocyte depletion, the negative impact on neutrophils seems to be specific to cp BVDV biotype. Interestingly the majority of modified live BVDV vaccines are based on cp strain of BVDV.

Increased ferritin levels in non-transfusion-dependent β°-thalassaemia/HbE are associated with reduced CXCR2 expression and neutrophil migration

Severe bacterial infection is a major complication causing morbidity and mortality in β-thalassaemia/HbE patients. Innate immunity constitutes the first line of defence against bacterial infection. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the innate immune phenotype and function related to factors predisposing to infection in non-transfusion-dependent (NTD) β°-thalassaemia/HbE patients. Twenty-six patients and 17 healthy subjects were recruited to determine complement activity (C3, C4, mannose-binding lectin and CH50) and surface receptor expression including markers of phagocytosis (CD11b, CD16 and C3bR), inflammation (C5aR) and migration (CD11b, CXCR1 and CXCR2) on neutrophils and monocytes. In addition, phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of neutrophils and monocytes against Escherichia coli and neutrophil migration were examined. Decreased C3 and surface expression of CD11b and C3bR on neutrophils were found in patients. However, phagocytosis of neutrophils in patients was still in the normal range. Interestingly, patients displayed a significant reduction of surface expression of CXCR2 [1705 ± 217 mean fluorescent intensity (MFI)] on neutrophils, leading to impaired neutrophil migration (9·2 ± 7·7%) when compared to neutrophils from healthy subjects (2261 ± 627 MFI and 27·8 ± 9% respectively). Moreover, surface expression of CXCR2 on neutrophils was associated with splenectomy status, serum ferritin and haemoglobin levels. Therefore, impaired neutrophil migration could contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection seen in NTD β°-thalassaemia/HbE patients.

Matrix crosslinking enhances macrophage adhesion, migration, and inflammatory activation

Macrophages are versatile cells of the innate immune system that can adopt a variety of functional phenotypes depending on signals in their environment. In previous work, we found that culture of macrophages on fibrin, the provisional extracellular matrix protein, inhibits their inflammatory activation when compared to cells cultured on polystyrene surfaces. Here, we sought to investigate the role of matrix stiffness in the regulation of macrophage activity by manipulating the mechanical properties of fibrin. We utilize a photo-initiated crosslinking method to introduce dityrosine crosslinks to a fibrin gel and confirm an increase in gel stiffness through active microrheology. We observe that matrix crosslinking elicits distinct changes in macrophage morphology, integrin expression, migration, and inflammatory activation. Macrophages cultured on a stiffer substrate exhibit greater cell spreading and expression of αM integrin. Furthermore, macrophages cultured on crosslinked fibrin exhibit increased motility. Finally, culture of macrophages on photo-crosslinked fibrin enhances their inflammatory activation compared to unmodified fibrin, suggesting that matrix crosslinking regulates the functional activation of macrophages. These findings provide insight into how the physical properties of the extracellular matrix might control macrophage behavior during inflammation and wound healing.

2-Chlorofatty acids: lipid mediators of neutrophil extracellular trap formation

Neutrophils form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which have been implicated in microcirculatory plugging. NET formation (NETosis) involves the fusion of granule and nuclear contents, which are then released in the extracellular space. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) plays a major role in NETosis leading to the dissociation of DNA from histones. During neutrophil activation, MPO is released and activated to convert hydrogen peroxide and chloride to hypochlorous acid (HOCl). HOCl targets plasmalogens leading to the production of the chlorinated lipids, 2-chlorofatty aldehyde and 2-chlorofatty acid (2-ClFA). Here, we tested the hypothesis that 2-ClFAs are important lipid mediators of NETosis. Human neutrophils treated with physiological levels of 2-ClFAs formed NETs, characterized by MPO association with DNA and neutrophil elastase (NE) redistribution to the perinuclear area. 2-ClFA-induced NETs reduced Escerichia coli colony forming units. 2-ClFA-induced NETosis is calcium- and protein arginine deiminase 4-dependent. Interestingly, unlike PMA, 2-ClFA initiates the NETosis process without neutrophil activation and degranulation. Furthermore, 2-ClFA elicits NETosis in bone-marrow derived neutrophils from MPO-deficient mice. Taken together, these findings suggest 2-ClFA as an MPO product that triggers the NETosis pathway following neutrophil activation.

Reperfusion Syndrome: Cellular Mechanisms of Microvascular Dysfunction and Potential Therapeutic Strategies

Reperfusion injury is the paradoxical and complex phenomenon of exacerbation of cellular dysfunction and increase in cell death after the restoration of blood flow to previously ischemic tissues. It involves biochemical and cellular changes causing oxidant production and complement activation, which culminates in an inflammatory response, mediated by neutrophil and platelet cell interactions with the endothelium and among the cells themselves. The mounted inflammatory response has both local and systemic manifestations. Despite improvements in imaging, interventional techniques, and pharmacological agents, morbidity from reperfusion remains high. Extensive research has furthered the understanding of the various pathophysiological mechanisms involved and the development of potential therapeutic strategies. Preconditioning has emerged as a powerful method of ameliorating ischemia reperfusion injury to the myocardium and in transplant surgery. More recently, postconditioning has been shown to provide a therapeutic counter to vasoocclusive emergencies. More research and well-designed trials are needed to bridge the gap between experimental evidence and clinical implementation.

Polysaccharides from extracts of Antrodia camphorata mycelia and fruiting bodies modulate inflammatory mediator expression in mice with polymicrobial sepsis

OBJECTIVES

Antrodia camphorata (AC) is a traditional Chinese medicine, and the polysaccharides contained within AC (AC-PSs) are reported to possess various biological functions. This study extracted AC-PSs from mycelia and fruiting bodies and evaluated their influences on inflammatory mediator expressions in septic mice.

METHODS

There were one normal control (NC) and three experimental groups. The normal control group underwent a sham operation, whereas the experimental groups underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis. Mice in the experimental groups were further divided into saline, mycelia, and fruiting body treatment groups. Saline or AC-PSs were injected intraperitoneally twice at 0.5 and 1 h after CLP and the mice were sacrificed at 6 or 16 h after sepsis for further analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal control group, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-10, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels in plasma and/or peritoneal lavage fluid in the septic mice dramatically increased after CLP. The increased levels of these inflammatory mediators in the two AC-PS-treated groups had decreased by 16 h after CLP. Messenger RNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and IL-10 in the splenocytes were lower in the 2 AC-PS-treated groups than in the saline group. Consistent with the results, lung nuclear factor-κB expressions decreased and less severe interstitial inflammation was observed in the histologic finding after CLP in mice that had received AC-PSs. The fruiting body group had higher white blood cell counts and lower IL-6 levels in the peritoneal lavage fluid 6 h after CLP, whereas the interferon-γ level was higher 16 h after CLP than in the saline group. These alterations were not found in mice injected with the mycelia extract.

CONCLUSION

The administration of AC-PSs from mycelia or fruiting bodies decreased the inflammatory mediator expressions at the location of injury and in the circulation, especially in the late stage of sepsis. AC-PSs from fruiting bodies seemed to be more effective in decreasing the inflammatory response than those from mycelia. These findings suggest that AC-PSs from mycelia and fruiting bodies have potential protective effects against polymicrobial sepsis.

Investigation of cellular and molecular responses to pulsed focused ultrasound in a mouse model

Continuous focused ultrasound (cFUS) has been widely used for thermal ablation of tissues, relying on continuous exposures to generate temperatures necessary to induce coagulative necrosis. Pulsed FUS (pFUS) employs non-continuous exposures that lower the rate of energy deposition and allow cooling to occur between pulses, thereby minimizing thermal effects and emphasizing effects created by non-thermal mechanisms of FUS (i.e., acoustic radiation forces and acoustic cavitation). pFUS has shown promise for a variety of applications including drug and nanoparticle delivery; however, little is understood about the effects these exposures have on tissue, especially with regard to cellular pro-homing factors (growth factors, cytokines, and cell adhesion molecules). We examined changes in murine hamstring muscle following pFUS or cFUS and demonstrate that pFUS, unlike cFUS, has little effect on the histological integrity of muscle and does not induce cell death. Infiltration of macrophages was observed 3 and 8 days following pFUS or cFUS exposures. pFUS increased expression of several cytokines (e.g., IL-1α, IL-1β, TNFα, INFγ, MIP-1α, MCP-1, and GMCSF) creating a local cytokine gradient on days 0 and 1 post-pFUS that returns to baseline levels by day 3 post-pFUS. pFUS exposures induced upregulation of other signaling molecules (e.g., VEGF, FGF, PlGF, HGF, and SDF-1α) and cell adhesion molecules (e.g., ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) on muscle vasculature. The observed molecular changes in muscle following pFUS may be utilized to target cellular therapies by increasing homing to areas of pathology.

Osteoblast retraction induced by adherent neutrophils promotes osteoclast bone resorption: implication for altered bone remodeling in chronic gout

Bone destruction in chronic gout is correlated with deposits of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. Bone with MSU tophi were histopathologically shown to have altered remodeling and cellular distribution. We investigated the impact of neutrophils in bone remodeling associated with MSU and demonstrated that neutrophils, through elastase localized at their surface, induced retraction of confluent osteoblasts (OBs) previously layered on calcified matrix. This OB retraction allowed osteoclasts to resorb cell-free areas of the matrix. This neutrophil effect was concentration dependent and time dependent and required direct contact with OBs. Exposure of OBs to MSU greatly promoted neutrophil adherence to OBs. Neutrophil membrane at the contact zone with OBs showed concentrated fluorescence of dye PKH-67, indicating a cellular contact. Neutrophil-OB interaction increased the survival of neutrophils, reduced their release of lactoferrin in presence of MSU and did not change OB-mediated mineralization. The adhesion of neutrophils to OBs was heterotypic through neutrophil CD29/CD49d and OB-fibronectin peptide CS1. Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) were also involved in neutrophil adherence to OBs, as shown by the blocking effect of selective LTB₄ and PAF receptor antagonists, and a cytosolic phospholipase A(2α) (cPLA(2α)) inhibitor. Blockade of CD49d/CS1 and inhibition of the cPLA(2α) had subadditive effects, reducing by 60% the adherence of neutrophils to OBs. Taken together, these data showed that neutrophil adhesion to MSU-activated OBs was mediated by the β₁ integrin CD29/CD49d-fibronectin peptide CS1 receptors and cPLA(2α)-derived metabolites and impacts on OB and osteoclast functions. These interactions could be involved in the local bone remodeling process of gout.

Pre-treatment with glutamine attenuates lung injury in rats subjected to intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion

BACKGROUND

Glutamine (Gln) is the most abundant amino acid in blood and tissue fluids and is considered to be essential in certain catabolic conditions. A series of studies has shown that glutamine can attenuate cytokine release, reduce organ damage and improve survival in a rat model of endotoxaemia. The hypothesis for this rat model study is that pre-treatment with Gln reduces the expression of ICAM-1 and attenuates lung injury induced by intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R).

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised into five groups, namely sham group (sham surgery), Gln groups (three different doses) and control group. Lung injury caused by intestinal I/R was evaluated using Evans blue dye concentration and histopathologic examination. The level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was measured using biochemistry method. The expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) and ICAM-1 were detected using Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, respectively.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, rats pre-treated with Gln before intestinal I/R demonstrated decreased Evans Blue content and MPO activities in lung tissue, reduced the expression of ICAM-1, attenuated lung injury evidenced by pathological change compared with lactated Ringer pre-treated rats. Gln administration increased HSP 70 mRNA and protein expression in lung tissue compared with control group.

CONCLUSION

Ischaemia-reperfusion injury increases the expression of ICAM-1 in the lung. This may contribute to the migration, accumulation and activation of neutrophils. Pre-treatment with Gln attenuates rat lung injury and reduces ICAM-1 expression.

Molecular regulators of leucocyte chemotaxis during inflammation

A fundamental feature of any immune response is the movement of leucocytes from one site in the body to another to provide effector functions. Therefore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the migration of leucocytes from the blood to tissues is critical to our understanding of immune function during inflammation. The classic steps of leucocyte trafficking involve leucocyte tethering and rolling on vessel walls of the vasculature, followed by firm adhesion to the endothelium. Recent evidence suggests that upon adhering, leucocytes crawl within the vessels before transmigrating across vessel walls and crawling into targeted tissues. The directed nature of the crawling events is orchestrated by a complex array of soluble factors and molecular regulators in combination with the local intravascular and extracellular environment. In fact, this process is known as chemotaxis and orientates cell movement in relation to the ligand gradient. Several signalling pathways have been proposed to be involved in this gradient-sensing and amplification process, but the best studied, discussed in detail here, is the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway. Substantial progress has been made in understanding how cells roll and adhere in blood vessels; however, how cells crawl in blood vessels, emigrate, and then crawl in tissues has received much less attention. Therefore, the focus of this review is to provide recent insights into molecular mechanisms and cellular processes that mediate leucocyte crawling in blood vessels and tissues during the inflammatory response.

Adhesion and transcellular migration of neutrophils and B lymphocytes on fibroblasts

During tissue inflammation, infiltrated leukocytes may have physical contacts with fibroblasts. We observed that neutrophils and B lymphocytes adhered in a larger proportion than T cells on cultured fibroblasts. Microscopy showed that adhesion was also characterized by leukocyte engulfment by the fibroblasts. In migration assays, only neutrophils and B lymphocytes were selectively able to migrate through a fibroblast barrier. Adhesion and migration were increased by stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Antibodies against ICAM-1/beta2 integrin blocked the interaction of neutrophils to fibroblasts. For B lymphocytes the couple VCAM-1/alpha4 integrin was also involved in this interaction. Human skin fibroblasts presented similar adhesion characteristics as rat cardiac fibroblasts. By measuring the distance between the border of migration holes and cadherin-positive adherens junctions, more than 65% of the holes correspond to the transcellular route over the paracellular route. Furthermore, vimentin staining revealed that the migration holes were highly nested by intermediate filaments in accordance with the transcellular route. Our results demonstrated that engulfment of neutrophils and B lymphocytes by fibroblasts resulted in selective passage by a transcellular route.

The inflammatory response to skeletal muscle injury: illuminating complexities

Injury of skeletal muscle, and especially mechanically induced damage such as contusion injury, frequently occurs in contact sports, as well as in accidental contact sports, such as hockey and squash. The large variations with regard to injury severity and affected muscle group, as well as non-specificity of reported symptoms, complicate research aimed at finding suitable treatments. Therefore, in order to increase the chances of finding a successful treatment, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms inherent to this type of skeletal muscle injury and the cellular processes involved in muscle healing following a contusion injury. Arguably the most important of these processes is inflammation since it is a consistent and lasting response. The inflammatory response is dependent on two factors, namely the extent of actual physical damage and the degree of muscle vascularization at the time of injury. However, long-term anti-inflammatory treatment is not necessarily effective in promoting healing, as indicated by various studies on NSAID treatment. Because of the factors named earlier, human studies on the inflammatory response to contusion injury are limited, but several experimental animal models have been designed to study muscle damage and regeneration. The early recovery phase is characterized by the overlapping processes of inflammation and occurrence of secondary damage. Although neutrophil infiltration has been named as a contributor to the latter, no clear evidence exists to support this claim. Macrophages, although forming part of the inflammatory response, have been shown to have a role in recovery, rather than in exacerbating secondary damage. Several probable roles for this cell type in the second phase of recovery, involving resolution processes, have been identified and include the following: (i) phagocytosis to remove cellular debris; (ii) switching from a pro- to anti-inflammatory phenotype in regenerating muscle; (iii) preventing muscle cells from undergoing apoptosis; (iv) releasing factors to promote muscle precursor cell activation and growth; and (v) secretion of cytokines and growth factors to facilitate vascular and muscle fibre repair. These many different roles suggest that a single treatment with one specific target cell population (e.g. neutrophils, macrophages or satellite cells) may not be equally effective in all phases of the post-injury response. To find the optimal targeted, but time-course-dependent, treatments requires substantial further investigations. However, the techniques currently used to induce mechanical injury vary considerably in terms of invasiveness, tools used to induce injury, muscle group selected for injury and contractile status of the muscle, all of which have an influence on the immune and/or cytokine responses. This makes interpretation of the complex responses more difficult. After our review of the literature, we propose that a standardized non-invasive contusion injury is the ideal model for investigations into the immune responses to mechanical skeletal muscle injury. Despite its suitability as a model, the currently available literature with respect to the inflammatory response to injury using contusion models is largely inadequate. Therefore, it may be premature to investigate highly targeted therapies, which may ultimately prove more effective in decreasing athlete recovery time than current therapies that are either not phase-specific, or not administered in a phase-specific fashion.

EFFECT OF ARGININE ON CELLULAR ADHESION MOLECULE EXPRESSION AND LEUKOCYTE TRANSMIGRATION IN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS STIMULATED BY BIOLOGICAL FLUID FROM SURGICAL PATIENTS

This study investigated the effect of different arginine (Arg) concentrations on adhesion molecule expression on endothelial cells (ECs) and leukocytes and the transendothelial migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) through ECs stimulated by plasma or peritoneal drain fluid (PDF) from surgical patients. Human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) and PMNs from healthy subjects were treated with different concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 1000 micromol/L) of Arg for 24 h. After that, HUVECs were stimulated for 3 h with plasma or PDF from patients who underwent abdominal surgery, and PMNs were allowed to transmigrate through ECs for 2 h. The HUVEC expression of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) and integrin (CD11b) and the interleukin (IL) 8 receptor expression on PMNs were measured by flow cytometry. The PMNs transmigrating through ECs were also analyzed. The results showed that CAM and integrin expressions in PDF groups were higher than those in control groups. Among the PDF groups, IL-8 secretions from ECs and PMNs were lower with 100 and 1000 micromol/L Arg than with 0 and 50 micromol/L Arg, and this was consistent with the expression of the IL-8 receptor on PMNs. In addition, CAM expressions on ECs and CD11b expression on PMNs, as well as PMN transmigration, were lower with 100 and 1000 micromol/L Arg than with 0 and 50 micromol/L Arg. The HUVECs stimulated by plasma from surgical patients had similar effects on surface molecule expression as PDF; however, as shown in PDF stimulation, the effects were not so obvious. Inhibition of nitric oxide production results in high CAM and IL-8 expressions comparable with groups with low Arg administration. The results of this in vitro study suggest that ECs and PMNs were activated after patients' plasma or PDF stimulation. A low Arg concentration comparable with catabolic conditions resulted in higher adhesion molecule expression and greater transendothelial migration of neutrophils. Arginine administration at levels similar to or higher than physiological concentrations reduced IL-8 and CAM expression, and PMN transmigration was also decreased after stimulation with plasma or PDF from surgical patients. Inactivation of NO results in high CAM and IL-8 expression. This finding indicated that NO may be an important endogenous inhibitor for EC-PMN interaction and neutrophil transmigration.

EFFECT OF GLUTAMINE ON CELLULAR ADHESION MOLECULE EXPRESSION AND LEUKOCYTE TRANSMIGRATION IN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS STIMULATED BY PLASMA OR PERITONEAL DRAIN FLUID FROM A SURGICAL PATIENT

This study investigated the effect of glutamine (GLN) concentration on surface molecule expression on endothelial cells (ECs) and leukocytes and the transendothelial migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) through ECs stimulated by plasma or peritoneal drain fluid (PDF) from a surgical patient. Human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) and PMNs from normal subjects were treated with different concentrations (0, 300, 600, and 1000 micromol/L) of GLN for 24 h. After that, HUVECs were stimulated for 3 h with plasma or PDF from a patient who had undergone abdominal surgery, and PMNs were allowed to transmigrate through ECs for 2 h. HUVEC surface expression of cell adhesion molecules and integrin (CD11b) and interleukin (IL) 8 receptor expression on PMNs were measured by flow cytometry. PMNs transmigrating through ECs were also analyzed. The results showed that cell adhesion molecule and integrin expressions in PDF groups were higher than those in control groups. Among the PDF groups, cellular adhesion molecule expressions on ECs and CD11b expression on PMNs were lower with 600 and 1000 micromol/L than with 300 micromol/L GLN. IL-8 secretions from ECs and PMNs were higher with 300 and 600 micromol/L than with 1000 micromol/L GLN, and this was consistent with the expression of the IL-8 receptor on PMNs. PMN transmigration was significantly higher with 300 micromol/L GLN than with the other GLN concentrations. HUVECs stimulated by plasma from surgical patient had the similar effects on surface molecule expression as PDF; however, the influences were not so obvious as shown in PDF stimulation. The results of this in vitro study suggest that ECs and PMNs were activated after patient's plasma or PDF stimulation. A low GLN concentration comparable to catabolic conditions resulted in higher adhesion molecule expression and greater transendothelial migration of neutrophils. GLN administration at levels similar to or higher than physiological concentrations reduced IL-8 and adhesion molecule expression, and PMN transmigration was also decreased after stimulation with plasma or PDF from a surgical patient.

Effects of glutamine on adhesion molecule expression and leukocyte transmigration in endothelial cells exposed to arsenic

This study evaluated whether glutamine (GLN) concentration was related to endothelial surface molecule expression and the migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) through endothelial cells (ECs) stimulated by arsenic. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and PMNs were treated with different GLN concentrations (0, 300, 600 and 1000 microM) for 24 h. After that, we stimulated HUVECs for 3 h with 0.5 microM arsenic, and PMNs were allowed to transmigrate to ECs for 2 h. HUVEC surface expressions of cell adhesion molecules and integrin (CD11b) and interleukin (IL)-8 receptor expressions on PMNs were measured. The transendothelial migration of PMNs was also analyzed. The results showed that cell adhesion molecule (CAM) and integrin expressions in arsenic groups were higher than in those without arsenic. Among the arsenic groups, the expression of CAMs on ECs and CD11b, and IL-8 receptor on PMNs was lowest with 0 microM compared with the other GLN concentrations. Vascular CAM-1 on ECs and CD11b on PMN expression were higher with 300 microM than with 600 and 1000 microM GLN. IL-8 secretions from ECs and PMNs were higher with 300 muM than with 600 and 1000 microM GLN, and this was consistent with the expression of the IL-8 receptor on PMNs. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil transmigration was significantly higher with 300 muM GLN than with other GLN concentrations. These results suggest that ECs and PMNs were activated after arsenic stimulation. Cell adhesion molecule expressions on ECs and PMNs were suppressed in the absence of GLN. A low GLN concentration comparable to catabolic conditions resulted in higher adhesion molecule expression and greater transendothelial migration of neutrophils. Glutamine administration at levels similar to or higher than physiological concentrations reduced IL-8 and adhesion molecule expression; PMN transmigration was also decreased after stimulation with arsenic.

Effect of glutamine on cell adhesion molecule expression and leukocyte transmigration in endothelial cells stimulated by preeclamptic plasma

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed plasma glutamine (GLN) concentrations in women with preeclampsia. Also, in an in vitro study we evaluated whether GLN concentration was related to surface molecule expressions on endothelial cells (ECs) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and the transendothelial migration of PMNs through ECs stimulated by preeclamptic plasma.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 20 women with preeclampsia and 15 normal pregnant women for plasma GLN analysis. In the in vitro study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells and PMNs were treated with different concentrations (0, 300, 500, and 1000 microM) of GLN for 24 h. After that, we stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells for 3 h with plasma from patients with preeclampsia, and PMNs were allowed to transmigrate through ECs for 2 h. EC surface expressions of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) and integrin (CD11b) interleukin-8 (IL-8) receptor expressions on PMNs were measured by flow cytometry. The transendothelial migration of PMNs through ECs was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Women with preeclampsia exhibited significantly lower plasma GLN concentrations than did normal pregnant women. The in vitro study showed that, compared with normal plasma, CAM expressions on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and PMNs were increased when preeclamptic plasma was stimulated. Among the groups with preeclamptic plasma stimulation, intracellular CAM-1 expression on ECs and CD11b and IL-8 receptor expressions on PMNs were lower with 500 and 1000 microM than with 300 microM of GLN. IL-8 production from ECs and PMNs was also lower with 500 and 1000 microM than with 300 microM of GLN. PMN transmigration was significantly higher with 300 microM of GLN than with the other GLN concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma GLN is depleted in women with preeclampsia. The result of this in vitro study showed that ECs and PMNs were activated after preeclamptic plasma stimulation. A low GLN concentration resulted in greater CAM expression and greater transendothelial migration of neutrophils. GLN administration at levels similar to or higher than physiologic concentrations decreased IL-8 and CAM expressions, and PMN transmigration decreased after stimulation with preeclamptic plasma.

An intracellular signaling hierarchy determines direction of migration in opposing chemotactic gradients

Neutrophils must follow both endogenous and bacterial chemoattractant signals out of the vasculature and through the interstitium to arrive at a site of infection. By necessity, in the setting of multiple chemoattractants, the neutrophils must prioritize, favoring end target chemoattractants (e.g., fMLP and C5a) emanating from the site of infection over intermediary endogenous chemoattractants (e.g., IL-8 and LTB4) encountered en route to sites of infection. In this study, we propose a hierarchical model of two signaling pathways mediating the decision-making process of the neutrophils, which allows end target molecules to dominate over intermediary chemoattractants. In an under agarose assay, neutrophils predominantly migrated toward end target chemoattractants via p38 MAPK, whereas intermediary chemoattractant-induced migration was phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt dependent. When faced with competing gradients of end target and intermediary chemoattractants, Akt activation was significantly reduced within neutrophils, and the cells migrated preferentially toward end target chemoattractants even at 1/1,000th that of intermediary chemoattractants. End target molecules did not require chemotactic properties, since the p38 MAPK activator, LPS, also inhibited Akt and prevented migration to intermediary chemoattractants. p38 MAPK inhibitors not only reversed this hierarchy, such that neutrophils migrated preferentially toward intermediary chemoattractants, but also allowed neutrophils to be drawn out of a local end target chemoattractant environment and toward intermediary chemoattractants unexpectedly in an exaggerated (two- to fivefold) fashion. This was entirely related to significantly increased magnitude and duration of Akt activation. Finally, end target chemoattractant responses were predominantly Mac-1 dependent, whereas nondominant chemoattractants used primarily LFA-1. These data provide support for a two pathway signaling model wherein the end target chemoattractants activate p38 MAPK, which inhibits intermediary chemoattractant-induced PI3K/Akt pathway, establishing an intracellular signaling hierarchy.

The use of lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1-deficient mice to determine the role of LFA-1, Mac-1, and alpha4 integrin in the inflammatory response of neutrophils

After injury or infection, neutrophils rapidly migrate from the circulation into tissues by means of an orderly progression of adhesion receptor engagements. Neutrophils have been previously considered to use selectins exclusively to roll on vessels before an adhesion step mediated by the beta2 integrins, lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1, and Mac-1. Here we use LFA-1(-/-) mice, function blocking monoclonal antibodies, and intravital microscopy to investigate the roles of LFA-1, Mac-1, and alpha4 integrins in neutrophil recruitment in vivo. For the first time, we show that LFA-1 makes a contribution to neutrophil rolling by stabilizing the transient attachment or tethering phase of rolling. In contrast, Mac-1 does not appear to be important for either rolling or firm adhesion, but instead contributes to emigration from the vessel. Blocking Mac-1 in the presence of LFA-1 significantly reduces emigration, suggesting cooperation between these two integrins. Low levels of alpha4beta1 integrin can be detected on neutrophils from LFA-1(+/+) and (-/-) mice. These cells make use of alpha4beta1 during the rolling phase, particularly in the absence of LFA-1. Thus LFA-1 and alpha4beta1, together with the selectins, are involved in the rolling phase of neutrophil recruitment, and, in turn, affect the later stages of the transmigration event.

Integrin alpha(M)beta(2)-mediated cell migration to fibrinogen and its recognition peptides

Leukocyte migration is the hallmark of inflammation, and integrin α_Mβ₂ and its ligand fibrinogen (Fg) are key participants in this cellular response. Cells expressing wild-type or mutant α_Mβ₂ and Fg or its derivatives have been used to dissect the molecular requirements for this receptor–ligand pair to mediate cell migration. The major conclusions are that (a) Fg, its D fragment, and its P1 and P2 α_Mβ₂ recognition peptides support a chemotactic response; (b) when the I domain of α_L was replaced with the I domain of α_M, the chimeric receptor supported cell migration to Fg; however, the α_M subunit, containing the I domain but lacking the β₂ subunit, supported migration poorly, thus, the α_MI domain is necessary but not sufficient to support chemotaxis, and efficient migration requires the β₂ subunit and α_MI domain; and (c) in addition to supporting cell migration, P2 enhanced α_Mβ₂-mediated chemotaxis to Fg and the P1 peptide. This activation was associated with exposure of the activation-dependent epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody 7E3 and was observed also with human neutrophils. Taken together, these data define specific molecular requirements for α_Mβ₂ to mediate cell migration to Fg derivatives and assign a novel proinflammatory activity to the P2 peptide.

Leukocyte chemosensory migration on vascular prosthetic biomaterial is mediated by an integrin beta2 receptor chain

The ability of adherent activated leukocytes to migrate on implanted prosthetic biomaterial surfaces may be an early rate-limiting step in eliminating periprosthetic infection. The goal of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism governing leukocyte migration on the implantable cardiovascular prosthetic biomaterial, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), in response to stimulation by the soluble chemokine, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). We used a population level migration assay to study the migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) on ePTFE, overlaid by a gelatin/agar composite. A theoretical random walk model was applied to describe fMLP-induced PMN migration on ePTFE in terms of an objective random cell migration coefficient, mu. Our results show that following stimulation with 0-10(-7) M fMLP, the value of mu ranged from 5.43 x 10(-9) to 1.08 x 10(-7) cm2/s, with a maximum value obtained at 10(-8) M fMLP. We probed the expression levels of various beta2 integrin receptor subunits and their contribution to the migratory function of ePTFE-adherent PMN over a wide range of fMLP concentration. We found that the expression of the integrin beta-chain, CD18, was also maximized at 10(-8) M fMLP, along with only slight changes in the expression of integrin alpha-chains (CD11a,b,c). We report that treatment with antibodies against either beta or combined alpha chains, but not individual alpha chains, inhibited PMN attachment to ePTFE at 10(-8) M fMLP, suggesting the likely role of combined beta2 receptor subunits in early adhesion events following stimulation. However, treatment with only anti-CD18 significantly lowered PMN migration on ePTFE (mu = 5.98 x 10(-9) cm2/s), and this degree of inhibition was much greater than that elicited by the combined treatment with antibodies recognizing all possible alpha-chains. Overall, we conclude that migratory behavior of chemokinetically stimulated PMN on ePTFE is mediated by the integrin beta chain pool, and is only weakly regulated by the integrin alpha chain.

Chemotactic properties of ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 on neutrophil granulocytes in ulcerative colitis: effects of prednisolone and mesalazine

BACKGROUND

ICAM-1 seems to exhibit effects other than passive leucocyte/endothelial interaction.

AIM

To investigate the attracting properties of selected adhesion molecules, assessing the influence of the two major anti-inflammatory drugs in ulcerative colitis, prednisolone and mesalazine.

METHODS

Circulating neutrophils (11 ulcerative colitis, 15 controls) were assessed in microchemotaxis chambers by the leading front technique, using physiologically relevant concentrations of ICAM-1 (0.005-5000 pM), PECAM-1 (0.001-1000 nM), and P-selectin (0.01-100 nM). Neutrophils pre-incubated with prednisolone (10(-8)-10(-4) M) or mesalazine (0.65-10. 4 nM) were assessed towards ICAM-1.

RESULTS

Migration of neutrophils towards ICAM-1 showed a bell-shaped curve with a maximum at 5 pM (migration: 37.7 microm; P<0.001), whereas PECAM-1 attracted neutrophils equally in the range of 0.1-10 nM (25.0 microm; P<0.001). P-selectin had no cell-attracting effect. No differences were detected between cells from ulcerative colitis patients and controls. Pre-treatment with prednisolone decreased the cell attracting effect of ICAM-1 in a dose-dependent manner to 72% of the basal migration (P<0.001). Conversely, prednisolone showed a pro-chemokinetic effect by increasing the spontaneous locomotion of neutrophils by 40% (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Specific chemotactic properties were observed for ICAM-1 and PECAM-1. Prednisolone exhibited a dual effect in inhibiting the ICAM-1-mediated migration and stimulating the general locomotion of neutrophils.

Human granulocyte CD11b expression as a pharmacodynamic biomarker of inflammation

A method has been developed for the direct quantification of the CD11b integrin on granulocytes by flow cytometric analysis of whole blood specimens following either LTB(4) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. This method has utility in evaluating the pharmacodynamic action of either LTB(4) receptor antagonists or immune cell modulators in effecting CD11b integrin expression and granulocyte activation in human subjects administered such drugs. Previous studies using CD11b as a biomarker of granulocyte activation have faltered because of the difficulty in controlling the activation state of the granulocyte following removal of blood from subjects. The present study has made use of a newly validated method using either LTB(4) or LPS to stimulate CD11b expression on granulocytes and has been used, as one measure, in the evaluation of LPS activity when administered to normal human volunteers.

The alphaMbeta2 integrin and its role in neutrophil function

Neutrophils are the first cell type to arrive at the injury sites and play a critical role in host defense, by virtue of its ability to adhere and transmigrate through endothelium, to phagocytose foreign pathogens, and to produce free oxygen radicals and proteolytic enzymes. Yet, inappropriate neutrophil activation causes tissue damage and various inflammatory diseases. These physiological and pathological functions of neutrophils depend on the engagement of certain surface receptors, especially alphaMbeta2, the major beta2 integrin receptor present on neutrophil surface. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ligand binding by alphaMbeta2, as well as the roles of alphaMbeta2-ligand interactions in neutrophil functions will enable us to regulate more precisely neutrophil activities: that is, to promote their host defense functions, and at the same time to minimize their deleterious effects on normal cells.

Chronic inflammation upregulates chemokine receptors and induces neutrophil migration to monocyte chemoattractant protein-1

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a CC chemokine that stimulates monocyte recruitment when injected into tissues of healthy animals. However, the function of this chemokine in models with preexisting inflammation is not known. Therefore, MCP-1 was superfused over the mesentery of naive rats or rats with chronic adjuvant-induced vasculitis. MCP-1 elicited increased leukocyte transendothelial migration in adjuvant-immunized rats compared with naive animals. Surprisingly, histology revealed that neutrophils constituted the majority of leukocytes recruited in adjuvant-immunized animals. In vitro, MCP-1 was also able to induce chemotaxis of neutrophils isolated from adjuvant-immunized rats but not from naive rats. Flow cytometry revealed novel expression of the CC chemokine receptors CCR1 and CCR2 on neutrophils from adjuvant-immunized animals. In naive animals, an antibody against CD18 blocked leukocyte adhesion and emigration in response to MCP-1. In adjuvant-immunized animals, leukocyte adhesion was reduced by antibodies against the alpha4-integrin but not by antibodies against CD18. However, the CD18 antibody did block emigration. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show increased sensitivity to a CC chemokine in a model with preexisting inflammation, and altered leukocyte recruitment profiles in response to MCP-1. It also demonstrates that CD18 is required for chemokine-induced leukocyte transendothelial migration, independent of its known role in mediating firm adhesion. J. Clin. Invest. 103:1269-1276 (1999).

Differential regulation of beta1 integrins by chemoattractants regulates neutrophil migration through fibrin

Chemoattractants differ in their capacity to stimulate neutrophils to adhere to and to migrate through matrices containing fibrin. Formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (fMLP) stimulates neutrophils to adhere closely to, but not to migrate into, fibrin gels. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) stimulates neutrophils to adhere loosely to and to migrate through fibrin gels. We report that alpha5beta1 integrins regulate the different migratory behaviors on fibrin gels of neutrophils in response to these chemoattractants. fMLP, but not LTB4, activated neutrophil beta1 integrins, as measured by binding of mAb 15/7 to an activation epitope on the beta1 integrins. Antibodies or peptides that block alpha5beta1 integrins prevented fMLP-stimulated neutrophils from forming zones of close apposition on fibrin and reversed fMLP's inhibitory effect on neutrophil chemotaxis through fibrin. In contrast, neither peptides nor antibodies that block beta1 integrins affected the capacity of LTB4-stimulated neutrophils to form zones of loose apposition or to migrate through fibrin gels. These results suggest that chemoattractants generate at least two different messages that direct neutrophils, and perhaps other leukocytes, to accumulate at specific anatomic sites: a general message that induces neutrophils to crawl and a specific message that prepares neutrophils to stop when they contact appropriate matrix proteins for activated beta1 integrins.

Scleroderma fibroblasts promote migration of mononuclear leucocytes across endothelial cell monolayers

Perivascular infiltrates of inflammatory cells are a hallmark of lesional skin in scleroderma. We have explored the potential for scleroderma fibroblasts to modulate mononuclear leucocyte migration across endothelial cell monolayers in tissue culture, and to regulate expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules. Fibroblasts were grown from skin biopsies of eight patients with active diffuse cutaneous scleroderma and from four healthy controls. Co-culture and conditioned medium transfer experiments examined the effect of soluble fibroblast products on mononuclear leucocyte (U937) cell migration across endothelial cell (1E-7) monolayers grown on tissue culture inserts. Co-culture of scleroderma, but not control fibroblasts, promoted transendothelial migration of U937 cells. Scleroderma fibroblast-conditioned medium had qualitatively similar effects and equivalent results were obtained using Jurkat-6 (T lymphocyte) cells, and with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a patient with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma. Promotion of leucocyte migration does not appear to result from increased endothelial adhesion molecule expression, since fibroblast-conditioned medium did not up-regulate endothelial cell expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) or E-selectin. Moreover, leucocyte migration across cytokine-activated endothelial cell layers in co-culture with fibroblasts was less than across resting cells, although the selective effect of scleroderma fibroblast co-culture persisted. Recombinant monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) or IL-8 increased passage of mononuclear leucocytes across endothelial cell monolayers, whilst anti-MCP-1, but not anti-IL-8 antibodies, significantly reduced the effect of fibroblast conditioned medium. These data suggest that systemic sclerosis (SSc) fibroblasts promote leucocyte migration across endothelial cell monolayers in tissue culture via an MCP-1-dependent mechanism. These findings may be relevant to the perivascular mononuclear leucocyte infiltrates characteristic of early SSc lesions.

Contribution of CD11a/CD18, CD11b/CD18, ICAM-1 (CD54) and -2 (CD102) to human monocyte migration through endothelium and connective tissue fibroblast barriers

Recently we reported that monocyte migration through a barrier of human synovial fibroblasts (HSF) is mediated by the CD11/CD18 (beta2) integrins, and the beta1 integrins VLA-4 and VLA-5 on monocytes. Here we investigated in parallel the role of beta2 integrin family members, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) on monocytes, and the immunoglobulin supergene family members, ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 on HSF and on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), in monocyte migration through HSF and HUVEC monolayers. Using function blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAb), when both VLA-4 and VLA-5 on monocytes were blocked, treatment of monocytes with mAb to both LFA-1 and to Mac-1 completely inhibited monocyte migration across HSF barriers, although blocking either of these beta2 integrins alone had no effect on migration, even when VLA-4 and VLA-5 were blocked. This indicates that optimal beta2 integrin-dependent monocyte migration in synovial connective tissue may be mediated by either LFA-1 or Mac-1. Both ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 were constitutively expressed on HSF and on HUVEC, although ICAM-2 was only minimally expressed on HSF. Based on results of mAb blockade, ICAM-1 appeared to be the major ligand for LFA-1-dependent migration through the HSF. In contrast, both ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 mediated LFA-1-dependent monocyte migration through HUVEC. However, neither ICAM-1 nor ICAM-2 was required for Mac-1 -dependent monocyte migration through either cell barrier, indicating that Mac-1 can utilize ligands distinct from ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 on HSF and on HUVEC during monocyte transmigration.