Comparative methodologic study of NFkappaB activation in cultured endothelial cells

Laser scanning cytometry: principles and applications-an update

Laser scanning cytometer (LSC) is the microscope-based cytofluorometer that offers a plethora of unique analytical capabilities, not provided by flow cytometry (FCM). This review describes attributes of LSC and covers its numerous applications derived from plentitude of the parameters that can be measured. Among many LSC applications the following are emphasized: (a) assessment of chromatin condensation to identify mitotic, apoptotic cells, or senescent cells; (b) detection of nuclear or mitochondrial translocation of critical factors such as NF-κB, p53, or Bax; (c) semi-automatic scoring of micronuclei in mutagenicity assays; (d) analysis of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and use of the FISH analysis attribute to measure other punctuate fluorescence patterns such as γH2AX foci or receptor clustering; (e) enumeration and morphometry of nucleoli and other cell organelles; (f) analysis of progeny of individual cells in clonogenicity assay; (g) cell immunophenotyping; (h) imaging, visual examination, or sequential analysis using different probes of the same cells upon their relocation; (i) in situ enzyme kinetics, drug uptake, and other time-resolved processes; (j) analysis of tissue section architecture using fluorescent and chromogenic probes; (k) application for hypocellular samples (needle aspirate, spinal fluid, etc.); and (l) other clinical applications. Advantages and limitations of LSC are discussed and compared with FCM.

Laser scanning cytometry of mitosis: state and stage analysis

Here we use a concept of cell state, which can be defined as the conjunction of expression levels of an arbitrary number of biomolecules or modifications thereof that oscillate, to classify mitotic cells. We describe detection of cell states with quantitative immunofluorescence measurements performed by laser scanning cytometry. This platform allows both measurement of the cell states, capture of cell images within those states, and subsequent analysis of each image to classify by traditional mitotic stages based on nuclear morphology.

Laser scanning cytometry: principles and applications

The laser scanning cytometer (LSC) is the microscope-based cytofluorometer that offers a plethora of analytical capabilities. Multilaser-excited fluorescence emitted from individual cells is measured at several wavelength ranges, rapidly (up to 5000 cells/min), with high sensitivity and accuracy. The following applications of LSC are reviewed: (1) identification of cells that differ in degree of chromatin condensation (e.g., mitotic or apoptotic cells or lymphocytes vs granulocytes vs monocytes); (2) detection of translocation between cytoplasm vs nucleus or nucleoplasm vs nucleolus of regulatory molecules such as NF-kappaB, p53, or Bax; (3) semiautomatic scoring of micronuclei in mutagenicity assays; (4) analysis of fluorescence in situ hybridization; (5) enumeration and morphometry of nucleoli; (6) analysis of phenotype of progeny of individual cells in clonogenicity assay; (7) cell immunophenotyping; (8) visual examination, imaging, or sequential analysis of the cells measured earlier upon their relocation, using different probes; (9) in situ enzyme kinetics and other time-resolved processes; (10) analysis of tissue section architecture; (11) application for hypocellular samples (needle aspirate, spinal fluid, etc.); (12) other clinical applications. Advantages and limitations of LSC are discussed and compared with flow cytometry.

The impact of a new immunomodulator oxo-quinoline-3-carboxamide on the progression of experimental lupus

Autoimmune, lupus-prone MRL lpr/lpr mice were treated orally with oxo-quinoline-3-carboxamide (ABR-25757), a newly developed immunomodulator. Treatment was initiated in one set of experiment at the age of 10 weeks, before the onset of clinically apparent disease, and in another set at 15 weeks, after the development of established lupus disease. Beneficial therapeutic effects were obtained even when ABR-25757 was administered at the lowest dose tested (7.5 microg/mouse/week) to 15 weeks old mice with established lupus disease. The effects of ABR-25757 on longevity, as well as on development of glomerulonephritis were pronounced and comparable with those of LS-2616, a potent immunomodulator. Administration of ABR-25757 did not significantly alter T cell responses in vivo nor in vitro. In addition, it only marginally suppressed B cell responses measured as frequencies of immunoglobulin secreting cells. By the same token this compound did not affect overall leukocyte content in primary (bone marrow) or secondary (spleen) lymphoid tissues. In contrast, treatment with ABR-25757 up regulated expression of pro-inflammatory transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1. These results suggest (a) a potential therapeutic role of ABR-25757 in the treatment of experimental lupus and (b) that the effect of the treatment is mediated by immunodeviation rather than by immunosuppression.

Advances in molecular labeling, high throughput imaging and machine intelligence portend powerful functional cellular biochemistry tools

Cellular behavior is complex. Successfully understanding systems at ever-increasing complexity is fundamental to advances in modern science and unraveling the functional details of cellular behavior is no exception. We present a collection of prospectives to provide a glimpse of the techniques that will aid in collecting, managing and utilizing information on complex cellular processes via molecular imaging tools. These include: 1) visualizing intracellular protein activity with fluorescent markers, 2) high throughput (and automated) imaging of multilabeled cells in statistically significant numbers, and 3) machine intelligence to analyze subcellular image localization and pattern. Although not addressed here, the importance of combining cell-image-based information with detailed molecular structure and ligand-receptor binding models cannot be overlooked. Advanced molecular imaging techniques have the potential to impact cellular diagnostics for cancer screening, clinical correlations of tissue molecular patterns for cancer biology, and cellular molecular interactions for accelerating drug discovery. The goal of finally understanding all cellular components and behaviors will be achieved by advances in both instrumentation engineering (software and hardware) and molecular biochemistry.

Endocytosis of light chains induces cytokines through activation of NF-kappaB in human proximal tubule cells

BACKGROUND

In proteinuric states increased cytokine production through endocytosis of filtered proteins by proximal tubule cells (PTCs) has been proposed as a major mechanism mediating tubulointerstitial injury and progressive kidney disease. We studied the effects of six different light chains (LCs) on the production of cytokines in cultured human PTCs.

METHODS

LCs were isolated and purified from the urine of patients with myeloma and human PTCs were exposed to either LC or human serum albumin (HSA) for up to 24 hours. LC endocytosis was monitored by immunocytochemistry. Cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the supernatants and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS

Endocytosis of LCs induced the release of interleukins (IL) IL-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1); however, there was considerable variability among the six different LCs. In contrast, HSA had no effect on cytokine production even at very high concentrations. Removal of LC-containing media resulted in cessation of IL-6 release. LC-induced cytokine release was associated with nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB subunits p50 and p65, as demonstrated by both EMSA and immunocytochemistry. Inhibitors of NF-kappaB, aspirin and pyrrolidineditiocarbamate (PDTC) markedly suppressed LC-induced cytokine production.

CONCLUSION

LC endocytosis leads to production of inflammatory cytokines through activation of NF-kappaB. This may be an important mechanism of chronic tubulointerstitial inflammation process commonly seen in multiple myeloma. These findings also point out a potential role by filterable low-molecular-weight proteins, like LCs, in PTC injury during all proteinuric diseases.

Clinical applications of laser scanning cytometry

This study reviews existing and potential clinical applications of laser scanning cytometry (LSC) and outlines possible future developments. LSC provides a technology for solid phase cytometry. Fluorochrome-labeled specimens are immobilized on microscopic slides that are placed on a conventional epifluorescence microscope and analyzed by one or two lasers. Data comparable to flow cytometry are generated. In addition, the position of each event is recorded, a feature that allows relocalization and visualization of each measured event. The major advantage of LSC compared with other cytometric methods is the combination of two features: (a) the minimal clinical sample volume needed and (b) the connection of fluorescence data and morphological information for the measured event. Since the introduction of LSC, numerous methods have been established for the analysis of cells, cellular compartments, and tissues. Although most cytometric methods use only two or three colors, the characterization of specimens with up to five fluorochromes is possible. Most clinical applications have been designed to determine ploidy and immunophenotype; other applications include analyses of tissue biopsies and sections, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and the combination of vital and nonvital information on a single-cell basis. With the currently available assays, LSC has proven its wide spectrum of clinical applicability in slide-based cytometry and can be introduced as a standard technology in multiple clinical settings.

Activators and target genes of Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factors

The vertebrate transcription factor NF-kappaB is induced by over 150 different stimuli. Active NF-kappaB, in turn, participates in the control of transcription of over 150 target genes. Because a large variety of bacteria and viruses activate NF-kappaB and because the transcription factor regulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, immunoreceptors, and cell adhesion molecules, NF-kappaB has often been termed a 'central mediator of the human immune response'. This article contains a complete listing of all NF-kappaB inducers and target genes described to date. The collected data argue that NF-kappaB functions more generally as a central regulator of stress responses. In addition, NF-kappaB activation blocks apoptosis in several cell types. Coupling stress responsiveness and anti-apoptotic pathways through the use of a common transcription factor may result in increased cell survival following stress insults.