Septin: a factor in plasma that opsonizes lipopolysaccharide-bearing particles for recognition by CD14 on phagocytes

Disruption of female reproductive function by endotoxins

Endotoxemia can be caused by obesity, environmental chemical exposure, abiotic stressors and bacterial infection. Circumstances that deleteriously impact intestinal barrier integrity can induce endotoxemia, and controlled experiments have identified negative impacts of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; an endotoxin mimetic) on folliculogenesis, puberty onset, estrus behavior, ovulation, meiotic competence, luteal function and ovarian steroidogenesis. In addition, neonatal LPS exposures have transgenerational female reproductive impacts, raising concern about early life contacts to this endogenous reproductive toxicant. Aims of this review are to identify physiological stressors causing endotoxemia, to highlight potential mechanism(s) by which LPS compromises female reproduction and identify knowledge gaps regarding how acute and/or metabolic endotoxemia influence(s) female reproduction.

Glucose phosphorylated on carbon 6 suppresses lipopolysaccharide binding to lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and inhibits its bioactivities

Lipid A comprises the active region of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and its phosphate group is required for LPS activities. Additionally, it is essential for effects of inhibitors of LPS-induced coagulation activity in limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) tests. Lipid A has phosphorylated glucosamine residues, which are structurally similar to glucose 1-phosphate (G1P) and glucose 6-phosphate (G6P). This study focused on the antagonistic effects of glucose phosphates on the action of protein or non-protein inhibitors against LAL coagulation, LPS-LPS-binding protein (LBP) interaction, and LPS bioactivities. These effects of glucose phosphates were evaluated and compared with those of other charged sugars such as fructose 6-phosphate and glucuronic acid by LAL tests, ELISA-based LPS-LBP binding assay, cell-based assay, and using a mouse endotoxin shock model. G6P neutralized the interfering actions of drug substances and plasma proteins on LPS coagulation activity in LAL tests. Compared to other sugars, G6P more strongly inhibited LPS binding to LBP, leading to significant inhibition of LPS-induced cellular responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and in the THP-1 human leukemic line. Consistent herewith, G6P inhibited inflammatory cytokine release and decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and hepatic caspase-3/7 activities and mortality in LPS-stimulated d-galactosamine-sensitized mice. These data indicated that the structural properties of G6P, such as its glucose moiety and phosphorylation on carbon 6, are important for suppressing the interaction of proteins with LPS. Therefore, G6P is useful to improve sensitivity and accuracy of plasma and drug LPS assays, and such structural property is more suitable to antagonize LPS activities.

Biological characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa endotoxin released by antibiotic treatment in vitro

The supernatants taken from Pseudomonas aeruginosa cultures in human sera or chemically defined M9 medium in the presence of ceftazidime (CAZ) contained high levels of endotoxin, while those of imipenem (IPM) yielded relatively lower levels of endotoxin. The membrane-filtered supernatants were used as a source of endotoxin and the biological activities of the endotoxin were examined in comparison with those of hot-phenol water-extracted LPS. The CAZ-released endotoxin preparation contained large amounts of protein. The protein, however, appeared to lack significant endotoxic activity through the endotoxin-protein component, since the endotoxin did not show any toxic effect in D(+)-galactosamine (GaIN)-sensitized C3H/HeJ mice in vivo or macrophage activation in vitro. The activities of CAZ- and IPM-released endotoxins as assessed by chromogenic Limulus amebocyte coagulation test were fundamentally identical to those of purified P. aeruginosa LPS and Escherichia coli LPS, since their regression lines were parallel. The biological effects of CAZ-released endotoxin, such as lethal toxicity in GaIN-sensitized mice, in vitro induction of TNF and NO production by peritoneal macrophages, and MAP-kinase activation in macrophages of LPS-responsive C3H/He and LPS-low responsive C3H/HeJ mice, were similar to those of the LPS. Macrophage activation by CAZ-released endotoxin as well as LPS was mainly dependent on serum factors and CD14 antigen. Polymyxin B blocked the activity. These findings indicate that the endotoxic activity of CAZ-released endotoxin is due primarily to LPS (lipid A), although such preparations contain a high level of protein released from or produced by the organisms. Finally, the possibility that the treatment of P. aeruginosa infection with some kind of antibiotics may induce endotoxic shock was suggested in a mouse model.

Selective effects of serum on bacterial LPS-induced IL-6 and nitric oxide production in murine peritoneal macrophages

In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-dependent activation of human monocytes, the primary function of serum has been thought to provide a source of LPS-binding protein (LBP) for complex formation with LPS preparatory to CD14 binding and initiation of signal transduction. In this report we have investigated the contribution of serum factors in the mouse macrophage response to LPS. Our results show that the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by in vitro LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages is suppressed in the presence of serum. In contrast, optimal production of nitric oxide (NO) by LPS-stimulated macrophages requires the presence of serum. Detailed kinetic studies indicate that these observations are not exclusively the result of differences in the time course of NO secretion. These findings contrast with equivalent studies carried out using human PBMC, where, under identical conditions of in vitro culture, the presence of serum markedly potentiates LPS-dependent IL-6 production. We have confirmed by RT-PCR, using specific primers for IL-6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), that the effects observed are manifest primarily at the level of mRNA expression. Enhancement of NO responses and suppression of IL-6 responses are both dependent upon serum concentration. These potentiating and inhibiting effects of serum are less apparent with a second microbial stimulus (heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus). Collectively, these results indicate that serum effects on mouse macrophages are multifactorial and, depending upon the particular macrophage response to be measured, can be either enhancing or suppressing. These findings would not, therefore, support the concept of an obligatory role for LBP (and by inference CD14) in the in vitro mouse macrophage response to LPS.

Review: Bacterial endotoxin and the human monoclonal antibody HA-IA: specificity, potential mechanisms of action, and limits to its effectiveness

Bacterial endotoxins are lipopolysaccharides present in the outer membrane of all Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Endotoxins consist of a lipid moiety, lipid A, that is covalently linked to highly variable, serotype O-specific polysaccharide lateral chains. In contrast, the endotoxin core, which includes lipid A, is better conserved and can be recognized by antibodies showing cross-reactivity among various GNB. Such polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies have been developed in an attempt to neutralize the biological and dele. terious effects of endotoxin, thus preventing lipid A from binding to macrophages. In fact, almost all the biological activities of endotoxin are elicited by lipid A, and there is substantial evidence to the effect that the monocyte-macrophage is the principal mediator of endotoxicity. Antiserum against LPS isolated from rough mutants of GNB (expressing virtually only the central core-lipid A), has been shown to counteract the lethal effects of endotoxin in animals and humans. However, such serum or plasma contains antibodies of different specificities and isotypes which represent different effector functions, insofar as LPS is a very complex and highly heterogenous macromolecule. Because of the difficulties encountered in investigating the nature and specificity of the protection afforded by these antisera, and their limited capacity of production for therapeutic use, specific anti-lipid A monoclonal antibodies have been produced in their stead. A variety of mouse and human monoclonal antibodies against LPS have been generated and selected for their ability to cross-react with many GNB species. The most recent clinical trials involving the treatment of septic patients with human HA-IA (Centoxin) or with murine (E5) anti-lipid A monoclonal antibody showed no difference in survival rates, as compared to treatment with a placebo. However, statistical significance was demonstrated in subsets of patients suffering from documented Gram-negative septicemia or Gram-negative sepsis without refractory shock. The usefulness of anti-lipid A antibodies will undoubtedly remain controversial, since they appear to benefit only a minority of all patients treated, and also because no consensus exists regarding their specificity and modes of action. The aim of this review is to describe results which demonstrate the requirements for, difficulties in and limits to, elucidating the ability of certain antibodies to recognize structural elements present in the lipid A domain of LPS. A clear demonstration of antibody cross-reactivity was obtained only when rough LPS bacteria were used, and was markedly enhanced when smooth bacteria had been pretreated with cell wall active antibiotics. Further, new data have recently demonstrated the specific involvement of HA-IA in the immunocytoadherence assay in the presence of human complement and human red blood cells. Such phenomena may form part of the potential role for natural or monoclonal human IgM anti-lipid A antibodies, which will be to remove IgM-lipid A immune complexes through transhepatic clearance via C3b binding to the CR1 present on circulating human erythrocytes. Insofar as immunocytoadherence is a multiparameter phenomenon, various limiting factors probably interfere with its mechanism of clearance. These factors may be absent in various subsets of septic patients under treatment, thus explaining therapeutic failures with HA-IA in humans or preclinical animal studies. Several clinical settings involving defects to CR1 expression, C3b production, LPS recognition and hepatic clearance dysfunction are described. Long term, however, it will impossible to specify the patient subsets suitable for monoclonal therapy without first defining their characteristics. HA-IA may be able to inhibit one of the earliest stages in activation of the cytokine cascade by sequestrating and eliminating biologically active lipid A. The major problem today in terms of using anti-lipid A antibodies is an efficiently early detection of specific pathway defects which detract from or nullify the HA-IA therapeutic effect.

Enhancement of anti-murine colon cancer immunity by fusion of a SARS fragment to a low-immunogenic carcinoembryonic antigen

Background

It is widely understood that tumor cells express tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), of which many are usually in low immunogenicity; for example, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is specifically expressed on human colon cancer cells and is viewed as a low-immunogenic TAA. How to activate host immunity against specific TAAs and to suppress tumor growth therefore becomes important in cancer therapy development.

Results

To enhance the immune efficiency of CEA in mice that received, we fused a partial CEA gene with exogenous SARS-CoV fragments. Oral vaccination of an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain transformed with plasmids encoding CEA-SARS-CoV fusion gene into BALB/c mice elicited significant increases in TNF-α and IL-10 in the serum. In addition, a smaller tumor volume was observed in CT26/CEA-bearing mice who received CEA-SARS-CoV gene therapy in comparison with those administered CEA alone.

Conclusion

The administration of fusing CEA-SARS-CoV fragments may provide a promising strategy for strengthening the anti-tumor efficacy against low-immunogenic endogenous tumor antigens.

Invasion and destruction of a murine fibrosarcoma by Salmonella-induced effector CD8 T cells as a therapeutic intervention against cancer

We have developed a new vaccination strategy by using the Salmonella type III secretion system (T3SS) to translocate heterologous antigens into the cytosol of host cells. This leads to an efficient antigen-specific CD8 T cell induction. Recently, we have demonstrated the use of Salmonella's T3SS for the immunoprophylaxis of a solid tumor. The murine fibrosarcoma WEHI 164 was transfected with the DNA sequence encoding the MHC class I-peptide p60(217-225) from Listeria monocytogenes. In the present study, we used this tumor model to investigate the potential of vaccination with recombinant Salmonella in a therapeutic setting. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously challenged with WEHI-p60 cells. Simultaneously or 4 days later, these mice received either an orogastric or intravenous immunization with Salmonella translocating p60. Interestingly, 71-80% of the intravenously and 50-52% of the orogastrically immunized mice showed a complete tumor regression after 14 days. In addition, the distribution of tetramer-positive p60(217-225)-specific CD8 T cell subpopulations in blood and tumor tissue was analyzed. Co-staining with CD62L and CD127 revealed that the frequencies of p60(217-225)-specific effector and effector memory CD8 T cells in blood and in fibrosarcoma tissue were related to the kinetics of tumor regression. In summary, our study demonstrates that therapeutic vaccination with Salmonella leads to efficient induction of tumor-invading effector CD8 T cells that may result in significant tumor regression.

Endotoxin detection--from limulus amebocyte lysate to recombinant factor C

Gram negative bacterial endotoxin is a biological pyrogen that causes fever when introduced intravenously. The endotoxin, also known as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. During Gram-negative sepsis, endotoxin stimulates host macrophages to release inflammatory cytokines. However, excessive inflammation causes multiple organ failure and death. Endotoxins, which are ubiquitous pathogenic molecules, are a bane to the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare community. Thus early and sensitive detection of endotoxin is crucial to prevent endotoxaemia. The limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) has been widely used for ~30 years for the detection of endotoxin in the quality assurance of injectable drugs and medical devices. The LAL constitutes a cascade of serine proteases which are triggered by trace levels of endotoxin, culminating in a gel clot at the end of the reaction. The Factor C, which normally exists as a zymogen, is the primer of this coagulation cascade. In vivo, Factor C is the perfect biosensor, which alerts the horseshoe crab of the presence of a Gram-negative invader. The hemostatic end-point entraps the invader, killing it and limiting further infection. However, as an in vitro endotoxin detection tool, variations in the sensitivity and specificity of LAL to endotoxin, and the dwindling supply of horseshoe crabs are posing increasing challenges to the biotechnology industry. This has necessitated the innovation of an alternative test for endotoxin. Thus, Factor C became the obvious, albeit tricky target for the recombinant technology effort. This chapter documents the backwater of mining the natural blood lysate of the endangered species to the monumental effort of genetic engineering, to produce recombinant Factor C (rFC). The rFC is a 132 kDa molecule, which was produced as a proenzyme inducible by the presence of trace levels of endotoxin. The rFC forms the basis of the "PyroGene" kit, which is a novel micro-enzymatic endotoxin diagnostic assay for high-throughput screens of endotoxin. Using the rFC, Lonza Inc. has spawned the "PyroSense" which serves as checkpoints of the biotechnology production line. Thus, from cloning to commercial applications, the rFC has initiated a new era in endotoxin-testing for the quality assurance of biomedical products and for the healthcare industry, whilst sparing the endangered horseshoe crabs.

The bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide has the ability to target the brain in upregulating its membrane CD14 receptor within specific cellular populations

Systemic injection of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) provides a very good mean for increasing the release of proinflammatory cytokines by circulating monocytes and tissue macrophages. There is now considerable evidence that LPS exerts its action on mononuclear phagocytes via the cell surface receptor CD14. The aim of the present study was to verify the hypothesis that the brain has also the ability to express the gene encoding the LPS receptor, which may allow a direct action of the endotoxin onto specific cellular populations during blood sepsis. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed 1, 3, 6 and 24 h after systemic (i.v. or i.p.) injection of LPS or the vehicle solution. Brains were cut from the olfactory bulb to the medulla in 30-microm coronal sections and mRNA encoding rat CD14 was assayed by in situ hybridization histochemistry using a specific 35S-labeled riboprobe. The results show low levels of CD14 mRNA in the leptomeninges, choroid plexus and along blood vessels of the brain microvasculature under basal conditions. Systemic injection of the bacterial endotoxin caused a profound increase in the expression of the gene encoding CD14 within these same structures as well as in the circumventricular organs (CVOs) the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, subfornical organ, median eminence and area postrema. In most of these structures, the signal for CD14 mRNA was first detected at 1 h, reached a peak at 3 h post-injection, declined at 6 h, and return to basal levels 24 h after LPS treatment. Quite interestingly, a migratory-like pattern of CD14 positive cells was observed from all sensorial CVOs to deeper parenchymal brain 3 and 6 h after LPS injection. At 6 h post-challenge, small positive cells were found throughout the entire parenchymal brain and dual-labeling procedure indicated that different cells of myeloid origin have the ability to express CD14 in response to systemic LPS. These included CVO microglia, choroid plexus and leptomeninge macrophages, parenchymal and perivascular-associated microglial cells, although specific nonmyeloid cells were also positive for the LPS receptor. These results provide the very first evidence of a direct role of LPS on specific cell populations of the central nervous system, which is likely to be responsible for the transcription of proinflammatory cytokines; first within accessible structures from the blood and thereafter through scattered parenchymal cells during severe sepsis.

Monocyte CD14 response following endotoxin exposure in cotton spinners and office workers

BACKGROUND

Monocyte cell surface CD14 acts as the major lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding structure, and as such is of interest in the etiology of LPS induced disease.

METHODS

The objective was to assess change in monocyte cell surface CD14 and CD4+ CD25+ lymphocytes in a group of cotton workers exposed to LPS over a working week, and to compare this to changes in office workers. Twenty-five cotton workers and nine office workers were studied. Monocyte CD14 fluorescence was measured by flow cytometry, on samples taken pre-shift on a Monday morning (baseline/pre-exposure), and subsequently after 6 and 72 hr. The majority of cotton workers were exposed to at least 1 EU/m(3) of endotoxin over a working shift, and some highly exposed (between 100 and 400 EU/m(3)).

RESULTS

After 6 hr of work in the mill, cotton workers developed a significant upregulation in CD14 in comparison to office workers (P = 0.016), whereas CD14 expression had returned to levels not significantly differing from the office workers at 72 hr after first work exposure (P = 0.426).

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that CD14 expression on monocytes may help to determine the mechanism of action of lipopolysaccharide in producing respiratory ill health, and may ultimately play a role in monitoring the health effect associated with LPS exposure in the workplace.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling in response to Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus causes life-threatening infections in patients with qualitative and quantitative defects in phagocytic function. Here, we examined the contribution of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR4, the adapter protein MyD88, and CD14 to signaling in response to the three forms of A. fumigatus encountered during human disease: resting conidia (RC), swollen conidia (SC), and hyphae (H). Compared with elicited peritoneal macrophages obtained from wild-type and heterozygous mice, TLR2(-/-) and MyD88(-/-) macrophages produced significantly less tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) following A. fumigatus stimulation. In contrast, following stimulation with RC, SC, and H, TLR4(-/-) and CD14(-/-) macrophages exhibited no defects in tumor necrosis factor-alpha release. TLR2(-/-), TLR4(-/-), MyD88(-/-), and CD14(-/-) macrophages bound similar numbers of RC and SC compared with wild-type macrophages. RC, SC, and H stimulated greater activation of a nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB)-dependent reporter gene and greater release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha from the human monocytic THP-1 cell line stably transfected with CD14 compared with control cells stably transfected with empty vector. A. fumigatus stimulated NFkappaB-dependent reporter gene activity in the human embryonic kidney cell line, HEK293, only if the cells were transfected with TLR2. Moreover, activity increased when TLR2 and CD14 were co-transfected. Taken together, these data suggest that optimal signaling responses to A. fumigatus require TLR2 in both mouse and human cells. In contrast, a role for CD14 was found only in the human cells. MyD88 acts as a central adapter protein mediating signaling responses following stimulation with RC, SC, and H.

Periodontal infections and cardiovascular disease--how strong is the association?

In the past decade there has been renewed interest in the old hypothesis that infections increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. There is now a convincing body of evidence that atherosclerosis has a major inflammatory component and is much more than the simple vascular accumulation of lipids. Infectious agents that have been linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) include Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpesviruses. The concept has emerged that each of these agents is an independent risk factor for CHD and that common chronic infections are important. In addition, periodontal infections have also been implicated as one of several factors contributing to the development of CHD. Evidence supporting a causative role of chronic infections in CHD is largely circumstantial. However, the evidence is sufficiently strong to warrant further examination of the possible link between chronic infections and CHD. In this review the lines of evidence for a causative role of C. pneumoniae in the development of CHD are summarized and contrasted with the lines of evidence suggesting a periodontal infection--CHD association. If common or widespread chronic infections are truly important risk factors for CHD, it is unlikely that a single infection will be shown to be causative. It is likely that the entire microbial burden of the patient from several simultaneous chronic infections is more important (e.g., H. pylori-caused gastric ulcers + C. pneumoniae-caused bronchitis + periodontitis). Increased cooperation between cardiologists and periodontists will be required to determine if, and what, combinations of common chronic infections are important in the pathogenesis of CHD and stroke.

Ascaris suum-derived products induce human neutrophil activation via a G protein-coupled receptor that interacts with the interleukin-8 receptor pathway

Infection with tissue-migrating helminths is frequently associated with intense granulocyte infiltrations. Several host-derived factors are known to mediate granulocyte recruitment to the tissues, but less attention has been paid to how parasite-derived products trigger this process. Parasite-derived chemotactic factors which selectively recruit granulocytes have been described, but nothing is known about which cellular receptors respond to these agents. The effect of products from the nematodes Ascaris suum, Toxocara canis, and Anisakis simplex on human neutrophils were studied. We monitored four parameters of activation: chemotaxis, cell polarization, intracellular Ca(2+) transients, and priming of superoxide anion production. Body fluids of A. suum (ABF) and T. canis (TcBF) induced strong directional migration, shape change, and intracellular Ca(2+) transients. ABF also primed neutrophils for production of superoxide anions. Calcium mobilization in response to A. suum-derived products was completely abrogated by pretreatment with pertussis toxin, implicating a classical G protein-coupled receptor mechanism in the response to ABF. Moreover, pretreatment with interleukin-8 (IL-8) completely abrogated the response to ABF, demonstrating desensitization of a common pathway. However, ABF was unable to fully desensitize the response to IL-8, and binding to CXCR1 or CXCR2 was excluded in experiments using RBL-2H3 cells transfected with the two human IL-8 receptors. Our results provide the first evidence for a direct interaction between a parasite-derived chemotactic factor and the host's chemotactic network, via a novel G protein-coupled receptor which interacts with the IL-8 receptor pathway.

Interaction of surfactant protein A with lipopolysaccharide and regulation of inflammatory cytokines in the THP-1 monocytic cell line

Pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A) is involved in innate immunity in the lung. In this study we investigated the interaction of SP-A with different serotypes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the regulation of inflammatory cytokines in vitro. In the human monocytic cell line, THP-1, combining SP-A with lipid A or rough LPS further enhanced lipid A- or rough LPS-stimulated tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA levels, while SP-A-elicited increases in TNF-alpha mRNA levels were partially neutralized. In contrast, the combination of smooth LPS and SP-A resulted in additive effects on TNF-alpha mRNA levels. We also demonstrated that there was cross-tolerance between SP-A and LPS in THP-1 cells. Pretreatment of THP-1 cells with LPS modestly inhibited the response of these cells to subsequent challenge with SP-A, with regard to the production of TNF-alpha, whereas there was no or little effect on the production of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-8. Conversely, pretreatment of THP-1 cells with SP-A markedly increased the response to subsequent challenge with LPS with regard to the production of IL-1beta and IL-8, although the production of TNF-alpha was modestly decreased. However, a synergistic stimulatory effect was observed when the two agents were added simultaneously to the cells. NF-kappaB formation was downregulated in SP-A- but not in LPS-induced tolerant cells. These results suggested that SP-A exhibits different interactions with distinct serotypes of LPS. In addition, SP-A is different from LPS with regard to the induction of cross-tolerance, and these actions may be mediated, at least in part, through different mechanisms.

Binding of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide to fasciculata-reticularis and glomerulosa cells evaluated by flow cytometry

Binding of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to the two cell types of the adrenal cortex: fasciculata-reticularis and glomerulosa cells has been studied by flow cytometry and using fluorescein-labeled lipopolysaccharide (FITC-LPS). The binding characteristics were different in relation to time course and number of binding sites. Both fasciculata-reticularis and glomerulosa cells bound LPS in a specific and saturable process. Fasciculata-reticularis cells showed a higher affinity for LPS binding than glomerulosa cells as deduced from Hill plots. Unlabeled LPS decreased FITC-LPS binding in both fasciculata-reticularis and glomerulosa cells, suggesting competition of both ligands for a limited number of binding sites. Lipid A seemed not to be essential for binding of LPS to fasciculata-reticularis cells. However, serum constituents inhibited FITC-LPS binding to both cell types, possibly due to cell interaction with HDL. The exposure of cells to LPS during cell culture did not modify the number of binding sites, but revealed cell size and surfaces structure changes.

Rat pulmonary cyclooxygenase-2 expression in response to endotoxin challenge: differential regulation in the various types of cells in the lung

Cyclooxygenase (Cox), the key enzyme of prostanoid synthesis, consists of the two isoforms Cox-1 and Cox-2, both recently noted to be constitutively expressed in rat lungs with a distinct profile of cellular distribution. The responsiveness of pulmonary Cox-1 and Cox-2 expression to intravascular endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration was investigated in isolated, ventilated rat lungs, buffer-perfused with or without admixture of rat plasma. Immunohistochemical staining intensity was measured by a previously described method of silver enhancement and epipolarization image analysis. Both the Cox-1 mRNA, quantified in the whole lung homogenate, and the cellular localization of Cox-1 were unchanged in response to LPS. In contrast, time- and dose-dependent up-regulation of Cox-2 mRNA (lung homogenate) occurred, and differential LPS reactivity at the cellular level was observed. Up-regulation of Cox-2 in cell types expressing this enzyme already under baseline conditions was noted in bronchial epithelial cells, bronchial and vascular smooth muscle cells, cells within the BALT and myocytes of the large hilar veins. De novo induction of Cox-2 occurred in endothelial cells and the majority of alveolar macrophages. Down-regulation of Cox-2 was observed in perivascular and peribronchial macrophage-like cells. Moreover, differential impact of plasma components was noted: for the large majority of cells, CD14 surface expression correlated with Cox-2 responsiveness to LPS independent of plasma, whereas the presence of plasma components was a prerequisite for the LPS response in CD14-negative cells. LPS did not provoke physiological changes in the perfused lungs, but markedly enhanced baseline prostanoid generation. We conclude that LPS-induced Cox-2 regulation occurs in a complex, cell-specific manner, which may be relevant for pathogenetic sequelae in septic lung injury and acute respiratory failure.

Interpretation of biological activity data of bacterial endotoxins by simple molecular models of mechanism of action

Lipid A moiety has been identified as the bioactive component of bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides). However, the molecular mechanism of biological activity of lipid A is still not fully understood. This paper contributes to understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of bacterial endotoxins by comparing molecular modelling results for two possible mechanisms with the underlying experimental data. Mechanisms of action involving specific binding of lipid A to a protein receptor as well as nonspecific intercalation into phospholipid membrane of a host cell were modelled and analysed. As the cellular receptor for endotoxin has not been identified, a model of a peptidic pseudoreceptor was proposed, based on molecular structure, symmetry of the lipid A moiety and the observed character of endotoxin-binding sites in proteins. We have studied the monomeric form of lipid A from Escherichia coli and its seven synthetic analogues with varying numbers of phosphate groups and correlated them with known biological activities determined by the Limulus assay. Gibbs free energies associated with the interaction of lipid A with the pseudoreceptor model and intercalation into phospholipid membrane calculated by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics methods were used to compare the two possible mechanisms of action. The results suggest that specific binding of lipid A analogues to the peptidic pseudoreceptor carrying an amphipathic cationic binding pattern BHPHB (B, basic; H, hydrophobic; P, polar residue, respectively) is energetically more favourable than intercalation into the phospholipid membrane. In addition, binding affinities of lipid A analogues to the best minimum binding sequence KFSFK of the pseudoreceptor correlated with the experimental Limulus activity parameter. This correlation enabled us to rationalize the observed relationship between the number and position of the phosphate groups in the lipid A moiety and its biological activity in terms of specific ligand-receptor interactions. If lipid A-receptor interaction involves formation of phosphate-ammonium ion-pair(s) with cationic amino-acid residues, the specific mechanism of action was fully consistent with the underlying experimental data. As a consequence, recognition of lipid A variants by an amphipathic binding sequence BHPHB of a host-cell protein receptor might represent the initial and/or rate-determining molecular event of the mechanism of action of lipid A (or endotoxin). The insight into the molecular mechanism of action and the structure of the lipid A-binding pattern have potential implications for rational drug design strategies of endotoxin-neutralizing agents or binding factors.

Pulmonary Surfactant Protein A Modulates the Cellular Response to Smooth and Rough Lipopolysaccharides by Interaction with CD14

Pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A) plays an important part in Ab-independent host defense mechanisms of the lung. In this study we investigated how SP-A interacts with distinct serotypes of bacterial LPS and modulates LPS-elicited cellular responses. SP-A bound to rough forms but not to smooth forms of LPS. In the macrophage-like cell line U937, SP-A inhibited mRNA expression and secretion of TNF-α induced by smooth LPS, but rough LPS-induced TNF-α expression was unaffected by SP-A. When U937 cells and rat alveolar macrophages were preincubated with SP-A, smooth LPS failed to induce TNF-α secretion, whereas rough LPS-induced TNF-α secretion was modestly increased. To clarify the mechanism by which SP-A modulates LPS-elicited cellular responses, we further examined the interaction of SP-A with CD14, which is known as a major LPS receptor. Western blot analysis revealed that CD14 was one of the SP-A binding proteins isolated from solubilized U937 cells. In addition, SP-A directly bound to recombinant soluble CD14 (rsCD14). When rsCD14 was preincubated with SP-A, the binding of rsCD14 to smooth LPS was significantly reduced but the association of rsCD14 with rough LPS was augmented. These results demonstrate the different actions of SP-A upon distinct serotypes of LPS and indicate that the direct interaction of SP-A with CD14 constitutes a likely mechanism by which SP-A modulates LPS-elicited cellular responses.

Lipopolysaccharide stimulates HepG2 human hepatoma cells in the presence of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein via CD14

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP), an opsonin for activation of macrophages by bacterial LPS, is synthesized in hepatocytes and is known to be an acute phase protein. Recently, cytokine-induced production of LBP was reported to increase 10-fold in hepatocytes isolated from LPS-treated rats, compared with those from normal rats. However, the mechanism by which the LPS treatment enhances the effect of cytokines remains to be clarified. In the present study, we examined whether LPS alone or an LPS/LBP complex directly stimulates the hepatocytes, leading to acceleration of the cytokine-induced LBP production. HepG2 cells (a human hepatoma cell line) were shown to express CD14, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored LPS receptor, by both RT/PCR and flow cytometric analyses. An LPS/LBP complex was an effective stimulator for LBP and CD14 production in HepG2 cells, but stimulation of the cells with either LPS or LBP alone did not significantly accelerate the production of these proteins. The findings were confirmed by semiquantitative RT/PCR analysis of mRNA levels of LBP and CD14 in HepG2 cells after stimulation with LPS alone and an LPS/LBP complex. In addition, two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to CD14 (3C10 and MEM-18) inhibited LPS/LBP-induced cellular responses of HepG2 cells. Furthermore, prestimulation of HepG2 cells with LPS/LBP augmented cytokine-induced production and gene expression of LBP and CD14. All these findings suggest that an LPS/LBP complex, but not free LPS, stimulates HepG2 cells via CD14 leading to increased basal and cytokine-induced LBP and CD14 production.

A lipoteichoic acid fraction of Enterococcus hirae activates cultured human monocytic cells via a CD14-independent pathway to promote cytokine production, and the activity is inhibited by serum components

To elucidate the cellular activation mechanisms of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) compared with those of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a quantitatively major LTA fraction, QM-1M, was prepared from hot phenol-water extracts of Enterococcus hirae (ATCC 9790) by hydrophobic octyl-Sepharose chromatography and by ion-exchange membrane (QMA-Mem Sep 1010) chromatography as a 60% 1-propanol- and 1 M NaCl-eluted fraction. Unlike the reference Escherichia coli LPS, QM-1M did not demonstrate any ability to induce cytokines in a human whole blood culture system in this study, whereas QM-1M induced a few cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human monocytic THP-1 cell and human peripheral mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures in the absence of serum. Fetal calf and human sera decreased the above cytokine induction by QM-1M in THP-1 and PBMC cultures, whereas sera increased activities of the reference LPS. IL-8 induction in the absence of serum in response to QM-1M was demonstrated to proceed through a CD14-independent pathway unlike the reference LPS.

Interactions between lipopolysaccharides and blood factors on the stimulation of equine polymorphonuclear neutrophils

In horses, the mechanisms of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of isolated neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species remain unknown. We re-investigated this problem by monitoring the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) produced by LPS-stimulated equine neutrophils. The neutrophils were isolated from horse blood by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation (> or = 99% neutrophils; viability > or = 98%). Increasing concentrations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) LPS (from 0.01-10 microg ml(-1)) were used to activate the neutrophils. When LPS was used directly, without another stimulator, the respiratory burst of neutrophils was not activated (N=12 horses; n=5 assays per horse). On the contrary, when LPS was added to whole blood, the neutrophils isolated from this blood were stimulated in a LPS dose-dependent manner, but polymyxin B added to whole blood suppressed this stimulation (N=2; n=6). LPS dissolved in autologous equine plasma stimulated the isolated neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner from 0.1-10 microg ml(-1) (N=5; n=12). Heat inactivation of the plasma abolished this CL increase (N=2; n=5). LPS added to equine albumin did not stimulate the isolated neutrophils (N=2; n=5). On the contrary, the addition of gamma-globulins (1 mg ml(-1)) to LPS (10 microg ml(-1)) led to the stimulation of neutrophils (N=2; n=5). We concluded that LPS did not directly stimulate the isolated equine neutrophils, but that plasmatic factors are needed for the stimulation of these cells by LPS.

Immunochemical detection of CD14 on human gingival fibroblasts in vitro

The activation of monocytes and macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide has been shown to contribute to the binding of lipopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein complex to the cell surface CD14 molecule. To clarify the mechanism of the lipopolysaccharide-induced modulation of the function of gingival fibroblasts, we investigated the effect of anti-CD14 on interleukin 6 (IL-6) production on human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. Immunochemical staining revealed weak positivity for CD14 on fibroblasts from healthy gingiva, while strong positivity for CD14 was found on fibroblasts from inflamed gingiva. Western blot profiles of the fibroblasts and monocytes showed a CD14-positive reaction at 55 kDa. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide bound to fibroblasts more strongly in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum than without serum. This binding, as well as IL-6 production, was blocked by anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody. The results showed that CD14 was present on human gingival fibroblasts, which suggests that lipopolysaccharide modulation of gingival fibroblast function depends on CD14.

Lipopolysaccharide and its analog antagonists display differential serum factor dependencies for induction of cytokine genes in murine macrophages

Monocytes/macrophages play a central role in mediating the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from gram-negative bacteria by the production of proinflammatory mediators. Recently, it was shown that the expression of cytokine genes for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) by murine macrophages in response to low concentrations of LPS is entirely CD14 dependent. In this report, we show that murine macrophages respond to low concentrations of LPS ( Collapse

Key Words Collapse

MESH Headings

• Acute-Phase Proteins
• Animals
• Carrier Proteins/pharmacology
• Chemokine CXCL10
• Chemokines, CXC/biosynthesis
• Culture Media, Serum-Free
• Cytokines/biosynthesis
• Disaccharides/pharmacology
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Escherichia coli
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Interleukin-1/biosynthesis
• Lipid A/analogs & derivatives
• Lipid A/pharmacology
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/genetics
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/pharmacology
• Lipopolysaccharides/antagonists & inhibitors
• Lipopolysaccharides/immunology
• Macrophages/immunology
• Male
• Membrane Glycoproteins
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C3H
• Mice, Knockout
• Monosaccharides/pharmacology
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/biosynthesis

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Grants

• R37 AI018797 NIAID NIH HHS
• AI 18797 NIAID NIH HHS
• GM 50870 NIGMS NIH HHS
• R01 GM050870 NIGMS NIH HHS
• R01 AI018797 NIAID NIH HHS
• R56 AI018797 NIAID NIH HHS

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Affiliation(s)

P Y Perera Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4799, USA
N Qureshi
W J Christ
P Stütz
S N Vogel

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Biological characterization of endotoxins released from antibiotic-treated Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli

The supernatants taken from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli cultures in human sera or chemically defined M9 medium in the presence of ceftazidime (CAZ) contained high levels of endotoxin, while those taken from the same cultures in the presence of imipenem (IPM) yielded a very low level of endotoxin. The biological activities of endotoxin in the supernatants were compared with those of phenol water-extracted lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The endotoxin released from the organisms as a result of CAZ treatment (CAZ-released endotoxin) contained a large amount of protein. The protein, however, lacked endotoxic activity, since the endotoxin did not show any in vivo toxic effects in LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice sensitized with D-(+)-galactosamine (GalN) or any activation of C3H/HeJ mouse macrophages in vitro. The activities of CAZ- and IPM-released endotoxin (as assessed by a chromogenic Limulus test) were fundamentally the same as those of P. aeruginosa LPS, since their regression lines were parallel. The CAZ-released endotoxin was similar to purified LPS with respect to the following biological activities in LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice and LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice: lethal toxicity in GalN-sensitized mice, in vitro induction of tumor necrosis factor- and NO production by macrophages, and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in macrophages. The macrophage activation by CAZ-released endotoxin as well as LPS was mainly dependent on the presence of serum factor and CD14 antigen. Polymyxin B blocked the activity. These findings indicate that the endotoxic activity of CAZ-released endotoxin is due primarily to LPS (lipid A).

Neurohormonal host defense in endotoxin shock

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria is capable of activating the immune system of higher animals, which may lead to cytokine-induced lethal shock and death. LPS has little toxicity for the frog and fish, but it kills the horseshoe crab instantly by causing intravascular blood coagulation. The response to LPS evolved from simple reactions in lower animals into an intense reaction in mammals that involves a massive immune activation leading to a profound neuroendocrine and metabolic response. This is now known as the acute-phase response (APR). During APR, LPS-binding proteins (LBP) are produced by the liver in rapidly increasing quantities under the influence of interleukin-6, glucocorticoids, and catecholamines. After combination with LPS, LPB is capable of activating monocyte-macrophages and granulocytes via the CD14 surface receptor. Other receptors (CD18, 80-kDa receptor) allow for direct action by LPS of phagocytes, B and T lymphocytes, and other cells. Numerous other acute-phase proteins are produced in the liver, including C-reactive protein, complement components, fibrinogen, enzyme inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory proteins. Similar responses may be stimulated by subtoxic doses of LPS or by detoxified LPS, which manifest in endotoxin tolerance. Tolerant animals and man show increased resistance to LPS, to infections, and to various noxious insults. Infection and various forms of tissue injury are also capable of causing APR. There is much evidence to indicate that APR, which manifests in febrile illness, is an efficient host defense reaction. It is an emergency response in cases where specific immunity fails to protect the host. Therefore, the neuroimmunoregulatory network converts the immune system to a less specific, but rapid and more efficient response, APR. The hypothesis is presented that intestinal LPS serves to amplify the APR in response to various insults, which contribute to host defense, regeneration, and healing.

Enhancement of lipopolysaccharide-induced neutrophil oxygen radical production by tumor necrosis factor alpha

Although tissues become exposed to both exogenous and endogenous cell-activating mediators during infection, there is little appreciation of the effects of subjecting cells to multiple mediators. We examined the hypothesis that the response of neutrophils to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is significantly altered in the presence of the endogenous mediator tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF). The data showed that human neutrophils pretreated with TNF for 10 to 30 min, displayed significantly enhanced superoxide production in response to LPS (from either Escherichia coli K-235 or E. coli O127:B8), measured as lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL), seen as an increase in the initial peak rate as well as the total CL accumulated over the incubation period. TNF amplified the response to LPS at 1 to 100 U of TNF/10(6) neutrophils and was able to enhance the response to a wide range of concentrations of LPS (0.01 to 1,000 ng/ml). The TNF-induced increase in the LPS response was paralleled by an increase in LPS binding to the neutrophils, which could be abrogated by an anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody. The results demonstrate that TNF significantly increases the LPS-induced release of oxygen radicals in neutrophils through the upregulation of cell surface CD14.

Participation of CD14 in the phagocytosis of smooth-type Salmonella typhimurium by the macrophage-like cell line, J774.1

The role of CD14 in the phagocytosis and killing of microorganisms was investigated using macrophage-like cell lines, CD14-positive J774.1 cells and CD14-negative mutant J7.DEF.3 cells derived from J744.1 cells. The cells were infected with Salmonella typhimurium organisms of the smooth (S)-form LT2, mutant rough (R)-form TV148 or Staphylococcus aureus 248betaH. At 30 or 180 min incubation, the cells were washed and disrupted. Colony-forming units (CFUs) liberated from the disrupted cells were determined by quantitative cultivation, and the phagocytic index and killing rate were calculated. Both the phagocytic index and killing rate of J774.1 cells against LT2 organisms were greater than those of J7.DEF.3 cells. However, the index and rate of J774.1 cells against TV148 and 248betaH organisms were similar to those of the J7.DEF.3 cells. The phagocytosis of LT2 organisms by J774.1 cells was partially inhibited by S-form LPS (S-LPS) and anti-CD14 antibody, but not by R-chemotype LPS (R-LPS). These results suggest that CD14 participates in the phagocytosis of S-form Salmonella.

Serum factors, cell membrane CD14, and beta2 integrins are not required for activation of bovine macrophages by lipopolysaccharide

The role of serum factors such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP) and of macrophage-expressed CD14 and beta2 integrins in the activation of bovine macrophages by LPS was investigated. Macrophage activation was determined by measuring tumor necrosis factor production, NO generation, and upregulation of procoagulant activity by LPS (Escherichia coli O55:B5) at concentrations of 100 pg/ml to 100 ng/ml. The 50% effective dose for LPS was 1 order of magnitude higher than that for activating human macrophages. Macrophages were activated by LPS in the presence of serum or in the presence of albumin demonstrated to be free of LBP. The capacity to react to LPS in the absence of LBP was not due to the acquisition of LBP during a previous culture in serum. It was then established which CD14-specific antibodies block LPS binding to monocytes. Among the CD14-specific antibodies recognizing bovine mononuclear phagocytes (60bca, 3C10, My4, CAM36, VPM65, CMRF31, and TUK4), the first four blocked the binding of LPS-fluorescein isothiocyanate to bovine monocytes at low concentrations. Anti-CD14 antibodies did not block LPS-mediated activation of bovine bone marrow-derived macrophages, monocyte-derived macrophages, and alveolar macrophages. This was observed in experiments in which anti-CD14 concentrations exceeded the 50% inhibitory dose by >30-fold (3C10 and My4) or >300-fold (60bca), as defined in the binding assay described above. Monocyte-derived macrophages from an animal deficient in beta2 integrins and control macrophages were activated by similar concentrations of LPS, suggesting that beta2 integrins are not important bovine LPS receptors. Thus, in bovine macrophages, LPS recognition pathways which are independent of exogenous LBP, of membrane-expressed CD14, and of beta2 integrins may exist.

Synergism between endotoxin priming and exotoxin challenge in provoking severe vascular leakage in rabbit lungs

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria prime rabbit lungs for enhanced thromboxane-mediated vasoconstriction upon subsequent challenge with the exotoxin Escherichia coli hemolysin (HlyA) (Walmrath et al. J. Exp. Med. 1994;180:1437-1443). We investigated the impact of endotoxin priming and subsequent HlyA challenge on lung vascular permeability while maintaining constancy of capillary pressure. Rabbit lungs were perfused in a pressure-controlled mode in the presence of the thromboxane receptor antagonist BM 13.505, with continuous monitoring of flow. Perfusion for 180 min with 10 ng/ml LPS did not provoke vasoconstriction or alteration of capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc) values. HlyA (0.021 hemolytic units/ml) induced thromboxane release and a transient decrease in perfusion flow in the absence of significant changes in Kfc. Similar results were obtained when LPS and HlyA were coapplied simultaneously. However, when the HlyA challenge was undertaken after 180 min of LPS priming, a manifold increase in Kfc values was noted, with concomitant severe lung edema formation, although capillary pressure remained unchanged. Thus, endotoxin primes the lung vasculature to respond with a severe increase in vascular permeability to a subsequent low-dose application of HlyA. Such synergism between endotoxin priming and exotoxin challenge in provoking lung vascular leakage may contribute to the pathogenesis of respiratory failure in sepsis and severe lung infection.

The role of tyrosine phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide- and zymosan-induced procoagulant activity and tissue factor expression in macrophages

The expression of surface procoagulants by exudative macrophages represents an important mechanism underlying local fibrin deposition at sites of extravascular inflammation. The present studies investigated the contribution of tyrosine phosphorylation to the generation of macrophage procoagulant activity (PCA) and tissue factor expression in response to proinflammatory stimuli. Both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and zymosan rapidly stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation in elicited murine peritoneal macrophages. This effect was prevented by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and herbimycin and augmented by the addition of the phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor vanadate. The vanadate-mediated rise in phosphotyrosine accumulation was abrogated by the use of diphenylene iodonium, an inhibitor of the respiratory burst oxidase, suggesting a role for peroxides of vanadate as contributors to the tyrosine phosphorylation. This notion was supported by the finding that vanadyl hydroperoxide markedly increased the accumulation of phosphotyrosine residues. To define the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the induction of macrophage PCA by LPS, the effects of tyrosine kinase inhibition by genistein and herbimycin were investigated. Both agents inhibited the expression of macrophage PCA. Further, Northern blot analysis with the cDNA probe for murine tissue factor indicated that the inhibition occurred at the mRNA level or earlier. Since vanadate augmented phosphotyrosine accumulation, it was hypothesized that it might enhance generation of macrophage products. However, vanadate reduced induction of PCA in response to LPS. By contrast, vanadate augmented basal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release and stimulated PGE2 release by macrophages. Indomethacin prevented the increase in PGE2 but only partially restored normal levels of PCA. The effect of vanadate on tissue factor expression appeared to be posttranscriptional. These studies thus demonstrate, by functional Western blotting and Northern blotting techniques, that tyrosine phosphorylation plays a role in the regulation of macrophage PCA and tissue factor expression in response to proinflammatory stimuli.

Fibronectin Enhances In Vitro Lipopolysaccharide Priming of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

We investigated the role of humoral factors in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) priming of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) using cells isolated from adults and from neonates. Plasma from newborn infants had decreased priming activity of adult plasma when mixed with LPS in studies measuring oxidative radical production of PMN after stimulation with a formyl bacterial oligopeptide (fMLP). This marked difference was not caused by LPS binding protein (LBP) because the LBP concentration in newborn and adult plasma were similar (138.4 ± 12.9 U for adults, and 126.9 ± 12.1 U for neonates, P = .53). Therefore, we attempted to identify other plasma factors that may contribute to LPS priming of PMN. We identified an LPS priming factor for PMN that is present in plasma, heat stable (56°C for 30 minutes), enhanced by heparin, and concentrated in cold precipitates of plasma. Because these properties resemble those of plasma fibronectin, we assessed the role of fibronectin in LPS priming of PMN. Although fibronectin in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) had little effect on LPS priming of PMN, fibronectin in combination with other plasma factors appeared to play a role in LPS priming of PMN because (1) removing fibronectin from adult plasma dramatically decreased LPS priming activity from plasma (P < .005), (2) addition of fibronectin to fibronectin-depleted plasma restored its LPS plasma priming activity (P < .05), and (3) neutralizing fibronectin with antibody decreased the LPS priming activity of plasma (60.3 ± 1.3 v 30.2 ± 2.2, P < .01). Thus, plasma fibronectin plays a role in LPS priming of PMN in the presence of other factors in plasma.

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein from normal human plasma purified with high efficiency

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP) is an acute-phase plasma glycoprotein of 60 kDa which functions as an opsonin on activation of macrophages by bacterial LPS. The importance of LBP on the host defense against infection has been demonstrated. Human LBP has been purified from ascitic fluid or acute-phase serum. However, clinical samples often are not available, so we developed a method to purify LBP from normal plasma. The purification was accomplished by barium citrate precipitation, followed by three-step ion-exchange chromatography. The final step was Mono S cation-exchange chromatography, following Bio-Rex 70 and Mono Q chromatography, and it enabled the specific activity to increase overall 48,000-fold. This seems to be the first report of the use of Mono S column to purify LBP. The LBP obtained using these steps proved to be homogeneous by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and N-terminal sequence and amino acid composition analyses. The purification method established here will compensate when normal plasma with a low LBP content is available as the starting source.

Secretion of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-8 and IL-1ra by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in response to lipopolysaccharides from periodontopathic bacteria

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are the first cells that migrate into periodontal tissues and gingival crevices in response to invading pathogens. It was recently demonstrated that PMN have the ability to synthesize and release cytokines following appropriate stimulation, while it is not clear whether these capacities are directly related to periodontal destructive processes. We therefore investigated the amounts of the cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-8 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) secreted by PMN from healthy donors following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from 4 periodontopathic bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga ochracea and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and the non-oral bacterium Escherichia coli. A actinomycetemcomitans, F. nucleatum and E. coli LPS stimulated the release of significantly greater amounts of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and IL-8 than the control unstimulated PMN (p < 0.01). The levels of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and IL-8 released from cells stimulated with P. gingivalis or C. ochracea LPS were significantly lower than those of cells stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans or E. coli LPS (p < 0.05). On the other hand, substantially greater amounts of IL-1ra were released from PMN stimulated with each LPS and from control unstimulated PMN during the first 6 h, and then significantly greater amounts of IL-1ra were secreted by PMN stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans and E.coli LPS during the following 12 h (p < 0.01). The inhibitory effects of IL-1ra on the biological activity of IL-1 in the supernatants of PMN were examined by the thymocyte comitogen proliferation assay. The supernatants of PMN stimulated with each LPS showed less biological IL-1 activity as compared with the same doses of recombinant human IL-1 beta detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, no activity was detected in the supernatants of PMN stimulated with P. gingivalis or C. ochracea LPS. These findings demonstrated that LPS from periodontopathic bacteria were capable of stimulating PMN to release not only pro-inflammatory cytokines but also their inhibitors such as IL-1ra. Different secretion levels of these cytokines and their biological activities induced by the various LPS might be important in the onset and progression of periodontal diseases.

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein and soluble CD14 catalyze exchange of phospholipids

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) is a plasma protein known to facilitate the diffusion of bacterial LPS (endotoxin). LBP catalyzes movement of LPS monomers from LPS aggregates to HDL particles, to phospholipid bilayers, and to a binding site on a second plasma protein, soluble CD14 (sCD14). sCD14 can hasten transfer by receiving an LPS monomer from an LPS aggregate, and then surrendering it to an HDL particle, thus acting as a soluble "shuttle" for an insoluble lipid. Here we show that LBP and sCD14 shuttle not only LPS, but also phospholipids. Phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine, and a fluorescently labeled derivative of phosphatidylethanolamine (R-PE) are each transferred by LBP from membranes to HDL particles. The transfer could be observed using recombinant LBP and sCD14 or whole human plasma, and the plasma-mediated transfer of PI could be blocked by anti-LBP and partially inhibited by anti-CD14. sCD14 appears to act as a soluble shuttle for phospholipids since direct binding of PI and R-PE to sCD14 was observed and because addition of sCD14 accelerated transfer of these lipids. These studies define a new function for LBP and sCD14 and describe a novel mechanism for the transfer of phospholipids in blood. In further studies, we show evidence suggesting that LBP transfers LPS and phospholipids by reciprocal exchange: LBP-catalyzed binding of R-PE to LPS x sCD14 complexes was accompanied by the exit of LPS from sCD14, and LBP-catalyzed binding of R-PE to sCD14 was accelerated by prior binding of LPS to sCD14. Binding of one lipid is thus functionally coupled with the release of a second. These results suggest that LBP acts as a lipid exchange protein.

High affinity endotoxin-binding and neutralizing peptides based on the crystal structure of recombinant Limulus anti-lipopolysaccharide factor

Lipid A, the conserved portion of endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide, is the major mediator of septic shock, and therefore endotoxin-neutralizing molecules could have important clinical applications. The crystal structure of recombinant Limulus anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (rLALF) (Hoess, A., Watson, S., Siber, G. R., and Liddington, R. (1993) EMBO J. 12, 3351-3356), has been used to design synthetic peptides comprising different parts of the exposed amphipathic loop in the proposed endotoxin-binding domain of rLALF. We investigated the minimal requirements of rLALF for endotoxin and lipid A binding with linear 10-mer peptides. Only one linear peptide, corresponding to amino acids 36-45 of rLALF, was able to bind lipid A and endotoxin above background levels. Cyclic peptides, however, bind lipid A and endotoxin with high affinity, presumably by mimicking the three dimensional characteristics of the exposed hairpin loop. The cyclic peptide including amino acids 36-47, LALF-14, has a lipid A binding activity comparable to the high affinity endotoxin-binding peptide polymyxin B. LALF-14 has an improved serum half-life compared with its linear counterpart, and it is not toxic for cultured human monocytes or red blood cells. In mice, it blocks tumor necrosis factor-alpha induction after endotoxin challenge. The characterization of the minimal endotoxin-binding domain of rLALF and, importantly, its structure provided a basis for designing small molecules that could have prophylactic and/or therapeutic properties in humans for the management of septic shock.

Plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein is found associated with a particle containing apolipoprotein A-I, phospholipid, and factor H-related proteins

Neutrophils exhibit a dramatic enhancement of integrin-mediated cell adhesion in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This response requires CD14 on the neutrophil and plasma proteins in solution. We have purified the factor from plasma that facilitates the adhesive response of neutrophil to LPS by using a combination of affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. Previous work has shown that the activity is associated with apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), and here we show that this activity is associated with an apoA-I-bearing complex of protein and phospholipid. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis showed a ladder of bands in the Mr 200,000 region, and electron microscopy revealed round, indented particles of 11.4 +/- 0.12 nm in diameter. Characterization of these particles revealed a density of 1.219-1.264 g/ml and approximately 10 molecules of lipid phosphate per Mr 200,000 complex. SDS-PAGE showed that each of the bands seen in native PAGE was composed of several polypeptides. These were identified as apoA-I, LPS binding protein (LBP), and factor H-related proteins (FHRPs). Physical association of apoA-I, LBP, and FHRP in these particles was further confirmed using double immunodiffusion, and association of LBP and FHRP in plasma was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. FHRPs are the numerically dominant protein components in these particles, and all plasma FHRP-1 appears to be associated with these particles. We suggest that FHRPs may be the defining constituent of this novel "lipoprotein" particle.

The pathogenesis of sepsis. Factors that modulate the response to gram-negative bacterial infection

Gram-negative bacteria gain access to the bloodstream by evading host defenses. Once in circulation, lipopolysaccharide interacts with the host receptor CD14 and initiates the host's immune response. Lipolysaccharide stimulates the host to produce a cascade of mediators that activate and target leukocytes, opsonize the bacteria, and induce fever to defend against the invading bacteria. Unregulated release of these mediators, however, leads to the production of vasoactive substances, activation of the clotting cascade, and diminution of cardiac performance, which leads to the sepsis syndrome. This article discusses the pathogenic events that lead to sepsis syndrome and reviews critical steps in regulating these inflammatory mediators to allow the host to recover from gram-negative bacteremia.

Purification of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein from bovine serum

Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) plays a central role in presentation of bacterial-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) to leukocytes such as macrophages and neutrophils. Interaction of LBP with LPS is significant because LBP-LPS complexes promote activation of leukocytes and the immune system, which results in enhanced secretion of a spectrum of proinflammatory cytokines. An improved, simplified method was used to purify bovine LBP from serum. Methodology consisted of ion-exchange chromatography using Bio-Rex 70 resin, followed by gel-filtration chromatography (Sephacryl S-200 resin) of a selected ion-exchange fraction (0.22-0.50 M NaCl). Densitometric scans on silver-stained polyacrylamide gels of chromatographically-derived proteins indicated up to 88.7% purity of the resultant 64kD protein (bovine LBP) in the cleanest fractions. The isoelectric point of bovine LBP was determined to be 6.8. Identity of the protein was substantiated by western-blot analysis, and by N-terminus amino acid sequence analysis with favorable comparison to published sequence data from rabbit, human, and murine LBP Identity was corroborated by use of purified bovine LBP in bioassays which demonstrated enhanced tissue factor expression of LPS (1 ng ml(-1)-stimulated bovine alveolar macrophages. Tissue factor expression was inhibitable in these assays using anti-CD14 monoclonal antibodies, which is also consistent with LBP-mediated activation of cells. When bovine LBP was heated at 56 degrees C for 30 min, the biological activity was reduced by 50% in the macrophage-based bioassays. Biological activity of bovine LBP was completely destroyed by heating at 62 degrees C for 30 min, which compared favorably with data resulting from use of fetal bovine serum.

Molecules from Staphylococcus aureus that bind CD14 and stimulate innate immune responses

Mammals mount a rapid inflammatory response to gram-negative bacteria by recognizing lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin). LPS binds to CD14, and the resulting LPS-CD14 complex induces synthesis of cytokines and up-regulation of adhesion molecules in a variety of cell types. Gram-positive bacteria provoke a very similar inflammatory response, but the molecules that provoke innate responses to these bacteria have not been defined. Here we show that protein-free, phenol extracts of Staphylococcus aureus contain a minor component that stimulates adhesion of neutrophils and cytokine production in monocytes and in the astrocytoma cell line, U373. Responses to this component do not absolutely require CD14, but addition of soluble CD14 enhances sensitivity of U373 cells by up to 100-fold, and blocking CD14 on monocytes decreases sensitivity nearly 1,000-fold. Deletion of residues 57-64 of CD14, which are required for responses to LPS, also eliminates CD14-dependent responses to S. aureus molecules. The stimulatory component of S. aureus binds CD14 and blocks binding of radioactive LPS. Unlike LPS, the activity of S. aureus molecules was neither enhanced by LPS binding protein nor inhibited by bactericidal/permeability increasing protein. The active factor in extracts of S. aureus is also structurally and functionally distinct from the abundant species known as lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Cell-stimulating activity fractionates differently from LTA on a reverse-phase column, pure LTA fails to stimulate cells, and LTA antagonizes the action of LPS in assays of IL-6 production. These studies suggest that mammals may use CD14 in innate responses to both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and that gram-positive bacteria may contain an apparently unique, CD14-binding species that initiates cellular responses.

Bovine serum albumin preparations enhance in vitro production of tumor necrosis factor alpha by murine macrophages

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is most commonly produced by macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The present study shows that BSA in place of FBS in RPMI 1640 medium accelerated the rate of LPS-induced TNF-alpha production by resident peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice when compared to LPS in serum free medium. Using 10 or 100 ng LPS/ml and 100 U IFN-gamma/ml in RPMI 1640 medium plus 0.5% BSA, both cytoplasmic TNF-alpha mRNA and TNF-alpha precursor and extracellular TNF-alpha production by mouse macrophages were increased when compared to stimulation by LPS plus IFN-gamma in medium without BSA and FBS. The level of TNF-alpha produced was shown to be related to the BSA concentration. Medium containing BSA but no LPS also stimulated macrophages to produce TNF-alpha, but BSA's TNF-alpha inducing activity varied among different lots and was not blocked by polyclonal antibody to BSA. This effect appeared to be associated with the presence of immunoglobulin in BSA products. Confirmation that BSA activity was not due to LPS contamination was achieved by testing macrophages from LPS-nonresponder C3H/HeJ mice, as well as testing TNF-alpha induction in the presence of polymyxin B (10 micrograms/ml), an LPS inhibitor.

Glycosphingolipids from Sphingomonas paucimobilis induce monokine production in human mononuclear cells

Glycosphingolipids (GSL) isolated from the gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-free bacterium Sphingomonas paucimobilis have remarkable structural similarities with LPS and its hydrophobic part, termed lipid A. Like LPS, but in contrast to the structurally related ceramides and cerebrosides, GSL contain an alpha-linked, negatively charged pyranosidic glycosyl component adjacent to the lipid portion and are capable of forming membranes. Because of these similarities, it was of interest to investigate whether these GSL are also able to induce monokine production in human mononuclear cells (MNC). Our results show that a GSL containing four sugar residues (GSL-4A) induced the release of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1 in MNC, whereas GSL-1, containing only one glycosyl residue, was inactive. A minimal concentration of 1 microgram of GSL-4A per ml was necessary to induce monokine production in MNC, whereas LPS was as active at a 10,000-fold-lower concentration (0.1 ng/ml). Both GSL-4A-induced monokine production and LPS-induced monokine production were reduced by the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein and GSL-1. In contrast to LPS, GSL-4A-induced monokine release could be inhibited neither by an anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody nor by lipid A partial structures. We therefore conclude that at the receptor level, different mechanisms are involved in the LPS- and GSL-4A-induced monokine release.