Control mechanisms of mediator release in human basophils and mast cells

Organic extracts of urban aerosol (< or =PM2.5) enhance rBet v 1-induced upregulation of CD63 in basophils from birch pollen-allergic individuals

Epidemiological studies have linked the high prevalence rates of IgE-mediated allergic diseases to an increase in exposure to traffic-related air pollutants such as diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). There is growing experimental evidence that organic compounds of DEPs, predominantly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), participate in the development and maintenance of allergic airway diseases. In this study we investigated the impact of organic extracts of urban aerosol (AERex) containing various PAH concentrations on the activation of human basophils. Whole blood samples from six birch pollen-allergic and five control subjects were repeatedly incubated in the presence of AERex with or without recombinant Bet v 1 (rBet v 1). Basophils were analyzed for CD63 expression as a measure of basophil activation by using multiparameter flow cytometry. Basophils, when exposed in vitro to AERex and rBet v 1, expressed CD63 significantly more than with antigen activation alone. AERex synergized with rBet v 1 in a dose-dependent manner, but did not activate basophils from nonallergic donors. AERex effect on CD63 upregulation was found in blood samples of all patients and did not occur in the absence of rBet v 1. Strongest basophil activation was monitored upon stimulation with AERex comprising the highest PAH content. The capability of AERex to increase activation of basophils from birch pollen-allergic subjects at ambient concentrations suggests an important role of organic compounds of airborne particles in the aggravation of IgE-mediated allergic diseases. This could be a new aspect of regulation of unspecific promoting stimuli in clinical manifestation of allergic inflammation.

Affinity cytochemistry analysis of mast cells in skin lesions: a possible tool to assess the timing of lesions after death

The histamine content in vital wounds is known to increase, with a zenith after 3 h, and then decrease until 24 h after wounding. We addressed whether this biochemical alteration has a morphological counterpart. Since the main source of skin histamine are mast cells, the distribution and number of these cells was assessed upon labeling with fluorescent avidin and with antibodies to the mast cell specific enzymes, chymase and tryptase. Analyses were performed on skin from 15 healthy controls (from surgical biopsies), from 15 post-mortem lesions and 75 vital lesions, obtained at autopsy from subjects who had survived from a few seconds to 24 h. The number of mast cells per unit area of section surface increased progressively with survival time, up to a maximum in subjects who survived 1-3 h ( p<0.01), and decreased thereafter becoming less than in the controls if lesions had occurred earlier than 6 h before death ( p<0.01). Samples from post-mortem lesions had significantly fewer mast cells than those of any other groups of samples ( p<0.01). We suggest that in association to other histological and circumstantial evidence the analysis of mast cells by affinity cytochemistry can help to discriminate vital from post-mortem lesions and to estimate survival time after lesions.

Purification of morphologically and functionally intact human basophils to near homogeneity

Certain studies on basophils require highly purified functionally intact cell preparations. Here, a three-step procedure is described that meets these requirements. The procedure consists of a Ficoll density gradient step, counterflow elutriation and negative selection by magnetic cell sorting (MACS). The mean purity of basophils obtained from 30 donors was 97.6+/-3.96% with a viability of 99.6+/-0.83%. The recovery rate was 49.7+/-15.6%. The cells had a normal morphological appearance as assessed by May-Grünwald-stained cytospins and were functionally intact as shown by their unaltered capacity to release histamine and interleukin 4 (IL-4) following immunological activation. This procedure is a clear improvement over currently available techniques and should facilitate future investigations on basophils.

Short-Term and Long-Term Cytokine Release by Mouse Bone Marrow Mast Cells and the Differentiated KU-812 Cell Line Are Inhibited by Brefeldin A

Mast cells and basophils produce a wide range of cytokines, including large amounts of both IL-6 and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF). However, the route by which cytokines are secreted is poorly understood. In the current study, we used two inhibitors of vesicular transport, brefeldin A and monensin, to examine the routes of secretion of IL-6 and GM-CSF in the differentiated KU812 human cell line and cultured mouse bone marrow mast cells (mBMMC). Studies of cytokine production over 6 to 24 h demonstrated that IL-6 and GM-CSF release from both cell types were inhibited by brefeldin A (BFA) following activation with calcium ionophore, A23187. Monensin had similar inhibitory effects to that of BFA on the initial and ongoing IL-6 release from KU812 cells. In contrast, the amount of each cytokine remaining within the cells was significantly enhanced. Similar results were obtained following IgE-mediated activation of mBMMC. BFA significantly inhibited both the constitutive secretion of IL-6 and the immediate ionophore-induced increase in IL-6 release from KU812 cells at 20 min postactivation. However, treatment with these agents did not alter the release of histamine and β-hexaminidase from either mBMMC or KU812 cells. These studies suggest that both the initial 20-min release of IL-6 and secretion of IL-6 and GM-CSF over up to 24 h by mBMMC and differentiated KU-812 cells occur predominately through a vesicular transport-dependent mechanism, and that little, if any, IL-6 and GM-CSF is released through degranulation.

Arachidonate-induced eicosanoid synthesis in RBL-2H3 cells: stimulation with antigen or A23187 induces prolonged activation of 5-lipoxygenase

We studied the ability of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells stimulated with either IgE/antigen or calcium ionophore, A23187, to synthesize LTC4 and PGD2 after addition of exogenous arachidonic acid. RBL-2H3 cells preferentially synthesized PGD2 in response to stimulation with low concentrations of antigen or A23187 while higher concentrations also resulted in a marked synthesis of LTC4. The synthesis of LTC4 was dependent upon initial activation of 5-lipoxygenase by IgE/antigen or A23187, since arachidonic acid lone failed to induce LTC4 synthesis. Following the addition of IgE/antigen or A23187 alone, the synthesis of PGD2 and LTC4 was essentially complete by 10 min. To determine whether a limitation of substrate precluded further eicosanoid synthesis, exogenous arachidonic acid was added to washed cells 15-145 min following the initial stimulation with IgE/antigen or A23187, PGD2 and LTC4 synthesis was resumed following the addition of arachidonic acid to washed prestimulated cells, demonstrating that the termination of eicosanoid synthesis in RBL-2H3 cells was nor caused by the inactivation of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase. DNP-lysine was added to cells previously stimulated with IgE/antigen to stop receptor aggregation and this greatly inhibited subsequent production of LTC4 following the addition of arachidonic acid, suggesting that ongoing stimulation of Fc epsilon XsRI was required for LTC4 synthesis in this setting. These results indicate that the magnitude of a physiologic stimulus (IgE/antigen) can profoundly affect the arachidonate metabolites produced by mast cells and that the synthesis of these metabolites quickly becomes limited by substrate availability rather than the activity of cyclooxygenase or 5-lipoxygenase.

Inhibition of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release from mast cells by the anti-inflammatory drugs, sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium

TNF-alpha is a cytokine thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and in several other inflammatory conditions. Given recent evidence that mast cells (MC) are an important source of TNF-alpha, we investigated the effects of two anti-inflammatory drugs, nedocromil sodium (NED) and sodium cromoglycate (SCG), on rat MC-derived TNF-alpha. We established that at least 2 h pretreatment with NED or SCG followed by washing was required to inhibit TNF-alpha-dependent cytotoxicity by rat peritoneal MC (PMC). A maximum inhibition of TNF-alpha occurred after 6 h treatment. The inhibitory effect of NED and SCG (10(-5)-10(-3)M) was concentration-dependent (20-37% for NED and 16-37% for SCG). The time-course analysis and the use of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, provided strong evidence that new protein synthesis by the MC is required for this inhibitory effect. Furthermore, 24 h treatment with 1 mM NED inhibited the levels of mRNA for TNF-alpha by 59-83%. In addition to the effect on TNF-alpha-dependent cytotoxicity by MC, 20 min pretreatment with 10(-4) M NED and SCG inhibited antigen-stimulated TNF-alpha release (6h) by 42% and 48%, respectively. Interestingly, the functionally distinct intestinal mucosal MC (IMMC) is unresponsive to these drugs with regard to histamine secretion. However, as with PMC, 2h pretreatment with NED or SCG inhibited TNF-alpha-dependent cytotoxicity by IMMC. These effects may be important in the action of these drugs in vivo in the late phase reaction in asthma or other inflammatory conditions.

Mast cells modulate acute ozone-induced inflammation of the murine lung

We hypothesized that mast cells modulate lung inflammation that develops after acute ozone (O3) exposure. Two tests were done: (1) genetically mast-cell-deficient (WBB6F1-W/Wv, WCB6F1-SI/SId) and bone-marrow-transplanted W/Wv mice were exposed to O3 or filtered air, and the inflammatory responses were compared with those of mast-cell-sufficient congenic mice (WBB6F1-(+)/+, WCB6F1-(+)/+); (2) genetically O3-susceptible C57BL/6J mice were treated pharmacologically with putative mast-cell modulators or vehicle, and the O3-induced inflammatory responses were compared. Mice were exposed to 1.75 ppm O3 or air for 3 h, and lung inflammation was assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) 6 and 24 h after exposure. Relative to O3-exposed W/Wv and SI/SId mice, the mean numbers of lavageable polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and total BAL protein concentration (a marker of permeability) were significantly greater in the respective O3-exposed normal congenic +/+ mice (p < 0.05). Mast cells were reconstituted in W/Wv mice by transplantation of bone marrow cells from congenic +/+ mice, and O3-induced lung inflammation was assessed in the mast-cell-replete W/Wv mice. After O3 exposure, the changes in lavageable PMNs and total protein of mast-cell-replete W/Wv mice were not different from age-matched normal +/+ control mice, and they were significantly greater than those of sham-transplanted W/Wv mice (p < 0.05). Genetically susceptible C57BL/6J mice were pretreated with a mast-cell stabilizer (nedocromil sodium), secretagogue (compound 48/80), or vehicle, and the mice were exposed to O3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of leukotriene C4 biosynthesis in vitro by flavonoid baicalein from Scutellaria baicalensis georgy roots

Anti-inflammatory activity of baicalein (5,6,7-trioxyflavone-7-O-beta-D-glucuronide) was greater in the chronic inflammation model (rat adjuvant arthritis, ED50 = 120.6 mg/kg) than observed in the rat carrageenan-induced paw edema, ED50 > or = 200.0 mg/kg. A comparative study of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitory activity of baicalein, BW 755 C, and hydroxamic acid arachidonate on leukotriene C4 (LTC4) biosynthesis by rat resident peritoneal macrophages stimulated with calcium ionophore (A 23186) showed that these drugs significantly inhibited LTC4 production, IC50: 9.5, 41.8, and 2.8 microM, respectively. This finding suggests that inhibition of the 5-LO pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism may be one of the mechanisms of baicalein's anti-inflammatory activity.

Purification of human blood basophils by negative selection using immunomagnetic beads

A simple and rapid method for isolating highly purified and functionally intact basophils from normal human blood is described. Blood from healthy volunteers was centrifuged through a two layer Percoll density gradient. The majority of the basophils were recovered between Percoll layers with densities of 1.070 and 1.080, constituting 45.6% of total leukocytes. Lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils were extracted from this fraction using a panel of mabs in a direct or indirect selection procedure using immunomagnetic beads (Dynabeads) coated with sheep anti-mouse IgG. These negative immunoselection procedures produced a high yield of basophils with a mean purity of 97.8% (range 93.0-99.5%) and 97.0% (range 96.2-99.0%) using the direct and indirect method, respectively. The cells isolated by this method are viable, release histamine to various stimuli in a normal manner, and appear morphologically normal in transmission electron microscopy.

Extracts of mosquito salivary gland inhibit tumour necrosis factor alpha release from mast cells

Extracts of salivary glands of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti inhibit tumour cell-stimulated release of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) from rat mast cells, but do not inhibit antigen-induced histamine secretion. This inhibitory activity for TNF alpha is found in salivary glands of female but not in male mosquitoes. This inhibition is not mediated by bacterial contamination (LPS), by calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) or transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta). The factor(s) has a molecular weight > 10 kDa and is neutralized by boiling for 10 min or heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min. The modulation of this proinflammatory mediator, TNF alpha, produced by mast cells in sites of blood feeding may facilitate completion of the blood meal, and as reported for certain vector-transmitted parasites, may enhance infectivity.

Estimation of the total number of mast cells in the human umbilical cord. A methodological study

The aim of the present study was to estimate the total number of mast cells in the human umbilical cord. Using 50 microns-thick paraffin sections, made from a systematic random sample of umbilical cord, the total number of mast cells per cord was estimated using a combination of the optical disector and fractionated sampling. The mast cell of the human umbilical cord was found in Wharton's jelly, most frequently in close proximity to the three blood vessels. No consistent pattern of variation in mast cell numbers from the fetal end of the umbilical cord towards the placenta was seen. The total number of mast cells found in the umbilical cord was 5,200,000 (median), range 2,800,000-16,800,000 (n = 7), that is 156,000 mast cells per gram umbilical cord (median), range 48,000-267,000. Thus, the umbilical cord constitutes an adequate source of mast cells for further investigation of these cells in the newborn, e.g. for describing their functional and secretory characteristics and possible clinical relevance in relation to the development of allergic, inflammatory and immunological diseases in infancy and childhood.

In vivo effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on rat skin and synovial mast cell-induced vasopermeability

Using our animal model of synovial mast cell-mediated arthritis in rats, we tested the effects of 3 nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (aspirin, indomethacin, and ketoprofen) and an H1 and an H2 histamine receptor antagonist (diphenhydramine and cimetidine, respectively) on synovial and dermal mast cell-induced vasopermeability. Drug effects were assessed by quantifying the leakage of radiolabeled albumin into tissues following specific antigen-initiated activation of passively sensitized dermal and synovial mast cells. The 3 NSAIDs tested had different effects on synovial and dermal mast cell-induced vasopermeability. Aspirin and indomethacin significantly increased dermal and synovial plasma exudation (P less than or equal to 0.008). Ketoprofen decreased dermal (P = 0.015), but had no effect on synovial, vascular exudation. Complete histamine H1 and H2 receptor blockade with diphenhydramine and cimetidine, respectively, substantially decreased (P less than or equal to 0.0008), but did not completely inhibit, dermal and synovial mast cell-induced vasopermeability. However, the addition of indomethacin to the combined antihistamine regimen resulted in an increase in the leakage of the radiolabel into skin and synovium (back to control levels), despite the complete blockade of H1 and H2 receptors. Results of experiments with antihistamines and indomethacin suggest that mediators other than histamine are involved in synovial mast cell-induced inflammation. Furthermore, the differential response to ketoprofen indicates that the specific antigen-stimulated mediator release profiles of dermal and synovial mast cells are different. Our finding of enhanced synovial vascular leakage in animals treated with some NSAIDs, and no such effect by other NSAIDs, perhaps explains in part the diverse effects of these agents in humans with arthritis.

Differential mechanisms in the stimulus-secretion coupling in human basophils: evidence for a protein-kinase-C-dependent and a protein-kinase-C-independent route

Upon activation, basophilic granulocytes release inflammatory mediators, such as histamine. We studied histamine release (HR) of purified (64 +/- 10%) human basophils after cross-linking of membrane-bound IgE via anti-IgE or after binding of the chemoattractant formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). A variability in the extent of histamine release upon stimulation by either anti-IgE or FMLP was found between donors. Non-responders for FMLP showed high histamine release for anti-IgE, and vice versa. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) by staurosporine (STSP) resulted in partial inhibition of the anti-IgE-induced HR, whereas inhibition of a PKC-independent pathway by wortmannin (WTM) totally blocked the anti-IgE induced histamine release. The HR induced by FMLP was not affected by either of these inhibitors. We conclude that major differences exist in the signal-response coupling between the anti-IgE and FMLP-induced HR in human basophils. The so-called releasability of human basophils may be due to the availability of different cell activation pathways.

Human basophil/mast cell releasability. VII. Heterogeneity of the effect of adenosine on mediator secretion

5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than adenosine greater than N6-(R-phenyl-isopropyl)-adenosine (R-PIA) inhibited in vitro anti-IgE-induced histamine and peptide leukotriene C4 (LTC4) release from human basophils in a concentration-dependent fashion. Micromolar concentrations of adenosine, NECA and R-PIA potentiated the anti-IgE-stimulated release of histamine and LTC4 from human lung parenchymal mast cells. Submillimolar concentrations of adenosine, NECA and R-PIA inhibited in a concentration dependent manner the release of histamine and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) from skin mast cells challenged with anti-IgE. These results demonstrate marked heterogeneity of the modulatory effect exerted by adenosine on mediator release from human basophils and mast cells.