Recognition of bacterial peptidoglycan by the innate immune system

The innate immune system recognizes microorganisms through a series of pattern recognition receptors that are highly conserved in evolution. Peptidoglycan (PGN) is a unique and essential component of the cell wall of virtually all bacteria and is not present in eukaryotes, and thus is an excellent target for the innate immune system. Indeed, higher eukaryotes, including mammals, have several PGN recognition molecules, including CD14, Toll-like receptor 2, a family of peptidoglycan recognition proteins, Nod1 and Nod2, and PGN-lytic enzymes (lysozyme and amidases). These molecules induce host responses to microorganisms or have direct antimicrobial effects.

Bacterial peptidoglycan-induced tnf-alpha transcription is mediated through the transcription factors Egr-1, Elk-1, and NF-kappaB

Bacteria and their ubiquitous cell wall component peptidoglycan (PGN) activate the innate immune system of the host and induce the release of inflammatory molecules. TNF-alpha is one of the highest induced cytokines in macrophages stimulated with PGN; however, the regulation of tnf-alpha expression in PGN-activated cells is poorly understood. This study was done to identify some of the transcription factors that regulate the expression of the tnf-alpha gene in macrophages stimulated with PGN. Our results demonstrated that PGN-induced expression of human tnf-alpha gene is regulated by sequences proximal to -182 bp of the promoter. Mutations within the binding sites for cAMP response element, early growth response (Egr)-1, and kappaB3 significantly reduced this induction. The transcription factor c-Jun bound the cAMP response element site, Egr-1 bound the Egr-1 motif, and NF-kappaB p50 and p65 bound to the kappaB3 site on the tnf-alpha promoter. PGN rapidly induced transcription of egr-1 gene and this induction was significantly reduced by specific mutations within the serum response element-1 domain of the egr-1 promoter. PGN also induced phosphorylation and activation of Elk-1, a member of the Ets family of transcription factors. Elk-1 and serum response factor proteins bound the serum response element-1 domain on the egr-1 promoter, and PGN-induced expression of the egr-1 was inhibited by dominant-negative Elk-1. These results indicate that PGN induces activation of the transcription factors Egr-1 and Elk-1, and that PGN-induced expression of tnf-alpha is directly mediated through the transcription factors c-Jun, Egr-1, and NF-kappaB, and indirectly through the transcription factor Elk-1.

Bacterial peptidoglycan binds to tubulin

A search for cellular binding proteins for peptidoglycan (PGN), a CD14- and TLR2-dependent macrophage activator from Gram-positive bacteria, using PGN-affinity chromatography and N-terminal micro-sequencing, revealed that tubulin was a major PGN-binding protein in mouse macrophages. Tubulin also co-eluted with PGN from anti-PGN vancomycin affinity column and bound to PGN coupled to agarose. Tubulin-PGN binding was preferential under the conditions that promote tubulin polymerization, required macromolecular PGN, was competitively inhibited by soluble PGN and tubulin, did not require microtubule-associated proteins, and had an affinity of 100-150 nM. By contrast, binding of tubulin to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) had 2-3 times lower affinity, faster kinetics of binding, and showed positive cooperativity. PGN enhanced tubulin polymerization in the presence of 4 M glycerol, but in the absence of glycerol, both PGN and LPS decreased microtubule polymerization. These results indicate that tubulin is a major PGN-binding protein and that PGN modulates tubulin polymerization.

Role of MD-2 in TLR2- and TLR4-mediated recognition of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and activation of chemokine genes

MD-2 is associated with TLR4 on the cell surface and enables TLR4 to respond to LPS. TLR2 without MD-2 does not respond to pure protein-free endotoxic LPS, ReLPS, and lipid A. MD-2 enables TLR2 to respond to non-activating LPS, ReLPS, and lipid A, and enhances TLR2-mediated responses to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, protein-containing LPS, peptidoglycan, and lipoteichoic acid. MD-2 enables TLR4 to respond to a wide variety of endotoxic LPS partial structures, Gram-negative bacteria, and Gram-positive lipoteichoic acid, but not to Gram-positive bacteria, peptidoglycan, and lipopeptide. MD-2 physically associates with both TLR4 and TLR2, but the association with TLR2 is weaker than with TLR4. Also, MD-2 and TLR2 and TLR4 enhance each other's expression. The highest induced genes in human monocytes stimulated with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cell wall components are chemokine genes, and IL-8 is the highest induced chemokine. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria activate TLR2-->MyD88-->IRAK-->TRAF-->NIK-->IKK-->NF-->kappaB signal transduction pathway that induces transcription of the IL-8 gene. Therefore, TLR2 is a functional receptor for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and it induces activation of IL-8.

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins: a novel family of four human innate immunity pattern recognition molecules

The innate immune system recognizes microorganisms through a series of pattern recognition receptors that are highly conserved in evolution. Insects have a family of 12 peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) that recognize peptidoglycan, a ubiquitous component of bacterial cell walls. We report cloning of three novel human PGRPs (PGRP-L, PGRP-Ialpha, and PGRP-Ibeta) that together with the previously cloned PGRP-S, define a new family of human pattern recognition molecules. PGRP-L, PGRP-Ialpha, and PGRP-Ibeta have 576, 341, and 373 amino acids coded by five, seven, and eight exons on chromosomes 19 and 1, and they all have two predicted transmembrane domains. All mammalian and insect PGRPs have at least three highly conserved C-terminal PGRP domains located either in the extracellular or in the cytoplasmic (or in both) portions of the molecules. PGRP-L is expressed in liver, PGRP-Ialpha and PGRP-Ibeta in esophagus (and to a lesser extent in tonsils and thymus), and PGRP-S in bone marrow (and to a lesser extent in neutrophils and fetal liver). All four human PGRPs bind peptidoglycan and Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, these PGRPs may play a role in recognition of bacteria in these organs.

Micrococci and peptidoglycan activate TLR2-->MyD88-->IRAK-->TRAF-->NIK-->IKK-->NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway that induces transcription of interleukin-8

This study was done to elucidate the signal transduction pathway of interleukin-8 (IL-8) induction by gram-positive bacteria. Bacteria (micrococci) and peptidoglycan (PGN) induced transcription of IL-8 in HEK293 cells expressing Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and CD14 but not in those expressing TLR1 or TLR4. A mutation within the NF-kappaB site in the IL-8 promoter abrogated transcriptional induction of IL-8 by the two stimulants. Dominant negative myeloid differentiation protein (MyD88), IL-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK), NFkappaB-inducing kinase (NIK), and IkappaB kinase (IKK) mutant forms completely inhibited micrococcus- and PGN-induced activation of NF-kappaB and expression of the gene for IL-8. Induction of NF-kappaB was partially inhibited by dominant negative tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated kinase 6 (TRAF6) but not TRAF2, whereas induction of IL-8 gene was partially inhibited by both TRAF6 and TRAF2. These data indicate that micrococci and PGN induce TLR2-dependent activation of the gene for IL-8 and that this activation requires MyD88, IRAK, NIK, IKK, and NF-kappaB and may also utilize TRAF6 and, to a lesser extent, TRAF2.

MD-2 enables Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-mediated responses to lipopolysaccharide and enhances TLR2-mediated responses to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and their cell wall components

MD-2 is associated with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on the cell surface and enables TLR4 to respond to LPS. We tested whether MD-2 enhances or enables the responses of both TLR2 and TLR4 to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and their components. TLR2 without MD-2 did not efficiently respond to highly purified LPS and LPS partial structures. MD-2 enabled TLR2 to respond to nonactivating protein-free LPS, LPS mutants, or lipid A and enhanced TLR2-mediated responses to both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and their LPS, peptidoglycan, and lipoteichoic acid components. MD-2 enabled TLR4 to respond to a wide variety of LPS partial structures, Gram-negative bacteria, and Gram-positive lipoteichoic acid, but not to Gram-positive bacteria, peptidoglycan, and lipopeptide. MD-2 physically associated with TLR2, but this association was weaker than with TLR4. MD-2 enhanced expression of both TLR2 and TLR4, and TLR2 and TLR4 enhanced expression of MD-2. Thus, MD-2 enables both TLR4 and TLR2 to respond with high sensitivity to a broad range of LPS structures and to lipoteichoic acid, and, moreover, MD-2 enhances the responses of TLR2 to Gram-positive bacteria and peptidoglycan, to which the TLR4-MD-2 complex is unresponsive.

Soluble CD14 enhances membrane CD14-mediated responses to peptidoglycan: structural requirements differ from those for responses to lipopolysaccharide

The purpose of this study was to identify the functional significance of the binding of soluble CD14 (sCD14) to bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN) and to compare the structural requirements of sCD14 for the binding to PGN and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and for sCD14-mediated enhancement of PGN- and LPS-induced cell responses. sCD14 did not facilitate the responses of membrane CD14 (mCD14)-negative pre-B 70Z/3 cells to PGN, although it facilitated the responses of these cells to LPS and although mCD14 facilitated the responses of 70Z/3 cells to PGN. sCD14 enhanced mCD14-mediated cell activation by both PGN and LPS, but only the responses to LPS, and not to PGN, were enhanced by LPS-binding protein. Four 4- or 5-amino-acid-long sequences within the 65-amino-acid N-terminal region of sCD14 were needed for binding to both PGN and LPS and for enhancement of cell activation by both PGN and LPS. However, deletions of individual sequences had different effects on the ability of sCD14 to bind to PGN and to LPS and on the ability to enhance the responses to PGN and to LPS. Thus, there are different structural requirements of sCD14 for binding to PGN and to LPS and for the enhancement of PGN- and LPS-induced cell activation.

Mammalian peptidoglycan recognition protein binds peptidoglycan with high affinity, is expressed in neutrophils, and inhibits bacterial growth

Peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP) is conserved from insects to mammals. In insects, PGRP recognizes bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan (PGN) and activates prophenoloxidase cascade, a part of the insect antimicrobial defense system. Because mammals do not have the prophenoloxidase cascade, its function in mammals is unknown. However, it was suggested that an identical protein (Tag7) was a tumor necrosis factor-like cytokine. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the function of PGRP in mammals. Mouse PGRP bound to PGN with fast kinetics and nanomolar affinity (K(d) = 13 nm). The binding was specific for polymeric PGN or Gram-positive bacteria with unmodified PGN, and PGRP did not bind to other cell wall components or Gram-negative bacteria. PGRP mRNA and protein were expressed in neutrophils and bone marrow cells, but not in spleen cells, mononuclear cells, T or B lymphocytes, NK cells, thymocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. PGRP was not a PGN-lytic or a bacteriolytic enzyme, but it inhibited the growth of Gram-positive but not Gram-negative bacteria. PGRP inhibited phagocytosis of Gram-positive bacteria by macrophages, induction of oxidative burst by Gram-positive bacteria in neutrophils, and induction of cytokine production by PGN in macrophages. PGRP had no tumor necrosis factor-like cytotoxicity for mammalian cells, and it was not chemotactic on its own or in combination with PGN. Therefore, mammalian PGRP binds to PGN and Gram-positive bacteria with nanomolar affinity, is expressed in neutrophils, and inhibits growth of bacteria.

Chemokines are the main proinflammatory mediators in human monocytes activated by Staphylococcus aureus, peptidoglycan, and endotoxin

It is widely believed that the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-6 are the main proinflammatory mediators induced in the host by bacteria and their cell wall components. To test this hypothesis, we compared the level of expression of 600 genes activated in human monocytes by Staphylococcus aureus, peptidoglycan, endotoxin, and interferon-gamma. These stimulants induced expression of over 120 genes, as identified by cDNA arrays. The highest activated genes for proinflammatory mediators induced by all three bacterial stimulants were chemokine genes (IL-8 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha), whereas cytokine genes (TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6) were induced to a lower extent. Genes for other chemokines (MIP-2alpha, MIP-1beta, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) were also induced higher than the cytokine genes by peptidoglycan, and as high or higher than the cytokine genes by S. aureus and endotoxin. This high induction of chemokine genes was confirmed by quantitative RNase protection assay, and high secretion of chemokines was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Although genes for chemokines were the highest and genes for cytokines were the second highest induced genes by all three bacterial stimulants, each stimulus induced a unique pattern of gene expression. By contrast, expression of a completely different gene pattern was induced by a nonbacterial stimulus, interferon-gamma. These results establish chemokines as the main mediators induced by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and are consistent with the highly inflammatory nature of bacterial infections.

Lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan: CD14-dependent bacterial inducers of inflammation

Surface structures of bacteria contribute to the microbial pathogenic potential and are capable of causing local and generalized inflammatory reactions. Among these factors, endotoxin and peptidoglycan are of particular medical importance. Both toxic bacterial polymers are now recognized to interact with the same cellular receptor, the CD14 molecule, which is expressed on different types of immune cells, in particular, monocytes/macrophages. The interaction between these bacterial activators and CD14 leads to the production of endogenous mediators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 (IL-1), and IL-6, which are ultimately responsible for phlogistic responses. The fact that CD14 recognizes not only endotoxin and peptidoglycan but also other glycosyl-based microbial polymers suggests that this cellular surface molecule represents a lectin.

Cutting edge: recognition of Gram-positive bacterial cell wall components by the innate immune system occurs via Toll-like receptor 2

Invasive infection with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria often results in septic shock and death. The basis for the earliest steps in innate immune response to Gram-positive bacterial infection is poorly understood. The LPS component of the Gram-negative bacterial cell wall appears to activate cells via CD14 and Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4. We hypothesized that Gram-positive bacteria might also be recognized by TLRs. Heterologous expression of human TLR2, but not TLR4, in fibroblasts conferred responsiveness to Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae as evidenced by inducible translocation of NF-kappaB. CD14 coexpression synergistically enhanced TLR2-mediated activation. To determine which components of Gram-positive cell walls activate Toll proteins, we tested a soluble preparation of peptidoglycan prepared from S. aureus. Soluble peptidoglycan substituted for whole organisms. These data suggest that the similarity of clinical response to invasive infection by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is due to bacterial recognition via similar TLRs.

Peptidoglycan- and lipoteichoic acid-induced cell activation is mediated by toll-like receptor 2

The life-threatening complications of sepsis in humans are elicited by infection with Gram-negative as well as Gram-positive bacteria. Recently, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major biologically active agent of Gram-negative bacteria, was shown to mediate cellular activation by a member of the human Toll-like receptor family, Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2. Here we investigate the mechanism of cellular activation by soluble peptidoglycan (sPGN) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), main stimulatory components of Gram-positive bacteria. Like LPS, sPGN and LTA bind to the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein CD14 and induce activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB in host cells like macrophages. We show that whole Gram-positive bacteria, sPGN and LTA induce the activation of NF-kappaB in HEK293 cells expressing TLR2 but not in cells expressing TLR1 or TLR4. The sPGN- and LTA-induced NF-kappaB activation was not inhibited by polymyxin B, an antibiotic that binds and neutralizes LPS. Coexpression together with membrane CD14 enhances sPGN signal transmission through TLR2. In contrast to LPS signaling, activation of TLR2 by sPGN and LTA does not require serum. These findings identify TLR2 as a signal transducer for sPGN and LTA in addition to LPS.

Bacterial peptidoglycan induces CD14-dependent activation of transcription factors CREB/ATF and AP-1

Peptidoglycan (PGN), the major cell wall component of Gram-positive bacteria, induces secretion of cytokines in macrophages through CD14, the pattern recognition receptor that binds lipopolysaccharide and other microbial products. To begin to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate the transcription of cytokine genes, we wanted to determine which transcription factors are activated by PGN in mouse RAW264.7 and human THP-1 macrophage cells. Our results demonstrated that: (i) PGN induced phosphorylation of the transcription factors ATF-1 and CREB; (ii) ATF-1 and CREB bound DNA as a dimer and induced transcriptional activation of a CRE reporter plasmid, which was inhibited by dominant negative CREB and ATF-1; (iii) PGN induced phosphorylation of c-Jun, protein synthesis of JunB and c-Fos, and transcriptional activation of the AP-1 reporter plasmid, which was inhibited by dominant negative c-Fos; and (iv) PGN-induced activation of CREB/ATF and AP-1 was mediated through CD14. This is the first study to demonstrate activation of CREB/ATF and AP-1 transcription factors by PGN or by any other component of Gram-positive bacteria.

Endothelial and epithelial cells do not respond to complexes of peptidoglycan with soluble CD14 but are activated indirectly by peptidoglycan-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 from monocytes

Peptidoglycan (PGN) activates macrophages through membrane CD14 (an endotoxin receptor) and binds to both soluble and membrane CD14. Since soluble CD14-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) complexes activate CD14-negative endothelial and epithelial cells, this study tested whether soluble CD14-PGN complexes activate human umbilical vein endothelial cells and epithelial-like U373 cells to secrete interleukin (IL)-6, express vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, and translocate nuclear factor-kappaB. In contrast to LPS, endothelial, epithelial, and other cells of non-hemopoietic origin were unresponsive to PGN through soluble or membrane-bound CD14, whereas cells of hemopoietic origin were responsive to both PGN and LPS. PGN, similarly to LPS, activated endothelial and epithelial cells indirectly in the presence of 2%-4% blood, by inducing secretion of both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1 from monocytes. These results reveal different mechanisms of CD14 function and cell activation for LPS and PGN and also demonstrate strong indirect activation of endothelial and epithelial cells by both PGN and LPS.

Binding of bacterial peptidoglycan to CD14

The hypothesis that soluble peptidoglycan (sPGN, a macrophage-activator from Gram-positive bacteria) binds to CD14 (a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor) was tested. sPGN specifically bound to CD14 in the following three assays: binding of soluble 32P-CD14 (sCD14) to agarose-immobilized sPGN, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and photoaffinity cross-linking. sCD14 also specifically bound to agarose-immobilized muramyl dipeptide or GlcNAc-muramyl dipeptide but not to PGN pentapeptide. Binding of sCD14 to both sPGN and ReLPS (where ReLPS is LPS from Salmonella minnesota Re 595) was competitively inhibited by unlabeled sCD14, 1-152 N-terminal fragment of sCD14, sPGN, smooth LPS, ReLPS, lipid A, and lipoteichoic acid but not by dextran, dextran sulfate, heparin, ribitol teichoic acid, or soluble low molecular weight PGN fragments. Binding of sCD14 to sPGN was slower than to ReLPS but of higher affinity (KD = 25 nM versus 41 nM). LPS-binding protein (LBP) increased the binding of sCD14 to sPGN by adding another lower affinity KD and another higher Bmax, but for ReLPS, LBP increased the affinity of binding by yielding two KD with significantly higher affinity (7.1 and 27 nM). LBP also enhanced inhibition of sCD14 binding by LPS, ReLPS, and lipid A. Binding of sCD14 to both sPGN and ReLPS was inhibited by anti-CD14 MEM-18 mAb, but other anti-CD14 mAbs showed differential inhibition, suggesting conformational binding sites on CD14 for sPGN and LPS, that are partially identical and partially different.

Specific binding of soluble peptidoglycan and muramyldipeptide to CD14 on human monocytes

Previously, we were able to show that soluble peptidoglycan (sPG)-induced monokine production in human peripheral monocytes is inhibited by anti-CD14 monoclonal antibodies and by lipid A partial structures. This suggested but did not prove that monocytic surface protein CD14 is involved in the activation of human monocytes not only by cell wall components of gram-negative bacteria such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) but also by cell wall components of gram-positive bacteria such as sPG. In the present study, we provide experimental evidence that CD14 indeed constitutes a binding site for sPG recognition and activation of human monocytes. The results show that fluorescein isothiocyanate-sPG (FITC-sPG) binds to human monocytes in a saturable, dose-dependent, and specific manner. For maximal binding, 2 to 3 microg of FITC-sPG per ml was sufficient, and this binding is completed within 90 min; about 40% of the binding is completed within the first 3 min. The FITC-sPG binding is considered specific because unlabeled sPG and also muramyldipeptide (MDP), the minimal bioactive structure of sPG, inhibit the binding of sPG to monocytes in a dose-dependent manner. This specific binding was also inhibited by an anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody, LPS, and lipid A partial structure compound 406. Direct evidence for an interaction of sPG with CD14 is provided by experiments involving native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that showed a shift of the electrophoretic mobility of CD14 by LPS as well as by sPG. These results allow the conclusion that sPG binds directly to CD14, that MDP represents the active substructure of sPG, and that CD14 may be a lectin-like receptor which plays a key role in cellular stimulation by bioactive components of not only gram-negative but also gram-positive bacteria.

Differential activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1, ERK2, p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase mitogen-activated protein kinases by bacterial peptidoglycan

Soluble staphylococcal peptidoglycan (sPGN) is an inducer of cytokine secretion and may activate macrophages through the CD14 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor. To elucidate sPGN-activated signal transduction pathways, stimulation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases by sPGN was studied in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages. sPGN strongly activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and ERK2, moderately activated c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), and weakly activated p38 MAP kinase, in contrast to LPS, which strongly activated all of these kinases, and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), which strongly activated ERK1 and ERK2 but did not activate p38 or JNK. sPGN- and LPS-induced activation of ERK1 and ERK2, unlike PDB-induced activation, was sensitive to inhibition by herbimycin A and insensitive to inhibition by increased intracellular cAMP. These results demonstrate differential activation of MAP kinases by sPGN, similar but not identical activation of signal transduction pathways by sPGN and LPS, and different mechanisms of MAP kinase activation by bacterial stimulants and phorbol esters.

CD14 is a cell-activating receptor for bacterial peptidoglycan

The hypothesis that CD14 (an endotoxin receptor present on macrophages and neutrophils) acts as a cell-activating receptor for bacterial peptidoglycan was tested using mouse 70Z/3 cells transfected with human CD14. 70Z/3 cells transfected with an empty vector were unresponsive to insoluble and soluble peptidoglycan, as well as to low concentrations of endotoxin. 70Z/3-CD14 cells were responsive to both insoluble and soluble peptidoglycan, as well as to low concentrations of endotoxin, as measured by the expression of surface IgM, activation of NF-kappaB, and degradation of IkappaB-alpha. Peptidoglycan also induced activation of NF-kappaB and degradation of IkappaB-alpha in macrophage RAW264.7 cells. These peptidoglycan-induced effects (in contrast to endotoxin-induced effects) were not inhibited by polymyxin B. Both peptidoglycan- and endotoxin-induced activation of NF-kappaB were inhibited by anti-CD14 mAb. The N-terminal 151 amino acids of CD14 were sufficient for acquisition of full responsiveness to both peptidoglycan and endotoxin, but CD14 deletion mutants lacking four small regions within the N-terminal 65 amino acids showed differentially diminished responses to peptidoglycan and endotoxin. These results identify CD14 as the functional receptor for peptidoglycan and demonstrate that similar, but not identical sequences in the N-terminal 65-amino acid region of CD14 are critical for the NF-kappaB and IgM responses to both peptidoglycan and endotoxin.

Peptidoglycan induces transcription and secretion of TNF-alpha and activation of lyn, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and rsk signal transduction proteins in mouse macrophages

In soluble peptidoglycan (PGN) from staphylococcal cell walls as well as soluble PGN (sPGN) secreted by staphylococci in the presence of beta-lactam antibiotics induced TNF-alpha mRNA and secretion of bioactive TNF-alpha in the murine RAW264.7 macrophage cell line, PGN and sPGN also induced rapid and dose-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins, including lyn and mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular signal-regulated kinases; but not hck, fgr, or vav) and increased the activities of mitogen-activated protein and rsk kinases. These PGN- and sPGN-induced effects were qualitatively similar to the effects induced by ReLPS, but higher concentrations of PGN and sPGN than ReLPS were required. In contrast to the ReLPS-induced effects, the PGN- and sPGN-induced effects were not inhibited by polymyxin B. All PGN-, sPGN-, and ReLPS-induced effects were serum independent, since they were observed both in RAW264.7 cells grown and stimulated in the presence of serum and in the cells adapted to growth and stimulated in a serum- and albumin-free medium. These results indicate that lyn, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and rsk signal transduction molecules may be involved in macrophage activation by PGN and further support the idea that PGN and LPS may activate the cells through similar mechanisms.

Peptidoglycan induces transcription and secretion of TNF-alpha and activation of lyn, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and rsk signal transduction proteins in mouse macrophages

In soluble peptidoglycan (PGN) from staphylococcal cell walls as well as soluble PGN (sPGN) secreted by staphylococci in the presence of beta-lactam antibiotics induced TNF-alpha mRNA and secretion of bioactive TNF-alpha in the murine RAW264.7 macrophage cell line, PGN and sPGN also induced rapid and dose-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins, including lyn and mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular signal-regulated kinases; but not hck, fgr, or vav) and increased the activities of mitogen-activated protein and rsk kinases. These PGN- and sPGN-induced effects were qualitatively similar to the effects induced by ReLPS, but higher concentrations of PGN and sPGN than ReLPS were required. In contrast to the ReLPS-induced effects, the PGN- and sPGN-induced effects were not inhibited by polymyxin B. All PGN-, sPGN-, and ReLPS-induced effects were serum independent, since they were observed both in RAW264.7 cells grown and stimulated in the presence of serum and in the cells adapted to growth and stimulated in a serum- and albumin-free medium. These results indicate that lyn, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and rsk signal transduction molecules may be involved in macrophage activation by PGN and further support the idea that PGN and LPS may activate the cells through similar mechanisms.

Soluble peptidoglycan-induced monokine production can be blocked by anti-CD14 monoclonal antibodies and by lipid A partial structures

We have investigated the interaction of soluble peptidoglycan (sPG), in comparison with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), with human mononuclear cells (MNC) by determining the capacity of sPG to induce interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1 release. In addition, we investigated the modulation of their interaction by anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody and by partial structures of LPS. We found that sPG, like LPS, was able to induce IL-6 and IL-1 production by MNC. However, dose-response experiments revealed that at least 3,000 ng of sPG per ml was necessary for induction, whereas the optimal LPS concentration was 1 ng/ml. Anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody reduced sPG- and LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-1 production. Moreover, partial structures of LPS were able to reduce monokine production induced by sPG and LPS. We conclude that sPG constitutes, like LPS, an inflammatory cytokine inducer and that CD14 is involved in the activation of human monocytes not only by LPS but also by sPG.

Cell-bound albumin is the 70-kDa peptidoglycan-, lipopolysaccharide-, and lipoteichoic acid-binding protein on lymphocytes and macrophages

The 70-kDa protein that is present on the surface of lymphocytes and macrophages and that binds peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid, heparin, and sulfated heparinoids was identified as cell-bound albumin. It originated from the tissue culture medium or from the serum in vivo and was not produced by the cells. The following results supported this conclusion: (a) mouse and human cell lines grown in serum-free and albumin-free medium did not have this 70-kDa protein and did not bind peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide in photoaffinity cross-linking assay; (b) the appearance of the 70-kDa protein in these cells and the ligand binding were restored by 30-min incubation with serum or purified albumin; (c) soluble albumin bound peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide, and this binding was inhibited by the same competitive inhibitors that inhibited the binding to the 70-kDa cellular protein; (d) albumin co-migrated with the 70-kDa cellular protein in two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; (e) peptide maps of albumin and the 70-kDa cellular protein digested with four proteases were identical; (f) the only protein recognized by anti-albumin monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies on Western immunoblots was the 70-kDa protein that exactly matched with the cellular peptidoglycan/lipopolysaccharide-binding protein; (g) anti-albumin monoclonal antibodies immunoprecipitated the 70-kDa cellular protein; and (h) species-specific anti-bovine, anti-human, and anti-mouse albumin antibodies recognized the 70-kDa protein on mouse and human cells according to the species of albumin that was present in the culture medium or in the serum in vivo, but not according to the species of the cells. The cell-bound albumin was not required for cell activation, because macrophage cell lines that were grown in albumin-free medium and did not have the cell-bound albumin (the 70-kDa protein) fully responded to the stimulation by peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide with production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Heparin, sulfated heparinoids, and lipoteichoic acids bind to the 70-kDa peptidoglycan/lipopolysaccharide receptor protein on lymphocytes

The same 70-kDa protein, present on the surface of mouse lymphocytes, served as the predominant binding site for heparin, heparinoids, and bacterial lipoteichoic acids, as well as peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharides. This conclusion was supported by the following results: (a) all of these compounds photoaffinity cross-linked to one major 70-kDa 6.5-7.0 pI protein that co-migrated on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; (b) peptide maps of the 70-kDa proteins digested with chymotrypsin, subtilisin, protease V, or papain yielded the same peptides for heparin-, lipoteichoic acid-, peptidoglycan-, and lipopolysaccharide-binding proteins; (c) cross-linking of peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid, and heparin was competitively inhibited by the same compounds with the same order of potency, i.e. carboxyl-reduced sulfated heparin > peptidoglycan > pentosan polysulfate > heparin > chitin > dextran sulfate > trestatin sulfate > polyanetholesulfonate > fucoidan > beta-cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate > heparan sulfate > carrageenan lambda > lipoteichoic acids > Re-lipopolysaccharide > lipopolysaccharide > lipid A > polygalacturonic acid; and (d) cross-linking of each of these ligands was not inhibited by carboxyl-reduced heparin, dextran, beta-cyclodextrin, trestatin, carrageenan kappa, chondroitin 4-sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate, beta-D-glucan, carboxy-methylcellulose, levan, alpha-D-mannan, and glycogen. The minimum size of the molecule that bound was 7-9 glycan residues, whereas, di- and trisaccharides did not bind. There was a logarithmic linear relationship between the strength of the binding and the length of the polymer (up to > 1500 glycan residues), which indicates an avidity effect of the cooperative binding of one polymeric molecule to several receptor molecules on the cell surface. The 70-kDa receptor, therefore, has a broad, but limited specificity of binding for non-charged (peptidoglycan and chitin), highly negatively charged (heparin and heparinoids), and weakly negatively charged (lipoteichoic acids, lipopolysaccharides, and lipid A) ligands.

Synergistic enhancement of T cell responses and interleukin-1 receptor expression by interleukin-1 and heparin or dextran sulfate

Heparin markedly enhances generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against allogeneic cells and histocompatible tumors. In this study, we demonstrated a marked synergism between heparin and low concentrations of recombinant IL-1-alpha and IL-1-beta in enhancement of cytotoxic T cell responses in mice. Low molecular weight (8000 Da) dextran sulfate also enhanced the T cell responses and synergized with IL-1, whereas, de-N-sulfated heparin was devoid of both of these activities. The synergistic effect was selective for IL-1, because there was no synergism between heparin or dextran sulfate and other cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-4, and, as shown previously, IL-2). Heparin did not increase the production of IL-1 (and IL-2, as shown before). Heparin did not bind to IL-1, despite significant amino acid homology between IL-1 and heparin-binding endothelial cell growth factors. Heparin enhanced the growth-promoting effect of IL-1 on the IL-1-dependent helper T cell clone, D10.G4.1, and enhanced IL-1 receptor expression on these cells. These data indicate that heparin acts directly on the T cells and enhances their responsiveness to IL-1 by up-regulating IL-1 receptor expression.

Demonstration of peptidoglycan-binding sites on lymphocytes and macrophages by photoaffinity cross-linking

One dominant binding site (70 kDa 6.5 pI protein) for bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan (PGN), a macrophage activator and polyclonal B cell mitogen, was demonstrated on mouse B and T lymphocytes and macrophages by photoaffinity cross-linking and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This binding site was not present on erythrocytes. The binding was specific for polymeric PGN and was competitively inhibited by unlabeled PGN with IC50 = 48 micrograms/ml (0.38 microM). The binding was partially inhibited by O-acetylated PGN monomers (IC50 = 469 micrograms/ml, 521 microM), dextran sulfate (IC50 = 1024 micrograms/ml, 124 microM), and (GlcNAc)3 (IC50 = 6.6 mg/ml, 10 mM), and was not inhibited by non-O-acetylated PGN monomers and dimers, muramyl dipeptide, PGN pentapeptide, GlcNAc, teichoic acid, protein A, and gelatin. The cell surface location of the 70-kDa PGN-binding protein was indicated by the ability of PGN to bind to this protein in intact metabolically inactive cells (at 4 degrees C and in the presence of 0.1% NaN3) and by the ability to extract the 70-kDa PGN-binding protein from viable B lymphocytes by noncytotoxic concentration of n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside.

Enhancement of mixed leukocyte reaction and cytotoxic antitumor responses by heparin

The immunomodulating effects of heparin and natural and synthetic heparinoids (which are now undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of AIDS) on cellular immunity (DNA synthesis and cytotoxic responses of mouse lymphocytes to allogeneic cells and histocompatible tumors) were studied. The results showed that (1) high and low m.w. heparin enhanced mouse antitumor and antiallogeneic cell responses in vitro; (2) other sulfated heparinoids did not have this enhancing activity and some of them (including dextran sulfate) totally suppressed generation of cytotoxic cells; (3) these immunomodulating activities of heparin and heparinoids did not correlate with their anticoagulant effects, degree of sulfation, and mitogenic activity; (4) heparin did not increase the production of IL-2 and did not enhance the action of IL-2 on the cells in MLC, heparin also had no effect on the growth-promoting activity of IL-2 on cloned cytotoxic T cells; (5) heparin had a synergistic enhancing effect with IL-1 on the generation of cytotoxic cells in MLC; and (6) heparin abolished endothelial cell growth factor-induced suppression of cytotoxic response. The latter two effects by themselves, however, could not fully explain the entire immunoenhancing activity of heparin. These results indicate that heparin and heparinoids have multiple effects on the immune system and that some of them can enhance, whereas others can suppress cell-mediated responses.

Enhancement of mixed leukocyte reaction and cytotoxic antitumor responses by heparin

The immunomodulating effects of heparin and natural and synthetic heparinoids (which are now undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of AIDS) on cellular immunity (DNA synthesis and cytotoxic responses of mouse lymphocytes to allogeneic cells and histocompatible tumors) were studied. The results showed that (1) high and low m.w. heparin enhanced mouse antitumor and antiallogeneic cell responses in vitro; (2) other sulfated heparinoids did not have this enhancing activity and some of them (including dextran sulfate) totally suppressed generation of cytotoxic cells; (3) these immunomodulating activities of heparin and heparinoids did not correlate with their anticoagulant effects, degree of sulfation, and mitogenic activity; (4) heparin did not increase the production of IL-2 and did not enhance the action of IL-2 on the cells in MLC, heparin also had no effect on the growth-promoting activity of IL-2 on cloned cytotoxic T cells; (5) heparin had a synergistic enhancing effect with IL-1 on the generation of cytotoxic cells in MLC; and (6) heparin abolished endothelial cell growth factor-induced suppression of cytotoxic response. The latter two effects by themselves, however, could not fully explain the entire immunoenhancing activity of heparin. These results indicate that heparin and heparinoids have multiple effects on the immune system and that some of them can enhance, whereas others can suppress cell-mediated responses.

Correlation between ribosylation of pertussis toxin substrates and inhibition of peptidoglycan-, muramyl dipeptide- and lipopolysaccharide-induced mitogenic stimulation in B lymphocytes

Selective inhibition by pertussis toxin (PT) of mitogenic activation of mouse B lymphocytes by bacterial mitogens (peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide) and muramyl dipeptide (a synthetic analog of peptidoglycan fragment) was demonstrated. Mitogenic activation of B cells by protein kinase C activators and ionomycin was insensitive to PT. Also PT did not inhibit peptidoglycan- and lipopolysaccharide-induced differentiation of B cells into Ig-secreting cells, when it was added to the cultures after the proliferative stage of the response. B lymphocyte membranes contained two major PT substrates (40 and 41 kDa). The extent of PT-mediated ADP ribosylation of these substrates correlated with the degree of PT-mediated inhibition of mitogenic stimulation of B cells. B cell stimulation by all mitogens tested was not inhibited by cholera toxin at nontoxic concentrations that are known to cause maximal increase in cAMP in B cells. Since the only known substrates for PT-mediated ADP ribosylation in mammalian cells are the alpha subunits of some G proteins, our data suggest that G proteins are present in B cell membranes and that they are involved in B cell activation induced by bacterial mitogens.

Enhancement of B-cell stimulation by muramyl dipeptide through a mechanism not involving interleukin 1 or increased Ca2+ mobilization or protein kinase C activation

Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) enhanced mitogenic stimulation of mouse lymphocytes by polyclonal B cell activators (peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharide, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I cells, and pokeweed mitogen), but not by T-cell mitogens (phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A). Only adjuvant-active MDP analogs were effective, whereas adjuvant-inactive MDP analogs, muramic acid, peptidoglycan pentapeptide, and low Mr digests of peptidoglycan were not. The half-maximal enhancement was seen at 5-10 microM MDP and occurred at both optimal and suboptimal concentrations of B cell mitogens. The enhancing effect of MDP was exerted on the B cells, since it was T cell- and macrophage-independent and was not mediated by IL-1. MDP was effective during the first 12 hrs of culture, and most strongly enhanced the mitogen-induced DNA synthesis, although significant enhancement of RNA synthesis and B cell differentiation into antibody-secreting cells was also observed. The enhancement of mitogenic response was not due to changed requirements for extracellular or intracellular Ca2+ or to increased activation of protein kinase C. These results demonstrate a novel immunoenhancing effect of MDP that should be useful in the studies on the mechanism of B cell activation.

Binding sites for peptidoglycan on mouse lymphocytes

Binding of peptidoglycan (PG), a B-cell mitogen and polyclonal activator, to mouse lymphocytes was studied using rosetting with PG-sensitized erythrocytes and a direct binding assay with 125I-labeled PG. Thirty-four percent of splenic lymphocytes formed PG rosettes, 62% of which were inhibited by preincubation of lymphocytes with free PG. Less than 1 or 3% of spleen cells formed rosettes with uncoated or albumin-coated red cells. The formation of rosettes was not inhibited by 0.1% azide and was not dependent on the presence of complement or immunoglobulins. The 125I-PG bound both specifically and nonspecifically to the lymphocytes. The binding was completed within 15-20 min, was proportional to the cell concentration, and was not inhibited by 0.1% azide or treatment of lymphocytes with formalin. The cells had one set of specific binding sites of low affinity (KD = 1.2-4.6 X 10(-7) M +/- 9% SE, based on competitive) experiments. The binding, however, was complex, probably involving interaction of multiple binding sites on PG with the cell surface. The EC50 (920 micrograms/ml) was similar to the optimal lymphocyte-activating concentration of PG (400-1000 micrograms/ml). The binding correlated with the ability of different PG preparations to stimulate lymphocytes, since only high Mr PG (not low Mr PG preparations, muramyl dipeptide (MDP), or PG pentapeptide) had the ability to specifically bind to lymphocytes, to compete with PG binding, and to stimulate lymphocytes. Also, low Mr PG preparations, MDP, or PG pentapeptide did not inhibit the mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes by high Mr PG. These results indicate the presence of specific binding sites for PG on the surface of murine lymphocytes and suggest that the binding of PG to these binding sites is involved in lymphocyte activation by PG.

Modulation of polyclonal activation by plasma fibronectin and fibronectin fragments

Modulation of activation of polyclonal IgM, IgG and IgM anti-DNA antibodies by plasma fibronectin (Fn) was studied because in some autoimmune diseases there appears to be a correlation between the increased level of Fn in the affected tissues and increased polyclonal B-cell activation. Fn caused a dose-dependent polyclonal activation of IgM, IgG and IgM anti-DNA antibody-secreting cells in cultures of mouse splenocytes. Fn significantly inhibited the generation of polyclonal antibodies by Fn-binding stimulants and did not significantly change the generation of polyclonal antibodies by the stimulants that do not bind Fn. Plasmin or trypsin digestion of Fn abolished both the polyclonal activating properties of Fn and the inhibitory effects of Fn that were selective for the Fn-binding polyclonal activators. Digestion of Fn with trypsin also generated immunosuppressive Fn fragments that inhibited polyclonal activation by both Fn-binding and non-binding bacteria. Under our culture conditions Fn or Fn digests were not mitogenic and had no effect on the mitogenicity of Fn-binding and non-binding stimulants. These results indicate that Fn can act as a polyclonal activator and that it can also modulate lymphocyte activation induced by other activators.

Comparison of in vitro and in vivo mitogenic and polyclonal antibody and autoantibody responses to peptidoglycan, LPS, protein A, PWM, PHA and Con A in normal and autoimmune mice

We have compared the in vitro and in vivo mitogenic and polyclonal antibody (IgM-, IgG-, IgA- and IgM anti-SRBC-secreting PFC) and autoantibody (IgM anti-ssDNA-, anti-bromelin-treated [HB]- and anti-intact mouse RBC-secreting PFC) responses to peptidoglycan (PG), LPS, protein A, PWM, PHA and Con A in young (4-7 weeks) and old (7-8 months) normal (BALB/c, CBA/H, C57BL/6) and autoimmune (NZB, NZB X NZW F1, BXSB, MRL/1; old BXSB and MRL/1 were 4-5 months) mice. Our results demonstrated that: lymphocytes from young and old autoimmune mice (except old BXSB) could be further polyclonally activated in vitro by PG or LPS as well as or better than lymphocytes from young and old normal mice; lymphocytes from young or old autoimmune mice were less polyclonally activated in vitro by protein A or PWM, respectively, than lymphocytes from young or old normal mice; PG and LPS were equally effective polyclonal activators in vitro; in vivo, LPS was a stronger stimulant than PG; in vivo, LPS could induce polyclonal activation in both young and old normal and autoimmune mice, whereas, PG could only induce polyclonal activation in vivo in young and old normal mice, but did not induce further activation in young and old autoimmune mice; only some tests (anti-ssDNA and IgG PFC in vivo, and IgA and anti-HB MRBC PFC in vitro) revealed higher responses in autoimmune than in normal mice, and these higher responses were seen more often in vivo than in vitro; both autoimmune and normal mice had a high frequency of autoantibody (especially anti-ssDNA) secreting cells in polyclonal activation in vitro, whereas a high frequency of these cells in vivo was only found in autoimmune mice; in most cases in vitro, polyclonal activators did not change the frequency of autoantibody and heteroantibody secreting cells, but in vivo, both PG and LPS increased the frequency of anti-ssDNA antibody secreting cells in normal, but not in autoimmune, mice; LPS increased the in vivo, but not in vitro, frequency of cells secreting anti-HB MRBC antibodies in some strains of mice; old mice had lower mitogenic responsiveness than young mice in both autoimmune and normal strains; autoimmune mice had similar, higher or lower mitogenic responses than normal mice, depending on the strain and the age, but in most cases consistent for both B and T cell mitogens; and there was no correlation between the patterns of increased or decreased mitogenic and polyclonal antibody responses in normal and autoimmune mice.4+.

The role of DNA synthesis in peptidoglycan-induced generation of immunoglobulin-secreting cells in mice and humans

The requirement for DNA synthesis in peptidoglycan (PG)-induced activation of polyclonal antibodies has been studied. Inhibition of DNA synthesis with mitomycin C or hydroxyurea at the initiation of the cultures inhibited generation of over 90% of IgM- and IgG-secreting cells in PG-stimulated mouse splenocytes and of over 99.9% of IgM-, IgG- and IgA-secreting cells in PG-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Inhibition of DNA synthesis 2 to 4 days after initiation of PG-stimulated cultures (in both mice and humans) caused an immediate decline in the numbers of Ig-secreting cells. These results demonstrate that the magnitude of PG-induced polyclonal antibody response depends on continued DNA synthesis and proliferation of Ig-secreting cells, and indicate that IgM-, IgG- and IgA-secreting cells in polyclonal activation may be actively cycling cells.

Anti-immunoglobulin autoantibodies are not preferentially induced in polyclonal activation of human and mouse lymphocytes, and more anti-DNA and anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies are induced in polyclonal activation of mouse than human lymphocytes

Using a plaque assay with immunoglobulin (Ig)-coated SRBC, we and others have previously reported that the majority of polyclonally activated mouse lymphocytes secreted antibodies that appeared to be IgM anti-IgG autoantibodies. Careful reexamination of this assay, with application of several highly purified mouse serum and myeloma IgG and IgM preparations, revealed that IgM, which was a minor contaminant of Ig preparations, rather than IgG, was responsible for the formation of these plaques. High numbers of plaques could also be detected in assays with polyclonally activated human lymphocytes, Ig-coated SRBC, and anti-Ig developing sera. Of all IgG-, IgM- or IgA-secreting cells, 40 to 100% were detected with SRBC coated with gamma-globulin or Ig of the same isotype as the isotype to which the developing serum was specific; in general, low proportions of all PFC were detected with SRBC coated with Ig of a different isotype. Studies on the sequence of events leading to the formation of plaques with Ig-sensitized SRBC (both in humans and mice) revealed that antibodies detected in these assays were not able to bind to the Ig-coated SRBC (without the presence of developing serum), and therefore were not anti-Ig autoantibodies. It is our conclusion that the plaque assays with Ig-coated SRBC represent another type of a reverse hemolytic PFC assay that detects cells secreting antibodies regardless of their specificity, and these plaques are formed due to the cross-linking by the anti-Ig developing serum of the Ig coated on SRBC and the Ig secreted by lymphocytes. Our results confirmed preferential induction of anti-DNA antibody secreting cells in mice by showing that these antibodies indeed bind to DNA coated on SRBC. In cultures of polyclonally activated human lymphocytes, anti-DNA and anti-erythrocyte autoantibody-secreting cells were over 10 to 100 times less frequent than in mice. These results, therefore, disprove the concept of preferential induction of anti-Ig autoantibodies in the polyclonal activation of mouse and human lymphocytes, and show that anti-DNA and anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies are easily induced in the polyclonal activation of mouse, but not human, lymphocytes.

Opposing effects of xid and nu mutations on proliferative and polyclonal antibody and autoantibody responses to peptidoglycan, LPS, protein A and PWM

We have compared the in vitro and in vivo mitogenic and polyclonal antibody (IgM-, IgG-, IgA- and anti-SRBC-secreting PFC) and autoantibody (IgM anti-ssDNA and anti-bromelin-treated mouse RBC-secreting PFC) responses to peptidoglycan (PG), LPS, protein A and PWM in homozygous xid or nu and normal mice. Our results demonstrated opposing effects of xid and nu on polyclonal B cell activation; in general, xid retarded and nu enhanced or did not change these responses. These effects, however, were greatly dependent on the in vitro or in vivo conditions of the stimulation and the type of polyclonal activator used and antibody assayed (isotype and specificity). In vitro, in xid mice, the numbers of all PFC assayed and proliferative responses were lower than in normal mice, whereas in nude mice the numbers of PFC were mostly unchanged, and proliferative responses were increased (PG, LPS) or decreased (protein A, PWM). The in vitro frequencies of autoantibody-secreting cells were similar (anti-DNA) in xid, nude and normal mice, or lower (anti-RBC) than normal in xid mice. In vivo, unstimulated xid mice had lower than normal numbers of IgM-, IgG- and autoantibody-secreting cells and higher numbers of IgA PFC, but in stimulated xid mice, the numbers of all Ig PFC were similar to normal, whereas anti-DNA and anti-RBC PFC were still depressed. The frequencies of anti-DNA and anti-RBC PFC were also lower than normal in xid mice in vivo. Nude mice in vivo had higher than normal numbers and frequencies of anti-DNA PFC and lower numbers of IgM and anti-SRBC PFC. These results indicate preferential retardation of autoantibody-secreting cells in xid mice in vivo and preferential enhancement of these cells in nude mice in vivo. Since in xid mice in vitro PG- and LPS-induced responses were similarly diminished, PG, like LPS, appears to primarily activate a late-maturing B cell subpopulation affected by the xid mutation.

Anti-immunoglobulin autoantibodies are not preferentially induced in polyclonal activation of human and mouse lymphocytes, and more anti-DNA and anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies are induced in polyclonal activation of mouse than human lymphocytes

Using a plaque assay with immunoglobulin (Ig)-coated SRBC, we and others have previously reported that the majority of polyclonally activated mouse lymphocytes secreted antibodies that appeared to be IgM anti-IgG autoantibodies. Careful reexamination of this assay, with application of several highly purified mouse serum and myeloma IgG and IgM preparations, revealed that IgM, which was a minor contaminant of Ig preparations, rather than IgG, was responsible for the formation of these plaques. High numbers of plaques could also be detected in assays with polyclonally activated human lymphocytes, Ig-coated SRBC, and anti-Ig developing sera. Of all IgG-, IgM- or IgA-secreting cells, 40 to 100% were detected with SRBC coated with gamma-globulin or Ig of the same isotype as the isotype to which the developing serum was specific; in general, low proportions of all PFC were detected with SRBC coated with Ig of a different isotype. Studies on the sequence of events leading to the formation of plaques with Ig-sensitized SRBC (both in humans and mice) revealed that antibodies detected in these assays were not able to bind to the Ig-coated SRBC (without the presence of developing serum), and therefore were not anti-Ig autoantibodies. It is our conclusion that the plaque assays with Ig-coated SRBC represent another type of a reverse hemolytic PFC assay that detects cells secreting antibodies regardless of their specificity, and these plaques are formed due to the cross-linking by the anti-Ig developing serum of the Ig coated on SRBC and the Ig secreted by lymphocytes. Our results confirmed preferential induction of anti-DNA antibody secreting cells in mice by showing that these antibodies indeed bind to DNA coated on SRBC. In cultures of polyclonally activated human lymphocytes, anti-DNA and anti-erythrocyte autoantibody-secreting cells were over 10 to 100 times less frequent than in mice. These results, therefore, disprove the concept of preferential induction of anti-Ig autoantibodies in the polyclonal activation of mouse and human lymphocytes, and show that anti-DNA and anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies are easily induced in the polyclonal activation of mouse, but not human, lymphocytes.

Analysis of in vitro polyclonal B cell differentiation responses to bacterial peptidoglycan and pokeweed mitogen in rheumatoid arthritis

To gain insight into possible determinants of in vivo polyclonal B cell activation seen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we enumerated immunoglobulin secreting cells appearing in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells that were stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or a newly described polyclonal B cell activator, bacterial peptidoglycan. Peptidoglycan, the major constituent of the cell wall of gram positive bacteria, has properties which warrant its consideration in the pathogenesis of RA; including the ability to induce rheumatoid factor production as well as a RA like syndrome in experimental animals. RA patients as a group had similar immunoglobulin secreting cell responses in PWM stimulated cultures compared to arthritis controls and showed moderately depressed responses compared to healthy volunteers. However, their in vitro responses to peptidoglycan were markedly depressed when compared to those of both control groups. Of note, severely reduced peptidoglycan-induced responses were seen in 26 of 55 rheumatoid patients who demonstrated intact PWM-induced responses. These impaired responses to peptidoglycan were not due to (1) aberrant kinetic response; (2) shift in the dose-response pattern; (3) decreased cell survival in culture or (4) the inability of peptidoglycan to activate RA cells. Cell fractionation studies indicated that peptidoglycan reactive B cells were present in the blood of some patients but their reactivity was abrogated by suppressor T cells. These studies provide evidence of aberrant in vitro polyclonal B cell activation in patients with RA and provide a basis for further investigation of peptidoglycan as an immunopathogenetic agent in this disease.

Staphylococcal peptidoglycan: T-cell-dependent mitogen and relatively T-cell-independent polyclonal B-cell activator of human lymphocytes

Staphylococcal cell wall products have been widely examined as probes for dissection of in vitro human immune responses. Mitogenic and polyclonal B-cell-activating properties have been attributed to intact cell walls or the protein A constituent thereof. We now report that staphylococcal peptidoglycan (PG), the major cell wall constituent, is not only a potent mitogen but also a polyclonal B-cell activator for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM). PG-induced proliferative responses of human PBM were comparable to that observed in pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cultures. As was true for pokeweed mitogen, PG-induced proliferation required the presence of T-cell help. Cultures of human PBM with PG also resulted in B-cell differentiation as reflected by an increase in numbers of immunoglobulin-secreting cells in stimulated cultures. In contrast to the proliferative response, PG-induced B-cell differentiation was relatively T-cell independent. This point became apparent when B-cell fractions were partially depleted of excessive numbers of monocytes before culture. Also, B-cell proliferation did not appear to be a major prerequisite for PG-induced B-cell differentiation responses. These data indicate that PG is a potent T-cell-dependent mitogen and relatively T-cell-independent polyclonal B-cell activator of human lymphocytes.