Neutrophil chemotactic activity in toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma

We quantitated serum neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA), which is associated with mast cell or basophil activation, to determine if mast cell or basophil mediators are released during bronchoprovocation-inhalation challenge with subirritant levels of toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Four subjects with suspected TDI-induced asthma and four mite-sensitive subjects with asthma who served as a comparison group were studied. NCA was measured in a multiwell, microchemotaxis chamber. Blood samples were collected, and FEV1 measurements were performed before challenge and at regular intervals during the subsequent 24 hours. Three of four workers clinically sensitive to TDI reacted to a subirritant TDI exposure. There was no increase in NCA during placebo challenges. NCA increased in the three TDI-sensitive workers during early and late asthmatic reactions in quantities proportional to the FEV1 decline. No increase in NCA was found during TDI exposures in the TDI-negative worker. Gel filtration analysis demonstrated the main NCA fraction eluted with macromolecules of an estimated molecular weight greater than 440,000 daltons. This characteristic is compatible with neutrophil chemotactic factor of basophil or mast cell origin. The kinetics of NCA release were similar in mite- and TDI-induced asthmatic reactions. A high correlation (r = 0.97; p = 0.0006) was obtained between the percent decrease in FEV1 during early asthmatic reactions and percent increase in NCA. These observations support the hypothesis that activation of mast cells or basophils is associated with TDI-induced early and late asthmatic reaction.

Visualization of eosinophil chemotactic factor in abomasal tissue of cattle by immunoperoxidase staining during Ostertagia ostertagi infection

Eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) was localized predominantly in the intestinal cells and lateral hypodermal cords of developing fifth stage larvae (L5) of Ostertagia ostertagi within abomasal tissue cross-sections by peroxidase in an antibody sandwich technique using monoclonal antibody to ECF. Cooperia oncophora larvae in tissue cross-sections did not stain using this technique. These experiments demonstrate that ECF is localized in Ostertagia ostertagi organelles and is probably released by the developing L5 into the abomasal tissue surrounding the parasitized gland. The presence of ECF within O. ostertagi larvae in situ and the results of previous experiments demonstrated in vitro and in vivo ECF chemotactic activity help to explain why eosinophils are observed histologically in abomasal tissues from cattle with ostertagiasis.

Leukocyte accumulation in sparganosis: further characterization of an eosinophil chemotactic factor of the plerocercoid of Spirometra erinacei

An eosinophil chemotactic (ECF) was partially purified from plerocercoids of Spirometra erinacei by a combination of anion-exchange chromatography on DE52 and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200. The molecular weight of ECF was estimated to be 25,000-45,000 by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The ECF was bound with concanavalin A-Sepharose. The ECF was sensitive to periodate oxidation and to heating (56 degrees C, 30 min). On isoelectric focusing, eosinophil chemotactic activity was clearly revealed at pI 4.1. These results suggest that ECF of S. erinacei plerocercoid is an acidic glycoprotein. An intradermal injection of ECF eosinophil attractions in the normal guinea pig skin.

Eosinophil chemotactic factor in tumour tissue from a patient with Kimura's disease

An extract of tumour tissue from a patient with Kimura's disease was tested for eosinophil chemotactic activity using the Boyden chamber method. Eosinophil chemotactic activity was detected in the tissue extract, and after gel filtration maximum activity was found in the fraction with a molecular weight of approximately 1000 daltons. This factor may play a role in the tissue eosinophilia which occurs in Kimura's disease.

Incontinentia pigmenti: eosinophil chemotactic activity of the crusted scales in the vesiculobullous stage

To investigate the mechanisms underlying eosinophil infiltration into the epidermis in incontinentia pigmenti (IP), we studied the eosinophil chemotactic activity in extracts of the crusted scales from three patients with IP in the vesiculobullous stage. Eosinophil chemotactic activity was detected in the eluates from a Sephadex G-75 chromatography column between the vitamin B12 and phenol red markers. The chemotactic activity was heat-stable and resistant to enzyme digestion, and recovered after ether extraction at low pH. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was demonstrated in the fractions with high eosinophil chemotactic activity. These findings suggest that LTB4 plays an important role in the accumulation of eosinophils within the epidermis in IP, in the vesiculobullous stage. Blood eosinophilia, however, may not be induced by the eosinophil chemotactic factors in the scales.

Isolation and partial characterization of an eosinophil chemotactic factor from metacestodes of Taenia taeniaeformis (ECF-Tt)

Eosinophil chemotactic activity associated with protein extracts of Taenia taeniaeformis metacestodes was investigated. Chemotactic activity was associated with the nonbound protein after QAE cellulose chromatography of a 3 M KCl extract of homogenized larvae. When this material was precipitated with ammonium sulfate, activity was present in the 40 to 80% precipitate. Upon rechromatography on QAE cellulose equilibrated in a low ionic strength buffer, eosinophil chemotactic activity was retained by the gel and eluted after application of the NaCl gradient. Gel filtration of Sephacryl S-300 yielded an estimated m.w. of 91,000. Chromatofocusing revealed a broad peak of activity with a pI of 4.5 to 5.0. SDS-PAGE showed the active fraction migrated as a protein with a m.w. of 10,400. ECF-Tt had chemotactic and chemokinetic activity for equine eosinophils and murine eosinophils, but not for equine and murine neutrophils.

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis. Studies on possible chemotactic factors involved in the formation of pustules

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is a dermatosis of unknown aetiology, characterized by repeated development of pruritic follicular papulopustules with a tendency to form an annular configuration on the face and other seborrhoeic areas, and by palmoplantar pustular lesions in one-fifth of the patients. Both types of lesions are infiltrated mainly by eosinophils with some polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). To elucidate the mechanisms underlying pustule formation, we studied the chemotactic activity for leukocytes of the skin surface lipids (SSL) obtained from seborrhoeic areas. No specific chemotactic activity was detectable in stored SSL from patients with EPF. However, fresh SSL collected from the seborrhoeic areas of normal adults contained chemotactic substances for eosinophils and PMN which were labile on storage in air. In stratum corneum extracts from palmoplantar lesions of patients with EPF we demonstrated the presence of a 13000 molecular weight chemoattractant factor for PMN, the activity of which was partially inhibited by antiserum against C5a, and a low molecular weight lipid-soluble chemotactic factor for eosinophils, the activity of which was also lost on storage in air. Our findings suggest that these chemotactic factors play a role in the production of the characteristic pustular lesions of EPF.

Partial purification and characterization of eosinophil chemotactic factors from soluble extract of Fasciola species

Eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) was partially purified from common liver flukes (Japanese strain of Fasciola sp) by a combination of anion-exchange chromatography on DE52 and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200. The molecular weight of ECF was estimated to be approximately 27,000 by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The ECF was heat labile (56 and 100 C for 30 minutes) and was not bound with lentil-lectin Sepharose. The results of isoelectric focusing showed that ECF comprises at least 2 components; one was a major ECF with an isoelectric point of 3.1, and the other, a minor ECF with an isoelectric point of 3.8 to 4.5. These results indicate that ECF of common liver flukes are acidic proteins.

Conformation of the eosinophil chemotactic tetrapeptides and analogues in dimethyl sulfoxide. 1H n.m.r. studies

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance parameters are reported for DMSO-d6 solutions of the eosinophil chemotactic tetrapeptides, Val1-Gly2-Ser3-Glu4 and Ala1-Gly2-Ser3-Glu4, as well as three analogues of the Val1 tetrapeptide, D-Val1, Ala2 and Ala3. The synthesis of Val-(S)-[alpha-2 H1] Gly-Ala-Glu, in which the glycine has been stereospecifically deuterated in the H alpha 3 position, has allowed the assignment of the 1H resonances belonging to individual H alpha 2 and H alpha 3 glycine methylene protons. Simulation of the glycine ABX spin system yields two vicinal coupling constants which are consistent with a highly preferred conformation about the glycine HN-C alpha bond. The chemical shifts, coupling constants, temperature coefficients of amide proton chemical shifts and calculated side chain rotamer populations are reported for all peptides. The coupling constant analysis and temperature coefficients of amide proton chemical shifts together suggest that a type I beta-turn conformation is preferred by the Ala3 analogue. The 1H n.m.r. parameters of the other peptides suggest that these can also adopt a beta-turn conformation in DMSO. There are, however, considerable differences in the extent of conformational averaging undergone by the various peptides.

Eosinophil and neutrophil chemotactic activities of adult worm extracts of Schistosoma japonicum in vivo and in vitro

Large numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils attracted to the soluble extract of Schistosoma japonicum adult worms (SjAW-ext) were detected at the injection site of normal guinea pig skin. Eosinophil and neutrophil chemotactic activities were also confirmed in in vitro assay by using blind-well chambers with Millipore filters in dose-dependent fashion. Two components of SjAW-ext showed eosinophil chemotactic activity; one was in the high molecular weight fraction (JAE-H), estimated to be more than 440,000 daltons, the other in the low molecular weight fraction (JAE-L) obtained by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. High neutrophil chemotactic activity was detected in the JAE-L. These eosinophil and neutrophil chemotactic activities were also detected in culture fluid of S. japonicum adult worms. Eosinophil chemotactic factor (ECF) of JAE-H was stable to heating (100 C, 30 min) and pronase digestion, but completely destroyed by periodate oxidation. It is suggested that the ECF of JAE-H is a glycoprotein. JAE-L was also stable to heating (56 and 100 C, 30 min) and pronase digestion for eosinophil chemotaxis. Possible roles of those activities in schistosome infections are discussed.

Large cell carcinoma of the lung associated with marked eosinophilia. A case report

A case of large cell carcinoma of the lung which produced eosinophil colony stimulating factor and eosinophil chemotactic factor was reported. A 52-year-old Japanese man with a tumor in the left upper lobe of the lung underwent left pneumonectomy. Marked eosinophilia persisted especially after recurrence, with a maximum peripheral leukocyte count of 161,000/mm3, of which 78% consisted of eosinophils. The patient died of pulmonary insufficiency 18 months after surgery. At autopsy, metastatic tumor tissues and almost all organs were markedly infiltrated with eosinophils, especially the spleen, and there was marked proliferation of eosinophils in the bone marrow. Eosinophil colony stimulating factor production by the transplanted tumor in a nude mouse was confirmed by use of a human bone marrow culture assay system. Eosinophil chemotactic factor production by metastatic tumor tissue also was proved by a modified micro-filter technique.

The regulation of tissue eosinophil chemotactic factor and inhibitor in allergic skin lesions of Freund's complete adjuvant-treated guinea-pigs

The regulation of tissue eosinophilia induced by dinitrophenyl-ascaris extract (DNP-As) was investigated in guinea-pigs. Biphasic tissue eosinophilia peaking at 6 and 24 hr was observed in the skin lesions in Bordetella pertussis vaccine (Bp)-treated animals. In contrast, only the early phase of tissue eosinophilia was observed in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-treated animals. Although less eosinophil chemotactic activity was detected in 24-hr-old skin extract of FCA-treated animals (FCA-extract), evident activity was recovered in the concanavalin A eluate (Con A-eluate) when FCA-extract was fractionated by Con A Sepharose. The chemotactic factor in Con A-eluate of FCA-extract was confirmed to be the T cell-derived eosinophil chemotactic factor, termed Delayed ECF-a, which has been isolated from allergic skin lesions by immunoadsorption. Another factor from the same skin lesions, Delayed ECF-b (which is a serum-derived one), was not detected in the FCA-extract. When eosinophils were mixed or pretreated with Con A-effluent of FCA-extract, the treated cells failed to be attracted by Delayed ECF-a, while the response to Delayed ECF-b was not affected, indicating that the inhibition was selective for Delayed ECF-a but not for Delayed ECF-b, and the eosinophil chemotactic inhibitory factor (ECIF) acts on eosinophils directly. Major ECIF activity was associated with a mol. wt. of 70,000 and minor with 12,500. Furthermore, the activity was absorbed by eosinophils but not by macrophages suggesting that eosinophils have receptor sites for ECIF. It was thus suggested that the appearance of ECIF, which is selective for the response of eosinophils to Delayed ECF-a, and decreased Delayed ECF-b production resulted in the inhibition of delayed tissue eosinophilia in FCA-treated guinea-pigs.

The mediation of tissue eosinophilia in hypersensitivity reactions. V. Comparative study of tissue eosinophilia in the skin lesions of local and systemic passive cutaneous anaphylactic reactions

Tissue eosinophilia in active cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions is biphasic: the early phase (6 hr) is induced by a low molecular (mol. wt. 300) factor (early ECF), and the delayed phase (24 hr) is mediated by synergy of two different factors (delayed ECF-a and -b). In this study, we report the mediation of tissue eosinophilia in passive cutaneous anaphylactic (PCA) reaction sites. Tissue eosinophilia in systemic PCA showed two phases with peaks at 6 hr and 24 hr, while that in local PCA was monophasic and peaked at 12 hr. A dialysable eosinophil chemotactic factor was isolated from the early stage (0-6 hr) of local PCA skin sites, and another chemotactic factor (mol. wt. 15,000), sharing a common antigenicity with guinea-pig serum C5, from 12-hr-old local PCA skin sites. On the other hand, a different chemotactic factor with a mol. wt. of about 70,000, sharing a common antigenicity with delayed ECF-b isolated from active cutaneous anaphylactic skin lesions, was isolated from 24-hr-old systemic PCA skin lesions. Although the dialysable factor was also isolated from systemic PCA skin sites, the factor from systemic PCA delayed skin sites may not contribute to delayed tissue eosinophilia, since the activity paralleled the intensity of basophil accumulation but not to that of eosinophils. It is thus suggested that tissue eosinophilia in systemic and local PCA reactions is mediated by different chemotactic factors.

Serum eosinophilotactic activity in eosinophilic fasciitis

Serum eosinophil chemotactic activity was determined by the Boyden chamber technique in 20 patients with eosinophilic fasciitis. Increased eosinophil chemotactic activity (greater than 125% of background) was found in all 20 patients (mean 297% +/- 129), whereas sera of 20 controls with systemic sclerosis and diffuse scleroderma had increased eosinophil chemotactic activity in only 6 (30%) instances (mean 96% +/- 47, P less than 0.001). Although serum eosinophil chemotactic activity decreased over time in all 8 eosinophilic fasciitis patients studied longitudinally, this activity returned to normal in only 3, all of whom received prolonged courses of corticosteroids. Preliminary data suggest the existence of a eosinophilotactic serum factor common to patients with eosinophilic fasciitis.