Intestinal epithelial cytoskeleton selectively constrains lumen-to-tissue migration of neutrophils

Migration of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes; PMN) across polarized epithelia is asymmetrical: basolateral-to-apical (physiologically directed) migration is far more efficient than migration in the reverse direction, suggesting the presence of luminal retention signal(s). Following pilot observations, we used polarized intestinal epithelial monolayers (T84) to examine whether asymmetrical constraint of migration afforded by the epithelial cytoskeleton might underlie such retention signals. Rearrangement of epithelial cortical F-actin accompanied PMN transepithelial migration (in either direction) and was prevented by preloading monolayers with the F-actin stabilizing agent phallacidin. Although phallacidin preloading did not influence physiologically directed PMN transepithelial migration, such treatment greatly enhanced migration in the reverse direction (i.e., effective loss of luminal retention signal). 1,2-Bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) preloading also prevented epithelial cortical actin rearrangements and selectively resulted in loss of luminal retention signal(s). BAPTA preloading did not influence resistance or forskolin-induced Cl- secretion, and phallacidin preloading did not influence resistance or carbachol-induced Cl- secretion, suggesting that barrier function and surface polarity were maintained under these conditions. These and supplementary data suggest that epithelial actin (but not microtubule) cytoskeletal reordering asymmetrically influences PMN migration and underlies, at least in part, the observed signal that biases for retention of PMN in the luminal space.

Interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 differentially regulate epithelial chloride secretion

Intestinal epithelia are in intimate contact with subepithelial and intraepithelial lymphocytes. When stimulated, mucosal lymphocytes generate cytokines that act locally and influence functional aspects of many cell types. We have previously defined functional epithelial receptors for interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, and a recently described IL-4-like cytokine IL-13. In this study, we examine the ion transport properties of T84 cells, a crypt-like epithelial cell line, following exposure to IL-4 and IL-13. Basolateral exposure of epithelial monolayers to both IL-4 and IL-13 attenuated epithelial barrier function and increased paracellular flux of a dextran marker by greater than 65% in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Stimulated Cl- secretion, as measured by epithelial short circuit current, however, was diminished only by IL-4 and not IL-13, demonstrating cytokine specificity in this epithelial function. Decreased Cl- secretion following IL-4 exposure was associated with diminished Cl- channel activity and IL-4 pretreatment of epithelia decreased expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator. Finally, stimulated fluid transport across cultured epithelia was diminished following exposure to IL-4, but not IL-13. These results indicate that while post-receptor signaling events induced by IL-13 and IL-4 may be similar, end point function is cytokine-specific.

Carboxy-terminal vesicular stomatitis virus G protein-tagged intestinal Na+-dependent glucose cotransporter (SGLT1): maintenance of surface expression and global transport function with selective perturbation of transport kinetics and polarized expression

The Na+-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT1) mediates absorption of luminal glucose by the intestine. However, available intestinal cell lines that recapitulate a monolayer phenotype only express SGLT1 at low levels. Thus, to facilitate studies of the biology of SGLT1 function in epithelial monolayers, we engineered an epitope-tagged construct containing the YTDIEMNRLGK sequence (from the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein). The tag was placed at the carboxyl terminus since this is the least conserved portion of SGLT1. Transiently transfected COS-1 cells demonstrated surface expression of the immunoreactive protein and enhanced Na+-dependent glucose uptake that was phloridzin-sensitive (a specific competitive inhibitor of SGLT1). However, subsequent detailed analyses of epitope-tagged SGLT1 using stably transfected clones derived from the Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cell line revealed substantial effects of the epitope on critical functions of SGLT1. When compared with native SGLT1 transfectants, the apparent Km for sugar transport was increased 23-fold (313 microM to 7.37 mM for native versus epitope-tagged SGLT1). In contrast, the apparent KNa for epitope-tagged SGLT1 was similar to that for native SGLT1. Permeabilization studies indicated that the C-terminal epitope tag was intracellular and thus could not directly disrupt extracellular ligand-binding sites. Immunolocalization and functional assays designed to detect polarized surface expression indicated that epitope tagging resulted in loss of apical targeting and enrichment of basolateral expression. Functional isolation of the small apical pool of epitope-tagged SGLT1 (by selective inhibition of basolateral epitope-tagged SGLT1) revealed that, despite the documented kinetic alterations in sugar transport, epitope-tagged SGLT1 could promote absorptive Na+ currents. These data show that 1) the C terminus of SGLT1 is intracellular; 2) disruption of protein structure by addition of a C-terminal tag leads to selective modifications of SGLT1 function; 3) the kinetics of sugar transport can be altered independently of influences on the Na+-binding site of SGLT1; and 4) the weak basolateral targeting sequence present within the epitope tag is dominant over endogenous SGLT1 apical targeting information and can direct polytopic membrane protein localization. The data also caution that subtle effects of foreign sequences must be considered when epitope tagging polytopic membrane proteins.

CD47 mediates post-adhesive events required for neutrophil migration across polarized intestinal epithelia

Transepithelial migration of neutrophils (PMN) is a defining characteristic of active inflammatory states of mucosal surfaces. The process of PMN transepithelial migration, while dependent on the neutrophil beta 2 integrin CD11b/CD18, remains poorly understood. In these studies, we define a monoclonal antibody, C5/D5, raised against epithelial membrane preparations, which markedly inhibits PMN migration across polarized monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial cell line T84 in a bidirectional fashion. In T84 cells, the antigen defined by C5/D5 is upregulated by epithelial exposure to IFN-gamma, and represents a membrane glycoprotein of approximately 60 kD that is expressed on the basolateral membrane. While transepithelial migration of PMN was markedly inhibited by either C5/D5 IgG or C5/D5 Fab fragments, the antibody failed to inhibit both adhesion of PMN to T84 monolayers and adhesion of isolated T84 cells to the purified PMN integrin, CD11b/CD18. Thus, epithelial-PMN interactions blocked by C5/D5 appear to be downstream from initial CD11b/CD18-mediated adhesion of PMN to epithelial cells. Purification, microsequence analysis, and cross-blotting experiments indicate that the C5/D5 antigen represents CD47, a previously cloned integral membrane glycoprotein with homology to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Expression of the CD47 epitope was confirmed on PMN and was also localized to the basolateral membrane of normal human colonic epithelial cells. While C5/D5 IgG inhibited PMN migration even in the absence of epithelial, preincubation of T84 monolayers with C5/D5 IgG followed by antibody washout also resulted in inhibition of transmigration. These results suggest the presence of both neutrophil and epithelial components to CD47-mediated transepithelial migration. Thus, CD47 represents a potential new therapeutic target for downregulating active inflammatory disease of mucosal surfaces.

Regulation of tight junction resistance in T84 monolayers by elevation in intracellular Ca2+: a protein kinase C effect

Elevation in intracellular Ca2+ acting via protein kinase C (PKC) is shown to regulate tight junction resistance in T84 cells, a human colon cancer line and a model Cl- secretory epithelial cell. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187, which was used to increase the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, caused a decrease in tight junction resistance in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Dual Na+/mannitol serosal-to-mucosal flux analysis performed across the T84 monolayers treated with 2 microM A23187 revealed that A23187 increased both fluxes and that in the presence of ionophore there was a linear relationship between the Na+ and mannitol fluxes with a slope of 56.4, indicating that the decrease in transepithelial resistance was due to a decrease in tight junction resistance. Whereas there was no effect of 0.1 microM A23187, 1 or 2 microM produced a 55% decrease in baseline resistance in 1 hr and 10 microM decreased resistance more than 80%. The A23187-induced decrease in tight junction resistance was partially reversible by washing 3 times with a Ringer's-HCO3 solution containing 1% BSA. The A23187 effect on resistance was dependent on intracellular Ca2+; loading the T84 cells with the intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA significantly reduced the decrease in tight junction resistance caused by A23187. This intracellular Ca2+ effect was mediated by protein kinase C and not calmodulin. While the protein kinase C antagonist H-7 totally prevented the action of A23187 on tight junction resistance, the Ca2+/calmodulin inhibitor W13 did not have any effect. Sphingosine, another inhibitor of PKC, partially reduced the A23187-induced decline in tight junction resistance. The PKC agonist PMA mimicked the A23187 effect on resistance, although the effect was delayed up to 1 hr after exposure. In addition, however, PMA also caused an earlier increase in resistance, indicating it had an additional effect in addition to mimicking the effect of elevating Ca2+. The effects of a phospholipase inhibitor (mepacrine) and of inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism (indomethacin for the cyclooxygenase pathway, NDGA for the lipoxygenase pathway, and SKF 525A for the epoxygenase pathway) on the A23187 action were also examined. None of these agents altered the A23187-induced decrease in resistance. Monolayers exposed to 2 microM A23187 for 1 hr were stained with fluorescein conjugated phalloidin, revealing that neighboring cells did not part one from another and that A23187 did not have a detectable effect on distribution of F-actin in the perijunctional actomyosin ring. The results indicate that elevation in intracellular Ca2+ decreases tight junction resistance in the T84 monolayer, acting through protein kinase C by a mechanism which does not involve visible changes in the perijunctional actomyosin ring.

Surface attachment of Salmonella typhimurium to intestinal epithelia imprints the subepithelial matrix with gradients chemotactic for neutrophils

During intestinal disease induced by Salmonella typhimurium transepithelial migration of neutrophils (PMN) rapidly follows attachment of the bacteria to the epithelial apical membrane. Among the events stimulated by these interactions is the release of chemotaxins that guide PMN through the subepithelial matrix and subsequently through the epithelium itself (McCormick, B.A., S.P. Colgan, C. Delp-Archer, S.I. Miller, and J.L. Madara. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 123:895-907). Given the substantial volume flow that normally characterizes matrix compartments underlying transporting epithelia, it is unclear how such transmatrix signaling is sustained. Here we show that when underlying matrices are isolated from biophysically confluent polarized monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial cell line T84, they fail to support substantial transmatrix migration of PMN unless an exogenous chemotactic gradient is imposed. In contrast, such matrices isolated from confluent monolayers apically colonized with S. typhimurium support spontaneous transmatrix migration of PMN. Such chemotactic imprinting of underlying matrices is resistant to volume wash and is paralleled by secretion of the known matrix-binding chemokine IL-8. Chemotactic imprinting of the matrix underlying S. typhimurium-colonized monolayers is dependent on epithelial protein synthesis, is directional implying the existence of a gradient, and is neutralized by antibodies either to IL-8 or to the IL-8 receptor on PMN. An avirulent S. typhimurium strain, PhoPc, which attaches to epithelial cells as efficiently as wild-type S. typhimurium, fails to induce basolateral secretion of IL-8 and likewise fails to imprint matrices. Together, these observations show that the epithelial surface can respond to the presence of a luminal pathogen and subsequently imprint the subepithelial matrix with retained IL-8 gradients sufficient to resist washout effects of the volume flow that normally traverses this compartment. Such data further support the notion that the primary role for basolateral secretion of IL-8 by the intestinal and likely other epithelia is recruitment of PMN through the matrix to the subepithelial space, rather than directing the final movement of PMN across the epithelium.

Design of lipoxin A4 stable analogs that block transmigration and adhesion of human neutrophils

Lipoxins (LX) are bioactive eicosanoids that carry a tetraene structure and serve as regulators of inflammation, in part by inhibiting neutrophil migration and adhesion. Lipoxin A4 is rapidly regulated by conversion to inactive LX metabolites via local metabolism that involves dehydrogenation as the predominant route. Here, several LXA4 analogs were designed that resisted rapid conversion by both differentiated HL-60 cells and recombinant 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase, systems where native LXA4 is degraded within minutes. The rank order of conversion by recombinant dehydrogenase was LXA4 methyl ester > PGE2 approximately PGE2 methyl ester > LXA4 >>> the novel LXA4 analogs. In addition, 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA4, 15-cyclohexyl-LXA4, and 16-phenoxy-LXA4 proved to retain LXA4 bioactivity and inhibited neutrophil transmigration across polarized epithelial cell monolayers as well as adhesion to vascular endothelial cells. These results indicate that LXA4 analogs can be designed using these criteria to resist rapid transformation and to retain biological actions of native LXA4. Moreover, the results suggest that LXA4 stable analogs can be useful tools both in vitro and in vivo to evaluate LXA4 actions and therapeutic potential.

Rho protein regulates tight junctions and perijunctional actin organization in polarized epithelia

The rho family of GTP-binding proteins regulates actin filament organization. In unpolarized mammalian cells, rho proteins regulate the assembly of actin-containing stress fibers at the cell-matrix interface. Polarized epithelial cells, in contrast, are tall and cylindrical with well developed intercellular tight junctions that permit them to behave as biologic barriers. We report that rho regulates filamentous actin organization preferentially in the apical pole of polarized intestinal epithelial cells and, in so doing, influences the organization and permeability of the associated apical tight junctions. Thus, barrier function, which is an essential characteristic of columnar epithelia, is regulated by rho.

Targeting of cholera toxin and Escherichia coli heat labile toxin in polarized epithelia: role of COOH-terminal KDEL

Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli heat labile toxins (CT and LT) elicit a secretory response from intestinal epithelia by binding apical receptors (ganglioside GM1) and subsequently activating basolateral effectors (adenylate cyclase). We have recently proposed that signal transduction in polarized cells may require transcytosis of toxin-containing membranes (Lencer, W. I., G. Strohmeier, S. Moe, S. L. Carlson, C. T. Constable, and J. L. Madara. 1995. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 92:10094-10098). Targeting of CT into this pathway depends initially on binding of toxin B subunits to GM1 at the cell surface. The anatomical compartments in which subsequent steps of CT processing occur are less clearly defined. However, the enzymatically active A subunit of CT contains the ER retention signal KDEL (RDEL in LT). Thus if the KDEL motif were required for normal CT trafficking, movement of CT from the Golgi to ER would be implied. To test this idea, recombinant wild-type (wt) and mutant CT and LT were prepared. The COOH-terminal KDEL sequence in CT was replaced by seven unrelated amino acids: LEDERAS. In LT, a single point mutation replacing leucine with valine in RDEL was made. Wt and mutant toxins displayed similar enzymatic activities and binding affinities to GM1 immobilized on plastic. Biologic activity of recombinant toxins was assessed as a Cl- secretory response elicited from the polarized human epithelial cell line T84 using standard electrophysiologic techniques. Mutations in K(R)DEL of both CT and LT delayed the time course of toxin-induced Cl- secretion. At T1/2, dose dependencies for K(R)DEL-mutant toxins were increased > or = 10-fold. KDEL-mutants displayed differentially greater temperature sensitivity. In direct concordance with a slower rate of signal transduction. KDEL-mutants were trafficked to the basolateral membrane more slowly than wt CT (assessed by selective cell surface biotinylation as transcytosis of B subunit). Mutation in K(R)DEL had no effect on the rate of toxin endocytosis. These data provide evidence that CT and LT interact directly with endogenous KDEL-receptors and imply that both toxins may require retrograde movement through Golgi cisternae and ER for efficient and maximal biologic activity.

Transcytosis of cholera toxin subunits across model human intestinal epithelia

Cholera toxin (CT) elicits a massive secretory response from intestinal epithelia by binding apical receptors (ganglioside GM1) and ultimately activating basolateral effectors (adenylate cyclase). The mechanism of signal transduction from apical to basolateral membrane, however, remains undefined. We have previously shown that CT action on the polarized human intestinal epithelial cell line T84 requires endocytosis and processing in multiple intracellular compartments. Our aim in the present study was to test the hypothesis that CT may actually move to its site of action on the basolateral membrane by vesicular traffic. After binding apical receptors, CT entered basolaterally directed transcytotic vesicles. Both CT B subunits and to a lesser extent CT A subunits were delivered intact to the serosal surface of the basolateral membrane. The toxin did not traverse the monolayer by diffusion through intercellular junctions. Transcytosis of CT B subunits displayed nearly identical time course and temperature dependency with that of CT-induced Cl- secretion--suggesting the two may be related. These data identify a mechanism that may explain the link between the toxin's apical receptor and basolateral effector.

Signal transduction by cholera toxin: processing in vesicular compartments does not require acidification

In the polarized human intestinal epithelial cell line T84, signal transduction by cholera toxin (CT) follows a complex series of events in which CT enters the apical endosome and moves through multiple vesicular compartments before it activates adenylate cyclase. As with processing of many other surface ligands, it has been suggested that CT must enter acidic vesicles to exert its downstream effects. To determine if intravesicular pH may regulate signal transduction by CT, we examined the cAMP-dependent Cl- secretory response [short-circuit current (Isc)] to CT in T84 cell monolayers treated with chloroquine (500 microM), methylamine (50 mM), NH4Cl (10 mM), nigericin (4 microM), or bafilomycin A1 (1 microM). Each of these reagents collapsed intravesicular pH gradients as confirmed by accumulation of acridine orange within subcellular compartments of living T84 cells imaged by confocal epifluorescence microscopy. Both acidotropic amines and nigericin inhibited the cAMP-dependent Cl secretory response in T84 cells. However, none of these reagents specifically affected adenylate cyclase itself or coupling of adenylate cyclase with the heterotrimeric guanosinetriphosphatase Gs as judged by the secretory response to the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) agonists vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), forskolin, or 8-bromo-cAMP. In vitro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that CT binding to ganglioside GM1 was not dependent on pH between 5.0 and 10. Maximal Isc elicited by apical CT relative to maximal Isc elicited by VIP was not affected by pretreatment with chloroquine, methylamine, NH4Cl, or bafilomycin AI. Nigericin was the only reagent to inhibit CT-induced Isc (5 +/- 2% maximal response to VIP). The data indicate that low intravesicular pH will have little or no effect on CT association with its membrane receptor GM1, or on subsequent processing/signal transduction events.

Production and characterization of multiple antigenic peptide antibodies to the adenosine A2b receptor

A polyclonal antibody to the human adenosine A2b receptor (A2bR) was produced by immunizing a chicken with a multiple antigenic peptide consisting of eight copies of a 16-amino acid peptide, corresponding to the presumed second extracellular loop of the A2bR, linked to a branched lysine core. Western blotting with affinity-purified antibody revealed the human A2bR to be a protein of approximately 50-55 kDa, found in a variety of tissues including thymus, colon, and small intestine. The antibody also recognized mouse and rat A2bRs and revealed heterogeneity in size, with a 35-kDa protein being detected in small intestine in addition to the larger 50-52-kDa species in thymus, colon, and placenta. The chicken anti-human A2bR peptide antibody recognized the receptor in both frozen and formalin-fixed tissue sections. In human colon, the A2bR was highly expressed in epithelial cells of the crypts. A2bR immunoreactivity was also apparent in syncytiotrophoblast cells of human placental villi and in the basal zone of murine chorioallantoic placenta. These cell type-specific patterns of expression are consistent with the hypothesized roles of the A2bR in mediating electrogenic Cl- secretion and the resulting secretory diarrhea caused by colonic crypt abscesses and in regulating morphogenesis of the placenta. Insight into the multiple physiological consequences of A2bR engagement will be forthcoming from an analysis of the cell type-specific expression of this receptor in additional tissues.

Transepithelial signaling to neutrophils by salmonellae: a novel virulence mechanism for gastroenteritis

Salmonella serotypes which elicit human enteritis cannot be distinguished from those that do not on the basis of their in vitro interactions with eukaryotic cells. We have recently reported that an enteritis-producing strain of Salmonella typhimurium signals intact intestinal epithelium to recruit subepithelial neutrophils to migrate across the epithelial (B. A. McCormick, S. P. Colgan, C. D. Archer, S. I. Miller, and J. L. Madara, J. Cell Biol. 123:895-907, 1993). We now utilize a cell culture model of human intestinal epithelium (with T84 cells) to examine whether such transepithelial signaling to neutrophils by salmonellae is predictive of potential to elicit gastroenteritis. Various Salmonella serotypes, including S. typhimurium, S. enteritidis, S. pullorum, S. arizonae, S. typhi, and S. paratyphi, as well as invasion-defective mutants of S. typhimurium, were studied. Strains or serotypes which elicit diffuse enteritis in humans (defined histologically as transepithelial migration of neutrophils) exhibited transepithelial signaling to neutorphils across epithelial cell monolayers, while those which do not elicit diffuse enteritis in humans did not display transepithelial signaling. In contrast, the ability to enter the apical surface of T84 cells did not differentiate strains or serotypes which induce diffuse enteritis from those which do not. These results strongly suggest that the ability of salmonellae to elicit transepithelial signaling to neutrophils is a key virulence mechanism underlying Salmonella-elicited enteritis.

Receptors involved in carbohydrate binding modulate intestinal epithelial-neutrophil interactions

Neutrophil (polymorphonuclear neutrophil) migration across epithelial barriers is a common morphologic feature of many diseases. Previous studies show that PMN-epithelial interactions are dependent on the PMN beta 2-integrin CD11b/18; however, nothing is known about surface carbohydrates and PMN-epithelial interactions. Here we investigate the role of carbohydrates on PMN-epithelial interactions using PMN and cultured monolayers of the intestinal epithelial cell line T84. Addition of the carbohydrates mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) and glucose 6-phosphate (Glu-6-P), but not fructose 1-phosphate (Fru-1-P) inhibited transmigration by > or = 70%. Likewise, more complex carbohydrates, such as fucoidin and the Man-6-P-rich polysaccharide PPME selectively inhibited PMN transepithelial migration. These carbohydrates were found to be inhibitory in the apical-to-basolateral direction as well as the basolateral-to-apical direction, indicating a lack of polarity. This panel of related carbohydrates, however, was not effective in modulating short-term adhesion of PMN to epithelial monolayers, indicating that carbohydrate ligands may modulate different steps in the transmigration cascade. Finally, addition of functionally inhibitory monoclonal antibodies specific for the selectins (CD62E, CD62L, and CD62P) revealed no observable effect on PMN transmigration. These studies suggest that cell surface carbohydrates may play a role in inflammatory processes of the intestine.

The A2b adenosine receptor mediates cAMP responses to adenosine receptor agonists in human intestinal epithelia

Adenosine is thought to be a major effector in immunological stimulation of Cl- secretion in intestinal epithelia. Previous studies indicate that both apical and basolateral domains of intestinal epithelial cells possess functionally defined adenosine receptors. However, it is unclear whether the same receptor subclass is expressed, what the receptor subclass(es) is, or how the receptors signal the Cl- secretory response. We now characterize the intestinal epithelial adenosine receptor subtype using the model epithelium, T84. Both apical and basolateral adenosine receptor agonist response profiles revealed a hierarchy (ED50) of 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine > adenosine > CGS-21680. Similarly inhibition studies revealed identical ID50 hierarchies for apical and basolateral antagonism by xanthine amine congener > 1,3-diethyl-8-phenylxanthine > aminophylline. Analyses of both agonist and antagonist pharmacological hierarchies in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing the A2b receptor revealed these same hierarchies. Northern blots performed on RNA extracted from polarized T84 monolayers demonstrated no detectable message for A1 or A2a adenosine receptor, but strong hybridization was detected for the A2b adenosine receptor. Subsequent Northern blots of RNA prepared from human alimentary tract revealed that A2b adenosine receptor message was heavily expressed throughout the colon, in the appendix, and more modestly expressed in the small intestine (ileum). Analyses of cAMP generation in T84 cells in response to adenosine indicated that the basolateral A2b receptor elicits Cl- secretion through this signaling pathway. Stimulation of Cl- secretion through the apical A2b receptor exhibited relatively small but significant increases in cAMP compared with basolateral stimulation. The protein kinase A inhibitor H-89, used at concentrations that did not affect short circuit current responses to the Ca(2+)-mediated agonist carbachol, effectively inhibited short circuit current elicited by either apical or basolateral adenosine. These data suggest that the major intestinal epithelial adenosine receptor is the A2b subclass, which is positively coupled to adenylate cyclase. Such observations have potentially important implications for the treatment of diarrheal diseases.

Human eosinophils migrate across an intestinal epithelium in response to platelet-activating factor

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Transmigration of eosinophils across intestinal epithelia occurs in a variety of mucosal inflammatory disorders and results in the formation of crypt abscesses containing eosinophils. However, the conditions required to drive transepithelial migration of eosinophils are not understood.

METHODS

This study investigated eosinophil migration across intestinal epithelia using purified eosinophils and confluent monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial cell line T84.

RESULTS

Unactivated eosinophils (i.e., no granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF] preexposure) did not migrate across T84 monolayers in the presence of transepithelial gradients of C5a, n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), or platelet-activating factor (PAF). In contrast, activation of eosinophils by coincubation or pretreatment with GM-CSF enabled transepithelial migration in response to PAF but not to C5a or fMLP gradients in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. Specificity was confirmed by both the PAF receptor antagonist WEB-2086 and the PAF enantiomer 2-lyso-beta-acetyl-gamma-O-hexadecyl. Finally, addition of functionally inhibitory monoclonal antibodies to CD11b but not CD11a, very late activation antigen (VLA-4), or intracellular adhesion molecule 1 inhibited eosinophil migration.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies establish that physiologically directed migration of eosinophils across model epithelia occurs but that this process is governed by the state of eosinophil activation, the specific chemotactic gradient imposed, and the availability of specific surface integrins to participate in putative eosinophil-epithelial adhesion steps.

Intestinal epithelia (T84) possess basolateral ligands for CD11b/CD18-mediated neutrophil adherence

The process of active intestinal inflammation can be modeled by the migration of neutrophils [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)] across monolayers of the human intestinal cell line T84. We now evaluate the polarity of early adhesive events occurring between human PMN and ligands on intact T84 monolayers. Transient Ca2+ depletion (tr-Ca-depl) of confluent monolayers grown on permeable supports (2 mM EDTA, 12 min, 37 degrees C) resulted in disruption of tight junctions separating apical and basolateral domains (resistance fell from 973 +/- 35 to 57.4 +/- 3.8 omega.cm2 after 12 min). The columnar T84 phenotype was not grossly altered by tr-Ca-depl. Access to basolateral membrane proteins from the apical surface after tr-Ca-depl was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and immunofluorescence, using antibodies to the basolateral proteins E-Cadherin and beta 1-integrin. The effects of tr-Ca-depl on early events in PMN adhesion were next assessed. Neutrophils (2 x 10(6)) were applied to the apical surface of monolayers followed by stimulation with the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (100 nM, 5 min, 37 degrees C) and quantitation. In comparison with control monolayers, tr-Ca-depl increased subsequent PMN adhesion (1.7 +/- 0.24 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.28 x 10(4) adherent PMN/monolayer; P < 0.005), which was inhibited 80% by anti-CD11b/CD18 antibodies. These experiments suggest that PMN adhere to subjunctional ligands on T84 cells in a CD11b/CD18-dependent fashion.

Assessment of inflammatory events in epithelial permeability: a rapid screening method using fluorescein dextrans

Cultured intestinal epithelial monolayers serve as models for mechanistic studies of intestinal inflammation. One crucial aspect of epithelial function modulated by inflammation is permeability. Indices of permeability typically obtained are transepithelial resistance or more formalized assays using Ussing chambers modified for cultured monolayers. Such Ussing chamber systems are inconvenient for screening assays and their geometry precludes evaluation of important inflammatory responses such as transepithelial migration of neutrophils. Here we use a novel flux assay to investigate the kinetics of fluorescein-labelled dextran (FD) molecules across intestinal epithelial cell lines grown on permeable membrane supports. Our results show that we could consistently demonstrate picomolar flux of FD in a range of sizes (3-70 kD) across T84 epithelial monolayers. Such FD flux was time- and dose-dependent and flux increased exponentially with decreasing transepithelial resistance. Exposure of intestinal epithelia to mucosal-derived lymphocytes or to soluble lymphocyte products (interferon-gamma, interleukin-4 or interleukin-13) increased FD flux in a dose-dependent fashion. Finally, studies of neutrophil transepithelial migration revealed qualitative and quantitative differences in FD flux depending on FD size. We conclude that in vitro transepithelial FD flux may be a useful tool to study aspects of intestinal permeability in health and in disease.

IL-4 directly modulates function of a model human intestinal epithelium

Intestinal epithelia are in intimate contact with subepithelial and intraepithelial lymphocytes. When stimulated, mucosal lymphocytes generate inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IFN-gamma. We have shown that IFN-gamma directly regulates epithelial function. It is unknown whether IL-4 might influence epithelial function and, if so, whether such influences are similar to or differ from those exerted by IFN-gamma. In this study, we examine the effect of human IL-4 on barrier function, ion transport, and immune accessory ligand expression on T84 cells, a crypt-like epithelial cell line. Basolateral exposure of epithelial monolayers to IL-4 attenuated epithelial barrier function by greater than 65% in a dose (50% of effective dose = 1 U/ml)- and time (t1/2 = 24 h)-dependent fashion, and was inhibitable by neutralizing anti-IL-4 and anti-IL-4R Ab. Stimulated Cl- secretion, as measured by epithelial short circuit current, was diminished by as much as 70% by IL-4. Epithelial preexposure to IL-4 brought about a greater than twofold increase in beta 2 integrin-dependent neutrophil adhesion to epithelial, but retarded neutrophil migration into and across epithelial monolayers. ELISAs revealed that epithelial exposure to IL-4 had no effect on cell surface expression of MHC class I, MHC class II, or ICAM-1. These results indicate that IL-4, like IFN-gamma, may serve to regulate intestinal epithelial function, but that resulting phenotypes may be cytokine specific. We speculate from these data that activation of the basolateral receptor for IL-4 potentially provides a new strategy for damping the cellular component of active inflammation in the intestine.

IL-4 directly modulates function of a model human intestinal epithelium

Intestinal epithelia are in intimate contact with subepithelial and intraepithelial lymphocytes. When stimulated, mucosal lymphocytes generate inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IFN-gamma. We have shown that IFN-gamma directly regulates epithelial function. It is unknown whether IL-4 might influence epithelial function and, if so, whether such influences are similar to or differ from those exerted by IFN-gamma. In this study, we examine the effect of human IL-4 on barrier function, ion transport, and immune accessory ligand expression on T84 cells, a crypt-like epithelial cell line. Basolateral exposure of epithelial monolayers to IL-4 attenuated epithelial barrier function by greater than 65% in a dose (50% of effective dose = 1 U/ml)- and time (t1/2 = 24 h)-dependent fashion, and was inhibitable by neutralizing anti-IL-4 and anti-IL-4R Ab. Stimulated Cl- secretion, as measured by epithelial short circuit current, was diminished by as much as 70% by IL-4. Epithelial preexposure to IL-4 brought about a greater than twofold increase in beta 2 integrin-dependent neutrophil adhesion to epithelial, but retarded neutrophil migration into and across epithelial monolayers. ELISAs revealed that epithelial exposure to IL-4 had no effect on cell surface expression of MHC class I, MHC class II, or ICAM-1. These results indicate that IL-4, like IFN-gamma, may serve to regulate intestinal epithelial function, but that resulting phenotypes may be cytokine specific. We speculate from these data that activation of the basolateral receptor for IL-4 potentially provides a new strategy for damping the cellular component of active inflammation in the intestine.

Interferon-gamma induces a cell surface phenotype switch on T84 intestinal epithelial cells

Intestinal epithelia are in intimate contact with submucosal and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The concentration of intraepithelial lymphocytes increases during inflammatory processes, and, when stimulated, these cells generate cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In this study, we examined the effect of recombinant human IFN-gamma on ion transport events in T84 cells, a crypt epithelial cell line widely used to study electrogenic Cl- secretion, the transport event responsible for mucosal hydration. Epithelial exposure to IFN-gamma brought about a marked attenuation in stimulated Cl- secretion, as measured by generation of short-circuit current (ISC). This IFN-gamma-elicited decrease in the Cl- secretory response was present for a variety of specific agonists, appeared largely due to IFN-gamma interactions with the basolateral surface, and did not result from a defect in second messenger generation. Efflux and uptake studies were utilized to functionally define the individual cell surface transport proteins that participate in Cl- secretion and revealed that, in response to epithelial exposure to IFN-gamma, apical Cl- channels and basolateral Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporters, K+ channels, and Na-K-adenosinetriphosphatase were all functionally downregulated. [3H]bumetanide binding assays suggested that surface expression of the cotransporter was diminished by > 70% after IFN-gamma preexposure. Concurrently, surface immunofluorescence studies revealed that epithelial exposure to IFN-gamma brought about the induction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule expression on T84 epithelial monolayers and markedly increased MHC class I surface expression. Finally, neutrophil-epithelial adhesion studies revealed that preexposure of epithelial monolayers to IFN-gamma elicited a beta 2-integrin-dependent induction of neutrophil adhesion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reconstitution of cultured intestinal epithelial monolayers with a mucosal-derived T lymphocyte cell line. Modulation of epithelial phenotype dependent on lymphocyte-basolateral membrane apposition

In vivo, epithelial cells which line the intestine are intimately associated with lymphocytes, termed intraepithelial lymphocytes. Previous studies have demonstrated that intraepithelial lymphocytes are present in the uninflamed mucosa, and become especially prominent in various human enteropathies including coeliac disease, tropical sprue, dermatitis herpetiformis, and giardiasis. Using the intestinal crypt cell line T84, and a previously well-defined human mucosa-derived lymphocyte (MDL) line with phenotypic features similar to (but not specific for) intraepithelial lymphocytes, we describe a co-culture model to study the functional sequellae of MDL-T84 cell interactions in vitro. A co-culture method was defined which permitted reconstitution of the paracellular spaces of physiologically confluent epithelial monolayers with MDL. Such co-cultures thus mimicked the correct geometry of intraepithelial lymphocytes-epithelial cell interactions. The presence of physiologically positioned MDL brought about specific and dramatic effects on intestinal epithelial monolayer function. In a dose-dependent fashion, the presence of MDL significantly attenuated barrier function (expressed as a decrease in monolayer resistance), decreased epithelial electrogenic Cl- secretion, and modulated epithelial-neutrophil interactions. Such effects were not reproduced in monolayers similarly reconstituted with inert polystyrene beads equivalent in size to MDL. These MDL-elicited effects on epithelial function specifically required direct MDL apposition to the epithelial basolateral membrane. Furthermore, this specific form of MDL-epithelial basolateral contact released soluble factors which were able to confer the MDL-reconstituted phenotype on virgin epithelial monolayers in the absence of MDL. We have previously shown that many aspects of the MDL converted epithelial phenotype described here can be induced by IFN-gamma. While IFN-gamma, a cytokine produced by many lymphocytes including intraepithelial lymphocytes, was detectable in conditioned supernatants from co-cultures, it existed at concentrations insufficient to fully explain the physiologic effects observed here.

Interactions of neutrophils with epithelial cells: lessons from the intestine

Active inflammatory processes in organs lined by columnar epithelial cells are often characterized by abundant neutrophil migration. To reach an epithelial surface, neutrophils must leave the vasculature and cross the interstitium where signals may be generated that influence migration and/or epithelial function. Subsequently neutrophils migrate across epithelial linings by impaling intercellular junctions between epithelial cells and, in doing so, diminish the ability of epithelial linings to serve as a barrier. Decreased barrier function brought about by neutrophil migration across epithelia appears to be a reversible process after the removal of the chemotactic stimulus. The molecular events underlying neutrophil-epithelial interactions are at present poorly understood. With recent information regarding neutrophil-endothelial interactions, it has been possible to better understand issues of neutrophil interactions with epithelial cells. In general, there appear to be different rules governing the interaction of neutrophils with endothelial cells as compared with epithelial cells. Neutrophil migration across endothelial monolayers involves a series of at least three steps, each regulated by glycoproteins expressed on the cellular surface. In considering neutrophil-epithelial interactions, the single common denominator is the requirement for surface expression of neutrophil beta 2 integrins, and specifically CD11b/18, as shown by functional inhibition through the use of antibodies to neutrophil beta 2 integrins and the use of neutrophils from patients lacking the beta-chain of this integrin. An understanding of the regulation of neutrophil-epithelial interactions, although in its infancy, appears to involve inflammatory cytokines. Recent in vivo evidence suggests that interferon-gamma production at the level of the intestine may correlate with the regulation of neutrophil-epithelial interactions in vitro by interferon-gamma. Finally, considerable evidence exists that neutrophils may contribute significantly to fluid transport during inflammatory diseases such as secretory diarrhea. When placed in contact with epithelial monolayers, activated neutrophils bring about the transport of ions, with concomitant water loss across epithelial surfaces. This transport process brought about by the presence of neutrophils is generated by a metabolite produced and secreted from neutrophils. This metabolite was originally termed neutrophil-derived secretagogue and has recently been identified as 5'-AMP. The mechanism of 5'-AMP action on epithelial cell ion transport is discussed.