Induction of adenosine deaminase and 5' nucleotidase activity in cultured human blood monocytes and monocytic leukemia (THP-1) cells by differentiating agents

IL-32θ inhibits monocytic differentiation of leukemia cells by attenuating expression of transcription factor PU.1

PU.1 is a key transcription factor regulating the myeloid differentiation. PU.1-induced monocytic differentiation into macrophage is also important for blood cancer development. Therefore, we chose THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells to investigate the function of a recently discovered IL-32θ. Genetic analyses identified differences in the sequences of IL-32θ and IL-32β. Using previously established cell lines that stably express IL-32θ and IL-32β and cell lines transiently expressing IL-32θ, we observed that expression of IL-32θ inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced monocytic differentiation in both THP-1 and HL-60 cells. IL-32θ also suppressed expression of the macrophage cell surface markers, CD11b, CD18, and CD36. Interestingly, expression of IL-32β or IL-32θ had no effect on the expression levels of cell cycle related factors. As a result, we concluded that these isoforms did not contribute to PMA-induced cell cycle arrest. IL-32θ was found to modulate expression of PU.1, a transcription factor necessary for myeloid lineage commitment. Transient expression of PU.1 in THP-1/IL-32θ cells rescued the observed differentiation defect. Additionally, transient expression of both CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) and PU.1 in THP-1/IL-32θ cells exhibited synergistic effects in rescuing the differentiation defect. These observations indicate that intracellular IL-32θ inhibits the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages by attenuating PU.1 expression.

The efflux pump inhibitor timcodar improves the potency of antimycobacterial agents

Previous studies indicated that inhibition of efflux pumps augments tuberculosis therapy. In this study, we used timcodar (formerly VX-853) to determine if this efflux pump inhibitor could increase the potency of antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in in vitro and in vivo combination studies. When used alone, timcodar weakly inhibited M. tuberculosis growth in broth culture (MIC, 19 μg/ml); however, it demonstrated synergism in drug combination studies with rifampin, bedaquiline, and clofazimine but not with other anti-TB agents. When M. tuberculosis was cultured in host macrophage cells, timcodar had about a 10-fold increase (50% inhibitory concentration, 1.9 μg/ml) in the growth inhibition of M. tuberculosis and demonstrated synergy with rifampin, moxifloxacin, and bedaquiline. In a mouse model of tuberculosis lung infection, timcodar potentiated the efficacies of rifampin and isoniazid, conferring 1.0 and 0.4 log10 reductions in bacterial burden in lung, respectively, compared to the efficacy of each drug alone. Furthermore, timcodar reduced the likelihood of a relapse infection when evaluated in a mouse model of long-term, chronic infection with treatment with a combination of rifampin, isoniazid, and timcodar. Although timcodar had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of rifampin in plasma and lung, it did increase the plasma exposure of bedaquiline. These data suggest that the antimycobacterial drug-potentiating activity of timcodar is complex and drug dependent and involves both bacterial and host-targeted mechanisms. Further study of the improvement of the potency of antimycobacterial drugs and drug candidates when used in combination with timcodar is warranted.

Adenosine deaminase activity in normal pregnancy and pregnancy associated disorders

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme of purine salvage pathway and has two important isoenzymes ADA1 and ADA2. The activity of ADA has been changed in diseases characterized by altered cell-mediated immunity. It was observed that total serum ADA activity was decreased during normal pregnancy compared with non-pregnant women. However, total serum ADA activity and serum ADA2 activity was increased in hyperemesis gravidarum and pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. Less information is available regarding role of ADA in abortions (recurrent and missed) and anembryonic pregnancies. Here, we review the activity of ADA and its isoenzymes. Despite these findings, it will be interesting to know whether activity of ADA will be same if ADA is estimated throughout the pregnancy and in pregnancy related complications from early first trimester to third trimester, as all studies until now were carried out at a particular stage of pregnancy.

Use of anabolic-androgenic steroids masking the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis: a case report

Introduction

Tuberculous pleural effusions are not always easy to diagnose but the presence of a lymphocyte-rich exudate associated with an increased adenosine deaminase level and a positive skin test result are highly sensitive diagnostic signs.

Case presentation

We report a case of pleural tuberculosis in a 31-year-old white male patient from Caracas, Venezuela who was negative for human immunodeficiency virus and presented 2 weeks after injecting the anabolic-androgenic steroid nandrolone decanoate, in whom all the tests for tuberculosis were initially negative; an eosinophilic pleural effusion with a low adenosine deaminase level, a negative tuberculin skin test and negative for acid-fast bacilli staining and culture of the pleural fluid. After excluding other causes of eosinophilic pleural effusion malignant pleural effusion was suspected. The patient did not return until 4 months later. The second thoracentesis obtained a pleural fluid suggestive for tuberculosis, with a predominance of lymphocytes, an elevated adenosine deaminase level (51 U/l) and a positive tuberculin skin test. Culture of pleural fragments confirmed pleural tuberculosis.

Conclusion

This case suggests that the use of an anabolic-androgenic steroid masks the definitive diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis by changing the key diagnostic parameters of the pleural fluid, a finding not previously reported. Available evidence of the effects of anabolic steroids on the immune system also suggests that patients using anabolic-androgenic steroids might be susceptible to developing tuberculosis in either reactivating a latent infection or facilitating development of the disease after a recent infection.

The environmental light influences the circulatory levels of retinoic acid and associates with hepatic lipid metabolism

Environmental light is involved in the regulation of photochemical reaction in mouse retina. It remains unclear whether light-mediated increase in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) synthesis in retina will result in altering the circulatory levels of ATRA and regulating downstream gene expression and physiological function. Here we showed circulatory levels of ATRA decreased in mice under constant darkness and elevated by light exposure. Fat gene pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 (mPlrp2) and its partner procolipase (mClps), but not hepatic lipase (mHl), activated in livers for responding to lack of light illuminating. Light-triggered alterations in circulatory ATRA levels regulated ecto-5'-nucleotidase gene expression by retinoic acid receptor retinoic acid receptor-alpha and modulated 5'-AMP levels in blood and were associated with mPlrp2 and mClps expression in the livers. Mice deficient in adenosine receptors displayed mPlrp2 and mClps expression in livers under 12-h light, 12-h dark cycles. Caffeine blocked adenosine receptors and induced hepatic mPlrp2 and mClps expression in wild-type mice. Mice activated in hepatic mPlrp2 and mClps expression lowered hepatic and serum lipid levels and markedly elevated circulatory levels of all-trans retinol. Our results suggest environmental light influence hepatic lipid homeostasis by light-modulated retinoic acid signaling associated with mPlrp2 and mClps gene expression in livers.

Kinetic study of adenosine concentrations and the expression of adenosine deaminase in mononuclear cells during hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

We previously showed that high intralymphocytic adenosine (Ado) concentrations are found in hemodialyzed patients due to the reduced activity of mononuclear cell adenosine deaminase (MCADA). These abnormalities contribute to the immune defect observed in HD patients. The kinetics of these abnormalities and the causes of the low MCADA activity, however, have not been investigated. Here, we addressed this question. Since interferon gamma (IFNgamma) partially modulates MCADA, we also evaluated the effect of IFNgamma on MCADA activity in vitro.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study included 12 patients (eight men and four women) who were observed from the first to the 36th hemodialysis (HD) session, and eight healthy subjects (controls). MCADA activity and Ado concentrations were normal before the first HD session. Ado concentrations progressively increased from the first (10.5 +/- 3.1 pmol/10(7) cells) to the fourth session (26.7 +/- 3 pmol/10(7) cells), before stabilizing at a high level. MCADA activity increased transiently until the second session (2.2 +/- 0.5 IU/10(7) cells before HD vs. 2.8 +/- 0.6 IU/10(7)cells), and then decreased and stabilized at a low level (1.0 +/- 0.5 IU/10(7)cells). The amount of MCADA mRNA transiently increased until the third session (mRNA MCADA/mRNA beta-actin: 0.6 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.2), and then decreased to 0.3 +/- 0.1 at the 36th session. MCADA activity underwent a dose-dependent increase after IFNgamma stimulation.

CONCLUSION

HD affects the transcription of the gene encoding MCADA after just three HD sessions, leading to decreased MCADA activity and increased plasma concentration of Ado.

Upregulation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells on differentiation by retinoic acid or phorbolester

Ecto-5'-nucleotidase has been suggested to play an important role in neural development and differentiation in situ and in vitro. In order to investigate whether neural differentiation is associated with an upregulation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase, we used all trans-retinoic acid or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate to induce a neural phenotype in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Both agents initiated a reduction in proliferation and an increase in polarity of SH-SY5Y cells as well as a time dependent increase in ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity. Non-specific ecto-phosphatase activity remained unaltered. Northern hybridization experiments suggest that the increase in ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity is due to increased enzyme synthesis rather than due to enzyme activation. The upregulation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in differentiating neuroblastoma cells would be consisted with a functional role of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in neural development.

Regulatory potential of ethanol and retinoic acid on human monocyte functions

Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolic product of vitamin A, has been shown to affect a variety of immune functions, including monocytes. Monocyte functions and mediator production are also modulated by ethanol exposure. This study demonstrates that therapeutic doses of RA (0.1-10 microM) significantly increase transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) production both in THP-1, human myelomonocytic cells, and in human peripheral blood monocytes. We have previously reported TGF beta induction by ethanol in human M theta. Combination of RA stimulation with acute in vitro ethanol treatment, however, resulted in significantly lower M theta TGF beta production than TGF beta levels induced by RA alone (p < 0.003). Down-regulation of M theta TGF beta production by ethanol was tested at the concentration range of 25-150 mM and occurred both at high and low RA concentrations (10-0.1 microM). In contrast to its inhibitory effect on RA-induced M theta TGF beta production, ethanol augmented TGF beta production induced by muramyl dipeptide (20 micrograms/ml), suggesting that ethanol can either up- or down-regulate M theta TGF beta production, depending on the costimulatory factors. RA also induced a moderate increase in M theta tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) production, which was down-regulated by ethanol both at the level of secreted and cell-associated TNF alpha. In addition to regulation of cytokine production, both RA and ethanol decreased expression of CD4 on THP-1 cells. The degree of inhibition of CD4 expression by RA was more significant than by ethanol, but RA-induced decrease in CD4 expression was not significantly affected by the combined stimulation with ethanol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5'-Nucleotidase: molecular structure and functional aspects

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Cell surface aminopeptidase A and N activities in human glomerular epithelial cells

Cell surface aminopeptidases N (APN) and A (APA) have been characterized on cultured human glomerular epithelial cells and a SV40-transformed cell line derived from them. APN had a wide substrate specificity whereas APA only attacked peptides with an acidic N terminal amino acid. Both enzymes also differed by their sensitivity to divalent cations and to aminopeptidase inhibitors. Phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA) stimulated APN but not APA expression after a lag time of 12 hours. An increase of twice the basal value was observed with 10 ng.ml-1 PMA. This effect was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining using a specific anti-APN monoclonal antibody. Both ecto- and total enzyme activities were stimulated by PMA. The effect of PMA was suppressed by H7, a PKC inhibitor, and cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Thrombin (1 to 2.5 U.ml-1) and interferon (IFN)-gamma (100 U.ml-1) also stimulated APN activity, the latter after longer exposure of the cells. APA activity was increased by 8-bromo-cAMP and two cAMP-stimulating agents, forskolin and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). A twofold increase above basal value was obtained with 100 microM forskolin after 72 hours of treatment. cAMP-stimulated APA activity was suppressed by cycloheximide. Dexamethasone also stimulated APA activity. The effects of forskolin and dexamethasone were additive. These results demonstrate that APN and APA in glomerular epithelial cells are under different regulations: mitogens and IFN-gamma for APN, cAMP and glucocorticoids for APA. This selective expression may imply possible functional consequences in glomerular diseases.

Effects of immunomodulators on ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity on blood mononuclear cells in vitro

In this study the effects of immunomodulators on the ecto-5'-nucleotidase (ecto-5'-NT) activity on blood mononuclear cells (BMC) were examined in vitro. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) decreased the level of ecto-5'-NT activity on BMC whereas prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increased the ecto-5'-NT level. All three immunomodulators influenced the ecto-5'-NT activity of isolated monocytes whereas only IL-4 and PGE2 had an effect on the enzyme level on isolated lymphocytes. The effect was dependent upon protein synthesis. The effect was dose dependent: IL-4 was effective at concentrations down to 0.5 U/ml, IFN-gamma down to 40 U/ml and PGE2 at nanomolar concentrations. These data indicate that immunomodulators may also take part in the regulation of ecto-5'-NT activity on BMC in vivo. BMC from 7 patients with different immunodeficiency syndromes showed decreased ecto-5'-NT activity on freshly isolated cells. However, following culture ecto-5'-NT activity was increased above the level found on freshly isolated BMC from healthy persons. On BMC from 3 patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia, the effect of IL-4 on the level of ecto-5'-NT activity was identical to that found on BMC from healthy donors, whereas PGE2 increased ecto-5'-NT activity on BMC from only 1 of the 3 patients investigated. The decreased ecto-5'-NT activity of BMC from patients with immunodeficiency may thus be due to a defective regulation of ecto-5'-NT activity in vivo.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-stimulating agents induce ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity and inhibit DNA synthesis in rat cultured mesangial cells

The ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity of rat glomerular mesangial cells increases after exposure to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) via cAMP stimulation (Savic et al., 1990, Immunology 70, 321). Therefore we examined whether other cAMP-stimulating agents had a similar effect. Forskolin (1 microM), PGE2 (10 microM), and isoproterenol (10 microM), three products stimulating rat mesangial cell adenylate cyclase activity, enhanced cAMP accumulation within 5 min and 5'-nucleotidase activity after a lag time of at least 24 h, 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and Ro 20-1724, two drugs inhibiting cAMP degradation, also stimulated cAMP accumulation and 5'-nucleotidase activity. The effects of these agents on 5'-nucleotidase activity were additive with those of the three products stimulating adenylate cyclase activity, except for Ro 20-1724 and forskolin which acted synergistically. Cycloheximide, a blocker of protein synthesis, suppressed the cAMP-dependent increase of 5'-nucleotidase activity. Because ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity is a marker of cell differentiation, the effect of the same cAMP-stimulating agents on cell proliferation was also studied. Forskolin, PGE2, and isoproterenol inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation into rat mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The same effect was obtained with IBMX (100 microM) and Ro 20-1724 (50 microM). Stimulation of 5'-nucleotidase activity and inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation occurred over the same range of concentrations for the various agonists tested. Taken together, these results indicate that expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in rat mesangial cells is induced by cAMP whatever the reason for its accumulation. The simultaneous inhibition of DNA synthesis may occur independently or be associated with the stimulation of 5'-nucleotidase expression.