The effect of interferon beta-1b on cytokine-induced adhesion molecule expression

Anti-metastatic functions of type 1 interferons: Foundation for the adjuvant therapy of cancer

The anti-tumorigenic effects that type 1 interferons (IFN1) elicited in the in vitro studies prompted consideration of IFN1 as a potent candidate for clinical treatment. Though not all patients responded to IFN1, clinical trials have shown that patients with high risk melanoma, a highly refractory solid malignancy, benefit greatly from intermediate IFN1 treatment in regards to relapse-free and distant-metastasis-free survival. The mechanisms by which IFN1 treatment at early stages of disease suppress tumor recurrence or metastatic incidence are not fully understood. Intracellular IFN1 signaling is known to affect cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Moreover, recent studies have revealed specific IFN1-regulated genes that may contribute to IFN1-mediated suppression of cancer progression and metastasis. In concert, expression of these different IFN1 stimulated genes may impede numerous mechanisms that mediate metastatic process. Though, IFN1 treatment is still utilized as part of standard care for metastatic melanoma (alone or in combination with other therapies), cancers find the ways to develop insensitivity to IFN1 treatment allowing for unconstrained disease progression. To determine how and when IFN1 treatment would be most efficacious during disease progression, we must understand how IFN1 signaling affects different metastasis steps. Here, we specifically focus on the anti-metastatic role of endogenous IFN1 and parameters that may help to use pharmaceutical IFN1 in the adjuvant treatment to prevent cancer recurrence and metastatic disease.

Pro-inflammatory TNFα and IL-1β differentially regulate the inflammatory phenotype of brain microvascular endothelial cells

Background

The vasculature of the brain is composed of endothelial cells, pericytes and astrocytic processes. The endothelial cells are the critical interface between the blood and the CNS parenchyma and are a critical component of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These cells are innately programmed to respond to a myriad of inflammatory cytokines or other danger signals. IL-1β and TNFα are well recognised pro-inflammatory mediators, and here, we provide compelling evidence that they regulate the function and immune response profile of human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMVECs) differentially.

Methods

We used xCELLigence biosensor technology, which revealed global differences in the endothelial response between IL-1β and TNFα. xCELLigence is a label-free impedance-based biosensor, which is ideal for acute or long-term comparison of drug effects on cell behaviour. In addition, flow cytometry and multiplex cytokine arrays were used to show differences in the inflammatory responses from the endothelial cells.

Results

Extensive cytokine-secretion profiling and cell-surface immune phenotyping confirmed that the immune response of the hCMVEC to IL-1β was different to that of TNFα. Interestingly, of the 38 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors measured by cytometric bead array, the endothelial cells secreted only 13. Of importance was the observation that the majority of these cytokines were differentially regulated by either IL-1β or TNFα. Cell-surface expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were also differentially regulated by IL-1β or TNFα, where TNFα induced a substantially higher level of expression of both key leukocyte-adhesion molecules. A range of other cell-surface cellular and junctional adhesion molecules were basally expressed by the hCMVEC but were unaffected by IL-1β or TNFα.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive analysis of the immunological profile of brain endothelial cells and the first direct evidence that human brain endothelial cells are differentially regulated by these two key pro-inflammatory mediators.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-015-0346-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Lymphocyte Subpopulations, Oxidative Burst and Apoptosis in Peripheral Blood Cells of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis–Effect of Interferon-β

At present, the most efficient therapeutical treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) is achieved by IFN-beta. However, its in vivo effects remain incompletely understood. If applied parenterally, the hydrophobic IFN-beta acts primarily on blood cells with probable selectivity for functionally different lymphocyte subpopulations, monocytes and granulocytes. We have investigated the expression of the activation marker interleukin-2 receptor-alpha (CD25) on CD3+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, foetal-type gamma(delta)+CD3+ T cells and foetal-type CD5+CD19+ B cells of the peripheral blood. In addition, the oxidative burst activity and apoptosis have been determined in mononuclear and polymorphonuclear blood cells, respectively. The study accompanied a phase III trial with IFN-beta1b (BETAFERON, Schering). Two groups of MS patients with relapsing-remitting course of the disease have been investigated at 8 time points (days 0, 5, 15, 31, 60, 90, 180 and 270 after starting therapy): (1) verum group (n = 8) with application of 8 Mill. units IFN-beta1 b every other day, and (2) placebo group (n = 4) with application of placebo for 3 months and therapy as in (1) from day 90 onward. The main results were: (1) Activated T cells decreased until day 180 in the verum group and return thereafter to pre-treatment values, whereas in the placebo group the values remained relatively stable over the whole observation period. (2) Activated B cells increased between days 90 and 270 in both groups, i.e. after verum application in both groups. (3) Foetal-type B cells were more activated than total B and T cells with increase over time in both groups. (4) Foetal-type T cells exerted relatively stable intra-individual levels with generally low CD25 expression, but punctual CD25 peaks in both groups. (5) The spontaneous oxidative burst was higher in lymphocytes, more variable in monocytes and faster increasing in granulocytes in the verum group than in the placebo group. (6) Apoptosis of mononuclear cells and granulocytes showed similar variations in the verum and placebo groups with the exception of a selective increase over time of the proportion of granulocytes undergoing induced apoptosis in the verum group. It is concluded that IFN-beta has the following main effects on the immune system of MS patients: (1) the T cell immunity is systemically and reversibly suppressed, (2) the foetal-type lymphocytes, which are responsible for the first line of defence of infections, are stimulated in the long range, (3) the oxidative burst activity is increased in lymphocytes and granulocytes and instable in monocytes, and (4) the inducibility of apoptosis in granulocytes is increased. Re-examination of the altered blood cell parameters after long-term IFN-beta therapy is warranted.

Contribution of alpha4beta1 integrin to the antiallergic effect of levocabastine

Levocabastine is an antiallergic drug acting as a histamine H1-receptor antagonist. In allergic conjunctivitis (AC), it may also antagonize up-regulation of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressed on epithelial conjunctival cells. However, little is known about its effects on eosinophils, important effector cells in AC. The adhesion molecule integrin alpha(4)beta(1) is expressed in eosinophils; it interacts with the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and fibronectin (FN) in vascular endothelial cells and contributes to eosinophil activation and infiltration in AC. This study provides evidence that in a scintillation proximity assay levocabastine (IC(50) 406 microM), but not the first-generation antihistamine chlorpheniramine, displaced (125)I-FN binding to human integrin alpha(4)beta(1) and, in flow cytometry analysis, levocabastine antagonized the binding of a primary antibody to integrin alpha(4) expressed on the Jurkat cell surface. Levocabastine, but not chlorpheniramine, binds the alpha(4)beta(1) integrin and prevents eosinophil adhesion to VCAM-1, FN or human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro. Similarly, levocabastine affects alpha(L)beta(2)/ICAM-1-mediated adhesion of Jurkat cells. In a model of AC levocabastine eye drops reduced the clinical aspects of the late-phase reaction and the conjunctival expression of alpha(4)beta(1) integrin by reducing infiltrated eosinophils. We propose that blockade of integrin-mediated cell adhesion might be a target of the antiallergic action of levocabastine and may play a role in preventing eosinophil adhesion and infiltration in AC.

Interferon-beta blocks infiltration of inflammatory cells and reduces infarct volume after ischemic stroke in the rat

The inflammatory response that exacerbates cerebral injury after ischemia is an attractive therapeutic target: it progresses over days and strongly contributes to worsening of the neurologic outcome. The authors show that, after transient ischemic injury to the rat brain, systemic application of interferon-beta (IFN-beta), a cytokine with antiinflammatory properties, attenuated the development of brain infarction. Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that IFN-beta treatment reduced lesion volume on diffusion-weighted MRI by 70% (P < 0.01) at 1 day after stroke. IFN-beta attenuated the leakage of contrast agent through the blood-brain barrier (P < 0.005), indicating a better-preserved blood-brain barrier integrity. Both control and IFN-beta-treated animals showed a similar degree of relative hyperperfusion of the lesioned hemisphere, indicating that neuroprotection by IFN-beta was not mediated by improved cerebral perfusion as assessed 24 hours after stroke onset. IFN-beta treatment resulted in an 85% reduction (P < 0.0001) in infarct volume 3 weeks later, as determined from T2-weighted MRI and confirmed by histology. This effect was achieved even when treatment was started 6 hours after stroke onset. Quantitative immunohistochemistry at 24 hours after stroke onset showed that IFN-beta almost completely prevented the infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes into the brain. Gelatinase zymography showed that this effect was associated with a decrease in matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. In conclusion, treatment with the antiinflammatory cytokine IFN-beta affords significant neuroprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury, and within a relatively long treatment window. Because IFN-beta has been approved for clinical use, it may be rapidly tested in a clinical trial for its efficacy against human stroke.

Adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases in Multiple Sclerosis: effects induced by Interferon-beta

In Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathology, early inflammation involves leukocyte migration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) within the central nervous system. In this process, adhesion molecules (AMs), both membrane-bound and soluble-circulating forms, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) certainly play a regulatory role. In MS, recombinant Interferon-beta (rIFNbeta) is effective in reducing gadolinium contrast-enhancing lesions on magnetic resonance imaging and this suggests that it may reduce BBB damage or even restore its integrity by different mechanisms that include interference with both AM and MMP pathways. This review will highlight the effects induced by rIFNbeta, both in vitro and in vivo, on cell-bound and soluble forms of AMs and on MMPs.

Interferon-beta directly influences monocyte infiltration into the central nervous system

Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) has beneficial effects on the clinical symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but its exact mechanism of action is yet unknown. We here suggest that IFN-beta directly modulates inflammatory events at the level of cerebral endothelium. IFN-beta treatment resulted in a marked reduction of perivascular infiltrates in acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), the rat model for MS, which was coupled to a major decrease in the expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on brain capillaries. In vitro, IFN-beta reduced the mRNA levels and protein expression of adhesion molecules of brain endothelial cell cultures and diminished monocyte transendothelial migration. Monocyte adhesion and subsequent migration was found to be predominantly regulated by VCAM-1. These data indicate that IFN-beta exerts direct antiinflammatory effects on brain endothelial cells thereby contributing to reduced lesion formation as observed in MS patients.

RANTES production and expression is reduced in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon-beta-1b

RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted), a CC chemokine, appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS), enhancing the inflammatory response within the nervous system. We have demonstrated that RANTES production is increased in RR-MS compared to controls. Interferon-beta-1b (IFN-beta-1b) treatment reduces RANTES production in sera and peripheral blood adherent mononuclear cell (PBAM) supernatants both in relapse and remission. IFN-beta-1b also reduces RANTES expression in PBAM. Our results suggest that RANTES modulation might represent one of the mechanisms of action of IFN-beta-1b in RR-MS.

A comparative study of the relative bioavailability of different interferon beta preparations

BACKGROUND

Three different recombinant interferon beta (IFNbeta) preparations are currently available for the treatment of MS, two IFNbeta-1a products (Rebif and Avonex) and one IFNbeta-1b product (Betaferon). These products differ with respect to the recommended dose, the dosage regimen, and the injection route. This study compared the relative biologic activity of these three products in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 237 patients with MS (170 on IFNbeta therapy and 67 control subjects receiving no therapy). Samples with neutralizing antibodies were excluded. Levels of the antiviral protein MxA and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM) in the four groups were measured by ELISA. In the in vitro investigation, untreated blood was incubated for 24 hours with increasing concentrations of the three IFNs from a dose of 1 IU/mL to 1000 IU/mL, after which levels of MxA were measured.

RESULTS

A difference between the groups was observed in vitro, with a significant change from baseline in MxA levels being observed at 10 IU for Betaferon compared with 100 IU for Rebif and Avonex. However, this might be due to the different methods used for the determination of IU by the manufacturers. At the single-dose level there were no significant differences between IFNbeta preparations. In vivo, there were significantly different levels of MxA in the four groups. In the Betaferon group, the median value for MxA was 2.29 ng/105 peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), compared with 1.00 ng/105 PBL for Rebif, 0.57 ng/105 PBL for Avonex, and 0.14 ng/105 PBL for the control group. Some significant differences between the groups were also apparent with respect to levels of sVCAM, which were higher with Betaferon than with Rebif.

CONCLUSION

IFNbeta-1b induces higher levels of the above markers of IFNbeta bioactivity than either of the two IFNbeta-1a preparations. Moreover, there is a less striking difference between the two IFNbeta-1a preparations in favor of subcutaneous IFNbeta-1a.

Bidirectional induction of the cognate receptor-ligand α4/VCAM-1 pair defines a novel mechanism of tumor intravasation

Engagement of cell surface adhesion receptors with extracellular constituents and with cellular counter-receptors is crucial for the extravasation of blood-borne neoplastic cells and their seeding at distant sites; however, the early events of tumor dissemination—ie, the intravasation step(s)—have been largely neglected. A role for the 4β7 integrin was hypothesized to explain the high leukemogenicity exhibited by one (NQ22) among several T-cell lymphomas studied. To clarify the mechanisms of early aggressivity, the behavior of highly and poorly leukemogenic cell lines were compared in vitro. Cocultivation of physically separated leukemic cells with resting endothelial cells resulted in the up-regulation of VCAM-1 expression. NQ22 cells expressed mRNA of different cytokines that up-regulate VCAM-1 and at higher levels than cells of a nonaggressive lymphoma, and they migrated more efficiently through an activated endothelial cell layer. With the use of neutralizing antibodies against interferon-γ, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, it was determined that TNF- is one of the soluble factors released by NQ22 cells involved in the up-regulation of VCAM-1. The finding that vascular cells within the early local growth were strongly positive for VCAM-1 indicated that NQ22 cells could activate endothelial cells also in vivo. Finally, cocultivation of preleukemic 4−NQ22 cells with TNF--activated endothelial cells induced the expression of 4 integrins on the former cells. Reciprocal up-regulation and engagement of 4/VCAM-1 pairs determined the sequential transmigration and intravasation steps, and similar mechanisms might affect the aggressivity of human T lymphoblastic lymphomas.

Bidirectional induction of the cognate receptor-ligand α4/VCAM-1 pair defines a novel mechanism of tumor intravasation

Engagement of cell surface adhesion receptors with extracellular constituents and with cellular counter-receptors is crucial for the extravasation of blood-borne neoplastic cells and their seeding at distant sites; however, the early events of tumor dissemination—ie, the intravasation step(s)—have been largely neglected. A role for the 4β7 integrin was hypothesized to explain the high leukemogenicity exhibited by one (NQ22) among several T-cell lymphomas studied. To clarify the mechanisms of early aggressivity, the behavior of highly and poorly leukemogenic cell lines were compared in vitro. Cocultivation of physically separated leukemic cells with resting endothelial cells resulted in the up-regulation of VCAM-1 expression. NQ22 cells expressed mRNA of different cytokines that up-regulate VCAM-1 and at higher levels than cells of a nonaggressive lymphoma, and they migrated more efficiently through an activated endothelial cell layer. With the use of neutralizing antibodies against interferon-γ, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, it was determined that TNF- is one of the soluble factors released by NQ22 cells involved in the up-regulation of VCAM-1. The finding that vascular cells within the early local growth were strongly positive for VCAM-1 indicated that NQ22 cells could activate endothelial cells also in vivo. Finally, cocultivation of preleukemic 4−NQ22 cells with TNF--activated endothelial cells induced the expression of 4 integrins on the former cells. Reciprocal up-regulation and engagement of 4/VCAM-1 pairs determined the sequential transmigration and intravasation steps, and similar mechanisms might affect the aggressivity of human T lymphoblastic lymphomas.

Integrin family of cell adhesion molecules in the injured brain: regulation and cellular localization in the normal and regenerating mouse facial motor nucleus

Integrins are a large family of heterodimeric glycoproteins that play a crucial role in cell adhesion during development, inflammation, and tissue repair. In the current study, we investigated the localization of different integrin subunits in the mouse facial motor nucleus and their regulation after transection of the facial nerve. In the normal mouse brain, there was clear immunoreactivity for alpha5-, alpha6-, and beta1-integrin subunits on blood vessel endothelia and for alphaM- and beta2-subunits on resting parenchymal microglia. Facial nerve transection led to an up-regulation of the beta1-subunit on the axotomized neurons and an increase in the alpha4-, alpha5-, alpha6-, beta1-, alphaM-, alphaX-, and beta2-subunits on the adjacent, activated microglia. Quantification of the microglial integrins revealed two different expression patterns. The subunits alpha5 and alpha6 showed a monophasic increase with a maximum at day 4, the alphaM-subunit a biphasic regulation, with an early peak at day 1 and an elevated plateau between day 14 and 42. At day 14, there was also an influx of lymphocytes immunoreactive for the alpha4beta1- and alphaLbeta2-integrins, which aggregated at sites of neural debris and phagocytotic microglia. This finding was accompanied by a significant increase of the alpha5beta1-integrin on blood vessel endothelia. In summary, facial axotomy is followed by a strong and cell-type-specific expression of integrins on the affected neurons and on surrounding microglia, lymphocytes, and vascular endothelia. The presence of several, strikingly different temporal patterns suggests a selective involvement of these molecules in the different adhesive events during regeneration in the central nervous system.