Augmented expression of daintain/allograft inflammatory factor-1 is associated with clinical disease: dynamics of daintain/allograft inflammatory factor-1 expression in spleen, peripheral nerves and sera during experimental autoimmune neuritis

AIF1: Function and Connection with Inflammatory Diseases

Macrophages are a type of immune cell distributed throughout all tissues of an organism. Allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF1) is a calcium-binding protein linked to the activation of macrophages. AIF1 is a key intracellular signaling molecule that participates in phagocytosis, membrane ruffling and F-actin polymerization. Moreover, it has several cell type-specific functions. AIF1 plays important roles in the development of several diseases: kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases and neurological disorders, and in transplants. In this review, we present a comprehensive review of the known structure, functions and role of AIF1 in inflammatory diseases.

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 released from the cerebral microglia affect several organs in the body

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is expressed in microglia. Unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (UCCAO) was conducted to elucidate mechanisms that regulate AIF-1 expression in C57BL/6 male mice. Immunohistochemical reactivity of microglia against anti-AIF-1 antibody was increased significantly in the brain of this model. The increased AIF-1 production was further confirmed by ELISA using brain homogenate. Real-time PCR demonstrated that the increased AIF-1 production was regulated at the transcriptional level. Serum AIF-1 levels were further examined by ELISA and marked increase was observed on Day 1 of UCCAO. To examine the influence of AIF-1, immunohistochemical staining was performed and revealed that the immunoreactivity against anti-Iba-1 antibody was significantly increased in various organs. Among them, the accumulation of Iba-1⁺ cells were observed prominently in the spleen. Intraperitoneal injection of minocycline, a potent microglia inhibitor, reduced the number of Iba-1⁺ cells suggesting microglia activation-dependent accumulation. Based on these results, AIF-1 expression was further examined in the murine microglia cell line MG6. AIF-1 mRNA expression and secretion were up-regulated when the cells were cultured under hypoxic condition. Importantly, stimulation of the cells with recombinant AIF-1 induced the expression of AIF-1 mRNA. These results may suggest that increased AIF-1 production by microglia in cerebral ischemia regulate the AIF-1 mRNA expression at least in part by an autocrine manner.

Allograft inflammatory factor-1-like is not essential for age dependent weight gain or HFD-induced obesity and glucose insensitivity

The allograft inflammatory factor (AIF) gene family consists of two identified paralogs – AIF1 and AIF1-like (AIF1L). The encoded proteins, AIF1 and AIF1L, are 80% similar in sequence and show conserved tertiary structure. While studies in human populations suggest links between AIF1 and metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, such associations with AIF1L have not been reported. Drawing parallels based on structural similarity, we postulated that AIF1L might contribute to metabolic disorders, and studied it using mouse models. Here we report that AIF1L is expressed in major adipose depots and kidney but was not detectable in liver or skeletal muscle; in notable contrast to AIF1, AIF1L was also not found in spleen. Studies of AIF1L deficient mice showed no obvious postnatal developmental phenotype. In response to high fat diet (HFD) feeding for 6 or 18 weeks, WT and AIF1L deficient mice gained weight similarly, showed no differences in fat or lean mass accumulation, and displayed no changes in energy expenditure or systemic glucose handling. These findings indicate that AIF1L is not essential for the development of obesity or impaired glucose handling due to HFD, and advance understanding of this little-studied gene and its place in the AIF gene family.

Capd Peritonitis Induces the Production of a Novel Peptide, Daintain/Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1

← Objectives

To study the occurrence of a novel macrophage-derived peptide, daintain/allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), in dialysate from continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients at commencement and after a follow-up period of therapy and during peritonitis. In addition, we studied peptide production in response to bacterial stimulation of monocytes and macrophages.

← Design

Peritoneal fluid and supernatants from cells stimulated with different bacteria were analyzed for daintain/AIF-1.

← Patients and Setting

Peritoneal fluid was obtained from 5 patients at commencement of CAPD therapy and during 8 weeks follow-up, and from 14 patients (10 males, 4 females) during CAPD peritonitis and during the noninfected steady state. All patients were admitted to the Karolinska Hospital. A human monocyte cell-line, THP-1 was differentiated to macrophages, and both monocytes and macrophages were stimulated with live and heat-inactivated Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis Cells were also stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β and interferon gamma (IFNγ). Daintain/AIF-1 was analyzed with radioimmunoassay technique and IL-8 with enzyme immunoassay technique.

← Results

An increased production of daintain/AIF-1 was observed in the first spent dialysate in the newly started CAPD patients, with a decrease during the follow-up period ( p < 0.05). During peritonitis, the first spent dialysate revealed significantly higher levels of daintain/AIF-1 (3.9 ng/mL) compared to the noninfected state (0.8 ng/mL), with production normalizing after 9 – 12 days. Bacterial stimulation with E. coli, S. aureus or S. epidermidi sinduced higher daintain/AIF-1 response in monocytes compared to macrophages ( p < 0.05). Live bacteria induced higher production of the peptide compared to heat-inactivated bacteria ( p < 0.05). Interleukin-1β and IFNγ were used to stimulate monocytes and macrophages; however, no daintain/AIF-1 production was found, although increased IL-8 levels were detected.

← Conclusion

CAPD peritonitis induces a high and prominent daintain/AIF-1 response. Bacteria are able to induce a response of the peptide from monocytes and macrophages, and it is likely that the virulent parts of the bacteria are heat-labile structures. The early rise in daintain/AIF-1 might be used as a marker of CAPD peritonitis.

Role of allograft inflammatory factor-1 in pathogenesis of diseases

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a 17 kDa calcium-binding protein produced by monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes; its synthesis is induced by INF-γ. The AIF-1 gene is located in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region on chromosome 6p21.3, surrounded by surface glycoprotein genes and complement cascade protein genes as well as TNF-α, TNF-β, and NF-κB genes. Increased expression of AIF-1 was observed in several diseases, including endometriosis, breast cancer, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibrosis. In this review, we summarise the role of AIF-1 in allograft rejection and the pathogenesis of diseases.

Inhibition of Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 in Dendritic Cells Restrains CD4+ T Cell Effector Responses and Induces CD25+Foxp3+ T Regulatory Subsets

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF1) is a cytoplasmic scaffold protein shown to influence immune responses in macrophages and microglial cells. The protein contains Ca²⁺ binding EF-hand and PDZ interaction domains important for mediating intracellular signaling complexes. This study now reports that AIF1 is expressed in CD11c⁺ dendritic cells (DC) and silencing of expression restrains induction of antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cell effector responses. AIF1 knockdown in murine DC resulted in impaired T cell proliferation and skewed polarization away from T helper type 1 and 17 fates. In turn, there was a parallel expansion of IL-10-producing and CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T regulatory subsets. These studies are the first to demonstrate that AIF1 expression in DC serves as a potent governor of cognate T cell responses and presents a novel target for engineering tolerogenic DC-based immunotherapies.

Identification of hub genes related to silicone-induced immune response in rats

Silicone implants are used widely in the field of plastic surgery and are used in a large population. However, their safety profile, especially the silicone-induced immune response, has been a major concern for plastic surgeons for decades. It has been hypothesized that there is a cause and effect relation between silicone and immunity, but this is controversial. The objective of the present study was to determine the hub genes and key pathways related to silicone implant–induced immune responses in a rat model. In addition to cluster and enrichment analyses, we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to examine the gene expression profiles in a systematic context. A total five genes (Fes, Aif1, Gata3, Tlr6, Tlr2) were identified as hub genes that are most likely related to the silicone-induced immune response, four of which (Aif1, Gata3, Tlr6, Tlr2) have been associated with autoimmunity as target genes or disease markers. The Toll-like receptor signaling pathway (p < 0.01, fold enrichment: 7.01) and systemic lupus erythematosus signaling pathway (p < 0.05, fold enrichment: 5.01), which are considered strongly associated with autoimmunity, were significantly enriched in the silicone-implanted skin samples. The results indicate that silicone implants might trigger the localized immune response, as various immune reaction genes were detected after silicone implantation. The identified five hub genes will hopefully serve as novel therapeutic targets for silicone-related complications and the associated autoimmune diseases.

Daintain/AIF-1 accelerates the activation of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor signaling pathway in HepG2 cells

Daintain/allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), as a novel inflammatory factor, has been reported to accelerate the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. However, the effect of daintain/AIF-1 on hepatocarcinogenesis remains unclear. In order to explore the effect of daintain/AIF-1 on the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed to examine the secretion and gene expression of (IGF)-1, IGF-2 and IGFBP-3. The expression of IGF-1R and its downstream targets was evaluated by western blotting. In addition, the proliferation and cell-cycle progression of HepG2 cells was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylterazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometric analysis. The results showed that HepG2 cells subjected to daintain/AIF-1 treatment revealed an obvious increase in the secretion of IGF-1 and IGF-2, and a reduction in the secretion of IGFBP-3. Moreover, daintain/AIF-1 accelerated the activation of IGF-1-induced IGF-1R and its downstream AKT signaling pathway, and subsequently promoted the activation of cyclin D1 pathway, thus accelerating the progression of the cell cycle and eventually promoting the proliferation of HepG2 cells. In conclusion, daintain/AIF-1 promoted the proliferation of HepG2 cells by accelerating the activation of IGF-1R and its downstream signaling pathway, which confirms that daintain/AIF-1 plays a crucial role in the development of HCC.

Influence of caloric restriction on constitutive expression of NF-κB in an experimental mouse astrocytoma

BACKGROUND

Many of the current standard therapies employed for the management of primary malignant brain cancers are largely viewed as palliative, ultimately because these conventional strategies have been shown, in many instances, to decrease patient quality of life while only offering a modest increase in the length of survival. We propose that caloric restriction (CR) is an alternative metabolic therapy for brain cancer management that will not only improve survival but also reduce the morbidity associated with disease. Although we have shown that CR manages tumor growth and improves survival through multiple molecular and biochemical mechanisms, little information is known about the role that CR plays in modulating inflammation in brain tumor tissue.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Phosphorylation and activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) results in the transactivation of many genes including those encoding cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) and allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), both of which are proteins that are primarily expressed by inflammatory and malignant cancer cells. COX-2 has been shown to enhance inflammation and promote tumor cell survival in both in vitro and in vivo studies. In the current report, we demonstrate that the p65 subunit of NF-κB was expressed constitutively in the CT-2A tumor compared with contra-lateral normal brain tissue, and we also show that CR reduces (i) the phosphorylation and degree of transcriptional activation of the NF-κB-dependent genes COX-2 and AIF-1 in tumor tissue, as well as (ii) the expression of proinflammatory markers lying downstream of NF-κB in the CT-2A malignant mouse astrocytoma, [e.g. macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2)]. On the whole, our date indicate that the NF-κB inflammatory pathway is constitutively activated in the CT-2A astrocytoma and that CR targets this pathway and inflammation.

CONCLUSION

CR could be effective in reducing malignant brain tumor growth in part by inhibiting inflammation in the primary brain tumor.

Allograft inflammatory factor-1/Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 is specifically expressed by most subpopulations of macrophages and spermatids in testis

Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) is a 147-amino-acid calcium-binding protein widely in use as a marker for microglia. It has actin-crosslinking activity and is involved in aspects of motility-associated rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. The Iba1 gene and protein are identical to allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), a protein involved in various aspects of inflammation, which was investigated independently from Iba1. Although regarded to be monocyte/macrophage-specific, expression by germ cells in testis showed that AIF-1/Iba1 is not exclusively expressed by cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Furthermore, AIF-1 was found in cells not belonging to the monocyte/macrophage lineage under pathological conditions. Here, the distribution of AIF-1/Iba1 in the normal mouse has been examined, by immunohistochemistry, to determine whether AIF-1/Iba1 expression is confined to macrophages and spermatids. Spermatids are the only cells not belonging to the monocyte/macrophage lineage found to express AIF-1/Iba1 in the normal mouse, by this method. This study has not demonstrated AIF-1/Iba1 expression in dendritic cells, although this protein might be expressed by subsets of dendritic cells. AIF-1/Iba1 can be regarded a "pan-macrophage marker" because, except for alveolar macrophages, all subpopulations of macrophages examined express AIF-1/Iba1.

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 and its immune regulation

The allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a 17 kDa interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) inducible Ca(2+)-binding EF-hand protein that is encoded within the HLA class III genomic region. Three proteins including ionized Ca(2+)-binding adaptor 1, microglia response factor-1, and daintain are identical with AIF-1. The expression of AIF-1 was mostly limited to the monocyte/macrophage lineage, and augmented by cytokines such as IFN-gamma. It was assumed that AIF-1 was a novel molecule involved in inflammatory responses, allograft rejection, as well as the activation and function of macrophages. However, it has been reported that AIF-1 is also expressed in macrophages and microglial cells in autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, neuritis and uveitis models, suggesting that AIF-1 may play a pivotal role in autoimmunity. In the present manuscript, the genomic and functional characteristics of AIF-1 family proteins as well as their immune regulatory effects are reviewed.

A Critical Role for Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by massive synovial proliferation, angiogenesis, subintimal infiltration of inflammatory cells and the production of cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6. Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) has been identified in chronic rejection of rat cardiac allografts as well as tissue inflammation in various autoimmune diseases. AIF-1 is thought to play an important role in chronic immune inflammatory processes, especially those involving macrophages. In the current work, we examined the expression of AIF-1 in synovial tissues and measured AIF-1 in synovial fluid (SF) derived from patients with either RA or osteoarthritis (OA). We also examined the proliferation of synovial cells and induction of IL-6 following AIF-1 stimulation. Immunohistochemical staining showed that AIF-1 was strongly expressed in infiltrating mononuclear cells and synovial fibroblasts in RA compared with OA. Western blot analysis and semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that synovial expression of AIF-1 in RA was significantly greater than the expression in OA. AIF-1 induced the proliferation of cultured synovial cells in a dose-dependent manner and increased the IL-6 production of synovial fibroblasts and PBMC. The levels of AIF-1 protein were higher in synovial fluid from patients with RA compared with patients with OA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the concentration of AIF-1 significantly correlated with the IL-6 concentration (r = 0.618, p < 0.01). These findings suggest that AIF-1 is closely associated with the pathogenesis of RA and is a novel member of the cytokine network involved in the immunological processes underlying RA.

Potential roles of allograft inflammatory factor-1 in the pathogenesis of hemangiomas

Hemangiomas are benign tumors of the vascular endothelium and are the most common tumors of infancy. These tumors are characterized by an initial phase of rapid proliferation in the first months of life, which is followed, in most cases, by spontaneous slow involution. Despite their high prevalence, their detailed pathogenesis remains unknown. Recent studies suggest that immunity responses, inflammatory cells and their precursors, myeloid cells, play important roles in the growth and involution of hemangiomas. The allograft inflammatory factor-1 is a powerful gene that is involved in several kinds of inflammatory response-related diseases. Studies also show that it is implicated in angiogenesis, proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, and development of tumors. Taken all these evidences into consideration, we hypothesize that allograft inflammatory factor-1 plays potential roles in pathogenesis, proliferation and involution of hemangioma. Investigating the role of allograft inflammatory factor-1 in the proliferation and involution of hemangioma will lead to a better understanding of pathogenesis of this lesion. Furthermore, the subtle regulation of allograft inflammatory factor-1 in the involution of hemangiomas will help design a new anti-angiogenic therapy for some tumors.

Preparation and Identification of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Daintain

Daintain is a 17-kDa polypeptide originally purified from porcine intestine. This polypeptide is associated with insulin secretion and inflammatory responses. Daintain is highly similar in amino acid sequence to allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1). Here we report the preparation and identification of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against daintain. To enhance its immunogenicity, daintain was coupled to carrier protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) by a two-step glutaraldehyde method. Using conventional procedures, we obtained four stable hybridoma cell lines that can produce and secret anti-daintain MAbs. We further analyzed their isotypes, titer, and affinity, and found that those MAbs belong to the G1 subclass with kappa light chains. The MAbs were capable of recognizing daintain as determined by Western blotting. The produced MAbs will be a useful tool for further investigation of daintain functions in organisms.

The function of microglia through purinergic receptors: neuropathic pain and cytokine release

Microglia play an important role as immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia are activated in threatened physiological homeostasis, including CNS trauma, apoptosis, ischemia, inflammation, and infection. Activated microglia show a stereotypic, progressive series of changes in morphology, gene expression, function, and number and produce and release various chemical mediators, including proinflammatory cytokines that can produce immunological actions and can also act on neurons to alter their function. Recently, a great deal of attention is focusing on the relation between activated microglia through adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) receptors and neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is often a consequence of nerve injury through surgery, bone compression, diabetes, or infection. This type of pain can be so severe that even light touching can be intensely painful and it is generally resistant to currently available treatments. There is abundant evidence that extracellular ATP and microglia have an important role in neuropathic pain. The expression of P2X4 receptor, a subtype of ATP receptors, is enhanced in spinal microglia after peripheral nerve injury model, and blocking pharmacologically and suppressing molecularly P2X4 receptors produce a reduction of the neuropathic pain. Several cytokines such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the dorsal horn are increased after nerve lesion and have been implicated in contributing to nerve-injury pain, presumably by altering synaptic transmission in the CNS, including the spinal cord. Nerve injury also leads to persistent activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in microglia. An inhibitor of this enzyme reverses mechanical allodynia following spinal nerve ligation (SNL). ATP is able to activate MAPK, leading to the release of bioactive substances, including cytokines, from microglia. Thus, diffusible factors released from activated microglia by the stimulation of purinergic receptors may have an important role in the development of neuropathic pain. Understanding the key roles of ATP receptors, including P2X4 receptors, in the microglia may lead to new strategies for the management of neuropathic pain.

Experimental autoimmune neuritis induces differential microglia activation in the rat spinal cord

The reactive spatial and temporal activation pattern of parenchymal spinal cord microglia was analyzed in rat experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN). We observed a differential activation of spinal cord microglial cells. A significant increase in ED1(+) microglia predominantly located in the dorsal horn grey matter of lumbar and thoracic spinal cord levels was observed on Day 12. As revealed by morphological criteria and by staining with further activation markers [allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF-1), EMAPII, OX6, P2X(4)R], reactive microglia did not reach a macrophage-like state of full activation. On Day 12, a significant proliferative response could be observed, affecting all spinal cord areas and including ED1(+) microglial cells and a wide range of putative progenitor cells. Thus, in rat EAN, a reactive localized and distinct microglial activation correlating with a generalized proliferative response could be observed.

The allograft inflammatory factor-1 in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease brains

The allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a 17-kDa IFN-gamma inducible Ca(2+)-binding EF-hand protein that is encoded within the HLA class III genomic region and is involved in immune dysfunction and smooth muscle cell activation. We used immunohistochemistry double labelling experiments to analyse the spatial distribution and cell-type-specific localization of AIF-1 in the brains of patients who died as a result of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and neuropathologically unaltered controls. Significantly more AIF-1 immunoreactive macrophages/microglial cells and, interestingly, neurones were observed in CJD patients compared to controls. Western blotting confirmed more prominent AIF-1 immunoreactive bands of approximately 50 kDa in four CJD patients compared to three controls. Chaotropic SDS-PAGE of the recombinant AIF-1 resulted in almost complete reduction of the 50 kDa band and mass spectrometry revealed only AIF-1-specific tryptic protein fragments suggesting that trimerized AIF-1 is the predominant form in vivo. Finally, we analysed mechanisms of neuronal AIF-1 induction. Following H2O2 challenge, a model of general cell stress, we observed the gradual induction of AIF-1 and, more interestingly, release to the supernatant of SKNSH neurones. Parallel reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and sequencing was used to confirm AIF-1 mRNA expression.

Selective inflammatory stimulations enhance release of microglial response factor (MRF)-1 from cultured microglia

The mrf-1 gene has been isolated from microglia exposed to cultured cerebellar granule neurons undergoing apoptosis. We have shown that mrf-1 is upregulated in response to neuronal death and degeneration both in vitro and in vivo. However, the exact role of MRF-1 remains unknown. Here we show that MRF-1 is released from cultured rat microglia, and its release is greatly enhanced under inflammatory conditions. When microglia were treated with ATP, the amount of MRF-1 that was released increased 10-fold compared to the basal level of release. Enhanced MRF-1 release was induced within 10 min and peaked within 1 h; after approximately 4 h, the MRF-1 release had returned to normal. MRF-1 release was stimulated by 2-methyl-thio-ATP (five-fold) and a P2X(7) selective agonist, 2'- and 3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP (ten-fold). Moreover, the ATP-stimulated MRF-1 release was inhibited by a P2X(7) selective antagonist, oxidized ATP (oATP), and also under a Ca(2+)-free condition. These results indicate that the effects of ATP are dependent on Ca(2+) influx through P2X(7) receptors. MRF-1 release was enhanced by Ca(2+)-ionophore A23187 (sixfold), thapsigargin (threefold); however, it was not enhanced by glutamate or lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, a platelet-activating factor enhanced microglial MRF-1 release in a dose-dependent manner. We also showed that a conditioned medium from cerebellar granule neurons undergoing apoptosis markedly increased MRF-1 release from microglia; that effect was significantly inhibited by oATP. These results indicate that selective inflammatory stimulations, including ATP and PAF, enhance MRF-1 release from microglia through a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism and suggest that MRF-1 may play a role in cell-cell interactions under inflammatory conditions.

ATP selectively suppresses the synthesis of the inflammatory protein microglial response factor (MRF)-1 through Ca(2+) influx via P2X(7) receptors in cultured microglia

Microglia are known to express purinergic receptors for extracellular ATP of both P2Y and P2X subtypes. In the CNS, ATP is released from neurons and acts as a signal between neurons and glia. The mrf-1 gene encodes a 17-kDa protein with a single calcium-binding (EF-hand) motif and is expressed specifically in microglia. The gene was isolated from activated microglia in response to apoptosis of cerebellar granule neurons in culture and is upregulated in response to neuronal death and degeneration in vivo. We have found that ATP suppresses the synthesis of the inflammation-related protein MRF-1 in cultured rat microglia. When microglia were treated with ATP (1 mM) for 6 h, mrf-1 mRNA levels decreased to approximately 50% compared to those in the control. This effect was dependent on both the treatment period and the dose of ATP. After ATP (1 mM) treatment for 16 h, levels of mrf-1 mRNA decreased to 37.3% and MRF-1 levels decreased to 55.0% compared to those in the control. A decrease in MRF-1 or its mRNA was also induced by benzoylbenzoyl-ATP (0.1 mM), a P2X(7) receptor-selective agonist, and by the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 (2 micro M), dependent on extracellular Ca(2+). Moreover, ATP modified neither the MRF-1 degradation rate nor total protein synthesis. These results indicate that ATP selectively suppresses MRF-1 synthesis at the transcription level via Ca(2+) influx through P2X(7) receptors.

The allograft inflammatory factor-1 family of proteins

The allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a 17 kDa interferon-gamma-inducible Ca(2+)-binding EF-hand protein that is encoded within the HLA class III genomic region. Three proteins are probably identical with AIF-1 termed Iba1 (ionized Ca(2+)-binding adapter), MRF-1 (microglia response factor) and daintain. Considerable but not complete sequence identity with AIF-1 has been described for IRT-1 (interferon-responsive transcript), BART-1 (balloon angioplasty-responsive transcript), and other, yet unassigned alternatively spliced variants. In this review, genomic and functional characteristics of AIF-1-related proteins are summarized and a common nomenclature is proposed.

Allograft inflammatory factor-1 augments production of interleukin-6, -10 and -12 by a mouse macrophage line

Mouse allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) cDNA was cloned and the AIF-1-specific monoclonal antibodies were established to examine its tissue distribution. The mouse AIF-1 was highly conserved among all reported AIF-1 from a variety of species, from invertebrates to mammals, and the cloned cDNA was in good accordance with putative expressed regions of genomic sequences in the mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region. The messages of mouse AIF-1 were abundantly expressed in the testis, moderately in the spleen and lymph nodes and slightly in the liver and thymus of normal BALB/c mice. Immunohistological examination revealed that differentiating germ cells in the testis and presumably macrophages in the red pulp of the spleen were positive for AIF-1. To analyse the function of the AIF-1, a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, was transfected with mouse AIF-1 cDNA. Upon stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide, the transfectants that overexpressed AIF-1 showed marked morphological changes and produced significantly large amounts of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and IL-12p40 but not IL-12p70 compared with control cells. No difference was noted in production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta1 and IL-1alpha. These results suggest that AIF-1 plays an important role in cells of a monocyte/macrophage lineage upon stimulation with inflammatory stimuli by augmenting particular cytokine production.