A two-step adhesion cascade for T cell/endothelial cell interactions under flow conditions

GPRASP1 loss-of-function links to arteriovenous malformations by endothelial activating GPR4 signals

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are fast-flow vascular malformations and refer to important causes of intracerebral haemorrhage in young adults. Getting deep insight into the genetic pathogenesis of AVMs is necessary. Herein, we identified two vital missense variants of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) associated sorting protein 1 (GPRASP1) in AVM patients for the first time and congruously determined to be loss-of-function variants in endothelial cells. GPRASP1 loss-of-function caused endothelial dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. Endothelial Gprasp1 knockout mice suffered a high probability of cerebral haemorrhage, AVMs and exhibited vascular anomalies in multiple organs. GPR4 was identified to be an effective GPCR binding with GPRASP1 to develop endothelial disorders. GPRASP1 deletion activated GPR4/cAMP/MAPK signalling to disturb endothelial functions, thus contributing to vascular anomalies. Mechanistically, GPRASP1 promoted GPR4 degradation. GPRASP1 enabled GPR4 K63-linked ubiquitination, enhancing the binding of GPR4 and RABGEF1 to activate RAB5 for conversions from endocytic vesicles to endosomes, and subsequently increasing the interactions of GPR4 and ESCRT members to package GPR4 into multivesicular bodies or late endosomes for lysosome degradation. Notably, the GPR4 antagonist NE 52-QQ57 and JNK inhibitor SP600125 effectively rescued the vascular phenotype caused by endothelial Gprasp1 deletion. Our findings provided novel insights into the roles of GPRASP1 in AVMs and hinted at new therapeutic strategies.

Altered Expression of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 in Oral Lichen Planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell-mediated chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease affected by the interaction between keratinocytes and T cells. Recent evidence indicates that vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) plays a vital role in mediating immune and inflammatory responses. In this study, the expression of VCAM1 in OLP was detected by immunohistochemical staining and its correlations with clinical features were analyzed. The disease severity of OLP was assessed by the reticular, atrophic, and erosive scoring system. We found that VCAM1 was generally localized in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells, and in nucleus, cytoplasm, and extracellular matrix of subepithelial infiltrated cells in superficial layer of lamina propria. Moreover, VCAM1 levels in epithelium and lamina propria of OLP were significantly higher than that in controls, respectively. In addition, VCAM1 level in epithelium was increased compared with that of lamina propria. There were no significant differences for VCAM1 expression between nonerosive and erosive forms of OLP. The expression of VCAM1 in OLP was not associated with the severity of disease, gender, and age. Thus, we speculated that spatial expression differences of VCAM1 in local lesions of OLP may involve the pathogenesis of OLP.

In vitro Studies of Transendothelial Migration for Biological and Drug Discovery

Inflammatory diseases and cancer metastases lack concrete pharmaceuticals for their effective treatment despite great strides in advancing our understanding of disease progression. One feature of these disease pathogeneses that remains to be fully explored, both biologically and pharmaceutically, is the passage of cancer and immune cells from the blood to the underlying tissue in the process of extravasation. Regardless of migratory cell type, all steps in extravasation involve molecular interactions that serve as a rich landscape of targets for pharmaceutical inhibition or promotion. Transendothelial migration (TEM), or the migration of the cell through the vascular endothelium, is a particularly promising area of interest as it constitutes the final and most involved step in the extravasation cascade. While in vivo models of cancer metastasis and inflammatory diseases have contributed to our current understanding of TEM, the knowledge surrounding this phenomenon would be significantly lacking without the use of in vitro platforms. In addition to the ease of use, low cost, and high controllability, in vitro platforms permit the use of human cell lines to represent certain features of disease pathology better, as seen in the clinic. These benefits over traditional pre-clinical models for efficacy and toxicity testing are especially important in the modern pursuit of novel drug candidates. Here, we review the cellular and molecular events involved in leukocyte and cancer cell extravasation, with a keen focus on TEM, as discovered by seminal and progressive in vitro platforms. In vitro studies of TEM, specifically, showcase the great experimental progress at the lab bench and highlight the historical success of in vitro platforms for biological discovery. This success shows the potential for applying these platforms for pharmaceutical compound screening. In addition to immune and cancer cell TEM, we discuss the promise of hepatocyte transplantation, a process in which systemically delivered hepatocytes must transmigrate across the liver sinusoidal endothelium to successfully engraft and restore liver function. Lastly, we concisely summarize the evolving field of porous membranes for the study of TEM.

Lymph Node Subcapsular Sinus Microenvironment-On-A-Chip Modeling Shear Flow Relevant to Lymphatic Metastasis and Immune Cell Homing

A lymph node sinus-on-a-chip adhesion microfluidic platform that recapitulates the hydrodynamic microenvironment of the lymph node subcapsular sinus was engineered. This device was used to interrogate the effects of lymph node remodeling on cellular adhesion in fluid flow relevant to lymphatic metastasis. Wall shear stress levels analytically estimated and modeled after quiescent and diseased/inflamed lymph nodes were experimentally recapitulated using a flow-based microfluidic perfusion system to assess the effects of physiological flow fields on human metastatic cancer cell adhesion. Results suggest that both altered fluid flow profiles and presentation of adhesive ligands, which are predicted to manifest within the lymph node subcapsular sinus as a result of inflammation-induced remodeling, and the presence of lymph-borne monocytic cells may synergistically contribute to the dynamic extent of cell adhesion in flow relevant to lymph node invasion by cancer and monocytic immune cells during lymphatic metastasis.

HIV-Nef Protein Transfer to Endothelial Cells Requires Rac1 Activation and Leads to Endothelial Dysfunction Implications for Statin Treatment in HIV Patients

RATIONALE

Even in antiretroviral therapy-treated patients, HIV continues to play a pathogenic role in cardiovascular diseases. A possible cofactor may be persistence of the early HIV response gene Nef, which we have demonstrated recently to persist in the lungs of HIV+ patients on antiretroviral therapy. Previously, we have reported that HIV strains with Nef, but not Nef-deleted HIV strains, cause endothelial proinflammatory activation and apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize mechanisms through which HIV-Nef leads to the development of cardiovascular diseases using ex vivo tissue culture approaches as well as interventional experiments in transgenic murine models.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Extracellular vesicles derived from both peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma from HIV+ patient blood samples induced human coronary artery endothelial cells dysfunction. Plasma-derived extracellular vesicles from antiretroviral therapy+ patients who were HIV-Nef+ induced significantly greater endothelial apoptosis compared with HIV-Nef-plasma extracellular vesicles. Both HIV-Nef expressing T cells and HIV-Nef-induced extracellular vesicles increased transfer of cytosol and Nef protein to endothelial monolayers in a Rac1-dependent manner, consequently leading to endothelial adhesion protein upregulation and apoptosis. HIV-Nef induced Rac1 activation also led to dsDNA breaks in endothelial colony forming cells, thereby resulting in endothelial colony forming cell premature senescence and endothelial nitric oxide synthase downregulation. These Rac1-dependent activities were characterized by NOX2-mediated reactive oxygen species production. Statin treatment equally inhibited Rac1 inhibition in preventing or reversing all HIV-Nef-induction abnormalities assessed. This was likely because of the ability of statins to block Rac1 prenylation as geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitors were effective in inhibiting HIV-Nef-induced reactive oxygen species formation. Finally, transgenic expression of HIV-Nef in endothelial cells in a murine model impaired endothelium-mediated aortic ring dilation, which was then reversed by 3-week treatment with 5 mg/kg atorvastatin.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies establish a mechanism by which HIV-Nef persistence despite antiretroviral therapy could contribute to ongoing HIV-related vascular dysfunction, which may then be ameliorated by statin treatment.

VCAM-1 Density and Tumor Perfusion Predict T-cell Infiltration and Treatment Response in Preclinical Models

Cancer immunotherapies have demonstrated durable responses in a range of different cancers. However, only a subset of patients responds to these therapies. We set out to test if non-invasive imaging of tumor perfusion and vascular inflammation may be able to explain differences in T-cell infiltration in pre-clinical tumor models, relevant for treatment outcomes. Tumor perfusion and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) density were quantified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and correlated with infiltration of adoptively transferred and endogenous T-cells. MRI biomarkers were evaluated for their ability to detect tumor rejection 3 days after T-cell transfer. Baseline levels of these markers were used to assess their ability to predict PD-L1 treatment response. We found correlations between MRI-derived VCAM-1 density and infiltration of endogenous or adoptively transferred T-cells in some preclinical tumor models. Blocking T-cell binding to endothelial cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1/ICAM) prevented T-cell mediated tumor rejection. Tumor rejection could be detected 3 days after adoptive T-cell transfer prior to tumor volume changes by monitoring the extracellular extravascular volume fraction. Imaging tumor perfusion and VCAM-1 density before treatment initiation was able to predict the response of MC38 tumors to PD-L1 blockade. These results indicate that MRI based assessment of tumor perfusion and VCAM-1 density can inform about the permissibility of the tumor vasculature for T-cell infiltration which may explain some of the observed variance in treatment response for cancer immunotherapies.

Stepwise inhibition of T cell recruitment at post-capillary venules by orally active desulfated heparins in inflammatory arthritis

Identification of the structure-function relationship of heparin, particularly between 2-O-, 6-O-, and N-sulfation and its anticoagulant or anti-inflammatory activities, is critical in order to evaluate the biological effects of heparin, especially in conjunction with modifications for oral formulation. In this study, we demonstrated that removal of 2-O, 6-O, or N-desulfation and their hydrophobic modifications have differential effects on the blocking of interactions between sLe^X and P-and L-selectins, with highest inhibition by 6-O desulfation, which was consistent with their in vivo therapeutic efficacies on CIA mice. The 6-O desulfation of lower molecular weight heparin (LMWH) retained the ability of LMWH to interfere with T cell adhesion via selectin-sLe^X interactions. Furthermore, 6DSHbD coated on the apical surface of inflamed endothelium directly blocked the adhesive interactions of circulating T cells, which was confirmed in vivo by suppressing T cell adhesion at post-capillary venular endothelium. Thus, in series with our previous study demonstrating inhibition of transendothelial migration, oral delivery of low anticoagulant LMWH to venular endothelium of inflamed joint tissues ameliorated arthritis by the stepwise inhibition of T cell recruitment and provides a rationale for the development of modified oral heparins as innovative agents for the treatment of chronic inflammatory arthritis.

Homeostatic regulation of T cell trafficking by a B cell-derived peptide is impaired in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease

During an inflammatory response, lymphocyte recruitment into tissue must be tightly controlled because dysregulated trafficking contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic disease. Here we show that during inflammation and in response to adiponectin, B cells tonically inhibit T cell trafficking by secreting a peptide (PEPITEM) proteolytically derived from 14.3.3.ζδ protein. PEPITEM binds cadherin-15 on endothelial cells, promoting synthesis and release of sphingosine-1 phosphate, which inhibits trafficking of T cells without affecting recruitment of other leukocytes. Expression of adiponectin receptors on B cells and adiponectin induced PEPITEM secretion wanes with age, implying immune senescence of the pathway. Additionally, these changes are evident in individuals with type-1-diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, and circulating PEPITEM in patient serum is reduced compared to healthy age matched donors. In both diseases, tonic inhibition of T cell trafficking across inflamed endothelium is lost. Importantly, control of patient T cell trafficking is re-established by exogenous PEPITEM. Moreover, in animal models of peritonitis, hepatic I/R injury, Salmonella infection, Uveitis and Sjögren’s Syndrome, PEPITEM could reduce T cell recruitment into inflamed tissues.

The direction of migration of T-lymphocytes under flow depends upon which adhesion receptors are engaged

T-lymphocyte migration is important for homing, cell trafficking, and immune surveillance. T-lymphocytes express lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1; αLβ2) and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4; α4β1), which bind to their cognate ligands, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). These adhesive interactions provide T-lymphocytes with the ability to withstand hemodynamic shear forces to facilitate adhesion and migration along the blood endothelium. Recently, it has been shown that T-lymphocytes will crawl upstream against the direction of flow on surfaces functionalized with ICAM-1. Here, we have investigated whether the identity of the receptor and the magnitude of its engagement affects the direction of T-lymphocyte migration under flow. We used microcontact printed ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 PDMS surfaces on which density and type of adhesion molecule can be tightly controlled and non-specific adhesion adequately blocked. Using a laminar flow chamber, we demonstrate that T-lymphocytes migrate either upstream or downstream dependent upon ligand type, ligand concentration and shear rate. T-lymphocytes were found to migrate upstream on ICAM-1 but downstream on VCAM-1 surfaces - a behavior unique to T-lymphocytes. By varying concentrations of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, directed migration under flow was observed to be dependent upon the type and concentration of ligand. As shear rates increase, T-lymphocytes favor upstream migration when any ICAM-1 is present, even in the presence of substantial amounts of VCAM-1. Furthermore, a loss of cytoskeletal polarity was observed upon introduction of fluid flow with reorganization that is dependent upon ligand presentation. These results indicate that T-lymphocytes exhibit two different modes of motility - upstream or downstream - under fluid flow that depends on ligand composition and the shear rate.

p38α (MAPK14) critically regulates the immunological response and the production of specific cytokines and chemokines in astrocytes

In CNS lesions, “reactive astrocytes” form a prominent cellular response. However, the nature of this astrocyte immune activity is not well understood. In order to study astrocytic immune responses to inflammation and injury, we generated mice with conditional deletion of p38α (MAPK14) in GFAP+ astrocytes. We studied the role of p38α signaling in astrocyte immune activation both in vitro and in vivo, and simultaneously examined the effects of astrocyte activation in CNS inflammation. Our results showed that specific subsets of cytokines (TNFα, IL-6) and chemokines (CCL2, CCL4, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL10) are critically regulated by p38α signaling in astrocytes. In an in vivo CNS inflammation model of intracerebral injection of LPS, we observed markedly attenuated astrogliosis in conditional GFAPcre p38α^−/− mice. However, GFAPcre p38α^−/− mice showed marked upregulation of CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CXCL2, CXCL10, TNFα, and IL-1β compared to p38αfl/fl cohorts, suggesting that in vivo responses to LPS after GFAPcre p38α deletion are complex and involve interactions between multiple cell types. This finding was supported by a prominent increase in macrophage/microglia and neutrophil recruitment in GFAPcre p38α^−/− mice compared to p38αfl/fl controls. Together, these studies provide important insights into the critical role of p38α signaling in astrocyte immune activation.

High endothelial venule-like vessels and lymphocyte recruitment in testicular seminoma

Seminoma, the most common testicular malignant neoplasm, originates from germ cells and is characterized by the presence of numerous tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Although it is widely accepted that TILs function in surveillance and cytotoxicity in various tumours including seminoma, detailed mechanisms governing TIL recruitment are not fully understood. It has been shown that high endothelial venule (HEV)-like vessels are induced in inflamed and neoplastic tissues and contribute to lymphocyte recruitment in a manner similar to the way physiological lymphocyte homing occurs in secondary lymphoid organs. Here, we report that HEV-like vessels, which express MECA-79(+) 6-sulfo sialyl Lewis X-capped structures, are induced in TIL aggregates in seminoma, and that such vessels potentially recruit circulating lymphocytes, as an E-selectin•IgM chimera bound these vessels in a calcium-dependent manner. These HEV-like vessels express intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), but not vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) or mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1), which likely contributes to lymphocyte firm attachment. We also found that the number of T cells attached to the luminal surface of HEV-like vessels was greater than the number of B cells (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, while CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) attached to the lumen of HEV-like vessels were scarcely detected, significant numbers of proliferative CTLs were observed outside vessels. These histological findings strongly suggest that TILs, particularly T cells, are recruited to seminoma tissues via HEV-like vessels, and that tumour-infiltrating CTLs then undergo proliferation after transmigration through HEV-like vessels in testicular seminoma.

Microvascular platforms for the study of platelet-vessel wall interactions

Platelets interact with the endothelium to regulate vascular integrity and barrier function, mediate inflammation and immune response, and prevent and arrest hemorrhage. In this review, we describe existing tools to study the flow-dependent interactions of platelets with the vessel wall. We also discuss our work on building engineered microvessels to study the roles of platelets on endothelial barrier function, endothelial sprouting, and thrombus formation on both quiescent and stimulated endothelium. In particular, we will show the advantage of using a cell-remodelable system in the studies of platelet-vessel wall interactions.

Synthetic microvessels

The microvasculature is an immense organ that defines the environmental conditions within tissues in both health and disease, and is vital for the proper functions of all tissues. Here, we describe existing tools to study vascular cell function and our work using one platform of in vitro microvessels, which we employed to study vessel structure and remodeling, endothelial barrier function, angiogenesis, interactions between endothelial cells and perivascular cells, interactions between blood cells and the endothelium, and microvascular thrombosis. We also briefly discuss the potential future applications of these platforms in biology and medicine.

Leukocyte migration in experimental inflammatory bowel disease

Emigration of leukocytes from the circulation into tissue by transendothelial migration, is mediated subsequently by adhesion molecules such as selectins, chemokines and integrins. This multistep paradigm, with multiple molecular choices at each step, provides a diversity in signals. The influx of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes into inflamed tissue is important in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The importance of each of these groups of adhesion molecules in chronic inflammatory bowel disease, either in human disease or in animal models, will be discussed below. Furthermore, the possibilities of blocking these different steps in the process of leukocyte extravasation in an attempt to prevent further tissue damage, will be taken into account.

Endothelial membrane reorganization during leukocyte extravasation

Leukocyte trafficking from the bloodstream to inflamed tissues across the endothelial barrier is an essential response in innate immunity. Leukocyte adhesion, locomotion, and diapedesis induce signaling in endothelial cells and this is accompanied by a profound reorganization of the endothelial cell surfaces that is only starting to be unveiled. Here we review the current knowledge on the leukocyte-mediated alterations of endothelial membrane dynamics and their role in promoting leukocyte extravasation. The formation of protein- and lipid-mediated cell adhesion nanodomains at the endothelial apical surface, the extension of micrometric apical membrane docking structures, which are derived from microvilli and embrace adhered leukocytes, as well as the vesicle-trafficking pathways that are required for efficient leukocyte diapedesis, are discussed. The coordination between these different endothelial membrane-remodeling events probably provides the road map for transmigrating leukocytes to find exit points in the vessel wall, in a context of severe mechanical and inflammatory stress. A better understanding of how vascular endothelial cells respond to immune cell adhesion should enable new therapeutic strategies to be developed that can abrogate uncontrolled leukocyte extravasation in inflammatory diseases.

Tetradecylthioacetic acid modulates cardiac transcription in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., suffering heart and skeletal muscle inflammation

Heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) is a disease causing considerable mortality in farmed Atlantic salmon. We have previously reported that pre-feeding of tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) reduces the mortality during a natural outbreak of HSMI. In the present paper we show that in the cardiac ventricle, during HSMI infection, pre-feeding TTA increases the expression of the immune genes: TNFα, VCAM-1, IgM and CD8α. We also show that TTA increases the cardiosomatic index potentially by elevating cardiomyogenesis through activation of the cardiac transcription factors MEF2C and Nkx2.5. Using the recently published genomic sequence of a HSMI associated piscine reovirus (PRV), we could show that the PRV levels have no confounding effects on the mRNA expression of the investigated genes. The results suggest that TTA induced cardiac growth, together with an elevated cardiac recruitment of immune cells, which might lead to increased robustness during HSMI infection.

Prostaglandin D2 regulates CD4+ memory T cell trafficking across blood vascular endothelium and primes these cells for clearance across lymphatic endothelium

Memory lymphocytes support inflammatory and immune responses. To do this, they enter tissue via blood vascular endothelial cells (BVEC) and leave tissue via lymphatic vascular endothelial cells (LVEC). In this study, we describe a hierarchy of signals, including novel regulatory steps, which direct the sequential migration of human T cells across the blood and the lymphatic EC. Cytokine-stimulated (TNF and IFN) human BVEC preferentially recruited memory T cells from purified PBL. Lymphocyte recruitment from flow could be blocked using a function-neutralizing Ab against CXCR3. However, a receptor antagonist directed against the PGD(2) receptor DP2 (formerly chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells) inhibited transendothelial migration, demonstrating that the sequential delivery of the chemokine and prostanoid signals was required for efficient lymphocyte recruitment. CD4(+) T cells recruited by BVEC migrated with significantly greater efficiency across a second barrier of human LVEC, an effect reproduced by the addition of exogenous PGD(2) to nonmigrated cells. Migration across BVEC or exogenous PGD(2) modified the function, but not the expression, of CCR7, so that chemotaxis toward CCL21 was significantly enhanced. Thus, chemokines may not regulate all stages of lymphocyte migration during inflammation, and paradigms describing their trafficking may need to account for the role of PGD(2).

Delay of migrating leukocytes by the basement membrane deposited by endothelial cells in long-term culture

We investigated the migration of human leukocytes through endothelial cells (EC), and particularly their underlying basement membrane (BM). EC were cultured for 20 days on 3 μm-pore filters or collagen gels to form a distinct BM, and then treated with tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β or interferon-γ. Neutrophil migration through the cytokine-treated EC and BM was delayed for 20-day compared to 4-day cultures. The BM alone obstructed chemotaxis of neutrophils, and if fresh EC were briefly cultured on stripped BM, there was again a hold-up in migration. In studies with lymphocytes and monocytes, we could detect little hold-up of migration for 20-day versus 4-day cultures, in either the filter- or gel-based models. Direct microscopic observations showed that BM also held-up neutrophil migration under conditions of flow. Treatment of upper and/or lower compartments of filters with antibodies against integrins, showed that neutrophil migration through the endothelial monolayer was dependent on β₂-integrins, but not β1- or β₃-integrins. Migration from the subendothelial compartment was supported by β1- and β₂-integrins for all cultures, but blockade of β₃-integrin only inhibited migration effectively for 20-day cultures. Flow cytometry indicated that there was no net increase in expression of β1- or β3-integrins during neutrophil migration, and that their specific subendothelial function was likely dependent on turnover of integrins during migration. These studies show that BM is a distinct barrier to migration of human neutrophils, and that β₃-integrins are particularly important in crossing this barrier. The lesser effect of BM on lymphocytes and monocytes supports the concept that crossing the BM is a separate, leukocyte-specific, regulated step in migration.

Expression of interleukin-15 and its receptor on the surface of stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Human interleukin-15 (hIL-15) is an important cytokine to activate endothelial cells and can be regulated by many other cytokines. The aim of this study is to examine the ability of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to induce the production of human interleukin-15 (hIL-15) and IL-15 receptor (IL-15Ralpha) by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The data are summarized as follows: 1. Northern blot revealed that IL-15 mRNA was up-regulated by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. 2. Intracellular IL-15 protein was visualized by fluorescence microscopy, whereas the expression of IL-15 on the surface of HUVECs was detected by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), and no detectable IL-15 in the medium was verified by ELISA. 3. IL-15Ralpha was detected on the surface of HUVECs by FACS after IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha stimulation, whereas Western blotting revealed that the elevated expression on surface IL-15Ralpha was not due to the increased protein expression. The conclusion demonstrated from our results is that IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha play an important role in regulating the expression of IL-15 and IL-15Ralpha on the surface of HUVECs.

Direct observations of the kinetics of migrating T cells suggest active retention by endothelial cells with continual bidirectional migration

The kinetics and regulatory mechanisms of T cell migration through the endothelium have not been fully defined. In experimental, filter-based assays in vitro, transmigration of lymphocytes takes hours, compared with minutes, in vivo. We cultured endothelial cell (EC) monolayers on filters, solid substrates, or collagen gels and treated them with TNF-α, IFN-γ, or both prior to analysis of lymphocyte migration in the presence or absence of flow. PBL, CD4+ cells, or CD8+ cells took many hours to migrate through EC-filter constructs for all cytokine treatments. However, direct microscopic observations of EC filters, which had been mounted in a flow chamber, showed that PBL crossed the endothelial monolayer in minutes and were highly motile in the subendothelial space. Migration through EC was also observed on clear plastic, with or without flow. After a brief settling without flow, PBL and isolated CD3+ or CD4+ cells crossed EC in minutes, but the numbers of migrated cells varied little with time. Close observation revealed that lymphocytes migrated back and forth continuously across endothelium. Under flow, migration kinetics and the proportions migrating back and forth were altered little. On collagen gels, PBL again crossed EC in minutes and migrated back and forth but showed little penetration of the gel over hours. In contrast, neutrophils migrated efficiently through EC and into gels. These observations suggest a novel model for lymphoid migration in which EC support migration but retain lymphocytes (as opposed to neutrophils), and additional signal(s) are required for onward migration.

Cell adhesion under hydrodynamic flow conditions

This unit describes a hydrodynamic assay to study the relative importance of various receptor/ligand interactions in cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion and to quantitate the strength of their binding. The basic protocol describes how to assemble the single-chamber flow system with the substrate, add the cells in suspension, and record the experiment on videotape. Alternate protocols present assays to determine how monoclonal antibodies and stimulating and inhibiting agents affect the substrate and the perfusing cells in suspension. Another alternate protocol details the use of the double-chamber flow system. Support protocols describe how to construct the single- and double-chamber flow systems and how to analyze the data from an experiment. Recording and analyzing the flow experiment requires the use of video equipment and, optionally, a computer and imaging software.

Integrin VLA-4 enhances sialyl-Lewisx/a-negative melanoma adhesion to and extravasation through the endothelium under low flow conditions

During their passage through the circulatory system, tumor cells undergo extensive interactions with various host cells including endothelial cells. The capacity of tumor cells to form metastasis is related to their ability to interact with and extravasate through endothelial cell layers, which involves multiple adhesive interactions between tumor cells and endothelium (EC). Thus it is essential to identify the adhesive receptors on the endothelial and melanoma surface that mediate those specific adhesive interactions. P-selectin and E-selectin have been reported as adhesion molecules that mediate the cell-cell interaction of endothelial cells and melanoma cells. However, not all melanoma cells express ligands for selectins. In this study, we elucidated the molecular constituents involved in the endothelial adhesion and extravasation of sialyl-Lewis(x/a)-negative melanoma cell lines under flow in the presence and absence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Results show the interactions of alpha(4)beta(1) (VLA-4) on sialyl-Lewis(x/a)-negative melanoma cells and vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) on inflamed EC supported melanoma adhesion to and subsequent extravasation through the EC in low shear flow. These findings provide clear evidence for a direct role of the VLA-4/VCAM-1 pathway in melanoma cell adhesion to and extravasation through the vascular endothelium in a shear flow. PMNs facilitated melanoma cell extravasation under both low and high shear conditions via the involvement of distinct molecular mechanisms. In the low shear regime, beta(2)-integrins were sufficient to enhance melanoma cell extravasation, whereas in the high shear regime, selectin ligands and beta(2)-integrins on PMNs were necessary for facilitating the melanoma extravasation process.

L-selectin shear thresholding modulates leukocyte secondary capture

Transient homotypic adhesions between flowing leukocytes and those previously adherent on the vessel wall has been proposed to amplify the accumulation of leukocytes at sites of inflammation. While adhesion of leukocytes to the vessel wall (primary capture) is mediated primarily by P-selectin on the endothelium and P-selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 (PSGL-1) on the leukocyte, the homotypic interactions leading to downstream leukocyte adhesion (secondary capture) are mediated primarily by reciprocal interactions between PSGL-1 and L-selectin on apposing leukocytes. One consequence of leukocyte secondary capture events are the formation of strings of adherent leukocytes as each recently captured leukocyte in turn captures another one flowing over its surface. Interestingly, PSGL-1-L-selectin interactions also mediate leukocyte hydrodynamic shear thresholding, whereby leukocyte rolling on purified L-selectin ligands such as PSGL-1 is maximized at a wall shear stress of approximately 1 dyne/cm(2) and minimized at both higher and lower flow rates. Using a novel quantitative method, we analyzed leukocyte string formation in vitro and found that hydrodynamic shear thresholding precluded secondary capture at low shear stresses yet amplified it at high shear stresses. Addition of the L-selectin mAb DREG-56 strongly inhibited leukocyte string formation, suggesting adhesion contributed significantly to hydrodynamic interactions in secondary capture processes. Taken together, the data suggest that secondary capture is modulated by the shear thresholding property of L-selectin. L-selectin mediated shear thresholding may therefore play a significant role in the regulation of leukocyte secondary capture in addition to recently described hydrodynamic recruitment mechanisms.

Immobilized Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1α Triggers Rapid VLA-4 Affinity Increases to Stabilize Lymphocyte Tethers on VCAM-1 and Subsequently Initiate Firm Adhesion

The integrin VLA-4 (alpha(4)beta(1)) mediates tethering and rolling events as well as firm adhesion of leukocytes to VCAM-1. Unlike selectins, VLA-4 integrin-mediated lymphocyte adhesiveness can be modulated by chemokines through intracellular signaling pathways. To investigate the effects of the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) on VLA-4-mediated lymphocyte adhesion, human PBL were flowed over VCAM-1 substrates in a parallel plate flow chamber with surface-immobilized SDF-1alpha, a potent activator of firm adhesion. The initial tethering interactions had a median lifetime of 200 ms, consistent with the half-life of low-affinity VLA-4-VCAM-1 bonds. Immobilized SDF-1alpha acted within the lifetime of a primary tether to stabilize initial tethering interactions, increasing the likelihood a PBL would remain interacting with the surface. As expected, the immobilized SDF-1alpha also increased the ratio of PBL firm adhesion to rolling. An LDV peptide-based small molecule that preferentially binds high-affinity VLA-4 reduced PBL firm adhesion to VCAM-1 by 90%. The reduction in firm adhesion due to blockage of high-affinity VLA-4 was paralleled by a 4-fold increase in the fraction of rolling PBL. Chemokine activation of PBL firm adhesion on VCAM-1 depended on induction of high-affinity VLA-4 rather than recruitment of a pre-existing pool of high-affinity VLA-4 as previously thought.

Knockdown of mouse VCAM-1 by vector-based siRNA

Graft rejection is critically dependent on the recruitment of leukocytes via adhesion molecules on the endothelium, and inhibition of these interactions can prolong graft survival. We have therefore developed an approach using siRNA to inhibit the expression of VCAM-1 in endothelial cells. We transfected siRNA constructs into murine corneal and vascular endothelium and looked at expression of VCAM-1 and other surface molecules by flow cytometry. Adhesion assays (both static and under flow) were used to determine the effect of VCAM-1 inhibition. The activation of cellular stress responses was assessed by RT-PCR. Constructs encoding siRNA can block expression of VCAM-1 in both corneal and vascular endothelial cells (in the latter case after cytokine stimulation). Inhibition of VCAM-1 expression reduced the ability of T cells to adhere to endothelium. However, there were non-specific effects of siRNA expression, including upregulation of (Programmed Death Ligand 1) PDL1 and decreased cell growth. Analysis of stress pathways showed that the endothelial cells transfected with siRNA had upregulated molecules associated with cell stress. While these data are supportive of a potential therapeutic role for siRNA constructs in blocking the expression of adhesion molecules, they also highlight potential non-specific effects of siRNA that must be carefully considered in any application of this technology.

Analysis of inflammation

In the past, inflammation has been associated with infections and with the immune system. But more recent evidence suggests that a much broader range of diseases have telltale markers for inflammation. Inflammation is the basic mechanism available for repair of tissue after an injury and consists of a cascade of cellular and microvascular reactions that serve to remove damaged and generate new tissue. The cascade includes elevated permeability in microvessels, attachment of circulating cells to the vessels in the vicinity of the injury site, migration of several cell types, cell apoptosis, and growth of new tissue and blood vessels. This review provides a summary of the major microvascular, cellular, and molecular mechanisms that regulate elements of the inflammatory cascade. The analysis is largely focused on the identification of the major participants, notably signaling and adhesion molecules, and their mode of action in the inflammatory cascade. We present a new hypothesis for the generation of inflammatory mediators in plasma that are derived from the digestive pancreatic enzymes responsible for digestion. The inflammatory cascade offers a large number of opportunities for development of quantitative models that describe various aspects of human diseases.

Rho GTPases and leucocyte-induced endothelial remodelling

Leucocytes in the bloodstream respond rapidly to inflammatory signals by crossing the blood vessel wall and entering the tissues. This process involves adhesion to, and subsequent transmigration across, the endothelium, mediated by a cascade of interactions between adhesion molecules and stimulation of intracellular signalling pathways in both leucocytes and endothelial cells. This leads to changes in endothelial cell morphology that assist leucocyte extravasation, including endothelial cell contraction, intercellular junction disruption, increased permeability, remodelling of the endothelial apical surface and alterations in vesicle trafficking. Rho GTPases play a central role in many of the endothelial responses to leucocyte interaction. In this review, we discuss recent findings on leucocyte-induced alterations to endothelial cells, and the roles of Rho GTPases in these responses.

Exposure to fluid shear stress modulates the ability of endothelial cells to recruit neutrophils in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha: a basis for local variations in vascular sensitivity to inflammation

Vascular endothelial cells are able to sense changes in the forces acting on them and respond, for instance, by modifying expression of a range of genes. However, there is little information on how such responses are integrated to modify homeostatic functions. We hypothesized that different shear stresses experienced in different regions of the circulation might influence endothelial sensitivity to inflammatory stimuli. We cultured human endothelial cells in tubes and exposed them for varying periods to shear stresses ranging from those typically found in postcapillary venules to those in arteries. When tumor necrosis factor-alpha was included in the flow cultures, we found startling differential effects of shear stress on the ability of endothelial cells to induce adhesion and migration of flowing neutrophils. Compared with static cultures, endothelial cells cultured at low shear stress (0.3 Pa) captured similar numbers of neutrophils but failed to induce their transendothelial migration. After exposure of endothelial cells to high shear stress (1.0 or 2.0 Pa), capture of neutrophils was largely ablated. The modification in response was detectable after 4 hours of exposure to flow but was much greater after 24 hours. From analysis of gene expression, loss of capture or migration was attributable to reduction in tumor necrosis factor-induced expression of selectins or CXC-chemokines, respectively. Thus, conditioning of endothelial cells by different flow environments may underlie variations in susceptibility to inflammation between different tissues or parts of the vascular tree.

Differential requirement for CD18 in T-helper effector homing

To understand the integrin requirements of T-helper (T(H)) effector subsets, we investigated the contribution of CD18 (beta(2) integrin) to T(H)1 and T(H)2 function in vitro and in relevant disease models. CD18-deficient (Itgb2(-/-)) T cells showed largely normal in vitro function. Compared with wild-type mice, Itgb2(-/-) mice were better able to resolve Leishmania major infection and generated a superior T(H)1 immune response, as assessed from draining lymph nodes. In contrast, T(H)2-dependent allergic lung disease was markedly impaired in mutant mice. In both models, development of T(H)1 and T(H)2 cells in spleens was normal, but accumulation of T(H)2 (not T(H)1) cells at inflammatory sites was reduced. Thus, CD18 is selectively required for T(H)2, but not T(H)1, homing and has a minimal influence on T-effector development. These findings suggest a new integrin-based therapeutic approach in which the outcomes of diverse diseases may be favorably influenced by altering the homing of T(H)2 cells.

T cells of atopic asthmatics preferentially infiltrate into human bronchial xenografts in SCID mice

T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. However, it is not completely known how circulating lymphocytes infiltrate into the airways of asthmatic patients. Because SCID mice are unable to reject xenogenic transplants, many xenotransplant models using various human tissues have been developed. Therefore, to examine the interaction between bronchi and T lymphocytes of asthma, it may be possible to use the human bronchial xenograft and PBMC xenograft in SCID mice. We transplanted human bronchi into the subcutaneum of SCID mice and i.p. injected PBMCs that were obtained from patients with atopic asthma, atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis, and normal subjects (asthmatic, dermatitis, rheumatic, and normal huPBMC-SCID mice). There was no difference in the percentage of CD3-, CD4-, CD8-, CD25-, CD45RO-, CD103-, and cutaneous lymphocyte Ag-positive cells in PBMCs among the patients with asthma, dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and normal subjects, and CD3-positive cells in peripheral blood of asthmatic, dermatitis, rheumatic, and normal huPBMC-SCID mice. The number of CD3-, CD4-, and CD8-positive cells in the xenografts of asthmatic huPBMC-SCID mice was higher than those of dermatitis, rheumatic, and normal huPBMC-SCID mice. IL-4 mRNA and IL-5 mRNA were significantly higher in the xenografts of asthmatic huPBMC-SCID mice than those in the xenografts of normal huPBMC-SCID mice, but there were no significant differences in the expressions of IL-2 mRNA or IFN-gamma mRNA between them. These findings suggest that T cells, especially Th2-type T cells, of asthmatics preferentially infiltrate into the human bronchi.

Leukocyte rolling velocities and migration are optimized by cooperative L-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 functions

Selectin family members largely mediate initial tethering and rolling of leukocytes on vascular endothelium, whereas integrin and Ig family members are essential for leukocyte firm adhesion. To quantify functional synergy between L-selectin and Ig family members during leukocyte rolling, the EA.hy926 human vascular endothelial line was transfected with either fucosyltransferase VII (926-FtVII) cDNA to generate L-selectin ligands alone or together with ICAM-1 cDNA (926-FtVII/ICAM-1). The ability of transfected 926 cells to support human leukocyte interactions was assessed in vitro using parallel plate flow chamber assays. Lymphocyte rolling on 926-FtVII cells was increased by approximately 70% when ICAM-1 was expressed at physiological levels. Although initial tether formation was similar for both cell types, lymphocyte rolling was 26% slower on 926-FtVII/ICAM-1 cells. Pretreatment of lymphocytes with an anti-CD18 mAb eliminated the increase in rolling, and all rolling was blocked by anti-L-selectin mAb. In addition, rolling velocities of lymphocytes from CD18-hypomorphic mice were 48% faster on 926-FtVII/ICAM-1 cells, with a similar reduction in rolling frequency relative to wild-type lymphocytes. CD18-hypomorphic lymphocytes also showed an approximately 40% decrease in migration to peripheral and mesenteric lymph nodes during in vivo migration assays compared with wild-type lymphocytes. Likewise, wild-type lymphocyte migration to peripheral lymph nodes was reduced by approximately 50% in ICAM-1(-/-) recipient mice. Similar to human lymphocytes, human neutrophils showed enhanced rolling interactions on 926-FtVII/ICAM-1 cells, but also firmly adhered. Thus, in addition to mediating leukocyte firm adhesion, CD18 integrin/ICAM-1 interactions regulate leukocyte rolling velocities and thereby optimize L-selectin-mediated leukocyte rolling.

Immune surveillance and effector functions of CCR10(+) skin homing T cells

Skin homing T cells carry memory for cutaneous Ags and play an important sentinel and effector role in host defense against pathogens that enter via the skin. CCR10 is a chemokine receptor that is preferentially expressed among blood leukocytes by a subset of memory CD4 and CD8 T cells that coexpress the skin-homing receptor cutaneous lymphocyte Ag (CLA), but not the gut-homing receptor alpha(4)beta(7). Homing and chemokine receptor coexpression studies detailed in this study suggest that the CLA(+)/CCR10(+) memory CD4 T cell population contains members that have access to both secondary lymphoid organ and skin compartments; and therefore, can act as both "central" and "effector" memory T cells. Consistent with this effector phenotype, CLA(+)/CCR10(+) memory CD4 T cells from normal donors secrete TNF and IFN-gamma but minimal IL-4 and IL-10 following in vitro stimulation. Interactions of CCR10 and its skin-associated ligand CC ligand 27 may play an important role in facilitating memory T cell entry into cutaneous sites during times of inflammation.

The role of E-selectin, P-selectin, and very late activation antigen-4 in T lymphocyte migration to dermal inflammation

T lymphocyte infiltration into inflamed tissues is thought to involve lymphocyte rolling on vascular endothelial cells. Because both selectin and alpha(4) integrin adhesion molecules can mediate leukocyte rolling, the contribution of these receptors to lymphocyte migration to inflammation was examined. The recruitment of (111)In-labeled spleen T cells to intradermal sites injected with IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, LPS, poly inosine-cytosine, and Con A was measured in the rat, and the effect of blocking mAbs to E-selectin, P-selectin, very late activation Ag-4 (VLA-4), and LFA-1 was determined on this T cell migration in vivo. Anti-E-selectin and anti-P-selectin mAbs each inhibited 10-40 and 20-48%, respectively, of the T lymphocyte migration to the inflammatory sites, depending on the stimulus. Blocking VLA-4 inhibited 50% of the migration to all of the lesions except Con A. Treatment with both anti-VLA-4 and anti-E-selectin mAbs inhibited up to 85% of the lymphocyte accumulation, while P-selectin and VLA-4 blockade in combination was not more effective than VLA-4 blockade alone in TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, LPS, and poly inosine-cytosine lesions. Inhibiting E-selectin, P-selectin, and VLA-4 together nearly abolished lymphocyte migration to all inflammatory sites. Anti-LFA-1 mAb strongly inhibited lymphocyte accumulation by itself, and this inhibition was not significantly further reduced by E- or P-selectin blockade. Thus, T cell migration to dermal inflammation is dependent on E-selectin, P-selectin, and VLA-4, likely because these three receptors are required for rolling of memory T lymphocytes, but VLA-4 and E-selectin are especially important for lymphocyte infiltration in these tissues.

Kinetic and mechanical basis of rolling through an integrin and novel Ca2+-dependent rolling and Mg2+-dependent firm adhesion modalities for the alpha 4 beta 7-MAdCAM-1 interaction

We studied interactions in shear flow of cells bearing integrins alpha4beta1 or alpha4beta7 with VCAM-1 and MAdCAM-1 substrates in different divalent cations. Interestingly, Ca(2+) was essential for tethering in flow and rolling interactions through both alpha4 integrins. Mg(2+) promoted firm adhesion of alpha4beta7-expressing cells on MAdCAM-1 but with much lower tethering efficiency in shear flow. The k(off) degrees of 1.28 s(-1) and resistance of the receptor-ligand bond to force (estimated as a bond interaction distance or sigma) for transient tethers on MAdCAM-1 were similar to values for E- and P-selectins. By contrast to results in Ca(2+) or Ca(2+) + Mg(2+), in Mg(2+) the alpha4beta7-MAdCAM-1 k(off) degrees decreased 20-fold to 0.046 s(-1), and the bond was weaker, providing an explanation for the finding of firm adhesion under these conditions. Shear enhanced tethering to MAdCAM-1, thereby contributing to the stability of rolling. Comparisons to selectins demonstrate that the kinetic and mechanical properties of the alpha4beta7 integrin are well suited to its intermediate position in adhesion cascades, in which it bridges rapid rolling through selectins to firm adhesion through beta2 integrins.

Effect of shear stress on efferent lymph-derived lymphocytes in contact with activated endothelial monolayers

L.ymphocyte interactions with endothelial cells in microcirculation are an important regulatory step in the delivery of lymphocytes to peripheral sites of inflammation. In normal circumstances, the predicted wall shear stress in small venules range from 10 to 100 dyn/cm2. Attempts to measure the adhesion of lymphocytes under physiologic conditions have produced variable results, suggesting the importance of studying biologically relevant migratory lymphocytes. To quantify the effect of shear stress on these migratory lymphocytes, we used lymphocytes obtained from sheep efferent lymph ducts, defined as migratory cells, to perfuse sheep endothelial monolayers under conditions of flow. Quantitative cytomorphometry was used to distinguish cells in contact with the endothelial monolayers from cells in the flow stream. As expected, migratory cells in contact with the normal endothelial monolayer demonstrated flow velocities less than the velocity of cells in the adjacent flow stream. The flow velocities of these efferent lymphocytes were independent of cell size. To model the inflammatory microcirculation, lymphocytes were perfused over sequential endothelial monolayers to directly compare the velocity of cells in contact with cytokine-activated and unactivated control monolayers. The tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1-activated endothelial monolayers marginally decreased cell velocities at 1.2 dyn/cm2 (3.6%), but significantly reduced cell velocities 0.3 dyn/cm2 (27.4%; P < 0.05). Similarly, the fraction of statically adherent lymphocytes decreased as shear stress increased to 1.2 dyn/cm2. These results suggest that typical wall shear stress in small venules. of the order of 20 dyn/cm2, are too high to permit adhesion and transmigration of migratory lymphocytes. Additional mechanisnis must be present in vivo to facilitate lymphocyte transmigration in the inflammatory microcircu-

Limited endothelial E- and P-selectin expression in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice

OBJECTIVE

Inflammation in MRL/lpr mice may involve dysfunctional leucocyte-endothelial cell (EC) interactions. Previously, we have shown that intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) increase with age in a tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)- and interleukin-1 (IL-1)-dependent manner. The object of this study was to determine the expression of E- and P-selectin.

METHODS

Selectin expression was quantified in MRL/lpr mice and BALB/c controls by intravenous injection of differentially radio-labelled antibodies.

RESULTS

E-selectin, but not P-selectin, was up-regulated in the kidneys of older mice. Neither was up-regulated elsewhere. There was no defect in selectin inducibility, as a further inflammatory stimulus (intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide) resulted in up-regulation. Serum from older MRL/lpr did not induce selectin expression by EC in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The increase in E-selectin in the kidney may contribute to the development of glomerulonephritis. However, the lack of systemic E- and P-selectin expression may represent a protective mechanism which limits the interaction between leucocytes and the endothelium in the chronic inflammatory context.

A CD2-green fluorescence protein-transgenic mouse reveals very late antigen-4-dependent CD8+ lymphocyte rolling in inflamed venules

Intravital microscopy allows detailed analysis of leukocyte trafficking in vivo, but fails to identify the nature of leukocytes investigated. Here, we describe the development of a CD2-enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-transgenic mouse to characterize lymphocyte trafficking during inflammation in vivo. A CD2-EGFP plasmid construct including the CD2 promoter, the EGFP transgene, and the CD2 locus control region was injected into B6CBA/F1 pronuclei. EGFP+ offspring were backcrossed into C57BL/6 mice for six generations. Flow cytometry demonstrated that all peripheral blood EGFP+ cells were positive for CD2 and negative for the granulocyte Ag Ly 6-G (GR-1). EGFP(high) cells stained positive for CD2, CD3, CD8, TCR beta-chain, and NK1.1 but did not express the B cell and monocyte markers CD45RA, CD19, and CD11b. In vitro stimulation assays revealed no difference in lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 secretion between EGFP+ and EGFP- mice. Intravital microscopy of untreated or TNF-alpha-treated cremaster muscle venules showed EGFP+ cells in vivo, but these cells did not roll or adhere to the vessel wall. In cremaster muscle venules treated with both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, EGFP(high) cells rolled, adhered, and transmigrated at a rolling velocity slightly higher (11 microm/s) than that of neutrophils (10 microm/s). Blocking alpha4 integrin with a mAb increased rolling velocity to 24 microm/s. These findings show that CD8+ T cells roll in TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma-pretreated vessels in vivo via an alpha4 integrin-dependent pathway.

Conditional vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 deletion in mice: impaired lymphocyte migration to bone marrow

We generated vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 "knock-in" mice and Cre recombinase transgenic mice to delete the VCAM-1 gene (vcam-1) in whole mice, thereby overcoming the embryonic lethality seen with conventional vcam-1-deficient mice. vcam-1 knock-in mice expressed normal levels of VCAM-1 but showed loss of VCAM-1 on endothelial and hematopoietic cells when interbred with a "TIE2Cre" transgene. Analysis of peripheral blood from conditional vcam-1-deficient mice revealed mild leukocytosis, including elevated immature B cell numbers. Conversely, the bone marrow (BM) had reduced immature B cell numbers, but normal numbers of pro-B cells. vcam-1-deficient mice also had reduced mature IgD+ B and T cells in BM and a greatly reduced capacity to support short-term migration of transferred B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and preactivated CD4+ T cells to the BM. Thus, we report an until now unappreciated dominant role for VCAM-1 in lymphocyte homing to BM.

Salicylates inhibit T cell adhesion on endothelium under nonstatic conditions: induction of L-selectin shedding by a tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism

Salicylates inhibit T cell adhesion to and transmigration through endothelium by preventing integrin activation induced by contact with endothelial cells. In the present study the effects of aspirin and sodium salicylate on the first steps of T cell adhesion have been analyzed in a nonstatic in vitro system. Salicylates partially reduced adhesion to activated endothelium and, in parallel, L-selectin expression on resting T cells by inducing shedding of the molecule without affecting its mRNA transcript. The role of L-selectin down-regulation in reducing T cell adhesion in this system was supported by the fact that aspirin inhibited T cell adhesion also on plastic-immobilized L-selectin ligand or when alpha(4) integrin-mediated adhesion to endothelium was blocked by specific mAbs. In addition, preincubation of T cells with inhibitors of L-selectin shedding prevented both functional and phenotypic inhibitory effects of salicylates. The decrease in T cell adhesion and L-selectin expression seems to be dependent on intracellular calcium increase and tyrosine kinase activation, because these effects could be reversed by preincubating salicylate-treated T cells with EGTA, genistein, or tyrphostin. Finally, the infusion of aspirin into healthy volunteers induced down-regulation of L-selectin on circulating T cells. These results suggest that salicylates interfere not only with integrin activation, but also with the L-selectin-mediated first steps of T cell binding to endothelium.

Comparative antiplatelet efficacy of a novel, nonpeptide GPIIb/IIIa antagonist (XV454) and abciximab (c7E3) in flow models of thrombosis

Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa is pivotal in homotypic platelet aggregation and may also be involved in the heterotypic adhesion of leukocytes and tumor cells to platelets. This study was primarily undertaken to compare the antiplatelet efficacy of a novel, nonpeptide GPIIb/IIIa antagonist, XV454, to that of abciximab in 2 flow models of platelet thrombus formation: (1) direct shear-induced platelet aggregation imposed by a cone-and-plate rheometer and (2) platelet adhesion onto von Willebrand factor (vWF)/collagen I followed by aggregation in a perfusion system. XV454 inhibited platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner in both experimental models. Maximal inhibition of aggregation was achieved by XV454 at approximately 70% receptor occupancy, which is lower than the >/=85% previously reported for abciximab. At similar levels of receptor blockade (approximately 45%), XV454 appeared to be relatively more effective than abciximab in suppressing platelet aggregation. Neither XV454 nor abciximab inhibited platelet adhesion to collagen. Pretreatment of surface-adherent platelets with either XV454 or abciximab inhibited the attachment of monocytic THP-1 cells under flow. In contrast, the rapidly reversible GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor orbofiban failed to suppress these heterotypic interactions. These findings demonstrate that XV454 is a potent GPIIb/IIIa antagonist with a long receptor-bound lifetime like abciximab and may be beneficial for the treatment/prevention of thrombotic complications.

Adhesive dynamics simulations of sialyl-Lewis(x)/E-selectin-mediated rolling in a cell-free system

Selectin-mediated leukocyte rolling is crucial for the proper function of the immune response. Recently, selectin-mediated rolling was recreated in a cell-free system (Biophysical Journal 71:2902-2907 (1996)); it was shown that sialyl Lewis(x) (sLe(x))-coated microspheres roll over E-selectin-coated surfaces under hydrodynamic flow. The cell-free system removes many confounding cellular features, such as cell deformability and signaling, allowing us to focus on the role of carbohydrate/selectin physical chemistry in mediating rolling. In this paper, we use adhesive dynamics, a computational method that allows us to simulate adhesion, to analyze the experimental data produced in the cell-free system. We simulate the effects of shear rate, ligand density, and number of receptors per particle on rolling velocity and compare them with experimental results obtained with the cell-free system. If we assume the population of particles is homogeneous in receptor density, we predict that particle rolling velocity calculated in simulations is more sensitive to shear rate than found in experiments. Also, the calculated rolling velocity is more sensitive to the number of receptors on the microspheres than to the ligand density on the surface, again in contrast to experiment. We argue that heterogeneity in the distribution of receptors throughout the particle population causes these discrepancies. We improve the agreement between experiment and simulation by calculating the average rolling velocity of a population whose receptors follow a normal distribution, suggesting heterogeneity among particles significantly affects the experimental results. Further comparison between theory and experiment yields an estimate of the reactive compliance of sLe(x)/E-selectin interactions of 0.25 A, close to that reported in the literature for E-selectin and its natural ligand (0.3 A). We also provide an estimate of the value of the intrinsic association rate (between 10(4) and 10(5) s(-1)) for the formation of sLe(x)/E-selectin bonds.

Cloning of porcine intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and characterization of its induction on endothelial cells by cytokines

BACKGROUND

The transplantation of pig organs into humans requires a detailed knowledge of similarities and differences between the two species in the molecular physiology of host defense mechanisms. We therefore set out to identify porcine intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and to characterize its expression by endothelial cells.

METHODS

Porcine ICAM-1 cDNA was isolated from an endothelial cell cDNA library. An anti-pig ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody was generated and used to investigate the regulation by cytokines of ICAM-1 expression by porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC), using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We found that porcine ICAM-1 was similar in primary structure to human ICAM-1, with five Ig-like domains. COS-7 cells transfected with porcine ICAM-1 supported beta2 but not alpha4 integrin-dependent adhesion of human T lymphoblasts. There was a low-level surface expression of ICAM-1 on unstimulated PAEC and increased expression after stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. However expression of ICAM-1 seemed to be significantly lower than that of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, both on unstimulated and TNF-alpha-activated PAEC. Recombinant porcine interferon-gamma weakly stimulated ICAM-1 expression when incubated alone with PAEC but had an inhibitory effect on the increase in ICAM-1 due to TNF-alpha, both at 8 and 24 hr.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations confirm the existence of ICAM-1 in the pig and provide novel insights into how porcine and human endothelial cells differ in terms of adhesion molecule expression and cytokine responsiveness. Such differences are potentially important in interpreting models of inflammation in the pig and also in understanding the process of rejection of porcine xenografts.

The LFA-1 integrin supports rolling adhesions on ICAM-1 under physiological shear flow in a permissive cellular environment

The LFA-1 integrin is crucial for the firm adhesion of circulating leukocytes to ICAM-1-expressing endothelial cells. In the present study, we demonstrate that LFA-1 can arrest unstimulated PBL subsets and lymphoblastoid Jurkat cells on immobilized ICAM-1 under subphysiological shear flow and mediate firm adhesion to ICAM-1 after short static contact. However, LFA-1 expressed in K562 cells failed to support firm adhesion to ICAM-1 but instead mediated K562 cell rolling on the endothelial ligand under physiological shear stress. LFA-1-mediated rolling required an intact LFA-1 I-domain, was enhanced by Mg2+, and was sharply dependent on ICAM-1 density. This is the first indication that LFA-1 can engage in rolling adhesions with ICAM-1 under physiological shear flow. The ability of LFA-1 to support rolling correlates with decreased avidity and impaired time-dependent adhesion strengthening. A beta2 cytoplasmic domain-deletion mutant of LFA-1, with high avidity to immobilized ICAM-1, mediated firm arrests of K562 cells interacting with ICAM-1 under shear flow. Our results suggest that restrictions in LFA-1 clustering mediated by cytoskeletal attachments may lock the integrin into low-avidity states in particular cellular environments. Although low-avidity LFA-1 states fail to undergo adhesion strengthening upon contact with ICAM-1 at stasis, these states are permissive for leukocyte rolling on ICAM-1 under physiological shear flow. Rolling mediated by low-avidity LFA-1 interactions with ICAM-1 may stabilize rolling initiated by specialized vascular rolling receptors and allow the leukocyte to arrest on vascular endothelium upon exposure to stimulatory endothelial signals.

Hyaluronan anchoring and regulation on the surface of vascular endothelial cells is mediated through the functionally active form of CD44

CD44 on lymphocytes binding to its carbohydrate ligand hyaluronan can mediate primary adhesion (rolling interactions) of lymphocytes on vascular endothelial cells. This adhesion pathway is utilized in the extravasation of activated T cells from the blood into sites of inflammation and therefore influences patterns of lymphocyte homing and inflammation. Hyaluronan is a glycosaminoglycan found in the extracellular matrix and is involved in a number of biological processes. We have shown that the expression of hyaluronan on the surface of endothelial cells is inducible by proinflammatory cytokines. However, the manner through which hyaluronan is anchored to the endothelial cell surface so that it can resist shear forces and the mechanism of the regulation of the level of hyaluronan on the cell surface has not been investigated. In order to characterize potential hyaluronan receptors on endothelial cells, we performed analyses of cell surface staining by flow cytometry on intact endothelial cells and ligand blotting assays using membrane fractions. Hyaluronan binding activity was detected as a major species corresponding to the size of CD44, and this was confirmed to be the same by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. Moreover, alterations in the surface level of hyaluronan after tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulation is regulated primarily by changes in the cell surface levels of the hyaluronan-binding form of CD44. In laminar flow assays, lymphoid cells specifically roll on hyaluronan anchored by purified CD44 coated on glass tubes, indicating that the avidity of the endothelial CD44/hyaluronan interaction is sufficient to support rolling adhesions under conditions mimicking physiologic shear forces. Together these studies show that CD44 serves to anchor hyaluronan on endothelial cell surfaces, that activation of CD44 is a major regulator of endothelial surface hyaluronan expression, and that the non-covalent interaction between CD44 and hyaluronan is sufficient to provide resistance to shear under physiologic conditions and thereby support the initial steps of lymphocyte extravasation.

Molecular mechanisms of tumor necrosis factor alpha-stimulated leukocyte recruitment into the murine hepatic circulation

To date, much of the adhesion work in the liver has been restricted to sinusoids and postsinusoidal venules. However, selectins have been localized on the portal (presinusoidal) venules and these vessels have been shown to be important in metastasis of tumors. The purpose of this study was to characterize the leukocyte-endothelial interactions within the 3 compartments of the hepatic microvasculature under baseline conditions and in response to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Mice deficient in P-selectin or both E- and P-selectin were compared with wild-type (C57Bl/6, wild type) mice. Animals were injected with murine TNF-alpha (15 microg/kg intraperitoneally [IP]) and the liver was examined by fluorescence intravital microscopy 4 hours later. Under baseline conditions, leukocyte flux in the portal venules was 1.42 +/- 0.42 cells/min. Leukocyte flux in the portal venules of wild-type mice increased 8-fold in response to 4 hours of TNF-alpha stimulation. This was reduced by 50% in the P-selectin-deficient mice but was not reduced further by either the addition of an E-selectin antibody (9A9, 100 microg intravenously [IV]) to these mice or in mice deficient in both E- and P-selectin. In P-selectin-deficient mice, the addition of an antibody against alpha(4)-integrin (R1-2, 75 microg IP) reduced rolling to baseline. But in the E- and P-double-selectin-deficient mice the addition of an antibody against L-selectin (Mel 14, 3 microg/kg IV) had no effect on TNF-alpha-induced recruitment. Similar responses were seen in the central venules, however, in the sinusoids the increased number of stationary leukocytes seen in response to 4 hours of TNF-alpha stimulation in the wild-type mice was not reduced in P-selectin-deficient mice with or without the alpha(4)-integrin antibody. These data suggest that leukocytes can use alpha(4)-integrin independent of the selectins in the venules. Within the sinusoids, however, inhibition of E-selectin, P-selectin, and alpha(4)-integrin was insufficient to reduce leukocyte recruitment.

Alpha 4 integrin-dependent leukocyte recruitment does not require VCAM-1 in a chronic model of inflammation

Rats immunized with Mycobacterium butyricum in Freund's adjuvant develop a chronic vasculitis, with large increases in leukocyte rolling and adhesion in mesenteric postcapillary venules that are significantly inhibited with an alpha 4 integrin Ab. Using intravital microscopy to visualize chronically inflamed microvessels, we demonstrated that alpha 4 integrin-dependent leukocyte rolling and adhesion was inhibited with a beta 1 integrin, but not a beta 7 integrin Ab. To date, VCAM-1 has been presumed to be the primary ligand for alpha 4 beta 1 integrin in the vasculature. However, alpha 4 beta 1 integrin-dependent interactions were not reduced by monoclonal or polyclonal VCAM-1 Abs or a VCAM-1 antisense oligonucleotide despite increased VCAM-1 expression in the mesenteric vasculature. To ensure that the VCAM-1 Abs were functional and used at saturating concentrations, blood from Ab-treated rats was perfused over monolayers of CHO cells transfected with rat VCAM-1. Sufficient alpha 4 integrin or VCAM-1 Ab was present to inhibit leukocyte interactions with rat VCAM-1 by 95-100%. Under in vitro flow conditions, only mononuclear leukocytes were recruited from blood of control rats onto purified VCAM-1. However, neutrophils were also recruited onto VCAM-1 from whole blood of adjuvant-immunized animals via alpha 4 integrin. Another ligand for alpha 4 beta 1 integrin is the connecting segment-1 (CS-1) region of fibronectin. An Ab to the CS-1 portion of fibronectin, which did not reduce rolling and adhesion in adjuvant arthritis animals, completely inhibited leukocyte adhesion to CS-1 under static conditions. These findings provide the first evidence that alpha 4 beta 1 integrin-dependent leukocyte rolling and adhesion can occur in vivo via a mechanism other than VCAM-1.

Low-dose radiotherapy selectively reduces adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to endothelium in vitro

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The anti-inflammatory effect of low-dose radiotherapy (LD-RT) still is not understood. The adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells (EC) of the vessel wall is the initial event of tissue invasion, and thus, crucially contributes to the regulation of inflammation. We investigated the influence of LD-RT on the adhesion process in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Isolated peripheral-blood-mononuclear-cells (PBMC) were incubated with an activated murine endothelioma cell-line under shear conditions at 4 degrees C after irradiation with single doses between 0.1 and 10.0 Gy. Adherent cells were counted microscopically and compared to a non-irradiated control. In parallel, viability and expression of adhesion molecules, especially of L-selectin, and lineage-specific markers on the cell surface were determined by dye exclusion and cytofluorometry, respectively. Modulation of adhesion by soluble L-selectin was tested in the adhesion assay.

RESULTS

Radiation doses of 0.1-0.5 Gy reduced the adhesion of viable PBMC to EC in vitro by 70% of the control level 4 h after irradiation. Leukocytes showed a marked reduction of L-selectin expression after LD-RT. Soluble L-selectin can inhibit the adhesion of PBMC to EC.

CONCLUSION

The anti-inflammatory effect of LD-RT might, in part, be due to the reduction in the adhesion of PBMC to EC. This reduction in adhesion might be a consequence of the reduced expression of L-selectin on the surface of PBMC, and the inhibition of adherence by soluble L-selectin shed by PBMC in vitro.

The CD44-initiated pathway of T-cell extravasation uses VLA-4 but not LFA-1 for firm adhesion

Leukocytes extravasate from the blood in response to physiologic or pathologic demands by means of complementary ligand interactions between leukocytes and endothelial cells. The multistep model of leukocyte extravasation involves an initial transient interaction ("rolling" adhesion), followed by secondary (firm) adhesion. We recently showed that binding of CD44 on activated T lymphocytes to endothelial hyaluronan (HA) mediates a primary adhesive interaction under shear stress, permitting extravasation at sites of inflammation. The mechanism for subsequent firm adhesion has not been elucidated. Here we demonstrate that the integrin VLA-4 is used in secondary adhesion after CD44-mediated primary adhesion of human and mouse T cells in vitro, and by mouse T cells in an in vivo model. We show that clonal cell lines and polyclonally activated normal T cells roll under physiologic shear forces on hyaluronate and require VCAM-1, but not ICAM-1, as ligand for subsequent firm adhesion. This firm adhesion is also VLA-4 dependent, as shown by antibody inhibition. Moreover, in vivo short-term homing experiments in a model dependent on CD44 and HA demonstrate that superantigen-activated T cells require VLA-4, but not LFA-1, for entry into an inflamed peritoneal site. Thus, extravasation of activated T cells initiated by CD44 binding to HA depends upon VLA-4-mediated firm adhesion, which may explain the frequent association of these adhesion receptors with diverse chronic inflammatory processes.