Heterologous desensitization of IL-8-mediated chemotaxis in human neutrophils by a cell-binding fragment of fibronectin

In this study, we have explored the mechanism for the desensitization of IL-8-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis by a cell-binding fragment of fibronectin (120-kDa FN). Preincubation of neutrophil suspensions with the 120-kDa FN fragment resulted in a heterologous desensitization of IL-8-mediated chemotaxis while not affecting neutrophil chemotaxis to either fMLP or zymosan-activated serum. Preincubation of neutrophils with the beta1-integrin-activating antibody (TS2/16) mimicked the effects of the 120-kDa FN fragment while preincubating neutrophils with the beta1-integrin blocking antibody (mAb13) abrogated the inhibitory effects of the 120-kDa FN fragment on IL-8-mediated chemotaxis. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that the 120-kDa FN fragment did not inhibit chemotaxis to the CXC chemokine MGSA/GROalpha which interacts with high affinity to the IL-8 receptor B (CXCR2). By in vivo phosphorylation of neutrophils and probing lysates with an anti-CXCR1 antibody, we demonstrated that the addition of the cell-binding fragment of fibronectin resulted in a time-dependent phosphorylation of CXCR1. These findings suggest that the mechanism of heterologous desensitization of IL-8-mediated chemotaxis following ligation of FN-dependent integrins is the result of phosphorylation of the CXCR1 receptor.

IgG-coated erythrocytes augment the lipopolysaccharidestimulated increase in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Previous studies have shown that the injection of IgG-coated erythrocytes (EIgG) caused an increase in the mortality rate due to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This observation led to the present evaluation of the effect of EIgG on the LPS-stimulated increase in serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels and TNF-alpha secretion by macrophages. The prior injection of EIgG augmented the increase in LPS-stimulated serum TNF-alpha levels ninefold at 1 h after LPS. Serum TNF-alpha levels were augmented when LPS was injected 2 or 6 h after EIgG but not at 0.5 or 12 h after EIgG. Complement activation caused by EIgG may contribute to the priming for TNF-alpha, because activation of complement with cobra venom factor caused a threefold augmentation of the LPS-stimulated serum TNF-alpha levels. Isolated macrophages that had ingested EIgG or were adherent to immobilized IgG showed augmented TNF-alpha secretion in response to LPS. Thus clearance of immune complexes from the blood can augment the LPS-stimulated increase in serum TNF-alpha levels that is due, in part, to complement activation and signaling via FcgammaR.

Monocyte adherence to the subendothelial basement membrane increases interleukin-8 gene expression and antigen release

The emigration of peripheral blood monocytes into the interstitium allows for contact with a variety of surfaces which may provide signals important for monocyte function in both normal and inflammatory states. In the present study, we examined the effect of adherence to an endothelial cell-derived basement membrane and to collagen I, the major collagen of the interstitium, on monocyte release and gene expression of the potent chemotactic cytokine Interleukin-8 (IL-8). We further evaluated neutrophil chemotactic activity of the conditioned media containing antigenic IL-8 from monocytes adherent to these same surfaces. Elutriation-purified monocytes were adhered for 1 hour to plastic tissue culture wells either uncoated (PL) or coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), collagen type I (C-I), or endothelial cell-derived basement membrane (BM). Following removal of nonadherent cells, monocytes were further incubated in a serum-free media for 18 hours in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (IPS). Following 18 hrs of incubation there were significantly less monocytes remaining adherent to BM when compared to other surfaces tested. In the absence of LPS, adherent monocytes released significant amounts of IL-8 that was not surface specific. In the presence of LPS, monocytes adherent to BM released significantly more IL-8, when corrected for adherent cell number, than monocytes adherent to PL, BSA, or C-I. Conditioned media from adherent monocytes expressed IL-8 dependent neutrophil chemotactic activity that was not influenced by the surfaces tested. Northern blot analysis indicated greater induction for IL-8 mRNA by monocytes adhered to BM after 18 hrs in the presence of LPS. These results suggest that monocyte adherence to the subendothelial basement membrane provides a priming signal for the induction and secretion of the chemotactic cytokine IL-8 in response to inflammatory stimuli.

Interaction of fibronectin (FN) cell binding fragments and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in regulating neutrophil chemotaxis

This study investigated the possible interaction of FN fragments in regulating IL-8-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro using Neuroprobe microchambers. Human neutrophil suspensions were incubated with purified FN fragments or an RGD-containing peptide and allowed to migrate in response to chemotactically active concentrations of human recombinant IL-8. The 120-kD fragment of FN containing the RGD sequence or an RGD peptide (GRGDSP) inhibited IL-8-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis; however, these RGD peptides did not inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis in response to other chemotactic agents. Furthermore, FN fragments not containing the RGD sequence had no effect on IL-8-mediated chemotaxis. These data suggest that directed migration of neutrophils in response to IL-8 is inhibited in the presence of cell-binding fragments of FN and may represent a local mechanism for terminating neutrophil migration at areas of tissue injury.

Priming of human monocyte superoxide production and arachidonic acid metabolism by adherence to collagen- and basement membrane-coated surfaces

Monocytes (m phi s) come into intimate contact with basement membranes and extracellular matrix proteins as they extravasate from the blood to the interstitium or to sites of tissue injury. We examined the in vitro effects of m phi adherence to an endothelial cell-derived basement membrane or to purified extracellular matrix proteins on phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated superoxide production and prostanoid secretion. Elutriation-purified human peripheral blood m phi s were adhered to tissue culture wells that were precoated with the following purified proteins: bovine serum albumin (BSA), collagen type I (COL I), collagen type IV (COL IV), fibronectin (FN), or laminin (LM). To model the provisional matrix at sites of tissue injury, m phi s were also adhered to wells coated with either denatured collagen type I or gelatin (GEL) or coated with basement membrane (BM) derived from endothelial cell monolayers. The m phi s were adhered to the protein-coated surfaces for 1 h at 37 degrees C in serum-free medium and washed to remove nonadherent cells, and the number of adherent m phi s was measured. Monolayers of m phi s were also incubated for an additional 18 h, at which time both adherence and cell spreading were measured. PMA-stimulated superoxide production by adherent m phi s was determined after 1 and 18 h of adherence to the protein-coated surfaces. PMA-stimulated release of two prostanoids, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) was measured after 18 h of m phi adherence to the surfaces. Following 18 h of adherence, PMA-stimulated superoxide anion secretion and secretion of PGE2 and TxB2 were augmented of primed by m phi s adherent to COL I, GEL, or BM. In contrast, no such priming effects were observed by m phi s adherent to COL IV, FN, or LM. The results suggest that adherence to basement membranes, collagen type I-containing surfaces in the interstitium, or denatured collagen at sites of tissue injury primes m phi respiratory burst and arachidonate metabolism to inflammatory agonists. Induction of priming events by substrate-specific adherence may be an important factor regulating host defense functions of m phi s in the extracellular matrix.

Depression of macrophage respiratory burst capacity and arachidonic acid release after Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis

The phagocytosis of IgG-coated erythrocytes (ElgG) by macrophages results in a subsequent depression of macrophage phagocytic function, respiratory burst capacity, and bactericidal activity. Our study was carried out to determine the importance of impaired arachidonic acid release in the depression of the respiratory burst after ElgG phagocytosis. The depression of triggered H2O2 production after ElgG phagocytosis was not due to cyclooxygenase products because indomethacin or aspirin did not modify the depression. Further studies revealed that the depression of triggered H2O2 production after ElgG phagocytosis was associated with a depression in the ability of macrophages to release arachidonic acid in response to PMA, zymosan, or calcium ionophore. The addition of exogenous arachidonic acid partially prevented the depression of triggered H2O2 production after ElgG phagocytosis. Unlike phagocytosis mediated by FcR, complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis did not alter H2O2 production or arachidonic acid release. Ligation of FcR was not sufficient to depress triggered H2O2 production and arachidonic acid release because these functions were not depressed when phagocytosis was inhibited with cytochalasin D. Thus, it was found that the depression of triggered H2O2 production by macrophages after FcR-mediated phagocytosis was associated with impaired release of arachidonic acid and that H2O2 production could be partially restored by the addition of arachidonic acid. These results suggest that the impairment of arachidonic acid release after FcR-mediated phagocytosis contributes to the depression of macrophage respiratory burst capacity after FcR-mediated phagocytosis.

Depression of macrophage respiratory burst capacity and arachidonic acid release after Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis

The phagocytosis of IgG-coated erythrocytes (ElgG) by macrophages results in a subsequent depression of macrophage phagocytic function, respiratory burst capacity, and bactericidal activity. Our study was carried out to determine the importance of impaired arachidonic acid release in the depression of the respiratory burst after ElgG phagocytosis. The depression of triggered H2O2 production after ElgG phagocytosis was not due to cyclooxygenase products because indomethacin or aspirin did not modify the depression. Further studies revealed that the depression of triggered H2O2 production after ElgG phagocytosis was associated with a depression in the ability of macrophages to release arachidonic acid in response to PMA, zymosan, or calcium ionophore. The addition of exogenous arachidonic acid partially prevented the depression of triggered H2O2 production after ElgG phagocytosis. Unlike phagocytosis mediated by FcR, complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis did not alter H2O2 production or arachidonic acid release. Ligation of FcR was not sufficient to depress triggered H2O2 production and arachidonic acid release because these functions were not depressed when phagocytosis was inhibited with cytochalasin D. Thus, it was found that the depression of triggered H2O2 production by macrophages after FcR-mediated phagocytosis was associated with impaired release of arachidonic acid and that H2O2 production could be partially restored by the addition of arachidonic acid. These results suggest that the impairment of arachidonic acid release after FcR-mediated phagocytosis contributes to the depression of macrophage respiratory burst capacity after FcR-mediated phagocytosis.

Urokinase in conditioned medium from phorbol ester-pretreated endothelial cells promotes polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration

Serum-free conditioned medium (CM) generated by human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers following pretreatment with 100 ng/ml of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) promoted human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) migration as assayed in blindwell chambers. Stimulation of PMNL migration in response to CM was dependent on the dose of PMA used to pretreat the endothelial cells as well as the duration of incubation time to generate CM. Phorbol esters have been previously shown to release plasminogen activators from vascular endothelial cells. In the present study, pretreatment of endothelial cells with PMA also increased plasminogen activator activity in CM at a time course similar to the generation of PMNL chemoattractant activity. Treatment of CM with a polyclonal antibody against human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) not only inhibited uPA activity, but also significantly reduced PMNL chemoattractant activity when compared with untreated CM. In contrast, treatment of CM with an antibody directed against tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) did not affect PMNL migratory activity. Furthermore, when CM was passed over an anti-uPA immunoaffinity column, plasminogen activator activity was reduced 90% and chemoattractant activities was reduced 68%. Both plasminogen activator and chemoattractant activities were reconstituted in the eluate from the anti-uPA column. These data demonstrate that uPA present in the CM from PMA-pretreated endothelial cells stimulates PMNL chemoattractant activity and suggests a possible role for endothelial cell-derived uPA in stimulating migration of peripheral blood leukocytes at an inflammatory locus.

Scavengers of reactive oxygen intermediates do not mediate the depression of macrophage hydrogen peroxide production caused by erythrocyte phagocytosis

Our previous studies have shown that a phagocytic challenge with IgG-coated erythrocytes (EIgG) depressed macrophage triggered H2O2 production in vitro, and in vivo there was a decrease in the survival rate following bacteremia. The phagocytosis of an equal number of IgG-coated erythrocyte ghosts had none of these effects, indicating that the contents of the erythrocytes are important for these effects. The present study evaluated the role of the scavengers of reactive oxygen intermediates within erythrocytes in the depression of H2O2 production triggered with phorbol myristate acetate following a phagocytic challenge with EIgG. Elicited rat peritoneal macrophages (PM) were challenged with EIgG prepared from normal E or E with inactivated catalase, depleted glutathione, hemoglobin converted to methemoglobin, or fixed with formaldehyde. The depression of triggered H2O2 production was similar when equal numbers of normal EIgG and EIgG with inactivated scavengers were phagocytized. When the phagocytic challenge with normal EIgG was carried out in the presence of cytochalasin B, no depression of triggered H2O2 production was observed. Cytochalasin B partially blocked the phagocytosis of EIgG, so that with larger doses of EIgG there was sufficient ingestion of EIgG to depress H2O2 production in untreated PM. These results indicate that the scavengers of reactive oxygen intermediates present in erythrocytes are neither required nor sufficient to depress H2O2 production by macrophages.

Leukocyte elastase-independent proteolysis of gelatin-bound fibronectin by inflammatory macrophages

Fragmentation of lung matrix fibronectin by proteases released from activated phagocytic cells has been implicated in lung vascular injury. We examined whether denatured collagen (gelatin)-bound fibronectin can be degraded by peritoneal exudate mononuclear phagocytes harvested from rats 96 h after intraperitoneal casein injection. Microtiter plates were pretreated with gelatin and then supplemented with purified 125I rat plasma fibronectin, which readily bound to the gelatin. Stimulated inflammatory exudate cells were added and proteolysis of the bound fibronectin was studied by the release of [125I]fibronectin fragments into the media. Following 2 h of incubation, peritoneal exudate mononuclear macrophages stimulated with opsonized zymosan released three times more radiolabeled fibronectin into the medium as compared to background controls, and 1.5 times more radiolabeled fibronectin as compared to cells not stimulated with zymosan. Western blot analysis and autoradiography confirmed the presence of fragments of fibronectin in the culture medium. Some of these fragments were clearly derived from the radiolabeled matrix, but others that were not labeled were potentially released directly from the added stimulated macrophages. The release of radiolabeled fibronectin was inhibited by N-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), a trypsin specific inhibitor, but not by methoxysuccinyl-alanine-alanine-proline-valine-chloromethyl-ketone (AAPVCK), a leukocyte elastase-specific inhibitor. These results suggest that fibronectin bound to denatured collagen is susceptible to leukocyte elastase-independent enzymatic degradation by stimulated inflammatory exudate mononuclear phagocytic cells. Such proteolysis may mimic a pathological process associated with lung vascular injury during the sequestration of activated macrophages in the lung microcirculation and interstitium.

Surface contact modulation of inflammatory macrophage antibody dependent cytotoxicity and prostanoid release

Adherence to extracellular matrix proteins modulates the functional and secretory activities of mononuclear phagocytes, although the mechanisms regulating these adherence-dependent changes are poorly understood. In this study, the ability of rat inflammatory peritoneal macrophages (PM) to adhere to an endothelial cell-derived extracellular matrix or a denatured collagen/fibronectin-coated surface and perform antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) and secrete reactive oxygen intermediates was compared with PM adherent to tissue culture plastic. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2), two major cyclooxygenase products released by inflammatory macrophages, were also measured by PM adherent to the protein coated surfaces. Rat exudate PM were equally adherent to tissue culture plastic or wells coated with either endothelial cell derived matrix or denatured collagen (gelatin)/fibronectin. PM adherent to a denatured collagen/fibronectin-coated wells demonstrated significantly less cytolytic activity (15 +/- 2% lysis) when compared with either tissue culture plastic adherent PM (43 +/- 7% lysis) or PM adherent to extracellular matrix (59 +/- 11% lysis). PM adherent to extracellular matrix released twofold more TxB2 than plastic adherent PM, while PM adherent to denatured collagen/fibronectin released 40% more PGE2 than cells adherent to tissue culture plastic or 80% more PGE2 than PM adherent to the extracellular matrix. PM adherent to denatured collagen/fibronectin release less superoxide anion (27 +/- .9 nmoles/10(6) PM) than PM adherent to either tissue culture plastic (43 +/- 1 nmoles/10(6) PM) or the extracellular matrix (60 +/- 0.5 nmoles/10(6) PM). Furthermore, incubation of plastic adherent PM with exogenous PGE2 reduced superoxide production in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that the inhibition of ADCC and secretion of reactive oxygen intermediates by PM adherent to a denatured collagen/fibronectin surface correlated with an increased release of the immunosuppressive prostanoid PGE2. Furthermore, the addition of exogenous PGE2 to plastic adherent PM reproduced the depression in ADCC and superoxide anion production observed by PM adherent to a denatured collagen/fibronectin surface. These studies suggest that the increased production and release of PGE2 by inflammatory macrophages adherent to a denatured collagen surface may act to suppress cytotoxic mechanisms and thereby constitutes part of an autocrine feedback mechanism regulating macrophage function during wound injury.

Proteolysis of gelatin-bound fibronectin by activated leukocytes: a role for leukocyte elastase

Fragmentation of subendothelial matrix-bound fibronectin by proteases released from stimulated leukocytes has been implicated in lung vascular injury. We studied the degradation of fibronectin bound to denatured collagen by inflammatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). Tissue culture wells coated with denatured collagen (gelatin) were pretreated with 125I rat plasma fibronectin to allow for fibronectin binding prior to the addition of rat inflammatory PMNL. The release of both intact and fragmented fibronectin from the 125I-labelled artificial matrix was quantified following the addition of PMNL stimulated by the phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan as well as leukocyte elastase. Stimulated PMNL released three times more radiolabelled fibronectin from the denatured collagen surface during a 4 h incubation as compared with unstimulated PMNL. This pattern of 125I-fibronectin release could also be elicited by the addition of purified leukocyte elastase alone, in the absence of PMNL. The release of radiolabelled fibronectin by stimulated PMNL was blocked in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of both methoxysuccinyl-alanine-alanine-valine chloromethyl ketone (AAPVCK), a leukocyte elastase specific inhibitor as well as phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF), a non-specific serine protease inhibitor. Western blot analysis coupled with autoradiography confirmed the presence of fibronectin fragments in the medium after addition of PMNL or leukocyte elastase. The large molecular weight fragments (60-200 kD) were not labelled, but the smaller molecular weight fragments (less than 45 kD), derived from the artificial matrix, were labelled. Thus, fibronectin complexed with denatured collagen is susceptible to proteolytic degradation by stimulated inflammatory PMNL. Such a process may have a role in the pathogenesis of acute vascular injury following microvascular margination of activated blood leukocytes.

Fibronectin fragments released from phorbol ester-stimulated pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers promote neutrophil chemotaxis

We have recently shown that monolayer cultures of calf pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells pretreated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) generate a conditioned medium that is chemotactic for human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL). Fibronectin (Fn) is a multidomain protein found in the plasma and subendothelial extracellular matrix that induces attachment and migration of a variety of cell types. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of Fn or fragments of Fn present in conditioned medium from phorbol ester-stimulated endothelial cells as potential chemotactic factors for human PMNL. A large number of Fn fragments were revealed by Western immunoblotting of serum-free conditioned medium 4 hr after treatment of CPAE monolayers with PMA. Gelatin-Sepharose affinity chromatography of 4-hr conditioned medium demonstrated chemotactic activity for PMNL in both gelatin-binding and non-gelatin-binding fractions. The addition of bovine Fn antiserum to the conditioned medium inhibited PMNL chemotaxis in a dose-dependent manner while having no effect on PMNL chemotaxis generated by zymosan-activated serum. One site on the Fn molecule known to interact with phagocytic cells is the cell-binding domain containing the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence. Pretreatment of PMNL with a RGD-containing peptide (1 mM GRGDSPK) for 10 min completely inhibited the expression of chemotactic activity present in conditioned medium and in the gelatin-binding and non-gelatin-binding fractions. PMNL chemotaxis was not stimulated by either intact Fn or the RGD-containing septapeptide tested over a wide concentration range. However, incubation of PMNL with a purified 120,000-MW fragment of Fn containing the cell-binding domain stimulated chemotaxis in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, a purified 45,000 MW fragment of Fn containing the gelatin-binding domain was not chemotactic for PMNL. When a monoclonal antibody directed against the cell-binding domain of Fn was incubated with conditioned medium, a significant reduction in PMNL chemotaxis was observed. These results demonstrate that phorbol ester-stimulated pulmonary artery endothelial cells release Fn fragments and suggest an important role for Fn fragments containing the cell-binding domain in stimulating the migration of PMNL.

Thrombin-induced leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are attenuated by PAF antagonist WEB 2086

Thrombin has been shown to increase pulmonary transvascular permeability in vivo. This permeability change appears to be dependent on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In vitro, thrombin has been demonstrated to increase PMN adherence to endothelial cells coincident with generation of platelet activating factor (PAF) by endothelial cells. These observations have led to the suggestion that PAF mediates, in part, the attachment of PMNs to endothelial cells. We examined this hypothesis in vivo and in vitro with a specific PAF receptor antagonist, WEB 2086. Prior infusion of WEB 2086 into conscious sheep significantly attenuated the drop in peripheral blood PMN counts observed during and after infusion of alpha-thrombin (30 NIH U/kg). These data suggest that WEB 2086 prevented PMN margination on endothelial cells. WEB 2086 also attenuated the thrombocytopenia seen after thrombin infusion and ameliorated the thrombin-induced hypoxemia and hemoconcentration. WEB 2086 did not affect the thrombin-induced hemodynamic response, the degree of intravascular coagulation as assessed by fibrin degradation product generation, or thromboxane B2 generation. In vitro, WEB 2086 prevented the augmented adherence of sheep PMNs to sheep endothelial cell monolayers after thrombin stimulation. The results of the present study are consistent with the hypothesis that PAF mediates, at least in part, thrombin-induced leukopenia and thrombocytopenia in vivo.

Effect of phagocytosis of erythrocytes and erythrocyte ghosts on macrophage phagocytic function and hydrogen peroxide production

Our previous studies have shown that an in vivo phagocytic challenge with IgG-coated erythrocytes can depress Kupffer cell complement and Fc receptor function, as well as decrease the survival rate following endotoxemia and bacteremia. In an effort to better understand the mechanism underlying these in vivo findings, the present study evaluated the in vitro effects of a phagocytic challenge with either IgG-coated erythrocytes (EIgG) or erythrocyte ghosts (GIgG) on macrophage phagocytic and respiratory burst activity. Elicited rat peritoneal macrophage (PM) monolayers were challenged with varying doses of EIgG, then the noninternalized EIgG were lysed hypotonically and the monolayers incubated for an additional hour prior to determining phagocytic function and PMA-stimulated hydrogen peroxide production. Challenge of PM with 1 x 10(6) EIgG per well had no effect, but challenge with 1 x 10(7) or 1 x 10(8) EIgG per well caused a dose-dependent depression of phagocytic function or hydrogen peroxide production. GIgG were formed by hypotonically lysing EIgG bound to PM at 4 degrees C. The bound GIgG were phagocytized during a subsequent incubation at 37 degrees C. Challenge with GIgG depressed phagocytic function only with the highest challenge dose tested (1 x 10(8) per well) and did not depress hydrogen peroxide production. The observation that prior phagocytic challenge with EIgG depressed macrophage function to a greater extent than challenge with GIgG supports our previous in vivo observations. Furthermore, these studies suggest that the internalization of erythrocyte contents, and not phagocytosis per se, plays an important role in determining macrophage host defense function.

Platelet modulation of neutrophil superoxide anion production

The effect of platelets on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) O2- production was examined using autologous sheep and human cell systems. Coincubation of sheep platelets with sheep PMNs in the absence of thrombin resulted in a significant inhibition in basal PMN O2- production. The platelet-derived inhibitory activity was released into the medium and could be destroyed by adenosine deaminase suggesting that the inhibitor was adenosine. Addition of alpha-thrombin or platelet activating factor (PAF) enhanced PMN O2- production but only when platelets were present. The enhancement of O2- production in response to thrombin was dependent upon the thrombin concentration and the platelet-PMN ratio. With a platelet: PMN ratio of 30: 1, addition of 10 nM thrombin to sheep cells resulted in a 5-fold increase in O2- production, whereas addition of 10 nM PAF caused a 2-fold increase in O2-. Addition of thrombin or PAF to either PMNs or platelets by themselves did not initiate an increase in O2- generation. The response of human cells was similar except that both thrombin and PAF triggered a 2-fold increase in PMN O2- production in the presence of platelets. The platelet-derived enhancement activity was not released into the medium and was not blocked by WEB 2086, NDGA, ETYA, aspirin or adenosine deaminase. The enhancement effect appeared to be localized to the platelet membrane and we believe requires platelet-PMN contact.

Evidence for regulation of endothelial plasminogen-activating system by polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase

Incubation of unstimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes with cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells increased the activity of endothelial plasminogen activator. On the other hand, polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated by serum-opsonized zymosan decreased the plasminogen activator activity. A specific elastase inhibitor increased the enhancing effect of the unstimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversed the suppressing effect of the stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Catalytically active elastase suppressed the plasminogen activator activity and increased the activity of plasminogen activator inhibitor. In contrast, inactivated elastase enhanced the activity of plasminogen activator. Both, active and inactive forms of elastase bound to the endothelial cells. These findings suggest that elastase modulates the endothelial plasminogen-activating system, apparently by binding to the endothelial cells.

Effect of anticancer drugs on macrophage-mediated antibody-dependent cytotoxicity and secretion of reactive oxygen intermediates

The in vitro effects of methotrexate, vincristine, dexamethasone and adriamycin to modulate the antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) reaction and secretion of superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages were studied. Macrophage-mediated ADCC, as measured by the lysis of 51Cr-labeled IgG-coated sheep red blood cells in an 18 h assay, was significantly enhanced in the presence of 100 ng/ml of PMA. Treatment of macrophage monolayers for 24 h with vincristine (10(-5)-10(-7) M), dexamethasone (10(-5)-10(-9) M) and adriamycin (10(-6) M) inhibited ADCC by PMA stimulated macrophages. Vincristine, dexamethasone and adriamycin also inhibited the secretion of O2- and H2O2 by PMA stimulated macrophages at similar concentrations that reduced the ADCC reaction. Methotrexate (10(-3)-10(-7) M) did not inhibit either ADCC or O2- and H2O2 secretion by PMA stimulated macrophages. These results suggest that select anticancer drugs can inhibit macrophage mediated cytotoxicity of antibody coated target cells by suppressing the release of reactive oxygen intermediates by activated macrophages.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes regulate the plasminogen-activating system of cultured endothelial cells

Exposure of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BEC) to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) (1 x 10(6)/ml) stimulated by opsonized zymosan (OZ-PMN) decreased plasminogen activator (PA) activity in conditioned medium by as much as 98% as compared to controls. Unstimulated PMN (U-PMN) (1 x 10(6)/ml), after an initial enhancement, decreased PA activity 95%. Low concentrations of U-PMN and OZ-PMN enhanced and high concentrations depressed PA activity. The decline in PA activity was not associated with an increased endothelial cell injury. The suppression of PA activity by OZ-PMN was associated with a 7-fold increase in activity of PA inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). PMN did not affect PA after its secretion, suggesting that modulation of endothelial cells by PMN changes the net activities of PA and PAI-1 in the conditioned medium.

Generation of neutrophil chemotactic activity by phorbol ester-stimulated calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Chemotactic activity for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was detected in serum-free conditioned media 1 to 4 hr after monolayers of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells were pretreated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Chemotactic activity was increased in conditioned media following pretreatment with either PMA or the less lipophilic active phorbol ester, 4-beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (P(Bu)2) in a dose-dependent manner. Chemotactic activity of conditioned media from PMA-treated endothelial cells was confirmed by checkerboard analysis. The chemotactic activity in conditioned media from PMA-pretreated endothelial cells was completely inhibited by pretreating endothelial cells with either cycloheximide, actinomycin D, or the lipooxygenase inhibitor, diethylcarbamazine. Furthermore, the chemotactic activity was heat-stable, inhibited by trypsin treatment, and present in both aqueous and lipid phases after ether extraction. The data demonstrate that pulmonary artery endothelial cells exposed to active phorbol esters release potent chemotactic factor(s) for PMNL. These findings suggest a role for activators of protein kinase C in mediating endothelial cell release of chemotactic factor(s) that may be important in the directed migration of circulating leukocytes to sites of vascular injury.

Respiratory burst activity is impaired during phagocytosis of gelatinized fixed erythrocytes by inflammatory macrophages

The ability of immune and nonimmune opsonized gelatin-coated particles to stimulate respiratory burst activity by inflammatory macrophages was studied. The uptake and phagocytosis of 51Cr-labeled gelatin-coated fixed erythrocytes, opsonized with either specific IgG or purified plasma fibronectin, was measured in monolayer cultures of rat inflammatory peritoneal macrophages. Respiratory burst activity was evaluated in monolayers of rat inflammatory peritoneal macrophages by measuring: (1) luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and (2) the production of 14CO2 from the oxidation of [1-14C] glucose. Uptake of opsonized gelatin-coated, fixed erythrocytes resulted in no stimulation of chemiluminescence and only a limited stimulation of [1-14C] glucose oxidation. Respiratory burst activity produced by phorbol myristate acetate was not inhibited during the uptake of opsonized gelatin-coated particles. These data suggest that metabolic processes associated with macrophage respiratory burst activity may not be coupled to the ingestion of opsonized gelatin-coated fixed erythrocytes.

Human urokinase-type plasminogen activator stimulates chemotaxis of human neutrophils

Human purified urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) stimulates chemoattractant activity for human neutrophils using modified Boyden chambers. Checkerboard analysis performed by adding different concentrations of u-PA above and below the polycarbonate filters revealed maximum migration required a positive concentration gradient. These results suggest that uPA was in fact stimulating neutrophil chemotaxis. Incubation of u-PA with an anti-u-PA goat antibody completely abolished the chemotactic activity of u-PA while incubation with the serine protease inhibitor, diisopropyl fluorophosphate, did not reduce chemotactic activity. Purified human tissue-type plasminogen activator demonstrated no chemotactic activity for human neutrophils when tested at concentrations similar to u-PA. These results suggests that the expression of chemotactic activity of u-PA may serve to recruit circulating leukocytes to the inflammatory site.

Effects of high-dose methotrexate on rat alveolar and inflammatory macrophage populations

Methotrexate (MTX) is used clinically in high doses to treat a variety of neoplastic diseases. Although it has been recognized that such aggressive chemotherapy can result in suppression of cellular host defense mechanisms, phagocytic cell function during MTX therapy remains poorly understood. The present study was designed to examine the effects of a single high dose of MTX on alveolar and inflammatory peritoneal cell populations in the rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of MTX (25 or 50 mg/kg) and subsequent alterations in the composition of peripheral blood white cells (WBC), a peritoneal inflammatory exudate, and the resident alveolar macrophage (AM) were measured 1-4 days after MTX treatment. A severe depression in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) and monocyte populations in the peripheral blood was observed 72 and 96 h after either dose of MTX. Similarly, the total number of peritoneal exudate cells, collected 72 h after a caseinate inflammatory stimulus, was reduced by 50% after MTX treatment. When the cellular composition of the peritoneal exudate was examined, it was observed that macrophage and lymphocyte numbers were selectively depressed. In addition, the number of AM obtained by lung lavage was significantly reduced 72 and 96 h after MTX injection. Although both peritoneal and alveolar macrophage numbers were diminished, in vitro phagocytic activity was not impaired 72 h after MTX injection. These studies demonstrate that a single, clinically relevant dose of MTX, in addition to depressing PMNL and monocyte levels in the peripheral blood, can also impair the accumulation of macrophages at a site of tissue injury and the influx of macrophages into lung alveoli. These findings suggest that the capacity of the mononuclear phagocyte system to respond to an infectious or tumor cell challenge may be severely compromised during MTX treatment.

Functional resistance of inflammatory macrophages to methotrexate in vitro

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of high and low therapeutic doses of methotrexate (MTX) on macrophage metabolism and function in vitro. Monolayers of elicited rat peritoneal macrophages (PM) were exposed to a wide range of MTX concentrations (10(-8) M-10(-3) M) for 24 or 48 hr and macrophage RNA and protein metabolism were evaluated by the incorporation of [3H]5-uridine and [14C]1-leucine, respectively, into trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitable material. Macrophage functional activity was examined by measuring the uptake of [14C]Pseudomonas aeruginosa to assess phagocytosis and the release of 51Cr from antibody-coated [51Cr]sheep red blood cells (SRBC) to assess antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Following a 24-hr incubation with 10(-3) M MTX, incorporation of [3H]5-uridine into PM monolayers was enhanced 79% when compared to control monolayers (p less than 0.005). Washout studies revealed that the stimulation of uridine incorporation was no longer observed by 24 hr following the removal of MTX from the culture medium. Incubation with 10(-3) M MTX for 48 hr returned uridine incorporation to control levels, although leucine incorporation into protein was reduced by 22% (p less than 0.01). The depression in leucine incorporation in the presence of 10(-3) M MTX was not reversed after the removal of MTX from the culture medium. Uptake of [14C]P. aeruginosa was not altered following a 24- or 48-hr incubation with either 10(-7) M or 10(-3) M MTX. Similarly, [51Cr]SRBC cytolysis was not affected by a 2-hr preincubation with and continuous exposure to between 10(-8) M and 10(-3) M MTX. These results demonstrate that incubation of inflammatory macrophages with clinically high doses of MTX can alter macrophage RNA and protein metabolism without producing demonstrable changes in macrophage functional activity.

A role for anti-inflammatory agents and cyclic AMP in regulating fibronectin-mediated phagocytosis

The present study deals with the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs and agents known to elevate intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) on plasma fibronectin-mediated (PFn) phagocytosis of radiolabeled, gelatin-coated latex particles (g-Ltx*) by inflammatory macrophages. Monolayers of casein-elicited peritoneal macrophages were preincubated with the specified agents for either 1 or 24 hrs at 37 degrees C prior to the measurements of phagocytosis in the presence of human plasma fibronectin (47 microgram/ml) and heparin (6.7 U/ml). Under these conditions, prostaglandin E1, colchicine, vincristine, and cytochalasin B were all effective in inhibiting g-Ltx* phagocytosis by macrophages in a dose-dependent fashion. More potent inhibition of phagocytosis was manifested by agents known to increase intracellular levels of cAMP in phagocytic cells. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP), d,1-isoproterenol and aminophylline (10(-5) to 10(-3) M) were all effective in reducing the uptake of g-Ltx* by macrophages. The combination of dbcAMP and aminophylline acted additively. These studies demonstrate that anti-inflammatory drugs and cAMP-elevating agents exert potent inhibitory effects on fibronectin-mediated phagocytosis of gelatin-coated particles by macrophages. Thus, our system provides a suitable in vitro model for further investigations into the humoral regulation of phagocytosis of denatured collagen-coated particles and tissue debris by inflammatory phagocytic cells.

Modulation of inflammatory peritoneal cell function and metabolism by methotrexate

Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used in cancer chemotherapy, although the effects of MTX on cellular antitumor defense mechanisms are poorly understood. To evaluate the effect of MTX on the cellular inflammatory response, male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with four daily i.p. injections of MTX or a control vehicle. Rats treated with daily doses of 1.2 mg/kg MTX demonstrated a significant reduction in number of peritoneal exudate cells, specifically macrophages, collected 96 hours following the inflammatory stimulus. To determine if metabolic perturbations also occur upon exposure to MTX, glucose oxidation and protein synthesis by inflammatory cells were monitored in vitro. At a MTX concentration of 10(-3)M, peritoneal exudate cell 14C-1-glucose and 14C-6-glucose oxidation was significantly depressed. 14C-1-leucine incorporation into TCA precipitable protein was inhibited at 4 x 10(-3)M MTX. Peritoneal exudate cell viability was not altered at these concentrations of MTX. These results demonstrate that MTX, at therapeutic concentrations, can depress the influx of macrophages to a inflammatory site and also diminish energy metabolism and protein synthesis by inflammatory cells.

Fibronectin-mediated uptake of gelatin-coated latex particles by peritoneal macrophages

The present study demonstrates the ability of plasma fibronectin or cold-insoluble globulin (Clg) to promote the uptake of 125I-labeled, gelatin-coated latex beads (g-Ltx*) by monolayers of peritoneal macrophages (PM). The uptake of g-Ltx* by PM was enhanced by Clg in a concentration-dependent fashion and required the presence of heparin (10 U/ml) as an obligatory cofactor for maximal particle uptake. Treatment of PM monolayers with trypsin (1 mg/ml) for 15 min at 37 degrees C after particle uptake removed less than 15% of the radioactivity incorporated by the monolayers. However, a similar trypsin treatment of the monolayers before the addition of latex particles depressed Clg-dependent uptake by greater than 75%. Pretreatment of PM monolayers with inhibitors of glycolysis effectively reduced the Clg-dependent uptake of latex. Similarly, pretreatment of monolayers with either inhibitors of protein synthesis or agents that disrupt cytoskeletal elements also significantly depressed Clg-dependent particle uptake. Phagocytosis of g-Ltx* by PM in the presence of Clg and heparin was confirmed by electron microscopy. Finally, g-Ltx* could also be effectively opsonized with Clg at 37 degrees C before their addition to the monolayers. These studies suggest that the recognition of g-Ltx* in the presence of Clg required cell surface protein(s) and that subsequent phagocytosis of these particles by PM was energy dependent and required intact intracellular cytoskeleton elements. Thus, PM monolayers provide a suitable system for further studies on the function of Clg in the recognition and phagocytosis of gelatin-coated particles by phagocytic cells.

Inhibition of phagocytosis and glucose metabolism of alveolar macrophages during pulmonary tumour growth

Alveolar macrophage (AM) phagocytic activity and glucose metabolism were evaluated during lung tumour growth in adult rats challenged i.v. with 10(5) viable Walker 256 tumour cells. Phagocytosis was estimated by the in vitro uptake of (14)C-labelled Pseudomonas aeruginosa and glucose oxidation was evaluated by (14)CO(2) production from 1-(14)C-glucose. AM were harvested by lung lavage from rats prior to and at 7 and 21 days following i.v. tumour-cell challenge. Macroscopic lung tumour nodules were not observed by 7 days after tumour challenge. However, 3 weeks after tumour challenge, tumour nodules were clearly identifiable on the surfaces of the lungs. One week after the i.v. tumour challenge a marked increase in the number of AM was evident. The in vitro phagocytosis of (14)C-labelled Pseudomonas aeruginosa was unaltered at that time, but became progressively depressed thereafter. Three weeks after tumour challenge, this decrease in phagocytic activity was evident when cells were incubated in normal serum, and was furtheri ntensified by serum obtained from tumour-bearing animals. Glucose oxidation by AM in either the resting condition or during bacterial phagocytosis was clearly decreased at both 1 and 3 weeks following i.v. tumour challenge. These findings indicate that the growth of pulmonary metastases is associated with a depression of alveolar macrophage bacterial phagocytic capacity, perturbations in serum opsonic activity and distinct alterations in macrophage energy metabolism. The metabolic dysfunction may impair pulmonary macrophage host defences against lung tumour growth.