Cough, shortness of breath, and eosinophilia in a 68-year-old man.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to B S Bochner.
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Divalent cations and various soluble stimuli can alter cell adherence by affecting the avidity of adhesion molecules. We hypothesized that beta 1 integrin function of human eosinophils may be altered by divalent cations and eosinophil-activating cytokines such as interleukin-5 (IL-5). Expression of the beta 1 integrin activation epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 15/7 was evaluated by flow cytometry using purified eosinophils from allergic subjects, normal subjects, and late-phase bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids. Rapid and reversible 15/7 binding on eosinophils from each source was induced in Mn2+ (0.01-1 mM) but not in buffers containing other divalent cations and occurred without affecting the total level of beta 1 integrin expression (quantified using mAb 33B6). Augmentation of eosinophil adhesion to immobilized vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) in Mn2+ followed a similar concentration dependence as mAb 15/7 binding. Net binding to VCAM-1 in Mn2+ was completely inhibited with a mixture of alpha 4 and beta 1 integrin mAb while beta 2 integrin mAb had no effect. Exposure of eosinophils from allergic subjects to as little as 1 pg/ml IL-5 completely inhibited mAb 15/7 binding induced by Mn2+. In contrast, increased binding of mAb 15/7 in Mn2+ was not blocked by IL-5 in eosinophils from normal subjects. For eosinophils from allergic subjects, IL-5 also inhibited Mn(2+)-induced adhesion to VCAM-1. Thus, beta 1 integrins on eosinophils from allergic and nonallergic subjects are modulated differently by Mn2+ and IL-5. Altered beta 1 integrin avidity may be one mechanism involved in preferential eosinophil recruitment in vivo.
Fluorescently labeled leukocytes are commonly used in in vitro and in vivo experimental systems. However, the effects of fluorescent labeling on the expression and function of leukocyte adhesion molecules has not been examined in part because the extreme intensity of fluorescence tends to obscure signals from other fluorochromes used for dual color analysis. We have utilized a novel technique involving a 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetic acid (AMCA) fluorophore-conjugated F(ab')2 fragment excitable in the ultraviolet wavelength range (350-450 nm) and dual-laser flow cytometry to determine if labeling of human neutrophils and eosinophils with the fluorescent dye 5-(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) alters surface expression of the primary leukocyte adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte-endothelial interactions. Simultaneously, adhesion molecule function was assessed by comparing the ability of CFDA-labeled vs. control cells to adhere to cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and purified immobilized adhesion molecules. Isolated human eosinophils and neutrophils were fluorescently labeled by incubation with CFDA. Flow cytometric comparisons of labeled and unlabeled cells demonstrated that fluorescence labeling of neutrophils and eosinophils with CFDA did not alter basal surface expression of the beta 2 integrins (i.e., CD11a CD11b or, CD18). Stimulation of neutrophils with fMLP and eosinophils with PMA resulted in increased surface expression of CD11b and CD18 which was not altered by CFDA labeling. Likewise, CFDA labeling of neutrophils and eosinophils did not significantly alter their integrin-dependent adhesion to activated HUVEC under static or rotational conditions. Similarly, adhesion to immobilized recombinant E- and P-selectin was unaltered. These data demonstrate that fluorescent labeling of human neutrophils and eosinophils with CFDA does not alter surface expression or function of several adhesion molecules necessary for leukocyte-endothelial interactions. The use of CFDA-labeled cells in experiments employing intravital microscopy should therefore provide valid information on adhesion molecule function in vivo.
Fas antigen (CD95) can induce apoptosis of cells such as lymphocytes and neutrophils. To determine whether Fas antigen is involved in eosinophil apoptosis, we examined its expression and function on eosinophils in vitro. Purified human eosinophils expressed low but consistently detectable levels of Fas antigen. Culture of eosinophils in up to 10 ng/mL interleukin-5 (IL-5) prolonged eosinophil survival; incorporation of 1 to 1,000 ng/mL Fas antibody led to significant reductions in IL-5-induced eosinophil viability after 48 to 72 hours of culture. Reductions in survival could not be overcome by IL-5 and also occurred in the absence of exogenous IL-5. Preactivation of eosinophils with platelet-activating factor (PAF) significantly reduced eosinophil viability without altering the survival-reducing effects of Fas antibody treatment. In contrast, RANTES did not affect eosinophil viability or Fas antibody-induced reductions in eosinophil survival. After treatment with Fas antibody, electron microscopy of eosinophils and gel electrophoresis of DNA extracted from eosinophils demonstrated changes consistent with apoptosis. These data demonstrate that Fas antigen can modify eosinophil survival by inducing apoptosis through a pathway that is, at least in part, independent of the survival-promoting effects of IL-5.
We have evaluated the adhesion of human cutaneous mast cells to several components of the extracellular matrix (plasma fibronectin, laminin, collagen type I and IV) and studied whether these cells express the beta 1 integrins potentially involved in the adhesion to these proteins. Human skin mast cells (5.1 +/- 1.5% pure) spontaneously adhered to fibronectin and laminin (0.1 to 10 micrograms/ml) immobilized on plastic surfaces (e.g., 14 +/- 7.2% and 14 +/- 4.4% adhesion at 10 micrograms/ml, respectively). Similar results were obtained with a 90% pure mast cell preparation. In contrast, cutaneous mast cells did not adhere to collagen type I (1.6 +/- 0.5% adhesion) or type IV (1.2 +/- 0.8% adhesion). Control adhesion in BSA-coated wells was < 5%. Mast cell adhesion to fibronectin was optimal after an incubation period of 60 to 90 min (t1/2 = 28.2 +/- 6.2 min), whereas adhesion to laminin was faster (t1/2 = 10.1 +/- 1.2 min), being nearly optimal after a 15-min incubation period. Human skin mast cell adhesion to fibronectin and laminin was found to be dependent on the presence of divalent cations in the extracellular medium. Dual-color immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to evaluate whether human skin mast cells (51.3 +/- 3.9% pure) express beta 1 integrins that may mediate cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. These mast cells were found to express VLA (very late Ag)-3 (75.3 +/- 35.6 specific fluorescence intensity) and, to lesser degree, VLA-4 and VLA-5 receptors (8.0 +/- 2.5 and 6.9 +/- 3.2 specific fluorescence intensity, respectively). In contrast, VLA-1, VLA-2, and VLA-6 integrins were not expressed significantly. mAb to VLA-3, VLA-4, and VLA-5 each inhibited by 70% skin mast cell adhesion to fibronectin. mAb to VLA-3 nearly abolished mast cells adhesion to laminin, whereas anti-VLA-4 and anti-VLA-5 were ineffective. Finally, immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (100 nM) and FK-506 (10 nM) significantly inhibited mast cell adhesion to both fibronectin and laminin (p < 0.05). Our data demonstrate that human skin mast cells spontaneously adhere to fibronectin and laminin, and that this adhesion is mediated by VLA-3, VLA-4, and/or VLA-5 integrins on these cells. Interactions between these beta 1 integrins and extracellular matrix proteins may be involved in perivascular tissue localization of human mast cells in vivo.
Previous studies with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) have shown that the cytokine IL-4 induces adherence of human eosinophils, but not neutrophils, because of its ability to selectively induce surface expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Because the cytokine IL-13 shares a number of biologic properties with IL-4, we examined the effect of IL-13 on the expression and function of adhesion molecules on HUVEC. Incubation of HUVEC for 4 to 48 h with IL-13 (0.1 to 15 U/ml) induced surface expression of VCAM-1, as detected by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, without significantly affecting expression of E-selectin or intercellular adhesion molecule-1. The kinetics and maximal IL-13-induced expression of VCAM-1 were similar to those seen with IL-4. Treatment of HUVEC with an optimal concentration of IL-13 (15 U/ml for 24 h) induced adhesiveness for eosinophils, but not for neutrophils, and adhesion was completely inhibited by mAb recognizing VCAM-1 or alpha 4 integrin (CD49d). These results demonstrate that IL-13, like IL-4, selectively stimulates HUVEC to express functional cell surface VCAM-1 and suggest a possible role for IL-13 in promoting VCAM-1/alpha 4 integrin-dependent accumulation of eosinophils during allergic and other inflammatory reactions in vivo.
Allergic rhinitis is now considered an inflammatory disorder where many leukocyte types, including eosinophils and T-lymphocytes, accumulate in increased numbers. Along with mast cells and other cells, they release a wide variety of mediators, cytokines, and granule constituents that can directly cause inflammation or activate the local vascular endothelium to further enhance the recruitment of leukocytes through the expression and function of adhesion molecules. While the understanding of the importance of leukocyte and endothelial adhesion molecules is still at a very early stage, recent evidence has already begun to implicate these cell surface molecules in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases such as rhinitis and asthma. Additional studies, including the use of adhesion molecule antagonists when available, will clarify the importance of these structures in the pathophysiology of these disorders.
To determine whether activated memory T lymphocytes (CD3+CD4+CD45RO+CD25+HLA-DR+) preferentially accumulate during the cutaneous IgE-dependent late-phase response, we challenged 10 atopic patients with allergen and monitored the cellular influx for 12 hours with a skin blister chamber model. Four patients with allergy were also challenged with irrelevant allergen in control experiments. Histamine release and the size of the cutaneous late-phase response were measured. Light microscopic analysis and phenotyping of recruited and blood lymphocytes were performed with immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Antigen challenge induced significant histamine release, a macroscopic late-phase response, and significant cellular influx in the appropriately challenged patients with allergy but not in control subjects. In the control group, only limited phenotypic analyses could be performed, which demonstrated an equivalent percentage of CD3+CD4+ cells in the chamber fluids compared with blood. In contrast, a higher proportion of CD4+ T lymphocytes and a lower proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes accumulated in chamber fluids during the late-phase response compared with that present in blood. The vast majority of the recruited T lymphocytes expressed a memory phenotype (CD45RO+) with enhanced percentages of CD25+ and HLA-DR+ cells. Also, these cells had increased levels of very late antigen-4 (CD49d/CD29) and reduced levels of L-selectin compared with the same cells in blood. These results demonstrate that allergen challenge of the skin in patients with allergy leads to the preferential accumulation of activated, memory T lymphocytes. The mechanism by which these cells are selectively recruited during cutaneous allergic inflammation remains to be determined.
Eosinophils (EOS) and neutrophils (PMN) display different patterns of accumulation during various inflammatory reactions. We hypothesized that EOS and PMN may differ in their ligands for P-selectin, and that these ligands may differ from those previously identified for E-selectin. Recombinant human P-selectin was immobilized on plastic surfaces and adhesion of 51Cr-labeled human EOS or PMN was compared. EOS and PMN adhered in a concentration-dependent fashion, with similar maximal net adhesion. Preincubation with a blocking P-selectin antibody inhibited adhesion of both cell types, whereas a non-blocking antibody did not. To determine if the counterligands were sialylated proteins, cells were treated with various glycosidases and proteases before testing adhesion. Neuraminidase treatment markedly inhibited binding of both cell types, while endo-beta-galactosidase had no significant effect. Pretreatment with several proteases reduced adhesion of both cell types, although they consistently caused a greater inhibition of PMN binding than EOS binding. To determine whether the P-selectin ligands were surface structures whose expression or function may be altered by cell activation, leukocytes were pretreated with various stimuli; only platelet-activating factor (PAF) treatment reduced the capacity of leukocytes to adhere to P-selectin. Thus, the counterligands for P-selectin on EOS and PMN are similar sialylated, protease-sensitive, endo-beta-galactosidase-resistant structures, whose function and/or expression is reduced following treatment with PAF. These characteristics are clearly different than those reported for EOS and PMN ligands for E-selectin, and suggest disparate roles for P-selectin and E-selectin during EOS and PMN recruitment during inflammatory responses in vivo.
To simulate adhesion that occurs under conditions of flow, we investigated the attachment of eosinophils to endothelium under rotational conditions. Tissue-culture plates containing monolayers of HUVEC were placed on a horizontal rotator (80 revolutions per minute (rpm)), and equal numbers of purified human eosinophils or neutrophils were added to separate wells at 4 degrees C. Binding of eosinophils and neutrophils to unstimulated endothelial cells was 15 +/- 3 and 31 +/- 11 cells/four high power fields (HPF), respectively. After preincubation of HUVEC with IL-1 beta (1 ng/ml, 4 h, 37 degrees C), adhesion increased to 56 +/- 4 and 290 +/- 26 cells/four HPF, respectively (p < 0.0002 for both, n = 8-14). Eosinophils with reduced levels of L-selectin (blood eosinophils activated in vitro or eosinophils obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed after segmental lung allergen challenge of allergic subjects) demonstrated reduced binding under rotating conditions. Several L-selectin Abs inhibited adhesion of eosinophils and neutrophils (e.g., LAM1-3: 43 +/- 14% vs 63 +/- 3% inhibition; LAM1-6: 73 +/- 5% vs 36 +/- 6% inhibition, respectively, n > or = 6). Interestingly, one additional L-selectin Ab, LAM1-11, inhibited eosinophil but not neutrophil adhesion (51 +/- 2% vs 1 +/- 7% inhibition, respectively, n > or = 5). We conclude that eosinophils, like neutrophils, use L-selectin to bind to activated endothelial cells under conditions of flow, although mAb LAM1-11 can selectively inhibit eosinophil attachment to stimulated endothelial cells in vitro, suggesting different functional epitopes on L-selectin among eosinophils and neutrophils.
Human resident alveolar macrophages (AM) exhibit autofluorescence when excited by light from 488 nm lasers used by most flow cytometers. Because this autofluorescence occurs at peak 540 nm, it obscures fluorescence generated by commonly used immunofluorescent reagents (e.g., antibodies conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or R-phycoerythrin (R-PE)) applied for cell surface marker analysis. Therefore, a two color flow cytometric method has been developed that permits the quantitative phenotypic analysis of AM without influence by their natural autofluorescence. In this method, a commercially available preparation of secondary polyclonal antibodies (recognizing primary specific mouse IgG monoclonal antibodies) that are conjugated to a tandem fluorochrome dye (containing R-PE and Cy5) is used. Using this method, the expression of 12 different surface markers on AM obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of 13 subjects was analyzed and compared with their expression on the surface of peripheral blood monocytes. This method will facilitate analysis of surface markers on AM in a variety of disorders.
Activation of HUVEC monolayers by IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha induces migration of eosinophils across the endothelial monolayer (i.e., transendothelial migration) in vitro. In the present study, we demonstrate that culture of freshly isolated eosinophils in the presence of IL-5 for 24 to 48 h before use in the assay dramatically potentiated CD18-dependent eosinophil transendothelial migration through unstimulated endothelial monolayers. Granulocyte macrophage (GM)-CSF induced eosinophil transendothelial migration but did not induce neutrophil transendothelial migration. When IL-1 beta-activated endothelial cells were used, GM-CSF, IL-3, or IL-5 caused only modest potentiation of eosinophil transendothelial migration. Since activated endothelial cells are known to produce GM-CSF, we hypothesized that endothelial-derived GM-CSF might play a role in the process of IL-1 beta-induced eosinophil transendothelial migration. IL-1 beta-activated endothelial monolayers grown on the permeable supports produced 0.3 +/- 0.1 ng/ml of GM-CSF during a 4-h incubation and neutralizing Ab against GM-CSF inhibited eosinophil transendothelial migration by 48%, suggesting that endothelial-derived GM-CSF may participate in the response. Eosinophils purified from bronchoalveolar lavage 18 to 20 h after experimental Ag challenge in the lungs of allergic volunteers showed enhanced transendothelial migration, indicating that the cells may have undergone cytokine activation in vivo. Eosinophil-active cytokines may contribute to the preferential accumulation of eosinophils in vivo in part via potentiation of eosinophil transendothelial migration.
Both neutrophils and eosinophils have been shown to bind to the inducible endothelial cell adhesion molecule E-selectin. For neutrophils, one of the reported ligands for E-selectin is the sialylated Lewis X Ag (sLe(x)). To analyze the counterligands on eosinophils for E-selectin, adhesion assays were performed in which purified leukocytes were allowed to adhere to a soluble recombinant form of the molecule immobilized on plastic plates. Eosinophils, like neutrophils, bound to immobilized E-selectin, but significantly more neutrophils than eosinophils adhered in this assay. Consistent with the greater ability of neutrophils to bind E-selectin was the observation by flow cytometry that neutrophils expressed significant levels of sLe(x) and a sialylated dimeric form of the Le(x) Ag (sialyl-dimeric Le(x), or sialyl-stage-specific embryonic Ag-1, recognized by mAb FH6), whereas the expression of these epitopes on eosinophils was extremely low or undetectable. Expression was similar on eosinophils from allergic and nonallergic donors, and was not altered on eosinophils after induction of L-selectin shedding in vitro by treatment with platelet-activating factor. For both eosinophils and neutrophils, treatment with sialidase was associated with the complete elimination of sLe(x) and sialyl-dimeric Le(x) surface expression, and abolished leukocyte adhesion to E-selectin. Another glycosidase, endo-beta-galactosidase, which specifically cleaves the beta 1-4 galactose linkage to N-acetyl-glucosamine when it exists in an extended chain form such as that found in sialyl-dimeric Le(x), significantly inhibited eosinophil and neutrophil adhesion and expression of sialyl-dimeric Le(x). Such treatment also reduced sLe(x) expression on eosinophils, while having little effect on total neutrophil sLe(x) expression. For both eosinophils and neutrophils the sialylated ligand did not appear to be a glycoprotein because pretreatment of leukocytes with several proteases had no effect on adhesion to E-selectin or on expression of sLe(x) and sialyl-dimeric Le(x). These data suggest that eosinophils, like neutrophils, use sialylated, protease-resistant structures to bind to E-selectin, although the eosinophil expresses much lower levels of these structures on its surface. A major proportion of the sLe(x)-containing E-selectin ligand on the surface of eosinophils appears to be in the form of sialyl-dimeric Le(x), whereas this represents a minor proportion on the surface of neutrophils. Based on results using endo-beta-galactosidase, it appears that these cells may rely disproportionately upon the cell surface sialyl-dimeric Le(x) to bind to E-selectin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
These studies examine the distribution of single-cell responses in basophil preparations in the context of four events that may be associated with early activation by anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody and the bacterial peptide fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP). In general, we measured the single-cell response distributions after challenge with a concentration of stimulus that resulted in an optimal response and compared this with the distribution that occurred after challenge with suboptimal concentrations of the same stimulus. The elevation in cytosolic calcium, as detected in Fura-2-labeled basophils, after challenge with anti-IgE or fMLP showed graded characteristics in that the distributions were unimodal under conditions of optimal or suboptimal challenge with little skewing from a normal distribution. Similarly, the up-regulation of the cell surface adhesion molecule CD11b, as determined by flow cytometry, showed graded unimodal increases after challenge with anti-IgE antibody at optimal and suboptimal concentrations. In addition, stimulation of basophils led to increased F-actin polymerization. After challenge with an optimal concentration of anti-IgE antibody, the F-actin content of basophils increased to a maximum between 10 and 15 min and returned to near prechallenge levels by 60 min. There was a close correlation between the maximum increase in F-actin content and histamine release regardless of the stimulus; anti-IgE antibody, fMLP, and phorbol ester (PMA) responses lay on the same regression line. The single-cell F-actin polymerization distributions were also unimodal and graded according to the magnitude of the histamine release response. During measurements of the calcium response under the microscope we noted that basophils underwent significant changes in morphology after challenge with any stimulus. These changes were related to both degranulation and nondegranulation events and could be quantitated by a series of image-processing algorithms, which are presented. The kinetics of the morphological change, measured as a change in cell perimeter, paralleled degranulation. Single-cell distributions of the morphologic changes were also unimodal under conditions of both optimal and suboptimal stimulation. Therefore, no evidence of all-or-nothing responses could be observed in the context of these four early activation events. In general, the response distributions resembled normal distributions at both optimal and suboptimal levels of stimulation, which indicated that single basophils responded in a graded manner.
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To understand the events involved in selective eosinophil migration into allergic inflammatory sites, we studied the expression of vascular endothelial adhesion molecules in the nasal mucosa. Ten subjects with asymptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis and 13 nonallergic subjects underwent localized allergen challenge of one inferior turbinate. Twenty-four hours later, biopsy specimens were obtained from the inferior turbinates, bilaterally in the seasonally allergic subjects and unilaterally in the nonallergic control subjects. The specimens were divided, sectioned, and either stained for identification of eosinophils or analyzed immunohistochemically for intercellular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and von Willebrand's factor. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression was observed in all mucosal specimens, with no significant difference among groups. E-selectin showed minimal baseline expression, and low levels were significantly induced on the challenged mucosa of the allergic compared with nonallergic subjects (p < 0.05). VCAM-1 was expressed basally and was significantly upregulated by allergen challenge, compared with the nonchallenged side and nonallergic control subjects (p < 0.05). Submucosal eosinophils increased significantly in allergic subjects 24 hours after antigen challenge, compared with nonallergic control subjects and weakly correlated with VCAM-1 expression (rs = 0.33, p = 0.06). Our results suggest that endothelial activation accompanies allergic inflammation. Furthermore, because the counterligand for VCAM-1, very late activation antigen-4, is present on eosinophils, VCAM-1 upregulation may contribute to the selective recruitment of these cells to the nasal mucosa.
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Eosinophil infiltration into the airways has been implicated in the pathophysiology of asthma. To improve our understanding of the function of eosinophils in asthma, we have compared the phenotype and function of eosinophils obtained simultaneously from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of allergic subjects 19 hours after segmental lung allergen challenge. Eosinophils were purified by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation, and their distribution at various layers was quantitated. Eosinophils at the 1.080 to 1.085 gm/ml interfaces from blood and BAL (purity > 70%) were analyzed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry for several surface markers including adhesion-activation antigens. Eosinophils in BAL from antigen-challenged sites were markedly increased compared with control diluent-challenged BAL sites (0.3% +/- 1% vs 28.1% +/- 9.7%, n = 12, p < 0.002), and a greater percentage were hypodense (specific gravity < 1.080 gm/ml) than in peripheral blood (51.3 +/- 5.3 vs 19.0 +/- 4.4, n = 15, p < 0.01). In vitro, resting and activated BAL eosinophils biosynthesized less thromboxane B2 than blood eosinophils. Although both BAL and blood eosinophils expressed similar levels of Fc gamma RII (CD32), CD11a, and CD45, resting levels of Mo-1 (CD11b) were upregulated on BAL eosinophils (mean fluorescence intensity, 316% +/- 48% of blood eosinophils, n = 5, p < 0.05). Blood eosinophils stimulated in vitro with 1 mumol/L platelet activating factor or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine achieved levels of CD11b expression similar to those of BAL eosinophils. In contrast, CD11b expression on BAL eosinophils could not be further increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)