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Biomedical subjects

C Baglioni

Publications and source records attributed to C Baglioni.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Tumor necrosis factor induces contraction of mesangial cells and alters their cytoskeletons.

Cultures of human mesangial cells (MC) were established from the renal cortex of surgical specimen. The characteristic spindle-shaped or stellate appearance of MC was altered after treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF). After two hours, the MC retracted and lost reciprocal contacts. Furthermore, this treatment altered the cytoskeletal organization of MC, since a peripheral band of actin and stress fibers disappeared while the streaks of vinculin at focal contacts decreased. These changes were reversible when the MC were cultured in fresh medium. After five minutes of treatment with platelet activating factor (PAF), changes similar to those induced by TNF were observed. Inhibitors of PAF synthesis, such as plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and an anti-inflammatory peptide, blocked changes induced by TNF, PAF receptor antagonists inhibited changes induced by PAF and also by TNF. These results and the finding that MC are stimulated to produce PAF by TNF suggest that PAF is a secondary mediator of the changes in cell shape and cytoskeletal organization induced by this cytokine.

Cells, Cultured↗

Nasal absorption of interferon: enhancement by surfactant agents.

The effect of spraying the nasal mucosa with an aerosol of recombinant human interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha 2a) was studied in an animal model, the sheep, because cultures of sheep cells were found to be responsive to the antiviral activity of this IFN. Binding assays with 125I-labeled IFN-alpha 2a detected very few receptors in sheep nasal mucosa, but a membrane fraction prepared from this mucosa had abundant high-affinity receptors. Nasal mucosa homogenates were prepared from the turbinates of sheep that had been sprayed with IFN-alpha 2a aerosols, and the 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) activity induced in response was measured. To try to enhance the permeability of the mucosa, surfactant agents were added to the IFN and aerosols generated. There were measurable levels of 2-5A synthetase after aerosols with added sodium deoxycholate or, better, polyoxyethylene 9-lauryl ether. This latter surfactant was well tolerated in previous studies with intranasally administered insulin. The level of 2-5A synthetase induced was related to the dose of IFN, and the increased activity persisted up to 72 h after an IFN aerosol. These studies suggest that surfactant agents may make IFN aerosols much more effective for the prophylaxis of respiratory virus infections.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

Effects of different biological response modifiers on interferon expression in bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responsive and LPS-hyporesponsive mouse peritoneal macrophages.

We have previously shown that the antiviral state of explanted mouse peritoneal macrophages (PM) decays during in vitro culture and that this decay is much more rapid in Lpsd PM than it is in Lpsn PM. Moreover, Lpsn PM can transfer the antiviral state to other cells, whereas Lpsd PM cannot. In vitro treatment of Lpsn PM with different agents [i.e., bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and antibody to Mac-1 antigen] induced an antiviral state to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) which was inhibited by antibodies to IFN-beta. Treatment of Lpsn PM with LPS or IFN-gamma resulted in greater accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA, whereas no change in the barely detectable levels of IFN-alpha mRNA was observed. Marked accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA was also observed in PM after TNF-alpha treatment. M-CSF and IFN-gamma (but not LPS) also induced an IFN-mediated antiviral state in Lpsd PM. Low levels of spontaneous transcription of IFN-beta mRNA were detected in nuclei from Lpsd PM. Treatment of Lpsd PM with IFN-gamma for 3 h resulted in the accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA without any concomitant increase in the transcription of the IFN-beta gene, as determined by run-on transcription assays with isolated nuclei. The addition of as little as I international unit/ml of IFN-gamma to PM resulted in a 100-fold inhibition of VSV yield. As antibodies to IFN-alpha/beta inhibited only a portion of the IFN-gamma-induced antiviral state, such an antiviral state might reflect the synergism between IFN-gamma and endogenous IFN-beta. In fact, the addition of low doses of both IFN-gamma and IFN-beta to either Lpsn or Lpsd PM resulted in synergistic antiviral effects. In vivo treatment of Lpsd mice with granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF, M-CSF, IFN-gamma or Newcastle disease virus rendered peritoneal cells capable of transferring an antiviral state. These results indicate that (i) various stimuli can induce IFN-beta production by PM, (ii) Lpsd PM spontaneously transcribe low levels of IFN-beta mRNA, even though they cannot transfer an antiviral state, (iii) different stimuli, but not LPS, induce a normal IFN response in Lpsd PM, (iv) IFN-gamma increases the accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA in Lpsd PM by post-transcriptional mechanisms and (v) IFN-gamma may act synergistically with endogenous IFN-beta in inducing a potent antiviral state to VSV in PM.

Animals↗

Tumour necrosis factor in serum and synovial fluid of patients with active and severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Fifteen serum samples and 29 synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined for the presence of tumour necrosis factor (TNF). The assay for TNF was based on the cytotoxic activity of this cytokine for human melanoma cells in tissue culture. High concentrations of TNF were found in serum samples of patients with severe RA, who had increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum alpha 2 macroglobulin, but decreased haemoglobin and serum iron concentrations. Tumour necrosis factor was also found in the synovial fluid of 16 out of 29 patients. High TNF concentrations were found in fluids with greater than 10(10) leucocytes/l. Tumour necrosis factor was not detected in the serum of normal subjects or in synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis. A mediator of inflammation, such as TNF, may contribute to the severity of RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Regulation of platelet-activating factor synthesis by acetyl-coenzyme A.

Human neutrophils (PMN) stimulated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) synthesize and release platelet-activating factor (PAF) transiently. In the present investigation, we have examined the mechanism responsible for the down-regulation of PAF synthesis. The response of PMN is proportional to the occupancy of high-affinity TNF receptors on the PMN plasma membrane, as shown by binding assays with [125I]TNF. These receptors are down-regulated within 10 min of the addition of TNF; the receptors reappear after 60 min, but the PMN do not resume PAF synthesis. Further PAF synthesis is obtained by adding acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) to the culture medium. However, this compound does not diffuse into PMN, as shown by incubating these cells with labeled acetyl-CoA. This finding suggests that PAF synthesis is regulated by the amount of acetyl-CoA available to the lyso-PAF: acetyltransferase on the cell plasma membrane. This acetyl-CoA is accessible to chemicals in the culture medium, since it is hydrolysed by hydroxylamine. The inhibition of PAF synthesis by hydroxylamine is reversed by adding acetyl-CoA. PAF synthesis in TNF-treated cells appears to be regulated either by the amount of acetyl-CoA available or by the ability to transfer acetyl-CoA from the cellular pool to the lyso-PAF: acetyltransferase.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

Selected cytokines promote the synthesis of platelet-activating factor in vascular endothelial cells: comparison between tumor necrosis factor alpha and beta and interleukin-1.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha and TNF beta) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) are mediators of immunity and inflammation that induce different, but partially overlapping responses in human endothelial cells (HEC). We compared the effect of purified recombinant human TNF alpha, TNF beta and IL-1 on the production of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in HEC. After 30-60 min of treatment with TNF alpha or TNF beta, HEC produce and partially release considerable amounts of PAF, which reach a maximum after 4-6 h. In HEC treated with IL-1 PAF production is detectable after 2 h and peaks at 8-12 h. More than twice as much PAF is produced in response to optimal concentrations of TNF alpha than in response to TNF beta or IL-1. However, PAF synthesis is stimulated by lower molar concentrations of IL-1 than TNF alpha and TNF beta. The ability to induce PAF synthesis in HEC seems to be restricted to these three cytokines, as shown by negative results obtained with other cytokines that activate HEC (interferons, granulocyte- and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, epithelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor beta), or participate in the inflammatory process (IL-6, platelet-derived growth factor).

Cells, Cultured↗

Involvement of cytokines and platelet-activating factor in renal pathology.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid that exhibits a wide range of biological activities as a secondary mediator of inflammation and anaphylaxis. Primary mediators of inflammation, such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor, stimulate PAF release by monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils and endothelial cells. PAF has also been implicated in cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. This review will focus on recent data suggesting that the local production of these mediators in glomeruli by infiltrating inflammatory cells or resident cells may influence the clinicopathological expression of glomerular disease. Results from in vitro and experimental studies suggest that these mediators alter the growth pattern of glomerular cells and the composition of secreted matrix, leading to scar formation and eventually to glomerulosclerosis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Multimeric structure of the tumor necrosis factor receptor of HeLa cells.

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor of HeLa cells was solubilized in Triton X-100 and characterized by gel filtration, affinity labeling, and ligand blotting studies. Receptors solubilized with Triton X-100 eluted in gel filtration as a major peak of Mr = 330,000 and retained high affinity binding (KD = 0.25 nM). Affinity labeling of soluble receptor/125I-TNF complexes using the reversible, bifunctional bis[2-(succinimidooxycarbonyl-oxy)ethyl] sulfone resulted in the formation of cross-linked species of Mr = 310,000, 150,000-175,000, 95,000, and 75,000. The formation of these complexes was competitively inhibited by unlabeled TNF. Partial reversal of cross-linking in these complexes and their analysis by two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) resolved 125I-TNF dimers cleaved from the 95,000 band and 125I-TNF monomer cleaved from the 75,000 band, providing evidence for a Mr approximately 60,000 subunit. In addition, the 95,000 and 75,000 bands were resolved as components of larger complexes (Mr = 150,000-175,000), which presumably contain two receptor subunits. The Mr 95,000 and 75,000 bands were also released from the Mr 310,000 complex by reduction with dithiothreitol, suggesting a role for disulfide bond stabilization. To investigate the association of the putative receptor subunits, Triton X-100 extracts from HeLa membranes were fractionated by SDS-PAGE without reduction and transferred electrophoretically to nylon membranes for TNF binding assays. Only two bands of Mr = 60,000 and 70,000 specifically bound TNF, and higher Mr binding activity was not observed. These results indicate that TNF receptors in HeLa cells are high molecular weight complexes containing Mr = 60,000 and 70,000 subunits each capable of binding TNF and that the complexes are primarily stabilized by non-covalent, hydrophobic interactions.

Affinity Labels↗

Tumor necrosis factor stimulates human neutrophils to release leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor. Induction of phospholipase A2 and acetyl-CoA:1-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine O2-acetyltransferase activity and inhibition by antiproteinase.

Tumor necrosis factor stimulates polymorphonuclearneutrophils to synthesize leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor (PAF), but alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin block this response. However, proteinases such as elastase and cathepsin G induce preferentially synthesis of PAF. An acetyltransferase required, together with phospholipase A2, in the remodeling pathway of PAF synthesis is activated in polymorphonuclearneutrophils stimulated by tumor necrosis factor and elastase. In contrast, 1-oleyl-2-acetylglycerol, a protein kinase C activator, promotes PAF formation by the de novo biosynthetic pathway without activating the acetyltransferase. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, blocks PAF production apparently by inhibiting phospholipase A2. This suggests that diacylglycerols are involved in activating both pathway of PAF synthesis.

Acetyltransferases↗

Activators of protein kinase C enhance accumulation of interferon-beta mRNA in murine cell lines.

Murine C127 fibroblasts carrying an expression vector for a human interferon gene (HuIFN-beta, under the control of a constitutive promoter) can be induced to produce murine (Mu) IFN by double-stranded (ds) RNA or virus infection. Fibroblasts treated with the protein kinase C activators 1-oleyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) secrete greater amounts of MuIFN than untreated cells, but the same amount of HuIFN-beta. Accordingly, the level of MuIFN-beta mRNA increases in the presence of protein kinase C activators whereas that of HuIFN-beta mRNA is unchanged. In time course experiments after induction with dsRNA, accumulation of MuIFN-beta mRNA is observed within 30 min in the presence of OAG, when this mRNA cannot be detected in control cells. The protein kinase C activators increase accumulation of MuIFN-beta mRNA, even in the presence of the inhibitor of protein synthesis cycloheximide. A similar increase in MuIFN-beta mRNA is observed in C243 fibroblasts treated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, but not in parental C127 cells. These findings suggest that protein kinase C does not promote synthesis of regulatory factors controlling transcription of IFN mRNA, but that it may be directly or indirectly involved in activation of such factors in some murine cell lines.

Animals↗

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide and gamma interferon induce transcription of beta interferon mRNA and interferon secretion in murine macrophages.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces interferon (IFN) secretion and an antiviral state in murine peritoneal macrophages (PM). These cells secrete predominantly IFN-beta, as shown by neutralization assays with monoclonal antibodies. Secretion of IFN-beta is also induced in PM by IFN-gamma. LPS and IFN-gamma synergistically stimulated PM to produce IFN in amounts almost comparable to those induced by infection with Newcastle disease virus. Low levels of IFN-beta mRNA can be detected in freshly harvested PM by hybridization assays. The accumulation of this mRNA is markedly increased in PM treated with LPS or IFN-gamma, and it is further enhanced in the presence of the inhibitor of protein synthesis, cycloheximide. Similar studies were carried out on the RAW 264.7 line of transformed macrophages. These cells are induced to secrete IFN-beta by LPS but not by IFN-gamma, suggesting that this cytokine may elicit such specific response only in PM. IFN-beta mRNA is undetectable in untreated RAW 264.7 cells, and accumulation of this mRNA is induced by LPS but not by IFN-gamma. The secretion of IFN induced by these agents in PM and by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells and the corresponding accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA are blocked by an inhibitor of protein kinase C, staurosporine. The activity of this kinase is apparently necessary to stimulate accumulation of IFN-beta mRNA. The induction of IFN-beta by IFN-gamma appears to be a characteristic response of PM and may be at least in part responsible for the resistance of these cells to viral infections.

Animals↗

Synthesis and release of platelet-activating factor is inhibited by plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor or alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and is stimulated by proteinases.

TNF and IL-1 stimulate the synthesis and release of platelet-activating factor (PAF) by neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells. Serum inhibits PAF production even after inactivation of an acetylhydrolase that degrades PAF. Human plasma was fractionated by gel filtration chromatography, and two inhibitory fractions were detected, one containing PAF-acetylhydrolase activity and the other alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. Low concentrations of this antiproteinase and of human plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin inhibited TNF-induced PAF synthesis in neutrophils, macrophages, and vascular endothelial cells. Both antiproteinases also inhibited PAF production stimulated by phagocytosis in macrophages and induced with IL-1 in neutrophils or with TNF in vascular endothelial cells. These results suggest that a proteinase activated on the plasma membrane or secreted by these cells is involved in promoting PAF synthesis. Indeed, addition of elastase to macrophages, neutrophils, and endothelial cells stimulated synthesis and release of PAF much faster than TNF. A similar stimulation was observed in incubations with cathepsin G. To identify a proteinase activated in TNF-treated cells, neutrophils and endothelial cells were incubated with specific chloromethyl ketone inhibitors of elastase and cathepsin G. Synthesis of PAF was significantly inhibited by low concentrations of the cathepsin G inhibitor. The finding that antiproteinases are inhibitory at concentrations 100-fold lower than those present in plasma raises questions as to the ability of TNF and IL-1 to stimulate neutrophils in circulation or endothelial cells to synthesize PAF. We propose that PAF production is limited to zones of close contact between cells, which exclude antiproteinases.

Blood Proteins↗

Synthesis and release of platelet-activating factor by human vascular endothelial cells treated with tumor necrosis factor or interleukin 1 alpha.

Human endothelial cells synthesize large amounts of platelet-activating factor (PAF) after 30-min treatment with recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Synthesis of PAF peaks at 4-6 h, whereas in endothelial cells treated with interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1) it peaks at 8-12 h. More than twice as much PAF is synthesized in response to optimal concentrations of TNF than in response to IL-1. However, PAF synthesis is stimulated by lower molar concentrations of IL-1 than TNF. About 30% of PAF produced in response to either TNF or IL-1 is released into the medium, whereas approximately 70% remains cell-associated. Experiments with labeled precursors show that PAF is synthesized de novo in response to TNF. This activity of TNF is inhibited by treating endothelial cells with the inhibitors of protein or RNA synthesis cycloheximide or actinomycin D. This finding may be explained by the observation that TNF induces in endothelial cells an acetyltransferase required for PAF synthesis. The induction of this enzymatic activity precedes the peak of PAF synthesis in TNF-treated cells. After prolonged incubation with either TNF or IL-1, endothelial cells no longer respond to the same monokine, but are still capable of producing PAF when treated with the other monokine. The finding that these monokines do not show reciprocal tachyphylaxis in endothelial cells may be explained by their binding to different receptors. In cells treated simultaneously with different concentrations of TNF and IL-1, PAF synthesis is stimulated in an additive rather than synergistic way. This suggests that PAF is synthesized by the same pathway in response to TNF or IL-1.

Acetyltransferases↗

The glucocorticoid dexamethasone inhibits synthesis of interferon by decreasing the level of its mRNA.

Human fibroblasts were induced to secrete interferon (IFN) by treatment with the double-stranded RNA poly(inosinic).poly(cytidylic) acid or by infection with Newcastle disease virus. Treatment with 0.1-1 microM dexamethasone reduced the amount of IFN secreted by approximately 40-70%, respectively. A similar decrease in secretion of human IFN-beta was detected in dexamethasone-treated murine C127 cells that carry an IFN expression vector. These cells transcribe constitutively human IFN-beta under the control of a viral thymidine kinase promotor. Secretion of murine IFN induced by double-stranded RNA was also reduced in dexamethasone-treated C127 cells. The amount of IFN-beta mRNA present in fibroblasts and C127 cells was measured by hybridization to complementary RNA. Treatment with dexamethasone markedly reduced the level of IFN-beta mRNA present in both cells. The time course of this decrease was measured in C127 cells; 50 and 80% loss of IFN mRNA was observed after approximately 7.5 and 12 h, respectively. Murine IFN mRNA was also decreased in dexamethasone-treated C127 cells induced with double-stranded RNA. However, the rate of transcription of human IFN mRNA measured by run-on assays in isolated nuclei of dexamethasone-treated C127 cells was found to be comparable to that of control untreated cells. The finding that dexamethasone reduces the level of IFN mRNA transcribed under the control of both its own promotor and an unrelated promotor, together with the observation that dexamethasone does not apparently alter the rate of transcription of this mRNA, suggest that glucocorticoids may regulate IFN production by decreasing the level of its mRNA.

Animals↗