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J Gauldie

Publications and source records attributed to J Gauldie.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

TNF-alpha production by eosinophils in upper airways inflammation (nasal polyposis).

TNF-alpha is a cytokine with a wide spectrum of proinflammatory activities. Nasal polyps (NP), which occur in association with allergic rhinitis and asthma, are characterized by a marked infiltration of activated eosinophils, epithelial damage, and varying degrees of stromal fibrosis. By using Southern blot analysis after a reverse transcription-PCR, we detected a signal specific for TNF-alpha mRNA in five of seven NP samples, but not in control nasal mucosal samples. With in situ hybridization, we detected cells expressing mRNA specific for TNF-alpha in eight of thirteen NP samples, but not in four control samples. Counterstaining with chromotrope 2R demonstrated that virtually all cells expressing TNF-alpha message were eosinophils. The ratio of eosinophils expressing TNF-alpha to the total number of eosinophils varied greatly among tissues; as an average, we observed 24% TNF-alpha-positive eosinophils. Using a mAb against human TNF-alpha, we demonstrated TNF-alpha localization in 12 NP tissues (48.8 +/- 16.5 positive cells/mm2) but not in three control samples. Morphologically, cells localizing TNF-alpha were both mononucleated and polynucleated with only a small number of eosinophils, as determined by aniline blue counterstaining. Studies of purified blood eosinophils from a patient with hypereosinophilic syndrome and from four healthy donors indicated that TNF-alpha is produced, but rapidly secreted, so that TNF-alpha mRNA-positive cells contain little detectable protein. Furthermore, cells that retain detectable TNF-alpha may not contain sufficient TNF-alpha mRNA to be detected by using the probe developed for our studies. Together, these findings identify a novel mechanism by which eosinophils may contribute to mucosal inflammation and provide an approach to future investigation.

Eosinophilia↗

A role for CD4+ T cells in the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis in tight skin mice.

The tight skin (Tsk/+) mouse represents a murine model of heritable fibrosis with some similarities to the skin fibrosis seen in human scleroderma. Tsk/+ animals display alterations in connective tissue in some internal organs. Skin fibrosis can be adoptively transferred to normal recipients with Tsk/+ bone marrow or spleen cells and older Tsk/+ animals develop autoantibodies against topoisomerase suggesting that some of the pathogenesis in the Tsk/+ mouse may be mediated by autoimmunity. To determine the role of T cell subsets in the pathogenesis of fibrotic disease, Tsk/+ mice were bred with CD4- and CD8-deficient (CD4-/- and CD8-/-) mice. Tsk/+ CD4-/- mice showed a marked reduction in skin fibrosis as well as decreased cellularity and only mild collagen disorganization as compared to Tsk/+ CD4+ CD8+ control mice yet did not differ from Tsk controls in the level of serum anti-topoisomerase activity. In contrast, Tsk/+ CD8-/- mice exhibited the same histology in the skin as Tsk/+ controls yet had significantly reduced levels of serum anti-topoisomerase activity. Lung pathology, i.e. emphysema, was unaffected by both the CD4 or CD8 mutations. These data show that only some of the pathological effects of the Tsk mutation are T cell dependent and that different T cell subsets affect different parameters in this multi-organ model of fibrotic disease.

Animals↗

The acute phase response.

Adult mammals respond to tissue damage by implementing the acute phase response, which comprises a series of specific physiological reactions. This review outlines the principal cellular and molecular mechanisms that control initiation of the tissue response at the site of injury, the recruitment of the systemic defense mechanisms, the acute phase response of the liver and the resolution of the acute phase response.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Cytokine expression by neutrophils and macrophages in vivo: endotoxin induces tumor necrosis factor-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 but not RANTES or transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA expression in acute lung inflammation.

Using a rat model of acute lung inflammation induced by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we investigated the kinetics of mRNA expression and the potential cellular sources of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, RANTES, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). By Northern blot analysis, TNF-alpha and MIP-2 mRNAs in total lung tissue increased markedly by 30 min and peaked by 1 h after LPS exposure, whereas expression of IL-1 beta and IL-6 was not detected until 1 h and peaked within 6 h. In contrast, neither RANTES nor TGF-beta 1 mRNA was induced by LPS throughout 72 h, although a basal expression was detected in both saline- and LPS-treated lung tissues. At 1 h after LPS, the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid contained about 98% alveolar macrophages (AM), whereas by 6 or 12 h, 88% of BAL cells were polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Upon extraction of total RNA after separation of AM from PMN in BAL, Northern analysis showed that at 1 h, AM expressed pronounced signals for TNF-alpha, MIP-2, IL-1 beta, and IL-6. At 6 and 12 h, however, while cytokine transcripts decreased in AM, PMN exhibited strong signals for these cytokines. A low basal noninducible signal for TGF-beta 1 but not RANTES was detected in both AM and PMN. Finally, by in situ hybridization techniques, PMN in the lung tissue, particularly those located in the vicinity of the bronchiole and vasculature, were demonstrated to localize MIP-2 mRNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗

Regulation of secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) and elastase-specific inhibitor (ESI/elafin) in human airway epithelial cells by cytokines and neutrophilic enzymes.

The regulation of the activity of potentially harmful proteinases secreted by neutrophils during inflammation is important for the prevention of excessive tissue injury. Secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI), also called antileukoprotease (ALP) or mucus proteinase inhibitor (MPI), is a serine proteinase inhibitor that has been found in a variety of mucous secretions and that is secreted by bronchial epithelial cells. We recently reported the presence of SLPI and of an elastase-specific inhibitor (ESI), also called elafin, in the supernatants of two cell lines, NCI-H322 and A549, which have features of Clara cells and type II alveolar cells, respectively. We showed in addition that epithelial cell lines produce the elastase-specific inhibitor as a 12 to 16 kD precursor of the elafin molecule (6 kD) called pre-elafin. In the present study, we show that NCI-H322 cells produced higher amounts of both inhibitors than A549 cells and that basal production of SLPI in both cell lines is higher than the production of elafin/pre-elafin. In addition, we show that interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor induce significant SLPI expression and are major inducers of elafin/pre-elafin expression. Moreover, induction is greater in A549 cells than in NCI-H322 cells. The implications of these findings for the peripheral airways are twofold: (1) alveolar epithelial cells may respond to cytokines secreted during the onset of inflammation by increasing their antiprotease shield; (2) elafin/pre-elafin seems to be a true local "acute phase reactant" whereas SLPI, in comparison, may be less responsive to local inflammatory mediators.

Cathepsin G↗

Anchorage-independent colony growth of pulmonary fibroblasts derived from fibrotic human lung tissue.

Fibroblast heterogeneity is known to exist in chronically inflamed tissue such as pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and scleroderma. We have previously shown differences in proliferation rates in primary lines and cloned lines of fibroblasts derived from IPF tissue compared with normal lung. In this study, we report that cell lines derived from fibrotic tissue demonstrate anchorage-independent growth in soft agarose culture whereas normal lung fibroblast lines do not. We also show that fibroblast lines derived from neonatal lung tissue form colonies at about the same frequency as the fibrotic cells. Colonies from both fibrotic and neonatal lines were shown to be positive for vimentin, laminin, fibronectin, fibronectin receptor, beta-actin, and tropomyosin by immunohistochemistry but were negative for desmin, keratin, Factor VIII, alpha-smooth muscle cell actin, and tenascin. Treatment with cytokines TGF-beta and PDGF or with corticosteroid modified the colony-forming capacity of fibrotic and neonatal cell lines, however, none of these treatments induced normal lung cell lines to form colonies. The presence of cells in adult fibrotic tissue with growth characteristics similar to those exhibited by neonatal cells is further evidence of fibroblast heterogeneity and suggests newly differentiated fibroblasts may be prevalent in fibrotic tissue and contribute directly to the matrix disorder seen in this disease.

Cell Division↗

Systemic administration of ciliary neurotrophic factor induces cachexia in rodents.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has previously been shown to promote the survival of several classes of neurons and glial. We report here that in addition to its effects on the nervous system, CNTF can induce potent effects in extra-neural tissues. Implantation of C6 glioma cells engineered to secrete CNTF either subcutaneously or into the peritoneal cavity of adult mice, or systemic injections of purified rat or human recombinant CNTF, resulted in a rapid syndrome of weight loss resulting in death over a period of 7-10 d. This weight loss could not be explained by a reduction in food intake and involved losses of both fat and skeletal muscle. CNTF also induced the synthesis of acute phase proteins such as haptoglobin. Implantation of C6 lines expressing a nonsecreted form of CNTF, or the parental C6 line itself, did not result in wasting effects. Analysis of this CNTF-induced wasting indicates similarities with the previously described cachectins, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6, and leukemia inhibitory factor, but does not involve the induction of these cytokines.

Animals↗

Construction of recombinant human type 5 adenoviruses expressing rodent IL-6 genes. An approach to investigate in vivo cytokine function.

The majority of biologic functions assigned to cytokines have been characterized by in vitro assay systems which may not necessarily reflect cytokine roles in vivo. Recently, recombinant virus approaches have allowed tissue-specific expression of foreign gene products in experimental animal models. We have constructed recombinant human type 5 adenoviruses, deficient in the E3 region of the genome, with incorporated rodent IL-6 cDNA that express significant levels of biologically active IL-6 on infection both in vitro and in vivo. After i.p. injection, the liver, spleen, and peritoneum appear to be primary sites of expression, whereas the lung and bronchus are the main sites of expression after intratracheal instillation. Injection i.p. of BALB/c mice with the murine rIL-6 virus causes an increase in serum levels of bioactive IL-6 for up to 6 days post-infection, whereas similar changes are not seen in animals infected with control viruses. Coincident with enhanced plasma levels of IL-6, we detect raised serum levels of hepatic-derived acute phase proteins. Associated with the expression of IL-6 in the liver and spleen, at 7 days we note a fourfold splenomegaly with expansion of B and T cell compartments, as well as the presence of lymphoid aggregates in the liver. These morphologic changes had resolved by 16 days. Our findings demonstrate that recombinant human type 5 adenoviruses expressing cDNA for various cytokines could be used as a transient pseudo-transgenic animal model to investigate the biologic function of cytokines in vivo.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Selective regulation of metalloproteinase inhibitor (TIMP-1) by oncostatin M in fibroblasts in culture.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) is a potent inhibitor of activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) such as collagenase, stromelysin, and gelatinase, and thus helps to control extracellular matrix metabolism and deposition by connective tissue cells. Since various cytokines and growth factors can modify the production of MMP and TIMP-1, we explored the action of oncostatin M (OM), a unique lymphocyte- and monocyte-derived cytokine, on expression of these proteins. We examined the regulation of TIMP-1 expression in cultured human fibroblasts by cytokines including OM, IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and IL-1 alpha. When used at levels of 5 to 50 ng/ml, OM, IL-6, LIF, and IL-1 alpha elevated the TIMP-1 expression at the RNA level in fibroblasts of lung or synovial origin. Interestingly, OM stimulation resulted in highest levels of TIMP-1 RNA and protein synthesis. However, unlike IL-1 alpha, the cytokines OM, IL-6, and LIF did not induce MMP or PGE2 release. OM also enhanced TIMP-1 mRNA levels in the H2981 lung carcinoma and HepG2 hepatoma cell lines. The results suggest that OM as well as IL-6 and LIF, other cytokines acting through similar receptor pathways, may act to inhibit net MMP activity by specifically up-regulating TIMP-1 expression. The selective induction of TIMP-1 by OM may be influential in altering matrix destruction in chronic inflammation and tumor metastasis.

Cells, Cultured↗

Type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor is not an acute phase reactant in rats. Lack of IL-6- and hepatocyte-dependent synthesis.

The contributing role of hepatocytes and IL-6 in the acute phase-like elevation of plasma type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in vivo is not known. We addressed this question by comparing the effects of two inflammatory stimuli known to increase plasma concentrations of IL-6 on the plasma concentrations and site of synthesis of PAI-1 and cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CPI) in rats. Subcutaneous injection of turpentine results in a sustained increase in plasma IL-6 and CPI Ag levels over a 24-h period. In contrast, plasma PAI-1 activity was not altered by turpentine treatment. Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ mRNA extracted from freshly isolated hepatocytes of saline- or turpentine-treated animals demonstrated induction of CPI mRNA expression but failed to detect basal or induced PAI-1 or IL-6 mRNA expression. However, PAI-1 mRNA was detected in rat hepatocytes in primary culture for 24 h and was induced by dexamethasone. Intravenous infusion of bacterial LPS (4 mg/kg) induced a sustained increase in plasma CPI Ag and transient increases in plasma IL-6 and PAI-1. Northern blot analysis of freshly isolated, fractionated liver cells indicated that LPS treatment (3 h) induced PAI-1 mRNA expression most significantly in the endothelial and Kupffer cell fractions. IL-6 mRNA expression was induced in Kupffer cells and CPI mRNA was induced in hepatocytes. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed LPS-induced accumulation of PAI-1 Ag associated with the vascular endothelium, subendothelial matrix, and sinusoidal lining cells. Our results indicate that PAI-1 mRNA is not significantly expressed by rat hepatocytes in vivo and that plasma PAI-1 levels are not influenced by increased IL-6 expression in Kupffer cells or in plasma.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Leukemia inhibitory factor production by rat mast cells.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pluripotent cytokine of importance in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. This cytokine may play an important role in neuronal development and bone metabolism. We have examined the ability of freshly isolated rat mast cells and mast cell lines to produce LIF at both the mRNA and bioactivity levels. Initial experiments demonstrated that two mucosal mast cell-like cell lines RBL.2H3 and RCMC9 endogenously produced low levels of LIF bioactivity. The production of this cytokine was examined using a hepatocyte-stimulating factor activity assay and confirmed by the use of neutralizing antibodies specific for LIF. This production was enhanced by treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187. No interleukin-6 production was observed by these cells either endogenously or following ionophore activation. Freshly isolated highly purified rat peritoneal mast cells also expressed mRNA for LIF. These results could have important implications for the role of mast cells in neuronal development, hematopoiesis bone metabolism and the acute-phase response.

Animals↗

Regulation of IL-6 and the hepatic IL-6 receptor in acute inflammation in vivo.

The serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and the expression (mRNA) of the 80 kDa IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) were examined in three different models of acute inflammation. Rats were treated with either Freund's complete adjuvant (FA) via intraperitoneal injection, LPS via intravenous injection, or turpentine via subcutaneous injection. Using bio- and specific immunoassays, rat serum levels of IL-6, corticosterone, and acute phase proteins were quantified. LPS treatment induced the quickest and greatest serum IL-6 response (> 100 ng/ml within 3 h). In comparison, sera from turpentine and FA-treated rats contained much lower levels of IL-6 activity (< 10 ng/ml). Serum corticosterone levels increased by 3 h after injection in all three models, and equivalent raised serum levels of acute phase proteins were detected within 12-24 h. The expression of IL-6 receptor mRNA in hepatocytes increased markedly as early as 3 h after treatment and message levels began to decline by 6-12 h in all three models. To analyze the individual effects of raised corticosterone and IL-6 on the expression of hepatic IL-6R mRNA, rats were injected with either dexamethasone (Dex) or purified recombinant rat IL-6 (rIL-6) via intraperitoneal injection. Rats injected with rIL-6 showed highly induced IL-6R mRNA levels as early as 1 h after injection, and Dex-injected rats showed a significant but less dramatic rise in IL-6R message levels. Dex- or rIL-6-injected rats demonstrated a distinct profile of acute phase protein response different from that seen in the three experimental models. Regulation of IL-6R gene expression in the liver in vivo depends on a complex interaction between the hepatocyte and a combination of cytokines and other hormones.

Acute Disease↗

Cytokines and pulmonary fibrosis.

Chronically inflamed and fibrotic tissue of the respiratory tract can be shown to actively express the genes and products of a number of powerful growth and differentiating factors. The initial activation of lung inflammatory cells, including alveolar macrophages, is presumed to result in the release of early acting cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF. Subsequent activation and possible phenotype alteration of the structural cells results in release of other growth factors and accumulation of blood derived inflammatory cells. These cells, once they have entered the tissue and become further activated, may begin to release their own autocrine factors and "feed back" some of the similar signals to the tissue cells in a paracrine manner, further inducing differentiation and phenotype change. These internal tissue cell and cytokine cascades could account for the chronic nature of the inflammation. Therapeutic intervention must therefore take into account the inflammatory component as well as the nature of the cytokines and structural cells involved in the propagation of the disease.

Cytokines↗

Lipopolysaccharide induces expression of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-8, and interleukin-6 in human nasal, but not lung, fibroblasts: evidence for heterogeneity within the respiratory tract.

Fibroblasts play an indirect augmenting effector role in the inflammatory response by releasing growth and differentiation factors and other inflammatory mediators after activation by inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, but whether direct activation occurs by exogenous agents such as endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) remains controversial. Using a number of primary human airways tissue-derived fibroblast lines, we demonstrate that in contrast to IL-1 alpha, LPS significantly induced gene expression and production of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-8, and IL-6 only in nasal but not bronchial or lung tissue-derived fibroblasts. Enhanced expression was dose- and time-dependent, and the minimal stimulatory dose was 10 ng LPS/ml. Polymyxin B entirely abrogated increased cytokine expression by LPS. Actinomycin D treatment largely inhibited expression, and LPS markedly increased an IL-6 gene promoter-driven luciferase reporter response in transfected nasal fibroblasts, suggesting enhanced expression may involve transcriptional regulation. Secondary protein or IL-1 synthesis requirement seemed unlikely since cycloheximide superinduced LPS-stimulated cytokine expression and anti-IL-1 alpha/beta antibodies failed to abrogate the response. Thus our data show that GM-CSF, IL-8, and IL-6 are directly inducible in nasal fibroblasts by LPS, and establish heterogeneous responsiveness to LPS by different fibroblast populations in the airways.

Animals↗

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes as a significant source of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in endotoxin-challenged lung tissue.

The kinetic expression and potential cellular source of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in lipopolysaccharide-(LPS) induced acute lung inflammation was investigated using a rat model by Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. LPS induced a polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltrate in the lung that peaked between 6 and 24 hours. TNF-alpha messenger (m)RNA was strongly induced by LPS in whole lung tissues shown by Northern analysis. Both alveolar macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), purified from bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of LPS-treated rats, were shown to express TNF-alpha mRNA by Northern analysis. However, PMNs displayed several times more TNF-alpha mRNA, relative to actin mRNA, than alveolar macrophages at 6 and 12 hours. By in situ hybridization, most of the cells positive for TNF-alpha mRNA at 6 and 12 hours seemed to be PMNs located within the tissue near bronchioles or vessels. By immunohistochemistry, TNF-alpha protein was localized mainly to alveolar macrophages at early times (1 to 3 hours) after LPS challenge, and thereafter, PMNs seemed to be the predominant source of TNF-alpha protein as more than 90% of total intraalveolar positive cells at 6 and 12 hours were PMN. Thus, our data provide the first in vivo evidence that PMNs can serve as a significant source of TNF-alpha at sites of acute inflammation.

Animals↗