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Biomedical subjects

L Halbwachs-Mecarelli

Publications and source records attributed to L Halbwachs-Mecarelli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Inhibition of neutrophil-endothelial cell adhension by a neutrophil product, cathepsin G.

In the present study we investigated the modulation of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)-endothelial cell adhesion process by the two main proteinases released from activated PMN during their adhesion to endothelium. Our results showed that, in contrast with elastase, cathepsin G was a powerful inhibitor of PAIN adhesion to interleukin-1 (IL-1)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. This inhibitory effect was linked to the enzymatic activity of the proteinase and was selectively directed against PMN. Because the viability and the reactivity of PMN were not modified by cathepsin G, we looked for a possible effect on adhesion molecules. L-selectin was not cleaved by cathepsin G, whereas it was by chymotrypsin, a closely related proteinase. Cathepsin G blocked PMN adhesion to activated endothelial cells, but also to serum- or fibrinogen-coated plates, three adhesion processes mediated by CD11b/CD18. However, by FACScan analysis or by immunoprecipitation, we failed to find evidence of modifications of CD11b/CD18 expression. Although the precise molecular target(s) of cathepsin G remain(s) to be defined, these data indicate that this proteinase, which is known as an inflammatory mediator, can also be considered as a potential down-regulator of adhesion reactions involved in the inflammatory process.

CD18 Antigens↗
PubMed1995

Bimodal distribution of proteinase 3 (PR3) surface expression reflects a constitutive heterogeneity in the polymorphonuclear neutrophil pool.

Proteinase 3, which is known as an intracellular serine protease of neutrophils, was detected at the surface of a subpopulation of freshly isolated PMN. The proportion of PR3-positive and -negative PMN, observed by flow cytometry with anti-PR3 mAbs or ANCA autoantibodies, varies among individuals but is extremely stable for each individual over prolonged time periods. After PMN degranulation by FMLP with cyt. B, membrane PR3 expression increases but the proportion of low and high PR3-expressing cells remains stable. The existence of a subset of PMN which spontaneously expresses PR3 and varies among individuals, may be relevant to the pathogenesis of anti-PR3 ANCA autoantibody-related vasculitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Neutrophil expression of tumour necrosis factor receptors (TNF-R) and of activation markers (CD11b, CD43, CD63) in rheumatoid arthritis.

In vitro analysis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) has allowed various stages of cell activation to be distinguished, characterized by the expression level of specific membrane markers and of functional receptors. Among those, TNF-alpha receptors (TNF-R) are modulated by various PMN activators, a mechanism which may be important to control cell responses to TNF in inflammatory reactions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PMN, isolated from the blood of 36 RA patients and from the synovial fluid of 23 of them, were analysed for membrane expression of the two TNF-R (p55 and p75). Soluble p55 and p75 (sTNF-R) and TNF concentrations were measured in the plasma and synovial fluid by specific ELISA assays. Our results show that PMN from the blood of RA patients bear a normal number of TNF-R, with a normal p55/p75 ratio, compared with PMN from normal controls. Soluble TNF-R levels were similar in patients and normal plasma. In spite of high endogenous TNF concentration, patients' circulating PMN were not activated, as shown by a CD11b/CD18 expression similar to that of control resting cells. In contrast with blood neutrophils, PMN from RA patients' synovial fluids had an activated phenotype, characterized by increased expression of CD11b, decreased expression of leukosialin, CD43, and the appearance on the plasma membrane of an azurophil granule protein, CD63. High levels of soluble TNF-R were measured in RA synovial fluids. Nevertheless, membrane TNF-R levels and p55 and p75 proportions were similar to those of PMN from normal blood. These results suggest the existence of regulatory mechanisms which maintain a stable neutrophil expression of TNF-R as well as a balance between both types of receptors in inflammatory situations where neutrophils are strongly activated.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

Proteinase 3. A neutrophil proteinase with activity on platelets.

Purified proteinase 3 (PR3) devoid of any elastase (HLE) and cathepsin G (Cat.G) contaminants, was prepared from azurophilic granules of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils by using a novel procedure. Although unable to induce platelet activation (up to 25 micrograms/ml) by itself, PR3 at a concentration as low as 2.5 micrograms/ml enhanced the platelet response to a concomitantly added threshold concentration of Cat.G, a recognized platelet agonist. In the presence of 10 micrograms/ml PR3, aggregation and degranulation of platelets induced by Cat.G were 43.2 +/- 5.9% and 27.1 +/- 1.9% as compared with 5.5 +/- 2.9% and 4.2 +/- 1.5% (n = 4) for Cat.G alone. This enhancing effect by PR3 was also observed with collagen and a cyclic endoperoxide analogue, and was inhibited by eglin C and elafin, two PR3 inhibitors. Associated with the removal of activity by a anti-PR3 mAb and the lack of effect of the secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor, these data demonstrated that the effect is specifically related to the enzymatic activity of PR3. It is hypothesized that this mechanism could play a role in the polymorphonuclear neutrophil-mediated platelet activation, an event already known to be dependent on Cat.G and HLE. This is supported by the fact that the association of PR3 and HLE, at concentrations ineffective by themselves, was able to potentiate Cat.G-induced platelet activation.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1994

Isotype and affinity of anti-myeloperoxidase autoantibodies in systemic vasculitis.

The role of immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype and affinity of antimyeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies in the clinical expression of vasculitis (organ involvement, severity and evolution) remains incompletely defined. We have determined the anti-MPO antibody isotypes, as well as the apparent affinity constant (aK) of anti-MPO IgG by using fluid phase MPO inhibition of IgG binding in an MPO specific ELISA. Twenty-eight patients with anti-MPO antibodies and necrotic and crescentic glomerulonephritis, either isolated or associated to various other organ localizations, were analyzed. Serum samples were obtained before treatment and during follow-up. No association was observed between the isotype, the level or apparent affinity of anti-MPO antibodies and the clinical symptoms, severity, and organ distribution of vasculitis, including alveolar hemorrhage. No significant correlation was found between the apparent affinity and the level of anti-MPO IgG. However, the presence of anti-MPO IgM was clearly associated with low affinity anti-MPO IgG and vice versa. Furthermore, in a longitudinal study, high levels of anti-MPO IgM, when present, were observed early in the course of the disease and in some cases preceded the reappearance of anti-MPO IgG during relapses. High affinity anti-MPO IgG were usually present before treatment. Immunosuppressive therapy resulted in decreased apparent affinity and level of anti-MPO IgG. Importantly, anti-MPO IgG level increased during relapses but the affinity of these IgG autoantibodies remained low.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Distribution of integrin subunits in normal human kidney.

We evaluated on serial sections the distribution of a large number of integrin alpha and beta chains in normal adult human kidney: 1) the beta 1 chain and its corresponding alpha subunits (alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 4, alpha 5, alpha 6), 2) alpha v and beta 3 chains, 3) the beta 2 chain and its corresponding alpha chains (alpha X, alpha M, alpha L), and 4) the beta 4 chain. We also evaluated ICAM-1, VCAM and ELAM and the major extracellular matrix components (ECM). A three step immunoperoxidase technique was used on frozen sections. Each cell of the kidney shows a specific distribution of these molecules. The relation with ECM and some of their ligands was evaluated. This immunohistochemical study shows that there is no strict colocalisation of a given ECM component with its specific receptor.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Evidence for integrins other than beta 2 on polymorphonuclear neutrophils: expression of alpha 6 beta 1 heterodimer.

The expression of non-beta 2 integrins on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) was analyzed by immunoprecipitation and flow cytometry using platelet-free PMN preparations and anti-Fc gamma R blocking mAbs. No beta 3 integrin was detected with six anti-beta 3 mAbs. Conversely, integrin beta 1 chain was present on PMNs, although at low level, and could be distinguished from platelet beta 1 by SDS-PAGE. The MW differences disappeared after N-glycanase treatment. PMNs express only 2500 molecules of beta 1 per cell and this expression is not modulated by agonists such as phorbol myristate acetate, formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or tumor necrosis factor alpha, which enhance CD11b expression, or by interferon-gamma or transforming growth factor beta. PMNs were found to express alpha 6 associated with beta 1, and no reactivity was observed with various anti-alpha 1, anti-alpha 2, anti-alpha 3, anti-alpha 4, anti-alpha 5 or anti-alpha V mAbs. In conclusion, although other leukocytes express various beta 1 integrins, which mediate cell interactions with ECM proteins, PMNs appear to express only the laminin receptor alpha 6 beta 1. PMN interactions with non-laminin ECM ligands thus seem to be mediated either exclusively by beta 2 integrins or by nonintegrin molecules.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1993

Atypical autoantigen targets of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (P-ANCA): specificity and clinical associations.

Atypical antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (A-ANCA) are defined here as ANCA detected by IIF and not directed against the predominant ANCA antigens, proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). A-ANCA are found in a variety of clinical conditions, namely rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic hepatic diseases and several infections including HIV infection. They are directed against a variety of still ill-defined neutrophil antigens and most frequently yield a perinuclear pattern (P-ANCA) of binding by indirect immunofluorescence on ethanol fixed neutrophils. This paper reviews the literature on A-ANCA and our recent data suggesting that, among others, cathepsin G is one of the predominant antigen targets of A-ANCA. From a clinical point of view, the distinction between MPO-ANCA and A-ANCA is not possible by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). The determination of ANCA antigens by specific ELISA is therefore necessary to differentiate P-ANCA with MPO specificity from those with undefined specificity. This is of importance because the clinical value of MPO-ANCA is clearly established while the presence of A-ANCA is difficult to interpret given their occurrence in a large variety of clinical conditions.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗
PubMed1993

Albumin inhibits neutrophil spreading and hydrogen peroxide release by blocking the shedding of CD43 (sialophorin, leukosialin).

Spreading of neutrophils on protein-coated surfaces is a pivotal event in their ability to respond to soluble, physiologic agonists by releasing large amounts of hydrolases and oxidants. Using neutrophils plated on serum-, fibrinogen- or fibronectin-coated surfaces, we investigated the effect of human serum albumin (HSA) on spreading-dependent neutrophil responses. HSA suppressed the respiratory burst of neutrophils in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), complement component C5a or formylated peptide, but not phorbol myristate acetate. HSA was suppressive only if added before the onset of the respiratory burst, and suppression was reversed when HSA was removed. Likewise, HSA selectively and reversibly inhibited TNF-induced cell spreading and the associated fall in cAMP. However, HSA did not hinder TNF-induced cell adherence to the same protein-coated surfaces. We investigated cell surface sialoproteins as modulators of cell spreading and as targets for the anti-spreading action of HSA. Oxidation of the cell surface with periodate followed by reduction with 3H-borohydride and immunoblotting with specific mAbs helped identify the predominant sialoprotein on human neutrophils as CD43 (sialophorin, leukosialin). Treatment of neutrophils with C. perfringens sialidase desialylated CD43, markedly enhanced the ability of the cells to respond to TNF by spreading and undergoing a respiratory burst, and antagonized the ability of HSA to inhibit these responses. TNF-treated, adherent neutrophils shed CD43, and this was blocked by HSA, but not by ovalbumin. Exogenous neutrophil elastase removed CD43 from the neutrophil surface. HSA blocked the actions of both sialidase and elastase on CD43. In contrast, ovalbumin did not block the action of sialidase on CD43, and HSA did not inhibit the ability of sialidase to hydrolyze a synthetic substrate. These results suggested that HSA might bind CD43. In fact, the extracellular portion of CD43 bound to HSA-Sepharose, but not to ovalbumin- or glycylglycine-Sepharose. Finally, two mAbs recognizing different epitopes on CD43 mimicked HSA's inhibitory effects on neutrophil function. Thus, HSA can dissociate attachment of neutrophils from spreading. This dissociation may help neutrophils migrate along a chemotactic gradient, while decreasing their release of oxidants. CD43, a long, rigid molecule with a markedly negative charge, antagonizes neutrophil spreading. HSA appears to inhibit spreading-dependent neutrophil functions by binding to CD43 and interfering with the ability of neutrophils to shed it.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1993

Methods of detection of anti-cathepsin G autoantibodies in human.

Anti-cathepsin G antibodies have been detected by using three different methods. i) Binding to azurophilic granules constituents after separation of purified alpha-granules on Matrex gel Orange A chromatography according to Kao. ii) Binding to azurophilic granules freezed and thawed after coating on ELISA plates. iii) Binding to purified cathepsin G in ELISA assay. Anti-cathepsin G antibodies were observed patient's sera with ulcerative colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis but not in controls or patients with chronic viral hepatitis or vasculitis.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗
PubMed1992

Human neutrophils release their major membrane sialoprotein, leukosialin (CD43), during cell activation.

Leukosialin (CD43) is a sialic acid-rich molecule with a relative molecular mass (M(r)) of 140,000 highly represented on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and on most leukocytes. One of its functions may be to prevent nonspecific cell-to-cell interactions through negative charge repulsions. As tested by immunofluorescence, neutrophil CD43 membrane expression was shown to decrease by up to 80% upon cell activation by phorbol myristate acetate (10 ng/ml) or by N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP; 10(-6) M) in the presence of cytochalasin B. The kinetic of this decrease paralleled that of CD11b up-regulation. FMLP alone, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), lipopolysaccharide and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor had moderate or insignificant effects, while inducing striking CD11b up-regulation. Cell priming with TNF-alpha followed by FMLP stimulation resulted in up to 40% decrease of CD43 expression. Anti-CD43 mAb immunoprecipitated three fragments of M(r) 130,000, 49,000 and 34,000 from the cell-free supernatant of activated neutrophils, suggesting that CD43 is released from the membrane by proteolysis. Indeed, the decrease in CD43 expression was inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonylfluoride (PMSF). Homotypic aggregation of activated PMN was also inhibited by PMSF and could result, at least in part, from the shedding of CD43. The shedding of such a strongly anionic and major membrane protein should drastically modify PMN surface charge and may allow previously hindered interactions by exposing new adhesion molecules.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) directed against cathepsin G in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Autoantibodies directed against polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) have been observed in serum from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) using indirect immunofluorescence and fixed granulocyte ELISA. Our study demonstrates the presence in the serum of these patients of autoantibodies which bind to an azurophilic granule component distinct from proteinase 3, elastase and myeloperoxidase. These autoantibodies thus belong to the ANCA family, but their antigen specificity differs from the already characterized ANCA antigens. We have found that the same ANCA antigen target, named UC-antigen, was recognized by serum IgG from patients with UC, CD and PSC. It was purified by Matrex Gel Orange A dye affinity chromatography and subsequent immunoabsorption of contaminant proteinase 3 with immobilized anti-proteinase 3 MoAb. The identity between this UC antigen and cathepsin G was demonstrated by their coelution from Matrex Gel Orange A column and the parallel titration of cathepsin G-specific enzymatic activity and UC-ANCA binding, both in partially purified UC antigen and in highly pure cathepsin G. Furthermore, the use of cathepsin G ELISA confirmed that UC, CD and PSC patients' IgG did indeed bind to cathepsin G. Comparison of the results obtained with azurophilic granule- and cathepsin G-ELISA as well as inhibition of ANCA binding by anti-cathepsin G polyclonal antibodies, revealed that in some patients cathepsin G is the main azurophilic granule target of ANCA while others have other ANCA specificities. The fact that UC, CD and PSC are frequently associated with cathepsin G ANCA, while rarely occurring in other types of vasculitis, is intriguing but suggests that these diseases may have a common pathogenetic mechanism.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1992

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

The frequency, isotype, and specificity of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 100 patients with IgA nephropathy and 30 children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Two of the patients with IgA nephropathy had high titres of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies which were of IgG isotype and confirmed as antimyeloperoxidase antibodies in solid-phase ELISA and inhibition experiments. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were not detected in the children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura and none of the patients in either group had IgA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. A further 20 IgA nephropathy and 10 Henoch-Schönlein purpura patients were studied longitudinally in different clinical phases at 4-monthly intervals over a 2-year period. None of these patients had or developed antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. We conclude that IgA antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies are not involved in the vasculitis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura or in the pathogenesis of glomerular injury in IgA nephropathy. The detection of IgG antimyeloperoxidase antibodies in a small minority of IgA nephropathy patients extends the spectrum of diseases associated with autoimmunity to this antigen but is of uncertain significance.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗
PubMed1991

Light-chain composition of serum IgA1 and in vitro IgA1 production in IgA nephropathy.

A predominant expression of IgA1 in mesangial deposits, serum, and bone marrow culture supernatants has been shown in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Furthermore an excess of lambda light chains in both mesangial deposits and serum IgA has been observed. However, the origin of mesangial IgA remains controversial. In the present study, we have examined the IgA1 light chain type in IgAN. Total IgA1, IgA1 kappa and IgA1 lambda were measured by ELISA in serum and culture supernatants from spontaneous and pokeweed-mitogen (PWM)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We observed an increase in IgA and IgA1 serum concentrations in IgA nephropathy patients, with a ratio of serum IgA1 to total serum IgA identical between patients and controls. The concentration of serum IgA kappa did not differ between patients and controls but patients had a significantly higher concentration of serum IgA lambda. The IgA1 kappa to IgA1 lambda ratio was 1.06 +/- 0.42 in IgAN patients versus 1.55 +/- 0.36 in controls (P less than 0.01). By contrast, the concentrations of IgA1 kappa and IgA1 lambda in PBMC culture supernatants, both spontaneous and PWM-stimulated, were identical in patients and controls. Therefore, there is a specific increase in IgA1 lambda in patients' sera. This contrasts with the normal IgA1 production by PBMC, which are derived from mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues. This suggests that IgA isotypic deregulation is confined to the bone marrow compartment and is not a generalised defect of the IgA system.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Complement alternative pathway activation and control on membranes of human lymphoid B cell lines.

Membrane regulatory molecules normally prevent complement activation by autologous cells, therefore we compared the membrane control system of human lymphoid cell lines which activate or not human complement through the alternative pathway (AP). Membrane expression of decay-accelerating factor (DAF), membrane cofactor protein (MCP), complement receptors (CR)1, CR2 and H was measured either by radioimmunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on cell lysates. Soluble extracts of isolated membranes were tested functionally for their ability to accelerate the decay of C3bBb C3-convertase and allow the cleavage of C3b by factor I. Both regulatory functions were detected in solubilized membranes of Ramos cells, which do not activate the AP, as well as on the potent AP activator, Raji. Raji cells were found to express CR2, DAF and MCP molecules, while MCP was the only known regulatory protein detected on Ramos cells which expressed neither CR1, nor CR2, H or DAF. The I-cofactor activity of both Raji and Ramos cells was immunoprecipitated by anti-MCP, but the decay-accelerating activity was not adsorbed by anti-DAF nor by any of the available antibodies. Two EBV genome-negative cell lines (BJAB, BL41) were tested before and after in vitro conversion by EBV. As previously shown, EBV-converted cell lines activate the AP more efficiently than EBV- cell lines. At the same time, EBV superinfection induces an increase of both AP regulatory functions of cell membranes and enhances the expression of DAF, MCP and CR2. The results of this study show that complement activation by lymphoid cell lines is not related to an impaired autologous control of these cells, but that the expression of regulatory molecules increases together with the appearance of activating structures on the cell surface. Our results also suggest the occurrence of a new factor involved in the decay-accelerating activity on BL lines.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1989

Immune regulation in IgA nephropathy.

Regulation in IgA nephropathy (IgA N) has been largely studied. We present in this work our recent data which suggest that an abnormal chemical structure and/or molecular form of serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) might contribute to both the mesangial deposition of IgA and the T cell abnormalities which may in turn deregulate the IgA synthesis.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1988

Interaction of human monomeric C3b with its receptor (complement receptor type 1, CR1) on neutrophils. Evidence for negative cooperativity.

The binding of highly purified monomeric 125I-C3b to its receptor (CR1) on resting human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was analyzed under equilibrium conditions, at 4 degrees C and low ionic strength. Scatchard analysis of specific binding data yielded curvilinear concave upward plots, which resulted from the presence of site-site interactions of the negative type among PMN C3b-receptors (negative cooperativity), as shown by dissociation kinetic experiments. Indeed, the dissociation rate of 125I-C3b from PMN was markedly increased in the presence of an excess of unlabeled C3b in the dilution medium and was directly dependent on the degree of initial receptor occupancy with the radioligand. These interactions occurred when 2% of the receptors were occupied with 125I-C3b and resulted in a 4-fold decrease in CR1 affinity when the receptor went from its "empty" to its "filled" conformation. In a disease associated with a continuous production of C3b (factor I deficiency), CR1 on in vivo circulating PMN was found to be in a "low affinity" and "high dissociating" state similar to that of normal CR1 at high occupancy. Finally, negative cooperativity among CR1 sites disappeared after PMN activation with chemotactic peptides.

Afibrinogenemia↗