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M K Church

Publications and source records attributed to M K Church.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Activation of eosinophils with cytokines produced by lung mast cells.

Here we show that the supernatant from activated lung mast cells induced the release of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) from eosinophils. Lung mast cells were purified using affinity magnetic selection with monoclonal antibody (mAb) YB5.B8 to achieve a final mast cell purity of 93-99%. Eosinophils were purified by immunomagnetic negative selection (>98.0% pure). The supernatant was obtained from lung mast cells activated for 24 h with 1 microg/ml anti-IgE and 50 ng/ml stem cell factor (SCF). Human eosinophils were incubated with various concentrations of the supernatants for 4 h and ECP released was measured by RIA. Using 4 different donors' supernatant from mast cells, each donor's supernatant caused a dose-dependent release of ECP from eosinophils. The dilutant of 1:2 (v/v) of the supernatant induced 657.5 +/- 55.6 ng/10(6) eosinophils of ECP which is statistically significant (p = 0.008, n = 4) compared with the culture medium alone. Anti-interleukin (IL-5 neutralizing mAb, 10 microg/ml, and anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) neutralizing mAb, 10 microg/ml, significantly inhibited the supernatant-induced ECP release in 79.3 +/- 9.4 and 68.2 +/- 14.1% (mean +/- SEM, n = 6, p < 0.005), respectively. Anti-granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) neutralizing mAb, 50 microg/ml, caused 68.0 +/- 6.1% of inhibition (p = 0.002). The isotype negative control had no measurable inhibitory or stimulatory effect for the stimuli. We confirmed that mast cells produce IL-5, GM-CSF and TNF alpha in response to IgE-dependent stimulation by using RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, ELISA and immunocytochemistry. A million of lung mast cells generated 41.4 pg (7.0-273.6) (median with range) of TNF alpha, 252.6 pg (158.7-3,652) of GM-CSF and 735 pg (< 10-2,750) of IL-5 24 h after activation with SCF and anti-IgE. These findings indicate that the human mast cells may contribute to the chronicity of tissue inflammation.

Blood Proteins↗

Role of nasal interleukin-8 in neutrophil recruitment and activation in children with virus-induced asthma.

Neutrophil infiltration is a major feature in the pathogenesis of the common cold, and respiratory viral infection is the major cause of asthma exacerbations. The factors regulating the neutrophil influx are unknown. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent neutrophil chemoattractant, which has been implicated in several inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the presence of IL-8 chemokine in the nasal aspirates of asthmatic children (n = 12) in whom asthma was precipitated by proven viral infection. There were increased IL-8 levels in nasal aspirates from children during the virus-induced asthma exacerbations compared with samples from the same children when they had been asymptomatic for 2 wk (medians 863 and < 20 pg/ml, respectively, p < 0.01). Biological relevance was shown in that IL-8 levels correlate with increased nasal aspirate neutrophil myeloperoxidase levels and there was also a correlation between myeloperoxidase levels and upper respiratory symptom severity. Furthermore, we purified IL-8 from these samples, and demonstrated biological neutrophil chemotactic activity. These are the first in vivo data to suggest an important role for IL-8 in neutrophil influx in proven upper respiratory viral infection associated with asthma exacerbations. We suggest that IL-8 might provide a target for therapeutic intervention in virus-induced respiratory diseases.

Asthma↗

Identification of neutrophil chemotactic factors in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Although neutrophils have been implicated in bronchial asthma, the mechanism(s) which bring these cells into the airways is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence and identity of neutrophil chemotactic factors in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from atopic asthmatic subjects. METHOD: BAL fluid was obtained from 13 subjects (seven asthmatics and six normals), aged 19 to 60 yr, at bronchoscopy. Separation of neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) was achieved by FPLC cation exchange chromatography. Fractions were collected and assayed for chemotaxis in multiwell micro-chemotaxes chambers using polycarbonate filters, for the complement peptide C5a/C5a des Arg by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and for interleukin-8 (IL-8) by ELISA. RESULTS: NCA was found in FPLC fractions of BAL samples in four out of seven asthmatics and each of these subjects had at least three similar peaks of NCA. The major peak of NCA was found to contain immunoreactive C5a/C5a des Arg and chemotaxis. In response to this NCA could be blocked by desensitization of the neutrophils with recombinant C5a. Purified serum derived C5a/C5a des Arg was found to have altered chromatographic properties when added to BAL fluid; this suggested that BAL fluid contained proteins which interacted with the C5a/C5a des Arg. Immunoreactive IL-8 (iIL-8) was also detected but its concentration or chemical form was insufficient to induce neutrophil chemotaxis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that bronchial asthmatic lavage fluid contains C5a/ C5a des/Arg and IL-8, together with other as yet unidentified factors which may contribute to neutrophil recruitment in this disease.

Adolescent↗

Mechanism of irritant-induced cough: studies with a kinin antagonist and a kallikrein inhibitor.

It has been suggested that bradykinin may play a role in stimulating cough in at least one pathological condition in humans. We have employed an animal model to investigate the possible role of this peptide in irritant-induced cough. The kinin antagonist Hoe 140 and codeine both produced dose-related inhibition of cough responses to inhalation of citric acid or bradykinin aerosols by conscious guinea pigs. The selective tissue kallikrein inhibitor CH694 inhibited cough caused by citric acid but not by bradykinin. Indomethacin pretreatment attenuated the responses to both stimuli as did phosphoramidon. It is concluded that cough produced by citric acid inhalation may be mediated, at least in part, by generation of kinins; secondary to this, a release of prostanoids also appears to participate in the response.

Administration, Inhalation↗

The effect of cetirizine and loratadine on codeine-induced histamine release in human skin in vivo assessed by cutaneous microdialysis.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: To determine whether or not cetirizine and loratadine inhibit codeine- induced histamine release in human skin in vivo, we conducted a placebo-controlled double-blind trial in which histamine release was assessed by dermal microdialysis. SUBJECTS: A group of ten normal volunteers were studied, each subject visiting the laboratory on three occasions with intervals of at least 2 weeks between visits. TREATMENT: Cetirizine, loratadine (both 10 mg) or placebo was given orally 4 h before provocation of weal and flare responses in the skin by intradermal injection of 25 microliters of 3 or 10 mg/ml codeine 1 mm from the centre of individual 216 microns diameter microdialysis fibres inserted in the dermis. METHODS: Dialysate was collected at 2 min intervals for 4 min before and 20 min after codeine injection and histamine assayed spectrofluorometrically. Weal and flare responses to codeine were assessed in the opposite arm. RESULTS: Histamine concentrations in the microdialysis fibre outflow with 3 and 10 mg/ml codeine were maximal at 2-4 min when 910 +/- 156 and 1194 +/- 304 nM respectively were found in the placebo group. Cetirizine and loratadine did not modify either the kinetics or total histamine release while significantly (p < 0.01) inhibiting weal and flare responses. CONCLUSIONS: Neither cetirizine nor loratadine inhibited codeine-induced histamine release or modified the time course of its release in human skin in vivo when given in clinically used doses which are sufficient to significantly reduce weal and flare responses.

Adult↗

The effects of a kinin antagonist on changes in lung function and plasma extravasation into the airways following challenge of sensitized guinea-pigs.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that kinins may play a role in allergic pathophysiology of the airways, contributing to bronchoconstriction and oedema formation. Raised levels of kinin generating enzymes and kinins are found in the airways during allergic responses. OBJECTIVE: Using an in vivo animal model of allergen induced increase in airways resistance we investigated the effects of the bradykinin antagonist Hoe 140, in order to assess the possible contribution of kinins to this response. METHODS: Guinea-pigs were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OA) or saline via the endotracheal route and the resulting increase in airways resistance was measured by whole body plethysmography. At 240 min after challenge, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was taken and albumin content and kallikrein-like activity determined by rocket immunoelectrophoresis and use of artificial substrates respectively. Pretreatment of animals with the bradykinin antagonist Hoe 140 at 6.7, 20 or 66.7 nmol/kg or aprotinin (46,000 kallikrein inhibitor units/kg) was by i.p. injection 10 min before challenge. RESULTS: Pre-treatment with Hoe 140 dose dependently attenuated the increase in airways resistance following allergen challenge. Kallikrein-like activity and albumin in BALF were unaltered. Aprotinin reduced the kallikrein-like activity in BALF but did not alter airways resistance. CONCLUSION: Kinins may contribute to a significant part of allergen-induced airways resistance increase in this model but not via an effect on plasma extravasation.

Airway Resistance↗

Effects of theophylline and rolipram on leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthesis and chemotaxis of human eosinophils from normal and atopic subjects.

1. The effects of the non-selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor theophylline and the selective PDE4 inhibitor rolipram on leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthesis and chemotaxis of complement 5a (C5a)- and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-stimulated human eosinophils obtained from normal and atopic donors were investigated. 2. Eosinophils were purified from peripheral venous blood of normal and atopic subjects by an immunomagnetic procedure to a purity > 99%. Eosinophils were stimulated with PAF (0.1 microM) or C5a 0.1 microM for 15 min and LTC4 was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Eosinophil chemotaxis in response to PAF and C5a was assessed with 48-well microchambers (Boyden). 3. Under these conditions substantial amounts of LTC4 (about 300-1000 pg per 10(6) cells) were only detectable in the presence of indomethacin (0.1-10 microM). To explain this finding it was hypothesized that indomethacin reversed the inhibition of LTC4 synthesis by endogenously synthesized prostaglandins, in particular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). In fact, eosinophils release 23 pg PGE2 per 10(6) cells following PAF stimulation; this PGE2 synthesis was completely inhibited by indomethacin and readdition of PGE2 inhibited eosinophil LTC4 synthesis (IC50 = 3 nM). The following experiments were performed in the presence of 10 microM indomethacin. 4. Theophylline (IC50 approximately 50 microM) and rolipram (IC50 approximately 0.03-0.2 microM) suppressed PAF- and C5a-stimulated LTC4 synthesis. This PDE inhibitor-induced suppression of LTC4 generation is mediated by activation of protein kinase A, since it was reversed by the protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cyclic AMPS. In addition, exogenous arachidonic acid concentration-dependently (0.3 microM-3 microM) reversed the inhibition of LTC4 synthesis by the PDE inhibitors, indicating that theophylline and rolipram suppress the mobilization of arachidonic acid. The beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol inhibited eosinophil LTC4 synthesis (IC50 = 0.08 microM). The combination of salbutamol with theophylline (10 microM) or rolipram (3 nM) appeared to be additive. 5. Theophylline (IC50 approximately 40 microM), rolipram (IC50 approximately 0.02 microM [C5a], approximately 0.6 microM [PAF]) and PGE2 (IC50 approximately 3 nM) inhibited C5a- and PAF-stimulated eosinophil chemotaxis. The combination of PGE2 with theophylline resulted in an additive effect. 6. Both C5a- and PAF-stimulated eosinophil chemotaxis and LTC4 generation were significantly elevated in eosinophils from atopic individuals compared to normal subjects. However, eosinophils from normal and atopic individuals were not different with respect to their total cyclic AMP-PDE and PDE4 isoenzyme activities as well as the potencies of theophylline and rolipram to suppress LTC4 generation and chemotaxis.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Leukocyte recruitment after local endobronchial allergen challenge in asthma. Relationship to procedure and to airway interleukin-8 release.

We have investigated the profile of cellular recruitment into asthmatic airways after allergen and saline exposure and its relationship to interleukin-8 (IL-8) release. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was used to instill allergen into the middle lobe while the right upper lobe received a sham saline challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of both sites was performed either 4 or 24 h later. Neutrophil numbers in BAL fluid obtained 4 and 24 h after challenge were 17 and 48 times higher than prechallenge numbers (p < or = 0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference between the numbers of neutrophils at the two sites. In contrast, eosinophil numbers were increased by 6- and 20-fold, respectively, at 4 and 24 h at allergen-challenged as compared with saline-challenged sites (p < 0.005 and p < 0.02, respectively). Baseline concentrations of IL-8 in BAL fluid were undetectable in most cases. Four hours after allergen or saline exposure, BAL fluid IL-8 concentrations were: median, 200 pg/ml; range, 20 to 750 pg/ml and median, 123 pg/ml; range, < 20 to 800 pg/ml, respectively. These declined to 23 pg/ml (range, < 20 to 126 pg/ml) and 43 pg/ml (range < 20 to 130 pg/ml), respectively, 24 h after exposure. There was a significant correlation between neutrophil numbers and IL-8 concentrations 4 h after saline exposure. These findings indicate that neutrophil infiltration is a nonspecific response to the procedure of bronchoscopy and lavage, in contrast to eosinophil recruitment, which is an allergen-specific phenomenon, and it suggests that IL-8 release may be involved in neutrophil recruitment.

Adult↗

Dendritic cells in normal and asthmatic airways: expression of the alpha subunit of the high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor (Fc epsilon RI -alpha).

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays an important role in asthma, with total serum IgE levels closely related to both clinical expression of the disease and airway hyperresponsiveness. IgE binds to a high affinity cell-surface receptor (Fc epsilon RI) which is present on mast cells and which has also recently been demonstrated on cutaneous dendritic cells. If pulmonary dendritic cells were also able to express this receptor, this would have important implications with regard to their potential role in asthma. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to investigate the expression of the alpha subunit of the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI-alpha) in normal and asthmatic airways, and to analyse its cellular provenance with particular emphasis on the dendritic cell. METHODS: Bronchial biopsy specimens were obtained using fibreoptic bronchoscopy from 10 atopic asthmatics and nine non-atopic non-asthmatic control subjects. Specimens were processed into glycolmethacrylate resin and analysed by immunohistochemistry using specific monoclonal antibodies against Fc epsilon RI-alpha, and against tryptase and CD1a, markers for mast cells and dendritic cells, respectively. RESULTS: The numbers of dendritic cells were significantly higher in the airways of asthmatics compared with those of control subjects (P < 0.02). Analysis of sequential sections revealed that the alpha subunit of Fc epsilon RI was localized to both mast cells and dendritic cells. The proportion of dendritic cells expressing Fc epsilon RI-alpha was significantly increased in the asthmatic group (P < 0.003). CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that dendritic cells play an important role in allergic asthma although the functional significance of Fc epsilon RI-alpha expression needs further investigation.

Adult↗

Intradermal challenge with interleukin-8 causes tissue oedema and neutrophil accumulation in atopic and non-atopic human subjects.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a cytokine with potent neutrophil chemotactic and activating properties and is active in inflammatory conditions in man. It has been identified in human inflammatory skin conditions where it is likely to be responsible for both neutrophil recruitment from the circulation and possibly T-lymphocyte chemoattraction. Studies in animals also suggest that IL-8 may augment skin oedema. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of intradermally administered IL-8 in humans on tissue oedema and cellular recruitment in atopic and non-atopic volunteers. METHOD: Interleukin-8 (1.2 x 10(-7) M) in the presence and absence of histamine was administered by intradermal injection. Wheal and erythema area were measured at regular intervals and 3 h following challenge punch biopsies were taken for immunocytochemistry. Cellular infiltrate was measured by immunocytochemical identification of neutrophils, eosinophils and T-lymphocytes in glycol-methacrylate-embedded sections. RESULTS: In the presence of histamine, IL-8 provoked a significantly greater wheal area when compared to that produced by histamine alone (P < 0.001). In the presence of histamine, IL-8 produced a significantly greater neutrophil infiltrate (P < 0.05), however, neither lymphocyte or eosinophil infiltration was found to be increased with IL-8 challenge. There was no difference observed between atopic and non-atopic subjects, nor were any effects of IL-8 demonstrated in the absence of histamine. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that in human skin, IL-8 induces increased microvascular permeability and neutrophil infiltration, but not eosinophil or T-lymphocyte chemoattraction.

Adolescent↗

IgE-dependent expression of mRNA for IL-4 and IL-5 in human lung mast cells.

By using the reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and in situ hybridization we have studied the expression of mRNA for IL-5 and IL-4 in human lung mast cells induced by cross-linkage of high affinity Fc epsilon Rs. Lung mast cells were purified using affinity magnetic selection with mAb YB5.B8 against c-kit to achieve a final mast cell purity > 93%. Purified mast cells were precultured with stem cell factor (SCF) (10 ng/ml) and myeloma IgE (3 micrograms/ml) for 16 h before challenge with anti-IgE (1 or 10 micrograms/ml). IgE-dependent activation of lung mast cells caused expression of IL-5 mRNA, which was evident by 2 h and persisted for up to 48-72 h in all of 12 experiments, whereas IL-4 mRNA expression was of a shorter duration and was demonstrable in 6 of 13 experiments. We confirmed that mast cells, and not T cells, were the source of these cytokine messages by using reverse transcriptase-PCR in cell preparations containing known numbers of mast cells and T cells, in situ hybridization in enriched mast cell preparations, and double in situ hybridization-immunocytochemical staining. IL-5 mRNA expression did not require the pretreatment of cells with SCF, whereas expression of IL-4 mRNA seemed to require both anti-IgE and SCF. The strength of IL-5 mRNA signal was related to anti-IgE concentration. Immunoreactive IL-5 was detectable 8 h after anti-IgE challenge, and 10(6) mast cells generated a mean of 731 +/- 400 pg of IL-5 into the supernatant during 48-h culture, but no IL-4 product was detectable. These findings demonstrate the capacity of human lung mast cells to transcribe IL-4 and IL-5 after IgE-dependent activation and to synthesize and release immunoreactive IL-5.

Base Sequence↗

Heterogeneity of human mast cells based on cytokine content.

Human mast cells can be divided into two distinct phenotypes based on their content of neutral serine proteases, suggesting that they serve differing biologic and pathologic roles. Recently, it has been demonstrated that human mast cells are a source of several pleiotropic cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha, but not all mast cells contain all of these cytokines, suggesting that there is also functional heterogeneity with respect to cytokine expression. In this study, we have examined the relationship between mast cell neutral protease expression and cytokine content using immunohistochemistry. Bronchial mucosal biopsies from five normal subjects and five patients with allergic asthma, and nasal mucosal biopsies from five normal subjects and three patients with allergic rhinitis were embedded in glycol methacrylate. Sections (2 microns) were stained for IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6, adjacent to serial sections stained for tryptase and chymase. The distribution of cytokines among the tryptase+ chymase- mast cells (MCT) and tryptase+ chymase+ mast cells (MCTC) was examined by co-localization of cytokines to MCTC or MCT in serial sections using the camera-lucida. Although IL-4 was distributed among both mast cell phenotypes, it was expressed preferentially by the MCTC subset (overall 85% MCTC:15% MCT). In contrast, IL-5 and IL-6 were restricted almost exclusively to the MCT subset. Immunostaining of isolated skin mast cells (> 99% MCTC) supported these findings, with strong immunoreactivity present for IL-4 but very little for IL-5 or IL-6. These results indicate that in addition to exhibiting heterogeneity with respect to neutral protease content of the secretory granules, human mast cells are also heterogeneous with respect to cytokine content. This suggests that the biologic functions of MCTC and MCT cells differ as a result of their capacity to generate and release different cytokine profiles.

Adult↗

Effects of PBMC-derived histamine-releasing factors on histamine release from human skin and lung mast cells.

BACKGROUND: A field of study which has attracted much recent interest is the ability of mononuclear cells and neutrophils to interact with histamine releasing cells by production of specific histamine releasing factors (HRFs). However, almost all of these studies have been performed on basophils rather than human mast cells. OBJECTIVE: We have investigated the effects of lyophilized fractions of HRF preparations on histamine release from human skin and lung mast cells. METHODS: Lyophilized fractions of HRF preparations include crude supernatant from mononuclear cell/platelet (crude), void peak from anion exchange chromatography column (void), second peak from anion exchange chromatography (peak 2), neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2), which was purified from void peak at molecular weight of 8-12 kDa, and monocyte chemotactic-activating factor (MCAF). Mast cells were enzymatically dispersed. RESULTS: Crude (24.2 micrograms/mL-2.42 mg/mL), void (5.4 micrograms/mL-0.54 mg/mL), peak 2 (3.5 micrograms/mL-0.35 mg/mL), and NAP-2 (1-20 micrograms/mL) failed to release histamine from lung mast cells. In skin mast cells, only higher concentrations of crude and void caused minimal release of histamine. MCAF up to micromolar concentrations failed to have an effect on mast cells from either source. However, these HRFs induced histamine release from human basophils. We also explored whether HRFs and stem cell factor could act as either priming agents for each other or for anti-IgE. The response of skin mast cells to all these preparations was not enhanced by preincubation in stem cell factor at 1 ng/mL, nor did the HRFs and MCAF enhance the response of skin mast cells to anti-IgE. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that these HRFs have no significant effect on dispersed human cutaneous and lung mast cells.

Basophils↗

TNF alpha is localized to nasal mucosal mast cells and is released in acute allergic rhinitis.

Allergic mucosal inflammation is characterized by tissue infiltration with eosinophils, and associated activation of mast cells and T lymphocytes. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha/cachectin is a candidate cytokine relevant to the pathogenesis of these events through its capacity to upregulate the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules, mediate granulocyte chemoattraction, and activate eosinophils, mast cells and T cells. To investigate the presence and localization of TNF alpha in the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis, nasal biopsies from perennial rhinitic (n = 13) and non-rhinitic volunteers (n = 11) were embedded in glycol methacrylate and immunostained with a monoclonal antibody directed against TNF alpha, and adjacent 2 microns sections stained for tryptase, CD3 and eosinophil cationic protein. This identified positive immunostaining for TNF alpha in the submucosa of both the rhinitic and normal subjects (median cell counts 13 and 23 cells/mm2 respectively, P = 0.24) with cellular localization to mast cells but not to T-lymphocytes or eosinophils. In a subsequent study of seven atopic subjects, nasal allergen challenge produced increases in lavage levels of histamine and albumin, which was associated with significant release of TNF alpha as early as 2 min post-allergen when compared with the saline control day (P = 0.05). This difference was also apparent when studying the area under the curve both at 30 and 60 min post-challenge t-test (P = 0.015 and 0.02 respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗