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P Elsbach

Publications and source records attributed to P Elsbach.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Bactericidal permeability-increasing protein in host defence against gram-negative bacteria and endotoxin.

The bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) is a highly conserved host-defence molecule produced and stored by myeloid cells only and a major constituent of the primary granules of human and rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The c. 50 kDa BPI and a c. 23 kDa bioactive N-terminal fragment are cytotoxic only for Gram-negative bacteria. This target-cell specificity reflects the high affinity (apparent Kd: 1-10 nM) of BPI for the lipid A portion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS or endotoxin). Native and recombinant (r) holo-BPI and the N-terminal fragment (rBPI-23) bind with equal affinity to all forms of isolated LPS examined and inhibit the numerous biological effects of LPS in vitro (including in whole blood ex vivo) as well as in animals. Under the same conditions the antibacterial potencies of holo-BPI and rBPI-23 against Gram-negative bacteria with rough chemotype LPS (whether encapsulated or not) are also the same, but against more resistant smooth chemotype Gram-negative bacteria rBPI-23 is up to 30-fold more potent than holo-BPI. Holo-BPI and rBPI-23 protect a broad range of animals against lethal cytotoxic effects of LPS and in some cases against lethal inoculations with live Gram-negative bacteria.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Integration of antimicrobial host defenses: role of the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein.

Our understanding of the complex and integrated host-defense systems against microbial infection has progressed rapidly with the characterization of individual components. However, the various factors must be studied not only in isolation, but also in a closer approximation to the in vivo situation, where these factors interact. This is well illustrated in recent studies of the role of the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) chain length on interactions of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein and its bioactive 23-kilodalton NH2-terminal fragment with isolated LPS and intact Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli.

The target-specific cytotoxicity for gram-negative bacteria and the endotoxin-neutralizing activity of the 55-kDa bactericidal/Permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and its bioactive 23-kDa NH2-terminal fragment depend on the strong attraction of BPI for the lipid A region of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We have shown before that smooth gram-negative bacteria with long-chain LPS are more resistant to BPI (especially holo-BPI) than are rough strains. It has been suggested that the high BPI resistance of some gram-negative bacteria, such as Proteus mirabilis, might also reflect the structural diversity of lipid A. To explore this possibility, we compared the antibacterial activity and binding of natural and recombinant holo-BPI and a recombinant NH2-terminal fragment (rBPI-23) to an isogenic rough (Re-LPS chemotype) and a smooth (S-LPS chemotype) strain of P. mirabilis and to LPS isolated from the two strains. Holo-BPI and rBPI-23 were both potently active against the Re strain of P. mirabilis (90% lethal dose, 20 nM). In contrast, the smooth strain was > or = 100 times more resistant to holo-BPI but only 10 times more resistant to rBPI-23. rBPI-23 was also more potent against several Escherichia coli strains from clinical bacteremia isolates. Differences in the antibacterial potency of BPI toward the Re and S strains of P. mirabilis correlated with differences in the binding of holo-BPI and rBPI-23 to these bacteria. In contrast, the binding of biosynthetically (in vitro transcribed and translated) 35S-labeled holo-BPI and NH2-terminal fragment to isolated Re- and S-LPS from P. mirabilis in solution was similar. Moreover, in the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay, holo-BPI and rBPI-23 potently neutralized both forms of LPS with equal effectiveness. Together, these results strongly suggest that BPI recognizes Proteus lipid A and that the relative resistance of (smooth) P. mirabilis to holo-BPI is due to the inhibitory effect of long polysaccharide chains of tightly packed LPS in the envelope.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗
PubMed1994

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide primes human neutrophils for enhanced release of arachidonic acid and causes phosphorylation of an 85-kD cytosolic phospholipase A2.

Production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) by human neutrophils (PMN) in response to different stimuli is increased after pretreatment with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We have analyzed the steps in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism affected by LPS by examining release of AA and its metabolites from [3H]AA prelabeled PMN. Pretreatment of PMN for 60 min with up to 1 microgram/ml of LPS alone had no effect, but release of [3H]AA was stimulated up to fivefold during subsequent stimulation with a second agent. In the absence of LPS-binding protein (LBP), priming was maximal after pretreatment of PMN with 10 ng of LPS/ml for 60 min; in the presence of LBP maximal priming occurred within 45 min at 0.1 ng of LPS/ml and within 15 min at 100 ng of LPS/ml. Treatment of PMN with 10 ng of LPS/ml also increased uptake of opsonized zymosan by up to 60%. Phospholipids are the source of released [3H]AA. No release was observed from [14C]oleic acid (OA)-labeled PMN suggesting that phospholipolysis may be specific for [3H]AA-labeled phospholipid pools. Cytosol from PMN primed with LPS contains two to three times the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity of control PMN, against 1-palmitoyl-[2-14C]arachidonoyl-phosphatidylcholine. This activity is Ca2+ dependent and dithiothreitol resistant. LPS priming is accompanied by reduced migration during SDS-PAGE of an 85-kD protein, identified as a cytosolic PLA2. The extent and kinetics of this effect of LPS on cPLA2 parallel the priming of [3H]AA release, both depending on LPS concentration either with or without LBP. These findings suggest that priming by LPS of AA metabolism by PMN includes phosphorylation of an AA-phospholipid-selective cytosolic PLA2 that is dissociated from activation until a second stimulus is applied.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1994

Individual and synergistic effects of rabbit granulocyte proteins on Escherichia coli.

Affinity purification of crude acid extracts of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes using Escherichia coli (J5) as adsorbent yields the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), two 15-kD species (p15s), and the two most potent (cationic) defensin species (neutrophil peptides [NP] -1 and -2). Tested in buffered isotonic medium, the relative antibacterial potency of these proteins against E. coli J5 is BPI (IC50 0.2 nM) > p15A (10 nM) > NP -1 (400 nM). Sublethal doses of p15A or NP-1 can synergize with BPI to decrease the dose required to inhibit the growth of E. coli by up to 50-fold. BPI and p15A display similar features of antibacterial action distinct from defensin NP-1, but NP-1 acts synergistically only with BPI and not with p15A. All aspects of the combined action of BPI and NP-1 resemble those observed with higher concentrations of BPI alone, implying that NP-1 enhances BPI potency. Neither NP-1 nor p15A alter the amount of BPI binding to E. coli but BPI enhances binding of p15A to E. coli, raising the possibility that synergy between these two proteins may occur at least partially at the level of binding. The potent synergistic actions of these proteins can also be demonstrated against serum-resistant clinical isolates of encapsulated E. coli tested in whole blood and plasma ex vivo, suggesting that such combined action may contribute to host defense in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The bactericidal/permeability increasing protein of neutrophils is a potent antibacterial and anti-endotoxin agent in vitro and in vivo.

The Bactericidal/Permeability Increasing protein (BPI) is a major constituent of the azurophilic granules of human and rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The cDNA of the highly conserved protein has been isolated from man, rabbit and cow. The ca. 50 kDa BPI and a ca. 25 kDa bioactive N-terminal fragment are cytotoxic only for Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). This target-cell specificity reflects the strong attraction of the highly cationic protein for the negatively charged lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the bacterial envelope. Native and recombinant (r) holo-BPI and the N-terminal fragment (rBPI-23) bind with high affinity (apparent Kd 1-10 nM) to all forms of isolated LPS so far examined, and inhibit the numerous biological effects of LPS in vitro (including in whole blood ex vivo) as well as in animals. Under the same conditions the antibacterial activities of holo-BPI and rBPI-23 against GNB with rough chemotype LPS are the same, but against serum-resistant and smooth chemotype GNB rBPI-23 is up to 30-fold more potent than holo-BPI. Holo-BPI and rBPI-23 protect mice, rats and rabbits against lethal cytotoxic effects of LPS and in some cases against lethal inoculations with live GNB.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Antibacterial 15-kDa protein isoforms (p15s) are members of a novel family of leukocyte proteins.

We have previously described the isolation and initial characterization of functionally distinct 15-kDa protein isoforms (p15s) from rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) that bind with high affinity to Escherichia coli and modulate the antibacterial actions of other leukocyte proteins on this Gram-negative bacterium. We now report the cloning and sequencing of two distinct cDNAs from a rabbit bone marrow library that encode p15s differing at only 2 residues (His-3, Arg-88 versus Arg-3, Trp-88). Tryptophan-directed chemical cleavage of two isoforms purified from a single rabbit confirms the existence of multiple isoforms with distinct function and primary structure in a single rabbit. The p15 cDNAs encode putative signal sequences and studies of cellular and subcellular localization indicate that the p15s are granule-associated proteins of PMN. Both purified isoforms bind avidly to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane. Analysis of the deduced primary structures of the p15s reveals homology to three other leukocyte proteins: CAP-18, an 18-kDa LPS-binding protein from rabbit PMN, pro-indolicidin, a 16-kDa precursor of an antibacterial peptide of bovine PMN, and cathelin, an 11-kDa cysteine protease inhibitor from porcine leukocytes, suggesting the existence of a novel family of leukocyte proteins with LPS-binding, antimicrobial, and protease-inhibitory activities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Human granulocytes express a 55-kDa lipopolysaccharide-binding protein on the cell surface that is identical to the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein.

Several LPS-binding proteins have been identified on the surface of human granulocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)). We describe a plasma-membrane associated ca. 55-kDa LPS-binding protein of human PMN that is indistinguishable from the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI). To detect LPS-binding proteins on the cell surface, PMN were biotinylated before detergent solubilization and incubation with LPS-coated beads. Several biotinylated proteins bound to LPS-coated beads but not to uncoated beads and were characterized after elution with detergent by SDS-PAGE and western blotting using streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase. The spectrum of biotinylated proteins binding to and eluting from LPS-coated beads increased as the number of beads incubated with PMN lysate increased. However, at all concentrations of beads a 55-kDa protein was a dominant component of the eluate. Binding of the 55-kDa protein to LPS-coated beads was inhibited by lipid A, and both homologous and heterologous LPS, but not by peptidoglycan. Similar amounts of biotinylated 55-kDa LPS-binding protein were detected on PMN from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria who lacked membrane bound CD14, a known ca. 55-kDa plasma membrane-associated LPS-binding protein, indicating that the recovered biotinylated protein is not CD14. Several pieces of evidence, however, do indicate that the 55-kDa surface protein is BPI: 1) flow cytometry of PMN after labeling with rabbit anti-BPI serum and FITC-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG revealed immunoreactive surface molecules on resting PMN and, in increased amounts, on PMN stimulated with FMLP or TNF; 2) This antiserum specifically and quantitatively inhibited binding of the biotinylated 55-kDa species to LPS-coated beads; 3) both BPI and the 55-kDa protein migrated as a doublet during SDS-PAGE and were both converted to single migrated species after N-glycosidase F treatment; 4) chemical cleavage of the biotinylated protein and native BPI with N-chlorosuccinimide yielded the same fragments. Thus, we have positively identified BPI as a LPS-binding protein on the surface of PMN. The role of this potent antibacterial, endotoxin neutralizing protein on the surface of PMN remains to be established.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1993

A recombinant amino terminal fragment of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein inhibits the induction of leukocyte responses by LPS.

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) is a major component of the granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and is involved in the killing of gram-negative bacteria. A 23-kd recombinant protein, corresponding to the NH2-terminal fragment of human BPI (rBPI23), has been shown to bind lipid A and antagonize some lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated effects. In this study the ability of rBPI23 to prevent a wide range of cellular responses to LPS was investigated. In vitro assays were carried out using human blood to more closely approximate in vivo conditions. The release of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, IL-8], induced by E. coli O113 LPS, was markedly reduced by rBPI23 in a concentration-dependent fashion. The production of the anti-inflammatory protein IL-1ra (IL-1 receptor antagonist) was triggered by lower LPS concentrations than those necessary for the other cytokines. Furthermore, prevention of IL-1ra release required higher rBPI23 concentrations than for other cytokines. The LPS-induced production of oxygen-derived free radicals by phagocytic cells (resulting in chemiluminescence) was also prevented by rBPI23. The inhibition was specific for LPS because the activation of leukocytes by phorbol myristate acetate, zymosan, or TNF was unaffected by BPI. The ability of rBPI23 to antagonize specifically the effects of endotoxin in the complex environment of human blood along with its bactericidal activity suggests that rBPI23 may be a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of gram-negative infections.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗
PubMed1993

Structural characterization of BPI-modulating 15 kDa proteins from rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes: identification of a novel family of leukocyte proteins.

We have previously described the isolation and initial characterization of 15 kDa protein isoforms (p15s) from rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) that bind to Escherichia coli and modulate the antibacterial actions of other leukocyte proteins on this gram negative organism. We now report that the p15s differ in primary structure. The cloning and sequencing of two distinct p15 cDNAs from a rabbit bone marrow library reveal that two of the isoforms are closely similar in primary structure differing at only two amino acid positions. The p15 cDNAs encode putative signal sequences suggesting a granule-associated localization for these proteins. Analysis of the derived p15 primary structures reveals homology to two leukocyte proteins: CAP-18, an 18 kD lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding protein from rabbit PMN and cathelin, an 11 kD cysteine protease inhibitor from porcine leukocytes. This structural similarity suggests the existence of a novel family of low molecular weight leukocyte proteins with potential roles in inflammation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Bactericidal/permeability increasing protein and host defense against gram-negative bacteria and endotoxin.

The bactericidal/permeability increasing protein is a major element in the host defense against Gram-negative bacteria and endotoxin, acting intracellularly in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte. As an isolated protein, bactericidal/permeability increasing protein also acts as an extracellular bactericidal and endotoxin-neutralizing agent and, when injected, protects animals against lethal effects of Gram-negative bacteria and endotoxin.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), a potent element in host-defense against gram-negative bacteria and lipopolysaccharide.

The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), is a ca. 55 kDa cytotoxic cationic protein of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) that is present principally in the azurophilic granules. BPI is toxic only toward Gram-negative bacteria. This target specificity is attributable to the strong attraction of BPI for the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the bacterial envelope. BPI also binds with high affinity (apparent Kd 2-5 nM) to a broad range of LPS species and potently inhibits the biologic activities of LPS in vitro. A proteolytically prepared or recombinant ca 25 kDa N-terminal fragment of BPI carries all the antibacterial activities of holo-BPI and is more potent than the holo-protein against more resistant bacteria with S-form LPS in their envelope. The fragment is as active as holo-BPI as an LPS-neutralizing agent in vitro and more potently inhibits cytokine induction by S-form Escherichia coli in whole blood ex vivo. Recombinant forms of both proteins protect animals against the lethal effects of administered LPS.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

High-affinity binding of the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein and a recombinant amino-terminal fragment to the lipid A region of lipopolysaccharide.

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) is a 55-kDa cationic protein (nBPI55) elaborated by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). BPI has potent bactericidal activity against a wide variety of gram-negative organisms and neutralizes endotoxin activities. An N-terminal fragment of nBPI55 exhibits the bactericidal and antiendotoxin properties of the holoprotein. To further characterize the biological activities of the N-terminal fragment, a recombinant protein (rBPI23) corresponding to the first 199 amino acids of human BPI was produced and purified. rBPI23 had antibacterial activity equivalent to that of nBPI55 against Escherichia coli J5. Furthermore, both rBPI23 and nBPI55 bound identically to a broad range of R- and S-form lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and to natural and synthetic lipid A. Binding of radiolabeled nBPI55 to LPS was inhibited in an identical fashion by either nBPI55 or rBPI23. The binding of both proteins to immobilized E. coli J5 lipid A was inhibited in a comparable fashion by long- or short-chain LPS or lipid A. The binding of both rBPI23 and nBPI55 was specific, saturable, and of high affinity, with an apparent Kd of approximately 2 to 5 nM for all ligands tested. These results demonstrate that BPI recognizes the highly conserved lipid A region of bacterial LPS via residues contained within the amino-terminal portion of the BPI molecule.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗
PubMed1992

Human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein and a recombinant NH2-terminal fragment cause killing of serum-resistant gram-negative bacteria in whole blood and inhibit tumor necrosis factor release induced by the bacteria.

The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) of neutrophils and BPI fragments neutralize the effects of isolated Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides both in vitro and in vivo. Since endotoxin most commonly enters the host as constituents of invading Gram-negative bacteria, we raised the question: Can BPI and its bioactive fragments also protect against whole bacteria? To determine whether the bactericidal and endotoxin-neutralizing activities of BPI/fragments are expressed when Gram-negative bacteria are introduced to the complex environment of whole blood we examined the effects of added BPI and proteolytically prepared and recombinant NH2-terminal fragments on: (a) the fate of serum-resistant encapsulated Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that survive the antibacterial actions of whole blood and (b) the ability of these bacteria to trigger cytokine release. Added BPI in nanomolar concentrations killed each of three encapsulated strains of E. coli and in closely parallel fashion inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release. Holo-BPI and its NH2-terminal fragment were equipotent toward a rough LPS chemotype K1-encapsulated strain, but the fragment was substantially more potent than holo-BPI toward two encapsulated smooth LPS chemotype strains. TNF release induced by K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa was also inhibited by both holo-BPI and fragment but, at the protein concentrations tested, P. aeruginosa was killed only by the fragment and K. pneumoniae was not killed by either protein. The bactericidal action of BPI/fragment toward E. coli is inhibited by C7-depleted serum, but accelerated by normal serum, indicating that BPI, acting in synergy with late complement components, enhances extracellular killing of serum-resistant bacteria. Thus, BPI and an even more potent NH2-terminal fragment may protect against Gram-negative bacteria in the host by blocking bacterial proliferation as well as endotoxin-mediated effects, not only as components of the intracellular antibacterial arsenal of the neutrophil, but also as potentially therapeutic extracellular agents.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗
PubMed1991

Endotoxin-neutralizing properties of the 25 kD N-terminal fragment and a newly isolated 30 kD C-terminal fragment of the 55-60 kD bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein of human neutrophils.

The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) is a potent cytotoxin, specific for Gram-negative bacteria, that also inhibits endotoxin activity by neutralizing isolated bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We have previously shown that an isolated 25 kD N-terminal fragment of human BPI carries all the antibacterial activities of the parent 55-60 kD molecule. In this study we have compared the LPS-neutralizing activities of human holo-BPI, the N-terminal fragment and a 30 kD C-terminal fragment that we have now isolated. We show that the N-terminal fragment also has LPS-neutralizing activity as detected by inhibition (up to 95%) of (a) activation by LPS of procoagulant proteases in Limulus amebocyte lysates, (b) LPS "priming" of PMN, and (c) LPS-mediated production of tumor necrosis factor in whole human blood. Holo-BPI and the 25 kD fragment have similar neutralizing potency (in nanomolar range) in all assays toward "smooth" LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 and O55:B5 (possessing long chain polysaccharide or O-antigen), and "deep rough" LPS from Salmonella minnesota Re595 mutant (possessing no O-antigen). The C-terminal fragment of BPI is devoid of antibacterial activity when tested against BPI-sensitive E. coli J5, but does have endotoxin-neutralizing activity. This activity is weak relative to holo-BPI and the 25 kD N-terminal fragment in the Limulus and PMN-priming assay, but is comparable for inhibition of TNF production in whole blood. We conclude that the principal determinants for LPS recognition and neutralization, like those for antibacterial action, reside in the N-terminal half of the BPI molecule, but that sites within the C-terminal half can also contribute to BPI-LPS interaction once LPS is detached from the bacterial envelope.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗
PubMed1991

Structural and functional organization of the human neutrophil 60 kDa bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein.

We have isolated, after limited proteolysis of the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), two fragments representing roughly the two halves of the BPI molecule. The 25 kDa N-terminal fragment possesses all the antibacterial activities of the 60 kDa parent protein, while the ca. 30 kDa C-terminal fragment has no detectable activity. The 25 kDa fragment is as potent on a molar basis as holo-human BPI against rough Escherichia coli, is more potent than holo-BPI against more resistant smooth E. coli, and retains the specificity of BPI toward Gram-negative bacteria. The findings suggest that all of the molecular determinants of the antibacterial properties of BPI reside within the N-terminal half of the molecule, implying a novel structural/functional organization for a cytotoxic protein.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗
PubMed1990

Isolation of two isoforms of a novel 15-kDa protein from rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes that modulate the antibacterial actions of other leukocyte proteins.

We have recently reported the use of the highly selective and reversible binding of the potent bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) to target Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) for its isolation from crude extracts of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). We now report the use of the same procedure for the purification from rabbit PMN of BPI and also of a novel 15-kDa species that consists of two nearly identical isoforms. These 15-kDa proteins have no demonstrable antibacterial activities by themselves. However, one isoform (p15A) potentiates strongly and the other (p15B) weakly the early antibacterial effects of both rabbit and human BPI. Both isoforms inhibit the late lethal action of BPI. Whereas the potentiating effect is specific for BPI the inhibitory effect is seen also with another antibacterial protein of PMN granules, azurocidin. Thus, we have identified in rabbit PMN a previously unrecognized 15-kDa protein species that may modulate during phagocytosis the antimicrobial effects of BPI (and other granule proteins).

Amino Acid Sequence↗