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Biomedical subjects

P S Hiemstra

Publications and source records attributed to P S Hiemstra.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

IFN-gamma-induced L-arginine-dependent toxoplasmastatic activity in murine peritoneal macrophages is mediated by endogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Activated murine peritoneal macrophages inhibit the intracellular proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii and produce a number of cytokines, such as TNF-alpha and IL-1. Both TNF-alpha and IL-1 have been reported to be involved in the immune response against various microorganisms, but the mechanisms responsible for these effects are not known. In the present study it was investigated whether endogenously produced TNF-alpha and IL-1 are involved in the activation of peritoneal macrophages by rIFN-gamma leading to toxoplasmastatic activity and the production of reactive nitrogen intermediates. The rIFN-gamma-induced toxoplasmastatic activity was inhibited by neutralizing antibodies against mouse TNF-alpha in a dose-dependent and time-dependent way, but neutralizing antibodies against mouse IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta did not affect this activity. Involvement of TNF-alpha in the induction of toxoplasmastatic activity was confirmed by our finding that rTNF-alpha in combination with a nonactivating concentration of rIFN-gamma inhibited the intracellular proliferation of T. gondii. No synergistic activity of rIL-1 and rIFN-gamma on the inhibition of T. gondii proliferation was found. Both rTNF-alpha and rIL-1 alpha alone inhibited the intracellular proliferation of T. gondii only slightly. Because it has been reported recently that activated macrophages produce reactive nitrogen intermediates that are essential in the induction of toxoplasmastatic activity, we investigated whether these intermediates are involved in the TNF-dependent induction of toxoplasmastatic activity. Neutralizing antibodies against mouse TNF-alpha inhibited also the release of NO2- by rIFN-gamma-activated macrophages almost completely. Macrophages incubated with rTNF-alpha in combination with a nonactivating concentration of rIFN-gamma released substantial amounts of NO2-, but rTNF-alpha and rIL-1 alpha alone, and the combination of rIL-1 alpha and a nonactivating concentration of rIFN-gamma induced only little NO2(-)-release by macrophages. To assess whether reactive nitrogen intermediates act directly or indirectly on the intracellular proliferation of T. gondii, macrophages were incubated with the L-arginine analog NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or the NADPH-inhibitor diphenylene iodonium, both inhibitors of the generation of reactive nitrogen intermediates. Good correlation was found between toxoplasmastatic activity and the release of NO2- during the 24-h activation period before infection of the macrophages with T. gondii, but no correlation was found between toxoplasmastatic activity and the release of NO2- during infection of the macrophages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals

Pertussis toxin partially inhibits phagocytosis of immunoglobulin G-opsonized Staphylococcus aureus by human granulocytes but does not affect intracellular killing.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) are involved in the signal transduction pathway(s) used for phagocytosis and intracellular killing of bacteria by human granulocytes. Treatment of granulocytes with PT resulted in decreased phagocytosis of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-opsonized Staphylococcus aureus but did not affect subsequent intracellular killing of these bacteria. PT also caused a decrease in the extracellular release of superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by granulocytes in response to S. aureus opsonized by IgG. However, neither the phagocytosis nor the intracellular killing of S. aureus opsonized by fresh serum was affected by PT, and the release of O2- was partially inhibited. The release of O2- in response to serum-treated zymosan, opsonized mainly by complement components, was also only partially inhibited by PT. It is therefore possible that PT inhibits responses mediated through complement receptors to a lesser extent than those mediated via Fc gamma receptors. The results of this study indicate that PT-sensitive G proteins are involved in the signal transduction pathways that mediate the phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized bacteria and the accompanying respiratory burst.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic

Inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocyte-mediated endothelial cell detachment by antileukoprotease: a comparison with other proteinase inhibitors.

The role of elastase and proteinase inhibitors in polymorphonuclear leukocyte(PMN)-mediated injury to human umbilical cord venous endothelial cells (HUVEC) was investigated. Both purified human neutrophil elastase and PMN that were stimulated with serum-treated zymosan (STZ) induced detachment, but not lysis of HUVEC. PMN-, but not purified elastase-mediated detachment was enhanced by the presence of methionine, which indicates a role for reactive oxygen metabolites in PMN-mediated HUVEC detachment. Detachment of HUVEC could be inhibited by secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor or antileukoprotease (ALP), alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) and N-methoxy-succinyl-ala-ala-pro-val-chloromethyl ketone (CMK). At concentrations at which elastase-mediated detachment was maximally inhibited, ALP and CMK, but not alpha 1-PI, were also able to inhibit maximally PMN-mediated detachment. An explanation for this difference could be that the larger size of alpha 1-PI reduces the access of alpha 1-PI to the interface between the PMN and the HUVEC.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones

Rat polymeric IgA binds C1q, but does not activate C1.

Immune complexes, prepared with monoclonal rat IgA antibodies directed against DNP, activate the alternative pathway of the complement system in rat serum. In this study, the interaction of these monoclonal IgA antibodies with the classical pathway of complement was investigated. Monoclonal polymeric IgA (p-IgA) was shown to inhibit the IgG2b-mediated classical pathway-dependent lysis of TNP-coated sheep red blood cells. In addition, the binding of C3 to solid phase IgG2b immune complexes was inhibited by p-IgA. Monoclonal monomeric IgA (m-IgA) was much less efficient in this respect. To further analyse the effect of p-IgA on the activation of the classical pathway by IgG2b immune complexes, the interaction of p-IgA with C1 was studied. It was found that p-IgA antibodies bind C1q. No species-specificity was observed, since both rat and human C1q were bound. Whereas binding of C1q in C1 to IgG2b resulted in activation of C1, binding to p-IgA did not. The binding of C1q to both p-IgA and IgG2b could be inhibited by monoclonal antibodies directed against the globular heads of C1q, but not by monoclonal antibodies directed against the collagen tail. The formation of insoluble p-IgA immune complexes was inhibited in the presence of rat serum or C1. These studies indicate that C1q binds to p-IgA by its globular heads, and thereby may modulate classical pathway-mediated reactions such as the inhibition of immune precipitate formation.

Animals

Pneumococcal anticapsular antibodies in patients with chronic cardiovascular and obstructive lung disease in The Netherlands.

Differences in pneumococcal anticapsular antibody concentrations were assessed among patients with various chronic disorders and among young (25-35 years of age) and older adults (55-65 years). Antibody concentrations were determined by ELISA, using the whole 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine as antigen. No differences in mean or distribution of serum antibody concentrations were found among young adults (either healthy or asthmatic) or among older adults (healthy or with chronic obstructive pulmonary or chronic cardiovascular disease). Each group included individuals with low antibody levels. Therefore, the enhanced susceptibility to pneumococcal infections reported for some groups at risk, that is, elderly individuals and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary or chronic cardiovascular disease, cannot be attributed solely to low anticapsular antibody concentrations.

Adult

Biosynthesis of complement factor H by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Regulation by T cell growth factor and IFN-gamma.

The present studies were initiated to characterize a 150-kDa molecule with inhibitory activity for C3bBb formation, which is present in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Therefore, human endothelial culture supernatants (HECS) were analyzed for the presence of human complement factor H by ELISA. It was found that H was present in HECS. An immunoblot analysis of affinity purified H from HECS showed that the size of HUVEC H was identical to that of plasma H. The mean production of H by HUVEC of first passage cultures was 40 ng/10(6) cells/day. The synthesis of HUVEC H was fully inhibitable by the addition of cycloheximide to the cultures, suggesting that H is de novo synthesized. Additional evidence for de novo synthesis was obtained by using biosynthetic labeling with [35S] methionine, immunoprecipitation, and SDS-PAGE. It was demonstrated that, indeed, HUVEC produce and secrete factor H. Two forms of the protein were identified, the 150-kDa form and also a 45-kDa form, both forms have been identified in plasma. The functional activity of HUVEC H is identical to that of plasma H. IFN-gamma induced enhanced synthesis of H by HUVEC, whereas it had no effect on C3 synthesis. Supernatant from stimulated PBMC, T cell growth factor, enhanced synthesis of both H and C3. The present studies indicate that H is produced by HU-VEC and that H may function as an inhibitor of complement activation at the endothelial cell level and, thereby, together with molecules like decay accelerating factor and membrane cofactor protein, may influence resistance of endothelial cells to complement mediated damage.

Binding, Competitive

Binding of human IgA1 and IgA1 fragments to jacalin.

Interaction of jacalin, an N-terminal galactose specific lectin, with human IgA1 and IgA1 fragments was investigated. IgA1 and all galactose containing fragments bound to jacalin-Sepharose, including Fab fragments containing only the galNac linked to serine-224 and Fc fragments containing four gal-galNac sequences. These data indicate that both the galNac and gal-galNac sequences can interact with jacalin. Jacalin precipitated IgA1 and the fragments F(abc)2, F(ab')2 and Fc in agar gel and from solutions. It also precipitated Fab' fragments in agar gel. Jacalin did not precipitate Fab fragments significantly. This suggests that, except for the single binding site on the Fab fragments containing the galNac linked to serine-224, jacalin itself also has a limited number of sites to interact with N-terminal galactose residues. ELISA studies revealed that intact IgA1 had a lower jacalin binding capacity than F(abc)2 fragments which lack CH3 domains, than F(ab')2 which lack the CH2 and CH3 domains, and than Fc fragments containing four gal-galNac sequences. This led to the conclusion that part of the galNac or gal-galNac sequences in intact IgA1 molecules are inaccessible to interaction with jacalin. Cleaving the C-terminal domains off may have induced a reorientation of the hinge region structure, including the orientation of the carbohydrate units.

Animals

Complete and partial deficiencies of complement factor D in a Dutch family.

A young man suffering from recurrent Neisseria infections was shown to lack detectable serum complement factor D hemolytic activity. Addition to the patient's serum of purified factor D to a final concentration of 1 microgram/ml resulted in full restoration of the activity of the alternative pathway. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, it was shown that the patient's serum did not contain measurable amounts of factor D antigen either. The sister, the father, as well as the parents of the mother had factor D levels within the normal range, and the factor D level of the mother was decreased. The capacity of the patient's serum, at concentrations up to 5%, to promote phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by normal human granulocytes was low when compared to normal serum. Substitution of the patient's serum with purified factor D resulted in a full restoration of opsonic activity. This study describes the first complete deficiency of factor D, and demonstrates its possible relation to recurrent Neisseria infections.

Adult

Interleukin 1 and poly(rI).poly(rC) induce production of granulocyte CSF, macrophage CSF, and granulocyte-macrophage CSF by human endothelial cells.

Electrophoretically pure human interleukin 1 (IL-1) beta was found to stimulate human endothelial cells in monolayer culture to elaborate colony-stimulating activity (CSA). Supernatant fluids from cultures stimulated with increasing concentrations of IL-1 were found to stimulate colony formation of myeloid (CFU-GM), erythroid (BFU-E), and multipotent (CFU-GEMM) progenitor cells in a dose-dependent fashion. The effect on mixed colony formation, however, was less than on CFU-GM and BFU-E growth. Similar to IL-1, the double-stranded RNA polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (poly[rI].poly[rC]) also stimulated release of CSA by endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The kinetics of IL-1-induced CSA release as opposed to poly(rI).poly(rC)-induced release were found to be different, in that poly(rI).poly(rC)-induced CSA production occurred more slowly. An anti-IL-1 beta antiserum was able to completely neutralize the IL-1-induced CSA release, but had no effect on poly(rI).poly(rC)-dependent CSA production, indicating that the latter effect was mediated by other mechanisms than intermediate production of IL-1 beta. Using specific immunologic assays, IL-1- as well as poly(rI).poly(rC)-inducible production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage CSF, and macrophage CSF was found. The release of CSF from endothelial cells in response to IL-1 may be a mechanism for stimulating production of neutrophils and mononuclear phagocytes, and for attracting and activating these cells at sites of inflammation.

Bone Marrow

Complement-mediated enhancement of IgA-induced H2O2 release by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

In a previous study we have demonstrated that heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus opsonized with either purified human serum IgA or secretory IgA (sIgA) can induce a respiratory burst (measured as H2O2 release) in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN; Gorter et al., 1987). In the present study we have investigated whether opsonization of IgA-coated staphylococci with complement has an additional effect on the H2O2 release of PMN. It was demonstrated that staphylococci coated with IgA (or sIgA) and subsequently opsonized with complement induced at least a two-fold increase in the specific H2O2 release compared with bacteria coated with IgA (or sIgA) alone (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.02, respectively). The co-operative effect of IgA and complement was also observed in the presence of 10 mM ethyleneglycoltetraacetic acid containing 5 mM MgCl2 (MgEGTA), suggesting that activation of the alternative pathway of complement is sufficient to exert this effect. Using D-deficient serum as a source of complement we could demonstrate that activation of the alternative pathway is essential for the co-operative effect of complement and IgA. The increase in specific H2O2 release caused by complement was found to be dependent on the amount of IgA initially used to opsonize the bacteria. Finally the co-operative effect of IgA and complement was not restricted to one IgA subclass, because an additional opsonization of S. aureus coated with sIgA1 or sIgA2 with complement resulted in both cases in a statistically significant enhanced specific H2O2 release by PMN (P less than 0.05).

Complement C3

Anti-endothelial cell antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis complicated by vasculitis.

IgG antibodies reactive with human umbilical vein endothelial cells were found in 19 out of 28 patients with rheumatoid vasculitis (RV), in four out of 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in seven out of 10 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but not in healthy donors. In four patients with RV who were followed longitudinally, regression of vasculitic episodes coincided with decreasing titres of anti-endothelial antibodies (AEA). Binding activity to endothelial cells was observed in intact IgG and F(ab')2 fragments of IgG. AEA activity was unrelated to antibodies against nuclear, blood group or major histocompatibility complex antigens and did not involve immune complexes. AEA activity was not specific for endothelial cells since the AEA-positive sera and the IgG fractions prepared from these sera also reacted with fibroblasts. Adsorption of positive sera and corresponding IgG fractions with endothelial cells decreased the IgG binding reactivity on both fibroblasts and endothelial cells. These findings show that RV patients have IgG-AEA, and suggest that these antibodies may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Antibody Specificity

The complement subcomponent C1q mediates binding of immune complexes and aggregates to endothelial cells in vitro.

The present studies were initiated to investigate whether soluble immune complexes, upon interaction with complement, can bind to endothelial cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVE) were incubated with purified human 125I-labeled C1q at 4 degrees C in RPMI-0.5% bovine serum albumin and assayed for binding. Optimal binding of 125I-labeled C1q to HUVE was reached within 2 h, and saturation of binding was found at concentrations of 5 micrograms/well input. The binding of 125I-labeled C1q was inhibitable with unlabeled C1q and by the collagenous region of pepsin-cleaved C1q. No inhibition was observed with the globular heads of C1q, suggesting that C1q binds to HUVE via the collagenous region of C1q. When HUVE were first reacted with various concentrations of C1q, washed and subsequently incubated with 125I-labeled aggregated human IgM (AIgM), binding of 125I-labeled AIgM to HUVE occurred depending on the dose of C1q. Only those aggregates of IgM which react with C1q in a solid-phase C1q binding assay were able to bind to HUVE presensitized with C1q. In addition it was shown that C1q mediated binding of aggregated IgG to HUVE. Furthermore, immune complexes (IC), that were prepared with bovine thyroglobulin (BTg) and rabbit anti-BTg, bound to C1q-preincubated HUVE. These studies suggest that localization of IC on endothelium can be enhanced following interaction of the IC with complement.

Antigen-Antibody Complex

Activation of rat complement by soluble and insoluble rat IgA immune complexes.

The ability of rat monoclonal IgA, specific for 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNA), to activate the complement (C) system of the rat was investigated using aggregated IgA or IgA immune complexes (IC). IgA was coated onto a solid phase, and tested for its capacity to bind C3 upon incubation at 37 degrees C in normal rat serum (NRS) in the presence of Mg-EGTA. Binding of C3 was observed dependent on the dose of dimeric (d-), polymeric (p-) and secretory IgA tested. In contrast, little C3 fixation was observed in this system with monomeric (m-) rat IgA or with mouse m- and d-IgA (MOPC315). Soluble and insoluble rat IgA IC were prepared using dinitrophenylated rat serum albumin (DNP8RSA) as antigen (Ag), and assessed for C activation. It was shown that insoluble IC (immune precipitates; IP) containing m-, d- or pIgA of rat origin activate the alternative pathway of rat C, as demonstrated by their capacity to induce C consumption in NRS in the presence of Mg-EGTA. When p- and m-IgA IP were compared for their capacity to activate C, it was found that p-IgA activated C four times as efficiently as m-IgA IP (at 2 mg/ml). Soluble rat IgA IC were prepared in an excess of DNP8RSA, fractionated by gel filtration on Sepharose 6B, and analyzed for C activation and antibody (Ab)/Ag ratio. In contrast to m-IgA IP, soluble m-IgA did not activate C. On the other hand soluble d-IgA IC activated C dependent on their concentration and size: at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml high-molecular weight d-IgA IC with a high Ab/Ag ratio were four times as efficient as low-molecular weight IC with a low Ab/Ag ratio, and twice as efficient as IP prepared at equivalence. To demonstrate the induction by IgA of the assembly of the terminal membrane attack complex, trinitrophenyl (TNP)-conjugated rat red blood cells (TNP-RRBC) coated with d- or p-IgA were shown to be lysed in NRS in the presence of Mg-EGTA. No lysis of m-IgA-coated TNP-RRBC was observed. The results in this study demonstrate that both soluble and insoluble rat IgA IC activate the alternative pathway of homologous rat C. Alternative pathway activation by soluble rate IgA IC is dependent on the size of the IC. The degree of polymerization of the IgA Ab itself also influences C activation.

Animals

Activation of complement by human serum IgA, secretory IgA and IgA1 fragments.

UNLABELLED: Activation of the complement (C) system by human IgA was studied. Both subclasses of IgA, IgA1 and IgA2, and secretory IgA were shown to activate C, as determined by deposition of C3 on glutaraldehyde-activated microwells coated with IgA. The activation of the C system occurred in the presence of MgEGTA and not in D-deficient serum. In addition to C3, deposition of properdin (P) but not of C4 was detected. These results indicate that C activation, as determined by measuring deposition of C3 and P, occurred by the alternative pathway (AP). The data further show that the major part of the hinge region, which is deleted in IgA2 as compared with IgA1 and which forms the major structural difference between the two subclasses, is not involved in C activation. Reduction and alkylation destroyed the ability of IgA to activate C, as has also been demonstrated for IgG. In order to define the C activating region of the IgA molecule, several fragments of IgA1 were tested. The four-chain molecules F(ab')2 and F(abc)2 were shown to activate the AP. No activation was observed with the two-chain fragments Fab and Fc. The Fc fragment of IgA also did not activate the CP, as does the Fc fragment of IgG. This indicates that activation of the AP of C by IgA is dependent on the presence of the F(ab')2 fragment. IN CONCLUSION: human IgA does activate C by the AP. This activation requires an intact F(ab')2 fragment.

Complement Activation

Polymeric IgA antibody response to rabbit antithymocyte globulin in renal transplant recipients.

Treatment of transplant recipients with heterologous antithymocyte globulin (ATG) can induce the production of antibodies to the ATG itself. Such responses have, however, not been fully defined in terms of the kinetics, class, and quantities of antibodies produced. We have studied these parameters in 32 renal transplant recipients who had received rabbit ATG as treatment for acute rejection episodes. Antibodies to rabbit IgG were detected in the sera of all patients; employing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the majority of patients were shown to produce specific antibodies of the IgG, IgA, and IgM class. Anti-ATG antibodies were first detected 6-48 days after the initial injection of ATG and usually attained peak values within 23 days. The IgM and IgA responses decreased within 1-2 months, whereas the IgG response remained elevated for 2-12 months. Gel filtration studies indicated that the IgA and IgM antibodies directed to the rabbit ATG were polymeric. Furthermore, the polymeric IgA bound secretory component, indicating the presence of J chain. In 6 patients, circulating immune complexes that contained rabbit IgG were detected. The clinical symptoms and laboratory findings did not correlate with the production or quantities of the different classes of antibodies. Possible explanations for the prominent IgA response to intravenous injections of ATG are discussed.

Adult