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Biomedical subjects

R D Nelson

Publications and source records attributed to R D Nelson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Tumor necrosis factor alpha/cachectin stimulates eosinophil oxidant production and toxicity towards human endothelium.

Eosinophils (EOs) participate in a variety of inflammatory states characterized by endothelial cell damage, such as vasculitis, pneumonitis, and endocarditis. We find that 100 U/ml TNF-alpha/cachectin (TNF), a concentration attainable in the blood of humans with parasitic infestations, stimulates highly purified populations of EOs to damage human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), a model of human endothelium. This TNF-dependent EO cytotoxicity is strongly inhibited by heparin and methyprednisolone but unaffected by the platelet-activating factor antagonist BN52012 or scavengers of superoxide anion and H2O2, superoxide dismutase and catalase. However, addition of a physiologically relevant concentration of Br- (100 microM) enhances EO/TNF damage to HUVEC, implicating the possible participation of EO peroxidase (EPO) in the killing mechanism. EOs adherent to FCS-coated plastic wells more than double their production of superoxide anion and the cytotoxic EPO-derived oxidant HOBr when exposed to TNF, showing that TNF activates the respiratory burst of EOs attached to a "physiologic" surface. Unlike PMNs, EOs were not irreversibly activated to kill unopsonized endothelium by previous exposure to TNF, and did not degranulate or upregulate CR3 expression as detected by Mo1 in the presence of 100 U/ml TNF. HUVEC exposed 18 h to TNF were considerably more susceptible to lysis by PMA-activated EOs and reagent H2O2, demonstrating a direct effect of TNF upon endothelium, perhaps through inhibition of antioxidant defenses. These findings suggest that abnormally elevated serum levels of TNF may provoke EOs to damage endothelial cells and thereby play a role in the pathogenesis of tissue damage in hypereosinophilic states.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Different effects of native Candida albicans mannan and mannan-derived oligosaccharides on antigen-stimulated lymphoproliferation in vitro.

Yeast cell wall mannan polysaccharide has been proposed to contribute to immune dysfunction associated with chronic infections involving Candida albicans. This influence of mannan has been suggested based partially upon studies of the in vitro immunoinhibitory effects of mannans prepared from Saccharomyces cerevisiae or C. albicans by precipitation with Fehling's reagent, which provides a structurally modified product contaminated with copper. We have therefore evaluated the immunoinhibitory influence of a more native C. albicans mannan prepared by complexation with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). CTAB mannan was a potent stimulator of lymphoproliferation when added to human PMBC from donors responsive to Candida; it has no inhibitory influence on lympho-proliferation induced by Candida or other Ag. In contrast, members of a family of mannose oligosaccharides (disaccharide through hexasaccharide) derived from the CTAB mannan by weak alkaline degradation did not stimulate lymphoproliferation, but were potent inhibitors of lymphoproliferation stimulated by Candida and other Ag. Fifty percent inhibitory doses were 260 to 34 microM, respectively. Compositional analyses of these immunoinhibitory oligomers showed them to be composed of mannose and free of contaminating protein. We propose that mannan-derived oligosaccharides produced by catabolism of mannan in vivo are immunoinhibitory and contribute to the deficit in cell-mediated immune function associated with chronic candidiasis.

Antigens, Fungal↗

Interactions of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis with mouse mononuclear phagocytes.

Five strains of enterobacteria (three of Escherichia coli and two of Proteus mirabilis) were studied to assess and compare their phagocytic uptake and intracellular killing by mouse macrophages. Each strain was injected intraperitoneally into separate groups of mice and peritoneal exudate cells were harvested after 3 min for phagocytosis to occur in vivo. Acridine orange staining showed that there were approximately 10-fold fewer intracellular P. mirabilis than E. coli cells. The average numbers of viable intracellular bacteria per leucocyte were 0.03 and 0.02 for P. mirabilis strains M13 and H1, respectively, and 0.48, 0.45, and 0.28 for E. coli strains M14, A-D M5 and H40. Thus, both P. mirabilis strains were ingested less readily than any of the three E. coli strains (p less than 0.01). The rates of in-vitro intracellular killing were similar for all five strains of bacteria. The intracellular killing constants (Kk) for the three mouse isolates were 0.017, 0.016 and 0.020 min for E. coli M14 and A-D M5, and P. mirabilis M13, respectively; the Kks for the two human isolates were 0.026 and 0.029/min for E. coli H40 and P. mirabilis H1, respectively. The Kks for all five strains were not significantly different. Assuming that the numbers of viable intracellular bacteria at the beginning of the assay represented 100% viability, 6-17% of the intracellular bacteria remained viable after 2 h, reflecting log10 3.9-5.6 bacteria (6-8) x 10(6) peritoneal exudate cells. Intravenous injection of these five strains into separate groups of mice demonstrated that the P. mirabilis strains were more virulent than the E. coli strains. Injection of each P. mirabilis strain was associated with ruffled fur and death, whereas mice given any of the three E. coli strains remained visibly healthy and none died. Consistent with these observations, quantitation of viable bacteria in the liver and spleen showed that greater numbers of P. mirabilis M13 than of E. coli M14 or A-D M5 persisted in these organs; similarly greater numbers of P. mirabilis H1 than of E. coli H40 persisted in the liver and spleen. Because the rates of intracellular killing of these five strains were similar, the relative virulence of both strains of P. mirabilis appeared to be associated with decreased phagocytic uptake rather than differences in intracellular survival.

Animals↗

Staphylococcal and streptococcal pyrogenic toxins involved in toxic shock syndrome and related illnesses.

Toxic-shock syndrome (TSS) is an acute onset, multiorgan illness which resembles severe scarlet fever. The illness is caused by Staphylococcus aureus strains that express TSS toxin-1 (TSST-1), enterotoxin B, or enterotoxin C. TSST-1 is associated with menstrual TSS and approximately one-half of nonmenstrual cases; the other two toxins cause nonmenstrual cases, 47% and 3%, respectively. The three toxins are expressed in culture media under similar environmental conditions. These conditions may explain the association of certain tampons with menstrual TSS. Biochemically, the toxins are all relatively low molecular weight and fairly heat and protease stable. Enterotoxins B and C, share nearly 50% sequence homology with streptococcal scarlet fever toxin A; they share no homology with TSST-1 despite sharing numerous biological properties. Numerous animal models for development of TSS have suggested mechanisms of toxin action, though the exact molecular action is not known. The toxins are all potent pyrogens, induce T lymphocyte proliferation, requiring interleukin 1 release from macrophages, suppress immunoglobulin production, enhance endotoxin shock, and enhance hypersensitivity skin reactions. The genetic control of the toxins has been studied and suggests the exotoxins are variable traits. Some additional properties of TSS S. aureus which facilitate disease causation have been clarified.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of an IgA inhibitor of neutrophil chemotaxis and its membrane target for the metabolic burst.

Affinity-purified IgA from the serum of an 8-year-old boy with a 5-year history of recurrent facial nodules, intermittent neutropenia and elevated immunoglobulin levels, inhibited the chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from both patient and normal adults. Preincubation of normal PMN with IgA from the patient's serum (0.5 mg/ml) inhibited chemotaxis to C5a and to the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) by 80%, while IgA or IgG from pooled human serum and IgG from the patient were without effect. Normal PMN chemotaxis was restored after IgA depletion of the patient's serum by affinity chromatography. The patient's IgA, but not IgA from pooled human serum, bound specifically to normal PMN by its antigen-binding sites and recognized a 62,000 MW membrane protein on normal neutrophils, which was distinct from the FMLP receptor, the C5a receptor, or the Fca receptor. Attachment of the patient's IgA to the 62,000 MW protein activated intracellular oxidative metabolism on a parity with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and resulted in a significant up-regulation of membrane receptors for FMLP. After the binding of patient (Pt) IgA, normal neutrophils were rendered significantly less responsive to subsequent stimulation with phorbol esters. These results characterize a novel mechanism of chemotactic inhibition by serum IgA and also identify a neutrophil membrane protein that is linked to intracellular oxidative metabolism.

Chemotaxis, Leukocyte↗

Pathogenesis of candidiasis. Immunosuppression by cell wall mannan catabolites.

Candida albicans cell wall mannan polysaccharide has an ability to negatively influence cell-mediated immune function. We have attempted to identify the mechanism of this phenomenon by testing the modulatory effects of isolated mannan and the chemical catabolites of mannan on cell-mediated immune function in vitro. We have determined that mannan isolated by complexation with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is more antigenic than mannan isolated by precipitation with copper and that CTAB mannan does not inhibit lymphoproliferation stimulated by another antigen. We have also determined that oligosaccharides of three sizes, derived by chemical catabolism of CTAB mannan, are not antigenic, but instead are immunoinhibitory. Immunoinhibition does not involve interference with the mitogenic activity of interleukin 2. A similar occurrence of oligosaccharides may be produced by catabolism of mannan in vivo as evidenced by the presence of oligosaccharides of similar size in cell-free supernatant fluids derived from mononuclear leukocytes incubated with tritiated mannan. We propose that catabolites of fungal mannan may contribute significantly to suppression of cell-mediated immunity in candidiasis.

Antigens, Fungal↗

Toxic shock syndrome-associated staphylococcal and streptococcal pyrogenic toxins are potent inducers of tumor necrosis factor production.

Toxic shock syndrome-associated staphylococcal and streptococcal exotoxins were tested for an ability to induce the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C1, along with streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A, all induced TNF production in a dose-dependent manner, with production peaking on the average at 3 days but continuing over the 6 days tested. This time course of exotoxin-induced TNF production contrasts with the 1-day peak-2-day duration observed with endotoxin as the stimulus and may be significant to development of toxic shock syndrome.

Animals↗

Candidacidal activity of myeloperoxidase: characterization of myeloperoxidase-yeast complex formation.

We have previously demonstrated the ability of human neutrophil myeloperoxidase to bind to cell wall mannan polysaccharide isolated from Candida albicans. This binding capacity provides for association of the enzyme with target yeast which is essential for efficient candidacidal activity. In this report, we further consider the role of the mannan-binding property of myeloperoxidase in the candidacidal activity of the enzyme. Solubilized mannan antagonizes binding of the enzyme to yeast, suggesting that mannan may be a primary component of the fungal cell wall which serves as a target for binding of myeloperoxidase. Myeloperoxidase is shown to form complexes with both solubilized mannan and Candida yeast, with Kds of 0.97 x 10(-5) M and 1.2 x 10(-5) M, respectively. The interaction between myeloperoxidase and mannan does not allow the enzyme to readily dissociate from the surface of target yeast. As a result, the enzyme may be unable to dissociate from dead yeast to become available for binding to additional fungal targets.

Candida albicans↗

Nonpurulent response to toxic shock syndrome toxin 1-producing Staphylococcus aureus. Relationship to toxin-stimulated production of tumor necrosis factor.

Infection of surgical wounds with toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1)-producing Staphylococcus aureus does not usually elicit a purulent response from the host. Because S. aureus is normally a pyogenic pathogen, this phenomenon suggests that strains of staphylococci that produce the exotoxin are able to inhibit the migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to sites of infection. We have considered that inhibition of leukocyte migration may be an effect of secreted TSST-1 and have studied direct and indirect effects of the exotoxin on migratory functions of PMN in vitro. Preincubation of PMN with TSST-1 produced no inhibition of random motility or FMLP- or C5a-stimulated chemotaxis under agarose. Supernatant fluids from mononuclear leukocytes incubated with TSST-1, however, were potently inhibitory for both PMN random and chemotactic migratory functions. The inhibitor of migration was identified as TNF based upon neutralization by anti-TNF antiserum and its presence in the culture supernatant fluids assayed in terms of cytotoxicity for murine TNF-sensitive L-929 cell line cells. Preincubation of PMN with recombinant human TNF also inhibited subsequent PMN random and chemotactic migratory functions. We propose that TSST-1 inhibits the mobilization of PMN to sites of infection by stimulation of monocyte/macrophage TNF production and suggest that TNF may also contribute to some other effects of toxic shock syndrome.

Animals↗

Chemical Abstracts Service Chemical Registry System. 10. Registration of substances from pre-1965 indexes of Chemical Abstracts.

The Chemical Abstracts Service Chemical Registry System, operating since 1965, uniquely identifies chemical substances on the basis of molecular structure. Chemical Abstracts Service is now registering chemical substances cited in indexes to Chemical Abstracts prior to 1965. This effort will result in several hundred thousand additional chemical structures, along with their names, being available for online searching in the Registry File. Both the newly registered substances and those already on file are being linked to their pre-1965 citations in Chemical Abstracts in a new file called CAOLD. In this effort the printed Formula Index entries are converted to computer-readable form by using optical character recognition with the data subsequently processed with existing computer programs.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Decreased expression of the common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia antigen (CALLA/CD10) on neutrophils from patients with thermal injury.

The common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia antigen (CALLA/CD10) is a normal component of the circulating neutrophil cell surface membrane. In order to examine the potential functional significance of CALLA/CD10 we analysed the expression of this molecule on neutrophils isolated from thermal injury patients, since these patients have a well-documented constellation of neutrophil defects affecting their microbicidal functions. Expression of neutrophil CALLA/CD10 was monitored by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. We observed that CALLA/CD10 expression was quantitatively reduced on burn patient neutrophils, compared to healthy donors (P less than 0.001). In contrast, burn patient neutrophils expressed normal levels of class I HLA molecules and the C3bi receptor. Reduced expression of CALLA/CD10 was not associated with neutrophil activation or exposure to plasma 'factor(s)' in vivo. Analysis of normal bone marrow neutrophils by cell sorting indicated that expression of CALLA/CD10 occurs late in neutrophil maturation, since 25% of polymorphonucleated bone marrow neutrophils did not express cell surface CALLA/CD10. Attempts to examine the chemotactic responses of CALLA/CD10 positive and negative neutrophils from burn patients were hampered by previous exposure of these cells to chemoattractants in vivo. Collectively, our findings suggest that burn patient peripheral blood neutrophils may be deficient in CALLA/CD10 due to insufficient maturation time in the bone marrow following thermal injury.

Adult↗

Platelet-activating factor primes neutrophil responses to agonists: role in promoting neutrophil-mediated endothelial damage.

During inflammation polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) are exposed to agonistic stimuli including activated complement, kallikrein, arachidonic acid metabolites, monokines, and platelet-activating factor (PAF). We report that PAF not only directly activates PMNs but in miniscule quantities (10(-12) mol/L) "primes" them as well, that is, permits PMNs to respond to subsequent stimuli that would be otherwise ineffectual. PAF priming of responses including superoxide generation, elastase release, and aggregation is time dependent and is maximal within five minutes. PAF need not be present during the subsequent exhibition of PMN agonists, but priming is inhibited by cold and is also inhibited by the PAF receptor antagonists BN 52021, L-652, and kadsurenone. An intact PAF molecule is required because lyso-PAF and methoxy-PAF do not prime PMN responses. PAF priming is associated with both enhanced expression of the adhesive glycoprotein identified by OKM-1 antibody and an enhanced rise in intracellular calcium levels in response to the subsequent addition of agonists such as FMLP. PMNs primed with PAF and stimulated with either F-Met-Leu-Phe or phorbol esters are more effective in lysing and detaching cultured human endothelial cells--damage that can also be inhibited by the PAF antagonists. Because PAF is synthesized and exhibited on surfaces of endothelial cells perturbed by coagulation, we suggest that this lipid may potentiate otherwise trivial activators of marginated PMNs so that they become damaging to the PAF-synthesizing endothelium itself. If so, our studies suggest a possible therapeutic role for PAF inhibitors in excessive inflammatory states.

Benzofurans↗

Analysis of polarization and orientation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by computer-interfaced video microscopy.

Chemotactic behavior is a complex cellular response to chemical environmental stimuli. For polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), such behavior involves net migration as well as changes in cell shape and cell orientation. Accordingly, we have applied computer-interfaced video microscopy to analyze cell shape and orientation in control and patient PMNs migrating under agarose. From a digitized tracing of the PMNs at the leading front of migration, cells were characterized in terms of area, circumference, and longest dimension. A shape factor and angle of orientation were computed. Numerical shape factors discriminated three PMN morphologies: polar, apolar, and hyperpolar. Only polar cells could be oriented. Orientation of polar cells was defined as toward, away, or disoriented with respect to the chemotactic gradient. Apolar cells were considered to be nonoriented. Of PMNs from healthy controls, 30 +/- 5% of the cells were oriented toward and 11 +/- 4% of the cells were oriented away from the gradient. For PMNs from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis, a 40% deficit in net migration was associated with reduced orientation toward (5 +/- 2%) and elevated orientation away from the gradient (33 +/- 9%). PMNs from a panel of patients with thermal injury showed reduced migration and orientation toward the gradient associated with elevated percentages of apolar cells. Such analysis of PMN polarization and orientation of the leading front permitted calculation of a chemotactic behavior index. Application of this multiparameter index to the analysis of the chemotactic response may identify PMNs that are defective, but not by evaluation of any single variable.

Burns↗

Identification and characterization of a unique subpopulation (CALLA/CD10/negative) of human neutrophils manifesting a heightened chemotactic response to activated complement.

We have previously demonstrated that human neutrophils synthesize the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA/CD10). To determine whether CALLA/CD10-positive and -negative neutrophils have similar or distinct functional attributes, we sorted normal peripheral blood neutrophils for CALLA/CD10 expression and compared their chemotactic ability. Surprisingly, the low-frequency (approximately 5%), CALLA/CD10-negative neutrophils displayed a dramatically heightened chemotactic response to activated complement (C') that was (a) specific for C', (b) not observed with other minor subpopulations of neutrophils, (c) not due to previous activation in vivo or in vitro, and (d) apparently not due to an increase in C5a receptors. These results underscore the concept of neutrophil heterogeneity and prompt the hypothesis that CALLA/CD10-negative neutrophils may participate in an inflammatory response to trauma involving complement activation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Structure/function studies of the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA/CD10) expressed on human neutrophils.

The common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA/CD10) is a nonintegral membrane glycoprotein expressed on normal and neoplastic cells of hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic origin. We have undertaken a series of experiments to examine 1) the structural homology between leukemia cell and neutrophil CALLA/CD10 and 2) the putative function CALLA/CD10 subserves to human neutrophils. Biosynthetic labeling, peptide mapping, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicate that neutrophils synthesize and express a CALLA/CD10 molecule that is similar, but not identical, to leukemic cell CALLA/CD10. The level of CALLA/CD10 expression is similar on the two cell populations, and neutrophil CALLA/CD10 (like its leukemic cell counterpart) undergoes antigenic modulation. Finally, we report that neutrophil cell surface-bound anti-CALLA/CD10 monoclonal antibodies inhibit the chemotactic response to both N-Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (F-mlp) and zymosan-activated sera (ZAS), but had no inhibitory effect on random migration, degranulation, or aggregation. The anti-class I monoclonal antibody W6/32 exerted a similar effect on chemotaxis. We conclude that CALLA/CD10 has no clearly defined role in neutrophil function but may play a role in some distal event in chemotaxis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

A Bacteroides by-product inhibits human polymorphonuclear leukocyte function.

We have previously demonstrated that Bacteroides fragilis enhanced Escherichia coli-induced lethality in the rat fibrin-clot peritonitis model. As a possible mechanism for this phenomenon, it was hypothesized that B fragilis inhibited host defense mechanisms, allowing the E coli to flourish and kill the animal. Culture filtrates of three Bacteroides species were tested in vitro for their effect on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis and random migration. Two of these, B fragilis and Bacteroides distasonis, impaired PMN migration. The other, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, caused variable inhibition of neutrophil chemotaxis. The ability of the culture filtrates to inhibit neutrophil function appeared to depend on two factors: (1) adequate growth of the Bacteroides culture, permitting production of the leukotoxic factor, and (2) reduction of the culture pH to a level at which the putative toxin could exert its effect. Further studies revealed that the factor was heat stable, had a molecular weight less than 500, and that its effect on PMNs was only partially reversed by multiple washings. This supports the concept that Bacteroides species may contribute to the pathogenicity of mixed infections by producing a factor that inhibits host neutrophil function.

Bacterial Toxins↗

Intracellular survival of Candida albicans in peritoneal macrophages from chronic peritoneal dialysis patients.

Candidal peritonitis is a tenacious infection in patients undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis. Since little is known about host defenses of the human peritoneal cavity against fungi, we investigated the interaction of peritoneal macrophages (PM phi) from uninfected dialysis patients with Candida albicans blastospores. Chemiluminescence (CL) techniques were used to assess the respiratory burst activity of these cells, and candidacidal activity was evaluated with a fluorochrome microassay. In sharp contrast to peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from healthy donors, which gave a brisk luminol-enhanced CL response to opsonized blastospores and killed 35% of cell-associated organisms, PM phi produced barely detectable luminol-enhanced CL and killed only 13% of intracellular Candida. These findings appeared to be associated with a decreased level of myeloperoxidase in PM phi. The mechanism of intracellular survival of C albicans also appeared to be related to relatively poor triggering of superoxide production during phagocytosis of viable blastospores. The CL response of PMNs to C albicans was opsonin-dependent, and peritoneal dialysis effluent was devoid of opsonic activity. These studies suggest that local cellular and humoral mechanisms of defense are inadequate for protection of peritoneal dialysis patients against candidal peritonitis.

Acridine Orange↗