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Antiinflammatory effects of natural tetranortriterpenoids isolated from Carapa guianensis Aublet on zymosan-induced arthritis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the antiinflammatory properties of a derived fraction of tetranortriterpenoids (TNTP) obtained from the seeds of Carapa guianensis Aublet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Zymosan-induced arthritis and pleurisy in Swiss and C57/Bl6 mice (n = 10 per group). Western blot analysis was performed to analyze nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) translocation in mice peritoneal macrophages stimulated in vitro with zymosan (500 microg/ml). ELISA was performed to evaluate cytokine levels in knee joints. Values of p </= 0.05 were regarded as significant. RESULTS: Zymosan intra-articular (i. a.) injection (500microg/ cavity) induced a significant increase in knee joint diameter within 6 h, peaked within 24 h and remained above control values for 20 days. Orally-given (p. o.) TNTP (100-200 mg/ kg) inhibited zymosan-induced increase in knee joint diameter and protein extravazation into synovial cavity within 6 h. TNTP (100-200 mg/kg, p. o.) also inhibited total leukocyte influx into the synovial space and tissue, as well as into the mice pleural cavity, due to neutrophil impairment 6 h after zymosan stimulation. The increase in TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and CXCL8/IL-8 levels that were detected in knee synovial extracts obtained from zymosan-stimulated mice was also inhibited by TNTP (100 mg/kg, p. o.). Moreover, the incubation of mice peritoneal macrophages with TNTP (100 mug/ml) inhibited zymosan (500 microg/ml)-induced NFkappaB translocation into the nucleus 6 h after stimulation. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results indicate that TNTP present an important antiinflammatory effect, inhibiting zymosan-induced arthritis in mice via the impairment of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and CXCL8/IL-8 generation, as well as NFkappaB signaling pathway.

Animals↗

Effect of PDE4 inhibitors on zymosan-induced IL-8 release from human neutrophils: synergism with prostanoids and salbutamol.

1. The activation of neutrophils with particulate stimuli such as zymosan induces the generation of the C-X-C chemokine interleukin (IL)-8. There is evidence that neutrophil derived IL-8 plays an important role in human diseases such as the adult respiratory distress syndrome. In the present study, we examined the effects of cyclic AMP elevating agents on the ability of human neutrophils to generate IL-8 in response to zymosan particles. 2. The PDE4 inhibitor rolipram had limited effect on zymosan-induced IL-8 generation. In contrast, the PDE4 inhibitors RP 73401 and SB 207499 concentration-dependently suppressed IL-8 generation. The potency of these inhibitors was RP 73401 > SB 207499 > rolipram which is correlated with their rank order of potency at inhibiting the catalytic site of purified neutrophil PDE4. Pretreatment of neutrophils with the PDE3 inhibitor ORG 9935 or the PDE5 inhibitor zaprinast had no effect on IL-8 generation. 3. The prostanoids prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and PGE2 inhibited zymosan-induced IL-8 release from neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner, in response to 10(-5) M PGE1 and PGE2 inhibiting IL-8 generation by 89% and 75%, respectively. Similarly, the beta2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol also inhibited IL-8 generation, but it was less effective than the prostanoids. 4. Significant synergism between prostanoids or salbutamol and the PDE4 inhibitors to inhibit IL-8 generation was observed. In contrast, there was no significant synergism between PGE2 and the PDE3 inhibitor ORG 9935 or the PDE5 inhibitor zaprinast. 5. In order to evaluate the potential role of protein kinase A in mediating the inhibitory effects of cyclic AMP-elevating agents, we used the protein kinase A inhibitors, H 89 and KT 5720. Pretreatment of neutrophils with these drugs completely reversed the inhibitory effects of a combination treatment with rolipram and PGE2 on zymosan-induced IL-8 release. 6. Microscopic examination revealed that most neutrophils contained one or more zymosan particles and that combination treatment with rolipram and PGE2 noticeably reduced the number of ingested particles. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of neutrophils which ingested three or more zymosan particles. 7. Thus, our results demonstrate that cyclic AMP-elevating agents modulate the ability of neutrophils to generate IL-8 in response to a particulate stimulus. However, these agents also modulate the ability of neutrophils to phagocytose zymosan particles. Whether this effect will translate into inhibition of the ability of neutrophils to deal with infectious agents needs to be investigated further.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Zymosan-induced bacterial translocation: a study of mechanisms.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: At nonlethal doses, zymosan induces a systemic inflammatory state and promotes bacterial translocation. This study was performed to investigate the mechanisms by which zymosan causes intestinal mucosal injury and bacterial translocation. Bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph node was measured 24 hrs after intraperitoneal challenge with saline or zymosan (0.1 mg) in normal (CD-1), congenitally macrophage-hyporesponsive (C3H/HeJ), complement-deficient (DBA/2), or mast cell-deficient (W/Wv) mice. Since zymosan-induced bacterial translocation may be mediated by xanthine oxidase-generated oxidants, bacterial translocation was measured in mice pretreated with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor, allopurinol. To further investigate the role of oxidants in zymosan-induced bacterial translocation, ileal and hepatic levels of xanthine oxidase, myeloperoxidase, conjugated dienes, malondialdehyde, and the antioxidants--superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were measured. RESULTS: Zymosan-induced mucosal injury and bacterial translocation occurred to a similar extent (p less than .05) in all four genetic strains of mice, but were reduced in the mice pretreated with allopurinol. Zymosan increased (p less than .03) ileal and hepatic xanthine oxidase activity, while reducing (p less than .01) antioxidant (catalase) activity. There was also evidence of hepatic, but not ileal, lipid peroxidation (conjugated diene) (p less than .05) and neutrophil sequestration (myeloperoxidase) (p less than .01). CONCLUSIONS: Zymosan-induced intestinal mucosal injury and bacterial translocation do not require complement activation, or the release of macrophage or mast cell products. They appear to be mediated by xanthine oxidase-generated products and associated with disruption of the normal ileal and hepatic oxidant-antioxidant balance.

Allopurinol↗

Reprogrammed macrophage tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 release with inflammatory pretreatment: differential regulation by endotoxin and zymosan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether different reprogrammed alterations in endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS)-stimulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) release are seen following pretreatment with endotoxin (LPSp) or pretreatment with the particulate inflammatory stimulus zymosan. METHODS: Murine peritoneal macrophages (M phi) pretreated for 24 hours in vitro with medium, LPSp, zymosan, latex beads, or killed Escherichia coli. After 24 hours M phi were restimulated with medium, LPSa, zymosan, latex beads, or E. coli, M phi supernatant TNF and IL-1 were measured after 24 hours and mRNA levels determined after 6 hours with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Pretreatment with low dose LPSp markedly inhibited TNF release by both LPSa or zymosan, while pretreatment with zymosan increased LPSa-stimulated TNF release. Pretreatment with both LPSp and zymosan augmented LPSa and zymosan-stimulated IL-1. Zymosan pretreatment augmentation of TNF and IL-1 was accompanied by lower than basal levels of cytokine message. CONCLUSION: Reprogrammed macrophage TNF and IL-1 release was differentially regulated by distinct inflammatory stimuli. Understanding reprogrammed macrophage cytokine regulation may enable specific therapy to modify dysregulated cytokine release during sepsis and trauma.

Animals↗

Differences in the involvement of prostanoids from Kupffer cells in the mediation of anaphylatoxin C5a-, zymosan-, and lipopolysaccharide-dependent hepatic glucose output and flow reduction.

Various inflammatory stimuli such as anaphylatoxin C5a, zymosan, and lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) have been reported both to enhance glucose output in the perfused rat liver and to induce prostanoid (ie, prostaglandin and thromboxane) release from Kupffer cells, the resident liver macrophages. Because prostanoids can enhance glucose output from hepatocytes, it was the aim of this study to compare the possible roles of prostanoids released after C5a, zymosan, and LPS in the mediation of hepatic glucose output. In perfused livers both C5a and zymosan immediately enhanced glucose output, reduced flow, and induced prostanoid overflow into the hepatic vein, but with different quantities and kinetics. Only the C5a-induced but not the zymosan-induced effects were abrogated by inhibitors of prostanoid signaling as the prostanoid synthesis inhibitor indomethacin and the thromboxane receptor antagonist daltroban. In contrast to C5a and zymosan, LPS had no effect on glucose output, flow rate, or prostanoid overflow. In isolated Kupffer cells, C5a and zymosan induced maximal release of prostaglandins D(2) and E(2) and of thromboxane A(2) within a period of 0 to 2 minutes and 5 to 15 minutes, respectively. In pulse-chase experiments, maximal prostanoid release was already observed after 2 minutes of continuous stimulation with C5a, but only after 10 to 15 minutes of continuous stimulation with zymosan. LPS-dependent prostanoid release was not seen before 1 hour. Thus, even though C5a, zymosan, and LPS induced prostanoid release from Kupffer cells, only C5a quickly regulated hepatic glucose metabolism in a prostanoid-dependent manner (due to the kinetics and quantities of prostanoids released).

Animals↗

Dissociation between the effects of zymosan on the systemic and pulmonary vessels of the rat.

1. Zymosan, an activator of the alternative complement pathway, (2 to 16 mg kg-1) injected intravenously via the tail vein of anaesthetized rats, dose-dependently increased the vascular permeability of lung parenchyma, as measured by the accumulation of 125I-labelled albumin in lungs. 2. Pretreatment of the animals with cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin or ketoprofen (3 mg kg-1) or with the lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, BW755C (40 mg kg-1) abolished the vascular permeability changes induced by zymosan (16 mg kg-1). Neither, the PAF antagonist, WEB 2086 (10 mg kg-1) nor the antagonist of mast cell amines, mepyramine and methysergide (3 mg kg-1) affected the plasma exudation in lungs. Zymosan did not induce any accumulation of labelled albumin in lungs of rats made leukopenic by rabbit anti-neutrophil serum. 3. Zymosan (16 mg kg-1) increased the haematocrit. This increase was not modified by indomethacin but reduced by WEB 2086. 3. Intravenous injection of zymosan (3 and 8 mg kg-1) in anaesthetized rats transiently increased right ventricular blood pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure, accelerated respiratory rate and decreased systemic blood pressure. 5. WEB 2086 largely reduced the systemic hypotension but did not affect the increase of pulmonary vascular resistance. Indomethacin inhibited the increase of blood pressure in the right ventricle and the modification of the respiratory rate. This drug did not inhibit but increased the systemic hypotension induced by zymosan. 6. Zymosan (16 mg kg-1) reduced serum complement haemolytic activity by 46%. 7. These data suggest that the pulmonary vascular changes induced by intravascular complement activation with zymosan in rats are mediated by neutrophils and prostanoids while the systemic vascular effects depend mainly on PAF.

Animals↗

Critical role of L-selectin and histamine H4 receptor in zymosan-induced neutrophil recruitment from the bone marrow: comparison with carrageenan.

Zymosan and carrageenan represent two inflammatory stimuli leading to significant neutrophilia when injected into mice. Despite several similarities between the two proinflammatory agents, the mechanisms leading to neutrophil influx into the site of stimulus injection are unclear. As demonstrated by antibody (Ab) studies directed against adhesion molecules, L-selectin was pivotal for zymosan-induced but not carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Zymosan but not carrageenan injection into the pleural cavity caused blood neutrophilia and significant release of neutrophils from the bone marrow, events that were inhibited by anti-L-selectin but not anti-Mac-1 Ab pretreatment. Pertussis toxin, known to regulate cell efflux, abrogated both zymosan- and carrageenan-induced pleurisy, but only zymosan-induced neutrophil release from the bone marrow. Dexamethasone, known to inhibit pleurisy induced by either stimulus, had no effect on bone marrow neutrophil numbers. The G(i/o) G protein-coupled H4 histamine receptor is highly expressed in the bone marrow and on leukocytes and plays an important role in zymosan-induced pleurisy in vivo. Zymosan-triggered neutrophil release from bone marrow was abrogated by pretreatment of mice with thioperamide, a known H(3/4) receptor antagonist, whereas H1 and H2 receptor antagonists had no effect. Moreover, histamine itself, when injected intravenously, led to a similar time- and dose-dependent decrease of neutrophil numbers in the bone marrow that was inhibited by thioperamide. Because the H3 receptor is not expressed on neutrophils, these findings indicate that both H4 and L-selectin regulate zymosan-induced neutrophil release from bone marrow and subsequent infiltration in the pleurisy model.

Animals↗

Tumor necrosis factor mediates zymosan-induced increase in glucose flux and insulin resistance.

Intraperitoneal injection of sterile zymosan produces an inflammatory response ultimately resulting in multiple-organ failure. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the hormonal and metabolic alterations produced as a result of this nonbacterial nonendotoxic inflammatory agent and to determine whether these changes were mediated by enhanced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Rats were injected intraperitoneally with either zymosan or saline and studied 18 h later. Under basal conditions, zymosan-injected rats were euglycemic but showed a 43% increase in hepatic glucose production and peripheral glucose uptake. The enhanced glucose flux in zymosan-treated rats was associated with elevations in plasma insulin (45%), glucagon (5-fold), corticosterone (2-fold), epinephrine (34%), and norepinephrine (115%). In vivo studies using 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) demonstrated that the zymosan-induced increase in whole body glucose disposal resulted from an enhanced uptake by skeletal muscle (68%), diaphragm (3.7-fold), liver (144%), spleen (52%), and fat (133%). Under euglycemic hyperinsulinemic conditions, zymosan-treated rats exhibited both hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance, with the latter resulting from a decreased insulin-mediated glucose uptake by skeletal muscle, heart and diaphragm. Arterial TNF levels were increased by 1 h and remained elevated throughout the experimental protocol. Pretreatment of rats with a neutralizing anti-TNF antibody before zymosan prevented the elevation in basal glucose flux and attenuated the insulin resistance. We conclude that the inflammatory state induced by zymosan enhances basal glucose turnover and impairs insulin action and that these changes appear to be largely due to the enhanced endogenous production of TNF.

Absorption↗

Regulated recruitment of DC-SIGN to cell-cell contact regions during zymosan-induced human dendritic cell aggregation.

Zymosan is a beta-glucan, mannan-rich yeast particle widely used to activate the inflammatory response of immune cells. We studied the zymosan-binding potential of human dendritic cells (hDCs) by using specific carbohydrate inhibitors and blocking monoclonal antibodies. We show that DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) is a major nonopsonic recognition receptor for zymosan on hDCs. Indeed, blocking of DC-SIGN inhibited the inflammatory response of DCs to zymosan. We compared the zymosan-binding capacity of hDC-SIGN to that of Dectin-1 and complement receptor 3 (CR3), which are receptors involved in the nonopsonic recognition of these yeast-derived particles. Dectin-1- and DC-SIGN-K562 cells bound to zymosan particles, whereas CR3-K562 cells did not. DC-SIGN and Dectin-1 were also expressed in COS cells to compare their ability to trigger particle internalization in a nonphagocytic cell line. DC-SIGN transfectants were unable to internalize bound particles, indicating that DC-SIGN is primarily involved in recognition but not in particle internalization. Zymosan induced a rapid DC aggregation that was accompanied by a dramatic change of DC-SIGN distribution in the plasma membrane. Under resting conditions, DC-SIGN was diffusely distributed through the cell surface, displaying clusters at the free leading edge. Upon zymosan treatment, DC-SIGN was markedly redistributed to cell-cell contacts, supporting an adhesion role in DC-DC interactions. The mechanism(s) supporting DC-SIGN-mediated intercellular adhesion were further investigated by using DC-SIGN-K562 aggregation. DC-SIGN was highly concentrated at points of cell-cell contact, suggesting a role for enhanced avidity during DC-SIGN-mediated intercellular adhesion.

Animals↗

Analysis of the factor(s) involved in pathogenesis of zymosan-induced inflammation in rats.

The role of mast cell degranulation in increased vascular permeability in zymosan-air-pouch inflammation, an experimental model of inflammation induced by zymosan in rats, was investigated. The complement in the inflammatory pouch fluid was exhausted, and mast cells in the pouch wall subcutaneous tissues were degranulated. The histamine level in the pouch fluid was elevated immediately after application of zymosan in the preformed air-pouch and then quickly declined. Plasma exudation into the pouch fluid changed in close parallel with the change of histamine level. Application of compound 48/80 in the air-pouch also brought about liberation of histamine from mast cells, accompanied with elevation of vascular permeability similar to that observed in the zymosan-air-pouch inflammation. However, the amount of the plasma exudation in the zymosan-air-pouch inflammation was about twice as high as that induced by compound 48/80, though the quantity of histamine liberated in the two cases was almost equal. Rats depleted of histamine and serotonin were incapable of responding to compound 48/80, but zymosan still induced increased vascular permeability. A combination treatment with pyrilamine and methysergide did not abolish plasma exudation caused by zymosan, but brought about complete blockade of the vascular permeability response to compound 48/80. These results suggest that some mechanisms independent of degranulation of mast cells are responsible in part for the initial sudden elevation of vascular permeability in zymosan-induced inflammation.

Animals↗

Regulation of interleukin-8 gene expression after phagocytosis of zymosan by human monocytic cells.

Monocyte phagocytosis of pathogens or inflammatory debris leads to chemokine secretion and heralds the influx of leukocytes to the site of injury. Persistent chemokine secretion can lead to tissue damage. However, the mechanisms by which phagocytosis regulates chemokine synthesis remain poorly understood. As a first step, we have studied regulation of interleukin (IL) 8 gene expression after interaction with zymosan or latex. IL-8 secretion was consistently one- or twofold higher after incubation with zymosan than with latex. Nuclear factor (NF) kappaB translocation to the nucleus was induced by zymosan but not latex, indicating that its translocation is dependent on the nature of the phagocytic stimulus. NFkappaB activation coincided with IkappaBalpha degradation but had no effect on processing of NFkappaB1/p105, the precursor of the NFkappaB protein p50. The NFkappaB inhibitor gliotoxin abrogated zymosan-induced IL-8 synthesis in peripheral blood monocytes, further demonstrating that the induction of IL-8 mRNA by zymosan is NFkappaB dependent. SB203580 inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway significantly decreased zymosan-induced IL-8 mRNA accumulation. Inhibitors of protein kinases A and C or tyrosine kinases had no significant effect on zymosan-induced IL-8 synthesis. These data indicate that p38 MAPK and NFkappaB are critical in controlling zymosan-induced IL-8 secretion.

Cell Line↗

[Lipid biosynthesis and metabolism of native and acetylated low density lipoproteins in macrophages stimulated by zymosan in vivo and in vitro].

The effects of zymosan on lipid metabolism in mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) in vitro and in vivo were studied with special reference to the following parameters: i) 14C-oleate incorporation into cholesteryl esters (CE), triglycerides (TG), and phospholipids (PL) in MPM incubated with low density lipoproteins (LDL) and acetylated LDL; ii) cholesteryl-14C-oleate-acetyl LDL uptake and 125I-acetyl LDL degradation; iii) oxidative modification of LDL. Zymosan administered to mice caused significant stimulation of 14C-oleate incorporation into CE, TG, and PL with no effect on 3H-cholesterol (Ch) incorporation into CE or 3H-glycerol incorporation into TG and PL in MPM. The 14C-oleate incorporation into cellular lipids was unaffected by 18-hour incubation of MPM with zymosan (100-500 micrograms/ml) but increased after incubation of unstimulated MPM with blood serum and peritoneal fluid harvested harvested from zymosan-treated mice. One possible explanation of this phenomenon is oleyl-CoA formation induction in cytokine-stimulated MPM in vivo. Zymosan decreased the Ch-14C-oleate-acetyl LDL uptake, 125I-acetyl LDL degradation, and Ch esterification in the presence of acetyl LDL in MPM both in vitro and in vivo. An increase in Ch esterification after incubation of MPM with zymosan for 6-18 hours in the presence of LDL was accompanied by an increase in lipid peroxidation of LDL and its electrophoretic mobility. The data obtained suggest that the macrophage acetyl LDL receptor pathway may be inhibited by zymosan and that cytokines released from zymosan-stimulated cells may influence the generation of foam cells.

Acetylation↗

[Preventive long-term intravenous immunoglobulin infusion in children with acute lymphatic leukemia. II. Zymosan opsonization is decreased and is not increased by IgG infusions].

Zymosan opsonisation was determined in sera of 38 normal individuals and 20 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). All patients underwent chemotherapy according to the CoALL 82 protocol. Intravenous gammaglobulin (ivGG) was given prophylactically to replace deficient specific antibodies. Zymosan opsonisation in normal sera ranged from 65% to 133% of a serum pool, whereas sera of children with ALL exhibited markedly decreased opsonisation ranging from 7% to 141% (of the pooled serum standard) at different times during an observation period of 20 months. No significant changes could be observed over time, neither induced by the ivGG infusion itself (short term effect) nor during the 20 months observation period (long term effect). Before ivGG therapy was initiated, a positive correlation was found between zymosan opsonisation and complement parameters (CH 50: p less than 0.01; AP 50; p less than 0.001; C3: p less than 0.05). No correlation could be noted between zymosan opsonisation and IgG concentration. Experiments with complement deficient sera clearly demonstrated the dependence of zymosan opsonisation from complement function. In contrast, sera with little or no IgG but intact complement, showed normal zymosan opsonisation. Deficient zymosan opsonisation might contribute to the immune deficiency of ALL patients. The present study suggests, that the zymosan opsonisation cannot be corrected by ivGG infusions.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

Evaluation of the mechanism of zymosan-induced resistance to experimental peritonitis.

Three injections of intraperiotoneal (IP) zymosan-induced profound resistance to E. coli peritonitis in Sprague-Dawley rats. IP zymosan had minimal effects on organ weights and systemic phagocytic clearance ability, suggesting that this mode of administration had few systemic reticuloendothelial system (RES) effects. Hemoglobin (a known inhibitor of local phagocytosis) reduced the protection induced by zymosan, giving further evidence that IP zymosan acts locally. IP zymosan stimulation results in an initial marked influx of polymorphonuclear cells followed by a greater percentage replacement of mononuclear cells by the third day. Examination of these cells via chemiluminescence studies demonstrated that the phagocytic capacity of zymosan-stimulated peritoneal cells was markedly greater than the control group on a cell-for-cell basis. IP zymosan also gave some protection against intravenous (IV) E. coli, but IV zymosan did not significanly protect against IP E. coli. Possible mechanisms of action are discussed. These findings suggest that a technique of local RES stimulation could have a place in preparation of certain high-risk patients for elective abdominal surgery where peritoneal contamination is likely.

Animals↗

Zymosan enhances leukotriene D4 metabolism by porcine alveolar macrophages.

Porcine alveolar macrophages (AM) metabolize leukotriene D4 (LTD4) to leukotriene E4 (LTE4). In the present study, the ability of a fluid-phase AM stimulus (A23187) and a phagocytic stimulus (opsonized zymosan) to augment LTD4 metabolism was examined. Both stimuli increased the release of superoxide (O-2) anions. However, whereas zymosan caused a consistent reduction in surface free energy, the effect of A23187 was variable. Similarly, zymosan induced release of the lysosomal enzymes N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and arylsulphatase (mean net release, 14.9% and 12.0%, respectively), whereas release induced by A23187 was smaller (mean net release 1.42% and 1.31%, respectively) and of marginal statistical significance. Zymosan, but not A23187, caused a significant (P less than 0.005) augmentation of LTD4 inactivation: from 93 +/- 7 pM/10(7) cells (69 +/- 5% of added LTD4) at 60 min by control AM, to 117 +/- 3 pM/10(7) cells (88 +/- 2% of added LTD4) at 60 min by zymosan-treated AM. Zymosan also induced the release of LTD4 inactivating capacity (128 +/- 21 pM LTD4/10(7) AM/60 min) into the supernatant. Conversion of LTD4 to LTE4 by zymosan-treated AM and their supernatants was confirmed chromatographically. In addition, LTD4 inactivation by AM and their supernatants was inhibited by 10 mM L-cysteine. These data suggest that zymosan released a dipeptidase, possibly of lysosomal origin, which catalysed the conversion of LTD4 to LTE4.

Animals↗

Modulation of macrophage mannosyl-specific receptors by cultivation on immobilized zymosan. Effects on superoxide-anion release and phagocytosis.

Unopsonized zymosan effectively induces a respiratory burst (O-2 release, hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt stimulation) in thioglycollate-elicited and BCG-activated macrophages (M phi). These M phi are known to express lectin-like receptors specific for mannose or fucose-terminated glycoconjugates (MFR). A role for the MFR in phagocytosis of zymosan was demonstrated by cultivating M phi on a glutaraldehyde-fixed layer of zymosan, a procedure which depleted M phi of MFR-mediated pinocytic activity, but not other surface antigens (F4/80, Mac-1) or receptors (FcR, C3R). After modulation of MFR, M phi lost the ability to phagocytose zymosan, but ingested antibody or complement-coated zymosan vigorously via alternative receptors. Challenge with free zymosan failed to enhance respiratory burst activity in M phi which had been cultivated on zymosan. Such M phi were also refractory to zymosan taken up by alternative receptors or other ingested particles (EIgG), but responded to a non-particulate challenge, PMA. These studies show that the MFR, like other receptors, can mediate phagocytosis and elicit a respiratory burst in suitably primed M phi, but indicate that phagocytosis via specific receptors (FcR, C3R) need not trigger a respiratory burst.

Animals↗

Downregulation of neutrophil CD43 by opsonized zymosan.

CD43, a prevalent white blood cell molecule distinguished by its mucin-like surface region, has been proposed as a "functional barrier" that prevents or negatively regulates a variety of cell surface interactions. Implicit in this hypothesis is the expectation that CD43 will be altered or removed when white blood cells are activated. To investigate alterations of CD43 in a dramatic example of functional cell activation, suspension neutrophils were challenged with opsonized zymosan, a characterized stimulator of phagocytosis and respiratory burst oxidase. Flow cytometry showed decreased surface density of CD43 in opsonized zymosan-treated neutrophils, and immune precipitation showed decreased cellular CD43 content, indicating that opsonized zymosan downregulates CD43 by a proteolytic mechanism. Based on densitometry of immune precipitates, CD43 levels were decreased 42% +/- 6% in neutrophils treated for 10 minutes with opsonized zymosan and decreased 70% +/- 3% in neutrophils treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). CD43 downregulation in response to opsonized zymosan, like PMA-induced CD43 downregulation, was insensitive to the serine protease inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP). In contrast, CD43 downregulation in response to opsonized zymosan or PMA was prevented by 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonylfluoride (AEBSF) and 3'4'-dichloroisocoumarin (3,4-DCI), both of which are characterized serine protease inhibitors. Activation of the neutrophil respiratory burst oxidase by opsonized zymosan or PMA was also insensitive to DFP and prevented by AEBSF and 3,4-DCI. These findings indicate a requirement for a proteolytic step in activation of the respiratory burst of intact suspension neutrophils by opsonized zymosan and PMA and suggest that CD43 cleavage may be a required proteolytic event.

Antigens, CD↗

Zymosan-triggered association of tyrosine phosphoproteins and lyn kinase with cytoskeleton in human monocytes.

Phagocytosis of pathogens and inert particles such as zymosan by macrophages, and related secretory functions require the combination of several intracellular signals and the reorganization of cytoskeleton. We recently reported that zymosan stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylations of several endogenous substrates in human monocytes. In this work, the relationship between zymosan-stimulated tyrosine phosphoproteins and detergent-insoluble material considered as cytoskeleton was investigated. Triton X-100-insoluble fraction contained two proteins of 53 and 56 kDa that were tyrosine phosphorylated after only 5 min of stimulation with zymosan and remained labeled for 30 min. Because 53- and 56-kDa phosphoproteins migrated, as did some components of the src tyrosine kinase family, namely p53-56lyn, we wondered if 53- and 56-kDa phosphoproteins were related to lyn kinase. First, the amount of immunoreactive p53-56lyn increased in Triton X-100-insoluble fraction as did zymosan-stimulated tyrosine phosphoproteins. This property of p53-56lyn was unique, as no other member of the src family was found in this fraction. Second, when the immunoblots were reprobed with anti-phosphotyrosine mAb, the m.w. of p53-56lyn and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins were identical in apparent size. Third, p53-56lyn was probably activated after cell stimulation with zymosan, because the phosphorylation levels of a synthetic copolymer of glutamine-tyrosine were increased in Triton X-100-insoluble fraction. In addition, we studied the distribution of lyn kinase and tyrosine phosphoproteins in phagocytozing monocytes. By using immunofluorescence, we showed that lyn kinase was located preferentially in the periphagosomal region in a specific manner, as an src tyrosine kinase such as p59hck, which was not associated with cytoskeleton, was not concentrated around the vacuoles. Moreover, periphagosomal phosphoproteins were also detected and found to be colocalized with polymerized actin. Because zymosan interacts with human monocytes via beta 2 integrins, which are known to be cytoskeleton-associated, we suggest that p53-56lyn provides the molecular link between zymosan receptors and cytoskeleton, and directs the cytoskeletal reorganization in the periphagosomal area.

Blotting, Western↗