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Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide potentiation and inhibition of rat neonatal microglia superoxide anion generation: correlation with prior lactic dehydrogenase, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, thromboxane B2, and metalloprotease release.

The effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the central nervous system, one of the first organs to be affected by sepsis, are still incompletely understood. Rat microglia (BMphi) constitute the main leukocyte-dependent source of reactive oxygen species in the central nervous system. The in vitro effect of LPS on agonist-stimulated superoxide (O2-) generation from BMphi appears controversial. Our purpose was to determine the time- and concentration-dependent effect of Escherichia coil LPS on phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate-stimulated O2- generation from BMphi. Our results demonstrate that BMphi O2- generation in vitro peaked 17 h after stimulation of with .3 ng/mL LPS. Furthermore, stimulation of BMphi with LPS for 17 h resulted in the following concentration-dependent responses: .1-1 ng/mL LPS induced no prior mediator generation but potently enhanced subsequent phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate-stimulated O2- generation; 3-10 ng/mL LPS caused nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), thromboxane B2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 release although partially inhibiting ensuing phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate-stimulated O2- generation; 30-100 ng/mL LPS, maximized nitric oxide, TNF-alpha, thromboxane B2, matrix metalloproteinase-9 generation with concomitant lactic dehydrogenase release although strongly deactivating successive phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate-stimulated O2 production. Our in vitro studies suggest that enhanced release of these four mediators (nitric oxide, TNF-alpha, thromboxane B2, and matrix metalloproteinase-9) during stimulation of BMphi with LPS might play a critical role in the subsequent ability of BMphi to generate O2- in vivo. Potential clinical implications of our findings are suggested by the fact that LPS levels similar to the ones used in this study have been observed in cerebrospinal fluid both in Gram-negative meningitis and sepsis.

Animals↗

[Limited changes in prescription of third-generation oral contraceptives after reports on elevated thrombosis risk and subsequent professional guidelines].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prescription behaviour of general practitioners (GP) and gynaecologists regarding 2nd and 3rd generation oral contraceptives (OC) in the period before and after the warning of increased thrombosis risk of 3rd generation pills. DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive. METHOD: With the aid of data on OC prescriptions collected by the Institute for Medical Statistics, the numbers of prescriptions from Dutch GPs and gynaecologists in the year before the warning by the British Committee on Safety of Medicines that 3rd-generation OC increased the risk of thrombosis, were compared with the numbers in the year after publication of the guideline of the Dutch General Practitioners Society (NHG), which stated a preference for the 2nd-generation OC, and of the guideline of the Dutch Society for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, which stated no preference. RESULTS: In neither the GP nor the gynaecologist groups did the proportion of 3rd-generation pills in the OC prescriptions decrease significantly. However, in the GP group the proportion of new 3rd generation OC prescriptions decreased significantly from 56 to 40%. However, after a few trimesters it rose again. CONCLUSION: The changes in prescription behaviour of the GP group were in accordance with the NHG guidelines. However, the proportion of the 3rd-generation OC prescriptions remained relatively large and the effect was of short duration. The only conclusion that could be drawn regarding the gynaecologists, was that the proportion of 3rd-generation OC prescriptions did not change significantly.

Contraceptives, Oral↗

Influence of the diet made by its family ancestors in the hereditary component of an individual: study in six generations of rats.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of the deficiency of enzyme Lactase/phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) varies widely between different countries, with a low of 1-3% in Scandinavia and close to 100% in most of South-East Asia. Various carbohydrates are capable of enhancing LPH mRNA levels in the small intestine, and that transcriptional control plays a major role in the carbohydrate-induced alterations of LPH mRNA expression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A generation of rats was randomized and assigned to two groups; those that were fed a high-carbohydrate diet and, those that were fed standard rodent meal. The sixth generation of these animals was fed standard rodent meal. Transfection experiments using Caco-2 cells were performed using sperm samples of the sixth generation of rats. RESULTS: This study suggests that the feeding with a high-carbohydrate diet during five generations of rats increases the capacity of production of enzyme LPH, LPH mRNA levels and the transcription rate of the LPH gene in the sixth generation of these animals, and this fact happens independently of the diet that this generation of rats had. Transfection experiments show that this influence has had to take place necessarily within the hereditary component which the last generation of rats received from its family ancestors. CONCLUSION: The feeding received by the ancestors of a generation of rats could influence within hereditary component received by them.

Animals↗

Generation of reactive oxygen species in the enzymatic reduction of PbCrO4 and related DNA damage.

Free radical reactions are believed to play an important role in the mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis. Most studies concerning the role of free radical reactions have been limited to soluble Cr(VI). Various studies have shown that solubility is an important factor contributing to the carcinogenic potential of Cr(VI) compounds. Here, we report that reduction of insoluble PbCrO4 by glutathione reductase in the presence of NADPH as a cofactor generated hydroxyl radicals (.OH) and caused DNA damage. The .OH radicals were detected by electron spin resonance (ESR) using 5,5-dimethyl-N-oxide as a spin trap. Addition of catalase, a specific H2O2 scavenger, inhibited the .OH radical generation, indicating the involvement of H2O2 in the mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced .OH generation. Catalase reduced .OH radicals measured by electron spin resonance and reduced DNA strand breaks, indicating .OH radicals are involved in the damage measured. The H2O2 formation was measured by change in fluorescence of scopoletin in the presence of horseradish peroxidase. Molecular oxygen was used in the system as measured by oxygen consumption assay. Chelation of PbCrO4 impaired the generation of .OH radical. The results obtained from this study show that reduction of insoluble PbCrO4 by glutathione reductase/NADPH generates .OH radicals. The mechanism of .OH generation involves reduction of molecular oxygen to H2O2, which generates .OH radicals through a Fenton-like reaction. The .OH radicals generated by PbCrO4 caused DNA strand breakage.

Chromates↗

New-generation RIBA hepatitis C strip immunoblot assays.

Second-generation hepatitis C virus (HCV) ELISAs are currently in use in Europe and have been submitted for approval in the United States. These new assays contain additional antigens from the putative nucleocapsid and NS-3 regions of the HCV genome in addition to the c100-3 antigen present in first-generation ELISAs. A supplementary test, the second-generation RIBA HCV strip immunoblot assay (2-RIBA HCV SIA) has also been developed. The strip immunoblot assay uses four recombinant HCV antigens [5-1-1 (NS-4), c100-3 (NS-4), c33c (NS-3), and c22-3 (NS-3) (nucleocapsid)] slot blotted on nitrocellulose. Screening of random volunteer blood donors with the Ortho second-generation HCV ELISA (ORTHO HCV 2.0 ELISA) indicates that a substantial change in the repeat reactive donor population is observed with the new test. Two notable features of this change are: (1) A large number of samples reactive in the 2-RIBA HCV SIA for the second-generation antigens, c33c and c22-3, are detected by the ORTHO HCV 2.0 ELISA; (2) the percentage of ORTHO HCV 2.0 ELISA reactive specimens found indeterminate (reactive for only one HCV antigen) by the 2-RIBA HCV SIA is higher than in first-generation HCV ELISAs (approximately 25 vs. 5%). In addition, ORTHO HCV 2.0 ELISA repeat reactive, 2-RIBA HCV SIA indeterminate samples are dominated by reactivity to c22-3 instead of c100-3, which is the case for first-generation HCV ELISA repeat reactive samples. Resolution of 2-RIBA HCV SIA indeterminate samples as either containing anti-HCV antibodies or not, is important in both diagnostic and blood screening environments, especially where donor notification is required. Our approach to resolution of these troublesome samples evolved from initial work with HCV peptides. Early studies with an experimental strip immunoblot assay containing 5 peptides from the nucleocapsid, E2 (NS-1), NS-4, and NS-5 regions of the viral genome indicated that peptides from the nucleocapsid and NS-4 regions of the genome could provide additional evidence for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies with good specificity, but other peptides suffered from poor specificity. In addition, no immunoreactive peptide from the NS-3 (c33c) region of the virus is available, presumably because the major epitope(s) of this key second-generation antigen is a conformational determinant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Blood Transfusion↗

[Screening of HIV in blood banks. Evaluation of fourth generation kits].

Use of detection tests for p24 HIV antigen (p24Ag) in blood banks in Argentina is recommended by the Argentinean Society of Hemotherapy and Immunohematology. In the blood bank of the National University of Cordoba (Argentina), the recent implementation of the p24Ag screening test has considerably increased the cost of the battery of screening tests and its use in all blood donations has not produced the benefits expected. A 4th generation EIA was evaluated for the screening of HIV in comparison with the currently used assays in the blood bank of National University of Cordoba (3rd generation EIA + p24Ag assay). For this comparison, 11 serum samples from subjects with early HIV infection (early seroconversion period) were tested, as well as 27 serum samples from asymptomatic HIV-infected subjects and other 39 from non-HIV infected subjects. The 3rd generation EIA and the 4th generation EIA showed the same sensitivity value (100%) but the specificity of the 3rd generation EIA was higher (97.5%) comparing with 4th generation (95.1%). Besides, the p24Ag test failed to detect 2 samples from subjects with early HIV infection. These results indicate a good performance of both 3rd and 4th generation assays for screening of HIV. However, due to the lowest cost of 4th generation EIA kit, it could replace the currently used assays for HIV screening in regional blood banks. This screening assay will lead to gain in effectiveness and reduced costs until the detection of HIV RNA can be implemented in blood banks.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

Embryopathic action of N-nitrosomethylurea in the pregnant mouse manifest for three generations.

A high incidence of tumour bearing animals (T.B.A.) occurred in the 3 generations of mice descended from dams exposed to N.M.U. on the 18th day of gestation (20 mg/Kg/ip). In the first generation, T.B.A.s (p less than 0.001 binomial analysis) were detected early and were due largely to reticuloses in males and females. In the second generation, T.B.A.s were again in increased number and involved young mice; females were particularly affected by reticuloses, 9 had these neoplasms compared with 2 in the controls. In the 3rd generation, the number of tumour bearing females was double that in the concurrent controls. Offspring from treated dams had a significantly increased incidence of reticuloses, in the first generation this amounted to p less than 0.05 (binomial analysis) and in the second to (p less than 0.01). A high incidence of mortality persisted for 3 generations. In the first, 18 per cent died by 80 weeks compared with 7 per cent of the controls; this difference was significant (p less than 0.05). In the second generation, 15 per cent died compared with 10 per cent of the controls. Sixteen per cent of the third generation also died, white the control incidence remained at 10 per cent.

Animals↗

Cyclic AMP-elevating agents block chemoattractant activation of diradylglycerol generation by inhibiting phospholipase D activation.

Agents which elevate cellular cAMP (prostaglandin E2, theophylline, and forskolin) or mimic cAMP action (dibutyryl cAMP) are known to inhibit human neutrophil activation (superoxide generation and secretion) by receptor-linked agonists such as formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). Herein, we show that these agents also markedly inhibit fMLP-stimulated diradylglycerol generation (assayed by mass methods). The magnitude of inhibition correlated with the ability of a given agent or combination of agents to elevate cAMP. Both 1,2-diacylglycerol and 1-O-alkyl,2-acyl glycerol generation were affected. Effects on the latter species, as well as a lack of effect on fMLP-stimulated inositol phosphate release, implied that cAMP affected diradylglycerol generation from a source other than phospholipase C-dependent phosphoinositide hydrolysis, since phosphatidylinositols do not contain appreciable quantities of the 1-O-alkyl linkage. In cells in which the phosphatidylcholine pool was prelabeled using 1-O-[3H]octadecyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, prostaglandin E2 plus theophylline inhibited the fMLP-activated rapid generation of [3H]phosphatidic acid and its subsequent conversion to [3H]diradylglycerol, implying an effect at the level of phospholipase D. In the presence of ethanol, the fMLP-activated transphosphatidylation of [3H]phosphatidylcholine to generate [3H]phosphatidylethanol (a phospholipase D-dependent reaction) was also markedly inhibited. In contrast, when phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was used to activate cells, cAMP-related agents had no effect on phospholipase D activity, diradylglycerol generation, or superoxide generation. The data indicate an inhibitory effect of cyclic AMP on receptor-mediated phospholipase D activation at a site proximal to phospholipase D (e.g., the receptor or G protein). These studies provide a new example of "cross-talk" among signal transduction systems.

Chemotactic Factors↗

Clinical validation of a second-generation fructosamine assay.

The serum fructosamine assay, used to monitor short-term clinical glycemic control, reportedly has several technical drawbacks. However, technical improvements have resulted in a new second-generation assay of fructosamine. We evaluated this second-generation assay (from Roche Diagnostics) in 529 nondiabetic and diabetic patients and found a highly significant correlation with results of the first-generation assay (r = 0.91, P less than 0.001). Use of the second-generation assay with samples from patients classified on the basis of glycemic control according to their glycohemoglobin (GHb) values, enabled us to discriminate between the nondiabetics, diabetics with "good/moderate" control (i.e., GHb less than 10%), and diabetics with "poor" control (GHb greater than or equal to 10%). We evaluated the validity of the second-generation assay to assess short-term glycemic control in 23 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients who participated for 10 weeks in an intensive intervention program designed to rapidly normalize the clinical glycemic profile. Results correlated significantly with the one-week average capillary blood glucose concentration (CBG) and with the three-week average CBG in all 23 patients. In addition, the second-generation fructosamine assay results demonstrated a significant decrease at each week of study, as did the average CBG. Results of the first- and second-generation assays correlated significantly at each week of study. GHb correlated significantly with both the second- (r = 0.78, P less than 0.001) and first-generation fructosamine assay results (r = 0.77, P less than 0.001) for the baseline blood samples of the intervention study, but this correlation decreased (to r = 0.35, P = 0.09 and r = 0.34, P = 0.09, respectively) by the conclusion of the study.

Adult↗

Species-specific differences in heterogonic development of serially transferred free-living generations of Strongyloides planiceps and Strongyloides stercoralis.

The direction of free-living development (homogonic vs. heterogonic) in Strongyloides stercoralis and Strongyloides planiceps was examined by successive transplantation of the uterine eggs of free-living females into a test tube culture system containing fresh feces. The eggs from the first-generation free-living females of S. stercoralis did not develop into second-generation free-living adult worms, but all developed into filariform larvae. However, the majority of S. planiceps eggs from the first-generation free-living females developed into second-generation free-living adults. By successive transfer of uterine eggs of each generation, 9 generations developed, and in every cycle more adult worms developed than filariform larvae. However, the number of free-living generations was not infinite; in experiments repeated twice, the number of worms developing from the eggs of eighth or ninth generations was too small to continue further culture. These findings indicate that the pattern of free-living development is different between the 2 species.

Animals↗

Generation of cytolytic activity with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies involves both IL-2-independent and -dependent components.

We have generated potent Ag-nonspecific cytolytic activity in PBMC cultures without exogenous IL-2 by stimulating the cells with anti-CD3 mAb. Three anti-CD3 mAb (147, 446, 454) each induced cytolytic activity against both K562 and Daudi targets, albeit to different degrees. The differences among the anti-CD3 mAb could not be explained by differences in their isotypes or avidity constants, by the number of anti-CD3 mAb molecules initially bound per cell, or by preferential or differential binding to TCR alpha/beta+ vs TCR gamma/delta+ cells. Each anti-CD3 mAb appeared to induce cytolytic activity via, in part, an IL-2-independent component, as evidenced by: 1) the generation of potent cytolytic activity in mAb 446-stimulated cultures despite undetectable IL-2 levels; 2) the frequent inability of exogenous IL-2 (10 U/ml) to generate as much cytolytic activity as that induced by mAb 147 or 454, despite the low levels of IL-2 (less than U/ml) in the latter cultures; and 3) the different kinetics in generation of cytolytic activity between IL-2 and anti-CD3 mAb. Moreover, exogenous IL-2 enhanced anti-CD3-induced cytolytic activity for each anti-CD3 mAb. However, IL-2-dependent processes also contributed to the generation of cytolytic activity, because anti-p55 IL-2R mAb in combination with anti-p75 IL-2R mAb partially inhibited generation of anti-CD3-induced cytolytic activity, albeit to a lesser degree than the inhibition by these anti-IL-2R mAb of generation of IL-2-induced cytolytic activity. By demonstrating the generation of potent cytolytic activity in the absence of exogenous IL-2, these studies may assist in the development of more effective and less toxic clinical adoptive immunotherapy protocols.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Stress-generated potential (SGP) on the surface of fluid-filled monkey mandible].

Previous studies have shown that stress generated potential (SGP) with bone deformation caused by orthopedic force have an important role in regulation on bone remodeling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the chin cap on bone remodeling by elucidating the characteristics and distribution of SGP at various parts on the mandible. Experiment was carried out using a mandible of macaca irus monkey which was kept in moisture with 0.9% saline. SGP was recorded using Ag-AgCl electrode from the 32 sections on the surface of the mandible. The force (3 kg) was applied to the chin with six load conditions. It simulated the force generated by chin cap. Temporomandibular joints and the soft tissue except masseter muscle were kept intact. The results were summarized as follows. 1. SGP was generated only when the load was applied or removed. No SGP was generated when the load was steady, even the absolute value was large. 2. When the interval between "on" and "off" of the load was shorted, generated SGP with "off" timing decreased, while that with "on" timing unchanged. 3. When the load was applied in the low pull direction under the centric occlusion, rather larger negative SGP was recorded at the chin, posterior sections of mandibular body and inferior border of the mandible. 4. When jaw was in closing position, high pull loading generated larger SGP at the alveolar bone and the mandibular body than that with low pull loading, although their electric sign was the same at each recorded sections. 5. When jaw was in opening position, low pull loading generated larger SGP at the posterior parts of the alveolar bone and the mandibular body than that in closing position. 6. When a bite block was placed between the upper and lower teeth, larger amplitude in SGP was the evidence in all the recorded sections especially around the bite block. 7. SGP recorded at the posterior part of the mandible increased with the sliding of the location of the bite block towards posterior portion. 8. The electric sign and the amplitude in SGP and that of the stress analyzed by a finite element method were similar at the each sections on the mandible. This suggests SGP is related with the stress generated in the bone. The results suggested that effects of chin-cap on the bone remodeling might be dependent on the direction of the load, tooth contact, existence of bite block, and its location. Also dynamic loading was suggested to be more effective.

Animals↗

The earliest-generated neurons of the cat cerebral cortex: characterization by MAP2 and neurotransmitter immunohistochemistry during fetal life.

The earliest-generated neurons of the cat cerebral cortex have been studied here during development using a combination of 3H-thymidine birthdating with immunohistochemistry for the neuron-specific protein MAP2 or for several neuropeptides/transmitters. These neurons are the first postmitotic cells of the cortex, with birthdates during the 1-week period preceding the genesis of cells of the adult cerebral cortex (Luskin and Shatz, 1985a; Chun et al., 1987). However, they are transient and the majority disappear by adulthood (Luskin and Shatz, 1985a; Chun and Shatz, 1989). When autoradiographic birthdating is combined with MAP2 immunostaining during fetal life, the entire population of these early-generated neurons appears to be stained, resulting in labeled bands above and below the cortical plate. The band above the cortical plate (in the marginal zone) contains early-generated neurons with horizontal morphologies, while the thicker band beneath the cortical plate (within the intermediate zone) contains the somata of early-generated neurons and their elaborate processes that are frequently directed towards the ventricular surface. In view of the correspondence between the location of the early-generated neurons and the MAP2-immunostained band beneath the cortical plate, we suggest that this combined approach can be used to define accurately the subdivision of the intermediate zone known as the subplate. The early-generated neurons are also immunoreactive for GABA, neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SRIF), and cholecystokinin (CCK) during fetal life. While GABA, NPY, and SRIF immunostaining could be detected by embryonic day 50 (E50), that for CCK was not found until E60. Moreover, there is a relationship between neuropeptide immunoreactivity and location within the cerebral wall. The marginal-zone neurons are immunoreactive only for CCK. The subplate neurons are immunoreactive for CCK, SRIF, and NPY. Most of those immunoreactive for SRIF tend to be clustered within the upper part of the subplate, while those immunoreactive for NPY tend to be located more deeply. Cells immunoreactive for GABA are more uniformly distributed throughout the cerebral wall. These observations demonstrate directly that the marginal zone and subplate contain peptide- and GABA-immunoreactive neurons that belong to the earliest-generated cell population of the cerebral cortex. The presence of these early-generated neurons, which achieve a remarkable degree of maturity during fetal life, suggests that they perform an essential, yet transient, role in the development of the cerebral cortex.

Animals↗

ATP induces transient elevations of [Ca2+]i in human neutrophils and primes these cells for enhanced O2- generation.

ATP, when added to human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) at concentrations similar to those attained extracellularly at sites of platelet thrombus formation (0.1 to 20 microM), causes an enhancement of N-formyl(methionyl)leucylphenylalanine (FMLP)-stimulated superoxide anion (O2-) generation. However, ATP by itself is an ineffective agonist for O2- generation by PMNs. The ATP-induced enhancement of O2- generation is associated with a shortened lag time in the response of PMNs to FMLP without a change in the median effective dose for FMLP, suggesting that signal transduction, rather than altered receptor affinity, is responsible for the enhanced oxidative response. Maximum enhancement of O2- generation is detected as early as 15 seconds and is maintained for at least 10 minutes. Of various nucleotides and nonhydrolyzable-ATP analogs test d, only ATP, UTP, and ITP were found to cause enhanced O2- generation by PMNs. Addition of ATP to quin2-loaded PMNs, in the absence of other stimuli, elicits a dramatic rise in [Ca2+]i which reaches a maximum of 500 to 800 nM at 30 seconds and slowly returns to baseline over 5 minutes. This ATP-induced rise in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration is correlated with the enhancement of FMLP-stimulated O2- generation both with respect to dose and nucleotide specificity. Stimulated Ca2+ uptake, rather than mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores, appears to be primarily responsible for the rise in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. These studies indicate that an ATP-induced rise in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, although insufficient by itself to elicit O2- generation by PMNs, is associated with a priming of PMNs for enhanced O2- generation when stimulated by other agonists.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Fc receptor-mediated desensitization of superoxide (O2-) generation response of guinea-pig macrophages and polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Guinea-pig macrophages were pretreated with soluble immune complexes (1 hr, at 37 degrees). By this procedure, the capacity of the cells to produce superoxide anions (O2-) upon stimulation with wheatgerm agglutinin (WGA) was inhibited by as much as 80% (desensitization). However, the receptors for WGA were still available on the cell surfaces as determined by the binding of 125I-labelled WGA to both the pretreated and control cells. This inhibition of O2- generation was also observed when opsonized zymosan (Op-zymosan) was used as the stimulus for O2- generation. In contrast, the inhibition by soluble immune complexes was less than 25% of the control levels when the desensitized cells were stimulated with N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The same procedure was also used to desensitize guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN). In this case, the O2- generation of the PMN was suppressed to 50-55% of the control level when WGA or fMLP was used as stimulus. However, the PMA-induced O2- generation was far less affected by this treatment, as was the case with the macrophages. The activity of the desensitized macrophages for O2- generation recovered gradually to a normal level 24 hr after removal of the immune complexes from the medium. These results suggest that (i) some regulatory mechanisms which suppress the activation of NADPH oxidase are accentuated by prolonged exposure of guinea-pig macrophages and PMN with soluble immune complexes; (ii) the mechanism for O2- generation mediated by WGA or Op-zymosan may be different from that for O2- generation mediated by PMA, and (iii) the mechanism for O2- generation mediated by fMLP differs between macrophages and PMN.

Animals↗

Role of IL-2 and interferon in the generation of natural cytotoxic activity in influenza virus-stimulated PBL cultures: analysis with the use of prednisolone.

We have examined the role of interleukin 2, interferon-gamma and interferon-alpha in the generation of natural cytotoxic (NC) activity and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity in peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures stimulated with influenza virus, using the immunosuppressive effects of prednisolone. In addition to an inhibitory effect on the generation of CTL activity, prednisolone also inhibited the generation of NC activity in a similar dose-and time-dependent manner. Prednisolone suppressed the production of interferon-gamma when it was added on the first day of culture of PBL with influenza virus. Levels of interferon-alpha were not affected. The effects of prednisolone on the generation of NC activity and CTL activity in kinetic terms were not paralleled by the effects on interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma production. The diminished generation of NC activity could be reversed by the addition of interleukin 2 (IL-2), but interferon-gamma had little if any restorative effects. Interferon-alpha had no effect. These findings support the hypothesis that IL-2 is the major inducer of NC activity in CTL generation cultures. The inhibitory effect on CTL generation could only be reversed by IL-2 and not by interferon-alpha- and interferon-gamma. Thus, in the absence of IL-2, interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma cannot support the generation of CTL activity or the concomitantly induced NC activity.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic↗

Cellular requirements for the generation of primary cell-mediated lympholysis responses to Qa-1 antigens.

Mixed leukocyte cultures (MLC) between NZB responder spleen cells and Qa-1-disparate stimulator spleen cells were employed to determine the cellular requirements for the generation of primary anti-Qa-1 cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) responses. Although primary anti-Qa-1 cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) were generated during H-2-homologous stimulation, anti-Qa-1 CTL were not detectable from MLC in which the stimulators were H-2 allogeneic. Anti-Qa-1 CTL also were not generated from MLC in which the stimulators were semiallogeneic. Thus, H-2 identity between responder and stimulator cells was not sufficient to permit the generation of primary anti-Qa-1 CTL when H-2 disparity was also present. The capacity for H-2 disparity to prevent anti-Qa-1 CML responses was further demonstrated in MLC containing both H-2-allogeneic and H-2-homologous stimulator cells. Therefore, in subsequent studies we employed NZB responders and H-2-homologous, Qa-1-disparate stimulators. When various subpopulations of stimulator cells were studied for their ability to induce anti-Qa-1 CTL, nylon wool-adherent cells were found to be potent stimulators, but nylon wool-nonadherent cells were not. Furthermore, depletion of macrophages from the stimulator population abrogated the generation of anti-Qa-1 CML responses, despite the presence of responder macrophages in the culture. In contrast, all fractionated subpopulations stimulated anti-H-2 CML responses. When macrophage-enriched cells were used as stimulators, anti-Qa-1 CTL could be generated with approximately 80-fold fewer stimulator cells than when unfractionated splenocytes were used as stimulators. These findings indicated that stimulator macrophages were essential for the generation of primary anti-Qa-1 CTL. Direct evidence for macrophage expression of Qa-1-antigens was obtained by using a Qa-1b-specific CTL clone. These studies provide i) the first evidence for Qa-1 expression on macrophages, ii) a basis for comparison of the cellular interactions necessary to generate CTL against H-2K/D-encoded vs Qa-1-encoded class 1 antigens, and iii) a model for investigating the mechanisms responsible for the immunodominance of H-2K/D alloantigens.

Animals↗

The role of cytosolic free calcium in the generation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate in HL-60 cells. Differential effects of chemotactic peptide receptor stimulation at distinct Ca2+ levels.

The generation of the two inositol trisphosphate (IP3) isomers, 1,4,5-IP3 and 1,3,4-IP3, and its relation to changes in the cytosolic free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, in response to the chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe was studied in the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60, induced to differentiate with dimethyl sulfoxide. Stimulation by fMet-Leu-Phe within seconds transiently elevates 1,4,5-IP3 to peak values averaging 8-fold basal levels, and leads to a concomitant rise in [Ca2+]i and to degranulation. These responses are followed by a slower and more sustained rise in 1,3,4-IP3. Alterations in [Ca2+]i modulate differentially the generation of the two IP3 isomers. At [Ca2+]i lower than 30 nM, no IP3 is generated upon fMet-Leu-Phe stimulation. Working at normal resting [Ca2+]i, but preventing the fMet-Leu-Phe induced transient rise in [Ca2+]i (by prior depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores and working in calcium-free medium) the fMet-Leu-Phe stimulation of 1,3,4-IP3 levels is attenuated, whereas the response of 1,4,5-IP3 is not significantly altered. Maintained elevation of [Ca2+]i to micromolar levels with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin generates enhanced 1,3,4-IP3 levels in the absence of fMet-Leu-Phe, whereas the fMet-Leu-Phe stimulation of 1,4,5-IP3 generation is markedly inhibited. Pertussis toxin selectively abolishes the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced IP3 production, whereas ionomycin stimulation of 1,3,4-IP3 generation is unaffected. These findings indicate that in intact cells: receptor-triggered phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate phosphodiesterase activation has a minimal Ca2+ requirement, but does not depend on a previous or concomitant rise in [Ca2+]i; Ca2+ elevations above micromolar levels decrease the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced generation of 1,4,5-IP3; and 1,3,4-IP3 generation is not directly linked to receptor activation and appears to result both from increased [Ca2+]i and 1,4,5-IP3 levels.

Calcium↗