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Early events in initiation of alternative complement pathway activation by the capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans.

The capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans is a powerful activator of the alternative complement pathway. This study examined the manner in which the cryptococcal capsule influences initiation of and early events in complement activation by C. neoformans. These studies examined the effects of the classical and alternative pathways on the kinetics and early sites for deposition of C3 fragments on encapsulated cryptococci, nonencapsulated cryptococci, and zymosan. The results showed that nonencapsulated cryptococci and zymosan are qualitatively and quantitatively similar in the manner in which they initiate complement activation. Both utilize the classical and alternative pathways. Initiation via the classical pathway occurs suddenly and simultaneously at sites distributed over the entire cell surface. Initiation of the alternative pathway by zymosan and nonencapsulated cryptococci is characterized by a lag of 6 to 8 min before appreciable amounts of C3 accumulate on the cells. Alternative pathway initiation by zymosan and nonencapsulated cryptococci occurs at a limited number of focal initiation sites that expand with alternative pathway amplification to cover the cell surface. Presence of the cryptococcal capsule blocks classical pathway initiation, which would normally occur at the cryptococcal cell wall, and produces an initiation that is dependent solely on the alternative pathway. Initiation of the alternative pathway by the cryptococcal capsule is characterized by a lag in C3 accumulation and the appearance of a limited number of focal initiation sites which resemble those observed when the alternative pathway is activated by zymosan and nonencapsulated cryptococci.

Complement Activation↗

Macrophage phagocytosis: analysis of particle binding and internalization.

An improved radioassay for analysis of phagocytosis has been used to quantitate and characterize the binding and internalization of zymosan by monolayers of rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages. This method distinguishes zymosan particles reversibly bound to the cell surface from those internalized. The zymosan was radiolabeled with technetium 99m(99mTc), a gamma-emitter with a 6-h half-life. Use of 99mTc as the radiolabel also permitted simultaneous determinations of pinocytosis and cellular protein content using [14C]sucrose and [3H]amino acids, respectively. All endocytic data were normalized per adherent cell based on this latter measurement. A significant fraction of the cell-associated particles was bound to the cell surface but not internalized. Failure to correct for this compartment would have resulted in overestimation of phagocytic rate and total cellular capacity. Both binding and ingestion of functionally unopsonized zymosan were found to be saturable, temperature sensitive, dependent on glycolytic energy, dependent on a trypsin-sensitive membrane component, described by a maximal rate, and limited by a finite capacity. The time courses of both processes were found to be similar. These results led us to conclude that, in our system, both binding and internalization were active processes and that the limited capacity to ingest zymosan was not explained by a concomitant reduction in binding of the particle to the cell membrane. Furthermore, it was found that phagocytosis did not change the rate of fluid-phase pinocytosis, consistent with the concept that the cell membrane is a functional mosaic as has been previously found by others for phagocytic and transport sites in this cell type.

Amino Acids↗

Specificity of membrane complement receptor type three (CR3) for beta-glucans.

The binding of the iC3b receptor (CR3) to unopsonized zymosan was shown to result from CR3 attachment to cell wall beta-glucans. A specificity of neutrophil responses for beta-glucan was first suggested by a comparison of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell wall components for stimulation of a neutrophil superoxide burst. Neutrophils responded poorly to heat-killed yeast, but gave increasingly better responses to cell wall polysaccharides devoid of proteins (zymosan) and nearly pure beta-glucan particles derived from zymosan. Zymosan triggered a burst that was 29% as great as that stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and beta-glucan particles stimulated a burst that was 72% as great as that produced by PMA. Phagocytic responses to yeast were also inhibited by soluble glucans but not by soluble mannans. Three types of experiments demonstrated a role for CR3 in these responses. First, neutrophil ingestion of either yeast or yeast-derived beta-glucan particles was blocked by monoclonal anti-CR3, fluid-phase iC3b, or soluble beta-glucan from barley. Monocyte ingestion of beta-glucan particles was also blocked by anti-CR3, but not by anti-CR1 or anti-C3. Second, the neutrophil superoxide burst response to either zymosan or beta-glucan particles was blocked by anti-CR3 or fluid-phase iC3b, and was completely absent with neutrophils from 3 patients with an inherited deficiency of CR3. Third, CR3 was isolated from solubilized neutrophils by affinity chromatography on beta-glucan-Sepharose.

Glucans↗

Suppression of acute lung injury in mice by an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 4.

The present study has investigated the therapeutic potential of a type 4 phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, rolipram, in experimental lung injury. Acute lung injury was induced in the mouse by combined treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 mg/kg, i.v.) and zymosan (3 mg/kg, i.v.), and assessed using extravascular albumin accumulation; neutrophil sequestration in pulmonary capillaries was also measured. The results show that pretreatment with rolipram (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was protective against the induction of lung injury by combined LPS and zymosan; extravascular albumin accumulation was reduced by 89% and neutrophil sequestration in lung tissue, as assessed by lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was reduced by 75%. Pretreatment with rolipram also attenuated increases in serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) levels induced by LPS and zymosan treatment, measured after 2.5 h. The role of endogenous TNFalpha in the induction of lung injury was therefore assessed. Blockade of endogenous TNFalpha by treatment with the soluble receptor p55-IgG fusion protein or an anti-murine TNFalpha monoclonal antibody, TN3. 19.12, had no protective effect against LPS and zymosan-induced lung injury. This suggests that there is a disassociation between TNFalpha production and the induction of injury in this model. Administration of rolipram after LPS and before zymosan treatment obliterated the increase in pulmonary vascular permeability, but its effect on sequestration of neutrophils in pulmonary microvessels, as measured by MPO, was less marked. The results of the present study suggest that use of agents such as rolipram that inhibit PDE4 may have a therapeutic role in treatment of acute lung injury, since we have shown that it is effective in attenuation of neutrophil activation even after sequestration. However, its effect appears to be independent of TNFalpha inhibition.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Condensed tannin promotes the release of arachidonic acid from rabbit resident alveolar macrophages.

The condensed tannin present in cotton mill dust profoundly alters the functional capabilities of resident alveolar macrophages. Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that in vitro exposure of rabbit resident alveolar macrophages to condensed tannin significantly inhibits the ability of these cells to produce reactive oxygen intermediates or to ingest particles. In the present study, we demonstrate that condensed tannin also alters arachidonic acid (C20:4) metabolism in these cells. Exposure of rabbit resident alveolar macrophages to condensed tannin results in the time- and dose-dependent release of C20:4 from the membrane phospholipids. The release of C20:4 occurred only at tannin concentrations greater than 25 micrograms/ml and was maximal 90 min after the onset of exposure. The EC50 for release was 75 micrograms/ml. Exposure to 100 micrograms/ml tannin resulted in the release of 20 +/- 3% of the [14C]C20:4 incorporated in the cell membrane. In comparison, exposure to 160 micrograms/ml zymosan resulted in the release of 14 +/- 4% of the [14C]C20:4. For both tannin and zymosan, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol were the principal sources of the released C20:4. Approximately 63% of the C20:4 released after zymosan stimulation was further metabolized, mainly via the cyclooxygenase pathway. The major metabolites were 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and prostaglandin E2. In contrast, only 24% of the C20:4 released by tannin was subsequently further metabolized. The metabolites formed were essentially evenly distributed between products of the cyclooxygenase pathway and the lipoxygenase pathway. Exposure of alveolar macrophages to 50 micrograms/ml tannin for 30 min reduced the ability of the cells to subsequently incorporate C20:4 by 50 to 70%. In contrast, exposure of the cells to 160 mg/ml zymosan for 30 min had only a minimal effect on the subsequent ability of these cells to incorporate C20:4. These results indicate that tannin promotes C20:4 release, at least in part, by inhibiting its reacylation back into phospholipids, a mechanism that differs from that of zymosan.

Animals↗

Coupling of C3bi to IgG inhibits the tyrosine phosphorylation signaling cascade downstream Syk and reduces cytokine induction in monocytes.

The effect of coupling C3bi to immunoglobulin G (IgG) immune complexes (IC) on their ability to produce protein tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) routes was assessed in human monocytes. Cross-linking Fc receptors for IgG activated the protein tyrosine kinase Syk, phospholipases Cgamma1 and Cgamma2, the MAPK cascade, and the Akt/PKB route. Linkage of C3bi to the gamma-chain of IgG produced a decrease of the protein bands displaying tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas the MAPK cascades and the Akt/PKB route remained almost unaffected. Zymosan particles, which because of their beta-glucan content mimic the effect of fungi, produced a limited increase of tyrosine-phosphorylated protein bands, whereas treatment of zymosan under conditions adequate for C3bi coating increased its ability to induce protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Noteworthy, this was also observed under conditions where other components of serum might be bound by zymosan particles, for instance, serum IgG, thereby suggesting their potential involvement in Syk activation. The induction of cytokines showed a changing pattern consistent with the changes observed in the signaling pathways. IC induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)/CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), interleukin (IL)-1beta, and eotaxin-2/CCL24, which were not observed with C3bi-coated IC. Zymosan induced the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), TNF-beta, IL-10, IL-6, and MCP-2/CCL8, whereas the cytokine signature of C3bi-coated zymosan also included interferon-inducible protein 10/CXC chemokine ligand 10, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, and I-309/CCL1. Taken together, these findings indicate that C3bi targets the phagocytic cargo, and engagement or diversion of the Syk route determines the phagocyte response.

Cell Line↗

Regulation of macrophage lysosomal enzyme secretion: role of arachidonate metabolites, divalent cations and cyclic AMP.

We have investigated the role in macrophage lysosomal enzyme release of arachidonate metabolites, extracellular divalent cations and cyclic AMP (cAMP) which modulate secretion in other cell types. Lysosomal enzyme secretion induced by zymosan was accompanied by release of malondialdehyde (MDA), which is derived from arachidonic acid via prostaglandin synthase. Blockade of MDA formation, by aspirin or indomethacin, was associated with only a small inhibitory effect on lysosomal enzyme release by zymosan: arachidonate metabolites thus play only a minor role in mediating macrophage lysosomal enzyme release. Zymosan-induced secretion of lysosomal enzymes from macrophages did not require extracellular magnesium or calcium although release was enhanced by magnesium and inhibited by calcium. These effects may be related to an influence of the ions on phagocytosis. Elevation of intracellular divalent cation concentrations, by ionophore A23187, induced release of lysosomal enzymes but this was a result of cell lysis. Adenylate cyclase stimulants and dibutyryl cAMP produced slight inhibition of zymosan-induced lysosomal enzyme release. Aminophylline and papaverine caused more marked inhibition but their effects may be due to actions independent of phosphodiesterase inhibition. Our data indicate that arachidonate metabolites and cAMP do not play a major role in regulating zymosan-induced enzyme release from macrophages. Extracellular calcium and magnesium may modulate secretion but the role of intracellular divalent cations remains to be established. We conclude that macrophage lysosomal enzyme secretion is controlled by regulatory mechanisms different from those which control similar degranulation processes in other cell types.

Animals↗

Inability of rat anaphylatoxin to induce histamine release in rats.

The role of rat anaphylatoxin in histamine release and increased vascular permeability during the first thirty minute period in zymosan-air-pouch inflammation, an experimental model of inflammation induced by zymosan in an air-pouch prepared on the back of rats, was investigated. Complement depletion by cobra venom factor did not affect the histamine release nor the increased vascular permeability in the inflammation of this type. In spite of apparent anaphylatoxin activity, zymosan activated serum (ZAS) failed to cause any significant release of histamine when infused in the air-pouch on the back. Anaphylatoxin purified from rat serum activated with zymosan in the presence of an inhibitor (epsilon-aminocaproic acid) of anaphylatoxin inactivator gave a single band in both polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight estimated by SDS-PAGE was approx. 7,000. The purified rat anaphylatoxin failed to induce histamine release nor increased vascular permeability even at 50 micrograms/ml, although it caused contraction of guinea pig ileum at 0.8 micrograms/ml. These results suggest that rat anaphylatoxin does not participate in histamine release and increased vascular permeability in the zymosan-air-pouch inflammation.

Anaphylatoxins↗

Trabecular meshwork recovery after phagocytic challenge.

The short and long term response of the trabecular meshwork to a phagocytic challenge and the response of the meshwork to different types of foreign particles was studied by injecting one eye of 25 adult cats with a phagocytic agent (zymosan, blood, or latex microspheres) while the fellow eye received a control solution. Eyes were examined histologically at various intervals from one day to five months after infusion. Active trabecular cell phagocytosis and changes in cell shape were found with all agents. The extent of these changes varied with the agent used. Zymosan caused marked changes and inflammation, with numerous macrophages found throughout the meshwork. Trabecular cell migration and cell loss occurred, although it was often difficult to distinguish macrophages from rounded trabecular cells. The meshwork eventually recovered from this inflammatory insult, as trabecular lamellae became less edematous and once again acquired a lining of trabecular cells. Blood and latex microspheres caused less disruption, with microspheres often found in otherwise normal appearing cells. Trabecular cellularity was quantitated after the blood and the zymosan infusions. No cell loss was observed after the blood infusion, while zymosan-infused eyes had an initial 15% cell loss (p less than .04) when compared with fellow control eyes. This zymosan-associated trabecular cell loss may have been due to phagocytosis, inflammation, or a combination of both. The cell loss had recovered by the end of 150 days (p less than .02), as trabecular cell numbers in experimental eyes became comparable to fellow control eyes.

Animals↗

The role of SIGNR1 and the beta-glucan receptor (dectin-1) in the nonopsonic recognition of yeast by specific macrophages.

We recently demonstrated that the beta-glucan receptor Dectin-1 (betaGR) was the major nonopsonic beta-glucan receptor on macrophages (Mphi) for the yeast-derived particle zymosan. However, on resident peritoneal Mphi, we identified an additional mannan-inhibitable receptor for zymosan that was distinct from the Mphi mannose receptor (MR). In this study, we have studied the mannose-binding potential of murine Mphi and identified the dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3-grabbing nonintegrin homolog, SIGN-related 1 (SIGNR1), as a major MR on murine resident peritoneal Mphi. Both SIGNR1 and betaGR cooperated in the nonopsonic recognition of zymosan by these Mphi. When SIGNR1 was introduced into NIH3T3 fibroblasts or RAW 264.7 Mphi, it conferred marked zymosan-binding potential on these cells. However, in the nonprofessional phagocytes (NIH3T3), SIGNR1 was found to be poorly phagocytic, suggesting that other receptors such as betaGR may play a more dominant role in particle internalization on professional phagocytes. Binding of zymosan to RAW 264.7 Mphi expressing SIGNR1 resulted in TNF-alpha production. Treatment of RAW 264.7 Mphi expressing SIGNR1, which express low levels of betaGR, with beta-glucans had little effect on binding or TNF-alpha production, indicating that there was no absolute requirement for betaGR in this process. These studies have identified SIGNR1 as a major MR for fungal and other pathogens present on specific subsets of Mphi.

Animals↗

K562 cells produce an anti-inflammatory factor that inhibits neutrophil functions in vivo.

We have previously reported that K562, a chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, releases a low molecular weight factor (6 to 8 Kd) that inhibits human polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) adherence and adherence-related functions tested in vitro. We now report that this factor, which we have named K562 inhibitory factor (K562-IF), has potent anti-inflammatory activity in mice, associated with an inhibition of PMN functions. Its in vitro actions were less marked with mouse PMN than with human PMN. They included (1) an inhibition of both nonstimulated locomotion and locomotion induced by FMLP or serum; (2) an inhibition of the chemiluminescence induced by opsonized zymosan, but not that induced by phorbol myristate acetate or FMLP; (3) an inhibition of the degranulation stimulated by opsonized zymosan, as reflected by lactoferrin and lysozyme release; and (4) a decrease in arachidonic acid release and leukotriene B4 production by A23187-stimulated PMN. The in vivo actions of K562-IF after intraperitoneal injection included (1) an inhibition of subcutaneous PMN accumulation at the site of injection of opsonized zymosan (PMN accumulated neither outside the vessels nor intravascularly, as shown by means of histochemistry); (2) an inhibition of neutrophil accumulation in the peritoneum of mice having received sodium caseinate or opsonized zymosan intraperitoneally; and (3) lysozyme concentration in neutrophils having reached the peritoneum after opsonized zymosan treatment equal to that in blood, suggesting diminished release. PMN influx and degranulation in the peritoneum were reduced by 50% after 3 hours of treatment with 1 microgram of K562-IF (equivalent to the effect of 120 micrograms of prednisolone). Taken together, these results show that K562-IF is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that acts by inhibiting PMN functions.

Animals↗

[Oxygen radical generation of murine alveolar macrophages].

The respiratory burst of murine alveolar macrophages (AM) was compared with that of peritoneal macrophages (PM). Superoxide anion (O2-) released from resident AM was similar to that of resident PM. That is, resident AM or PM exposed to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) released only a small amount of O2-, whereas both macrophages released a large amount of O2- when stimulated with zymosan particles. AM as well as PM obtained from mice injected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG 3 weeks previously (abbreviated to BCG-AM and BCG-PM, respectively) showed an enhanced killing activity to Candida parapsilosis. O2- release of BCG-AM stimulated with zymosan was similar to that of BCG-PM. In both BCG-AM and BCG-PM, maximal O2- response was obtained by stimulation with a lower concentration of zymosan than the concentration which required for resident macrophages to release maximal amount of O2-. There was however, a remarkable difference between the ability of BCG-AM and BCG-PM to release O2- when stimulated with PMA. Markedly enhanced O2- release of BCG-PM was observed. In contrast, O2- release of BCG-AM exposed to PMA was almost the same as that of resident AM. Hydrogen peroxide release of BCG-AM, when stimulated with PMA or zymosan, was compatible with O2- release. Isoquinolinylsulfonyl piperadine (H-7), an inhibitor of protein kinase C, inhibited O2- release of PMA-stimulated BCG-AM and BCG-PM in a dose-dependent manner and the extent of inhibition was greater in O2- release of PM than that of AM. Superoxide anion release in response to zymosan was slightly inhibited by H-7.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Lysosomal enzyme release from human monocytes by particulate activators is mediated by beta-glucan inhibitable receptors.

Human peripheral blood monocytes ingest particulate activators and generate leukotrienes via a trypsin-sensitive, beta-glucan-inhibitable receptor. The incubation of monolayers of monocytes with from 4 X 10(5) to 2 X 10(8) zymosan or glucan particles resulted in a dose-dependent release of up to 9% +/- 1.9 and 17.8% +/- 5.3 (mean +/- SD, n = 3) of the lysosomal enzyme, N-acetylglucosaminidase, into the culture medium. Lysosomal enzyme release occurred throughout the 2-hr period studied, with the greatest rate of N-acetyl-glucosaminidase release occurring during the first hour; the presence of 5 micrograms/ml of cytochalasin B accelerated this process when zymosan was the agonist. The preincubation of monocytes with from 0.5 to 500 micrograms/ml of soluble yeast beta-glucan inhibited N-acetylglucosaminidase release by 4 X 10(7) zymosan and glucan particles in a dose-dependent manner, with 50% inhibition occurring with 50 micrograms/ml of soluble yeast beta-glucan (mean +/- SD, n = 3). Preincubation with as much as 5 mg/ml of yeast mannan had no inhibitory effect on N-acetylglucosaminidase release. The pretreatment for 30 min of monolayers of monocytes with 50 micrograms/ml of affinity-purified trypsin, which selectively inactivates the monocyte-phagocytic response to particulate activators, also fully inhibited lysosomal enzyme release induced by zymosan and glucan particles. The inhibitory effects of a soluble ligand, yeast beta-glucan, and of trypsin pretreatment on lysosomal enzyme release correspond to the inhibitory effect of these agents on monocyte phagocytosis of zymosan and glucan particles and thus indicates ligand specificity for the beta-glucan receptor in the release of stored intracellular mediators.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Regulation of eicosanoid biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo by the marine natural product manoalide: a potent inactivator of venom phospholipases.

The marine natural produce manoalide has been reported to inactivate venom phospholipase A2 from several sources and phospholipase A2 from polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In this investigation, the regulation of eicosanoid production was studied both in an in vitro and in an in vivo model. The release of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 was inhibited by manoalide when cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (apparent IC50 = 0.23 microM), calcium ionophore A23187 (apparent IC50 = 0.23 microM) and zymosan (apparent IC50 = 0.18 microM). Leukotriene C4 production was inhibited by manoalide when macrophages were stimulated by A23187 (IC50 = 0.35 microM) but was enhanced when the cells were stimulated with zymosan. In an in vivo model, manoalide antagonized zymosan-induced peritoneal writhing in the mouse (ED50 = 0.71 mg/kg) and inhibited the i.p. release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (ED50 = 0.2 mg/kg) and leukotriene C4 (ED50 = 0.24 mg/kg). Our results suggest that: 1) manoalide modifies arachidonic acid release and metabolism to prostaglandins and leukotrienes in mouse cultured peritoneal macrophages stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate, calcium ionophore A23187 and zymosan and 2) the analgesic properties of manoalide seem to be partially correlated with reduced eicosanoid production in zymosan-stimulated mouse peritoneal exudates.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Prostaglandin biosynthesis in pulmonary macrophages.

Cultured rabbit alveolar macrophages, prelabeled with 14C-arachidonic acid (AA), released into the medium a trace amount of labeled prostaglandins (PG) as well as their precursor, AA. Phagocytosis of zymosan, heat-killed Staphylococcus, or bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) increased the AA and PG release to 2--2.5 times control values. The released PGs consisted of PGE2, D2, F2 alpha, and 6-keto F1 alpha. Phagocytosis of latex particles had no effect on PG release. Indomethacin inhibited release of PGs but did not affect AA release at low doses. Analysis of the cellular lipids showed that zymosan decreased the radioactive label in phosphatidylcholine (PC), but not in other phospholipids or neutral lipids, suggesting that PC is the main source of AA for PG synthesis in pulmonary macrophages. Cytochalasin B (CB) at phagocytosis-inhibiting doses or below, markedly increased PG synthesis by zymosan-treated macrophages. These data suggest that PG release is not dependent on engulfment of the particles. Phagocytosis of zymosan (but not latex) also resulted in the release of two lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase, which appeared temporally associated with the release of PGs (but not to phagocytosis). Furthermore, CB augmented the zymosan-stimulated release of these enzymes at the same doses stimulating PG synthesis. However, indomethacin, at a dose completely inhibiting PG synthesis, failed to block lysosomal enzyme release. Thus, the coincidental release of PGs and lysosomal enzymes is not the result of a regulatory role of PGs in the release of lysosomal enzymes, but probably is the result of a common pathway of stimulation. (Am J Pathol 97:137--148, 1979).

Animals↗

Membrane fluidity changes accompanying phagocytosis in normal and in chronic granulomatous disease polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

We have studied membrane fluidity changes in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) during phagocytosis. Membrane fluidity was assessed by electron spin resonance (ESR) using a nitroxide-substituted stearic acid analog (5DS) as a spin probe. PMN from normal subjects and from 3 CGD patients (2 males, 1 female) were incubated in Kreb's Ringers phosphate with or without opsonized zymosan. ESR spectra were obtained and the order parameter (S), which is inversely related to membrane fluidity, was calculated. Without zymosan addition, S for normal (0.638) and for CGD (0.635) were not significantly different (p less than 0.35). The S values indicate that under resting conditions the molecular environment of the CGD membrane is similar to that of normal PMN membranes. However, with addition of opsonized zymosan, the normal, but not the CGD, PMN showed a significant increase (CGD, S = 0.638; normal, S = 0.647; p less than 0.001). This change in S for the normals is consistent with a more restricted movement of 5DS. Treatment of normal PMN with a mixture of scavengers specific for H2O2 (catalase, 1600 U/ml), O2-.(superoxide dismutase, 100 micrograms/ml), and for HO., (sodium benzoate, 1mM) during zymosan stimulation gave S values similar to those of resting cells. Catalase alone also lowered S value, suggesting that H2O2 was instrumental in causing the initial S value increase. This idea was supported by studies in which CGD cells were incubated with zymosan in the presence of glucose oxidase, an enzyme that catalyzes glucose oxidation resulting in the direct reduction of molecular oxygen to H2O2. Our results indicate that reduced O2 by-products, particularly H2O2, can cause altered biophysical properties of PMN membrane during phagocytosis.

Granulomatous Disease, Chronic↗

[The effect of nedocromil sodium on the luminal-dependent chemiluminescence of whole-blood leukocytes].

Nedocromil sodium in concentrations of 10(-3) to 10(-9) M dose-dependently inhibits a zymosan (2 mg/ml)-induced chemiluminescence response (CLR) of whole blood leukocytes and, to a lesser extent, phorbol myrystate acetate (PMA)-induced CLR. The count of diformazan-positive granulocytes in the zymosan-induced nitroblue tetrazolium test slightly reduced in the presence of 10(5) nedocromil sodium. PMA in a dose of 10(-9) M did not induce CLR, but brought about leukocyte priming, thus sensitizing them to secondary triggering by suboptimal zymosan concentrations (0.5 mg/ml). A subsequent stimulation of leukocytes with PMA + zymosan demonstrated that nedocromil sodium (10(-7) M) inhibited mainly priming PMA rather than the zymosan-triggering step of leukocyte activation.

Adult↗

Mononuclear phagocyte system responsiveness in CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis.

In rats with CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis, a twofold decrease of blood clearance rate and a fourfold reduction in number of Kupffer cells taking up colloidal carbon particles has been demonstrated. Zymosan stimulation does not lead to granuloma-like structures in the liver of CCl4-cirrhotic rats. In cirrhotic rats, unlike controls, the cathepsin D activity of liver tissue is very little increased by zymosan treatment and there is virtually no increase in collagenolytic activity. The increase in PGE content in cirrhotic rat liver after prodigiosan stimulation was 2.5 times less than in stimulated control animals. In cirrhotic rats, the IL-1 producing capacity of blood monocytes in vitro in response to lipopolysaccharide drops almost fivefold. The total count of bone marrow-derived myeloid colonies in cirrhotic zymosan-stimulated animals was reduced by 1.5-fold whereas in control animals zymosan induced a 1.8-fold increase in the number of myeloid colonies. The number, uptake and nitroblue tetrazolium-reducing capacities of lung, spleen, peritoneal and bone marrow macrophages in animals with liver cirrhosis were only slightly increased in response to zymosan as compared to control animals. The low response of extrahepatic macrophages to stimuli in cirrhotic animals is thought to be due to their premobilization during the development of cirrhosis.

Animals↗