Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “MACROPHAGES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 937 records · Page 52Linked to original sources

Macrophage accumulation and renal fibrosis are independent of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in mouse obstructive nephropathy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The progression of renal injury, initiated by either an immune or non-immune insult, is closely associated with the accumulation of leucocytes and fibroblasts in the damaged kidney. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) regulates leucocyte activation and fibroblast proliferation in vitro. Studies have identified a pathological role for MIF in immune-initiated renal injury in the rat. In this study, we examined the role of MIF in obstructive nephropathy, where renal injury is initiated by a non-immune insult. METHODS AND RESULTS: Unilateral ureteric ligation was performed on MIF wildtype (+/+) and MIF deficient (-/-) mice. Groups of five mice were killed at days 0, 1, 5 or 10 after obstruction, and kidneys were examined via immunohistochemistry and northern blotting. In MIF +/+ mice, expression of the MIF protein increased in obstructed kidneys compared to normal control kidneys. Interstitial macrophage and T cell accumulation was significantly increased in obstructed kidneys at day 5 and 10, but was unaffected by MIF deficiency. Osteopontin and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) mRNA expression in obstructed kidneys were equally increased in both genotypes, indicating that expression of these chemokines is not influenced by MIF. No difference was detected in the development of renal fibrosis in obstructed MIF +/+ and MIF -/- kidneys, as assessed by myofibroblast accumulation and proliferation and expression of profibrotic molecules (transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-beta1) and collagen). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that MIF expression is increased in obstructive nephropathy without affecting kidney leucocyte accumulation or the development of renal fibrosis. This suggests that the progression of renal injury in obstructive nephropathy is independent of MIF.

Animals↗

The macrophage-activating tetrapeptide tuftsin induces nitric oxide synthesis and stimulates murine macrophages to kill Leishmania parasites in vitro.

The macrophage-activating tetrapeptide tuftsin was able to activate, in a dose-dependent manner, murine macrophages to express nitric oxide (NO) synthase and to produce NO. Tuftsin required lipopolysaccharides for the optimal induction of NO production and synergized with gamma interferon in the induction of NO synthesis. Tuftsin-dependent NO production was sensitive to inhibition by dexamethasone and the NO synthase specific inhibitor LGN-monomethylarginine (L-NMMA). Murine peritoneal macrophages activated by tuftsin were able to kill the amastigotes of the intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania major in vitro.

Animals↗

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor release by macrophages after ingestion of Plasmodium chabaudi-infected erythrocytes: possible role in the pathogenesis of malarial anemia.

Human falciparum malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection, results in 1 to 2 million deaths per year, mostly children under the age of 5 years. The two main causes of death are severe anemia and cerebral malaria. Malarial anemia is characterized by parasite red blood cell (RBC) destruction and suppression of erythropoiesis (the mechanism of which is unknown) in the presence of a robust host erythropoietin response. The production of a host-derived erythropoiesis inhibitor in response to parasite products has been implicated in the pathogenesis of malarial anemia. The identity of this putative host factor is unknown, but antibody neutralization studies have ruled out interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and gamma interferon while injection of interleukin-12 protects susceptible mice against lethal P. chabaudi infection. In this study, we report that ingestion of P. chabaudi-infected erythrocytes or malarial pigment (hemozoin) induces the release of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) from macrophages. MIF, a proinflammatory mediator and counter-regulator of glucocorticoid action, inhibits erythroid (BFU-E), multipotential (CFU-GEMM), and granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitor-derived colony formation. MIF was detected in the sera of P. chabaudi-infected BALB/c mice, and circulating levels correlated with disease severity. Liver MIF immunoreactivity increased concomitant with extensive pigment and parasitized RBC deposition. Finally, MIF was elevated three- to fourfold in the spleen and bone marrow of P. chabaudi-infected mice with active disease, as compared to early disease, or of uninfected controls. In summary, the present results suggest that MIF may be a host-derived factor involved in the pathophysiology of malaria anemia.

Anemia↗

Human peripheral blood T cells, monocytes, and macrophages secrete macrophage inflammatory proteins 1alpha and 1beta following stimulation with heat-inactivated Brucella abortus.

Heat-killed Brucella abortus (HBa) has been proposed as a carrier for therapeutic vaccines for individuals with immunodeficiency, due to its abilities to induce interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and to upregulate antigen-presenting cell functions (including IL-12 production). In the current study, we investigated the ability of HBa or lipopolysaccharide isolated from HBa (LPS-Ba) to elicit beta-chemokines, known to bind to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor CCR5 and to block viral cell entry. It was found that human peripheral blood mononuclear cells secreted beta-chemokines following stimulation with HBa, and this effect could not be blocked by anti-IFN-gamma neutralizing antibodies. Among purified T cells, macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha and 1beta (MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta, respectively) secretion was observed primarily in human CD8(+) T cells. The kinetics of beta-chemokine induction in T cells were slow (3 to 4 days). The majority of beta-chemokine-producing CD8(+) T cells also produced IFN-gamma following HBa stimulation, as determined by triple-color intracellular staining. A significant number of CD8(+) T cells contained stored MIP-1beta that was released after HBa stimulation. Both HBa and LPS-Ba stimulated high levels of MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta production in elutriated monocytes and even higher levels in macrophages. In these cells, beta-chemokine mRNA was upregulated within 30 min and proteins were secreted within 4 h of stimulation. The monocyte- and macrophage-derived beta-chemokines were sufficient to block CCR5-dependent HIV-1 envelope-mediated cell fusion. These data suggest that, in addition to the ability of HBa to elicit antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses, HBa-conjugated HIV-1 proteins or peptides would also generate innate chemokines with antiviral activity that could limit local viral spread during vaccination in vivo.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Macrophage inflammatory proteins 1 and 2: expression by rat alveolar macrophages, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells and in rat lung after mineral dust exposure.

Macrophage inflammatory proteins 1 alpha and 2 (MIP-1 alpha, MIP-2) are members of a growing family of cytokines thought to play a role in host defense. MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 were previously identified in the mouse and shown to stimulate inflammatory cell recruitment. To better understand the potential role of MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 in lung defense, we investigated the ability of rat lung cells to express mRNA for and/or secrete MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 proteins in vitro and characterized expression of these cytokines in rat lung after in vivo exposure to silica (SiO2) or titanium dioxide (TiO2). In response to lipopolysaccharide, rat alveolar macrophages expressed increased levels of MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 mRNA and secreted proteins (identified by N-terminal sequencing) homologous to mouse MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2. Rat alveolar macrophage MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 mRNA expression was also increased by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and adherence to plastic. Studies with a rat fibroblast and epithelial cell line demonstrated that MIP-2, but not MIP-1 alpha, expression can be detected in these cells after stimulation with TNF. Intratracheal instillation studies with SiO2 and TiO2 showed that inflammatory doses of these dusts increase MIP-1 alpha and MIP-2 mRNA expression in whole lung and that increased gene expression preceded the accumulation of inflammatory cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mitogen-activated protein kinase modulation of nuclear factor-kappaB-induced granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor release from human alveolar macrophages.

Granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), released from alveolar macrophages (AM), is an important regulator of eosinophil, T cell, and macrophage function and survival. We determined the mechanisms of GM-CSF regulation in AM from normal volunteers activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by examining the role of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), and of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and MAP kinase kinase (MKK-1). PD 098059 (10 microM), an inhibitor of upstream activator of MKK-1, inhibited GM-CSF expression, but the expression of GM-CSF was not inhibited by SB 203580 (10 microM), an inhibitor of p38-MAP kinase. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 (ERK-1), ERK-2, and p38 MAP kinase by LPS were demonstrated on Western blot analysis. LPS increased NF-kappaB:DNA binding as examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, but this was not suppressed by PD 098059 or by SB 203580. LPS induced an increase in NF-kappaB activation as examined by p50 translocation assay without suppression by PD 098059 or by SB 203580. SN50 (100 microM), an inhibitor of NF-kappaB translocation and the specific IKK-2-Inhibitor (AS602868; 10 microM), also prevented GM-CSF expression and release induced by LPS, indicating that GM-CSF release is NF-kappaB-dependent. PD 098059, but not SB 203580, inhibited LPS-induced histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity, indicating chromatin modification. Furthermore, AS602868 and SN 50 suppressed LPS-induced HAT activity. TSA (10 ng/ml), an inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC), reversed the inhibitory effect of PD 098059, SB 203580, SN 50 and AS602868 on GM-CSF release. GM-CSF expression and release in AM is controlled by NF-kappaB activation, and this is modulated by phosphorylation of MKK-1 and p38 MAP kinase acting on histone acetylation.

Acetyltransferases↗

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor regulates both activities of neutral and acidic cholesteryl ester hydrolases in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) regulates cholesterol metabolism in vivo and in vitro. We studied the effects of M-CSF on enzyme activities of acidic cholesteryl ester (CE) hydrolase, neutral CE hydrolase, and acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), all of which are involved in cellular cholesterol metabolism in macrophages. During the differentiation of monocytes to macrophages, these enzyme activities were induced and further enhanced in response to M-CSF. M-CSF (100 ng/ml) enhanced acidic and neutral CE hydrolase and ACAT activities by 3.2-, 4-, and 2.3-fold, respectively, in the presence of acetyl LDL. The presence of acetyl LDL influenced these enzyme activities. ACAT and acidic CE hydrolase activities were increased and neutral CE hydrolase activity was decreased, indicating that these enzymes are regulated by intracellular cholesterol enrichment. M-CSF increased the ratios of acidic CE hydrolase to ACAT activity and of neutral CE hydrolase to ACAT activity. The results suggest that M-CSF enhances net hydrolysis of CE by stimulating the two CE hydrolases to a greater extent than ACAT, and M-CSF may reduce the rate of atherogenesis.

Base Sequence↗

Living T9 glioma cells expressing membrane macrophage colony-stimulating factor produce immediate tumor destruction by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages via a "paraptosis"-induced pathway that promotes systemic immunity against intracranial T9 gliomas.

Cloned T9-C2 glioma cells transfected with membrane macrophage colony-stimulating factor (mM-CSF) never formed subcutaneous tumors when implanted into Fischer rats, whereas control T9 cells did. The T9-C2 cells were completely killed within 1 day through a mechanism that resembled paraptosis. Vacuolization of the T9-C2 cell's mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum started within 4 hours after implantation. By 24 hours, the dead tumor cells were swollen and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive. Bcl2-transduced T9-C2 cells failed to form tumors in rats. Both T9 and T9-C2 cells produced cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant that recruited the granulocytes into the tumor injection sites, where they interacted with the tumor cells. Freshly isolated macrophages killed the T9-C2 cells in vitro by a mechanism independent of phagocytosis. Nude athymic rats treated with antiasialo GM1 antibody formed T9-C2 tumors, whereas rats treated with a natural killer cell (NK)-specific antibody failed to form tumors. When treated with antipolymorphonuclear leukocyte (anti-PMN) and antimacrophage antibodies, 80% of nude rats formed tumors, whereas only 40% of the rats developed a tumor when a single antibody was used. This suggests that both PMNs and macrophages are involved in the killing of T9-C2 tumor cells. Immunocompetent rats that rejected the living T9-C2 cells were immune to the intracranial rechallenge with T9 cells. No vaccinating effect occurred if the T9-C2 cells were freeze-thawed, x-irradiated, or treated with mitomycin-C prior to injection. Optimal tumor immunization using mM-CSF-transduced T9 cells requires viable tumor cells. In this study optimal tumor immunization occurred when a strong inflammatory response at the injection of the tumor cells was induced.

Animals↗

Macrophage activation syndrome: characteristic findings on liver biopsy illustrating the key role of activated, IFN-gamma-producing lymphocytes and IL-6- and TNF-alpha-producing macrophages.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare and potentially fatal disorder, thought to result from uncontrolled activation and proliferation of T cells and excessive activation of macrophages. The term MAS designates a clinicopathologic entity that occurs in different hemophagocytic syndromes (HSs). Primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is recognized to have an immunogenetic basis, but in the secondary HS (also referred to as secondary HLH), the cause is unknown. The pathogenesis of the accelerated disease phase typical of MAS remains incompletely understood. This report describes the immunohistochemical findings on liver tissues from 5 children, each of whom presented with MAS in the context of a different type of HS. The data provide direct evidence for the involvement of activated CD8(+) lymphocytes through the production of interferon-gamma and of macrophages through hemophagocytosis and production of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and underscore the view that MAS in different HSs share a common effector pathway.

Cell Movement↗

Tumor growth alters macrophage responsiveness to macrophage colony-stimulating factor during reactivity against allogeneic and syngeneic MHC class II molecules.

Tumor-induced changes in macrophage (M phi)2 accessory activities significantly suppress T-cell recognition of allogeneic and syngeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. Because these changes are often associated with altered responses to stimulatory and inhibitory cytokines, we investigated the possibility that tumor growth alters the contribution of a macrophage regulatory cytokine, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), during reactivity against allogeneic and syngeneic MHC class II molecules. T-cell reactivity against allogeneic MHC class II molecules was significantly suppressed by tumor-bearing host (TBH) M phi in the presence of M-CSF. M-CSF-induced suppression was independent of TBH M phi prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis. T-cell reactivity against syngeneic MHC class II molecules increased in the presence of M-CSF when normal host (NH) M phi served as the source of syngeneic molecules. However, T-cell reactivity against syngeneic MHC class II molecules in the presence of M-CSF did not change when TBH M phi served as stimulator/accessory cells. Although T-cell reactivity against NH syngeneic MHC class II molecules was additively increased by M-CSF and indomethacin (a PGE2 synthesis inhibitor) treatment, reactivity against TBH syngeneic MHC class II molecules increased solely through PGE2 synthesis inhibition. Admixtures of both NH and TBH M phi in the absence or presence of M-CSF suggest that tumor-induced suppression was not strictly due to decreased expression of MHC class II molecules. Collectively, these data suggest that TBH M phi are partly suppressive through altered responsiveness to M-CSF.

Animals↗

Sustained nitric oxide delivery delays nitric oxide-dependent apoptosis in macrophages: contribution to the physiological function of activated macrophages.

Treatment of the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 with the short-lived NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione triggers apoptosis through the release of mitochondrial mediators. However, continuous supply of NO by long-lived NO donors protected cells from apoptosis through mechanisms that involved the maintenance or an increase in the levels of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) cIAP-1, cIAP-2, and xIAP and decreases in the accumulation of p53 and in the levels and targeting of Bax to the mitochondria. As a result of these changes, the activation of caspases 9 and 3 was notably delayed, expanding the time of viability of the macrophages. Moreover, inhibition of NO synthase 2 activity after 8 h of stimulation of RAW 264.7 cells with LPS and IFN-gamma accelerated apoptosis via an increase in the processing and activation of caspases. These data suggest that NO exerts an important role in the autoregulation of apoptosis in macrophages.

Animals↗

CCL17 and IL-10 as effectors that enable alternatively activated macrophages to inhibit the generation of classically activated macrophages.

Classically activated macrophages (CAMphi) have been described as a major effector cell on the host's innate immunities. However, CAMphi are not generated in immunocompromised hosts whose alternatively activated macrophages (AAMphi) predominate. In this study, the mechanism by which AAMphi suppress the ability of resident macrophages (RMphi) to generate CAMphi was investigated. AAMphi were isolated from peritoneal exudates of mice 2 days after third-degree thermal injuries affecting 15% total body surface area. CAMphi were generated from RMphi (peritoneal Mphi from normal mice) through stimulation with CpG DNA, a typical CAMphi inducer. RMphi did not polarize to CAMphi when they were cultured with AAMphi in a dual-chamber Transwell even when supplemented with CpG DNA. In addition, RMphi stimulated with CpG DNA did not convert to CAMphi when they were cultured with the culture fluids of AAMphi (AAMphi Culture-Sup). AAMphi Culture-Sup contained IL-6, IL-10, CCL17, PGE(2), and TGF-beta. Among these, CCL17 and IL-10 inhibited CAMphi generation. The ability of AAMphi Culture-Sup to inhibit CAMphi generation was eliminated when the Culture-Sup was treated with a mixture of mAbs directed against CCL17 and IL-10. These results indicate that CCL17 and IL-10 released from AAMphi inhibit CAMphi generation from RMphi stimulated with CpG DNA.

Animals↗

Physiological role of macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha induction during maturation of intestinal macrophages.

Intestinal macrophages (IMAC) are a central component in the defense of the intestinal mucosa against luminal microbes. In normal mucosa, monocytes differentiate to immunologically tolerant IMAC with a typical phenotype lacking activation markers such as CD14 and TLRs 2 and 4. CD33+ IMAC were isolated from normal intestinal mucosa by immunomagnetic beads. A subtractive hybridization subtracting mRNA from normal IMAC from those of in vitro differentiated macrophages was performed. IMAC differentiation was studied in multicellular spheroids (MCS). Functional assays on migration of CD45R0+ T cells were performed in MCS coculture models. Of 76 clones, 3 obtained by subtractive mRNA hybridization showed >99% homology to mRNA of MIP-3alpha, indicating that this chemokine is induced in IMAC compared with in vitro differentiated macrophages. MIP-3alpha protein expression was confirmed in cryostat sections of normal intestinal mucosa by immunohistochemistry. IMAC in the lamina propria stained positive for MIP-3alpha. FACS of purified IMAC clearly indicated expression of MIP-3alpha in these cells. In the MCS-in vitro differentiation model for IMAC, MIP-3alpha protein expression was absent on day 1 but detectable on day 7 of coculture, demonstrating the induction of MIP-3alpha during differentiation of IMAC. IMAC attracted CD45R0+ T cells to migrate into an MCS coculture model. In human mucosa, a close contact between IMAC and CD45R0+ T cells could be demonstrated. MIP-3alpha is induced during the differentiation of monocytes into IMAC. Our data suggest that MIP-3alpha expression could be involved in the recruitment of CD45R0+ cells into the lamina propria.

Adult↗

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor induces macrophage recruitment via CC chemokine ligand 2.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was originally identified for its ability to inhibit the random migration of macrophages in vitro. MIF is now recognized as an important mediator in a range of inflammatory disorders. We recently observed that the absence of MIF is associated with a reduction in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions induced by a range of inflammatory mediators, suggesting that one mechanism whereby MIF acts during inflammatory responses is by promoting leukocyte recruitment. However, it is unknown whether MIF is capable of inducing leukocyte recruitment independently of additional inflammatory stimuli. In this study, we report that MIF is capable of inducing leukocyte adhesion and transmigration in postcapillary venules in vivo. Moreover, leukocytes recruited in response to MIF were predominantly CD68(+) cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Abs against the monocyte-selective chemokine CCL2 (JE/MCP-1) and its receptor CCR2, but not CCL3 and CXCL2, significantly inhibited MIF-induced monocyte adhesion and transmigration. CCL2(-/-) mice displayed a similar reduction in MIF-induced recruitment indicating a critical role of CCL2 in the MIF-induced response. This hypothesis was supported by findings that MIF induced CCL2 release from primary microvascular endothelial cells. These data demonstrate a previously unrecognized function of this pleiotropic cytokine: induction of monocyte migration into tissues. This function may be critical to the ability of MIF to promote diseases such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, in which macrophages are key participants.

Animals↗

Deoxynivalenol and satratoxin G potentiate proinflammatory cytokine and macrophage inhibitory protein 2 induction by Listeria and Salmonella in the macrophage.

Health risks from microbial pathogens and toxins encountered in food and the environment continue to be of worldwide concern. The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that trichothecene mycotoxins amplify inflammatory responses to foodborne bacterial pathogens. We assessed the capacity of deoxynivalenol (DON) and satratoxin G (SG) to potentiate chemokine and proinflammatory cytokine production in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages induced by Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium. When macrophage cultures were incubated with killed irradiated suspensions of the pathogens for 24 h, the minimum Listeria concentrations for induction of macrophage inhibitory protein 2 (MIP-2), interleukin-1beta (IL-beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were 0.01, 0.01, 1.0, and 1.0 microg/ml (P < 0.05) and the minimum Salmonella concentrations were 0.01, 0.01, 0.1, and 0.1 microg/ml, respectively (P < 0.05). Induction of all four mediators by both pathogens was potentiated by DON (at 100 and 250 ng/ml); observed responses were significantly higher than predicted additive responses (P < 0.05). SG (at 2 and 5 ng/ml) also significantly amplified induction of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha (P < 0.05) by both Listeria and Salmonella. These results indicate that DON encountered in Fusarium-contaminated food and SG from Stachybotrys-contaminated indoor environments could magnify innate inflammatory responses to foodborne bacterial pathogens.

Animals↗

Borna disease virus-induced accumulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in rat brain astrocytes is associated with inhibition of macrophage infiltration.

To test the hypothesis that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a role in macrophage invasion during virus-induced encephalitis, we analyzed the expression and cellular localization of MIF in the Borna disease virus (BDV)-infected rat brain, monitored monocyte/macrophage infiltration, and evaluated the influence of anti-inflammatory treatment with dexamethasone. MIF mRNA expression was restricted to neurons and remained unchanged after BDV infection or after dexamethasone treatment of either BDV-infected or uninfected control rats. In contrast, MIF protein immunoreactivity (ir) was not only seen in neurons but also in glia. After BDV-induced encephalitis and treatment of uninfected rats with dexamethasone, MIF ir was only slightly altered in neurons but moderately enhanced in tanycytes, ependyma, and choroid plexus epithelium and markedly increased or induced in astrocyte end-feet at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The increase in MIF ir in astrocytes after BDV infection was blocked by dexamethasone. The induction or enhancement of MIF ir at the BBB significantly correlated with reduced numbers of infiltrating ED1-positive monocytes/macrophages after BDV infection. Increased macrophage invasion was observed in regions where no astrocytic MIF was detected. The BDV- or dexamethasone-induced accumulation of MIF protein in astrocytes in vivo in absence of detectable astrocytic MIF mRNA expression is most likely due to MIF translocation from neurons rather than to a constitutive or induced MIF mRNA expression in astrocytes. In conclusion, we provide evidence that translocation of MIF from neurons or other extracellular sources into astrocytes is likely to modulate the inflammatory process during the course of virus-induced encephalitis by limiting monocyte/macrophage migration through the BBB.

Animals↗

Brain microvascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells produce granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and support colony formation of granulocyte-macrophage-like cells.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a potent stimulator of macrophages and neutrophils and plays a role in inflammatory diseases. In this article, we report that mouse brain-derived microvascular smooth muscle cells (SM) and endothelial cells (En) in coculture with splenocytes support the colony proliferation of immature granulocyte-macrophage-like (GM) cells. Unstimulated SM and En cells release GM-CSF as shown by ELISA assay and SM expresses mRNA for GM-CSF by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Stimulation of SM and En by a nonspecific activator (lipopolysaccharide) results in upregulation of GM-CSF production. GM colonies cannot be grown on cultured astrocytes or on extracellular matrix alone prepared from smooth muscle or endothelium. However, colonies form on the extracellular matrix and on astrocytes, either in the presence of SM- or En-conditioned medium or after the addition of recombinant GM-CSF. The GM cells are positive for nonspecific esterase, peroxidase, and MAC-1 markers but are negative for FC gamma receptors and for Thy 1.2, CD8, CD4, MHC class II, and Asialo GM1 markers. These observations emphasize the possibility for active participation of brain microvasculature SM and En in acute inflammatory reactions of the central nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Polycythemia vera. II. Hypersensitivity of bone marrow erythroid, granulocyte-macrophage, and megakaryocyte progenitor cells to interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a clonal disease of the hematopoietic stem cell characterized by a hyperplasia of marrow erythropoiesis, granulocytopoiesis, and megakaryocytopoiesis. We previously reported that highly purified PV blood burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) are hypersensitive to recombinant human interleukin-3 (rIL-3). Because these cells may be only a subset, and not representative of marrow progenitors, we have now studied partially purified marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells. Dose-response experiments with PV marrow BFU-E showed a 38-fold increase in sensitivity to rIL-3 and a 4.3-fold increase in sensitivity to recombinant human erythropoietin (rEpo) compared with normal marrow BFU-E. In addition, PV marrow colony-forming units-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and CFU-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) also showed a marked hypersensitivity to rIL-3 and to human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF). Dose-response curves with rGM-CSF and blood BFU-E showed a 48-fold increase in sensitivity. No effect of rIL-4, rIL-6, human recombinant granulocyte-CSF (rG-CSF), or macrophage-CSF (rM-CSF) was evident, nor was there any effect of PV cell-conditioned medium on normal BFU-E, when compared with normal cell-conditioned medium. Autoradiography with 125I-rEpo showed an increase in Epo receptors after maturation of PV BFU-E to CFU-E similar to that shown with normal BFU-E, but no increase of specific binding of 125I-rIL-3 by PV CD34+ cells was seen compared with normal CD34+ cells. These studies show that PV marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells are hypersensitive to rIL-3 and rGM-CSF, similar to PV blood BFU-E. While the mechanism does not appear to be due to enhanced binding of rIL-3, the hypersensitivity of PV progenitor cells to IL-3 and GM-CSF may be a key factor in the pathogenesis of PV.

Bone Marrow↗