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PubMed1995

Interleukin-4 enhances interferon-gamma synthesis but inhibits development of interferon-gamma-producing cells.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is antagonistic for many of the activities of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and, as well as suppressing the development of T-helper type-1 (Th1) cells, has been reported to block directly the synthesis of IFN-gamma in human lymphocytes. However, IL-4 transgenic mice produce increased amounts of IFN-gamma as well as IL-4. We have compared the ability of rat IL-4 to regulate IFN-gamma secretion in short-term cultures of spleen cells with its effect on the differentiation of T lymphocytes into IFN-gamma-producing, or Th1-type, cells. Normal rat spleen cells were stimulated using a variety of mitogens and ovalbumin antigen, with or without IL-4, for 12-24 hr and the levels of IFN-gamma in the supernatants measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results show that when normal rat splenocytes were stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or concavalin A (Con A), IL-4 enhanced secretion of IFN-gamma after 12-24 hr. This enhancement was also apparent when splenocytes from animals immunized 10 days previously with alum-precipitated ovalbumin were stimulated with ovalbumin in vitro, and appeared to be mediated primarily via CD+ T cells. In contrast, when spleen cells were maximally stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, addition of IL-4 had no effect on the amount of IFN-gamma secreted. When splenocytes were stimulated with Con A for 4 days in the presence of IL-4, and restimulated with PMA and ionomycin, IFN-gamma secretion was greatly suppressed. Our results indicate that IL-4 exerts differential effects on IFN-gamma secretion and on the development of IFN-gamma-producing lymphocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Prostaglandin E2 at priming of naive CD4+ T cells inhibits acquisition of ability to produce IFN-gamma and IL-2, but not IL-4 and IL-5.

We investigated the effect of prostaglandin E2 on the acquisition of cytokine-producing ability by naive CD4+ T cells in human cord blood. Naive CD4+ T cells were stimulated for 3 days with mouse monoclonal anti-CD3 Ab, then washed and expanded in IL-2-containing medium for 3 more days. These activated T cells produced IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma upon stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. PGE2 added at priming of naive T cells inhibited the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, but not of IL-4 and IL-5, in a dose-dependent manner. This change in the cytokine production profile induced by PGE2 was maintained in T cells restimulated with anti-CD3 in the absence of PGE2, expanded by IL-2, and stimulated with PMA and ionomycin. The mRNA expression of IFN-gamma and IL-2, but not that of IL-4, was also decreased in these cells. Forskolin and dibutyryl cAMP had a similar effect. PGE2 must exist at an early stage of T cell activation to inhibit priming for IL-2 and IFN-gamma production. PGE2 also showed this effect, even in the presence of exogenous IFN-gamma, at the primary stimulation. These results indicate that PGE2 inhibits the acquisition of the ability to produce IL-2 and IFN-gamma by acting directly on naive T cells. Our results suggest that PGE2 plays a role in facilitating the development of the Th2-type cytokine production profile.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Increased cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity is not accompanied by arachidonic acid liberation in U46619-stimulated rabbit platelets.

Stimulation of rabbit platelets with U46619 as well as thrombin significantly increased cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity. However, arachidonic acid liberation in response to U46619 was slight compared with that evoked by thrombin. Ionomycin enhanced arachidonic acid liberation induced by thrombin, but had no effect on that by U46619, although ionomycin further increased both thrombin- and U46619-induced Ca2+ mobilization. However, stimulation with U46619 followed by addition of NaF plus AlCl3 synergistically induced arachidonic acid liberation. These results suggest that phosphorylation and translocation to membranes of cytosolic phospholipase A2 are necessary but not sufficient for arachidonic acid liberation by the enzyme upon receptor stimulation, and that another factor, such as GTP-binding protein, may be further required for the hydrolytic action of the enzyme.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of synthesis and activity of the PLSTIRE protein (cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (cdk6)), a major cyclin D-associated cdk4 homologue in normal human T lymphocytes.

The PLSTIRE protein (cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (cdk6)), which shares extensive sequence homology (approximately 70%) with cdk4, was identified as the earliest inducible member of the cdk family of proteins in human T lymphocytes induced to proliferate in vitro by stimulation either with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and ionomycin (PDB/I) or PHA. The p40cdk6 protein was present in resting cells and increased amounts were detected 6 h after stimulation. It increased in amount throughout the first cell cycle but was present in reduced amounts at later times. Activity of the kinase, determined by in vitro phosphorylation of recombinant truncated retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (Rb) protein (p60Rb), paralleled p40cdk6 protein amounts. Cyclins D2 and D3 were the major cyclins associated with p40cdk6, with D2 predominating in early G1 phase. Both PDB and ionomycin were required for maximal accumulation of p40cdk6, but either agent alone stimulated some increase in amount and activity of the protein. p40cdk6 also increased in amount in cells activated in the presence of cyclosporin A or FK506, drugs that inhibit production of IL-2 and cell proliferation, suggesting that initial induction occurred independently of IL-2-mediated cell cycle progression. Furthermore, increased accumulation of p40cdk6 protein and activity occurred in cells rendered "competent" (responsive to IL-2) by a brief treatment with PDB/I. Thus, increased accumulation of the protein and its activity begin before IL-2/IL-2 receptor interaction, suggesting that the cdk6-cyclin D2 complex might be involved in acquisition of the competent state in human T lymphocytes.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In situ hybridization and cytofluorometric analysis of cytokine mRNA during in vitro activation of human T cells.

We present an original method for in situ hybridization (ISH) using non isotopic probes and flow cytometry analysis that permits rapid detection of lymphokine transcripts at single cell level in an in vitro activated human Jurkat T cell line and in peripheral blood T cell subsets. After PMA and either ionomycin or ConA stimulation, cells were fixed and hybridized with digoxigenin (DIG)-labelled RNA antisense or sense probes specific for IL-2 and IFN-gamma. The level of cytokine gene expression in individual cells was visualised using FITC-conjugated anti-DIG antibody, and the resultant signal was analysed by flow cytometry. IL-2 mRNA was first detected in activated Jurkat T cells. Addition of cycloheximide 4 hours after the beginning of stimulation increased both the frequency of labelled cells and the amount of mRNA per cell, as determined by the mean fluorescence intensity. The specificity and sensitivity of IL-2 mRNA detection were tested by comparison with Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization (ISH) with immuno-cytochemical staining. IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA were detectable in PBMC as early as 3 hours after in vitro stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. The frequency of positive cells and the amount of mRNA per cell peaked at 6-8 hours, when the percentages of IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA-containing cells reached 30-40% and 15-20%, respectively. The two lymphokines were expressed in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but the frequency of IL-2 expressing cells and the amount of IL-2 mRNA per cell were higher in CD4+ (60%) than in CD8+ T cells (25%), whereas IFN-gamma were preferentially transcribed by CD8+ T cells (40%). The results obtained by this method were in accordance with the data obtained by Northern blot analysis, with cellular protein content estimated by immuno-fluorescence staining, and with IL-2 titration by bioassay. We compared the performance of this method with ISH using radioactive probes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

In vitro maturation of human neonatal CD4 T lymphocytes. I. Induction of IL-4-producing cells after long-term culture in the presence of IL-4 plus either IL-2 or IL-12.

Recent studies in the mouse have established that IL-4 and IL-12 direct the development of Ag-stimulated naive CD4 T cells into, respectively, type 2 and type 1 Th cells. We report that prolonged exposure of immunologically naive and unstimulated human neonatal CD4 T cells to IL-4 or to IL-4 plus either IL-2 or IL-12 markedly affects their cytokine production on primary stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. IL-4 induces long-term proliferation of neonatal T cells and after 3 wk of culture these are capable of producing high levels of Th1 (IL-2, IFN-gamma) but no Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) cytokines; IL-4-primed cells are homogenously CD45RO-/RA+ and CD31+. After culture in the presence of IL-4 + IL-2 or IL-4 + IL-12, neonatal T cells are enriched in CD45RO+ and CD31- cells and they can produce Th2 as well as Th1 cytokines. In response to primary stimulation with PMA and ionomycin, cells primed with IL-4 + IL-2 produce IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 and the same levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma as IL-4-primed cells. Cells primed with IL-4 + IL-12 produce very high levels of both IL-4 and IFN-gamma but no IL-5. Endogenous IFN-gamma that is detected in primary cultures containing IL-4 + IL-12 does not inhibit, but rather enhances, the ability of the cells to produce IL-4. Further analysis of IL-4 + IL-12-primed cells reveals that IL-4 is mainly produced by CD31- cells and that these cells can trigger B cells to synthesize Ig including IgE. Finally, positively selected CD31+ cells remain CD31+ and are poor IL-4 producers after 3 wk of culture with IL-4 + IL-12, suggesting that these two cytokines promote the selective expansion of the small number of CD31- cells that are present in freshly isolated neonatal CD4 T cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Activation of protein kinase C beta gene expression by gonadotropin-releasing hormone in alpha T3-1 cell line. Role of Ca2+ and autoregulation by protein kinase C.

The gonadotroph-derived alpha T3-1 cell line was used to investigate the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) upon conventional protein kinase C sub-types (cPKCs) gene expression. Addition of the stable analog [D-Trp6]GnRH (GnRH-A, 0.1 nM) resulted in a rapid increase (30 min) of the steady state levels of PKC beta, but not PKC alpha, mRNA levels, while PKC gamma is not expressed in the cells. The rapid stimulatory effect of GnRH-A was blocked by pretreatment with actinomycin D or with the GnRH antagonist (D-pGlu1, pC1Phe2,D-Trp3,6)GnRH and was not mimicked by thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Addition of the PKC activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) resulted also in a rapid (30 min) and selective increase in PKC beta, but not PKC alpha, mRNA levels. In contrast, the calcium ionophore, ionomycin, increased rapidly (30 min) both PKC alpha and PKC beta mRNA levels, and its stimulatory effect on PKC beta was not additive with that of TPA. The rapid stimulatory effect of GnRH-A was blocked by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (GF 109203X) or by down-regulation of endogenous PKC. Similarly, the rapid effect of GnRH-A was abolished by the intracellular Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(O-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) or by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Stimulation of PKC beta mRNA levels by ionomycin was only reduced by GF 109203X and was not affected by down-regulation of PKC. In contrast the effect of TPA on PKC beta mRNA levels was reduced by BAPTA and abolished by removal of Ca2+. We conclude that Ca2+ and PKC act sequentially during GnRH-A-induced PKC beta gene expression and that PKC beta gene expression induced by GnRH-A is autoregulated by PKC.

Calcium↗
PubMed1994

Effects of the prior activation of protein kinase C on human platelet activation induced by thrombin.

Effects of the prior activation of protein kinase C (PKC) on the responses induced by thrombin were studied using human blood platelets, in which PKC is abundantly expressed. At a concentration of 25 nM, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) induced little aggregation or release by itself but selectively elicited PKC activation in a time-dependent manner, as monitored by 47-kDa protein phosphorylation. Increases in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration of human platelets caused by thrombin, at any concentration, were markedly inhibited by the prior addition of 25 nM TPA in a time-dependent manner. However, the effects of TPA on platelet aggregation and secretion induced by thrombin varied, depending upon the agonist concentration; the PKC activator markedly enhanced the aggregation and secretion induced by lower concentrations of thrombin but had a tendency to weakly inhibit those induced by higher concentrations of thrombin. TPA enhanced the ionomycin effect upon aggregation and release without obvious effects on the ionophore-induced Ca2+ mobilization, suggesting that PKC potentiates platelet function by increasing intracellular sensitivity to Ca2+. There was a good time-dependent correlation of the TPA effects among the three parameters, namely, the phosphorylation of the 47-kDa protein, inhibition of the [Ca2+]i increase induced by thrombin, and enhanced ionomycin effects in aggregation and release. It is most likely that the final responses of agonist-activated platelets depend upon the balance of two factors induced by PKC; inhibition of Ca2+ signals and enhancement of intracellular sensitivity to Ca2+.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1994

IL-6-induced calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation in B9 hybridoma cells.

The addition of IL-6 to the IL-6-dependent B9-55 hybridoma cells starved for IL-6 for 16 h induced an increased phosphorylation of a 25-kda protein (p25). Phosphorylation of p25 was IL-6 dependent and maximal at 5 min after IL-6 stimulation. Phosphorylation of p25 was inhibited by N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulfonamide (W-7), an inhibitor of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, but not by tyrphostin nor ionomycin. When enolase was used as an exogenous substrate, similar results were obtained. Furthermore, calmodulin stimulated p25 phosphorylation in vitro. IL-6-starved B9 hybridoma cells synthesized DNA at 9 to 12 h after addition of IL-6. Preincubation of cells with W-7 before IL-6 stimulation blocked DNA synthesis. Similar effects were observed when cells were preincubated with tyrphostin or ionomycin but to a lesser extent. The concentrations of W-7 required for blocking p25 phosphorylation and DNA synthesis correlated relatively well. These results suggest that an IL-6-inducible calmodulin-dependent protein kinase is involved in IL-6 signal transduction, including p25 phosphorylation and B9 hybridoma proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Control of calcium spiking frequency in pituitary gonadotrophs by a single-pool cytoplasmic oscillator.

The mechanisms by which the generation and frequency of cytoplasmic Ca2+ oscillations are controlled were investigated in pituitary gonadotrophs. In these cells, two Ca(2+)-mobilizing receptors, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone and endothelin receptors, induce frequency-modulated Ca2+ spiking at the rate of up to 30 min-1. The cytoplasmic oscillator is also activated by discharge of luminal Ca2+ (initiated by ionomycin, thapsigargin, or thimerosal) but not by increased voltage-sensitive Ca2+ influx or treatment with caffeine. The basic difference between these two types of Ca2+ oscillations is related to their requirement for inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (InsP3). Thapsigargin-, thimerosal-, and ionomycin-induced spiking occurs without the rise in InsP3 production that is essential for the generation of receptor-controlled oscillatory responses. The differential requirement for InsP3 in the two types of Ca2+ spiking is indicated by two lines of evidence. First, agonist-induced Ca2+ spiking of frequency similar to that of non-receptor-mediated oscillations was accompanied by a significant increase in InsP3, whereas none of the non-receptor-mediated oscillations was associated with measurable changes in inositol phosphate production. Second, agonist-induced InsP3 formation and Ca2+ spiking were abolished by treatment with the phospholipase C inhibitors U73122 and neomycin sulfate, whereas non-receptor-mediated Ca2+ spiking was not affected by these agents. When the oscillator was activated by agents that do not increase InsP3 formation, it operated only at the basal rate of approximately 5 min-1 and spiking frequency did not rise with increasing drug concentrations, in contrast to the situation in agonist-stimulated gonadotrophs. However, both types of oscillations were affected by depletion of luminal Ca2+ and by changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) but were not inhibited by ryanodine. These findings are consistent with the operation of a single-pool Ca2+ oscillator that is responsible for generation of both types of Ca2+ oscillations. The oscillator is controlled by the coagonist actions of InsP3 and Ca2+ on the InsP3 receptor channels and by the activation of Ca(2+)-ATPase by rising [Ca2+]i. It can be induced to operate at low frequency without an increase in InsP3 production by agents that reduce intraluminal [Ca2+]i, and it exhibits a dose-dependent increase in spiking frequency during agonist stimulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Angiotensin II induces 3CH134, a protein-tyrosine phosphatase, in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiotensin II is a potent growth factor for vascular smooth muscle cells and shares many signal transduction mechanisms with mitogens, including stimulation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation involves both protein-tyrosine kinases and protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). To investigate the role of PTPases in angiotensin II-mediated events, we studied the expression of a transcriptionally regulated PTPase, 3CH134, which has selective activity toward MAP kinase. Angiotensin II rapidly induced 3CH134 mRNA (30 min maximum) in a concentration-dependent manner (100 nM maximum). Platelet-derived growth factor, alpha-thrombin, hydrogen peroxide, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and ionomycin also induced 3CH134 but to levels lower than angiotensin II. Induction of 3CH134 by angiotensin II was partially inhibited after down-regulating protein kinase C but was fully inhibited after chelating intracellular Ca2+. Treatment with both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin induced 3CH134 mRNA to levels seen with angiotensin II, indicating that Ca2+ mobilization and protein kinase C activation can act synergistically to induce 3CH134. Angiotensin II stimulated 3CH134 protein synthesis after 1 h as measured by immunoprecipitation of 3CH134 from [35S]methionine-labeled cells using affinity-purified antibodies. These results establish 3CH134 as a dynamically regulated, immediate early gene in vascular smooth muscle cells and suggest a role for PTPases in regulating angiotensin II-stimulated events mediated by MAP kinases and tyrosine kinases.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1993

Phospholipase A2 activation and subsequent exocytosis in the Ca2+/ionophore-induced acrosome reaction of ram spermatozoa.

In ram spermatozoa treatment with Ca2+ and A23187 or ionomycin stimulated the release of arachidonic acid (20:4) and exocytosis of the acrosome in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Diacylglycerol did not appear to be the source of 20:4. On the other hand, generation of 20:4 was significantly correlated with breakdown of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylethanolamine under a variety of conditions, thus indicating that 20:4 release was due to phospholipase A2 activity. Generation of 20:4 preceded acrosomal exocytosis. Moreover, it was significantly correlated with exocytosis when spermatozoa were stimulated with Ca2+ and A23187 or ionomycin for different periods of time or with different ionophore concentrations. Treatment with Ro 31-4493, a compound that has been found to inhibit sperm phospholipase A2 activity in vitro, considerably reduced both the release of 20:4 and exocytosis; addition of exogenous 20:4 or lysophosphatidylcholine overcame the inhibitory effect of Ro 31-4493. Spermatozoa preincubated with several unsaturated fatty acids, including 20:4, underwent exocytosis much more rapidly when treated with Ca2+/A23187. Exogenous lysophosphatidylcholine also enhanced acrosomal exocytosis and this effect was mimicked by an alkyl-containing analogue (1-O-alkyl-glycerophosphorylcholine = lyso-platelet activating factor). These results indicate that phospholipase A2 plays a fundamental role in the exocytosis of the acrosome elicited by Ca2+ and ionophore stimulation. Therefore, it is possible that activation of this enzyme constitutes an essential Ca2+-dependent event underlying exocytosis in response to physiological stimuli.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1993

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibition in a rat mast cell line. Impairment of tyrosine kinase-dependent signal transduction and the subsequent degranulation response.

IgE molecules bind mast cells via a heterotetrameric receptor termed Fc epsilon RI. Cross-linking of bound IgE by specific allergen (Ag) initiates a signal transduction cascade resulting in a degranulation response. Inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in isoprenoid and sterol biosynthesis, by the cholesterol-lowering drug, lovastatin, blocks Fc epsilon RI-dependent [3H] serotonin ([3H]5HT) release from the mast cell line, RBL-2H3. We studied the mode and locus of action of lovastatin in these cells. Lovastatin inhibited Ag-stimulated degranulation, as well as that evoked by ionomycin or by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin, stimuli which bypass early receptor events. Inhibition was concentration-dependent, occurred at levels which reduce lipid synthesis, and was reversible by addition of mevalonic acid, the product of the reductase reaction. The effects of lovastatin were not mimicked by treatment with the sterol demethylase inhibitor, econazole, suggesting that nonsterol isoprenoid synthesis is required for the degranulation response. Conversely, tyrosine kinase inhibitors from three disparate chemical classes reduced stimulus-evoked [3H]5HT release in a manner similar to lovastatin, suggesting that these agents share similar loci of action. Accordingly, lovastatin altered the phosphorylation pattern in unstimulated RBL-2H3, and reduced the phosphorylation response to IgE cross-linking. By analogy to 5HT release, this effect was concentration-dependent and mevalonic acid-reversible. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, geldanamycin, also reduced the phosphorylation response to Ag. Lyn, a Src-related tyrosine kinase activated upon IgE cross-linking, was little influenced by either lovastatin or geldanamycin. Thus, lipid synthesis inhibition by lovastatin results in impaired tyrosine phosphorylation in RBL-2H3. This impairment is reflected in the subsequent exocytotic response. While lovastatin may inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation via an indirect mechanism, our results with tyrosine kinase inhibitors support the concept that multiple tyrosine kinases participate in the Fc epsilon RI-dependent signal transduction process.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Calcium ionophore A23187 stimulates production of a 144 kDa gelatinase.

To determine whether intracellular calcium could be involved in regulating gelatinase production, bovine synovial fibroblasts were incubated with the calcium ionophores A23187 or ionomycin. Addition of calcium ionophore stimulated production of a gelatinase with an apparent molecular weight of 144 kDa. To ensure that the calcium ionophore was elevating cytosolic free calcium levels, calcium levels were determined using Indo-1. Addition of 0.1 microM ionomycin raised [Ca2+]i up to 1053 +/- 163 nM (mean +/- SD). Our data shows that calcium ionophore A23187 stimulates production of a high molecular weight gelatinase. The appearance of p144 gelatinase correlates with an increase in intracellular calcium.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Elimination of IgE regulatory rat CD8+ T cells in vivo differentially modulates interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma but not interleukin-2 production by splenic T cells.

Intraperitoneal immunization of Hooded Lister rats with a soluble antigen such as bee venom phospholipase A2 (PLA2), or ovalbumin (OVA) together with the toxic lectin, ricin, eliminates a population of early-activated CD8+ T cells which regulate IgE production. These early-activated CD8+ T cells are eliminated because they bear increased ricin-binding glycoproteins on their surface. This immunization regimen produces a vigorous and long-lived IgE response. The effect of this treatment on the capacity of splenic T cells to secrete interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and to generate IL-4 RNA message was assessed. IFN-gamma production by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)- or ionomycin and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated splenocytes or purified splenic T cells from animals immunized with antigen and ricin was substantially reduced as compared with animals which were given saline or antigen alone (P < 0.001 Student's t-test). At the height of the primary IgE response IFN-gamma production by PHA-stimulated splenocytes was positively correlated with the number of CD8+ T cells (r = 0.90, P < 0.001) and inversely related to the level of serum IgE (r = -0.77, P < 0.020); serum IgE was inversely related to the number of CD8+ T cells (r = -0.92, P < 0.001). The reduced capacity of spleen cells from ricin and antigen immunized rats to produce IFN-gamma was first seen 7 days after immunization. The fall in the ability of splenocytes to secrete IFN-gamma closely paralleled the rise in serum IgE. IL-2 was assayed using an IL-2-dependent cell line which responded to rat IL-2 but not IL-4. Production of IL-2 by splenocytes taken from rats immunized with ricin+antigen was not significantly different to that produced by comparable cells obtained from animals immunized with antigen alone or saline. However, the levels of IL-4 mRNA, detected in ionomycin and PMA-stimulated splenocytes using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure, were three- to fourfold higher in ricin and antigen immunized animals as compared with control animals. Following boosting with antigen and ricin the levels of IL-4 message detected increased a further three- to fourfold. These data show that the potentiated IgE response produced by immunization with antigen+ricin is associated with a decreased ability of splenocytes to produce IFN-gamma and an increased capacity to make IL-4.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Vomitoxin-Mediated IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 Superinduction in Murine CD4+ T Cells Stimulated with Phorbol Ester and Calcium Ionophore: Relation to Kinetics of Proliferation

The effects of the trichothecene vomitoxin (VT) on the kinetics of cell proliferation and cytokine production were evaluated in murine CD4(+) T cells. The CD4(+) cultures were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin to activate protein kinase C and increase cytoplasmic free calcium, respectively, in a range of VT concentrations. Total and viable cell counts at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 days revealed delayed or impaired cell proliferation in cultures containing between 50 and 100 ngsolidusml VT, with complete inhibition being observed at 250 and 500 ngsolidusml of VT. The VT concentration required to inhibit protein synthesis in a 3-day culture by 50% in this model was 40 ngsolidusml. When enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantitate cytokines, IL-2 levels in control cultures were highest at Day 1 and declined rapidly thereafter, whereas, in VT groups, IL-2 levels were highest at Day 3 and remained elevated up to 11 days. IL-2 levels were elevated by continuous exposure to 100-500 ngsolidusml of VT with more than 100-fold differences being observed between control and 250 ngsolidusml VT from Days 5 to 11. When IL-2 levels were expressed on a per viable cell basis, increases were even more marked with as much as 6 log differences being observed between the treatments at 250-500 ngsolidusml VT and control cultures at Day 7. Supernatant IL-4 and IL-5 levels were also elevated by 100 and 250 ngsolidusml VT in a dose- and time-dependent fashion compared to control cultures, whereas 500 ngsolidusml VT was inhibitory. When relative IL mRNA abundance was analyzed during the first 3 days of culture by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in conjunction with Southern hybridization analysis, IL-2 mRNA levels in Days 1, 2 and 3 in cultures containing 100 and 250 ngsolidusml VT were greater than corresponding controls. IL-2 mRNA abundance in both control and VT-treated cultures was maximal at Day 1 and decreased rapidly thereafter in controls, whereas much slower rates of IL-2 disappearance were noted in 100 and 250 ngsolidusml of VT. IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA levels at VT doses of 50 and 100 ngsolidusml were also elevated compared to controls. Pulsed VT (8 to 48 hr) or cycloheximide (4 to 48 hr) exposure of CD4(+) cells enhanced supernatant levels of IL-2 but not IL-4 upon incubation for 24 hr in fresh medium. This effect was not persistent. Taken together, VT enhanced andsolidusor delayed peak IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 gene expression and secretion in CD4(+) T cells stimulated with PMA and ionomycin. Remarkably, cytokine superinduction occurred simultaneously with partial or maximal inhibition of cell proliferation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Induction of the TNF-alpha promoter in the murine dendritic cell line 18 and the murine mast cell line CPII is differently regulated.

While it was recently shown that activation of dendritic cells (DC) results in the production of a number of cytokines, the signal pathways and transcription factors involved in this process have not been described. To address this issue we compared the events resulting in the activation of the human TNF-alpha promoter occurring in the fetal dendritic cell line 18 (DC18) with those in the well-characterized murine mast cell line CPII. As stimuli we employed the protein kinase C inducer, PMA, and the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, both of which are known to activate a large variety of intracellular signaling pathways. In the DC18 cells, PMA alone induces the TNF-alpha promoter in a macrolide-insensitive manner. In contrast, in the mast cell line CPII, both stimuli (PMA plus ionomycin) are necessary for promoter activation which, in addition, is sensitive to immunosuppressive drugs. Mapping of the TNF-alpha promoter showed that in both cell types the so-called kappa factor binding site is the crucial promoter element for the induction. We show that in DC18 cells, this sequence is bound to and controlled by NF-kappaB proteins p50 (NF-kappaB1) and p65 (ReIA), whereas in CPII mast cells, NF-AT and AN factors are the predominant proteins that bind to and control the kappaB element of the TNF-alpha promoter. These and further experimental data indicate that in DC, NF-kappaB factors play a predominant role in the activation of the TNF-alpha promoter and, possibly, of other cytokine promoters.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Localized and transient elevations of intracellular Ca2+ induce the dedifferentiation of axonal segments into growth cones.

The formation of a growth cone at the tip of a severed axon is a key step in its successful regeneration. This process involves major structural and functional alterations in the formerly differentiated axonal segment. Here we examined the hypothesis that the large, localized, and transient elevation in the free intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) that follows axotomy provides a signal sufficient to trigger the dedifferentiation of the axonal segment into a growth cone. Ratiometric fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy were used to study the relations among spatiotemporal changes in [Ca2+]i, growth cone formation, and ultrastructural alterations in axotomized and intact Aplysia californica neurons in culture. We report that, in neurons primed to grow, a growth cone forms within 10 min of axotomy near the tip of the transected axon. The nascent growth cone extends initially from a region in which peak intracellular Ca2+ concentrations of 300-500 microM are recorded after axotomy. Similar [Ca2+]i transients, produced in intact axons by focal applications of ionomycin, induce the formation of ectopic growth cones and subsequent neuritogenesis. Electron microscopy analysis reveals that the ultrastructural alterations associated with axotomy and ionomycin-induced growth cone formation are practically identical. In both cases, growth cones extend from regions in which sharp transitions are observed between axoplasm with major ultrastructural alterations and axoplasm in which the ultrastructure is unaltered. These findings suggest that transient elevations of [Ca2+]i to 300-500 microM, such as those caused by mechanical injury, may be sufficient to induce the transformation of differentiated axonal segments into growth cones.

Animals↗