Intracellular survival of Haemophilus somnus in bovine blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages

The mechanisms used by Haemophilus somnus to survive and multiply within bovine mononuclear phagocytes are not fully understood. In order to study the interaction between bovine mononuclear phagocytes and H. somnus, a colorimetric assay using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylItetrazolium bromide (MTT) was developed to assess the survival of H. somnus within cultured bovine blood monocytes (BBM). Using this system, it was found that H. somnus was able to survive within BMM in vitro, and the kinetics of its survival were similar to that seen in BBM isolated from experimentally infected cattle. Using ultrastructural studies, it was possible to demonstrate the survival of H. somnus in freshly isolated bovine mononuclear phagocytes in membrane-bound vacuoles. To determine if activation of macrophage function would result in elimination of intracellular H. somnus, BBM were treated with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or recombinant bovine (rBo) cytokines, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). Treatment of BBM with rBoIFN-gamma, rBoGM-CSF or E. coli LPS resulted in decreased intracellular survival of H. somnus at 18 and 48 h, whereas BBM treated with rBoTNF-alpha or rBoIL-1beta had reduced intracellular survival of H. somnus only at 18 h. However, none of these treatments resulted in complete elimination of the intracellular bacteria. The ability of H. somnus to survive and multiply in both freshly isolated and cytokine-treated cultured BBM demonstrated the capability of H. somnus to escape from macrophage killing mechanisms. This capability may play a role in the dissemination of H. somnus infection in the body.     

In vitro induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in human pulmonary alveolar macrophages by benzanthracene

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) was induced in human pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) cultured in the presence of benzanthracene. Time and dose--response curves were established for in vitro induction of this enzyme system in PAMs. In addition, a positive correlation was noted between the level of AHH activity in freshly lavaged PAMs and the in vitro inducibility of the enyzme in these cells from either nonsmokers or cigarette smokers. Measurements of the inducibility of AHH in cultured human PAMs provide an experimental system suitable for studying the mechanisms responsible for the initiation of pulmonary carcinogenesis.     

Selective inhibition of T cell proliferation but not expression of effector function by human alveolar macrophages

BACKGROUND: Alveolar macrophages are thought to play an important part in regulating lung immune responses. While it is clear that human alveolar macrophages suppress T cell proliferation in vitro, the mechanisms by which this is achieved are not clear, nor is it known whether alveolar macrophages also inhibit other aspects of T cell function. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin or house dust mite allergen, and cultured with variable numbers of autologous alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from 20 normal subjects. RESULTS: Alveolar macrophages induced a reversible inhibition of T cell proliferation in response to both mitogen and allergen stimulation, with the latter being considerably more susceptible to inhibition. This was achieved via heterogenous mechanisms, involving both soluble factors derived from alveolar macrophages and cell-cell contact. Despite inhibiting proliferation, alveolar macrophages had little or no effect on T cell calcium flux, the characteristic changes in CD3, CD2, CD28 and interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor expression which accompany normal T cell activation, and IL-2 and interferon gamma secretion. In contrast, alveolar macrophages inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins which may be involved in IL-2 receptor-associated signal transduction. CONCLUSIONS: The immunoregulatory properties of alveolar macrophages are relatively selective, allowing T cell activation and cytokine secretion while inhibiting T cell proliferation within the lung.     

The procoagulant activity of red blood cells from patients with severe preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether red blood cells from patients with severe preeclampsia may exhibit increased membrane exposure of procoagulant phospholipids (i.e., phosphatidylserine), which may initiate intravascular clotting and platelet activation. STUDY DESIGN: The study group comprised 28 women: 9 with severe preeclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy, 10 normotensive with uncomplicated pregnancies, and 9 age-matched, nonpregnant, healthy women. The exposure of phosphatidylserine on the outer membrane phospholipid layer was analyzed with use of isolated, washed red blood cells that were added as a source of phospholipids to a "prothrombinase" coagulation complex. RESULTS: The resultant thrombin formed was measured by an amidolytic assay. Thrombin generation significantly increased on the addition of red blood cells from women with preeclampsia (741 +/- 132 mU/ml/min) compared with red blood cells from normotensive pregnant (422 +/- 228 mU/ml/min) and nonpregnant women (316 +/- 268 mU/ml/min, p = 0.0008). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that in patients with preeclampsia the red blood cells exhibit a significant procoagulant surface that may trigger thrombin formation, thereby playing a role in the hypercoagulable state.     

In vitro expansion of CD34+ cells from peripheral blood of myeloma and lymphoma patients

We studied the feasibility of in vitro expansion of CD34+ cells from patients with multiple myeloma (MM) or follicular non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). CD34+ cells were selected from peripheral blood (PB) using avidinbiotin immunoadsorption columns: purified CD34+ cells from three MM and five NHL patients were expanded. First, CD34+ cells (2 MM, 4 NHL) were grown for 14 days in 5 ml of IMDM plus 12.5% horse serum (HS), 12.5% fetal calf serum (FCS) and a commonly used combination of cytokines: IL1alpha, IL3, IL6, SCF, GM-CSF, G-CSF (10 ng/ml each) and EP (4 UI/ml). In these conditions, at day 14, average increase in CD34+, CFU-GM and total cell numbers were, respectively: x 6.0 x 23 and x 2,113 fold with 20 to 35% of granulocytic cells. In terms of CD34+ cell, CFU-GM and total cell outputs, MM cultures were comparable to NHL cultures, but MM cultures seemed to produce less granulocytic cells than NHL cultures. Next, in vitro expansion of PB CD34+ cells was tested in culture media suitable for clinical use. Two cultures (1 MM, 1 NHL) were carried out for 14 days in 20 ml of X-Vivo 10 medium, 2% human serum, IL1alpha, IL3, IL6, SCF, GM-CSF, G-CSF (6 ng/ml each) and EP (2 UI/ml). Increase in CD34+, CFU-GM and total cell numbers in these conditions were, respectively: x 5.7 and x 19.7, x 11.9 and x 40.9, x 424 and x 408 fold, with at least 75% of granulocytic cells in both cultures. We conclude that, although further improvements are necessary, in vitro expansion of PB CD34+ cells can presumably be carried out successfully for MM patients as well as for NHL patients, including in conditions suitable for clinical use.     

In vitro inhibition of the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis by bacteriocins produced by strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa with inhibitory capacity in vitro was studied on Gardnerella vaginalis strains. METHODS: Antimicrobial activity was demonstrated by inhibitory halos of bacterial growth on solid media by two methods: crossed streak and agar well diffusion. The inhibitory activity of this substance produced by P. aeruginosa was characterized as bacteriocin by: activity spectrum sensitivity proteolytic enzyme, chloroform, heat, pH, ultraviolet, irradiation effect and molecular weight. RESULTS: Four strains of P. aeruginosa producers of bacteriocins were chosen for this study and contacted with 40 strains of G. vaginalis. The producing strain D inhibited 70% of these G. vaginalis strains. The strains B and C inhibited 55% and 52.5%, respectively. The 3 strains presented a wide rank of action but the strain A had effect on a few strains of G. vaginalis. CONCLUSIONS: This work showed the inhibitory in vitro effect of bacteriocins of P. aeruginosa on strains of G. vaginalis. The results obtained suggest the probable topic application of bacteriocins as an alternative of conventional therapeutic on this infection biological control.     

In vitro and in vivo growth inhibition of cancer cells by adamantylmaleimide derivatives

We have previously found that adamantylmaleimide derivatives inhibited the growth of several cancer cell lines in vitro. In this study we examined the effect of adamantylmaleimide derivatives on the in vivo and in vitro growth of human gastric cancer cells. Experimental results showed that N-1-adamantylmaleimide (AMI) and N-1-(3,5-dimethyladamantyl)maleimide (DMAMI) exert modest growth inhibitory activities in vitro against five different cancer cell lines. In contrast, N-1-(3,5-dimethyl-adamantyl)maleamic acid (DMAMA), N-1-adamantylmaleamic acid (AMA) and N-1-adamantylsuccinimide (ASI) were virtually inactive. These results suggest that the double bond of N-substituted maleimide plays a prominent role in their antitumor activities. Further analysis with flow cytometry showed an accumulation of apoptotic SC-M1 cells after treatment with 3-10 microM AMI or 5-20 microM DMAMI for up to 72 h. DNA fragmentation by gel electrophoresis confirmed that AMI- and DMAMI- induced cytotoxicity led to cell apoptosis. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that treating cells with AMI (> or = 10 microM) for 24 h, significantly changed the morphology of SC-M1 cells, i.e. they had an irregular flat shape and the cell membrane was porous. The AMI-induced morphological changes of the cell membrane may lead to apoptosis of SC-M1 cells. AMI-induced growth inhibition was observed in vivo using SCID mice bearing SC-M1 tumors. The AMI-induced growth inhibition of SC-M1 tumor was dose-dependent.     

Differential sensitivities of human blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages to the inhibition of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 by interleukin-4

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a potent immunomodulatory cytokine synthesized and released by Th2 lymphocytes, mast cells and basophils. It has important effects on monocyte/macrophage cell lines, regulating the secretion of several cytokines, and the production of eicosanoids. In human monocytes and macrophages, IL-4 increases the expression of 15-lipoxygenase and 15-HETE production, but suppresses the inducible isoform of the prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS-2) enzyme and prostanoid synthesis. Prostanoids, in particular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have important functions in modulating inflammatory and fibrotic processes. We compared the effect of IL-4 on the expression of PGHS-2 in human alveolar macrophages (AM) and blood monocytes (BM) activated with physiologically distinct stimuli, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or IL-1 in vitro. The induction of PGHS-2 mRNA and protein, and prostanoid synthesis by all stimuli was inhibited by exogenous IL-4 in both cell types. However, monocytes were more susceptible to this effect of IL-4 than alveolar macrophages.     

Wool and grain dusts stimulate TNF secretion by alveolar macrophages in vitro

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the ability of two organic dusts, wool and grain, and their soluble leachates to stimulate secretion of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) by rat alveolar macrophages with special reference to the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Rat alveolar macrophages were isolated by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and treated in vitro with whole dust, dust leachates, and a standard LPS preparation. TNF production was measured in supernatants with the L929 cell line bioassay. RESULTS: Both wool and grain dust samples were capable of stimulating TNF release from rat alveolar macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. The standard LPS preparation caused a dose-dependent secretion of TNF. Leachates prepared from the dusts contained LPS and also caused TNF release but leachable LPS could not account for the TNF release and it was clear that non-LPS leachable activity was present in the grain dust and that wool dust particles themselves were capable of causing release of TNF. The role of LPS in wool dust leachates was further investigated by treating peritoneal macrophages from two strains of mice, LPS responders (C3H) and LPS non-responders (C3H/HEJ), with LPS. The non-responder mouse macrophages produced very low concentrations of TNF in response to the wool dust leachates compared with the responders. CONCLUSIONS: LPS and other unidentified leachable substances present on the surface of grain dust, and to a lesser extent on wool dust, are a trigger for TNF release by lung macrophages. Wool dust particles themselves stimulate TNF. TNF release from macrophages could contribute to enhancement of inflammatory responses and symptoms of bronchitis and breathlessness in workers exposed to organic dusts such as wool and grain.     

In vitro effects of GM-CSF on mature peripheral blood neutrophils

GM-CSF can play a crucial role in regulating the neutrophil-mediated inflammatory response. This growth factor is a proliferative stimulus for bone marrow neutrophil stem cell precursors and has at least 3 important roles in regulating neutrophil-mediated immunity: a) a direct effect on the proliferation and development of neutrophil progenitors; b) synergistic activity with other haemopoietic growth factors; c) stimulation of the functional activity of mature neutrophils. The production of GM-CSF may be triggered directly by exogenous factors such as antigens and endotoxins, or indirectly through the release of cytokines by a variety of cells including lymphocytes, activated macrophages and endothelial cells exposed to products of mononuclear phagocytes. Such production of GM-CSF may serve to quickly release mature neutrophils from the bone marrow in response to infections. Moreover, enhancement of the function of mature neutrophils may also augment their ability to migrate to infective sites and then phagocytose and kill pathogens. Increased expression of CD11b/CD18 may play a fundamental part in this mechanism because this receptor is essential for the adhesion of neutrophils to the endothelium. Both phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity increase as a result of the action of GM-CSF and the increased expression of complement- and Fc-receptors can augment opsono-phagocytosis. A further level of neutrophil up-regulation occurs by increasing the functional life span of neutrophils by GM-CSF. Thus, by delaying neutrophil apoptosis, GM-CSF greatly extends the time over which neutrophils may function at inflammatory sites. GM-CSF can thus exert a variety of important regulatory controls of neutrophil function during bacterial infections. Both the number and the functional status of neutrophils is highly regulated by GM-CSF. It is also possible that GM-CSF produced within localised sites of acute inflammation or infection may attract, trap and then activate neutrophils within this site.     

Ferritin expression after in vitro exposures of human alveolar macrophages to silica is iron-dependent

OBJECTIVE: Sleep State Misperception insomnia has been commonly viewed as a perceptual or psychological problem. It was hypothesized that Sleep State Misperception insomnia, like psychophysiological insomnia, could be associated with increased physiological activation, here indexed by whole body metabolic rate. METHOD: Groups of nine patients with Sleep State Misperception insomnia and age-, sex-, and weight-matched normal sleepers were evaluated on sleep, performance, mood, personality, and metabolic measures over a 36-hour sleep laboratory stay. RESULTS: Sleep State Misperception insomniacs had a subjective history of poor sleep and perceived their laboratory sleep as poor but had electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters that did not differ statistically from matched normal controls. Sleep State Misperception insomniacs had abnormal MMPI values and were subjectively more confused, tense, depressed, and angry than matched normals. Sleep State Misperception insomniacs also had a significantly increased 24-hour metabolic rate, compared with matched normals. CONCLUSIONS: The overall increase in whole body oxygen use was less than that seen in psychophysiological insomniacs but was consistent with the view that Sleep State Misperception insomnia may be a mild version or a precursor to psychophysiological insomnia.     

In vitro angiogenic and proteolytic properties of bovine lymphatic endothelial cells

The aim of the present study was to determine whether angiogenic cytokines, which induce neovascularization in the blood vascular system, might also be operative in the lymphatic system. In an assay of spontaneous in vitro angiogenesis, endothelial cells isolated from bovine lymphatic vessels retained their histotypic morphogenetic properties by forming capillary-like tubes. In a second assay, in which endothelial cells could be induced to invade a three-dimensional collagen gel within which they formed tube-like structures, lymphatic endothelial cells responded to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a manner similar to what has previously been observed with endothelial cells derived from the blood vascular system. Finally, since angiogenesis is believed to require extracellular proteolytic activity, we investigated the effects of bFGF and VEGF on lymphatic endothelial cell proteolytic properties by focussing on the plasminogen activator (PA) system. bFGF and VEGF increased urokinase, urokinase receptor, and tissue-type PA expression. This was accompanied by an increase in PA inhibitor-1, which is thought to play an important permissive role in angiogenesis by protecting the extracellular matrix against excessive proteolytic degradation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that with respect to in vitro morphogenetic and proteolytic properties, lymphatic endothelial cells respond to the previously described angiogenic factors, bFGF and VEGF, in a manner very similar to what has been described for endothelial cells derived from the blood vascular system.     

In vitro stimulation of human peripheral blood B cells from normal individuals by activated T cells increases the efficiency of hybridoma generation

Peripheral blood B cells from normal individuals have been less than ideal as a resource for "fusible" cells for the generation of human hybridoma antibodies. In vitro stimulation of normal peripheral blood B cells by CD4+ T cells (HUT 78) that had been activated by a solid phase anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (OKT3) was investigated to see if differentiation of B cells would result in an increased pool of B cells that could be immortalized. A comparison of the rate of successful fusion, an estimation of the frequency of the fusible cells from the input peripheral blood, and the amount of immunoglobulin secreted both in vitro, prior to fusion, and by the resulting clones in two different in vitro immunization protocols, with and without activated T cells indicated that inclusion of the activated T cells provided the necessary help to drive the B cells to a fusible state. Stimulation by activated T cells improves the efficiency of generating B cell hybrid clones from peripheral blood 10-fold compared to in vitro immunization with antigen alone.     

Phagocytic activity by guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages and human peripheral leukocytes irradiated in vitro (author's transl)

A dose/effect curve for phagocytic activity of guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages and human peripheral leukocytes was determined ranging from anti-inflammatory to immunosuppressive doses. The nitroblutetrazolium reduction test was used stimulating the phagocytes by latex microspheres. A significant enhancement of phagocytic activity by low doses of gamma radiation was observed in guinea-pig macrophages.     

Phagocytosis-enhancing effect of lactoferrin on bovine peripheral blood monocytes in vitro and in vivo

The effect of lactoferrin (LF) on in vitro and in vivo phagocytic ability of bovine blood monocytes was studied. It was demonstrated that bovine LF enhanced in vitro phagocytosis of bacteria and ovine erythrocyte-antibody complexes and increased intracellular killing of Staphylococcus albus. Monocytes of colostrum deprived calves, which were intravenously injected with LF, also exhibited elevated phagocytic properties.     

In vitro inhibition of catalase activity by cigarette smoke: relevance for oxidative stress

Neurons, containing GABA were visualised immunohistochemically in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Young prepubertal (20 days of age) and postpubertal (3 months and 1 year of age) Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Quantitative studies revealed greater density of GABA-immunoreactive perikarya in female than in male bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. This difference was not due to distribution in different volumes, since the volumes of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the three ages studied did not differ by gender. Castration of new-born male rats caused elevation of the density of GABA-immunoreactive neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis to female levels on the third month of life. The percentage of nerve cells, expressing detectable amounts of GABA increased with age in the rat bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. The sexual dimorphism of GABA-immunoreactive neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis may contribute to the formation of reproductive behavior. The elevation of GABA expression with age might reflect change of the cellular activity in this part of the limbic circuitry.     

The effects of retinol on in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis by cord blood and adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells

In this study we examined the effects of retinol (ROH), a metabolic precursor of retinoic acid (RA), on Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC)-induced immunoglobulin synthesis of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) and adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). ROH augmented SAC-induced IgM synthesis of CBMC by 5.9 +/- 1.5-fold (n = 7, mean +/- s.d.), and IgG synthesis of adult PBMC by 16.3 +/- 5.1-fold (n = 3) at optimal concentrations of 10(-6) M and 10(-11) M, respectively. No augmenting effects could be demonstrated for the other immunoglobulin isotypes. Time-course studies showed that the synthesis of IgM by CBMC was accelerated with detectable immunoglobulin in supernatant fluids starting on day 3. ROH augmented immunoglobulin synthesis of CBMC stimulated by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a T cell-independent polyclonal activator, and of EBV-transformed B cell clones (2.5 +/- 0.2 and 4.1 +/- 1.5-fold increase, respectively), which suggests that ROH can act directly on B cells to enhance immunoglobulin synthesis. In contrast, when ROH was preincubated with cord blood T cells, washed and added to the B cell-enriched fraction with SAC, no increase (0.9-1.8-fold) in IgM synthesis was obtained. Thus, the principal mechanism(s) by which ROH augments immunoglobulin synthesis is by acting on B cells. This is in contrast to the immunoglobulin-enhancing effects of RA which is mediated by T cells, or T cell products, e.g. cytokine. Our studies suggest that RA and ROH may have different pathways of immunoglobulin-enhancing effects, perhaps mediated by different retinoid binding proteins resulting in gene activation and immunoglobulin synthesis.     

In vitro activation of mouse macrophages by rat lymphocyte mediators

Macrophage-activating factors (MAF)3 were released by presensitized rat lymphocytes stimulated in vitro with the appropriate antigens. Different supernatants of presensitized rat lymphocytes specifically stimulated in vitro with several different mouse, dog, and rat tumor or normal cells were capable of rendering normal rat and mouse macrophages nonspecifically cytotoxic in vitro to their respective syngeneic tumor cells. The release of active mediators by rat lymphocytes sensitized in vivo was dependent upon immunologically specific recognition of an antigen in vitro. When rat lymphocytes were incubated in vitro with antigens unrelated to the in vivo sensitizing antigens, no release of MAF occurred. Once rat MAF was released, it activated both syngeneic (rat) and xenogeneic (mouse) macrophages to kill tumor cells in vitro. These activated marcophages destroyed all syngeneic tumor targets. Such cytotoxicity was obtained even when the cells used to elicit release of MAF were totally unrelated to the target tumor cells. The data thus demonstrated that MAF can cross strain and even species specificities and can activate macrophages to kill tumors in a nonspecific manner. The cytotoxicity mediated by in vitro activated mouse macrophages decreased with time once the macrophages were removed from MAF; and by 7 days postactivation, the macrophages were not cytotoxic. However, when incubated again with MAF, significant reactivation was observed. This suggested that activation of macrophages in vivo may be a continuous process of lymphocyte-macrophage interaction.     

In vivo versus in vitro produced bovine ova: similarities and differences relevant for practical application

1. Ortho-phenylphenol (OPP) was well absorbed in the male B6C3F1 mouse, with 84 and 98% of the administered radioactivity recovered in the 0-48-h urine of animals administered a single oral dose of 15 or 800 mg/kg respectively. High absorption and rapid elimination were also seen in the female and male F344 rat with 86 and 89% respectively of a single oral dose (27-28 mg/kg) found in the urine in 24 h. OPP was also rapidly eliminated from human volunteers following dermal exposure for 8 h (0.006 mg/kg), with 99% of the absorbed dose in the urine in 48 h. 2. Sulphation of OPP was found to be the major metabolic pathway at low doses in all three species, accounting for 57, 82 and 69% of the urinary radioactivity in the male mouse (15 mg/kg, p.o.), male rat (28 mg/kg, p.o.) and male human volunteers (0.006 mg/kg, dermal). OPP-glucuronide was also present in all species, representing 29, 7 and 4% of the total urinary metabolites in the low dose groups of mouse, rat and human volunteers respectively. 3. Conjugates of 2-phenylhydroquinone (PHQ) in these single-dose studies accounted for 12, 5 and 15% of the dose in mouse, rat and human, respectively. Little or no free OPP was found in any species. No free PHQ or PBQ was found in the mouse, rat or human (LOD = 0.1-0.6%). 4. A novel metabolite, the sulphate conjugate of 2,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, was identified in rat and man, comprising 3 and 13% of the low dose respectively. 5. Dose-dependent shifts in metabolism were seen in the mouse for conjugation of parent OPP, indicating saturation of the sulphation pathway. Dose-dependent increases in total PHQ were also observed in mouse. 6. This study was initiated to elucidate a mechanistic basis for the difference in carcinogenic potential for OPP between rat and mouse. However, the minor differences seen in the metabolism of OPP in these two species do not appear to account for the differences in urinary bladder toxicity and tumour response between mouse and rat.     

Influence of salbutamol and isoproterenol on the production of TNF and reactive oxygen species by bovine alveolar macrophages and calcitriol differentiated HL-60 cells

The influence of the beta-adrenergic agonists Salbutamol and Isoproterenol on the release of reactive oxygen species and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) was tested with bovine alveolar macrophages and HL-60 cells differentiated to macrophages by calcitriol. The production of reactive oxygen species was analyzed by a microplate assay using dichlorofluorescein-diacetate. It could be shown that this method almost exclusively measures superoxide anions. TNF was determined by a bioassay with WEHI cells. The superoxide anion production was stimulated by Zymosan, the TNF release by LPS. By incubation with 5 x 10(-6) and 5 x 10(-7) M Salbutamol or 5 x 10(-7) and 5 x 10(-8) M Isoproterenol prior to the stimulation, the production of superoxide anions as well as of TNF was inhibited to a significant degree. The inhibitory effects of the adrenergic agonists were completely or at least partially inhibited by the respective antagonists, ICI 118.551 and Propranolol, respectively.