Oncostatin M, but not interleukin-6 or leukemia inhibitory factor, stimulates expression of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor in A549 human alveolar epithelial cells

Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (A1-Pi) is the main serine proteinase inhibitor found in human plasma and is a potent elastase inhibitor in various tissues, including lung. A1-Pi is expressed and induced in liver during inflammatory responses but can also be produced by epithelial cells. Since hepatocyte A1-Pi production is stimulated by interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other gp130-cytokines, such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and oncostatin M (OM), we investigated the role of these cytokines in regulating A1-Pi in lung epithelial cells. We show that OM, a monocyte and T cell product, can specifically and potently induce A1-Pi production in lung-derived A549 alveolar (epithelial) cells, as well as in liver-derived HepG2 cells. Both A1-Pi protein (as detected by ELISA and Western blots) and mRNA levels were enhanced 20-fold to 30-fold in A549 cells. OM was also able to stimulate the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in these cells. Interestingly, other members of the IL-6 family (IL-6 and LIF) had little or no effect on A549 cells, and proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) also had no stimulatory effect on A1-Pi synthesis in A549 cells. Costimulation with IL-1 beta resulted in a decrease in A1-Pi production from OM-stimulated A549 cells. However, IL-6 production was synergistically enhanced. OM was also able to stimulate A1-Pi production from a bronchial epithelial primary cell line, whereas an intestinal epithelial cell line HT29 responded to IL-6 but not OM. These results suggest that lung levels A1-Pi could be derived not only from liver and inflammatory cells but also from epithelial cells, which can be upregulated on stimulation by OM. This may have implications for regulation of local activity of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) in such diseases as emphysema and cystic fibrosis.     

Test-retest variability of the auditory brainstem response to bone-conducted clicks in newborn infants

1. The effects of adenosine and its analogues on actin polymerization in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) induced by three different chemotactic stimulants, platelet-activating factor (PAF), N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and an activated fragment of C5 (C5a) were investigated. 2. Adenosine and its analogues inhibited the actin polymerization induced by these three agents in a concentration-dependent manner and theophylline, a competitive antagonist at adenosine receptors, abolished these inhibitory effects. 3. The adenosine analogue 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) was a more potent inhibitor of actin polymerization than either L-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) or adenosine itself; the rank order of potency of these agonists was characteristic of adenosine A2 receptors. 4. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) abolished the inhibitory effect of adenosine and augmented PAF-induced actin polymerization. 5. It was concluded that, at physiological concentrations, adenosine inhibits actin polymerization in PMN via activation of PMN surface membrane adenosine A2 receptors and thus modulates chemotactic stimulus-induced PMN motility.     

Leukocyte migration across human peritoneal mesothelial cells is dependent on directed chemokine secretion and ICAM-1 expression

BACKGROUND: Leukocyte migration into the peritoneal cavity is a diagnostic feature of peritonitis in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). While neutrophil (PMN) influx is characteristic of the acute phase of peritoneal infection, significant mononuclear cell (MNC) infiltration, occurs throughout the whole period of infection. Recent data suggests that human peritoneal mesothelial cell (HPMC) adhesion molecule expression and the synthesis of chemotactic cytokines may be important in the process. METHODS: In the present study we have examined, the regulation and directed secretion of chemokines (IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES) and the basolateral to apical migration of unstimulated leukocytes across mesothelial cell monolayers using an in vitro model where HPMC were grown on the porous membrane of tissue culture inserts. Separate experiments have defined the importance of chemokine synthesis and ICAM-1 expression in the transmigration process. RESULTS: Apical stimulation of HPMC with IL-1 beta or TNF alpha resulted in a time and dose dependent up-regulation of IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES mRNA expression and synthesis. This secretion was predominately into the apical compartment (> 85%) with all chemokines. Apical pre-stimulation of HPMC resulted in a dose- and time-dependent migration of both PMN and MNC across HPMC. Neutrophil migration was significantly reduced in the presence of appropriate concentrations of polyclonal IL-8 antibody (IL-1 beta (100 pg/ml) 153 +/- 12 versus anti-IL-8 (100 ng/ml) 71 +/- 7 (X 10(3)) PMN, N = 6, P < 0.02) and in the presence of anti-ICAM-1 F(ab)'2 fragments or soluble ICAM-1. Constitutive and cytokine stimulated mononuclear cell migration was significantly reduced in the simultaneous presence of polyclonal MCP-1 or RANTES antibody. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that HPMC synthesize IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES in response to inflammatory cytokines. HPMC-derived C-x-C and C-C chemokines might contribute to the intra-peritoneal recruitment of leukocytes during peritoneal inflammation.     

Determination of inflammatory bowel disease activity by breath pentane analysis

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) stimulation and degranulation can be mediated by the cytokines and by complement activation. The aim of the present study was to measure TNF alpha, IL-1 alpha, IL-6 and C3d in relation to postoperative increase in lactoferrin and elastase alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (E alpha-1-PI) levels. Eleven patients undergoing thoracic surgery took part in the study. Blood leucocytes, E alpha-1-PI, lactoferrin and C3d were measured preoperatively, at the end of surgery and postoperatively, at 4 h and on day 1, 2, 3 and 5. TNF alpha, IL-1 alpha and IL-6 were measured preoperatively, at the end of surgery and postoperatively, at 4 h, and on days 1 and 5. The leucocyte count, lactoferrin and E alpha-1-PI levels increased significantly postoperatively (P < 0.01). There was no significant change in C3d values. Plasma IL-6 levels were unchanged in the postoperative period. Plasma TNF alpha and IL-1 alpha were detectable at low levels in only two and four patients, respectively. Conclusion: The postoperative increase in blood levels of PMN lactoferrin and E alpha-1-PI complexes observed in the present study was not accompanied by complement activation, or increased blood levels of IL-6.     

The role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of the neutrophil count in BAL fluid (BALF) has been controversial. The role of neutrophils in this inflammatory lung disease, therefore, was evaluated in this study by additional measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed BAL in 22 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosed by open lung biopsy specimen. Percent polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) in BALF and absolute neutrophil counts were compared with those of normal nonsmokers. Elastase complexed to alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-PI) in plasma and BALF was measured as a marker of elastase burden, and neutrophil distribution in 22 lung tissues was observed by immunohistochemistry using antineutrophil elastase antibody. RESULTS: Percent PMN and absolute neutrophil counts in BALF did not increase in patients with IPF as compared with normal nonsmokers (n=15); the plasma elastase-alpha1-PI complex value (mean+/-SE) of patients with IPF (668.5+/-112.4 ng/mL) was significantly high as compared with that of normal nonsmokers (130.3+/-21.3, p<0.001). In addition, the BALF elastase-alpha1-PI complex value (mean+/-SE) of patients with IPF was also significantly high (333.1+/-87.0 ng/mg albumin) as compared with that of normal nonsmokers (83.1+/-29.3 ng/mg albumin, p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated considerable numbers of neutrophils infiltrating the lung parenchyma in biopsy specimens obtained by open lung biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that although the neutrophil count in BALF could not represent the distribution of neutrophil in the lung, high levels of neutrophil elastase were demonstrated in lung parenchyma and also in both BALF and sera. Therefore, neutrophils might indeed play an important role in the pathogenesis of IPF.     

Endothelial activation in monosodium urate monohydrate crystal-induced inflammation: in vitro and in vivo studies on the roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1

OBJECTIVE: There is relatively little direct evidence for the roles of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in activating endothelium in vivo. The aim of this study was to use in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the contribution of these cytokines to both E-selectin expression and the recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation. METHODS: MSU crystals were incubated with freshly isolated mononuclear cells, after which the harvested supernatants were tested for their ability to induce E-selectin expression during coculture with human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Subsequent experiments were performed with the addition of neutralizing anticytokine antibodies/antisera. The role of TNF alpha was then studied in an MSU crystal-induced monarthritis model, in the presence or absence of anti-TNF alpha (5 mg/kg intravenously). 99mtechnetium (99mTc)-labeled PMN cells and (111)indium (111In)-labeled anti-E-selectin monoclonal antibody (MAb) 1.2B6 were intravenously administered 4 hours after intraarticular injection to quantify PMN recruitment and E-selectin expression in inflamed joints. RESULTS: MSU crystals were a potent stimulus for IL-1 and TNF alpha production by monocytes in vitro, and these cytokines fully accounted for MSU crystal-stimulated, monocyte-mediated endothelial activation. In the MSU crystal-induced monarthritis model, TNF alpha blockade was very effective in suppressing both E-selectin expression and PMN emigration into the inflamed joints, as judged by gamma-camera image analysis and postmortem tissue counting following the intravenous injection of 99mTc-PMN and 111In-anti-E-selectin MAb. CONCLUSION: IL-1 and TNF alpha appear to be the only factors released by monocytes following incubation with MSU crystals, which induce E-selectin expression in vitro. Anti-TNF alpha is effective in suppressing endothelial activation and PMN recruitment in vivo E-selectin imaging can be used to assess the endothelial response to therapy and may prove useful for clinical studies.     

Secretory leukoprotease inhibitor: partnering alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor to combat pulmonary inflammation

Secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI) is a low molecular weight serine proteinase inhibitor, notably of neutrophil elastase (NE), which is synthesised and secreted by the pulmonary epithelium. SLPI plays an important role in limiting NE-induced pulmonary inflammation and, significantly, it also possesses anti-HIV activity. SLPI is a significant component of the anti-NE shield in the lung which has different reactivity from, and is therefore complementary to, the anti-NE action of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI). Inhaled recombinant SLPI (rSLPI) could prove beneficial in partnership with alpha 1-PI in the treatment of a number of inflammatory lung disorders including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.     

Chemokine networks in vivo: involvement of C-X-C and C-C chemokines in neutrophil extravasation in vivo in response to TNF-alpha

In this study, we have evaluated the role of specific chemotactic cytokines in leukocyte recruitment to s.c. tissue in response to TNF-alpha in vivo. Injection of TNF-alpha into s.c. air pouches led to a rapid, transient accumulation of leukocytes. Maximal accumulation of leukocytes in the air pouch was observed at between 2 and 4 h after injection of TNF-alpha. The cellular exudate comprised predominantly neutrophils, with smaller numbers of eosinophils and mononuclear phagocytes also being recruited. However, lymphocyte recruitment was not observed. TNF-alpha injection induced a time-dependent increase in the levels of immunoreactive macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, MIP-1alpha, and JE in the pouch exudate as well as increased steady-state mRNA levels of KC, MIP-2, MIP-1alpha, and JE in the tissue lining the s.c. pouch and of MIP-2, MIP-1alpha, and JE in the exudate cell population. Passive immunization with specific Abs directed against each of these chemokines significantly inhibited the accumulation of neutrophils, mononuclear phagocytes, and eosinophils in response to TNF-alpha. Taken together, these data demonstrate the existence of a chemokine network in vivo involving at least four individual chemokines that regulates recruitment of the major peripheral blood granulocytes and mononuclear phagocytes to s.c. sites during acute inflammation. To our knowledge, these data are also the first demonstration that the C-C chemokine JE is involved in neutrophil recruitment in a physiologic system in vivo.     

Up-regulation of CCR1 and CCR3 and induction of chemotaxis to CC chemokines by IFN-gamma in human neutrophils

Human neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes; PMN) respond to some CXC chemokines but do not migrate to CC chemokines. Recent work has shown that chemokine receptors can be modulated by inflammatory cytokines. In this study, the effect of IFN-gamma, a prototypic Th1 cytokine, on chemokine receptor expression in PMN was investigated. IFN-gamma caused a rapid (approximately 1 h) and concentration-dependent increase of CCR1 and CCR3 mRNA. The expression of CCR2, CCR5, and CXCR1-4 was not augmented. IFN-gamma-treated PMN, but not control cells, expressed specific binding sites for labeled monocyte-chemotactic protein (MCP)-3 and migrated to macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, RANTES, MCP-3, MIP-5/HCC2, and eotaxin. 7B11, a mAb for CCR3, inhibited the chemotactic response of IFN-gamma-treated PMN to eotaxin, and aminoxypentane-RANTES blocked PMN migration to RANTES. These results suggest that the selectivity of certain chemokines for their target cells may be altered by cytokines produced within an inflammatory context. Since PMN may play a role in orienting immunity toward Th1 responses, it is possible to speculate that IFN-gamma not only promotes Th1 differentiation directly, but also reorients the functional significance of Th2 effector cytokines by broadening the spectrum of their action to include PMN.     

Posttranslational modifications affect the activity of the human monocyte chemotactic proteins MCP-1 and MCP-2: identification of MCP-2(6-76) as a natural chemokine inhibitor

Chemokines are important mediators in infection and inflammation. The monocyte chemotactic proteins (MCPs) form a subclass of structurally related C-C chemokines. MCPs select specific target cells due to binding to a distinct set of chemokine receptors. Recombinant and synthetic MCP-1 variants have been shown to function as chemokine antagonists. In this study, posttranslationally modified immunoreactive MCP-1 and MCP-2 were isolated from mononuclear cells. Natural forms of MCP-1 and MCP-2 were biochemically identified by Edman degradation and mass spectrometry and functionally characterized in chemotaxis and Ca2+-mobilization assays. Glycosylated MCP-1 (12 and 13.5 kDa) was found to be two- to threefold less chemotactic for monocytes and THP-1 cells than nonglycosylated MCP-1 (10 kDa). Natural, NH2-terminally truncated MCP-1(5-76) and MCP-1(6-76) were practically devoid of bioactivity, whereas COOH-terminally processed MCP-1(1-69) fully retained its chemotactic and Ca2+-inducing capacity. The capability of naturally modified MCP-1 forms to desensitize the Ca2+ response induced by intact MCP-1 in THP-1 cells correlated with their agonistic potency. In contrast, naturally modified MCP-2(6-76) was devoid of activity, but could completely block the chemotactic effect of intact MCP-2 as well as that of MCP-1, MCP-3, and RANTES. Carboxyl-terminally processed MCP-2(1-74) did retain its chemotactic potency. Although comparable as a chemoattractant, natural intact MCP-2 was found to be 10-fold less potent than MCP-1 in inducing an intracellular Ca2+ increase. It can be concluded that under physiologic or pathologic conditions, posttranslational modification affects chemokine potency and that natural MCP-2(6-76) is a functional C-C chemokine inhibitor that might be useful as an inhibitor of inflammation.     

Doppler flowmetry in the planning of perforator flaps

Parapneumonic pleural effusions are associated with the presence of a variety of inflammatory cells whose influx into the pleural space is attributed to the presence of inflammatory cytokines. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), an important mononuclear chemokine, plays a critical role in pulmonary parenchymal inflammatory disease, but its role in the recruitment and activation of mononuclear phagocytes in the pleural space is unknown. In this study we demonstrate that complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions (empyema) and uncomplicated parapneumonic pleural effusions contain significantly (P < .001) higher levels of MIP-1alpha with higher numbers of mononuclear cells when compared with effusions resulting from malignancy and congestive heart failure. The MIP- 1alpha was biologically active and contributed 43% and 37% of the mononuclear chemotactic activity of complicated and uncomplicated parapneumonic pleural fluids, respectively. In vitro, human mesothelial cells, when stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), produced MIP-1alpha. Northern blot analysis confirmed that both endogenous (IL-1beta or TNF-alpha) and exogenous (LPS) factors induce MIP-1alpha expression in mesothelial cells. Supernatants from activated mesothelial cells demonstrated chemotactic activity for mononuclear cells. This activity was blocked by MIP-1alpha antibody, indicating that the MIP-1alpha released was biologically active. We conclude that in parapneumonic pleural effusions, MIP-1alpha plays a major but not exclusive role in the recruitment of mononuclear leukocytes from the vascular compartment to the pleural space, and pleural mesothelial cells by production of MIP-1alpha actively participate in this process.     

Release of monocyte chemoattractants by polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated by their adhesion to stratum corneum opsonized via complement activation, measured with a human acute monocytic leukemic cell line, THP-1

Stratum corneum (SC) exposed to living tissues, induces inflammation characterized by the formation of mixed cell granulomas consisting of infiltrative polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and monocytes/macrophages. In this study, to clarify the mechanism for the later monocyte accumulation in SC-induced granulomas, we evaluated monocyte chemotactic activity induced by PMNs treated with serum-opsonized SC by using a human acute monocytic leukemic cell line, THP-1. When the supernatant was obtained from a PMN suspension cultured with opsonized plantar SC, higher THP-1 chemotactic activity was detected as compared with that cultured with non-opsonized SC. Although some concentrations of the chemokines, MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta, were detected in supernatants obtained from the PMN suspensions cultured with plantar SC than in the control suspensions of PMN alone, their production by PMN was not influenced by the opsonization procedure. In contrast, MCP-1 was found to be secreted from PMN suspensions constitutively, showing no correlation to this THP-1 chemotactic activity. Moreover, HPLC analysis of PMN suspensions indicated that factors with far higher molecular weight values than these chemokines are involved in the chemotaxis of THP-1 cells.     

Influence of inhibitors of cellular function on chemotactic factor-induced neutrophil aggregation

Chemotactic factors which induce polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to migrate directionally and release granular enzyme constituents also induce these cells to aggregate. The potency of these factors in inducing aggregation closely parallels their chemotactic and enzyme-releasing potencies. Several reagents known to influence the migratory and degranulatory response of PMN to chemotactins have been examined for their influence on chemotactic factor-induced aggregation of PMN. We have found that ambient temperatures below 37 degrees C, deoxyglucose, and iodoacetic acid inhibit PMN aggregation, whereas sodium cyanide and dinitrophenol have no effect. Inhibitors of microtubules (colchicine and vinca alkaloids) and of protein synthesis (cyclohexamide) had no effect. Cytochalasin B markedly enhanced aggregation. We conclude that chemotactin-induced aggregation is similar to the other chemotactin-induced PMN functions in the requirements for proper temperature and intact glycolytic pathways; in contrast, however, and intact cytoskeletal microtubular system appears unessential for this response. This may be explained by assuming that the chemotactic factor-induced aggregation of PMN is predominantly a surface membrane-dependent phenomenon.     

Reduction by cefodizime of the pulmonary inflammatory response induced by heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae in mice

It has recently become apparent that overwhelming inflammatory reactions contribute to the high mortality rate associated with pneumococcal infection in immunocompetent hosts. Cefodizime (CEF) is an antibiotic that seems to be endowed with immunomodulating properties. To investigate the influence of CEF on the pulmonary inflammatory response induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae, we infected mice with repeated intranasal inoculations of 10(7) CFU of heat-killed fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled bacteria, which are insensitive to the killing properties of the drug. CEF downregulated but did not abolish the strong polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) recruitment induced by S. pneumoniae. PMN recruitment was not primarily mediated by leukotriene B4 in this model. The drug did not interfere with intrinsic mechanisms of phagocytosis by PMNs and alveolar macrophages. CEF totally abrogated the pneumococcus-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The drug also prevented IL-6 release in lung homogenates and partly inhibited TNF-alpha, but it did not interfere with IL-1alpha secretion in the lungs of infected mice. The fractional and selective downregulation of inflammatory cells and cytokines by CEF suggests cell-specific and intracellular specific mechanisms of interaction of the drug. The immunomodulatory properties of CEF may help restrain excessive inflammatory reactions, thus contributing to the reported good clinical efficacy of the drug against lower respiratory tract infections.     

beta1 integrins are critically involved in neutrophil locomotion in extravascular tissue In vivo

Recruitment of leukocytes from blood to tissue in inflammation requires the function of specific cell surface adhesion molecules. The objective of this study was to identify adhesion molecules that are involved in polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) locomotion in extravascular tissue in vivo. Extravasation and interstitial tissue migration of PMNs was induced in the rat mesentery by chemotactic stimulation with platelet-activating factor (PAF; 10(-7) M). Intravital time-lapse videomicroscopy was used to analyze migration velocity of the activated PMNs, and the modulatory influence on locomotion of locally administered antibodies or peptides recognizing various integrin molecules was examined. Immunofluorescence flow cytometry revealed increased expression of alpha4, beta1, and beta2 integrins on extravasated PMNs compared with blood PMNs. Median migration velocity in response to PAF stimulation was 15.5 +/- 4.5 micron/min (mean +/- SD). Marked reduction (67 +/- 7%) in motility was observed after treatment with mAb blocking beta1 integrin function (VLA integrins), whereas there was little, although significant, reduction (22 +/- 13%) with beta2 integrin mAb. Antibodies or integrin-binding peptides recognizing alpha4beta1, alpha5beta1, or alphavbeta3 were ineffective in modulating migration velocity. Our data demonstrate that cell surface expression of beta1 integrins, although limited on blood PMNs, is induced in extravasated PMNs, and that members of the beta1 integrin family other than alpha4beta1 and alpha5beta1 are critically involved in the chemokinetic movement of PMNs in rat extravascular tissue in vivo.     

Properties of the His57-Asp102 dyad of rat trypsin D189S in the zymogen, activated enzyme, and alpha1-proteinase inhibitor complexed forms

Structural and biochemical studies suggest that serpins induce structural rearrangements in their target serine-proteinases. Previous NMR studies of the complex between a serpin, alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, and a mutant of recombinant rat trypsin (the Asp189 to Ser mutant, D189S, which is much more stable than wild-type rat trypsin against autoproteolysis) provided information about the state of catalytic residues in this complex: the hydrogen bond between Asp102 and His57 remains intact in the complex, and spectral properties of His57 are more like those of the zymogen than of the activated enzyme (G. Kaslik, et al., 1997, Biochemistry 36, 5455-5464). Here we report the protonation and exchange behavior of His57 of recombinant rat trypsin D189S in three states: the zymogen, the active enzyme, and the complex with human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor and compare these with analogous behavior of His57 of bovine chymotrypsinogen and alpha-chymotrypsin. In these studies the pKa of His57 has been determined from the pH dependence of the 1H NMR signal from the Hdelta1 proton of histidine in the Asp102-His57 dyad, and a measure of the accessibility of this part of the active site has been obtained from the rate of appearance of this signal following its selective saturation. The activation of rat trypsinogen D189S (zymogen, pKa = 7.8 +/- 0.1; Hill coefficient = 0. 86 +/- 0.05) decreased the pKa of His57 by 1.1 unit and made the protonation process cooperative (active enzyme, pKa = 6.7 +/- 0.1; Hill coefficient = 1.37 +/- 0.08). The binding of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor to trypsin D189S led to an increase in the pKa value of His57 to a value higher than that of the zymogen and led to negative cooperativity in the protonation process (complex, pKa = 8.1 +/- 0. 1; Hill coefficient = 0.70 +/- 0.08), as was observed for the zymogen. In spite of these differences in the pKa of His57 in the zymogen, active enzyme, and alpha1-proteinase inhibitor complex, the solvent exchange lifetime of the His57 Hdelta1 proton was the same, within experimental error, in all three states (lifetime = 2 to 12.5 ms). The linewidth of the 1H NMR signal from the Hdelta1 proton of His57 was relatively sharp, at temperatures between 5 and 20 degrees C at both low pH (5.2) and high pH (10.0), in spectra of bovine alpha-chymotrypsin, recombinant rat trypsin D189S, and the complex between rat trypsin D189S and human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor; however, in spectra of the complex between alpha-chymotrypsin and human alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, the peak was broader and could be well-resolved only at the lower temperature (5 degrees C).     

Neutrophil serine proteinases and defensins in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: effects on pulmonary epithelium

Neutrophils have the capacity to accumulate in high numbers in the lung during infection and inflammation. Because they play an important role in host defence against infection, but may also cause tissue injury, these cells are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory lung disorders, including chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Neutrophil products that may mediate tissue injury at sites of neutrophil-dominated inflammation include the neutrophil serine proteinases elastase, cathepsin G and proteinase 3, and the nonenzymatic defensins. One of the targets of the neutrophil is the lung epithelium, and in vitro studies have revealed that both the serine proteinases and neutrophil defensins markedly affect the integrity of the epithelial layer, decrease the frequency of ciliary beat, increase the secretion of mucus, and induce the synthesis of epithelium-derived mediators that may influence the amplification and resolution of neutrophil-dominated inflammation. Both neutrophil elastase and defensins induce the release of the neutrophil chemoattractant chemokine interleukin-8 from respiratory epithelial cells. The alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-PI) is a well-characterized inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, that also blocks the cytotoxic and stimulatory activity of defensins towards epithelial cells. The elastase inhibitory activity of alpha1-PI is also abrogated by the binding of defensins to this inhibitor. Incubation of epithelial cells with neutrophil defensins in combination with either elastase or cathepsin G resulted in decreased effects on the epithelial cells compared with those observed when the cells were incubated with defensins, elastase or cathepsin G separately. These results suggest that neutrophil defensins and serine proteinases cause injury and stimulate epithelial cells to produce chemokines that attract more neutrophils to the site of inflammation. The effects of neutrophil defensins and serine proteinases on epithelial cells appear to be restricted by proteinase inhibitors and by inhibitory interactions between these sets of neutrophil granule proteins.     

The locus of tumor necrosis factor-alpha action in lung inflammation

The pulmonary host response to infection and inflammation appears, at least in part, to be compartmentalized from the systemic host response. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in lung inflammation and injury, but its site(s) of action has not been clearly defined. To investigate this, transgenic mice (surfactant apoprotein C promotor/soluble TNF receptor type II-Fc fusion protein ([SPCTNFRIIFc] mice) were generated in which TNF-alpha was selectively antagonized in the distal lung through tissue-specific expression of sTNFRIIFc, a soluble TNF inhibitor. The lung inflammatory response in these mice to pulmonary challenge with Micropolyspora faeni antigen or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was compared with the response of wild-type mice, wild-type mice treated with recombinant sTNFRIIFc intravenously, and type I TNF-receptor knockout mice. Recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to the lung after challenge with M. faeni antigen was essentially abolished in the TNFRI knockout mice and markedly reduced in the SPCTNFRIIFc mice. Wild-type mice given sTNFRIIFc intravenously in amounts resulting in lung concentrations similar to those in SPCTNFRIIFc mice also showed significantly reduced lung PMN recruitment, whereas those given doses that achieved such concentrations in the blood but low levels in the lung did not. In contrast, PMN recruitment to the lung following aerosol challenge with LPS was reduced significantly in the TNFRI knockout mice and in mice given high-dose sTNFRIIFc intravenously, but was not reduced significantly in SPCTNFRIIFc mice. Thus, inhibition of PMN recruitment in response to M. faeni antigen correlated largely with the extent of intrapulmonary inhibition of TNF-alpha, whereas the response to LPS correlated best with the extent of extrapulmonary inhibition of TNF-alpha. These studies indicate that TNF-alpha may act at different loci to mediate lung inflammation, with the site of action depending in part on the nature of the inflammatory stimulus, and that SPCTNFRIIFc mice provide a tool by which the locus of TNF action can be addressed.     

Long-term therapy of alpha 1-antitrypsin-deficiency-associated pulmonary emphysema with human alpha 1-antitrypsin

alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) deficiency is a genetic disorder characterized by low serum levels of alpha 1-AT and a high risk of pulmonary emphysema at a young age. The resulting surplus of proteases, mainly of neutrophil elastase, can be balanced by i.v. augmentation with alpha 1-AT. However, it is not clear if affected patients benefit from long-term augmentation therapy and no long-term safety data are available. We examined 443 patients with severe alpha 1-AT deficiency and pulmonary emphysema receiving weekly i.v. infusions of 60 mg/kg body weight alpha 1-AT in addition to their regular medication. The progression of the disease was assessed by repeated lung function measurements, particularly the decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (delta FEV1). 443 patients with alpha 1-AT deficiency tolerated augmentation therapy well with few adverse reactions. The delta FEV1 in 287 patients with available follow-up data was 57.1 +/- 31.1 ml per year. Stratified for baseline FEV1, the decline was 35.6 +/- 21.3 ml in the 108 patients with an initial FEV1 < 30% and 64.0 +/- 26.4 ml in the 164 with 30% < FEV1 < or = 65% of predicted normal (p = 0.0008). The remaining 15 patients had an initial FEV1 > 65%. Long-term treatment with i.v. alpha 1-antitrypsin in patients with severe alpha 1-Pi deficiency is feasible and safe. The decline in forced expiratory volume in one second is related to the initial forced expiratory volume in one second as in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficient patients not receiving augmentation therapy.     

BB-10010: an active variant of human macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha with improved pharmaceutical properties

The stem cell inhibitor, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) or LD78, protects multipotent hematopoietic progenitors in murine models from the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. Clinical use of human MIP-1 alpha during chemotherapy could therefore lead to faster hematologic recovery and may allow dose intensification. We have also shown that human MIP-1 alpha causes the rapid mobilization of hematopoietic cells, suggesting an additional clinical use in peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. However, the clinical evaluation of human MIP-1 alpha is complicated by its tendency to associate and form high molecular weight polymers. We have produced a variant of rhMIP-1 alpha, BB-10010, carrying a single amino acid substitution of Asp26 > Ala, with a reduced tendency to form large polymers at physiologic pH and ionic strength. This greatly increases its solubility, facilitating its production and clinical formulation. We confirmed the potency of BB-10010 as a human MIP-1 alpha-like agonist in receptor binding, calcium mobilization, inhibition of colony formation, and thymidine suicide assays. The myeloprotective activity of BB-10010 was shown in a murine model of repeated chemotherapy using hydroxyurea. BB-10010 is therefore an ideal variant with which to evaluate the therapeutic potential of recombinant human MIP-1 alpha.