TNF-alpha induces phosphorylation of p47(phox) in human neutrophils: partial phosphorylation of p47phox is a common event of priming of human neutrophils by TNF-alpha and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Phosphorylation of p47(phox) is a key event in NADPH oxidase activation. We examined the ability of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFalpha, IL-1, and G-CSF to induce this process compared with GM-CSF. Only TNF-alpha and GM-CSF induced a clear p47(phox) phosphorylation. This phosphorylation was time dependent and reached its maximum at 20 min. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping of p47(phox) phosphorylated in neutrophils primed with TNF-alpha revealed partial phosphorylation of p47(phox) on the same peptide as for GM-CSF. Neutrophil incubation with TNF-alpha and subsequent addition of the chemotactic peptide fMLP resulted in more intense phosphorylation of p47(phox) sites than with each reagent alone. A neutralizing Ab against the p55 TNF receptor, contrary to a neutralizing Ab against the p75 TNF receptor, inhibited TNF-alpha-induced p47(phox) phosphorylation. Neutrophil treatment with both TNF-alpha and GM-CSF resulted in more intense phosphorylation of the same p47(phox) peptide observed with each cytokine alone, suggesting that they engaged pathways converging on common serines. This additive effect was also obtained on the priming of NADPH oxidase activity. The use of protein kinase inhibitors pointed to the involvement of a protein tyrosine kinase, but not protein kinase C. These findings show that TNF-alpha, via its p55 receptor, induces a protein tyrosine kinase-dependent selective phosphorylation of p47(phox) on specific serines. The ability of TNF-alpha and GM-CSF, two different cytokines with two different receptors to induce this specific p47(phox) phosphorylation, suggests that this event could be a common element of the priming of neutrophils by TNF-alpha and GM-CSF.     

Tumor necrosis factor p55 and p75 receptors are involved in chemical-induced apoptosis of dentate granule neurons

Localized tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) elevation has diverse effects in brain injury often attributed to signaling via TNFp55 or TNFp75 receptors. Both dentate granule cells and CA pyramidal cells express TNF receptors (TNFR) at low levels in a punctate pattern. Using a model to induce selective death of dentate granule cells (trimethyltin; 2 mg/kg, i.p.), neuronal apoptosis [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ end labeling, active caspase 3 (AC3)] was accompanied by amoeboid microglia and elevated TNFalpha mRNA levels. TNFp55R (55 kDa type-1 TNFR) and TNFp75R (75 kDa type-2 TNFR) immunoreactivity in AC3(+) neurons displayed a pattern suggestive of receptor internalization and a temporal sequence of expression of TNFp55R followed by TNFp75R associated with the progression of apoptosis. A distinct ramified microglia response occurred around CA1 neurons and healthy dentate neurons that displayed an increase in the normal punctate pattern of TNFRs. Neuronal damage was decreased with i.c.v. injection of TNFalpha antibody and in TNFp55R-/-p75R-/- mice that showed higher constitutive mRNA levels for interleukin (IL-1alpha), macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (MIP-1alpha), TNFalpha, transforming growth factor beta1, Fas, and TNFRSF6-assoicated via death domain (FADD). TNFp75R-/- mice showed exacerbated injury and elevated mRNA levels for IL-1alpha, MIP-1alpha, and TNFalpha. In TNFp55R-/- mice, constitutive mRNA levels for TNFalpha, IL-6, caspase 8, FADD, and Fas-associated phosphatase were higher; IL-1alpha, MIP-1alpha, and transforming growth factor beta1 lower. The mice displayed exacerbated neuronal death, delayed microglia response, increased FADD and TNFp75R mRNA levels, and co-expression of TNFp75R in AC3(+) neurons. The data demonstrate TNFR-mediated apoptotic death of dentate granule neurons utilizing both TNFRs and suggest a TNFp75R-mediated apoptosis in the absence of normal TNFp55R activity.     

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha lacks chemotactic activity for human peripheral blood neutrophils and monocytes

Preparations of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (rhuTNF alpha) free of aminoterminal methionine were tested for human neutrophil granulocyte (PMN) and monocyte (MO) chemotactic activity using the Boyden chamber system. Over a wide range of concentrations (10(-7)-10(-15) M) rhuTNF alpha of two different sources failed to elicit chemotactic responses in PMN or MO, whereas strong PMN and MO chemotactic activity could be detected using the tripeptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). In addition, rhuTNF alpha containing 62% aminoterminal methionine failed to induce PMN and MO chemotaxis. It is concluded that rhuTNF alpha may not be a chemotaxin for human PMN and MO in vitro.     

Divergent roles for p55 and p75 tumor necrosis factor receptors in the pathogenesis of MOG(35-55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

To clarify the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the inflammatory aspects of autoimmunity vs its potential role in the apoptotic elimination of autoreactive effector cells, we assessed the roles of the p55 (TNFR1/Tnfrsf1a/CD120a) and p75 (TNFR2/Tnfrsf1b/CD120b) TNF receptors in the pathogenesis of MOG(35-55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). TNFR p55/p75(-/-) double knockout mice were completely resistant to clinical disease. TNFR p55(-/-) single knockout mice were also totally resistant to EAE, exhibiting reduced MOG(35-55)- specific proliferative responses and Th1 cytokine production, despite displaying equivalent DTH responses. Importantly, IL-5 was significantly increased in p55(-/-) mice. In contrast, p75(-/-) knockout mice exhibited exacerbated EAE, enhanced Th1 cytokine production, and enhanced CD4(+) and F4/80(+) CNS infiltration. Thus, p55/TNFR1 is required for the initiation of pathologic disease, whereas p75/TNFR2 may be important in regulating the immune response. These results have important implications for therapies targeting p55 and p75 receptors for treating autoimmune diseases.     

Expression of TNF and TNF receptors (p55 and p75) in the rat brain after focal cerebral ischemia.

Cerebral ischemia induces a rapid and dramatic up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) protein and mRNA, but the cellular sources of TNF in the ischemic brain have not been defined. The diverse activities of TNF are mediated via ligand interaction with two distinct receptors, p55 and p75, which activate separate intracellular signal transduction pathways, leading to distinct biological effects. Since the effects of cerebral ischemia on TNF receptor (TNFR) expression are unknown, we examined the cellular localization and protein expression of TNF and its two receptors in the rat cerebral cortex in response to permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. The results indicate that focal. cerebral ischemia up-regulates expression of TNF and both TNFRs within the ischemic cortex. The most abundant type of TNF immunoreactivity (IR) was a punctate and filamentous pattern of transected cellular processes; however, cell bodies of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, as well as infiltrating polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes also showed TNF IR. Brain vasculature displayed TNF IR not only within endothelial cells but also in the perivascular space. MCA occlusion induced significant up-regulation of TNF receptors, with p55 IR appearing within 6 hr, significantly before the appearance of p75 IR at 24 hr after the onset of ischemia. Since p55 has been implicated in transducing cytotoxic signalling of TNF, these results support the proposed injurious role of excessive TNF produced during the acute response to cerebral ischemia.     

TNF-TNFR2/p75 Signaling Inhibits Early and Increases Delayed Nontargeted Effects in Bone Marrow-derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells

TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is highly expressed after being irradiated (IR) and is implicated in mediating radiobiological bystander responses (RBRs). Little is known about specific TNF receptors in regulating TNF-induced RBR in bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPCs). Full body γ-IR WT BM-EPCs showed a biphasic response: slow decay of p-H2AX foci during the initial 24 h and increase between 24 h and 7 days post-IR, indicating a significant RBR in BM-EPCs in vivo. Individual TNF receptor (TNFR) signaling in RBR was evaluated in BM-EPCs from WT, TNFR1/p55KO, and TNFR2/p75KO mice, in vitro. Compared with WT, early RBR (1–5 h) were inhibited in p55KO and p75KO EPCs, whereas delayed RBR (3–5 days) were amplified in p55KO EPCs, suggesting a possible role for TNFR2/p75 signaling in delayed RBR. Neutralizing TNF in γ-IR conditioned media (CM) of WT and p55KO BM-EPCs largely abolished RBR in both cell types. ELISA protein profiling of WT and p55KO EPC γ-IR-CM over 5 days showed significant increases in several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1α (Interleukin-1 alpha), RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), and MCP-1. In vitro treatments with murine recombinant (rm) TNF-α and rmIL-1α, but not rmMCP-1 or rmRANTES, increased the formation of p-H2AX foci in nonirradiated p55KO EPCs. We conclude that TNF-TNFR2 signaling may induce RBR in naïve BM-EPCs and that blocking TNF-TNFR2 signaling may prevent delayed RBR in BM-EPCs, conceivably, in bone marrow milieu in general.     

Deactivation of human neutrophil chemotaxis by chemoattractants: effect on receptors for the chemotactic factor f-Met-Leu-Phe

Normal human peripheral blood PMN were exposed to varying concentrations of partially purified chemotactic complement fragments (C5fr) and a chemotactic peptide N-formyl methionylleucylphenylalanine (f-Met-Leu-Phe). This exposure resulted in a decreased chemotactic response termed deactivation of chemotaxis. Deactivation was found to be nonpreferential for the deactivating stimulus when high concentrations of either f-Met-Leu-Phe (10(-6) M) or C5fr (20 micrograms/ml) were used. When PMN were incubated with lower concentrations of C5fr (10 micrograms/ml), there was preferential deactivation towards C5fr. Similarly, preferential deactivation of chemotaxis was observed when PMN were incubated with 10(-6) M f-Met-Leu-Phe, but this was transient and cells were nonpreferentially deactivated 60 min after the initial exposure to f-Met-Leu-Phe. The availability of receptors for tritiated f-Met-Leu-Phe was examined by Scatchard analyses and measurement of reversible f-Met-Leu-[3H]Phe binding to C5fr and f-Met-Leu-Phe-deactivated PMN. When PMN f-Met-Leu-Phe receptors were studied immediately after exposure to concentrations of C5fr causing either preferential or nonpreferential deactivation, there was increased receptor availability compared with control PMN. In contrast, PMN deactivated with high concentrations of f-Met-Leu-Phe 10(-6) M) had a transient decrease in the number of receptors followed 1 hr later by an increase in the number of receptors. This was similar to the functional correlate of preferential deactivation of chemotaxis immediately after incubation with f-Met-Leu-Phe followed by nonpreferential deactivation in these same PMN. The data indicate that preferential deactivation of chemotaxis may be associated with a preferential decrease (down-regulation) of chemoattractant receptors and that nonpreferential deactivation is associated with an increase in chemoattractant receptors.     

The p55 TNF receptor mediates TNF inhibition of osteoblast differentiation independently of apoptosis

After menopause, increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) stimulates bone resorption while inhibiting differentiation of new bone-forming osteoblasts (OB). TNF receptors, p55 and p75, signal similar intracellular pathways, but only p55 activates apoptosis. To evaluate the relationship between the TNF receptor mediating inhibition of OB differentiation and the role of apoptosis, marrow stromal cells (MSC) were cultured from mice deficient in either or both receptors. Cells grown in ascorbate and beta-glycerophosphate produce alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin and mineralize matrix. Treatment of wild-type or p55(+/+)/p75(-/-) MSC with murine TNF (binds p55 and p75) or human TNF (binds only p55) inhibited OB differentiation. TNF did not inhibit OB differentiation in p55(-/-) MSC. Expression of p75 modestly attenuated sensitivity to TNF. To determine the role of apoptosis, changes in total DNA, cell viability, caspase 3, and percentage of annexin V-positive cells were measured in MSC and preosteoblastic MC3T3 cells. TNF treatment that reduced differentiation by 50% did not decrease cell viability or increase apoptosis, as determined by alamar blue reduction, trypan blue exclusion, and percentage of annexin V-positive cells. TNF increased caspase 3 activity 1.5-fold in MC3T3 and insignificantly in MSC cells compared with > 4-fold after 4 h actinomycin D. Treatment of MSC or MC3T3 cells with three caspase inhibitors failed to reverse the inhibitory effect of TNF on OB differentiation despite inhibition of caspase activity. These results suggest that the p55 receptor is essential, and p75 dispensable, for TNF inhibition of OB differentiation through a mechanism that does not require apoptosis.     

TNF-induced haptoglobin release from human neutrophils: pivotal role of the TNF p55 receptor

Haptoglobin (Hp), TNF-alpha, and neutrophils are parts of a highly interactive ensemble participating in inflammatory processes. Hp is taken up by neutrophils, stored within a cytoplasmic granular compartment, and is secreted during phagocytosis by those cells. In the present study, the effects of TNF-alpha on the release of Hp from human neutrophils were investigated. Incubation of neutrophils with TNF-alpha induced the release of Hp from cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner as revealed by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. The release of Hp induced by TNF-alpha was not due to nonspecific lysis of the cells. TNF-alpha is a highly pleiotropic cytokine that mediates its effects by binding to two distinct receptors (p55 and p75). Administration of TNF-alpha mutants binding specifically either to the p55 or to the p75 TNF receptors showed that there is a preference of TNF-alpha for the p55 receptor in the mediation of Hp release by neutrophils. A stimulated release of Hp was also induced by the chemotactic tripeptide fMLP. The TNF-alpha-induced release of Hp from neutrophils was inhibited by erbstatin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. These findings suggest that TNF-alpha may promptly increase the level of Hp at sites of infection or injury, leading to the modulation of the acute inflammatory response.     

TNFalpha elicits association of PI 3-kinase with the p60TNFR and activation of PI 3-kinase in adherent neutrophils

Tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) is an incomplete secretagogue in neutrophils and requires the engagement of beta integrins to trigger secretion of superoxide anion (O(-)(2)). The p60 TNF receptor (p60TNFR) is responsible for signal transduction for activation of O(-)(2) generation. Activation of TNFalpha-triggered O(-)(2) generation in neutrophils adherent to fibrinogen-coated surfaces involves the beta2 integrin receptor CD11b/CD18. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) is essential for activation of O(-)(2) generation; wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI 3-kinase, inhibited TNFalpha-elicited O(-)(2) generation. p60TNFR immunoprecipitated from neutrophils was associated with immunoreactivity to PI 3-kinase in adherent neutrophils exposed to TNFalpha, but not in TNFalpha-treated neutrophils in suspension. In addition, PI 3-kinase immunoprecipitated from TNFalpha-activated neutrophils showed enhanced activity in adherent but not in nonadherent neutrophils. These findings suggest that synergism between CD11b/CD18 and p60TNFR in the presence of TNFalpha is required to elicit assembly of a signaling complex involving association of p60TNFR with PI 3-kinase, activation of PI 3-kinase, and generation of O(-)(2).     

TNF-Induced shedding of TNF receptors in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: role of the 55-kDa TNF receptor and involvement of a membrane-bound and non-matrix metalloproteinase

A down-modulation of both the 55-kDa (TNF-R55) and the 75-kDa (TNF-R75) TNF receptors is observed in neutrophils exposed to a variety of stimuli. Proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular region of both receptors (shedding) and, with TNF, internalization of TNF-R55 and shedding of TNF-R75 are the proposed mechanisms. We have characterized the TNF-induced shedding of TNF receptors in neutrophils and determined the nature of the involved proteinase. Neutrophils exposed to TNF release both TNF receptors. A release of TNF receptors comparable to that observed with TNF was induced with TNF-R55-specific reagents (mAbs and a mutant of TNF) but not with the corresponding TNF-R75-specific reagents. A hydroxamic acid compound (KB8301) almost completely inhibited shedding of TNF-R55 and to a lesser degree shedding of TNF-R75. KB8301 also inhibited FMLP-induced shedding to a similar extent. Shedding was also inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline, but this effect was considered nonspecific as the compound, at variance with KB8301, almost completely inhibited TNF and FMLP-induced PMN activation. Diisopropylfluorophosphate partially inhibited shedding of TNF-R75, suggesting the contribution of a serine proteinase to the release of this receptor. Shedding activity was not affected by matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors nor was it released in the supernatants of FMLP-stimulated neutrophils. These results suggest that TNF induces release of its receptors, that such a release is mediated via TNF-R55, and that a membrane-bound and non-matrix metalloproteinase is involved in the process. The possibility that ADAM-17, which we show to be expressed in neutrophils, might be the involved proteinase is discussed.     

cAMP and human neutrophil chemotaxis. Elevation of cAMP differentially affects chemotactic responsiveness.

Neutrophils (PMN) treated with cAMP elevating agents were evaluated for their chemotactic responsiveness to FMLP and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). PGE1 and isoproterenol, increased PMN cyclic AMP production and inhibited chemotaxis to both FMLP and LTB4. In contrast, forskolin, which activates adenylate cyclase directly, inhibited chemotaxis to FMLP but not to LTB4. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), was required for inhibition of PMN chemotaxis to FMLP by forskolin, PGE1, and isoproterenol. Isoproterenol and PGE1 inhibited PMN chemotaxis to LTB4 in the absence of IBMX and chemotaxis was further inhibited in the presence of IBMX. PMN cAMP levels were stimulated 2- to 3-fold with isoproterenol, 6- to 10-fold with PGE1, and 5- to 7-fold with forskolin over basal levels in the presence of IBMX. These observations demonstrate that total cellular cAMP concentration is not correlated with inhibition of PMN chemotaxis to all stimuli; forskolin, which increased cyclic AMP 5- to 7-fold over basal levels, did not inhibit chemotaxis to LTB4, whereas isoproterenol, which increased cyclic AMP only 2- to 3-fold over basal levels, inhibited chemotaxis to LTB4. PMN cAMP extrusion was determined under basal conditions and in the presence of PGE1, isoproterenol, or forskolin. PMN extruded cAMP under all conditions examined.     

Removal of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte surface sialic acid inhibits reexpression (or recycling) of formyl peptide receptors. A possible explanation for its effect on formyl peptide-induced polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis

Removal of surface sialic acid specifically inhibits human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotactic responses to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). Neuraminidase-treated (NT)-PMN bound and internalized [3H]FMLP (used as receptor marker) as well as normal PMN. NT-PMN, however, retained more [3H]FMLP-associated radioactivity than normal PMN. Subcellular fractionation studies demonstrated that NT-PMN retained more sedimentable (100,000 X G for 180 min) [3H]FMLP-associated radioactivity within light Golgi-containing fractions than normal PMN. Furthermore, NT-PMN exhibited a defect in their ability to reexpress (or recycle) a population of FMLP receptors. Abnormal receptor recycling was associated with inhibition of FMLP-induced PMN chemotaxis. Thus, it appears that recycling of formyl peptide receptors may be necessary for optimal PMN chemotactic responses to FMLP. We postulate that removal of PMN surface sialic acid inhibits FMLP-induced PMN chemotaxis by blocking the reexpression (or recycling) of a population of formyl peptide receptors, perhaps by preventing trafficking of desialated receptors through a light Golgi pathway.     

Loss of lymphotoxin-alpha but not tumor necrosis factor-alpha reduces atherosclerosis in mice.

Inflammatory processes are involved with all phases of atherosclerotic lesion growth. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is an inflammatory cytokine that is thought to contribute to lesion development. Lymphotoxin-alpha (LTalpha) is also a proinflammatory cytokine with homology to TNFalpha. However, its presence or function in lesion development has not been investigated. To study the role of these molecules in atherosclerosis, the expression of these cytokines in atherosclerotic lesions was examined. The presence of both cytokines was observed within aortic sinus fatty streak lesions. To determine the function of these molecules in regulating lesion growth, mice deficient for TNFalpha or LTalpha were examined for induction of atherosclerosis. Surprisingly, loss of TNFalpha did not alter lesion development compared with wild-type mice. This brings doubt to the generally held concept that TNFalpha is a "proatherogenic cytokine." However, LTalpha deficiency resulted in a 62% reduction in lesion size. This demonstrates an unexpected role for LTalpha in promoting lesion growth. The presence of LTalpha was observed in aortic sinus lesions suggesting a direct role of LTalpha in modulating lesion growth. To determine which receptor mediated these responses, diet-induced atherosclerosis in mice deficient for each of the TNF receptors, termed p55 and p75, was examined. Results demonstrated that loss of p55 resulted in increased lesion development, but loss of p75 did not alter lesion size. The disparity in results between ligand- and receptor-deficient mice suggests there are undefined members of the TNF ligand and receptor signaling pathway involved with regulating atherogenesis.     

Role of tumor necrosis factor receptors in regulating CD8 T-cell responses during acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection

The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in regulating various phases of the antiviral T-cell response is incompletely understood. Additionally, despite strong evidence ascribing a role for TNF in protecting against T-cell-dependent autoimmunity, the underlying mechanisms are still obscure. To address these issues, we have investigated the role of tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) I (p55R) and II (p75R) in regulating CD8 T-cell responses to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) with wild-type, p55R-deficient (p55(-/-)), p75R-deficient (p75(-/-)), and p55R- and p75R-deficient (DKO) mice. Loss of p55R increased the number of memory CD8 T cells to only one of the two immunodominant epitopes, and p75R deficiency had a minimal impact on the T-cell response to LCMV. Strikingly, deficiency of both p55R and p75R had a more dramatic effect on the LCMV-specific CD8 T-cell response; in the DKO mice, as a sequel to enhanced expansion and a reduction in contraction of CD8 T cells, there was a substantial increase in the number of memory CD8 T cells (specific to the two immunodominant epitopes). While the majority of LCMV-specific memory CD8 T cells in wild-type mice were CD62Lhi CCR7hi (central memory), a major proportion of memory CD8 T cells in DKO mice were CD62Llo CCR7hi. TNFR deficiency did not affect the proliferative renewal of memory CD8 T cells. Taken together, these data suggested that TNFRs p55R and p75R have overlapping roles in downregulating CD8 T-cell responses and establishment of immune homeostasis during an acute viral infection.     

The effect of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) muteins on human neutrophils in vitro

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated as an important inflammatory mediator. In vitro, TNF-alpha is reported to activate human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), inducing responses such as phagocytic activity, degranulation and oxidative metabolism. Biological responses to TNF-alpha are initiated by its binding to specific cell surface receptors, and various studies have shown that the major TNF receptor species on PMN is the 75 kDa receptor. To verify the suggestion that the receptor binding domain includes the region close to the N-terminus of the TNF-alpha molecule, four TNF-alpha derivatives termed muteins were constructed, using a synthetic cDNA fragment substituting the N-terminal 3-7 selected hydrophilic or hydrophobic amino acids in the original TNF-alpha genomic DNA. Binding of muteins to PMN was assessed using monoclonal antibodies recognizing either the 55 kDa (p55) or the 75 kDa (p75) TNF receptor subtypes. Blocking by muteins of anti-p75 antibody binding to PMN was as expected from their N-terminal amino acid composition and hydrophilic properties. Hydrophilic muteins competed well with anti-TNF receptor antibodies for binding to the p75 receptor. In contrast, hydrophobic muteins were unable to block anti-p75 binding. Similarly, degranulation, chemiluminescence or enhancement of the PMN response to specific stimuli by the muteins correlated with the hydrophilic properties of the muteins. The significance of these observations in relation to the molecular structure of TNF-alpha is discussed.     

In situ localization of TNFalpha/beta,TACE and TNF receptors TNF-R1 and TNF-R2 in control and LPS-treated lung tissue

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been implicated in several infectious and inflammatory lung diseases. Two closely related variants, TNFalpha and TNFbeta, elicit various cellular responses via two distinct TNF receptors, the 55-kDa TNF-R1 and the 75-kDa TNF-R2. Recently, a TNFalpha-converting enzyme (TACE) was described, which cleaves and releases the membrane-bound TNFalpha. In the present study in normal rat and human lung tissue, the constitutive expression of TNFalpha/beta, TACE and TNF-R1/R2 was investigated by immunohistochemical techniques. In addition, TNFalpha and TNFbeta mRNA were localized by in situ hybridization. Both TNFalpha and TNFbeta were detected in various lung cell types. Expression of TNFalpha was particularly prominent in bronchial epithelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, next to alveolar macrophages. Both in situ hybridization for TNFalpha message and TACE immunostaining matched this expression profile. TNFbeta-so far only known to be produced by lymphocytes-was demonstrated in alveolar macrophages, bronchial epithelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells at the protein and the message level. Both TNF receptors were detected, with TNF-R1 being prominent on bronchial epithelial cells and endothelial cells, and TNF-R2 being expressed by nearly all cell types. Following LPS stimulation in isolated rat lungs TNFalpha/beta signal intensity was largely reduced due to liberation of stored TNFalpha/beta, while TACE immunoreactivity remained unchanged or was enhanced, demonstrating increased TNF generation.We conclude that both TNFalpha and TNFbeta are constitutively expressed by several non-leukocytic cell types in the human and rat lung. In concert with the expression of TACE and the TNF receptors R1 and R2, this finding suggests in addition to the known role of the TNF system in inflammation physiological functions of the TNF system in different compartments of the adult lung, with the vasculature and the bronchial tissue being of particular interest in addition to the leukocyte/macrophage populations.     

Deactivation of guinea pig pulmonary alveolar macrophage responses to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine: chemotaxis, superoxide generation, and binding

Incubation of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) with the synthetic chemotactic tripeptide, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) results in deactivation of PAM chemotaxis. The chemotactic response to 10(-8) M FMLP was inhibited 85% after 30 min of preincubation with 10(-6) M FMLP and 48% by 10(-8) M FMLP. Only the higher dose of FMLP (10(-6) M) caused deactivation of the chemotactic response to C5a (20%). Preincubation with partially purified C5a at a concentration of 100 microliter/ml produced a 32% inhibition of the PAM response to 10(-8) M FMLP. In contrast, preincubation with FMLP had no significant effect on superoxide generation, either at baseline or after stimulation. Levels of intracellular cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) increased in response to PGE1 in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, but FMLP failed to induce a change in cAMP levels. Studies of 3H-FMLP binding were consistent with two populations of membrane receptors with different affinities. Preincubation of PAM with FMLP did not result in a reduction of maximal binding. We conclude that FMLP induces deactivation of PAM chemotaxis, but cross-deactivation occurs only after high dose treatment. Unlike the PMN, macrophage chemotactic activation is not accompanied by an elevation in cAMP levels. These observations suggest that PAM chemotaxis is influenced by prior exposure to chemotactic stimuli, but other aspects of the PAM response diverge from that of PMN. The mechanism of deactivation of PAM does not appear to result from a shift in the dose-response curve or decreased availability of membrane receptors, but may involve uncoupling of post-receptor cellular responses.     

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) protects resistant C57BL/6 mice against herpes simplex virus-induced encephalitis independently of signaling via TNF receptor 1 or 2

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a multifunctional cytokine that has a role in induction and regulation of host innate and adaptive immune responses. The importance of TNF antiviral mechanisms is reflected by the diverse strategies adopted by different viruses, particularly members of the herpesvirus family, to block TNF responses. TNF binds and signals through two receptors, Tnfrsf1a (TNF receptor 1 [TNFR1], or p55) and Tnfrsf1b (TNFR2, or p75). We report here that herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection of TNF-/- mice on the resistant C57BL/6 genetic background results in significantly increased susceptibility (P < 0.0001, log rank test) to fatal HSV encephalitis (HSE) and prolonged persistence of elevated levels of virus in neural tissues. In contrast, although virus titers in neural tissues of p55-/- N13 mice were elevated to levels comparable to what was found for the TNF-/- mice, the p55-/- N13 mice were as resistant as control C57BL/6 mice (P > 0.05). The incidence of fatal HSE was significantly increased by in vivo neutralization of TNF using soluble TNFR1 (sTNFR1) or depletion of macrophages in C57BL/6 mice (P = 0.0038 and P = 0.0071, respectively). Strikingly, in vivo neutralization of TNF in HSV-1-infected p55-/- p75-/- mice by use of three independent approaches (treatment with soluble p55 receptor, anti-TNF monoclonal antibody, or in vivo small interfering RNA against TNF) resulted in significantly increased mortality rates (P = 0.005), comparable in magnitude to those for C57BL/6 mice treated with sTNFR1 (P = 0.0018). Overall, these results indicate that while TNF is required for resistance to fatal HSE, both p55 and p75 receptors are dispensable. Precisely how TNF mediates protection against HSV-1 mortality in p55-/- p75-/- mice remains to be determined.     

Collagen-binding motif peptide, a cleavage product of osteopontin, stimulates human neutrophil chemotaxis via pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein-mediated signaling

The collagen-binding motif (CBM) peptide, a cleavage product of osteopontin (OPN), stimulated intracellular calcium increase in human neutrophils. CBM peptide-stimulated calcium was inhibited by pertussis toxin (PTX), suggesting the influence of PTX-sensitive G-proteins. In addition CBM peptide stimulated the chemotactic migration of human neutrophils and human monocytes. CBM peptide-induced neutrophil chemotaxis was completely inhibited by PTX, once again indicating the influence of Gi proteins. CBM peptide was also found to induce mitogen activated protein kinase activation. CBM peptide-induced neutrophil chemotaxis was mediated by p38 kinase as well as an extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase. Taken together, the results suggest that a cleavage product of OPN, CBM peptide, initiates immune responses by inducing neutrophil trafficking via certain PTX-sensitive cell surface receptors.