Glucocorticoids inhibit cytokine-mediated eosinophil survival

Glucocorticoids characteristically induce eosinopenia in vivo and are effective for treating allergic and other eosinophilic disorders. We studied the effect of glucocorticoids on cytokine-induced survival of human eosinophils in vitro. Eosinophils were purified from normal or mildly atopic volunteers by Percoll density gradient and incubated for 4 days in the presence of cytokine plus steroid. Cell viabilities were determined by staining cells with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. In the absence of glucocorticoids, human rIL-5 enhanced eosinophil survival in a dose-dependent manner, from 22 fM for a minimal effect to 2200 fM for maximal effect. When eosinophils were cultured with a submaximal concentration of rIL-5 (220 fM), dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone inhibited eosinophil survival in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition was time-dependent and required at least 2 days' exposure of eosinophils to dexamethasone. Dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone at 1000 nM inhibited survival by 88 +/- 2, 66 +/- 9 and 37 +/- 7%. In contrast, estradiol and testosterone (1000 nM) had no effect on eosinophil survival. When eosinophils were incubated with varying concentrations of human rIL-5 and 1000 nM dexamethasone, survival inhibition was reduced at higher concentrations of human rIL-5, and completely abolished by human rIL-5 23,000 fM. Human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage CSF, human rIL-3, and human rIFN-gamma also enhanced eosinophil survival in a dose-dependent manner and dexamethasone (1000 nM) strongly inhibited cell survival when submaximal concentrations of these cytokines were used. The effects of dexamethasone were reversed by higher concentrations of granulocyte-macrophage CSF (10 U/ml) and IL-3 (3 ng/ml). However, even 1000 U/ml IFN-gamma did not overcome dexamethasone inhibition, indicating a difference between the mechanism of eosinophil survival induced by IFN-gamma and other cytokines. These results suggest that glucocorticoids exert a direct, inhibitory effect on eosinophil survival, which may be important in the treatment of allergic and other eosinophilic disorders. Antagonism of this effect by higher amounts of cytokine may be a mechanism for glucocorticoid resistance.     

Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 mediate the adhesion of eosinophils to endothelial cells in vitro and are expressed by endothelium in allergic cutaneous inflammation in vivo.

We have compared the adhesion of 51Cr-labeled eosinophils and neutrophils to cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell (EC) monolayers that have been stimulated with IL-1, TNF, or LPS. Each agent stimulated the adhesion to EC of both eosinophils and neutrophils in a similar dose- and time-dependent manner. F(ab')2 fragments of mAb 1.2B6 (anti-endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule (ELAM)-1) and mAb 6.5B5 (anti-intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1) each inhibited partially, and to a similar extent, eosinophil and neutrophil adhesion to EC monolayers prestimulated with TNF (10 ng/ml) for 6 h. Greater inhibition of both eosinophil and neutrophil adhesion was achieved by combining the effects of mAb 1.2B6 with either mAb 6.5B5 or mAb TS1/18 (anti-CD18). These observations indicate that both ELAM-1 and ICAM-1 are involved in the adhesion of eosinophils and neutrophils to EC stimulated with TNF. In order to determine whether these molecules are expressed in vivo during allergen-induced late phase allergic responses in the skin, human skin biopsies were examined at 6 h after Ag or saline challenge with the use of an alkaline phosphatase-staining technique. Both ELAM-1 and ICAM-1 were expressed with greater intensities in Ag-challenged biopsies, suggesting that these molecules may be involved in granulocyte recruitment in vivo. The similarities we have established between mechanisms of eosinophil and neutrophil adhesion to cytokine-stimulated EC suggests that factors other than differential leukocyte-EC adhesion may be responsible for the selective accumulation of eosinophils at sites of allergic inflammation.     

The differential effect of dexamethasone on granulocyte apoptosis involves stabilization of Mcl-1L in neutrophils but not in eosinophils

In the absence of activation signals, circulating human neutrophils and eosinophils undergo spontaneous apoptosis. The glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) accelerates apoptosis in inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, but uniquely delays neutrophil apoptosis. Corresponding to the opposite effects of Dex on granulocyte apoptosis, we demonstrate that in neutrophils and eosinophils Dex oppositely affects expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Mcl-1L. Mcl-1L expression declines over time in vitro; however, Dex maintains Mcl-1L expression in neutrophils. In contrast, Dex accelerates Mcl-1L protein loss in eosinophils. Neither Mcl-1S, a pro-apoptotic splice variant, nor Bax were affected. Dex treatment in the presence of a translation inhibitor stabilized existing Mcl-1L protein in neutrophils, while Mcl-1L stability in eosinophils was unaffected. Accordingly, delay of neutrophil apoptosis by Dex was prevented by antisense Mcl-1L siRNA. Our findings suggest that regulation of Mcl-1L degradation plays an important role in the opposite effects of Dex on granulocyte apoptosis.     

Excretory-secretory product of newly excysted metacercariae of Paragonimus westermani directly induces eosinophil apoptosis

Eosinophils are important effector cells in host defense against parasites. Excretory-secretory product (ESP) produced by helminthic worms plays important roles in the uptake of nutrients, migration in the host tissue, and in immune modulation. However, little is known about the ability of the ESP to directly trigger eosinophil apoptosis. This study investigated whether the ESP of newly excysted metacercariae of Paragonimus westermani could induce apoptosis in human eosinophils. Apoptosis was assayed by staining the cells with FITC-annexin V, and the cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. It was found that the ESP of newly excysted metacercariae of P. westermani induced a direct time- and concentration-dependent increase in the rate of constitutive apoptosis in mature human eosinophils. Eosinophil apoptosis was first apparent 3 hr after treatment with the ESP and continued to increase after 6 hr of incubation with respect to the cells cultured in the absence of the ESP. While only 2.8% of the eosinophils incubated in the medium for 3 hr were apoptotic, 7.6%, 10.9% and 22.6% of the eosinophils treated with 10, 30 and 100 micrograms/ml ESP were apoptotic, respectively. This result suggests that the ESP of newly excysted metacercariae of P. westermani directly induce eosinophil apoptosis, which may be important for the survival of the parasites and the reduction of eosinophilic inflammation in vivo.     

Extremely rapid and intense induction of apoptosis in human eosinophils by anti-CD30 antibody treatment in vitro

Apoptosis is an important cellular mechanism for controlling cell viability and proliferation. With respect to eosinophils, cytokines prolong their survival, whereas corticosteroids reduce their survival in vitro. CD30, a member of the TNFR family, is expressed on the surface of many cell types, including Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. CD30 is capable of inducing apoptosis after Ab treatment in some cell lines. To determine whether this surface structure is involved in apoptosis of human eosinophils, we examined its expression and the effect of anti-CD30 Ab treatment on the viability of eosinophils. Purified human eosinophils expressed low, but consistently detectable, levels of CD30. Immobilized, but not soluble, forms of anti-CD30 Abs (HRS-4 and Ber-H8) or recombinant mouse CD30 ligand exhibited an extremely rapid and intense survival-reducing effect on the eosinophils in the presence of exogenous IL-5; this effect was both concentration and time dependent. Furthermore, high concentrations of IL-5 could not reverse the reduced survival rates. After treatment with anti-CD30 Ab, gel electrophoresis of DNA extracted from the eosinophils demonstrated changes consistent with apoptosis. The immobilized F(ab')(2) of the anti-CD30 Ab failed to induce eosinophil apoptosis. The addition of anti-CD18 Ab also completely abrogated the induction of eosinophil apoptosis. Further examination using specific signal transduction inhibitors suggested the involvement of p38, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2, and specific tyrosine kinase, but not NF-kappaB, in the induction of CD30-mediated eosinophil apoptosis. These data demonstrate that CD30 can modify eosinophil survival by causing an extremely rapid and intense induction of apoptosis through a tightly regulated intracellular signaling pathway.     

N-Glycans differentially regulate eosinophil and neutrophil recruitment during allergic airway inflammation

Allergic airway inflammation, including asthma, is usually characterized by the predominant recruitment of eosinophils. However, neutrophilia is also prominent during severe exacerbations. Cell surface-expressed glycans play a role in leukocyte trafficking and recruitment during inflammation. Here, the involvement of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:α-6-D-mannoside β1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (MGAT5)-modified N-glycans in eosinophil and neutrophil recruitment during allergic airway inflammation was investigated. Allergen-challenged Mgat5-deficient (Mgat5(-/-)) mice exhibited significantly attenuated airway eosinophilia and inflammation (decreased Th2 cytokines, mucus production) compared with WT counterparts, attributable to decreased rolling, adhesion, and survival of Mgat5(-/-) eosinophils. Interestingly, allergen-challenged Mgat5(-/-) mice developed airway neutrophilia and increased airway reactivity with persistent elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17A, TNFα, IFNγ)). This increased neutrophil recruitment was also observed in LPS- and thioglycollate (TG)-induced inflammation in Mgat5(-/-) mice. Furthermore, there was significantly increased recruitment of infused Mgat5(-/-) neutrophils compared with WT neutrophils in the peritoneal cavity of TG-exposed WT mice. Mgat5(-/-) neutrophils demonstrated enhanced adhesion to P-selectin as well as increased migration toward keratinocyte-derived chemokine compared with WT neutrophils in vitro along with increased calcium mobilization upon activation and expression of elevated levels of CXCR2, which may contribute to the increased neutrophil recruitment. These data indicate an important role for MGAT5-modified N-glycans in differential regulation of eosinophil and neutrophil recruitment during allergic airway inflammation.     

Effects of IFN on human eosinophils in comparison with other cytokines. A novel class of eosinophil activators with delayed onset of action.

Extracellular killing is regarded as one of the main functions of eosinophils. Therefore, a cytotoxicity assay against antibody-coated Daudi-lymphoma cells was established to measure cytokine effects on peripheral blood eosinophils from healthy volunteers. Optimal time of exposure to cytokines and half optimal concentrations (EC50) were determined and the capability of various cytokines to enhance cytotoxicity of eosinophils was compared. Thus, after 24 h with cytokine, the highest activation of eosinophils was observed with recombinant human rhIFN-gamma (EC50 = 0.2 U/ml), followed by the known activators of eosinophils recombinant human granulocyte/macrophage CSF (rhGM-CSF), rhIL-3, and murine IL-5 (mIL-5). rhIFN-alpha and natural human IFN-beta (nhIFN-beta) enhanced cytotoxicity as well. On the other hand, in short term assays, eosinophils were not stimulated by IFN and the strongest stimulator was rhGM-CSF (EC50 = 0.2 U/ml), followed by rhIL-3, mIL-5, rhTNF, and rhIL-4. With rhTNF-alpha enhancement was more pronounced on freshly isolated eosinophils (EC50 = 0.6 U/ml) and declined with time. No significant stimulation was detected with rhG-CSF, rhIL-1 beta, rhIL-2, rhIL-6, and rhIL-8. On neutrophils, rhIL-8 enhanced cytotoxicity, but the stimulation was weak in relation to other neutrophil activators. Studies on the mechanism of cytotoxic activity revealed that cytotoxicity required opsonization of targets with specific antibody. FMF analysis was performed demonstrating that freshly isolated eosinophils express Fc-gamma RII (CD32), small amounts of Fc-gamma RIII (CD16), but not Fc-gamma RI (CD64). In experiments with blocking antibodies to Fc-gamma R cytotoxicity was restricted to Fc-gamma RII. Expression of Fc-gamma RII was not enhanced by rhGM-CSF, rhTNF-alpha, and mIL-5, but a significant increase in the number of positive cells was observed after incubation with rhIFN-gamma for 24 h (p less than 0.05). In addition, enhanced viability of eosinophils was observed when cultured in the presence of rhIFN-gamma, rhIFN-alpha, rhGM-CSF, and rhTNF-alpha, but not of rhG-CSF and rhIL-2. Thus, IFN appear to be another class of activators of eosinophils, characterized by their delayed type of action.     

Human endothelial cells prolong eosinophil survival. Regulation by cytokines and glucocorticoids

Many recent studies have established the eosinophil as an active proinflammatory participant in a variety of disease states, most notably in allergic and helminthic disorders. In order to understand the effector role of eosinophils, factors which promote a selective eosinophilic infiltrate must be delineated. Eosinophil adherence to vascular endothelium is the first step in the formation of such an infiltrate. However, studies thus far have failed to identify factors which selectively activate the adherence of eosinophils. We have therefore speculated that the selective enrichment of eosinophils may result from nonselective recruitment of several leukocyte types combined with the production of local factors that promote the survival of eosinophils and not of other cells. We report that endothelial cell-conditioned medium selectively prolongs eosinophil survival up to 6 days in culture in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Stimulation of human vascular endothelial cells with IL-1 caused an increase in the generation of eosinophil survival-promoting activity, whereas stimulation with platelet-activating factor did not. Supernatants from human vascular endothelial cells cultured for 48 h in the presence of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, were less active in promoting eosinophil survival than control supernatants. These results suggest that factors produced locally in the vascular microenvironment may selectively promote eosinophil survival and may be under the regulation of cytokines and glucocorticoids.     

Glucocorticoids inhibit eosinophil responses to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

The role of the eosinophil as an active proinflammatory cell in asthma and other allergic disorders has been well established. Glucocorticosteroids have long been used therapeutically as antiinflammatory agents in a variety of disease states where eosinophilia is a prominent feature. Although glucocorticoids are known to reduce tissue and circulating eosinophil numbers, the mechanisms by which they do so have not been clearly elucidated. Culture of eosinophils in vascular endothelial cell supernatants (VEC SUP) induces phenotypic and functional changes and prolongs the survival of the eosinophils. The survival-promoting activity in VEC SUP was shown to be granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) by neutralization with specific antibody. The potent glucocorticosteroid, dexamethasone (DEX), inhibited the prolongation of eosinophil survival caused by culture in either VEC SUP or human rGM-CSF. DEX (10(-6) M) exerted a direct survival-inhibitory effect on the eosinophil by the 4th day in culture in VEC SUP. This survival-inhibitory effect was dependent on the concentration of DEX (10(-10)-10(-6) M). Other glucocorticoids, including prednisolone (10(-7), 10(-6) M) and hydrocortisone (10(-7), 10(-6) M) also inhibited survival. The rank order of potency of the steroids indicates that this effect is mediated by a glucocorticoid receptor. This conclusion is supported by the failure of the sex steroids testosterone (10(-8)-10(-6) M) or beta-estradiol (10(-6) M) to inhibit eosinophil survival in the presence of VEC SUP. The effect of glucocorticoids on eosinophils is not a simple direct toxic effect because it was reversed by higher concentrations of GM-CSF. DEX shifted the GM-CSF dose-response curve for survival approximately fivefold to the right. GM-CSF induced a shift in eosinophil buoyant density which was partially blocked by DEX. These results suggest that glucocorticoids may inhibit elements of cytokine "priming" of eosinophils and that the eosinophilopenic effects of glucocorticoids may result in part from a direct effect on the eosinophil within a regulatory system involving cytokines.     

Ligation of Fc gamma RII (CD32) pivotally regulates survival of human eosinophils

The low-affinity IgG Fc receptor, FcgammaRII (CD32), mediates various effector functions of lymphoid and myeloid cells and is the major IgG Fc receptor expressed by human eosinophils. We investigated whether FcgammaRII regulates both cell survival and death of human eosinophils. When cultured in vitro without growth factors, most eosinophils undergo apoptosis within 96 h. Ligation of FcgammaRII by anti-CD32 mAb in solution inhibited eosinophil apoptosis and prolonged survival in the absence of growth factors. Cross-linking of human IgG bound to FcgammaRII by anti-human IgG Ab or of unoccupied FcgammaRII by aggregated human IgG also prolonged eosinophil survival. The enhanced survival with anti-CD32 mAb was inhibited by anti-granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) mAb, suggesting that autocrine production of GM-CSF by eosinophils mediated survival. In fact, mRNA for GM-CSF was detected in eosinophils cultured with anti-CD32 mAb. In contrast to mAb or ligands in solution, anti-CD32 mAb or human IgG, when immobilized onto tissue culture plates, facilitated eosinophil cell death even in the presence of IL-5. Cell death induced by these immobilized ligands was accompanied by DNA fragmentation and was inhibited when eosinophil beta2 integrin was blocked by anti-CD18 mAb, suggesting that beta2 integrins play a key role in initiating eosinophil apoptosis. Thus, FcgammaRII may pivotally regulate both survival and death of eosinophils, depending on the manner of receptor ligation and beta2 integrin involvement. Moreover, the FcgammaRII could provide a novel mechanism to control the number of eosinophils at inflammation sites in human diseases.