甲氨蝶呤诱导巨噬细胞M1极化促进骨肉瘤细胞凋亡的实验研究

目的:探讨甲氨蝶呤诱导巨噬细胞分化情况和分化后巨噬细胞对骨肉瘤细胞凋亡的影响。方法:采用甲氨蝶呤刺激小鼠单核巨噬细胞RAW264.7细胞24小时后,使用流式、免疫荧光等技术检测M1型巨噬细胞标志物CD86、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(Inducible nitric oxide synthase,i NOS)的表达量,并以脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide, LPS)诱导巨噬细胞极化为阳性对照,未处理细胞为阴性对照,评估甲氨蝶呤的诱导效果。将经甲氨蝶呤刺激的巨噬细胞与骨肉瘤细胞K7共培养,使用流式技术检测骨肉瘤细胞K7凋亡程度。结果:一定剂量的甲氨蝶呤作用于小鼠单核巨噬细胞后,可以显著上调M1型巨噬细胞的标志物CD86、i NOS,上调程度与LPS组相当。与脂多糖诱导巨噬细胞极化类似,甲氨喋呤可以激活NF-κB。经甲氨蝶呤刺激后的巨噬细胞可以促进骨肉瘤细胞的凋亡。结论:甲氨蝶呤诱导向M1型分化的巨噬细胞可以促进骨肉瘤细胞的凋亡。     

两种PMA诱导方案对THP-1巨噬细胞M1和M2亚型相关基因表达的影响

佛波酯诱导THP-1单核细胞系分化为巨噬细胞的模型广泛被使用,目前主要使用高、低浓度两种方案,其是否对M1和M2亚型相关基因的表达有影响鲜有报道。该研究比较了两种常用佛波酯方案对THP-1细胞分化为巨噬细胞及进一步极化为M1和M2亚型过程后相关标志基因的表达情况。结果表明,高浓度佛波酯方案增强M0细胞白介素-1β、肿瘤坏死因子-α、诱导型一氧化氮合酶和甘露糖受体C1、转化生长因子-β的表达,而抑制白介素-10的表达。进一步极化为M1和M2亚型时,高浓度佛波酯方案主要增强白介素-1β,而抑制白介素-6对干扰素-γ的应答,而低浓度方案增强甘露糖受体C1、树突状细胞特异性细胞间黏附分子-3结合非整合蛋白因子对白介素-4的应答。两种佛波酯方案可诱导THP-1产生不同表型的巨噬细胞以及后续极化亚型,需根据实验目的选择合适的诱导方案。     

正常人SC细胞株分化的M1型巨噬细胞模型表征

该文以佛波酯诱导正常人单核细胞来源的SC细胞建立SC-巨噬细胞模型,并表征其形态、吞噬作用、表面标志物和炎症细胞因子分泌情况,评价SC-巨噬细胞模型是否具有典型M1型巨噬细胞表型。结果表明, SC-巨噬细胞贴壁生长,形态以圆形或椭圆形为主;具有caveolae介导的吞噬荧光微球的能力,表面标志物CD11b和LPS受体CD14较SC细胞均显著上调。加入LPS后, SC-巨噬细胞大部分呈长梭形或纺锤形,有明显的伪足,巨噬细胞成熟标志物CD80和CD86均表达上调,炎症细胞因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6和IL-8的分泌水平均显著上调,这些细胞因子的mRNA转录水平也有上调趋势。SC-巨噬细胞具有正常M1型巨噬细胞的表型特征,该研究的结论支持SC-巨噬细胞模型更为广泛地应用于科研。     

JNK通路对M2巨噬细胞极化及其肿瘤效应的影响

探究了JNK通路对M2巨噬细胞极化及M2介导的促肿瘤效应的影响。构建单核细胞THP1来源M2 巨噬细胞模型(THP1-M2),将细胞分为3组: 用PMA 诱导的未活化巨噬细胞组(M0),用PMA、IL-4处理及阴性干扰(DMSO)的M2型巨噬细胞组(M2),用特异性抑制剂阻断JNK通路的M2 型巨噬细胞组(M2-JNKI)。实时荧光定量PCR检测M2 表型marker基因的表达;免疫蛋白印迹法检测M2 表型marker蛋白水平;细胞划痕试验检测巨噬细胞迁移能力;流式细胞数检测786O及OSRC2凋亡。结果与THP1-M2组相比,阻断JNK通路的M2组M2表型marker表达明显下降,同时其细胞迁移能力也呈下降趋势。且阻断JNK通路后,M2巨噬细胞抑制肾癌细胞凋亡的能力减弱。结果表明,抑制JNK通路后,M2巨噬细胞极化状态受损,其促肿瘤效应可转变为抗肿瘤效应。     

人牙龈间充质干细胞外囊泡调控M1型巨噬细胞极化的研究

目的 分析人牙龈间充质干细胞外囊泡(human gingival mesenchymal stem cell extracellular vesicle, CMU-Egm-9-EVs)调控M1型巨噬细胞(macrophage)极化(polarization)的表型及机制。方法 通过佛波酯(PMA,100 nmol/L)作用人单核细胞系THP-1构建M0极化模型，设立空白对照组、EVs-PKH26组、CMU-Egm-9-Evs浓度递增组(20、40、80、160、320μg/mL)、CMU-Egm-9-Evs组(10μg/mL)、LPS组(100 ng/mL)与共同作用组(CMU-Egm-9-Evs、10μg/mL+100 ng/mL LPS、100 ng/mL),作用48 h后，激光共聚焦检测巨噬细胞吞噬外囊泡；ELISA检测细胞因子TNF-α含量；Western blot检测巨噬细胞炎症相关蛋白iNOS、IL-6、ARG-1等表达；RT-qPCR检测TNF-α、IL-1β、iNOS基因表达。结果 巨噬细胞可吞噬CMU-Egm-9-Evs。与空白对照组相比，高浓度CMU-Egm-9-E...     

烟草诱导的M2型巨噬细胞对肺癌细胞侵袭转移的影响

为探究烟草提取物(cigarette smoke extract, CSE)对单核细胞THP-1的趋化作用及CSE活化后的肿瘤相关巨噬细胞(tumor-associated macrophages, TAMs)对非小细胞肺癌(non-small-cell lung cancer, NSCLC) A549和PC-9细胞侵袭迁移的影响,该文用CSE处理THP-1细胞96 h后, ELISA检测TGF-β、TNF-α、IL-10、IL-12的蛋白表达水平, qRT-PCR检测TGF-β、TNF-α、IL-10、IL-12的mRNA表达水平,流式细胞术检测CD163+的表达水平, Western blot检测p-STAT6/STAT6的蛋白表达水平。CSE活化的TAMs与NSCLC细胞共培养, Western blot检测TAMs对NSCLC细胞EMT(Ecadherin和Vimentin)的影响; Transwell检测TAMs对NSCLC细胞侵袭迁移的影响。结果显示, CSE诱导THP-1细胞的表型向M2型TAMs方向分化(TGF-β、CD163+上升, TNF-α、IL-12下降, P0.05)。pSTAT6/STAT6通路参与CSE诱导THP-1细胞的M2型转化。CSE诱导的TAMs促进NSCLC细胞发生EMT(E-cadherin下降和Vimentin上升),进而促进其侵袭迁移(P0.05)。以上结果表明, CSE通过pSTAT6/STAT6诱导THP-1发生M2型TAMs的活化,活化后的TAMs促进NSCLC细胞发生EMT和侵袭迁移。     

艾拉莫德(T-614)对巨噬细胞M1型极化的影响

[目的]研究艾拉莫德(T-614)对小鼠巨噬细胞(RAW264.7)M1型极化的影响。[方法]细胞毒性实验观察3个浓度(400 g/L,800 g/L,1 200 g/L)的T-614对RAW264.7的影响,使用LPS/IFN-γ诱导RAW264.7发生M1型分化,同时进行T-614干预。流式细胞术检测RAW264.7表面F4/80+CD86+与MHCⅡ+的比例,ELISA检测细胞中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的含量,RT-PCR检测细胞中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α、MCP-1、CD86和iNOS基因的表达,Western Blot检测细胞中MCP-1、CD86和iNOS蛋白表达水平。[结果]3个浓度T-614对未分化的巨噬细胞没有毒性;高浓度T-614降低M1巨噬细胞表面的F4/80+CD86+与MHCⅡ+比例(P<0.05),降低MCP-1、CD86和iNOS的基因表达水平与蛋白表达水平(P<0.05),降低IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α基因表达与减少IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的含量(P<0.05)。[结论]T-614能抑制RAW264.7进行M1型极化,抑制MCP-1、CD86和iNOS的表达,减少IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的形成与分泌。     

骨髓间充质干细胞培养液促进STAT3磷酸化诱导Raw264.7细胞向M2型极化

炎症性疾病的发生是当今临床医学攻克的重点。M1型巨噬细胞分泌炎症因子产生炎症,而M2型巨噬细胞分泌抑炎因子抑制炎症的发生。M1型巨噬细胞向M2型极化,则是从炎症状态转变成抑制炎症发生的状态,因此研究巨噬细胞向缓解炎症的M2型极化将有利于炎症性疾病的治疗。本研究利用骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSC)培养液处理已被脂多糖(LPS)诱导呈M1型的Raw264.7巨噬细胞,探究骨髓间充质干细胞培养液(BMSC-CM)对巨噬细胞向M2型极化的影响及其分子机制。提取来源于3周龄C57BL/6鼠的骨髓间充质干细胞;再收集BMSC-CM处理M1型的Raw264.7巨噬细胞;半定量PCR检测M1型标记基因[肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(INOS)]和M2型标记基因[精氨酸酶1(ARG-1)和转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)]mRNA表达以及白介素10(IL-10)mRNA表达水平;Western蛋白质印迹法检测信号传导及转录激活蛋白3(STAT3)和磷酸化STAT3(p-STAT3)的表达。本研究发现,经过BMSC-CM培养后的M1型的Raw264.7巨噬细胞,其M2型相关指标ARG-1和TGF-β1 mRNA水平明显上升,并且IL-10 mRNA水平和p-STAT3蛋白水平也明显上升。这些结果说明,骨髓间充质干细胞培养液通过IL-10/STAT3信号通路促进STAT3磷酸化,诱导巨噬细胞Raw264.7细胞向M2型极化。     

含patatin 样磷脂酶结构域蛋白 7 通过过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ促进巨噬细胞M2型极化

溶血磷脂酰胆碱 (LPC) 在免疫反应、组织炎症和重塑中调控巨噬细胞极化的动态和整体过程。含patatin 样磷脂酶结构域蛋白 7 (PNPLA7)是近年发现的优先水解LPC 的溶血磷脂酶。然而,直到现在仍不清楚PNPLA7在巨噬细胞极化中的表达和作用。本研究发现 ,PNPLA7 在白细胞介素 4 (IL-4) 刺激的巨噬细胞向替代激活 (M2) 表型的极化过程中上调 (P<0.05) 。本文发现,PNPLA7 的敲低和过表达分别降低和增加了M2 标记基因,包括精氨酸酶 1 (Arg1) 和类几丁质酶 3 (Ym1)的表达 (P<0.05)。进一步的研究表明,PNPLA7 在 M2 极化过程中调节过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ) 在 mRNA 和蛋白质水平上的表达 (P<0.05)。然而,信号转导和转录激活因子 6 (STAT6) 的磷酸化不受 PNPLA7 的影响。这些发现表明,PNPLA7 通过PPARγ相关机制促进巨噬细胞抗炎 M2 型极化。     

阿斯匹林对T H P-1来源巨噬细胞M M P g的表达及其活性的影响

目的：探讨阿司匹林对基质金属蛋白酶9（Matrix Metalloproteinases,MMPs）表达及其活性的影响。方法：应用MTT法观察阿司匹林对THP-1来源巨噬细胞增殖的影响;逆转录聚合酶链反应检测阿司匹林对体外培养的THP-1细胞基质金属蛋白酶9mRNA表达的影响,应用明胶酶谱法观察阿司匹林对体外培养的THP-1来源巨噬细胞基质金属蛋白酶9活性的影响。结果：与对照组相比,不同浓度的阿司匹林（150、3000、600、1200μmol／l）对THP-1采源巨噬细胞增殖无影响;不同浓度的阿司匹林可以抑制PMA诱导的THP-1细胞基质金属蛋白酶9mRNA的水平及其活性水平,且呈浓度依赖性。结论：阿司匹林可以抑制PMA诱导的THP-1巨噬细胞基质金属蛋白酶9的表达,并可能通过这一机制影响动脉粥样硬化斑块的稳定性．     

Triglyceride enhances susceptibility to TNF-α-induced cell death in THP-1 cells

Monocytes and macrophages play a major role in atherosclerosis development. Previously, we found that triglyceride (TG) promoted cell death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 macrophages. In this study, we compared the responsiveness of THP-1 monocytes and PMA-differentiated THP-1 macrophages to TNF-α-induced cell death. We found that, whereas THP-1 monocytes were TNF-α-resistant, THP-1 macrophages were sensitive to TNF-α-induced cell death. THP-1 monocytes treated with TG underwent cell death beginning at 24 h and addition of TNF-α further increased cell death. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that TG-induced differentiation of THP-1 monocytes into THP-1 macrophages, subsequently allowing sensitivity to TNF-α. To determine if TG could induce differentiation of THP-1 monocytes into THP-1 macrophages, we examined the mRNA expression levels of the macrophage-specific markers, CD11b, CD18, CD36 and CD68, by RT-PCR analysis. Our results show that expression of CD11b, CD36 and CD68 increased in TG-treated THP-1 monocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner; furthermore, TNF-α expression was upregulated in TG-treated THP-1 monocytes. We have concluded that TG induces differentiation of THP-1 monocytes into macrophages concomitant with the production of TNF-α and increased sensitivity to TNF-α-dependent cell death.     

Intimal lining layer macrophages but not synovial sublining macrophages display an IL-10 polarized-like phenotype in chronic synovitis

Introduction

Synovial tissue macrophages play a key role in chronic inflammatory arthritis, but the contribution of different macrophage subsets in this process remains largely unknown. The main in vitro polarized macrophage subsets are classically (M1) and alternatively (M2) activated macrophages, the latter comprising interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 polarized cells. Here, we aimed to evaluate the polarization status of synovial macrophages in spondyloarthritis (SpA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Expression of polarization markers on synovial macrophages, peripheral blood monocytes, and in vitro polarized monocyte-derived macrophages from SpA versus RA patients was assessed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, respectively. The polarization status of the intimal lining layer and the synovial sublining macrophages was assessed by double immunofluorescence staining.

Results

The expression of the IL-10 polarization marker cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163) was increased in SpA compared with RA intimal lining layer, but no differences were found in other M1 and M2 markers between the diseases. Furthermore, no significant phenotypic differences in monocytes and in vitro polarized monocyte-derived macrophages were seen between SpA, RA, and healthy controls, indicating that the differential CD163 expression does not reflect a preferential M2 polarization in SpA. More detailed analysis of intimal lining layer macrophages revealed a strong co-expression of the IL-10 polarization markers CD163 and cluster of differentiation 32 (CD32) but not any of the other markers in both SpA and RA. In contrast, synovial sublining macrophages had a more heterogeneous phenotype, with a majority of cells co-expressing M1 and M2 markers.

Conclusions

The intimal lining layer but not synovial sublining macrophages display an IL-10 polarized-like phenotype, with increased CD163 expression in SpA versus RA synovitis. These differences in the distribution of the polarized macrophage subset may contribute to the outcome of chronic synovitis.     

The mechanism of lncRNA-CRNDE in regulating tumour-associated macrophage M2 polarization and promoting tumour angiogenesis

M2 macrophages can promote liver cancer metastasis by promoting tumour angiogenesis; however, the mechanism underlying macrophage polarization has not been completely revealed. In this study, we mainly explored the mechanism underlying long non-coding RNA-CRNDE (lncRNA-CRNDE) in regulating M2 macrophage polarization and promoting liver cancer angiogenesis. The expression of CRNDE was up-regulated or down-regulated in THP-1 cells (CRNDE^-/--THP-1 cells and pcDNA3.1-CRNDE-THP-1). THP-1 cells were co-cultured with liver cancer cell line H22, and M2 polarization was induced in THP-1 by IL-4/13 to simulate tumour-induced macrophage polarization. As a result, after CRNDE overexpression, THP-1 cell viability was up-regulated, the expression of M2 membrane marker CD163 was up-regulated, and the proportion of F4/80 + CD163+ cells was also up-regulated. ELISA assay showed that the expression of M2 markers (including TGF-β1 and IL-10) and chemokines (including CCl22 and CCL22) was up-regulated, and the expression of key signals (including STAT6, JAK-1, p-AKT1, and Arg-1) was also up-regulated, which were significantly different compared with the control group (Con). In addition, the intervention effect of CRNDE on THP-1 was consistent between co-culture with H22 cells and IL-4/13 induction assay. The induced M2 THP-1 cells were co-cultured with HUVEC. As a result, THP-1 cells with CRNDE overexpression can promote the migration and angiogenesis of HUVEC cells in vitro and simultaneously up-regulate the expression of Notch1, Dll4 and VEGFR2, indicating that THP-1 M2 polarization induced by CRNDE could further promote angiogenesis. The H22 cell tumour-bearing mouse model was constructed, followed by injection of CRNDE anti-oligosense nucleotides and overexpression plasmids to interfere CRNDE expression in tumour-bearing tissues. Consequently, down-regulation of CRNDE could down-regulate tumour volume, simultaneously down-regulate the expression of CD163 and CD31 in tissues, decrease the expression of key proteins (including JAK-1, STAT-6, p-STAT6 and p-AKT1), and down-regulate the expression of key angiogenesis-related proteins (including VEGF, Notch1, Dll4 and VEGFR2). In this study, we found that CENDE could indirectly regulate tumour angiogenesis by promoting M2 polarization of macrophages, which is also one of the mechanisms of microenvironmental immune regulation in liver cancer.     

MicroRNA Cargo of Extracellular Vesicles from Alcohol-exposed Monocytes Signals Naive Monocytes to Differentiate into M2 Macrophages

Membrane-coated extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by cells can serve as vehicles for delivery of biological materials and signals. Recently, we demonstrated that alcohol-treated hepatocytes cross-talk with immune cells via exosomes containing microRNA (miRNAs). Here, we hypothesized that alcohol-exposed monocytes can communicate with naive monocytes via EVs. We observed increased numbers of EVs, mostly exosomes, secreted by primary human monocytes and THP-1 monocytic cells in the presence of alcohol in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. EVs derived from alcohol-treated monocytes stimulated naive monocytes to polarize into M2 macrophages as indicated by increased surface expression of CD68 (macrophage marker), M2 markers (CD206 (mannose receptor) and CD163 (scavenger receptor)), secretion of IL-10, and TGFβ and increased phagocytic activity. miRNA profiling of the EVs derived from alcohol-treated THP-1 monocytes revealed high expression of the M2-polarizing miRNA, miR-27a. Treatment of naive monocytes with control EVs overexpressing miR-27a reproduced the effect of EVs from alcohol-treated monocytes on naive monocytes and induced M2 polarization, suggesting that the effect of alcohol EVs was mediated by miR-27a. We found that miR-27a modulated the process of phagocytosis by targeting CD206 expression on monocytes. Importantly, analysis of circulating EVs from plasma of alcoholic hepatitis patients revealed increased numbers of EVs that contained high levels of miR-27a as compared with healthy controls. Our results demonstrate the following: first, alcohol increases EV production in monocytes; second, alcohol-exposed monocytes communicate with naive monocytes via EVs; and third, miR-27a cargo in monocyte-derived EVs can program naive monocytes to polarize into M2 macrophages.     

Moderate Increase of Indoxyl Sulfate Promotes Monocyte Transition into Profibrotic Macrophages

Objective

The uremic toxin Indoxyl-3-sulphate (IS), a ligand of Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR), raises in blood during early renal dysfunction as a consequence of tubular damage, which may be present even when eGFR is normal or only moderately reduced, and promotes cardiovascular damage and monocyte-macrophage activation. We previously found that patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have higher CD14⁺CD16⁺ monocyte frequency and prevalence of moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) than age-matched control subjects. Here we aimed to evaluate the IS levels in plasma from AAA patients and to investigate in vitro the effects of IS concentrations corresponding to mild-to-moderate CKD on monocyte polarization and macrophage differentiation.

Methods

Free IS plasma levels, monocyte subsets and laboratory parameters were evaluated on blood from AAA patients and eGFR-matched controls. THP-1 monocytes, treated with IS 1, 10, 20 μM were evaluated for CD163 expression, AhR signaling and then induced to differentiate into macrophages by PMA. Their phenotype was evaluated both at the stage of semi-differentiated and fully differentiated macrophages. AAA and control sera were similarly used to treat THP-1 monocytes and the resulting macrophage phenotype was analyzed.

Results

IS plasma concentration correlated positively with CD14⁺CD16⁺ monocytes and was increased in AAA patients. In THP-1 cells, IS promoted CD163 expression and transition to macrophages with hallmarks of classical (IL-6, CCL2, COX2) and alternative phenotype (IL-10, PPARγ, TGF-β, TIMP-1), via AhR/Nrf2 activation. Analogously, AAA sera induced differentiation of macrophages with enhanced IL-6, MCP1, TGF-β, PPARγ and TIMP-1 expression.

Conclusion

IS skews monocyte differentiation toward low-inflammatory, profibrotic macrophages and may contribute to sustain chronic inflammation and maladaptive vascular remodeling.     

S-亚硝基-N-乙酰-DL-青霉胺对RAW264.7巨噬细胞亚型分化的影响

目的:探讨S-亚硝基-N-乙酰-DL-青霉胺(SNAP)对巨噬细胞亚型分化的影响及其机制。方法:以RAW264.7巨噬细胞为研究对象,分为空白对照组、SNAP组、SNAP+PBA(4-苯基丁酸)组,采用不同浓度(30、100、300、400、500μmol/L)的SNAP或300μmol/L SNAP+20 mmol/L PBA对巨噬细胞进行干预24 h,应用RT-PCR法检测RAW264.7巨噬细胞亚型分化标志物M1(iNOS,CD86)、M2(Arg-I,MR)及CHOP mRNA的表达,应用Western blot技术检测iNOS及ERS通路中相关蛋白CHOP、P-PERK的表达。结果:与空白对照组比较,SNAP组iNOS、CD86、CHOPmRNA的表达均明显降低(P0.05),Arg-ImRNA表达明显升高(P0.05),而MR mRNA表达升高,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05);与300μmol/L SNAP组比较,300μmol/L+PBA组iNOS、CHOP mRNA均无明显变化(P0.05),CD86 mRNA升高,Arg-I、MR mRNA均明显降低(P0.05)。SNAP组CHOP、iNOS、p-PERK蛋白表达均明显低于对照组(P0.05),300μmol/LSNAP+20 mmol/LPBA组与300μmol/LSNAP组比较iNOS蛋白、p-PERK、CHOP蛋白表达升高(P0.05)。结论:NO可能通过内质网应激机制抑制巨噬细胞向M1亚型分化。     

CD147 overexpression on synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis enhances matrix metalloproteinase production and invasiveness of synoviocytes

Macrophage-like synoviocytes and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are known as the most active cells of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are close to the articular cartilage in a position enabling them to invade the cartilage. Macrophage-like synoviocytes and FLS expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their interaction has aroused great interest. The present article studied the expression of CD147, also called extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer, on monocytes/macrophages and FLS from RA patients and its potential role in enhancing MMPs and the invasiveness of synoviocytes. Expression of CD147 on FLS derived from RA patients and from osteoarthritis patients, and expression of CD147 on monocytes/macrophages from rheumatic synovial fluid and healthy peripheral blood were analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of CD147, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA in FLS were detected by RT-PCR. The role of CD147 in MMP production and the cells' invasiveness in vitro were studied by the co-culture of FLS with the human THP-1 cell line or monocytes/macrophages, by gel zymography and by invasion assay. The results showed that the expression of CD147 was higher on RA FLS than on osteoarthritis FLS and was higher on monocytes/macrophages from rheumatic synovial fluid than on monocytes/macrophages from healthy peripheral blood. RT-PCR showed that the expressions of CD147, MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA was higher in RA FLS than in osteoarthritis FLS. A significantly elevated secretion and activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were observed in RA FLS co-cultured with differentiated THP-1 cells or RA synovial monocytes/macrophages, compared with those co-cultured with undifferentiated THP-1 cells or healthy control peripheral blood monocytes. Invasion assays showed an increased number of invading cells in the co-cultured RA FLS with differentiated THP-1 cells or RA synovial monocytes/macrophages. CD147 antagonistic peptide inhibited the MMP production and the invasive potential. Our studies demonstrated that the CD147 overexpression on monocytes/macrophages and FLS in RA patients may be responsible for the enhanced MMP secretion and activation and for the invasiveness of synoviocytes. These findings suggest that CD147 may be one of the important factors in progressive joint destruction of RA and that CD147 may be a potential therapeutic target in RA treatment.     

Adiponectin induces CCL20 expression synergistically with IL-6 and TNF-α in THP-1 macrophages

Adiponectin (Ad) is an adipokine secreted from adipocytes. It is reported that Ad has many biological activities. However, its influence on inflammation is controversial. In the present study, we examined the influence of Ad on production of CCL20 from THP-1 macrophages. THP-1 macrophages were prepared from THP-1 monocytes by PMA treatment. THP-1 macrophages were cultured for 24h with Ad, IL-6, or TNF-α alone or with combinations of Ad and cytokines. CCL20 mRNA expression was then determined by real-time PCR. Full-length Ad (fAd) slightly but significantly induced CCL20 mRNA expression, and interestingly, co-stimulation with fAd and IL-6 or with fAd and TNF-α synergistically increased the expression of CCL20 mRNA. We explored the mechanism behind the synergistic effect of fAd and these cytokines. fAd did not affect the expression of receptors for IL-6 and TNF, and IL-6 and TNF-α did not increase the expression of the receptor for Ad in THP-1 macrophages. The increased expression of CCL20 by fAd is much higher in THP-1 macrophages compared with THP-1 monocytes. Furthermore, MMP-12 production was increased by IL-6 and TNF-α in THP-1 macrophages but it was not detectable in THP-1 monocytes. Treatment of fAd with MMP-12 induced globular Ad (gAd), and the expression of CCL20 in THP-1 macrophages was increased more potently by gAd than by fAd. MMP inhibitor (UK370106) inhibited the expression of CCL20 induced by co-stimulation with fAd and IL-6 or TNF-α. In conclusion, gAd played an important role in CCL20 expression, and MMP-12 induced by IL-6 or TNF-α was involved in the synergistic effect of fAd and cytokines.     

Augmentation of c-fos mRNA expression by activators of protein kinase C in fresh, terminally differentiated resting macrophages.

Expression of c-fos mRNA was investigated in fresh, normal peritoneal macrophages (M phi), which are terminally differentiated, nonproliferating cells. The levels of c-fos mRNA were dramatically increased by stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), calcium ionophore, or 1-oleoyl-2-acetoyl glycerol (OAG). Induction of c-fos mRNA by all the above agents followed similar kinetics, with a peak of mRNA 30 min after stimulation. These results demonstrate that c-fos mRNA can be augmented in fresh, terminally differentiated cells. Since the stimuli increasing c-fos mRNA are direct or indirect activators of protein kinase C, our data suggest that in M phi c-fos mRNA is controlled by protein kinase C activation. PMA, calcium ionophore, and OAG were biologically active in M phi. PMA and calcium ionophore induced respiratory burst and tumoricidal activity, respectively, whereas OAG and PMA were chemotactic for M phi. Interferons beta and gamma, potent M phi activators eliciting tumoricidal activity, did not alter the levels of c-fos mRNA. These results indicate that c-fos mRNA augmentation is a stimulus-specific rather than a function-specific response connected to activation of protein kinase C.     

Shedding of CD163, a novel regulatory mechanism for a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich family

The glucocorticoid-inducible transmembrane protein CD163 is a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) family which is expressed exclusively on human monocytes and macrophages. The expression of the protein is significantly downregulated in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) by a yet unknown mechanism. We now demonstrate that PMA induces shedding of a soluble form of CD163 rather than internalization, revealing a novel regulatory mechanism for a member of the SRCR family. Bisindolylmaleimide I was shown to inhibit phorbol ester-induced shedding, thus implying an involvement of protein kinase C (PKC). Furthermore, cleavage could be prevented by protease inhibitors. Therefore, we suggest that PMA-induced activation of PKC leads to protease-mediated shedding of CD163. These results indicate a specific release mechanism of soluble CD163 by human monocytes which could play an important role in modulating inflammatory processes.