Induced sputum is a reproducible method to assess airway inflammation in asthma

To evaluate the reproducibility of induced sputum analysis, and to estimate the sample size required to obtained reliable results, sputum was induced by hypertonic saline inhalation in 29 asthmatic subjects on two different days. The whole sample method was used for analysis, and inflammatory cells were counted on cytospin slides. Reproducibility, expressed by intra-class correlation coefficients, was good for macrophages (+0.80), neutrophils (+0.85), and eosinophils (+0.87), but not for lymphocytes (+0.15). Detectable differences were 5.5% for macrophages, 0.6% for lymphocytes, 5.2% for neutrophils, and 3.0% for eosinophils. We conclude that analysis of induced sputum is a reproducible method to study airway inflammation in asthma. Sample sizes greater than ours give little improvement in the detectable difference of eosinophil percentages.     

一种改进的分离嗜中性白细胞的方法

报道一种从全血中分离嗜中性白细胞的方法.人血经过葡聚糖沉降,淋巴细胞分离液梯度分离,特殊分离液的洗涤和红细胞的溶胀后,得到了嗜中性白细胞.经瑞特氏染色和台盼蓝染色证明细胞纯度与存活率均在95％以上.以化学发光和细胞色素c还原法证明了细胞的高活力与膜受体的完整性.与国外的分离方法相比较,该方法简便易行,且分离效果好,是一种高效、经济的分离方法.     

Glucose and glutamine utilization by rat lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils in culture: a comparative study

Glucose and glutamine utilization and production of glutamate and lactate were determined for up to 48 h in lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils cultured in medium rich in metabolites and vitamins. Glucose was utilized by the three cell types in culture in the following order: neutrophils > monocytes > lymphocytes, whereas lactate was produced in the order: monocytes > neutrophils > lymphocytes. The consumption of glucose followed the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase but it was not related to hexokinase activity. Glutamine was consumed by the three leukocyte types in culture as follows: neutrophils > lymphocytes > or = monocytes. The consumption of glutamine was not fully related to the activity of phosphate-dependent glutaminase. The production of glutamate was not remarkably different among the three cell types. For comparison, glutamine and glucose utilization and glutamate and lactate production were also evaluated using 1-h incubated leukocytes. Under this condition, only glucose or glutamine was added to the medium. Glucose was utilized as follows: neutrophils > monocytes > lymphocytes, whereas lactate was produced in the following order: monocytes > or = neutrophils > lymphocytes. Glutamine was consumed as follows: neutrophils > lymphocytes > monocytes, whereas glutamate was produced as follows: neutrophils > or = monocytes = lymphocytes. The ratio of the amount of glucose/glutamine consumed by 1-h incubated cells was 0.5 for neutrophils, 1.5 for monocytes, and 0.3 for lymphocytes. However, the three cell types cultured for 48 h utilized glucose to a much higher degree than glutamine. The ratio of the amount of glucose/glutamine utilized by the cultured cells was 8.9 for neutrophils, 16.4 for monocytes, and 6.7 for lymphocytes. These observations support the proposition that glutamine is required in much higher amounts than glucose to accomplish the total metabolic requirement of leukocytes. Under conditions closer to physiological when the availability of a variety of metabolites and vitamins is not restricted, glucose is the preferred substrate for lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils.     

Analysis of the binding of fluorescent C5a and C3a to human peripheral blood leukocytes

Fluorescein-labeled human C5a and C3a were prepared and utilized to analyze the binding of C5a and C3a to human neutrophils and mononuclear cells. The fluorescein derivatives of C5a (Fl-C5a) and C3a (Fl-C3a) contained approximately one fluorescein molecule per molecule of protein. Fl-C5a retained biologic activity as determined by neutrophil O2- production, enzyme release, receptor binding, and reaction with rabbit anti-C5a antibody. Fl-C3a was biologically active as measured by contraction of guinea pig ileal strips, and maintained 87% of its antigenic character when reacted with rabbit anti-human C3a. The binding of Fl-C5a and Fl-C3a to human neutrophils and mononuclear cells was assessed with the use of flow cytometry. Fl-C5a bound to greater than 90% of neutrophils, with an average ED50 ranging from 2.8 to 6.8 nM, depending on the method of analysis. Fl-C5a binding to neutrophils was specific and was not inhibited by the presence of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-MLP), C3a, or casein. Fl-C5a binding was totally blocked by an excess of C5a. C5a des arg partially inhibited the binding of Fl-C5a to neutrophils, but was 1000-fold less effective than C5a. Similar experiments with mononuclear cells showed that Fl-C5a was bound by monocytes but not by lymphocytes. Fl-C5a binding to monocytes was blocked totally by C5a but not by C3a or f-MLP. Comparative binding studies with neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes showed that Fl-C5a was bound by an average of 93% +/- 4 of neutrophils, 68% +/- 9 of monocytes, and 6% +/- 3 of lymphocytes. Fl-C3a did not show significant binding to neutrophils, monocytes, or lymphocytes. These studies demonstrate that fluorescein derivatives of C5a and C3a can be prepared with retention of biologic activity, and provide a means to evaluate the binding of C5a to individual cells.     

Leucine aminopeptidase of neutrophils and lymphocytes in patients with cancer

The leucine aminopeptidase activity has been determined by using the cytochemical method of Burston and Folk in peripheral blood neutrophils and lymphocytes of 45 patients with various malignancies. Lung cancer, carcinoma of the stomach and cancer of the colon was diagnosed in 24, 16, and 5 patients, respectively. Patients with metastases showed a significantly higher activity of the enzyme if compared with that in the control group of healthy subjects and patients without metastases. The percentage of enzyme-positive lymphocytes was elevated significantly in patients with metastases whereas a total percentage of lymphocytes with regard to differential leukocyte count was diminished both in patients with and without metastases. The absolute count of neutrophils was elevated both in patients with and without metastases. The authors discuss the significance of their observation with regard to the antitumor cytotoxic effect of neutrophils and lymphocytes.     

Leukocyte specificity and binding of human neutrophil attractant/activation protein-1

Neutrophil attractant/activation protein-1 (NAP-1) was previously shown to attract human neutrophils, but not monocytes. The purpose of this study was to determine if NAP-1 interacted with other types of blood leukocytes. In addition to its chemotactic activity for neutrophils, NAP-1 induced chemotactic responses by T lymphocytes and basophils. Chemotactic potency (10(-8) M for an optimal response) was the same for all three cell types. However, NAP-1 caused a chemotactic response in excess of random migration of 7% or 16% of basophils (depending on the medium used) and only 9% of T lymphocytes, in contrast to 30% of neutrophils. This agonist was not chemotactic for partially purified normal human eosinophils. The symmetrical histogram obtained by flow cytometry of neutrophils equilibrated at 0 degree C with fluoresceinated NAP-1 indicates that all neutrophils bound the ligand. A dose-response curve plateau, and inhibition of binding of NAP-1-FITC by unlabeled ligand are evidence for saturable binding to receptors, estimated to be 7000 per cell. Our results suggest that, for induction of an acute inflammatory response, the quantitatively significant action of NAP-1 is on neutrophils.     

Blood cell NO synthesis in response to exercise.

Nitric oxide (NO) is important for the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis and is also involved in immunity and inflammation. The aim of our work was to determine the effects of intense exercise on plasma and blood cell NO handling. Nine voluntary male professional cyclists participated in the study. Blood samples were taken in basal conditions and 3h after finishing a mountain cycling stage. Exercise-induced neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and hemolysis. Plasma and erythrocytes maintained basal nitrite levels, whereas neutrophils and lymphocytes decreased nitrite concentration after intense exercise. Basal iNOS levels and SOD activity were similar in neutrophils and lymphocytes. iNOS levels and SOD activity dropped in neutrophils and rose in lymphocytes after exercise. Arginase activity rose only in lymphocytes. Neutrophil nitrite was correlated with SOD activity and iNOS levels, but not in lymphocytes. iNOS levels were correlated with SOD in both neutrophils and lymphocytes. Intense exercise maintained plasma basal arginine and ornithine concentration, and decreased citrulline concentration. Intense exercise induced important changes in NO handling in neutrophils and lymphocytes, yet the basal picture was maintained in erythrocytes.     

Influence of UV-light and dexamethasone on functional properties of lymphocytes and neutrophils

UV-light and dexamethasone influence on functional properties of lymphocytes and neutrophils of peripherical donors' blood was studied. An increase of phagocytic activity of neutrophils was observed after their incubation with photomodified lymphocytes. It was found that UV-irradiation of lymphocytes activated synthesis of interleukines 1beta and 2. Dexamethasone presence in lymphocyte suspension inhibited the synthesis of the studied cytokines, especially by the incubation with photomodified cells. It was shown by the method of fluorescent labels that UV-irradiation improved interaction between dexamethasone and cell membrane.     

Changes in lymphocyte and neutrophil function induced by a marathon race

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in lymphocyte and neutrophil selected functions before and after a marathon race. Fifteen professional athletes were recruited, and the following parameters were measured: plasma concentrations of IL‐1ra, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, TNF‐α and C‐reactive protein (CRP); neutrophil phagocytic capacity; cytokine production by neutrophils and lymphocytes and signs of neutrophil and lymphocyte death. The marathon race had no effect on CRP levels, but plasma concentrations of IL‐6 and IL‐1ra were increased. Although no effect was observed on the production of IL‐6, IL1‐ra, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐8 by unstimulated or stimulated neutrophils, a decrease in neutrophil phagocytic activity was observed immediately following the marathon. A high percentage of neutrophils undergoing apoptosis was observed due to the intense training regimen, whereas the percentages of apoptotic neutrophils were reduced after the race. The production of IL‐2, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐10 by lymphocytes was decreased by 50%–80%, and the percentage of apoptotic and necrotic lymphocytes was increased by 42% and fourfold, respectively, as a result of the race. In conclusion, the increase in plasma levels of IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1ra and IL‐10 after the race was not due to the production of the cytokines by neutrophils or lymphocytes. In fact, the marathon led to a decrease in lymphocyte and neutrophil function, and the diminished function was more pronounced in lymphocytes, indicating an impairment in acquired immunity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Leucocyte myosin and its location in the cell.

The intracellular location of the binding site of antibody against purified myosin prepared from equine leucocytes was investigated in neutrophils and lymphocytes by electron microscopy using peroxidase-labelled antibody method. The myosin extracted from equine leucocytes could bind skeletal muscle F-actin and the formed complex showed the biophysical and biochemical properties and electron microscopic appearance of actomyosin. On immunodiffusion, the leucocyte myosin formed a single precipitin line with its antibody prepared in rabbits. The antibody also formed single precipitin lines with myosins from lymphocytes and thrombocytes, fusing with each other. The antibody against the leucocyte myosin did not react with myosins from skeletal or arterial smooth muscle. The specificity of the antibody was further established by determination of K+-EDTA-activated ATPase activity remained in the supernate of antigen-antibody mixture. Under electron microscope, the intracellular immunoreactive products of peroxidase labelled antibody were found in cytoplasm of neutrophils and lymphocytes incubated with antibody against leucocyte myosin, but not in neutrophils or lymphocytes treated with IgG from normal rabbits.     

Isolation of leucocytes from the anterior kidney and spleen of rainbow trout in a self-generating density gradient

Separation of leucocytes from tissues and enrichment of specific types of leucocytes are essential first steps in studies of leucocyte function. We describe a simple and rapid method for separating and enriching leucocytes from the anterior kidney and spleen of rainbow trout. Leucocytes were separated on self-generating density gradients of Sepracell-MN, a colloidal silica-based medium. Recovery of leucocytes from the gradients was near 100% and was not affected by procedural variables such as cell suspension: Sepracell-MN ratio (separation ratio), initial temperature, centrifugation time, or number of cells per gradient. Two bands of leucocytes formed at separation ratios of 1 : 1, 1:1.5, 1:2 and 1 : 3. Recovery of selected leucocyte types could be maximized, and contamination by other cell types reduced, by selection of the appropriate separation ratio and cell band. Recovered leucocytes were responsive in assays of functional capability (adherence, phagocytosis, superoxide anion production). Leucocyte populations that adhered to glass were enriched for macrophages, but some neutrophils and lymphocytes (paricularly spleen lymphocytes) were also adherent. The most abundant leucocytes in the anterior kidney and spleen of the experimental fish were lymphocytes (respectively, 47 and 88%, including thrombocytes), neutrophils (35 and 7%), and macrophages (11 and 3%).     

Phospholipid transmethylation in the membrane of human neutrophils and lymphocytes

Phospholipid transmethylation in the microsomal fraction of stimulated and unstimulated human leukocytes was measured in a recently developed assay system. Microsomal fraction was prepared from neutrophils, unseparated lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and non-T lymphocytes by sonication and subsequent ultracentrifugation. Two hundred micrograms of microsomal protein was reacted with S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H]methionine. In unstimulated cells, incorporation of methyl-3H into phospholipid was 0.60 +/- 0.06 pmol min-1 mg protein in neutrophil membrane, 0.84 +/- 0.075 in unseparated lymphocytes, 1.23 +/- 0.17 in T lymphocytes, and 0.71 +/- 0.085 in non-T lymphocytes (mean +/- SE). Stimulation of neutrophils with opsonized zymosan or concanavalin A (Con A), and of lymphocytes with Con A, phytohemagglutinin, or pokeweed mitogen increased 15 to 30%. The resulting methylated phospholipids were identified and quantitated by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. The inhibitor 5'-S-isobutyl-5'-deoxyadenosine (SIBA) inhibited transmethylation 47-55%. This assay system appears to measure specifically the activity of methyltransferases which mediate the transmethylation of membrane phospholipid; the assay should find important applications in the study of membrane lipid metabolism in human health and disease.     

Demonstration of Urinary Eosinophils in Schistosoma haematobium: a Comparative Study among Three Different Stains

Three stains, Hansel's stain, alkaline erythrocin B (AEB) and naphthalene black (NB), were used to demonstrate eosinophils in the urine of patients infected with Schistosoma haematobium. Hansel's stain was superior to the other two stains; it stained eosinophils bright red and their nuclei faint blue, and they were easily differentiated from neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages and epithelial cells. The method using AEB took longer than Hansel's stain and 10% of the specimens were lost during staining with this method. Like eosinophils, the neutrophils took up NB stain and their nuclei stained poorly with the counterstain.     

The coadaptation of the lymphocyte and neutrophil enzyme systems in intact mice and against a background of infectious exposures]

In experiments on mice the authors studied the correlation of the levels of the activity of a number of enzymes (dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase) of lymphocytes and neutrophils at three levels of organization: subcellular--inside the lymphocytes and neutrophils; intercellular--coordination of the enzymatic activity of two types of blood cells; temporary--inter-conjunction of the levels of metabolism in the blood cells prior to and in dynamics after infection. R. P. Nartsissov's cytochemical method with the use of n-nitrotetrazolium was employed. Introduction of systemic conceptions into the cytochemical analysis of neutrophils and lymphocytes made it possible to reveal a peculiarity of the metabolic status of the blood cells involved into the inflammatory process and also to determine coadaptation elements of the two types of leukocytes.     

Thrombin-induced thromboxane generation by neutrophils and lymphocytes: dependence on enzymic site

We examined the effects of thrombin on thromboxane generation by sheep neutrophils and lymphocytes in vitro. Physiological concentration of thrombin (50 nM) resulted in thromboxane B2 generation from both neutrophils and lymphocytes, which was comparable to that obtained with zymosan activated serum challenge of the cells. Thromboxane B2 generation was dependent on the enzymic region of the thrombin molecule responsible for clotting activity because the complexing of thrombin with hirudin (1:1 U:U mixture of thrombin and hirudin) abolished thromboxane generation from both cell types. Further studies with modified forms of alpha-thrombin (which were produced by irreversible conjugation at the catalytic site and lacked enzymic activity) also showed no generation of thromboxane B2 from neutrophils or lymphocytes. The results indicate that thrombin stimulates thromboxane generation from neutrophils and lymphocytes and that this response is dependent on the proteolytic activity of thrombin.     

Hematology of the lesser mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus). A preliminary study

Some blood values of 86 lesser mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) maintained in captivity are presented. These are comparable with those of other prosimians: PCV 51.7%, RBC 9.2 X 10(6)/mm3, MCV 57.5 micron3, WBC 12,900/mm3, lymphocytes 59.7%, neutrophils 30.7%, monocytes 4.8%, eosinophils 4.2%, basophils 0.6%. We noted no significant difference between the sexes except that the percentage of lymphocytes was slightly lower in the females (with a corresponding percentage of neutrophils slightly higher). The lymphocyte:neutrophil ratio decreases with age, particularly in young animals; the hematocrit does not vary in adults.     

Phenotypic markers for the feline monocyte: rosette formation with human erythrocytes and a monoclonal antibody which binds myeloid cells

A small population of cells with the ability to form rosettes with human erythrocytes was found in feline peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) (10%) and bone marrow (9%), but not in purified granulocyte preparations, thymus, and lymph node tissues. The morphologic appearance and ability to phagocytize latex beads indicated these cells were monocytes. A monoclonal antibody, CM277, with a binding specificity for feline peripheral blood phagocytes was also characterized. Immunofluorescent microscopy revealed CM277 to bind specifically to monocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The binding of CM277 to monocytes was also shown by human erythrocyte-rosette formation wherein there was a high degree of correlation between these two phenotypic markers for cells ingesting latex beads. Monocytes, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and T lymphocytes of the cat rosette with guinea pig erythrocytes (GPE) and using CM277 we were able to determine the contribution of the former two cell types to the GPE-rosetting population. Monocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils comprised the majority of the GPE-rosetting cells in fresh PBL (greater than 60%), but after culturing overnight, there was a substantial decrease in these cells (less than 35%). In contrast, GPE-rosetting T lymphocytes comprised approximately 10% of the cells in fresh PBL, and after in vitro culture for 1 day they constituted 35-45% of all cells. The removal of monocytes by human erythrocyte-rosetting did not affect the pokeweed mitogen-induced synthesis of Ig, but did lead to an increased production of interleukin 2. Removal of the GPE-rosetting population from PBL resulted in a marked decrease in interleukin 2 production, pointing to a positive contribution of GPE-rosetting T lymphocytes to the synthesis of this lymphokine.     

Characteristics of the intrapulmonary cytogram in compensatory lung hypertrophy

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on days 1, 3, 5 after left-side extirpation of the lung in albino random-bred adult male rats. BAL cell composition was studied. Compensatory lung growth was shown to be accompanied by restoration of BAL total cell number. BAL comprised 81.7% of macrophages, 15.6% of neutrophils and 2.5% of lymphocytes. The number of neutrophils was high (over 20%) in animals with postoperative pneumonia.     

Rainbow trout neutrophils are responsible for non-specific cytotoxicity

This is the first report that rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) neutrophils are responsible for non-specific cytotoxicity. A monoclonal antibody (mab) for rainbow trout leucocytes was produced. Using this mab (TTL-5E9), neutrophils (5E9-positive cells) were isolated from the pronephros by a panning technique. The isolated neutrophils showed high viability (approximately 95%) and purity (92-95%), and were functional in cytotoxic activity assays. The neutrophils demonstrated significantly higher cytotoxic activities against YAC-1 target cells than the other cells (5E9-negative cells, predominantly lymphocytes). The number of neutrophils contaminating the 5E9-negative fraction and their non-specific cytotoxicities were positively correlated. These findings demonstrate that rainbow trout neutrophils possess non-specific cytotoxic activities.     

Adhesion and transcellular migration of neutrophils and B lymphocytes on fibroblasts

During tissue inflammation, infiltrated leukocytes may have physical contacts with fibroblasts. We observed that neutrophils and B lymphocytes adhered in a larger proportion than T cells on cultured fibroblasts. Microscopy showed that adhesion was also characterized by leukocyte engulfment by the fibroblasts. In migration assays, only neutrophils and B lymphocytes were selectively able to migrate through a fibroblast barrier. Adhesion and migration were increased by stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Antibodies against ICAM-1/β2 integrin blocked the interaction of neutrophils to fibroblasts. For B lymphocytes the couple VCAM-1/α4 integrin was also involved in this interaction. Human skin fibroblasts presented similar adhesion characteristics as rat cardiac fibroblasts. By measuring the distance between the border of migration holes and cadherin-positive adherens junctions, more than 65% of the holes correspond to the transcellular route over the paracellular route. Furthermore, vimentin staining revealed that the migration holes were highly nested by intermediate filaments in accordance with the transcellular route. Our results demonstrated that engulfment of neutrophils and B lymphocytes by fibroblasts resulted in selective passage by a transcellular route.