A derivative of wheat germ agglutinin specifically inhibits formyl-peptide-induced polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis by blocking re-expression (or recycling) of receptors

We examined the mechanism of action of a derivative of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA-D) which specifically and irreversibly inhibits N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis. At a concentration that completely inhibited PMN chemotaxis, WGA-D had no effect on either the uptake or release of [3H]-FMLP by PMN. Similarly, WGA-D did not affect either the short-term binding to, or internalization by, PMN of a fluoresceinated FMLP analog. WGA-D did interfere, however, with the re-expression (or recycling) of FMLP receptors by PMN that had been preincubated with 1 microM FMLP for 10 min at 4 degrees C. This effect was specific for WGA-D, because it was not observed when concanavalin A was used. Scatchard plot analysis of FMLP binding to PMN after receptor re-expression demonstrated that WGA-D-treated PMN had a significant diminution in the number of high affinity receptors. WGA-D-mediated inhibition of FMLP receptor re-expression was associated with inhibition of FMLP-induced PMN chemotaxis, but had no effect on either FMLP-induced PMN superoxide anion generation or degranulation. Studies using [125I]-WGA-D demonstrated that PMN did not internalize WGA-D spontaneously. PMN did internalize [125I]-WGA-D, however, when stimulated with FMLP. Internalization of WGA-D by FMLP-stimulated PMN was rapid, dependent on the concentration of FMLP, and specific. Internalization of [125I]-WGA-D by PMN did not occur when highly purified human C5a, instead of FMLP, was used as a stimulus. Subcellular fractionation studies demonstrated that [125I]-WGA-D and [3H]-FMLP were co-internalized by PMN, and segregated to a compartment co-migrating with Golgi markers. Western blot analysis, using PMN plasma membranes, demonstrated that WGA-D bound to a single membrane glycoprotein that migrated with an apparent m.w. of 62,000. The data indicate that WGA-D, perhaps by binding to the FMLP receptor, inhibits FMLP-induced PMN chemotaxis by blocking the re-expression (or recycling) of a population of receptors required for continuous migration.     

Removal or oxidation of surface membrane sialic acid inhibits formyl-peptide-induced polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) surface membrane glycoproteins are probably involved in the phenomenon of stimulus-response coupling. Consequently, we examined the effects of either removal or oxidation of surface membrane-associated sialic acid residues on some responses of human PMN to chemotactic factors. Treatment of human PMN with either neuraminidase or sodium metaperiodate did not affect the ability of these cells to migrate randomly, but did inhibit their ability to respond chemotactically to the synthetic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). Treated PMN responded normally, however, to the complement-derived peptide C5a, and to the lipoxygenase product leukotriene B4. Enzymatic removal or oxidation of membrane sialic acid residues did not affect either FMLP-induced PMN degranulation or FMLP-induced generation by PMN of superoxide anion radicals. Removal of sialic acid did not significantly alter specific binding of [3H]FMLP to its receptor(s) on the PMN membrane. These findings indicate that sialic acid residues on the PMN surface membrane play an important role in modulating PMN responses to FMLP.     

Preparation and characterization of a derivative of wheat germ agglutinin which specifically inhibits polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis to the synthetic chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine

A nonagglutinating derivative of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), prepared by treating the native lectin with cyanogen bromide and formic acid and purified by affinity chromatography on an N-acetyl-D-glucosamine column, inhibited human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis to the synthetic chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). The WGA derivative (WGA-D) did not influence either the ability of PMN to migrate randomly or their chemotactic response to the complement-derived peptide C5a. Similarly, WGA-D had no effect on either FMLP-induced PMN polarization or other FMLP-induced PMN functions (i.e., selective discharge of lysosomal enzymes from cytochalasin B-treated cells, generation of superoxide anion). The inhibition of FMLP-induced PMN chemotaxis by WGA-D could not be reversed by washing the cells, or by incubating lectin-treated PMN at 37 degrees C for 20 min. The inhibitory effect of WGA-D was mediated by its specific binding to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues on the cell surface. WGA-D did not alter the specific binding of [3H]-FMLP to its receptor(s) on the PMN membrane. The data presented here suggest that WGA-D inhibits FMLP-induced PMN chemotaxis at a step distal to stimulus recognition.     

Human neutrophil Fc gamma RIIIB and formyl peptide receptors are functionally linked during formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced chemotaxis.

The formyl peptide receptor (FPR) and the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-linked type III receptor for the Fc portion of IgG (Fc gamma RIIIB; CD16) play important roles in various inflammatory responses in human neutrophils. The mechanisms of signaling by the glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored Fc gamma RIIIB are not known. Therefore, we investigated the possibility that Fc gamma RIIIB and FPR may act in concert to mediate neutrophil functions. We observed that pretreatment of normal human neutrophils with Fab fragments of a mAb to the Fc gamma RIII (3G8) specifically inhibited their chemotaxis into micropore filters in response to the formylated peptides FMLP or formyl-norleucyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Pretreatment of neutrophils with a saturating concentration of 3G8 Fab (100 nM or 5 micrograms/ml) followed by exposure to FMLP (0.5 to 500 nM) indicated that significant inhibition of chemotaxis was observed at peptide concentrations greater than 5 nM. However, 3G8 Fab had no effect on the neutrophil response to a wide range (0.05 to 500 nM) of other chemotactic factors, including C5a, leukotriene B4, IL-8 (neutrophil-activating peptide-1), and platelet-activating factor. Moreover, pretreatment of neutrophils with mAb to other cell surface molecules (decay-accelerating factor, Fc gamma RII, and HLA class I) did not affect chemotaxis to FMLP. Inhibition of movement was not due to degradation of FMLP by the cell surface endopeptidase 24.11 (CD10), because neutrophils pretreated with the CD10 inhibitor phosphoramidone and 3G8 Fab displayed the same altered response to FMLP as cells pretreated with 3G8 Fab alone. Ligation of the Fc binding site of Fc gamma RIIIB appears to be essential for altering the FMLP-induced response, since soluble aggregated IgG and other anti-Fc gamma RIII antibodies, all of which recognize the ligand binding site, mimic the inhibitory effect of the 3G8 Fab on FMLP-induced chemotaxis. In contrast, a mAb (214.1) that does not recognize the Fc binding site of Fc gamma RIIIB had no effect on FMLP-induced chemotaxis. Not only did anti-Fc gamma RIII inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis to FMLP in a filter-based migration assay, but 3G8 Fab also inhibited FMLP-induced neutrophil transendothelial migration. Scatchard plot analysis of radioligand binding experiments indicated that 3G8 Fab did not significantly alter the number of FMLP binding sites on neutrophils but significantly increased the affinity of the FPR for [3H]FMLP. Removal of greater than 80% of cell surface Fc gamma RIIIB by phospholipase C abolished the neutrophil chemotactic response to FMLP but did not affect movement toward C5a, IL-8, or leukotriene B4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes cap a derivative of wheat germ agglutinin upon stimulation with formyl peptide and C5a but not leukotriene B4

Previously, we reported that a derivative of wheat germ agglutinin (termed WGA-D) specifically inhibits human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis to FMLP by blocking reexpression (or recycling) of formyl peptide receptors. WGA-D (? formyl peptide receptor probe) binds to a protein on the PMN membrane that exhibits the same m.w. as the formyl peptide receptor. Since clustering (i.e., capping) of ligand-receptor complexes most likely precedes their internalization, we examined the ability of normal and stimulated PMN to cap fluoresceinated WGA-D. We found that, in contrast to capping of fluoresceinated Con A, PMN cap WGA-D in a chemotactic factor-specific fashion. Fluoresceinated WGA-D (5.0 to 20 micrograms/ml) alone did not induce either PMN shape changes (i.e., activation) or capping. Both FMLP (1 to 1000 nM) and human C5a (0.1 to 1.0 nM) induced PMN to polarize and to cap bound WGA-D, in a concentration-dependent fashion. Interestingly, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) (5.0 nM), while inducing the same degree of PMN polarization as FMLP (100 nM) and C5a (0.5 nM), failed to induce PMN to cap bound WGA-D. In contrast, FMLP (100 nM), C5a (0.5 nM), and LTB4 (5.0 nM) induced PMN to cap bound fluoresceinated Con A (10 micrograms/ml) to the same extent. The effect of suboptimal concentrations of FMLP and C5a on capping of WGA-D by PMN was additive. LTB4 did not enhance either FMLP or C5a-induced capping of WGA-D by PMN. Also, FMLP and C5a (but not LTB4) were capable of inducing both desensitization and cross-desensitization of WGA-D capping by PMN. Studies using rhodamine-labeled WGA-D and a fluoresceinated analog of FMLP revealed that both capped to the same place on the PMN membrane. Thus, the data suggest that WGA-D binds to a site on the PMN membrane that is either the FMLP receptor or very closely associated with it.     

Differential inhibition of human neutrophil activation by cyclosporins A, D, and H. Cyclosporin H is a potent and effective inhibitor of formyl peptide-induced superoxide formation.

Cyclosporin (Cs)A but not CsH inhibits activation of human lymphocytes. We studied the effects of CsA, CsD, and CsH on human neutrophil activation induced by chemoattractants and by various substances that circumvent receptor stimulation. CsH inhibited superoxide (O2-) formation induced by the chemotactic peptide, FMLP (30 nM), with a half-maximal effect at 40 nM. O2- formation was abolished by CsH at 1 microM. CsH increased the concentration of FMLP causing half-maximal activation of O2- formation from 30 nM to 0.8 microM and substantially reduced the stimulatory effect of FMLP at supra-maximally effective concentrations. The inhibitory effect of CsH on O2- formation was evident immediately after addition to neutrophils. CsH also markedly inhibited the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), beta-glucuronidase, and lysozyme release and aggregation stimulated by FMLP. CsA and CsD were considerably less effective than CsH to inhibit FMLP-induced O2- formation. CsA and CsD were without effect on exocytosis, rises in [Ca2+]i, and aggregation induced by the chemotactic peptide. Cyclosporines inhibited FMLP-induced O2- formation in an additive manner, indicating that they acted through a mechanism they had in common. Cyclosporines only slightly inhibited O2- formation and lysozyme release induced by C5a. Aggregation and rises in [Ca2+]i stimulated by C5a were not affected by cyclosporines, and they did not inhibit O2- formation and exocytosis induced by platelet-activating factor and leukotriene B4. Cyclosporines partially inhibited O2- formations induced by NaF and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane. CsA marginally inhibited PMA-induced O2- formation and lysozyme release. CsA, CsD, and CsH did not inhibit arachidonic acid-induced O2- formation and its potentiation by NaF or stable guanine nucleotides in a cell-free system from DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells. CsH partially inhibited binding of FML [3H]P to formyl peptide receptors in membranes from DMSO- or dibutyryl cAMP-differentiated HL-60 cells. Our data show that: 1) cyclosporines differentially inhibit activation of human neutrophils; and 2) CsH is, indeed, not immunologically inactive but is a potent and effective inhibitor of FMLP-induced O2- formation. 3) CsH interferes with agonist binding to formyl peptide receptors and in addition, cyclosporines may also act at sites distal to chemoattractant receptors.     

Regulation of C5a and formyl peptide receptor expression on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Fluorescein conjugates of C5a (FL-C5a) and formyl methionine-leucine-phenylalanine-lysine (FL-FMLPL) have been used to determine how the expression of receptors for these peptides is regulated on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Video intensification microscopy showed that receptors for FL-C5a were homogeneously distributed on the surface of the PMN, but within minutes were mobilized into patches and internalized by the PMN. Internalization of C5a receptors was confirmed in studies in which external FL-C5a fluorescence was quenched by reducing the pH. A similar rapid internalization was observed with FL-FMLPL. This process was inhibited for both fluorescent ligands by monensin. Reexpression of C5a and formyl peptide receptors after internalization occurred with both receptors. By comparison, the rate of reexpression of formyl peptide receptors was much faster than that observed with C5a receptors with the half maximal reexpression time for each being 5 to 10 min and 18 to 60 min, respectively. C5a receptor reexpression was completely blocked by monensin suggesting receptor recycling, whereas monensin had little effect on FMLPL receptor reexpression. The reexpression of both receptors occurred in the presence of cycloheximide indicating that this process occurred independent of protein synthesis. Additional studies on formyl peptide receptor showed that when PMN were treated with ionomycin to fully mobilize the intracellular pool of FMLPL receptors, receptor reexpression failed to occur. These studies show that both C5a and formyl peptide receptors are internalized after binding ligand, but that their reexpression occurs through different mechanisms. C5a receptors appear to be recycled to the cell surface whereas formyl peptide receptors are reexpressed predominantly by translocation from an intracellular pool.     

Amphotericin B alters the affinity and functional activity of the oligopeptide chemotactic factor receptor on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Leukocyte chemotaxis is initiated by the binding of chemotactic factors to specific, high-affinity receptors. Amphotericin B, a polyene antibiotic that binds to membrane cholesterol, inhibits human neutrophil (PMN) chemotaxis. We examined the effects of this drug on PMN functions mediated by the oligopeptide chemotactic factor receptor. The antibiotic irreversibly inhibited chemotaxis and depressed the binding of the radiolabeled chemoattractant, fMet-Leu-[3H]Phe, to its receptor without affecting the receptor's specificity. The drug lowered the binding affinity of the receptor by up to fivefold and slightly increased its number. Doses of amphotericin B that depressed receptor affinity and inhibited chemotaxis did not diminish lysosomal enzyme secretion or superoxide anion production. Nystatin, a less potent polyene antibiotic, also diminished chemotactic factor binding, but to a lesser degree than amphotericin B did. A chemically unrelated antifungal agent had no effect on either binding or chemotaxis. Thus, pharmacologic manipulation can alter the affinity of the chemotactic factor receptor on human PMN; this alteration is associated with a change in receptor function. The data suggest that receptor affinity regulates or at least reflects its functional state, and that the transduction mechanisms for various biologic responses mediated by the chemoattractant receptor are heterogeneous. By pharmacologic alterations of receptor affinity, one may be able to modulate specific biologic responses elicited by chemoattractant receptor-ligand interactions.     

Localization of ligand binding regions of the human formyl peptide receptor

The formyl peptide receptor is involved in the activation of human neutrophils (PMN) and their subsequent response to chemotactic peptides such as FMLP. The normal FMLP receptor has been reported to contain both high and low affinity states and to consist of several glycoprotein components, ranging in size from 40-94 kDa. However, little is known about the functional domains of the receptor. In this study we have constructed synthetic peptides corresponding to different portions of the reported receptor structure, and have tested their involvement in ligand binding. One of these peptides, corresponding to the first extracellular loop of the N-terminus end of the molecule, has been shown to specifically inhibit FMLP binding to PMN membranes. Concomitantly, this peptide exhibited the strongest direct binding to the ligand. We propose that this portion of the FMLP receptor molecule is important in receptor-ligand interactions.     

Urokinase induces basophil chemotaxis through a urokinase receptor epitope that is an endogenous ligand for formyl peptide receptor-like 1 and -like 2

Basophils circulate in the blood and are able to migrate into tissues at sites of inflammation. Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) binds a specific high affinity surface receptor (uPAR). The uPA-uPAR system is crucial for cell adhesion and migration, and tissue repair. We have investigated the presence and function of the uPA-uPAR system in human basophils. The expression of uPAR was found at both mRNA and protein levels. The receptor was expressed on the cell surface of basophils, in the intact and cleaved forms. Basophils did not express uPA at either the protein or mRNA level. uPA (10(-12)-10(-9) M) and its uPAR-binding N-terminal fragment (ATF) were potent chemoattractants for basophils, but did not induce histamine or cytokine release. Inactivation of uPA enzymatic activity by di-isopropyl fluorophosphate did not affect its chemotactic activity. A polyclonal Ab against uPAR inhibited uPA-dependent basophil chemotaxis. The uPAR-derived peptide 84-95 (uPAR84-95) induced basophil chemotaxis. Basophils expressed mRNA for the formyl peptide receptors formyl peptide receptor (FPR), FPR-like 1 (FPRL1), and FPRL2. The FPR antagonist cyclosporin H prevented chemotaxis induced by FMLP, but not that induced by uPA and uPAR84-95. Incubation of basophils with low and high concentrations of FMLP, which desensitize FPR and FPRL1, respectively, but not FPRL2, slightly reduced the chemotactic response to uPA and uPAR84-95. In contrast, desensitization with WKYMVm, which also binds FPRL2, markedly inhibited the response to both molecules. Thus, uPA is a potent chemoattractant for basophils that seems to act through exposure of the chemotactic uPAR epitope uPAR84-95, which is an endogenous ligand for FPRL2 and FPRL1.     

Binding of leukotriene B4 and its analogs to human polymorphonuclear leukocyte membrane receptors

LTB4-induced proinflammatory responses in PMN including chemotaxis, chemokinesis, aggregation and degranulation are thought to be initiated through the binding of LTB4 to membrane receptors. To explore further the nature of this binding, we have established a receptor binding assay to investigate the structural specificity requirements for agonist binding. Human PMN plasma membrane was enriched by homogenization and discontinuous sucrose density gradient purification. [3H]-LTB4 binding to the purified membrane was dependent on the concentration of membrane protein and the time of incubation. At 20 degrees C, binding of [3H]-LTB4 to the membrane receptor was rapid, required 8 to 10 min to reach a steady-state and remained stable for up to 50 min. Equilibrium saturation binding studies showed that [3H]-LTB4 bound to high affinity (dissociation constant, Kd = 1.5 nM), and low capacity (density, Bmax = 40 pmol/mg protein) receptor sites. Competition binding studies showed that LTB4, LTB4-epimers, 20-OH-LTB4, 2-nor-LTB4, 6-trans-epi-LTB4 and 6-trans-LTB4, in decreasing order of affinity, bound to the [3H]-LTB4 receptors. The mean binding affinities (Ki) of these analogs were 2, 34, 58, 80, 1075 and 1275 nM, respectively. Thus, optimal binding to the receptors requires stereospecific 5(S), 12(R) hydroxyl groups, a cis-double bond at C-6, and a full length eicosanoid backbone. The binding affinity and rank-order potency of these analogs correlated with their intrinsic agonistic activities in inducing PMN chemotaxis. These studies have demonstrated the existence of high affinity, stereoselective and specific receptors for LTB4 in human PMN plasma membrane.     

IFN-gamma enhances expression of formyl peptide receptors and guanine nucleotide-binding proteins by HL-60 granulocytes.

Exposure to IFN-gamma increases the respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated by the chemoattractant FMLP. However, the mechanism by which IFN-gamma alters the response to FMLP is unclear. We addressed the hypothesis that IFN-gamma enhances the response to FMLP by regulating the expression of elements of the formyl peptide receptor transmembrane-signaling pathway. HL-60 granulocytes were used as a model of FMLP transmembrane signaling. Formyl peptide receptor number and affinity were studied in isolated plasma membranes prepared from control HL-60 cells (CM) and cells exposed to IFN-gamma 100 U/ml for 24 h (IFN-M). Formyl peptide receptors were significantly increased on IFN-M compared with CM (1473 +/- 300 vs 3209 +/- 924). FMLP stimulates increased guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) activation in IFN-M as evidenced by enhanced guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate binding and GTPase activity. Gi sub-unit content was increased in IFN-M as measured by pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation and immunoblotting with antibodies against alpha i2 and alpha i3 G protein subunits. Guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate equilibrium binding demonstrated an increased number of G proteins coupled to formyl peptide receptors on IFN-M. We conclude that IFN-gamma increases expression of both formyl peptide receptors and G proteins coupled to these receptors, thereby enhancing FMLP-stimulated transmembrane signaling. Regulation of transmembrane signaling element expression may be a significant mechanism by which IFN-gamma regulates cellular functions.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulates expression of receptors for formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, leukotriene B4, and platelet-activating factor. Dissociation from priming in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

TNF-alpha enhances polymorphonuclear responses to many stimuli, including chemotactic peptide FMLP. It also promotes expression of FMLP receptors and thus may prime polymorphonuclear neutrophils to this and other agonists by up-regulating signal recognition molecules. However, we find that the cytokine's actions on FMLP receptors lagged priming of FMLP-induced degranulation. Moreover, TNF-alpha enhanced degranulation responses to leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor but paradoxically down-regulated leukotriene B4 receptors and only transiently up-regulated platelet-activating factor receptors. Hence, TNF-alpha has pleiotropic effects on receptor expression; these effects diverge from priming; and a large part of the primed state must reflect enhancement of post-receptor events.     

Inhibition by elastase inhibitors of the formyl Met Leu Phe-induced chemotaxis of rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Rat leukocyte elastase has been purified successively by AH-Sepharose Kappa-elastin affinity chromatography and by ion exchange chromatography on a carboxymethyl Sephadex resin. It has great similarities with human leukocyte elastase in its molecular weight, substrate specificity and inhibitory profile. The effect of rat leukocyte elastase inhibitors in influencing the chemotactic response of rat PMN to fMetLeuPhe has been compared to that of other proteinase inhibitors. The results indicated that oleoyl (Ala)2ProValCH2Cl, a specific inhibitor of human and rat leukocyte elastases and Eglin C, which also inhibits human and rat cathepsin G, are among the powerful inhibitors of rat PMN chemotaxis induced by the formyl oligopeptide. This suggests that these neutral proteinases, in addition to their known participation in connective tissue catabolism, could play a role in PMN locomotion and chemotaxis.     

Detergent solubilisation of the rabbit neutrophil receptor for chemotactic formyl peptides

Digitonin was found to be the only detergent (out of 24 tested) capable of solubilising the chemotactic formyl peptide receptor from rabbit neutrophil membranes in a form which retained its [3H]fMet-Leu-Phe binding activity. The solubilised material retained many of the characteristics of the membrane-bound receptor. [3H]fMet-Leu-Phe binding to the digitonin extract was measured at 4 degrees C using an equilibrium dialysis assay. Binding was saturable and of high affinity (Kd = 3.5 +/- 0.7 nM). The potencies of a series of synthetic peptides as inhibitors of [3H]fMet-Leu-Phe binding to the soluble receptor showed the same rank order as for inhibition of the membrane-bound receptor. In addition, binding to both preparations was sulphydryl dependent showing a parallel inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzene sulphonate which could be partially reversed by subsequent incubation with dithiothreitol.     

Specific binding of leukotriene B4 to receptors on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Leukotriene B4 (5(S),12(R)-di-hydroxy-eicosa-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-tetraenoic acid [LTB4]) is a product of the 5-lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid, which elicits human PMN leukocyte chemotactic responses in vitro that are 50% of the maximal level at concentrations of 3 X 10(-9) M to 10(-8) M and are maximal at 2 X 10(-8) M to 10(-7) M. The specific binding of highly purified [3H]LTB4 to human PMN leukocytes was assessed both by extracting the unbound and weakly bound [3H]LTB4 with acetone at -78 degrees C and by centrifuging the PMN leukocytes through cushions of phthalate oil to separate the unbound from bound [3H]LTB4. The levels of total binding of [3H]LTB4 and of nonspecific binding of [3H]LTB4, in the presence of a 1500-fold molar excess of nonradioactive LTB4, were approximately two times higher with the phthalate oil method. Scatchard plots of the concentration dependence of the specific binding (total - nonspecific binding) of [3H]LTB4 to PMN leukocytes were linear for the acetone extraction and phthalate oil methods and revealed dissociation constants of 10.8 X 10(-9) M and 13.9 X 10(-9) M, respectively, and mean of 2.6 X 10(4) and 4.0 X 10(4) receptors per PMN leukocyte. The 5(S),12(S)-all-trans-di-HETE analog of LTB4 and 5-HETE competitively inhibited by 50% the binding of [3H]LTB4 to PMN leukocytes at respective concentrations that evoked half-maximal chemotactic responses, whereas neither N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine nor chemotactic fragments of C5 inhibited the binding. Human erythrocytes exhibited no specific binding sites for [3H]LTB4. Human PMN leukocytes possess a subset of receptors for LTB4 that are distinct from those specific for peptide chemotactic factors.     

Platelet-activating factor production in human neutrophils by sequential stimulation with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and the chemotactic factors C5A or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine

Besides its function as a growth factor, the cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) "primes" polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) for enhanced biologic responses to a number of secondary stimuli. We examined the effect of priming PMN with GM-CSF on the production of [3H] platelet-activating factor (PAF) from [3H]acetate upon stimulation with the chemotactic factors FMLP and C5a. In PMN stimulated with the individual peptide mediators alone [3H]PAF levels were close to controls, whereas considerable amounts of [3H]PAF are formed after stimulation of PMN which have been preexposed to GM-CSF. The priming effect was concentration and time dependent. It was optimal after a preincubation period of 2 h. A maximum of [3H]PAF accumulation is reached within 2.5 min (C5a) and 5.0 min (FMLP) after activation of GM-CSF-primed PMN. In addition, we show that PAF isolated from PMN preincubated with GM-CSF and triggered with chemotactic factors is able to enhance the respiratory burst in PMN. PAF formed by sequentially activated PMN could contribute to the enhanced oxygen radical production and cytotoxicity in effector cells and play a role in modulating and amplifying inflammatory reactions.     

Characterization of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine receptors on human neutrophils. Effects of isolation and temperature on receptor expression and functional activity

The study of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) surface receptor expression provides a means for the assessment of PMN function and state of cellular activation. In this study, we characterized binding of the chemotactic peptide FMLP to whole PMN, with particular attention to those variables that may account for the wide variation reported in the literature. These included avoidance of oxidized FMLP as a radioligand contaminant, determination of the optimal cold ligand concentration necessary for achieving minimal nonspecific binding throughout the range of radioligand concentrations used in saturation experiments (greater than or equal to 5 x 10(-5) M), avoidance of radioligand concentrations that equal or exceed receptor saturation and are not suitable for Scatchard analysis (greater than or equal to 60 to 80 nM), and avoidance of inadvertent receptor mobilization due to room temperature PMN isolation techniques and cell warming. PMN isolated and maintained at 4 degrees C expressed a single, high affinity population of FMLP receptors (approximately 6000 receptors per cell) with a KD of 15.5 nM. These characteristics, and in particular the single-affinity nature of the expressed FMLP receptor site, were derived from saturation experiments and confirmed with agonist competition studies. PMN subjected to room temperature isolation or 37 degrees C warming exhibited a 2.5-fold increase in FMLP receptor expression (approximately 15,000 receptors per cell) without changes in receptor affinity. These latter PMN, in correlation with increased receptor expression, had increased initial, maximal rates of FMLP-induced superoxide generation (10.2 vs 6.3 nmol/min/10(6) PMN for cells isolated and maintained at 4 degrees C) as a manifestation of their functional activation. The avoidance of inadvertent cellular activation during PMN isolation is essential to studies of PMN function, activation and the role of FMLP receptor expression/mobilization in these processes.     

Chemotaxis and calcium responses of phagocytes to formyl peptide receptor ligands is differentially regulated by cyclic ADP ribose

Cyclic ADP ribose (cADPR) is a calcium-mobilizing metabolite that regulates intracellular calcium release and extracellular calcium influx. Although the role of cADPR in modulating calcium mobilization has been extensively examined, its potential role in regulating immunologic responses is less well understood. We previously reported that cADPR, produced by the ADP-ribosyl cyclase, CD38, controls calcium influx and chemotaxis of murine neutrophils responding to fMLF, a peptide agonist for two chemoattractant receptor subtypes, formyl peptide receptor and formyl peptide receptor-like 1. In this study, we examine whether cADPR is required for chemotaxis of human monocytes and neutrophils to a diverse array of chemoattractants. We found that a cADPR antagonist and a CD38 substrate analogue inhibited the chemotaxis of human phagocytic cells to a number of formyl peptide receptor-like 1-specific ligands but had no effect on the chemotactic response of these cells to ligands selective for formyl peptide receptor. In addition, we show that the cADPR antagonist blocks the chemotaxis of human monocytes to CXCR4, CCR1, and CCR5 ligands. In all cases, we found that cADPR modulates intracellular free calcium levels in cells activated by chemokines that induce extracellular calcium influx in the apparent absence of significant intracellular calcium release. Thus, cADPR regulates calcium signaling of a discrete subset of chemoattractant receptors expressed by human leukocytes. Since many of the chemoattractant receptors regulated by cADPR bind to ligands that are associated with clinical pathology, cADPR and CD38 represent novel drug targets with potential application in chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease.     

Selected antibodies to leukocyte common antigen (CD45) inhibit human neutrophil chemotaxis.

The CD45 Ag family is a group of high m.w. glycoproteins that are expressed on the plasma membranes of all leukocytes. CD45 has protein tyrosine phosphatase activity and appears to regulate signal transduction and lymphocyte activation by specific association with receptor molecules on T and B lymphocytes. However, little is known about CD45 function in neutrophils (PMN). In this study, PMN were incubated with CD45 mAb and tested for their chemotactic responses to four unrelated chemo-attractants: FMLP, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), recombinant human C5a (C5a), and recombinant human neutrophil-activating protein-1, recently designated IL-8. A panel of CD45 mAb including an IgM mAb, AHN-12.1, and six IgG1 mAb, AHN-12, AHN-12.2, AHN-12.3, AHN-12.4, HLe-1, and KC56(T200), were tested for their effects on PMN chemotaxis. PMN chemotaxis was evaluated with two different membrane assays; one assay quantified the total number of migrating PMN and the other assayed the leading front of migrating PMN. AHN-12.1 and KC56(T200) significantly inhibited PMN chemotaxis to LTB4 and C5a. AHN-12.1 slightly inhibited PMN chemotaxis to FMLP, but KC56(T200) did not. In contrast, AHN-12 and HLe-1 did not significantly inhibit PMN chemotaxis to any of the chemoattractants. None of the CD45 mAb inhibited PMN chemotaxis to neutrophil-activating protein-1/IL-8. None of the CD45 mAb inhibited PMN superoxide production. These results suggest that PMN CD45 epitopes may interact with LTB4 and C5a receptor-associated molecules and regulate chemotactic responses.