Role of CD11b/CD18 in priming of human leukocytes by endotoxin glycoforms from Escherichia coli

The primary objective of this study was to determine the role of β2 integrin α-subunit (CD11b) in the mechanism of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PML) priming by S or Re endotoxin glycoforms from Escherichia coli for fMLP-induced respiratory burst. Similar priming activity of S and Re endotoxin glycoforms for fMLP-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation from primed PML was found. Anti-CD11b antibodies (clone ICRF 44) as well as isotypematched immunoglobulin G1 (clone MOPC-21) do not influence the fMLP-induced ROS generation from unprimed PML. Antibodies against CD11b do not change fMLP-induced ROS generation from endotoxin-primed PML as well. The involvement of different isoforms of Fcγ receptors in fMLP-induced ROS generation from activated PML is proposed.     

Variations of the effect of insulin on neutrophil respiratory burst. The role of tyrosine kinases and phosphatases

The priming effect of insulin on the fMLP-induced respiratory burst of mouse neutrophils as well as the involvement of tyrosine protein kinases and phosphatases in this process have been studied. Peritoneal evoked neutrophils of NMRI strain mice were incubated with 0.01-100 nM insulin for 1-60 min at 22, 30, or 37°C and activated by 0.1-50 M N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by neutrophils was monitored by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. We found that ¹²⁵I-labeled insulin binding by mouse neutrophils occurred with saturation and high affinity. Insulin itself did not change the basal level of the ROS production but could modulate fMLP-induced respiratory burst. The effect of insulin depended on temperature and duration of pretreatment of the neutrophils with insulin and the concentration combination of the insulin and fMLP. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin 51 decreased the fMLP-induced respiratory burst significantly. Insulin did not change the fMLP response of neutrophils pretreated with tyrphostin. However, the effect of tyrphostin on the response to 50 M fMLP was considerably decreased in neutrophils treated with insulin. There was no such effect during activation by 5 M fMLP, for which the priming effect of insulin was not observed. Insulin did not increase the fMLP-induced respiratory burst in neutrophils treated with the protein phosphatase inhibitors orthovanadate and pyrophosphate. If the inhibitors were added after insulin, the combined effect was nearly additive. It is possible that priming by insulin of the fMLP-induced respiratory burst is triggered by tyrosine phosphorylation, realized with its participation, and involves the signaling pathways initiated by tyrosine phosphorylation but subsequently is not dependent on the latter. The role of protein phosphatases in priming by insulin is of little importance. The data indirectly confirm the idea that priming of the neutrophil respiratory burst is a result of crosstalk of signaling pathways of the insulin and fMLP receptors with the participation of tyrosine phosphorylation.     

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) augments chemoattractant-induced diglyceride generation in human neutrophils but inhibits phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Implications for the mechanism of PMA priming of the respiratory burst

Pretreatment ("priming") of neutrophils with a non-activating concentration (2 nM) of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) augments superoxide (O2-) production in response to the chemoattractant formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLP). We initially examined the effect of sphinganine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme), on activation of primed neutrophils. In both primed and unprimed cells activation by fMLP was blocked, and inhibition occurred at identical concentrations, supporting a common inhibited site. PMA also augmented (about 2-fold) fMLP-induced generation of sn-1,2-diglyceride (DG), the level of which correlated with O2- generation. In contrast to its effects on DG, PMA diminished by about 50% the magnitude of the fMLP-stimulated rise in cytosolic Ca2+. Thus, PMA priming dissociates the fMLP-stimulated Ca2+ increase from DG and O2- generation. The effect of PMA on Ca2+ levels appeared to be due in part to lowered levels of inositol trisphosphate. Lowering of inositol phosphate levels correlated with inhibition of fMLP-induced hydrolysis of inositol-containing phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. PMA did not inhibit (and in fact augmented at early time points) formation of [32P] phosphatidic acid in response to fMLP, indicating that the increase in DG was not due to inhibition of cellular diglyceride kinase. Thus, the data suggest that PMA enhances fMLP-stimulated DG generation concomitant with switching the source of DG from phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to an alternative lipid(s). Increased DG and inhibition of activation by sphinganine are consistent with a role for protein kinase C in activation of the respiratory burst in PMA-primed neutrophils.     

Endotoxin priming of neutrophils requires NADPH oxidase-generated oxidants and is regulated by the anion transporter ClC-3

Several soluble mediators, including endotoxin, prime neutrophils for an enhanced respiratory burst in response to subsequent stimulation. Priming of neutrophils occurs in vitro, and primed neutrophils are found in vivo. We previously localized the anion transporter ClC-3 to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) secretory vesicles and demonstrated that it is required for normal NADPH oxidase activation in response to both particulate and soluble stimuli. We now explore the contribution of the NADPH oxidase and ClC-3 to endotoxin-mediated priming. Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) from Neisseria meningitidis enhances the respiratory burst in response to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, an effect that was impaired in PMNs lacking functional ClC-3 and under anaerobic conditions. Mobilization of receptors to the cell surface and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK by LOS were both impaired in PMN with the NADPH oxidase chemically inhibited or genetically absent and in cells lacking functional ClC-3. Furthermore, inhibition of the NADPH oxidase or ClC-3 in otherwise unstimulated cells elicited a phenotype similar to that seen after endotoxin priming, suggesting that basal oxidant production helps to maintain cellular quiescence. In summary, NADPH oxidase activation was required for LOS-mediated priming, but basal oxidants kept unstimulated cells from becoming primed. ClC-3 contributes to both of these processes.     

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor primes phospholipase D activity in human neutrophils in vitro: role of calcium, G-proteins and tyrosine kinases.

The addition of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to human peripheral blood neutrophils primes phospholipase D (PLD) to subsequent stimulation by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The present investigation was directed at the elucidation of the pathway(s) involved in the regulation of the activity of PLD in untreated as well as in GM-CSF-primed neutrophils. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PT) totally inhibited fMLP-induced activation of PLD in control or GM-CSF-treated cells. PT did not affect the activation of PLD by PMA but inhibited the priming effect of GM-CSF. Activation of PLD by fMLP was dose-dependently inhibited by erbstatin, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases. Furthermore, pre-incubation with GM-CSF accelerated the tyrosine phosphorylation response to fMLP (as analysed by protein immunoblot with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies). In PMA-stimulated neutrophils, erbstatin antagonized the priming effect of GM-CSF on PLD without affecting the direct effects of the phorbol ester. Buffering cytoplasmic calcium with the chelator BAPTA inhibited fMLP-induced activation of PLD as monitored by the formation of phosphatidylethanol. The stimulation of PLD by PMA was partially attenuated in BAPTA-loaded cells while the priming effect of GM-CSF was abolished. Thus, priming of human neutrophil PLD by GM-CSF may be mediated by G-proteins, by increases in the levels of cytosolic free calcium, and by stimulation of protein kinase C and/or tyrosine kinase(s).     

Impaired neutrophil extracellular trap formation: a novel defect in the innate immune system of aged individuals

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are a recently discovered addition to the defensive armamentarium of neutrophils, assisting in the immune response against rapidly dividing bacteria. Although older adults are more susceptible to such infections, no study has examined whether aging in humans influences NET formation. We report that TNF‐α‐primed neutrophils generate significantly more NETs than unprimed neutrophils and that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8)‐induced NET formation exhibits a significant age‐related decline. NET formation requires generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and this was also reduced in neutrophils from older donors identifying a mechanism for reduced NET formation. Expression of IL‐8 receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) and the LPS receptor TLR4 was similar on neutrophils from young and old subjects, and neutrophils challenged with phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA) showed no age‐associated differences in ROS or NET production. Taken together, these data suggest a defect in proximal signalling underlies the age‐related decline in NET and ROS generation. TNF‐α priming involves signalling through p38 MAP kinase, but activation kinetics were comparable in neutrophils from young and old donors. In a clinical setting, we assessed the capacity of neutrophils from young and older patients with chronic periodontitis to generate NETs in response to PMA and hypochlorous acid (HOCL). Neutrophil extracellular trap generation to HOCL, but not PMA, was lower in older periodontitis patients but not in comparison with age‐matched controls. Impaired NET formation is thus a novel defect of innate immunity in older adults but does not appear to contribute to the increased incidence of periodontitis in older adults.     

Antimicrobial peptides and endotoxin inhibit cytokine and nitric oxide release but amplify respiratory burst response in human and murine macrophages

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), in addition to their antibacterial properties, are also chemotactic and signalling molecules that connect the innate and adaptive immune responses. The role of AMP [alpha defensins, LL-37, a cathepsin G-derived peptide (CG117-136), protegrins (PG-1), polymyxin B (PMX) and LLP1] in modulating the respiratory burst response in human and murine macrophages in the presence of bacterial endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipooligosaccharide (LOS)] was investigated. AMP were found to neutralize endotoxin induction of nitric oxide and TNFalpha release in macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, macrophages primed overnight with AMP and LOS or LPS significantly enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) release compared with cells primed with endotoxin or AMP alone, while no responses were seen in unprimed cells. This enhanced ROS release by macrophages was seen in all cell lines including those obtained from C3H/HeJ (TLR4-/-) mice. Similar effects were also seen when AMP and endotoxin were added directly with zymosan to trigger phagocytosis and the respiratory burst in unprimed RAW 264.7 and C3H/HeJ macrophages. Amplification of ROS release was also demonstrated in a cell-free system of xanthine and xanthine oxidase. Although AMP inhibited cytokine and nitric oxide induction by endotoxin in a TLR4-dependent manner, AMP and endotoxin amplified ROS release in a TLR4-independent manner possibly by exerting a prolonged catalytic effect on the ROS generating enzymes such as the NADPH-oxidase complex.     

Punicic Acid a Conjugated Linolenic Acid Inhibits TNFα-Induced Neutrophil Hyperactivation and Protects from Experimental Colon Inflammation in Rats

Background

Neutrophils play a major role in inflammation by releasing large amounts of ROS produced by NADPH-oxidase and myeloperoxidase (MPO). The proinflammatory cytokine TNFα primes ROS production through phosphorylation of the NADPH-oxidase subunit p47phox on Ser345. Conventional anti-inflammatory therapies remain partially successful and may have side effects. Therefore, regulation of neutrophil activation by natural dietary components represents an alternative therapeutic strategy in inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of punicic acid, a conjugated linolenic fatty acid from pomegranate seed oil on TNFα-induced neutrophil hyperactivation in vitro and on colon inflammation in vivo.

Methodology and Principal Findings

We analyzed the effect of punicic acid on TNFα-induced neutrophil upregulation of ROS production in vitro and on TNBS-induced rat colon inflammation. Results show that punicic acid inhibited TNFα-induced priming of ROS production in vitro while preserving formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced response. This effect was mediated by the inhibition of Ser345-p47phox phosphorylation and upstream kinase p38MAPK. Punicic acid also inhibited fMLP- and TNFα+fMLP-induced MPO extracellular release from neutrophils. In vivo experiments showed that punicic acid and pomegranate seed oil intake decreased neutrophil-activation and ROS/MPO-mediated tissue damage as measured by F2-isoprostane release and protected rats from TNBS-induced colon inflammation.

Conclusions/Significance

These data show that punicic acid exerts a potent anti-inflammatory effect through inhibition of TNFα-induced priming of NADPH oxidase by targeting the p38MAPKinase/Ser345-p47phox-axis and MPO release. This natural dietary compound may provide a novel alternative therapeutic strategy in inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases.     

Both the Fab and Fc domains of IgG are essential for ROS emission from TNF-α-primed neutrophils by IVIG

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is currently a very important therapeutic used for not only infectious diseases, but also for autoimmune diseases such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Untoward reactions of IVIG have been thought to result from complement activation by aggregated IgG in IVIG. In addition, the aggregates have been known to activate neutrophils, which may result in the untoward reactions. However, the effect and mechanism of IVIG on neutrophils remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the activation of neutrophils by IVIG in terms of their reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission to elucidate the mechanisms. IVIG-induced ROS emission from purified neutrophils was remarkably augmented by TNF-α priming of the cells. The ROS emission from TNF-α-primed neutrophils occurred by activation with whole gammaglobulin (GG) molecules, but not F(ab')(2), Fc, or a mixture of F(ab')(2) and Fc. ROS emission by GG was inhibited by the F(ab')(2) fragment and an inhibitory antibody against FcγRIII. These results suggest that binding of IVIG to not only surface antigen(s), but also FcγRIII on neutrophils, is involved in IVIG-induced ROS emission from TNF-α-primed neutrophils, and contribute to the untoward reactions of IVIG.     

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor primes neutrophils by activating a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein not associated with phosphatidylinositol turnover

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a hematopoietic cytokine which produces diverse biological effects in target cells of myeloid origin. GM-CSF enhances the production of superoxide anion (O2-) by mature neutrophils in response to chemotactic peptides such as formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), but alone it has no effect on this system. This process has been termed "priming." fMLP activates neutrophils via a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein, leading to the rapid production of the second messengers diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol trisphosphate, via phosphatidylinositol turnover, and arachidonic acid (AA) by a presumptive phospholipase A2-mediated mechanism. All three second messengers may lead to the generation of O2-. We investigated the effect of priming of GM-CSF on these systems. GM-CSF had no effect on fMLP-stimulated DAG and inositol trisphosphate levels, nor did it amplify the response to exogenously added phorbol ester (to mimic the action of DAG) or calcium ionophore. Neutrophils primed with the cytokine showed a small, but significant, enhancement of fMLP-stimulated AA release. Compared with unprimed controls, primed neutrophils also showed a significant increase in O2- production when stimulated with either AA or the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue, GTP-gamma-S. The magnitude of enhanced O2- production was similar to that observed after fMLP treatment of primed cells. All of these effects, including the increased sensitivity to AA treatment, were inhibited by pertussis toxin. These data show that GM-CSF primes neutrophils by modulating the activity of at least one pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein coupled to a metabolic pathway that mobilizes and utilizes arachidonic acid.     

Intranasal Administration of Antibody-Bound Respiratory Syncytial Virus Particles Efficiently Primes Virus-Specific Immune Responses in Mice

Infants are protected from a severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in the first months of life by maternal antibodies or by prophylactically administered neutralizing antibodies. Efforts are under way to produce RSV-specific antibodies with increased neutralizing capacity compared to the currently licensed palivizumab. While clearly beneficial during primary infections, preexisting antibodies might affect the onset of adaptive immune responses and the ability to resist subsequent RSV infections. Therefore, we addressed the question of how virus neutralizing antibodies influence the priming of subsequent adaptive immune responses. To test a possible role of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in this process, we compared the responses in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and FcRn^−/− mice. We observed substantial virus-specific T-cell priming and B-cell responses in mice primed with RSV IgG immune complexes resulting in predominantly Th1-type CD4⁺ T-cell and IgG2c antibody responses upon live-virus challenge. RSV-specific CD8⁺ T cells were primed as well. Activation of these adaptive immune responses was independent of FcRn. Thus, neutralizing antibodies that localize to the airways and prevent infection-related routes of antigen processing can still facilitate antigen presentation of neutralized virus particles and initiate adaptive immune responses against RSV.     

C2-ceramide primes specifically for the superoxide anion production induced by N-formylmethionylleucyl phenylalanine (fMLP) in human neutrophils

Activated sphingomyelinases release ceramide molecules believed to be involved in intracellular signalling. The present study investigated whether soluble C₂-ceramide modulates some of the effects of N-formylmethionylleucyl phenylalanine (fMLP) and other agonists on human neutrophils (or polymorphonuclear leukocytes-PMN); principally superoxide anion (O₂⁻) production. The preincubation of PMN for 15 min with C₂-ceramide increased by up to almost 3-fold the amounts of O₂⁻ generated in response to 0.1 and 1 μM fMLP. Priming was detected at C₂-ceramide concentrations of 2 μM to 4 μM per million PMN. Though less potent than C₂-ceramide, C₆-ceramide (N-hexanoylsphingosine) could prime for O₂⁻ generated in response to 0.1 μM fMLP, with maximal effects obtained at 10–20 μM. In contrast, micromolar concentrations of sphingosine, dihydroceramide, and ceramide-phosphate, failed to exert any potentiating effect on fMLP-induced O₂⁻ generation. As expected, TNF-α (1000 U/ml), also primed for fMLP-induced O₂⁻ production; however, the combination of TNF-α and C₂-ceramide showed no additive effect. Moreover, S. aureus sphingomyelinase (0.1 U/ml), was unable to reproduce the priming effects of C₂-ceramide and TNF-α. C₂-ceramide at 2 μM did not enhance the production of O₂⁻ induced by 100 nM recombinant human interleukin-8 (IL-8), leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), platelet-activating factor (PAF) or 20 mM sodium fluoride (NaF). Furthermore, C₂-ceramide (2 μM) did not enhance the mobilization of calcium, the release of arachidonic acid or the accumulation of phosphatidylethanol, induced by 100 nM fMLP. This suggests that probably neither phospholipases C, A₂ or D (PLC, PLA₂, PLD) were involved in the priming effect by C₂-ceramide. However, C₂-ceramide inhibited in a dose-related manner the production of O₂⁻ induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and mezerein. Furthermore, PMA-stimulated PLD activity was also significantly reduced by a preincubation of PMN with C₂-ceramide. The priming O₂⁻ production by C₂-ceramide could involve yet unidentified mechanisms specific for fMLP, or it might imply that cytokines such as TNF-α have different mechanisms than C₂-ceramide.     

Endotoxin priming of neutrophils requires endocytosis and NADPH oxidase-dependent endosomal reactive oxygen species

NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2)-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical for neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)) microbicidal function. Nox2 also plays a role in intracellular signaling, but the site of oxidase assembly is unknown. It has been proposed to occur on secondary granules. We previously demonstrated that intracellular NADPH oxidase-derived ROS production is required for endotoxin priming. We hypothesized that endotoxin drives Nox2 assembly on endosomes. Endotoxin induced ROS generation within an endosomal compartment as quantified by flow cytometry (dihydrorhodamine 123 and Oxyburst Green). Inhibition of endocytosis by the dynamin-II inhibitor Dynasore blocked endocytosis of dextran, intracellular generation of ROS, and priming of PMN by endotoxin. Confocal microscopy demonstrated a ROS-containing endosomal compartment that co-labeled with gp91(phox), p40(phox), p67(phox), and Rab5, but not with the secondary granule marker CD66b. To further characterize this compartment, PMNs were fractionated by nitrogen cavitation and differential centrifugation, followed by free flow electrophoresis. Specific subfractions made superoxide in the presence of NADPH by cell-free assay (cytochrome c). Subfraction content of membrane and cytosolic subunits of Nox2 correlated with ROS production. Following priming, there was a shift in the light membrane subfractions where ROS production was highest. CD66b was not mobilized from the secondary granule compartment. These data demonstrate a novel, nonphagosomal intracellular site for Nox2 assembly. This compartment is endocytic in origin and is required for PMN priming by endotoxin.     

Bacterial extract cantastim activates macrophages via TLR-2

CANTASTIM is a second generation bacterial immunomodulator. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism by which bacterial immunomodulator CANTASTIM induces production of inflammatory cytokines in monocytes/macrophages. Proinflammatory cytokines were induced in PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells by stimulation with TLR agonists and CANTASTIM in the presence or absence of anti-TLR blocking antibodies or isotype matched control antibodies. Also, RNA interference was used to knockdown TLR2 or TLR4 expression in PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells before stimulation. As expected, induction of TNF-alpha and IL-6 by TLR4 agonist LPS was inhibited in a significant manner by anti-TLR4 but not by anti-TLR2 antibody. Unexpectedly, treatment with anti-LR2 blocking antibody inhibited only IL-6 production induced by Pam3CSK4 while the level of TNF-alpha was unchanged. When cells were stimulated by TLR2 agonist heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes the release of TNF-alpha was significantly attenuated by anti-TLR2 antibodies. Silencing of TLR2 led to a statistically significant inhibition of TNF-alpha secretion induced by TLR2 agonist while siRNA silencing of TLR4 did not affect the response to TLR2 agonist. Cells exposed to CANTASTIM produced significant levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines but the levels were lower than LPS-stimulated cells. Production of both cytokines was inhibited by treatment with anti-TLR2 blocking antibody and not by anti-TLR4 antibody. Silencing of TLR2 led to a statistically significant inhibition of TNF-a secretion induced by CANTASTIM while silencing of TLR4 had no effect on the response to CANTASTIM. These results support the hypothesis that CANTASTIM may exert its immunomodulatory and adjuvant activities through interaction of its bacterial components with TLR2.     

Priming of the respiratory burst of neutrophils by diacylglycerol. Independence from activation or translocation of protein kinase C

Preincubation of neutrophils with certain agonists may "prime" the cells to cause increased responses to a second stimulus ("primed stimulation"). We used two approaches to examine the role of protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) in priming and stimulation by 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP): inhibition of protein kinase C by 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-piperazine (C-I) and measurement of protein kinase C translocation induced by priming and stimulatory concentrations of OAG. C-I had little effect on stimulation or primed stimulation by fMLP, suggesting that fMLP invokes events independent of protein kinase C. C-I equally inhibited stimulation and primed stimulation by PMA. Direct stimulation by OAG was inhibited, but priming and primed stimulation by OAG was unaltered by C-I. OAG concentrations greater than or equal to 100 microM caused translocation of protein kinase C, in correlation with direct stimulation of the respiratory burst. Lower OAG concentrations (10-30 microM) primed to stimulation by fMLP and, conversely, stimulated neutrophils primed with fMLP, yet did not cause translocation of protein kinase C. The data are compatible with previous assumptions that PMA and OAG directly stimulate polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes by translocation and activation of protein kinase C. However, priming and primed stimulation by OAG apparently invoke distinct transduction mechanisms other than protein kinase C translocation.     

Newcastle disease virus neuraminidase primes neutrophils for stimulation by galectin-3 and formyl-Met-Leu-Phe

Human neutrophils are activated by the β-galactoside-binding lectin galectin-3, provided that the cells are primed by in vivo extravasation or by in vitro preactivation with, for example, LPS. Removal of terminal sialic acid can change neutrophil functionality and responsiveness due to exposure of underlying glycoconjugate receptors or change in surface charge. Here, we investigated whether such alteration of the cell surface carbohydrate composition can alter the responsiveness of the cells to galectin-3. Neutrophils were treated with neuraminidases (NA) of different origins: Clostridium perfringens (CP), Salmonella typhimurium, Vibrio cholerae, and Newcastle disease virus (NDV). In the presence of NDV-NA, but no other NA, the otherwise non-responding neutrophils responded readily to galectin-3 by activation of the NADPH-oxidase. The galectin-3 priming effect was inhibited by the sialidase inhibitor 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid. Earlier studies have shown that priming of the neutrophil response to galectin-3 with, for example, LPS is paralleled by degranulation of intracellular vesicles and granules and upregulation of potential galectin-3 receptors. Also, NDV-NA (but not CP-NA) treatment induced degranulation, shown as an upregulation of complement receptor 3. Since not only the galectin response but also the response to the chemoattractant fMLF was primed, NDV-NA appears to induce a general priming phenomenon, possibly due to receptor upregulation by degranulation.     

Mechanism and regulation of neutrophil priming by platelet-activating factor

Although a weak direct stimulus of superoxide anion (O₂^?) production, platelet-activating factor (PAF) markedly enhances responses to chemotactic peptides (such as n-formyl-met-leu-phe, FMLP) and phorbol esters (such as phorbol myristate acetate, PMA) in human neutrophils. The mechanism of priming was explored first through inhibition of steps in the signal transduction pathway at and following PAF receptor occupation. Priming was not altered by pertussis toxin or intracellular calcium chelation, but the PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086 and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors sphinganine and staurosporine significantly inhibited the primed response. In order to study the regulation of PAF priming, the effect of PAF alone was desensitized by exposure to escalating doses of PAF prior to exposure to the secondary stimuli. The priming effect of PAF was not desensitized under these conditions. The role of PKC in desensitization was also studied. Prior exposure to PAF also desensitized the increase in membrane PKC activity evoked by a single concentration of PAF. However, when the PAF response was desensitized, PKC priming of the response to FMLP or PMA still occurred, suggesting that PKC activity may play a role in the maintenance of the primed state despite PAF desensitization. These data suggest that: (1) PAF priming is receptor- and PKC-mediated but is independent of pertussis toxin-inhibitable G-proteins or intracellular calcium, (2) during migration in vivo, neutrophils may be desensitized to the direct effects of PAF but maintain the capacity for enhanced responses to other stimuli, (3) desensitization of PAF-induced particulate PKC activity also occurs, but PAF primes PKC activity despite PAF desensitization, and (4) distinct mechanisms govern the direct and priming effects of PAF on oxidative metabolism. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Modulation of TNF-alpha-priming and stimulation-dependent superoxide generation in human neutrophils by protein kinase inhibitors.

Human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (HPPMN) from healthy individuals are not primed and, hence, weak stimulation-dependent responses are induced by certain stimuli which bind to membrane receptors. When HPPMN were exposed to recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (rHuTNF-alpha) or recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rG-CSF), they underwent priming and the rate of superoxide anion (O.-2) generation was increased by subsequent exposure to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or opsonized zymosan (OZ). However, the degree of enhancement was very small upon exposure to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or dioctanoyl glycerol (DOG). The oxygen burst induced by FMLP or OZ was inhibited by genistein and alpha-cyano-3-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-5-phenylthiomethylcinnamamid (ST638), which are inhibitors of tyrosine kinase (TK), and was enhanced by 1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl)-3-methyl-piperazine (H-7) and staurosporine, which are inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC). Without priming, however, O.-2 generation from HPPMN by high concentrations of FMLP was not inhibited strongly by genistein or ST638. On the contrary, the oxygen burst induced by PMA or DOG was stimulated by genistein or ST638 and was inhibited by H-7 or staurosporine. Furthermore, O.-2 generation by guinea pig peritoneal neutrophils, which are already primed in vivo, was induced markedly by FMLP by a mechanism which was stimulated by a low concentration of genistein or ST638. Thus, FMLP-mediated O.-2-generation of HPPMN is coupled with rHuTNF-alpha- or rG-CSF-priming and is inhibited by TK inhibitors, whereas PMA- or DOG-induced O.-2 generation is not coupled with TNF-alpha or G-CSF-priming and is inhibited by PKC inhibitors. These results suggest that both PKC and TK play critical roles in the regulatory mechanism of priming and NADPH-oxidase activation in neutrophils.     

Priming of neutrophils by lipopolysaccharide for enhanced release of superoxide. Requirement for plasma but not for tumor necrosis factor-alpha

When human neutrophils are incubated with LPS, they become primed for enhanced release of O2- in response to stimulation by FMLP. We investigated two aspects of LPS priming: 1) whether priming depends on secretion of TNF-alpha by monocytes present in neutrophil preparations, and 2) whether plasma is required for priming. Using plasma-Percoll gradients, we isolated neutrophils that contained only 0.1% monocytes. At 37 degrees C, these neutrophils were significantly primed by LPS (100 ng/ml) within 30 min. In contrast, LPS-treated monocytes required 60 min to secrete significant neutrophil-priming activity, the major component of which was TNF-alpha. Further, antibody against TNF-alpha failed to inhibit priming of neutrophils by LPS at 15, 30, and 45 min, and inhibited only 15% at 60 min. The results suggested that TNF-alpha or other factors from monocytes were not essential for priming of neutrophils by LPS. Neutrophils that had been washed free of plasma by centrifugation through 50% Percoll responded only weakly to LPS with respect to priming for enhanced O2- release and increased expression of alkaline phosphatase activity on the cell surface. Priming of washed neutrophils could be restored by adding back plasma (0.1 to 1.0%). This effect of plasma was not blocked by heating the plasma to 56 degrees C but was blocked at 100 degrees C. LPS priming could be blocked by polymyxin B, even in the presence of plasma. Thus, priming required both LPS and plasma. Neutrophils incubated with LPS in the absence of plasma were not primed by subsequent addition of plasma, but were primed by addition of plasma and LPS. Culture supernatants from neutrophils incubated with 20 ng/ml LPS in the absence of plasma failed to prime fresh neutrophils, but supernatants from neutrophils incubated with LPS in the presence of 1% plasma were able to prime fresh neutrophils. These results implied that neutrophils inactivated LPS and that plasma protected LPS from inactivation. Nevertheless, such inactivated LPS retained the ability to gel Limulus lysate at 10 pg/ml, and the ability to prime monocytes at 100 pg/ml. Thus, plasma prevented a neutrophil-specific inactivation of LPS.