Echo 9 virus-induced order-disorder transition of chemotactic response of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes: phenomenology and molecular biology

By means of functional, morphological, and biophysical methods the in vitro interaction of Echo virus, type 9, strain A. Barty with human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) was investigated and analyzed by statistical methods. Control cells and virus-treated PMNs (15 min, 37 degrees C; PMN: virus (pfu)-ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:50) were exposed to a chemotactic gradient (N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine = f-Met-Leu-Phe, 10(-8) M/mm) in a Zigmond chamber. Whereas the track velocity of the moving PMNs was not affected by the virus, the degree of orientation of virus-treated PMNs declined in a way dependent on the viral dose and on the time of PMN:virus interaction, resulting in a shift from chemotactic to chemokinetic response. This virus-induced order-disorder transition of chemotactic response can be described by a logarithmic law in analogy to the Weber-Fechner law. Parallel to the functional disturbances, virus-induced changes of cell shape, which could be confirmed by additional light and electron microscopy techniques, were also detected using statistical analysis of cytological data (median cell size, anisotropy of cell shape) by means of two-dimensional histograms. To investigate f-Met-Leu-Phe- or/and Echo 9 virus-induced PMN-cell membrane changes, the monomer-excimer technique with pyrenedecanoic acid as fluorescent probe was applied, which gives information about structural changes of the cell membrane. Addition of the chemotactic peptide (10(-8) M) to control PMNs resulted in a higher rate of excimer formation obviously due to the formation of new functional (receptor) units (= activated cell membrane). Echo 9 virus exhibited an opposite effect. Quantitative analysis of these results revealed that the f-Met-Leu-Phe-induced cell membrane changes were extinguished by the addition of 2 pfu Echo 9 virus. So far, we have additional indicators of a virus-induced order-disorder transition of chemotactic response of human PMNs on a molecular biological level.     

Endocytosis and shedding of the decay accelerating factor on human polymorphonuclear cells

The decay-accelerating factor (DAF) is a cell membrane glycoprotein that functions in the control of C activation. We studied the modulation of membrane DAF on polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) by using anti-DAF antibodies. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis showed that DAF expression was reduced by 43 +/- 7% on resting or stimulated cells that were held at 37 degrees C for 30 min when compared with those kept on ice. Most of this reduction occurred within the first 15 min, and was followed by a gradual further decrease in surface DAF. PMN that were held at 37 degrees C for varying periods of time before DAF measurement had a gradual decrease suggestive of release of DAF from the PMN membrane or endocytosis. To examine the latter, PMN were reacted with anti-DAF at 0 degree C, followed by 125I-Fab'2 secondary antibodies at either 0 degree C or 37 degrees C, and subsequently treated with pronase. Thirty +/- 11% of the 125I remained bound to cells kept at 37 degrees C compared to 2% in those held at 0 degrees C. Internalization was further confirmed by electron microscopy. In PMN that were not exposed to pronase, 26 +/- 2% of the surface-associated 125I was released at 37 degrees C compared with 7% at 0 degrees C. Immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE of surface-labeled PMN showed that the temperature-dependent released DAF had a lower m.w. than membrane DAF. Immunofluorescent studies revealed that 37 degrees C mediated the redistribution of DAF from a homogeneous pattern into caps. These results show that under the conditions studied DAF is partially internalized and partially released from the PMN membrane to the fluid phase; the latter may contribute to the presence of DAF in body fluids.     

Chemotactic peptides modulate adherence of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to monolayers of cultured endothelial cells

We have used a new centrifugation assay to examine the effects of highly purified human C5a and C5a des Arg, as well as effects of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), on both the extent and strength of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adherence to monolayers of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. At concentrations that were chemotactic for PMN, C5a (0.1 nM), C5a des Arg (5.0 nM), and FMLP (1.0 nM) significantly reduced the percentage of PMN that adhered to endothelial monolayers. Adherence also was reduced by C5a des Arg that was generated by incubating (37 degrees C, 30 min) fresh human serum with either zymosan or purified C5a. High concentrations of C5a (greater than 1.0 nM) and FMLP (greater than 50 nM) that diminished PMN chemotaxis significantly enhanced the percentage of PMN that adhered tightly to endothelial cells (adherent cells resisted a dislodgment force of 1200 X G). Tight adherence of PMN to endothelial cells also was increased by high concentrations of C5a that were added to human serum in which carboxypeptidase N activity was destroyed by heating (56 degrees C, 30 min), and by C5a that was generated by incubating (37 degrees C, 30 min) fresh human serum with zymosan in the presence of the carboxypeptidase N inhibitor, epsilon-aminocaproic acid. High concentrations of C5a des Arg (up to 80 nM) neither enhanced adherence of PMN to endothelial cells nor decreased PMN migration. Thus, a reciprocal relation exists between PMN migration and PMN adherence to endothelial cells in response to chemotactic factors. At concentrations that are chemotactic for human PMN, C5-derived peptides and FMLP reduce the adherence of PMN to endothelial monolayers. Only at concentrations that decrease PMN migration do C5a and FMLP augment PMN adherence.     

Interaction of casein with human polymorphonuclear cells

Attachment of 125I-casein to PMN cells was investigated. Iodination did not decrease the chemotactic effect of casein. 125I-casein binding was increasing toward a maximum reached at about 45 min at 24, and 37 degrees C. At 4 degrees C the binding was proportional to time for 45 min. No saturation was achieved even at 15 mg/ml casein. About 40% of casein remained attached to PMN in a casein-free medium after 60 min, at 37 degrees C. Pretreatment of the cells with trypsin or butanol, or the presence of indomethacin, azide, and PMSF did not affect the binding of casein. The hydrophobic amino acid, leucin counteracted the attachment of casein. Our data show that at chemotactic doses casein is bound specifically to cell membranes by hydrophobic forces. The induction of chemotaxis may be due to micellar casein-membrane lipid complexes.     

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.     

Lipoxin A4 inhibits phosphoinositide hydrolysis in human neutrophils

Lipoxins (LX) are trihydroxytetraene metabolites derived from arachidonic acid via an interaction between the 5- and 15-lipoxygenases. Preincubation of [3H] myo-inositol labeled PMN with 10-7M and 10-5M LXA4 for 1 minute at 37 degrees C resulted in a concentration dependent inhibition of the generation of [3H] IP3 and [3H] IP in cells subsequently stimulated by increasing doses of LTB4 or FMLP for 1 minute at 37 degrees C. Preincubation of PMN with LXA4 did not inhibit specific binding of [3H] LTB4 to PMN. These results indicate that LXA4 inhibits chemotactic factor-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis at a post-receptor level.     

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.     

Development of a new method of analysing chemotactic deactivation of human neutrophil granulocytes

Measurement of chemotactic migration of human neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) induced by chemotaxins serves as a simple and reliable method for assessing the expression of chemotaxin receptors. Incubation of PMN with a certain chemotaxin leads to a diminished chemotactic migration towards this chemotaxin. This is called chemotactic deactivation. We developed a new deactivation chamber to determine chemotaxis and chemotactic deactivation of human PMN. This novel chamber is a modification of the commercially available acrylic 48-well microchemotaxis chamber consisting of an upper block with wells drilled all the way through the block and a blind-well lower block. Both blocks are separated by a polycarbonate membrane. PMN from the wells in the upper block migrate through the pores of the membrane into the wells of the lower block containing the chemoattractants. Migrated PMN on the lower side of the PC membrane were quantified after staining by measuring specific light absorbance. The chemotactic activity is quantified as a ratio of stimulated migration and random migration (chemotactic index=CI). For our novel chamber, only the upper blocks of this commercial chamber were connected like a sandwich, including a polyvinylpyrrolidone-free polycarbonate membrane with a pore size of 3 microm. The wells in the upper compartment were filled with 5 x 10(4) PMN and deactivating chemotaxin. The lower block was then filled with the chemotactic stimulus and the chamber was then incubated in humidified air with 5% CO2 atmosphere at 37 degrees C. The influence of cell concentration, incubation time, chemotactic factor concentration, pore size and alkaline treatment of polycarbonate membranes on migrational activity of PMN have been investigated. The technique was rigorously standardized in order to optimize the assay conditions. The method is relatively simple, sensitive and fast. The determination of chemotaxis and deactivation are performed in the same chamber, thus avoiding cell loss due to nonspecific adherence in other incubation tubes. The chamber can be used to characterize the chemotactic activity of chemoattractants of unknown structure via known and unknown receptors. This new chamber can be very helpful in detecting unknown chemotactic stimuli, which are not detectable by, for example, antibodies.     

Localization of chemotactic peptide receptors on rabbit neutrophils

The chemotaxis of blood leukocytes is initiated by the binding of a chemoattractant to specific receptors on the leukocyte cell surface. Although a great deal is known about the biochemical and morphological events accompanying chemotactic activation, there is very little morphological information about the chemoattractant receptors themselves. This latter information is needed so that we may understand the mechanism by which these inflammatory cells detect and respond to chemical gradients. One class of chemotactic factors extensively used to characterize the complex behavioral responses following leukocyte activation are the synthetic formylmethionyl peptides. These peptides, now known to be the analogs of the naturally occurring N-terminal peptides produced by bacteria, are released into culture medium and are believed to be responsible, at least in part, for the accumulation of leukocytes at the sites of bacterial infection. We have localized the receptors for the chemotactic hexapeptide N-formylnorleucyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-norleucyl-[125I]tyrosyl-lys ine [N-fNle-Leu-Phe-Nle-[125I]Tyr-Lys] on whole rabbit peritoneal neutrophils (PMN) using light microscope autoradiography. By this method, the inherent formylpeptide receptor distribution on cells incubated at 4 degrees C appears to be uniform over the surface of both rounded and structurally polarized PMN. Following a short 37 degrees C incubation, cells retain a large proportion of labelled hexapeptide at or near the cell surface and, in addition, polarized PMN redistribute the hexapeptide anteriorly away from the cell uropod.     

Relationship of F-actin distribution to development of polar shape in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils

Polymerization of actin has been associated with development of polar shape in human neutrophils (PMN). To examine the relation of filamentous actin (F-actin) distribution to shape change in PMN, we developed a method using computerized video image analysis and fluorescence microscopy to quantify distribution of F-actin in single cells. PMN were labeled with fluorescent probe NBD-phallicidin to measure filamentous actin and Texas red to assess cell thickness. We show that Texas red fluorescence is a reasonable measure of cell thickness and that correction of the NBD-phallicidin image for cell thickness using the Texas red image permits assessment of focal F-actin content. Parameters were derived that quantify total F-actin content, movement of F-actin away from the center of the cell, asymmetry of F-actin distribution, and change from round to polar shape. The sequence of change in F-actin distribution and its relation to development of polar shape in PMN was determined using these parameters. After stimulation with chemotactic peptide at 25 degrees C, F-actin polymerized first at the rim of the PMN. This was followed by development of asymmetry of F-actin distribution and change to polar shape. The dominant pseudopod developed first in the region of lower F-actin concentration followed later by polymerization of actin in the end of the developed pseudopod. Asymmetric F-actin distribution was detected in round PMN before development of polar shape. Based upon these data, asymmetric distribution of F-actin is coincident with and probably precedes development of polar shape in PMN stimulated in suspension by chemotactic peptide.     

Omega-oxidation is the major pathway for the catabolism of leukotriene B4 in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), formed by the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), may be an important mediator of inflammation. Recent studies suggest that human leukocytes can convert LTB4 to products that are less biologically active. To examine the catabolism of LTB4, we developed (using high performance liquid chromatography) a sensitive, reproducible assay for this mediator and its omega-oxidation products (20-OH- and 20-COOH-LTB4). With this assay, we have found that human PMN (but not human monocytes, lymphocytes, or platelets) convert exogenous LTB4 almost exclusively to 20-OH- and 20-COOH-LTB4 (identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). Catabolism of exogenous LTB4 by omega-oxidation is rapid (t1/2 approximately 4 min at 37 degrees C in reaction mixtures containing 1.0 microM LTB4 and 20 X 10(6) PMN/ml), temperature-dependent (negligible at 0 degrees C), and varies with cell number as well as with initial substrate concentration. The pathway for omega-oxidation in PMN is specific for LTB4 and 5(S),12(S)-dihydroxy-6,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (only small amounts of other dihydroxylated-derivatives of arachidonic acid are converted to omega-oxidation products). Even PMN that are stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate to produce large amounts of superoxide anion radicals catabolize exogenous leukotriene B4 primarily by omega-oxidation. Finally, LTB4 that is generated when PMN are stimulated with the calcium ionophore, A23187, is rapidly catabolized by omega-oxidation. Thus, human PMN not only generate and respond to LTB4, but also rapidly and specifically catabolize this mediator by omega-oxidation.     

Specific binding, internalization, and degradation of human neutrophil activating factor by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The interaction of 125I-labeled recombinant human neutrophil activating factor (NAF) with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was studied by means of a radioreceptor assay. The binding was characterized by a rapid transition (t1/2 less than or equal to 1 min) from a pH 3-sensitive state at 4 degrees C to pH 3 resistance at 37 degrees C. This was not caused by internalization of NAF since pH 3-resistant bound iodinated NAF could still be exchanged by an excess of nonlabeled NAF, i.e. was dissociable. Internalized iodinated NAF was processed into trichloroacetic acid-soluble forms. Scatchard transformation of binding isotherms at 4 and 37 degrees C led to nonlinear curves, a finding which is consistent with the expression of two receptor populations, one with high (KD = 11-35 pM) and the other with lower affinity (KD = 640-830 pM) at 4 degrees C. Numbers of the low affinity binding sites were approximately 34,000, and those with high affinity were 5,200/PMN when estimated at 4 degrees C. Binding of iodinated NAF to PMN was specific since it could be competed by an excess of nonlabeled NAF but not by two other activators of PMN function, formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. In addition to human PMN, NAF also bound specifically to two human monocytic cell lines; however, only the low affinity binding site could be detected on these cells.     

Inhibition of human neutrophil chemotaxis by the protein kinase inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl) piperazine

The protein kinase inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl) piperazine (C-I), inhibits superoxide release from human neutrophils (PMN) stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate or synthetic diacylglycerol, without inhibiting superoxide release from PMN stimulated with the chemoattractants C5a or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-Met-Leu-Phe). In this study, we investigated the effect of C-I on human PMN chemotaxis to C5a, f-Met-Leu-Phe, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and fluoresceinated N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-lysine (f-Met-Leu-Phe-Lys-FITC). PMN, preincubated for 5 min at 37 degrees C with 0 to 200 microM C-I, were tested for their migratory responses to the chemoattractants. C-I (greater than or equal to 1 microM) significantly inhibited PMN chemotaxis to f-Met-Leu-Phe, f-Met-Leu-Phe-Lys-FITC, and C5a without affecting random migration. Maximal inhibition of chemotaxis to these attractants occurred with greater than or equal to 50 microM C-I, at which chemotaxis was inhibited by 80 to 95%. The C-I inhibition was reversible. In contrast, 200 microM C-I did not inhibit the number of PMN migrating to LTB4, although, the leading front of PMN migration to LTB4 was inhibited by C-I. C-I inhibited PMN orientation to C5a and f-Met-Leu-Phe without affecting orientation to LTB4. C-I did not inhibit the binding of radiolabeled f-Met-Leu-Phe or f-Met-Leu-Phe-Lys-FITC to PMN. These findings suggest that the chemotactic responses of PMN to f-Met-Leu-Phe and C5a involve a protein kinase-dependent reaction which is inhibited by C-I.     

Gramicidin-induced hexagonal HII phase formation in erythrocyte membranes

Using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and freeze-fracture electron microscopic (FFEM) techniques, it is shown that gramicidin induces a hexagonal HII phase not only in liposomes prepared from total lipids extracted from human erythrocytes but also in isolated human erythrocyte membranes (white ghosts). A 37 degrees C, HII phase formation is detected at a gramicidin to phospholipid molar ratio exceeding 1:80. At a molar ratio of 1:5, about 30% of the phospholipid is organized in the HII phase. The gramicidin-induced HII phase exhibits a very small 31P chemical shift anisotropy [(CSA) approximately 10 +/- 1 ppm], indicating decreased head-group order, and it displays a temperature-dependent increase in tube diameter from 60.2 A at 4 degrees C to 64.2 A at 37 degrees C in ghosts and from 62.8 to 69.4 A at 37 degrees C in total lipid extracts, both in the presence of 1 mol of gramicidin/10 mol of phospholipid. This anomalous temperature-dependent behavior is probably due to the presence of cholesterol. 31P NMR data indicate that the HII phase formation by gramicidin is temperature dependent and show the gradual disappearance of the HII phase at low temperatures (less than 20 degrees C), resulting in a bilayer type of 31P NMR line shape at 4 degrees C, whereas SAXS and FFEM data suggest equal amounts of HII phases at all temperatures. This apparent discrepancy is probably the result of a decrease in the rate of lateral diffusion of the membrane phospholipids which leads to incomplete averaging of the 31P CSA in the HII phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The interaction of small oligomers of complement 3B (C3B) with phagocytes. High affinity binding and phorbol ester-induced internalization by polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The binding of soluble, multimeric ligands of the major cleavage fragment of complement component 3 (C3b) to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) has been examined. The oligomers bound entirely via complement C3 receptor type 1 (CR1). There was a single affinity of binding (0.65 nM) at 37 degrees C, while this high affinity binding accounted for only a minority of ligand bound at 0 degree C, with the rest showing a 50-100-fold lower affinity. Azide, fluoride, cytochalasin B, and colchicine had no effect on oligomer binding to PMN. Binding of oligomers had no effect on CR1 expression by PMN. C3b oligomers were not spontaneously internalized by PMN, but were internalized in response to phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu). Both CR1 initially present on the PMN plasma membrane and CR1 initially present in the internal pool of receptors were able to participate in PDBu-induced ligand internalization. C3b oligomers attached to the detergent-insoluble cell cytoskeleton during incubation at 37 degrees C, but cytochalasin B did not inhibit PDBu-induced ligand internalization. Internalized ligand was no longer associated with the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton. These data demonstrate that 1) some CR1 diffusion is required for optimal oligomer binding; 2) high affinity ligand is not a signal for plasma membrane expression of the internal pool of CR1; 3) CR1 cross-linking is not a sufficient signal for endocytosis; and 4) functional CR1 association with the cytoskeleton which occurs at the plasma membrane is not required for ligand internalization.     

Membrane-bound matrix metalloproteinase-8 on activated polymorphonuclear cells is a potent, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-resistant collagenase and serpinase

Little is known about the cell biology or the biologic roles of polymorphonuclear cell (PMN)-derived matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). When activated with proinflammatory mediators, human PMN release only approximately 15-20% of their content of MMP-8 ( approximately 60 ng/10(6) cells) exclusively as latent pro-MMP-8. However, activated PMN incubated on type I collagen are associated with pericellular collagenase activity even when bathed in serum. PMN pericellular collagenase activity is attributable to membrane-bound MMP-8 because: 1) MMP-8 is expressed in an inducible manner in both pro- and active forms on the surface of human PMN; 2) studies of activated PMN from mice genetically deficient in MMP-8 (MMP-8(-/-)) vs wild-type (WT) mice show that membrane-bound MMP-8 accounts for 92% of the MMP-mediated, PMN surface type I collagenase activity; and 3) human membrane-bound MMP-8 on PMN cleaves types I and II collagens, and alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor, but is substantially resistant to inhibition by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2. Binding of MMP-8 to the PMN surface promotes its stability because soluble MMP-8 has t(1/2) = 7.5 h at 37 degrees C, but membrane-bound MMP-8 retains >80% of its activity after incubation at 37 degrees C for 18 h. Studies of MMP-8(-/-) vs WT mice given intratracheal LPS demonstrate that 24 h after intratracheal LPS, MMP-8(-/-) mice have 2-fold greater accumulation of PMN in the alveolar space than WT mice. Thus, MMP-8 has an unexpected, anti-inflammatory role during acute lung injury in mice. TIMP-resistant, active MMP-8 expressed on the surface of activated PMN is likely to be an important form of MMP-8, regulating lung inflammation and collagen turnover in vivo.     

Efficient introduction of contents of liposomes into cells using HVJ (Sendai virus)

The conditions for efficient introduction of the contents of liposomes into cells were examined using fragment A of diphtheria toxin (DA) as a marker; one molecule of DA can kill a cell when introduced into the cytoplasm. Liposomes containing DA (DA liposomes) were toxic to cells treated with HVJ (Sendai virus) at 4 degrees C just before exposure to DA liposomes at 37 degrees C, but were not toxic to untreated cells. This toxicity was temperature-dependent. DA outside of liposomes was not toxic to HVJ-treated cells. Results also showed that liposomes could fuse with HVJ at 37 degrees but not at 4 degrees C and that liposomes preincubated with HVJ at 37 degrees C could associate with cells. DA liposomes preincubated with HVJ at 37 degrees C were highly toxic to cells. This toxicity was dependent on the duration of preincubation with HVJ and the dose of HVJ. When plasmid DNA coded herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase was trapped in liposomes and fused with Ltk- cells with HVJ, the thymidine kinase activity was expressed in about 10% of the cells. These data show that naked liposomes fuse efficiently with cells with HVJ and that the contents of the liposomes can be introduced into the cytoplasm 100-10 000 times more efficiently by treatment of the cells or liposomes with HVJ.     

The cell surface glycoprotein Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) mediates neutrophil adhesion and modulates degranulation independently of its quantitative cell surface expression

It has previously been shown that during degranulation Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18)--a glycoprotein that plays a central role in neutrophil adhesion-is up-regulated on PMN surfaces. It has been assumed that this quantitative change in adhesion Ag expression on the cell surface would in turn lead to increased cellular adhesiveness. In contrast, we found that at an incubation temperature of 16 degrees C, stimulated neutrophil adhesion to plastic tissue culture dishes in the presence of FMLP (2.5 x 10(-6) M), TNF (10 ng/ml), or PAF (1 x 10(-4) M) occurred without cellular degranulation or Mac-1 surface up-regulation as measured cytofluorometrically. As shown by functional inhibition studies employing monoclonal antibodies 60.3 (anti-CD18) and 60.1 (anti-CD11b), adhesion at 16 degrees C, where no CD11b/CD18 up-regulation was seen, is mediated by CD11b/CD18 just as it is at 37 degrees C, where degranulation and CD11b/CD18 up-regulation could be demonstrated. The physiologic importance of these findings was underscored by experiments done on endothelial monolayers, which showed that PMN association with endothelial cells is absolutely independent from the quantitative up-regulation of Mac-1 on PMN surfaces. When neutrophils were stimulated at 37 degrees C by endotoxin, an agent that does not induce aggregation (a form of intercellular adhesion), Mac-1 surface expression increased only after cells had become adherent, whereas cells held in suspension to prevent cell-substrate adhesion neither degranulated nor up-regulated their Mac-1 surface expression. Thus, not only is adherence independent of degranulation and Mac-1 cell surface up-regulation, but both degranulation and Mac-1 surface up-regulation appear to depend on the process of adhesion. Correspondingly, incubation of neutrophils with antibodies 60.1 and 60.3 inhibited not only adhesion of cells stimulated with FMLP at 37 degrees C but degranulation as well. These results indicate that Mac-1 influences degranulation as well as it controls adhesion not by its mere quantity on the cell surface, but rather by an yet undefined molecular modulation.     

Thermotropic lipid phase separation in the human immunodeficiency virus

The presence of thermodependent lipid domains in the envelope of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was studied. HIV was propagated in Hut-78 cells and purified by differential-gradient centrifugation. Since the virus was highly infectious in cell culture and Western blots of detergent-inactivated HIV showed envelope proteins when exposed to sera containing anti-HIV antibodies, this viral preparation was not deficient in 'spike' or 'knob' particles. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of intact HIV labeled with 5-nitroxide stearate (5-NS) indicated that a temperature-dependent lipid phase separation occurs with a high onset at approx. 42 degrees C and a low onset at approx. 15 degrees C. Cooling below 42 degrees C induces 5-NS clustering. Similar phase separations with high onsets at approx. 37-38 degrees C were previously identified in 5-NS labeled human erythrocytes (cholesterol/phospholipid (C/P) molar ratio = 0.90) and cholesterol-loaded (C/P = 0.85-0.98) rat liver plasma membranes. These were attributed to a temperature-sensitive redistribution of endogenous lipid components such that 5-NS is excluded from cholesterol-rich domains and tends to reside in cholesterol-poor domains at low temperatures. Since HIV has a lipid envelope with a similarly high C/P of 0.88 (Aloia et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 900-904), cholesterol-rich and cholesterol-poor domains also probably exist in HIV at physiologic temperatures. The reduced stability and infectivity of HIV noted on heating above 42 degrees C may be due, in part, to the abolition of these thermodependent domains.