高碘酸氧化肝素抑制β2-整合素(Mac-1)介导的嗜中性粒细胞黏附

已有的研究结果表明,肝素可以作为β2-整合素(Mac-1)的配体抑制炎症过程中Mac-1介导的嗜中性粒细胞与血管内皮细胞的黏附.通过选择性化学修饰方法制备了具有低抗凝血活性的高碘酸氧化-硼氢化钠还原肝素(RO-肝素),系统地研究了它对Mac-1介导的嗜中性粒细胞黏附的抑制作用.结果表明,显著失去抗凝血活性的RO-肝素仍能有效地抑制Mac-1介导的嗜中性粒细胞与ICAM-1重组蛋白、转染ICAM-1 cDNA的COS-7细胞和人脐静脉内皮细胞黏附.为深入阐明拮抗Mac-1介导的白细胞黏附的分子机制和筛选抗炎症药物提供了有价值的实验证据.     

Haemoglobin-induced oxidative stress is associated with both endogenous peroxidase activity and H2O2 generation from polyunsaturated fatty acids

Patients with increased haemolytic haemoglobin (Hb) have 10-20-times greater incidence of cardiovascular mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of Hb peroxidase activity in LDL oxidation. The role of Hb in lipid peroxidation, H(2)O(2) generation and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was assessed using NaN(3), a peroxidase inhibitor, catalase, a H(2)O(2) decomposing enzyme and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), respectively. Hb induced H(2)O(2) production by reacting with LDL, linoleate and cell membrane lipid extracts. Hb-induced LDL oxidation was inhibited by NaN(3) and catalase. Furthermore, Hb stimulated ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, which was inhibited by the antioxidant, probucol. Thus, the present study suggests that the peroxidase activity of Hb produces atherogenic, oxidized LDL and oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the cell membrane and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation mediated Hb-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression.     

Involvement of the CD11b/CD18 integrin, but not of the endothelial cell adhesion molecules ELAM-1 and ICAM-1 in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced neutrophil toxicity.

TNF-alpha can incite neutrophil-mediated endothelial cell damage and neutrophil H2O2 release. Both effects require adherent neutrophils. Using specific mAb, we showed in this in vitro study that the CD18 beta 2-chain and the CD11b alpha M-chain of the CD11/CD18 integrin heterodimer have a major role in both TNF-alpha-induced neutrophil-mediated detachment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and H2O2 release by TNF-alpha-activated human neutrophils. In contrast to anti-CD18 mAb, which consistently prevented neutrophil activation, anti-CD11a mAb and two of three anti-CD11b mAb did not reduce endothelial cell detachment and neutrophil H2O2 release, although they decreased neutrophil adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. mAb 904, directed against the bacterial LPS binding region of CD11b, reduced endothelial cell detachment for about 40% and neutrophil H2O2 release for more than 50%, demonstrating that CD11b/CD18 is engaged in TNF-induced neutrophil activation. Dependence on CD11b/CD18 could not be overcome by CD18-independent anchoring of neutrophils via PHA. Additionally, neither induction of increased expression of the endothelial cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and ELAM-1, nor subsequent addition of specific mAb, influenced endothelial cell injury or H2O2 release by TNF-activated neutrophils. Interaction with ICAM-1 and ELAM-1 therefore appears not to induce additional activation of TNF-stimulated neutrophils. These studies suggest that a specific, CD11b/CD18-mediated signal, instead of adherence only, triggers toxicity of TNF-activated neutrophils.     

Inflammatory response of tracheobronchial epithelial cells to endotoxin

Respiratory epithelial cells play a crucial role in the inflammatory response in endotoxin-induced lung injury, an experimental model for acute lung injury. To determine the role of epithelial cells in the upper respiratory compartment in the inflammatory response to endotoxin, we exposed tracheobronchial epithelial cells (TBEC) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Expression of inflammatory mediators was analyzed, and the biological implications were assessed using chemotaxis and adherence assays. Epithelial cell necrosis and apoptosis were determined to identify LPS-induced cell damage. Treatment of TBEC with LPS induced enhanced protein expression of cytokines and chemokines (increases of 235-654%, P < 0.05), with increased chemotactic activity regarding neutrophil recruitment. Expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was enhanced by 52-101% (P < 0.0001). This upregulation led to increased adhesion of neutrophils, with >95% adherence to TBEC after LPS stimulation, which could be blocked by either ICAM-1 (69%) or VCAM-1 antibodies (55%) (P < 0.05). Enhanced neutrophil-induced necrosis of TBEC was observed when TBEC were exposed to LPS. Reduced neutrophil adherence by ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 antibodies resulted in significantly lower TBEC death (52 and 34%, respectively, P < 0.05). Therefore, tight adherence of neutrophils to TBEC appears to promote epithelial cell killing. In addition to indirect effector cell-induced TBEC death, direct LPS-induced cell damage was seen with increased apoptosis rate in LPS-stimulated TBEC (36% increase of caspase-3, P < 0.01). These data provide evidence that LPS induces TBEC killing in a necrosis- and apoptosis-dependent manner.     

Amelioration of ischemia-reperfusion injury with cyclic peptide blockade of ICAM-1

Neutrophils are pivotal in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury leading to muscle damage. Firm adhesion of neutrophils to the endothelium is initiated by an interaction between intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (ICAM-1) on the endothelium and beta(2)-integrins on neutrophils. Inhibition of ICAM-1-dependent binding using monoclonal antibodies has been shown to be efficacious in ameliorating I/R injury by preventing the influx of neutrophils into the ischemic tissue. We recently described a cyclic peptide that is a potent and selective inhibitor of ICAM-1 (IP25) in vitro. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that IP25-mediated blockade of ICAM-1 would inhibit neutrophil influx during reperfusion of ischemic tissue and consequently attenuate muscle injury in a tourniquet hindlimb murine model of I/R injury. Varying amounts of peptide drug were injected at the beginning of the reperfusion period. The neutrophil influx and size of infarction at the end of 2 h of reperfusion were compared with those in untreated control mice and contralateral nonischemic limbs. Mice receiving IP25 immediately before reperfusion showed a 56% reduction in neutrophil infiltration in the ischemic muscle, accompanied by a 40% reduction in the infarct size. No effect on I/R injury was seen if IP25 administration was delayed for 60 min after reperfusion. We conclude that IP25 effectively inhibits ICAM-1-mediated adhesion of neutrophils to the endothelium in mice leading to a protective effect and suggests that synthetic peptide antagonists have a potential role as therapeutic tools.     

Lipopolysaccharide induces functional ICAM-1 expression in rat alveolar epithelial cells in vitro

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation is known to increase pulmonary intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. In the present study, L2 cells, a cell line of alveolar epithelial cells, were stimulated with LPS, and ICAM-1 expression was studied. ICAM-1 protein on L2 cells peaked at 6 (38% increase; P < 0.01) and 10 (48% increase; P < 0.001) h after stimulation with Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS, respectively. ICAM-1 mRNA expression was markedly increased, with a peak at 2-4 (E. coli) and 4-6 (P. aeruginosa) h. Adherence assays of neutrophils to LPS-stimulated L2 cells showed a threefold increase in adherence (P < 0.001). Pretreatment of the neutrophils with anti-lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 and anti-Mac-1 antibodies reduced adherence by 54% (P < 0.001). Analysis of immunofluorescence staining for ICAM-1 showed an exclusive apical expression of ICAM-1. These results indicate that LPS upregulates functional active ICAM-1 on the apical part of the membrane in rat pneumocytes.     

趋化因子CCL2对人脐静脉内皮细胞ICAM-1 表达的影响

目的:探讨CC类趋化因子配体2(C-C motif ligand 2,CCL2)对人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs)中细胞间粘附分子-1(intercellular adhesion molecule-1,ICAM-1)表达的影响。方法:体外分离培养HUVECs细胞,将HUVECs铺至6孔板中,待细胞融合至80-90%时,将CCL2过表达载体[pc DNA3.1(+)-CCL2]及CCL2小分子干扰RNA(si-RNA)分别转染到HUVECs中,于转染后12 h、24 h和48 h收集细胞进行RNA及蛋白提取。荧光定量PCR方法检测HUVECs中CCL2及ICAM-1基因m RNA表达。Western blotting检测HUVECs中CCL2及ICAM-1蛋白表达。结果:(1)与pc DNA3.1(+)组相比较,pc DNA3.1(+)-CCL2组中CCL2基因m RNA和蛋白水平均显著升高;与si-Control组相比较,si-CCL2组中CCL2基因m RNA和蛋白表达均明显下降。(2)与对照组比较,pc DNA3.1(+)-CCL2组明显增加HUVECs中ICAM-1的m RNA及蛋白表达,而si-CCL2组显著抑制HUVECs中ICAM-1的m RNA及蛋白表达。结论:CCL2能增加HUVECs中ICAM-1基因m RNA和蛋白表达,为深入认识动脉粥样硬化的发病机制提供了理论依据。     

番茄红素对血管内皮细胞氧化应激损伤的作用及机制研究

目的:观察番茄红素(lycopene,LYC)对于血管内皮细胞功能的作用,探讨其作用机制。方法:人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)处理实验分组:对照组,H2O2组,H2O2+LYC组(1、2、4、8μmolL-1)。MTT法检测HUVECs存活率;免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测p38MAPK蛋白磷酸化水平、抗凋亡蛋白B淋巴细胞/白血病-2(bcl-2)及线粒体凋亡通路相关蛋白bax的表达;细胞黏附能力测定和伤口愈合实验检测HUVECs粘附率和迁移率;TUNEL法检测HUVECs凋亡率;ELASA法测定HUVECs内活性氧(ROS),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD),乳酸盐脱氢酶(LDH)释放量和caspase-3的活性。结果:H2O2损伤后HUVECs存活率显著降低(P0.01),凋亡率显著增加(P0.01),黏附和迁移能力显著降低(P0.01),bax和p-p38MAPK的表达上调,bcl-2的表达下调,并且ROS、LDH的释放和caspase-3的活性增加(P0.01),SOD的释放减少。而LYC的预处理可以明显逆转H2O2以上作用。结论:H2O2氧化应激损伤中,LYC保护内皮细胞可能与其抗过氧化损伤细胞凋亡,抑制异常的p38MAPK信号通路有关。     

Hydrogen peroxide induces LFA-1-dependent neutrophil adherence to cardiac myocytes

Adult cardiac myocytes express intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in response to cytokine stimulation. This allows stable adhesion of chemotactically stimulated but not unstimulated neutrophils. In the current study, we demonstrated that brief exposure of ICAM-1-expressing cardiac myocytes to H(2)O(2) promoted transient adhesive interactions between myocytes and neutrophils without added chemotactic factors. This transient adhesion differed in two ways from the stable adhesion promoted by exogenous chemotactic factors. It occurred more rapidly, peaking within 15 min, and it was dependent on leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 (CD11a/CD18) on the neutrophil interacting with ICAM-1 on the myocyte. In contrast, chemotactic factor-induced adhesion peaked at 60 min and was dependent on Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18). The transient adhesion could be completely inhibited by platelet-activating factor (PAF)-receptor antagonists WEB-2086 and SDZ-64-412. These results indicate that canine neutrophils may utilize both LFA-1 and Mac-1 to adhere to adult cardiac myocytes, with LFA-1 triggered by a PAF-like activity induced in myocytes by H(2)O(2).     

Neutrophil tethering on E-selectin activates beta 2 integrin binding to ICAM-1 through a mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway

On inflamed endothelium selectins support neutrophil capture and rolling that leads to firm adhesion through the activation and binding of beta 2 integrin. The primary mechanism of cell activation involves ligation of chemotactic agonists presented on the endothelium. We have pursued a second mechanism involving signal transduction through binding of selectins while neutrophils tether in shear flow. We assessed whether neutrophil rolling on E-selectin led to cell activation and arrest via beta 2integrins. Neutrophils were introduced into a parallel plate flow chamber having as a substrate an L cell monolayer coexpressing E-selectin and ICAM-1 (E/I). At shears >/=0.1 dyne/cm2, neutrophils rolled on the E/I. A step increase to 4.0 dynes/cm2 revealed that approximately 60% of the interacting cells remained firmly adherent, as compared with approximately 10% on L cells expressing E-selectin or ICAM-1 alone. Cell arrest was dependent on application of shear and activation of Mac-1 and LFA-1 to bind ICAM-1. Firm adhesion was inhibited by blocking E-selectin, L-selectin, or PSGL-1 with Abs and by inhibitors to the mitogen-activated protein kinases. A chimeric soluble E-selectin-IgG molecule specifically bound sialylated ligands on neutrophils and activated adhesion that was also inhibited by blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinases. We conclude that neutrophils rolling on E-selectin undergo signal transduction leading to activation of cell arrest through beta 2 integrins binding to ICAM-1.     

ICAM-1 (CD54): a counter-receptor for Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18)

While the leukocyte integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 has been demonstrated to bind intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, results with the related Mac-1 molecule have been controversial. We have used multiple cell binding assays, purified Mac- 1 and ICAM-1, and cell lines transfected with Mac-1 and ICAM-1 cDNAs to examine the interaction of ICAM-1 with Mac-1. Stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which express a high surface density of ICAM-1, bind to immunoaffinity-purified Mac-1 adsorbed to artificial substrates in a manner that is inhibited by mAbs to Mac-1 and ICAM-1. Transfected murine L cells or monkey COS cells expressing human ICAM-1 bind to purified Mac-1 in a specific and dose-dependent manner; the attachment to Mac-1 is more temperature sensitive, lower in avidity, and blocked by a different series of ICAM-1 mAbs when compared to LFA-1. In a reciprocal assay, COS cells cotransfected with the alpha and beta chain cDNAs of Mac-1 or LFA-1 attach to immunoaffinity- purified ICAM-1 substrates; this adhesion is blocked by mAbs to ICAM-1 and Mac-1 or LFA-1. Two color fluorescence cell conjugate experiments show that neutrophils stimulated with fMLP bind to HUVEC stimulated with lipopolysaccharide for 24 h in an ICAM-1-, Mac-1-, and LFA-1- dependent fashion. Because cellular and purified Mac-1 interact with cellular and purified ICAM-1, we conclude that ICAM-1 is a counter receptor for Mac-1 and that this receptor pair is responsible, in part, for the adhesion between stimulated neutrophils and stimulated endothelial cells.     

三氧化二砷对人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡及VCAM-1/ICAM-1 表达的影响

目的:观察三氧化二砷(As2O3)对血管内皮细胞增殖、凋亡及VCAM-1/ICAM-1表达的影响,探讨As2O3对血管内皮细胞增殖生长以及炎症反应的影响。方法:人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)体外培养,以不同As2O3浓度及时间对其进行干预。采用CCK-8测定细胞增殖活性,流式细胞仪AnnexinⅤ/PI双染法检测细胞的凋亡率,实时荧光定量PCR检测VCAM-1mRNA表达,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测细胞间黏附分子(VCAM-1)及血管细胞黏附分子(ICAM-1)的表达情况。结果:当As2O3浓度在3μmol.L-1时HUVEC培养24 h的的凋亡率为(0.134±0.03)%,48 h为(3.305±0.53)%,72 h为(3.748±0.84)%(P<0.05),凋亡率均在一较低水平。当As2O3浓度>3μmol.L-1时HUVEC凋亡率明显增加(P<0.01)。不同浓度As2O3作用HUVEC48 h后检测上清液中ICAM-1与VCAM-1浓度时发现1μmol.L-1时VCAM-1表达即开始增加(123.32±3.78 mmol.L-1,P<0.01),而HUVEC表达ICAM-1含量与对照组相比差异并不明显(38.94±2.59 mmol.L-1,P>0.05),随着As2O3浓度的增加,HUVEC表达ICAM-1/VCAM-1的量均增加但敏感性不同。对照组及(1.0、2.0、3.0、4.0、5.0)μmol.L-1As2O3作用于HUVEC 48 h实时荧光定量PCR法检测VCAM-1mRNA表达量明显增加,与对照组相比实验组的表达量分别为(1.657±0.287,1.858±0.241,2.321±0.280,3.012±0.235,3.508±0.342)(P<0.01)。结论:As2O3可直接降低细胞活性,诱导细胞凋亡,并且呈一定的时间-浓度依赖性。在较低浓度时VCAM-1/ICAM-1的表达在一个相对较低的水平,随着As2O3浓度的逐渐升高,内皮细胞凋亡率增高,VCAM-1/ICAM-1表达增加,并且VCAM-1/ICAM-1对As2O3的敏感性呈现一定的差异性。     

A novel effect of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the facilitation of angiogenesis

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the adhesion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to endothelial cells and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from PMNs are responsible for inducing angiogenesis. Angiogenesis was assessed by tube formation using endothelial cells obtained from bovine thoracic aorta (BAECs) grown on a layer of collagen type I. Addition of PMNs to BAECs weakly induced angiogenesis. The angiogenesis induced by PMNs alone was further enhanced by treatment of the PMNs with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), a selective activator of PMN. The involvement of PMN adhesion to BAECs via adhesion molecules in angiogenesis was investigated by using monoclonal antibodies against E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). These antibodies blocked both the PMN adhesion to BAECs and the enhancement of angiogenesis induced by FMLP-treated PMNs. Furthermore, the enhancement of angiogenesis by FMLP-treated PMNs was blocked by catalase, a scavenging enzyme of H2O2, but not by superoxide dismutase (SOD). These results suggest that PMNs induce angiogenesis in vitro, and that the mechanism of stimulation of angiogenesis by PMNs may involve the adherence of PMNs to endothelial cells via E-selectin and ICAM-1, and H2O2, but not superoxide. Thus, activated PMNs in pathological states may not only induce tissue injury, but may also function as regulators of angiogenesis.     

Entamoeba histolytica: identification of a distinct beta2 integrin-like molecule with a potential role in cellular adherence

Entamoeba histolytica infection causes dysentery, intestinal colitis, and hepatic abscess in an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Attachment of E. histolytica trophozoites to intestinal epithelium and vascular endothelium during liver metastasis results in an inflammatory process. We report the identification of a distinct amebic beta2 integrin (CD18)-like molecule which affords adherence to TNF-alpha-activated endothelial cells. Data from flow cytometry and indirect immunofluorescence assays suggest the amebic beta2 integrin was localized to focal adhesion plates and was present in both E. histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. The amebic beta2 integrin appeared to be distinct from the amebic Gal/GalNAc lectin based on recombinant expression, amebic colocalization, and ELISA studies. Trophozoite adherence to endothelial cells expressing ICAM-1 (CD54) following activation with TNF-alpha or ICAM-1-transfected CHO cells was specifically inhibited with anti-CD18 or anti-CD54 MAbs. In summary, evidence in support of a distinct beta2 integrin-like molecule participating in amebic adherence to TNF-alpha-activated endothelial cells expressing ICAM-1 is presented. The presence of integrin-dependent binding may allow trophozoites to opportunistically adhere to activated intestinal epithelium or vascular endothelium expressing ICAM-1 during amebic colitis or hepatic abscess.     

The role of grancalcin in adhesion of neutrophils

Grancalcin is a protein specifically expressed in neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. The function of grancalcin has not been identified. Grancalcin-deficient neutrophils were previously demonstrated to exert normal recruitment to the inflamed site, NADPH oxidase activation, extracellular release of secondary granules, apoptosis and activation-induced Ca2+ flux. In this study we analyzed granule numbers in resting and activated grancalcin-deficient neutrophils, their phagocytic activity and adherence to extracellular matrix proteins. Results revealed normal phagocytosis and degranulation of grancalcin-deficient neutrophils, while their adhesion to fibronectin was decreased by 60%. Consistently, the processes associated with neutrophil adhesion, such as formation of focal adhesion complexes and spreading, were also impaired in grancalcin-deficient neutrophils by 89 and 38%, respectively. In contrast, adherence to other extracellular matrix proteins: collagen, laminin and vitronectin, was not significantly altered. We thus report for the first time a function of grancalcin.     

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor promotes adhesion of neutrophils

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor(G-CSF) is well known for its ability to drive the maturation andmobilization of neutrophils. G-CSF also appears to have the potentialto activate functions of mature neutrophils, influencing recruitment atsites of inflammation and tissue injury. We investigated the ability ofG-CSF to stimulate adhesion of isolated blood neutrophils. G-CSFinduced significant adherence to intercellular adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1 that was both macrophage antigen-1 (Mac-1) and leukocytefunction-associated antigen-1 dependent. The kinetics ofG-CSF-stimulated adhesion to ICAM-1 peaked at 11 min without detectablesurface upregulation of Mac-1. This was in marked contrast tochemokines, in which peak activation of adhesion is seen within 1 minof stimulation. In contrast to chemokine-induced adhesion, G-CSFstimulation was not inhibited by pertussis toxin. G-CSF also augmentedthe attachment of neutrophils to activated human umbilical veinendothelial cells (HUVEC) through specific effects on neutrophils,because HUVEC appear to lack functional G-CSF receptors.

     

Adhesiveness for Extracellular Matrices and Lysosomal Enzyme Release from Normal and β2 Integrin-Deficient Bovine Neutrophils

The adhesiveness of control and CD18-deficient bovine neutrophils on culture plates precoated with collagen I, collagen IV, fibronectin and laminin was measured to evaluate the possible factors for adherence to extracellular matrices. The release of N-acetyl-β-D -glucosaminidase (NAG_ase) from control and CD18-deficient neutrophils stimulated with complement receptor type 3 (CR3) or Fc receptor dependent stimuli was also evaluated. The adhesive activities of CD18-deficient neutrophils to collagen I, collagen IV and fibronectin were significantly diminished (P < 0.05); however, similar adhesion to laminin was observed in CD18-deficient neutrophils and control neutrophils. The adhesive activity of control neutrophils on uncoated plates increased 2.5 times (P < 0.05) with the presence of PMA. The mean activities for NAG_ase release from CD18-deficient neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zymosan and aggregated bovine immunoglobulin G (Agg-IgG) were 46.7 and 82.7% that of the control neutrophils, respectively. The Agg-IgG-induced NAG_ase release from control and CD18-deficient neutrophils was eliminated by H7, a protein kinase C inhibitor. These results support that an association between CR3 and Fc receptors on neutrophils appears to play an essential role in neutrophil functions.     

A systemic lupus erythematosus-associated R77H substitution in the CD11b chain of the Mac-1 integrin compromises leukocyte adhesion and phagocytosis

The Mac-1 integrin is expressed mainly on myeloid cells and binds several ligands, including members of the ICAM family and the complement factor iC3b. It is involved in essential immunological processes, such as leukocyte extravasation and phagocytosis. In addition, Mac-1 has been described to negatively regulate immune cell signaling. Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism conferring an amino acid change in the Mac-1 integrin extracellular domain, R77H, was shown to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Here, we demonstrate that the R77H-substituted Mac-1 can be expressed on the cell surface in transfected cells and can undergo conformational changes in response to integrin activation. The affinity of the integrin for ICAMs is only partially reduced, but cell adhesion to ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 is severely compromised, and Jβ2.7 cells expressing R77H substituted integrins are deficient in adhesion to ICAM-1 under shear flow conditions. Importantly, cell adhesion to the complement factor iC3b is also diminished, and COS cells expressing R77H-substituted integrins display reduced iC3b-dependent phagocytosis. In addition, U937 cells expressing R77H-CD11b display increased IL-6 production as compared with WT-CD11b-expressing cells. These results suggest that the R77H substitution results in the deficiency of the mutated integrin to mediate cell adhesion to ligands such as ICAMs and iC3b. These deficiencies may ultimately lead to detrimental effects on the immune system and contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus.