Estrogen effect on post-exercise skeletal muscle neutrophil infiltration and calpain activity

We hypothesized that estrogen administration would attenuate skeletal muscle neutrophil infiltration, indices of muscle membrane disruption, and muscle calpain activity shortly after the termination of exercise. Ovariectomized female rats were implanted with either an estogen pellet (25 mg beta-estradiol) or a placebo pellet. Two weeks postimplant, animals were killed either at rest or 1 h after running exercise (60 min at 21 m x min(-1), 12% grade). The 4 experimental groups (n = 12) used were: unexercised placebo (UP), unexercised estrogen (UE), exercised placebo (EP), and exercised estrogen (EE). Blood samples were analyzed for creatine kinase (CK) activity and estradiol content. Plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles were removed and histochemical determination of neutrophil content or biochemical determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and calpain-like activity determined. Estrogen supplemented animals had 10-20-fold higher circulating estradiol levels than placebo animals. EP animals had significantly higher (P < 0.05) circulating CK activities than EE or unexercised animals. Muscle neutrophil concentrations were significantly (P < 0.01) elevated in EP and EE groups compared with unexercised controls, with EP muscle neutrophil levels also being over 60% greater (P < 0.05) than in EE animals. EP animals also had higher (P < 0.05) muscle MPO activities than unexercised or EE animals. Muscle G6PD activities were not significantly different between any groups. Muscle caplain-like activities were 80% higher (P < 0.01) in EP animals than EE animals with calpain-like activities in EE animals similar to unexercised groups. These results indicate that estrogen supplementation in ovariectomized rats attenuated 1-h post-exercise serum CK activities, muscle neutrophil infiltration, MPO activities, and calpain-like activities when compared with exercised, unsupplemented animals. This supports the possibility of a relationship between estrogen, calpain dependent production of neutrophil chemo-attractant peptides, and 1-h post-exercise skeletal muscle neutrophil infiltration.     

TNF-alpha is crucial for the development of mast cell-dependent colitis in mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, and TNF-alpha plays a pivotal role in mediating the response. The proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha is rapidly released by mast cells after degranulation. In the present study, we hypothesized TNF-alpha to be an important player in our recently described mast cell-dependent murine model for IBD. The effect of neutralizing anti-TNF-alpha MAb was studied on colonic hypersensitivity in mice induced by a skin application of dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) followed by an intrarectal challenge with dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Features of the colonic hypersensitivity response included diarrhea, mast cell infiltration and activation, infiltration of inflammatory cells in the colon, colonic patch hypertrophy, and increased mast cell-derived TNF-alpha levels in the colon. Anti-TNF-alpha MAb could effectively abrogate diarrhea in DNFB-sensitized mice 72 h after the challenge. The numbers of colonic patches and total tissue damage scores were reduced by anti-TNF-alpha MAb treatment in DNFB-sensitized mice 72 h after the challenge. Mast cell infiltration and activation remained unaffected by neutralizing anti-TNF-alpha MAb. Treatment with the corticosteroid dexamethasone, a frequently used therapeutic treatment in IBD, resulted in a reduction of diarrhea, cellular infiltration, and total tissue damage scores to the same extent as anti-TNF-alpha MAb. Additionally, dexamethasone treatment could also reduce total TNF-alpha levels in the colon, mast cell numbers, and mast cell activation in both vehicle- and DNFB-sensitized mice 72 h after the challenge. These findings suggest that TNF-alpha can play an instrumental role in causing inflammatory responses in the present murine model for IBD downstream from mast cell activation.     

Estrogen receptor-β signaling modulates epithelial barrier function

Impaired epithelial barrier function and estrogens are recognized as factors influencing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathology and disease course. Estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) is the most abundant estrogen receptor in the colon and a complete absence of ERβ expression is associated with disrupted tight-junction formation and abnormal colonic architecture. The aim of this study was to determine whether ERβ signaling has a role in the maintenance of epithelial permeability in the colon. ERβ mRNA levels and colonic permeability were assessed in IL-10-deficient mice and HLA-B27 rats by RT-PCR and Ussing chambers. ERβ expression and monolayer resistance were measured in HT-29 and T84 colonic epithelial monolayers by RT-PCR and electric cell-substrate impedance sensing. The effect of 17β-estradiol and an estrogen agonist [diarylpropionitrile (DPN)] and antagonist (ICI 182780) on epithelial resistance in T84 cells was measured. Expression of ERβ and proinflammatory cytokines was investigated in colonic biopsies from IBD patients. Levels of ERβ mRNA were decreased, whereas colonic permeability was increased, in IL-10-deficient mice and HLA-B27 transgenic rats prior to the onset of colitis. T84 cells demonstrated higher resistance and increased levels of ERβ mRNA compared with HT-29 cells. 17β-estradiol and DPN induced increased epithelial resistance in T84 cells, whereas an ERβ blocker prevented the increased resistance. Decreased ERβ mRNA levels were observed in colonic biopsies from IBD patients. This study suggests a potential role for ERβ signaling in the modulation of epithelial permeability and demonstrates reduced ERβ mRNA in animal models of colitis and colon of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.     

Critical role for mast cells in the pathogenesis of 2,4-dinitrobenzene-induced murine colonic hypersensitivity reaction

The immunological mechanisms underlying the role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are poorly defined. In this study, non-IgE mediated colonic hypersensitivity responses in BALB/c mice induced by skin sensitization with dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) followed by an intrarectal challenge with dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid featured as a model to study the role of mast cells in the development of IBD. Vehicle- or DNFB-sensitized mice were monitored for clinical symptoms and inflammation 72 h after dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid challenge. DNFB-sensitized mice developed diarrheic stool, increased colonic vascular permeability, hypertrophy of colonic lymphoid follicles (colonic patches), and showed cellular infiltration at the microscopic level. Increased numbers of mast cells were found in the colon of DNFB-sensitized mice located in and around colonic patches associated with elevated levels of mouse mast cell protease-1 in plasma indicating mast cell activation. Colonic patches of DNFB mice, stimulated in vitro with stem cell factor indicated that an increase in TNF-alpha levels in the colon is mainly mast cell originated. Finally, neutrophil infiltration was observed in the colon of DNFB-sensitized mice. Induction of this model in mast cell-deficient WBB6F(1) W/W(v) mice shows a profound reduction of characteristics of the colonic hypersensitivity reaction. Reconstitution with bone marrow-derived mast cells in WBB6F(1) W/W(v) mice fully restored the inflammatory response. This study demonstrates the importance of mast cells in the development of clinical symptoms and inflammation in the presented murine model for IBD.     

HLA-B27 misfolding in transgenic rats is associated with activation of the unfolded protein response

The mechanism by which the MHC class I allele, HLA-B27, contributes to spondyloarthritis pathogenesis is unknown. In contrast to other alleles that have been examined, HLA-B27 has a tendency to form high m.w. disulfide-linked H chain complexes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), bind the ER chaperone BiP/Grp78, and undergo ER-associated degradation. These aberrant characteristics have provided biochemical evidence that HLA-B27 is prone to misfold. Recently, similar biochemical characteristics of HLA-B27 were reported in cells from HLA-B27/human beta2-microglobulin transgenic (HLA-B27 transgenic) rats, an animal model of spondyloarthritis, and correlated with disease susceptibility. In this study, we demonstrate that the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated in macrophages derived from the bone marrow of HLA-B27 transgenic rats with inflammatory disease. Microarray analysis of these cells also reveals an IFN response signature. In contrast, macrophages derived from premorbid rats do not exhibit a strong UPR or evidence of IFN exposure. Activation of macrophages from premorbid HLA-B27 transgenic rats with IFN-gamma increases HLA-B27 expression and leads to UPR induction, while no UPR is seen in cells from nondisease-prone HLA-B7 transgenic or wild-type (nontransgenic) animals. This is the first demonstration, to our knowledge, that HLA-B27 misfolding is associated with ER stress that results in activation of the UPR. These observations link HLA-B27 expression with biological effects that are independent of immunological recognition, but nevertheless may play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases associated with this MHC class I allele.     

Abolishment of TNBS-induced visceral hypersensitivity in mast cell deficient rats

Mucosal mast cells are implicated in visceral hypersensitivity associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this study, we investigated the role of mast cells in the development of visceral hypersensitivity by using mast cell deficient (Ws/Ws) rats and their control (W+/W+). In W+/W+ rats, an injection of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) into the proximal colon produced a significant decrease in pain threshold of the distal colon. Severe mucosal necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration with concomitant increase in tissue myeloperoxidase activity were observed in the proximal colon that was directly insulted by TNBS, whereas neither necrosis nor increased myeloperoxidase activity occurred in the distal colon, indicating that TNBS-induced hypersensitivity is not caused by the local tissue damage or inflammation in the region of the gut where distention stimuli were applied. On the other hand, TNBS failed to elicit visceral hypersensitivity in Ws/Ws rats. This finding indicates that mast cells are essential for development of TNBS-induced visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Since the severity of TNBS-induced proximal colon injury and MPO activity was not affected by mast cell deficiency, it is unlikely that abolishment of visceral hypersensitivity in mast cell deficient rats was a result of altered development of the primary injury in the proximal colon. There was no difference between sham-operated Ws/Ws and W+/W+ rats in colonic pain threshold to distention stimuli, indicating that mast cells play no modulatory roles in normal colonic nociception. The present results support the view that mucosal mast cells play key roles in the pathogenesis of IBS.     

Neutrophil myeloperoxidase is a potent and selective inhibitor of mast cell tryptase.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an important component of the neutrophil response to microbial infection. In this paper we report an additional activity of MPO, the potent and selective inhibition of human mast cell tryptase. MPO inhibits human mast cell tryptase in a time-dependent manner with an IC50 of 16 nM at 1 h. In contrast, MPO does not inhibit trypsin, thrombin, plasmin, factor Xa, elastase, or cathepsin G. It is the native protein conformation of MPO and not its enzyme activity that is responsible for tryptase inhibition. Heparin, at high concentrations, can prevent the inhibition of tryptase by MPO. We have shown by size-exclusion chromatography that MPO promotes the dissociation of active tryptase tetramer to inactive monomer. These data suggest that MPO inhibits tryptase by interfering with the heparin stabilization of tryptase tetramer. We have previously shown that lactoferrin (another neutrophil-associated protein) also inhibits tryptase activity by a similar mechanism. The finding that MPO is a potent inhibitor of tryptase lends further support to the hypothesis that neutrophil proteins, such as MPO and lactoferrin, may play a regulatory role as endogenous suppressers of tryptase enzyme activity.     

Animal models of HLA-B27-associated diseases

The HLA-B27 molecule is strongly associated with the spondyloarthropathies (SpA), a group of inflammatory conditions affecting the skeleton, the skin and several mucosae. The mechanism of this association remains unknown, largely because the HLA-B27 molecule displays normal function. A disease that closely mimicks SpA arises spontaneously in HLA-B27 transgenic rats. This disease is dependent on the presence of a normal bacterial flora and implicates the immune system. The presence of both CD4+ T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs) expressing high levels of HLA-B27, seems of critical importance in its pathogenesis, whereas CD8+ T cells are dispensable. The T cell stimulatory function of APCs is disturbed by the HLA-B27 molecule. This disease could result from a failure of tolerance, related in part to high level of B27 expression in professional APCs and to the immune response to gut bacteria. In contrast, HLA-B27 transgenic mice have usually remained healthy. However, two types of inflammatory conditions affecting the skeleton, which arise in mice of susceptible background after exposure to a conventional bacterial flora, are increased by an HLA-B27 transgene. The first is ANKENT, a spontaneous ankylosing enthesitis that affects ankle and/or tarsal joints of ageing mice; the second is a spontaneous arthritis of hindpaws developing in mice lacking endogenous mbeta2m. As in rats, the absence of CD8+ T cells in the latter model, argues against the "arthritogenic peptide" hypothesis. In these mbeta2m0 mice, B27 free heavy chain could be implicated in the pathogenesis of arthritis by presenting extracellular peptides to CD4+ T cells.     

Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses a range of intestinal pathologies, the most common of which are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn''s Disease (CD). Both UC and CD, when present in the colon, generate a similar symptom profile which can include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and weight loss.¹ Although the pathogenesis of IBD remains unknown, it is described as a multifactorial disease that involves both genetic and environmental components.²There are numerous and variable animal models of colonic inflammation that resemble several features of IBD. Animal models of colitis range from those arising spontaneously in susceptible strains of certain species to those requiring administration of specific concentrations of colitis-inducing chemicals, such as dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). Chemical-induced models of gut inflammation are the most commonly used and best described models of IBD. Administration of DSS in drinking water produces acute or chronic colitis depending on the administration protocol.³ Animals given DSS exhibit weight loss and signs of loose stool or diarrhea, sometimes with evidence of rectal bleeding.^4,5 Here, we describe the methods by which colitis development and the resulting inflammatory response can be characterized following administration of DSS. These methods include histological analysis of hematoxylin/eosin stained colon sections, measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, which can be used as a surrogate marker of inflammation.⁶The extent of the inflammatory response in disease state can be assessed by the presence of clinical symptoms or by alteration in histology in mucosal tissue. Colonic histological damage is assessed by using a scoring system that considers loss of crypt architecture, inflammatory cell infiltration, muscle thickening, goblet cell depletion, and crypt abscess.⁷ Quantitatively, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines with acute inflammatory properties, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α,can be determined using conventional ELISA methods. In addition, MPO activity can be measured using a colorimetric assay and used as an index of inflammation.⁸In experimental colitis, disease severity is often correlated with an increase in MPO activity and higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Colitis severity and inflammation-associated damage can be assessed by examining stool consistency and bleeding, in addition to assessing the histopathological state of the intestine using hematoxylin/eosin stained colonic tissue sections. Colonic tissue fragments can be used to determine MPO activity and cytokine production. Taken together, these measures can be used to evaluate the intestinal inflammatory response in animal models of experimental colitis.     

Estrogen supplementation failed to attenuate biochemical indices of neutrophil infiltration or damage in rat skeletal muscles following ischemia

This study examined the effects of estrogen supplementation on markers of neutrophil infiltration and damage in skeletal muscle of rats following ischemia. Male and female gonad-intact rats, with or without 14 days of estrogen supplementation were subjected to two hours of hind-limb ischemia and sacrificed at 24, 48 or 72 hours post-ischemia. Control animals were sacrificed without ischemia. Plantaris and red and white gastrocneimus muscles were removed and assayed for myeloperoxidase (MPO), a marker of neutrophil infiltration, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and beta-glucuronidase (betaGLU), as markers of muscle damage. Significant elevations of MPO, G6PD and betaGLU activities were observed at various time points post-ischemia. No systematic differences between genders were noted in any of the measures. Estrogen supplementation in both male and female animals failed to significantly attenuate post-ischemia increases in MPO, G6PD and betaGLU activities in any of the muscles studied and in some cases accentuated activities of some of these measures. Unlike previous findings following exercise in skeletal muscle, this study failed to demonstrate estrogen-induced attenuation of indices of neutrophil infiltration or damage in skeletal muscles of rats up to 72 hours following ischemia. This demonstrates that estrogen may not consistently attenuate neutrophil infiltration and that a number of variables including damage modality, tissue or estrogen level may influence this.     

HLA-B27 misfolding and spondyloarthropathies

HLA-B27 plays a central role in the pathogenesis of many spondyloarthropathies and in particular ankylosing spondylitis. The observation that the HLA-B27 heavy chain has a tendency to misfold has raised the possibility that associated diseases may belong in a rapidly expanding category of protein misfolding disorders. The synthesis of the HLA-B27 heavy chain, assembly with β₂m and the loading of peptide cargo, occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) before transport to the cell surface. The evidence indicates that misfolding occurs in the ER prior to β₂m association and peptide optimization and is manifested in the formation of aberrant inter- and intra-chain disulfide bonds and accumulation of heavy chain bound to the chaperone BiP. Enhanced accumulation of misfolded heavy chains during the induction of class I expression by cytokines, can cause ER stress resulting in activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR).Effects of UPR activation on cytokine production are beginning to emerge and may provide important missing links between HLA-B27 misfolding and spondyloarthritis. In this chapter we will review what has been learned about HLA-B27 misfolding in human cells and in the transgenic rat model of spondyloarthritis-like disease, considering it in the context of other protein misfolding disorders. These studies provide a framework to support much needed translational work assessing HLA-B27 misfolding and UPR activation in patient-derived material, its consequences for disease pathogenesis and ultimately how and where to focus intervention strategies.Key words: ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis, protein misfolding, unfolded protein response, interleukin (IL)-17, cytokines     

Anti-Allergic Role of Cholinergic Neuronal Pathway via α7 Nicotinic ACh Receptors on Mucosal Mast Cells in a Murine Food Allergy Model

The prevalence of food allergy (FA) has increased in developed countries over the past few decades. However, no effective drug therapies are currently available. Therefore, we investigated cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway as a regulatory system to ameliorate disrupted mucosal immune homeostasis in the gut based on the pathophysiological elucidation of mucosal mast cells (MMCs) in a murine FA model. BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin received repeated oral ovalbumin for the development of FA. FA mice developed severe allergic diarrhea and exhibited enhanced type 2 helper T (Th2) cell immune responses in both systemic immunity and mucosal immunity, along with MMCs hyperplasia in the colon. MMCs were localized primarily in the strategic position of the mucosal epithelium. Furthermore, the allergic symptoms did not develop in p85α disrupted phosphoinositide-3 kinase-deficient mice that lacked mast cells in the gut. Vagal stimulation by 2-deoxy-D-glucose and drug treatment with nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) agonists (nicotine and α7 nAChR agonist GTS-21) alleviated the allergic symptoms in the FA mice. Nicotine treatment suppressed MMCs hyperplasia, enhanced MPO and upregulated mRNA expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in the FA mice colon. MMCs, which are negatively regulated by α7 nAChRs, were often located in close proximity to cholinergic CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the FA mice colon. The present results reveal that the cholinergic neuroimmune interaction via α7 nAChRs on MMCs is largely involved in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis and can be a target for a new therapy against mucosal immune diseases with homeostatic disturbances such as FA.     

Cinnamon extract reduces symptoms,inflammatory mediators and mast cell markers in murine IL-10−/− colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) shows an increasing prevalence and harm in western countries. Conventional therapies are associated with bad compliance and adverse side effects. Natural substances like cinnamon extract (CE) could be an additional therapy. We found recently that CE acts anti-inflammatory on mast cells — discussed of being relevant in IBD. Here, we analysed the effects of CE on murine IL-10^−/− colitis as model for IBD. Mice were treated 12 weeks with or without CE in drinking water. Clinical scores and disease activity index were assessed. Colonic tissue samples were analysed for infiltration, tissue damage, bowel wall thickness, expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, mast cell proteases, tight junction proteins, and NF-κB signaling. Following treatment with CE, symptoms of murine colitis as well as increased infiltration of immune cells, tissue damage and bowel wall thickness in colon tissue of IL-10^−/− mice were diminished significantly. MIP-2, TNF, IFNγ, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4 and IL-1β as well as MC-CPA, MCP-1 and MCP-4 were strongly upregulated in IL-10^−/− mice compared to WT, but noteworthy not in CE group. Expression of tight junction proteins was not influenced by CE. Phosphorylation of IκB was slightly down-regulated in CE treated IL-10^−/− mice compared to IL-10^−/− controls. In summary, CE decreases inflammatory symptoms and expression of inflammatory markers in murine IL-10^−/− colitis. CE has no influence on tight junction proteins, but seems acting via reducing pro-inflammatory mediators and recruitment of neutrophil granulocytes probably by inhibiting NF-κB signaling.     

Estrogen modulates TNF-alpha-induced inflammatory responses in rat aortic smooth muscle cells through estrogen receptor-beta activation

We have previously shown that 17beta-estradiol (E2) attenuates responses to endoluminal injury of the rat carotid artery, at least in part, by decreasing inflammatory mediator expression and neutrophil infiltration into the injured vessel, with a major effect on the neutrophil-specific chemokine cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2 beta. Current studies tested the hypothesis that activated rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) express these same inflammatory mediators and induce neutrophil migration in vitro and that E2 inhibits these processes by an estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent mechanism. Quiescent RASMCs treated with E2, the ER alpha-selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), the ER beta-selective agonist diarylpropiolnitrile (DPN), or vehicle for 24 h were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and processed for real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, or chemotaxis assays 6 h later. TNF-alpha stimulated and E2 attenuated mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators, including P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and CINC-2 beta. DPN dose dependently attenuated TNF-alpha-induced mRNA expression of CINC-2 beta, whereas PPT had no effect. The anti-inflammatory effects of DPN and E2 were blocked by the nonselective ER-inhibitor ICI-182,780. ELISA confirmed the TNF-alpha-induced increase and E2-induced inhibition of CINC-2 beta protein secretion. TNF-alpha treatment of RASMCs produced a twofold increase in neutrophil chemotactic activity of conditioned media; E2 and DPN treatment markedly inhibited this effect. E2 inhibits activated RASMC proinflammatory mediator expression and neutrophil chemotactic activity through an ER beta-dependent mechanism.     

HLA-B27 in inbred and non-inbred transgenic mice. Cell surface expression and recognition as an alloantigen in the absence of human beta 2-microglobulin

A gene encoding the H chain of the human class I MHC Ag HLA-B27 was introduced into the germ lines of inbred C57BL/6 (B6) and non-inbred (B6 X SJL/J) F2 mice. By immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, the HLA-B27 gene product was expressed on lymphoid cells at levels comparable to the endogenous H-2b and H-2s class I MHC molecules. In both primary and secondary MLC between responder spleen cells from non-transgenic (B6 X SJL/J) F1 mice and transgenic stimulator cells, CTL were generated that specifically lysed mouse L cell (H-2k) or human B cell targets expressing HLA-B27, and this lysis thus appeared largely unrestricted by H-2. These results indicate that transgenic mice express a functional HLA-B27 gene product on cell surfaces in the absence of the human beta 2-microglobulin gene. These transgenic mice promise to be a valuable resource in the investigation of the unique role of HLA-B27 in inflammatory human disease.     

CD8 alpha beta T cells are not essential to the pathogenesis of arthritis or colitis in HLA-B27 transgenic rats

The class I MHC allele HLA-B27 is highly associated with the human spondyloarthropathies, but the basis for this association remains poorly understood. Transgenic rats with high expression of HLA-B27 develop a multisystem inflammatory disease that includes arthritis and colitis. To investigate whether CD8alphabeta T cells are needed in this disease, we depleted these cells in B27 transgenic rats before the onset of disease by adult thymectomy plus short-term anti-CD8alpha mAb treatment. This treatment induced profound, sustained depletion of CD8alphabeta T cells, but failed to suppress either colitis or arthritis. To address the role of CD8alpha(+)beta(-) cells, we studied four additional groups of B27 transgenic rats treated with: 1) continuous anti-CD8alpha mAb, 2) continuous isotype-matched control mAb, 3) the thymectomy/pulse anti-CD8alpha regimen, or 4) no treatment. Arthritis occurred in approximately 40% of each group, but was most significantly reduced in severity in the anti-CD8alpha-treated group. In addition to CD8alphabeta T cells, two sizeable CD8alpha(+)beta(-) non-T cell populations were also reduced by the anti-CD8alpha treatment: 1) NK cells, and 2) a CD4(+)CD8(+)CD11b/c(+)CD161a(+)CD172a(+) monocyte population that became expanded in diseased B27 transgenic rats. These data indicate that HLA-B27-retricted CD8(+) T cells are unlikely to serve as effector cells in the transgenic rat model of HLA-B27-associated disease, in opposition to a commonly invoked hypothesis concerning the role of B27 in the spondyloarthropathies. The data also suggest that one or more populations of CD8alpha(+)beta(-) non-T cells may play a role in the arthritis that occurs in these rats.     

Attenuated mild colonic inflammation and improved survival from severe DSS-colitis of transgenic Cu/Zn-SOD mice

Mucosal tissue damage in chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is partly caused by an enduring exposure to excessive amounts of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM). To protect themselves from the toxic effects of ROM, most intestinal cell types constitutively express the highly specific, key ROM-neutralizing cytosolic enzyme Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD). Under inflammatory conditions, however, its protein and activity levels have consistently been reported as being decreased. To elucidate a direct functional relationship between intracellular Cu/Zn-SOD expression and intestinal inflammation, we investigated the effects of transgenic human Cu/Zn-SOD overexpression in acute and chronic murine dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. When subjected to a mild form of acute colitis, the Cu/Zn-SOD overexpressing mice showed a significantly lower colonic activity of neutrophilic myeloperoxidase (MPO) than their nontransgenic littermates. This difference was particularly evident in the male animals. In contrast, a severe acute colitis did not lead to any differences in MPO activity between both groups. Yet, when the animals were subsequently allowed to recover, MPO levels were again significantly lower in the transgenes, suggesting an involvement of Cu/Zn-SOD in, particularly, the clearance of neutrophils. Specific, immunohistochemical identification of neutrophils confirmed the validity of the MPO activity measurements. In addition, transgenic animals showed a remarkable survival benefit from severe DSS colitis over their nontransgenic littermates, particularly during or shortly after the acute inflammatory phase. During the chronic inflammatory phase, which was not characterized by massive neutrophil infiltration, no effects of Cu/Zn-SOD overexpression were noted. Paradoxically, overexpression of Cu/Zn-SOD did not obviously improve the colitis-related (oxidative) injury or symptoms at any stage of the experiment. Surprisingly, however, we did observe a pronounced male gender preference for DSS susceptibility that was reflected by increased male colitis mortality. Our findings provide direct in vivo evidence for a protective, neutrophil-related role for Cu/Zn-SOD in intestinal inflammation. As such, they support the concept of SOD-based (adjunct) antioxidant treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease.     

Effects of magnesium sulphate following spinal cord injury in rats

Neutrophil infiltration has been implicated in the secondary destructive pathomechanisms after initial mechanical injury to the spinal cord. Tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity has been shown to be an exclusive indicator of the extent of post-traumatic neutrophil infiltration. We have studied the effect of magnesium sulphate on MPO activity after spinal cord injury in rats. Rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups. Group 1 was control and normal spinal cord samples were obtained after clinical examination. Forty g-cm contusion injury was introduced to Group 2. Group 3 was vehicle, 1 ml of physiological saline was injected post-trauma. Group 4 was given 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) immediately after trauma. Group 5 was given 600 mg/kg magnesium sulphate immediately after trauma. Animals were examined by inclined plane technique of Rivlin and Tator 24 h after trauma. Spinal cord samples obtained following clinical evaluations. Magnesium sulphate treatment improved early functional scores and decreased MPO activity. These findings revealed that magnesium sulphate treatment possesses neuroprotection on early clinical results and on neutrophil infiltration after acute contusion injury to the rat spinal cord.     

Targeted Delivery of an Antigenic Peptide to the Endoplasmic Reticulum: Application for Development of a Peptide Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis

The development of suitable methods to deliver peptides specifically to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can provide some potential therapeutic applications of such peptides. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is strongly associated with the expression of human leukocytic antigen-B27 (HLA-B27). HLA-B27 heavy chain (HC) has a propensity to fold slowly resulting in the accumulation of misfolded HLA-B27 HC in the ER, triggering the unfolded protein response, and forming a homodimer, (B27-HC)₂. Natural killer cells and T-helper 17 cells are then activated, contributing to the major pathogenic potentials of AS. The HLA-B27 HC is thus an important target, and delivery of an HLA-B27-binding peptide to the ER capable of promoting HLA-B27 HC folding is a potential mechanism for AS therapy. Here, we demonstrate that a His₆-ubiquitin-tagged Tat-derived peptide (THU) can deliver an HLA-B27-binding peptide to the ER promoting HLA-B27 HC folding. The THU-HLA-B27-binding peptide fusion protein crossed the cell membrane to the cytosol through the Tat-derived peptide. The HLA-B27-binding peptide was specifically cleaved from THU by cytosolic ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolases and subsequently transported into the ER by the transporter associated with antigen processing. This approach has potential application in the development of peptide therapy for AS.