Effects of cytokines and prolactin on the replication of Toxoplasma gondii in murine microglia

In the central nervous system, cytokine-activated microglia play a crucial role in host defence against Toxoplasma gondii infections. In this study, the effect of recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF)-alpha and prolactin (PRL) on T. gondii infection in microglia was examined. Pretreatment of microglia with rTNF-alpha and PRL induced toxoplasmastatic activity, the intracellular killing of T. gondii and the release of interleukin (IL)-1 beta IL-3 and IL-6: 50% of the intracellular killing was abrogated by anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibodies, whereas more than 54 or 87% of toxoplasmastatic activity was reversed by anti-IL-3 or IL-6 monoclonal antibodies. In addition, the treatment of microglia with either rIL-3 or rIL-6, in the absence or presence of rTNF-alpha significantly limited T. gondii replication. Inasmuch as either NMA or S-M-ITU affected cytokine-activated toxoplasmastatic activity during the infection phase, the NO-dependent pathway itself appears not to be directly involved in the parasitostatic activity. These findings suggest that TNF-alpha and PRL up-regulate the expression of ICAM-1 and the production of endogenous IL-6 and IL-3 by microglia, which could induce anti-parasitic functions against T. gondii infection in the brain.     

Cytokine regulation of interleukin 6 production by human endothelial cells

The influence of recombinant (r) human tumor necrosis factor alpha (rTNF-alpha), r human interleukin 1 beta (rIL-1 beta), and r human interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma) on the production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) by human endothelial cells (HEC) was investigated. The addition of 1-100 U/ml of either rTNF-alpha or rIL-1 beta to cultures of HEC monolayers caused a dose-related increase in IL-6 production as detected after 24 hr of incubation. In contrast to rIL-1 beta and rTNF-alpha, the use of up to 1000 U/ml of rIFN-gamma caused only a moderate increase in IL-6 production. However, significantly greater quantities of IL-6 were produced by HEC monolayers subjected to 1000 U/ml of rIFN-gamma in combination with 1-100 U/ml of rTNF-alpha. Furthermore, the addition of graded concentrations of human transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) to cultures resulted in a dose-related inhibition of rIL-1 beta- and rTNF-alpha-induced IL-6 production by HEC. The results demonstrate that rIL-1 beta and rTNF-alpha share the ability to stimulate HEC for production of IL-6 and indicate that TGF-beta may act as an immunosuppressive agent, at least partially, through its ability to inhibit the action of TNF-alpha and IL-1 on endothelial cells.     

Prolactin-cytokine network in the defence against Acanthamoeba castellanii in murine microglia [corrected

In the central nervous system, cytokine-primed microglia play a pivotal role in host defence against parasite infections. In this study, the effect of recombinant (r) prolactin (rPRL) and rIFN-gamma on A. castellanii infection in murine microglia was examined. Priming of microglia with rPRL and rIFN-gamma synergistically triggered, in a dose-dependent manner, amebastatic activity and the release of endogenous IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. More than 53, 57, 49, 89 or 96 % of amebastatic activity was abrogated by anti-PRLR, IFN-gammaR, IL-1beta (but not IL-1alpha), IL-6 or TNF-alpha antibodies, suggesting that these two receptors and proinflammatory cytokines participate in the anti-microbial function. Inasmuch as DPI and AET, both inhibitors of NO synthase, blocked amebastatic activity only during the priming process, the NO-dependent pathway itself appears not to be directly involved in the anti-parasitic capacity. These data suggest that the PRL/PRLR and IFN-gamma/IFN-gamma/R complexes, by the induction of the IFN-gammaR on microglia, up-regulate the release of endogenous TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta by these cells, which could trigger anti-microbial activity against A. castellanii infection in the brain [corrected].     

IFN-gamma-induced L-arginine-dependent toxoplasmastatic activity in murine peritoneal macrophages is mediated by endogenous tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Activated murine peritoneal macrophages inhibit the intracellular proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii and produce a number of cytokines, such as TNF-alpha and IL-1. Both TNF-alpha and IL-1 have been reported to be involved in the immune response against various microorganisms, but the mechanisms responsible for these effects are not known. In the present study it was investigated whether endogenously produced TNF-alpha and IL-1 are involved in the activation of peritoneal macrophages by rIFN-gamma leading to toxoplasmastatic activity and the production of reactive nitrogen intermediates. The rIFN-gamma-induced toxoplasmastatic activity was inhibited by neutralizing antibodies against mouse TNF-alpha in a dose-dependent and time-dependent way, but neutralizing antibodies against mouse IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta did not affect this activity. Involvement of TNF-alpha in the induction of toxoplasmastatic activity was confirmed by our finding that rTNF-alpha in combination with a nonactivating concentration of rIFN-gamma inhibited the intracellular proliferation of T. gondii. No synergistic activity of rIL-1 and rIFN-gamma on the inhibition of T. gondii proliferation was found. Both rTNF-alpha and rIL-1 alpha alone inhibited the intracellular proliferation of T. gondii only slightly. Because it has been reported recently that activated macrophages produce reactive nitrogen intermediates that are essential in the induction of toxoplasmastatic activity, we investigated whether these intermediates are involved in the TNF-dependent induction of toxoplasmastatic activity. Neutralizing antibodies against mouse TNF-alpha inhibited also the release of NO2- by rIFN-gamma-activated macrophages almost completely. Macrophages incubated with rTNF-alpha in combination with a nonactivating concentration of rIFN-gamma released substantial amounts of NO2-, but rTNF-alpha and rIL-1 alpha alone, and the combination of rIL-1 alpha and a nonactivating concentration of rIFN-gamma induced only little NO2(-)-release by macrophages. To assess whether reactive nitrogen intermediates act directly or indirectly on the intracellular proliferation of T. gondii, macrophages were incubated with the L-arginine analog NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or the NADPH-inhibitor diphenylene iodonium, both inhibitors of the generation of reactive nitrogen intermediates. Good correlation was found between toxoplasmastatic activity and the release of NO2- during the 24-h activation period before infection of the macrophages with T. gondii, but no correlation was found between toxoplasmastatic activity and the release of NO2- during infection of the macrophages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Anti-proliferative effect of IFN-gamma in immune regulation. II. IFN-gamma inhibits the proliferation of murine bone marrow cells stimulated with IL-3, IL-4, or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

A biphasic dose response curve was observed when the bone marrow-derived cell line FDCP1, used as an indicator line for IL-3 bioassays, was exposed to supernatants from some activated T cell clones but not others. The active component which inhibited proliferation at the higher supernatant concentrations appeared to be IFN-gamma, based on the following observations. 1) Only those culture supernatants which contained IFN-gamma gave a biphasic dose response curve; 2) with these supernatants, an anti-IFN-gamma mAb augmented the proliferation of FDCP1 cells at the higher supernatant concentrations; and 3) rIFN-gamma profoundly inhibited the proliferation of FDCP1 cells stimulated with rIL-3 or rIL-4. rTNF-alpha inhibited FDCP1 proliferation only to a modest extent, yet the combination of rTNF-alpha + rIFN-gamma provided greater inhibition than each agent alone. The proliferation of a second bone marrow-derived cell line, DA1, was not inhibited by rIFN-gamma or rIFN-gamma + rTNF-alpha when stimulated with rIL-3 or recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF). Fresh bone marrow cells also showed a suboptimal proliferative response when stimulated with T cell supernatants containing IFN-gamma, and this response was augmented considerably upon the addition of anti-IFN-gamma mAb. Bone marrow cell proliferation was observed upon exposure to rIL-3, rIL-4, or rGM-CSF, and these responses were inhibited by rIFN-gamma; rTNF-alpha also produced a synergistic effect with these cells. Bone marrow cell colony formation stimulated by rIL-3 or rGM-CSF also was inhibited by rIFN-gamma. Colony formation in bone marrow cell cultures was not observed in response to rIL-4. Collectively, these results suggest that Th1 cells, which in addition to IL-3 and GM-CSF also produce IFN-gamma, may regulate hemopoietic cell proliferation and colony formation differently from the way Th2 cells do, which do not produce IFN-gamma.     

A synergistic interaction of IL-6 and IL-1 mediates the thymocyte-stimulating activity produced by recombinant IL-1-stimulated fibroblasts

We characterized the ability of normal human lung fibroblasts to elaborate thymocyte-stimulating activity, spontaneously, and in response to rIL-1. Supernatants from unstimulated fibroblasts did not contain thymocyte-stimulating activity, whereas supernatants from fibroblasts incubated with rIL-1 alpha or rIL-1 beta contained more thymocyte-stimulating activity than could be accounted for by passively transferred rIL-1 alone. This heightened thymocyte-stimulating activity was mediated by fibroblast-derived IL-6 inasmuch as it was neutralized by anti-serum against human rIL-6, and rIL-1-stimulated fibroblasts to accumulate messenger RNA for IL-6 and produce soluble IL-6 protein. However, IL-6 alone could not account for the intensity of this effect because rIL-6 only weakly stimulated thymocyte proliferation. In addition, antisera against the rIL-1 moiety that was used to prepare the supernatant had different effects on supernatants that contained and did not contain active IL-6. In the presence of IL-6 these antisera caused a greater decrease in thymocyte-stimulating activity than could be accounted for by passively transferred rIL-1 alone. When the IL-6 was neutralized the remaining thymocyte-stimulating activity could be quantitatively accounted for and neutralized by antisera against the rIL-1 that was passively transferred. Furthermore, rIL-6 and rIL-1 (alpha or beta) synergized in stimulating thymocyte proliferation. Thus, rIL-1 stimulates fibroblasts to produce a thymocyte-stimulating activity that is largely mediated by a synergistic interaction of fibroblast-derived IL-6 and IL-1. These findings suggest that fibroblast production of IL-6 may mediate or amplify some of the tissue effects of IL-1. In addition they suggest that biologic effects previously attributed to IL-1 may be due to IL-6 alone or the concerted action of IL-1 and IL-6.     

Interactions between cytokines and growth hormone for resistance to experimental

Cytokine-activated human vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) may play an important role in resistance to Toxoplasma gondii infection. In this study, it was investigated the role of rTNF-alpha and GH in the induction of antitoxoplasmal activities in HUVEC. Co-treatment of HUVEC with rTNF-alpha plus GH induced both toxoplasmastatic activity and the intracellular killing of T. gondii (p <0.01 each vs untreated cells). Thus, these functions were inhibited by both neutralizing antibodies to IL-6 and GM-CSF (but not to IL-3) suggesting that these cytokines participate in the inhibitory process. Consistent with this hypothesis, the treatment of HUVEC with rIL-6 or rGM-CSF in the presence of rTNF-alpha, limited T. gondii multiplication in a dose-dependent manner (p <0.01 each vs untreated cells). In order to elucidate the inhibitory mechanism of HUVEC, it was assessed by L-arginine analogs (e.g., NG-monomethyl-arginine) whether NO2 molecules originating from HUVEC were directly or indirectly involved in the rTNF-alpha/GH-dependent induction of toxoplasmastatic activity. A good correlation was found between toxoplasmastatic activity and NO2 release during the activation phase, before infection of the HUVEC with T. gondii, but no correlation was found between the parasitostatic activity and NO2 release during the infection phase. These data indicate that NO2- itself does not directly affect toxoplasmastatic activity. Besides, the reduction of intracellular killing by monoclonal antibodies to ICAM-1 suggest that this adhesin plays a role in controlling T. gondii entry into cells.     

Effect of rIFN-gamma and IL-2 treatments in mouse and nude rat infections with Toxoplasma gondii.

Mice and nude rats lethally infected with T. gondii and treated with recombinant rat interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) or recombinant human interleukin-2 (rIL-2) were protected against death, when compared with untreated infected controls. In mice rIFN-gamma and rIL-2 played an important role in "prophylactic treatment", but not in "curative therapy". The survival rate was 42% in mice treated with 3 doses of 20,000 U of rIFN-gamma at days -2, -1, 0 before challenge and up to 66% in mice treated with 3 doses of 10,000 U of rIFN-gamma at days -2, 0, +2 before and after infection. Whereas the survival rate was 33% in mice that received 3 doses of 500 U rIL-2 at days -2, -1, 0 before infection, or -2, 0, +2 before and after infection respectively, up to 50% of the mice treated with 3 doses of 1,000 U rIL-2 at days -2, -1, 0 survived. In nude rats rIFN-gamma had a slight effect in "prophylactic treatment", whereas rIL-2 was active only in "curative treatment". The survival rate was 25% both in nude rats treated with doses of 400,000 U of rIFN-gamma at days -3, 0 before challenge, or with doses of 5,000 U of rIL-2 at days +2, +6, +9 after infection. These results lead us to hypothesise that the mechanism by which the lymphokine treatment exerts a protective effect on Toxoplasma infected mice is different from that on nu/nu rats. We conclude that these cytokines may play a notable role in modulating the host's immune defence against T. gondii infection.     

Enhancement of human B cell proliferation and differentiation by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 1

The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human B cell responses was examined and compared with that of interleukin (IL) 1 by assessing the ability of each cytokine to support proliferation and differentiation. Recombinant TNF-alpha (rTNF-alpha) and recombinant IL-1 (rIL-1) each enhanced the generation of immunoglobulin-secreting cells (ISC) in cultures of pokeweed mitogen-stimulated B cells incubated with T cells. To examine the direct effect of rTNF-alpha and rIL-1 on the responding B cell, highly purified peripheral blood B cells were stimulated with Cowan I Staphylococcus aureus (SA). In the absence of T cell factors, proliferation was minimal and there was no generation of ISC. Recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) supported both responses. Although rTNF-alpha alone did not support SA-stimulated generation of ISC, it did increase SA-stimulated B cell DNA synthesis by two- to eightfold. In addition, rTNF-alpha augmented B cell proliferation in rIL-2 supported SA-stimulated cultures. Moreover, rTNF-alpha enhanced the generation of ISC stimulated by rIL-2 alone or rIL-2 and SA. rIL-1 also augmented DNA synthesis and generation of ISC by B cells stimulated with SA and rIL-2. However, rTNF-alpha enhanced proliferation and ISC generation in SA + rIL-2-stimulated cultures even when they were supplemented with saturating concentrations of rIL-1. Utilizing a two-stage culture system, it was found that the major effect of rTNF-alpha was to enhance responsiveness of SA-activated B cells to rIL-2, whereas it exerted only a minimal effect during initial stimulation. These results indicate that TNF-alpha as well as IL-1 augment B cell responsiveness. Moreover, the ability of rTNF-alpha to enhance B cell responsiveness was not an indirect effect resulting from the induction of Il-1 production by contaminating monocytes, but rather resulted from the delivery of a signal by rTNF-alpha directly to the responding B cell that promoted both proliferation and differentiation after initial activation. The data therefore indicate that human B cell responsiveness can be independently regulated by the action of two separate monocyte-derived cytokines.     

Tumor necrosis factor, alone or in combination with IL-2, but not IFN-gamma, is associated with macrophage killing of Mycobacterium avium complex

Organisms belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) are the most common bacterial pathogens in patients with AIDS but factors associated with the activation of cellular defense mechanisms against this atypical mycobacterium have not been defined. Peritoneal macrophages harvested from a chronic MAC infection in C57 black mice are able to kill approximately 86% of intracellular MAC in contrast to 0 to 20% killing by unstimulated human and mouse macrophages in vitro. The availability of human rTNF-alpha, rIFN-gamma, and rIL-2 permitted evaluation of the role of each of these lymphokines/monokines, alone or in combination, in activating macrophages in vitro to kill MAC. Human monocyte-derived macrophages were cultured in vitro, stimulated with rIL-2, rIFN-gamma, or rTNF, and then infected with MAC (serovars 1 and 8). Mouse peritoneal macrophages were harvested, cultured in vitro, and stimulated with rIFN-gamma. rTNF (10(4) U/ml) was associated with a modest increase of intracellular killing of MAC (58 +/- 5%) even when utilized 24 or 48 h after macrophage infection or when administered for 5 consecutive days after infection (78.1 +/- 4%). Both human and murine IFN-gamma were associated with increased intracellular growth of MAC (32 +/- 4% for murine and 38 +/- 3% for human macrophages). However, intracellular killing (53 +/- 6% compared with control) was observed after 6 days of treatment with IFN-gamma. This latter effect was fully blocked by anti-TNF antibody, whereas rIL-2 alone did not augment the intracellular killing of MAC by human macrophages. rTNF plus either rIFN-gamma or rIL-2 triggered significant increases in superoxide anion production, but subsequent MAC killing was no greater than with rTNF alone. Treatment of macrophages with 10 U/ml of rTNF followed by rIL-2 (200 U/ml) was associated with 68% of intracellular killing. TNF seems to be an important monokine, promoting activation of mycobactericidal mechanisms in human macrophages.     

A regulatory effect of the balance between TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the granulomatous and inflammatory response to Rhodococcus aurantiacus infection in mice

After i.v. inoculation with Rhodococcus aurantiacus, wild-type (WT) mice develop nonnecrotic, epithelioid granulomas. Because a high level of TNF-alpha is observed during the initial phase postinfection, we examined the extent to which TNF-alpha contributes to granulomatous inflammation using TNF-alpha gene-deficient (TNF-alpha(-/-)) mice. Despite a lack of R. aurantiacus proliferation, TNF-alpha(-/-) mice displayed high mortality rates within 5 days postinfection, as well as a high level of IL-6 in their spleens. Histological examination showed an absence of granuloma formation in TNF-alpha(-/-) mice. Pretreatment of TNF-alpha(-/-) mice with rTNF-alpha failed to restore this granuloma formation but accelerated bacterial removal and cellular recruitment. This rTNF-alpha administration also attenuated IL-6 production, resulting in increased survival rates of TNF-alpha(-/-) mice. Heat-killed R. aurantiacus induced in vitro enhanced mRNA expression and production of IL-6 in macrophages and DCs from TNF-alpha(-/-) mice when compared with WT controls, and treatment of TNF-alpha(-/-) mouse cells with rTNF-alpha decreased the IL-6 secretion. Moreover, anti-TNF-alpha or anti-IL-6 treatment increased IL-6 or TNF-alpha production by WT mouse cells, respectively. These data suggest that the production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 can be negatively regulated by each other. Administration of rIFN-gamma to TNF-alpha(-/-) mice caused immature granulomas in livers, and treatment with both rTNF-alpha and rIFN-gamma led to the formation of mature granulomas. Overall, TNF-alpha appears crucial for bacterial clearance, cellular recruitment, and granuloma formation. The balance between TNF-alpha and IL-6 during the early phase of infection controls the development of the inflammatory response to R. aurantiacus infection.     

Low molecular weight B cell growth factor-responsive cloned human B cell lines. I. Phenotypic differences and lack of requirement for CD23 (Fc epsilon RII)

The EBV-transformed B cell line JR-2 proliferates in response to partially purified preparations of low m.w. B cell growth factor (LMW-BCGF). Two clones of JR-2 were generated that retained this LMW-BCGF responsiveness, exhibiting similar dose/response characteristics but differing phenotypically. The B10 clone grows as single, discrete, small round cells, whereas D3 grows in aggregates. The clones also differ in the expression of cell surface Ag, D3 being weakly DR+ and strongly CD23+, whereas B10 lacks these Ag. The CD23 on D3 cells binds IgE. Both clones are T9+, 4F2+, B1-, B2- and CALLA-. D3 expresses surface IgG and differentiates in the presence of LMW-BCGF, to secrete IgG. B10 lacks surface and cytoplasmic Ig and fails to differentiate in response to LMW-BCGF. CD23 cannot be induced on B10 by incubation with either LMW-BCGF or IL-4. B10 does not shed CD23 and shed CD23 is not a growth factor for either cloned line. Expression of CD23 on D3 cells is not affected by preincubation with LMW-BCGF. Neither B10 or D3 cells respond to rIL-1, rIL-2, rIL-4, rIL-6, rTNF-alpha/beta, rIFN-gamma, or to high m.w. BCGF (Namalwa), alone or in combination. Both clones absorb BCGF activity and crossover absorptions indicate that the clones remove growth factors required by each other. D3 and B10 both appear therefore to respond selectively to LMW-BCGF. These data suggest that the loss of CD23 from a cloned derivative of the cell line JR-2, although accompanied by considerable phenotypic change, is not associated with the disappearance of LMW-BCGF responsiveness, indicating that CD23 is not the essential receptor for LMW-BCGF.     

Regulation of CD93 cell surface expression by protein kinase C isoenzymes

Human CD93, also known as complement protein 1, q subcomponent, receptor (C1qRp), is selectively expressed by cells with a myeloid lineage, endothelial cells, platelets, and microglia and was originally reported to be involved in the complement protein 1, q subcomponent (C1q)-mediated enhancement of phagocytosis. The intracellular molecular events responsible for the regulation of its expression on the cell surface, however, have not been determined. In this study, the effect of protein kinases in the regulation of CD93 expression on the cell surface of a human monocyte-like cell line (U937), a human NK-like cell line (KHYG-1), and a human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (HUV-EC-C) was investigated using four types of protein kinase inhibitors, the classical protein kinase C (cPKC) inhibitor Go6976, the novel PKC (nPKC) inhibitor Rottlerin, the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 and the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor herbimycin A at their optimum concentrations for 24 hr. CD93 expression was analyzed using flow cytometry and glutaraldehyde-fixed cellular enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) techniques utilizing a CD93 monoclonal antibody (mAb), mNI-11, that was originally established in our laboratory as a CD93 detection probe. The nPKC inhibitor Rottlerin strongly down-regulated CD93 expression on the U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the other inhibitors had little or no effect. CD93 expression was down-regulated by Go6976, but not by Rottlerin, in the KHYG-1 cells and by both Rottlerin and Go6976 in the HUV-EC-C cells. The PKC stimulator, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), strongly up-regulated CD93 expression on the cell surface of all three cell-lines and induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by the U937 cells and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by the KHYG-1 cells. In addition, both Go6976 and Rottlerin inhibited the up-regulation of CD93 expression induced by PMA and IL-8 or IFN-gamma production in the respective cell-lines. Whereas recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rTNF-alpha) slightly up-regulated CD93 expression on the U937 cells, recombinant interleukin-1beta (rIL-1beta), recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2), recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) had no effect. Taken together, these findings indicate that the regulation of CD93 expression on these cells involves the PKC isoenzymes.     

CD14 contributes to the adherence of human monocytes to cytokine-stimulated endothelial cells.

Monocyte adherence to endothelial cells (EC) is selectively increased during inflammation. The mechanisms underlying monocyte-EC interaction indicated the involvement of surface-adhesion molecules on monocytes and EC. In earlier studies we noticed that the monocyte-specific mAb, designated mAb 63D3, in contrast to mAb against the beta 2-integrin molecules, inhibited the monocyte binding to monolayers of rIL-1 alpha-stimulated venous EC. The aim of the present study was to further characterize the Ag recognized by mAb 63D3 and to investigate the specific contribution of this Ag to the adherence of monocytes to cultured human macrovascular venous or arterial EC. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the 63D3 Ag is expressed exclusively on the surface of peripheral blood monocytes. SDS-PAGE analysis of mAb 63D3 immunoprecipitates of 125I-labeled human monocyte surface proteins revealed that the target Ag for mAb 63D3 is a 52- to 55-kDa molecule identical to the myeloid differentiation protein CD14. Stimulation of EC with rIL-1 alpha or rTNF-alpha for 4 or 24 h or rIFN-gamma for 24 h increased (p less than 0.005) the number of monocytes bound to both types of EC. This cytokine-induced increase in monocyte adherence was significantly (p less than 0.0005) inhibited when the monocytes were coated with various mAb against CD14. The binding of monocytes to nonstimulated venous or arterial EC was not inhibited by anti-CD14 mAb. Our results lead to the conclusion that CD14 molecules, which on basis of their structure and m.w. are not related to the beta 2-integrin family of heterodimeric leukocyte adhesion molecules, participate in the binding of monocytes to cytokine-stimulated EC.     

Cytotoxicity of lymphokine activated peritoneal macrophages against Trichomonas vaginalis]

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic flagellate in the urogenital tract of human. Innate cytotoxicity of macrophages against T. vaginalis has been recognized, but any report on the cytotoxicity of lymphokine-activated macrophages to T. vaginalis is not yet available. The present study aimed to elucidate the lymphokine-activated cell mediated cytotoxic effect against T. vaginalis by mouse peritoneal macrophages. Cytotoxicity was measured by counting the release of 3H-thymidine from prelabeled protozoa, and tested in U-bottom microtiter plates. Nitrite concentration in culture supernatants was measured by standard Griess reaction. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The cytotoxicity of macrophages was increased by addition of rIL-2 or rIFN-gamma. 2. Cytotoxicity of macrophages was reduced by addition of rIL-4 to rGM-CSF, rIL-2 or rIFN-gamma. 3. Crude lymphokine mixed with anti-IL-2 decreased the cytotoxicity of macrophages. 4. In case of macrophages cultured with rIFN-gamma or rIL-4, the concentration of nitrite was related with cytotoxicity of macrophages against T. vaginalis, but the cytotoxicity of macrophages cultured with rIL-2 and rIFN-gamma was decreased in spite of its high production of nitrite. From the results obtained, it is assumed that rIL-2 and rIFN-gamma enhance the cytotoxicity of macrophages while rIL-4 inhibits the cytotoxicity against T. vaginalis, and that the production of nitrite does not relate with the cytotoxicity of macrophages, but nitric oxide may play a role as an inhibitory factor on the proliferation of T. vaginalis.     

IL-2 and IFN-gamma are two necessary lymphokines in the development of cytolytic T cells

A filler cell-free limiting-dilution microculture system has been developed for the expansion and differentiation of a high proportion of single CD4-CD8+ T cells into cytolytic T cell (CTL) clones. The stimulus used was PMA together with the calcium ionophore ionomycin. The growth and differentiation factors were rIL-2, together with either a Con A-stimulated spleen cell supernatant (CAS) or rIFN-gamma. CTL activity was monitored by an autoradiographic 111In-release assay. With CAS and rIL-2 present, 50% of all potential precursors (CTL-p) produced cytolytic clones. Substitution of rIFN-gamma for CAS gave a similar efficiency with up to 42% of CTL-p producing cytolytic clones. rIL-2 alone allowed only a small proportion (6%) of CD4-CD8+ T cells to become cytolytic clones. Addition of rIL-2 and rIFN-gamma at various stages of the culture demonstrated that IL-2 was required throughout, but exogenous IFN-gamma was required only during the early stages. It is concluded that for at least 40% of all CTL-p, the lymphokines IL-2 and IFN-gamma are essential and act in synergy to induce proliferation and differentiation into CTL.     

Interaction of recombinant IL-1 and recombinant tumor necrosis factor in the induction of mouse acute phase proteins

Recombinant mouse and human IL-1 (alpha and beta forms), as well as rTNF-alpha when administered in vivo, induced the production of the mouse acute phase reactants: serum amyloid P-component (SAP), C3, and fibrinogen. The SAP response to all three rIL-1 proteins reached a maximum at a dose of 10(4) U/mouse, which corresponds to 1 to 10 micrograms of protein. The maximum in vivo response consisted of a 10-fold increase in SAP levels, a 2-fold increase in C3 levels, and a 3-fold increase in fibrinogen concentration. By contrast, rTNF-alpha induced a much smaller acute phase (AP) protein response (4-fold increase in SAP) when administered in vivo. Administration of a combination if rIL-1 and rTNF resulted in an AP response that was additive for SAP, synergistic for fibrinogen, but resulted in only the same amount of C3 induced by IL-1 alone. Both recombinant monokines induced new SAP synthesis by isolated hepatocytes in vitro with an optimal response occurring with either 1 U of rIL-1/ml per 2 x 10(5) hepatocytes or 10(-3) U/ml of rTNF. The hepatocyte response to IL-1 was of the same magnitude as the response of intact mice; however, the response to TNF was approximately 10(4) times more efficient in vitro. A mixture of the monokines induced an in vitro SAP response that was additive when suboptimal doses of rIL-1 were combined with optimal amounts of rTNF-alpha. Overall, the findings indicate that both monokines directly trigger hepatocyte synthesis of SAP and that their combined effect probably accounts for a substantial portion of the synthesis of these AP proteins in mice.     

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha reciprocally regulate the generation of lymphokine-activated killer cell activity. Comparison between natural porcine platelet-derived TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2, and recombinant human TGF-beta 1

We have investigated the ability of porcine-platelet-derived transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) to inhibit the generation of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells by human rIL-2. The results demonstrate that TGF-beta 1, in a dose-related manner, significantly inhibits rIL-2-induced LAK cell activity against Daudi and COLO target cells and, to a lesser degree, against K-562 cells. Maximal inhibition was obtained by the addition of TGF-beta 1 at the time of culture initiation and, to a lesser degree, on day 1. Only minimal inhibition was obtained when TGF-beta 1 addition was delayed until day 2 of culture or when added directly into the LAK cell assay. Additional studies demonstrated that porcine platelet-derived TGF-beta 2 and human rTGF-beta 1 inhibited LAK cell generation similar to that obtained with TGF-beta 1. The inhibition of LAK cell activity by TGF-beta 1 was reversed by the addition of human rTNF-alpha at the initiation of culture. In addition, rTNF-alpha synergized with suboptimal levels of rIL-2 in the generation of LAK activity. After stimulation with rIL-2, LAK cells produced significant levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and TNF-beta. TGF-beta 1 inhibited the production of these cytokines in a dose-related manner. The results extend the previous known activities for human rTNF-alpha and TGF-beta 1 and further demonstrate the reciprocal relationship between these two molecules in the regulation of certain immune functions.     

Modulation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptors on murine peritoneal exudate macrophages by tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Modulation of granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) receptors on murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) by various cytokines was investigated. At 4 degrees C, 125I-G-CSF receptor binding on PEM reached a plateau after 6 h and was specifically competed by unlabeled human rG-CSF but not by other cytokines, including human rG-CSF-1, murine recombinant granulocyte-macrophage CSF, murine rIFN-gamma, human rIL-1 beta, and murine rTNF-alpha. 125I-G-CSF bound to PEM has a half-life of 30 min at 37 degrees C. Preincubation of PEM with murine rTNF, murine recombinant granulocyte-macrophage CSF, CSF-1, or G-CSF for 30 min at 37 degrees C resulted in partial reduction of 125I-G-CSF binding capacity, whereas IL-1 or IFN-gamma did not inhibit G-CSF binding. Further studies indicated that reduction of G-CSF binding caused by TNF was a dose- and time-dependent process and did not require FCS. The reduction was transient, and receptor binding was recovered by incubation at 37 degrees C for 8 h. The recovery of G-CSF binding was inhibited in the presence of cycloheximide. In addition, G-CSF binding studies suggested that the TNF-induced decrease in G-CSF binding to PEM was probably due to a reduction in receptor number rather than receptor affinity. Modulation of G-CSFR by TNF was also observed on nonelicited macrophages from various strains of mice. Our results demonstrate a physiologic response of G-CSFR on macrophages that is modulated by TNF. This phenomenon may play an important, as yet unknown, role in the macrophage inflammatory response.