Human Neutrophil Flow Chamber Adhesion Assay

Neutrophil firm adhesion to endothelial cells plays a critical role in inflammation in both health and disease. The process of neutrophil firm adhesion involves many different adhesion molecules including members of the β₂ integrin family and their counter-receptors of the ICAM family. Recently, naturally occurring genetic variants in both β₂ integrins and ICAMs are reported to be associated with autoimmune disease. Thus, the quantitative adhesive capacity of neutrophils from individuals with varying allelic forms of these adhesion molecules is important to study in relation to mechanisms underlying development of autoimmunity. Adhesion studies in flow chamber systems can create an environment with fluid shear stress similar to that observed in the blood vessel environment in vivo. Here, we present a method using a flow chamber assay system to study the quantitative adhesive properties of human peripheral blood neutrophils to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and to purified ligand substrates. With this method, the neutrophil adhesive capacities from donors with different allelic variants in adhesion receptors can be assessed and compared. This method can also be modified to assess adhesion of other primary cell types or cell lines.     

Intracellular heterogeneity in adhesiveness of endothelium affects early steps in leukocyte adhesion

Endothelial cell junctions are thought to be preferential sites for transmigration. However, the factors that determine the site of transmigration are not well defined. Our data show that the preferential role of endothelial cell junctions is not limited to transmigration but extends to earlier steps of leukocyte recruitment, such as rolling and arrest. We used primary mouse neutrophils and mouse aortic endothelium in a flow chamber system to compare adhesive interactions near endothelial cell junctions to interactions over endothelial cell centers. We found differences in both rolling velocity and arrest frequency for neutrophils at endothelial cell junctions vs. more central areas of endothelial cells. Differences were governed by adhesion molecule interactions, not local topography. Interestingly, the role of particular adhesion molecules depended on their location on the endothelial cell surface. Although ICAM-1 stabilized and slowed rolling over central areas of the cell, it did not influence rolling velocity over endothelial cell junctions. P-selectin and VCAM-1 were more important for rolling near endothelial cell junctions than E-selectin. This demonstrates that adhesive properties of endothelial cell junctions influence early events in the adhesion cascade, which may help explain how leukocytes are localized to sites of eventual transmigration. endothelial cells; rolling; selectins; integrins     

Numerous transposed sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I-II in aphids of the genus Sitobion (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products corresponding to 803 bp of the cytochrome oxidase subunits I and II region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA COI-II) were deduced to consist of multiple haplotypes in three Sitobion species. We investigated the molecular basis of these observations. PCR products were cloned, and six clones from one individual per species were sequenced. In each individual, one sequence was found commonly, but also two or three divergent sequences were seen. The divergent sequences were shown to be nonmitochondrial by sequencing from purified mtDNA and Southern blotting experiments. All seven nonmitochondrial clones sequenced to completion were unique. Nonmitochondrial sequences have a high proportion of unique sites, and very few characters are shared between nonmitochondrial clones to the exclusion of mtDNA. From these data, we infer that fragments of mtDNA have been transposed separately (probably into aphid chromosomes), at a frequency only known to be equalled in humans. The transposition phenomenon appears to occur infrequently or not at all in closely related genera and other aphids investigated. Patterns of nucleotide substitution in mtDNA inferred over a parsimony tree are very different from those in transposed sequences. Compared with mtDNA, nonmitochondrial sequences have less codon position bias, more even exchanges between A, G, C and T, and a higher proportion of nonsynonymous replacements. Although these data are consistent with the transposed sequences being under less constraint than mtDNA, changes in the nonmitochondrial sequences are not random: there remains significant position bias, and probable excesses of synonymous replacements and of conservative inferred amino acid replacements. We conclude that a proportion of the inferred change in the nonmitochondrial sequences occurred before transposition. We believe that Sitobion aphids (and other species exhibiting mtDNA transposition) may be important for studying the molecular evolution of mtDNA and pseudogenes. However, our data highlight the need to establish the true evolutionary relationships between sequences in comparative investigations.      

Iron-ion radiation accelerates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Radiation exposure from a number of terrestrial sources is associated with an increased risk for atherosclerosis. Recently, concern over whether exposure to cosmic radiation might pose a similar risk for astronauts has increased. To address this question, we examined the effect of 2 to 5 Gy iron ions ((56)Fe), a particularly damaging component of cosmic radiation, targeted to specific arterial sites in male apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. Radiation accelerated the development of atherosclerosis in irradiated portions of the aorta independent of any systemic effects on plasma lipid profiles or circulating leukocytes. Further, radiation exposure resulted in a more rapid progression of advanced aortic root lesions, characterized by larger necrotic cores associated with greater numbers of apoptotic macrophages and reduced lesional collagen compared to sham-treated mice. Intima media thickening of the carotid arteries was also exacerbated. Exposure to (56)Fe ions can therefore accelerate the development of atherosclerotic lesions and promote their progression to an advanced stage characterized by compositional changes indicative of increased thrombogenicity and instability. We conclude that the potential consequences of radiation exposure for astronauts on prolonged deep-space missions are a major concern. Knowledge gained from further studies with animal models should lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiological effects of accelerated ion radiation to better estimate atherogenic risk and develop appropriate countermeasures to mitigate its damaging effects.     

Preferential attachment of membrane glycoproteins to the cytoskeleton at the leading edge of lamella

The active forward movement of cells is often associated with the rearward transport of particles over the surfaces of their lamellae. Unlike the rest of the lamella, we found that the leading edge (within 0.5 microns of the cell boundary) is specialized for rearward transport of membrane-bound particles, such as Con A-coated latex microspheres. Using a single-beam optical gradient trap (optical tweezers) to apply restraining forces to particles, we can capture, move and release particles at will. When first bound on the central lamellar surface, Con A-coated particles would diffuse randomly; when such bound particles were brought to the leading edge of the lamella with the optical tweezers, they were often transported rearward. As in our previous studies, particle transport occurred with a concurrent decrease in apparent diffusion coefficient, consistent with attachment to the cytoskeleton. For particles at the leading edge of the lamella, weak attachment to the cytoskeleton and transport occurred with a half-time of 3 s; equivalent particles elsewhere on the lamella showed no detectable attachment when monitored for several minutes. Particles held on the cell surface by the laser trap attached more strongly to the cytoskeleton with time. These particles could escape a trapping force of 0.7 X 10(-6) dyne after 18 +/- 14 (sd) s at the leading edge, and after 64 +/- 34 (SD) s elsewhere on the lamella. Fluorescent succinylated Con A staining showed no corresponding concentration of general glycoproteins at the leading edge, but cytochalasin D-resistant filamentous actin was found at the leading edge. Our results have implications for cell motility: if the forces used for rearward particle transport were applied to a rigid substratum, cells would move forward. Such a mechanism would be most efficient if the leading edge of the cell contained preferential sites for attachment and transport.     

Cell migration does not produce membrane flow

We have previously reported that rearward migration of surface particles on slowly moving cells is not driven by membrane flow (Sheetz, M. P., S. Turney, H. Qian, and E. L. Elson. 1989. Nature (Lond.). 340:284-288) and recent photobleaching measurements have ruled out any rapid rearward lipid flow (Lee, J., M. Gustafsson, D. E. Magnussen, and K. Jacobson. 1990. Science (Wash. DC.) 247:1229-1233). It was not possible, however, to conclude from those studies that a slower or tank-tread membrane lipid flow does not occur. Therefore, we have used the technology of single particle tracking to examine the movements of diffusing particles on rapidly locomoting fish keratocytes where the membrane current is likely to be greatest. The keratocytes had a smooth lamellipodial surface on which bound Con A-coated gold particles were observed either to track toward the nuclear region (velocity of 0.35 +/- 0.15 micron/s) or to diffuse randomly (apparent diffusion coefficient of [3.5 +/- 2.0] x 10(-10) cm2/s). We detected no systematic drift relative to the cell edge of particles undergoing random diffusion even after the cell had moved many micrometers. The average net particle displacement was 0.01 +/- 2.7% of the cell displacement. These results strongly suggest that neither the motions of membrane proteins driven by the cytoskeleton nor other possible factors produce a bulk flow of membrane lipid.     

Causes of death and case fatality rates among infants with down syndrome in metropolitan Atlanta

BACKGROUND: There is limited population-based information on the extent of underreporting of congenital heart defects (CHD) as a cause of death among infants with Down syndrome (DS) and on the variation in case fatality by presence of CHD and age at death. METHODS: Using data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP), we identified infants with DS born 1979-2003. We used data from Georgia death certificates and the National Death Index to determine vital status and identify causes of death. Using MACDP records as a reference, we calculated the sensitivity and positive predictive value of reports of CHD as any cause of death or contributing condition in death certificates. We calculated race-specific case fatality rate by infant's age at death and presence of CHD. RESULTS: CHD was the most frequently reported cause of death from death certificates; however, a review of causes of death and birth defects data indicated a potentially greater impact of CHD among DS infant deaths than could be determined from the reported cause of death. The case fatality rate among infants with DS was significantly higher among blacks than whites, with the greatest racial disparity observed among infants without CHD who died in the post-neonatal period. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts are needed to improve reporting of causes of death related to CHD among infants with DS that would allow for a clearer assessment of determinants of case fatality among DS infants and identification of possible ways to reduce the racial disparities.     

High-temporal-resolution analysis demonstrates that ICAM-1 stabilizes WEHI 274.1 monocytic cell rolling on endothelium

Leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and migration on vascular endothelium involve several sets of adhesion molecules that interact simultaneously. Each of these receptor-ligand pairs may play multiple roles. We examined the role of ICAM-1 in adhesive interactions with mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) in an in vitro flow system. Average rolling velocity of the monocytic cell line WEHI 274.1 was increased on ICAM-1-deficient MAECs compared with wild-type MAECs, both with and without TNF- stimulation. High-temporal-resolution analysis provided insights into the underlying basis for these differences. Without TNF- stimulation, average rolling velocity was slower on wild-type than on ICAM-1-deficient endothelium because of brief (<1 s) pauses. On TNF--stimulated ICAM-1-deficient endothelium, cells rolled faster because of transient accelerations, producing "jerky" rolling. Firm adhesion to ICAM-1-deficient MAECs was significantly reduced compared with wild-type MAECs, although the number of rolling cells was similar. These results demonstrate directly that ICAM-1 affects rolling velocity by stabilizing leukocyte rolling. intercellular adhesion molecule-1; cell adhesion; leukocytes; vascular endothelium; videomicroscopy