PMN heterogeneity: long-term stability of fluorescent membrane potential responses to the chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl- phenylalanine in healthy adults and correlation with respiratory burst activity

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were isolated from 24 healthy adults 20 to 61 years of age and the proportion of cells that demonstrated depolarization responses to the synthetic chemotaxin N- formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) were enumerated using the lipophilic fluorescent cyanine dye 3,3'-di-pentyl-oxacarbocyanine [di-O- C(5)(3)] and flow cytometry. The membrane potential responses were correlated to the cells' respiratory burst capabilities as measured by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and/or superoxide production in response to FMLP; 40.2% +/- 15.1% (mean +/- SD) of cells depolarized to FMLP. The mean SE for duplicate determinations 1 hour apart was 3.8% (range 0.4% to 13.6%, n = 15). There was no correlation between the percentage of depolarizing PMNs and the yield of cells, the percentage of immature cells, or the circulating WBC count. There was no difference in the average age of men (34.9 +/- 9.9 years, n = 11) v women (33.8 +/- 8.5, n = 13) (mean +/- SD) studied, or in the percentage of depolarizing PMNs when men and women were compared (42.2 +/- 10.6% v 43.1 +/- 13.3%, respectively). However, there was a significant increase in the percentage of depolarizing PMNs with increasing age of women (r = .61, P less than .025) but not men (r = .03, P greater than .05). Analysis of variance revealed significantly greater person-to-person variability in the membrane potential response than in day-to-day variability in the same person (P less than .0005). The percentage of depolarizing PMNs in response to FMLP was significantly correlated with the percentage of NBT-positive cells from both purified PMNs and from whole blood (r = .849, P less than .0005, r = .857, P less than .05, respectively), and with the amount of superoxide produced, expressed as a percentage of that amount produced by cytochalasin B (cyto-B)-pretreated cells (r = .565, P less than .01). The data indicate that PMNs from healthy adults demonstrate a heterogeneous membrane potential response to the chemotaxin FMLP that correlates with the cells' oxidative responsiveness and that intersubject differences can be detected. In addition, the proportion of responsive PMNs increases with increasing age in women.     

In vitro and in vivo effects of treatment by platelet-activating factor on N-formyl-met-leu-phe-mediated responses of polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Two chemoattractants, the peptide N-formyl-met-leu-phe (FMLP), and the ether phospholipid, platelet activating factor (PAF), each stimulate a variety of in vitro responses in polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN). Because often more than one inflammatory mediator is active during inflammation, we determined the effect on PMN of sequential stimulation with these two agents. Before FMLP stimulation, human PMN were exposed to PAF, at concentrations which gave little or no response when administered alone. PAF enhanced FMLP-elicited superoxide release in a dose-dependent fashion. Likewise, release of granular lysozyme from the cells was increased in PAF treated cells. Similar treatment with other phospholipids, including the lyso derivation of PAF, failed to produced these effects. Incubation with nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism, had little effect on the enhancement of lysozyme release by PAF. To determine if enhancing effects by PAF might occur also in vivo, we studied rabbits receiving PAF and/or FMLP intravenously. When rabbits received 0.01 micrograms PAF (a dose which does not elicit the sustained neutropenia observed with higher doses of PAF) followed by 0.05 micrograms FMLP the absolute granulocyte count (AGC) dropped at 1 min (46 +/- 11% of original value), and continued to fall (24 +/- 12% at 10 min). Controls, treated with the suspending fluid for PAF, and then 0.05 micrograms FMLP, had a similar 1 min AGC value, but at 10 min AGC returned to 65 +/- 6.1% (P less than 0.001 for comparison of 10 min values). Thus PAF pretreatment enhanced FMLP-elicited granulocytopenia in vivo. Study of in vitro human PMN aggregation revealed that, at certain relative concentrations of PAF and FMLP, aggregation was enhanced. These studies show that both in vitro and in vivo responses of FMLP-stimulated PMN may be exaggerated by pre-exposure to PAF.     

Modulation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function by cetiedil

Cetiedil citrate monohydrate inhibits sickling of red cells and aggregation of platelets. We assessed its ability to attenuate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function. PMN aggregation in response to 2 X 10(-7) M formyl-met-leu-phe (FMLP) was inhibited in a dose- dependent fashion by cetiedil concentrations ranging from 60 to 250 microM. Additionally, 125 microM cetiedil inhibited PMN aggregation in response to 2 X 10(-7) M FMLP, 20 ng/ml phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and 1 X 10(-6) M A23187 by 69% +/- 18%, 72% +/- 20%, and 65% +/- 4%, respectively. Inhibition of FMLP-induced aggregation was provided by only 5 min of incubation of the drug with the cells and was partially reversible. Cell viability was unaffected by exposure of PMN to the drug. Correspondingly, 125 microM cetiedil prevented the translocation of calcium from the PMN membrane as assessed by chlorotetracycline fluorescence. Paralleling the effect of the drug on PMN aggregation, 125 microM cetiedil inhibited release of superoxide by 55% and decreased the number of available 3H-FMLP receptors. However, its effect on release of the primary granule constituent, myeloperoxidase, was minimal (4.5% inhibition), while the effect on release of the specific granule product, lactoferrin (27% inhibition), was modest. These studies indicate that cetiedil affects PMN aggregation and superoxide release to a much greater extent than PMN degranulation. Thus, cetiedil may have potential uses in modulating inflammatory response in vivo.     

Interactions of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF), granulocyte CSF, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the priming of the neutrophil respiratory burst.

Exposure of neutrophils to a range of cytokines augments their response to subsequent agonist-induced activation of the respiratory burst. We have examined the effects of several of these factors, both singly and in combination, on the priming of f-met-leu-phe (FMLP) and complement C5a-stimulated neutrophil H2O2 production, using a whole blood flow cytometric assay designed to minimize artefactual activation. Both granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) produced a similar degree of priming of the FMLP-stimulated burst in vitro (558% +/- 86%, n = 41, and 581% +/- 95%, n = 21, of the response seen with FMLP alone, respectively), but with markedly different kinetics (half-maximal response 20 minutes and 7 minutes, respectively). Preincubation with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone caused only modest priming (202% +/- 39%, n = 14). Priming with cytokine combinations of the FMLP-stimulated burst showed that the combinations of G-CSF and TNF alpha and GM-CSF and TNF alpha are highly synergistic, with recruitment of neutrophils unresponsive to priming by single agents. Priming with the combination of GM-CSF and G-CSF was not significantly different to priming with GM-CSF alone. Similar results were obtained using C5a as the respiratory burst stimulus. Significant priming of the FMLP-stimulated respiratory burst was seen in vivo in patients receiving an infusion of GM-CSF (332% +/- 50% of preinfusion response to FMLP, P less than .005, n = 8). Priming was also seen in patients receiving G-CSF (152% +/- 58%, n = 5), although this did not reach conventional significance levels (.05 less than P less than .1). Although GM-CSF infusion caused priming in vivo, this was 48% less than predicted by preinfusion in vitro responses. This result was not due to inadequate GM-CSF levels as addition of further GM-CSF ex vivo did not correct the response. However, these neutrophils were still able to respond appropriately to ex vivo priming with TNF alpha, with a doubling in H2O2 production.     

Myeloperoxidase-mediated modulation of chemotactic peptide binding to human neutrophils

Methionine-containing chemotactic peptides, such as formyl-methionyl- leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), are inactivated via a neutrophil-derived, myeloperoxidase-mediated oxidation of the methionine residue. We report that extracellular inactivation of FMLP by myeloperoxidase modulates the apparent binding of methionine-containing chemotactic peptides to their surface receptors. Inhibitors of myeloperoxidase enhanced FMLP binding. At subsaturating concentrations of 3H-FMLP (20 nM), 1 mM cyanide (KCN) increased the binding of 3H-FMLP to human neutrophils (PMN) by 51% +/- 12%. Similar increases occurred with 0.1 mM azide and 10 mM aminotriazole (ATZ). KCN had little effect on maximal 3H-FMLP binding to PMN at saturation (control-17,040 +/- 910 receptors/PMN; KCN- 16,820 +/- 1,940 receptors/PMN), but decreased the concentration of 3H- FMLP required to half-saturate the PMN receptors (control-39 +/- 3 nM; KCN-17 +/- 1 nM). ATZ gave similar results. The binding to PMN of the non-methionine-containing chemotactic peptide 125I-formyl-norleucyl- leucyl-phenylalanyl-norleucyl-tyrosyl-lysine (125I-FNLPNTL) was unaltered by KCN. Also, the binding of 3H-FMLP to myeloperoxidase- deficient PMN was unaltered by KCN. Both KCN and ATZ decreased the oxidation of FMLP by PMN. Finally, ATZ (but not KCN) enhanced the chemotactic migration of PMN in response to submaximal concentrations of FMLP. These studies show that intact PMN inactivate methionine- containing chemotactic peptides by a pathway that is sensitive to myeloperoxidase inhibitors and is absent in myeloperoxidase-deficient PMN. This action results in an apparent decrease in the affinity of the chemotactic peptide receptor for methionine-containing chemotactic peptides, which may modulate chemotatic events in inflammatory loci.     

Volumetric changes in phorbol myristate acetate activated neutrophils: a rapid and simple assay using Coulter counter STKR and STKS hematological analyzers.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate some physical changes (volume, conductivity and scatter) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) activated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). METHODS: Volume changes in PMA-activated neutrophils were assayed by both STKR and STKS, two Coulter hematological analyzers. Scatter changes in PMN activated by PMA in suspensions containing nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) were investigated on STKS scattergrams. RESULTS: PMA activation induced PMN volumetric increases that could be assayed with STKR and displayed with STKS. The activation of PMN in suspension containing NBT induced cellular scatter changes on STKS scattergrams. The differences in scatter between resting and PMA-activated neutrophils may thus provide a semiquantitative assay of NBT reduction and superoxide production. Volume changes in PMA-activated neutrophils were due to cellular swelling through water uptake, induced by Na+/H+ antiport activation and Na+ influx. Since volume changes in PMA-activated neutrophils might occur without O2- production and vice versa, in the cases in which PMA activation of protein kinase C cannot be demonstrated by O2- production, the effect of PMA on protein kinase C- mediated Na+/H+ antiport activation, and in turn on PMA volume changes, reflects protein kinase C activation. CONCLUSIONS: A screening of neutrophils unresponsive to volumetric changes from PMA activation may be easily performed using both Coulter STKR and STKS analyzers, whereas expected or defective PMA-induced production of O2- may be semi-quantitatively evaluated by STKS.     

Modulation of human neutrophil effector functions by monoclonal antibodies against surface membrane molecules of 94,000 and 180,000 molecular weight

Function-related antigens on the neutrophil (PMN) surface were identified using two newly developed PMN-specific mouse monoclonal antibodies. These IgG antibodies, designated Ab 1-14 and Ab 1-15, were selected for detailed study after initial testing revealed their significant inhibition of PMN superoxide generation in response to N- formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP) (64% for 1-14 and 64% for 1-15; P less than .05). In further experiments, Ab 1-14 augmented PMN adhesion (by 111%; P less than .01) and degranulation (by 52%; P less than .05) in response to FMLP, while Ab 1-15 inhibited these responses by 42% and 29%, respectively (P less than .05). Ab 1-14 reduced PMN chemotaxis in response to FMLP by 37% (P less than .02), and unlike Ab 1-15, Ab 1-14 significantly reduced unstimulated PMN binding of complement-coated sheep red blood cells. Ab 1-14 and Ab 1-15 significantly reduced PMN superoxide production in response to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) (14% and 23%, respectively; P less than .05). Whereas 1-14 was found to increase PMA-induced cell degranulation significantly (175%), Ab 1-15 did not alter degranulation response to PMA. Immunoprecipitation showed that Ab 1-14 and Ab 1-15 recognized respective surface antigens of 94,000 mol wt and 130,000 to 180,000 mol wt. Our findings suggest that the surface molecules identified by these two monoclonal antibodies play a significant role in neutrophil activation by both FMLP and PMA.     

Increased superoxide production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Normal and lupus PMN show an enhancement in superoxide production in vitro when stimulated with lupus serum. When N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) was used, lupus PMN showed an O2- production of 2.1 nmol/min/10(7) cells, which is 5.2 times the response of normal PMN stimulated by FMLP. Our results show the existence of serum factors in SLE patients that can stimulate O2- production by PMN. Lupus neutrophils showed an increased response to membrane stimuli such as FMLP, capable of triggering the cell respiratory burst. Lupus neutrophils appeared more responsive to membrane stimuli. The serum and cellular factors seemed to indicate an increase rate of superoxide production by PMN in lupus patients, which could be relevant factors in the development of vasculitis and tissue damage.     

Functional characterization of mouse granulocytes and macrophages produced in vitro from bone marrow progenitors stimulated with interleukin 3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Bone marrow from C3H/ouj mice was depleted to < 1% of CD11b+ granulocytes and macrophages using paramagnetic beads coated with sheep anti-rat antibodies. CD11b- cells, enriched three- to fourfold in colony-forming cells, were stimulated in liquid culture with interleukin 3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Cultures stimulated with IL-3 or GM-CSF increased cell numbers fourfold at 7 days, with the CD11b+ population increasing to 63% +/- 9% (n = 5) with IL-3 or 96% +/- 1% (n = 4) cells with GM-CSF. Functional responsiveness of the granulocytes and macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry in an oxidative burst assay using dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and a quantitative phagocytosis assay using opsonized fluorescent beads. Granulocytes and macrophages, identified by light scatter characteristics and allophycocyanine staining of CD11b, were assayed simultaneously with granulocytes from fresh mouse bone marrow and peripheral blood. GM-CSF-generated CD11b+ cells had higher oxidative responses than similar populations produced in response to IL-3. The oxidative burst of these in vitro generated CD11b+ populations was similar to the equivalent fresh bone marrow population. Oxidative burst responses of peripheral blood phagocytic cells could not be adequately measured in this system. Peripheral blood CD11b+ cells were the most phagocytic, followed by GM-CSF-stimulated CD11b+ cells; IL-3-stimulated and bone marrow CD11b+ cells were the least phagocytic. These data demonstrate that functional granulocytes can be produced in vitro using growth factors and that GM-CSF produces a more responsive cell than IL-3.     

Prolongation of survival of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor is caused by inhibition of programmed cell death.

In the absence of appropriate stimuli, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) undergo programmed cell death (PCD), also termed apoptosis. We show that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), but not the chemotactic factors formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), recombinant human (rh) C5a, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and interleukin-8 (IL-8), or other cytokines including IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, and G-CSF, maintains viability of PMN in culture by preventing these cells from undergoing PCD. Prevention from PCD by GM-CSF was associated with induction of RNA and protein synthesis in PMN. Inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis by actinomycin-D and cycloheximide impeded the protection of apoptosis by GM-CSF. Similarly, neutralization of GM-CSF biologic activity by a specific antiserum abrogated GM-CSF-mediated inhibition of PCD.     

Degradation of platelet glycoprotein Ib by elastase released from primed neutrophils

Summary Mutual interactions between neutrophils (PMN) and platelets are recognized to be important in modulating the respective functions of these two cell types. Here we show that primary granule secretion from appropriately-stimulated PMN can lead to complete proteolytic removal of GPIb from the platelet surface.
Thus, when the PMN in PMN/platelet mixtures were stimulated by FMLP, platelets lost GPIb as measured by ristocetin-induced aggregation, flow cytometry and SDS-PAGE analysis. This loss was most marked when PMN were primed by GM-CSF, and could be inhibited by a specific elastase inhibitor. As expected, the al-antiproteinase in plasma inhibited GPIb loss, but when PMN were strongly stimulated by FMLP and GM-CSF in the presence of platelets this inhibition was incomplete or absent.
It is concluded that joint priming of PMN with GM-CSF and platelets can cause a previously unrecognized degree of primary granule secretion which, via elastase, leads to platelet GPIb loss. We suggest that this loss is likely to be of physiological and pathophysiological importance.     

Direct effects of neutrophil oxidants on elastase-induced extracellular matrix proteolysis

Oxidant species produced by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) inactivate alpha-1-protease inhibitor and thus may indirectly enhance neutrophil elastase-induced proteolysis. It is unclear, however, if PMN-derived oxidants directly enhance proteolysis of extracellular matrix by neutrophil elastase. Matrix was produced by neonatal rat aortic smooth muscle cells and pulse-labeled with 3H-lysine to allow identification of the collagen-specific amino acid, hydroxylysine (3H-HL), and the elastin specific amino acid, desmosine (3H-DES). The smooth muscle cells were lysed, and the remaining matrix was used as a culture surface and a proteolytic substrate for intact PMN and purified neutrophil elastase. Proteolysis of collagen and elastin were quantified by chromatographic separation of the marker amino acids 3H-HL and 3H-DES, which were released into the supernatant or remained in the matrix after a 3-h incubation at 37 degrees C. The peptide, formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (FMLP), produced more rapid release of myeloperoxidase than did phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), which produced more release of O2- and H2O2 than did FMLP. The percent release of total matrix 3H-DES in the presence of PMN + FMLP was 2.45 +/- 0.19% (mean +/- SE, n = 6) and with PMN + PMA it was 1.32 +/- 0.1% (n = 6, p less than 0.01). The release of matrix 3H-HL did not differ. Neutrophil cytoplasts, which produced O-2 and H2O2 but lacked azurophilic granules, did not significantly enhance either elastin or collagen degradation by purified neutrophil elastase (NE).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of bronchoalveolar lavage cells and macrophage-derived chemoattractant activity in pancreatic elastase-induced emphysema in hamsters

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed 30 days after endotracheal saline (C) or pancreatic elastase (E) administration to hamsters. E animals had twice as many cells as C animals (7.04 +/- 0.07 vs. 6.69 +/- 0.05 log10 cells, p less than 0.0001, paired t-test) and greater numbers of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) (6.61 +/- 0.05 vs. 5.27 +/- 0.04 log10 cells/animal, p less than 0.0001, t-test). On flow cytometric analysis and cell sorting, BAL cells from C animals showed a homogeneous population of cells with high light scatter and laser-excited intrinsic autofluorescence that were predominantly (greater than 99%) pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM). BAL cells from E animals had 80% PAM with characteristics similar to those of C animals; the remaining 20% of cells were smaller with lower forward and 90 degrees light scatter and four- to fivefold lower autofluorescence. These were found to be predominantly PMN on cytological examination of a sorted fraction. Fc receptors were expressed by greater than 95% of BAL cells from both C and E animals. To explain the altered cell population in E animals, PAM from both E and C animals were cultured in vitro, and the supernatants were assayed for neutrophil chemoattractant activity (NCA). In vitro PAM from E animals produced greater NCA than control PAM after 48 h in culture when stimulated with aggregated immunoglobulin or serum activates zymosan (p less than or equal to 0.003, ANOVA). Analyses of BAL supernatants 24 h after elastase administration indicated the presence of a heat-stable chemoattractant for PMN; such chemotactic activity, however, was not detectable 1 week or 4 weeks after the administration of elastase.     

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor upregulates reduced 5-lipoxygenase metabolism in peripheral blood monocytes and neutrophils in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Leukotrienes (LT) are mediators derived from the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway, which play a role in host defense, and are synthesized by both monocytes (peripheral blood monocyte [PBM]) and neutrophils (PMN). Because 5-LO metabolism is reduced in alveolar macrophages and PMN from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) subjects, we investigated the synthesis of LT by PBM and PMN from these subjects. There was a reduction (74.2% +/- 8.8% of control) in LT synthesis in PBM from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected compared with normal subjects. Expression of 5-LO (51.2% +/- 8.8% of control), and 5-LO activating protein (FLAP) (48.5% +/- 8.0% of control) was reduced in parallel. We hypothesized that this reduction in LT synthetic capacity in PBM and PMN was due to reduced cytokine production by CD4 T cells, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). We treated 10 AIDS subjects with GM-CSF for 5 days. PBM 5-LO metabolism ex vivo was selectively increased after GM-CSF therapy and was associated with increased 5-LO and FLAP expression. PMN leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) synthesis was also augmented and associated with increased 5-LO, FLAP, and cytosolic phospholipase A(2) expression. In conclusion, as previously demonstrated for PMN, PBM from AIDS subjects also demonstrate reduced 5-LO metabolism. GM-CSF therapy reversed this defect in both PBM and PMN. In view of the role of LT in antimicrobial function, cytokine administration in AIDS may play a role as adjunct therapy for infections.     

The Notch ligand, Delta-1, inhibits the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages but permits their differentiation into dendritic cells

Notch-mediated cellular interactions are known to regulate cell fate decisions in various developmental systems. A previous report indicated that monocytes express relatively high amounts of Notch-1 and Notch-2 and that the immobilized extracellular domain of the Notch ligand, Delta-1 (Delta(ext-myc)), induces apoptosis in peripheral blood monocytes cultured with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), but not granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF). The present study determined the effect of Notch signaling on monocyte differentiation into macrophages and dendritic cells. Results showed that immobilized Delta(ext-myc) inhibited differentiation of monocytes into mature macrophages (CD1a+/-CD14+/- CD64+) with GM-CSF. However, Delta(ext-myc) permitted differentiation into immature dendritic cells (CD1a+CD14-CD64-) with GM-CSF and interleukin 4 (IL-4), and further differentiation into mature dendritic cells (CD1a+CD83+) with GM-CSF, IL-4, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Notch signaling affected the differentiation of CD1a-CD14+ macrophage/dendritic cell precursors derived in vitro from CD34+ cells. With GM-CSF and TNF-alpha, exposure to Delta(ext-myc) increased the proportion of precursors that differentiated into CD1a+CD14- dendritic cells (51% in the presence of Delta(ext-myc) versus 10% in control cultures), whereas a decreased proportion differentiated into CD1a-CD14+ macrophages (6% versus 65%). These data indicate a role for Notch signaling in regulating cell fate decisions by bipotent macrophage/dendritic precursors.     

Monocyte dysfunction in patients with Gaucher disease: evidence for interference of glucocerebroside with superoxide generation [see comments]

Gaucher disease patients are occasionally affected by chronic or fulminant infections. Since Gaucher cells originate from tissue phagocytes, we studied the functional implications of glucocerbroside accumulation on phagocytes in Gaucher disease patients. Circulating monocytes and granulocytes from nine type I Gaucher disease patients, and matched controls, were studied. Evaluation of phagocytic activity included (1) maximal superoxide generation rates following stimulation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), opsonized zymosan (OZ), or formyl-methionyl-leucylphenylalanine (FMLP); (2) nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test (NBT); (3) chemotaxis toward FMLP; (4) phagocytosis of OZ particles; and (5) killing activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Superoxide generation in monocytes following PMA, OZ, and FMLP stimulation was significantly suppressed at 52% +/- 15%, 39% +/- 8%, and 51% +/- 11% of control, respectively. Superoxide generation in granulocytes was normal. NBT reduction, staphylococcal killing, and phagocytosis were also markedly decreased in monocytes, and normal in granulocytes. Mean chemotaxis rates were normal in both monocytes and granulocytes; however, decreased chemotactic rates were observed in some patients. The abnormality of superoxide generation could be reproduced in a dose- and time-dependent manner in normal circulating monocytes incubated with glucocerebroside. Superoxide generation in glucocerebroside-conditioned normal monocytes in a cell-free system showed normal superoxide generation, reflecting the integrity of the NADPH oxidase complex itself. These results demonstrate markedly compromised phagocytic functions in circulating monocytes in Gaucher disease patients. These abnormalities can be attributed to accumulation of glucocerebroside, since it could be reproduced in normal monocytes incubated with glucocerebroside. Similar abnormalities in Gaucher cells throughout the reticuloendothelial system could impair host defense, and may be of particular importance in the pathogenesis of osteomyelitis in Gaucher disease patients.     

Stimulation and priming of human neutrophils by interleukin-8: cooperation with tumor necrosis factor and colony-stimulating factors.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) stimulated an increase in cytoplasmic-free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and intracellular pH (pHi) in parallel at low concentrations (0.5 to 5 ng/mL), and stimulated O2- release and membrane depolarization in parallel at high concentrations (50 to 5,000 ng/mL). IL-8-induced O2- release was potentiated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF) in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it was inhibited by cyclic AMP agonists. These characteristics and the time-courses of the responses stimulated by IL-8 were similar to those stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), except that the cells stimulated by IL-8 showed shorter duration and less magnitude in some responses. In addition, IL-8 was found to be a potent priming agent and to enhance O2- release stimulated by FMLP. The priming effect of IL-8 was very rapid and was maximal within 5 minutes of preincubation. The dose-response curves for priming were identical to those for triggering of an increase in [Ca2+]i and pHi. The potency of the maximal priming effects on FMLP-induced O2- release was TNF greater than GM-CSF greater than IL-8 greater than G-CSF. The combination of IL-8 and the suboptimal concentrations of TNF or GM-CSF resulted in the additive priming effect, whereas the combination of the optimal concentration of IL-8 and the optimal concentration of TNF, GM-CSF, or G-CSF resulted in the effect of more potent priming agent alone. These findings suggest that IL-8 stimulates or primes human neutrophils according to its concentrations and cross-talks with TNF, GM-CSF, G-CSF, or FMLP at the inflammatory sites.     

The effects of rhGM-CSF on the neutrophil respiratory burst when studied in whole blood

A simple semiquantitative cytofluorometric method has been developed for measuring neutrophil respiratory burst activity in whole blood samples. This technique avoids the introduction of laboratory artefacts which modulate neutrophil function. In addition, flow cytometric analysis allows the response to be studied in individual cells. We show here that neutrophils examined freshly ex vivo, exhibit only weak respiratory burst activity in response to stimulation with the chemotactic peptide FMLP (10(-6) M). Prior incubation with rhGM-CSF results in an increase in the number of responding cells from 13.5 +/- 2.36% (mean +/- SEM) to 46.7 +/- 6.3% (P less than 0.0001) with an increase in total respiratory burst activity of 567% (P = 0.001). The majority of neutrophils in whole blood (67.1 +/- 8.1%) exhibit respiratory burst activity in response to stimulation with phorbol ester (1 micrograms/ml of TPA), and this response is also significantly primed by rhGM-CSF (P = 0.004). The enhancement of respiratory burst activity induced by rhGM-CSF is due to both recruitment of previously unresponsive neutrophils, and to intensification of the response of the responding cells. In vivo administration of rhGM-CSF also results in priming of the respiratory burst in response to FMLP, although the enhancement of activity is not as great as that obtained when pre-infusion blood samples are incubated with rhGM-CSF in vitro.     

Platelet-activating factor both stimulates and "primes" human polymorphonuclear leukocyte actin filament assembly

The phospholipid inflammatory mediator, platelet-activating factor (PAF), can stimulate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis. Conversion of cytoplasmic actin from monomers to filaments is associated with PMN motile functions. Using the fluorescent actin filament stain nitrobenzodiaxole phallicidin, we have investigated PAF's effects on human PMN actin polymerization. Concentrations of PAF between 1 x 10(-11) to 1 x 10(-6) mol/L induced actin filament (F- actin) assembly. An optimal concentration of PAF (1-5 x 10(-8) mol/L) induced a significantly lower rise in relative F-actin content (1.72 +/- 0.07 SEM) than an optimal concentration (5 x 10(-7) mol/L) of the chemotactic peptide FMLP (2.21 +/- 0.06). Unlike FMLP (F-actin content: 1.25 +/- 0.04 at five seconds), PAF stimulation was associated with a delay of more than five seconds (1.04 +/- 0.01 at five seconds) before an increase in F-actin could be detected. F-actin concentration reached maximum levels by 30 to 60 seconds. Prolonged stimulation (20 minutes) with PAF was associated with two phases of polymerization and depolymerization. Like FMLP, the initiation of actin filament assembly by PAF required receptor occupancy, this reaction being totally blocked by the PAF receptor inhibitor, SKI 63-441. As evidenced by the lack of inhibition by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (5 to 20 mumol/L), the production of leukotriene B4 was not required for the PAF-induced changes in F-actin. Like FMLP, PAF's ability to stimulate PMN actin polymerization was inhibited by pertussis toxin (.05 to 2.5 micrograms/mL) but not impaired by the addition of EGTA and/or the calcium ionophore A23187. Preincubation with 1 x 10(-11) to 1 x 10(-8) mol/L PAF for 2 to 60 minutes enhanced the rise in F-actin content induced by low concentrations of FMLP (5 x 10(-12) to 1 x 10(-10) mol/L) indicating that this phospholipid was capable of "priming" the PMN actin polymerization response.