Common and distinct intracellular signaling pathways in human neutrophils utilized by platelet activating factor and FMLP.

Stimulation of human neutrophils with chemoattractants FMLP or platelet activating factor (PAF) results in different but overlapping functional responses. We questioned whether these differences might reflect patterns of intracellular signal transduction. Stimulation with either PAF or FMLP resulted in equivalent phosphorylation and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPk) homologue 38-kD murine MAP kinase homologous to HOG-1 (p38) MAPk. Neither FMLP nor PAF activated c-jun NH2-terminal MAPk (JNKs). Under identical conditions, FMLP but not PAF, resulted in significant p42/44 (ERK) MAPk activation. Both FMLP and PAF activated MAP kinase kinase-3 (MKK3), a known activator of p38 MAPk. Both MAP ERK kinase kinase-1 (MEKK1) and Raf are activated strongly by FMLP, but minimally by PAF. Pertussis toxin blocked FMLP-induced activation of the p42/44 (ERK) MAPk cascade, but not that of p38 MAPk. A specific p38 MAPk inhibitor (SK&F 86002) blocked superoxide anion production in response to FMLP and reduced adhesion and chemotaxis in response to PAF or FMLP. These results demonstrate distinct patterns of intracellular signaling for two chemoattractants and suggest that selective activation of intracellular signaling cascades may underlie different patterns of functional responses.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in monocytes from patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome

BACKGROUND: One of the described mechanisms leading to thrombosis in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is overexpression of tissue factor (TF) in the monocytes and endothelial cells of patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may stimulate monocyte TF expression through its receptor, the tyrosine kinase Flt-1. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the following in monocytes of 55 primary APS patients: VEGF and Flt-1 expression levels, their potential regulation by aPL, and the association of VEGF and Flt-1 expression with the increased TF expression found in APS patients. RESULTS: Purified monocytes from APS patients showed higher levels of VEGF and Flt-1 than healthy donors, which further correlated with immunoglobulin G (IgG) anticardiolipin titers and TF expression rank. Moreover, monocyte VEGF and Flt-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with than in patients without previous thrombosis. In vitro, IgG from APS patients increased monocyte VEGF and Flt-1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. VEGF and Flt-1 expression was significantly inhibited by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580; this suggests the involvement of this kinase in the aPL-induced VEGF and Flt-1 upregulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show, for the first time in vivo, that monocytes from primary APS patients have an increased expression of VEGF and Flt-1. Furthermore, in vitro results indicated that this cytokine is produced by monocytes when treated with aPL, and that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role. Thus, VEGF might act as a regulatory factor in aPL-mediated monocyte activation and TF expression, thereby contributing to the proinflammatory-prothrombotic phenotype of APS patients.     

Splice variants of tissue factor promote monocyte‐endothelial interactions by triggering the expression of cell adhesion molecules via integrin‐mediated signaling

Summary. Background: TF is highly expressed in cancerous and atherosclerotic lesions. Monocyte recruitment is a hallmark of disease progression in these pathological states. Objective: To examine the role of integrin signaling in TF‐dependent recruitment of monocytes by endothelial cells. Methods: The expression of flTF and asTF in cervical cancer and atherosclerotic lesions was examined. Biologic effects of the exposure of primary microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) to truncated flTF ectodomain (LZ‐TF) and recombinant asTF were assessed. Results: flTF and asTF exhibited nearly identical expression patterns in cancer lesions and lipid‐rich plaques. Tumor lesions, as well as stromal CD68⁺ monocytes/macrophages, expressed both TF forms. Primary MVEC rapidly adhered to asTF and LZ‐TF, and this was completely blocked by anti‐β1 integrin antibody. asTF‐ and LZ‐TF‐treatment of MVEC promoted adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) under orbital shear conditions and under laminar flow; asTF‐elicited adhesion was more pronounced than that elicited by LZ‐TF. Expression profiling and western blotting revealed a broad activation of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in MVEC following asTF treatment including E‐selectin, ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1. In transwell assays, asTF potentiated PMBC migration through MVEC monolayers by ～3‐fold under MCP‐1 gradient. Conclusions: TF splice variants ligate β1 integrins on MVEC, which induces the expression of CAMs in MVEC and leads to monocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration. asTF appears more potent than flTF in eliciting these effects. Our findings underscore the pathophysiologic significance of non‐proteolytic, integrin‐mediated signaling by the two naturally occurring TF variants in cancer and atherosclerosis.     

VLA-4 integrin can mediate CD11/CD18-independent transendothelial migration of human monocytes.

The migration of human monocytes across unactivated and activated human umbilical vein endothelium (HUVE) in response to chemotactic factors was studied, and the adhesion molecules involved were characterized. Migration of blood monocytes or U937 cell line-derived monocytes across unactivated HUVE induced by C5a, was partially inhibited (by 75%) by mAbs (R15.7 or 60.3) to CD18 of the CD11/CD18 complex on the monocyte. However, when the HUVE was pretreated for 5 h with IL-1 alpha (0.1 ng/ml), TNF-alpha (100 U/ml), or LPS (1 ng/ml), migration induced by C5a was no longer inhibited; i.e., migration became CD18 independent. The monocyte CD18-independent migration was completely blocked by mAbs against alpha 4 or beta 1 integrin chains of VLA-4. This migration was also partially inhibited by mAbs against vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), a major counter-receptor on HUVE for VLA-4, but not by mAbs to E-selectin or intercellular adhesion molecule-1. The significant CD18-independent migration across "unactivated" HUVE was also inhibited by mAbs against alpha 4 or beta 1 chains of VLA-4, although mAbs against VCAM-1 did not inhibit under these conditions. Finally, considerable VLA-4-dependent transendothelial migration to C5a was also observed with monocytes from a patient with CD18 deficiency (leukocyte adhesion deficiency). These results suggest that (a) there is a major CD18-independent component in monocyte chemotactic factor-dependent migration across activated and unactivated endothelium; (b) that VLA-4 integrin on the monocyte has a major role in this migration; and (c) that VCAM-1 on activated endothelium functions as a counter-receptor in this process, but other ligands for VLA-4, especially on unactivated endothelium, may also be involved.     

Antiflammin-2 prevents HL-60 adhesion to endothelial cells and prostanoid production induced by lipopolysaccharides

We studied the effect of antiflammin-2 (AF-2) on adhesion molecule expression by HL-60 cells and endothelial (ECV304) cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), and on leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction in an in vitro coculture system. The action of AF-2 on prostanoid production in these experimental conditions was also tested. LPS increased the adhesion molecule expression, such as lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 and membrane attack complex-1 on HL-60 cells and E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on ECV304 cells. The LPS-stimulated adhesion molecule expression on HL-60/ECV304 coculture system was higher than on HL-60 or ECV304 cultures. LPS also induced HL-60 adhesion to ECV304 monolayer and thromboxane B(2) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production in HL-60 culture and PGE(2) in ECV304 culture. Prostanoid production by HL-60/ECV304 cocultures was higher than by simple cultures. AF-2 inhibited the enhancement of adhesion molecule expression induced by LPSs, especially E-selectin. Thus, AF-2 significantly reduced the HL-60 adhesion to endothelial cells stimulated by LPSs. AF-2 also inhibited prostanoid synthesis by ECV304 cells or HL-60/ECV304 coculture challenged by LPSs. In conclusion, AF-2 reduced HL-60 adhesion to endothelial cells, suggesting that it reduces inflammation by blocking leukocyte trafficking and the subsequent eicosanoid production.     

Interactions of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaMK) and extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) in monocyte adherence and TNFalpha production

The circulating monocyte possesses a markedly different functional phenotype relative to the macrophage (Mphi). The adhesive interactions encountered by the monocyte, en route to the inflammatory focus, generate signals that culminate in the expression of a pro-inflammatory Mphi phenotype, marked by enhanced cytokine production. Previously, we demonstrated that calcium and calmodulin are essential for maximal Mphi activation and, in particular, TNFalpha production. These effects are likely to be mediated through signal transduction kinases that require the calcium/calmodulin complex. Here, we investigated the effect of adherence on calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II and IV activation of the extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 cascade and on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNFalpha production by human monocytes. Adherence activated ERK 1/2 and led to an 8-fold potentiation in LPS-induced TNFalpha production over similarly stimulated non-adherent cells. Inhibition of CaMK II prior to adherence prevented ERK 1/2 activation and attenuated by up to 40%, the TNFalpha response to subsequent LPS stimulation. CaMK II inhibition after adherence, however, failed to modify cytokine release. Inhibition of CaMK IV, both after adherence and in non-adherent monocytes, significantly inhibited LPS-induced ERK 1/2 activation and abrogated TNFalpha production by up to 75%. These data suggest that the function of CaMK II in TNFalpha production by adherent monocytes occurs during adhesion, is mediated in part by activation of ERK 1/2, and appears to "prime" the monocyte for enhanced cytokine production. CaMK IV, through activation of ERK 1/2, appears to have a direct role in the LPS signal transduction for TNFalpha production.     

Transmigration of blood leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity is related to the upregulation of ICAM-1 (CD54) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) adhesion molecules.

BACKGROUND: Migration of blood leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity of patients treated with peritoneal dialysis appears to be an important mechanism to prevent and fight peritonitis. To study the role of adhesion molecules in the process of leukocyte transmigration, we compared the expression of several adhesion receptors between peripheral blood monocytes and macrophages isolated from overnight dwell effluents. METHODS: The study was performed in 12, stable, infection-free patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and in 9 patients during peritonitis. In another set of experiments, we analyzed the expression of these molecules on blood leukocytes in 10 predialysis chronic renal failure (CRF) patients and 9 healthy controls. Peritoneal cells from an 8-hour dwell were isolated by centrifugation. Expression of adhesion receptors CD11a, CD11b, CD18, CD49d, and CD54 on blood and peritoneal leukocytes was measured using flow cytometry. RESULTS: In macrophages from the uninfected effluents, expression of both subunits of Mac-1 integrin receptor (CD11b and CD18) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 receptor (CD54) was upregulated compared to peripheral blood monocytes from the same patients. The median value of mean fluorescence intensity in blood and effluent was 760.3 versus 1085.8 for CD11b (p = 0.013), 288.8 versus 448.6 for CD18 (p = 0.003), and 186.1 versus 365.7 for CD54 (p = 0.001). The same adhesion receptors were also significantly upregulated on peritoneal macrophages and neutrophils during peritonitis compared to blood leukocytes. Blood leukocytes from CAPD and CRF patients showed higher expression of CD54 and CD49d molecules compared to leukocytes from healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that transmigration of blood leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity during uncomplicated dialysis and in peritonitis is related to selective upregulation of ICAM-1 (CD54) and Mac-1 (CD18/CD11b) receptors.     

Establishment and characterization of a simian virus 40-immortalized rat pancreatic stellate cell line

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. Primary PSCs can be subcultured only several times because of their limited growth potential. A continuous cell line would be valuable in studying molecular mechanisms of these pancreatic disorders. The aim of this study was to establish an immortalized cell line of rat PSCs. PSCs were isolated from the pancreas of male Wistar rats, and the simian virus 40 T antigen was introduced to PSCs by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. This procedure yielded an actively growing cell line, designated as SAM-K. This cell line has been passaged repeatedly for almost 2 years, and is thus likely immortalized. SAM-K cells retained morphological characteristics of primary PSCs, and expressed alpha-smooth muscle actin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, type I collagen, fibronectin, and prolyl hydroxylases. The level of p53 expression was very high in SAM-K cells. Proliferation of SAM-K cells was stimulated by serum and platelet-derived growth factor-BB. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) activated nuclear factor-kappaB, activator protein-1, and three classes of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases: extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 MAP kinase. IL-1beta induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, both of which were abolished in the presence of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, a specific inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB activation. IL-1beta-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was partially inhibited by specific inhibitors of MAP kinase kinase (U0126) and of p38 MAP kinase (SB203580) whereas intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression was not altered by the inhibitors. Thus, SAM-K would be useful for in vitro studies of cell biology and signal transduction of PSCs.     

异基因T淋巴细胞诱导血管内皮细胞组织因子的表达

背景:血管内皮细胞是移植物抗宿主病中异基因T淋巴细胞的重要靶组织,而血管内皮细胞损伤、活化后组织因子表达显著增高.因此血管内皮细胞组织因子表达可能在移植物抗宿主病引起的组织损伤中发挥重要作用.目的:探讨异基因T淋巴细胞能否诱导血管内皮细胞组织因子表达及其分子机制.设计、时间及地点:细胞观察实验,于2008-03/10在华中科技大学同济医学院免疫学实验室完成.材料:人原代脐静脉内皮细胞来源于美国Sciencecell公司.方法:密度梯度离心法分离健康志愿者外周血单个核细胞,分别用结合CD4和CD8抗体的磁珠阳性分选CD4~+T细胞和CD8~+T淋巴细胞.脐静脉内皮细胞经PBS充分洗涤后,异基因CD4~+和CD8~+T淋巴细胞以10∶1的比例加入脐静脉内皮细胞,以未与T淋巴细胞混合培养组为对照.将脐静脉内皮细胞分别与细胞通路阻滞剂-特异性Jun氨基末端激酶抑制剂、特异性p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶抑制剂、特异性细胞外信号调节激酶抑制剂提前温育1 h,然后再与异基因CD4~+和CD8~+T淋巴细胞共培养,以未加入细胞通路阻滞剂为对照组.主要观察指标:实时定量PCR和流式细胞术检测异基因T淋巴细胞作用后脐静脉内皮细胞中组织因子在基因和蛋白水平的表达.Western blot方法检测脐静脉内皮细胞中丝裂原活化蛋白激酶的表达.结果:异基因CD4~+T淋巴细胞作用6,12,24 h后,脐静脉内皮细胞膜表面组织因子表达率及mRNA表达水平较对照组显著增高(P < 0.05).异基因CD8~+T淋巴细胞作用6,12,24 h后,脐静脉内皮细胞膜表面组织因子表达率及mRNA表达水平较对照组亦显著增高(P < 0.05).异基因CD4~+T淋巴细胞诱导12,24 h的脐静脉内皮细胞膜表面组织因子阳性表达率显著高于异基因CD8~+T淋巴细胞(P < 0.05).异基因T淋巴细胞作用后,脐静脉内皮细胞内磷酸化p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶和Jun氨基末端激酶表达增强,而磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶表达无变化.特异性p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶抑制剂和特异性Jun氨基末端激酶抑制剂可显著下调异基因T淋巴细胞诱导的组织因子表达,两者合用可完全阻滞组织因子的表达.结论:异基因T淋巴细胞通过Jun氨基末端激酶和p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号通路诱导血管内皮细胞组织因子表达.     

Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase blocks activation of rat pancreatic stellate cells

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. However, the signal transduction pathways in PSCs remain largely unknown. We examined the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in the activation of PSCs. PSCs were isolated from rat pancreas tissue and used in their culture-activated, myofibroblast-like phenotype. Activation of p38 MAP kinase was determined by Western blotting using anti-phosphospecific antibody. The effects of two p38 MAP kinase inhibitors, 4-(4-flurophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole (SB203580) and 4-(4-flurophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole (SB202190), on the parameters of PSC activation, including proliferation, expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, alpha1(I) procollagen, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase (alpha) genes, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production were evaluated. Interleukin-1beta and platelet-derived growth factor-BB activated p38 MAP kinase. Platelet-derived growth factor-induced PSC proliferation was inhibited by SB203580 and SB202190. These reagents decreased alpha-smooth muscle actin protein expression, and alpha1(I) procollagen and prolyl 4-hydroxylase (alpha) mRNA levels. Treatment with these p38 MAP kinase inhibitors also resulted in inhibition of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression. In addition, SB203580 inhibited spontaneous activation of freshly isolated PSCs in culture on plastic. Thus, inhibition of p38 MAP kinase modulated profibrogenic and proinflammatory actions in PSCs, implying a potential application of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors for the treatment of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation.     

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases during granulocyte apoptosis in patients with severe sepsis

Reduction of neutrophil apoptosis represents a major cause for granulocytosis and increases the destructive potential of theses cells during systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis. In this light, the role of protein kinases for the regulation of altered neutrophil apoptosis under infectious conditions was investigated. Neutrophils, obtained from patients with severe sepsis (n = 18), were incubated ex vivowith either LPS (1 microg/mL) or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma; 10 ng/mL) for 16 h. Apoptosis was determined by propidium iodine (PI) staining of DNA fragments and was compared with the rate of spontaneous apoptosis. Tyrosine kinases were inhibited by herbimycin (1 microM), the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase ERK was inhibited with PD98059 (50 microM), and p38 MAP kinase was inhibited with SB203580 (5 microM). Herbimycin reconstituted LPS-reduced apoptosis in neutrophils from controls (39.9 +/- 3.8%) and patients (20.8 +/- 2.8%) to levels seen in spontaneous apoptosis (70.9 +/- 2.8% and 40.7 +/- 3.7%, respectively). Inhibition of the ERK kinase yielded similar results, whereas SB203580 had no effect on LPS-reduced apoptosis. However, inhibition of p38 partially reconstituted IFN-gamma-reduced apoptosis (51.3 +/- 7.7% and 25.6 +/- 5.8%) and increased spontaneous apoptosis (82.4 +/- 3.3% and 42.0 +/- 5.8%) in controls and patients, respectively. Western blot analysis revealed phosphorylation of both MAP kinases by LPS, but not by IFN-gamma. Inhibition of MAP kinases did not augment neutrophil apoptosis in patients to the level seen in controls, indicating that other mechanisms must be involved in the regulation of neutrophil apoptosis. Although the ERK kinase regulates LPS-induced reduction of apoptosis, the p38 MAP kinase might be involved in IFN-gamma signaling and the feedback regulation of neutrophil apoptosis.     

The Syk‐kinase inhibitor R406 impairs platelet activation and monocyte tissue factor expression triggered by heparin‐PF4 complex directed antibodies

Summary. Background: Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare but severe complication of heparin therapy in which immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the platelet factor 4–heparin complex activate platelets through the FcγRIIA receptor. Clustering of FcγRIIA initiates signaling cascades involving tyrosine kinases including the spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Moreover, besides the critical role of platelets, the expression of tissue factor (TF) by human monocytes triggered by HIT antibodies has been shown to contribute to the hypercoagulability and the thrombotic complications in HIT patients. Objectives: We investigated the effect of R406, a small molecule inhibitor of Syk developed as a potential treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic disorders and B‐cell related hematological malignancies, on FcγRIIA‐mediated platelet activation. To further assess the potential activity of Syk inhibitors in HIT treatment, the effect of R406 was also evaluated on HIT antibodies‐induced expression of TF and procoagulant activity of monocytic cells. Results: We show that R406 is a potent inhibitor of platelet signaling and functions initiated by FcγRIIA cross‐linking by specific antibodies or by sera from HIT patients. Syk inhibition efficiently prevents FcγRIIA‐induced LAT phosphorylation and activation of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase, Akt, phospholipase Cγ2 and p38 MAP‐kinase. As a consequence, FcγRIIA‐induced platelet aggregation, granule secretion and microparticles production are strongly inhibited by R406. Moreover, the Syk inhibitor efficiently impairs the expression of TF and the procoagulant activity of human monocytes triggered by HIT antibodies. Conclusion: Syk inhibitors may be of therapeutic interest in the treatment of HIT by reducing HIT antibodies‐mediated platelet activation and monocyte procoagulant activity.     

Selective activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase subgroups c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase and p38 by IL-1 and TNF in human articular chondrocytes.

Previous studies suggested that tyrosine kinase activation is an important signal transduction event in the IL-1 response of chondrocytes. The present study identifies the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1 and ERK-2 as major tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in IL-1 stimulated chondrocytes. Kinase assays on immunoprecipitates with myelin basic protein as substrate showed that ERK-1 and ERK-2 activation was detectable within 5 min after IL-1 stimulation and decreased to baseline within 60 min. Analysis of other members of the MAP kinase family showed that chondrocytes also express c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK)-1, JNK-2, and p38 proteins. These kinases were time-dependently activated by IL-1. Among other chondrocyte activators tested, only TNF activated all three of the MAP kinase subgroups. JNK and p38 were not activated by any of the other cytokines and growth factors tested. However, ERK was also activated by PDGF, IGF-1, and IL-6. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, calcium ionophore, and cAMP analogues only increased ERK activity but had no significant effects on JNK or p38. These results suggest differential activation of MAP kinase subgroups by extracellular stimuli. ERK is activated in response to qualitatively diverse extracellular stimuli and various second messenger agonists. In contrast, JNK and p38 are only activated by IL-1 or TNF, suggesting that these kinases participate in the induction of the catabolic program in cartilage.     

Neutrophil heat shock protein expression and activation correlate with increased apoptosis following transmigration through the endothelial barrier.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) undergo endothelial transmigration upon activation or in response to a chemoattractant. Such cells are stressed and have an increased capacity to incite tissue injury. Little is known about the effect of transmigration on PMN stress gene responses, PMN activation, and ultimately programmed cell death (apoptosis). Human endothelial cells (ECV-304) were plated onto transwell membranes to form an endothelial monolayer and PMN transendothelial migration through this endothelial barrier was examined. Chemotaxis was induced by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). Flow cytometry was used to determine PMN receptor expression (CD11b, CD14, CD16, CD18, CD54), phagocytosis, and apoptosis. Heat shock protein (Hsp) expression was evaluated by Western blotting. fMLP-induced PMN transendothelial migration resulted in increased adhesion receptor expression and phagocytosis. Migrated PMN also had an increased rate of apoptosis as evaluated by uptake of propidium iodide and decreased FcgammaR III (CD16) expression. Increased PMN apoptosis coincided with induction of Hsp72 following transmigration. Thus, naive PMN that migrate through endothelium in response to a chemoattractant undergo activation as represented by increased phagocytosis and expression of adhesion receptors.