Antibiotic proteins of polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Abstract: The polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) plays an essential role in the innate defense of the mammalian host against bacterial invaders. Responding chemotactically, the PMN delivers a complex antibiotic arsenal to sites of infection. Among these cytotoxic systems is an array of antimicrobial proteins and peptides that the PMN directs at microorganisms both before (i.e. extracellularly) and after sequestration into a phagocytic vacuole. In addition to their microbicidal capacity, several of these proteins bind to and neutralize the endotoxic activity of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). In this review the principle features of these antibiotic proteins are briefly summarized with emphasis on their possible actions in biological settings. In many instances, additional functions independent of cytotoxicity have been described raising the possibility that some of these proteins subserve multiple roles in inflammation.     

Adherence, augmented adherence, and aggregation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to nylon fiber was found to be plasma-independent and distinct from the processes of augmented adherence, leukocyte aggregation, and inhibition of random leukocyte migration, all of which are dependent on "activated" plasma. Nylon fibers were unable to "activate" plasma, in contrast to the complement-activating agent zymosan. Prior incubation of plasma with antiserum to the third component of complement (C3) inhibited aggregation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes by plasma incubated with zymosan, and heat-inactivation blocked augmentation of adherence by treatment of plasma with zymosan.     

Characteristics of light and heavy polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Whole blood gravity sedimentation technique can be modified for studying leukocyte sedimentation properties. Previously, we demonstrated that the displacement rate of leukocytes was associated with activation of leukocytes during traditional gravity sedimentation of the whole blood. The plasma flow as well as the difference between the specific gravity of leukocytes and plasma propel the leukocytes upward in the sedimentation tube while the erythrocyte aggregates are descending. The leukocyte ascension rate can be described as the increment of leukocyte concentration in the upper half section of the blood column after one-hour sedimentation. The aim of the present study was to characterize the ascending and non-ascending leukocytes using a flow cytometric technique. Venous blood samples were taken from 8 healthy controls and 8 septic patients after major thoracic or abdominal surgical procedures. The upper and lower halves sections of venous blood column were separately removed from the sedimentation tube after one hour gravity sedimentation. Using flow cytometry, the leukocyte subsets were identified by their CD45 density and side scatter parameters followed by characterization of their cellular size and cytoplasmic granularity. The size indices of septic patients' ascending polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were significantly lower than that of the non-ascending ones (253 +/- 22 versus 387 +/- 12 (SEM), p < 0.002) or the ascending PMN fraction taken from healthy individuals (382 +/- 28, p < 0.005). Septic patients' ascending PMNs presented significantly lower cytoplasmic granularity indices compared to non-ascending (447 +/- 23 versus 538 +/- 18, p < 0.05) or healthy ascending PMNs (539 +/- 20, p < 0.05). The cellular size and cytoplasmic granularity indices of heavy and light monocytes as well as lymphocytes were similar in both groups. It can be assumed that venous blood samples of septic patients contain significantly smaller PMNs with less cytoplasmic granularity than healthy control cells.     

Antibiotic proteins of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Nine polypeptide peaks with antibiotic activity were resolved from human polymorphonuclear leukocyte azurophil granule membranes. All but 1 of the 12 constituent polypeptides were identified by N-terminal sequence analysis. Near quantitative recovery of protein and activity permitted an assessment of the contribution of each species to the overall respiratory-burst-independent antimicrobial capacity of the cell. Three uncharacterized polypeptides were discovered, including two broad-spectrum antibiotics. One of these, a defensin that we have designated human neutrophil antimicrobial peptide 4, was more potent than previously described defensins but represented less than 1% of the total protein. The other, named azurocidin, was abundant and comparable to bactericidal permeability-increasing factor in its contribution to the killing of Escherichia coli.     

Metabolic, membrane, and functional responses of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes to platelet-activating factor

The phospholipid mediator of anaphylaxis, platelet-activating factor (PAF) is chemotactic for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). We have examined this agent's effects on several other PMN functions. Human PMN were prepared from heparinized venous blood by Ficoll gradient. Metabolic burst was examined by measurement of O2 use and O2.- production in the presence or absence of PAF (10(-6)--10(-9) M). Unless cells were treated with cytochalasin-B (5 micrograms/ml), no significant respiratory burst was demonstrated. However, pretreatment with PAF (10(-7) M) enhanced approximately threefold the O2 utilization found when cells were subsequently stimulated with 10(-7) M FMLP. PAF also stimulated arachidonic acid metabolism in 14C-arachidonic acid- labeled PMN. Thin-layer chromatography analysis of chloroform-methanol extracts showed substances that comigrated with authentic 5- hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid had a marked increase in radioactivity following PAF stimulation at 10(-7) M. PAF failed to stimulate release of granule enzymes, B-glucuronidase, lysozyme, or myeloperoxidase unless cytochalasin-B were added. PAF from 10(-6) M to 10(-10) M affected PMN surface responses. PMN labeled with the fluorescent dye, chlorotetracycline, showed decreased fluorescence upon addition of PAF, suggesting translocation of membrane-bound cations. Further, the rate of migration of PMN in an electric field was decreased following PAF exposure, a change consistent with reduced cell surface charge. PMN self-aggregation and adherence to endothelial cells were both influenced by PAF (10(-6) M--10(-9) M). Aggregation was markedly stimulated by the compound, and the percent PMN adhering to endothelial cell monolayers increased almost twofold in the presence of 10(-8) M PAF. Thus, PAF promotes a variety of PMN responses: enhances respiratory burst, stimulates arachidonic acid turnover, alters cell membrane cation content and surface charge, and promotes PMN self- aggregation as well as adherence to endothelial cells.     

Phagocytosis and killing of Brucella by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Although cellular immunity involving activated macrophages is important in resistance to Brucella, serum factors and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) play some role in the initial response to infection. The interaction between human PMNLs and virulent and attenuated strains of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis was studied by in vitro techniques. Virulent and attenuated strains of both species were rapidly phagocytosed after opsonization with normal human serum (NHS); nonopsonized bacteria were not phagocytosed. In contrast, NHS devoid of detectable antibodies was bactericidal for strains of B. abortus but not of B. melitensis. In addition, intracellular killing of ingested bacteria was shown for virulent B. abortus but not for B. melitensis. Ultrastructural studies revealed morphological alterations in about one-half of phagocytosed B. abortus and B. melitensis after incubation for 10 min; thereafter, nearly 100% of B. abortus showed some degree of degeneration, whereas B. melitensis remained intact during 120 min of observation.     

Transient histiocytosis with striking phagocytosis of platelets, leukocytes, and erythrocytes.

Two cases of infection (miliary tuberculosis and a presumed viral infections) are described in which phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets by reticuloendothelial cells was a prominent feature in bone marrow aspirates, associated with a clinical picture of fever, anemia, malaise, and hepatosplenomegaly. All these findings were "transient," and disappeared on treatment of the underlying infection.     

急性肺损伤大鼠多形核白细胞L选择素变化及其在肺内扣押中的作用

目的 探讨急性肺损伤(ALI)大鼠循环血多形核白细胞(PMN)L选择素表达的变化及其于肺内扣押中的作用.方法 通过静脉注射内毒素(5 mg/kg)复制大鼠ALI模型,56只大鼠随机分为7组,每组8只.分别为(1)内毒素5 min组;(2)内毒素15 min组;(3)内毒素30 min组;(4)内毒素60 min组;(5)fucodin干预5 min组;(6)Fucodin干预15 min组静脉注射fucodin 5 mg/kg后,立即静脉注射内毒素5 mg/kg;(7)正常对照组静脉注射等量生理盐水替代内毒素.用免疫荧光间接法和流式细胞仪检测大鼠ALI过程中PMN L选择素蛋白表达的变化;用髓过氧化酶(MPO)分析法及组织学检查定量ALI过程中PMN于肺内的扣押量.结果 (1)PMN L 选择素的表达于静脉注射内毒素后5 min为7.8±1.6,与对照组(10.5±2.1)比较差异有显著性(P<0.05),静脉注射内毒素后15 min(2.9±0.5)、30 min(3.5±0.7)和60 min(4.9±0.7)与对照组比较差异更具显著性(P<0.01).(2)大鼠肺组织MPO活力于静脉注射内毒素后5 min [(0.359±0.074) U/mg肺组织]、15 min [(0.490±0.069) U/mg肺组织]、30 min [(0.565±0.111 ) U/mg肺组织]、60 min [(0.710±0.112) U/mg肺组织]与对照组[(0.069±0.011) U/mg肺组织]比较差异有显著性(P<0.01);fucodin干预5 min组[(0.391±0.071)U/mg肺组织]和对应时相点的内毒素组[(0.359±0.074) U/mg肺组织]比较差异无显著性,fucodin干预15 min组[(0.396±0.061) U/mg肺组织]和对应时相点的内毒素组[(0.490±0.069) U/mg肺组织]比较差异有显著性(P<0.05).结论 (1)正常状态下L选择素在PMN表面呈结构性表达,内毒素致伤后PMN L选择素表达迅速减少,伤后15 min时最低,其后呈回升趋势.(2)内毒素性ALI大鼠PMN肺内的早期扣押可能是L选择素非依赖性的,但L选择素对维持肺PMN的持续扣押仍然是重要的.     

Amphotericin-B promotes leukocyte aggregation of nylon-wool-fiber-treated polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Severe pulmonary reactions have been reported in patients receiving leukocyte transfusion and amphotericin-B. To study the interaction of amphotericin-B with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), purified human PMN were incubated with 200 mg of nylon wool fiber for 60 min either in the absence or presence of 2 mM EDTA. PMN were recovered in acid citrate dextrose solution and were suspended in balanced salt solution for determination of their aggregation properties. The cells exposed to nylon wool fibers without EDTA aggregated in response to concentration as low as 1.25 micrograms/ml of amphotericin-B. Cells initially treated with EDTA, however, failed to aggregate. Serum from a patient treated with amphotericin-B aggregated PMN exposed to nylon wool fiber but not control cells, whereas serum taken before amphotericin was given without effect on the PMN treated with nylon wool fiber. Amphotericin-B at 5 micrograms/ml failed to potentiate the release of beta- glucocuronidase or lactic dehydrogenase by PMN treated by nylon wool beyond that seen with exposure to the fibers alone. Rabbit peripheral blood was similarly incubated with nylon wool fibers and the recovered PMN were infused into recipient rabbits that had received 1 mg/kg of amphotericin-B intravenously 1 hr prior to the infusion of the leukocytes. Rabbits were sacrificed 30 min after transfusion of PMN, and their lungs were excised for histologic sectioning. Those rabbits receiving a combination of amphotericin-B and 4 x 10(7) nylon-wool- fiber-treated PMN had evidence of pulmonary hemorrhage and accumulation of leukocytes in the pulmonary vasculature whereas those animals who received such cells alone had normal appearing lung tissue. In summary, amphotericin-B at concentrations achievable in vivo enhanced the aggregation of PMN damaged by incubation with nylon fiber with subsequent accumulation of the phagocytes in pulmonary tissue.     

Deferoxamine enhances phagocytic function of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Inhibition of the iron-mediated generation of toxic oxygen species by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) might prevent oxidative damage and thus enhance phagocytic function of PMN. To investigate this point, we studied the effect of the specific iron chelator, deferoxamine, on the antibacterial function of PMN. PMN were incubated for 20 hr with various concentrations of deferoxamine at 37 degrees C in medium containing 0.54 microM endogenous iron. The cells were then washed, and the phagocytic cell function was assessed. The results were compared with those for control PMN preincubated for 20 hr without deferoxamine, and those of nonincubated PMN. Compared with that of control PMN, the uptake of radiolabeled Staphylococcus aureus by PMN treated with 1 microM-1 mM deferoxamine was, on average, 10%-20% higher. This effect was not observed when iron-saturated deferoxamine (DFO) was used. Bacterial uptake was similarly increased in nonpreincubated PMN or PMN preincubated for 20 hr at 4 degrees C instead of 37 degrees C. The intracellular killing capacity of both deferoxamine-treated and control PMN exceeded 90%. PMN incubated for 20 hr at 37 degrees C with DFO not only phagocytosed more bacteria than control cells, but were also capable of killing the greater number of bacteria ingested. This increased activity of deferoxamine-treated PMN was accompanied by enhanced generation of chemiluminescence and production of superoxide during phagocytosis of S. aureus. These findings indicate that deferoxamine may enhance the antibacterial activity of PMN by protecting the cells against damage by iron-mediated generation of toxic oxygen metabolites in resting PMN.     

Colonic epithelial cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in ulcerative colitis

The following study confirms previously reported electron-microscopic findings in ulcerative colitis and agrees with the nonspecific nature of those findings. The study extends these observations in regard to relationship of PMN leukocytes, eosinophil leukocytes, and mast cells to colonic epithelial cells. Strong, though not conclusive, data that PMN and eosinophil leukocytes extensively invade epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis is presented. This finding also is not specific to ulcerative colitis and was found with much less frequency in Crohn's disease of the colon and in salmonella colitis. The presence of intravascular degranulation of PMN leukocytes in ulcerative colitis is confirmed. This study adds additional support to the concept that the major abnormality in ulcerative colitis resides within the colonic epithelial cell.     

Pathologic interaction between megakaryocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in myelofibrosis

Idiopathic myelofibrosis (MF) is a myeloproliferative syndrome characterized by an increase in bone marrow collagen. Megakaryocytes (Mks), which store growth factors in their alpha granules, are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of MF. Previously, mice given bone marrow grafts infected with a retrovirus carrying murine thrombopoietin (TPO) complementary DNA developed a disease resembling human idiopathic MF. In this study, we used this murine model (TPO mice) to determine whether release of alpha granules is responsible for fibroblast activation and development of fibrosis. The intracellular trafficking of several alpha-granule proteins (von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), which are stored in the granule matrix; and alpha(IIb)beta(3) integrin and P-selectin (CD62p), which are located in the alpha-granule membrane) was studied with immune electron microscopy in bone marrow Mks from TPO mice. P-selectin immunolabeling increased consistently and was occasionally found lining the demarcation membrane system. Evidence of extensive emperipolesis was also found in TPO mouse Mks, involving almost exclusively neutrophil and eosinophil polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells with altered morphologic features. In parallel, the host Mks had myeloperoxidase-positive granules scattered in their cytoplasm, associated with marked ultrastructural cytoplasmic alterations and ruptured alpha-granule membranes. Similar observations were made in bone marrow biopsy specimens from 12 patients with idiopathic MF; indeed, there was an increased rate of emperipolesis involving mostly PMN cells, abnormal P-selectin expression, and mutual subcellular PMN and Mk alterations. This study indicates that in idiopathic MF, abnormal P-selectin distribution in Mks induces selective sequestration of PMN cells. This results in a release of alpha-granular proteins and growth factors, which in turn induces fibroblast activation and fibrosis deposition. (Blood. 2000;96:1342-1347)     

Antimicrobial penetration into polymorphonuclear leukocytes and alveolar macrophages.

Infections caused by intracellular organisms often involve the lung and may be implicated in chronic disease. These intracellular bacteria may be protected from otherwise lethal concentrations of extracellular antimicrobials. Knowledge of the intracellular concentration of usual antimicrobials used to treat pneumonia may allow physicians to refine their initial choice of therapy. Lipid-insoluble antimicrobials, such as penicillin, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, trimethoprim, and imipenem penetrate poorly into cells, if they penetrate at all. Isoniazid, tetracycline, and lincomycin have intermediate intracellular penetration, and chloramphenicol, rifampin, ethambutol, quinolones, and lincosamides, plus macrolides, are avidly concentrated. Nonetheless, to date it has been difficult to correlate intracellular concentrations of antimicrobials with cellular killing or clinical outcome. Information derived from a more standardized approach to the evaluation of antimicrobial agent intracellular penetration will be useful in improving the direct application of in vitro study results to the clinical care of patients with pneumonia.