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.     

Increased basal phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and reduced responsiveness to inflammatory cytokines in neutrophils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: We studied the functions of peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) neutrophils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), focusing the molecular basis for the activated state and the functional responsiveness of RA neutrophils to inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: Paired samples of PB neutrophils and SF neutrophils from the inflamed knee joint were obtained from 18 RA patients (5 males and 13 females). RESULTS: RA neutrophils exhibited increased spontaneous superoxide (O2-) release and adherence, increased basal phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, accelerated spontaneous apoptosis, and enhanced O2- release in response to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine as compared with healthy normal PB neutrophils. When challenged with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), RA neutrophils exhibited reduced responses to these cytokines, which included O2- release, adherence, priming for enhanced O2- release, and phosphorylation of ERK and p38. The functional alterations were greater in SF neutrophils than in PB neutrophils from RA. Reduced responsiveness to cytokines in RA neutrophils was closely associated with increased serum and SF levels of GM-CSF and TNF-alpha. RF and RAHA titers were closely correlated with increased TNF-alpha level in SF. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that RA neutrophils are in the activated state with increased basal phosphorylation of ERK and p38, and exhibit reduced responsiveness to inflammatory cytokines (G-CSF, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha) and accelerated spontaneous apoptosis.     

Increased respiratory burst activity of neutrophils in patients with aplastic anemia: effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

The superoxide (O2-)-releasing capacity in response to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and the priming effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) on FMLP-induced O2-release were investigated in neutrophils from 13 patients with aplastic anemia (AA). The O2(-)-releasing capacity of AA neutrophils (0.85 +/- 0.36 nmol/5 min/1 x 10(5) cells, n = 13) was significantly (p < 0.01) increased as compared with that of normal neutrophils (0.24 +/- 0.12 nmol/5 min/1 x 10(5) cells, n = 17). There was no close relationship between the O2(-)-releasing capacity and the peripheral blood neutrophil count or the plasma concentration of C-reactive protein. The plasma concentrations of G-CSF and GM-CSF were not elevated to the detectable levels (< 0.1 ng/ml and < 0.2 ng/ml, respectively) in all patients tested. FMLP-induced O2(-)-release was further enhanced by pretreatment of cells with rhG-CSF or rhGM-CSF for 10 min at 37 degrees C, except that no significant priming by rhG-CSF was observed in five patients. The priming effect of rhGM-CSF was consistently greater than that of rhG-CSF in all patients. The i.v. administration of rhGM-CSF (6 micrograms/kg body weight/day) to one patient resulted in an increase in neutrophil O2(-)-release stimulated by FMLP. These findings indicate that neutrophils from AA patients are already primed in vivo for enhanced release of O2- and that these neutrophil functions are further potentiated by rhG-CSF or rhGM-CSF.     

Role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the development of an acute neutrophil inflammatory response in mice

The intraperitoneal injection into mice of casein preparations containing bacteria induced a rapid accumulation of neutrophils within 3 hours due to selective release of mature cells from the bone marrow. Significant increases in the concentrations of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) occurred in the peritoneal cavity during the process, but the intraperitoneal injection of neither CSF induced a significant accumulation of neutrophils and the coinjection of G-CSF and casein failed to enhance the neutrophil response. The lack of involvement of either CSF in the neutrophil migration was confirmed by the development of typical neutrophil exudates when casein was injected into mice with inactivation of the genes encoding GM-CSF, G-CSF, or the beta-common chain of the GM-CSF receptor. However, preinjection of G-CSF increased the number of marrow neutrophils available for migration and did result in increased numbers of neutrophils in the peritoneal cavity after casein injection. Typical eosinophil inflammatory responses to the injection of casein or thioglycollate occurred in GM-CSF -/ -mice but not in beta c -/- mice, suggesting that interleukin-5 was necessary for this response.     

Aclacinomycin, an anti-leukemic anthracycline, impairs human neutrophil functions.

The effects of aclacinomycin, an anti-leukemic anthracycline, on human neutrophil functions were investigated. The release of superoxide (O2-) in neutrophils stimulated by opsonized zymosan, myristate, or phorbol myristate acetate was inhibited by aclacinomycin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The phagocytosis of yeast particles and oil droplets, and membrane potential changes stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate were also inhibited by aclacinomycin. On the other hand, the O2(-)-producing enzyme (NADPH oxidase) in the particulate fraction prepared from myristate-stimulated neutrophils was not affected by aclacinomycin. When high concentrations of aclacinomycin (10-100 micrograms/ml) were employed, significant inhibition of O2- release, phagocytosis, and membrane potential changes was observed within 5 min. Phagocytic activity was also inhibited when neutrophils were preincubated for 13 h at 37 degrees C with a low concentration (40 ng/ml) of aclacinomycin, which could be obtained by intravenous administration of 20 mg aclacinomycin. Myristate-induced O2- release was not impaired by cytosine arabinoside (2-800 micrograms/ml), vincristine (0.1-100 micrograms/ml), adriamycin (25-100 micrograms/ml), or daunomycin (5-75 micrograms/ml) when the cells were preincubated with these drugs for 5 min at 37 degrees C. These findings suggest that aclacinomycin inhibits the respiratory burst by impairing the activating system of NADPH oxidase and phagocytic activity.     

Thrombopoietin stimulates ex vivo expansion of mature neutrophils in the early stages of differentiation

We examined the effects of thrombopoietin (TPO) in combination with stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the proliferation and differentiation of human neutrophils. Purified CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells were cultivated with SCF, IL-3, and G-CSF for 7 days (early phase), and thereafter nonadherent cells were further cultivated for 9 days with G-CSF alone (late phase). A large number of highly selected neutrophils (>95%) was obtained on day 16. We compared the expansion capacity in the presence or absence of TPO in each culture phase. The significantly larger number of neutrophils was obtained in the presence of TPO in the early culture phase. The number of expanded cells plateaued at day 16. Ultimately, a 550-fold increase in the number of neutrophils was achieved. These neutrophils gained the ability to respond effectively with chemotaxis and superoxide release, and were appropriately primed by G-CSF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-1beta for enhanced release of O(2)(-). The responsiveness of these cells was identical to that of peripheral blood neutrophils. However, TPO did not accelerate the maturation of neutrophils supported by G-CSF in the late phase of culture. Furthermore, priming effects and triggering effects of TPO on the production of superoxide metabolites from peripheral blood neutrophils were not observed. These results suggest that TPO regulates the proliferation and differentiation of neutrophils in the early stages, but not the late stages, of differentiation.     

Ex vivo expansion of mature human neutrophils with normal functions from purified peripheral blood CD34+ haematopoietic progenitor cells

Purified CD34+ haematopoietic progenitor cells were cultivated with stem cell factor, interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) for 7 d, and thereafter non-adherent cells were divided into two groups. Cells in one group (group A) were further cultivated for 7 d with four cytokines, and cells in the other group (group B) were further cultivated for 7 d with G-CSF alone. On day 14, 220-fold and 130-fold increases in the numbers of non-adherent cells were achieved for groups A and B respectively. These cell preparations contained 65% granulocytes for group A and 95% granulocytes for group B. These cells gained the ability to respond effectively with chemotaxis, phagocytosis and superoxide (O2-) release. Cells in group B were appropriately primed by G-CSF, GM-CSF, tumour necrosis factor alpha and IL-1beta for enhanced release of O2 -. The responsiveness of these cells was identical to that of peripheral blood neutrophils, indicating that cells in group B may be in the resting state. In contrast, cells in group A were not primed by these cytokines for enhanced release of O2- and released a large amount of O2- spontaneously, indicating that cells in group A may be in the activated state. These findings indicate that mature neutrophils with normal functions were expanded ex vivo in group B and suggest that these cells could be used for possible autologous neutrophil transfusion to prevent bacterial infections during severe neutropenia after cytotoxic chemotherapy.     

Effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on neutrophil function in normal rats.

We studied the effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF) on neutrophil functions in vitro using neutrophils isolated from the venous blood of normal rats. FMLP-induced superoxide anion (O2-) release, phagocytosis, and FMLP-induced chemotaxis were evaluated. These functions were significantly enhanced by rG-CSF treatment. In addition to performing neutrophil function assays, we evaluated FMLP binding to rat neutrophils after rG-CSF treatment. FMLP specific binding was not changed by rG-CSF treatment. In addition, we intravenously injected rG-CSF (10 micrograms/kg) or control vehicle into rats for 7 consecutive days, and evaluated the functions of neutrophils isolated from venous blood at 6 h after the final injection. The neutrophil count in the peripheral blood of rG-CSF-treated rats was increased significantly compared with that in control rats. FMLP-induced O2- release, phagocytosis, FMLP-induced chemotaxis and spontaneous migration of rG-CSF-treated neutrophils were significantly enhanced in comparison with those in control rats. These findings demonstrate that rG-CSF not only increases neutrophil counts in peripheral blood, but that it also enhances neutrophil functions, both in vitro and in vivo.     

Antibody to Mol abrogates the increase in neutrophil phagocytosis and degranulation induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

We studied the ability of the human hemopoietic growth factors, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to activate polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) for increased phagocytosis of opsonized Candida albicans and enhanced degranulation. Exposure of neutrophils to these two growth factors resulted in an increased number of Candida phagocytosed. Pretreatment of the neutrophils with the monoclonal antibody anti-Mol abrogated the enhanced phagocytosis associated with GM-CSF priming but not that of G-CSF primed PMN. In examining the effect of these two colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) on neutrophil degranulation we found that GM-CSF induced enhanced release of lysozyme from cytochalasin-treated PMN in the presence of Candida; however, G-CSF did not. The effect of GM-CSF on lysozyme release was abrogated by anti-Mol antibody. These data suggest that GM-CSF and G-CSF prime PMN for certain enhanced functional activities by distinct mechanisms. The differential effect of the CSFs on neutrophil degranulation may relate to the more common inflammatory symptoms seen when GM-CSF is used clinically as compared to the experience with G-CSF.     

Activation of human neutrophil by cytokine-activated endothelial cells

Cytokine activation of vascular endothelial cells renders the hyperadhesiveness for neutrophils. During the processes of inflammation and atherosclerosis, the production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils contributes to endothelial cell (EC) damage and injury. However, the precise mechanisms for neutrophil activation by ECs remain unknown. Thus, we investigated what kinds of pathophysiological factors synthesized by inflammatory cytokine-activated ECs potentiated the activity of neutrophil functions. The magnitude of O(2)(-) release from neutrophils, which is one of pivotal neutrophil functions, was measured as an indicator potentiated by activated ECs. Neutrophils release massive amounts of O(2)(-) on coculture with activated ECs. Anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibody (Ab) or specific platelet-activating factor (PAF)-receptor antagonist suppressed the O(2)(-) release from neutrophils on coculture with the activated ECs by 50% to 70%. The supernatants from activated ECs also induced O(2)(-) release by neutrophils. This stimulatory effect of activated EC supernatants on O(2)(-) release by neutrophils was abolished by anti-GM-CSF Ab or by PAF-receptor antagonist. As we previously reported, we demonstrated the expression of GM-CSF mRNA by Northern blotting and protein synthesis of GM-CSF by ELISA on tumor necrosis factor as well as interleukin-1-activated ECs. Although phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases was observed in ECs stimulated by tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, treatment of ECs with PD98059 (MEK1 inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor) in the presence of the cytokine failed to attenuate the stimulatory effect of activated ECs on neutrophil activation. We found that activated ECs regulated neutrophil function on coculture. We show here for the first time, to our knowledge, that the collaboration between GM-CSF and PAF synthesized by activated ECs markedly potentiated neutrophil activation.     

Inhibition by naloxone of neutrophil superoxide release: a potentially useful antiinflammatory effect

The working hypothesis of many studies of shock has been that naloxone acts by blocking centrally and/or peripherally located opioid receptors. At plasma concentrations used to treat experimental shock (10(-6) M and above), naloxone inhibited the in vitro release of superoxide (O2-) by human neutrophils that were stimulated by the E. coli peptide N-formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (FMLP). Superoxide release stimulated by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) was also inhibited by naloxone. Naloxone had no effect on the FMLP-stimulated release of beta-glucuronidase or lysozyme. Naloxone had no effect on 3H FMLP receptor binding. Studies utilizing 3H naloxone revealed the presence of a ligand-specific naloxone binding site on human neutrophils with a Kd of 1.2 X 10(-5) M, which is close to the ID50 of the inhibitory effect upon O2- release (1.8 X 10(-5). Thyrotropin releasing factor (TRF) had no effect upon 3H naloxone binding or on O2- release. Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibited 3H naloxone binding, and O2- release while nifedipine, another calcium channel blocker had no effect on either assay except at 10(-4) M, at which concentration 3H naloxone binding as well as the release of O2- were increased. These experiments suggest that the inhibitory effect of naloxone upon O2- release is mediated via a specific binding site.     

Autocrine production of epithelial cell-derived neutrophil attractant-78 induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in neutrophils

Whereas mobilization to inflammatory sites is an important function of neutrophils, it remains to be determined whether granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) stimulates the mobilization of neutrophils to the inflammatory sites. This study compared the expression of more than 9000 genes in neutrophils treated with and without G-CSF with the use of a DNA microarray system to determine the effects of G-CSF on the function of neutrophils. It was found that messenger RNA expression of epithelial cell-derived neutrophil attractant-78 (ENA-78), which has been reported to be a chemotactic factor for neutrophils, was induced by G-CSF in neutrophils. The study demonstrated that the supernatant of G-CSF-treated neutrophils induced the chemotaxis of neutrophils and that anti-ENA-78 antibody and anti-CXCR-2 antibody inhibited the chemotaxis. These data suggest that G-CSF may enhance the mobilization of neutrophils and consequently augment the accumulation of neutrophils in the inflammatory sites through the secretion of ENA-78.     

Effect of exogenous recombinant human granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on neutrophil function following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Functional activity of peripheral blood granulocytes was assessed in seven patients and in their normal donors following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Functions studied included superoxide generation (O2-), intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus, phagocytosis, and killing of Candida albicans. Neutrophils were tested following preincubation with 300 pM granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), 1.2 nM granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), or buffered solution (diluent) as control. Our data indicate that following BMT, both recipients and their normal donors show GM-CSF- and G-CSF-induced increases in: 1) O2- production in response to fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP), 2) killing of S. aureus, and 3) phagocytosis of C. albicans. In two patients that showed low candidacidal activity, GM-CSF and G-CSF markedly enhanced the cytotoxic activity of the cells. Our studies indicate that GM-CSF and G-CSF increase "oxygen-dependent" oxidative activities in neutrophils from BMT recipients and their normal donors and enhance the antimicrobial activity of the cells.     

Regulation of systemic and local neutrophil responses by G-CSF during pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) regulates the production, maturation, and function of neutrophils. Its expression is often induced during infection, resulting in high concentrations of G-CSF in inflammatory exudates and in the blood, suggesting that it may regulate both local and systemic neutrophil responses. Herein, we characterize the neutrophil response in G-CSFR(-/-) mice following intratracheal injection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-laden agarose beads, modeling the pulmonary infection observed in many patients with cystic fibrosis. G-CSFR(-/-) mice are markedly susceptible to bronchopulmonary P aeruginosa infection, exhibiting decreased survival and bacterial clearance as well as extensive damage to lung tissue. The systemic neutrophil response was mediated primarily by enhanced neutrophil release from the bone marrow rather than increased neutrophil production and was attenuated in G-CSFR(-/-) mice. Despite normal to increased local production of inflammatory chemokines, neutrophil accumulation into the infected lung of G-CSFR(-/-) mice was markedly reduced. Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic neutrophils in the lung was elevated, suggesting that G-CSF signals may play an important role in regulating neutrophil survival at the inflammatory site. Collectively, these data provide new evidence that G-CSF signals play important but specific roles in the regulation of the systemic and local neutrophil response following infection.     

Neutrophils released from the bone marrow by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor sequester in lung microvessels but are slow to migrate.

Inflammatory mediators such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) release polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) from the bone marrow. This growth factor is used to promote the host response to infection but its effect on the behaviour of leukocytes at the inflammatory site is unclear. This study examined the sequestration and migration of PMNL released from the bone marrow by G-CSF in a model of streptococcal pneumonia. Eight hours following the administration of either human G-CSF (n=6) or saline (n=3) in rabbits, a focal Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia was induced and the animals were followed for 2 h. The thymidine analogue 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was used to label PMNL (PMNL(BrdU)) in the marrow and as a marker of PMNL newly released by the bone marrow. The PMNL(BrdU) in the lung and blood were identified using immunohistochemistry. G-CSF pretreatment elevated the circulating PMNL (3.6+/-0.4 (mean+/-SEM) to 8.3+/-1X10(9) x L(-1), p<0.05) and PMNL(BrdU) (5.4+/-2.1 to 12.5+/-3.1%, p<0.05) counts at 8 h with little further increase caused by the subsequent 2 h pneumonia. These counts did not change in the control group. Morphometric studies of the lung showed that the total number of PMNL sequestered in lung capillaries were increased in the G-CSF group and the percentage of the these PMNL that were BrdU-labelled, was higher than in circulating blood (p<0.05). In the G-CSF group, only 11.2+/-2.6% of the PMNL that migrated into the airspaces were PMNL(BrdU) compared to 50.8+/-8% PMNL(BrdU) in the pulmonary capillaries. In vitro studies showed PMNL(BrdU) released from the bone marrow by G-CSF are less deformable than unlabelled circulating PMNL (p<0.01). It is concluded that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment causes the marrow to release polymorphonuclear leukocytes that preferentially sequester in lung microvessels but are slow to migrate out of the vascular space into the airspace at the pneumonic site.     

Superoxide anion generation by alveolar inflammatory cells in simple pneumoconiosis and in progressive massive fibrosis of nonsmoking coal workers

We have examined superoxide anion (O2-) release by alveolar inflammatory cells recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage from the lower respiratory tract of 10 healthy nonsmokers and 25 nonsmoking pneumoconiotic patients, 11 with radiographic changes of simple pneumoconiosis (SP) and 14 with changes of progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Significant increased number of cells was recovered from the lower respiratory tract from both patients with SP or with PMF. Alveolitis was made up predominantly of alveolar macrophages (AM) and an increased percentage of neutrophils in patients with PMF (3.3 +/- 0.7%). O2- release was evaluated using a superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibitable lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence method. Spontaneous O2- generation by alveolar inflammatory cells from pneumoconiotic patients with SP was three to four times greater than that from 10 age-matched, healthy control subjects. O2- release by alveolar inflammatory cells from patients with PMF was dramatically increased when compared with that in patients with SP and with that in control subjects and was observed before and after stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) (p less than 0.001). The increased O2- release was not due to a lack of enzyme antioxidant system within AM since intracellular superoxide dismutase was not lower in AM from patients than in AM from control subjects (p less than 0.05). Alteration of DLCO correlated with PMA-induced superoxide release by alveolar inflammatory cells in patients with PMF (p less than 0.05). Our data demonstrate that alveolar inflammatory cells from pneumoconiotic patients with PMF are in the activated state and release more oxygen-reactive species that do those from patients with SP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Rapid priming of human monocytes by human hematopoietic growth factors: granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF), macrophage-CSF, and interleukin-3 selectively enhance superoxide release triggered by receptor-mediated agonists.

The effects of hematopoietic growth factors on human monocyte superoxide (O2-) release were investigated by using purified human monocytes in suspension. Among growth factors studied, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage-CSF (M-CSF), and interleukin-3 (IL-3) primed human monocytes and enhanced O2- release stimulated by the receptor-mediated agonists, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and concanavalin A (Con A), but not by phorbol myristate acetate, which bypasses the receptors to stimulate the cells. The optimal priming was obtained by pretreatment of cells with 1 to 5 ng/mL (0.07 to 0.34 nmol/L) GM-CSF, 50 to 100 ng/mL (0.5 to 1.1 nmol/L) M-CSF, or 10 to 20 ng/mL (0.6 to 1.3 nmol/L) IL-3 for 10 minutes at 37 degrees C. Potency of the maximal priming effects on FMLP- or Con A-induced O2- release was GM-CSF greater than M-CSF = IL-3. The combination of the optimal concentrations of any two CSFs resulted in the effect of more potent priming agent alone. Enhancement of O2- release by GM-CSF was observed over the complete range of effective concentrations of FMLP (10(-8) to 10(-6) mol/L). The pretreatment of monocytes with granulocyte-CSF (50 ng/mL), interferon-gamma (1,000 U/mL), or IL-4 (20 ng/mL) for 10 minutes at 37 degrees C had no effect on O2- release stimulated by FMLP or Con A. These findings show that GM-CSF, M-CSF, and IL-3 selectively enhance O2- release in human monocytes triggered by receptor-mediated agonists after short-term preincubation.     

The effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the degranulation of secondary granule proteins from human neutrophils in vivo may be indirect

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was administered at a dose of 7.5 or 10 μg/kg s.c. once daily for 6 d (days 1–6) to two groups consisting of eight and six healthy volunteers. The administration of G-CSF resulted in a rapid decrease in neutrophil counts and serum levels of the secondary granule protein, human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) after 30 min, followed by a recovery and gradual increase within 180 min. The number of circulating neutrophils and plasma and serum levels of neutrophil secondary granule proteins were dramatically elevated on day 2 (1 d after the administration of G-CSF) and stayed so until day 7. The plasma levels of HNL and lactoferrin (LF) showed a biphasic pattern with peaks at day 2 and days 5–7, and remained highly elevated at day 12. The serum levels of HNL and LF increased rapidly (about 8-fold and 6-fold, respectively) on day 2 and stayed elevated until day 7, subsequently returning to baseline levels. At day 5, neutrophil release induced in vitro by f-MLP was significantly enhanced. The cellular contents of HNL and LF were reduced to about 50% of levels before G-CSF administration at day 5. The release of lactoferrin and HNL, but not of myeloperoxidase (MPO), was slightly enhanced after preincubation of isolated normal neutrophils with G-CSF in vitro, but no obvious release of these proteins was observed with G-CSF alone. The administration of G-CSF resulted in a dramatic increase in the alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in the plasma membrane, with maximal activity occurring at day 5. Furthermore, during administration of G-CSF, TNF-α in plasma increased about 25-fold. TNF-α started to rise at day 2 and peaked at day 6. After discontinuation of G-CSF the levels of TNF-α gradually decreased. The elevated levels of TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α) were temporally correlated to the other signs of neutrophil activation. GM-CSF and IL-8, however, were not detected in plasma. Our data suggest that G-CSF affects the neutrophils not only directly but also indirectly by the induction of the production of other cytokines such as TNF-α.