Factor-specific changes in oxidative burst response of human neutrophils in skin-window exudates

Human neutrophils were isolated from blood and aseptic inflammatory exudates. The respiratory burst response was measured as superoxide (O ₂ ^– ) production by a microplate assay system and polarographically as oxygen consumption. Exudate cells exhibited a respiratory burst in response ton-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) that was two- to threefold higher than the burst exhibited by peripheral blood cells. The O ₂ ^– production induced by substance P was also found to be fivefold higher in exudate cells, while the metabolic response to other stimulants such as concanavalin A (con A), phorbol-myristate acetate (PMA), NaF, and immunocomplexes was not primed. Serum-treated zymosan (STZ) -stimulated activity was primed by only 11%. In contrast, superoxide production in response to tumor necrosis factor- (TNF) was decreased in exudate versus blood cells by about 50%. Therefore, the skin-window cells, compared to blood cells, appear to be at the same time primed, unmodified, and desensitized, according to the different stimulants employed.     

The down-regulation of FcgammaRII and FcgammaRIIIB by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) depends on secretory events in human neutrophils

We have previously demonstrated that N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) induces down-regulation of FcgammaRs on human neutrophils (PMN) modifying different FcgammaR-dependent functions. The aim of this work was to assess the cellular mechanisms by which FMLP exerts this effect on FcgammaRs. The role of the microfilament and cytoskeletal apparatus in this process was evaluated using cytochalasin B (CB), an inhibitor of microfilament functions. The expression of FcgammaRIIIB and FcgammaRII after CB + FMLP treatment was drastically diminished when compared to FMLP-treated cells. Neutrophil degranulation induced by FMLP affect only 22% of the cells in response to FMLP. However, the FcgammaRs of the whole PMN population were reduced, suggesting that secretory products could be responsible for the down-regulation induced by FMLP or FMLP + CB. In fact, supernatants from FMLP-treated PMN also induced FcyRs down-regulation on naive neutrophils. Moreover, supernatants from FMLP + CB-treated PMNs exerted a higher effect. Data obtained from permeabilized PMN show that after FMLP treatment there is an intracellular depletion of both FcgammaRIIIB and FcgammaRII. In addition, the FcgammaR down-regulation is abrogated by phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) but not by other protease inhibitors such as pepstatin, thiorphan, phosphoramidon and leupeptin, suggesting a role for serine protease(s) in this process.     

幽门螺杆菌对胎儿胃粘膜上皮细胞的粘附用研究

实验选用６至７个月龄的脑儿胃粘膜组织进行有关幽门螺杆菌（Ｈｐ）的粘附部位及菌株间粘附能力差异的研究，发现ＣＡＰＭＤ３２株与ＮＣＴＣ１１６３７株的粘附部位相似，Ｈｐ对胃窦及胃体下部粘膜组织具有很强的粘附能力，而对胃体上部及胃底部粘膜组织的粘附能力很差或不能粘附；而ＣＡＰＭ Ｚ－４株则对胃体、胃窦及胃底部粘膜上皮组织均表现出很强的粘附能力；表明Ｈｐ的粘附存在明显的部位特异性，不同Ｈｐ菌株间在粘附同一胎儿胃粘膜组织时表现出明显的差异，Ｈｐ与胃粘膜上皮细胞间的粘附过程比较复杂，至少包括两种类型，参与Ｈｐ粘附的粘附素和相应受体不止一种。结果提示Ｈｐ相关性慢性胃炎的好发部位及严重程度除与人胃粘膜组织不同部位细菌粘附受体的表达存在明显的差异外，还决定于Ｈｐ的粘附素的种类和粘附特性。不但首次在机体和细菌两个方面揭示了Ｈｐ相关性慢性胃炎的发病规律，也为进一步开展该菌疫苗的研制、开展对Ｈｐ感染及其相关疾病的防治提供了重要线索。     

Studies on the binding of C3b-coated microspheres to human neutrophils

A method is described for the quantitation of C3b receptors on human neutrophils using a mixture of C3b-coated fluorescent and C3b-coated non-fluorescent microspheres. The method measures the "sterically available' C3b receptors on the cells, for example, the receptors available to opsonized bacteria. The use of mixtures of fluorescent and non-fluorescent microspheres resulted in lowered fluorescence intensities of the microsphere-coated neutrophils that were well within the fluorescence limitations of fluorescence activated cell analyzers or sorters used in the assay procedure. These mixtures also allowed the distribution of the C3b-coated microspheres around the neutrophils to be easily visualized in the fluorescence microscope. The binding of the C3b-coated microspheres to the neutrophils was shown to be receptor mediated by typical saturable binding kinetics, by complete inhibition by fluid phase C3b, but not by other proteins and by nearly complete inhibition by anti-C3b receptor antibody. Several parameters that could affect the binding of C3b-coated microspheres to neutrophils were studied; these included time and temperature of incubation of the microspheres with the cells, the diameter of the microspheres, the C3b content of the C3b-coated microspheres, the presence of metal ions, azide, EDTA, protein (BSA, IgG), soybean trypsin inhibitor in the buffers, and the method of isolation of the neutrophils. The C3b-coated microspheres were evenly distributed around the neutrophils in almost all of the cases; however, the neutrophils used in these studies were not activated and were not phagocytosing. The method is extremely reproducible and sensitive in detecting small changes in number of C3b receptors on cells.     

Activation of human blood monocytes by adherence to tissue culture plastic surfaces

Human monocytes, purified by countercurrent centrifugal elutriation, were cultured either in plastic dishes or in Teflon vials to determine if attachment would result in activation. beta-Glucuronidase activity, 5'-nucleotidase activity, plasminogen activator, and superoxide anion generation were measured as markers of monocyte activation. Conditioned media and cell lysates were assayed at 2, 4, 8, and 10 hr and then daily for 6 days. Monocytes cultured in plastic dishes secreted a significantly greater proportion of their beta-glucuronidase into the medium than those cultured in Teflon vials. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase was lower in monocytes cultured in plastic dishes, consistent with greater activation. Cellular plasminogen activator levels and the capacity for superoxide anion generation were enhanced in cells cultured in plastic dishes, relative to monocytes cultured in Teflon vials. These observations indicate that monocyte attachment in plastic surfaces results in their activation, a phenomenon that may influence the nature and interpretation of experimental data derived from cultured adherent monocytes or macrophages.     

Nonlethal adherence to human neutrophils mediated by Dr antigen-specific adhesins of Escherichia coli.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains express a variety of adhesins, including members of the Dr adhesin family such as the Dr hemagglutinin, AFAI, and AFAIII. Certain E. coli adhesins (e.g., type 1 and S fimbriae) are known to mediate adherence to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). The receptor on erythrocytes for Dr family adhesins, decay accelerating factor, is also present on PMNs. To determine whether Dr family adhesins mediate adherence to PMNs and to characterize the specificity and consequences of such adherence, we studied agglutination of PMNs and adherence to PMNs by recombinant E. coli strains expressing various mannose-resistant or mannose-sensitive adhesins, in the presence or absence of inhibitors of adherence. Dr family adhesins, like type 1 fimbriae, mediated concentration-dependent adherence to PMNs. Adherence to PMNs was mannose sensitive for type 1 fimbriae but mannose resistant for Dr family adhesins. Chloramphenicol inhibited PMN adherence for the Dr hemagglutinin with the same potency as that with which it inhibited hemagglutination, but it was inactive against PMN adherence and hemagglutination mediated by other members of the Dr adhesin family. In contrast to PMN adherence mediated by type 1 fimbriae, adherence mediated by the Dr hemagglutinin did not lead to significantly increased bacterial killing. These data suggest that Dr family adhesins mediate a novel pattern of adherence to PMNs, probably by recognizing decay accelerating factor, with minimal consequent bacterial killing.     

Signal transduction in human alveolar macrophages: diminished chemotactic response to FMLP correlates with a diminished density of Gi proteins and FMLP receptors

Alveolar macrophages (AM) migrate less well in response to chemotactic ligands than do monocytes and neutrophils. The response of monocytes and neutrophils to chemotactic ligands is mediated at least in part by pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide binding proteins (Gi proteins). Whether this is also true in AM is uncertain. We hypothesized that decreased chemotaxis by AM was due in part to diminished Gi protein and/or chemotactic receptor density in AM. G proteins are heterotrimers made up of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits; the predominant pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi proteins are those containing alpha i2 or alpha i3 subunits. Pertussis toxin pretreatment (0.5 microgram/ml) significantly reduced AM, monocyte, and neutrophil chemotaxis to N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP) and human zymosan-activated serum (P less than 0.05). However, as previously noted, AM chemotaxis was much less than that observed in monocytes and neutrophils. Immunoblots using antibodies that are specific for alpha i2 and alpha i3 showed that AM contained approximately 3-fold less alpha i2 and approximately 10-fold less alpha i3 per microgram of plasma membrane protein than did monocytes or neutrophils. Similar results were obtained in immunoblots made using antibodies to common alpha subunit determinants and to the beta 36 subunit. A comparable approximately 4-fold reduction in density of receptors for [3H]FMLP was found in AM compared to neutrophils. The diminished density of Gi proteins and FMLP receptors was not due to a generally decreased density of plasma membrane proteins in AM, since the density of the membrane-associated tyrosine kinase hck was similar in AM, monocytes, and neutrophils.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bacterial adherence to mucosal surfaces: an attribute of virulence

Colonization of mucosal habitats is, with very few exceptions, a necessary prerequisite that must be satisfied for a bacterial organism to be virulent. The mechanism(s) whereby bacteria colonize such habitats is, for the most part, by association with the mucosa and proliferation at that site. However, the precise mechanism(s) of association is not known for most organisms. Direct adherence to the mucosal surface of the small intestine by some enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC) has been demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. Specific surface appendages (pili) on the bacterial cell surface facilitate the direct attachment of bacteria to microvilli and as such have been termed adhesins. The adhesins of ETEC that cause diarrheal disease in pigs have been most extensively studied. Two adhesins, K88 and K99, are genetically encoded on plasmids while a third one, 987P, appears to be encoded on the chromosome. All three adhesins are composed of identical repeating protein subunits with molecular weights of 18,100-26,000 that undergo specific aggregation to form large polymers. These polymers are the active adhesins and appear as pili (synonym: fimbriae) when observed in the electron microscope. The function of these adhesins has been established by construction of mutants or plasmidless strains that do not produce the adhesin and by reintroduction of the adhesin genes back into the mutants. Only cells that produce the adhesins colonize and adhere to the mucosa of the pig intestine in vivo and thus produce diarrheal disease. The interaction of adhesin with the mucosal surface is mediated by specific receptors. Current data indicate that these receptors are glycoconjugates.     

Clustering on the forward surfaces of migrating neutrophils of a novel GPI-anchored protein that may regulate neutrophil adherence and migration

We previously reported a novel glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein (tentatively designated GPI-80) on human leukocytes that may be involved in the regulation of neutrophil adherence and migration. In this study, we examined by immuno- and scanning electron microscopy, the distribution of GPI-80 on neutrophil surfaces. GPI-80 was diffusely distributed on the surface of resting neutrophils and on the peripheral areas of adherent cells after stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. After longer stimulation (60 min), GPI-80 decreased in number and was again diffusely distributed on the surfaces of round neutrophils. Few GPI-80 were detected on the ventral surfaces of adherent neutrophils. Clusters of GPI-80 were detected on the forward surfaces of neutrophils transmigrating through pores of nitrocellulose membranes. These results may give a morphological background of possible role of GPI-80 for neutrophil extravasation.     

Characterization of surfaces involved in adherence of Legionella pneumophila to Fischerella species

Legionella pneumophila adheres to the slime coat of Fischerella spp. This was shown by microscopic examination and by a decline in L. pneumophila CFU in samples removed from coincubation mixtures of both organisms. Binding of partially purified Fischerella slime by L. pneumophila was most efficient by young, less hydrophobic L. pneumophila cells than by older, more hydrophobic cells. Uptake of crystal violet and partitioning into hexadecane were used to measure hydrophobicity of L. pneumophila. Purified soluble Legionella antigen also bound to Fischerella slime, as shown by indirect immunofluorescence. Adherence was not specific for L. pneumophila, since a variety of gram-negative, gram-positive, and acid-fast bacteria also bound to Fischerella slime.     

Effects of chemotactic peptide f-met-leu-phe (FMLP) on C3b receptor (CR1) expression and phagocytosis of microspheres by human neutrophils

FMLP caused maximal upregulation of CR1 on neutrophils at a concentration of 10^–8 M but caused maximal enhancement of CR1-dependent phagocytosis of C3b · IgG-coated microspheres only at a concentration of 10^–6 M. There were positive correlations between FMLP-mediated upregulation of CR1 and FMLP-mediated enhancement of phagocytosis (correlation coefficient=0.73, slope=2.2) and between FMLP-mediated upregulation of CR1 and FMLP-mediated increase in total cell-associated microspheres (correlation coefficient=0.88, slope=1.3). The phagocytic capacity of both untreated and 10^–6 M FMLP-treated neutrophils was completely inhibited by fluid phase C3b and partially inhibited by aggregated IgG. The data suggest that CR1 upregulation is required but is not sufficient for maximal phagocytosis by the leukocytes. The data also suggest that FMLP at the higher concentrations may impart a phagocytic function to CR1, activate other phagocytic receptors, elicit phagocytosis—inducing mediators or may elicit a separate mechanism of phagocytosis. During the study, it was observed that there was considerable individual variation among different neutrophil preparations with respect to CR1 expression and binding and phagocytic capacity.     

Studies on the effects of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on lipoxygenase product synthesis in human neutrophils in vitro

The disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs sodium aurothiomalate, D-penicillamine and chloroquine phosphate were tested on leukotriene (LT) synthesis in human blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated with either the ionophore A23187, zymosan or f-Met-Leu-Phe. Lipoxygenase products were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The study demonstrated that the drugs can either inhibit or enhance 5-lipoxygenase product synthesis in human leukocytes, depending on the stimulus used to activate the cells and the drug concentration. The data also suggested that increased substrate availability accounted for the stimulatory effects of the drugs on leukotriene synthesis.     

Material surfaces affect the protein expression patterns of human macrophages: A proteomics approach

Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) are key inflammatory cells and are central to the foreign body response to implant materials. MDM have been shown to exhibit changes in actin cytoskeleton, multinucleation, cell size, and function in response to small alterations in polycarbonate-urethane (PCNU) surface chemistry. Although PCNU chemistry has an influence on de novo protein synthesis, no assessments of the protein expression profiles of MDM have yet been reported. The rapid emerging field of expression proteomics facilitates the study of changes in cellular protein profiles in response to their microenvironment. The current study applied proteomic techniques, 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with MALDI-ToF (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) mass spectrometry, to determine differences in MDM protein expression influenced by PCNU. Results indicated that MDM responded to material chemistry by modulation of structural proteins (i.e. actin, vimentin, and tubulin). Additionally, intracellular protein modulation which requires proteins responsible for trafficking (i.e. chaperone proteins) and protein structure modification (i.e. bond rearrangement and protein folding) were also altered. This study demonstrated for the first time that a proteomics approach was able to detect protein expression profile changes in MDM cultured on different material surfaces, forming the basis for utilizing further quantitative proteomics techniques that could assist in elucidation of the mechanisms involved in MDM-material interaction.     

双歧杆菌对肠上皮细胞粘附的研究

用激光共距式细胞仪研究了ＦＩＴＣ标记的双歧杆菌对体外培养肠上皮细胞的粘附。结果表明，双歧杆菌的粘附素是一种蛋白质，由细菌分泌至培养液中；肠上皮细胞上粘附素受体为糖蛋白。光镜及透射电镜观察，双歧杆菌特异性地粘附于Ｌｏｖｏ细胞的刷状缘，被粘附的Ｌｏｖｏ细胞表面结构无破坏。     

Control of cultured human cells with femtosecond laser ablated patterns on steel and plastic surfaces

The purpose of the present study is to explore topographical patterns produced with femtosecond laser pulses as a means of controlling the behaviour of living human cells (U2OS) on stainless steel surfaces and on negative plastic imprints (polycarbonate). The results show that the patterns on both types of material strongly affect cell behaviour and are particularly powerful in controlling cell spreading/elongation, localization and orientation. Analysis by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy shows that on periodic 1D grating structures, cells and cell nuclei are highly elongated and aligned, whereas on periodic 2D grid structures, cell spreading and shape is affected. The results also show that the density and morphology of the cells can be affected. This was observed particularly on pseudo-periodic, coral-like structures which clearly inhibited cell growth. The results suggest that these patterns could be used in a variety of applications among the fields of clinical research and implant design, as well as in diagnosis and in cell and drug research. Furthermore, this article highlights the noteworthy aspects and the unique strengths of the technique and proposes directions for further research.     

Studies on the uptake, binding and metabolism of leukotriene B4 by human neutrophils.

Human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) generate the inflammatory mediator leukotriene B4 (LTB4) as a response to cell activation. In addition, PMN inactivate LTB4 by omega-oxidation resulting in the formation of 20-OH- and 20-COOH-LTB4. The transport of exogenous LTB4 to the metabolizing enzymes is mediated via high- and low-affinity receptor subsets. Uptake of [3H]LTB4 by the cells was carried out in a time-dependent fashion, reaching maximal values after 5 min of incubation. No additional uptake of [3H]LTB4 then occurred. Prestimulation of PMN with phorbol myristate acetate or sodium fluoride resulted in the loss of high- and low-affinity receptors. Deactivating concentrations of LTB4 specifically reduced the high-affinity receptor subset. Prestimulation of PMN with cytochalasin B or with the membrane fluidizer butanol shifted the low-affinity receptors to the high-affinity state. The polyene antibiotic amphotericin B shifted high-affinity receptors to the low-affinity subset. The changes in the receptor expression pattern correlated with the respective conversion rate of exogenously added LTB4. Our results suggest that the distribution of high- and low-affinity receptors is regulated by GTP-binding proteins, the activation of protein kinase C and the organization of the membrane bilayer. In this way, human neutrophils control the respective level of the lipid mediator LTB4.     

Ecological determinants in microbial colonization of the murine gastrointestinal tract: adherence of Torulopsis pintolopesii to epithelial surfaces.

Torulopsis pintolopesii is a yeast indigenous to the gastrointestinal tracts of conventional mice and rats from many colonies. In such natively colonized animals, the organism forms layers on the surface of the epithelium in the secreting portion of the stomach and can be cultured from all areas of the gastrointestinal tract. When given in water or food to germfree mice or specific pathogen-free mice possessing an indigenous microbiota free of yeast, T. pintolopesii also can be cultured from all areas of the tract at population levels ranging from 10(5) to 10(8) cells per g (wet weight). Likewise, as in its native hosts, the organism forms layers on gastric surfaces in the associated animals. The layers form on the secreting surface in both the specific pathogen-free and monoassociated ex-germfree mice. In the latter animal, however, a layer of yeast also forms on the nonsecreting gastric surface. In tests of its capacity to adhere to gastrointestinal surfaces in vitro, the organism adheres to epithelia from all areas of the mouse tract. These findings support an hypothesis that the capacity of T. pintolopesii to adhere to epithelial surfaces may be only one determinant influencing it to form layers on the gastric secreting surface in its native hosts.