An orally administered bacterial immunomodulator primes rabbit neutrophils for increased oxidative burst in response to opsonized zymosan.

To assess the potential effect of an orally administered immunomodulator, consisting of a lysate of seven different bacteria, on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function, rabbits were fed this preparation for five consecutive days via a gastric tube. On day 6, PMN were separated from peripheral blood and oxidative burst was triggered by opsonized zymosan or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and quantitated on a single-cell basis. This study presents the extension of an existing flow cytometric method, leading to the possibility of quantitating single-cell oxidative burst triggered by particulate (instead of only soluble) stimuli. By this means, treated animals showed statistically significant increased oxidative burst reactions compared with the control group. The data provide evidence that oral application of a bacterial immunomodulator leads to a primed state in PMN for increased oxidative activity in response to a particulate stimulus. This offers the possibility that the beneficial effect of similar treatment in humans may in part be due to comparable mechanisms.     

Granulocyte chemiluminescence response to serum opsonized zymosan particlesex vivo during long-term strenuous exercise,energy and sleep deprivation in humans

The chemiluminescence response of granulocytes to serum opsonized zymosan particles (SOZ) ex vivo was investigated during two ranger training courses lasting 7 days with continuous moderate physical activities corresponding to about 32% of maximal oxygen uptake or 35 000 kJ · 24 h⁻¹, with energy deficiency (energy supply 0-4000 kJ · 24 h⁻¹), and less than 3-h sleep during the 7 days. Significant granulocytosis in combination with a lymphopenia in peripheral blood was observed during the whole course. A priming of the granulocytes for accentuated chemiluminescence response to SOZ was observed during the first days of the course with a maximal increase on day 3 in course A (+35% of control response) and on day 1 in course B (+ 12%). Thereafter, reduced responses to SOZ compared to control values (−28% and −21% in course A and B) were observed. In course A, a group (n = 8) receiving 5000 kJ · 24 h⁻¹ of additional energy, showed a more pronounced priming (maximum +57% versus +21 % of control response) during the first days. In course B, all the cadets had 3 h of organised rest/sleep on day 5, and a second priming of the chemiluminescence response was observed on the subsequent 2 days. These data indicated that moderate, continuous, predominantly aerobic physical activities for 1–3 days around the clock primed the production of reactive oxygen species in granulocytes. This priming may be beneficial for, for example, host defence against micro-organisms, but may also contribute to inflammatory damage to normal tissues such as muscle, tendons and joints during exercise. However, when the moderate exercise continued for several more days, a down-modulation of the granulocyte response was observed. The findings of this study further support the possibility that moderate physical activity stimulates immunity, while more extreme duration of the same activities may result in a down-modulation of nonspecific (and specific) immunity.     

Inhibition of neuronal 5-HT uptake by ketamine, but not halothane, involves disruption of substrate recognition by the transporter

The effects of halothane and ketamine on (1) serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) uptake and (2) paroxetine binding to the 5-HT transporter in neuronal membranes were determined in rat brain. Both anesthetics inhibited the uptake of [3H]5-HT by synaptosomes, but only ketamine affected binding of [3H]paroxetine to the 5-HT transporter. Saturation analysis indicated that ketamine inhibition of [3H]paroxetine binding was competitive (Ki = 18.8 microM). These results indicate that halothane and ketamine inhibit 5-HT transport by different mechanisms.     

A comparison of the oxidative reactions of neutrophils from a variety of species when stimulated by opsonized zymosan and F-met-leu-phe

Bovine, ovine and porcine blood neutrophils produced less superoxide and consumed less oxygen than human neutrophils when they were challenged with serum-treated zymosan. These differences were not related to methodological considerations or the origin of the serum used to treat the zymosan. When the two main methods of neutrophil isolation were applied to human neutrophils, no differences in the particle stimulated respiratory bursts were observed. The bacterial chemotactic peptide, F-met-leu-phe, which enhances superoxide production of human neutrophils whether or not they are challenged with serum-treated zymosan, did not increase superoxide production of neutrophils from cattle, sheep or pigs under either of these conditions. We conclude that, if our understanding of these host defence mechanisms in domesticated animals is to match that of man, further detailed studies of animal neutrophils are necessary.     

Pharmacological analysis of guinea-pig macrophage chemiluminescence responses to platelet activating factor and opsonized zymosan

The luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) response in vitro of guinea-pig C. parvum-activated peritoneal macrophages to platelet activating factor (PAF) has been compared with that to opsonized zymosan (OpZ). The response to PAF (5 X 10(-6) mol/l.) reached a peak within 1 min, that to OpZ (0.17 mg/ml) within 10-20 min. Peak responses to both stimuli were dose-dependently inhibited in a similar manner by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (10(-5) - 10(-3) mol/l), sodium benzoate (10(-5) - 10(-3) mol/l.) and quinacrine (10(-6) - 10(-3) mol/l.). In contrast, the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol (IC50 vs OpZ, 220 mumol/l.; vs PAF greater than 1000 mumol/l.), the methylation-inhibiting combination homocysteine + 3-deazaadenosine (IC50 vs OpZ, 22 mumol/l.; vs PAF greater than 100 mumol/l.), the phospholipase A2 inhibitor and alkylating agent p-bromophenacylbromide (pBPB; IC50 vs OpZ, 2.6 mumol/l.; vs PAF 15 mumol/l.) and the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline (IC50 vs OpZ, 0.1 mumol/l.; PAF greater than 10 mumol/l.) all exerted differential inhibitory effects on the CL responses to the two stimuli, though colour quenching by adrenochrome cannot be ruled out in the differential effect of isoprenaline. In screening studies, carried out with CL responses measured 2 or 5 min after PAF and OpZ, respectively, verapamil (less than or equal to 10(-4) mol/l.), trifluoperazine (less than or equal to 10(5) mol/l.) EDTA (less than or equal to 10(6) mol/l.), mannitol (less than or equal to 10(-2) mol/l.), metyrapone (less than or equal to 10(-5) mol/l.), SQ 22536 (less than or equal to 10 micrograms/ml.), iso-butyl methylxanthine (less than or equal to 10(-5) mol/l.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interferon-alpha enhances the production of leukotriene B4 in murine peritoneal macrophages stimulated by opsonized zymosan.

Murine peritoneal macrophages pretreated with interferon (IFN)-alpha and then stimulated by opsonized zymosan produced two to three times more LTB4 than untreated macrophages. However, PGE2 production was not changed by IFN-alpha. Meanwhile, IFN-gamma did not affect the production of LTB4 and PGE2. From the results it is considered that IFN-alpha can modulate inflammation or host defence through the production of LTB4.     

Bacteria and zymosan opsonized with histone,dextran sulfate,and polyanetholesulfonate trigger intense chemiluminescence in human blood leukocytes and platelets and in mouse macrophages

Human blood leukocytes and platelets and mouse peritoneal macrophages emit very rapid and very intense Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) signals when treated with streptococci, staphylococci, or with zymosan, which have been preopsonized with arginine-rich histone, dextran sulfate or polyanetholesulfonate (liquoid). Liquoid alone at 10–30g/2×10⁵ leukocytes also triggers intense CL responses in the absence of a carrier. Strong CL can also be triggered, and at the same levels, when the various polyelectrolytes are simply mixed with the bacteria or zymosan and added to the leukocyte suspensions. The CL responses induced by the polyelectrolyte-bacteria complexes greatly exceed those triggered in leukocytes by antibody-complement-coated particles. Liquoid also shows a unique property of markedly augmenting CL signals which have already been induced by other ligand-coated bacteria or zymosan particles. Streptococci and staphylococci were found to be much superior to zymosan, Gram-positive bacilli, orE. coli as carriers for the various polyelectrolytes in the CL reaction. Neither protamine sulfate, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, crystalline ribonuclease (all cationic in nature), chondroitin sulfate, heparin, nor alginate sulfate acted as ligands for triggering CL, when used to opsonize bacteria or zymosan. The induction of CL in blood leukocytes by the various ligand-coated bacteria is markedly inhibited by azide, KCN catalase, aminotriazole, and EDTA, agents known to inhibit the production of oxygen radicals following stimulation of leukocytes by opsonized bacteria. Two children diagnosed for chronic granulomatous diseases (CGD) of childhood and an apparently healthy sister of one of the male patients completely failed to respond with CL either to the polyelectrolyte-bacteria complexes, liquoid or antibody-coated bacteria and zymosan. It is proposed that liquoid be employed for the rapid screening of defects in certain oxygen-dependent metabolic processes in both PMNs and macrophages. It is also suggested that polyelectrolytes like the ones described in this study may markedly enhance the bactericidal properties of leukocytes and macrophages towards both extracellular and intracellular microorganisms and may perhaps also augment the tumoricidal effects of activated macrophages.This study was supported by a research grant obtained from Dr. Samuel Robbins of Cleveland, Ohio, who also kindly contributed the LKB-Chemiluminescence Instrument; by a grant from the Chief Scientist, Ministry of Health, Government of Israel; and by a grant in honor of Dr. Maurice D. Turbow of Los Angeles by his friends—members of the Alpha Omega Fraternity, Los Angeles Alumni Chapter.     

Staphylococcus aureus, but not Staphylococcus epidermidis, modulates the oxidative response and induces apoptosis in human neutrophils

S. epidermidis is the most common isolate in foreign body infections. The aim of this study was to understand why S. epidermidis causes silent biomaterial infections. In view of the divergent inflammatory responses S. epidermidis and S. aureus cause in patients, we analyzed how they differ when interacting with human neutrophils. Neutrophils interacting with S. epidermidis strains isolated either from granulation tissue covering infected hip prostheses or from normal skin flora were tested by measuring the oxidative response as chemiluminescence and apoptosis as annexin V binding. Different S. aureus strains were tested in parallel. All S. epidermidis tested were unable to modulate the oxidative reaction in response to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and did not provoke, but rather inhibited, apoptosis. In contrast, some S. aureus strains enhanced the oxidative reaction, and this priming capacity was linked to p38-mitogen-activated-protein-kinase (p38-MAPK) activation and induction of apoptosis. Our results may explain why S. epidermidis is a weak inducer of inflammation compared to S. aureus, and therefore responsible for the indolent and chronic course of S. epidermidis biomaterial infections.     

Vitamin E supplementation decreases muscular and oxidative damage but not inflammatory response induced by eccentric contraction

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on muscular and oxidative damage, as well as the inflammatory response induced by eccentric exercise (EE) in humans. Twenty-one participants with a mean age of 22.5 ± 4 years, weight of 68.2 ± 4.9 kg, and height of 173 ± 4.3 cm were selected and divided randomly into two groups: supplemented (S) (n = 11) and placebo (P) (n = 10). Fourteen days after starting supplementation, subjects performed EE (three sets until exhaustion with elbow flexion and extension on the Scott bench, 80% 1 RM). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 2, 4, and 7 after EE. Muscle soreness (MS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels were determined. We measured a significant increase in MS, LDH, lipid peroxidation, and carbonylation in both groups on days 2, 4, and 7 after eccentric contractions (EC). Values of the supplement group were lower than those of the placebo group at 4 and 7 days after EC in all parameters. Both groups showed significantly increased TNF-α on the second day and IL-10 concentration on the fourth and seventh days after EE. The results suggest that vitamin E supplementation represents an important factor in the defense against oxidative stress and muscle damage but not against the inflammatory response in humans.     

Stimulation of neutrophil actin polymerization and degranulation by opsonized and unopsonized Candida albicans hyphae and zymosan.

We previously showed that unopsonized Candida albicans hyphae stimulated a delayed rise in the putative neutrophil second messengers Ca2+ and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and subsequent O2- release, as compared with opsonized hyphae or zymosan. Therefore, cytoskeletal and degranulation temporal responses to these stimuli were examined. Unopsonized zymosan elicited no neutrophil responses under the experimental condition used. Neutrophil actin polymerization (quantitated by fluorescent measurements of NBD phallacidin) was rapid after stimulation by opsonized hyphae or zymosan (peaking at 1 and 2 min, respectively). This corresponded to observed changes in microscopic actin polymerization, measured with rhodamine phalloidin, which progressed from initially diffuse to collarlike to cylinderlike staining patterns surrounding the hyphae. Compared with opsonized hyphae, unopsonized hyphae resulted in a delayed appearance of the last two visible patterns (P less than 0.05) and in quantitative actin polymerization despite similarly rapid initial contact and spreading over the hyphae by neutrophils. Unlike other neutrophil responses, degranulation did not follow the delayed patterns of responses to stimulation with unopsonized hyphae. In the absence of the release of the cytoplasmic marker lactate dehydrogenase, the release of beta-glucuronidase, an azurophil granule marker, gradually and progressively rose in response to all of the stimuli but unopsonized zymosan. The low but significant levels observed were within a range consistent with published results for degranulation responses to particulate stimuli without cytochalasin B. A quantitative immunoassay of lactoferrin, a specific granule marker, detected no release into supernatants, and immunofluorescent staining indicated concomitant depletion of lactoferrin from neutrophil granules and binding to hyphal and neutrophil surfaces after stimulation by unopsonized hyphae. Thus, the delayed actin polymerization response to unopsonized hyphae occurred subsequent to neutrophil attachment and spreading and resembled the temporal sequence of other neutrophil responses linked to the respiratory burst. In contrast, the degranulation responses to all stimuli appeared to begin and progress gradually after observed attachment and spreading of the neutrophil over hyphal surfaces without a clear temporal relationship to rises in cytoplasmic Ca2+ or F-actin. In addition, the avid binding of released lactoferrin to cell surfaces eliminates its value as a quantitative marker of enzyme release but raises the possibility that it might participate in fungicidal activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Inhibition of endotoxin-induced interleukin 8 release by teicoplanin in human whole blood

Antibiotic-induced endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) release may precipitate septic shock. In the present study the effect of teicoplanin, which has been reported to neutralize LPS in experimental models, on LPS neutralization was investigated in human whole blood samples. Levels of interleukin 8, a proinflammatory cytokine which was stimulated bySalmonella minnesota R595 LPS (12.6 µg/ml), were monitored over time. Interleukin 8 concentrations increased over time up to 24 h. When LPS was preincubated with teicoplanin (antibiotic: LPS ratio 20:1, w/w), interleukin 8 concentrations were found significantly (p<0.05) reduced at 4, 8 and 24 h after LPS challange. Interleukin 1 (at 4, 8 and 24 h) and tumor necrosis factor (at 8 and 24 h) levels were also significantly decreased by teicoplanin. In this experiment model, a teicoplanin: LPS ratio 100-fold less than the ratio achievable in plasma of septic shock patients was able to reduce interleukin 8, which has been correlated with the severity of septic disease.     

Exposure of cord blood to Mycobacterium bovis BCG induces an innate response but not a T-cell cytokine response

Despite routine vaccination with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) soon after birth, tuberculosis in babies and adults remains epidemic in South Africa. The immune responses of the naïve newborn child and how they are affected by vaccination with BCG are as yet not fully understood. Immunity during pregnancy and in healthy human newborns may be skewed toward type 2 cytokine production; however, it is type 1 cytokines that are required for protection against M. tuberculosis infection. To better understand neonatal cytokine responses prior to and following exposure to mycobacteria, we have collected cord blood and peripheral blood samples and evaluated the cytokine response following ex vivo incubation with BCG. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-12, and low levels of IL-13 and IL-5 but no IL-4 were secreted into the culture supernatant of cord blood mononuclear cells. Intracellular staining showed that IL-10 and IL-12 were produced by monocytes and that IFN-γ was produced by natural killer (NK) cells but not by CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells. In contrast, in the peripheral blood samples collected from babies 13 weeks post-BCG vaccination, IFN-γ was detected within CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells. Taken together, the data suggest a central role for Th1 cytokines in naïve as well as BCG-vaccinated neonates in the protective immune response to tuberculosis. NK cell-derived IFN-γ produced in naïve neonates likely plays a key protective role via monocyte activation and the priming of a subsequent adaptive Th1 response.     

Eosinophil cationic protein is stored in, but not produced by, peripheral blood neutrophils

BACKGROUND: Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is an eosinophil-derived protein, which has been shown to be present in circulating neutrophils. OBJECTIVE: To establish whether ECP is produced or internalized by peripheral blood neutrophils. METHODS: This was done using microscopy, flow cytometry, fractionation of cells and RT-PCR techniques. RESULTS: No ECP mRNA was detected after extensive cell purification to eliminate all traces of contaminating eosinophils. Examination of immunostained neutrophils by light, confocal, electron microscopy together with cell fraction experiments, established that ECP is present intracellularly and is mostly associated to cell granules. Uptake studies by flow cytometry and by using both cold and radiolabelled ECP showed that it is internalized by neutrophils and stored in some proportion in their primary granules. Upon stimulation with serum-treated Sephadex particles, the internalized ECP was partially released from cells. CONCLUSION: ECP is not produced but can be internalized by circulating neutrophils, which take it from the environment and partially store it in their primary granules.     

CTL: Caspases Terminate Life,but that's not the whole story

The induction of cell death by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) or natural killer (NK) cells is one of the main ways by which higher organisms protect themselves from rogue cells, including those infected by a virus, or posing a risk of cancer. Considering the rapidity of viral replication and spread to uninfected cells, CTL and NK are extremely efficient killers. This is at least partly due to the variety of pathways that these cytolytic lymphocytes (CL) can use to ensure the death of a cell. Primarily, CL utilize two independently initiated pathways involving either ligation of death receptors or perforin mediated trafficking of granzyme B to the target cell cytosol to activate a family of death proteases (caspases) in the target cell. The caspases then orchestrate the orderly dismantling of that cell by cleavage of a set of critical substrates. If caspases are inactivated, due either to mutations in proteins that signal their activation or direct inhibition by a viral gene product, CL can utilize a caspase-independent pathway to ensure the death of the target cell. Here we will discuss the mechanisms by which these stellar killers achieve their goal.     

A quantitative assay of oxidative metabolism by neutrophils in whole blood using flow cytometry

A large number of purified and washed PMNLs are required to monitor generation of active oxygen derivatives in most in vitro studies and this can preclude investigations in small children. The present method has enabled us to measure the oxidative burst (generation of hydrogen peroxide) of PMNLs in a small amount of whole blood using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, phorbol myristate acetate and flow cytometry. Optimal conditions for this determination were evaluated and the reaction was found to be independent of the absolute numbers of PMNLs and other types of cell in whole blood. The present method will be of value in investigations of the leukocyte metabolism of patients not only with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) but also with various infectious diseases.     

Haloperidol and clozapine, but not olanzapine, induces oxidative stress in rat brain

Typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs have been shown to have different clinical and behavioral profiles. Haloperidol (HAL) is a typical neuroleptic that acts primarily as a D2 dopamine receptor antagonist. It has been proposed that reactive oxygen species play a causative role in neurotoxic effects induced by HAL. We evaluated oxidative damage in rat brain induced by chronic HAL, clozapine (CLO) or olanzapine (OLZ) administration. Adult male Wistar rats received daily injections of Hal (1.5mg/kg), CLO (25mg/kg) or OLZ (2.5, 5.0 or 10.0mg/kg). Control animals were given saline (SAL; NaCl 0.9%). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonylation were measured in the hippocampus (HP), striatum (ST) and cortex (CX). TBARS was increased in the striatum after HAL treatment. In contrast, there was a decrease of TBARS levels induced by HAL, CLO and OLZ treatments in the cortex. Protein carbonyls after HAL and CLO treatment was increased in the hippocampus, compared to control. In hippocampus, OLZ did not show significant difference to control in both oxidative parameters. Our findings demonstrated that atypical antipsychotic CLO produced less oxidative damage than HAL and we did not find oxidative damage induced by OLZ.     

The effect of thrombin activated factor XIII, thrombin and plasmin on the chemiluminescence produced by human neutrophils stimulated by opsonized zymosan (Mannozym)

Coagulation factor XIII formed by thrombin activation from zymogen factor XIII decreases the chemiluminescence (CL) of human neutrophils stimulated by opsonized zymosan (Mannozym). At high concentrations, thrombin and plasmin also decreased the CL induced by opsonized zymosan. The inhibitory effect of all the three enzymes was due to their influence on the cell membrane receptors (C3b and Fe) and not to their direct effect on opsonized Mannozym. The potential clinical role of factor XIII, thrombin and plasma in the regulation of neutrophil functions is assumed.     

Inflammatory response to pyrogens determined by a novel ELISA method using human whole blood

Presence of pyrogens on implants, medical devices, drugs and biological materials compromise on the biosafety and poses a major health hazard in therapeutics. Detection of pyrogenic contamination has so far been done with either in vivo rabbit pyrogen assay or Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) methods, each of which having their distinct advantages and disadvantages. An indigenously developed ELISA method quantifying the pro-inflammatory response triggered by pyrogens on human whole blood is demonstrated for its versatility to detect the pyrogenic response to gram-negative, gram-positive bacteria, chemical and biological pyrogens. The method was used to test and quantitate the pyrogen levels in polymeric biomaterials. Unlike the existing pyrogen test procedures, this assay is adapted to detect all pyrogens, besides yielding faster, sensitive and quantifiable data, thereby reduce/replace animal experimentation. The method also provided insight into the possible correlation between variable blood profile among individuals and their role in determining inflammatory response to different pyrogenic stimuli.