Interleukin 12, interferon gamma, and tumor necrosis factor alpha are the key cytokines of the generalized Shwartzman reaction

The Shwartzman reaction is elicited by two injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. The priming LPS injection is given in the footpad, whereas the lethal LPS challenge is given intravenously 24 h later. The injection of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) or interleukin 12 (IL-12) instead of the LPS priming injection induced the lethal reaction in mice further challenged with LPS. Antibodies against IFN- gamma when given together with the priming agent, prevented the lethal reaction in mice primed with either LPS, IL-12, or IFN-gamma. Antibodies against IL-12, when given together with the priming agent, prevented the lethal reaction in mice primed with either LPS or IL-12 but not with IFN-gamma. These results strongly suggest that LPS induces the release of IL-12, that IL-12 induces the production of IFN-gamma, and that IFN-gamma is the cytokine that primes macrophages and other cell types. Upon LPS challenge, the lethal Shwartzman reaction is induced by a massive production of inflammatory cytokines that act on the target sites already sensitized by IFN-gamma. If mixtures of TNF and IL-1 or mixtures of TNF and IFN-gamma are used to challenge mice previously primed with IFN-gamma or IL-12, mortality is induced. In the same conditions, the individual cytokines or a mixture of IL-1 and IFN- gamma do not replace the LPS challenge. When the mice are primed with LPS, the combination of TNF, IL-1, and IFN-gamma induced only a partial mortality incidence suggesting that the involvement of other LPS- induced factors.     

Platelet-activating factor synthesis by neutrophils,monocytes, and endothelial cells is modulated by nitric oxide production

Nitric oxide (NO) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) can modulate the interaction between endothelial lining and circulating leukocytes. Several studies implicated the production of PAF and NO in the pathogenesis of microcirculatory alterations occurring in septic shock. However, the reciprocal interaction between PAF and NO has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated whether the basal synthesis of NO could modulate the production of PAF by neutrophils (PMN), monocytes (MO), and endothelial cells (EC) unstimulated or stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). PMN, MO, and EC, when incubated with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) spontaneously synthesized PAF, with an early peak at 30 min. The effective inhibition of NO production was visualized on MO cells as generation of fluorescence reactivity by cell-permeable NO reactive dye DAF-2 DA. Also, monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) induced PAF synthesis by PMN, whereas the biologically inactive D-enantiomers of NAME (D-NAME) and of NMMA (D-NMMA) did not. Stimulation of PMN with L-NAME in presence of the exogenous NO donor nitroprusside, of the NO secondary mediator cGMP, or of the NO synthase substrate L-arginine reduced PAF synthesis, suggesting the involvement of an NO-dependent pathway on the modulation of PAF synthesis. The synthesis of PAF was enhanced by combined treatment with L-NAME and TNF or LPS. These results indicate an inhibitor effect of NO on the spontaneous and TNF or LPS-induced synthesis of PAF by human PMN, MO, and EC.     

Interferon gamma receptor deficient mice are resistant to endotoxic shock

Antibody neutralization studies have established interferon gamma (IFN- gamma) as a critical mediator of endotoxic shock. The advent of IFN- gamma receptor negative (IFN gamma R-/-) mutant mice has enabled a more direct assessment of the role of IFN-gamma in endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]-induced shock. We report that IFN gamma R-/- mice have an increased resistance to LPS-induced toxicity, this resistance manifesting well before the synthesis and release of LPS- induced IFN-gamma. LPS-induced lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and weight loss seen in wild-type mice were attenuated in IFN gamma R-/- mice. IFN gamma R-/- mice tolerated 100-1,000 times more LPS than the minimum lethal dose for wild-type mice in a D-galactosamine (D- GalN)/LPS model. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels were 10-fold reduced in mutant mice given LPS or LPS/D-GalN. Bone marrow and splenic macrophages from IFN gamma R-/- mice had a four- to sixfold decreased LPS-binding capacity which correlated with similar reduction in CD14. Serum from mutant mice reduced macrophage LPS binding by a further 50%, although LPS binding protein was only 10% reduced. The expression of TNF receptor I (p55) and II (p75) was identical between wild-type and mutant mice. Thus, depressed TNF synthesis, diminished expression of CD14, and low plasma LPS-binding capacity, in addition to blocked IFN- gamma signaling in the mutant mice, likely to combine to manifest in the resistant phenotype of IFN gamma R-/- mice to endotoxin.     

Trypanosoma cruzi sensitizes mice to fulminant SEB-induced shock: overrelease of inflammatory cytokines and independence of Chagas' disease or TCR Vbeta-usage

Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mice display increased susceptibility to shock induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), anti-CD3, or resulting from interleukin (IL)-10-defective response to the parasite itself, but the basis of such susceptibility remains unknown. Herein, we tested the susceptibility of mice inoculated with virulent and avirulent T. cruzi to staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE), potent inducers of inflammatory cytokine secretion. Mice infected with T. cruzi CL-strain or inoculated with the avirulent clone CL-14, a clone that does not induce disease or polyclonal lymphocyte activation, succumb suddenly to low doses of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), but not to staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA). High plasma levels of TNF, IFN-gamma, and liver transaminases alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were found in these mice, indicating lethal toxic shock. Sensitization to shock required inoculation of live avirulent trypomastigotes and a time interval before challenge with SEB. We found no prior skewing of T cell receptor (TCR) Vbeta-repertoire in CL-14-inoculated mice that could be responsible for sensitization. Splenocytes from CL-14-inoculated mice proliferated more under anti-Vbeta8 than anti-TCRbeta stimulation when compared with normal mice, but were suppressed to SEB stimulation. Both SEB and anti-Vbeta8 antibodies stimulated splenocytes from T. cruzi-inoculated mice to secrete higher levels of inflammatory cytokines than normal controls. Taken together, our results show that T. cruzi inoculation can sensitize mice to lethal SEB-induced shock even in the absence of tissue damage, polyclonal lymphocyte activation, or previously increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, and they suggest that altered reactivity of Vbeta8 lymphocytes may be involved in the phenomenon.     

Early interleukin 12 production by macrophages in response to mycobacterial infection depends on interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) produced by macrophages immediately after infection is considered essential for activation of a protective immune response against intracellular pathogens. In the murine Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) model we assessed whether early IL- 12 production by macrophages depends on other cytokines. In vitro, murine bone marrow-derived macrophages produced IL-12 after infection with viable M. bovis BCG or stimulation with LPS, however, priming with recombinant interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma) was necessary. In addition, IL-12 production by these macrophages was blocked by specific anti- tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) antiserum. Macrophages from gene deletion mutant mice lacking either the IFN-gamma receptor or the TNF receptor 1 (p55) failed to produce IL-12 in vitro after stimulation with rIFN-gamma and mycobacterial infection. In vivo, IL-12 production was induced in spleens of immunocompetent mice early during M. bovis BCG infection but not in those of mutant mice lacking the receptors for IFN-gamma or TNF. Our results show that IL-12 production by macrophages in response to mycobacterial infection depends on IFN-gamma and TNF. Hence, IL-12 is not the first cytokine produced in mycobacterial infections.     

Requirement for natural killer cell-produced interferon gamma in defense against murine cytomegalovirus infection and enhancement of this defense pathway by interleukin 12 administration

The presence of natural killer (NK) cells contributes to early defense against murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Although NK cells can mediate in vivo protection against MCMV, the mechanism by which they do so has not been defined. The studies presented here evaluate cytokine production by NK cells activated during MCMV infection and the role of NK cell-produced cytokines in early in vivo antiviral defenses. Experiments with normal C57BL/6, T cell-deficient C57BL/6 nude, and severe combined immunodeficient mice lacking T and B cells demonstrated that both interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production were induced at early times after infection with MCMV. Conditioned media samples prepared with cells from these mice, on day 2 after infection, produced 11-43 pg/million cells of IFN-gamma and 12-19 pg/million cells of TNF as evaluated by specific protein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Studies in the NK- and T cell-deficient mouse line, E26, in mice that had been depleted in vivo of NK cells by treatment with antibodies eliminating NK cells, anti-asialo ganglio-N- tetraosylceramide or anti-NK1.1, and with populations of cells that had been depleted of NK cells by complement treatment with the anti-NK cell antibody, SW3A4, demonstrated that NK cells were solely responsible for the IFN-gamma but were not required for TNF production. The in vivo absence of NK cells was accompanied by increased viral hepatitis and viral replication in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice, as well as decreased survival time of immunodeficient mice. In vivo treatments with antibodies neutralizing IFN-gamma demonstrated that this factor contributed to the NK cell-mediated antiviral defense and reduced the measured parameters of viral defense to levels indistinguishable from those observed in NK cell-deficient mice. These effects appeared to be independent of cytolytic activity, as NK cells isolated from anti-IFN-gamma-treated mice mediated killing at levels comparable to those observed in control-treated mice. The consequences of interleukin 12 (IL-12) administration, a known potent inducer of IFN- gamma production by NK cells, were evaluated in MCMV-infected mice. Low IL-12 doses, i.e., 1 ng/d, increased NK cell cytotoxicity and IFN-gamma production up to twofold and resulted in improved antiviral status; virus-induced hepatitis was decreased as much as fivefold, and viral burdens were decreased to levels below detection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Induction of unresponsiveness and impaired T cell expansion by staphylococcal enterotoxin B in CD28-deficient mice

We used CD28-deficient mice to analyze the importance of CD28 costimulation for the response against Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in vivo. CD28 was necessary for the strong expansion of V beta 8+ T cells, but not for deletion. The lack of expansion was not due to a failure of SEB to activate V beta 8+ T cells, as V beta 8+ T cells from both CD28-/- and CD28+/+ mice showed similar phenotypic changes within the first 24 h after SEB injection and cell cycle analysis showed that an equal percentage of V beta 8+ T cells started to proliferate. However, the phenotype and the state of proliferation of V beta 8+ T cells was different at later time points. Furthermore, in CD28-/- mice injection with SEB led to rapid induction of unresponsiveness in SEB responsive T cells, indicated by a drastic reduction of proliferation after secondary SEB stimulation in vitro. Unresponsiveness could also be demonstrated in vivo, as CD28-/- mice produced only marginal amounts of TNF alpha after rechallenge with SEB. In addition CD28-/- mice were protected against a lethal toxic shock induced by a second injection with SEB. Our results indicate that CD28 costimulation is crucial for the T cell-mediated toxicity of SEB and demonstrate that T cell stimulation in the absence of CD28 costimulation induces unresponsiveness in vivo.     

Tetrahydrobiopterin-dependent formation of nitrite and nitrate in murine fibroblasts

The present study demonstrates that murine dermal fibroblasts produce nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) upon treatment with interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). This formation is dependent on L-arginine and can be inhibited by the L-arginine analogue NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. The effect of IFN-gamma is drastically increased by cotreatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 (IL-1), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The tested cytokines also induce formation of tetrahydrobiopterin in murine fibroblasts. Inhibition of guanosine triphosphate-cyclohydrolase I, the key enzyme of tetrahydrobiopterin de novo synthesis with 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxy-pyrimidine, leads to decreased formation of NO2- and NO3-. This effect can be reversed by addition of sepiapterin, which provides tetrahydrobiopterin via a salvage pathway. Methotrexate, which inhibits the salvage pathway, blocks the restoration of NO2- and NO3- production by sepiapterin. The cytotoxic effect of combinations of IFN-alpha with TNF-gamma, IL-1, or LPS is attenuated by inhibition of tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis. These results show that intracellular concentrations of tetrahydrobiopterin control the amount of NO2- and NO3- produced in situ and suggest that the role of cytokine-induced tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis is to provide cells with the active cofactor for production of nitrogen oxides.     

Induction of nitric oxide synthase protects against malaria in mice exposed to irradiated Plasmodium berghei infected mosquitoes: involvement of interferon gamma and CD8+ T cells

Exposure of BALB/c mice to mosquitoes infected with irradiated Plasmodium berghei confers protective immunity against subsequent sporozoite challenge. Immunized mice challenged with viable sporozoites develop parasitemia when treated orally with substrate inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). This suggests that the production of nitric oxide (NO) prevents the development of exoerythrocytic stages of malaria in liver. Liver tissue from immunized mice expressed maximal levels of mRNA for inducible NOS (iNOS) between 12 and 24 h after challenge with sporozoites. Intraperitoneal injection of neutralizing monoclonal antibody against interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) or in vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells, but not CD4+ T cells, at the time of challenge blocked expression of iNOS mRNA and ablated protection in immunized mice. These results show that both CD8+ T cells and IFN-gamma are important components in the regulation of iNOS in liver which contributes to the protective response of mice immunized with irradiated malaria sporozoites. IFN-gamma, likely provided by malaria- specific CD8+ T cells, induces liver cells, hepatocytes and/or Kupffer cells, to produce NO for the destruction of infected hepatocytes or the parasite within these cells.     

Endogenously synthesized nitric oxide prevents endotoxin-induced glomerular thrombosis.

Escherichia coli endotoxin (LPS) can induce the clinical syndrome of septic shock and renal cortical necrosis and can stimulate nitric oxide (NO) production from macrophages, vascular smooth muscle, and glomerular mesangial cells in vitro. NO is an endogenous vasodilator, which also inhibits platelet aggregation and adhesion. We therefore sought to determine whether LPS would stimulate NO production in vivo and, if so, whether this NO would modulate endotoxin-induced glomerular thrombosis. The stable NO end-products, NO2 and NO3, were measured in serum and urine collections from rats during baseline and after injection of LPS, with or without substances that modulate NO synthesis. The urinary excretion of NO2/NO3 was 1,964 +/- 311 nm/8 h during the baseline and increased to 6,833 +/- 776 nm/8 h after a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 mg/kg LPS (P < 0.05). The serum concentration of NO2/NO3 also significantly increased after LPS injection. Both the urine and serum stimulation was significantly prevented by the NO synthesis inhibitor, Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). L-Arginine, given with LPS+L-NAME significantly restored the NO2/NO3 levels in the urine. Ex vivo incubation of tissues from rats treated with LPS demonstrated NO production by the aorta, whole kidney, and glomeruli, but not cortical tubules. Histological examination of kidneys from rats given either LPS or L-NAME alone revealed that 2 and 4.5% of the glomeruli contained capillary thrombosis, respectively. In contrast, rats given LPS+L-NAME developed thrombosis in 55% of glomeruli (P < 0.001), which was significantly prevented when L-arginine was given concomitantly. We conclude that LPS stimulates endogenous production of NO in vivo and that this NO is critical in preventing LPS-induced renal thrombosis.     

The stimulatory effects of interleukin (IL)-12 on hematopoiesis are antagonized by IL-12-induced interferon gamma in vivo

Interleukin (IL)-12 synergizes with other cytokines to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of early hematopoietic progenitors in vitro. However, in vivo administration of IL-12 decreases peripheral blood counts and bone marrow hematopoiesis. Here, we used interferon (IFN) gamma receptor-deficient (IFN gamma R-/-) mice to investigate whether the in vivo inhibition of hematopoiesis by IL-12 is indirectly mediated by IL-12-induced IFN-gamma. IL-12 administered for 4 d (1 microgram/mouse per day) resulted in lower peripheral blood counts and a 2-fold decrease in bone marrow cellularity in wild-type mice, but not in IFN gamma R-/- mice. Bone marrow hematopoietic progenitors were decreased after IL-12 treatment in wild-type mice, but rather increased in IFN gamma R-/- mice. Splenic cellularity was 2.3-fold higher after IL-12 administration in wild-type mice, largely due to natural killer (NK) cell and macrophage infiltration together with some extramedullary hematopoiesis. In IFN gamma R-/- mice, spleen cellularity was less increased, there were fewer infiltrating NK cells, but a strong extramedullary hematopoiesis. Thus, alterations mediated by IL-12- induced IFN-gamma include reduction in bone marrow cellularity and hematopoietic progenitors, as well as pronounced splenomegaly, largely caused by NK cell infiltration. In the absence of IFN-gamma signaling, IL-12 promotes hematopoiesis, consistent with its in vitro activities.     

T cell-mediated lethal shock triggered in mice by the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B: critical role of tumor necrosis factor

Because mice are more resistant than humans to the pathogenic effects of bacterial toxins, we used D-Galactosamine- (D-Gal) sensitized mice as a model system to evaluate potential toxic shock symptoms triggered by the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). We show that similar to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) [LPS], the exotoxin SEB causes lethal shock within 8 h in D-Gal-sensitized mice, inducing 100% and about 50% lethality with 20 and 2 micrograms SEB, respectively. The lethal shock triggered by the superantigen SEB is mediated by T cells, a conclusion based on the observation that T cell repopulation of SCID mice conferred sensitivity to SEB. Since CSA also conferred protection, the role of T cell-derived lymphokines in mediating lethal shock was evaluated. Within 30-60 min after SEB injection, serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels peaked, followed immediately by interleukin-2 (IL-2). Serum-borne lymphokines were detected well in advance of signs of T cell activation, as assessed by IL-2 receptor expression of SEB-reactive V beta 8+ T cells. Passive immunization with anti-TNF-alpha/beta-neutralizing monoclonal antibody also conferred protection, indicating that it is TNF which is critical for initiating toxic shock symptoms. Taken together, this study defines basic differences between endotoxin (LPS)- and exotoxin (SEB)-mediated lethal shock, in that the former is mediated by macrophages and the latter by T cells. Yet the pathogenesis distal to the lymphokine/cytokine-producing cells appears surprisingly similar in that TNF represents a key mediator in inducing shock.     

Interferon-gamma overcomes glucocorticoid suppression of cachectin/tumor necrosis factor biosynthesis by murine macrophages.

Glucocorticoids almost completely inhibit the synthesis by isolated macrophages of cachectin/tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a cytokine implicated as a major endogenous mediator of septic shock. Despite this in vitro effectiveness, the clinical use of glucocorticoids has failed to demonstrate any clear benefit in the treatment of septic shock. In an effort to understand what other mechanisms might play a role in the patient with sepsis, we examined the effect of interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) on the synthesis of cachectin/TNF. We show here that IFN gamma, although unable by itself to induce cachectin/TNF synthesis, enhanced the endotoxin-induced production of cachectin/TNF in vitro. Furthermore, IFN gamma overcame the inhibition of cachectin/TNF synthesis caused by the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone. These effects of IFN gamma were accounted for by increased levels of cachectin/TNF mRNA. The in vivo implications of these studies are discussed with emphasis on their relevance in human sepsis.     

Nitric oxide mediates murine cytomegalovirus-associated pneumonitis in lungs that are free of the virus.

4 wk after intraperitoneal inoculation of 0.2 LD50 (50% lethal dose) of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) in adult BALB/c mice, MCMV remained detectable in the salivary glands, but not in the lungs or other organs. When the T cells of these mice were activated in vivo by a single injection of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, interstitial pneumonitis was induced in the lungs that were free of the virus with an excessive production of the cytokines. In the lungs of such mice persistently infected with MCMV, the mRNA of the cytokines such as IL-2, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma were abundantly expressed 3 h after the anti-CD3 injection, and the elevated levels continued thereafter. A marked expression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) was then noted in the lungs, suggesting that such cytokines as TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma may have induced iNOS. Although the increase in NO formation was demonstrated by the significant elevation of the serum levels of nitrite and nitrate, the interstitial pneumonitis was not associated with either increased superoxide formation or peroxynitrite-induced tyrosine nitration. Nevertheless, the administration of an NO antagonist also alleviated the interstitial pneumonitis provoked by anti-CD3 mAb. Based on these findings, it was concluded that MCMV-associated pneumonitis is mediated by a molecule of cytokine-induced NO other than peroxynitrite.     

MAP kinase phosphatase 1 controls innate immune responses and suppresses endotoxic shock

Septic shock is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. However, genetic factors predisposing to septic shock are not fully understood. Excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and the resultant severe hypotension play a central role in the pathophysiological process. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades are crucial in the biosynthesis of proinflammatory cytokines. MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 is an archetypal member of the dual specificity protein phosphatase family that dephosphorylates MAP kinase. Thus, we hypothesize that knockout of the Mkp-1 gene results in prolonged MAP kinase activation, augmented cytokine production, and increased susceptibility to endotoxic shock. Here, we show that knockout of Mkp-1 substantially sensitizes mice to endotoxic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. We demonstrate that upon LPS challenge, Mkp-1-/- cells exhibit prolonged p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation as well as enhanced TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 production compared with wild-type cells. After LPS challenge, Mkp-1 knockout mice produce dramatically more TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 than do wild-type mice. Consequently, Mkp-1 knockout mice develop severe hypotension and multiple organ failure, and exhibit a remarkable increase in mortality. Our studies demonstrate that MKP-1 is a pivotal feedback control regulator of the innate immune responses and plays a critical role in suppressing endotoxin shock.     

The flow dependency of Tie2 expression in endotoxemia

Rationale

Tie2 is predominantly expressed by endothelial cells and is involved in vascular integrity control during sepsis. Changes in Tie2 expression during sepsis development may contribute to microvascular dysfunction. Understanding the kinetics and molecular basis of these changes may assist in the development of therapeutic intervention to counteract microvascular dysfunction.

Objective

To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the changes in Tie2 expression upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge.

Methods and results

Studies were performed in LPS and pro-inflammatory cytokine challenged mice as well as in mice subjected to hemorrhagic shock, primary endothelial cells were used for in vitro experiments in static and flow conditions. Eight hours after LPS challenge, Tie2 mRNA loss was observed in all major organs, while loss of Tie2 protein was predominantly observed in lungs and kidneys, in the capillaries. A similar loss could be induced by secondary cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. Ang2 protein administration did not affect Tie2 protein expression nor was Tie2 protein rescued in LPS-challenged Ang2-deficient mice, excluding a major role for Ang2 in Tie2 down regulation. In vitro, endothelial loss of Tie2 was observed upon lowering of shear stress, not upon LPS and TNF-α stimulation, suggesting that inflammation related haemodynamic changes play a major role in loss of Tie2 in vivo, as also hemorrhagic shock induced Tie2 mRNA loss. In vitro, this loss was partially counteracted by pre-incubation with a pharmacologically NF-кB inhibitor (BAY11-7082), an effect further substantiated in vivo by pre-treatment of mice with the NF-кB inhibitor prior to the inflammatory challenge.

Conclusions

Microvascular bed specific loss of Tie2 mRNA and protein in vivo upon LPS, TNFα, IL-1β challenge, as well as in response to hemorrhagic shock, is likely an indirect effect caused by a change in endothelial shear stress. This loss of Tie2 mRNA, but not Tie2 protein, induced by TNFα exposure was shown to be controlled by NF-кB signaling. Drugs aiming at restoring vascular integrity in sepsis could focus on preventing the Tie2 loss.     

Effects of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide donors on hyaluronic acid synthesis by synovial cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of (i) the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL (interleukin)-1beta, TNF-alpha (tumour necrosis factor-alpha), IFN-gamma (interferon-gamma) and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, and (ii) NO (nitric oxide) donors on HA (hyaluronic acid) production by synovial cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Synovial cells obtained from five patients with rheumatoid arthritis were incubated for 24 h without or with IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, or with this mixture for 24 h plus IL-4 or IL-13 for the last 6 h. The same cells were also incubated for 3-24 h without or with SNP (sodium nitroprusside) or SNAP (S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine). HA secretion was determined by an immunoenzymic assay based on HA-specific binding by proteoglycan isolated from bovine cartilage. IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma alone or in combination stimulated HA synthesis, whereas IL-4 and IL-13 dose-dependently inhibited HA production induced by Th1 cytokines. HA production was significantly increased by the presence of 1 mM SNP after 6 and 12 h (maximal effect). HA production was significantly increased by the presence of 0.01 and 0.1 mM SNAP after 12 h of incubation, and cells treated with 1 mM SNAP showed a maximal HA production after 24 h of incubation. In conclusion, the present study provides data concerning the regulatory role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and NO donors on HA metabolism in rheumatoid synovial cells and may help in understanding the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Cytokines in chronic inflammatory arthritis. V. Mutual antagonism between interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on HLA-DR expression, proliferation, collagenase production, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor production by rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes

The effects of a broad array of cytokines, individually and in combination, were determined on separate functions (proliferation, collagenase production, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF] production) and phenotype (expression of class II MHC antigens) of cultured fibroblast-like RA synoviocytes. The following recombinant cytokines were used: IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, GM-CSF, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Only IFN-gamma induced HLA-DR (but not HLA-DQ) expression. TNF-alpha inhibited IFN-gamma-mediated HLA-DR expression (46.7 +/- 4.1% inhibition) and HLA-DR mRNA accumulation. This inhibitory effect was also observed in osteoarthritis synoviocytes. Only TNF-alpha and IL-1 increased synoviocyte proliferation (stimulation index 3.60 +/- 1.03 and 2.31 +/- 0.46, respectively). IFN-gamma (but none of the other cytokines) inhibited TNF-alpha-induced proliferation (70 +/- 14% inhibition) without affecting the activity of IL-1. Only IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha induced collagenase production (from less than 0.10 U/ml to 1.10 +/- 0.15 and 0.72 +/- 0.24, respectively). IFN-gamma decreased TNF-alpha-mediated collagenase production (69 +/- 19% inhibition) and GM-CSF production but had no effect on the action of IL-1. These data demonstrate mutual antagonism between IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha on fibroblast-like synoviocytes and suggest a novel homeostatic control mechanism that might be defective in RA where very little IFN-gamma is produced.     

Intranasal exposure to staphylococcal enterotoxin B elicits an acute systemic inflammatory response

Staphylococcus aureus produces a variety of superantigen exotoxins, including staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Little is known regarding the pathogenesis of SEB entering through the intranasal route. Intranasal exposure to SEB might occur because of nasal packing following surgical procedure, biologic warfare, or even S. aureus colonization. We evaluated the local and systemic effects of intranasally delivered SEB using a series of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II transgenic mice as conventional mice expressing endogenous class II molecules mount a poor immune response to SEB. Gene expression profiling using microarrays showed robust up-regulation of genes involved in several proinflammatory pathways as early as 3 h post-intranasal challenge with SEB in HLA class II transgenic mice. This was accompanied by a several hundred-fold increase in serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, as well as MCP-1 in HLA class II transgenic mice but not in C57BL/6 mice; CD4 or CD8 T-cells independently contributed to the systemic cytokine response. Defective IL-12 or IL-4 receptor signaling significantly decreased or increased serum IFN-gamma, respectively. Intranasal exposure to SEB resulted in neutrophil influx into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and caused expansion of both CD4 and CD8 T-cells expressing TCR V beta 8 in the spleen. This was accompanied by mononuclear cell infiltration in the liver reminiscent of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Thus, we have shown, for the first time, that intranasal administration of SEB can cause systemic immune activation.     

Leishmania promastigotes selectively inhibit interleukin 12 induction in bone marrow-derived macrophages from susceptible and resistant mice

Leishmania major promastigotes were found to avoid activation of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM0) in vitro for production of cytokines that are typically induced during infection with other intracellular pathogens. Coexposure of BMM0 to the parasite and other microbial stimuli resulted in complete inhibition of interleukin (IL) 12 (p40) mRNA induction and IL-12 release. In contrast, mRNA and protein levels for IL-1(alpha), IL-1(beta), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were only partially reduced, and signals for IL-10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1/JE) were enhanced. The parasite could provide a detectable trigger for TNF- alpha and iNOS in BMM0 primed with interferon (IFN) gamma, but still failed to induce IL-12. Thus IL-12 induction is selectively impaired after infection, whereas activation pathways for other monokine responses remain relatively intact. Selective and complete inhibition of IL-12(p40) induction was observed using BMM0 from either genetically susceptible or resistant mouse strains, as well as IL-10 knockout mice, and was obtained using promastigotes from cutaneous, visceral, and lipophosphoglycan-deficient strains of Leishmania. The impaired production of the major physiological inducer of IFN-gamma is suggested to underlie the relatively prolonged interval of parasite intracellular survival and replication that is typically associate with leishmanial infections, including those producing self-limiting disease.