Selective type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitors prevent IL-4-induced IgE production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Background Selective type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors elicit anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory activities in vitro and in vivo which suggest that these drugs could provide a new therapeutic approach for asthma treatment. Objective Regarding the role of IgE production in allergic and inflammatory reactions of the airways, we investigated the effect of selective PDE inhibitors on IL-4-driven IgE production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or by purified B lymphocytes. Methods PBMC or purified B lymphocytes from non-allergic donors were stimulated for 13 days with IL-4 (100U/mL) in the presence or in the absence of selective PDE inhibitors. IgE production is evaluated by an ELISA technique. Results The selective PDE IV inhibitors, rolipram and Ro 20–1724 (10μM), inhibit lL-4-induced IgE production by PBMC. but not by purified B lymphocytes. No modification of the IgE production was noted with the selective PDE III inhibitors, milrinone and SK&F94-836, or the selective PDE V inhibitor, SK&F 96–231 (10 μM). Flow cytometry experiments showed that the effect of Rolipram could not be explained by the inhibition of the cell surface expression of the IL-4 receptor. Similarly, no significant effect of PDE IV inhibitors was observed on PHA-induced cell proliferation. The incubation of monocytes only with rolipram was sufficient to achieve a significant reduction of IgE production induced by IL-4. Conclusion Taken together, these results indicate that PDE IV inhibitors reduce lL-4-induced IgE production by PBMC and suggest that the inhibition of IgE production could be explained by a failure of monocytes to provide the necessary costimulatory signals.     

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases from purified human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes

Background CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes are suggested to differentially affect airway inflammation in asthma. Agents which increase intracellular cAMP levels, such as PDE inhibitors, have been shown to diminish lymphocyte growth and differentiation, and to affect cytokine expression. Differences in the PDE isoenzyme profile between CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells might form a basis to differentially modify their functions by PDE inhibitors. Objective The study investigates and compares the PDE isoenzyme activity profiles of human peripheral blood CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes. Methods CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes were purified (>98%) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by negative selection. PDE isoenzyme activity profiles were investigated using PDE isoenzyme selective inhibitors and activators. Results In CD4⁺ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte homogenates, PDE IV and PDE III activities were the predominant PDE isoenzyme activities at 0.5μM cyclic nucleotide substrate concentrations. PDE IV was localized in the soluble fraction whereas PDE III was membrane bound. Low PDE I, II and V activities were detected. About 20% of total eAMP hydrolysing capacity at 0.5 μM cAMP was insensitive to PDE isoenzyme selective inhibitors and activators and therefore could not be assigned to PDE I-IV. The PDE isoenzyme pattern was not different between CD4⁺ and CDS⁺ T-lymphocytes. Moreover, representative inhibitors of PDE HI and IV activity inhibited cAMP hydrolysis in soluble fractions of both T-lymphocyte subsets with similar potency. Enzyme kinetic analysis similarly did not reveal differences between CD4^h and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes. Conclusion Normal CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes are likely to be equally sensitive targets for the effects of PDE inhibitors.     

The interaction of IgE antibody with human alveolar macrophages and its participation in the inflammatory processes of lung allergy

After the initial observation that human and animal mononuclear phagocytes can be activated into specific killer cells against larvae of the parasiteSchistosoma mansoni by seric IgE antibody from infected patients, a possible interaction of IgE with human alveolar macrophages in asthmatic patients was investigated. In vitro, alveolar macrophages from non-atopic individuals can bind monoclonal IgE molecules, as well as IgE antibody from the serum of patients with respiratory allergy. A subsequent contact with anti-IgE antibody or with the specific allergen induces the extracellular release of a variety of mediators, such as lysosomal enzymes, neutral proteases, or superoxide anion.Due to the presence of allergen-specific IgE antibody on the macrophage surfacein situ, the same results were obtainedin vitro with freshly purified alveolar macrophages from allergic patients. Disodium cromoglycate, corticosteroids, or beta-adrenergic stimulants are strong inhibitors of this specific exocytosis of physiological mediators. The atopic cells formed rosettes with allergen-coated erythrocytes at 4°C, except after pretreatment with aggregated monoclonal IgE or with the allergen.     

Isolation of a lactose-binding protein with monocyte/macrophage chemotactic activity. Biological and physicochemical characteristics

BACKGROUND: We established a T cell line, STO-5, which constitutively produced monocyte/macrophage chemotactic activity via human T cell lymphoma-leukemia-virus-induced transformation of normal human T cells. METHODS: We isolated and purified a lactose-binding protein, MCF-pl5-L (MW of about 50 kD, pl of about 5) from a conditioned medium of STO-5. By using highly purified MCF-pl5-L, its biological and physicochemical properties were elucidated in comparison with C5a and MCP-1. RESULTS: MCF-pl5-L exhibited an evident dose-dependent monocyte chemotactic activity (MCA). MCF-pl5-L had no or little affinity for heparin unlike chemokines such as MCP-1. We further found that MCF-pl5-L exhibited potent chemotactic activity not only for monocytes but also for alveolar macrophages. In contrast, C5a and MCP-1 failed to show evident chemotactic activity for alveolar macrophages though they did show MCA. MCF-pl5-L failed to exhibit evident eosinophil and neutrophil chemotactic activities, indicating its chemotactic activity is selective for monocytes/macrophages. Regarding the biological functions of MCF-pl5-L other than MCA and chemotactic activity for alveolar macrophages, we found that MCF-pl5-L but not C5a and MCP-1 could prolong the life span of alveolar macrophages, probably by inhibiting apoptosis of macrophages, and stimulate the production of TNF-alpha from macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MCF-pl5-L plays a role as an immune modulator for monocytes/macrophages in the site.     

Potential role of phosphodiesterase 7 in human T cell function: comparative effects of two phosphodiesterase inhibitors

Even though the existence of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 7 in T cells has been proved, the lack of a selective PDE7 inhibitor has confounded an accurate assessment of PDE7 function in such cells. In order to elucidate the role of PDE7 in human T cell function, the effects of two PDE inhibitors on PDE7A activity, cytokine synthesis, proliferation and CD25 expression of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were determined. Recombinant human PDE7A was obtained and subjected to cyclic AMP-hydrolysis assay. PBMC of Dermatophagoides farinae mite extract (Df)-sensitive donors were stimulated with the relevant antigen or an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb). PBMC produced IL-5 and proliferated in response to stimulation with Df, while stimulation with anti-CD3 MoAb induced CD25 expression and messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 in peripheral T cells. A PDE inhibitor, T-2585, which suppressed PDE4 isoenzyme with high potency (IC50 = 0.00013 microM) and PDE7A with low potency (IC50 = 1.7 microM) inhibited cytokine synthesis, proliferation and CD25 expression in the dose range at which the drug suppressed PDE7A activity. A potent selective inhibitor of PDE4 (IC50 = 0.00031 microM), RP 73401, which did not effectively suppress PDE7A (IC50 > 10 microM), inhibited the Df- and anti-CD3 MoAb-stimulated responses only weakly, even at 10 microM. PDE7 may play a critical role in the regulation of human T cell function, and thereby selective PDE7 inhibitors have the potential to be used to treat immunological and inflammatory disorders.     

Modulation of c-fms proto-oncogene expression in human blood monocytes and macrophages

The gene product of the c-fms proto-oncogene is a transmembrane protein with tyrosine-kinase activity that is obviously related to the receptor for the colony-stimulating-factor CSF-1. By Northern blot analysis, we investigated the expression of the cellular counterpart of v-fms in purified normal human blood mononuclear cells and different macrophage populations. The proto-oncogene c-fms expression was demonstrable in blood monocytes but not in blood lymphocytes. Short-term cultivated blood monocytes exhibited an increased expression of c-fms in comparison to freshly isolated blood monocytes, possibly due to a temporary down regulation of c-fms during the separation procedure of blood monocytes. A comparably high rate of fms-RNA expression was found in most of the analyzed samples of resident peritoneal macrophages, while resident alveolar macrophages showed a considerably lower level of c-fms expression. In this, alveolar macrophages resembled long-term cultivated adherent blood monocytes, which showed a down regulation of c-fms expression. By correlating these data obtained by Northern blot analysis with phenotypic properties of the analyzed monocyte/macrophage populations, it is concluded that different levels of c-fms expression in monocytes/macrophages correspond to their stage of differentiation and maturity.     

Evidence to suggest that the phosphodiesterase 4 isoenzyme is present and involved in the proliferation of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells

BACKGROUND: The type 4 phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzyme is the main isoenzyme of PDE involved in the control of adult mononuclear cell proliferation. OBJECTIVE: To establish whether PDE isoenzymes are present in umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells by the use of selective PDE inhibitors, and to identify which PDE isoenzymes are involved in controlling the proliferation of cord blood mononuclear cells. METHODS: Cord blood was obtained from normal deliveries and mononuclear cells isolated as described previously [1] with some modifications. Mononuclear cells were then stimulated to proliferate with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) (2 microg/mL) in the presence of selective PDE inhibitors. Proliferation was measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: The type 4 PDE inhibitors (CDP840, rolipram and RO 20-1724), and the mixed PDE3/4 inhibitor, zardaverine, produced a concentration-related inhibition of PHA-stimulated cord blood mononuclear cell proliferation (P < 0.05, ANOVA). The non-selective PDE inhibitor, theophylline, also produced a concentration-related inhibition of proliferation (P < 0.05, ANOVA). In contrast, the PDE1 inhibitor, vinpocetine, the PDE3 inhibitor, siguazodan, and the PDE5 inhibitor, zaprinast, were unable to inhibit cord blood mononuclear cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: PDE4 is present in umbilical cord mononuclear cells and is involved in the control of cord blood mononuclear cell proliferation.     

Alveolar macrophages. II. Inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by purified macrophages from rat lung.

Macrophages were prepared from the lung, peritoneal cavity and blood of normal, unstimulated rats from a number of strains. The macrophages were purified by adherence, and characterized via surface markers, enzyme activity and phagocytic capacity, and subsequently tested for activity in cultures of mitogen-stimulated syngeneic lymphocytes. Peritoneal macrophages and blood monocytes were mildly stimulatory, or ineffective in modulating mitogen-induced DNA synthesis; peritoneal macrophages reconstituted the blastogenic responses of macrophage-depleted lymph node cell cultures to normal limits. In contrast, alveolar macrophages were markedly inhibitory to lymphocyte proliferation; in some instances inhibitory activity was demonstrable when added alveolar macrophages comprised only 0.04% of the total cells in culture. Lymphocyte proliferation induced by T-cell mitogens was more susceptible to this inhibition than was proliferation induced by the B-cell mitogen LPS. Alveolar macrophages recovered from SPF rats, while less in number, exhibited comparable inhibitory activity. These results form part of an emerging picture picture of the normal alveolar macrophage as a potential 'suppressor' of T-cell activity in the lung.     

Differential regulation of human blood monocyte and alveolar macrophage inflammatory cytokine production by nitric oxide.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) has been associated with airway inflammation in asthma. Our previous work suggests that NO functions in an anti-inflammatory capacity through downregulation of stimulated cytokine secretion by normal human alveolar macrophages. Functional differences between alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes are thought to be related to maturation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of NO on stimulated cytokine production by monocytes from asthmatics and normal healthy controls. METHODS: Monocytes and alveolar macrophages were obtained from normal volunteers (n = 13) and asthmatics with atopy (n = 7). Monocyte and alveolar macrophage cultures were stimulated with 0.5 microgram/mL lipopolysaccharide +/- 1.0 mM DETA NONOate (releases NO in culture with t1/2 = 20 hours at 37 degrees C) and incubated for 24 hours. Cell-free supernatants were collected and assayed by ELISA for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). RESULTS: Nitric oxide did not inhibit TNF production in monocytes of asthmatics and normals (mean +/- SEM % TNF stimulation = 19.6 +/- 9.7). Similar to previous results, NO did inhibit alveolar macrophages (% TNF suppression = 60.6 +/- 4.4). To determine whether this differential effect of NO on the two cell populations was related to maturation, monocytes were matured by culture for 7 days. The in vitro matured monocytes demonstrated 51.7 +/- 7.9% suppression of TNF. For each cell population, the responses of the asthmatics and healthy controls were not different. The differential effect is not cytokine specific since similar results were obtained with GM-CSF. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate a differential effect of NO on monocyte and alveolar macrophages cytokine regulation and this effect may be related to the state of maturation.     

Differential uptake and killing potential of Campylobacter jejuni by human peripheral monocytes/macrophages

The ability of Campylobacter jejuni to survive in monocytes after phagocytic uptake was tested in a new in vitro model using adherent macrophages derived from human peripheral monocytes. The cells were stimulated with cytokines before use to ensure full phagocytic and killing activity. The kinetics of uptake and killing of bacteria was followed for 72 h with 16 strains, including stool and blood isolates and laboratory adapted strains. Significant bacterial strain differences were not observed, but the viability of phagocytosed bacteria was dependent on the individual donating the macrophages. The majority of blood donors carried macrophages that killed phagocytosed Campylobacter within 24 or 48 h. There was no correlation between the source of isolation of the strains and relative intracellular survival. Bacterial mutants of superoxide dismutase, catalase or polyphosphate kinase were all as sensitive to macrophage killing as their isogenic wild-type strain. In contrast, about 10% of the voluntary blood donors carried monocytes which were incapable of killing phagocytosed bacteria. Such macrophages displayed normal uptake, but killing was insufficient and bacterial growth was observed with all strains and mutants tested. We conclude that (1) since in most cases activated human macrophages kill C. jejuni efficiently after phagocytosis, intra-phagocytic survival is not a common phenomenon during Campylobacter infection; and (2) those individuals carrying macrophages that are unable to destroy phagocytosed bacteria are at risk to develop a bacteremia during Campylobacter infection. Received: 28 April 1997     

Differential prostaglandin production by unfractionated and density-fractionated human monocytes and alveolar macrophages

Mononuclear phagocyte elaboration of E series prostaglandins (PGE) may be important in the regulation of inflammatory and fibrotic reactions. Mononuclear phagocytes are morphologically and functionally heterogeneous cells. To further understand the processes controlling inflammation and fibrosis, in particular that in the human lung, we characterized the ability of unfractionated and density-fractionated human alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes to elaborate PGE. Alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes constitutively elaborated small amounts of PGE, and their elaboration of PGE was increased with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Monocytes elaborated more PGE than autologous alveolar macrophages. In addition, denser monocytes (specific gravity greater than 1.055) and denser alveolar macrophages (specific gravity greater than 1.044) elaborated more PGE than less dense monocytes and alveolar macrophages, respectively. When monocytes were incubated in vitro, their constitutive PGE elaboration decreased with time. However, in vitro incubation did not cause monocytes to lose their capacity to elaborate PGE in response to LPS. Thus, mononuclear phagocyte populations differ in their ability to elaborate PGE. These differences can be only partially attributed to differences in cell maturation.     

Characterization and modulation of cell surface proteases on human myeloblastic (HL-60) cells and comparison to normal myeloid cells.

Human myeloblastic HL-60 cells were probed for cell surface protease activity. A class of bestatin sensitive N-exoaminopeptidases and a dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV-like enzyme specifically inhibited by DFP and diprotin A were detected at the surface of intact cells, as well as in highly purified HL-60 cell membranes. Cell surface proteolytic activities were investigated in HL-60 cells induced to differentiate into granulocytes or macrophages as well as on normal human myeloid cells. It was found that membrane expression of serine and N-aminopeptidases significantly increased following maturation of the HL-60 cell line and normal monocytes toward the macrophage pathway. In contrast, N-aminopeptidase expression was mainly down-regulated on HL-60 cells differentiated into granulocytes and low activity was paralleled with that expressed by normal blood granulocytes. HL-60 maturation into the granulocyte lineage however did not cause any modulation in membrane DPP IV-like enzyme. Thus, selective expression of cell surface proteases along the myeloid lineage provides a useful model system for determining the possible influence of such enzymes on normal and malignant myeloid cells.     

Fungicidal activity of rabbit alveolar and peritoneal macrophages against Candida albicans.

We tested the ability of rabbit macrophages to kill Candida albicans in vitro. Resident (unstimulated) alveolar macrophages killed 28.1 +/- 1.9% of ingested organisms in 4 h, whereas resident peritoneal macrophages killed only 15.2 +/- 1.3% (mean +/- standard error of the mean, P < 0.01). Peritoneal macrophages obtained from rabbits treated 3 weeks earlier with complete Freund adjuvant showed enhanced candidacidal activity relative to normally resident peritoneal cells (28.2 +/- 3.1%, P < 0.01). Candidacidal activity by alveolar macrophages recovered from such treated animals was slightly enhanced relative to untreated alveolar macrophages (32.9 +/- 2.3%). Candidacidal activity by peritoneal and alveolar macrophages was not decreased by several agents (cyanide, azide, sulfadiazine, and phenylbutazone) that inhibit the ability of human blood monocytes to kill C. albicans. In contrast, candidacidal activity by alveolar macrophages was greatly diminished by iodoacetate, an ineffective inhibitor of this function in human monocytes. We conclude that rabbit macrophages kill C. albicans by a fungicidal mechanism distinct from the peroxidase-H2O2 mechanism of human granulocytes and monocytes, and that the fungicidal properties of peritoneal and alveolar macrophage populations are enhanced after nonspecific stimulation with complete Freund adjuvant.     

Natural cytotoxicity on tumour cells of human macrophages obtained from diverse anatomical sites.

Human mononuclear phagocytes were isolated from peripheral blood, peritoneal exudate and early lactation milk by adherence on microexudate-coated plastic and exposure to ethylene diamine tetracetic acid. Their cytolytic activity was measured as 3H-thymidine release from prelabelled target cells over 48-72 hr and cytostasis was evaluated in a spectrophotometric 72-hr assay. The murine SV40-transformed mKSA-TU5 line and the human E cell line, derived from an ovarian carcinoma, were employed as targets. Peripheral blood monocytes, in vitro-matured monocyte-derived macrophages, peritoneal macrophages and milk macrophages were all significantly cytolytic and cytostatic on these target cells at attacker to target cell ratios ranging from 5:1 to 40:1. When monocytes were cultivated in vitro, no loss of cytocidal capacity occurred over the first 10 days of culture, whereas later on, when epithelioid and giant cells predominate in the cultures, mononuclear phagocytes had little cytotoxic activity. Adherent cells obtained from cord blood or from the peripheral blood of old donors had natural cytotoxicity similar to monocytes obtained from young adult volunteers. Peripheral blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages showed enhanced cytolytic activity after exposure to partially purified human fibroblast interferon. These experiments suggest that in the human mononuclear phagocyte series cytotoxicity on tumour cells is not restricted to circulating monocytes but is also expressed by macrophages obtained from diverse anatomical sites.     

Normal human alveolar macrophages have more ability than blood monocytes to produce cell-associated interleukin-1-alpha

Human alveolar macrophages (AM) were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from healthy donors, and their abilities to produce extracellular and cell-associated interleukin 1 (IL-1) in response to various activation stimuli were compared with those of autologous blood monocytes. The production of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta by monocytes and AM was examined by thymocyte co-stimulation assay and enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Results showed that when activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or desmethyl muramyl dipeptide (norMDP), AM released much less extracellular IL-1 beta than did blood monocytes. In contrast, these activated AM produced more cell-associated IL-1 than did blood monocytes. When the IL-1 activity was examined by the thymocyte assay, the extracellular and cell-associated IL-1 produced by the two cell types were largely IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha, respectively, as shown by antibody neutralization. The cell-associated IL-1 activity of AM induced by the synergistic actions of suboptimal concentrations of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) and norMDP was also higher than that of autologous blood monocytes. Consistent with these findings on AM, macrophages generated in vitro by maturation of blood monocytes produced higher levels of cell-associated IL-1 activity than did freshly isolated monocytes. These observations suggest that AM may play a critical role in situ regulation of pulmonary inflammatory and immune reactions through production of cell-associated IL-1 alpha.     

Role of cysteinyl leukotrienes in human allergen-specific Th2 responses induced by granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor

Background:  The pro-inflammatory cytokine, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which is elevated in the lungs of atopic asthmatic patients, has been shown to enhance major histocompatibility class II expression of alveolar macrophages (AM). We hypothesized that exposure of AM and monocytes from atopic asthmatic patients to GM-CSF would enhance their antigen presenting function, and investigated putative mechanisms for this effect.
Methods:  Alveolar macrophages were purified from bronchoalveolar lavage by plastic adherence. Monocytes and CD4⁺ T cells were purified from peripheral blood by magnetic bead separation. Antigen-presenting cell (APC) were pretreated with GM-CSF, pulsed with allergen and cocultured with autologous T cells. T-cell proliferation was determined by tritiated thymidine incorporation and cytokine production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:  Exposure of allergen-pulsed AM and peripheral blood monocytes to GM-CSF significantly increased allergen-specific T-cell proliferation and T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine production. The enhanced response was dependent on costimulation by CD86, but not CD80. Inhibition of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway abrogated GM-CSF-mediated upregulation by monocytes of allergen-specific interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IL-13 cytokine production. Blocking of the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (cysLT₁) receptor by a specific receptor antagonist inhibited allergen-specific IL-5 production in response to GM-CSF pretreatment.
Conclusion:  Exposure to GM-CSF enhanced the capacity of human APC from atopic asthmatic patients to induce allergen-specific Th2 responses by a mechanism involving cysLT. Novel immunotherapies, targeting production of GM-CSF or its actions on APC have the potential, therefore, to prove beneficial in treatment of patients with inflammatory airway disease.     

Function and regulation of FcεRI expression on monocytes from non-atopic donors

Background The high affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI) has recently been identified on antigen presenting cells, i.e. Langerhans cells and monocytes from atopic donors and it was hypothesized that FcεRI expression levels correlated with allergy. Objective The aims of the study was to investigate the function and expression of FcεRI on monocytes frotn non-atopic donors. Methods Purified monocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to study FcεRI expression and signal transduction on CD14 positive cells by flow cytometry and/or confocal laser microscopy. Results Freshly isolated monocytes from healthy individuals (n = 58) were shown to express FcεRI (median 18%, range 2–66%). No IgE was bound to these receptors in vivo, and in vitro no significant binding of complete IgE molecules could be obtained. IgE positive monocytes from atopic donors were also found to have free FcεRI, incapable of binding IgE in vitro. Oti all CD14 positive cells free FcεRI expression was rapidly and completely lost during culture in conventiotial culture media (IMDM. RPMI) but not in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Moreover, signal transduction through free FcεRI appeared to be inhibited. However, both IgE binding and calcium mobilization were restored by treatment of fresh non-atopic monocytes with neuraminidase. Importantly, culturing these monocytes overnight in conventional medium containing 2μg/mL IgE induced a cycloheximide insensitive accumulation of IgE bound to FcεRI and, in addition, led to cell activation. Conclusion Monocytes from both atopic donors and healthy individuals express FcεRI, but the previously reported different expression levels between the two groups seem to be directly related to the absence or presence of TgE in the serum. This may be due to the fact that FcεRI is subjected to a constant turnover process which is slowed down but not prevented by ligand binding. In addition, free FcεRI on non-atopic monocytes are under control of a neuramindase sensitive structure(s), which influences signal transduction and IgE binding.     

Expression of beta-defensin 1 and 2 mRNA by human monocytes,macrophages and dendritic cells

Human beta-defensins are broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides known to be produced by epithelial cells. It was recently shown that beta-defensins also display chemotactic activity for dendritic cells (DC) and T cells, and thus may serve to link innate and adaptive immunity. The aim of the present study was to explore expression of mRNA for these peptides in mononuclear phagocytes and DC. The results revealed that monocytes, monocyte-derived-macrophages (MDM), and monocyte-derived-dendritic cells (DC) all express human-beta-defensin-1 (hBD-1) mRNA. hBD-1 mRNA expression by monocytes and MDM was increased after activation with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Alveolar macrophages showed an intense hBD-1 expression, which could not be further increased. Expression of hBD-1 mRNA by immature DC was low, and increased considerably after maturation. Monocytes, MDM, alveolar macrophages and DC showed a limited expression of human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) mRNA, which could only be increased in monocytes and alveolar macrophages by IFN-gamma and/or LPS in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Immunocytochemical stainings demonstrated the expression of hBD-2 peptide by freshly isolated blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages in cytospin preparations.     

Sidedness of the reaction to beta-lactoglobulin in sensitised colonic epithelia

Purified allergenic constituents from Dermatophagoides farinae mite (Df 11 and Df 6) and from orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) pollen (F 34) are able to trigger, in the absence of IgE and IgG antibodies, human adherent cells, leading to the secretion of interleukin 1, (IL 1). This secretion was observed with adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal donors as well as from atopic patients. The IL 1 activity was evaluated by the mice thymocyte mitogenesis in the presence of suboptimal doses of Con A. The secretion of IL 1 by adherent cells was not affected by a cytotoxic treatment with OKT3 monoclonal antibody in the presence of complement, implying a direct action of allergenic fractions, on monocytes, and not through a T-cell pathway. The challenge of human monocytes with allergens in the presence of indomethacin led to culture supernatants for which a higher 3H-thymidine incorporation by mice thymocytes was detected; thus, purified allergens could also trigger the secretion of prostaglandins by human monocytes.