Vessel-associated myogenic precursors control macrophage activation and clearance of apoptotic cells

Swift and regulated clearance of apoptotic cells prevents the accumulation of cell remnants in injured tissues and contributes to the shift of macrophages towards alternatively activated reparatory cells that sustain wound healing. Environmental signals, most of which are unknown, in turn control the efficiency of the clearance of apoptotic cells and as such determine whether tissues eventually heal. In this study we show that vessel-associated stem cells (mesoangioblasts) specifically modulate the expression of genes involved in the clearance of apoptotic cells and in macrophage alternative activation, including those of scavenger receptors and of molecules that bridge dying cells and phagocytes. Mesoangioblasts, but not immortalized myoblasts or neural precursor cells, enhance CD163 membrane expression in vitro as assessed by flow cytometry, indicating that the effect is specific. Mesoangioblasts transplanted in acutely or chronically injured skeletal muscles determine the expansion of the population of CD163⁺ infiltrating macrophages and increase the extent of CD163 expression. Conversely, macrophages challenged with mesoangioblasts engulf significantly better apoptotic cells in vitro. Collectively, the data reveal a feed-forward loop between macrophages and vessel-associated stem cells, which has implications for the skeletal muscle homeostatic response to sterile injury and for diseases in which homeostasis is jeopardized, including muscle dystrophies and inflammatory myopathies.     

Phagocytosis of opsonized apoptotic cells: roles for 'old-fashioned' receptors for antibody and complement

Efficient phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells is crucial in many biological processes. A bewildering array of phagocyte receptors have been implicated in apoptotic cell clearance, but there is little convincing evidence that they act directly as apoptotic cell receptors. Alternatively, apoptotic cells may become opsonized, whereby naturally occurring soluble factors (opsonins) bind to the cell surface and initiate phagocytosis. Evidence is accumulating that antibodies and complement proteins opsonize apoptotic cells, leading to phagocytosis mediated by well-defined 'old-fashioned' receptors for immunoglobulin-Fc and complement. In this review we summarize the evidence that opsonization is necessary for high capacity clearance of apoptotic cells, which would render putative direct apoptotic cell receptors redundant.     

Phagocytosis of apoptotic eosinophils but not neutrophils by bronchial epithelial cells

BACKGROUND: We have previously demonstrated that human bronchial epithelial cells engulf apoptotic eosinophils. OBJECTIVES: To compare and contrast the phagocytic capabilities of monocyte-derived macrophage and primary airway epithelial cells for apoptotic granulocytes. RESULTS: Here we compared phagocytosis of human apoptotic eosinophils and neutrophils by small and large airway epithelial cells (SAEC and LAEC) and monocyte-derived macrophages. Confocal microscopy of F-actin staining and scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed phagocytic cup formation around apoptotic eosinophils by airway epithelial cells (AEC) membranes with evidence of their digestion. Resting and cytokine-stimulated AEC did not recognize and ingest apoptotic neutrophils. The latter were phagocytosed by macrophages that exhibited greater ingestion of and higher capacity for, apoptotic eosinophils over apoptotic neutrophils. Cytochalasin D completely abolished uptake of apoptotic eosinophils by SAEC, LAEC or macrophage monolayers. Ligation of epithelial cell CD44 receptors for 24 h increased phagocytosis of apoptotic eosinophils by SAEC and LAEC with a potency comparable with that of IL-1. Phagocytosis was a specific receptor-mediated process involving integrin- (alphavbeta3, alphavbeta5, CD36), phosphatidylserine receptor- and lectin-dependent mechanisms. No significant differences were observed in avarice for apoptotic eosinophils by SAEC or LAEC either resting, CD44 monoclonal antibodies- or cytokine- stimulated, or in their usage and expression of recognition receptors. CONCLUSION: These findings further suggest and define an important role for the bronchial epithelium in the selective removal of apoptotic eosinophils from the airways in asthma.     

Interferon gamma suppresses glucocorticoid augmentation of macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells

One of beneficial effects of glucocorticoids (GC) in inflammation may be the augmentation of macrophages' capacity for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, a process that has a central role in resolution of inflammation. Here we define the phenotype of GC-treated monocyte-derived macrophages, comparing to IFN-gamma-treated and IL-4-treated monocyte-derived macrophages and combinatorial treatment. Our data indicate that the cytokine microenvironment at an inflammatory site will critically determine monocyte functional capacity following treatment with GC. In particular, whilst GC exert dominant regulatory effects over IFN-gamma in terms of cell surface receptor repertoire and morphology, the acquisition of a macrophage capacity for clearance of apoptotic cells is prevented by combined treatment. In terms of mechanism, GC augmentation of phagocytosis was reversed even when monocytes were pre-incubated with GC for the first 24 h of culture, a period that is critical for induction of a highly phagocytic macrophage phenotype. These findings have important implications for the effectiveness of GC in promoting acquisition of a pro-phagocytic macrophage phenotype in inflammatory diseases associated with high levels of IFN-gamma     

Clearance of apoptotic neutrophils and resolution of inflammation

The engulfment of apoptotic cells by phagocytes, a process referred to as efferocytosis, is essential for maintenance of normal tissue homeostasis and a prerequisite for the resolution of inflammation. Neutrophils are the predominant circulating white blood cell in humans, and contain an arsenal of toxic substances that kill and degrade microbes. Neutrophils are short-lived and spontaneously die by apoptosis. This review will highlight how the engulfment of apoptotic neutrophils by human phagocytes occurs, how heterogeneity of phagocyte populations influences efferocytosis signaling, and downstream consequences of efferocytosis. The efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by macrophages promotes anti-inflammatory signaling, prevents neutrophil lysis, and dampens immune responses. Given the immunomodulatory properties of efferocytosis, understanding pathways that regulate and enhance efferocytosis could be harnessed to combat infection and chronic inflammatory conditions.     

人参皂甙Rb1对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞体外吞噬及细胞因子和NO分泌的影响

目的:研究人参皂甙Rb1(Ginsenoside Rb1)对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞体外吞噬及细胞因子和一氧化氮(NO)分泌的影响。方法:分离制备小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞悬液;MTT法检测不同终浓度的人参皂甙Rb1对巨噬细胞的毒性;流式细胞术检测Rb1对巨噬细胞吞噬直径1μm微球的影响;用Griess试剂盒检测Rb1对巨噬细胞NO量的影响;使用流式液相蛋白定量检测技术Cytometric Bead Array(CBA)检测Rb1对LPS刺激巨噬细胞分泌细胞因子的影响。结果:终浓度为5、10、20μmol/L的Rb1对巨噬细胞的吞噬功能具有促进作用,明显抑制LPS诱导的吞噬作用(P<0.05);Rb1能抑制巨噬细胞NO的产生(P<0.01);Rb1能够调节LPS诱导的细胞因子的产生。结论:Rb1对巨噬细胞可能具有双向调节作用,通过抑制LPS信号的转导,调节巨噬细胞因子的分泌,抑制其活化,使NO减少;对于未活化的巨噬细胞,可能通过上调其吞噬功能,增强固有免疫系统来抵御病原体侵入。     

Inflammation and cancer revisited: An hypothesis on the oncogenic potential of the apoptotic tumor cell

It is well known that an important property of apoptosis is the prevention of cancer. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that apoptotic cells have the capacity to activate reparative and regenerative responses, which have the potential to make significant impact on pathological processes underlying autoimmune disease and cancer. Those properties of apoptotic cells that influence their immediate microenvironment are reviewed here in the context of cancer progression and treatment.     

The affirmative response of the innate immune system to apoptotic cells

Growing evidence exists for a new role for apoptotic cell recognition and clearance in immune homeostasis. Apoptotic cells at all stages, irrespective of membrane integrity, elicit a signature set of signaling events in responding phagocytes, both professional and non-professional. These signaling events are initiated by receptor-mediated recognition of apoptotic determinants, independently of species, cell type, or apoptotic stimulus. We propose that the ability of phagocytes to respond to apoptotic targets with a characteristic set of signaling events comprises a second distinct dimension of innate immunity, as opposed to the traditional innate discrimination of self vs. non-self. We further propose that a loss or abnormality of the signaling events elicited by apoptotic cells, as distinct from the actual clearance of those cells, may predispose to autoimmunity.     

Human macrophages kill human mesangial cells by Fas-L-induced apoptosis when triggered by antibody via CD16

Glomerulonephritis may be triggered by antibody deposits that activate macrophages to promote tissue damage. Macrophage-induced apoptosis of human vascular smooth muscle cells and rodent mesangial cells is potentially relevant to glomerulonephritis. Therefore, studies of macrophage-induced apoptosis were extended to antibody-activated macrophages. That is, we studied antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). To corroborate results, we studied biochemical versus microscopic measurements, soluble or immobilized immunoglobulin and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) or mesangial cells (MCs). U937 macrophages and human peripheral blood macrophages provoked antibody-dependent killing of MCs and VSMCs. Macrophage-induced death was apoptotic based on electron microscopy, annexin-V, activated caspase-3 and hypodiploid DNA. ADCC was inhibited by antagonistic antibodies to Fas-L and to CD16 (Fc-gamma-RIII) but not to CD64 (Fc-gamma-RI). In conclusion, antibody-dependent killing of human MCs by human macrophages was via Fas-L and CD16.     

CD44, alpha(4) integrin,and fucoidin receptor-mediated phagocytosis of apoptotic leukocytes

Various types of phagocytes mediate the clearance of apoptotic cells. We previously reported that human and murine high endothelial venule (HEV) cells ingest apoptotic cells. In this report, we examined endothelial cell fucoidin receptor-mediated phagocytosis using a murine endothelial cell model mHEV. mHEV cell recognition of apoptotic leukocytes was blocked by fucoidin but not by other phagocytic receptor inhibitors such as mannose, fucose, N-acetylglucosamine, phosphatidylserine (PS), or blocking anti-PS receptor antibodies. Thus, the mHEV cells used fucoidin receptors for recognition and phagocytosis of apoptotic leukocytes. The fucoidin receptor-mediated endothelial cell phagocytosis was specific for apoptotic leukocytes, as necrotic cells were not ingested. This is in contrast to macrophages, which ingest apoptotic and necrotic cells. Endothelial cell phagocytosis of apoptotic cells did not alter viable lymphocyte migration across these endothelial cells. Antibody blocking of CD44 and alpha4 integrin on the apoptotic leukocyte inhibited this endothelial cell phagocytosis, suggesting a novel function for these adhesion molecules in the removal of apoptotic targets. The removal of apoptotic leukocytes by endothelial cells may protect the microvasculature, thus ensuring that viable lymphocytes can successfully migrate into tissues.     

Photometric microassay for quantitation of macrophage Fc and C3b receptor function

A photometric microassay has been developed to quantitate macrophage Fc and C3b receptor mediated binding and phagocytosis by measuring the absorbance of macrophage associated erythrocytes at 405 nm on an automated densitometer. The method compares favorably in sensitivity and kinetics to the 51Cr-labeled erythrocyte assay. Saturation and linear dose response kinetics were demonstrable for both total index and phagocytic index of either Fc receptor or C3b receptor. The assay allowed detection of significant differences in Fc receptor function with varying macrophage densities and between Fc receptor competent (C3HeB/FeJ) macrophages and Fc receptor deficient (C3H/HeJ) macrophages. A valid binding index was derived at 37 degrees C by computing the difference between the total and phagocytic indices, which compared favorably with binding studies at 4 degrees C. This new procedure provides a simple, rapid and reproducible microassay for the quantitation of Fc/C3b receptor dependent binding and phagocytosis which offers distinct advantages over the laborious rosette assay and the 51Cr-labeled erythrocyte assay.     

Neutrophil apoptosis: impact of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor on cell survival and viability in chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis patients

Introduction

Altered neutrophil apoptosis might be responsible for recurrent bacterial infections encountered in hemodialysis (HD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This work was designed to assess the neutrophil apoptotic activity and the impact of implementation of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), as a survival factor, on neutrophil apoptosis among these patients.

Material and methods

Twenty-five patients on regular HD along with 34 CKD patients on conservative treatment, as well as 15 healthy controls, were investigated for apoptotic rate via assessment of neutrophil expression of Annexin-V by flow cytometry, before and after 20 h culture in absence and presence of GM-CSF. Neutrophil viability was determined using light microscopy. The preservation of neutrophil activation in these patients was analyzed by flow cytometric CD18 neutrophil expression. Chronic inflammatory state was evaluated by estimating C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). Obtained data were statistically analyzed.

Results

Compared to controls, both HD and CKD groups had a significant increase of Annexin-V and CD18 expression and significant decrease in neutrophil viability. Culture of their neutrophils with GM-CSF showed significant decrease of apoptosis accompanied by improvement of neutrophil viability compared to their cultured cells without GM-CSF. These patients also showed significant elevation of CRP and sICAM-1.

Conclusions

Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor demonstrated an evident impact on improving in vitro neutrophil survival and viability in HD and CKD patients. Therefore, this may represent promising preventive and/or therapeutic strategies against infection frequently observed in these patients and causing morbidity and mortality.     

Low and moderate doses of ionizing radiation up to 2 Gy modulate transmigration and chemotaxis of activated macrophages,provoke an anti-inflammatory cytokine milieu,but do not impact upon viability and phagocytic function

Benign painful and inflammatory diseases have been treated for decades with low/moderate doses of ionizing radiation (LD-X-irradiation). Tissue macrophages regulate initiation and resolution of inflammation by the secretion of cytokines and by acting as professional phagocytes. Having these pivotal functions, we were interested in how activated macrophages are modulated by LD-X-irradiation, also with regard to radiation protection issues and carcinogenesis. We set up an ex-vivo model in which lipopolysaccharide pre-activated peritoneal macrophages (pMΦ) of radiosensitive BALB/c mice, mimicking activated macrophages under inflammatory conditions, were exposed to X-irradiation from 0·01 Gy up to 2 Gy. Afterwards, the viability of the pMΦ, their transmigration and chemotaxis, the phagocytic behaviour, the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and underlying signalling pathways were determined. Exposure of pMΦ up to a single dose of 2 Gy did not influence their viability and phagocytic function, an important fact regarding radiation protection. However, significantly reduced migration, but increased chemotaxis of pMΦ after exposure to 0·1 or 0·5 Gy, was detected. Both might relate to the resolution of inflammation. Cytokine analyses revealed that, in particular, the moderate dose of 0·5 Gy applied in low-dose radiotherapy for inflammatory diseases results in an anti-inflammatory cytokine microenvironment of pMΦ, as the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β was reduced and that of the anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β increased. Further, the reduced secretion of IL-1β correlated with reduced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65, starting at exposure of pMΦ to 0·5 Gy of X-irradiation. We conclude that inflammation is modulated by LD-X-irradiation via changing the inflammatory phenotype of macrophages.     

实验性糖尿病大鼠巨噬细胞内酶活性及吞噬功能的研究

目的 研究实验性糖尿病大鼠巨噬细胞内酶活性及其吞噬功能。方法 用四氧嘧啶腹腔注射复制ＳＤ大鼠糖尿病动物模型,测定大鼠肺泡及腹腔巨噬细胞内酸性磷酸酶,精氨酸酶,乳酸脱氢酶及异柠檬酸脱氢酶的活性并测定腹腔及肺泡巨噬细胞对中性红的吞噬能力。结果糖尿病大鼠肺泡及腹腔巨噬细胞内４种酶性均高于对照组,其对中性红的吞噬能力也大于对照组。结论 糖尿病时巨噬细胞处于激活状态,此激活的巨噬细胞可能参与糖尿病并发症之     

Abnormal crosstalk between pancreatic acini and macrophages during the clearance of apoptotic cells in chronic pancreatitis

In chronic pancreatitis (CP), both the progressive loss of acinar parenchyma and aggressive fibro-inflammatory reactions ultimately lead to irreversible organ destruction. Dying cells are normally removed by macrophages and elimination is associated with anti-inflammatory cytokine switch. We investigated whether defective clearance of damaged acini by macrophages such as compromised phagocytosis or altered cytokine reaction occurs in CP and thus represents a causative link between acinar loss and fibro-inflammation. In a checkerboard-like co-culture system, we assessed normal and CP macrophages for their phagocytic and cytokine responses to dying pancreatic acinar cells of normal or CP origin by FACS, confocal microscopy, QRT-PCR, and ELISA. In CP, phagocytosis of apoptotic acini by macrophages was not impaired; however, the associated cytokine responses were gradually perturbed. Most interestingly, only normal acini suppressed TGFbeta1 expression and accumulation specifically in normal macrophage cultures, while CP acini lost this ability. Both types of apoptotic acini induced pro-inflammatory cytokine bursts of varying strength in both types of macrophages; however, the most significant difference (more than 50-fold higher expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8) was evident between CP/CP and normal/normal combinations, indicating that acinar and macrophage alterations synergistically lead to the ultimate CP-specific bias. In combination with in situ data comparing circulating inflammatory cells to pancreatic resident ones, our results indicate that cytokine expression in inflammatory cells undergoes spatiotemporal modulation, most likely through a successive interplay of acinar, stromal, and circulating factors. Thus, clearance of injured pancreatic acini by macrophages is associated with a unique cytokine reaction which may constitute a basis for progression of SAPE (sentinel acute pancreatitis event) to the irreversible fibro-inflammation in CP.     

Divergent regulation of cell surface protease expression in HL-60 cells differentiated into macrophages with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor or neutrophils with retinoic acid

Taking advantage of the recently demonstrated presence of N-aminopeptidasesand the serine protease dipeptidyi aminopeptidase IV (DPP IV)at the surface of human myeloblastic HL-60 cells, the regulationof these protease activities in HL-60 cell differentiation hasbeen assessed using combined spectrophotometric and flow cytometricassays. Addition of human recombinant granulocyte macrophagecolony stimulating factor (rHu-GM-CSF) to HL-60 cells to inducedifferentiation into macrophages led to a time and dose-dependentincrease in both cell surface N-aminopeptidase and DPP IV activities.Protease up-regulation was due to an enhancement in cell surfaceprotease number, associated with a slight rise in apparent affinitiesof the enzymes for their substrates. In contrast, in HL-60 cellsinduced to differentiate into neutrophils in the presenceofretinoic acid, expression of cell surface N-amlnopeptidaseswas almost completely abolished in a time-and dose-dependentfashion, and this down-regulation was accompanied by a weakbut significant decrease in affinity. However, no noticeabledifference was seen in serine DPP IV expression between retinoicacid-treated and untreated HL-60 cells. Retinoic acid treatmentalso reduced soluble protease activity in vitro indicating thatdown-regulation of membrane aminopeptldases was not due to theirproteolytic clip. No modulation in the activity of any of theenzymes tested was seen with human recombinant tumor necrosisfactor- or retinol which do not induce HL-60 cell differentiation.The up-regulation of cell surface protease expression in HL-60cells differentiated into macrophages was similar to that observedin monocytes isolated from peripheral blood: both DPP IV andN-aminopeptidase activities strictly increased on cells thatundergo macrophage maturation (up to 5-fold) and independentlyof the nature of the differentiation inducer. Thus, the distinctivepatterns of N-aminopeptidase and DPP IV expression that areseen in differentiating neutrophils and macrophages appear tobe relatedto differences in stage of myeloid maturation. Becausecell surface proteases are crucially involved in leukocyte functions,the data presented suggest that alterations in cell surfaceprotease expression are associated with events controlling thedifferentiation of immature cells.     

Secretion of osteopontin by macrophages and its accumulation at tissue surfaces during wound healing in mineralized tissues: A potential requirement for macrophage adhesion and phagocytosis

Osteopontin (OPN), a noncollagenous, extracellular matrix sialoprotein found at relatively high levels in both normal and pathological mineralized tissues, is expressed by tissue-specific cells in bone, calcified cartilage, and teeth. On the other hand, a hallmark of OPN expression in pathologically mineralizing tissues, and in other soft tissues experiencing a more generalized type of necrotic injury, is the production of OPN by macrophages at the lesion site. In the present study, we have localized OPN and other noncollagenous proteins by ultrastructural colloidal-gold immunocytochemistry using a rat model in which mineralized tissue defects are surgically created in mandibular bone and teeth. The healing response was examined by immunocytochemistry and transmission electron microscopy at 10 min, 3 days and 7 days post-surgery using antibodies against OPN, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, bone acidic glycoprotein-75, fibronectin, and amelogenin. Whereas most of these proteins were characteristically distributed within their respective extracellular matrices as described previously, OPN was additionally observed to accumulate as a lamina limitans at surgically exposed bone and tooth surfaces, as well as at the surface of particulate, mineralized tissue debris. Intracellular labeling of the Golgi apparatus and secretory granules of macrophages at the lesion site demonstrated that OPN production by macrophages was a prominent secretory event of the inflammatory response during wound healing in mineralized tissues. Pseudopodal and lamellipodal cytoplasmic extensions of macrophages were observed in direct contact with the OPN-containing lamina limitans at these surfaces. Particulate, calcified debris internalized by macrophages also displayed a prominent surface “coating” of OPN. In conclusion, our interpretation of the present data is that OPN secreted by macrophages may serve as a macrophage adhesion protein, and where concentrated at the surface of small particulate, mineralized tissue debris, may act as an opsonin, thereby facilitating cell adhesion and phagocytosis by macrophages, a process likely mediated by integrin-binding, signal transduction, and cytoskeletal restructuring. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Microbes and the fate of neutrophils

Neutrophils or polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are an important component of innate host defense. These phagocytic leukocytes are recruited to infected tissues and kill invading microbes. There are several general characteristics of neutrophils that make them highly effective as antimicrobial cells. First, there is tremendous daily production and turnover of granulocytes in healthy adults—typically 10¹¹ per day. The vast majority (~95%) of these cells are neutrophils. In addition, neutrophils are mobilized rapidly in response to chemotactic factors and are among the first leukocytes recruited to infected tissues. Most notably, neutrophils contain and/or produce an abundance of antimicrobial molecules. Many of these antimicrobial molecules are toxic to host cells and can destroy host tissues. Thus, neutrophil activation and turnover are highly regulated processes. To that end, aged neutrophils undergo apoptosis constitutively, a process that contains antimicrobial function and proinflammatory capacity. Importantly, apoptosis facilitates nonphlogistic turnover of neutrophils and removal by macrophages. This homeostatic process is altered by interaction with microbes and their products, as well as host proinflammatory molecules. Microbial pathogens can delay neutrophil apoptosis, accelerate apoptosis following phagocytosis, or cause neutrophil cytolysis. Here, we review these processes and provide perspective on recent studies that have potential to impact this paradigm.     

Modification of nitrite production and phagocytosis of thioglycollate‐elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages by Bovine Casein Digests

The effect of bovine milk casein digests on the ability of thioglycollate‐elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages to produce nitrite and to ingest latex beads was investigated. Intact α s₁‐casein and κ‐casein significantly inhibited nitrite production by the macrophages. The inhibitory activity of the latter was little influenced by trypsin or chymotrypsin digestion, while that of the former decreased with increasing proteinase digestion time. In contrast, pepsin digestion changed the inhibitory activity of a s₁‐casein and κ‐casein into an enhancing activity. Intact ß‐casein, however, had an enhancing effect on nitrite production, and its activity increased noticeably when the protein was digested with pepsin. The enhancing activity of pepsin digests of each casein component reduced when the digest was treated with carboxypeptidase A. Moreover, a trypsin or chymotrypsin digest of α s₁‐casein and κ‐casein inhibited ingestion of latex beads by the macrophages, while a pepsin digest of each casein component enhanced it. These results suggest that the neonate ingestion of infant formula made with bovine milk might reduce resistance to infection via suppression of macrophage functions, such as antimicrobial nitrogen intermediate production and phagocytosis in their gut mucosa, since it is known that gastric secretion and pepsin activity are weak in neonates and the major portion of the caseins ingested by neonates leaves the stomach after minimal digestion.     

Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor induces Fc{varepsilon}RII/CD23 expression on normal human polymorphonuclear neutrophils

Three major molecules have been recognized as IgE-binding structureson hematopoletic cells: the heterotrimeric high-affinity receptorfor IgE (FcRI), the low-affinity receptor for IgE (FcRII/CD23)and the Mac-2/IgE-bindlng protein (BP). The latter has beenshown to be expressed on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN),where it regulates IgE-dependent activation. Experiments wereundertaken to determine whether the IgE-binding capacity ofPMN is mediated exclusively by this molecule. No detectablebinding of human myeloma IgE to unstimulated PMN from normalvolunteers could be evidenced. In contrast, PMN stimulated withgranulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (500U/ml) for 24 h displayed positive IgE binding. This bindingwas significantly inhibited in the presence of mAb directedagainst Mac-2/BP and also in the presence of anti-CD23 mAb,but not of anti-FcRI mAb or isotype-matched controls. By flowcytometry, CD23 expression was detected on GM-CSF-primed PMNby several anti-CD23 mAb, including EBVCS-5, BB10 or Mab135,which recognize different epitopes. CD23 was also evidencedby immuno cytochemistry in GM-CSF-primed PMN. By in situ hybridization,GM-CSF-treated PMN exhibited a hybridization signal for CD23mRNA and the presence of the CD23b isoform-specific mRNA wasdetected by RT-PCR. These findings Indicate that PMN can synthesizeCD23 molecules under GM-CSF induction. This strong CD23 expressionmight be of physiopathological relevance in IgE-dependent activationduring allergic processes.