Stimulation of human monocytes by endotoxin-associated protein: inhibition of programmed cell death (apoptosis) and potential significance in adjuvanticity.

Mononuclear phagocytes are essential for adjuvant activity and polyclonal immunoglobulin synthesis induced by endotoxin-associated protein (EP) from Salmonella spp. To define the mechanisms of EP-mediated immunostimulation, we evaluated monocyte functions central to adjuvanticity following exposure to Salmonella typhimurium EP. In this study, we show that EP promotes the survival of monocytes by blocking programmed cell death (apoptosis), enhancing the production of the immunostimulatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) and stimulating the increased expression of HLA-DR and IL-2 receptors, which are cell membrane proteins that facilitate antigen presentation and IL-2 regulation, respectively. These results indicate that, like lipopolysaccharide, EP is a potent activator of human monocytes and suggest that EP-induced immunostimulation may be mediated, in part, by enhanced monocyte survival, cytokine release, and receptor expression.     

Interleukin-10 Directly Inhibits the Interleukin-6 Production in T-Cells

IL-6 is a potent regulator of T-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. Since IL-10 inhibits cytokine production by T cells, the effect of IL-10 on IL-6 production by T cells was investigated. IL-6 production by purified monocytes or T cells was detected from cell-free culture supernatants by ELISA after stimulation of the cells with LPS or an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody for 3 days. Although the main source of IL-6 are LPS activated monocytes (29.6 × lOng/ml), T cells secreted sufficiently high levels of IL-6 (790 × 200pg/ml) to stimulate the high affinity IL-6 receptor. IL-10 decreased anti-CD3 induced IL-6 mRNA expression by up to 80%. In addition, IL-10 significantly inhibited IL-6 release from T-cells. Highly purified, anti-CD3 activated T-cells secreted 600 × 150pg/ml IL-6 compared to 21 × 2pg/ml IL-6 following addition of IL-10 (10ng/ml; P <0.001). FACS analysis revealed a monocyte contamination of the T-cell preparations of less than 0.5%. In addition, no IL-1 production was detectable. Thus, in our experiments the effect of TL-10 on IL-6 production was independent of the presence of monocytes. Finally, inhibition of IL-6 production was not reversed by IL-2 (100U/ml). In conclusion, IL-10 suppressed the synthesis of IL-6 by T-cells via a monocyte-and IL-2-independeni mechanism. These results may help to understand the complex regulation of T-cell mediated cytokine production by IL-10.     

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a disease of decreased availability of GM-CSF rather than an intrinsic cellular defect

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) deficient mice develop a pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) syndrome which is corrected by the administration/expression of GM-CSF. These observations implicate GM-CSF in the pathogenesis of human PAP. We hypothesized that human PAP may involve an intrinsic cellular defect in monocytes/macrophages with an inability to produce GM-CSF and/or respond to GM-CSF. Thus, we investigated the cytokine responses to GM-CSF and LPS from peripheral blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages from patients with idiopathic PAP and healthy controls. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha (MIP) was measured from GM-CSF-stimulated cells and GM-CSF was measured from LPS-stimulated cells by ELISA. The MIP and GM-CSF production by monocytes and alveolar macrophages did not differ between PAP patients and healthy controls. Growth of the GM-CSF-dependent human myeloid cell line TF-1 was inhibited by serum from all patients studied (n = 10) and all patients had anti-GM-CSF antibody in their serum. The BAL from PAP patients had less detectable GM-CSF by ELISA than healthy controls (P = 0.05); in contrast, the inhibitory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), was increased in PAP compared to controls (P = 0.04). IL-10 is a potent inhibitor of LPS-stimulated GM-CSF production from healthy control alveolar macrophages. These studies are the first to demonstrate that circulating monocytes and alveolar macrophages from PAP patients are able to synthesize GM-CSF and respond to GM-CSF, suggesting no intrinsic abnormalities in GM-CSF signaling. In addition, these observations suggest that PAP in a subset of patients is the result of decreased availability of GM-CSF due to GM-CSF blocking activity and reduced GM-CSF production by IL-10.     

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein inhibits interleukin-8 expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human whole blood.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a neutrophil and lymphocyte chemoattractant and activator that may play an important role in mediating events at sites of inflammation. IL-8 is produced by many cell types in response to a variety of inducers, including interleukin-1 (IL-1). Studies were conducted to address the question of whether an inhibitor of IL-1 action, IL-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), would suppress IL-8 production. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human whole blood was used as an ex vivo model of local cytokine production. Preliminary time course studies showed that plasma IL-1 beta levels were fully induced by 6 hours (approximately 15 ng/ml) and persisted at this level over 24 hours. IL-8 production, in contrast, reached a plateau between 6 to 12 hours (5 ng/ml) and then increased rapidly to 17 ng/ml at 24 hours. Addition of IRAP was found to dose-dependently inhibit IL-8 expression at the levels of both protein and mRNA. A 50% reduction in IL-8 protein release occurred at an IRAP dose of 8 micrograms/ml (5 x 10(-7) mol/l) at 24 hours. A 2 hour delay in the addition of IRAP relative to LPS still permitted optimal reduction in IL-8 release, whereas delays of 4-8 hours reduced or eliminated the inhibitory effect. IRAP was found to have no effect on the LPS-stimulated production of IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta. In addition, experiments performed with isolated peripheral blood cells demonstrated that, whereas monocytes were the major producers of IL-8, IRAP was equally effective in reducing IL-8 production in neutrophil and mononuclear cell suspensions. These studies further document the role of IL-1 in inducing the production of IL-8 and indicate that the ability of IRAP to suppress IL-8 expression may be an important mechanism of the anti-inflammatory properties of this molecule.     

Signal transduction activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) dysfunction in autoimmune monocytes and macrophages

Autocrine granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) sequentially activates intracellular components in monocyte/macrophage production of the pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory prostanoid, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). GM-CSF first induces STAT5 signaling protein phosphorylation, then prostaglandin synthase 2 (COX2/PGS2) gene expression, and finally IL-10 production, to downregulate the cascade. Without activation, monocytes of at-risk, type 1 diabetic (T1D), and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) humans, and macrophages of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice have aberrantly high GM-CSF, PGS2, and PGE2 expression, but normal levels of IL-10. After GM-CSF stimulation, repressor STAT5A and B isoforms (80-77kDa) in autoimmune human and NOD monocytes and activator STAT5A (96-94kDa) and B (94-92kDa) isoforms in NOD macrophages stay persistently tyrosine phosphorylated. This STAT5 phosphorylation persisted despite treatment in vitro with IL-10, anti-GM-CSF antibody, or the JAK2/3 inhibitor, AG490. Phosphorylated STAT5 repressor isoforms in autoimmune monocytes had diminished DNA binding capacity on GAS sequences found in the PGS2 gene enhancer. In contrast, STAT5 activator isoforms in NOD macrophages retained their DNA binding capacity on these sites much longer than in healthy control strain macrophages. These findings suggest that STAT5 dysfunction may contribute to dysregulation of GM-CSF signaling and gene activation, including PGS2, in autoimmune monocytes and macrophages.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of nedocromil sodium: inhibition of alveolar macrophage function

The IgE-dependent activation of mononuclear phagocytic cells through their capacity to express low affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon RII) has been proposed as a mechanism for the development of airways inflammation in allergic asthma. This Fc epsilon RII expression leads to the IgE-dependent production of the potent pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. Expression by monocytes of Fc epsilon RII is regulated by several cytokines including interleukin-4, gamma- and alpha-interferons, and granulocyte-macrophage and macrophage colony stimulating factors. An anti-inflammatory effect of nedocromil on monocytes has been proposed as a possible mechanism for its anti-asthma activity. We therefore investigated the capacity of nedocromil to modulate mononuclear phagocyte Fc epsilon RII expression and cytokine production. We used an anti-Fc epsilon RII antibody and flow cytometric analysis to assess the capacity of nedocromil to modulate cytokine-induced Fc epsilon RII expression in normals and asthmatics. Monocytes, THP-1 monocyte leukaemia cells, and alveolar macrophages were exposed to varying concentrations of these cytokines for 48 hr at 37 degrees C with or without the additional presence of nedocromil (1-10 microM) and the per cent of monocytes expressing Fc epsilon RII was determined. No changes in Fc epsilon RII expression were observed. Subsequently, we investigated the capacity of nedocromil to affect the capacity of IgE plus anti-IgE complexes, allergen, and LPS (16 hr/37 degrees C) to stimulate IL-1 beta and IL-6 production. No changes were observed when nedocromil was applied concomitant with the stimulus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Efficient presentation of house dust mite allergen Der p 2 by monocyte-derived dendritic cells and the role of beta 2 integrins

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APC). The APC functions of MDDC in allergy were examined. MDDC presentation of the major house dust mite allergen Der p 2 resulted in 4-12-fold higher T-cell proliferation and markedly higher IFN-gamma and IL-5 production than PBMC cultures. Comparable T-cell proliferation was obtained with 10-fold fewer MDDC than purified monocytes. MDDC cultured from adherent cells, or CD14+, CD11b+ or Percoll-purified monocytes were comparable in presenting soluble Ag, and in stimulating allogeneic MLR. Importantly, MDDC presentation of Der p 2 resulted in both Th1 and Th2 stimulation, although MDDC are known to produce high levels of IL-12 and stimulate biased Th1 responses. The basis for the potent APC function of MDDC was further examined. MDDC were found to be highly phagocytic. Immunoprecipitation studies showed markedly elevated ICAM-1 expression but > 10-fold reduction in LFA-1 expression on MDDC compared with monocytes. Monoclonal antibody (MoAb)-blocking experiments showed that ICAM-LFA-1 interaction was essential for MDDC stimulation of Der p 2-specific T-cell proliferative responses. These results show that the use of MDDC as APC provides a simple, sensitive and versatile method for detecting T-cell responses to allergens and that the strong phagocytic capability and the increased ICAM-1 expression of MDDC contribute significantly to their Ag presentation potency.     

Efficient Presentation of House Dust Mite Allergen Der p 2 by Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells and the Role of β2 Integrins

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APC). The APC functions of MDDC in allergy were examined. MDDC presentation of the major house dust mite allergen Der p 2 resulted in 4–12-fold higher T-cell proliferation and markedly higher IFN-γ and IL-5 production than PBMC cultures. Comparable T-cell proliferation was obtained with 10-fold fewer MDDC than purified monocytes. MDDC cultured from adherent cells, or CD14⁺, CD11b⁺ or Percoll-purified monocytes were comparable in presenting soluble Ag, and in stimulating allogeneic MLR. Importantly, MDDC presentation of Der p 2 resulted in both Th1 and Th2 stimulation, although MDDC are known to produce high levels of IL-12 and stimulate biased Th1 responses. The basis for the potent APC function of MDDC was further examined. MDDC were found to be highly phagocytic. Immunoprecipitation studies showed markedly elevated ICAM-1 expression but > 10-fold reduction in LFA-1 expression on MDDC compared with monocytes. Monoclonal antibody (MoAb)-blocking experiments showed that ICAM–LFA-1 interaction was essential for MDDC stimulation of Der p 2-specific T-cell proliferative responses. These results show that the use of MDDC as APC provides a simple, sensitive and versatile method for detecting T-cell responses to allergens and that the strong phagocytic capability and the increased ICAM-1 expression of MDDC contribute significantly to their Ag presentation potency.     

Regulation of human CD4(+) alphabeta T-cell-receptor-positive (TCR(+)) and gammadelta TCR(+) T-cell responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis by interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor beta

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the etiologic agent of human tuberculosis and is estimated to infect one-third of the world's population. Control of M. tuberculosis requires T cells and macrophages. T-cell function is modulated by the cytokine environment, which in mycobacterial infection is a balance of proinflammatory (interleukin-1 [IL-1], IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) and inhibitory (IL-10 and transforming growth factor beta [TGF-beta]) cytokines. IL-10 and TGF-beta are produced by M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages. The effect of IL-10 and TGF-beta on M. tuberculosis-reactive human CD4(+) and gammadelta T cells, the two major human T-cell subsets activated by M. tuberculosis, was investigated. Both IL-10 and TGF-beta inhibited proliferation and gamma interferon production by CD4(+) and gammadelta T cells. IL-10 was a more potent inhibitor than TGF-beta for both T-cell subsets. Combinations of IL-10 and TGF-beta did not result in additive or synergistic inhibition. IL-10 inhibited gammadelta and CD4(+) T cells directly and inhibited monocyte antigen-presenting cell (APC) function for CD4(+) T cells and, to a lesser extent, for gammadelta T cells. TGF-beta inhibited both CD4(+) and gammadelta T cells directly and had little effect on APC function for gammadelta and CD4(+) T cells. IL-10 down-regulated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, MHC class II, CD40, B7-1, and B7-2 expression on M. tuberculosis-infected monocytes to a greater extent than TGF-beta. Neither cytokine affected the uptake of M. tuberculosis by monocytes. Thus, IL-10 and TGF-beta both inhibited CD4(+) and gammadelta T cells but differed in the mechanism used to inhibit T-cell responses to M. tuberculosis.     

Breast cancer cells promote osteoblastic differentiation via Sema 3A signaling pathway in vitro

Breast cancer bone metastases are attributed to multiple cellular and molecular interactions between the cancer cells and the bone microenvironment. Some breast cancers (about 10%) manifest predominant osteoblastic bone metastases. However, the effects of cancer cell-produced factors on osteoblastic differentiation are not fully understood. Semaphorin 3A (Sema 3A) is a newly identified regulatory factor of bone rebuilding. In the present study, we demonstrated that human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, which preferentially form osteoblastic bone metastases, exhibited increased Sema 3A expression levels. We also found that MCF-7 cell-derived Sema 3A stimulated osteoblastic differentiation and nuclear β-catenin accumulation, and these effects could be blocked by shRNA Sema 3A or a Sema 3A-neutralizing antibody. In conclusion, our data suggest that MCF-7 cell-derived Sema 3A plays a causative role in osteoblastic bone metastases progression by stimulating osteoblastic differentiation.     

Engagement of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells into interleukin (IL)-12 producers by IL-1beta + interferon (IFN)-gamma

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells and can induce tumour- or pathogen-specific T cell responses. For adoptive immunotherapy purposes, immature DCs can be generated from adherent monocytes using granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-4, and further maturation is usually achieved by incubation with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. However, TNF-alpha-stimulated DCs produce low levels of IL-12. In this study, we compared the effects of TNF-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-1beta or IFN-gamma + IL-1beta on the phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs. Our results show that IFN-gamma, but not IL-1beta, augmented the surface expression of CD80, CD83 and CD86 molecules without inducing IL-12 production from DCs. However, IL-1beta, but not IFN-gamma, induced IL-12 p40 production by DCs without enhancing phenotypic maturation. When combined, IFN-gamma + IL-1beta treatment profoundly up-regulated the expression of CD80, CD83, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens. Furthermore, IFN-gamma + IL-1beta-treated DCs produced larger amounts of IL-12 and induced stronger T cell proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion in primary allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) than did TNF-alpha-treated DCs. Our results show that IFN-gamma + IL-1beta induced human monocyte-derived DCs to differentiate into Th1-prone mature DCs.     

Interleukin-10 inhibits B7 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on human monocytes

There is evidence that interleukin ?10(IL-10) interferes with the costimulatory properties of antigen-presenting cells and, thereby, inhibits their ability to induce T cell activation. To determine whether this effect might involve modulation of the expression of accessory molecules, we analyzed by flow cytometry the influence of human IL-10 on the basal expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) as well as on the interferon γ(IFN-γ)-induced up-regulation of ICAM-1 and B7 at the surface of human monocytes. IL-10 inhibited both the basal expression and the IFN-γ-induced ICAM-1 up-regulation. IL-10 also reduced B7 up-regulation on IFN-γ-stimulated monocytes. The inhibitory effect of IL-10 both on ICAM-1 and B7 expression was shown to be dose dependent. We conclude that the ability of IL-10 to decrease both ICAM-1 and B7 expression on monocytes might contribute to its immunosuppressive properties.     

Differential production of IL-10 by T cells and monocytes of HIV-infected individuals: association of IL-10 production with CD28-mediated immune responsiveness

Immune unresponsiveness in HIV-1 infection can result from impaired signals delivered by the costimulatory CD28-B7 pathway and the altered production of immunoregulatory cytokines, in particular IL-10, whose production is altered in HIV-1 infection. In this study we investigate IL-10 regulation in T cells and monocytes from HIV⁺ individuals, and its association with CD28-mediated T cell proliferation. IL-10 production as analysed in T cell- and monocyte-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and by intracellular staining at the single-cell level, reveals a defect in IL-10 production by CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, whereas monocytes constitute the major IL-10-producing cell type. To investigate the impact of IL-10 on immune responsiveness, CD28-mediated proliferative responses in HIV⁺ individuals were correlated with PHA-induced IL-10 production. CD4⁺ T cells expressed CD28, yet exhibited markedly reduced CD28-mediated cell proliferation. This CD28-mediated CD4⁺ T cell proliferation was found to be inversely associated with the levels of PHA-induced IL-10 production and could be restored, at least in part, by anti-IL-10 antibodies. These results suggest that IL-10 production is differentially regulated in T cells and monocytes of HIV⁺ individuals, and that IL-10 may have a role in inducing immune unresponsiveness by modulating the CD28-B7 pathway.     

Muramyl dipeptide-Lys stimulates the function of human dendritic cells.

Muramyl dipeptide (MDP)-Lys (L18), a synthetic MDP analogue derived from bacterial cell walls, has been reported to be a potent immunoadjuvant that enhances protective immunity against pathogens and tumors by stimulating immune-competent cells, such as monocytes and macrophages. However, it is not known whether MDP-Lys modulates the function of dendritic cells (DCs), which are the most potent antigen-presenting cells and play a crucial role in initiating T cell-mediated immunity. Therefore, we examined the effects of MDP-Lys on the expression of surface molecules, cytokine production, and antigen-presenting function of human DCs generated from peripheral blood cells in the presence of interleukin (IL)-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. We found that MDP-Lys markedly up-regulated the expression of CD80, CD83, CD86, and CD40, but not human leukocyte antigen-DR, and stimulated the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 (p40) by human DCs in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MDP-Lys-treated DCs showed enhanced antigen-presenting function compared with untreated DCs, as assessed by an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. These results suggested that the immunoadjuvant activity of MDP-Lys in vivo is mediated, in part, by its stimulation of DC function.     

M-CSF、IL-10对单核细胞IL-12、IL-18产生及HLA-DR和CD80表达的影响

目的 :探讨巨噬细胞集落刺激因子 (M CSF)和白细胞介素 10(IL 10 )对人外周血单核细胞分泌IL 12、IL 18及细胞表面HLA DR和CD80表达的影响。方法 :从健康献血员血液中分离单核细胞并进行体外培养 ,分别以M CSF和IL 10单独及共同作用 ,收集上清 ,用ELISA法检测单核细胞IL 12和IL 18的分泌 ,用流式细胞术检测细胞表面HLA DR及CD80的表达。结果 :①M CSF能诱导单核细胞分泌IL 18(P <0 .0 5 ) ;IL 10则能抑制IL 18的产生 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,并拮抗M CSF增强LPS诱生IL 18的作用 (P <0 .0 5 )。M CSF和IL 10均能抑制单核细胞分泌IL 12 p4 0 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,并具有协同效应 (P <0 .0 5 )。②M CSF能诱导单核细胞表面HLA DR的表达 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;IL 10则可抑制HLA DR的表达 ,并拮抗M CSF对HLA DR的诱导作用。M CSF对CD80表达的影响不大 ,IL 10能促进CD80的表达。结论 :M CSF和IL - 10可通过对单核细胞分泌IL 12、IL 18及HLA DR和CD80表达的调节 ,影响T细胞的活化、分化及其介导的免疫应答