Vascular smooth muscle cells from injured rat aortas display elevated matrix production associated with transforming growth factor-beta activity.

The arterial response to injury is characterized by a short period of increased proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, followed by an extended period of extracellular matrix accumulation in the intima. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been implicated as a causative factor in the formation of extracellular matrix in this process, which leads to progressive thickening of the intima, known as intimal hyperplasia. In vitro analysis of vascular smooth muscle cells harvested from normal rat aortas and from aortas injured 14 days earlier showed that both types of cells attached equally well to culture dishes but that the initial spreading of the cells was increased in cells derived from injured vessels. Cells from the injured arteries produced more fibronectin and proteoglycans into the culture medium than the cells from normal arteries and contained more TGF-beta 1 mRNA. TGF-beta 1 increased proteoglycan synthesis by normal smooth muscle cells, and the presence of a neutralizing anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody reduced proteoglycan synthesis by the cells from injured arteries in culture. Fibronectin synthesis was not altered by these treatments. These results indicate that the accumulation of extracellular matrix components in neointimal lesions is at least partially caused by autocrine TGF-beta activity in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Characterizing a soluble survival signal for activated lymphocytes from CD14+ cells

T-cell activation requires at least two signals: antigen and a costimulatory signal. As antigen-presenting cells play an important role in this area, the role of CD14+ cells in T-cell activation, proliferation and activation-induced cell death (AICD) was investigated. Using phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) activation, it was found that CD14+ cell depletion resulted in significantly greater AICD, decreased lymphocyte growth and up-regulated interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion. However, T-cell activation was delayed according to the expression of CD69 and CD25. Dynabeads conjugated with anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody (mAb) bound CD14+ cells and induced secretion of IL-1beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and IL-6, but not IL-2, IL-12 or IL-15. Supernatants were collected from Dynabeads-activated CD14+ cell cultures and designated as 'CD14 cocktails'. Addition of CD14 cocktails to CD14+ cell-depleted mononuclear cell cultures reversed the increased AICD, decreased lymphocyte growth and increased IL-2 secretion. Depletion of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in the CD14 cocktails by panning followed by blocking with the corresponding mAbs had no effect on the active AICD protection. TGF-beta was determined not to be the active factor owing to the presence of >1.0 ng of TGF-beta in the media for culturing both CD14+ and CD14- peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The CD14 cocktails did not contain IL-12 and IL-15. Depletion of IL-6 with panning followed by blocking residual IL-6 with anti-IL-6 mAb significantly reduced the protective effect of the CD14 cocktails. Human recombinant IL-6 also partially reversed the effects of CD14+ cell depletion on AICD, lymphocyte growth and IL-2 secretion. The data suggest that IL-6 is one of the active factors in the survival signal from CD14+ cells.     

CD40 and OX40 ligand are increased on stimulated asthmatic airway smooth muscle

BACKGROUND: Severe, persistent asthma is characterized by airway smooth muscle hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration into the smooth muscle, and increased expression of many cytokines, including IL-4, IL-13, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha. These cytokines have the potential to alter the expression of surface receptors such as CD40 and OX40 ligand on the airway smooth muscle cell. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether cytokines alter expression of CD40 and OX40 ligand on airway smooth muscle cells and identify any differences in response between asthmatic and nonasthmatic airway smooth muscle cells. METHODS: We used flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry to detect CD40 and OX40 ligand on airway smooth muscle cells cultured in the presence of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-4, or IL-13. Prostaglandin E 2 levels were assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: TNF-alpha increased expression of both CD40 and OX40 ligand on both asthmatic and nonasthmatic airway smooth muscle cells. The level of expression was significantly greater on the asthmatic cells. IL-1beta alone had no effect, but it attenuated the TNF-induced expression of both CD40 and OX40 ligand. The mechanism of inhibition was COX-dependent for CD40 and was COX-independent but cyclic AMP-dependent for OX40 ligand. IL-4 and IL-13 had no effect. CONCLUSION: Our study has demonstrated that TNF-alpha and IL-1beta have the potential to modulate differentially the interactions between cells present in the inflamed airways of a patient with asthma and therefore to contribute to the regulation of airway inflammation and remodeling.     

Anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody, lumiliximab, inhibited allergen-induced responses in antigen-presenting cells and T cells from atopic subjects

BACKGROUND: CD23 plays a role in the regulation of IgE production and allergy-induced immune and inflammatory responses. A novel anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody, lumiliximab, is a potential therapeutic antibody recently demonstrated to be safe in human beings. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of lumiliximab on allergen-induced immune responses from atopic subjects compared with blocking HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86. METHODS: Allergen-stimulated PBMCs from atopic subjects were pretreated with lumiliximab or antibodies to CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR. Cultures were analyzed for cell proliferation and IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-5 cytokine secretion. An allergen-specific T-cell line was developed and analyzed for lymphocyte proliferation in response to allergen with or without lumiliximab. Lumiliximab's effect on CD86 expression was evaluated by flow cytometry in the U937 monocytic cell line. RESULTS: Lumiliximab reduced allergen-induced PBMC proliferation by 50% (n = 6; P = .006). In addition, cultures pretreated with lumiliximab had a reduction in the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta (P < .003) and TNF-alpha (P = .05) and the T(H)2 cytokine IL-5 (P = .002). Blocking CD86 resulted in greater reduction in proliferation than lumiliximab (P = .003) but similar effects in cytokine secretion. The anti-CD80 blocking antibody had no effect on cytokine production but did reduce proliferation. Furthermore, the addition of lumiliximab to cytokine stimulated U937 cells reduced surface expression of CD86 (P = .012). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the anti-CD23 mAb, lumiliximab, may be involved in modulating antigen presenting cells and reducing TH2-type immune responses. The use of this antibody may provide clinical benefit for treating allergic diseases.     

低浓度脂多糖加速大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后新生内膜的形成

目的：探讨低浓度脂多糖（LPS）刺激机体免疫系统对血管损伤后加速血管新生内膜增生的影响。方法：选用健康Wistar大鼠，静脉注入LPS后，行颈动脉球囊损伤术，建立血管内膜损伤模型。采用免疫荧光或组织化学染色观察内膜增生变化。Western blot 分析损伤组织特异性平滑肌细胞标志物和细胞凋亡表达。用ELISA测定血清白介素-1β(IL-1β)含量和流式细胞术分析CD14阳性细胞表达水平。结果：每只鼠注入LPS(50 ng)后循环血中单核细胞和IL-1β水平显著升高。血管损伤7 d后中膜平滑肌细胞增殖, 转化为合成表型，新生内膜逐渐形成，随时间延长，内膜增生加速，内膜厚度由(151.2±14.5)μm2增至(173.9±15.3)μm2。免疫荧光染色观察到增殖细胞核抗原及核因子-κB分别定位于新生内膜和外膜。Western blot分析显示新生内膜形成早期LPS组平滑肌特异性标志蛋白α-肌动蛋白多于对照组，caspase-3表达持续上调，细胞凋亡多于对照组。结论：炎症介质LPS刺激全身免疫系统导致血管损伤后新生内膜暂时性增生，表明炎症介质可以加剧血管损伤后再狭窄的形成。     

Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 and intimal hyperplasia in porcine coronary arteries following coronary intervention

Aims

The growth and differentiation of cells is regulated by cytokines by binding to cell-surface receptors and activating intracellular signal transduction cascade. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 is a negative regulator of cytokines. In this study we examined the expression of SOCS-3 in porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells (PCASMCs) in vitro and in proliferating smooth muscle cells of neointimal lesions after coronary artery intervention in a swine model.

Methods and results

PCASMCs were cultured and stimulated with TNF-α and/or IGF-1 individually or in combination. Protein expression of SOCS-3 was examined using Western blot. For in vivo studies, six female Yucatan miniswine were fed with special high cholesterol diet for 8 months. At 4 months of high cholesterol diet, animals underwent coronary balloon angioplasty. At the end of 8 months animals were euthanized, coronary arteries were isolated and morphological and histological studies were performed. Western blot data revealed significantly high SOCS-3 expression in PCASMCs in the presence of either TNF-α or IGF-1 (5–6 fold) alone. However, in the presence of both TNF-α and IGF-1 the SOCS-3 expression was significantly decreased (4–5 fold). Results from morphological studies including, H&E and Masson's trichrome stain showed typical lesions with significant neointimal proliferation. Histological evaluation showed expression of smooth muscle α-actin and significantly increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in neointimal lesion. Interestingly, there was significantly decreased expression of SOCS-3 in smooth muscle cells of neointima as compared to control.

Conclusions

These data suggest that SOCS-3 expression is decreased in proliferating smooth muscle cells of neointimal lesions. This leads to uncontrolled growth of vascular smooth muscle cells in injured arteries leading to restenosis. Therefore, local delivery of SOCS-3 gene at the site of injury after coronary artery intervention could regulate the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and help in preventing the neointimal hyperplasia and restenosis.     

Autocrine transforming growth factor-beta from chronic lymphocytic leukemia-B cells interferes with proliferative T cell signals

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the accumulation of noncycling B cells in lymphatic and extralymphatic tissues. In the present study we investigated the possible contribution of TGF-beta, as secreted by CLL-B cells, on this low proliferative state. CLL-B cells were shown to express TGF-beta RNA and to release bioactive TGF-beta into culture supernatants. Antibody neutralization of endogenously secreted TGF-beta increased the proliferation of CLL-B cells as cultured in the presence of IL-2 or IL-4 or in direct contact with activated CD4+ T cells. In these culture systems, addition of exogenous TGF-beta downregulated basal and cytokineinduced proliferation of CLL-B cells. In contrast, neither neutralization of endogeneous TGF-beta, nor addition of exogeneous TGF-beta changed the proliferation of CLL-B cells as cultured in the CD40 system. In order to further explore this differential antiproliferative effect of TGF-beta, cytokine secretion of B cells and of CD4+ T cells as well as surface marker expression of CD4+ T cells were assessed in relation to TGF-beta: There was no negative effect of TGF-beta on autocrine secretion of TNF-alpha or sCD23 by CLL-B cells. Unlike tonsillar B cells, CLL-B cells cultured alone or in the CD40 system did no release significant amounts of IL-6 or IL-8 into supernatants. Secretion of IL-2 or IL-4 by activated CD4+ T cells was higher, when T cells were cocultured with normal tonsillar B cells than with CLL-B cells. The amount of IL-2 or IL-4 released by CD4+ T cells cocultured in direct contact with tonsillar or CLL-B cells was not consistently influenced either by neutralization of endogenous TGF-beta or by addition of TGF-beta. Exogenous TGF-beta did not downregulate expression of CD40L, CD27, CD28, CD54 or mTNF-alpha by T helper cells activated with anti-CD3 or PHA. In conclusion, autocrine secretion of TGF-beta exhibits an antiproliferative effect on CLL-B cells. This effect is most relevant in B cells cultured in direct contact with activated CD4+ T cells suggesting an indirect mode of action.     

Fas ligand gene therapy for vascular intimal hyperplasia

Fas, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor super-family, is expressed in all cell types examined, while physiologic expression of Fas ligand (FasL) is found predominantly in activated T-lymphocytes, vascular endothelial cells, and "immune-privileged" tissues. Activation of Fas following FasL binding activates caspases, which results in apoptosis. In the vasculature, there may be a delicate balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells. Shifts in this balance could account for the accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells in response to arterial injury, a major feature of vascular intimal hyperplasia. Intimal hyperplasia occurs in more than a third of patients receiving percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty. Stenting with or without coating significantly reduces the incidence rate of angiographic restenosis and that of target vessel revascularization. However, "in-stent" intimal hyperplasia/restenosis remains a challenge for clinical cardiologists. Although both the cell types and mechanisms that contribute to intimal hyperplasia in response to vascular injury remain controversial, vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation appear to play an important role in the process. In animal models, cytotoxic and cytostatic gene therapy strategies targeted at the vascular smooth muscle cells have shown therapeutic potential for the treatment of vascular intimal hyperplasia. However, Fas ligand-based gene therapy appears to offer several advantages. In this review article, we will discuss the mode of FasL/Fas signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells and its therapeutic implications. We will also compare the relative merits of FasL with other cytotoxic and cytostatic gene therapy approaches for the treatment of intimal hyperplasia.     

Both CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cells are required for IFN-gamma gene expression in pancreatic islets and autoimmune diabetes development in biobreeding rats

To study the relative roles of CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cells and their cytokine products in autoimmune diabetes development, we selectively depleted CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cells in autoimmune diabetes-prone (DP) biobreeding (BB) rats, by administrations of anti-CD2 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) respectively. We then analysed cytokine mRNA expression, by PCR assay, in mononuclear leukocytes isolated from islets and spleens of control and mAb-treated DP-BB rats. Depletion of CD4(+)T cells (by anti-CD2 mAb) in blood, spleen and islets prevented diabetes development in DP-BB rats, and depletion of CD8(+)T cells (by anti-CD8 mAb) delayed and significantly decreased diabetes incidence. Depletion of either CD4(+)or CD8(+)T cells completely prevented IFN-gamma mRNA upregulation in islets of DP-BB rats above the low level expressed in islets of diabetes-resistant (DR) BB rats. Also, IL-10 mRNA levels in islets of DP-BB rats were significantly decreased by depletion of either CD4(+)or CD8(+)T cells, whereas the effects of the anti-T cell mAb on mRNA levels of other cytokines in islets (IL-2, IL-4, IL-12p40, and TNF-alpha) were discordant. In contrast, both mAb treatments significantly upregulated IL-4 and TNF-alpha mRNA levels in spleens of DP-BB rats. These results demonstrate that islet infiltration by both CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cells is required for IFN-gamma and IL-10 production in islets and beta-cell destruction. Depletion of either CD4(+)or CD8(+)T cells may prevent beta-cell destruction by decreasing IFN-gamma and IL-10 production in islets and increasing IL-4 and TNF-alpha production systemically.     

Vascular apolipoprotein e expression and recruitment from circulation to modulate smooth muscle cell response to endothelial denudation

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) has been shown previously to have anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects on smooth muscle cells in culture. In addition, overexpression of the apoE gene also reduces neointimal hyperplasia in mice after endothelial denudation. In this investigation, immunohistochemical techniques were used to demonstrate that apoE was present in the medial smooth muscle layers of the carotid artery between 1 and 28 days after endothelial cell denudation. Analysis of transgenic mice overexpressing human apoE in the liver revealed that apoE was recruited from the circulation to the injured site of the vessel wall. In situ hybridization using a mouse-specific apoE mRNA probe confirmed that apoE was also synthesized in the carotid artery after endothelial denudation. Interestingly, apoE accumulation in apoE transgenic mice followed a layer-specific pattern, and was inversely associated with smooth muscle alpha-actin expression. The vascular accumulation of apoE after endothelial denudation, and its association with alpha-actin-depleted smooth muscle cells, suggest that apoE inhibition of injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia is not due to the inhibition of injury-induced smooth muscle cell de-differentiation, but is likely a direct effect of apoE on smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation.     

Temporal and spatial characterization of cellular constituents during neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury: Potential contribution of bone-marrow-derived progenitors to arterial remodeling

BACKGROUND: Exuberant smooth muscle cells (SMCs) hyperplasia is the major cause of postangioplasty restenosis. We suggested that circulating smooth muscle progenitor cells might contribute to lesion formation after vascular injury. METHODS: We extensively investigated the cellular constituents during neointimal formation after mechanical vascular injury. RESULTS: A large wire was inserted into the mouse femoral artery, causing complete endothelial denudation and marked enlargement of the lumen with massive apoptosis of medial SMCs. At 2 h, the injured artery remained dilated with a thin media containing very few cells. A scanning electron microscopy showed fibrin and platelet deposition at the luminal side. One week after the injury, CD45-positive hematopoietic cells accumulated at the luminal side. Those CD45-positive cells gradually disappeared, whereas neointimal hyperplasia was formed with alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) positive cells. Bone marrow cells and peripheral mononuclear cells differentiated into alpha-SMA-positive cells in the presence of PDGF and basic FGF. Moreover, in bone marrow chimeric mice, bone-marrow-derived cells substantially contributed to neointimal hyperplasia after wire injury. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that early accumulation of hematopoietic cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of SMC hyperplasia under certain circumstances.     

Active macrophage-associated TGF-beta co-localizes with type I procollagen gene expression in atherosclerotic human pulmonary arteries.

Vascular remodeling in adult atherosclerotic pulmonary arteries is characterized by discrete areas of neointimal smooth muscle cell extracellular matrix gene expression in close proximity to non-foamy macrophages, suggesting regulation by local macrophage-associated factors. The purpose of these studies was to begin addressing the role of putative macrophage-associated factors such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), by determining the spatial relationship between TGF-beta and neointimal matrix gene expression in human atherosclerotic pulmonary arteries. For example, the participation of TGF-beta in vascular remodeling could be inferred by its colocalization with non-foamy macrophages in areas of active matrix synthesis. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry demonstrated focal neointimal procollagen gene expression in close association with non-foamy but not foamy macrophages. Immunohistochemistry with isoform-specific anti-TGF-beta antibodies demonstrated all three isoforms of TGF-beta associated with non-foamy macrophages, but foamy macrophages were not immunoreactive. Neointimal and medial smooth muscle cells stained lightly. In contrast, intense TGF-beta immunoreactivity was also associated with medial smooth muscle cells in normal nonremodeling vessels. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies specific for latent TGF-beta was similar to immunohistochemistry for mature TGF-beta in both remodeling and nonremodeling vessels. Finally, using an antibody specific for active TGF-beta 1, immunoreactivity was only seen in non-foamy neointimal macrophages but not in foamy macrophages or medial smooth muscle cells from hypertensive or normal vessels. These observations suggest non-foamy macrophages may participate in modulating matrix gene expression in atherosclerotic remodeling via a TGF-beta-dependent mechanism.     

Inhibitory effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on certain functions of intraepithelial lymphocytes

Human intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), CD8+ lymphocytes located between epithelial cells, are likely to be influenced by the immunosuppressive cytokine, TGF-beta, secreted by epithelial cells. This study evaluates the effects of TGF-beta on IEL functions. IEL were derived from proximal jejunum of patients undergoing gastric bypass operations for morbid obesity. Proliferation was determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation; IL-2 production, by ELISA; expression of IL-2 receptor, CD2, HML1, CD16, and CD56, by immunofluorescence; binding, by adherence of radiolabelled cells; and cytotoxicity by 51Cr-release assay. TGF-beta (> or = 1 ng/ml) inhibited the mitosis of IEL to mitogens, IL-7, and stimuli of the CD2 and CD3 pathways. The blocking effect did not target the activation events of IL-2 production and receptor generation. Rather, it reduced cell division after activation when added 24 h after initiating the culture. Antibody neutralization of naturally occurring TGF-beta increased IEL proliferation to IL-2, but not to the other stimuli. Of the multiple surface markers tested, only CD2 and HML1 expression increased with TGF-beta and decreased with antibody to TGF-beta, although the cytokine and the neutralizing antibody had no effects on IEL binding to colon cancer. TGF-beta reduced the number of CD56+ IEL and the lymphokine-activated killing when co-cultured with IL-7 but not with IL-2 or IL-15. TGF-beta inhibits certain IEL functions: the reduction in cell division rather than activation and a decline in IL-7-mediated lysis of colon cancer due to a lowering of the number of natural killer cells.     

TNF-alpha induces the generation of Langerin/(CD207)+ immature Langerhans-type dendritic cells from both CD14-CD1a and CD14+CD1a- precursors derived from CD34+ cord blood cells

CD34+ cell-derived hematopoietic precursors amplified with FLT3-ligand, thrombopoietin and stem cell factor became, after a 6-day induction with GM-CSF, IL-4 and TGF-beta1, HLA-DR+, CD1a+, CD83-, CD86-, CD80- cells. A fraction of them expressed Langerin, Lag, and E-cadherin, resembling epidermal Langerhans cells (LC). TNF-alpha added for the last 3 days only marginally induced CD83 expression, but strikingly increased the proportion of immature Langerin+CD83- LC. Langerin+CD83+ and Langerin+CD83- cells were functionally distinct, the former internalizing less efficiently Langerin than the latter. Both CD1a-CD14- and CD1a-CD14+ cells sorted from FLT3-ligand, thrombopoietin and stem cell factor cultures responded to TNF-alpha by an increase of Langerin+ cells. Thus, TNF-alpha rescued LC precursors irrespective of their commitment to the monocytic lineage. When added to GM-CSF, IL-4 and TGF-beta1 containing-cultures, LPS or IL-1beta also induced significant numbers of Langerin+CD83- immature cells displaying a low allostimulatory activity, while CD40-ligand largely promoted highly allostimulatory Langerin-CD83+ cells. Altogether, these data show that in contrast to CD40-ligand, which induced LC maturation even in presence of TGF-beta1, nonspecific proinflammatory factors such as TNF-alpha, IL-1 or LPS, essentially induced immature LC generation, and little cell activation in the presence of TGF-beta1.     

IL-2 and IL-7 but not IL-12 protect natural killer cells from death by apoptosis and up-regulate bcl-2 expression.

Human natural killer cells (NK) respond to interleukin-2 (IL-2) with augmented cytolytic activity, cytokine secretion and cell proliferation. Here we show that IL-2 protects NK cells from death by apoptosis (programmed cell death; PCD). Highly purified NK cells (CD3- CD56+) were isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of either control donors or of an asymptomatic donor with 60% NK cells. Glucocorticosteroids (GCS) induced PCD in NK cells, as shown by nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation. IL-2 completely prevented GCS-induced PCD in a dose-dependent manner without overcoming GCS-induced inhibition of NK cell proliferation. The IL-2 protective effect was mediated through the p75 beta chain of the IL-2R, as neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the p75 beta chain but not to the p55 alpha chain completely abolished the IL-2 anti-apoptotic activity. In addition to IL-2, the cytokines IL-7 and IL-12 have been reported to regulate NK cell functions. Our present data showed that IL-7 but not IL-12 rescued NK cells from apoptosis, but to a lesser extent than IL-2. Although IL-4 had a marginal protective effect, IL-1, IL-3, IL-6, IL-8, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IFN-alpha, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) displayed no significant activity. Finally, we report that IL-2 and IL-7 enhanced bcl-2 expression in NK cells, suggesting the existence of a bcl-2-dependent survival pathway. In addition to regulating various functions, it is concluded that IL-2 and IL-7 have the ability to prevent PCD in NK cells.     

Balloon catheter de-endothelialization of the nude rat carotid. Response to injury in the absence of functional T lymphocytes.

The development of an intimal proliferative lesion after balloon catheter de-endothelialization was studied in congenitally athymic nude rats lacking T lymphocytes. Significant intimal thickening was observed in both the homozygous (nu/nu) and euthymic heterozygous (nu/+) animals 6 days after injury, which increased further after 10 days. There was no significant difference in mean intimal:medial cross-sectional area between the nu/nu and nu/+ animals at either time. Approximately 1% of the cells in the neointima of both groups of animals were leukocytes (OX-1 positive); 0.7% were macrophages (ED-1 positive). In neither nu/nu nor nu/+ animals did T lymphocytes (OX-19-positive cells) constitute more than 0.1% of the neointimal cell population. These data suggest that T lymphocytes do not play a significant role in the accumulation of neointimal cells. The presence of macrophages within the lesions raises the possibility that they may be involved in the recruitment and proliferation of smooth muscle cells. In vitro characterization of nu/nu carotid medial smooth muscle cells demonstrated approximately 500,000 binding sites for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and few PDGF-AA binding sites (less than 10,000). The mitogenic and chemotactic responses of these cells to the three dimeric forms of PDGF correlated with this receptor subunit distribution. Platelet-derived growth factor accounted for approximately 50% of the mitogenic activity of a rat platelet releasate. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB and PDGF-AB were both potent chemotactic agents for the nude rat carotid smooth muscle cells with a peak response at approximately 10 ng/ml. In contrast, PDGF-AA, transforming growth factor beta, and basic fibroblast growth factor were only weak chemoattractants for these cells.     

Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Intracellular Cytokine Synthesis in Peripheral Mononuclear Cells of Women with Endometriosis

Systemic changes related to cytokine expression levels in women with endometriosis remain a subject of controversy. There are many studies concerning this topic showing differential serum cytokine levels; however, there are limited data presenting cytokine expression at the single-cell level. This study focused on this question by measuring intracellular cytokine staining of activated peripheral CD3+ and CD14+ cells from women with endometriosis (investigative group) compared with those with uterine leiomyoma (control group). Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from women with endometriosis and uterine leiomyoma were stimulated with PMA and ionomycin or with LPS to induce intracellular synthesis of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-8 in subpopulations of CD3+ cells and TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1, and IL-8 in CD14+ cells. Comparison of the total groups of patients showed no significant differences in any of the intracellular cytokines investigated in the T cells and monocytes of women with endometriosis compared with controls. When the group of women with endometriosis was divided with regard to severity of disease, a significantly lower percentage of CD3+CD8- lymphocytes stained for IFN-gamma and a significantly higher percentage of CD14+ cells stained for MCP-1 in advanced endometriosis patients compared with the control group were observed. We conclude that peripheral mononuclear cells in women with advanced endometriosis may have differential cytokine synthesis in vitro. These results support the idea that differing immune cell activity measured by intracellular cytokine profiles in women with advanced endometriosis may be more a consequence of the disease than a cause.