Activation of human prorenin by neutrophil elastase

Although about 90% of human renin circulates as inactive prorenin, the mechanism of prorenin activation in vivo is not known. We found that human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) activate prorenin at a neutral pH. Prorenin was partially purified from human amniotic fluid, and its activation was measured by the release of angiotensin I from sheep angiotensinogen. In control experiments, thermolysin was the standard activator. PMN cells were separated from blood and, after N2 cavitation or degranulation by cytochalasin, were fractionated by differential centrifugation. Elastase and cathepsin G activities were determined with synthetic fluorescent substrates. The activators of prorenin concentrated in the azurophil granules were released by Triton; most of the activation was due to elastase. Elastase, purified from human PMN, activated prorenin completely. The activation by the granular fraction was inhibited 77% by a specific elastase inhibitor in the presence of a detergent, but only 22% by a cathepsin G inhibitor. After inhibition of elastase, the residual activity was inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate; thus, it was due to a serine protease(s) such as cathepsin G. We suggest that human renin fully activated by elastase may still contain an N-terminal pentapeptide fragment of the propeptide.     

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 mediates lymphocyte adherence to cytokine-activated cultured human endothelial cells.

The expression and function of a new cytokine-induced endothelial cell adhesion protein, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), was characterized in vitro by using a monoclonal antibody, MoAb 4B9, which recognizes a functional epitope on this protein. As determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled cells, VCAM-1 was minimally expressed on unstimulated human umbilical vein endothelium (HUVE), but was rapidly induced by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rhTNF-alpha), rh interleukin-1, and lipopolysaccharide. In contrast to intercellular adhesion molecule-1, VCAM-1 was not induced on dermal fibroblasts or arterial smooth muscle cells after stimulation with rhTNF, or on keratinocytes after stimulation with rh interferon-gamma. MoAb 4B9 significantly inhibited the adherence of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and lymphocytic cell lines, but not neutrophils, to rhTNF-activated HUVE. The inhibitory effect of MoAb 4B9 on PBL adherence to HUVE was additive to that produced by the CD18 MoAb 60.3. These results show that VCAM-1 mediates a CD18-independent pathway of peripheral blood lymphocyte adherence to cytokine-stimulated HUVE. We propose that lymphocyte binding to VCAM-1, induced on endothelium by cytokines, may be an important component of lymphocyte emigration at sites of inflammation or immune reaction.     

端粒酶逆转录酶激活脐静脉内皮细胞端粒酶活性

目的　探讨外源性端粒酶逆转录酶 (hTERT)能否激活人脐静脉内皮细胞端粒酶活性 ,为建立体外人脐静脉内皮细胞系奠定基础。方法　用逆转录病毒转染法 ,将编码hTERT片段逆转录病毒载体与VSV G共转染 2 93 GP2 细胞 ,产生病毒上清液 ,感染原代分离的人脐静脉内皮细胞 (hUVEC) ,以嘌呤霉素筛选。观察细胞生长曲线、第Ⅷ因子、CD34、β 半乳糖苷酶染色、逆转录 聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)等指标。 结果　细胞生长曲线显示培养至 30代的转染细胞生长速度基本与原代培养脐静脉内皮细胞一致但快于原代培养传至第 10代内皮细胞 ;RT PCR结果转染细胞有特异扩增 ;衰老指标 β 半乳糖苷酶染色显示转染后细胞胞浆内着染阳性细胞数明显少于第 10代内皮细胞。结论　外源性hTERT转入原代培养人脐静脉内皮细胞 ,可重现其端粒酶活性 ,从而阻止人脐静脉内皮细胞老化     

Migration of primed human eosinophils across cytokine-activated endothelial cell monolayers.

Eosinophils are known to adhere to cytokine-activated endothelium. Whereas transendothelial migration for neutrophils is an inevitable consequence of this endothelial-dependent adherence, this has not yet been shown for eosinophils. By means of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVE) grown to confluence on microporous filters as an in vitro model of leukocytic migration across postcapillary venules, we have characterized the conditions leading to endothelium-driven transmigration of blood eosinophils from normals and from patients with allergic asthma. Freshly isolated eosinophils from nonallergic donors adhered to interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-activated HUVE, but did not penetrate these monolayers. In contrast, eosinophils from allergic asthma patients showed an increased adherence and transmigration capacity. This increased functional competence was not caused by a difference in density phenotype, because the eosinophils from both groups showed a comparable density distribution over discontinuous Percoll gradients. Moreover, no difference existed within one group among eosinophils harvested from the Percoll density bands 1.080, 1.085, and 1.090 g/mL in terms of transendothelial migration. In vitro cultivation of freshly isolated eosinophils from nonallergic individuals in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-3 induced a stepwise decrease of the density distribution over such gradients. In contrast, eosinophils from patients with allergic asthma directly shifted to a final density of 1.075 g/mL within 24 hours of culture. Notwithstanding the kinetics of density changes, eosinophils from nonallergic donors already expressed the capacity to transmigrate IL-1-activated HUVE monolayers 20 hours after cultivation with different combinations of GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5. Inhibition studies with monoclonal antibodies showed that endothelium-driven transmigration of eosinophils predominantly implicates CD11/CD18 structures on the eosinophil surface, whereas no significant inhibition was found with the anti-VLA-4 monoclonal antibody HP2/1. From cytofluorometric studies, we conclude that spontaneous transmigration of eosinophils from allergic asthma patients is not accompanied by quantitative upregulation of these antigens. Taken together, these results allow the conclusion that blood eosinophils from allergic asthma patients have undergone in vivo priming, mimicked in vitro by cytokines such as GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5, leading to induction of the capacity to migrate across cytokine-activated HUVE monolayers.     

Activation of human neutrophil Mac-1 by anion substitution

Substituting the medium chloride with glucuronate or glutamate causes a rapid, 10 to 30-fold, increase in the binding of the monoclonal antibody, CBRM1/5, which recognizes the high-affinity conformation of the Mac-1 integrin. This change is reflected in functional adhesion assays that show increased adhesion to ICAM-1 coated beads. Blocking antibodies indicate that the increased adhesion is almost entirely due to Mac-1. The inhibitor NPPB (100 μM) reduces Cl⁻ efflux into low Cl⁻ medium by 75%, and blocks increased CBRM1/5 binding after stimulation with fMLP or TNF-α, but has no effect on the anion substitution induced increase in CBRM1/5 binding or adhesion to immobilized ICAM-1. Thus, changes in external anion composition, not internal chloride or increases in Cl⁻ efflux, are responsible for Mac-1 activation. This effect is substantial. The percentage of Mac-1 in the high affinity state approaches 100% in glutamate and 50% in glucuronate, a far greater response than what is observed after stimulation with fMLP.     

Intracellular mechanisms of hydrogen peroxide-mediated neutrophil adherence to cultured human endothelial cells

We examined which endothelial second messengers are involved in peroxide-mediated endothelial-neutrophil adhesion with respect to endothelial P-selectin expression and platelet-activating factor (PAF). Peroxide (0.5 mM)-mediated adhesion was blocked by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, G?6976 (10 nM); an intracellular calcium chelator, TMB-8 (0.1 mM); and a protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor, KT5823 (0.5 microM); but not by a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (1 microM), or a protein kinase A inhibitor, H-89 (0.1 microM). These data were consistent with the proadhesive effects of PMA (0.1 microM), a PKC activator; a calcium ionophore, A23187 (1 microM); and dibutyryl cGMP (0.5 and 1 mM); but not phenylarsine oxide (0.1 mM), a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, or dibutyryl cAMP (1 mM). Conversely, peroxide-mediated P-selectin expression was blocked by G?6976 and KT5823, but not by TMB-8. These data are strengthened by the observation that PMA and dibutyryl cGMP, but not A23187, increased P-selectin expression. WEB 2086 (10 microM), a PAF-receptor antagonist, blocked peroxide-, PMA-, and A23187-mediated adhesion, but not peroxide-mediated P-selectin expression. PAF itself (10 nM) stimulated adhesion, but not P-selectin expression. These data indicate that PKC and PKG are involved in peroxide-mediated neutrophil adhesion via P-selectin mobilization and PAF synthesis; however, intracellular calcium appears to mediate adhesion only through PAF synthesis.     

Adenosine prevents neutrophil adhesion to human endothelial cells after hypoxia/reoxygenation

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil adhesion to vascular endothelium has been implicated in the pathogenesis of myocardial injury after ischaemia/reperfusion (IR) and the "no-reflow" phenomenon. Adenosine and sodium-nitroprusside (SNP) have been used clinically to ameliorate this injury. We set out to establish a human cellular model for the study of IR and to evaluate the effects of adenosine and SNP on neutrophil adhesion in vitro. METHODS: Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were exposed to hypoxia (5% CO2, 95% N2) or normoxia (room air, 5% CO2) for 2 h, followed by reoxygenation for 30 min (IR condition). Human neutrophils were then added together with adenosine (50 microM), SNP (10 microM) or no additive (control). After incubation for 1 h, neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells was quantified via automated cell counts. The experiment was repeated with the adenosine treatment alone, with and without the addition of the adenosine A2A receptor blocker ZM-241385. RESULTS: Compared with baseline neutrophil adhesion after normoxia, hypoxia followed by reoxygenation increased adhesion to 189+/-43% (p=0.01), but this effect was prevented by the addition of adenosine (109+/-17%, p=NS compared to control conditions). SNP did not affect the increased adhesion caused by hypoxia (166+/-25%, p=NS). The addition of ZM-241385 did not inhibit the effect of adenosine on neutrophil adhesion after hypoxia/reoxygenation. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of human endothelial cells to hypoxia/reoxygenation causes increased neutrophil adhesion. This effect is prevented by adenosine, but not mediated by the A2A receptor. SNP does not prevent neutrophil adhesion after IR in vitro.     

Endothelial cells as cytotoxic effector cells: cytokine-activated rat islet endothelial cells lyse syngeneic islet cells via nitric oxide

Summary In vivo, each beta cell is located in proximity to at least one capillary islet endothelial cell. Rat aorta and islet endothelial cells can be activated in vitro to express inducible nitric oxide synthase by a cytokine mixture of tumour necrosis factor-α, gamma-interferon, and interleukin-1β and to produce high concentrations of nitric oxide. We have performed co-culture experiments with rat islet endothelial cells together with isolated syngeneic islet cells at low target : effector ratios with or without previous cytokine challenge of endothelial cultures. Co-cultures were always free of exogenous cytokines, which were removed prior to addition of islet cells. We found that pre-activated, in contrast to resident islet endothelial cells, at a target : effector ratio as low as 1 : 1 almost completely lysed syngeneic beta and non-beta cells within 24 h of co-culture. Lysis by pre-activated islet endothelial cells was found to be preceded by DNA damage found in 46 % of islet cells after 8 h of co-culture with pre-activated vs 7 % with resting islet endothelial cells. Lysis was blocked to control levels in the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N^G-methyl-L-arginine. With the results presented here, we demonstrate for the first time, that activated endothelial lining cells can express effector cell activity and thus can contribute to local tissue destruction, especially in organs that are densely capillarized such as pancreatic islets. [Diabetologia (1997) 40: 150–155] Received: 2 September 1996 and in revised form: 24 October 1996     

Activation of proMMP-2 and Src by HHV8 vGPCR in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH) is associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection and demonstrates pathological angiogenesis similar to that observed with another HHV8-linked disease, namely Kaposi Sarcoma (KS). Importantly, the HHV8 encoded viral G-protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR) induces KS lesions in a murine model. Investigating the impact of vGPCR expression on the angiogenic activity of human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAEC) can yield insight into the pathobiology of HHV8-associated vascular disorders, particularly PAH. Cultured HPAECs were transduced with retroviral vectors carrying either control or vGPCR coding regions. vGPCR expression selectively activated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, a pivotal matrix modulating enzyme during angiogenesis. A membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) neutralizing antibody and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) independently blocked vGPCR-induced MMP-2 activation. vGPCR expression concordantly promoted MMP-2 activation by increasing MT1-MMP expression while decreasing TIMP-2 expression. vGPCR activated Src kinase as demonstrated by phosphorylation of Src and its substrate focal adhesion kinase (FAK). vGPCR promoted angiogenesis of HPAECs as demonstrated by a substantial increase in tubulogenesis in vitro. The Src inhibitors PP2 and SU6656 significantly diminished vGPCR-induced MMP-2 activation and tubulogenesis. Our findings indicate that vGPCR induces MMP-2 activation in HPAECs through regulation of MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 expression. vGPCR activates Src and inhibition of such activation abrogates proMMP-2 activation and in vitro angiogenesis induced by vGCPR. The current study implicates vGPCR as an etiological agent in iPAH and identifies Src and MMP-2 as potential therapeutic targets in HHV8 associated KS and iPAH.     

Expression of CCR6 and CD83 by cytokine-activated human neutrophils

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) are thought to be terminally differentiated, short-lived, and unable to actively synthesize new proteins or to interact with T cells. In the current study, it was found that PMNLs incubated with supernatants of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PHA-sup) expressed high levels of CCR6 mRNA. Neutralization with IgG against several cytokines revealed that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was largely responsible for the PHA-sup-induced CCR6 mRNA expression. Among recombinant cytokines, TNF-alpha induced high levels of CCR6 mRNA expression, whereas interferon (IFN)-gamma induced low levels. The 2 cytokines together exhibited a considerable synergy. Cytokine-activated PMNLs expressed functional CCR6, as detected by the binding of sodium iodide I 125-labeled liver and activation-regulated chemokine (LARC) and dose-dependent migration toward LARC. The induction of CCR6 suggested that these cytokine-activated PMNLs have more similarities with dendritic cells (DCs) that express CCR6 in an immature stage. In fact, the activation of PMNLs with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma induced the expression of CD83, a dominant cell-surface marker of DCs. When PMNLs were activated with granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, these cells expressed CD40 and HLA-DR in addition to CD83. Taken together, PMNLs, under appropriate conditions, can undergo a differentiation process characterized by the acquisition of new phenotypes and functions, and such differentiated PMNLs may play more active roles in the adaptive immune response. (Blood. 2000;96:3958-3963)     

Activation of endothelial cells to pathological status by down-regulation of connexin43

AIMS: We investigated the effects of connexin43 (Cx43) down-regulation on endothelial function. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used two different sequences of Cx43-specific small interference RNA (siRNA) to reduce de novo synthesis of Cx43 in human aortic endothelial cells and then examined the expression profiles, proliferation activity and viability, and angiogenic potential. The involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways was analysed. In parallel, the effect of inhibition of gap-junctional communication by connexin-mimetic peptides was evaluated. During the down-regulation of Cx43 by the siRNA, the cells exhibited impaired gap-junctional communication, proliferation, viability, and angiogenic potential. In addition, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and von Willebrand factor were up-regulated. Furthermore, c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and its downstream target c-jun were activated, while caspase-3, p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase remained unchanged. Inhibition of JNK by SP600125 blocked the siRNA-induced increased expression of PAI-1 and partially recovered the impaired angiogenic potential. Short-term inhibition of Cx43 channels by connexin-mimetic peptides did not activate JNK. CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of Cx43 inhibits gap-junctional communication and activates endothelial cells to pathological status, as characterized by up-regulation of coagulatory molecules and impairment of proliferation, viability, and angiogenesis. The processes are associated with activation of JNK signalling pathways and rectified by inhibition of the activation. These results suggest that inadequate expression of Cx43 per se impairs endothelial function by the activation of stress-activated protein kinase.     

Hyperoxia damages cultured endothelial cells causing increased neutrophil adherence

Exposure of cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells to hyperoxia (95% O2) caused cellular injury manifested by decreased growth rates and release of cytoplasmic lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). In addition, a greater number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) adhered to endothelial cells that had been exposed to hyperoxia for 24 or 48 h than to control endothelial cells that had been exposed to normoxia (15% O2). Direct endothelial cell injury from hyperoxia may contribute to vascular damage and the increased PMN accumulation seen in lungs of animals exposed to hyperoxia.     

E-selectin-dependent neutrophil adhesion to Rickettsia rickettsii- infected endothelial cells

Increased neutrophil or HL60 cell adhesion to Rickettsia rickettsii- infected endothelial cells (ECs) was observed at 6 to 8 hours after the initiation of infection, diminishing by 24 hours. Similar increases were observed using formaldehyde-fixed neutrophils. Cellular association and likely the intracellular presence of rickettsiae was required for enhanced neutrophil adhesion, because culture medium conditioned by infected cells or rickettsiae rendered noninfective by pretreatment with tetracycline were ineffective at inducing neutrophil adhesion. Increases in neutrophil adhesion caused by infection were blocked by pretreatment of ECs with cycloheximide, suggesting the involvement of new protein synthesis in the cells' response. Flow cytometric analysis of infected cells showed increases in cell surface expression of E-selectin compared with uninfected control cells. Furthermore, incubation of 6- to 8-hour infected cells with a blocking monoclonal antibody against E-selectin (BB11) inhibited neutrophil adhesion an average of 61%. These results suggest the involvement of E- selectin in neutrophil adhesion to infected ECs occurring early in the course of the infection process. EC-initiated recruitment of neutrophil adhesion during rickettsiae infection could contribute to the pathologic changes associated with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.     

Activation of human aortic endothelial cells by LDL from Type 1 diabetic patients: an in vitro study

Hyperlipidaemia may accelerate the development of atherosclerosis by enhancing the expression of chemokines by cells within the arterial wall. Chemokines of the CC subfamily are clearly implicated in atherogenesis; however, recent reports suggest that CXC chemokines may play a hitherto unrecognised role in monocyte recruitment into atheromatous lesions expressing these molecules. Here, we examine whether circulating levels of CXC chemokines may reflect the pathogenic changes occurring during early atherogenesis. ApoE*3 Leiden mice developed marked hypercholesterolaemia, and early Type I 'fatty streak' lesions, following consumption of an atherogenic diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and containing sodium cholate, for up to 4 weeks. By contrast, their non-transgenic littermates (C57BL/6J) exhibited a much less pronounced hypercholesterolaemia and did not develop fatty streak lesions, when fed the same diet. Under these conditions, serum concentrations of CXC chemokines, KC and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-2 (MIP-2) were significantly (P相似文献   

FVIII production by human lung microvascular endothelial cells

While extrahepatic factor VIII (FVIII) synthesis suffices for hemostasis, the extrahepatic production sites are not well defined. We therefore investigated the ability of the human lungs to produce FVIII. Lungs from heart-beating donors who were declined for transplantation were perfused and ventilated in an isolated reperfusion model for 2 hours. A progressive accumulation of FVIII and von Willebrand factor (VWF) was recorded in the perfusion medium in 3 of 4 experiments. By contrast, factor V, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels remained constant during the perfusion period, indicating that the accumulation of FVIII and VWF was not due to diffusion from the intercellular medium into the vascular system. Purified human lung microvascular endothelial cells produced FVIII during at least 2 passages in vitro. Altogether, these data identify the lung endothelial cells as a FVIII production site in humans.     

Activation of human complement by human lymphoid cells sensitized with histocompatibility alloantisera

Cultured human lymphoid cells sensitized with human histocompatibility (HL-A) antibodies were able to activate the human complement system in vitro. Some HL-A alloantisera selectively activated the alternate complement pathway while other antisera activated only the classical pathway. A third group of alloantisera was equally able to initiate complement action by way of either pathway. The mechanism of complement activation did not correlate with the HL-A antigen present on the cells or the HL-A specificity of the alloantisera, indicating that the antigenic determinants or distribution on the cell surface play on direct role in selecting the pathway of activation. In this completely homologous system the alternate pathway was found to have the same cytolytic potential as the classical pathway. Thus, an altered or damaged membrane is not a prerequisite for the production of cytolytic damage by the alternate pathway. A complete understanding of the mechanism of interaction of membrane bound antigens and antibodies with the complement system may provide a versatile tool for the investigation of membrane antigen expression.     

Infection of human vascular endothelial cells by Rickettsia rickettsii

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, an obligate intracellular bacterial parasite. The organism primarily attacks endothelial cells and occasionally attacks smooth-muscle cells of small blood vessels. An effective means of examining host-parasite interaction in Rocky Mountain spotted fever would be to use an in vitro model system with a host-cell type that is similar in structure and function to the putative target cell in human infections. Because human umbilical-vein endothelial cells in culture retain many, if not all, of their characteristic properties in vivo and because they also share many properties of capillary endothelium, the use of this endothelial cell system is appropriate in the study of the interaction between R rickettsii and the cell that is principally parasitized in humans. Uptake by umbilical-vein endothelial-cell cultures of R rickettsii is dose dependent. The organism replicates in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of infected cells and exhibits early cell-to-cell spread without detectable host-cell injury.     

Activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase is dependent on its interaction with globular actin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has been reported to associate with globular actin, and this association increases eNOS activity. Adenosine, histamine, salbutamol and thrombin cause activation of eNOS through widely different mechanisms. Whether these eNOS agonists can regulate eNOS activity through affecting its association with actin is unknown. As previously reported, we confirmed in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) that histamine and thrombin increased intracellular Ca²⁺ whereas adenosine and salbutamol did not, and that these four agonists caused different effects on actin filament structure. Nevertheless, despite their divergent effects on intracellular Ca²⁺ and on actin filament structure, we found by immunoprecipitation that adenosine, histamine, salbutamol and thrombin all caused an increase in association between eNOS and globular actin. This increase of association was inhibited by pre-treatment with phalloidin, an actin filament stabilizer. All of these agonists also increased phosphorylation of eNOS on serine residue 1177, eNOS activity, and cyclic guanosine-3′, 5′-monophosphate, and these increases were all attenuated by phalloidin. Agonist-induced phosphorylation of eNOS on serine 1177 was attenuated by Akt inhibition, whereas association of eNOS with actin was not. We also found, in HEK-293 cells transfected with the eNOS mutants eNOS-S1177A or eNOS-S1177D, that the association between eNOS and globular actin was decreased as compared to cells transfected with wild-type eNOS. We conclude that association of globular actin with eNOS plays an essential and necessary role in agonist-induced eNOS activation, through enabling its phosphorylation by Akt at serine residue 1177.