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Biomedical subjects

G B Nash

Publications and source records attributed to G B Nash.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of the pro-inflammatory potential of monocytes from healthy adults and those with peripheral arterial disease using an in vitro culture model.

We adapted a monocyte:endothelial cell co-culture model to investigate the pro-inflammatory potential of monocytes from patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Isolated monocytes were cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) for 24h, after which the ability of the HUVEC to recruit flowing neutrophils was tested. Development of a usable protocol required comparisons of primary HUVEC with cells that had been passaged and/or frozen and thawed, evaluation of optimal culture media and comparison of monocytes from freshly drawn and stored blood. We found, for instance, that expansion of HUVEC was assisted by inclusion of hydrocortisone, but this agent was withdrawn before the test phase because it reduced responses of HUVEC. Using the optimal practical protocol, we found great variation in the ability of monocytes from different donors to cause neutrophil adhesion. Slightly more ( approximately 20%) monocytes from patients with PAD adhered to HUVEC than monocytes from healthy controls, and the monocytes from PAD patients induced approximately 70% greater subsequent adhesion of neutrophils. Thus, we developed a functional model of inflammatory potential usable in clinically-related studies and found that patients with PAD had circulating monocytes with greater than normal ability to activate endothelial cells.

Cells, Cultured↗

Mediation of endothelial cell damage by serine proteases, but not superoxide, released from antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-stimulated neutrophils.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate potential mediators of endothelial cell injury in systemic vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), we investigated the factors controlling the neutrophil respiratory burst and endothelial release of von Willebrand factor (vWF) during neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions. METHODS: Superoxide release from neutrophils binding to purified P-selectin or to tumor necrosis factor-activated endothelial cells was measured under flow or static conditions using the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c. Neutrophils were activated with fMLP, normal IgG, or ANCA IgG. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure vWF. Serine protease activity was measured enzymatically. RESULTS: ANCA IgG or fMLP induced superoxide release when perfused over neutrophils that were rolling over P-selectin, but not those that were binding to endothelial cells. In static assays, endothelial cells inhibited superoxide production by neutrophils. Adenosine inhibited the respiratory burst, and, in cocultures, adenosine deaminase overcame the inhibitory effects of endothelial cells. Serine proteases were released during activated neutrophil-endothelial cell coculture. There was enhanced release of vWF during activated neutrophil-endothelial cell coculture; this was not inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium or by SOD plus catalase, but was inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate. CONCLUSION: Endothelial cells inhibit superoxide generation by fMLP and ANCA-activated neutrophils. The release of vWF occurs during coculture and is sensitive to serine protease, but not NADPH oxidase inhibition. Serine proteases may play a more important role than reactive oxygen species as mediators of endothelial injury during ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗

Neutrophil capture by selectins on endothelial cells exposed to cigarette smoke.

We used a novel perfusion system to expose cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to water-soluble components of cigarette smoke and study subsequent adhesion of flowing neutrophils. Neutrophils did not bind to HUVEC immediately after it had been exposed to cigarette smoke, but many adhered 90-150 min after exposure. The effect was reduced if the exposed medium was made serum-free, but this reduction was partially reversed if low density lipoprotein was added. Treatment of smoke-exposed HUVEC with antibodies against E-selectin or P-selectin reduced adhesion by approximately 50% or 75%, respectively; a combination of both antibodies essentially abolished adhesion. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed that exposure to smoke caused HUVEC to upregulate surface expression of E- and P-selectin. Thus, water-soluble constituent(s) of cigarette smoke cause efficient selectin-mediated capture of flowing neutrophils. This pro-inflammatory response may contribute to pathology associated with smoking, especially in tissues remote from the lung.

Cell Adhesion↗

A novel system for investigating the ability of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts to regulate adhesion of flowing leukocytes to endothelial cells.

Stromal cells may contribute to the inflammatory processes which lead to the recruitment of circulating leukocytes. Here, we describe a multicellular model in which chosen cellular elements of tissue can be cocultured with endothelial cells (EC). Cocultures can be incorporated into a novel parallel plate flow chamber to determine if stromal cells influence the patterns of leukocyte adhesion to the EC. As an example relevant to the pathology of atherosclerosis, EC were cultured with arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC) of the 'secretory' phenotype. EC and secretory SMC were cultured on the opposite faces of commercially available porous polyethylene terepthalate (PET) culture inserts, which fitted into a parallel plate flow chamber. Binding of flowing purified lymphocytes, labelled with the fluorochrome calcein-AM, to cocultured EC was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Lymphocyte adhesion was negligible on unstimulated EC cultured alone or cocultured with SMC. However, when tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) was added to cocultures, the EC supported greatly increased levels of lymphocyte adhesion compared to TNF-treated EC cultured alone. Additionally, cocultured EC responded to TNF at concentrations far below those at which EC cultured alone responded. This priming was specific in that skin fibroblasts cocultured with EC did not modify lymphocyte adhesion induced by TNF. Thus, we have developed a coculture model to determine the ability of tissue stromal cells to modify leukocyte recruitment. This may have wide applications in the study of the cellular pathology of inflammation by allowing the contribution of the local microenvironment to be assessed.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Cellular pathology of atherosclerosis: smooth muscle cells prime cocultured endothelial cells for enhanced leukocyte adhesion.

During the development of an atherosclerotic plaque, mononuclear leukocytes infiltrate the artery wall through vascular endothelial cells (ECs). At the same time, arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) change from the physiological contractile phenotype to the secretory phenotype and migrate into the plaque. We investigated whether secretory SMCs released cytokines that stimulated ECs in a manner leading to increased leukocyte recruitment and thus might accelerate atheroma formation. SMCs and ECs were established in coculture on the opposite sides of a porous membrane, and the cocultured cells were incorporated into a flow-based assay for studying leukocyte adhesion. We found that coculture primed ECs so that their response to the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha was amplified. ECs cocultured with SMCs supported greatly increased adhesion of flowing leukocytes and were sensitized to respond to tumor necrosis factor-alpha at concentrations 10 000 times lower than ECs cultured alone. In addition, coculture altered the endothelial selectin adhesion molecules used for leukocyte capture. EC priming was attributable to the cytokine transforming growth factor-beta(1), which was proteolytically activated to a biologically active form by the serine protease plasmin. These results suggest a new role for secretory SMCs in the development of atheromatous plaque. We propose that paracrine interaction between ECs and SMCs has the potential to amplify leukocyte recruitment to sites of atheroma and exacerbate the inflammatory processes believed to be at the heart of disease progression.

Aprotinin↗

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies stabilize adhesion and promote migration of flowing neutrophils on endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Recruitment of neutrophils to sites of inflammation requires coordinated regulation of their capture, activation, and migration on vascular endothelium. This study examines whether exposure of neutrophils to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) can disrupt this sequence of events. METHODS: Isolated human neutrophils were perfused in the presence or absence of ANCA-positive IgG over endothelial cells that had been activated with either 2 units/ml or 100 units/ml of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) for 4 hours. RESULTS: When endothelial cells were activated with 100 units/ml of TNFalpha, neutrophils were captured from flow, a small proportion of adherent cells rolled, and the majority transmigrated through the endothelial cell monolayer. When neutrophils were treated with ANCA IgG immediately before, 5 minutes before, or 15 minutes before perfusion, none rolled on contact with the endothelium, but the majority still transmigrated. When endothelial cells were activated with 2 units/ml of TNFalpha, the majority of untreated adherent neutrophils rolled, a few transmigrated, and the number that attached decreased with time during washout. In contrast, when neutrophils were pretreated with ANCA IgG just before perfusion, adhesion was stabilized, and the number of neutrophils that transmigrated was increased 10-fold. Priming of the neutrophils with TNFalpha before the addition of ANCA further increased the stability of neutrophil binding, but did not significantly increase transmigration. CONCLUSION: Rather than frustrating the transmigration process, ANCAs promoted the migration of neutrophils through the endothelium. That the effect was evident at a relatively low level of endothelial activation suggests that ANCAs may potentiate the early vasculitic lesion and promote tissue damage and recruitment of other proinflammatory cells.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗

Effects of pentoxifylline on the different steps during adhesion and transendothelial migration of flowing neutrophils.

We used a flow system to observe the stepwise adhesion and migration of neutrophils on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) stimulated with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) for 4 h, and to evaluate the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) at each step. When HUVEC had been stimulated with 100 U ml(-1) TNF, treatment of neutrophils with PTX did not reduce the number captured from flow but did cause nearly all adherent cells ( > 90%) to roll, whereas most untreated cells became immobilized and approximately 30% transmigrated within minutes. On washout of the PTX, many rolling cells halted and started to migrate. Treatment of the HUVEC with PTX at the same time as 100 U ml(-1) TNF did not affect the number of neutrophils adhering, but there was a significant increase in the percentage of cells rolling even though PTX was no longer present. Thus PTX reduced presentation of activating agents by HUVEC, as well as inhibiting the response by neutrophils to surface-presented activating agent(s). If HUVEC were stimulated with 10 U ml(-1) TNF with PTX, the adhesion of flowing neutrophils was greatly inhibited compared to TNF alone. Surface ELISA indicated that PTX reduced TNF-induced upregulation of E-selectin. This reduction was only sufficient to reduce capture of neutrophils at the low dose of TNF. Thus, by using a flow-based model, we have been able to separate the effects of a multipotent agent such as pentoxifylline, which acts on leucocytes and endothelial cells, at each stage of migration.

Cell Adhesion↗

Changes in the mechanical and adhesive behaviour of human neutrophils on cooling in vitro.

Changes in the rheological properties of neutrophils may influence flow in microvessels that are cooled below normal body temperature. We investigated the effects of temperature on the mechanical and adhesive properties of human neutrophils by measuring transit times for individual cells flowing through 8-microm-pores in filters, and adhesion to P-selectin for cells perfused over a monolayer of activated platelets. Pore transit time increased as temperature was decreased from 37 degrees C to 0 degrees C. Upon rapid cooling, there was an instantaneous increase attributable to changes in aqueous viscosity. Interestingly, at 10 degrees C specifically, there was an additional increase in transit time, which was abolished by the inhibitor of actin polymerization, cytochalasin B. This meant that by 15 min, transit time at 10 degrees C was greater than at 0 degrees C. Most adherent cells on P-selectin were rolling, rather than stationary, at 10, 26 or 37 degrees C. The velocity of rolling slowed with decreasing temperature. The total number of adherent cells decreased with increasing wall shear rate, but for a given shear rate there was relatively little effect of temperature on attachment. However, when adhesion at 10, 26 or 37 degrees C was compared at equal shear stress (taking into account fluid viscosity), adhesion was greatest at 10 degrees C. Measurements of immunofluorescence showed that exposure to 10 degrees C gradually increased expression of beta2-integrin CD11b/CD18, but this did not cause transformation to stationary adhesion with time in the flow assay. Thus, neutrophils show an anomalous rheological response around 10 degrees C, which may impair local microcirculation in the cold. On rewarming, "activated" cells might inhibit recovery or become released into the systemic circulation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Characteristics of leucocyte adhesion directly observed in flowing whole blood in vitro.

Use of whole blood in adhesion assays allows analysis of the rheological and haematological factors that may influence adhesion, and avoids the need for isolation procedures that may modify the properties of leucocytes. We have adapted an in vitro flow model to allow videomicroscopy of leucocytes fluorescently labelled with rhodamine 6G (20 microg/ml) in anticoagulated whole blood. Blood was perfused at a range of wall shear rates (35-280/s) through a vertical glass capillary with a rectangular cross-section (microslide) that had been coated with P-selectin (10 microg/ml). Nearly all adherent cells were rolling in blood that had been anticoagulated with buffered citrate, but 40-50% became immobilized when heparin or thrombin inhibitor (PPACK) were used. The efficiency of leucocyte adhesion decreased steadily during 1-4 h of blood storage. Smaller fluorescent cells (lymphocytes) adhered less efficiently than larger cells (granulocytes) and rolled faster. Adhesion decreased monotonically with increasing wall shear rate or stress, but the velocity of rolling varied little. Among healthy volunteer donors, adhesion correlated with blood leucocyte count, but did not vary significantly with natural variation in haematocrit, blood viscosity or red cell aggregation. In conclusion, we have characterized adhesion of leucocytes in flowing whole blood, identified key experimental variables and demonstrated that physical environmental factors can markedly influence adhesive behaviour.

Blood↗

Population of the vessel wall by leukocytes binding to P-selectin in a model of disturbed arterial flow.

We examined the hypothesis that disturbance of laminar flow promotes the attachment of leukocytes to the vessel wall in regions where the wall shear stress is otherwise too high. Isolated neutrophils, lymphocytes, or monocytes were perfused through chambers with backward-facing steps so that vortices occurred with well-defined reattachment of flow. Wall shear stresses downstream in reestablished flow equaled 0.07 Pa (low shear) or 0.3 Pa (high shear). In chambers coated with P-selectin, adherent leukocytes rolled. By use of a P-selectin-Fc fragment chimera, adhesion was predominantly stationary, enabling definition of initial attachment sites. Neutrophils adhered in all regions of the low-shear chamber, with a local maximum around the reattachment point. However, in the high-shear chamber, adhesion was restricted to the recirculation zone and immediately downstream from the reattachment point. Rolling at high shear stress allowed a population of regions where initial attachment could not occur. At high shear, lymphocytes and monocytes also formed attachments restricted to the region of the reattachment point. The results imply that all types of leukocytes might bind to a capture receptor in high-shear vessels with discontinuities in the wall and might then spread to other regions.

Blood Vessels↗

Dependence of adhesive behavior of neutrophils on local fluid dynamics in a region with recirculating flow.

We have recently described patterns of adhesion of different types of leukocytes downstream of a backward facing step. Here the predicted fluid dynamics in channels incorporating backward facing steps are described, and related to the measured velocities of flowing cells, patterns of attachment and characteristics of rolling adhesion for neutrophils perfused over P-selectin. Deeper (upstream depth 300 microm, downstream depth 600 microm, maximum wall shear stress approximately 0.1 Pa) and shallower (upstream depth 260 microm, downstream depth 450 microm, maximum wall shear stress approximately 0.3 Pa) channels were compared. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predicted the presence of vortices downstream of the steps, distances to reattachment of flow, local wall shear stresses and components of velocity parallel and perpendicular to the wall. Measurements of velocities of perfused neutrophils agreed well with predictions, and suggested that adhesion to P-selectin should be possible in the regions of recirculating flow, but not downstream in re-established flow in the high shear channel. When channels were coated with a P-selectin-Fc chimaera, neutrophils were captured from flow and immobilised. Capture showed local maxima around the reattachment points, but was absent elsewhere in the high shear chamber. In the low shear chamber there was depression of adhesion just beyond the reattachment point because of expansion of flow and depletion of neutrophils near the wall. Inside the recirculation zones, adhesion decreased approaching the step because of an increasing, vertically upward velocity component. When channels were coated with P-selectin, neutrophils rolled in all regions, but lifted off the surface as they rolled backwards into low shear regions near the step. Rolling velocity in the recirculation zone was independent of shear stress, possibly because of the effects of vertical lift. We conclude that while local wall shear stress influences adhesive behavior, delivery of cells to the wall and their behavior after capture also depend on components of flow perpendicular to the wall.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Band 3 mutations, renal tubular acidosis and South-East Asian ovalocytosis in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea: loss of up to 95% band 3 transport in red cells.

We describe three mutations of the red-cell anion exchangerband 3 (AE1, SLC4A1) gene associated with distalrenal tubular acidosis (dRTA) in families from Malaysia and Papua NewGuinea: Gly(701)-->Asp (G701D), Ala(858)-->Asp(A858D) and deletion of Val(850) (DeltaV850). The mutationsA858D and DeltaV850 are novel; all three mutations seem to berestricted to South-East Asian populations. South-East Asianovalocytosis (SAO), resulting from the band 3 deletion of residues400-408, occurred in many of the families but did not itselfresult in dRTA. Compound heterozygotes of each of the dRTA mutationswith SAO all had dRTA, evidence of haemolytic anaemia and abnormal red-cell properties. The A858D mutation showed dominant inheritance and therecessive DeltaV850 and G701D mutations showed a pseudo-dominantphenotype when the transport-inactive SAO allele was also present. Red-cell and Xenopus oocyte expression studies showed that theDeltaV850 and A858D mutant proteins have greatly decreased aniontransport when present as compound heterozygotes (DeltaV850/A858D,DeltaV850/SAO or A858D/SAO). Red cells with A858D/SAO had only 3% ofthe SO(4)(2-) efflux of normal cells, thelowest anion transport activity so far reported for human red cells. The results suggest dRTA might arise by a different mechanism for eachmutation. We confirm that the G701D mutant protein has an absoluterequirement for glycophorin A for movement to the cell surface. Wesuggest that the dominant A858D mutant protein is possibly mis-targetedto an inappropriate plasma membrane domain in the renal tubular cell,and that the recessive DeltaV850 mutation might give dRTA because ofits decreased anion transport activity.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

Differential ability of exogenous chemotactic agents to disrupt transendothelial migration of flowing neutrophils.

Neutrophils migrate through endothelium using an ordered sequence of adhesive interactions and activating signals. To investigate the consequences of disruption of this sequence, we characterized adhesion and migration of neutrophils perfused over HUVEC that had been treated with TNF-alpha for 4 h and evaluated changes caused by exogenously added chemotactic agents. When HUVEC were treated with 2 U/ml TNF, flowing neutrophils adhered, with the majority rolling and relatively few migrating through the monolayer. If fMLP, IL-8, zymosan-activated plasma (a source of activated complement factor C5a), epithelial cell-derived neutrophil-activating peptide (ENA-78), or growth-regulating oncogene, GRO-alpha, was perfused over these neutrophils, they stopped rolling and rapidly migrated over the monolayer, but did not penetrate it. When HUVEC were treated with 100 U/ml TNF, the majority of adherent neutrophils transmigrated. If neutrophils were treated with fMLP, IL-8, C5a, ENA-78, or GRO-alpha just before perfusion over this HUVEC, transmigration, but not adhesion, was abolished. However, when platelet-activating factor was used to activate neutrophils, migration through HUVEC treated with 100 U/ml TNF was not impaired, and migration through HUVEC treated with 2 U/ml TNF was actually increased. Transmigration required ligation of CXC chemokine receptor-2 on neutrophils, and differential desensitization of this receptor (e.g., by fMLP but not platelet-activating factor) may explain the pattern of disruption of migration. Thus, transmigration may require presentation of the correct activators in the correct sequence, and inappropriate activation (e.g., by systemic activators) could cause pathological accumulation of neutrophils in the vessel lumen.

Cell Adhesion↗

Effects of fluorescent dyes on selectin and integrin-mediated stages of adhesion and migration of flowing leukocytes.

Fluorescent dyes assist visualisation of leukocytes for intravital studies of adhesion or for in vitro studies utilising whole blood. We have used in vitro flow-based assays to investigate the effects of three fluorescent dyes (acridine orange, AO, 5-100 microg/ml; calcein-AM, C-AM, 5-20 microg/ml; rhodamine 6G, R6G, 10-100 microg/ml) on adhesion and migration of isolated neutrophils and mononuclear cells. AO had little effect on the number or velocity of neutrophils rolling on P-selectin presented by a surface coated with platelets. However, AO did cause a dose- and time-dependent conversion of rolling to immobilisation. Pretreatment of neutrophils with an antibody against CD18 prevented this conversion to stationary adhesion, indicating that beta(2) integrins were activated by AO. C-AM had little effect on neutrophil behaviour, but tended to cause some immobilisation at the highest concentration. R6G did not affect the number of neutrophils that bound to the platelet monolayer or the percentage rolling, but the rolling velocity of the neutrophils was increased in a dose-dependent manner. None of the dyes impaired the ability of neutrophils to respond to formyl peptide by converting from rolling to stationary adhesion. Neither C-AM nor R-6G reduced the number of flowing neutrophils or mononuclear cells binding to endothelial cells stimulated with tumour necrosis factor. Interestingly, R-6G inhibited transendothelial migration of mononuclear cells but not neutrophils, while C-AM did not affect transmigration of either cell type. The dose-dependent effects of dyes should be taken into consideration when designing any experimental protocol. AO does not appear to be a suitable dye for adhesion studies. R6G and C-AM can be used at approximately 10 microg/ml (a concentration at which cells can be clearly visualised) although R-6G specifically inhibits the migratory response of mononuclear cells.

Acridine Orange↗

Treatment of rolling neutrophils with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies causes conversion to firm integrin-mediated adhesion.

OBJECTIVE: The vascular lesions associated with autoimmune small-vessel vasculitis may arise from activation of circulating neutrophils by antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), resulting in increased adhesion of these neutrophils to the vessel wall. The present study examined the effects of ANCA-positive IgG (ANCA IgG), derived from patients with small-vessel vasculitis, on neutrophil adhesion. METHODS: An in vitro, flow-based adhesion assay was used to determine the effects of ANCA IgG on neutrophils rolling on P-selectin presented by a monolayer of activated platelets. The platelets act as a surrogate vessel wall and can also support beta2 integrin-mediated immobilization of neutrophils if they are purposefully activated (e.g., by FMLP). RESULTS: In the absence of any added agents, neutrophils rolled continuously over the platelet monolayer. Superfusion of ANCA IgG over rolling cells resulted in conversion to stationary adhesion accompanied by shape change. The ANCA-mediated response was transient, peaking at 5-6 minutes and returning to baseline by 15 minutes, even in the continued presence of ANCA. In contrast, normal (ANCA-negative) IgG and ANCA F(ab')2 fragments caused minimal conversion to stationary adhesion. Pretreatment of neutrophils with blocking antibodies directed toward Fc gamma receptor type IIA or the integrin chain CD11b completely inhibited the ANCA-mediated conversion, confirming that ANCA-mediated activation occurred through Fc gamma receptors and that neutrophil immobilization was mediated by the activated beta2 integrin (CD11b/CD18). CONCLUSION: These findings support the concept that ANCA can directly activate neutrophils to become firmly adherent to vessel walls, where they may obstruct flow, initiate tissue damage, and contribute to pathogenesis of vasculitis.

Antibodies↗

Activated platelets adherent to an intact endothelial cell monolayer bind flowing neutrophils and enable them to transfer to the endothelial surface.

We have investigated the role that platelets may play in promoting adhesion of neutrophils to morphologically intact endothelium. Immortalized human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were grown to confluence in a glass capillary (microslide) and incorporated in a flow-based assay that allowed video-microscopic quantitation of adhesive interactions of perfused, isolated neutrophils (wall shear rate 140 s(-1)). Platelets (with or without stimulation with thrombin) were first sedimented onto the HMEC-1 cells and formed discrete attachments covering <1% of the surface area. When neutrophils were perfused over the platelet-treated HMEC-1 cells, many short-lived adhesive interactions were seen (lasting approximately 0.3 seconds), whereas none were seen for monolayers without platelets. Few of these interactions converted to stationary adhesion, and only small numbers of neutrophils remained attached after a period of washout unless they were pre-stimulated with formyl peptide (fMLP; 10(-7) mol/L). Then about 30% of adhesive interactions by activated neutrophils were seen to transform to a stationary adhesion, and numerous adherent cells remained after a period of washout. Studies with function-blocking antibodies showed that capture of the neutrophils was dependent on P-selectin exposed on platelets. Initial immobilization was mediated predominantly by the beta2-integrin CD11b/CD18 expressed by neutrophils, but CD11a/CD18 also appeared to play a role in prolonged attachment. Visually, adhesion first occurred at sites occupied by platelets, but some activated neutrophils migrated onto the endothelial cells. These studies indicate that even small numbers of platelets that have adhered to morphologically intact endothelium have the potential to capture flowing neutrophils and facilitate their immobilization at the vessel wall and so promote inflammatory and thrombotic intercellular interactions.

Adult↗

Differential binding of clonal variants of Plasmodium falciparum to allelic forms of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 determined by flow adhesion assay.

Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes to the endothelial ligand intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria. Recently, a high-frequency coding polymorphism in the N-terminal domain of ICAM-1 (ICAM-1(Kilifi)) that is associated with susceptibility to cerebral disease in Kenya has been described. Preliminary static adhesion assays suggested that two different selected P. falciparum lines, ITO4-A4 (A4) and ItG-ICAM (ItG), have different properties of binding to the natural variant proteins ICAM-1 and ICAM-1(Kilifi). Using a flow adhesion assay system, we have confirmed differences between the two lines in binding of parasitized erythrocytes to the variant ICAM-1 proteins. Total adhesion of ItG-infected erythrocytes to ICAM-1 and ICAM-1(Kilifi) is greater than that of A4-infected erythrocytes, and erythrocytes infected by both parasite strains show reduced binding to ICAM-1(Kilifi). However, under these physiologically relevant flow conditions, we have shown differences between A4 and ItG strains in dynamic rolling behavior on ICAM-1(Kilifi). The percentage of erythrocytes infected with A4 that roll on both ICAM-1 and ICAM-1(Kilifi) is greater than that of those infected with ItG. Also, the rolling velocity of A4-infected erythrocytes on ICAM-1(Kilifi) is markedly increased compared to that on ICAM-1, in contrast to the rolling velocity of ItG-infected erythrocytes, which is similar on both proteins. These findings suggest that different parasite lines can vary in their avidity for the same host ligand, which may have important consequences for the pathophysiology of P. falciparum malaria.

Alleles↗

Role of the cytoskeleton in rapid activation of CD11b/CD18 function and its subsequent downregulation in neutrophils.

When rolling adherent neutrophils are stimulated, they rapidly immobilize through activation of integrin CD11b/CD18, and then modulate attachment through this integrin to allow migration. We investigated links between cytoskeletal rearrangement and changes in function of integrin CD11b/CD18 in neutrophils stimulated with formyl peptide (fMLP). Neutrophils treated with the actin-polymerizing agent jasplakinolide became rolling adherent on monolayers of activated platelets, but could not use CD11b/CD18 to become immobilised when fMLP was perfused over them. If treated with jasplakinolide after fMLP, the cells stopped migrating but could not detach when fMLP was removed. Jasplakinolide did not inhibit changes in intracellular Ca(2+) seen after fMLP treatment, or inhibit neutrophil immobilisation induced by externally added Mn(2+). Thus cytoskeletal rearrangement was directly implicated in upregulation and, later, downregulation of CD11b/CD18 binding. Inhibition of RhoA with C3-transferase caused a dose-dependent reduction of initial rolling adhesion of neutrophils, and reduced the rate of migration after stimulation; however, neither the conversion of rolling to stationary adhesion, nor the ability of neutrophils to detach on removal of the stimulus, were inhibited. Thus, Rho may regulate actin polymerisation and motility in neutrophils, but did not appear to control integrin-mediated adhesion itself. Integrin binding may be promoted by disruption of links to the cytoskeleton, effected through depolymerisation of actin or cleavage of linking protein talin by calpain. Disruption of actin filaments with cytochalasin D did not, however, cause integrin-mediated immobilisation of rolling neutrophils. Although the calpain inhibitor calpeptin did inhibit the adhesion response to fMLP, this was only at doses where actin polymerisation was also ablated. We suggest that the cytoskeleton actively regulates binding conformation of CD11b/CD18 as well as its mobility in the membrane.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗