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Biomedical subjects

J B Lefkowith

Publications and source records attributed to J B Lefkowith.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Serologic markers of lupus nephritis in patients: use of a tissue-based ELISA and evidence for immunopathogenic heterogeneity.

In order to assess the ability of various serologic assays to correlate with lupus nephritis, we analysed sera obtained from 60 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients were categorized as having active nephritis (group 1), active lupus without nephritis (group 2), inactive lupus with prior nephritis (group 3), or inactive lupus without prior nephritis (group 4). Three parameters were assessed including anti-dsDNA antibodies (Farr assay), immune complexes (C1q binding), and anti-C1q antibodies (salt-stable C1q binding). Additionally, glomerular binding activity (GBA) was measured using a new solid-phase immunoassay that detects immune elements by their ability to bind glomerular tissue. We found that patients with nephritis (group 1) exhibited higher mean values for each assay than patients in each of the other three groups (P = 0.001, 0.009, 0.14, and 0.23 in the GBA, C1q, anti-dsDNA, and anti-C1q assays, respectively). The only assay which distinguished patients with nephritis (group 1) from patients having active disease without nephritis (group 2) was the GBA (mean 0.48 +/- 0.09 versus 0.15 +/- 0.04, P < 0.05). In terms of utility, all tests were specific for diagnosing nephritis among patients with lupus; however, only the GBA was reasonably sensitive. The information provided by the anti-dsDNA and C1q assays were not correlated with one another, nor additive to the GBA. Patients with false negative GBA tended to have received more intensive immunosuppression. The qualitative characteristics of GBA varied among patients with nephritis. These data suggest the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis is complex, and may be mediated by an array of immune elements. Moreover, the data indicate the potential utility for a broad tissue-based approach to detection of pathogenic immune elements over other, specific immunologic markers.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1994

Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant mediates neutrophil influx in immune complex glomerulonephritis in rat.

Chemokines are a family of cytokines whose participation in inflammation in vivo remains to be established. Using the rat model of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritis, we found that mRNA for the chemokine CINC (cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant) was induced in the kidney, and the corresponding protein was elaborated by isolated inflamed glomeruli. Production of CINC by glomeruli was unaffected by complement- or leukocyte-depletion prior to disease induction. Cytokines which induce CINC expression in renal cells (TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta) were also expressed in the kidney during glomerular inflammation. TNF-alpha production, unlike CINC, was complement and leukocyte dependent. In vivo administration of anti-CINC, but not anti-human IL-8, IgG selectively attenuated the influx of PMNs into the glomerulus and commensurately diminished proteinuria. The participation of CINC was not tissue-specific: anti-CINC IgG also diminished the influx of PMNs in dermal immune complex inflammation. In sum, we propose that glomerular immune complex deposition/complement activation leads to cytokine production which results in CINC expression by endogenous glomerular cells. The CINC produced plays a contributory role in the influx of PMNs into the glomerulus in the context of the activation of other inflammatory mediators. These results suggest a potential role for CINC homologues, IL-8 and the GRO family of chemokines, in human immune complex-mediated disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Fibrinogen mediates platelet-polymorphonuclear leukocyte cooperation during immune-complex glomerulonephritis in rats.

The metabolic and functional alterations which occur during the acute phase of nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) in rats, a model of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis, result from a cooperative interaction between PMNs and platelets (PLTs). In consequence, we hypothesized that fibrinogen (Fg) might play a critical role in this process and, accordingly, we found that defibrination of animals decreased both the acute phase proteinuria in NTN (approximately 70%) as well as the influx of PLTs and PMNs into the glomerulus (approximately 40-50%). In contrast, blockade of the PLT Fg receptor, alpha IIb beta 3, with the RGD peptidomimetic SC-49992 decreased proteinuria (approximately 90%) without substantially altering the influx of PMNs or PLTs. Immunocytochemistry showed a marked increase in beta 3 integrin expression in inflamed glomeruli which was prevented either by PMN or PLT depletion before disease induction. FACS and immunocytochemical analysis of glomerular cell dissociates demonstrated that beta 3 integrin expression was predominantly on intraglomerular PLTs. In vitro, activated PLTs stimulated the PMN respiratory burst, an interaction which could be inhibited by Fg receptor blockade. In sum, acute NTN is accompanied by a marked increase in glomerular beta 3 integrin expression predominantly due to the influx of PLTs which localize to the glomerulus in a PMN-dependent fashion. Fg appears to serve a major role as a coactivating stimulus for PLT-PMNs in situ via alpha IIb beta 3, potentially mediating the PMN respiratory burst which contributes to proteinuria. Fg may also play a subsidiary role in PMN/PLT comigration.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Immunoglobulin G-mediated phagocytosis activates a calcium-independent, phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase.

Inhibition of arachidonate release down-regulates immunoglobulin G-mediated phagocytosis. This arachidonate requirement is selective for IgG-opsonized targets, suggesting that arachidonate may act as a second messenger for Fc gamma receptor-mediated phagocytosis. Here we report the characterization of a phospholipase, activated during phagocytosis, that releases arachidonate from phosphatidylethanolamine in the absence of intracellular calcium ([Ca]i < or = 2 nM). In vitro, a phospholipase with these characteristics was detected in soluble and particulate fractions of human monocyte homogenates. (E)-6-(Bromomethylene)tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)2H-pyran-2-one, a drug that selectively inhibits Ca-independent phospholipase A2s, is shown to inhibit IgG-mediated phagocytosis and its associated arachidonate release in intact monocytes as well as the in vitro enzyme activity. These findings provide a link between the whole-cell and in vitro data and present the initial characterization of a receptor-activated, calcium-independent phospholipase from human monocytes.

Arachidonic Acids↗
PubMed1993

Induction of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis in normal mice immunized with bacterial DNA.

Normal mice immunized with bacterial DNA produce high titers of anti-DNA antibodies and represent a new model for autoantibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus. To determine whether DNA immunization can also provoke clinical manifestations of lupus, the occurrence of nephritis in immunized mice was assessed and correlated with levels of anti-DNA as well as antibodies to glomerular antigens. BALB/c mice immunized with Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA in complexes with methylated bovine serum albumin in adjuvant showed increased proteinuria compared to control mice immunized with mBSA alone. Furthermore, DNA immunized mice had significantly greater glomerular proliferative changes and immunoglobulin deposition than control mice. In an in vitro assay, sera from DNA immunized mice exhibited greater binding to glomerular antigens than sera from control mice. Compared to sera, renal eluates from DNA-immunized mice were enriched for anti-DNA and glomerular binding activity. These data indicate that immunization of normal mice with E. coli DNA induces an immune-mediated proliferative glomerulonephritis that is likely secondary to the renal deposition of anti-DNA antibodies.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Immune complex-stimulated neutrophil LTB4 production is dependent on beta 2 integrins.

The beta 2 integrins (LFA-1, Mac-1, and p150,95) are critical for many adhesive functions of leukocytes. Although the binding of the IgG-opsonized particles occurs normally in the absence of beta 2 integrins, phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized particles by activated neutrophils (PMN) requires these integrins. This observation suggests a role for beta 2 integrins in phagocytosis subsequent to particle binding. To investigate the mechanism of involvement of beta 2 integrins in IgG-mediated functions, we examined the role of beta 2 integrins in adhesion to immune complex (IC)-coated surfaces. Initial adhesion and spreading on IC-coated surfaces were equivalent in control and beta 2-deficient phagocytes. However, both genetically beta 2-deficient PMN and PMN treated with the anti-beta 2 mAb IB4 subsequently detached from the IC-coated surfaces. To determine whether biochemical consequences of IgG activation were also affected by beta 2 deficiency, LTB4 production in response to Fc receptor ligation was assessed. LTB4 production by beta 2-deficient PMN adherent to IC-coated surfaces was markedly decreased in comparison with control PMN. Importantly, LTB4 production by PMN stimulated with fluid phase heat-aggregated IgG also required the beta 2 integrins, showing that the defect was not a simple consequence of abnormal adhesion. In contrast, superoxide production by IC-adherent PMN was equivalent in control and beta 2-deficient PMN. The initial rises in intracytoplasmic [Ca2+]i in response to aggregated IgG also were unaffected by inhibition of beta 2 integrins. These data show that lack of beta 2 integrins does not inhibit all FcR-dependent signal transduction. Finally, LTB4 production by normal PMN adherent to ICs was inhibited by antibodies to FcRII, but not FcRIII, showing that FcRII ligation was required for this effect. Together these data identify a role for the beta 2 integrins in a signal transduction pathway leading to sustained adhesion and LTB4 production in response to IC. Since both beta 2 integrins and FcRII are required for these effects, the data further suggest cooperation between these receptors in generating PMN activation in response to IC stimulation.

Actins↗
PubMed1993

Detection of glomerular-binding immune elements in murine lupus using a tissue-based ELISA.

The glomerulonephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is presumably triggered by the binding of circulating immune elements (autoantibodies and immune complexes) to the glomerulus; however, the nature of these elements is unclear. In order to detect and characterize such elements, we developed an ELISA using whole intact glomeruli as the substrate. With this assay, glomerular binding activity (GBA) was detected in the serum of MRL lpr, NZB x W, and B x SB mice, but not in non-autoimmune BALB/c mice. Less activity was present in the serum of C3H lpr, C57Bl/6J lpr and AKR lpr animals which develop signs of autoimmunity but only modest renal disease. The GBA in MRL lpr mice contained IgG (subclasses 1, 2a and 2b), but not IgG3, IgM, IgA, or C3. GBA was not significantly decreased by preadsorption of MRL lpr serum by DNA-agarose (although anti-DNA antibodies were). Binding activity in serum, however, was diminished by DNAase treatment. Fractionation of MRL lpr serum over a molecular sizing column showed that GBA eluted in a broad peak. GBA bound to the glomerulus ex vivo in a tissue-specific fashion and was enriched in renal eluates relative to serum in vivo. In sum, the binding activity detected by this assay appeared to be a heterogeneous entity (possibly in part immune complexes containing DNA) which bound specifically to the glomerulus and which appeared to parallel the presence of renal disease. This novel assay system may help elucidate the pathogenesis of SLE nephritis and have utility as a disease marker.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Serum glomerular binding activity is highly correlated with renal disease in MRL/lpr mice.

The pathogenesis of lupus nephritis is felt to be mediated by anti-DNA antibodies. However, the anti-DNA response and renal disease do not entirely correspond. We recently developed a new assay which detects immune elements based on their ability to bind glomeruli as an alternative approach to understanding the pathogenesis of this disorder. The glomerular binding activity (GBA) defined by this assay consists of immune elements containing IgG which interact specifically with renal tissue, the binding of which is DNase-inhibitable, but which do not bind to DNA directly. In the current study we assessed the relationship between GBA and renal disease in MRL/lpr mice (both untreated and cyclophosphamide-treated) and compared it with the anti-DNA assay. Both assays were highly correlated with renal disease in untreated mice in terms of proteinuria. In cyclophosphamide-treated mice, however, only a weak correlation between the anti-DNA assay and proteinuria was apparent. GBA, in contrast, was more strongly correlated with proteinuria in treated mice. This correlation improved substantially when the DNase-sensitive component of the GBA was used. GBA appeared related to, but not covariant with, the anti-DNA response. These results demonstrate that GBA is a better correlate of murine lupus nephritis than the anti-DNA assay, and suggest that the immune elements detected by this assay, the DNase-sensitive component in particular, may be pathogenically important.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Attenuation of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis with an anti-CD11b monoclonal antibody.

Nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN), a model of autoimmune glomerulonephritis, is characterized by glomerular inflammation, which results in both proteinuria and an increase in eicosanoid production. In light of the ability of CD18 integrins to participate in leukocyte adherence (and thereby migration), we examined the role of the integrin CD11b/CD18 in NTN using OX42, a monoclonal antibody directed against rat CD11b. Administration of OX42 30 min before induction of NTN decreased proteinuria (by 50%) but did not affect the number of leukocytes found in the glomerulus or the accompanying increase in glomerular eicosanoid production. Administration of OX42 16 h before disease induction led to a more substantial decrease in proteinuria (80%) and, in contrast to 30 min pretreatment, decreased the number of neutrophils found in the glomerulus and the accompanying increase in glomerular eicosanoid production (both by 50%). OX42 pretreatment had no effect on the number of macrophages found in glomeruli. Circulating leukocytes from animals treated with OX42 in vivo showed saturating surface levels of antibody by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis and normal upregulation of CD11b by pharmacological activation. Sixteen hours after in vivo injection of OX42, 50% more peripheral leukocytes were labeled relative to control leukocytes labeled with OX42 ex vivo. Glomerular leukocytes in NTN exhibited upregulated expression of CD11b relative to peripheral leukocytes. These data show that CD11b/CD18 may participate in the acute expression of glomerular damage in NTN in a fashion not wholly dependent on blocking neutrophil migration into glomeruli. Blockade of surface receptors (as opposed to inhibition of upregulation) is sufficient to obtain this effect.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Platelets and neutrophils are critical to the enhanced glomerular arachidonate metabolism in acute nephrotoxic nephritis in rats.

Nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) is characterized by a marked increase in glomerular eicosanoid synthesis, which appears to play an important role in the pathophysiology of this disease model. In this study, we investigated the biochemical and cellular basis of this metabolic change. By examining the enzymatic conversion of exogenous substrates by intact glomeruli, we found that cyclooxygenase, TX synthase, and 5-lipoxygenase activities increased 4-, 8-, and 100-fold, respectively, in acute NTN. PGH2-PGE2 isomerase and leukotriene A4 hydrolase activities did not change. The cellular basis of these changes was examined using dissociated glomerular cells in vitro and by depleting platelets in vivo. Dissociated glomerular cells from nephritic glomeruli (largely mesangial cells and leukocytes) exhibited an enhanced arachidonate metabolism similar to intact nephritic glomeruli. Depletion of neutrophils (PMNs) from these cell preparations by 90% commensurately decreased 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase activity but had little effect on TX synthase activity. The recovered PMN fraction, however, did exhibit TX synthase activity. Immunocytochemical analysis of dissociated cells using an antiplatelet antibody demonstrated the presence of platelets, both adherent to cells and noncell associated. Depletion of platelets in vivo using this antibody substantially attenuated the increase in glomerular eicosanoid synthesis that accompanied NTN. Platelet depletion also decreased the influx of PMNs into the glomerulus by 50%. These data show that PMNs and platelets colocalize to the glomerulus in acute NTN and are coordinately essential to the increase in glomerular arachidonate metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Phospholipase activation during monocyte adherence and spreading.

Phospholipase activation is an important element in cellular signal transduction. In our study we investigated the role and regulation of phospholipase activation during human monocyte adherence and spreading. In human monocytes, phospholipase inhibition (with bromophenacyl bromide (BPB) or manoalide) impaired cell adherence and spreading. In contrast, neither cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibition nor platelet activating factor receptor blockade affected these responses. The impaired adherence and spreading induced by phospholipase inhibition with BPB could be partially reversed by the addition of nM levels of arachidonate (20:4(n - 6)). Dihomogammalinolenic acid (20:3(n - 6)) could substitute for arachidonate, but other polyunsaturated fatty acids were ineffective in this regard. The phospholipase inhibitor, BPB was selective in its effects on cellular phospholipase activities. BPB inhibited adherence/spreading-related and PMA-stimulated phospholipase activities, but not Ca2+ ionophore-stimulated phospholipase activity. To further probe for the role of Ca2+ in monocyte adherence and spreading, monocytes were loaded with MAPTAM (bis-(2-amino-5-methylphenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N', tetraacetic acid tetraacetoxymethyl ester), an EGTA analog. In contrast to phospholipase inhibition, intracellular Ca2+ chelation with MAPTAM did not affect monocyte adherence but did inhibit monocyte spreading. MAPTAM partially inhibited adherence/spreading-stimulated phospholipase activity, but did not inhibit PMA-stimulated phospholipase activity. These data suggest that human monocyte adherence and spreading may sequentially activate Ca(2+)-independent and then Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipases to release arachidonate. The activation of phospholipase and the release of arachidonate appear to be integral parts of the adhesion process.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed1992

Essential fatty acids are not required for wound healing.

Rats with essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) exhibit mild body growth retardation, diminished leukocyte influx in certain models of inflammation, and skin lesions characterized by ulceration, thinning and decreased pigmentation. In the present study we examined the role of EFAD in cutaneous wound healing, a process in which the inflammatory response and the macrophage play a central role. We reproduced the EFAD condition in Lewis rats (n = 35), and examined its effects in wound healing using the paired rat surgical incision model. Rats were compared with weight-matched controls, receiving standard chow diet. Skin samples harvested at days 5, 7, 14 and 21 post-wounding were evaluated for tensiometry and histology. EFAD rats exhibited all the characteristics of this condition, and the typical alteration of liver lipids. Skin samples harvested at different days post-wounding did not show difference in maximal breaking strength when compared to weight-matched controls. Histological evaluation of skin samples showed no difference in the cellular inflammatory infiltration in either EFAD rats or in weight-matched controls. Immunohistochemical studies revealed no difference in the influx of macrophages in the different groups of rats. Fatty acid supplementation of EFAD rats (n = 7), successfully reversed the EFAD state as assessed by the macroscopic skin and liver changes and liver fatty acid content, without modifying either tensile strength or cellular inflammatory infiltration. Our results suggest that EFAD does not alter the normal course of the cutaneous wound repair in rats, despite all the cutaneous alterations produced by this condition. We conclude that essential fatty acids (EFAs) are not essential for cutaneous wound repair.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Paradoxical exacerbation of leukocyte-mediated glomerulonephritis with cyclooxygenase inhibition.

Nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) is characterized by glomerular inflammation, an increase in glomerular eicosanoid synthesis, and renal dysfunction. Data further suggest that eicosanoids may play a critical role in the inflammatory response. In the current study, we examined the effects of in vivo manipulation of arachidonate metabolism on the cellular component of the inflammatory response in NTN. We found that inhibition of cyclooxygenase with indomethacin in mild NTN caused a two- to fourfold increase in the leukocyte influx into glomeruli with a change histologically from a focal to a more diffuse lesion. Both the accompanying proteinuria and the increase in ex vivo glomerular eicosanoid production were also augmented by the administration of indomethacin. The effect of indomethacin was reversible and not limited to the acute phase of NTN. The administration of aspirin, like indomethacin, augmented the glomerular inflammation of NTN. Neither OKY-046 (a thromboxane synthase inhibitor) nor MK-886 (a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor) altered the glomerular inflammation of NTN. Administration of exogenous prostaglandin E (in the form of misoprostol) did diminish the proteinuria accompanying NTN; however, glomerular inflammation was not significantly affected. Incubation of glomeruli with [14C]arachidonate demonstrated the presence of noncyclooxygenase pathways of arachidonate metabolism (11-, 12-, and 15-lipoxygenases) with increased activity in NTN. These data demonstrate that cyclooxygenase inhibition may paradoxically worsen glomerular inflammation and suggest a potential role for noncyclooxygenase/non-5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonate metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Urinary eicosanoids and the assessment of glomerular inflammation.

Nephrotoxic nephritis, a model system for glomerulonephritis, is characterized by glomerular inflammation, proteinuria, and a marked increase in ex vivo glomerular eicosanoid production. This study addressed whether urinary eicosanoids might serve as noninvasive markers for glomerular inflammation and damage with nephrotoxic nephritis and its accelerated variant. Accelerated nephritis, relative to simple nephritis, was characterized by more substantial glomerular inflammation, particularly that due to neutrophils. Correspondingly, accelerated nephritis was accompanied by greater proteinuria and more marked elevations in glomerular eicosanoids generated ex vivo. With respect to urinary eicosanoids, thromboxane, but not leukotriene B4, was detected in the urine of normal animals. After the induction of nephrotoxic nephritis, urinary thromboxane was moderately elevated (twofold) and urinary leukotriene B4 was variably present (three of seven animals). In accelerated nephritis, urinary thromboxane was more markedly elevated (sixfold) and leukotriene B4 was consistently present. The presence of urinary leukotriene B4 was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Urinary eicosanoids together correlated with glomerular leukocyte numbers and proteinuria by linear regression. Urinary leukotriene B4 individually correlated with glomerular neutrophil numbers. Renal metabolism of leukotriene B4 to omega oxidation products by the rat kidney was not apparent. These data validate that the enhanced glomerular eicosanoid metabolism seen in nephrotoxic nephritis takes place in vivo and additionally suggest that both urinary thromboxane and leukotriene B4 may serve as noninvasive markers for glomerular inflammation and damage. In light of these and prior studies, urinary thromboxane may be a general marker of glomerular inflammation and leukotriene B4 may be a more specific index of acute inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Alteration of the binding specificity of cellular retinol-binding protein II by site-directed mutagenesis.

Rat cellular retinol-binding protein II (CRBP II) is an abundant 134-residue intestinal protein that binds all-trans-retinol and all-trans-retinal. It belongs to a family of homologous, 15-kDa cytoplasmic proteins that bind hydrophobic ligands in a noncovalent fashion. These binding proteins include a number of proteins that bind long chain fatty acids. X-ray analyses of the structure of two family members, rat intestinal fatty acid-binding protein and bovine myelin P2 protein, indicate that they have a high degree of conformational similarity and that the carboxylate group of their bound fatty acid interacts with a delta-guanidium group of at least 1 of 2 "buried" arginine residues. These 2 Arg residues are conserved in other family members that bind long chain fatty acids and in cellular retinoic acid-binding protein, but are replaced by Gln109 and Gln129 in CRBP II. We have genetically engineered two amino acid substitutions in CRBP II: 1) Gln109 to Arg and 2) Gln129 to Arg. The purified Escherichia coli-derived CRBP II mutant proteins were analyzed by fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Both mutants exhibit markedly decreased binding of all-trans-retinol and all-trans-retinaldehyde, but no increased binding of all-trans-retinoic acid. Arg substitution for Gln109 but not for Gln129 produces a dramatic increase in palmitate binding activity. Analysis of the endogenous fatty acids associated with the purified E. coli-derived proteins revealed that E. coli-derived intestinal fatty acid binding protein and the Arg109 CRBP II mutant are complexed with endogenous fatty acids in a qualitatively and quantitatively similar manner. These results provide evidence that this internal Arg may play an important role in the binding of long chain fatty acids by members of this protein family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Essential fatty acid deficiency impairs macrophage spreading and adherence. Role of arachidonate in cell adhesion.

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid manipulation exerts a strikingly protective effect in models of tissue inflammation and injury. A critical element of this effect appears to revolve around leukocyte trafficking but underlying mechanisms are ill understood. In the current study it was observed that essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency markedly impaired the capacity of resident macrophages to spread and adhere. This effect was not a simple function of the alteration of membrane fatty acid composition. Elicited EFA-deficient macrophages were equally adherent to elicited control cells, despite the fact that they were equally EFA-deficient relative to resident EFA-deficient cells. With respect to the mechanism underlying defective macrophage adherence in EFA deficiency, no change in the expression of cell surface adherence molecules (Fc receptor, Mac-1, or LFA-1) was noted with the deficiency state. Also, an adherence defect could not be induced in normal cells pharmacologically with cyclooxygenase blockade, lipoxygenase blockade, or a platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist. In contrast, phospholipase inhibition was able to induce a spreading and adherence defect in resident macrophages similar to that seen with EFA deficiency. Using several phospholipase inhibitors, a correlation between phospholipase inhibition and impairment of adherence was observed. Adding back exogenous fatty acids to cells after phospholipase inhibition demonstrated that normal adherence was reconstituted with arachidonate. This alteration in macrophage spreading and adherence with EFA deficiency may be an important component of the anti-inflammatory effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid manipulation. Additionally, these results suggest that arachidonate may be an intracellular mediator of leukocyte adherence.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Antigen-presenting cells in essential fatty acid-deficient murine epidermis: keratinocytes bearing class II (Ia) antigens may potentiate the accessory cell function of Langerhans cells.

Essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD) is a useful model for studying the role of (n-6) fatty acid metabolism in normal physiology. Because cutaneous manifestations are among the earliest signs of EFAD and because abnormalities in the distribution and function of tissue macrophages have been documented in EFAD rodents, we studied the distribution and function of Class II MHC (Ia) antigen-bearing cells in EFAD C57B1/6 mouse epidermis. Immunofluorescence studies revealed 1.9-9.6 (mean +/- SEM = 5.2 +/- 2.6) times more class II MHC (Ia) antigen-bearing epidermal cells in suspensions prepared from EFAD as compared to normal skin. Analysis of epidermal sheets demonstrated similar numbers of dendritic Ia+ and NLDC145+ cells in EFAD and normal epidermis, however. This discrepancy occurred because some keratinocytes in EFAD epidermal sheets expressed class II MHC (Ia) antigens, whereas keratinocytes in normal mouse epidermis did not. Two-color flow cytometry confirmed that all Ia+ cells in normal epidermis are Langerhans (Ia+ NLDC145+) cells, whereas Ia+ cells in EFAD epidermis are comprised of Langerhans cells and a subpopulation of keratinocytes (Ia+ NLDC145-). Similar levels of Ia antigens were expressed on EFAD and normal Langerhans cells. EFAD and normal epidermal cells were also compared in several in vitro assays of accessory cell function. Epidermal cells prepared from EFAD C57B1/6 mice present the protein antigen DNP-Ova to primed helper T cells more effectively than epidermal cells prepared from normal animals. EFAD epidermal cells are also more potent stimulators of T cells in primary and secondary allogeneic mixed lymphocyte-epidermal cell reactions than normal epidermal cells. The functional differences between EFAD and normal epidermal cells do not appear to result from increased cytokine release or decreased prostaglandin production by EFAD epidermal cells. In view of these findings and the observation that the antigen-presenting cell activity of EFAD epidermal cells correlates with the number of Ia+ keratinocytes in epidermal cell preparations, Ia+ keratinocytes (in the presence of Langerhans cells) may potentiate cutaneous immune responses in vitro and perhaps in vivo as well. These results also suggest that (n-6) fatty acids or metabolites of (n-6) fatty acids are involved in regulating the expression of class II MHC (Ia) antigens by keratinocytes in vivo.

Animals↗