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J Elsner

Publications and source records attributed to J Elsner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Detection of MCP-4 in dermal fibroblasts and its activation of the respiratory burst in human eosinophils.

CC-chemokines are an important family of proinflammatory mediators that promote the recruitment and activation of human eosinophils in chronic inflammatory diseases. Recently, a novel human CC-chemokine, monocyte chemotactic protein 4 (MCP-4), has been reported that shows amino acid sequence similarities with eotaxin and RANTES, induces chemotaxis of eosinophils, and signals through specific chemokine receptors. In this study, we investigated the effect of MCP-4 on different eosinophil effector functions leading to the activation of the respiratory burst. In human eosinophils, MCP-4 dose dependently induced the production of reactive oxygen species and actin polymerization as a related event. Pretreatment of eosinophils with different enzyme inhibitors interacting with the signal transduction cascade revealed that Gi protein, protein kinase C, tyrosine kinase, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase are involved in the signaling following stimulation with MCP-4. In addition, cytokine-stimulated human dermal fibroblasts expressed high levels of MCP-4 mRNA, suggesting that fibroblasts are a physiologic source of MCP-4. Therefore, this study demonstrates that there is an important role of MCP-4 in the activation of eosinophils and that the interaction between dermal fibroblasts and human eosinophils may play an important role within the cytokine network.

Actins↗

Eotaxin-2 activates chemotaxis-related events and release of reactive oxygen species via pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in human eosinophils.

Eosinophils play an important role in allergic and autoimmune diseases. They are activated by distinct chemokines, leading to the immigration into the inflamed tissue, and mediate tissue damage by releasing reactive oxygen species. Recently, eotaxin was found to have the broadest spectrum of activities of all eosinophil-activating CC chemokines. In this study we investigated the effect of the novel CC chemokine, eotaxin-2, on eosinophil effector functions and compared its activity with eotaxin. Using nitrobenzoxadiazole-phallacidin staining and flow cytometry, we show that eotaxin-2 induced rapid and transient actin polymerization, a prerequisite for cell migration and modulation of the respiratory burst, in eosinophils in the same range of efficacy as observed for eotaxin. Eotaxin-2 induced the release of reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner; half maximal and maximal release were found at 50 ng/ml and 500 ng/ml, respectively. Surprisingly, the efficacy of eotaxin-2 was comparable to that of eotaxin and C5a. Release of reactive oxygen species was inhibited by pertussis toxin, indicating the involvement of Gi proteins in the signaling of eotaxin-2. Moreover, the anti-CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) monoclonal antibody, 7B11, was able to inhibit transient rise in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and the release of reactive oxygen species following stimulation with eotaxin-2. Therefore, eotaxin-2 represents a potent CC chemokine for human eosinophils activating chemotaxis-related events, such as actin polymerization, and the respiratory burst via the CCR3. Moreover, the efficacy of eotaxin-2 seems to be in the same range as that of eotaxin which might re-evaluate the recent profile of activity of CC chemokines in the activation of human eosinophils.

Actins↗

Blood- and skin-derived monocytes/macrophages respond to C3a but not to C3a(desArg) with a transient release of calcium via a pertussis toxin-sensitive signal transduction pathway.

Controversial results have been published in the past regarding the functional reactivity of monocytes (Mo) and macrophages (M phi) to the anaphylatoxin C3a and its degradation product C3a(desArg). In this study we performed binding and calcium mobilization experiments with recombinant human C3a (rC3a) and rC3a(desArg). Blood Mo displayed non-inhibitable binding of FITC-labeled rC3a (rC3aFITC) but responded to rC3a with a transient release of the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), whereas rC3a(desArg) was completely inactive. In contrast, binding of rC3aFITC to eosinophilic granulocytes and the mast cell line HMC-1 which have been shown previously to express C3a binding sites could be blocked by a monoclonal anti-C3a antibody. The rC3a-induced [Ca2+]i release in blood Mo was pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive suggesting the involvement of G-proteins in the signal transduction pathway. Skin-derived Mo/M phi reacted similarly to blood Mo as no specific binding of rC3aFITC to these cells could be demonstrated, whereas an intracellular release of calcium ions in response to the anaphylatoxin was observed. Homologous desensitization to rC3a but not heterologous desensitization to rC5a was detected in further experiments. The functional effect of C3a, but not the unspecific binding of rC3aFITC to blood Mo and skin-derived Mo/M phi could be blocked by the monoclonal anti-C3a antibody. These results suggest the expression of the recently cloned G-protein-coupled receptor for C3a on human blood Mo and skin-derived Mo/M phi. However, the total number of specific C3a binding sites on these cells is distinctly lower as compared to eosinophilic granulocytes and cells of the mast cell line HMC-1. The small number of C3a receptors on Mo/M phi may be masked by a pronounced non-inhibitable binding of rC3aFITC. This binding, however, may contribute to the recently described biological effects of C3a(desArg) on Mo.

Arginine↗

The CC chemokine antagonist Met-RANTES inhibits eosinophil effector functions through the chemokine receptors CCR1 and CCR3.

Eosinophils are predominant effector cells not only in allergic diseases but also in connective tissue diseases. The recruitment of eosinophils to the site of inflammation and release of reactive oxygen species leading to tissue damage and propagation of the inflammatory response are mediated by chemokines. Thus, agents that would be able to inhibit or antagonize chemokine-induced eosinophil activation are interesting as therapeutical agents. We describe the effect of a chemokine receptor antagonist, Met-RANTES, on human eosinophil effector functions in response to RANTES, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-3 and eotaxin. Met-RANTES was able to inhibit dose-dependently [Ca2+]i transients in eosinophils following stimulation with RANTES, MCP-3 and eotaxin. Whereas maximal and half-maximal inhibitory effect of Met-RANTES following stimulation with RANTES and MCP-3 were observed at 2 micrograms/ml and 1 microgram/ml, respectively, maximal and half-maximal inhibitory effects of Met-RANTES in response to eotaxin were detected at 10 micrograms/ml and 3 micrograms/ml. Moreover, eotaxin-induced [Ca2+]i transients were only half reduced at a Met-RANTES concentration at which RANTES and MCP-3 were completely blocked. Besides its effect on [Ca2+]i transients, Met-RANTES dose-dependently inhibited actin polymerization in eosinophils following chemokine stimulation. Whereas Met-RANTES totally inhibited RANTES- and MCP-3-induced actin polymerization at 5 micrograms/ml, the eotaxin-induced response was only reduced by 50%. However, Met-RANTES inhibited dose-dependently the release of reactive oxygen species in response to RANTES, MCP-3 and eotaxin. Again, eotaxin-induced release of reactive oxygen species, however, was only half reduced at a Met-RANTES concentration (10 micrograms/ml) at which RANTES and MCP-3 were completely blocked. The results of this study show that (1) Met-RANTES is an effective and powerful antagonist of effector functions of human eosinophils following stimulation with RANTES, MCP-3 and eotaxin; (2) Met-RANTES seems to be able to antagonize the response of eosinophils through chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) preferentially to CCR3; (3) Met-RANTES antagonizes eosinophil but not neutrophil effector functions and might be therefore of interest for a new therapeutical approach to prevent the invasion and destructive power of eosinophils in diseases that are accompanied by eosinophil infiltration such as allergic asthma and connective tissue diseases.

Actins↗

Amphetamine-induced disruption and haloperidol-induced potentiation of latent inhibition depend on the nature of the stimulus.

If a stimulus (e.g. light) is repeatedly preexposed without consequences, it subsequently develops a weaker association with a reinforcer (e.g. foot shock) than does a non-preexposed stimulus. This retarded conditioning to the preexposed as compared to the non-preexposed stimulus, is latent inhibition (LI). It is well documented that LI is disrupted by low doses of amphetamine and potentiated by neuroleptic drugs, and there is evidence that the action of these agents on LI can be modified by changes in the parameters of preexposure or conditioning. The present experiments tested whether the effects of DA agents on LI are influenced by the nature of the stimulus. In two experiments, LI was assessed using an off-baseline conditioned emotional response (CER) procedure in rats licking for water, consisting of three stages: preexposure, in which the stimulus (a light) to be conditioned, was repeatedly presented without being followed by reinforcement; conditioning, in which the preexposed stimulus was paired with reinforcement (a foot-shock); and test, in which LI was indexed by animals' degree of suppression of licking during stimulus presentation. In both experiments, different groups of animals were preexposed and conditioned with four different preexposed visual stimuli: three steady side-lights, three flashing side-lights, one flashing side-light, and a flashing houselight. Experiment 1 used 40 stimulus preexposures and tested the effects of 1 mg/kg D-amphetamine, whereas experiment 2 used 10 preexposures and tested the effects of 0.1 mg/kg haloperidol. The results showed that of the four stimuli used, both drugs were effective with only one and the same stimulus, namely, flashing houselight. This demonstrates that the disruptive effect of amphetamine and the potentiating effect of haloperidol on LI, are modifiable by manipulating the nature of the preexposed stimulus.

Animals↗

Functional features of neutrophils induced by G-CSF and GM-CSF treatment: differential effects and clinical implications.

G-CSF and GM-CSF are hematopoietic growth factors required for proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic precursors. G-CSF is now widely used to overcome neutropenias of various origins. Beside the absolute number, the functional capacity of neutrophils at sites of inflammation is of major importance in host defense. This review summarizes major functional and phenotypical features of neutrophils induced by G-CSF treatment in patients with acquired and congenital neutropenias. Furthermore, we focus on the differential effect of G-CSF and GM-CSF on neutrophil function in vitro and in vivo. Some of the altered abilities of cytokine-induced neutrophils are important to understand side-effects of G-CSF therapy.

Cell Adhesion↗

Inverse MCP-1/IL-8 ratio in effluents of CAPD patients with peritonitis and in isolated cultured human peritoneal macrophages.

An important event in intraperitoneal inflammation is the influx of leukocytes into the peritoneal cavity. Chemokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) play a major role in the recruitment of immune cells to the site of inflammation. We determined the concentrations of two members of the chemokine family, IL-8 and MCP-1, in the dialysate effluents of 18 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with peritonitis and of 18 non-infected CAPD patients by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Isolated peritoneal macrophages (PMs) from CAPD peritonitis patients were cultured and IL-8 and MCP-1 production was determined on protein (ELISA) and mRNA level (Northern blot) at designated timepoints over a 72-h culture period. PMs from non-infected patients served as controls. Much higher concentrations of IL-8 and MCP-1 were found in dialysate effluents of peritonitis patients than in effluents of non-infected patients: IL-8 2.39 +/- 1.15 vs 0.05 +/- 0.01 ng/ml and MCP-1 22.5 +/- 6.27 vs 0.42 +/- 0.07 ng/ml. IL-8 and MCP-1 release by cultured PMs from peritonitis patients and non-infected patients revealed significant differences: IL-8 40.3 +/- 2.2 ng/ml after 3 h and 194.2 +/- 34.9 ng/ml after 12 h compared to 21.02 +/- 6.15 ng/ml after 3 h and 89.64 +/- 30.28 ng/ml after 12 h, respectively; MCP-1 3.3 +/- 0.9 ng/ml after 3 h and 25.7 +/- 7.4 ng/ml after 12 h compared to 1.1 +/- 0.2 ng/ml and 1.8 +/- 0.2 ng/ml, respectively. Interestingly, the ratio of IL-8 to MCP-1 concentrations in the dialysate effluents (1:9.4) is reversed in the supernatants of cultured PMs. In the effluents and in the culture supernatants of PMs from CAPD peritonitis patients high amounts of IL-8 and MCP-1 are detectable, suggesting that PMs are an important source for these chemokines during peritonitis. Because of the inverse ratio of IL-8 and MCP-1 in the effluents and culture supernatants it can be assumed that PMs are responsible for the MCP-1 concentration to a lesser extent than for the IL-8 concentration in the effluents.

Cells, Cultured↗

Surface and mRNA expression of the CD52 antigen by human eosinophils but not by neutrophils.

Eosinophilic and neutrophilic granulocytes represent major effector cells in the inflammatory response. Whereas neutrophils are predominantly involved in bacterial infections, eosinophils are of essential importance in the allergic inflammation. Surface markers have been used to distinguish neutrophils (CD16+) from eosinophils (CD16-) and might indicate different functional properties of these cells. In this study, expression and functional activity of CD52 on human eosinophils and neutrophils was investigated in nonatopic healthy donors and from patients with hypereosinophilia. Flow cytometric analysis using different anti-CD52 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) (mouse IgG3, humanized IgG1, and rat IgM) showed significant and homogeneous expression of CD52 on human eosinophils, but not on neutrophils. In addition, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis showed that CD52 mRNA was constitutively expressed in eosinophils but not in neutrophils. Furthermore, expression of CD52 could be diminished in a dose-dependent manner by preincubation of eosinophils with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, suggesting that CD52 on eosinophils is anchored to the membrane through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) molecule. Whereas the phorbolester phorbol myristate acetate was able to downregulate the expression of CD52 on eosinophils in a dose-dependent manner, different eosinophil activating cytokines and chemotaxins had no effect. Cross-linking of CD52 by mouse anti-CD52 MoAb (IgG3) and humanized anti-CD52 MoAb (IgG1) with goat antimouse antibody and mouse antihuman antibody, respectively, dose-dependently resulted in an inhibition of reactive oxygen species production of eosinophils after stimulation with C5a, platelet-activating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. In summary, this study shows that the GPI-anchored antigen CD52 is not only a useful marker to distinguish eosinophils from neutrophils. The data point out a novel role of the CD52 antigen on human eosinophils that might be of clinical relevance, because cross-linking of this molecule will stop the destructive power of human eosinophils in the inflammatory tissue.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Actin polymerization in human eosinophils, unlike human neutrophils, depends on intracellular calcium mobilization.

Eosinophils represent major effector cells in the allergic inflammation. In contrast to neutrophils, the mechanism of eosinophil activation during the inflammatory response is poorly understood. In this study, the relation between calcium fluxes, chemotaxis, and actin polymerization in eosinophils from healthy non-atopic donors was investigated. Pre-incubation of eosinophils with the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA dose-dependently prevented an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), whereas the depletion of extracellular calcium in the test medium had no effect. The chemotactic response of eosinophils, which was measured by the modified boyden chamber technique upon stimulation with RANTES, C5a and PAF, was dose-dependently inhibited by the chelation of intracellular calcium as well as inactivation of the cells in Ca2+ -depleted medium. To evaluate whether other cell functions which are involved in the migratory response of eosinophils might be dependent on intracellular and extracellular calcium, actin polymerization was investigated. Flow-cytometric measurement of F-actin with NBD-phallacidin revealed that actin polymerization in human eosinophils in response to RANTES, C5a, and PAF was dose-dependently inhibited by the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA. Since it is well known that actin polymerization in neutrophils is not affected by chelation of intracellular calcium, actin polymerization in these cells was investigated under the same conditions as for eosinophils. In contrast to eosinophils, BAPTA did not inhibit actin polymerization in neutrophils. In summary, these data demonstrate that intracellular calcium fluxes represent a prerequisite for eosinophil chemotaxis and actin polymerization in human eosinophils. Furthermore, regulation of actin polymerization in eosinophils differed from that of neutrophils on the level of intracellular calcium fluxes.

Actins↗

Detection of C5a receptors on human eosinophils and inhibition of eosinophil effector functions by anti-C5a receptor (CD88) antibodies.

Eosinophils and complement activation are reported to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases. Depositions of antigens and antigen-antibody complexes lead to complement activation with the generation of anaphylatoxins, particularly C5a, which is thought to be responsible for the infiltration and activation of eosinophils in the tissue. Previous studies suggested that the eosinophil C5a receptor differs structurally from the receptor expressed on neutrophils. In this study, we investigated the expression and functional properties of C5a receptors on human eosinophils using the C5a receptor monoclonal antibody S5/1 (anti-CD88 mAb). Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the anti-CD88 mAb bound homogeneously on the surface of human eosinophils from nonatopic healthy donors. In addition, no subpopulations with respect to C5a receptor expression were identified in normodense or hypodense eosinophils of patients with hypereosinophilia. Pre-incubation of eosinophils with anti-CD88 specifically inhibited C5a-induced intracellular calcium concentration transients. C5a-induced chemotactic activity of eosinophils was significantly inhibited after pre-incubation of cells with anti-CD88 mAb in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, anti-CD88 mAb inhibited dose-dependently the release of reactive oxygen species by eosinophils following stimulation with C5a. Thus, the human eosinophil C5a receptor is homogeneously expressed on normal eosinophils from healthy donors as well as on hypodense and normodense eosinophil subpopulations from patients with hypereosinophilia. Based on the inhibitory effect of the S5/1 mAb on C5a-stimulated eosinophil effector functions, we conclude that a single C5a receptor type exists on human eosinophils. In addition, the inhibitory effect of the S5/1 mAb on C5a functions may enable a new experimental approach to the treatment of diseases that have been associated with C5a-mediated activation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Human eotaxin represents a potent activator of the respiratory burst of human eosinophils.

Increased numbers of eosinophils are found in parasitic infections, autoimmune diseases and allergic diseases such as allergic asthma. They are activated by distinct cytokines and chemokines leading to the immigration in the inflamed tissue and mediate tissue damage by releasing reactive oxygen species. Here, the effect of the recently cloned CC chemokine human eotaxin was investigated for its ability to affect different eosinophil effector functions and compared to the CC chemokines MCP-3 and RANTES. Human eotaxin induced chemotaxis of human eosinophils in a dose-dependent manner. The range of efficacy of the CC chemokines compared to the well-known chemotaxin C5a was eotaxin = RANTES > MCP-3 = C5a. In addition, eotaxin induced rapid and transient actin polymerization, a prerequisite for cell migration, in eosinophils in the same range of efficacy as observed for chemotaxis. To investigate whether eotaxin was able to activate the respiratory burst of eosinophils, release of reactive oxygen species was measured by lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence. Eotaxin induced production of significantly high amounts of reactive oxygen species at a concentration between 10 ng/ml and 500 ng/ml. Surprisingly, the effect of eotaxin was comparable to the well-known eosinophil activator C5a. The range of efficacy of the CC chemokines compared to C5a in the activation of the respiratory burst was eotaxin = C5a > MCP-3 > RANTES. Production of reactive oxygen species was inhibited by pertussis toxin, staurosporin, genestein and wortmannin. Furthermore, eotaxin induced transient increases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in human eosinophils. Therefore, pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi-proteins, protein kinase C, tyrosine kinase, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and transient increases in [Ca2+]i are involved in the signal transduction of eosinophils following stimulation with eotaxin. In summary, this study reveals the importance of the CC chemokine eotaxin as a potent activator of the respiratory burst, actin polymerization and chemotaxis. Eotaxin, therefore, plays an important role not only by attracting eosinophils to the site of inflammation but also by damaging tissue by its capacity to induce the release of reactive oxygen species.

Actins↗

[Erythema elevatum and diutinum in Crohn disease].

A 35-year-old woman suffering from Crohn's disease for 3 years developed painful erythematous nodular lesions predominantly on the dorsa of her hands and feet, as well as on her elbows and wrists. The clinical features and histopathological picture of leukocytoclastic vasculitis were both highly suggestive of erythema elevatum diutinum. No improvement of the skin lesions was observed during treatment with high doses of oral steroids. In contrast, treatment with dapsone resulted in a marked reduction of skin lesions. During a new attack of her Crohn's disease the erythema elevatum diutinum lesions flared again. The parallel clinical course of erythema elevatum diutinum and Crohn's disease, as well as the detection of immune complexes and neutrophilic granulocytes in lesions of both diseases, strongly suggest a common etiology. This hypothesis is discussed in context with this case and the recent literature.

Adult↗

The human mast cell line HMC-1 expresses C5a receptors and responds to C5a but not to C5a(desArg).

The expression of the receptor for the anaphylatoxin C5a (C5aR, CD88) on the human mast cell line HMC-1 was studied with four anti-C5aR monoclonal antibodies directed to the N-terminal domain of the receptor. All antibodies bound to the human mast cell line HMC-1. The binding could be blocked by recombinant C5a and by peptide EX-1 representing amino residues 1-31 on the N-terminal domain of the C5aR. In addition, FITC-labelled C5a bound to HMC-1, and this binding could be blocked by unlabelled C5a or C5aR antibodies. C5aR-specific mRNA was detected in HMC-1 cells by RT-PCR which confirmed the expression of the C5aR gene made by these cells. Lymphocyte-conditioned medium, interferon-gamma or phorbol esters which have been shown to induce a down-regulation of C5aR on myeloid cells did not influence the expression of C5aR on HMC-1. C5a led to a transient mobilization of intracellular calcium in HMC-1 which could be inhibited by pre incubation of C5a with a C5a-specific antibody. In contrast to findings with granulocytes, HMC-1 did not respond to C5a(desArg), confirming previous findings with human skin mast cells. The findings show that (i) although HMC-1 differ from granulocytes in their responsiveness to C5a(desArg), they express similar C5aR and (ii) HMC-1 cells resemble skin mast cells in the expression and function of C5aR and may therefore serve as a model in future studies addressing the biology of this anaphylatoxin receptor on skin mast cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The intersection of risk assessment and neurobehavioral toxicity.

Neurobehavioral toxicology is now established as a core discipline of the environmental health sciences. Despite its recognized scientific prowess, stemming from its deep roots in psychology and neuroscience and its acknowledged successes, it faces additional demands and challenges. The latter, in fact, are a product of its achievements because success at one level leads to new and higher expectations. Now the discipline is counted upon to provide more definitive and extensive risk assessments than in the past. These new demands are the basis for the appraisals presented in the SGOMSEC 11 workshop. They extend beyond what would be offered in a primer of methodology. Instead, these appraisals are framed as issues into which what are usually construed as methodologies have been embedded.

Animals↗

Identification of the antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody 31D8.

The monoclonal antibody (mAb) 31D8 has previously been described to bind more avidly to functionally active neutrophils and proved to be useful as a differentiation marker of neutrophils. However, attempts to further characterize the antigen recognized by 31D8 have not been successful. Studying the altered Fcgamma-receptor expression of human neutrophils induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in vivo, we could demonstrate a parallel decrease in the expression of 31D8 and the CD16 antigen. Furthermore, 31D8 showed a binding pattern on leukocyte subsets similar to that of clustered CD16 antibodies, exhibiting identical cells in double-staining experiments. Preincubation of neutrophils with 31D8 resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of the binding of immune complexes. A decreased expression of the 31D8 antigen was found on the same cell clones to the same extent as found for the 3G8 antigen on neutrophils from patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Treatment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) with PIPLC resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of mAb 31D8 binding, showing that the 31D8 antigen is phosphatidylinositolglycan (PIG)-anchored. Moreover, 31D8 competed with the binding of antibodies (such as mAb 3G8) directed against the binding site of FcgammaRIII for the Fc-part of IgG. However, this mAb did not influence the binding of a CD16 antibody (mAb B73.1) which recognizes an epitope elsewhere on the CD16 antigen. We conclude from our experiments that the mAb 31D8 binds with high avidity to fcgammaRIII (CD16 antigen). Furthermore, our data indicate that its binding site is most probably located at the binding site for the Fc-part of IgG.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Modulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression on the human mast-cell line (HMC)-1 by inflammatory mediators.

The effect of inflammatory mediators on the expression of several surface adhesion molecules on the human mast-cell line (HMC)-1 was studied. By flow cytometry, it could be shown that among several surface adhesion molecules (ICAM-1/CD54, VLA-4/CD49d, Mac-1/CD11b, LFA-1/CD11a, LFA-2/CD2, LFA-3/CD58, VCAM-1), only the constitutively expressed immunoglobulin family member intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is modulated by proinflammatory cytokines on HMC-1 mast cells. Stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) resulted, in addition to interleukin-(IL-)4, in selective upregulation of ICAM-1 expression. Costimulation of either IL-4 or IFN-gamma with TNF-alpha further increased the ICAM-1 expression as compared to the stimuli alone. In contrast, stem-cell factor (SCF), granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-10, IL-8, monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF), and the complement split product C5a failed to modulate the expression of any adhesion molecule examined. The levels of cytoplasmic free calcium in HMC-1 mast cells were not altered by cross-linking surface ICAM-1, suggesting linkage of other intracellular signaling pathways. This cytokine-induced upregulation of ICAM-1 expression might reveal a putative regulatory mechanism of mast-cell interaction with effector cells bearing the counterparts of ICAM-1 (CD54), the molecules Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) and leukosialin (CD43), and the principal ligand LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18).

Cytokines↗