Biomedical subjects

J S Pober

Publications and source records attributed to J S Pober.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1988

Lytic anti-endothelial cell antibodies in haemolytic-uraemic syndrome.

Sera from 13 of 14 children with acute haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) contained complement-fixing IgG and IgM antibodies that lysed cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In 3 of 3 sera tested, no lysis of dermal fibroblasts was observed. The endothelial cell antigen was lost after treatment of the cells with gamma interferon. In contrast, only 3 of 5 adult patients with acute, non-relapsing, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) had lytic anti-endothelial antibodies and only 1 of these recognised an antigen lost upon gamma interferon treatment. None of 32 control sera contained lytic anti-endothelial cell antibodies. These data suggest that HUS involves a disorder of immunoregulation and that a unique class of anti-endothelial cell antibodies is produced that may take part in the pathogenesis of vascular injury in HUS.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Endothelial activation during interleukin 2 immunotherapy. A possible mechanism for the vascular leak syndrome.

A major sequela of immunotherapy with interleukin 2 (IL-2) is development of a vascular leak syndrome. The pathogenesis of this toxic effect is not known. We have examined pre- and post-treatment skin biopsies from 14 patients undergoing systemic administration of IL-2 for evidence of endothelial cell activation. Specifically, we have used the immunoperoxidase technique to detect the expression of three different activation antigens: endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1, detected with monoclonal antibody H4/18; intercellular adhesion molecule 1, detected with antibody RR1/1; and histocompatibility leukocyte antigen-DQ, detected with antibody Leu 10. Each of these antigens may be induced on cultured endothelial cells by various cytokines (although not by IL-2) and is expressed during endothelial cell activation in vivo at sites of delayed hypersensitivity and other immune responses. Pretreatment biopsies from each patient showed no endothelial expression of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 and only weak to moderate expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and histocompatibility leukocyte antigen-DQ (except for one specimen unreactive with Leu 10). After 5 days of treatment, every patient showed marked endothelial expression of all three antigens (except for the same patient who remained unreactive with Leu 10). Endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 expression was confined to postcapillary venular endothelium whereas intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and Leu 10 also were expressed on stromal cells and mononuclear cells. Thus, we conclude that i.v. administration of IL-2 leads to endothelial cell activation. Because IL-2 fails to induce the same antigens on cultured endothelial cells, we infer that IL-2 acts in vivo by inducing the production of other cytokines (e.g., interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor, lymphotoxin, and interferon-gamma). Finally, since endothelial cell activation at sites of cell-mediated immune responses is well known to result in vascular leakiness to macromolecules, we propose that the vascular leak syndrome accompanying IL-2 therapy may arise from widespread inappropriate endothelial cell activation.

Antigens, Surface↗

PubMed1988

Three distinct classes of regulatory cytokines control endothelial cell MHC antigen expression. Interactions with immune gamma interferon differentiate the effects of tumor necrosis factor and lymphotoxin from those of leukocyte alpha and fibroblast beta interferons.

Recombinant preparations of TNF and lymphotoxin (LT) increase the expression of class I MHC antigens on cultured human endothelial cells (EC) without inducing expression of class II antigens. These actions are similar to those of rIFN-alpha or rIFN-beta. However, TNF and LT differ from IFN-alpha/beta in that the former synergize with IFN-gamma for class I regulation whereas the latter do not. Furthermore, LT or TNF do not affect IFN-gamma-mediated class II induction at optimal class I inducing concentrations (100 U/ml), whereas IFN-alpha and IFN-beta (at their optimal concentrations of 1,000 U/ml) are strikingly inhibitory. LT and TNF also can further increase expression of class I antigens on cells already maximally stimulated by IFN-alpha or IFN-beta. A recombinant preparation of IL-6 (formerly called 26-kD protein, IFN-beta 2, or B cell stimulating factor 2) was without effect on class I expression in EC. These data make it seem unlikely that the actions of LT or TNF on EC expression of MHC antigens are mediated through autocrine or paracrine production of IFN-alpha, IFN-beta or IL-6. More importantly, they suggest that LT or TNF are more likely to be immunostimulatory, whereas IFN-alpha or IFN-beta are more likely to be immunoinhibitory in vivo, a consideration of potential relevance for cytokine administration to various patient populations.

Biological Products↗

PubMed1988

Immortalization of human endothelial cells by murine sarcoma viruses, without morphologic transformation.

Amphotropic murine leukemia virus pseudotypes of murine sarcoma viruses containing the ras or mos oncogenes were constructed to permit efficient introduction of the sarcoma virus genome into early-passage human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The resulting cell lines were morphologically and phenotypically unchanged, retaining properties characteristic of differentiated endothelial cells. For example, the cells in a Kirsten sarcoma virus-modified line were found to biosynthesize and secrete von Willebrand factor in both a constitutive and regulated manner, and they contained ultrastructurally identifiable Weibel-Palade bodies, an endothelial cell-specific organelle. In contrast to the parent cultures, sarcoma virus-modified cells were able to proliferate indefinitely in culture. Examination of both Kirsten sarcoma and Moloney leukemia virus-modified lines indicated that the immortalized cells retained a diploid female karyotype after over 18 months in culture. In addition, the sarcoma virus-modified cells were able to grow independently of added endothelial cell growth factor. This growth factor autonomy does not appear to be due to autocrine production of a biologically cross-reactive growth factor. These immortal, virus-modified endothelial cells express large amounts of sarcoma virus-specific mRNA but no detectable helper virus or transforming virus activity. This technique for immortalization of primary human cells without alteration of the differentiated characteristics of the cell type is readily applied to a variety of human cell types. Moreover, the ability to separate the immortalizing and transforming activities of viral oncogenes should provide further understanding as to mechanisms of oncogene action.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1988

Class I major histocompatibility complex proteins diffuse isotropically on immune interferon-activated endothelial cells despite anisotropic cell shape and cytoskeletal organization: application of fluorescence photobleaching recovery with an elliptical beam.

Interferon gamma induces striking phenotypic alterations in confluent cultures of human vascular endothelial cells (HEC), including cell shape change from polygonal to elongated and cytoskeletal actin rearrangement from dense peripheral bands to longitudinal bundles of stress fibers. Since many transmembrane proteins, including class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins, interact with cytoskeletal actin, an interferon-gamma-induced anisotropic arrangement of stress fibers might cause anisotropic lateral diffusion of HEC class I MHC proteins. To test this hypothesis, we adapted the fluorescence photobleaching recovery technique to allow measurement of anisotropic diffusion of fluorescently labeled molecules on two-dimensional surfaces. A highly eccentric elliptical Gaussian laser beam was used to photobleach the sample and to monitor fluorescence recovery. In this technique, named "line fluorescence photobleaching recovery," lateral diffusion is measured along that axis of the sample that is perpendicular to the major axis of the elliptical beam. The lateral diffusion coefficient and fractional mobility are obtained by fitting the experimental data to a theoretical recovery curve, the form of which is determined by the solution to a modified version of the diffusion equation in which a tensor is used to describe diffusion in two orthogonal directions. Fluorescein-conjugated murine monoclonal antibodies were used to label class I MHC proteins on interferon-gamma-treated HEC and human dermal fibroblasts. These two cultured human cell types were found to be similar in their elongated shape and anisotropic stress fiber organization. Class I MHC protein lateral mobility was compared to that of fluorescein-labeled phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, a membrane phospholipid probe. Class I MHC proteins diffused anisotropically on human dermal fibroblasts, whereas fluorescein-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine diffused isotropically on this cell type. In contrast, both class I MHC proteins and fluorescein-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine diffused isotropically on interferon-gamma-treated HEC. These data suggest that neither elongated shape nor anisotropic stress fiber arrangement is sufficient to induce anisotropic diffusion of proteins on the HEC plasma membrane.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1988

Tumor necrosis factor and immune interferon act in concert to slow the lateral diffusion of proteins and lipids in human endothelial cell membranes.

Vascular endothelial surface-related activities may depend on the lateral mobility of specific cell surface macromolecules. Previous studies have shown that cytokines induce changes in the morphology and surface antigen composition of vascular endothelial cells in vitro and at sites of immune and inflammatory reactions in vivo. The effects of cytokines on membrane dynamic properties have not been examined. In the present study, we have used fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR) to quantify the effects of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and immune interferon (IFN-gamma) on the lateral mobilities of class I major histocompatibility complex protein, of an abundant 96,000 Mr mesenchymal cell surface glycoprotein (gp96), and of a phospholipid probe in cultured human endothelial cell (HEC) membranes. Class I protein and gp96 were directly labeled with fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibodies; plasma membrane lipid mobility was examined with the phospholipid analogue fluorescein phosphatidylethanolamine (Fl-PE). In untreated, confluent HEC monolayers, diffusion coefficients were 30 x 10(-10) cm2 s-1 for class I protein, 14 x 10(-10) cm2 s-1 for gp96, and 80 x 10(-10) cm2 s-1 for Fl-PE. Fractional mobilities were greater than 80% for each probe. Cultures treated at visual confluence for 3-4 d with either 100 U/ml TNF or 200 U/ml IFN-gamma did not exhibit significant changes in protein or lipid mobilities despite significant changes in cell morphology and membrane antigen composition. In HEC cultures treated concomitantly with TNF and IFN-gamma, however, diffusion coefficients decreased by 71-79% for class I protein, 29-55% for gp96, and 23-38% for Fl-PE. Fractional mobilities were unchanged. By immunoperoxidase transmission electron microscopy, plasma membranes of untreated and cytokine-treated HEC were flat and stained uniformly for class I antigen. "Line" FPR measurements on doubly treated HEC demonstrated isotropic diffusion of class I protein, gp96, and Fl-PE. Finally, although TNF and IFN-gamma retarded the growth of HEC cultures and disrupted the organization of cell monolayers, the slow diffusion rates of gp96 and Fl-PE in confluent doubly treated monolayers were not reproduced in sparse or subconfluent untreated monolayers. We conclude that the slowing of protein and lipid diffusion induced by the combination of TNF and IFN-gamma is not due to plasma membrane corrugations, to anisotropic diffusion barriers, or to decreased numbers of cell-cell contacts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed1988

Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis award lecture. Cytokine-mediated activation of vascular endothelium. Physiology and pathology.

The concept of endothelial cell activation has been extremely useful in understanding endothelial cell function. The morphologic definition of activation from the 1960s has been replaced by a cell biologic definition in the 1980s, but recent studies have suggested that these phenomena are two aspects of the same processes. Moreover, the initial distinction of endothelial cell activation, a beneficial reaction, from injury and dysfunction, a harmful sequence, has become more complex as clinical studies have revealed that activation can produce dysfunction, with or without injury. Most importantly, as our in vivo studies indicate, the concept of activation is a testable hypothesis, as modern immunochemical and molecular biologic techniques have been employed to bridge the gap between in vitro culture experiments and patient-based clinical research.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Effects of recombinant gamma-interferon on HLA-DR and DQ expression by skin cells in short-term organ culture.

We studied the effects of various immunologic and inflammatory mediators on the expression of the class II major histocompatibility antigens, HLA-DR and DQ in short-term organ cultures of newborn human foreskin. Induction of these molecules above baseline was observed preponderantly on microvascular endothelium and epidermal dendritic cells, and among the mediators tested, this induction was caused exclusively by immune interferon. Increased reactivity for HLA-DR and DQ was observed at 24 hours for both cell types. Double labeling confirmed that the HLA-DR/DQ-positive dendritic cell population consisted largely of T6-positive Langerhans cells. Peak endothelial HLA-DR expression was seen at 24 hours and slowly dissipated thereafter. In contrast, endothelial HLA-DQ showed increasing expression over 72 hours of the study. Keratinocytes remained unreactive for HLA-DR and DQ during the entire study period. We conclude that class II major histocompatibility molecules can be modulated on skin microvascular endothelial cells and Langerhans cells in situ by immune interferon with response rates different from those previously described for endothelium in cell culture. Furthermore, the organ culture system has revealed keratinocyte unresponsiveness not anticipated from cell culture experiments. These findings have implications for the effector function and potential targeting of these cells in the cutaneous immune response, and establishes short-term organ culture of human skin as a valuable model for assessment of interactions between cytokines and skin cells.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗

PubMed1988

Cytoplasmic transfer between endothelium and lymphocytes: quantitation by flow cytometry.

Interactions between human lymphocytes and vascular endothelial cells in coculture have been examined using a newly developed fluorescence flow cytometric technique. Endothelium and blood lymphocytes are capable of bidirectional transfer of a cytoplasmic fluorescent dye, suggesting a novel path of communication between circulating blood cells and the vessel wall. This method also may be applicable to the analysis of other heterocellular interactions.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Membrane interleukin 1 induction on human endothelial cells and dermal fibroblasts.

Human endothelial cells and dermal fibroblasts both expressed a membrane-associated interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity when stimulated with either recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or recombinant lymphotoxin but stimulated endothelial cells expressed significantly more membrane IL-1 per cell than did fibroblasts. Lipopolysaccharide induced membrane IL-1 activity on endothelial cells but not fibroblasts. Interferon-gamma treatment of endothelial cells and fibroblasts had no direct effect on membrane IL-1 expression and little effect when used as a pretreatment for TNF or lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Endothelial cell membrane IL-1 activity was induced within 24 hr of culture with TNF or lipopolysaccharide, and increased up to 72 hr of incubation. Antibodies raised against human monocyte-derived IL-1 species neutralized the membrane IL-1 activity of TNF-stimulated endothelial cells. Both absorption studies and neutralization with specific sera indicated that endothelial cell membrane IL-1 is structurally related to IL-1 alpha. Endothelial cells expressed both IL-1 beta mRNA in response to TNF, lymphotoxin, and recombinant IL-1 species, as detected by Northern blot analysis. These studies demonstrate that endothelial cells can be activated to express a cell-surface IL-1 activity which is structurally, as well as functionally, related to the secreted form of IL-1.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed1987

Induction of an activation antigen on postcapillary venular endothelium in human skin organ culture.

We studied the effects of the immune mediators interleukin 1, interleukin 2, tumor necrosis factor, immune interferon, and lipopolysaccharide on the expression of the endothelial activation antigen recognized by the murine monoclonal antibody H4/18 in short term organ cultures of newborn foreskins. No endothelial staining was detectable before culture. Interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor, and lipopolysaccharide each induced 2+ to 3+ H4/18 staining of microvascular endothelium at 6 hr. Combining mediators produced additive (3+ to 4+) effects, and reactivity was lost or markedly diminished by 24 hr. Incubation with culture medium alone resulted in 1+ to 2+ H4/18 staining at 6 hr, and medium conditioned by cultured foreskins, but not mock-conditioned medium, could induce H4/18 binding in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The spontaneous expression of microvascular staining in the foreskins was markedly inhibited by cyclosporin A, but not polymyxin B sulfate or dexamethasone; cyclosporin A did not inhibit induction of staining by exogenous mediators. Both light level and immunoultrastructural studies demonstrated H4/18 expression to be associated predominantly with postcapillary venular endothelial cells of the superficial vascular plexus. We conclude that microvascular endothelium of skin can undergo activation in response to exogenous and endogenous cytokines, with the greatest changes occurring in those portions of the vessels most involved in leukocyte and lymphocyte trafficking.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Activation of cultured human endothelial cells by recombinant lymphotoxin: comparison with tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 species.

Recombinant human lymphotoxin (LT) was compared with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) for direct actions on cultured human endothelial cells (HEC). At equivalent half-maximal concentrations (based on L929 cytotoxicity units) LT and TNF each caused rapid and transient induction (peak 4 to 6 hr) of an antigen associated with leukocyte adhesion (detected by monoclonal antibody H4/18), a rapid but sustained increased expression (plateau 24 hr) of a lymphocyte adhesion structure (ICAM-1), a gradual (plateau 4 to 6 days) increase in expression of HLA-A,B antigens, and gradual (4 to 6 days) conversion of HEC culture morphology from epithelioid to fibroblastoid, an effect enhanced by immune interferon (IFN-gamma). Induction of H4/18 binding by maximal concentrations of LT or TNF could not be augmented by addition of the other cytokine, and 24 hr pretreatment with LT or TNF produced hyporesponsiveness to both mediators for reinduction. H4/18 binding can be transiently induced by tumor-promoting phorbol esters. Pretreatment with either LT or TNF also fully inhibited induction of H4/18 binding by phorbol ester, whereas phorbol ester pretreatment only variably and partially inhibited reinduction by LT or TNF. These actions of LT on endothelium shared with TNF may serve in vivo to promote lymphocyte and inflammatory leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration. Recombinant human interleukin 1 species (IL 1 alpha and IL 1 beta) shared many of the actions of LT and TNF and were indistinguishable from each other. However, IL 1 species could be distinguished from LT/TNF by their relative inability to enhance HLA-A,B expression, by their ability to augment H4/18 binding caused by maximally effective concentrations of LT or TNF, and by their inability to inhibit reinduction of H4/18 binding by LT or TNF. In contrast to the actions of LT or TNF, pretreatment with IL 1 alpha or IL 1 beta only partially inhibited induction of H4/18 binding by phorbol ester, and phorbol ester pretreatment consistently, albeit partially, inhibited induction by IL 1 species. These studies suggest that activated T cells through the secretion of LT can in turn activate the local endothelial lining so as to promote homing and extravasation of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, these LT actions can be augmented or complemented by other locally produced mediators such as IFN-gamma or IL 1.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1987

Effects of tumour necrosis factor and related cytokines on vascular endothelial cells.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and related cytokines have been found to alter the phenotype of vascular endothelial cells so as to promote coagulation, inflammation and immunity. We have used recombinant human TNF, lymphotoxin (LT), interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) to study and compare the effects of these molecules on cultured human endothelial cells (HEC). All four mediators cause HEC monolayers to reorganize from an epithelioid to a fibroblastoid morphology. Reorganization is slow (days), reversible upon cytokine withdrawal and enhanced by co-addition of immune interferon. Coincident with morphological change, TNF and LT (but not IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta) cause a marked increase in HLA-A, B mRNA and antigen expression. TNF and LT also induce a slow increase in the mRNA levels and cell-surface expression of IL-1 species. All four cytokines have been reported to enhance HEC adhesiveness for lymphocytes and inflammatory leucocytes; these changes temporally coincide with a rapid (hours) and sustained increase in expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and with a rapid but transient de novo expression of an endothelial-leucocyte adhesion molecule (detected by antibody H4/18), respectively. TNF and LT induce reciprocal tachyphylaxis for the reinduction of H4/18 binding but do not inhibit induction by IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta; similarly, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta induce reciprocal tachyphylaxis but do not inhibit TNF or LT. We have used the binding of H4/18 to explore the mechanism of action of TNF. Tumour-promoting phorbol esters, but not agents which increase cytoplasmic calcium concentrations, were found to induce binding, suggesting a possible involvement of the protein kinase C pathway in the response of HEC to TNF. Cells pretreated for 24 hours with phorbol esters cannot be reinduced to express H4/18 binding by phorbol esters yet retain full responsiveness to TNF. Thus TNF also appears to act on HEC through a pathway independent of protein kinase C activation. Collectively, these effects of TNF and related cytokines may be understood as examples of endothelial cell activation.

Blood Coagulation↗

PubMed1987

Identification of an inducible endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule.

The accumulation of blood leukocytes at sites of inflammation depends upon their localized adhesion to the vascular lining. We have investigated the hypothesis that this adhesive interaction involves inducible endothelial cell-surface structures that can bind leukocytes. Certain inflammatory/immune cytokines, namely interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor, and lymphotoxin, as well as bacterial endotoxin, act on cultured human endothelial cells (HEC) in a time- and protein-synthesis-dependent fashion to increase leukocyte adhesion. We have developed two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), H18/7 and H4/18, that identify a cell-surface antigen expressed on cytokine- and endotoxin-stimulated HEC but not on unstimulated HEC. Both mAbs immunoprecipitate the same polypeptides (major species, Mr 115,000; minor species, Mr 97,000, reduced) from biosynthetically labeled cytokine-stimulated HEC. The mediator specificity and kinetics of HEC expression of this protein(s) correlate with increased adhesiveness for leukocytes. In standardized endothelial-leukocyte adhesion assays, mAb H18/7 inhibits the adhesion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (greater than 50%) and HL-60 cells (greater than 60%) to stimulated HEC by comparison to isotype-matched control mAb; mAb H4/18 also inhibits HL-60 adhesion but to a lesser extent. We have designated the inducible endothelial cell-surface protein recognized by mAb H18/7 and H4/18 "endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1)."

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1987

Composition of the von Willebrand factor storage organelle (Weibel-Palade body) isolated from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large, adhesive glycoprotein that is biosynthesized and secreted by cultured endothelial cells (EC). Although these cells constitutively release VWF, they also contain a storage pool of this protein that can be rapidly mobilized. In this study, a dense organelle fraction was isolated from cultured umbilical vein endothelial cells by centrifugation on a self-generated Percoll gradient. Stimulation of EC by 4-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) resulted in the disappearance of this organelle fraction and the synchronous loss of Weibel-Palade bodies as judged by immunoelectron microscopy. Electrophoretic and serologic analyses of biosynthetically labeled dense organelle fraction revealed that it is comprised almost exclusively of VWF and its cleaved pro sequence. These two polypeptides were similarly localized exclusively to Weibel-Palade bodies by ultrastructural immunocytochemistry. The identity of the dense organelle as the Weibel-Palade body was further established by direct morphological examination of the dense organelle fraction. The VWF derived from this organelle is distributed among unusually high molecular weight multimers composed of fully processed monomeric subunits and is rapidly and quantitatively secreted in unmodified form after PMA stimulation. These studies: establish that the Weibel-Palade body is the endothelial-specific storage organelle for regulated VWF secretion; demonstrate that in cultured EC, the VWF concentrated in secretory organelles is of unusually high molecular weight and that this material may be rapidly mobilized in unmodified form; imply that proteolytic processing of VWF involved in regulated secretion takes place after translocation to the secretory organelle; provide a basis for further studies of intracellular protein trafficking in EC.

Cell Fractionation↗

PubMed1987

Cultured human endothelial cells express platelet-derived growth factor A chain.

Four principal cell types involved in the pathophysiologic response of the vessel wall--endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, platelets, and monocyte/macrophages--secrete platelet-derived growth factor-like (PDGF-like) mitogenic activities. Extensive structural data on these activities exist only for the mitogen produced by platelets, which is a 30-kd dimeric protein composed of structurally related A and B polypeptide chains encoded by different genes. It was previously demonstrated that normal cultured endothelial cells transcribe mRNA encoding the B chain of PDGF from the c-sis gene. Here several new structural features of the mitogen produced by cultured vascular endothelial cells are shown. Hybridization analysis of RNA from normal cultured human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells revealed that they contain three PDGF A chain transcript species. These RNA species comigrated with and appeared to have the same relative abundance as the three RNA species previously identified in RNA from two human tumor cell lines. A chain transcripts were not identified in RNA from a strain of bovine aortic endothelial cells or in human dermal fibroblasts. The A chain transcripts in HUVE had the same relative abundance as the B chain transcripts. Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled endothelial conditioned medium with anti-PDGF antiserum revealed a 31-kd species which was split by reduction and alkylation into two species of 16.5 and 17 kd. Thus, endothelial cells secrete a dimeric mitogen antigenically related to PDGF, with a structure identical to previously isolated PDGF A-chain homodimer. These findings are consistent with the possibility that secretion of PDGF by human endothelial cells may be regulated independently of B-chain expression.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed1986

Two monokines, interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor, render cultured vascular endothelial cells susceptible to lysis by antibodies circulating during Kawasaki syndrome.

Kawasaki syndrome (KS) is an acute febrile illness of early childhood characterized by diffuse vasculitis and marked immune activation. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the acute phase of KS is associated with circulating cytotoxic antibodies directed to target antigens induced on vascular endothelium by the monokines, IL-1, or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Sera from 20 patients with acute KS, 11 patients in the convalescent phase of KS, and 17 age-matched controls were assessed for complement-dependent cytotoxic activity against 111In-labeled human endothelial cells (HEC), dermal fibroblasts, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Sera from patients with acute KS but not the other subject groups caused significant (p less than 0.01) complement-mediated killing of IL-1- or TNF-stimulated HEC. None of the sera tested had cytotoxicity against control HEC cultures or the other target cell types, with or without IL-1 or TNF pretreatment. Expression of the IL-1- or TNF-inducible target antigens on endothelial cells was rapid and transient, peaking at 4 h and disappearing after 24 h despite continued incubation with monokine. In contrast, we have previously shown that IFN-gamma requires 72 h to render HEC susceptible to lysis with acute KS sera. Serum adsorption studies demonstrated that IL-1- and TNF-inducible endothelial target antigens are distinct from IFN-gamma-inducible antigens. These observations suggest that mediator secretion by activated monocyte/macrophages could be a predisposing factor to the development of vascular injury in acute KS. Although our present observations have been restricted to KS, the development of cytotoxic antibodies directed to monokine-inducible endothelial cell antigens may also be found in other vasculitides accompanied by immune activation.

Antibodies↗

PubMed1986

Overlapping patterns of activation of human endothelial cells by interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor, and immune interferon.

We have used the quantitative binding of murine monoclonal antibodies to the surface of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells to study the responses of HUVE cells to three different immune mediators: interleukin 1 (IL 1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and immune interferon (IFN-gamma). Antibody H4/18, reactive with an endothelial cell-specific activation antigen, does not bind to unstimulated HUVE cells but shows rapidly and transiently inducible binding (peak 4 to 6 hr) to cells stimulated by IL 1 or TNF that declines to basal levels by 24 hr, even in the continued presence of mediator. Binding of H4/18 is unaffected by IFN-gamma. Antibody RR1/1, reactive with intercellular adhesion molecule 1, binds to unstimulated HUVE cells, but binding is rapidly increased (plateau 24 hr) after stimulation by IL 1 or TNF and slowly increased (over several days) by IFN-gamma. In contrast to H4/18 binding, the increase in RR1/1 binding is sustained in the continued presence of mediator. Antibody W6/32, reactive with HLA-A,B antigens, binds to unstimulated HUVE cells and shows gradually progressive increases (over several days) in binding upon treatment with IFN-gamma or TNF. These observations demonstrate that HUVE cells show distinct but overlapping patterns of antigenic modulation in response to three different lymphokines, and suggest that the "activation" of endothelial cells observed in situ may represent a complex integration of several lymphokine-mediated signals.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗