The future of immunotherapy. Report of a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation (DAIT) workshop.
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Forecasting↗
Biomedical subjects
M Minnicozzi
Publications and source records attributed to M Minnicozzi.
The role of neutrophils in LPS-induced changes in pulmonary function in conscious rats.
We have previously reported on a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary inflammation in rats, where LPS-challenged animals develop a significant pulmonary neutrophilia and mucus hypersecretion. In the current studies, we utilized whole body plethysmography and computer assisted data acquisition to examine changes in pulmonary parameters, e.g. frequency (f) tidal volume and Penh as a measure of bronchoconstriction, due to LPS-challenge in conscious rats. Compared to saline challenge, LPS-challenged rats displayed a significant increase in (f) which began within 30 min, peaked by 2 h and remained elevated up to 24 h. Mirroring this increase in (f) was a decrease in the observed tidal volume of LPS-challenged rats. Additionally, compared to saline challenge, LPS-challenge provoked a significant and spontaneous bronchoconstriction, as measured by Penh, 2 h after challenge. In order to further understand these observed LPS-induced pulmonary changes, we utilized two classes of pulmonary obstructive disease standards, namely, bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents, and examined their ability to affect the spontaneous bronchoconstriction and the increase in (f) seen at two discrete time points, i.e. 2 and 24 h after LPS-challenge. While ineffective on either the 2 h increase in (f) or the LPS-induced inflammation, animals pretreated with salbutamol (10 mg/kg, p.o.) were protected from the increase in (f) seen at the 24 h time point after LPS-challenge. In contrast, when animals were pretreated with theophylline (10 mg/kg, p.o.) no effect on the LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation or increase in (f) was noted. Meanwhile, in animals pretreated with either betamethasone (3 mg/kg, p.o.) or SB207499 (10 mg/kg, p.o.), a PDE4 inhibitor, doses previously shown to block the LPS-induced neutrophilic inflammation, the persistent increase in (f) seen at 24 h was attenuated, but neither compound was able to attenuate either the increase in (f) or the spontaneous bronchoconstriction seen at 2 h. In summary, the intra-tracheal LPS-challenge of rats results in pulmonary inflammation and dysfunction, which is similar to that seen in COPD patients. We conclude that the early increase in (f) and bronchoconstriction are not dependent upon airway inflammation, but airway inflammation most likely contributes to the persistent increase in (f) seen at 24 h.
Animals↗
Inhibition of experimental acute pulmonary inflammation by pirfenidone.
Pirfenidone, a putative tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitor, has recently gained recognition for its therapeutic use in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. As pulmonary fibrosis may be the result of lung inflammatory processes, we examined the anti-inflammatory potential of pirfenidone in several models of acute pulmonary inflammation. In antigen-induced allergic paradigms, 24 h after antigen challenge, sensitized mice or guinea pigs develop a prominent pulmonary inflammation, reflected by a significant increase in the number of recoverable bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) total cells and eosinophils. In both species, the pretreatment of animals with pirfenidone (10 and 30 mg/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of the antigen-induced pulmonary inflammation, which was reflected by a significant decrease in the BAL eosinophils and total cells by the 30 mg/kg dose. In a non-allergic model of pulmonary inflammation, rats challenged with intratracheal LPS develop a significant increase in BAL neutrophils and total cells, along with significant increases in TNF-alpha and IL-6. Pretreatment with pirfenidone (3 and 30 mg/kg) showed a dose-dependent inhibition of the LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation, reflected by a significant decrease in the number of BAL total and neutrophilic cells at both the 3 and 30 mg/kg dose. However, pirfenidone had no effect on the peak BAL levels of TNF-alpha. In contrast, pirfenidone significantly inhibited BAL levels of IL-6. In summary, we have shown that pirfenidone can inhibit allergic and non-allergic inflammatory cell recruitment and that its pulmonary anti-inflammatory activity is independent of TNF-alpha inhibition.
Animals↗
Comparison of PDE 4 inhibitors, rolipram and SB 207499 (ariflo), in a rat model of pulmonary neutrophilia.
Using a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary inflammation, the antiinflammatory activity of SB 207499 was evaluated and compared to that of the prototypic type-4 phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitor, rolipram. In dose-response experiments, we found that rats exposed to 10 microg or 100 microg of intratracheal (it) LPS developed a prominent pulmonary inflammation, due to a significant increase in the number of recoverable bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophils. The pulmonary neutrophilia, provoked by the challenge of 10 microg LPS/rat, was significant at 2 h, peaked by 16 h, declined thereafter but remained elevated for up to 48 h. Additionally, the exposure of rats to 10 microg LPS caused the local pulmonary production of TNF- alpha. In contrast to the cellular influx, TNF- alpha production peaked at 2 h and rapidly declined to negligible levels by 8 h. While low levels were detected, the levels of IL-1 beta in bronchoalveolar lavage did not significantly differ from saline challenged animals. Rats pretreated with rolipram or SB 207499, displayed dose-dependent inhibition of the LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation. Nevertheless, the pulmonary production of TNF- alpha and IL-1 beta was unaffected by either SB 207499 or rolipram. When provoked with the 10 microg dose of LPS, adrenalectomized rats produced a similar 24 h induction of pulmonary neutrophilia. Pretreatment of adrenalectomized rats with the PDE4 inhibitors showed similar inhibitory results to those obtained in normal rats. In summary, we have shown, using a rat model of LPS-induced pulmonary neutrophilic inflammation, that the inhibitory activities of rolipram or SB207499 are not linked to the production of TNF- alpha or the inhibition of IL-1 beta, and occur independently of endogenous catecholamine or corticosteroid release.
Adrenalectomy↗
Enhanced expression of mucin genes in a guinea pig model of allergic asthma.
The ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized guinea pig is often used as an animal model of asthma and airway hyperreactivity. A characteristic lesion of asthma is excessive production of mucin in the airways. Mechanistic studies of this lesion in guinea pigs have been limited due to lack of mucin gene probes for this species. The aim of the present study was to clone the cDNAs encoding two major airway mucins (Muc2 and Muc5ac) from the guinea pig, and investigate mucin gene expression in lungs of sensitized animals in response to antigen challenge. We isolated and sequenced two cDNA fragments coding for the sequences located within the carboxyl-terminal cysteine-rich region of guinea pig Muc2 and Muc5ac mucins. Comparison of cloned cDNAs with those from other species revealed high degrees of sequence identity and conservation of all cysteine residues in deduced primary sequences. Based on the resultant sequence information, we also designed oligonucleotide primers for specific detection of guinea-pig Muc2 and Muc5ac steady-state mRNA levels via reverse transcriptase/ polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Levels of both Muc2 and Muc5ac mRNA in lungs of OVA-sensitized guinea pigs increased significantly by 30 min after an acute exposure to 0.3% OVA. In addition, levels of eotaxin mRNA also increased in these tissues, but the increases were not significant until 2 h after challenge. Correspondingly, the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid did not increase until 4 h postchallenge. Results of these studies suggest that the OVA-sensitized guinea pig responds to allergic challenge with enhanced expression of genes (e.g., eotaxin, Muc2, and Muc5ac) that likely play a role in increased airway inflammation and mucin overproduction, and enhanced mucin gene expression appears to occur before eosinophil infiltration.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Effect of anti-mIL-9 antibody on the development of pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic mice.
Interleukin (IL)-9 is a T-cell-derived cytokine with pleiotropic activities on T helper 2 cells, B cells, and mast cells. IL-9 may therefore play an important role in the development of allergic pulmonary inflammatory diseases. In this study, an antimouse IL-9 (anti-mIL-9) antibody (Ab) was evaluated against pulmonary eosinophilia, histopathologic changes in lung tissues, serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine in mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Additionally, steady-state levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and interferon-gamma messenger RNA (mRNA) in the lungs were measured. The anti-mIL-9 Ab (200 microg/mouse, intraperitoneally) was given as either four doses during the sensitization period or as a single dose before OVA challenge. Sensitized mice challenged with OVA displayed marked pulmonary eosinophilia, epithelial damage, and goblet cell hyperplasia. OVA challenge also increased mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in the lungs. AHR was also increased twofold in sensitized, challenged mice. Treatment of sensitized, challenged mice with four doses of anti-mIL-9 Ab significantly reduced pulmonary eosinophilia, serum IgE levels, goblet cell hyperplasia, airway epithelial damage, and AHR, but had no effect on IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 mRNA levels in the lungs. A single dose of the antibody was ineffective on all measures. These results indicate that an antibody to mIL-9 inhibits the development of allergic pulmonary inflammation and AHR in mice.
Animals↗
Effect of Sch 55700, a humanized monoclonal antibody to human interleukin-5, on eosinophilic responses and bronchial hyperreactivity.
This report describes the development and the biology of Sch 55700, a humanized monoclonal antibody to human IL-5 (hIL-5). Sch 55700 was synthesized using CDR (complementarity determining regions) grafting technology by incorporating the antigen recognition sites for hIL-5 onto consensus regions of a human IgG4 framework. In vitro, Sch 55700 displays high affinity (Kd = 20 pmol/l) binding to hIL-5, inhibits the binding of hIL-5 to Ba/F3 cells (IC50 = 0.5 nmol/l) and blocks IL-5 mediated proliferation of human erythroleukemic TF-1 cells. In allergic mice, Sch 55700 (0.1-10 mg/kg, i.p. or i.m.) inhibits the influx of eosinophils in the lungs, demonstrates long duration of activity and the anti-inflammatory activity of this compound is additive with oral prednisolone. In allergic guinea pigs, Sch 55700 (0.03-30 mg/kg i.p.) inhibits both the pulmonary eosinophilia and airway hyperresponsiveness and at 30 mg/kg, i.p. inhibited allergic, but not histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. In allergic rabbits, Sch 55700 blocks cutaneous eosinophilia. Sch 55700 (0.1-1 mg/kg i.p.) also blocks the pulmonary eosinophilia and neutrophilia caused by tracheal injection of hIL-5 in guinea pigs. In allergic cynomolgus monkeys, a single dose of Sch 55700 (0.3 mg/kg i.v.) blocks the pulmonary eosinophilia caused by antigen challenge for up to six months. Sch 55700 is, therefore, a potent antibody against IL-5 in vitro and in a variety of species in vivo that could be used to establish the role of IL-5 in human eosinophilic diseases such as asthma.
Animals↗
Effects of chronic anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody treatment in a murine model of pulmonary inflammation.
The maturation of eosinophils in bone marrow, their migration to pulmonary tissue, and their subsequent degranulation and release of toxic granule proteins contributes to the pathophysiology observed in asthma. Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is essential for these processes to occur. Therefore, much emphasis has been placed on attempts to inhibit the production or activity of IL-5 in order to attenuate the inflammatory aspect of asthma. In this report, the immunological consequences of long-term exposure to an antibody recognizing IL-5 (TRFK-5) were studied in a murine pulmonary inflammation model. A single dose of TRFK-5 (1 mg/ kg, intraperitoneally) reversibly inhibited antigen-dependent lung eosinophilia in mice for at least 12 wk and inhibited the release of eosinophils from bone marrow for at least 8 wk. Normal responses to aerosol challenge were attained after 24 wk. In mice treated acutely with antibody (2 h before challenge), 50% inhibition of pulmonary eosinophilia occurred when 0. 06 mg/kg TRFK-5 was administered (intraperitoneally; ED50), resulting in 230 ng/ml (IC50) in serum. In mice treated with one dose of TRFK-5 (1 mg/kg) and rested before challenge, the antibody exhibited a half-life of 2.4 wk. After 18 to 19 wk, antigen challenge-induced eosinophilia was inhibited by 50% and serum levels of TRFK-5 were 25 ng/ml. TRFK-5 remaining in mice 8 wk after a single injection of TRFK-5 was sufficient to inhibit at least 50% of the eosinophilia induced in blood 3 h after injection of recombinant murine IL-5 (10 microg/kg, intravenously). To assess the biologic effect of long-term exposure of mice to antibody, several parameters of immune-cell function were measured. Throughout the extended period of activity of TRFK-5 (>/= 12 wk) there were no gross effects on antigen-dependent increases in T-cell recruitment into bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), in IL-4 and IL-5 steady-state mRNA levels in lung tissue, or in immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG levels in serum. There was a small increase in IL-5 steady-state mRNA production in TRFK-5-treated mice after 2 h or 2 wk, but this was not observed at other times examined. In untreated mice, IL-5 steady-state mRNA production in response to antigen challenge decreased > 6-fold with age, although at all time points there was an increase in mRNA levels following challenge. Therefore, at later times, 25 ng/ml rather than 230 ng/ml of TRFK-5 inhibited BALF eosinophilia, probably because of reduced IL-5 levels. Twenty-four weeks after treatment with TRFK-5, when challenge-induced eosinophilia was restored, there was an excess of CD4(+) T cells in BALF from challenged mice. However, these T cells had no measurable effects on other responses to challenge, including cytokine production, B-cell accumulation, and immunoglobulin production in serum. Thus, the biologic duration of TRFK-5 was several months, and its activity was due to the presence of antibody above a therapeutic threshold rather than to any profound effect on the immune system.
Animals↗
Interleukin-5 expression in the bone marrow of sensitized Balb/c mice after allergen challenge.
Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is a potent eosinophilopoietic factor implicated in the chronic inflammatory cell accumulation accompanying bronchial asthma. However, its role in stimulating eosinophil differentiation within the bone marrow following allergen exposure remains to be elucidated. The aims of our study were to determine the expression of IL-5 within the bone marrow of sensitized and control mice after allergen exposure, and to investigate the cellular phenotype of IL-5-producing cells. Sensitized Balb/c mice were challenged with either ovalbumin (OVA) or sterile saline. After 6 h, the mice were exsanguinated and the bone marrow prepared for cytospins. Bone marrow-derived cells from OVA-sensitized mice exhibited an increase in IL-5 immunoreactivity and mRNA compared with those from nonsensitized control mice (p < 0. 05). After allergen challenge, there was a further increase in IL-5 expression (p < 0.05) within the bone marrow. Both sensitization and allergen challenge resulted in an increase in the number of cells expressing major basic protein (MBP) (p < 0.05). In nonsensitized mice, the IL-5 mRNA was expressed predominantly by CD34-positive (CD34+) progenitor cells. Following sensitization and allergen challenge, CD3-positive (CD3+) T lymphocytes were the major source of this cytokine. These results demonstrate the presence of IL-5 within the bone marrow of normal Balb/c mice. After sensitization and allergen challenge, the increase in IL-5-producing cells within the bone marrow is attributed by T lymphocytes.
Allergens↗
Eosinophils retain their granule major basic protein in a murine model of allergic pulmonary inflammation.
Accumulation of eosinophils in the lung with concomitant tissue damage are defining histopathologic features of human asthma. Through degranulation and the release of proinflammatory proteins such as major basic protein (MBP), eosinophils may perpetuate this inflammatory response. We investigated the extent of eosinophil degranulation in a murine model of allergic pulmonary inflammation. In this paradigm, the mice develop pulmonary eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion, tissue damage, and airway edema and hyperreactivity. To evaluate the degree of eosinophil degranulation, we used a polyclonal antibody to murine MBP (mMBP) to perform dot blot analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and fluids, and immunohistochemical fluorescent analysis of lung tissue sections. After ovalbumin antigen challenge, we were unable to detect immunoreactive mMBP in the BAL fluids from either nonsensitized or sensitized mice. However, after lysis of the recoverable BAL cells, we were able to detect mMBP by immunoblot analysis, with the levels of immunoreactive mMBP directly related to the number of recoverable eosinophils. We also examined paraffin-embedded, lung tissue sections for patterns of mMBP deposition. Whereas lung sections from allergic mice revealed prominent peribronchial eosinophilia after antigen challenge, tissue sections from nonsensitized animals rarely displayed eosinophils. Despite the presence of numerous eosinophils, no immunohistologic evidence of extracellular mMBP could be found in antigen-challenged allergic mice. Furthermore, rechallenged allergic mice displayed a significant increase in the number of recruited pulmonary eosinophils but all immunoreactive mMBP was still intracellular. We conclude that the recruited pulmonary eosinophils have not substantially degranulated. These results suggest that, in this murine model of allergic inflammation, eosinophil degranulation and release of mMBP does not contribute to the observed pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperreactivity.
Animals↗
Tachykinins in the lungs.
Tachykinins are neuropeptides which regulate various biological responses, some of which are potentially important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases such as asthma. Tachykinins produce their biological effects by stimulating specific tachykinin receptors (NK(1), NK(2) and NK(3)). Tachykinins have a variety of effects in the lungs. They are among the most potent bronchoconstrictor agents known and have potent effects on airway blood vessel caliber, causing vasodilation by an endothelium-dependent mechanism. Exogenously administered tachykinins (substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B) induce mucus secretion in most species, including humans. In addition to having effects on airway secretion, tachykinins also modulate the mucociliary clearance mechanisms of the airway. Tachykinin receptors are found on pulmonary/bronchial C fibers, and both excitatory and inhibitory effects of tachykinins on neural discharge and neurotransmitter release from these nerves have been described. Tachykinins are also involved in several reflex responses, particularly the cough reflex. Tachykinins have been implicated in the inflammatory response in the lungs and they also participate in the regulation of the immune system. A considerable body of evidence implicates tachykinins as important mediators of the neurogenic inflammatory response in a variety of pulmonary diseases. It is thus expected that tachykinin receptor antagonists will prove useful in the therapy of diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic bronchitis.
Journal Article↗
Anti-inflammatory activity of inhaled mometasone furoate in allergic mice.
Mometasone furoate (CAS 83919-23-7, Sch 32088) is a new inhaled corticosteroid that is being developed to treat allergic inflammatory airway disorders such as rhinitis and asthma. In this study, we investigated the effects of inhaled mometasone furoate in allergic mice that, after antigen challenge, develop an influx of eosinophils and T cells and display an increased mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs. Mometasone furoate aerosol was generated from metered dose inhalers and delivered into an animal exposure chamber. The mice were exposed to mometasone furoate by nose-only inhalation at respired doses ranging from 0.5-33 micrograms/kg given 24, 18 and 2 h before aeroallergen challenge. The elevated eosinophil numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues of sensitized, ovalbumin challenged mice were dose-dependently inhibited by inhaled mometasone furoate. Increased numbers of Thy1+ T cells and CD4+ (T-helper) and CD8+ (T-cytotoxic) T cell subsets were seen in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of ovalbumin-challenged mice. Pretreatment of these animals with mometasone furoate (33 micrograms/kg) reduced the number of Thy1+ T cells and the T-helper subset. Furthermore, mometasone furoate (33 micrograms/kg) reduced the percentage of CD44+ T-helper cells (activated/memory cells) to the levels observed in non-sensitized, ovalbumin-challenged mice. There were increased levels of steady-state mRNA for interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and to a lesser extent, gamma-interferon in the lungs of sensitized mice after ovalbumin challenge and pretreatment with mometasone furoate reduced the steady-state mRNA levels of these cytokines. Our results demonstrate a potent lung anti-inflammatory effect of inhaled mometasone furoate and identify that inhibition of T cell influx, eosinophil accumulation and modulation of cytokine activity are important components of this response.
Administration, Inhalation↗
Role of nitric oxide on eosinophilic lung inflammation in allergic mice.
Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of inflammatory reactions and may contribute to the lung inflammation in allergic pulmonary diseases. To assess the role of NO in pulmonary inflammation, we studied the effect of four nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA) and L-N6-(1-Iminoethyl) lysine (L-NIL), on the influx of eosinophils into the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue of antigen-challenged allergic mice. We also analyzed lung tissues for the presence of steady state mRNA for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and iNOS protein. Furthermore, BAL fluid and serum were analyzed for their nitrite content. B6D2F1/J mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged with aerosolized OVA. The NOS inhibitors were given 0.5 h before and 4 h after the antigen challenge. OVA challenge induced a marked eosinophilia in the BAL fluid and lung tissue 24 h after challenge. The OVA-induced pulmonary eosinophilia was significantly reduced by L-NAME (10 and 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]). The inactive isomer, D-NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.) had no effect. When mice were treated with L-NAME (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and an excess of NOS substrate, L-arginine (200 mg/kg, i.p.), the OVA-induced pulmonary eosinophilia was restored. Treatment with aminoguanidine (0.4-50 mg/kg, i.p.) also reduced the pulmonary eosinophilia. Treatment with NMMA (2-50 mg/kg, i.p.) partially reduced the eosinophilia, but L-NIL (10-50 mg/kg, i.p.), a selective iNOS inhibitor, had no effect. L-NAME had no effect on the reduction of eosinophils in the bone marrow following OVA challenge to sensitized mice. OVA challenge to sensitized mice had no effect on iNOS protein expression or iNOS mRNA in the lungs or on the levels of nitrite in the BAL fluid. These results suggest that NO is involved in the development of pulmonary eosinophilia in allergic mice. The NO contributing to the eosinophilia is not generated through the activity of iNOS nor does NO contribute to the efflux of eosinophils from the bone marrow in response to antigen challenge. It is speculated that after antigen challenge, the localized production of NO, possibly from pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, is involved in the extravasation of eosinophils from the circulation into the lung tissue.
Animals↗
Airway eosinophils, T cells, Th2-type cytokine mRNA, and hyperreactivity in response to aerosol challenge of allergic mice with previously established pulmonary inflammation.
Asthma is characterized by acute episodes of nonspecific airway hyperreactivity and chronic pulmonary inflammation exacerbated by stimuli including allergen exposure. In order to reproduce the physiologic and immunologic responses that occur in asthmatic patients, we have characterized a model of antigen-induced inflammation in which allergic mice (B6D2F1) that had been challenged once with aerosolized ovalbumin and had developed a pulmonary cellular infiltrate were rechallenged 1 wk later. Pulmonary inflammation in rechallenged mice was substantially greater than that in single-challenged mice. Eosinophils and activated-memory T cells (CD44+, CD45RBlo) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid accumulated to higher levels and with faster kinetics in response to the second challenge than in response to the first challenge. Eosinophils in lung tissue also accumulated to higher levels but with similar kinetics in response to the second challenge than in response to the first challenge. Similarly, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 steady-state mRNA levels in lung tissue increased after the second challenge and were higher than those measured after a single challenge. Furthermore, treatment of mice with an anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody 2 h prior to rechallenge inhibited antigen induced eosinophil accumulation in the lungs. In mice challenged twice, peak in vivo bronchoconstrictor responsiveness to acetylcholine was increased following the second challenge compared with that observed following the initial challenge. In contrast, ex vivo tracheal smooth muscle contractile responsiveness to acetylcholine was not altered. Although mucus accumulation and epithelial damage in pulmonary tissue were evident in mice challenged twice, these parameters were slightly reduced compared with those seen at similar times in mice challenged once. Therefore, although these mice exhibit only slight bronchial epithelial damage, the presence of significant inflammation and airway hyperreactivity to acetylcholine as well as slightly increased baseline reactivity demonstrate important similarities with the pathophysiology of asthma.
Administration, Inhalation↗
Polyarginine and eosinophil-derived major basic protein increase microvascular permeability independently of histamine or nitric oxide release.
We tested the hypothesis that cationic peptides (polyarginine; poly-argn) and eosinophil-derived major basic protein (MaBP) increase permeability by stimulating the release of histamine and/or nitric oxide. We used intravital microscopy, clearance, and integrated optical intensity (IOI), using FITC-dextran 150 (FITC-dx 150) as a tracer, to evaluate changes in microvascular permeability in the hamster cheek pouch. Poly-argn at 1 microM (topical) increased the clearance of FITC-dx 150 from 610 to 3240 nl/60 min/g. In contrast, 1 microM polyglutamic acid (poly-glun; and anionic peptide) did not affect the clearance of FITC-dx 150 (605 nl/60 min/g). At 0.5 and 1.0 nM, poly-argn increased the clearance of FITC-dx 150 from 610 to 1722 and 2396 nl/60 min/g (P < 0.05). Similarly, 0.5 nM MaBP increased clearance from 591 +/- 38 to 1967 +/- 168 nl/60 min/g. L-NAME at 10(-4) M did not prevent the 0.5 nM MaBP-induced elevation in clearance (1784 +/- 350). Poly-argn at 1 nM increased net mean IOI by 21.5 +/- 7.2 units. This elevation was not inhibited by topical 10(-4) M L-NMMA (27.5 +/- 8.4). Using 0.5 nM poly-argn as agonist, we assayed suffusate samples for their histamine concentration using a competitive enzyme immunoassay and found no detectable histamine. Pyrilamine, an H1 antagonist, did not inhibit the 0.5 nM poly-argn-induced elevation in clearance of FITC-dx 150. We conclude that (1) cationic peptides and MaBP increase microvascular permeability and (2) the increase in microvascular permeability produced by low concentrations of poly-argn and by MaBP is independent of the release of histamine and does not require nitric oxide.
Animals↗
Platelet activating factor modulates microvascular permeability through nitric oxide synthesis.
Biochemical signaling determines the specific action of vasomediators in the control of microvascular permeability and tone. We tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) synthesis is involved in the biochemical signaling pathway of platelet activating factor (PAF). The cheek pouch of anesthetized male Syrian hamsters was used as a microvascular model. Vessel diameter [expressed as the ratio of the experimental to the control (e/c) diameter, with control diameter normalized to 1] and extravasation of FITC-dextran 150 by integrated optical intensity (IOI) were determined using intravital fluorescent microscopy and computer-assisted digital image analysis. N-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) at 10(-5) and 10(-6) M and N-nitro-L-mono-methyl arginine (L-NMMA) at 10(-4) and 10(-5) M were used as inhibitors of NO synthase (NOS). Acetylcholine (ACh) and bradykinin were used as indirect indices of NOS activation. L-NAME and L-NMMA attenuated both ACh and bradykinin vasodilatory effects as well as the bradykinin-induced increase in vascular permeability. Topical PAF (10(-7) M) caused vasoconstriction (mean +/- SEM e/c ratio = 0.3 +/- 0.1) and increased IOI from a normalized baseline of 0 to 67.4 +/- 12.8. Topical administration of L-NAME produced differential effects on the series-arranged arterioles but had no effect on postcapillary venular permeability. L-NMMA did not influence the basal arteriolar diameter, but at 10(-5) M it caused a small increase in permeability (IOI = 14.3 +/- 4.2). In the presence of NOS inhibitors, PAF caused a reduced arteriolar constriction (e/c ratio = 0.6 +/- 0.1) relative to PAF alone. Both NOS inhibitors reduced the PAF-stimulated increase in vasopermeability. At 10(-5) M L-NMMA, the PAF-stimulated IOI mean value was 26.1 +/- 5.2, while at 10(-4) M L-NMMA the PAF-stimulated IOI was 15.2 +/- 2.6 compared to 10(-7) M PAF (67.4 +/- 12.8). These results support our hypothesis that NO synthesis is a step in the biochemical signaling pathway of the postcapillary cellular responses to PAF.
Animals↗
Eosinophil granule proteins increase microvascular macromolecular transport in the hamster cheek pouch.
By using microscopic, fluorometric, and immunologic methods, we have assessed the effects of eosinophil granule proteins on the microcirculation of the hamster cheek pouch. The plasma clearance of FITC-dextran 150 (FITC-dx 150) was used to quantify macromolecular transport. Topical application of major basic protein (MaBP) at 0.1 and 0.5 nM increased the clearance of FITC-dx 150 from a base line of 591 to 1283 and 1966 nl/60 min/g, respectively. Numerous muscle fasciculations were also observed with the 0.5 nM dose of MaBP. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) was as potent as MaBP and caused an increase in the clearance of FITC-dx 150, 0.5 nM eliciting 2156 nl/60 min/g. In contrast, topical application of 0.5 nM eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) increased clearance of FITC-dx 150 to a significantly lower level, 1113 nl/60 min/g. Supplementing 0.5 nM EPO with 1 nM H2O2 enhanced the clearance of FITC-dx 150 to 2404 nl/60 min/g, suggesting separate cationic charge and enzymatic activity-related effects. Compared with these eosinophil granule proteins, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) required a 2000-fold higher concentration (1 microM) to elicit a significant increase in the clearance of FITC-dx 150 (1505 nl/60 min/g). Neither EPO, EPO+H2O2, ECP, nor EDN at 1 mM caused muscle fasciculations. Quantitative analysis of the suffusates from the preparations exposed to these eosinophil proteins did not contain histamine. Our results demonstrate that MaBP, ECP, EPO, and EDN increase microvascular transport in the hamster cheek pouch and that this increase is independent of endogenous histamine release. The concentrations of eosinophil granule proteins causing increased vascular permeability are achieved in many pathologic conditions suggesting that the granule proteins play an important role in disease.
Animals↗
Activation of phospholipase D in normodense human eosinophils.
Normodense human eosinophils have been labeled in 1-0-alkyl-phosphatidylcholine (alkyl-PC) with 32P by incubating isolated cells with alkyl-[32P]lysoPC. Stimulation of these 32P-labeled cells with C5a, A23187 or PMA in the presence of 0.5% ethanol resulted in time- and dose-dependent formation of alkyl-[32P]phosphatidic acid (alkyl-[32P]PA) and alkyl-[32P]phosphatidylethanol (alkyl-[32P]PEt). Because cellular ATP does not contain 32P, alkyl-[32P]PA must have been formed by the hydrolytic action of phospholipase D (PLD) and not by the combined actions of phospholipase C and DG kinase. Regardless of the stimulating agent, alkyl-[32P]PEt formation paralleled that of alkyl-[32P]PA, suggesting that alkyl-PEt was the result of a PLD-catalyzed transphosphatidylation reaction between alkyl-PC and ethanol. These data provide the first definitive proof of receptor- and nonreceptor-mediated activation of PLD in normodense eosinophils derived from human blood.
Calcimycin↗