Biomedical subjects

R D Granstein

Publications and source records attributed to R D Granstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Tumor antigen presentation by epidermal antigen-presenting cells in the mouse: modulation by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and ultraviolet radiation.

I-A+ epidermal antigen-presenting cells (APCs, Langerhans cells) have been shown to present tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and to induce tumor immunity in vivo. This study examined the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and the cytokines granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on the ability of epidermal cells (ECs) to induce or to elicit immunity against the murine spindle cell tumor S1509a. Naive syngeneic mice were immunized three times at weekly intervals with ECs that had been cultured in GM-CSF for 18 h and then pulsed with TAA derived from S1509a. This resulted in protective immunity against subsequent tumor challenge, providing a model to study the conditions required for sensitization against TAAs by epidermal APCs. Culture of ECs in GM-CSF was required for induction of significant protective tumor immunity, and UV irradiation or incubation in TNF-alpha for 2 h after GM-CSF incubation abrogated the immunostimulatory effect of GM-CSF. However, unlike UVR, TNF-alpha did not significantly inhibit the induction of immunity when ECs were exposed to TNF-alpha before overnight incubation in GM-CSF, together with GM-CSF, or after pulsing with TAA, and anti-TNF-alpha antibody treatment did not abrogate the effects of UVR on this system. Furthermore, TNF-alpha incubation of ECs augmented their ability to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and also enhanced elicitation of DTH by GM-CSF-cultured ECs, whereas UV-irradiation reduced it in a dose-dependent fashion. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, and UVR are significant regulators of tumor antigen presentation by epidermal APCs and that the effects of the cytokines examined differ with regard to induction or elicitation of immunity.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

PUVA augments cyclosporine A-mediated rat cardiac allograft survival.

PUVA, the administration of the photosensitizer 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) followed by exposure of the skin to longwave ultraviolet radiation (UVA, 320-400 nm), is employed clinically for the treatment of skin diseases. PUVA is immunosuppressive and we have shown previously that it can significantly prolong skin allograft survival. This enhanced survival is associated with reduced spleen cell cytotoxic activity against donor cell targets with preserved ability of treated animals to be immunized to third-party alloantigens 5 days after exposure to a course of PUVA. To examine whether PUVA may potentiate the effect of cyclosporine A (CYA) in inhibiting cardiac allograft rejection, we employed a rat cardiac transplant model. Lewis rats (RT1(1) received cardiac allografts at a heterotopic site from Lewis Brown Norwegian (RT1(1/n)) hybrid donors. Seventy animals were equally divided into 10 groups. Starting on the day of surgery, three groups received a suboptimal doses of CYA (1.5, 4.5, or 9.0 mg/kg im), three groups received the same doses of CYA and 1.0 mg/kg of 8-MOP injected ip followed by 6.35 J/cm2 of UVA radiation to their shaved dorsums (PUVA), one group received PUVA alone, one group received UVA radiation alone, one group received 8-MOP alone, and the final group received no treatment. Therapy was carried out daily for 7 days and survival of the allograft was assessed by daily palpation of the transplanted heart.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Cyclosporin increases granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) activity and gene expression in murine keratinocytes.

Keratinocytes produce multiple cytokines in response to a variety of stimuli. The release of interleukin 1 (IL-1) from keratinocytes may be significant in initiation of cutaneous inflammation, and the presence of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is thought to be important in the regulation of antigen-presenting function by epidermal Langerhans cells. Because cyclosporin inhibits interleukin 2 release from T cells, it has been suggested that cyclosporin may function as an anti-inflammatory agent within the epidermis through inhibition of keratinocyte cytokine release. This investigation examined the direct effect of cyclosporin on the production of GM-CSF by murine keratinocytes and the keratinocyte cell line PAM 212. GM-CSF bioactivity increased in cell supernatants from keratinocytes exposed in vitro to 1 microgram/ml cyclosporin for up to 24 h. GM-CSF and IL-1 mRNA levels in keratinocytes cultured under similar conditions or in the presence of lipopolysaccharide also increased. The lack of inhibition of GM-CSF expression following cyclosporin treatment is consistent with recent observations in T cells and is opposite to the effect of cyclosporin on interleukin 2.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Effects of immunomodulatory cytokines on the presentation of tumor-associated antigens by epidermal Langerhans cells.

The recognition and presentation of tumor-associated antigens by cutaneous antigen-presenting cells (APC) may play an important role in the establishment of effective defense mechanisms against newly emerging tumors in the skin. Recent data demonstrate the ability of I-A+ epidermal cells (Langerhans cells) to present tumor-associated antigens for the induction of protective tumor immunity and elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity against the murine spindle cell tumor, S1509a. Furthermore, the local cytokine microenvironment in the vicinity of a cutaneous neoplasm may regulate the ability of resident epidermal APC to initiate and/or to elicit protective immunity against incipient cutaneous neoplasms. This article summarizes the effects of granulocyte-macrophage/colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta), and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) on the modulation of antigen presentation by epidermal APC. Our data indicate that these cytokines significantly and differentially modify the ability of epidermal cells to present tumor-associated antigens and that their effects differ with regard to induction of primary immunity (sensitization) or elicitation of secondary immune responses.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1991

Tumor antigen presentation by murine epidermal cells.

The ability of epidermal Langerhans cells to present Ag for CD4-dependent immunity is well documented, and it has been hypothesized that Langerhans cells participate in the generation of immunity against incipient epidermal neoplasms by presentation of tumor-associated Ag in situ. This study examined the ability of murine epidermal cells (EC) to present tumor-associated Ag for the induction of in vivo antitumor immunity. Murine epidermal cells were deleted of Thy-1-bearing cells, cultured in 50 U/ml granulocyte-macrophage-CSF for 14 to 18 h, and pulsed with tumor fragments (TF) derived from S1509a-fibrosarcoma cells. These TF-pulsed EC were injected s.c. into syngeneic recipients at weekly intervals for a total of three immunizations and challenged with viable S1509a tumor cells 1 wk after the last immunization. Control animals received TF-pulsed allogeneic EC or EC treated identically but not pulsed with TF. EC that were pulsed with tumor cell fragments were able to induce protective immunity to tumor growth in vivo and to immunize for a significant delayed-type hypersensitivity response to injected tumor cells. The induction of antitumor immunity with TF-pulsed EC was genetically restricted, and culture of EC in granulocyte-macrophage-CSF was required for development of significant immunity. Furthermore, deletion of I-A+ cells by antibody and complement-mediated lysis eliminated the generation of immunity. Thus, I-A+ epidermal cells are capable of presenting S1509a tumor Ag for the generation of protective antitumor immunity in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Regulation of GM-CSF and IL-3 production from the murine keratinocyte cell line PAM 212 following exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure induces profound changes in the synthesis and secretion of various cytokines both in vivo and in vitro. Little is known regarding the mechanism of these responses. This investigation evaluated the effects of UVR on the ability of a murine keratinocyte line (PAM 212) to produce interleukin 3 (IL-3) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Subconfluent rapidly dividing PAM 212 cells were shown by RNA slot-blot hybridization studies to have increased levels of mRNA for both IL-3 and GM-CSF within 1 h of UVR exposure. However, only GM-CSF-specific bioactivity, as determined by antibody neutralization studies, was shown to increase above baseline in cell supernatants. Cells grown to confluence responded differently to UVR. Under these culture conditions an apparent decrease in bioactivity was detected after UVR exposure for both growth factors, and no change in mRNA levels was detected. In addition to culture density, removal of extracellular calcium or sodium during irradiation, treatment with amiloride, or inhibition of new mRNA synthesis with cordycepin was shown to influence the UVR-induced alteration in release of IL-3 or GM-CSF bioactivity from both confluent and subconfluent PAM 212 cells. These results demonstrate that UVR influences the release of the colony stimulating factors GM-CSF and IL-3 from keratinocyte, and suggests that the state of cell growth and conditions of membrane ion transport influence the mechanisms regulating secretion of those factors.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Production of latent transforming growth factor-beta and other inhibitory factors by cultured murine iris and ciliary body cells.

Aqueous humor contains transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and other inhibitory factors for cellular proliferation. In the present study we investigated the possibility that these factors are produced locally by cells found within the iris and ciliary body. Iris and ciliary body (I/CB) cells or whole tissue explants from C57BL/6 mice produced soluble factors which inhibited both murine thymocyte and mink lung epithelial cell proliferation. Indomethacin partially blocked inhibition of thymocyte proliferation, but did not affect inhibition of Mv1 Lu proliferation. The inhibitory activity of culture supernatants was not blocked by neutralizing antibodies to TGF-beta 1 or TGF-beta 2. However, following acid activation of culture supernatants from both I/CB and corneal tissue, increased inhibitory activity consistent with activation of latent TGB-beta was detected. Antibody neutralization experiments demonstrated that this increase in activity was due primarily to TGF-beta 2 for I/CB tissue. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of cDNA generated from I/CB tissue mRNA showed prominent fragments representing both TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 mRNA. Corneal tissue, however, showed a prominent fragment for TGF-beta 1 mRNA, but either no band or a barely detectable fragment for TGF-beta 2 mRNA. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether TGF-beta 2 mRNA is produced by the cornea in this strain. Overall, these results demonstrated that three distinct categories of substances inhibitory to proliferation may be locally produced by resident iris and ciliary body cells: 1) indomethacin sensitive products, 2) TGF-beta 2 in latent form, and 3) factors not blocked by indomethacin or anti-TGF-beta neutralizing antibodies. Products generated by these tissues may have important regulatory properties in the development of immune responses to antigens introduced into the anterior chamber.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Morphologic and ultrastructural examination of I-A+ cells in the murine iris.

The surface membrane expression of major histocompatibility (MHC) class II antigens is an important prerequisite for presentation of foreign antigens to the immune system. Because particular antigens that are placed within the anterior chamber of the eye elicit a deviant form of immunity in which effector delayed-type hypersensitivity responses are suppressed, it has been proposed that novel MHC class II antigen-bearing cells exist in the tissues that line the anterior chamber. Class II MHC antigen expression has been identified within the iris, but the detailed morphologic description of these cells is incomplete. With the use of in situ immunoperoxidase and immunoelectron microscopic techniques, we examined the morphologic and ultrastructural characteristics of resident MHC-positive class II (I-A+) cells in murine irises. A significant number of these cells was found in the connective tissue of BALB/c irises. The majority showed extensive dendritic morphologic characteristics and formed a network throughout the iris that did not overlap. Ultrastructurally, I-A+ cells had an indented nucleus, some vacuoles, lysosomes, mitochondria, and an occasional phagosome within their cytoplasm and an absence of desmosomes or other intercellular junctions. Based on these features, it is unlikely that these cells are epithelial or endothelial in origin, but rather are similar to cells of the monocyte/macrophage/dendritic cell lineage. These results show the presence of an I-A+ dendritic cell population, within the murine iris, distributed in a pattern that is similar to that of Langerhans cells in the skin. Due to their compartmentalization within the eye, this cell population may represent a novel antigen-presenting cell that contributes to the immunologic privilege of the anterior chamber.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Aqueous humor contains transforming growth factor-beta and a small (less than 3500 daltons) inhibitor of thymocyte proliferation.

The anterior chamber of the eye is an immunologically privileged site in which allografts survive longer than at other body sites. In this regard, it is relevant that aqueous humor (AH) inhibits lymphocyte proliferation. In order to analyze AH for specific substances that inhibit thymocyte proliferation, samples of human AH, murine AH, and rhesus monkey AH were added to cultures of thymocytes stimulated by IL-1 or IL-2 in the presence of PHA. All samples of AH tested had potent inhibitory activity on thymocyte proliferation in this system. Inhibitory activity was lost by heating AH to 80 degrees C for 1 h. Dialysis of murine AH indicated that species smaller than 3500 Da were capable of mediating this activity; we have termed the factor(s) responsible for this "small inhibitory factor(s) of AH." Retentate, containing species larger than 3500 Da, retained inhibitory activity, but less than nondialyzed AH. Assays for PGE2 demonstrated that murine and human AH contained small quantities of PGE2. These quantities were insufficient to inhibit thymocyte proliferation in our assay system. Furthermore, AH from mice treatend with indomethacin had full inhibitory activity. Assays for transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) after acid activation demonstrated significant quantities of latent TGF-beta within human and murine AH which could be largely neutralized by antisera to TGF-beta. Active TGF-beta "activity" was also present without acid activation in samples of AH at a level approximately 20% that of latent TGF-beta. However, most of this "activity" could not be neutralized by antisera to TGF-beta. AH contains factors capable of limiting thymocyte proliferation.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Interferons and collagen production.

The immunoregulatory, antiviral, and antiproliferative agents known as the interferons have profound effects on collagen synthesis. Interferons alpha, beta, and gamma suppress collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts. In addition, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) inhibits the constitutively increased collagen synthesis characteristic of fibroblasts derived from lesions of patients with scleroderma. IFN-gamma also inhibits collagen synthesis by myofibroblasts and synovial fibroblast-like cells. Inhibition of collagen synthesis by IFN-gamma is associated with a coordinate inhibition of transcription for types I and III collagen. In addition, IFN-gamma suppresses levels of procollagen mRNA and type II collagen synthesis in human articular chondrocytes. In vivo studies in mice have demonstrated that IFN-gamma inhibits the collagen synthesis associated with the fibrotic response to an implanted foreign body, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and the healing response to cutaneous thermal burns. In the latter case, while collagen content of the wound scar was decreased, hyaluronic acid was increased in mice receiving IFN-gamma compared to controls. This is in accord with in vitro studies showing that, while interferons alpha and beta decrease production of glycosaminoglycans, IFN-gamma increases production of glycosaminoglycans. Of interest, acute inflammation at sites of thermal injury, or when elicited by proinflammatory agents in separate experiments, also was suppressed in mice treated with IFN-gamma. The means by which IFN-gamma inhibits collagen synthesis involves transcriptional regulation. There is a single report that interferon alpha can decrease the size of a keloid of recent onset in a human patient. Because the interferons can inhibit collagen synthesis in vivo, further studies may be warranted to evaluate the usefulness of these agents in the treatment of disease states characterized by abnormal fibrotic responses as well as their potential for altering the healing response associated with particular therapeutic interventions.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

A controlled trial of intralesional recombinant interferon-gamma in the treatment of keloidal scarring. Clinical and histologic findings.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) suppresses the synthesis of collagen by fibroblasts in vitro and the synthesis of collagen in vivo in animal models. Therefore, recombinant human IFN-gamma was examined for its ability to clinically modify keloids. Subjects were treated by injection of either 0.01 or 0.1 mg of recombinant human IFN-gamma into one lesional site and diluent alone into another lesional site three times per week for 3 weeks. Keloids were measured and photographed before beginning therapy and weekly thereafter. Three days after the final injection, biopsies were performed on treated and control sites. Six of eight subjects who finished the course of treatment demonstrated reduction in size at the treated site with an average reduction in height of 30.4% vs 1.1% for control sites. Lesions treated with recombinant human IFN-gamma demonstrated alterations in both the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis showed thinning of the suprapapillary plates, compact hyperkeratosis, focal or diffuse parakeratosis, exocytosis of lymphocytes, and an increased quantity of mucin. The dermis contained a diminished quantity of thickened collagen bundles and active fibroblasts and an increased number of inflammatory cells and quantity of mucin. These results suggest the feasibility of using IFN-gamma in the treatment of abnormal fibrosis. Dose-ranging studies are required to establish whether IFN-gamma can fulfill a true clinical need in the treatment of keloidal scarring.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Photoimmunology.

Photoimmunology is the study of the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on immunologic processes. Most work has examined UVR effects in animal models and in vitro systems, with limited data from humans. UVB irradiation inhibits induction of immunity systematically at high doses and locally at low doses in animals, and is associated with the appearance of transferable T suppressor lymphocytes. Photosensitized UVA and visible irradiation can have similar effects. In some mouse strains, chronic UVB exposure leads to highly immunogenic cutaneous malignancies, which are able to escape immunologic destruction in part because of protection from suppressor T lymphocytes. Immunosuppressed patients also have increased rates of skin cancer, suggesting immunologic involvement in regulation of skin cancer development. UVB or psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) irradiation alters circulating lymphocyte subtypes and contact hypersensitivity responses in man. UVB irradiation also induces the appearance of epidermal non-Langerhans antigen presenting cells, which may have suppressive functions. In vitro UVR exposure decreases antigen presenting cell function, lymphocyte responses to mitogens or antigens, and lymphocyte viability. UVB irradiation of keratinocytes alters interleukin 1 (IL-1) production and induces the release of immunosuppressive factors. It is clear that even modest amounts of UVR alter immunologic function and human avoidance of prolonged sun exposure would seem prudent.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

The systemic administration of gamma interferon inhibits collagen synthesis and acute inflammation in a murine skin wounding model.

The ability of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) to affect cutaneous collagen synthesis in vivo was examined in a murine wounding model. Reproducible areas of full-thickness skin necrosis were produced by argon laser radiation. Mice received recombinant murine IFN-gamma (rMuIFN-gamma) (8.7 X 10(3) units/hr) over 14 d via osmotic pumps implanted subcutaneously or intraperitoneally. At 14 and 21 d after wounding, there was less fibrous tissue in healing scars of treated animals as determined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Associated with the decrease in connective tissue was an increase in the acid mucopolysaccharide content of healing scars, which was largely hyaluronate. Quantitative image analysis of electron micrographs confirmed that less collagen was present in healing scars of animals receiving rMuIFN-gamma. The mean cross-sectional area of collagen fibers was smaller in specimens from treated mice, but no difference was seen in the size of collagen fibrils. The time required to obtain full skin closure was also delayed 23%-27% in treated animals. Using this injury model, we also found that rMuIFN-gamma significantly reduced the degree of perilesional erythema surrounding the laser injury sites and, in the first 6 d after wounding, the degree of polymorphonuclear infiltrate present histologically at lesional sites. Indeed, rMuIFN-gamma also decreased the cutaneous accumulation of neutrophils induced by known proinflammatory mediators, such as interleukin 1 and activated serum. Thus, systemically administered IFN-gamma not only down-regulates collagen synthesis in the skin but also modulates in a previously unrecognized manner: neutrophil accumulation at sites of tissue injury in vivo.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1989

Longwave ultraviolet radiation (UVA, 320-400 nm)-induced tan protects human skin against further UVA injury.

The protective effect of a UVA (320-400 nm) induced tan against cutaneous injury by further UVA-irradiation was studied by evaluating the histopathologic changes in tanned and untanned normal human buttock skin 24 h after exposure to 2 and 4 minimal erythema doses of UVA. In each subject there were fewer polymorphonuclear leukocytes and less endothelial cell prominence and vessel wall necrosis in the UVA tanned skin than in the untanned UVA-irradiated skin. In the tanned control and tanned UVA-irradiated skin there was a prominent mononuclear cell inflammatory infiltrate that was much greater than in untanned skin. In immunoperoxidase stained tissue sections, the mononuclear cells were predominantly T cells, and in all of the specimens the number of phenotypic helper/inducer cells exceeded the phenotypic cytotoxic/suppressor cells. This demonstrates that a UVA tan provides photoprotection against acute UVA exposure. In addition, tanning, with or without further UVA-irradiation, was associated with a mononuclear cell inflammatory infiltrate.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Ultraviolet radiation induces a change in cell membrane potential in vitro: a possible signal for ultraviolet radiation induced alteration in cell activity.

The regulation of a transmembrane ionic gradient, reflected by the cellular membrane potential, has been shown in several cell systems to be involved in the regulation of cell function. This investigation presents evidence that biologically relevant doses of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) will alter the membrane potential of keratinocytes in vitro. Estimation of the relative change in the steady-state membrane potential of the murine keratinocyte cell line PAM 212, the murine myelomonocytic cell line P388D1, and normal human keratinocytes in culture, were made through the use of the lipophilic cationic membrane potential sensitive probe; triphenylmethylphosphonium. Our observations indicate that UVR composed primarily of UVB (280-320 nm) radiation at doses as low as 100 J/m2 can induce a depolarization in the murine cell lines and a hyperpolarization in human keratinocytes. Evidence suggests that this difference in the direction of the membrane potential response reflects a difference in Na+/K+ ATPase activity following UVR. These results suggest a possible mechanism for modulation of keratinocyte activity induced by UVR.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed1989

Inhibition of allergic contact dermatitis and ultraviolet radiation-induced tissue swelling in the mouse by topical amiloride.

Amiloride is known to inhibit membrane sodium transport and has been shown in vitro to inhibit cell activation and proliferation in several model systems. These effects occur at relatively high local concentrations of amiloride. We studied the cutaneous response to the topical application of amiloride hydrochloride. Our observations demonstrated that topical application of amiloride was potent in its ability to inhibit murine tissue swelling and inflammation in response to contact sensitizing agents and ultraviolet radiation. These observations might suggest a role for amiloride or its analogues as topical anti-inflammatory or antiproliferative drugs.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed1988

Immunohistochemical staining of the human anterior segment. Evidence that resident cells play a role in immunologic responses.

We examined human corneoscleral tissue for cells that are phenotypically similar to known antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations. Antigen-presenting cells are involved in the uptake and processing of antigen for presentation to T lymphocytes, thereby playing a central role in induction of the immune response. The recognition of antigen by T lymphocytes requires that an APC express major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. Using immunoperoxidase staining techniques, the presence of cells expressing class II glycoproteins and T-cell subsets were determined. The staining patterns of the trabecular meshwork, ciliary body, cornea/sclera, and conjunctive are described for monoclonal antibodies OKT6, OKM1, HLA-DR, and HLA-DQ, and T-cell markers OKT8, Leu-3a, and Leu-4. The results of the present study demonstrate that the anterior chamber contains a network of immunocompetent cells. The presence of a subpopulation of cells within the anterior chamber that express class II glycoproteins of the major histocompatibility complex suggests this tissue may play an important role in immune regulation within the eye.

Anterior Eye Segment↗

PubMed1988

Induction of dermal and subcutaneous inflammation by recombinant cachectin/tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) in the mouse.

The ability of cachectin/tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) to induce acute dermal and subcutaneous inflammation was examined in a murine model. A number of other proteins, and diluent alone were examined as controls. After subcutaneous injection into the mouse footpad, recombinant human TNF alpha (rHuTNF alpha) induced acute inflammation with an initial marked dermal and subcutaneous neutrophil infiltrate by approximately 3 h, with a peak between 4 and 24 h and resolution by 79 h. Recombinant interleukin-2, cytochrome c, and heat-inactivated rHuTNF alpha induced negligible inflammation. Recombinant human lymphotoxin (TNF beta), another control protein, also induced acute inflammation in our system. Because TNF alpha and TFN beta are partially homologous, they may be acting through a similar mechanism. This pro-inflammatory effect of TNF alpha may result from chemotactic activity as well as by induction of secondary mediators. Inflammation induced by TNF alpha was partially suppressed by indomethacin treatment, suggesting that products of the cyclo-oxyganase pathway may mediate a portion of the inflammation involved. Five daily injections of rHuTNF alpha into the mouse footpad resulted in a predominantly mononuclear infiltrate and focal fibrosis. These results suggest that TNF alpha may be an important mediator of acute inflammation in vivo and might provide a signal for the production of collagen.

Acute Disease↗