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T Geiger

Publications and source records attributed to T Geiger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Transforming growth factors type-beta and dexamethasone attenuate group II phospholipase A2 gene expression by interleukin-1 and forskolin in rat mesangial cells.

Treatment of rat mesangial cells with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and forskolin induced, in a synergistic fashion, the expression of group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2) mRNA, with subsequent increased synthesis and secretion of PLA2. In contrast, interleukin-6 did not increase PLA2 mRNA levels of PLA2 activity. Transforming growth factor (TGF) beta 1, TGF beta 2 and TGF beta 3 equipotently attenuated the IL-1 beta- and forskolin-induced elevation of PLA2 mRNA, as well as PLA2 synthesis and secretion. The glucocorticoid dexamethasone only partially suppressed the IL-1 beta- and forskolin-induced elevation of PLA2 mRNA, but totally inhibited PLA2 synthesis and secretion.

Animals

T-cell responsiveness to an oncogenic peripheral protein and spontaneous autoimmunity in transgenic mice.

Why T cells develop autoimmune reactivity to some antigens and tolerance to others is unknown. Various mechanisms can provide for T-cell tolerance. These include deletion in the thymus, exhaustive differentiation in the periphery, T-cell receptor and coreceptor downregulation, and anergy. Which mechanisms normally provide for tolerance to antigens expressed on specific tissues and why they sometimes fail is unclear. To understand this, we analyzed how a tissue-specific protein with defined timing and location of expression is recognized by T cells so as to induce tolerance or autoimmunity. We crossed mice expressing the simian virus 40 large tumor antigen on pancreatic acini beginning 4-25 days after birth with mice transgenic for a rearranged T-cell receptor that recognizes this antigen presented by the class I major histocompatibility complex molecule H-2Kk. No T-cell tolerance was found; rather, T-cell reactivity accompanied lymphocytic infiltration and pancreatic acinar destruction. This result argues that T cells may become spontaneously autoreactive to certain postnatally expressed peripheral proteins and that this reactivity may lead to autoimmune disease.

Age Factors

Recombinant human C5a induces transcription but not translation of interleukin-1 beta mRNA in human monocytes.

The effect of recombinant human C5a (rhC5a) on the synthesis of interleukin-1 beta (IL 1 beta) was investigated in highly purified human monocytes, isolated by leukapheresis and counter-current elutriation. RhC5a induced IL 1 beta mRNA synthesis in a dose- and time-dependent manner; maximal induction was achieved at 3 h with rhC5a concentrations of 200 to 500 ng/ml. The IL 1 beta mRNA induction with rhC5a was about 75% of the response observed using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as the stimulus (300 ng/ml). On the other hand, rhC5a in optimal concentrations only weakly stimulated IL 1 beta protein synthesis, as measured by a two-site-directed enzyme-linked immunoassay. When LPS- or C5a-stimulated RNA was used to program IL 1 beta synthesis in an in vitro translation system from rabbit reticulocytes, no difference in translational efficiency was observed. Our results indicate that, in human monocytes, two signals for IL 1 beta gene expression are necessary, one signal for transcriptional activation and a second signal to induce translation of the mRNA.

Complement C5a

Recombinant human C5a induces transcription but not translation of interleukin 1 beta mRNA in human monocytes.

The effect of recombinant human C5a (rhC5a) on the synthesis of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) was investigated in human monocytes, isolated by leukapheresis and countercurrent elutriation. rhC5a induced IL-1 beta mRNA synthesis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Maximal induction was achieved at 3 h with rhC5a concentrations of 200 to 500 ng/ml. The maximal rhC5a-stimulated mRNA induction was about 75% of that observed using LPS as the stimulus (300 ng/ml). The inducing activity of rhC5a could be neutralized by preincubation with a polyclonal anti-C5a antibody. On the other hand rhC5a in optimal concentrations only weakly stimulated IL-1 beta protein synthesis, as measured by a two-site directed enzyme-linked immunoassay. When compared on Northern blots, a slightly reduced mobility of C5a-stimulated IL-1 beta mRNA was observed relative to LPS-stimulated RNA. To exclude the possibility that structural defects in the IL-1 beta mRNA are responsible for the weak translational efficiency after C5a stimulation a primer extension experiment was performed. No difference in the length of the extended fragment was detected between LPS and C5a-stimulated RNA, suggesting that the 5'-regions of the RNAs are identical. When LPS- or C5a-stimulated RNA was used to program IL-1 beta synthesis in an in vitro translation system from rabbit reticulocytes, no difference in translational efficiency was observed. Our results indicate that in human monocytes two signals for IL-1 beta gene expression are necessary, a signal for transcriptional activation and another signal to induce translation of the mRNA.

Blotting, Northern

PDGF suppresses the activation of group II phospholipase A2 gene expression by interleukin 1 and forskolin in mesangial cells.

Treatment of rat mesangial cells with interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and forskolin greatly enhanced the expression of group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2) mRNA, with subsequent increased synthesis and secretion of PLA2, as detected by PLA2 activity measurements and immunoprecipitation of culture media of [35S]methionine-labelled mesangial cells. PDGF-BB dose-dependently suppressed the IL-1 beta- and forskolin-induced elevation of PLA2 mRNA, as well as PLA2 synthesis and secretion. In contrast, PDGF-AA had no inhibitory effect. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein dose-dependently antagonized the inhibitory effect of PDGF-BB on IL-1 beta-stimulated PLA2 secretion, thus suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation may be required for PDGF-BB inhibition of PLA2 gene expression in mesangial cells.

Animals

Interleukin-6 is the major regulator of acute phase protein synthesis in adult human hepatocytes.

The three monokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) modulate acute phase plasma protein synthesis in adult human hepatocytes. Only IL-6 stimulates the synthesis of the full spectrum of acute phase proteins as seen in inflammatory states in humans, i.e. synthesis and secretion of C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and haptoglobin are increased while albumin, transferrin and fibronectin are decreased. IL-1 beta as well as TNF alpha, although having a moderate effect on the positive acute phase proteins and inhibiting the synthesis of fibrinogen, albumin and transferrin, fail to induce serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein. These data suggest that IL-6 plays the key role in the regulation of acute phase protein synthesis in human hepatocytes.

Acute-Phase Proteins

Fate and biological action of human recombinant interleukin 1 beta in the rat in vivo.

The plasma half life of recombinant human interleukin 1 beta (rhIL 1 beta) was determined in rats by measuring the disappearance of the radioactivity of 125I-labeled rhIL 1 beta from the circulation. The plasma clearance showed a biphasic behavior: an initial fast disappearance (half life of about 3 min) was followed by a second slower one (half life of about 4 h). Twenty minutes after a single-dose injection of 125I-labeled rhIL 1 beta most of the radioactivity was concentrated in kidneys, liver and intestine. rhIL 1 beta induced the synthesis of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), alpha 1-cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CPI) and beta-fibrinogen mRNA in liver. Half maximal stimulation was elicited by approximately 3000 U of rhIL 1 beta per animal. The mRNA changes for AGP and CPI were followed by corresponding protein increases in serum. Twenty hours after rhIL 1 beta injection, serum AGP rose from 0.7 to 2.5 mg/ml. CPI increased from 0.3 to 1.9 mg/ml 25 h after administration of rhIL 1 beta. Within 20 h after rhIL 1 beta injection, albumin serum concentration showed a strong decrease, preceded by a reduction in hepatic albumin mRNA levels. Neither changes in albumin synthesis nor degradation can explain this decrease suggesting that other mechanisms such as increased transvascular permeability are involved.

Acute-Phase Proteins

An assay for the detection of interleukin-1 synthesis inhibitors: effects of antirheumatic drugs.

The monokines interleukin-1 beta and alpha (IL-1) play a central role in the connective tissue destruction of many chronic inflammatory diseases. A high capacity screening assay for the detection of inhibitors of IL-1 biosynthesis has been established. Normal human monocytes were obtained by leukapheresis and elutriation. IL-1 beta and alpha biosynthesis was stimulated with LPS, and cell-associated and secreted IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha were measured by specific immunoassays (ELISA). The mean total IL-1 beta (cell-associated and secreted) production in 18 different donors was 11 ng/10(6) cells (range 1.2-28.8). Secreted IL-1 beta represented 31 to 86% of the total IL-1 beta. More IL-1 alpha than IL-1 beta was produced but, unlike IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha was poorly secreted. The steroids prednisolone and dexamethasone, gold (sodium aurothiomalate) and chloroquine were potent inhibitors of the IL-1 production. Mean IC50 values of 180 nM (range 2.5 nM-1 microns), 10 microM (range 6-20 microM) and of 75 microM were found for prednisolone, gold and chloroquine, respectively. Above 5 microM, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds indomethacin and BW755C increased IL-1 beta biosynthesis. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibited the level of the secreted form of IL-1 beta, but tended to increase the cell-associated level. D-Penicillamine (up to 6 mM), cyclosporin A (up to 1 microM) and methotrexate (up to 12 microM) inhibited neither cell-associated nor secreted IL-1 beta levels. This high capacity assay, which is insensitive to classical NSAIDs, may serve in the detection and characterization of new classes of anti-inflammatory compounds.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Plasma clearance, organ distribution and target cells of interleukin-6/hepatocyte-stimulating factor in the rat.

The plasma half-life of recombinant human interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) was determined in rats by measuring the disappearance of the biological activity as well as of the radioactivity of 125I-rhIL-6 from the circulation. The kinetics of clearance were biphasic. It consisted of a rapid initial disappearance corresponding to a half-life of 3 min, and of a second slow one corresponding to a half-life of about 55 min. By cellulose-acetate electrophoresis it was shown that rhIL-6 binds to a plasma protein resulting in a complex migrating in the beta-gamma region; 20 min after intravenous injection, about 80% of the 125I-rhIL-6 that had disappeared from the circulation was found in the liver. 125I-rhIL-6 was exclusively localized on the surface of parenchymal cells suggesting the existence of an interleukin-6 receptor on the hepatocytes.

Animals

Cell-free-synthesized interleukin-6 (BSF-2/IFN-beta 2) exhibits hepatocyte-stimulating activity.

Secretory products of cultured human blood monocytes contain a hepatocyte-stimulating factor which is able to induce the acute-phase proteins alpha 2-macroglobulin and fibrinogen in rat liver cells. Total RNA was isolated from unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes and translated in a reticulocyte lysate. The capability of the cell-free synthesized proteins to induce the acute-phase proteins alpha 2-macroglobulin and fibrinogen was assayed in rat hepatocyte primary cultures and in the rat hepatoma cell line Fao. The products translated from the mRNA of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes induced mRNAs for alpha 2-macroglobulin and fibrinogen and therefore contain hepatocyte-stimulating factor. The translation products of unstimulated monocytes had no effect. A cDNA containing the coding sequence for interleukin-6 (B-cell stimulatory factor 2, interferon-beta 2/26-kDa protein, interleukin HP1) derived from human T-cells cloned into the transcription vector pGEM4 was transcribed in vitro. Translation of the isolated RNA in a reticulocyte lysate led to the synthesis of a protein of about 25 kDa. This cell-free synthesized interleukin-6 exhibited hepatocyte-stimulating activity measured by the induction of beta-fibrinogen mRNA in Fao cells. Using an antibody against interleukin-6, two proteins of 22 kDa and 23 kDa were immunoprecipitated from the culture medium of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes. These two proteins were not synthesized by unstimulated monocytes. When total RNA from unstimulated human monocytes and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes and lymphocytes was subjected to Northern analysis and hybridized with the interleukin-6 cDNA, a strong hybridization signal corresponding to an RNA of about 1300 bases was detected only in the RNA from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes, indicating that human monocytes express the interleukin-6 gene after stimulation. The data presented in this paper strongly suggest that hepatocyte-stimulating factor from human monocytes and interleukin-6 from T-cells are identical.

Animals

Induction of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein by recombinant human interleukin-1 in rat hepatoma cells.

The induction of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA by recombinant murine interleukin-1, recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha, and recombinant human interleukin-1 beta has been studied in the rat hepatoma cell line Fao. Whereas the stimulatory capacities of recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha and recombinant murine interleukin-1 were almost identical, the concentrations of recombinant human interleukin-1 beta needed for half-maximal induction of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA were lower by three orders of magnitude. A 60-fold increase in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA levels was observed 18 h after the addition of recombinant interleukin-1 beta. In parallel albumin mRNA levels decreased to about 30%. The alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA induction was strictly dependent on the presence of dexamethasone. For a full stimulation dexamethasone concentrations of greater than 10(-7) M were needed, whereas concentrations of less than 10(-12) M were ineffective. The increase in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA after recombinant human interleukin-1 beta was followed by a 36-fold stimulation in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein synthesis and secretion. When protein synthesis was blocked by either cycloheximide, puromycin, or emetine, the induction of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA by recombinant human interleukin-1 beta was impaired suggesting the involvement of a short-lived protein in the induction of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA.

Animals

Regulation of synthesis and secretion of major rat acute-phase proteins by recombinant human interleukin-6 (BSF-2/IL-6) in hepatocyte primary cultures.

The regulation of the three major acute-phase proteins alpha 2-macroglobulin, cysteine proteinase inhibitor and alpha 1-antitrypsin by recombinant human interleukin-1 beta, recombinant human interleukin-6 and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha was studied in rat hepatocyte primary cultures. Synthesis and secretion of the acute-phase proteins was measured after labeling with [35S]methionine and immunoprecipitation. Incubation of hepatocytes with interleukin-6 led to dose-dependent and time-dependent changes in the synthesis of the three major acute-phase proteins and albumin, similar to those occurring in vivo during experimental inflammation. alpha 2-Macroglobulin and cysteine proteinase inhibitor synthesis was induced 54-fold and 8-fold, respectively, 24 h after the addition of 100 units/ml interleukin-6. At the same time synthesis of the negative acute-phase protein albumin was reduced to 30% of controls. Half-maximal effects were achieved with 4 units interleukin-6/ml. Interleukin-1 beta had only a partial effect on the regulation of the four patients studied: only a twofold stimulation of alpha 2-macroglobulin and a 60% reduction of albumin synthesis were observed. Tumor necrosis factor alpha did not alter the synthesis of acute-phase proteins. The stimulation of alpha 2-macroglobulin and cysteine proteinase inhibitor synthesis by interleukin-6 was inhibited by interleukin-1 beta in a dose-dependent manner. In pulse-chase experiments the effect of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha on the secretion of acute-phase proteins was examined. Interleukin-6 markedly accelerated the secretion of total proteins and alpha 2-macroglobulin, whereas the secretion of cysteine proteinase inhibitor, alpha 1-antitrypsin and albumin was not affected. The inhibition of N-glycosylation by tunicamycin abolished the effect of interleukin-6 on the secretion of alpha 2-macroglobulin, indicating a possible role of interleukin-6 on N-glycosylation.

Acute-Phase Proteins

Induction of rat acute-phase proteins by interleukin 6 in vivo.

Recombinant human interleukin 6 (rhIL 6) was injected i.p. into male Wistar rats to investigate its role as a mediator of the acute-phase response. Hepatic mRNA levels of beta-fibrinogen, alpha 2-macroglobulin, cysteine proteinase inhibitor, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and albumin were measured at different times after the administration of rhIL 6. Maximal increases of mRNA concentrations were observed already 4 h after the injection of rhIL 6 leading to 4.8-, 19.7-, 10- and 16-fold stimulations in mRNA levels of beta-fibrinogen, alpha 2-macroglobulin, cysteine proteinase inhibitor or alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, respectively. The rhIL 6-induced stimulation of acute-phase protein mRNA was much more rapid than the acute-phase induction after turpentine, where maximal mRNA levels were found between 16 and 24 h. For all acute-phase proteins studied, the stimulation of mRNA synthesis was found to be dependent on the dose of rhIL 6 injected. In the case of alpha 2-macroglobulin mRNA a sex-specific induction by rhIL 6 was found. Only male rats showed an acute-phase response, whereas in female rats an acute-phase reaction of alpha 2-macroglobulin mRNA was not inducible by IL 6. The increases in mRNA levels of the acute-phase proteins studied were followed by corresponding changes of the proteins in the serum determined by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. It is concluded that IL 6 represents a potent mediator of the acute-phase response in the rat.

Acute-Phase Proteins

Action of recombinant human interleukin 6, interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha on the mRNA induction of acute-phase proteins.

The rat hepatoma cell line Fao was used to study the role of three inflammatory mediators on the mRNA regulation of several acute-phase proteins. In the presence of 10(-6) M dexamethasone beta-fibrinogen mRNA levels increased 6-fold after addition of recombinant human IL 6 (rhIL 6). rhIL 1 beta or recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (rhTNF alpha) had essentially no effect on beta-fibrinogen mRNA induction but led to a 20-fold increase in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA in the presence of dexamethasone. On the other hand, rhIL 6 was a much weaker stimulator of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA synthesis. All three mediators reduced albumin mRNA concentrations to about 30% of controls. Whereas the induction of beta-fibrinogen mRNA was potentiated by dexamethasone, the synthetic glucocorticoid analog was an absolute requirement for the stimulation of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA. The mRNA levels of the negative acute-phase protein albumin were induced 5-fold by dexamethasone alone. The beta-fibrinogen mRNA induction started immediately after addition of rhIL 6 and reached a maximum between 12 and 18 h. In contrast, the time-course for alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA synthesis showed a lag phase of 8 h followed by an increase up to 20 h after rhIL 1 beta. rhTNF alpha led to an even more delayed increase in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein mRNA. Whereas in the case of beta-fibrinogen mRNA induction no synergistic effect was observed between various concentrations of the three mediators, the combination of rhIL 6/rhIL 1 beta as well as rhIL 6/rhTNF alpha or rhIL 1 beta/rhTNF alpha regulated synergistically alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and albumin mRNA. It is concluded that discrete acute-phase proteins are regulated differently by the inflammatory mediators IL 6, IL 1 beta and TNF alpha, indicating that the acute-phase response is more complex than previously assumed. The Fao cell line used in this study turned out to be an ideal model for acute-phase protein regulation, suitable for the discrimination between the inflammatory mediators IL 6 and IL 1/TNF alpha.

Acute-Phase Proteins

Regulation of alpha 2-macroglobulin gene expression by interleukin-6 (BSF-2/HSF).

In rat hepatocyte primary cultures recombinant human interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) induced alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) synthesis 54-fold. Half-maximal induction was achieved at a rhIL-6 concentration of 30 pM. RhIL-1 beta led only to a 2-fold increase in alpha 2M synthesis, but strongly impaired the action of IL-6. Intraperitoneal injection of rhIL-6 into male rats resulted in a 19.7-fold increase of alpha 2M mRNA already after 4h. In contrast, alpha 2M mRNA levels (50-fold increase) were reached between 16 and 24 h after intramuscular injection of turpentine. Whereas turpentine-induced inflammation resulted in an increased alpha 2M synthesis in male and female rats, rhIL-6 injection had no effect in female rats. The increases after rhIL-6 administration in mRNA concentrations were followed by corresponding changes in alpha 2M levels in serum. By Northern analysis it was demonstrated that LPS-stimulated human monocytes synthesize IL-6 mRNA. The 5'-end of the rat alpha 2M gene has been isolated and the first 3 exons and 166 base pairs of the 5'-flanking region were identified by a combination of oligonucleotide hybridization and DNA sequencing. The transcriptional start site was determined by RNase protection as well as by primer extension experiments. 5'-CATAAAG-3' and 5'-TCAAAA-3' were found as TATA- and CAAT-box equivalent sequences, respectively. Furthermore, a potential glucocorticoid binding site (5'-TGTTCT-3') was localized on the antisense strand of the alpha 2M gene.

Animals

Regulation of interleukin-6 expression in cultured human blood monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages.

A culture system that allows human blood monocytes to differentiate into macrophages in vitro was used to study B-cell stimulatory factor-2/interleukin-6 (interferon-beta 2/26 kd protein) expression in mononuclear phagocytes. Using B-cell stimulatory factor-2 (BSF-2) cDNA and a polyclonal, monospecific antibody directed against human BSF-2, we find that strong interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression is initiated in cultured monocytes on stimulation with endotoxin. Maximally induced monocytic BSF-2/IL-6 synthesis (1% to 2% of total proteins secreted by monocytes) is more than ten times stronger than in terminally differentiated macrophages (approximately 0.1% of total secretory proteins). BSF-2/IL-6 mRNA was detectable as early as one hour after stimulation with endotoxin, reaching maximum levels three hours after stimulus. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) was able to stimulate IL-6 synthesis in monocytes, but not in macrophages. Tumor necrosis factor, interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 (IL-2) had no effect on IL-6 synthesis in monocytes or macrophages. We found five molecular weight forms of BSF-2/IL-6 to be secreted by monocytes of 21.5 kd, 23.5 kd, 24 kd, 26 kd, and 28 kd apparent molecular weight. The 26 kd and 28 kd forms were found to represent N-glycosylated molecules, which were not detectable on treatment of the cells with the N-glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin. The 21.5 kd, 23.5 kd, and 24 kd BSF-2/IL-6 forms were unaffected by tunicamycin treatment. We conclude from our data that cells of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage are one of the main sites of BSF-2/IL-6 (interferon-beta 2/26 kd protein/HSF) synthesis.

Cell Differentiation

Recombinant human B cell stimulatory factor 2 (BSF-2/IFN-beta 2) regulates beta-fibrinogen and albumin mRNA levels in Fao-9 cells.

Conditioned medium from human monocytes contains a partially characterized hepatocyte-stimulating factor that simultaneously elevates the mRNA levels of the acute-phase protein beta-fibrinogen and decreases albumin mRNA in rat hepatoma cells. We demonstrate that recombinant human B-cell stimulatory factor 2, which is identical to interferon-beta 2/26 kDa protein and interleukin-HP1, exhibits the same activity as hepatocyte-stimulating factor. Furthermore, a specific antibody against B-cell stimulatory factor 2 was able to inhibit hepatocyte-stimulating factor in conditioned medium from human monocytes. Our data show that hepatocyte-stimulating factor and B-cell stimulatory factor 2 are functionally and immunologically related proteins.

Albumins