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Comparative chemical and biological characterization of the lipopolysaccharides of gastric and enterohepatic helicobacters.

BACKGROUND: The lipopolysaccharide of Helicobacter pylori plays an important role in colonization and pathogenicity. The present study sought to compare structural and biological features of lipopolysaccharides from gastric and enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. not previously characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Purified lipopolysaccharides from four gastric Helicobacter spp. (H. pylori, Helicobacter felis, Helicobacter bizzozeronii and Helicobacter mustelae) and four enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. (Helicobacter hepaticus, Helicobacter bilis, 'Helicobacter sp. flexispira' and Helicobacter pullorum) were structurally characterized using electrophoretic, serological and chemical methods. RESULTS: Structural insights into all three moieties of the lipopolysaccharides, i.e. lipid A, core and O-polysaccharide chains, were gained. All species expressed lipopolysaccharides bearing an O-polysaccharide chain, but H. mustelae and H. hepaticus produced truncated semirough lipopolysaccharides. However, in contrast to lipopolysaccharides of H. pylori and H. mustelae, no blood group mimicry was detected in the other Helicobacter spp. examined. Intra-species, but not interspecies, fatty acid profiles of lipopolysaccharides were identical within the genus. Although shared lipopolysaccharide-core epitopes with H. pylori occurred, differing structural characteristics were noted in this lipopolysaccharide region of some Helicobacter spp. The lipopolysaccharides of the gastric helicobacters, H. bizzozeronii and H. mustelae, had relative Limulus amoebocyte lysate activities which clustered around that of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide, whereas H. bilis, 'Helicobacter sp. flexispira' and H. hepaticus formed a cluster with approximately 1000-10,000-fold lower activities. H. pullorum lipopolysaccharide had the highest relative Limulus amoebocyte lysate activity of all the helicobacter lipopolysaccharides (10-fold higher than that of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide), and all the lipopolysaccharides of enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. were capable of inducing nuclear factor-Kappa B(NF-kappaB) activation. CONCLUSIONS: The collective results demonstrate the structural heterogeneity and pathogenic potential of lipopolysaccharides of the Helicobacter genus as a group and these differences in lipopolysaccharides may be indicative of adaptation of the bacteria to different ecological niches.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Reactive oxygen species are involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced intrauterine growth restriction and skeletal development retardation in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal infection is a cause of adverse developmental outcomes including embryonic resorption, intrauterine fetal death, and preterm labor. Lipopolysaccharide-induced developmental toxicity at early gestational stages has been well characterized. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of maternal lipopolysaccharide exposure at late gestational stages on intrauterine fetal growth and skeletal development and to assess the potential role of reactive oxygen species in lipopolysaccharide-induced intrauterine fetal growth restriction and skeletal development retardation. STUDY DESIGN: The timed pregnant CD-1 mice were intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (25 to 75 microg/kg per day) on gestational day 15 to 17. To investigate the role of reactive oxygen species on lipopolysaccharide-induced intrauterine fetal growth restriction and skeletal development retardation, the pregnant mice were injected with alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) at 30 minutes before lipopolysaccharide (75 microg/kg per day, intraperitoneally), followed by an additional dose of alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) at 3 hours after lipopolysaccharide. The number of live fetuses, dead fetuses, and resorption sites was counted on gestational day 18. Live fetuses in each litter were weighed. Crown-rump and tail lengths were examined and skeletal development was evaluated. RESULTS: Maternal lipopolysaccharide exposure significantly increased fetal mortality, reduced fetal weight and crown-rump and tail lengths of live fetuses, and retarded skeletal ossification in caudal vertebrae, anterior and posterior phalanges, and supraoccipital bone in a dose-dependent manner. Alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone, a free radical spin-trapping agent, almost completely blocked lipopolysaccharide-induced fetal death (63.2% in lipopolysaccharide group versus 6.5% in alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone + lipopolysaccharide group, P < .01). In addition, alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone significantly reversed lipopolysaccharide-induced intrauterine growth restriction and skeletal development retardation. However, aminoguanidine, a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase, had little effect. Furthermore, lipopolysaccharide-induced intrauterine fetal death, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, and skeletal development retardation were associated with lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion in maternal liver, placenta, and fetal liver. Alpha-phenyl-N-t-butylnitrone significantly attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion in maternal liver, placenta, and fetal liver. CONCLUSION: Maternal lipopolysaccharide exposure at late gestational stages results in intrauterine fetal growth restriction and skeletal development retardation in mice. Reactive oxygen species might be, at least in part, involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced intrauterine fetal growth restriction and skeletal development retardation.

Animals↗

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein and soluble CD14 receptor protein in amniotic fluid and cord blood in patients at term.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to examine whether lipopolysaccharide binding protein and soluble CD14 are present in amniotic fluid and to determine whether the lipopolysaccharide binding protein and soluble CD14 concentrations are associated with indicators of infection or labor at term. A lipopolysaccharide-lipopolysaccharide binding protein complex activates macrophages through soluble CD14 at lipopolysaccharide concentrations up to 100 times lower than required with lipopolysaccharide alone. Thus lipopolysaccharide binding protein and soluble CD14 in amniotic fluid could explain the high concentrations of cytokines found in amniotic fluid of culture-positive patients and may even explain the presence of cytokines in some culture-negative patients. STUDY DESIGN: Healthy women at term undergoing cesarean section had amniotic fluid, chorioamnion, decidua, and cord blood obtained. Lipopolysaccharide binding protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Amniotic fluid was cultured and assayed for cytokines, and the chorioamnion and decidua were cultured and examined histologically. RESULTS: Lipopolysaccharide binding protein and soluble CD14 were present in all amniotic fluids and fetal cord blood. An elevated level of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (270 ng/ml/mg of protein) was present in the amniotic fluid of 12 (36%) of the 33 patients. An elevated level was associated with microorganisms in the chorioamnion and decidua, cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8) in amniotic fluid, histologic chorioamnionitis, and labor. Among patients in labor, the concentration of lipopolysaccharide binding protein appeared independent of microorganisms in the amniotic fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Lipopolysaccharide binding protein and soluble CD14 are present in amniotic fluid, and concentrations of lipopolysaccharide binding protein are elevated in patients in labor with and without evidence of infection. Lipopolysaccharide binding protein and soluble CD14 may mediate intrauterine inflammatory responses at term.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Facilitation of spike-wave discharge activity by lipopolysaccharides in Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk rats.

In normal rats the proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, which are induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharides, are able to control thalamo-cortical excitability by exerting strong effects on physiological synchronization such as sleep and on pathological synchronization like that in epileptic discharges. To investigate whether proinflammatory cytokines or lipopolysaccharides could modulate absence seizures resulting from a very different generator mechanism than the already investigated bicuculline-, kindling- and kainate-induced seizures, we used a genetically epileptic Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk rat strain, which is spontaneously generating high voltage spike-wave discharges. Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk rats responded with an increase of the number of spike-wave discharges to lipopolysaccharide injection (from 10 microg/kg to 350 microg/kg). Repetitive administration of 350 microg/kg lipopolysaccharides daily for 5 days increased the number of spike-wave discharges on the first, second and third days but the number of spike-wave discharges returned to the control value on day 5, at the 5th injection of lipopolysaccharides, showing a tolerance to lipopolysaccharides. The lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in spike-wave discharges was not directly correlated with the elevation of the core body temperature, as it is in febrile seizures, although lipopolysaccharide induced prostaglandin and is clearly pyrogenic at the doses used. Indomethacin, the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, efficiently blocked lipopolysaccharide-induced enhancement of spike-wave discharge genesis suggesting that the spike-wave discharge facilitating effect of lipopolysaccharides involves induction of cyclooxygenase 2 and subsequent synthesis and actions of prostaglandin E2. Low dose (40 mg/kg, i.p.) of competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, and low dose of lipopolysaccharide (20 microg/kg) showed a synergistic interaction to increase the number of spike-wave discharges, whereas at supramaximal doses of lipopolysaccharide and the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist no synergy was present. The data reveal a functional connection between absence epileptic activity and lipopolysaccharide induction of prostaglandin synthesis and prostaglandin action and suggest some common cellular targets in epilepsy and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation.

Action Potentials↗

Effects of N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in the rat.

OBJECTIVES: Interventions that reduce the generation or the effects of reactive oxygen species exert controversial effects in animal models of lung injury, and these could be secondary to the pro-oxidant effects of antioxidants generally by their interaction with iron. We here describe the effects of N-acetylcysteine, deferoxamine, or both in the treatment of acute lung injury induced by intratracheal lipopolysaccharide injection. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled experiment. SETTING: Animal basic science laboratory. SUBJECTS: Male Wistar rats, weighing 200-250 g. INTERVENTIONS: Rats exposed intratracheally to lipopolysaccharide were treated with N-acetylcysteine (20 mg/kg subcutaneously 3, 6, and 12 hrs after lipopolysaccharide instillation), deferoxamine (20 mg/kg subcutaneously 3 hrs after lipopolysaccharide instillation), N-acetylcysteine (20 mg/kg, 3, 6, and 12 hrs after lipopolysaccharide instillation) plus deferoxamine (20 mg/kg 3 hrs after lipopolysaccharide instillation), or vehicle. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Acute lung injury was induced by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide in Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into five groups: group 1, control with instillation of isotonic saline; group 2, lipopolysaccharide treated with saline; group 3, lipopolysaccharide treated with N-acetylcysteine; group 4, lipopolysaccharide treated with deferoxamine; and group 5, lipopolysaccharide treated with N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine. Several times after lipopolysaccharide instillation, the rats were killed and a bronchoalveolar lavage was performed to determine thiobarbituric acid reactive species, protein carbonyls, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, mitochondrial superoxide production (oxidative stress variables), the degree of the alveolar-capillary membrane compromise, and inflammatory infiltration. Samples from the lung were isolated and assayed for oxidative stress variables or histopathologic analyses. N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine decreased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein, inflammatory cells, oxidative damage variables, and proinflammatory cytokines. N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine treatment significantly attenuated lung oxidative damage, mitochondrial superoxide production, and histopathologic alterations after lipopolysaccharide instillation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide the first experimental demonstration that N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine decreases oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and limits inflammatory response and alveolar pathology induced by lipopolysaccharide in the rat.

Acetylcysteine↗

Bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) stimulates the rate of iron oxidation.

Bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) has affinity for a number of cations, including iron. Previous investigations have demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide can affect the oxidation rate of iron; heme-bound ferrous iron in hemoglobin is oxidized to ferric iron when hemoglobin binds lipopolysaccharide. In the present study, we directly examined the interaction between lipopolysaccharide and iron. Lipopolysaccharide caused a concentration-dependent increase in the rate of iron oxidation, with up to a 23-fold increase in oxidation in the presence of 200 microg/ml Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. This effect was seen both with several carbohydrate-rich smooth lipopolysaccharides and also with carbohydrate-poor rough lipopolysaccharide. Extensively deacylated rough lipopolysaccharide had no effect, suggesting a role of the fatty acid components of lipopolysaccharide in this process. Purified lipid A produced inconsistent results: some preparations stimulated iron oxidation and others did not. A series of sugars, starches and a preparation of purified O-chain polysaccharide (the carbohydrate portion of the lipopolysaccharide macro-molecule) had no effect on the rate of iron oxidation, whereas phospholipid-enriched brain tissue extracts (similar to the lipid A component of lipopolysaccharide) stimulated oxidation. We conclude that the lipid moiety of bacterial lipopolysaccharide is responsible for the stimulation of iron oxidation. This process may contribute to the ability of lipopolysaccharide to cause oxidation of heme-bound iron in hemoglobin.

Carbohydrates↗

Quantitation of metal cations bound to membranes and extracted lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli.

Inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy was used to quantitate the metal cations bound to outer and cytoplasmic membranes and to extracted lipopolysaccharide from several Escherichia coli K12 strains. The outer membrane was found to be enriched in both calcium and magnesium relative to the cytoplasmic membrane. Both membranes contained significant levels of iron, aluminum, and zinc. The multivalent cation content of the lipopolysaccharide resembled that of the intact outer membrane. Lipopolysaccharide extracted from wild-type k12 strains contained higher levels of Mg than Ca regardless of the growth medium, but the medium used for growth did affect the relative amounts of bound Mg as well as the levels of the minor cations iron, aluminum, and zinc. In contrast, lipopolysaccharide isolated from a deep rough mutant strain, D21f2, contained more Ca than Mg. Electrodialysis of lipopolysaccharide from wild-type k12 strains removed 1 mol of Mg per mol of lipopolysaccharide but did not significantly affect the level of other bound metal ions. Dialysis of lipopolysaccharide against sodium (ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetate removed most of the Mg and Ca, resulting in a sodium salt. The equimolar replacement of divalent cations with sodium in the sodium salt resulted in a net loss of counterion change. The sodium salt was dialyzed against either tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride, CaCl2, MgCl2, or TbCl3, and the resulting lipopolysaccharide salts were analyzed for their ionic composition. It was shown that tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and Ca can replace some but not all of the Na bound to the sodium salt, but all of the other multivalent cations tested replaced Na, resulting in uniform lipopolysaccharide salts. Lipopolysaccharide isolated from the deep rough mutant strain D21f2 was also converted into a sodium salt. Relative to the wild-type lipopolysaccharide, Na was able to neutralize the anionic charge to a greater extent in the mutant lipopolysaccharide. Our results suggest that the loss of specific groups in the core region of the lipopolysaccharide from the mutant strain results in a more open structure that allows the binding of larger cations and of more monovalent cations.

Cations↗

Limited role of ceramide in lipopolysaccharide-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, transcription factor induction, and cytokine release.

The involvement of ceramide in lipopolysaccharide-mediated activation of mouse macrophages was studied. Lipopolysaccharide, cell-permeable ceramide analogs, and bacterial sphingomyelinase led to phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases, and p38 kinase and induced AP-1 DNA binding in C3H/OuJ (Lpsn) but not in C3H/HeJ (Lpsd) macrophages. Lipopolysaccharide and ceramide mimetics showed distinct kinetics of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and AP-1 induction and activated AP-1 complexes with different subunit compositions. Lipopolysaccharide-activated AP-1 consisted of c-Fos, Jun-B, Jun-D, and c-Jun, while C2-ceramide induced Jun-D and c-Jun only. Lipopolysaccharide and, less potently, C2-ceramide or sphingomyelinase, stimulated AP-1-dependent reporter gene transcription in RAW 264.7 cells. Unlike lipopolysaccharide, C2-ceramide failed to activate NF-kappaB and did not induce production of tumor necrosis factor or interleukin-6. The lipopolysaccharide antagonist, Rhodobacter sphae-roides diphosphoryl lipid A, inhibited lipopolysaccharide activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 but did not block C2-ceramide-induced AP-1. Pretreatment of C3H/OuJ macrophages with C2-ceramide greatly diminished AP-1 induction following subsequent C2-ceramide stimulation. However, lipopolysaccharide-induced transcription factor activation and cytokine release were not influenced. In contrast, lipopolysaccharide pretreatment inhibited both lipopolysaccharide- and C2-ceramide-mediated responses. Thus, ceramide partially mimics lipopolysaccharide in activating the mitogen-activated protein kinases and AP-1 but not in mediating NF-kappaB induction or cytokine production, suggesting a limited role in lipopolysaccharide signaling.

Animals↗

Pluronic F 127 liquid sensitizes mice to low doses of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: In murine models of endotoxemia, large amounts of lipopolysaccharide have to be administered to induce mortality. If mice are pretreated with D-galactosamine, the amount of lipopolysaccharide required to induce mortality is significantly lowered. Pluronic F 127 liquid is a relatively non-toxic copolymer that exhibits reverse gelation properties. Thus, it is a liquid at cold temperature and a gel at body temperature. The present studies were performed to ascertain whether the reverse gelation properties of Pluronic F 127 liquid could be used in devising a model of septic shock where a sustained delivery of lipopolysaccharide occurred. In evaluating this model, dose-response studies were conducted with lipopolysaccharide when a) it was administered intraperitoneally in saline or in Pluronic F 127 liquid, and b) it was administered intravenously to mice that had been pretreated with saline or Pluronic F 127 liquid. Mortality was followed for up to 72 hrs. RESULTS: Various doses of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide dissolved in saline or in Pluronic F 127 liquid were administered intraperitoneally to mice. The lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide required to kill 50% of the mice (LD50) administered in Pluronic F 127 liquid was approximately ten- to 15-fold less than the values obtained for lipopolysaccharide administered in saline. This decrease in the LD50 of lipopolysaccharide was also observed if the mice were treated intraperitoneally with Pluronic F 127 liquid and challenged 6 hrs later with iv lipopolysaccharide. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 in the plasma were significantly higher when a low dose of lipopolysaccharide was administered to mice that had been pretreated with Pluronic F 127 liquid. While there was no effect on the liver enzymes, Pluronic F 127 liquid caused an increase in the plasma triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: The data reported in this paper indicate that the LD50 of lipopolysaccharide is significantly decreased if it is administered in Pluronic F 127 liquid or administered to mice that have been pretreated with the Pluronic F 127 liquid. Thus, Pluronic F 127 liquid appears to sensitize mice to low levels of lipopolysaccharide. Unlike the D-galactosamine model, lipopolysaccharide can be administered as late as 6 hrs after treatment with Pluronic F 127 liquid. While the mechanisms by which Pluronic F 127 liquid sensitizes mice is not known, plasma triglycerides were increased in mice treated with this agent, suggesting that tissues responsible for the synthesis and/or degradation of triglycerides play a role in this sensitization process.

Animals↗

Comparison of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide stimulation of Kupffer cells to produce tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1.

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) is a cell wall polymer from gram-negative bacteria that stimulates Kupffer cell release of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1. Another bacterial cell wall polymer in both gram-negative and gram-positive organisms is peptidoglycan-polysaccharide. Lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan-polysaccharide exist together in the intestinal lumen and can cross the intestinal mucosa, enter the portal vein and activate Kupffer cells. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of lipopolysaccharide stimulation and peptidoglycan-polysaccharide stimulation of Kupffer cells on release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1. Both bacterial polymers caused maximum tumor necrosis factor-alpha release from Kupffer cells after incubation for 4 to 8 hr. Maximum tumor necrosis factor-alpha release induced by 400 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide was 704 +/- 258 pg/ml, compared with 329 +/- 91 pg/ml tumor necrosis factor-alpha after 100 micrograms/ml peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (p < 0.001). Polymyxin B blocked lipopolysaccharide stimulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by 95% +/- 5% but blocked peptidoglycan-polysaccharide-stimulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha by 30% +/- 14% (p < 0.001). Repeat incubation of Kupffer cells with lipopolysaccharide after prior lipopolysaccharide incubation induced low tumor necrosis factor-alpha release (tolerance). Repeat incubation with peptidoglycan-polysaccharide induced no tolerance to tumor necrosis factor-alpha release. Incubation of lipopolysaccharide plus peptidoglycan-polysaccharide released less tumor necrosis factor-alpha than did each polymer used alone, but this inhibition was prevented by indomethacin. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, prostaglandin E1, prostaglandin E2 and the adenosine A2-receptor agonist N-ethylcarboxyamideadenosine inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha release by 83%, 97%, 90% and 94%, respectively, but inhibited peptidoglycan-polysaccharide-stimulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha release by 52%, 60%, 45% and 51%, respectively (p < 0.001 for each). This indicates that intracellular signaling pathways differ for lipopolysaccharide-stimulated and peptidoglycan-polysaccharide-stimulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha release. After incubation for 8 and 24 hr, 100 micrograms/ml peptidoglycan-polysaccharide had induced significantly more interleukin-1 release from cultured Kupffer cells than had 400 ng/ml lipopolysaccharide (p < 0.001). Lipopolysaccharide induced tolerance to interleukin-1 release after repeat incubation, but peptidoglycan-polysaccharide caused no tolerance. These studies show that peptidoglycan-polysaccharide, a ubiquitous bacterial cell wall polymer, shares several proinflammatory properties with lipopolysaccharide but that there are differences that may have pathophysiological significance.

Animals↗

Important role of membrane-associated CD14 in the induction of IFN-beta and subsequent nitric oxide production by murine macrophages in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

The surface antigen CD14 is known to play a central role in the recognition of lipopolysaccharide by macrophages. We characterized a mutant cell line, J7.DEF.3, derived from a murine macrophage-like cell line, J774.1, to be defective in the ability to express the membrane-associated form of CD14 (mCD14) but not in the ability to release the soluble form of CD14 (sCD14), and used these parent and mutant cells to investigate the role of CD14 in lipopolysaccharide signaling. In response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation, mutant cells produced slightly less tumor necrosis factor than parent cells, and produced much less (negligible level) nitric oxide than parent cells. Production of both tumor necrosis factor and nitric oxide by parent cells upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation was suppressed by anti-CD14 serum. Expression of interferon-beta mRNA by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, detected in parent cells, was barely detectable in mutant cells and in enzymatically mCD14-eliminated parent cells. Lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in parent cells was suppressed by anti-(murine interferon-beta), and its production in the mutant cells appeared and increased dose dependently on exogenously supplied murine interferon-beta in the presence of lipopolysaccharide. These results provide new insight into the lipopolysaccharide signaling pathway, indicating that the lipopolysaccharide signal for interferon-beta production is transduced through a mCD14-dependent pathway and that the endogenously generated interferon-beta is an essential cofactor leading to nitric oxide production. Nuclear translocation of a transcription factor, nuclear factor kappaB, was observed in both parent and mutant cells following stimulation with a low dose of lipopolysaccharide, and mitogen-activated protein kinases were also activated in both types of cell, although a higher dose of lipopolysaccharide was required by the mutant cells than by the parent cells. These results indicate that these signaling factors may participate in the mCD14-independent lipopolysaccharide signaling pathway rather than in the mCD14-dependent interferon-beta-producing pathway.

Animals↗

Protective effects of a selective neutrophil elastase inhibitor (sivelestat) on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute dysfunction of the pulmonary microcirculation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor, sivelestat, on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury through analysis of hemodynamic changes in the pulmonary microcirculation. DESIGN: Randomized animal study. SETTING: Medical school laboratory. SUBJECTS: Twenty-seven Wistar rats (15 rats for microspectroscopic observations, 12 rats for measurements of neutrophil elastase activity and wet-to-dry ratio). INTERVENTIONS: Thoracosternotomy was performed on male Wistar rats under continuous anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. Rats were divided into three groups (n = 5 each groups) on the basis of the reagent used: lipopolysaccharide group (100 microg/kg lipopolysaccharide intravenously), sivelestat group (10 mg/kg sivelestat; 100 microg/kg lipopolysaccharide intravenously), and control group (saline only, intravenously). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We measured morphologic changes and hemodynamic variables, including tissue blood flow, erythrocyte velocity, erythrocyte count, thickness of interalveolar septa, and leukocyte adhesion in the pulmonary microcirculation, with a video-rate (33 msec/frame) dual-spot microspectroscopy system (DSMSS) and a laser-Doppler flowmeter. Blood-free wet-to-dry ratio and neutrophil elastase activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum, and supernatant of lung homogenate were measured in another set of experiments (n = 4 for each group). Sixty minutes after lipopolysaccharide administration, severe thickening of the interalveolar septa was observed in the lipopolysaccharide but not the sivelestat group. In the lipopolysaccharide group, DSMSS measurements of erythrocyte velocity and hemoglobin oxygenation in single capillaries were decreased significantly (vs. control p < .05, vs. sivelestat p < .01), whereas tissue blood flow and erythrocyte velocity measurements from laser-Doppler flowmeter were increased significantly (vs. control p < .05, vs. sivelestat p < .01). The number of adherent leukocytes was increased significantly in the lipopolysaccharide group at 30, 45, and 60 mins after lipopolysaccharide administration (vs. control p < .01, vs. sivelestat p < .05). The number of adherent leukocytes did not increase in the sivelestat group. The wet-to-dry ratio was significantly higher in the lipopolysaccharide group than in control (p < .05) and sivelestat (p < .05) groups. Neutrophil elastase activities in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum, and lung tissue were all significantly lower in the sivelestat group than in the lipopolysaccharide group (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Lipopolysaccharide induces leukocyte adhesion in the pulmonary microcirculation, resulting in decreased tissue hemoglobin oxygen and alveolar and interstitial edema. The selective neutrophil elastase inhibitor sivelestat reduces neutrophil elastase activity and attenuates acute changes in the pulmonary microcirculation.

Analysis of Variance↗

Recognition of antigenic epitopes in lipopolysaccharide and protein from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans by serum antibodies in untreated rapidly progressive periodontitis patients.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been associated with early-onset periodontitis, including the localized juvenile and rapidly progressive forms. The immunodominant antigens of A. actinomycetemcomitans recognized by rapidly progressive periodontitis patients remain unidentified. Sera from 22 patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis and 20 periodontally normal subjects were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immunoglobulin G antibodies to whole-cell sonicate, protein, purified lipopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide fractions of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The median titers of rapidly progressive periodontitis patients and control subjects to whole-cell sonicate were 25.0 and 14.5 ELISA units, respectively (not significantly different). Binding of antibody from patient sera occurred to both the lipopolysaccharide and the protein fractions, with greater binding to lipopolysaccharide than to protein. We show for the first time that patient sera contain antibodies that bind specifically to antigenic epitopes in lipid A and in the core carbohydrate of lipopolysaccharide that were previously considered to be inaccessible and unavailable, as well as to epitopes in the O side chains. Sera manifesting antibody titers 2-fold or greater than the median titer for control sera were judged to be seropositive. More patients were seropositive for lipid A than for any of the other antigen preparations studied, and the median titer for patient sera to lipid A but to none of the other purified lipopolysaccharide fractions was significantly elevated relative to control values. Of 22 patients, 10 were seropositive to whole-cell sonicate, 7 to protein, 8 to lipopolysaccharide, 7 to the high-molecular-weight lipopolysaccharide-polysaccharide fraction rich in O side chains, and 16 to lipid A. The core carbohydrate did not adhere to the test plate surface, and this precluded ELISA measurements. However, when the core carbohydrate was used in the ELISA inhibition assay, it reduced antibody binding to lipopolysaccharide-coated plates by up to 45%, thereby demonstrating antibody binding to core carbohydrate. The core carbohydrate fraction from the Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota known to contain no O-side chains also inhibited binding of specific antibody to plates coated with A actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide. Overall, there was extreme variation in responses among patients to the various antigen preparations, with no single pattern dominating. Lipopolysaccharide and its components appear to be the immunodominant epitopes, since most rapidly progressive periodontitis patients are seropositive for lipopolysaccharide and/or its components and they have titers relative to those for proteins.

Adult↗

Arginase activity in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to determine whether or not lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans could stimulate arginase activity in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells). METHODS: RAW264.7 cells were treated with A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide or lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli for 24 h. The effect of polymyxin B, l-norvaline, dl-norvaline, dexamethasone and cytokines (interferon-gamma and interleukin-4) on arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells was also determined. The cells were pretreated with anti-CD14, anti -toll-like receptor 2, or anti-toll-like receptor 4 antibody prior to stimulation with A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide. Arginase activity was determined by a colorimetric assay. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide stimulated arginase activity in RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, but was less potent than E. coli-lipopolysaccharide. Polymyxin B and l-norvaline, but not dl-norvaline, blocked the arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. Dexamethasone and interleukin-4 but not interferon-gamma augmented arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. Treatment of the cells with anti-CD14 and anti-toll-like receptor 4 but not anti-toll-like receptor 2 antibody decreased arginase activity in A. actinomycetemcomitans-lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that lipopolysaccharide from A. actinomycetemcomitans via CD14/toll-like receptor 4 complex molecules and the regulatory control of glucocorticoid and cytokines may stimulate arginase activity in RAW264.7 cells.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans↗

Role of nitric oxide and prostaglandins in lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in vascular permeability in mouse skin.

To examine the possible role of increased vascular permeability in the circulatory shock induced by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide), we examined whether lipopolysaccharide elicits plasma extravasation in the skin of ddY strain mice. We also studied whether nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins may mediate the lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in vascular permeability. Subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (100-400 micrograms/site) induced a dose-related and delayed increase in vascular permeability at the injection site as determined by the leakage of pontamine sky blue. Concurrent administration of aminoguanidine (a putative inducible NO synthase inhibitor) (10 mg/kg, i.v.) inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (400 micrograms/site)-induced dye leakage by 71%. N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (an inhibitor for both constitutive and inducible NO synthase) (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.v.) inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced dye leakage by 36% and 54%, respectively, whereas the inactive enantiomer, N(G)-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg, i.v.), had no effect. Pretreatment with an intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (500 micrograms/kg) or indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 inhibitor) (5 mg/kg) almost completely inhibited the response induced by lipopolysaccharide, by 96% and 84%, respectively. [N-(2-Cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl) methanesulphonamide (a cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor) (0.01-1 mg/kg, i.p.) also induced a dose-related inhibition of dye leakage elicited by lipopolysaccharide: 38% and 80% suppression at the doses of 0.1 and 1 mg/kg, respectively. Cycloheximide (a protein biosynthesis inhibitor) (35 mg/kg, s.c.) suppressed the effect of lipopolysaccharide by 74%. These results suggest that the increase in vascular permeability induced by lipopolysaccharide is mediated by both NO and prostaglandins and that synthesis of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 may be involved in this effect of lipopolysaccharide.

Animals↗

The effects of intra-amniotic injection of periodontopathic lipopolysaccharides in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: Periodontal disease may cause several complications of pregnancy, including fetal death. The purpose of this study was to investigate in sheep the effects of the intra-amniotic injection of lipopolysaccharide from 3 periodontopathic organisms and to compare these effects with those resulting from similar injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. The outcomes that were studied included the rates of fetal death and the features of inflammation and lung maturation in survivors. STUDY DESIGN: At 118 days of pregnancy, ewes that were bearing single fetuses were allocated at random to receive intra-amniotic injections of saline solution (n = 13 fetuses), or lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis (in doses from 0.1 to 10 mg [n = 22 fetuses]), Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (10 mg [n = 6 fetuses]; 1 mg [n = 6 fetuses]), Fusobacterium nucleatum (10 mg [n = 6 fetuses]) or Escherichia coli (10 mg [n = 14 fetuses]; 1 mg [n = 7 fetuses]). Surviving fetuses were delivered abdominally at 125 days of gestation (term, 150 days). RESULTS: When compared with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide at similar dosages, periodontopathic lipopolysaccharides had high rates of fetal lethality. Only 6 of 22 fetuses that were exposed to intra-amniotic Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide survived doses of 0.1 to 10 mg, and only 3 of 6 fetuses survived 10-mg Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide did not cause fetal loss when given at doses of 10 mg (n = 14 fetuses) or 1 mg (n = 7 fetuses). Fetuses that survived exposure to these lipopolysaccharides showed features of inflammation in amniotic fluid and cord blood at birth and enhanced lung maturation. CONCLUSION: Lipopolysaccharides from these 3 periodontopathic organisms have much higher rates of fetal lethality than Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide but can cause similar intrauterine inflammatory responses and improvements in lung volumes in survivors. Sources of inflammation that are distant from the uterus may underlie a proportion of unexplained stillbirth and other complications of pregnancy.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Hypertension alters the participation of contractile prostanoids and superoxide anions in lipopolysaccharide effects on small mesenteric arteries.

The involvement of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-derived products and superoxide anion in the effect of lipopolysaccharide in noradrenaline (NA)-induced contraction was investigated in small mesenteric arteries (SMA) from normotensive, Wistar Kyoto (WKY), and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. In WKY, lipopolysaccharide (10 microg/ml, 1 and 5 h) only inhibited the NA response (0.1-30 microM) in the presence of dexamethasone (1 microM), indomethacin (10 microM), the selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS 398 (10 microM), and the TXA(2)/PGH(2) receptor antagonist, SQ 29,548 (10 microM) but not of superoxide dismutase (SOD, 100 U/ml). In SHR, lipopolysaccharide inhibited the NA response by itself; this inhibition was potentiated by dexamethasone, indomethacin, NS 398, SQ 29,548 and SOD. The effect of lipopolysaccharide plus indomethacin, NS 398 or SQ 29,548 was higher in SMA from WKY than SHR only after 1 h lipopolysaccharide incubation. N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (100 microM) and endothelium removal abolished the indomethacin-induced potentiatory effect of lipopolysaccharide in both strains. Endothelium removal also abolished the SOD potentiatory effect in SMA from SHR. Lipopolysaccharide increases COX-2 expression to a similar level in both strains and iNOS expression in a greater extent in SHR; these increases were reduced by dexamethasone. These results indicate: 1) lipopolysaccharide induces the endothelial production of contractile prostanoids from COX-2 in SMA, probably to compensate the increase in NO from iNOS; 2) the production of prostanoids in the presence of lipopolysaccharide seems to be greater in normotensive than hypertensive rats only after lipopolysaccharide short incubation times; 3) endothelial production of O(2)(.-) contributes to counteract depression of NA contraction caused by lipopolysaccharide only in SHR.

Animals↗

Estrogen and lipopolysaccharide stimulation of prostacyclin production and the levels of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase in ovine uterine arteries.

Several enzymes play a role in vasodilation, including cyclooxygenase, which converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandins, and nitric oxide synthase, which converts arginine to citrulline and yields nitric oxide. The effects of endogenous and exogenous estrogen and lipopolysaccharide on uterine artery production of prostacyclin, and levels of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase were examined. Uterine arteries collected from ewes during the follicular (Day -1 to 0, Day 0 = estrus) or luteal (Day 10) phase were treated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide. In addition, ovariectomized ewes were treated in vivo with estradiol-17beta (5 microg/kg; 120 min) or a vehicle control; arteries from the uteri were treated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide. After 24 h of lipopolysaccharide treatment, culture media were collected for measurement of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (the stable metabolite of prostacyclin). These uterine arteries were homogenized, and the level of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase was determined by Western analysis. Lipopolysaccharide stimulated (p < 0.02) prostacyclin production by uterine arteries from both follicular- and luteal-phase sheep although phase of the estrous cycle did not affect prostacyclin responses (p = 0.56) to lipopolysaccharide. In contrast, uterine arteries from ovariectomized sheep treated with estradiol-17beta produced more prostacyclin (p < 0.001) in response to lipopolysaccharide than did uterine arteries from ovariectomized sheep treated with the vehicle control. There was no effect of phase (follicular or luteal) of the estrous cycle on either cyclooxygenase-1 or -2 gene expression. Lipopolysaccharide increased (p = 0.0002) gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2, but not cyclooxygenase-1, in both follicular- and luteal-phase ewes, which was significantly correlated (r2 = 0.91, p = 0.003) with uterine artery production of prostacyclin. Uterine arteries from follicular-phase sheep expressed significantly more nitric oxide synthase-III after lipopolysaccharide exposure than did uterine arteries from luteal-phase ewes (p = 0.03). In contrast, nitric oxide synthase-II was not detected in uterine arteries after lipopolysaccharide exposure. These results suggest that estrogen plays a role in regulating uterine artery responses to lipopolysaccharide.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗