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Receptor-mediated immunomodulation by corticotropin-releasing factor.

In both normal and adrenalectomized rats, exogenous corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) suppresses immune function, and stress-induced immunosuppression can be partially reversed with either CRF antibody or CRF antagonist, suggesting a role for CRF in immunomodulation. We now report binding of CRF to human monocyte-macrophages and T-helper lymphocytes but not to T-suppressor or B lymphocytes. Bound CRF was displaced by synthetic CRF as well as CRF antagonist. CRF binding at these sites was accompanied by increases in the concentration of cAMP (but not cGMP) in the cells, with minimal and maximal effective CRF doses of 10(-13) and 10(-6) M for the monocyte-macrophage and 10(-12) M and 10(-8) M for the T-helper cell. Production of cAMP in response to CRF was effectively inhibited by CRF antagonist in both cell types. Moreover, rat splenocyte proliferation induced by interleukin 2(IL-2; 110 IU) was blocked by CRF, half-maximally at a CRF dose of 2.2 x 10(-10) M and completely at 3.5 x 10(-9) M. Finally, when CRF was added together with a 50-fold molar excess of CRF antagonist the IL-2 effect was fully restored. This demonstration of specific, physiologically relevant CRF receptors on two key immunocytes, the monocyte-macrophage and the T-helper lymphocyte, along with in vitro immunosuppression concomitant with CRF binding reinforces the growing body of evidence for a prominent role for CRF in immunomodulation.

Animals↗

Correction of defective tumoricidal activity of macrophages from A/J mice by liposomal immunomodulators.

The ability of liposomal immunomodulators to restore abnormal macrophage tumoricidal activity has been studied. Macrophages from A/J mice have impaired responses in vitro to macrophage activating factor, gamma-interferon, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP) or lipopolysaccharide when compared with macrophages from normoresponsive C57BL/6J mice. Liposomes containing a lipophilic muramyl dipeptide MDP-glyceroyl dipalmitate, macrophage activating factor or gamma-interferon restored tumoricidal activity to levels similar to C57BL/6J macrophages. Pretreatment of A/J mice with Corynebacterium parvum resulted in low levels of macrophage tumoricidal activity: treatment of C. parvum-induced A/J macrophages in vivo or in vitro with liposomal MDP-glyceroyl dipalmitate or liposomal macrophage activating factor resulted in normal levels of cytotoxicity. Macrophages from A/J mice were unable to phagocytose liposomes in vitro as rapidly or to the same extent as macrophages from C57BL/6J mice. The levels of cytotoxicity observed indicate that this is not a limiting factor for the induction of tumoricidal activity by liposomal immunomodulators.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Induction of acute phase proteins in mice and humans by treatment with AS101, an immunomodulator with radioprotective properties.

AS101 (ammonium trichloro(dioxyethylene-0,0')tellurate) is a new synthetic compound previously described by us as having immunomodulating properties and minimal toxicity. Phase II clinical trials are currently in progress with AS101 on cancer patients. AS101 has been recently found to have both radioprotective and chemoprotective effects on hemopoiesis of irradiated mice or mice treated with various chemotherapeutic drugs. The present research was designed to study the in vivo induction of liver acute phase proteins secretion in mice or patients treated with AS101. Induction of these proteins, some of which have the capacity to scavenge free radicals, may contribute to radioprotection. We present evidence that treatment with the immunomodulator AS101 increases production of a variety of acute phase proteins. We demonstrate a significant elevation of serum amyloid A (SAA) in sera of treated mice, as well as an increase in SAA, factor B and ceruloplasmin in sera of patients treated with AS101. The same AS101 treatment was shown to decrease the amount of the negative acute phase protein, albumin. In addition we show that IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are important mediators of changes in SAA concentrations induced by AS101. Abrogation of SAA production in AS101 treated mice by any one of the anti IL-1R, IL-6R or TNF-alpha antibodies indicates that at least in mice, SAA production is not controlled by a single extracellular signal, but rather it is regulated, at the least, by all three cytokines in various combinations. A better understanding of the mechanism by which AS101 confers radioprotection will enable us to use it more effectively in the restoration of hemopoiesis in patients following radiation or suffering from overdose or accidental radiation.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Immunomodulation with killed Propionibacterium acnes in guinea pigs simultaneously vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19.

Immunomodulation with killed Propionibacterium acnes was attempted in guinea pigs simultaneously vaccinated with Brucella abortus strain 19. Two groups, each comprised of 9 guinea pigs, were injected by different routes (s.c. and or i.v.) with 1.4 mg of P. acnes and 5 X 10(8) CFU of B. abortus, S-19, while 3 other groups each received either P. acnes, B. abortus S-19, or saline (s.c.). The antibody titers to B. abortus measured at 6, 10 and 14 weeks after vaccination indicated no significant (P less than 0.01) response in the 2 groups immunopotentiated with P. acnes concurrent with B. abortus S-19 vaccination. The delayed hypersensitivity response to 3 Brucella antigens conducted 8 weeks after immunization did not show a significant difference between the B. abortus S-19 vaccinated group compared with the 2 groups immunopotentiated and vaccinated. However, the proliferative response of lymphocytes to the B. abortus soluble antigen diluted 1:100 indicated significantly enhanced blastogenesis in the (s.c.) immunopotentiated and immunized guinea pigs compared with the B. abortus S-19 vaccinated group. A slightly enhanced response was also observed in the group immunopotentiated (i.v.) and vaccinated (s.c.). The guinea pigs were challenged with B. abortus strain 2308 and necropsied 4 weeks later. The mean splenic CFU of the Brucella in the group immunopotentiated (i.v.) and vaccinated (s.c.) was significantly decreased when compared with the guinea pigs vaccinated with B. abortus S-19 alone. These findings indicated that P. acnes administered simultaneously with B. abortus S-19 vaccine was able to augment the immune response in guinea pigs. Immunomodulation as evidenced by enhanced clearance of B. abortus from the spleens of immunopotentiated animals was presumably brought about by activated macrophages or a T-cell mediated cytolytic mechanism or both.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

In vitro modulation of preleukemic AKR mouse macrophage function by bacterial immunomodulators.

Spleen macrophages from 1- and 4-month-old preleukemic AKR mice were stimulated in vitro with the bacterial immunomodulators lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan monomer (PGM) and muramyl dipeptide (MDP), in order to study their migration ability and mitochondrial enzyme activity. Macrophages from 1-month-old AKR mice, characterized by higher functional activity, failed to demonstrate any changes in the parameters studied after in vitro stimulation with the employed compounds. Conversely, the depressed macrophage function, spontaneously developed in 4-month-old AKR mice, most probably related to the preleukemic state, improved significantly and to about the same extent with all three immunomodulators.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Specific changes in lymphocyte subpopulations: a potential mechanism for stress-induced immunomodulation.

The mechanisms by which stressors alter immune function are not well understood. One hypothesis for stress-induced immunomodulation is that since immune responses require cooperation of different cell types, stress-induced shifts in cell populations might affect an organism's ability to mount an immune response. We sought to determine if inescapable shock (IS) could alter lymphocyte subpopulations and if so, whether this could be a mechanism for shock-induced immunomodulation. Our results suggest that IS produces changes in lymphocyte subpopulations and that these shifts could be responsible for modulation of in vivo antibody production. Exposure to IS resulted in an increase in the percent of CD4+ mesenteric lymphocytes and a decrease in the percent of CD8+ mesenteric lymphocytes when examined immediately after the cessation of IS. The stressor reduced antibody production to antigen processed at the altered mesenteric nodes, but did not alter antibody production to antigen processed at other sites. No measurable shifts were found in other compartments examined. The changes in CD4+ and CD8+ mesenteric lymphocytes resulted in an increased CD4+/CD8+ ratio that persisted for 1-24 h after stressor termination, becoming absent 48 h after IS termination. The stress-induced reduction in antibody production occurred only when antigen was given immediately prior to but not when antigen was given 48 h post stress. These findings suggest that the effects of a stressor could be specific to the manner in which the antigen enters the body, and that the stress-induced decrease in antibody production could be due to altered lymphocyte subpopulations as reflected by an increased CD4+/CD8+ ratio.

Animals↗

Immunomodulation of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis with linomide.

Linomide, a synthetic immunomodulator, increases natural killer (NK) activity and markedly activates several lymphocyte populations in both experimental animals and humans. It has been shown to ameliorate the autoimmune manifestations of lupus-like disease in MRL/lpr mice and the clinical and pathological signs of acute and chronic-relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SJL/J mice. We examined the effect of linomide (100 mg/kg/day; administered in drinking water) on rabbits and rats with experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). Following immunization with Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR), all control rabbits developed clinical signs of severe weakness and exhibited a decrement of muscle action potential upon repetitive stimulation. In contrast, mild signs of weakness appeared in only two of five linomide-treated rabbits, with EMG borderline positive in one of them. Booster immunization with Torpedo AChR induced severe relapse and death in two EAMG control rabbits, whereas the two linomide-treated animals remained free of myasthenic symptoms. The serum level of antibodies against both Torpedo and rat AChR were markedly suppressed in the linomide-treated animals. Similar inhibition of clinical signs of EAMG was observed in the EAMG rat model. Furthermore, the in vitro proliferative response of lymph node cells to Torpedo AChR and the purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was significantly lower in the linomide-treated EAMG rats than in the controls. Linomide may constitute a new immunomodulating agent for the treatment of myasthenia gravis.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Antiviral and immunomodulating activities of chemically synthesized lipid A-subunit analogues GLA-27 and GLA-60.

Biological and antiviral activities of chemically synthesized lipid A-subunit analogues, GLA-27 and GLA-60, were investigated with respect to defense mechanisms such as macrophage and natural killer (NK) cell activation and interferon (IFN)-inducing activity. GLA-27, a 4-O-phosphono-D-glucosamine derivative carrying 3-O-tetradecanoyl (C14) and 2-N-3-tetradecanoyloxytetradecanoyl (C14-O-(C14] group, and GLA-60, a similar analogue carrying 3-O-linked C14-O-(C14) and 2-N-linked 3-hydroxytetradecanoyl (C14-OH) groups, strongly inhibited the formation of pox tail lesions and the growth of vaccinia virus at the tail lesion sites in infected mice. The antiviral activity of GLA-60 was about 1000-fold higher than that of muramyldipeptide (MDP), a representative immunomodulator. GLA-27 and GLA-60 had stronger immunomodulating activity than MDP in macrophage activation, NK cell activation and IFN-inducing activity, although it was weaker than natural lipid A. Toxic manifestations such as pyrogenicity, local Schwartzman reaction and lethality were far less pronounced for GLA-27 and GLA-60 than for natural lipid A.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

Murine retroviral disease-enhancing effects of a pyrimidinone immunomodulator.

(B10.A x A/WySn)F1 mice, infected with the Friend virus (FV) complex, were used as a predictive therapeutic model for AIDS. These infected mice exhibit many of the viral and immunologic manifestations of AIDS. Bropirimine (2-amino-5-bromo-6-phenyl-4[3H]pyrimidinone, ABPP) is an immunomodulating compound which has been shown to inhibit other viral infections. Oral (per os treatment) dosages of ABPP ranging from 50 to 400 mg/kg/day for 3 days resulted in increased numbers of infectious centers in the infected mice and increased splenomegaly and percentage of Ig+ (B cells) in spleens of infected and uninfected mice. Decreased percentages of total Thy-1.2+ (total T) cells and L3T4+ (T-helper) cells were seen in both uninfected and infected mice and a slightly decreased percentage of Ly-2+ (T-suppressor/cytotoxic) cells was observed in spleens of the infected mice. No effect on Ly2+ cells in spleens of uninfected mice was found. Intraperitoneal injection, single or multiple, of 20-200 mg/kg ABPP prior to FV injection resulted in increased spleen weights but had no effect on numbers of infectious centers in the spleens or on FV antibody titers in the plasma. Intraperitoneal treatment of uninfected mice with ABPP resulted in slight or no changes in percentages of Thy-1.2+, L3T4+ and Ly-2+ cells. Mice receiving multiple exposures of ABPP had an increase in percentage of splenic B cells and a depressed response to the T cell mitogen PHA. Treatment with ABPP induced the production of interferon (IFN); however, a state of hyporesponsive IFN production was seen following multiple administrations of ABPP. These data suggest that the immunomodulator ABPP may have an enhancing effect on this retroviral disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Characterization of murine Caraparu Bunyavirus liver infection and immunomodulator-mediated antiviral protection.

A rapid, peripheral disease model utilizing the Bunyavirus, Caraparu, was established in mice for the evaluation of antiviral therapy with immunomodulators. 4-6-week-old B6C3F1 female mice, inoculated intraperitoneally with virus, developed coagulative liver necrosis and died between 4-6 days after infection. This Caraparu disease model was relatively resistant to treatment with immunomodulators, such as ABMP, Ampligen, alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) or beta-interferon (IFN-beta). However, a significant increase in median survival time (MST) was consistently observed upon treatment with gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma). The nucleoside analog--ribavirin--was highly effective against Caraparu virus in repeated treatment schedules begun on either day -1, day 0, or day +1 of infection. Ribavirin gave little protection when initiation of treatment was delayed until day +2. However, combined treatment with IFN-gamma, starting on day 0 and ribavirin starting on day +2, significantly reduced mortality.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Effects of therapy with an immunomodulator (imiquimod, R-837) alone and with acyclovir on genital HSV-2 infection in guinea-pigs when begun after lesion development.

We evaluated the effects of the immunomodulator, imiquimod (R-837) applied topically, alone and in combination with i.p. acyclovir (ACV) on acute, recurrent and neural HSV-2 genital infection in guinea-pigs when 10 days of therapy was begun after HSV lesions developed. The combined therapy was most effective, significantly reducing the severity of the acute disease, as early as 2 days (P < 0.05), and vaginal viral shedding (P < 0.05) as early as 1 day after therapy was begun. The total lesion score for the acute disease was also significantly less in the group receiving imiquimod and ACV (5.4 +/- 0.5) compared to controls (13.1 +/- 1.2, P < 0.001) or imiquimod alone (9.8 +/- 1.2, P < 0.05). Therapy, however, had no significant effect on the number of days with recurrent lesions. Imiquimod increased the lymphoproliferative response to HSV (P < 0.01), while combined therapy reduced HSV antibody titers (P < 0.01) on day 28 compared to placebo and also reduced the effect of imiquimod alone on the lymphoproliferative response. The combination of this effective immunomodulator, imiquimod, and acyclovir appears to provide effective therapy for acute genital HSV-2 infection even when begun after lesion development.

Acute Disease↗

A novel immunomodulator soluble aminated beta-1,3-D-glucan: binding characteristics to mouse peritoneal macrophages.

We have previously reported that soluble aminated beta-1,3-D-glucan (AG), a potent immunomodulator, specifically inhibited binding and internalization of AG-coated microbeads (GDM) in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The present study was undertaken to determine parameters of AG binding to macrophages. For this purpose, AG was conjugated with tyraminyl cellobiose (TC), which can be radioiodinated. With this method the immunomodulator was labelled with a very high specific radioactivity, allowing sensitive measurements of binding. Maximal binding capacity was 0.33 micrograms [125I]TC-AG/10(6) cells. Binding was inhibited by TC-AG and AG, but not by mannose and mannan, showing that the receptor different from the mannose receptor was involved. Binding was reversible, with an initial association rate of 120 cpm/min, and a much faster initial dissociation rate of 680 cpm/min. Bound [125I]TC-AG was internalized. These findings suggest that both AG and GDM are bound and internalized via the same beta-glucan receptor in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Regulation of plasminogen activator secretion in mouse peritoneal macrophages. II. Inhibition by immunomodulators of bacterial origin.

Two classes of immunomodulators of bacterial origin, peptidoglycan derivatives and lipopolysaccharides, are able to block in vitro the production of plasminogen activator by elicited macrophages: the release of the enzyme into the medium is inhibited and the intracellular activity reduced. In the case of peptidoglycan derivatives, high molecular weight compounds like WSA (water-soluble adjuvant) are stronger inhibitors than small molecules like MPP (muramyl pentapeptide). MDP (muramyl dipeptide) gives partial inhibition only. WSA (at 100 micrograms/ml) completely inhibits plasminogen activator production; the inhibition is reversible and specific. LPS is active at low concentrations (25-100 ng/ml). At concentrations higher than 50-100 ng/ml the action of LPS becomes irreversible and less specific. Peptidoglycan-derived immunomodulators can inhibit plasminogen activator production in the presence of polymixin B or in the case of macrophages obtained from C3H/HeJ mice; LPS is inactive under such conditions.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Human rheumatoid factor-producing cell induction by 2-mercaptoethanol: immunomodulation by a simple thiol compound.

Two-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), a simple 2 carbon thiol compound with a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo immunomodulating effects, was evaluated for its usefulness as a molecular probe of human antibody producing cell activation by adding 2-ME to cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes from normal human volunteers. Culturing normal human leukocytes with 2-ME induced a significant number of cells producing rheumatoid factor as measured by a hemolytic plaque forming cell (PFC) assay. Dose response studies revealed 5 X 10(-5)M to be the optimum concentration of 2-ME for the induction of rheumatoid factor plaque forming cells (RF-PFC). This concentration of 2-ME also maximally induced PFC making antibodies to sheep red cells coupled to the trinitrophenyl (TNP) hapten demonstrating that 2-ME is a polyclonal inducer of human PFC. The addition of 5 X 10(-5) M 2-ME to cultures containing maximal concentrations of the polyclonal stimulators, pokeweed mitogen and human heat-aggregrated IgG, increased the number of RF-PFC detected in these cultures by approximately 50%, although both lower and higher concentrations of 2-ME suppressed the RF-PFC response. We conclude that 2-ME induces normal human leukocytes to produce rheumatoid factor as part of a polyclonal activation of antibody producing cells. 2-ME also has immunomodulating effects when added to other polyclonal stimulators of antibody producing cells.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Induction of interleukin 1 secretion by murine macrophages and human monocytes after stimulation by RU 41740, a bacterial immunomodulator.

RU 41740, a glycoprotein extract from K. pneumoniae K2O1 strain, is an immunomodulating compound which has been shown to reduce infectious episodes in patients prone to recurrent infections. Data from preliminary experiments suggest that RU 41740 may affect several target cells, including T cells, B cells or macrophages. In the present report we show that RU 41740 can trigger mouse macrophages and human adherent mononuclear cells to produce interleukin 1 activity. Indeed, supernatants from mouse peritoneal adherent cells and human monocytes incubated in presence of RU 41740, can stimulate blastogenesis in thymocytes from C3H/HeJ mice. The data suggest that the immunomodulating effect of RU 41740 could be related to its ability to induce interleukin 1 production.

Animals↗

Enhancement of lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin-2 production and NK activity by inmunoferon (AM-3), a fungal immunomodulator: variations in normal and immunosuppressed mice.

The in vivo effect of Inmunoferon (AM-3), a glycophosphopeptide of fungal origin, has been studied on T and B lymphocyte mitogenesis, Interleukin 2 (IL-2) synthesis and natural killer (NK) activity. Inmunoferon (30 mg/kg/day) was administered to several groups of mice 2, 3 or 7 days/week for 2 weeks, and its effect assessed on day 15 of treatment. Every treatment assayed enhanced IL-2 and NK activity in the spleen. The greater effect was produced by daily administration of the immunomodulator. No enhancement was found in mitogen-induced proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. Similar treatments with Inmunoferon enhanced NK activity in the spleens of mice treated with 250 mg/kg cyclophosphamide. In addition, mitogenic responses of T lymphocytes, but not IL-2 production, were also increased in immunosuppressed mice after treatment with the immunomodulator.

Animals↗

Effects of immunomodulators on candidacidal activity of normal peritoneal cells in BALB/c mice.

Macrophages which play an important role in host resistance against infections are considered to be a target for various immunomodulators. In order to examine the effects of selected immunomodulators on macrophage function, the effects of N-(2-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl)-L-cysteine (SA96), levamisole (LMS) and D-penicillamine (D-Pc) on the candidacidal activity of the normal peritoneal cells (PC) were investigated. In the in vitro studies, SA96 increased the candidacidal activity of PC 4-fold, while D-Pc and LMS treatments did not increase this activity. In the ex vivo studies, PC obtained from the mice pre-treated with SA96, D-Pc and LMS showed a high candidacidal activity. Elevated candidacidal activity was not due to changes of cell types of PC populations. These results suggest that D-Pc and LMS activate the function of macrophage in vivo and SA96 activates the function both in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗

Effect of immunomodulator adamantylamide dipeptide on antibody response to influenza subunit vaccines and protection against aerosol influenza infection.

Adamantylamide dipeptide (AdDP) is a novel synthetic compound combining the antiviral properties of amantadine and the essential adjuvant activity of immunomodulator muramyl dipeptide. Mice were immunized with influenza A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Sichuan/2/87 (H3N2) and influenza B/Beijing/1/87 subunit vaccines containing AdDP or aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)3). Induction of homologous haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies and correlation to protection against lethal aerosol influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) infection were investigated. Subunit vaccine containing A/Sichuan (H3N2) and Al(OH)3 stimulated high HI antibody titres but failed to provide protection against heterologous influenza A (H1N1) challenge infection following either the primary or the secondary immunizations. In contrast, similar treatment with A/Sichuan subunit vaccine containing AdDP conferred significant protection against heterologous challenge despite low levels of circulating antibody. Primary immunization with even influenza B/Beijing subunit vaccine containing AdDP, but not Al(OH)3, provided partial protection against influenza A challenge. These results suggest that appropriate immunomodulators like AdDP can convert restricted homotypic immunity induced by inactivated influenza subunit vaccines to advantageous cross-reacting type of heterologous response.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗