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Thrombogenic effects of antiphospholipid antibodies are mediated by intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and P-selectin.

Recent studies have shown that antiphospholipid (aPL) enhances expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin on endothelial cells (ECs) and that these effects are correlated with increased adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium in cremaster muscle in vivo and with thrombosis in a mouse model. Activation of ECs by aPL may create a hypercoagulable state that precedes and contributes to thrombosis in patients with aPL syndrome (APS). This study proposed to examine whether this in vivo activation of ECs and enhanced thrombosis by aPL are mediated by ICAM-1, P-selectin, or VCAM-1. The dynamics of thrombus formation and the number of adhering leukocytes were studied in ICAM-1-deficient (ICAM-1(-/-)) mice or ICAM-1-/P-selectin-deficient (ICAM-1(-/-)/P-selectin(-/-)) mice treated with affinity-purified aPL antibodies (ap IgG-APS) or with control IgG and compared with wild-type mice treated in a similar fashion. In another set of experiments, the adhesion of leukocytes to cremaster muscle and the dynamics of thrombus formation were studied in CD1 mice treated with aPL or control IgG before and 30 minutes after intravenous infusion with 100 microg monoclonal antibody anti-VCAM-1. The results indicate that the enhanced adhesion of leukocytes to endothelium in wild-type mice was significantly reduced in ICAM-1(-/-) and completely abrogated in ICAM-1(-/-)/P-selectin(-/-) mice treated with ap IgG-APS compared with wild-type mice treated with ap IgG-APS (6.9+/-2.3, 0.4+/-0.4 versus 35+/-12, respectively). More importantly, this correlated with a significant reduction in thrombus size compared with wild-type mice treated with ap IgG-APS (895+/-259 microm(2), 859+/-243 microm(2) versus 3816+/-672 microm(2), respectively). Infusion of the mice with anti-VCAM-1 antibodies significantly reversed the enhanced adhesion of leukocytes (14.9+/-3 to 11.3+/-2.1) and thrombus size 3830+/-1008 microm(2) versus 876+/-548 microm(2)) in mice treated with ap IgG-APS. The data indicate that ICAM-1, P-selectin, and VCAM-1 expression are important in thrombotic complications by aPL antibodies and may provide novel targets for therapy in patients with APS.

Adult↗

Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted are expressed by human breast carcinoma cells and support eosinophil adhesion and activation.

Eosinophils are usually associated with parasitic and allergic diseases; however, eosinophilia is also observed in several types of human tumors, including breast carcinomas. In this study we examined several human breast carcinoma cell lines for adhesion molecule expression and the ability to bind and activate eosinophils. MDA-MB-435S and MDA-MB-468 cells constitutively expressed both intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and this expression was enhanced by treatment with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). BT-20 and SK-BR-3 cells only expressed ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 after stimulation with TNF-alpha. Eosinophils constitutively bound to MDA-MB-435S cells, but not to BT-20 cells. Stimulation with TNF-alpha slightly enhanced eosinophil adhesion to MDA-MB-435S cells and dramatically increased adhesion to BT-20 cells. Greater than 80% of eosinophil adhesion to these cell lines was blocked with an anti-alpha4-integrin monoclonal antibody. Both MDA-MB-435S and BT-20 cells also released eosinophil activator(s). Supernatants from TNF-alpha-treated, but not control-treated, cell lines increased eosinophil adhesion to fibronectin and increased eosinophil transmigration across fibronectin-coated transwell plates. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays showed that TNF-alpha-stimulated breast carcinoma cells released the chemokine regulated on activation, T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). Addition of an anti-RANTES antibody to breast carcinoma cell supernatants partially blocked eosinophil activation suggesting that RANTES in these supernatants was participating in eosinophil activation. These data show that TNF-alpha-stimulated breast carcinoma cells express mediators that can both bind and activate eosinophils, suggesting a mechanism for eosinophil localization to breast carcinoma sites.

Antigens, CD↗

High expression of human 15-lipoxygenase induces NF-kappaB-mediated expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and T-cell adhesion on human endothelial cells.

Expression of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) is induced over 100-fold in early fatty streak lesions. 15-LO activity leads to the production of specific lipid hydroperoxides, which can have major effects on the expression of proinflammatory genes involved in atherogenesis. We have used retrovirus-mediated gene transfer to achieve stable high expression of 15-LO in human endothelial ECV304 cells. These cells were used to study the effects of 15-LO on the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), and T-cell adhesion on endothelial cells. NF-kappaB activation was greatly potentiated by increased 15-LO activity in the stably transduced cells, and both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were significantly induced in these cells in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation, as studied by flow cytometry. The induction of ICAM-1 was sensitive to antioxidants in a dose-dependent manner. The adherence of Jurkat T cells on the 15-LO-expressing endothelial cells was markedly induced after PMA stimulation. These results indicate that 15-LO activity may be involved in the early pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by inducing VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression and by increasing T-cell adhesion on the endothelium.

Antioxidants↗

Endothelial expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 is suppressed by postbypass plasma containing increased soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1.

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial cell dysfunction has been implicated in the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass, and the upregulation of endothelial cell expression of adhesion molecules might promote leukocyte extravasation in vivo. Soluble endothelial cell adhesion molecules are increased after bypass. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between endothelial cell-surface expression of adhesion molecules and their concentration in plasma after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Ten patients undergoing coronary artery bypass with cardiopulmonary bypass had 5 plasma samples taken at defined intervals before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Plasma was incubated with human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers, and expression of E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers was measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma soluble adhesion molecules, C-reactive protein, interleukin 8, interleukin 10, transforming growth factor beta1, and neutrophil counts were determined for each patient. RESULTS: Markers typical of acute inflammation (ie, interleukin 8, neutrophils, and C-reactive protein) were all increased after bypass. Soluble plasma intercellular and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (but not E-selectin) were increased after bypass. However, endothelial cell expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (but not E-selectin) were significantly decreased by exposure to postbypass plasma. Additionally, postbypass plasma inhibited interleukin 1beta-stimulated endothelial cell expression of vascular cell and intercellular adhesion molecule 1. Interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor beta1, both of which are known to inhibit endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression, were respectively increased 10-fold and 3-fold (P <.05) after bypass. CONCLUSIONS: Despite containing increased soluble intercellular and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, postbypass plasma inhibits endothelial cell expression of intercellular and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. Upregulated vascular expression of adhesion molecules might not be essential for endothelial activation after bypass.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

Regulation of immune cell adhesion and migration by regulator of adhesion and cell polarization enriched in lymphoid tissues.

Rap1 has emerged as an important regulator of adhesion in multicellular organisms. In the immune system, Rap1 functions as an inside-out signalling molecule for leucocyte integrins following stimulation with chemokines or antigens. Regulator of adhesion and cell polarization enriched in lymphoid tissues (RAPL) is a novel Rap1 effector molecule that mediates Rap1 signalling to integrins. The Rap1-RAPL complex regulates the spatial distribution of the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 as well as cell polarization. The linking of inside-out signalling with polarization synergistically promotes highly efficient lymphocyte trafficking. Targeted deletion of RAPL in mice has demonstrated multiple indispensable roles for this protein in lymphocyte and dendritic cell trafficking critical for immunosurveillance.

Animals↗

Docosahexaenoic acid selectively attenuates induction of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and subsequent monocytic cell adhesion to human endothelial cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Incorporation of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) but not eicosapentaenoic acid or n-6 arachidonic acid into human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) phospholipids dose-dependently reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced surface expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). In parallel, DHA inhibited TNF-alpha-stimulated monocytic U937 cell adhesion to HUVECs but did not affect TNF-alpha- or interferon gamma-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 or VCAM-1 induction by interleukin-1 beta. DHA appeared to attenuate VCAM-1 transcription, as it reduced induction of VCAM-1 mRNA by TNF-alpha. VCAM-1 induction is regulated by activation of nuclear factor-kappa B, which can be mediated by a TNF-alpha-responsive phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC). Gel-shift analysis showed inhibition of TNF-alpha-induced nuclear factor-kappa B mobilization by DHA. While the PC-PLC inhibitor D609 dose-dependently prevented VCAM-1 induction by TNF-alpha, 1,2-diacyl-glycerol (DAG) stimulated VCAM-1 expression, suggesting that VCAM-1 induction by TNF-alpha may be mediated by activation of PC-PLC. Treatment with DHA resulted in a fourfold enrichment in PC. In addition, DHA or D609 but not eicosapentaenoic acid or arachidonic acid suppressed activation of PC-PLC by TNF-alpha, estimated as [14C]DAG synthesis in prelabeled HUVECs. Incorporation of DHA into phospholipids selectively attenuates VCAM-1 induction by TNF-alpha and subsequent monocytic cell adhesion by inhibition of TNF-alpha-stimulated PC-PLC activation in HUVECs.

Base Sequence↗

Porcine vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) mediates endothelial cell adhesion to human T cells. Development of blocking antibodies specific for porcine VCAM.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) is expressed on activated endothelial cells and binds to the alpha 4 beta 1 integrin receptor, very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), expressed on human lymphoid cells. Anti-VCAM mAbs have been shown to prolong allograft survival. To explore the role of porcine VCAM (pVCAM) in xenotransplantation, a recombinant secreted form of pVCAM (spVCAM) was expressed in 293-EBNA cells and purified by metal affinity chromatography. A human lymphoid cell line bound to spVCAM in a VLA-4-dependent manner. Using spVCAM as an immunogen, we developed three anti-pVCAM mAbs that reacted with cell surface pVCAM on porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) but not to human VCAM on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Pairwise interaction analysis indicated that these mAbs recognized distinct epitopes on pVCAM. Two anti-pVCAM mAbs, 2A2 and 3F4, inhibited the binding of Ramos cells to spVCAM, while the third, 5D11, did not. Similarly, mAbs 2A2 and 3F4 inhibited binding of Ramos cells or human peripheral blood T cells to activated PAEC. The extent of inhibition with mAbs 2A2 and 3F4 was comparable to the inhibition obtained with a blocking mAb to human VLA-4. These anti-pVCAM mAbs will provide a means to specifically block pVCAM in a xenograft setting and allow the determination of the role of pVCAM in a primary xenogeneic immune response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 mediate adult T-cell leukemia cell adhesion to endothelial cells.

We studied the adhesion properties of peripheral blood leukemic cells from 10 patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) to endothelial cells to better understand the mechanism of leukemic cell infiltration. ATL cells expressed lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), but the expression of very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) and sialyl-Lewisx (SLex) was variable. They did not express sialyl-Lewisa (SLea). Cell adhesion assays, which were performed in nine patients, showed marked adhesion of ATL cells to interleukin [IL]-1-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). A monoclonal antibody (MoAb) against E-selectin consistently inhibited ATL cell adhesion, and an MoAb against vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) or an MoAb against VLA-4 sometimes diminished it. In contrast, an MoAb against LFA-1 had a minor effect on freshly isolated ATL cell adhesion to HUVEC. The percentage of SLex+ cells in the cell population adherent to IL-1-activated HUVEC was slightly higher than that in unseparated cells. These results, together with the detection of E-selectin expression on the endothelium at ATL skin lesions, indicate that E-selectin-mediated adhesion is the major pathway for the adherence of ATL cells to endothelial cells. In addition, the ligand for E-selectin on ATL cells appears to differ from that on neutrophils.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Materials for enhancing cell adhesion by immobilization of cell-adhesive peptide.

Materials to enhance cell adhesion were synthesized by surface integration of peptide, Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser(RGDS), which is an active-site sequence of cell-adhesive proteins. Polystyrene film was glow-discharged and graft-copolymerized with acrylic acid. Then the peptide was immobilized to the poly(acrylic acid) grafts by using water-soluble carbodiimide. The cell-adhesive activity of the RGDS-immobilized film increased with increasing amount of immobilized peptide, and approached the activity of fibronectin(FN)-immobilized film. The RGDS-immobilized film was more stable against heat treatment and pH variation than the FN-immobilized film. In addition, the RGDS-immobilized film enhanced cell growth more strongly than the FN-immobilized film.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thyrotropin prevents apoptosis by promoting cell adhesion and cell cycle progression in FRTL-5 cells.

Apoptosis has been shown to be involved in endocrine tissue homeostasis as well as regression due to hormone deprivation. The goal of this study was to induce apoptosis and to investigate a potential role of TSH as a survival factor in thyroid follicular cells (FRTL-5) in vitro. Our results indicated that FRTL-5 cells underwent anchorage-dependent apoptosis when plated in the absence of serum and hormones, but when the cells became attached to the substrate by addition of TSH in the medium, apoptosis was prevented. The apoptosis was evaluated by positive terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-UTP nick end labeling staining, typical apoptotic bodies by electron microscopy, DNA ladder by gel electrophoresis, and subdiploidy by propidium iodide-stained flow cytometry. TSH was shown to prevent apoptosis and maintain cell viability. cAMP partly mimicked this effect, which was inhibited by a specific inhibitor of protein kinase A, H-89. While investigating the mechanisms of apoptosis, we observed that the phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase was strengthened by TSH. Furthermore, FRTL-5 cells were found to undergo growth arrest in the G1 phase in the absence of TSH, accompanied by an elevated level of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27, and a decreased level of cyclin D. In contrast, TSH promoted transition from G1 to S phase by decreasing P27 protein and increasing cyclin D expression. We concluded that in addition to regulating growth and differentiation, TSH may function as a survival factor in thyroid cells by preventing anchorage-dependent apoptosis in FRTL-5 cells partly via the cAMP pathway.

Animals↗

alphavbeta3 and vitronectin expression by normal ovarian surface epithelial cells: role in cell adhesion and cell proliferation.

The alphavbeta3 integrin and its ligand vitronectin are expressed by differentiated epithelial ovarian carcinomas and carcinoma cell lines in culture. Moreover, alphavbeta3/vitronectin interaction influences adhesion and migration of ovarian carcinoma cells in culture. For a better understanding of the behavior of these carcinomas, it appeared necessary to study the characteristics of their normal counterpart, the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The present study showed that normal cultured human OSE cells, like the carcinoma cells, have the ability to synthesize vitronectin. The vitronectin receptor, alphavbeta3 integrin, is also expressed by OSE cells and is localized in focal contacts close to paxillin, a focal contact-specific protein, and p125(FAK), a cytoskeletal and signaling molecule. This localization suggested an active participation of the integrin in the adhesion and/or proliferation of OSE cells. Indeed, the use of a blocking antibody demonstrated that alphav integrins promote OSE cell adhesion on vitronectin but not on fibronectin and that these integrins are required for maximal proliferative activity. The results suggest a role of the alphavbeta3/vitronectin system in normal OSE physiology and demonstrate that the expression of this system by well-differentiated ovarian carcinomas reflects the retention of normal cell properties.

Adult↗

Role of platelet membrane in enhancement of tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cell extracellular matrix.

Tumor cell adhesion to subendothelial matrix in the presence of platelets and plasma has been examined in vitro using an entirely homologous system of rat Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells, matrix laid down by rat aortic endothelial cells and rat platelets and plasma. In the presence of platelets or platelets plus plasma, tumor cell adhesion was significantly enhanced when compared to adhesion in the absence of platelets. In the presence of plasma alone (0.1%), we observed no significant increase in tumor cell adhesion. In order to determine which platelet factors contribute to the enhancement of tumor cell adhesion by platelets, we subjected washed rat platelets to mechanical lysis or thrombin stimulation followed by centrifugation. The membrane fractions and supernatant fractions containing platelet attachment proteins were compared for their abilities to support tumor cell adhesion to subendothelial matrix. Platelet membranes were also recombined with platelet supernatant fractions to determine if platelet attachment proteins or platelet membranes required the presence of the other to enhance tumor cell adhesion. Platelet supernatant fractions which contained release reaction proteins (confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) did not enhance tumor cell adhesion. Purified thrombospondin, fibronectin, beta-thromboglobulin, platelet derived growth factor, and serotonin had no effect on tumor cell adhesion. Platelet membrane containing fractions affected tumor cell adhesion to subendothelial matrix as follows: (a) platelets formed an adhesive bridge between tumor cells and the subendothelial matrix as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy; (b) intact platelets and thrombin stimulated platelets were the most effective at facilitating tumor cell adhesion; (c) preparations containing partially lysed platelet ghosts were more effective in supporting tumor cell adhesion to subendothelial matrix than were preparations containing completely lysed platelet membrane fragments; (d) recombination of platelet supernatant fractions with mechanically lysed platelets did not enhance their ability to support adhesion; (e) fixed platelets, either alone or in combination with platelet supernatant fractions, failed to enhance adhesion. These data indicate that platelet enhanced tumor cell adhesion appears to be dependent on platelet membrane factors including receptor mobility, rather than intraplatelet components.

Animals↗

Coendocytosis of cadherin and c-Met coupled to disruption of cell-cell adhesion in MDCK cells--regulation by Rho, Rac and Rab small G proteins.

Both E-cadherin, a cell-cell adhesion molecule, and c-Met, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/scatter factor (SF) receptor, were colocalized at cell-cell adhesion sites of MDCK cells. HGF/SF or a phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), induced disruption of cell-cell adhesion, which was accompanied by endocytosis of both E-cadherin and c-Met. Reduction of medium Ca2+ to a micromolar range showed the same effects. Re-increase in medium Ca2+ to a millimolar range formed cell-cell adhesion, which was accompanied by exocytosis of E-cadherin and c-Met, followed by their re-colocalization at the cell-cell adhesion sites. These results suggest that E-cadherin and c-Met are colocalized at cell-cell adhesion sites and undergo co-endo-exocytosis. We have previously shown that TPA does not induce disruption of cell-cell adhesion and subsequent scattering of MDCK cells stably expressing a dominant active mutant of RhoA or Rac1 small G protein or a dominant negative mutant of Rab5 small G protein. In these cell lines, the HGF- or TPA-induced coendocytosis of E-cadherin and c-Met was inhibited, but the coendocytosis of E-cadherin and c-Met in response to reduction of medium Ca2+ was not affected. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase, inhibited the HGF-induced disruption of cell-cell junction and endocytosis of E-cadherin and c-Met, but not the TPA-induced ones. These results suggest that disruption of cell-cell adhesion is involved in the HGF- or TPA-induced coendocytosis of E-cadherin and c-Met in MDCK cells, and that the Rho and Rab family members indirectly regulate this coendocytosis. In addition, coendocytosis of E-cadherin and c-Met in response to HGF is partly mediated by PI 3-kinase. The cross-talk between cell-cell and cell-matrix adherens junctions is discussed.

Animals↗

Laminin and fibronectin in cell adhesion: enhanced adhesion of cells from regenerating liver to laminin.

Laminin, a basement membrane glycoprotein isolated from cultures of mouse endodermal cells and rat yolk sac carcinoma cells, promoted the attachment of liver cells obtained from regenerating mouse liver. Cells from normal mouse liver attached readily to dishes coated with fibronectin but attached poorly to surfaces coated with laminin. Both proteins efficiently promoted the attachment of cells from livers undergoing regeneration. After regeneration, the attachment to laminin returned to the low levels found in animals not subjected to partial hepatectomy but attachment to fibronectin remained high. Immunofluorescent staining of sections of normal liver with antilaminin revealed the presence of laminin in or adjacent to the walls of the bile ducts and blood vessels. After induction of regeneration by partial hepatectomy, increased amounts of laminin appeared in the sinusoidal areas. After carbon tetrachloride poisoning, staining for laminin was especially pronounced in the necrotic and postnecrotic areas around the central veins. This additional expression of laminin was transient. It reached a maximum around 5--6 days after the injury and then gradually disappeared. These findings show that laminin is an adhesive protein. The increase of laminin in regenerating liver and the adhesiveness of cells from such livers to laminin suggest a role for laminin in the maintenance of a proper tissue organization during liver regeneration.

Animals↗

Cell adhesion in animal cell culture: physiological and fluid-mechanical implications.

We have reviewed the general forces through which cells interact with substrata in their first nonspecific contact. The complex, fast-emerging biology of specific cell adhesion and the structure of the extracellular matrix were reviewed in substantial detail, and the most updated conceptual model of biological cell adhesion was assembled from past efforts and new literature data. The chemistries of the various possible substrata for cell adhesion have been reviewed extensively in the past, and here only a brief summary was presented, with particular emphasis on the materials for traditional and porous microcarriers. The fascinating molecular and cellular implications of cell adhesion were reviewed in detail to establish that cell adhesion and the extracellular matrix provide more than structural support for the cells and their assemblies, and that in fact they constitute fundamental regulators of cell function, metabolism, and differentiation. We reviewed the fluid-mechanical mechanisms of cell damage in microcarrier systems and provided experimental evidence for the importance of the cell-adhesion quality in the ability of cells to withstand fluid forces in bioreactors. We provided evidence that the interplay of cell adhesion and fluid forces is likely to produce cell responses more complex than that of simple life and death, and we suggested that such responses are awaiting investigation and exploration for new applications and culturing possibilities. We also reviewed the experimental evidence on the importance of cell adhesion in cell and microcarrier aggregation and discussed the implications of such aggregation on the culturing environment and the operation of bioreactors. Finally, we discussed the possible implications of cell adhesion as it relates to the developing field of tissue engineering, using the example of bone marrow culture, which involves a large variety of cells and constitutes one of the most complex cell culture systems.

Animals↗

Class specific inhibition of house dust mite proteinases which cleave cell adhesion, induce cell death and which increase the permeability of lung epithelium.

1. House dust mite (HDM) allergens with cysteine and serine proteinase activity are risk factors for allergic sensitization and asthma. A simple method to fractionate proteinase activity from HDM faecal pellets into cysteine and serine class activity is described. 2. Both proteinase fractions increased the permeability of epithelial cell monolayers. The effects of the serine proteinase fraction were inhibited by 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulphonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF) and soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI). The effects of the cysteine proteinase fraction could be inhibited by E-64. No reciprocity of action was found. 3. Treatment of epithelial monolayers with either proteinase fraction caused breakdown of tight junctions (TJs). AEBSF inhibited TJ breakdown caused by the serine proteinase fraction, whereas E-64 inhibited the cysteine proteinase fraction. 4. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that the proteinases induced DNA cleavage which was inhibited by the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BB-250. Compound E-64 inhibited DNA fragmentation caused by the cysteine proteinase fraction, but was without effect on the serine proteinase fraction. Staining of proteinase-treated cells with annexin V (AV) and propidium iodide (PI) revealed a diversity of cellular responses. Some cells stained only with AV indicating early apoptosis, whilst others were dead and stained with both AV and PI. 5. HDM proteinases exert profound effects on epithelial cells which will promote allergic sensitization; namely disruption of intercellular adhesion, increased paracellular permeability and initiation of cell death. Attenuation of these actions by proteinase inhibitors leads to the conclusion that compounds designed to be selective for the HDM enzymes may represent a novel therapy for asthma.

Animals↗