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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Exposure of acidic residues as a danger signal for recognition of fibrinogen and other macromolecules by integrin alphaXbeta2.

The structural integrity of tissue proteins is damaged in processes ranging from remodeling of the extracellular matrix to destruction by microbial pathogens. Leukocytes play a prominent role in tissue surveillance and repair. However, it remains enigmatic what features of structurally decayed proteins prompt recognition by leukocyte cell-surface receptors. Here, we report that adhesion of human neutrophil granulocytes to fibrinogen is greatly increased by plasmin digestion in a mode where alphaXbeta2 dominates the integrin-dependent binding. The bacterial protease subtilisin also enhances binding by alphaXbeta2. The alphaX ligand binding domain has an unusually high affinity for carboxyl groups, with KD at approximately 100 microM. Our findings implicate enhanced accessibility of negatively charged residues in structurally decayed proteins as a pattern recognition motif for alphaXbeta2 integrin. Comparisons among integrins show relevance of these findings to the large number of ligands recognized by alphaMbeta2 and alphaXbeta2 but not alphaLbeta2. The observations suggest that the pericellular proteolysis at the leading edge of neutrophils not only facilitates passage through the extracellular matrix but also manufactures binding sites for alphaXbeta2.

Binding Sites↗

Effects on rotavirus cell binding and infection of monomeric and polymeric peptides containing alpha2beta1 and alphaxbeta2 integrin ligand sequences.

Integrin-using rotaviruses bind MA104 cell surface alpha2beta1 integrin via the Asp-Gly-Glu (DGE) sequence in virus spike protein VP4 and interact with alphaxbeta2 integrin during cell entry through outer capsid protein VP7. Infection is inhibited by the alpha2beta1 ligand Asp-Gly-Glu-Ala (DGEA) and the alphaxbeta2 ligand Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro (GPRP), and virus-alpha2beta1 binding is increased by alpha2beta1 activation. In this study, we analyzed the effects of monomers and polymers containing DGEA-, GPRP-, and DGEA-related peptides on rotavirus binding and infection in intestinal (Caco-2) and kidney (MA104) cells and virus binding to recombinant alpha2beta1. Blockade of rotavirus-cell binding and infection by peptides and anti-alpha2 antibody showed that Caco-2 cell entry is dependent on virus binding to alpha2beta1 and interaction with alphaxbeta2. At up to 0.5 mM, monomeric DGEA and DGAA inhibited binding to alpha2beta1 and infection. At higher concentrations, DGEA and DGAA showed a reduced ability to inhibit virus-cell binding and infection that depended on virus binding to alpha2beta1 but occurred without alteration in cell surface expression of alpha2, beta2, or alphavbeta3 integrin. This loss of DGEA activity was abolished by genistein treatment and so was dependent on tyrosine kinase signaling. It is proposed that this signaling activated existing cell surface alpha2beta1 to increase virus-cell attachment and entry. Polymeric peptides containing DGEA and GPRP or GPRP only were inhibitory to SA11 infection at approximately 10-fold lower concentrations than peptide monomers. As polymerization can improve peptide inhibition of virus-receptor interactions, this approach could be useful in the development of inhibitors of receptor recognition by other viruses.

Cell Line↗

Selective recruitment of src family kinase Hck by leukocyte integrin alphaMbeta2 but not alphaLbeta2 or alphaXbeta2.

Integrins are type I heterodimeric (alpha/beta) cell adhesion molecules. They trigger cell-signaling by recruiting cytosolic molecules to their cytoplasmic tails. Integrin alpha cytoplasmic tail contributes towards integrin function specificity, an important feature of integrins having different alpha subunits but sharing the same beta subunit. Herein, we show that the src family kinase Hck co-capped selectively with leukocyte integrin alpha(M)beta(2) but not alpha(L)beta(2) or alpha(X)beta(2). This was disrupted when the alpha(M) cytoplasmic tail was substituted with that of alpha(L) or alpha(X). Co-capping was recovered by alpha(L) or alpha(X) cytoplasmic tail truncation or forced separation of the alpha and beta cytoplasmic tails via salt-bridge disruption.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of four CD18 mutants in leucocyte adhesion deficient (LAD) patients with differential capacities to support expression and function of the CD11/CD18 integrins LFA-1, Mac-1 and p150,95.

Leucocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) is a hereditary disorder caused by mutations in the CD18 (beta2 integrin) gene. Four missense mutations have been identified in three patients. CD18(A270V) supports, at a diminished level, CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1, alphaMbeta2 integrin) and CD11c/CD18 (p150,95, alphaXbeta2 integrin) expression and function but not CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1, alphaLbeta2 integrin) expression. Conversely, CD18(A341P) supports a limited level of expression and function of CD11a/CD18, but not of the other two CD11/CD18 antigens. CD18(C590R) and CD18(R593C) show a decreasing capacity to associate with the CD11a, CD11c and CD11b subunits. Transfectants expressing the CD11a/CD18 with the C590R and R593C mutations are more adhesive than transfectants expressing wild-type LFA-1, and express the reporter epitope of the monoclonal antibody 24 constitutively. Thus, the four mutations affect CD18 differently in its capacities to support CD11/CD18 expression and adhesion. These results not only provide a biochemical account for the clinical diversity of patients with leucocyte adhesion deficiency, but also offer novel insights into the structural basis of interaction between the alpha and beta subunits, which is an integral component in our understanding of integrin-mediated adhesion and its regulation.

Alleles↗

Adhesion molecules expressed on homing lymphocytes in model intestinal epithelia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The development of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) requires the movement of lymphocytes into the epithelial compartment (i.e., IEL homing). The rules governing and the biologic consequences of IEL homing are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to examine the adhesion molecules involved in IEL homing and the phenotypic alteration of lymphocytes as a consequence of homing. METHODS: We previously developed an in vitro IEL homing model consisting of human IEL cell lines and a polarized monolayer of human intestinal epithelial T84 cells. Homing capacity of lymphocytes was assessed by measuring their migration into epithelial monolayers, and phenotypic analysis was performed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In this model, approximately 30% of lymphocytes moved into the epithelial monolayer, regardless of the lymphocyte concentration. Flow cytometric screening of adhesion molecules revealed that homed lymphocytes expressed high levels of integrin alphaXbeta2 and alphaEbeta7 and low levels of alpha4beta7 compared with non-homed lymphocytes. In addition, subpopulations sorted as alphaXbeta2(high) or alphaEbeta7(high) independently showed greater homing capacities. After homing, alphaEbeta7 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on homed lymphocytes were significantly up-regulated, which was consistent with their high expression observed on freshly isolated human IELs. The up-regulation of alphaEbeta7 (but not ICAM-1) was completely dependent on epithelial-derived transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1). The expression of alphaXbeta2 was observed on a small population of freshly isolated human IELs, and was markedly induced by stimulation. Also, epithelial-derived TGF-beta1 down-regulated the alphaXbeta2 expression (an event likely to occur after homing). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a relationship between IEL alphaXbeta2 and alphaEbeta7 expression and homing into intestinal epithelia. We also show that phenotypic alteration of IELs is induced by close interaction with intestinal epithelia as a consequence of homing.

Cell Line↗

Rotavirus contains integrin ligand sequences and a disintegrin-like domain that are implicated in virus entry into cells.

Rotavirus contains two outer capsid viral proteins, the spike protein VP4 and major capsid component VP7, both of which are implicated in cell entry. We show that VP4 and VP7 contain tripeptide sequences previously shown to act as recognition sites for integrins in extracellular matrix proteins. VP4 contains the alpha2beta1 integrin ligand site DGE. In VP7, the alphaxbeta2 integrin ligand site GPR and the alpha4beta1 integrin ligand site LDV are embedded in a novel disintegrin-like domain that also shows sequence similarity to fibronectin and the tie receptor tyrosine kinase. Microorganism sequence homology to these ligand motifs and to disintegrins has not been reported previously. In our experiments, peptides including these rotaviral tripeptides and mAbs directed to these integrins specifically blocked rotavirus infection of cells shown to express alpha2beta1 and beta2 integrins. Rotavirus VP4-mediated cell entry may involve the alpha2beta1 integrin, whereas VP7 appears to interact with alphaxbeta2 and alpha4beta1 integrins.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Regulated expression of p150,95 (CD11c/CD18; alpha X/beta 2) and VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29; alpha 4/beta 1) integrins during myeloid cell differentiation.

Integrins are a family of cell surface heterodimers which mediate both cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions and affect cellular differentiation through their signal transduction capacity. Integrin expression is regulated during differentiation as well as by numerous growth factors and cytokines. We have analyzed the changes in p150,95 (CD11c/CD18 or alpha X/beta 2) and VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29 or alpha 4/beta 1) integrin subunits mRNA levels that take place during the myeloid differentiation of HL60 and U937 cells, and compared them to other integrins with similar functional activities. Northern blot analysis revealed that the monocytic differentiation of U937 and HL60 cells alters the alpha X and alpha 4 mRNA steady-state levels: alpha X mRNA is induced de novo whereas alpha 4 mRNA decreases to undetectable levels. Both changes were dependent on the activity of protein kinase C and were also observed upon granulocytic differentiation of HL60 cells. Parallel analysis of other integrin subunits mRNA (beta 1, alpha 5, beta 7) demonstrated that the mRNA levels for the alpha subunits of the fibronectin receptors alpha 4/beta 1 (VLA-4) and alpha 5/beta 1 (VLA-5) are differentially regulated during the monocytic differentiation of myeloid cell lines, and suggested that myeloid cells express a heterodimer formed by the association of beta 7 with an integrin alpha subunit distinct from alpha 4. Nuclear transcription assays and functional analysis of the alpha X and alpha 4 promoter regions demonstrated that the transcription rate of the alpha X gene is considerably elevated after phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment of U937 cells, while that of alpha 4 is almost unaffected, suggesting that post-transcriptional mechanisms are causing the extremely low alpha 4 mRNA levels observed in differentiated U937 cells.

Blotting, Northern↗

Identification of Sp1-binding sites in the CD11c (p150,95 alpha) and CD11a (LFA-1 alpha) integrin subunit promoters and their involvement in the tissue-specific expression of CD11c.

The leukocyte integrins LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) and p150,95 (CD11c/CD18) mediate cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions during inflammatory responses and signal transduction into the cytoplasm. While the CD11a integrin subunit is expressed on all leukocytes, CD11c is almost exclusively expressed on cells of the myeloid lineage and on activated B lymphocytes. Its expression is regulated during cell activation and differentiation by transcriptional mechanisms. We have previously demonstrated that the proximal region of the CD11c promoter directs tissue-restricted and developmentally-regulated expression of reporter genes. Structural studies by electrophoretic mobility shift assays have demonstrated the presence of two Sp1-binding sites at -70 (Sp1-70) and -120 (Sp1-120) which mediate the Sp1 transactivation of the CD11c promoter in Sp1-defective SL2 cells, and which are involved in cell lineage-specific DNA-protein interactions, as demonstrated by footprinting in vivo. More importantly, mutation of either Sp1 site inhibited the activity of the CD11c promoter both in myeloid U937 cells and the CD11c-expressing B lymphoblastoid JY cell line, while the opposite effect was observed in the CD11c-negative epithelial HeLa cell line, demonstrating the involvement of both Sp1-binding sites in the basal and the tissue-restricted expression of the CD11c integrin subunit gene. Interestingly, the analysis of the CD11a proximal promoter also revealed the existence of an Sp1-binding site at -70, indicating a common role for these cis-acting elements in the transcription of the leukocyte integrin alpha subunit genes. The binding of Sp1 to the regulatory regions of the leukocyte integrin genes raises the possibility that the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene product is implicated in integrin expression through its functional interaction with Sp1, thus establishing a link between integrin-dependent leukocyte adhesiveness and the state of cellular differentiation/proliferation.

Base Sequence↗

The beta 2 integrin Mac-1 but not p150,95 associates with Fc gamma RIIA.

In this study we have compared the ligand binding activity of the two closely related beta 2 integrins, Mac-1 and p150,95, which are expressed separately as receptors permanently transfected into K562 cells. Mac-1 has previously been shown to associate with Fc gamma R, particularly Fc gamma RIII, but K562 cells express only endogenous Fc gamma RIIA. We have, therefore, taken advantage of this situation to examine a possible relationship between Fc gamma RIIA with Mac-1 and p150,95 in the absence of other Fc gamma R. The main finding is that anti-Fc gamma RII mAb have a profound inhibitory effect on cell adhesion mediated by Mac-1, but not on the adhesion mediated by p150,95. Thus, in spite of the fact that Mac-1 and p150,95 bind to the same or at least a very similar selection of ligands, their association with other receptors on the cellular membrane, and therefore their mode of regulation may be different.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Hematopoietic cell-type-dependent regulation of leukocyte integrin functional activity: CD11b and CD11c expression inhibits LFA-1-dependent aggregation of differentiated U937 cells.

To study the influence of the cellular environment on the functional activity of leukocyte integrins and to analyze their involvement in hematopoietic cell differentiation, we have developed stable transfectants of LFA-1, Mac-1, and p150,95 (CD11a-c/CD18) leukocyte integrins in cultured cell lines whose differentiation can be induced in vitro. As on circulating leukocytes, the integrins expressed on U937 or K562 cells were expressed in a constitutively inactive state, as demonstrated by the lack of adhesion to their cellular counterreceptors or soluble ligands, the absence of CD18-dependent intercellular aggregation, and their inability to mediate adhesion to protein-coated plates. However, while leukocyte integrin adhesive functions in U937 cells were induced upon treatment with cellular agonists (e.g., PMA), their function in K562 cells could be upregulated only with activating monoclonal antibodies, demonstrating the cell-type-specific regulation of the adhesive capabilities of the three leukocyte integrins in hematopoietic cellular environment. On the other hand, the expression of either CD11b/CD18 or CD11c/CD18 in U937 myeloid cells before induction of differentiation greatly affected the adhesive phenotype of differentiating cells by abrogating the CD11a/CD18-CD54-dependent homotypic aggregation. Unlike that of mock-transfected U937 cells, differentiation of CD11b/CD18- or CD11c/CD18-transfected U937 cells led to cell adhesion and spreading on the tissue culture plates, with an almost total absence of homotypic aggregates. These results confirm the role of CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18 in myeloid cell adhesion and spreading and suggest that the CD11b/- and CD11c/CD18-mediated recognition of substrate-bound ligands competes or interferes with LFA-1-dependent intercellular adhesion.

Cell Adhesion↗

Moderate exercise leads to decreased expression of beta1 and beta2 integrins on leucocytes.

Intravascular adhesion of leucocytes plays a role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic vascular disease. Regular aerobic exercise seems to protect against vascular disease. Since leucocyte adhesion is mediated by integrins, we tested the hypothesis that surface expression of the integrin adhesive receptors LFA-1 (cd11a/cd18), MAC-1 (cd11b/cd18), gp 150/95 (cd11c/cd18), and VLA-4 (cd29/cd49) is decreased by moderate endurance exercise. Surface expression of integrins was measured by FACS analysis in 19 healthy subjects (16 males, 3 females, 36.6 +/- 8.7 years, 177.1 +/- 7.5 cm, 70.3 +/- 8.1 kg) before and after submaximal exercise (3 h run) using monoclonal antibodies against cd11a, cd11b, cd11c, cd18, cd29 and cd49. In addition, we compared resting integrin expression in this group with a group of sedentary subjects (19 males, 6 females, 29.3 +/- 5.3 years). White blood cell count increased from 5300 ml(-1) to 9740 ml(-1) during exercise (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, the expression (indicated by the mean log fluorescence) of cd11a (94 +/- 24 vs. 78 +/- 14) and cd18 (128 +/- 31 vs. 102 +/- 21) on lymphocytes and of cd11a (104 +/- 25 vs. 85 +/- 16), cd11c (497 +/- 171 vs. 408 +/- 126) cd29 (109 +/- 16 vs. 89 +/- 16), cd49 (69 +/- 8 vs. 54 +/- 11) on monocytes was decreased after exercise (all P < 0.05). In contrast, integrin expression on granulocytes was not altered by exercise. Comparison of exercising and sedentary subjects showed a significantly decreased expression of integrins in exercising subjects. Our results demonstrate that moderate exercise leads to decreased expression of integrin receptors on leucocytes. This decreased expression of adhesion molecules may result in decreased adhesion and infiltration of leucocytes into the vessel wall. This phenomenon may play a role in the beneficial effect of moderate exercise in prevention of acute and chronic vascular disease.

Adult↗

The Mac-1 and p150,95 beta 2 integrins bind denatured proteins to mediate leukocyte cell-substrate adhesion.

Activated monocytic cells and neutrophils adhere to substrates coated with a wide variety of proteins including albumins, catalase, casein, and various extracellular matrix proteins. This adhesion can be specifically inhibited by antibodies directed to the beta 2 integrin subunit. This adhesion to protein substrates shares some similarities with two known protein-protein recognition systems with little apparent binding specificity, namely, the interactions of heat shock proteins and histocompatibility antigens with denatured proteins or peptides. Cell adhesion and affinity chromatography experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that monocytes and neutrophils adhere to and migrate on protein substrates due to the presence of cell surface receptors that recognize common protein structures such as denatured protein epitopes. Adhesion experiments revealed that activated monocytic cells adhere more rapidly and extensively on substrates coated with denatured protein versus native protein. Both adhesion and migration on such substrates in vitro was dependent on beta 2 integrins since blocking antibodies completely interfered with these cellular responses. Affinity chromatography experiments revealed that the Mac-1 and p150,95 integrins could be isolated from monocyte-differentiated HL-60 cells or neutrophils on a denatured protein-Sepharose column. Much greater yields of the receptors were obtained on a denatured versus native protein Sepharose column. The binding of these receptors was specific in that the LFA-1 beta 2 integrin did not bind to the denatured protein column. These data provide evidence that the adhesion of activated monocytes and neutrophils to many protein substrates in vitro is due to the ability of Mac-1 and p150,95 to directly bind to denatured proteins. A model of leukocyte adhesion and invasion whereby activated leukocytes denature extracellular proteins during diapedesis, making them suitable for recognition by beta 2 integrins, is proposed.

Albumins↗

Granulocyte integrins before and after activation in acute ischaemic stroke.

We examined in 19 subjects with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) the PMN integrin pattern (CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD18), using indirect immunofluorescence and adopting a flow cytometer, at baseline and during activation, prolonged for 5 and 15 min, with 4-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). At baseline, an increase in the expression of CD11c and CD18 and a decrease in the CD11b were evident in AIS subjects compared to normals. After activation, we found in normals a constant and significant increase of all PMN adhesive molecules, while in AIS subjects, we found an increase in CD11b and CD18, a decrease in CD11a and no variation in CD11c. While the basal upregulation of CD11c and CD18 may depend on the PMN spontaneous activation or on the increase of cytokines, the decrease of CD11b may be due to its self-consumption. After activation, the decrease in CD11a noted in AIS may be related to its cleavage or to an altered integrin phosphorylation/dephosphorylation balance.

Acute Disease↗

Generation of human osteoclasts in stromal cell-free and stromal cell-rich cultures: differences in osteoclast CD11c/CD18 integrin expression.

Osteoclasts form in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of Nfkappab ligand (RANKL), a membrane-bound differentiation factor that is now available as a soluble recombinant molecule. Acquisition of the osteoclast phenotype [the alphavbeta3 subunit of the vitronectin receptor (VNR)-, calcitonin receptor (CTR)- and F-actin ring-positive cells] is associated with loss of monocyte/macrophage-associated integrins, specifically CD11b, CD11c and CD18. We hypothesized that differences in the osteoclast integrin adhesion molecule profile may exist in osteoclasts generated in stromal cell-rich and in stromal-free conditions. Unlike osteoclasts generated in vivo, F-actin ring-positive (resorbing) osteoclasts formed in soluble RANKL in vitro, in the absence of stromal cells, and co-expressed CD11c and CD18. However, when osteoclasts were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) in co-cultures with the murine bone marrow stromal cell line 218 (which does not produce membrane-bound RANKL) in the presence of soluble RANKL, CD11c and CD18 were not expressed by osteoclasts. These findings indicate that the persistent expression of CD11c and CD18 is not accounted for by RANKL being presented in a soluble form and that membrane-bound RANKL is not required for the normal integrin expression in resorbing osteoclasts. This study demonstrates that potentially misleading information may arise by using data obtained from osteoclasts generated in the absence of stromal cells as they do not completely reflect the situation in vivo.

Actins↗

Lipopolysaccharide-dependent induction of leech leukocytes that cross-react with vertebrate cellular differentiation markers.

We have designed experiments to characterise leech leukocytes that mediate inflammatory responses. Shortly after inflicting injury to the body wall in the presence of lipopolysaccharides, many cells resembling macrophages, NK cells and granulocytes of vertebrates and many invertebrates migrated to the lesioned area. Nuclei of migrating cells incorporated bromodeoxyuridine. Using human monoclonal antibodies, macrophage-like cells were positive for CD25, CD14, CD61, CD68, CD11b and CD11c. NK-like cells were positive for CD25, CD56, CD57 and CD16, and granulocytes were positive for CD11b and CD11c. In blots of leech extracts, the CD25 monoclonal antibody recognised a band of about 55 kD; the CD56 monoclonal antibody, two bands of about 140 and 210 kD; the CD57 monoclonal antibody, two bands of about 106 and 70 kD; the CD14 monoclonal antibody, a band of about 50 kD; the CD16 monoclonal antibody, a band of about 60 kD. CD61 and CD68 both recognised a band of about 110 kD; CD11b recognised a band of 200 kD, and CD11c, a band of 180 kD.

Animals↗

Amino acid residues in the PSI domain and cysteine-rich repeats of the integrin beta2 subunit that restrain activation of the integrin alpha(X)beta(2).

The leukocyte integrin alpha(X)beta(2) (p150,95) recognizes the iC3b complement fragment and functions as the complement receptor type 4. alpha(X)beta(2) is more resistant to activation than other beta(2) integrins and is inactive in transfected cells. However, when human alpha(X) is paired with chicken or mouse beta(2), alpha(X)beta(2) is activated for binding to iC3b. Activating substitutions were mapped to individual residues or groups of residues in the N-terminal plexin/semaphorin/integrin (PSI) domain and C-terminal cysteine-rich repeats 2 and 3. These regions are linked by a long range disulfide bond. Substitutions in the PSI domain synergized with substitutions in the cysteine-rich repeats. Substitutions T4P, T22A, Q525S, and V526L gave full activation. Activation of binding to iC3b correlated with exposure of the CBR LFA-1/2 epitope in cysteine-rich repeat 3. The data suggest that the activating substitutions are present in an interface that restrains the human alpha(X)/human beta(2) integrin in the inactive state. The opening of this interface is linked to structural rearrangements in other domains that activate ligand binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Blockade of T lymphocyte costimulation with cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4-immunoglobulin (CTLA4Ig) reverses the cellular pathology of psoriatic plaques, including the activation of keratinocytes, dendritic cells, and endothelial cells.

Efficient T cell activation is dependent on the intimate contact between antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T cells. The engagement of the B7 family of molecules on APCs with CD28 and CD152 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 [CTLA-4]) receptors on T cells delivers costimulatory signal(s) important in T cell activation. We investigated the dependence of pathologic cellular activation in psoriatic plaques on B7-mediated T cell costimulation. Patients with psoriasis vulgaris received four intravenous infusions of the soluble chimeric protein CTLA4Ig (BMS-188667) in a 26-wk, phase I, open label dose escalation study. Clinical improvement was associated with reduced cellular activation of lesional T cells, keratinocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), and vascular endothelium. Expression of CD40, CD54, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II HLA-DR antigens by lesional keratinocytes was markedly reduced in serial biopsy specimens. Concurrent reductions in B7-1 (CD80), B7-2 (CD86), CD40, MHC class II, CD83, DC-lysosomal-associated membrane glycoprotein (DC-LAMP), and CD11c expression were detected on lesional DCs, which also decreased in number within lesional biopsies. Skin explant experiments suggested that these alterations in activated or mature DCs were not the result of direct toxicity of CTLA4Ig for DCs. Decreased lesional vascular ectasia and tortuosity were also observed and were accompanied by reduced presence of E-selectin, P-selectin, and CD54 on vascular endothelium. This study highlights the critical and proximal role of T cell activation through the B7-CD28/CD152 costimulatory pathway in maintaining the pathology of psoriasis, including the newly recognized accumulation of mature DCs in the epidermis.

Abatacept↗

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor induces activation and restores respiratory burst activity in monocytes from septic patients.

Monocyte activation in response to recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was examined in vitro in septic shock patients. These monocytes exhibited a greater respiratory burst activity than monocytes from healthy subjects; the response to secondary stimulation with bacterial stimuli was attenuated. GM-CSF restored the ability of monocytes to respond appropriately to secondary stimulation. Expression of certain integrin adhesion molecules, L-selectin, and Fcgamma receptors was increased on monocytes of septic shock patients; expression of CD11c was reduced. GM-CSF up-regulated integrin expression and decreased L-selectin, FcgammaRII, and FcgammaRIII expression. Septic patients exhibited greater biologic activity of monocyte tissue factor than did healthy subjects. Priming monocytes with GM-CSF accelerated tissue factor activation following stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and bacterial culture supernatant. Certain parameters of monocyte function may be restored by exposure to GM-CSF. This benefit may be offset by an increase in monocyte procoagulant activity.

Adult↗