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Molecular basis of macrophage activation. Expression of the low potential cytochrome b and its reduction upon cell stimulation in activated macrophages.

The expression of the novel b-type cytochrome, which is part of the superoxide anion (O2-)-generating system in phagocytes, has been investigated in population of mouse peritoneal macrophages heterogeneous in their capability to produce O2-). Reduced minus oxidized difference spectra of intact cells showed the appearance of a b-type cytochrome with major peaks in the alpha region at 558 to 559 nm and in the gamma region at 426 to 428 nm. Resident peritoneal macrophages, as well as thioglycollate broth-elicited and Corynebacterium Parvum-activated macrophages and neutrophils expressed about 50 pmol cytochrome b/10(7) cells. In intact macrophages and neutrophils, Na-dithionite reduced greater than 75% of the cytochrome b measurable in disrupted cells. No correlation was found between capability to produce O2-) by different population of macrophages and their content of cytochrome b. When stimulated in strictly anaerobic conditions with phorbol myristic acetate, macrophages activated in vivo by i.p. injection of Corynebacterium Parvum reduced approximately 40% of their total cytochrome b. In resident peritoneal macrophages that produced five times lower amounts of O2-, cytochrome b reduction was instead undetectable. Potentiometric properties of cytochrome b was investigated in macrophage subcellular particles. Both resident and Corynebacterium Parvum-activated macrophages revealed the presence of b chromophores with very low potentials of -255 and -244 mV, respectively, whose content was not different in the two populations. These results show that resident and activated macrophages express the same amount of cytochrome b, but upon stimulation with PMA, activated macrophages recruit a higher number of cytochrome b molecules in parallel with an enhanced production of O2-.

Animals↗

Alternatively activated macrophages actively inhibit proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and CD4+ T cells in vitro.

We compared the immunological functions of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced, classically activated macrophages (caM phi) and of interleukin-4 (IL-4)- and glucocorticoid-induced, alternatively activated macrophages (aaM phi) in a human co-culture system in vitro. Proliferation of peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) or CD4+ T cells mediated by optimal doses of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or concanavalin A (Con A) was only marginally influenced by caM phi, but was strongly inhibited by aaM phi. The degree of lymphocyte proliferation sustained in the presence of caM phi was gradually reduced in a dose-dependent fashion by the addition of aaM phi. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that expression of costimulatory molecules such as CD11a, CD40, CD54, CD58, CD80 and CD86 did not vary significantly between caM phi and aaM phi and was low for CD58, CD80 and CD86. As shown by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, IL-10 was expressed in caM phi, aaM phi and control macrophages; the level of expression of IL-10 was slightly enhanced in aaM phi. Neither neutralizing anti-IL-10 antibodies, indomethacin nor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMLA) was able to reverse aaM phi-mediated inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation. Of several agents interfering with various second messenger pathways, cAMP and the Ca(2+)-ionophore A23187 inhibited differentiation of cultured human monocytes into phenotypically mature aaM phi expressing MS-1 high molecular weight protein (MS-1-HMWP) and RM 3/1 antigen, and prevented the suppressive action of aaM phi on lymphocyte proliferation. In conclusion, these results who that aaM phi actively inhibit mitogen-mediated proliferation of PBL and CD4+ T cells independently of the expression of costimulatory molecules and of IL-10, NO or prostaglandin synthesis, and that inhibition of phenotypic differentiation of aaM phi is paralleled by a lack of functional maturation. Thus, fully matured aaM phi may be functional in down-regulating CD4+ T-cell-mediated immune reactions by an as yet unknown mechanism.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Macrophage activation by trehalose dimycolate requirement for an expression signal in vitro for antitumoral activity; biochemical markers distinguishing primed and fully activated macrophages.

It was possible to define the effects of trehalose dimycolate (TDM), a glycolipid extracted from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, on mouse peritoneal macrophages more precisely using endotoxin-free culture conditions. TDM-elicited macrophages, when assayed in vitro in the absence of endotoxin, were unable to limit tumor growth; however, after a short treatment (4 h) with low doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1-10 ng/ml), they exhibited a strong cytostatic capacity against P815 mastocytoma cells. Thus, TDM injected in vivo did not activate macrophages fully but it primed them to respond in vitro to low doses of LPS, which provided the final stimulus for activation to antitumor competence. Macrophages elicited by an injection of killed group C Streptococci were also in a primed state; in contrast, thioglycollate-elicited macrophages were in a nonreceptive state. Besides LPS, concanavalin A (5 micrograms/ml), MDP (0.2-1 microgram/ml) and the ionophore A23187 (5 microM) can deliver the activation signal to TDM-primed macrophages. Primed macrophages were found to express several biochemical markers previously described as specific for activated macrophages (low levels of alkaline phosphodiesterase and beta-galactosidase, for example) and, although they were not cytotoxic for tumor cells, they had the capacity to release large amounts of H2O2. However, when pulsed by LPS or MDP, primed macrophages responded by further modifications in their metabolism: the rate of glucose consumption and the labeling of glycoproteins by D-[2-3H]mannose were greatly increased and the secretion of a polypeptide of 22 kDa was enhanced. The activation-associated biochemical markers are thus acquired in two steps. The ability to produce activated oxygen species is expressed earlier than the antitumoral activity.

Animals↗

Tumor immunity: a balancing act between T cell activation, macrophage activation and tumor-induced immune suppression.

The mouse 4T1 mammary carcinoma is a BALB/c-derived tumor that spontaneously metastasizes and induces immune suppression. Although >95% of wild type BALB/c mice die from metastatic 4T1 tumor even if the primary mammary tumor is surgically removed, >65% of BALB/c mice with a deleted Signal Transducer Activator of Transcription 6 (STAT6) gene survive post-surgery. STAT6-deficiency also confers enhanced immunity against spontaneously developing breast cancer since NeuT+/- mice that are STAT6-deficient develop mammary tumors later and survive longer than NeuT+/- mice that are STAT6-competent. Rejection of metastastic disease and survival of STAT6-deficient mice after removal of primary tumor involve three mechanisms: (1) The generation of M1 type macrophages that produce nitric oxide and are tumoricidal; (2) A decrease to normal in the elevated levels of myeloid suppressor cells that accumulate during primary tumor growth; and (3) CD8+ tumor-specific T lymphocytes. STAT6-deficient, but not wild type BALB/c, mice generate nitric oxide producing macrophages because they lack the STAT6 transcription factor which is necessary for signaling through the type 2 IL-4Ralpha complex, and which induces the production of arginase instead of nitric oxide.

Animals↗

Intracellular destruction of Leishmania tropica by macrophages activated with macrophage activating factor/interferon.

Supernatants (SN) from cloned T cell lines, lymphokine secreting tumour cell lines and mixed lymphocyte culture were analysed for their ability to induce murine peritoneal exudate cell (PEC) macrophages (M phi) parasitized with Leishmania tropica to destroy the parasite. The ability of the SN to induce parasite destruction in parasitized PEC M phi correlated with their content of macrophage activating factor/interferon. Neither granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, M phi colony stimulating factor nor interleukin 2 was required for the induction of parasiticidal activity by infected PEC M phi. Similar results were also obtained using either a different Leishmania species, Leishmania enriettii, or a second source of cells: bone marrow derived macrophages.

Animals↗

A Nuclear Receptor Atlas: macrophage activation.

Macrophage activation is an essential cellular process underlying innate immunity, enabling the body to combat bacteria and other pathogens. In addition to host defense, activated macrophages play a central role in atherogenesis, autoimmunity, and a variety of inflammatory diseases. As members of the Nuclear Receptor Signaling Atlas (NURSA) program, we employed quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to provide a comprehensive assessment of changes in expression of the 49 members of the murine nuclear receptor superfamily. In this study, we have identified a network of 28 nuclear receptors associated with the activation of bone marrow-derived macrophages by lipopolysaccharide or the prototypic cytokine interferon gamma. More than half of this network is deployed in three intricate and highly scripted temporal phases that are unique for each activator. Thus, early receptors whose expression peaks within 4 h after lipopolysaccharide exposure, such as glucocorticoid receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and neuronal growth factor 1B, are found as late rising markers of the interferon gamma cascade, occurring 16 h or later. The discovery of precise serial expression patterns reveals that macrophage activation is the product of an underlying process that impacts the genome within minutes and identifies a collection of new therapeutic targets for controlling inflammation by disruption of presumptive regulatory cascades.

Animals↗

Macrophage activation for tumor cytotoxicity: regulatory mechanisms for induction and control of cytotoxic activity.

Macrophage activation for nonspecific tumor cytotoxicity occurs after completion of a series of reactions, each of which requires the simultaneous presence of effective activation signals and competent mononuclear phagocytes. This reaction sequence can be conceptually divided into three phases: precursor differentiation, priming, and trigger reactions, The first phase involves recruitment and differentiation of immature, blood-derived mononuclear phagocytes into competent, lymphokine-responsive cells by factors generated at the site of inflammation. Complete expression of nonspecific effector function by activated macrophages occurs after two additional phases: inflammatory macrophages first respond to certain lymphokine signals and enter into a receptive or primed state in which they are not yet cytotoxic, but can then respond or be triggered by other signals to develop full functional activity. These lymphokine-priming and trigger signals form the basis of a regulatory system that sets the threshold and determines the onset of macrophage effector activity.

Animals↗

Analysis of interferon-gamma-dependent and -independent pathways of macrophage activation.

Macrophages are a cellular cornerstone of the innate immune response. The outcome of macrophage activity during development of an immune response to microbes results from macrophage activation by both organism-derived and host-derived factors. In order to more fully understand the spectrum of responses expressed by macrophages when encountering these distinct stimuli, we investigated the similarities and differences between interferon-gamma receptor (IFN-gammaR)-dependent macrophage activation and stimulation of macrophages through the Type A1 scavenger receptor (SR). We observed distinct patterns of macrophage activation depending on the nature of the ligand. IFN-gamma and the SR ligand lipotechoic acid (LTA) induced largely non-overlapping sets of genes. The use of two additional SR ligands, maleylated bovine serum albumin and the polydeoxynucleotide poly dI:dC, revealed differences within SR activation-induced gene expression. We also observed that priming with IFN-gamma resulted in an enhanced response to subsequent SR-mediated activation. These results suggest that full potentiation of macrophage activity during development of an antimicrobial immune response is achieved by activation of these cells through multiple receptors.

Animals↗

EPR demonstration of iron-nitrosyl complex formation by cytotoxic activated macrophages.

Activated macrophage cytotoxicity is characterized by loss of intracellular iron and inhibition of certain enzymes that have catalytically active nonheme-iron coordinated to sulfur. This phenomenon involves the oxidation of one of the terminal guanidino nitrogen atoms of L-arginine, which results in the production of citrulline and inorganic nitrogen oxides (NO2-, NO3-, and NO). We report here the results of an electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic study performed on cytotoxic activated macrophage (CAM) effector cells, which develop the same pattern of metabolic inhibition as their targets. Examination of activated macrophages from mice infected with Mycobacterium bovis (strain bacillus Calmette-Guérin) that were cultured in medium with lipopolysaccharide and L-arginine showed the presence of an axial signal at g = 2.039, which is similar to previously described iron-nitrosyl complexes formed from the destruction of iron-sulfur centers by nitric oxide (NO). Inhibition of the L-arginine-dependent pathway by addition of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (methyl group on a terminal guanidino nitrogen) inhibits the production of nitrite, nitrate, citrulline, and the g = 2.039 signal. Comparison of the hyperfine structure of the signal from cells treated with L-arginine with terminal guanidino nitrogen atoms of natural abundance N14 atoms or labeled with N15 atoms showed that the nitrosyl group in this paramagnetic species arises from one of these two atoms. These results show that loss of iron-containing enzyme function in CAM is a result of the formation of iron-nitrosyl complexes induced by the synthesis of nitric oxide from the oxidation of a terminal guanidino nitrogen atom of L-arginine.

Animals↗

A novel phenotype for an activated macrophage: the type 2 activated macrophage.

Activated macrophages were used as antigen presenting cells (APCs) to determine the extent to which these APCs could influence an adaptive immune response. We show that activated macrophages induced a strong polarized Th1-like T cell response that was predominated by IFN-gamma. However, when antigen was targeted to Fcgamma receptors on these macrophages, their phenotype changed, and they now induced a T cell response that was predominated by IL-4. The initial biasing by activated macrophages toward a Th1-like response was a result of activation of the innate immune response, as macrophages from MyD88(-/-) mice failed to produce Th1-inducing cytokines. The reversal of the Th1 biasing was a result of FcgammaR ligation, as macrophages lacking the FcR common gamma chain failed to reverse this biasing. To show that this biasing could occur in vivo, mice were injected with activated macrophages or activated macrophages whose FcgammaR had been ligated with an irrelevant immune complex. Mice injected with FcgammaR-ligated macrophages made more antibody than those receiving conventionally activated macrophages, and the antibody was predominantly of the IgG1 isotype. These studies demonstrate that FcgammaR ligation on activated macrophages can change the phenotype of these APCs to cells that preferentially drive a Th2-like response. We have termed these cells type 2 activated macrophages.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Inability of tumour cells to elicit the respiratory burst in cytotoxic, activated macrophages.

Activated macrophages from Corynebacterium parvum-treated mice are cytotoxic to non-antibody-coated tumour cells and have an augmented respiratory burst potential when compared to resident macrophages. We have investigated the possible involvement of the respiratory burst as an effector mechanism in this type of tumour killing. Scavengers of toxic metabolites of oxygen such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, ethanol, and cytochrome c did not inhibit macrophage cytotoxicity in this system. To investigate whether or not neoplastic cells stimulate the macrophage respiratory burst, we exposed activated macrophages to viable tumour cells and monitored macrophage superoxide anion production, chemiluminescence, and hexose monophosphate shunt activity. None of these indicators of the macrophage respiratory burst was stimulated by the tumour cells towards which the macrophages were cytotoxic. The data suggest that the macrophages burst is not utilized as an effector mechanism in the non-antibody-mediated macrophage tumour cytotoxicity reaction.

Animals↗

Dietary nucleotide effects upon murine natural killer cell activity and macrophage activation.

Weanling mice fed chow or chow plus water supplemented with 3.5 mg of nucleotides per 100 ml of water for 6 weeks exhibited increased natural killer cell (NK) activity and lower macrophage activation compared to mice fed chow plus nonsupplemented water. In a dose-response study, NK activity, macrophage activation and spleen weight (as a percentage of body weight) were higher in mice fed up to 0.035% w/w nucleotides, however macrophage activation was decreased by feeding over 0.35% w/w compared to those receiving basal purified diet (BPD). Nucleotides in human milk may affect the immune response in breast-fed infants.

Animals↗

Biochemical characterization of a tumor-associated vertebrate lectin, recognized by activated macrophages.

Activated macrophages, that display alpha-linked galactopyranosyl residues on their surface, and affinity adsorbents prepared by the covalent coupling of galactopyranoside to agarose, both adsorb two polypeptides from detergent extracts of all tumor cell lines tested. The larger polypeptide, Mr 100,000 is a cell surface component as judged by its availability to lactoperoxidase catalysed cell surface iodination. This polypeptide was found to be non-covalently associated with a smaller polypeptide, Mr 60,000, present on the inner face of the plasma membrane. Molecules with identical molecular sizes were also found to adsorb to activated macrophages from detergent extracts of chicken embryo cell membranes, suggesting an oncofetal nature for these proteins. Activated macrophages, and affinity adsorbents prepared by the covalent coupling of galactopyranoside to agarose, also bind the plant lectin, isolectin B4, prepared from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. Based on these findings, we put forth the hypothesis that macromolecules of the same specificity, that is affinity to galactopyranosyl residues, must show homologies in their binding sites. We have predicted, therefore, that antisera prepared against the plant lectin, GSI-B4(1), should cross-react with galactopyranosyl-binding vertebrate lectins present on the surface of tumor cells. We were able to generate a number of hybridomas that produce antibodies reactive with both the plant and vertebrate lectins. Inhibition experiments, employing various mono- and disaccharides, suggest that the specificities of these antibodies are for determinants intimately associated with the galactosyl binding site on the lectin molecule. These antibodies were found to have moderate selectivity for tumor cells when tested in an immunohistochemical procedure using fresh-frozen or paraffin embedded sections of human biopsy material.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Molecular interactions in macrophage activation.

Macrophage activation, broadly defined as the acquisition of competence to execute a complex function, continues to intrigue biologists, because of its fundamental importance to the host and the fascinating scientific challenges it poses. A recent meeting* emphasized the considerable progress made in this area since the topic was last considered in such a workshop. The workshop focused sharply on one aspect of the field: the molecular basis of macrophage activation, and covered the multiple, specific signals that induce and suppress activation, how these signals are transduced and thus affect macrophage behaviour and how induced function, in turn, is effected.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

A physiologic role of Bcl-xL induced in activated macrophages.

Activated macrophages produce nitric oxide (NO) that is an important effector molecule for their antimicrobial and antitumor activities. Since this NO is also toxic for themselves, they have self-defense mechanisms. To elucidate the mechanisms in a physiologic condition, expression of bcl-2 family genes were examined in peritoneal macrophages and RAW264 macrophage cell line activated with IFN-gamma and LPS. Bcl-xL, but not bcl-2 and bax mRNA, was highly inducible within 3 h after stimulation. The induction required new protein synthesis, but was independent of effects of synthesized NO. Since activated RAW264 were more resistant to NO-induced apoptosis mediated by the exposure to S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) than nonactivated RAW264, the inducible Bcl-xL may play a role in the protection from NO toxicity. To confirm the protective function, RAW264 were stably transfected with bcl-xL. Those transfectants activated with IFN-gamma and LPS appeared highly resistant to NO-induced cell death detected within 24 h after stimulation, although their NO production was similar to those of parental RAW264 and neomycin control-transfected cells. Furthermore, bcl-xL transfectants displayed substantial protection from SNAP-induced apoptosis. These results establish a link between self-defense to the synthesized NO and the induction of Bcl-xL in activated macrophages.

Animals↗