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Attack of sea urchin eggs by dogfish phagocytes: model of phagocyte-mediated cellular cytotoxicity.

To test whether lysosomal degranulation of phagocytes is associated with antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, eggs of Arbacia punctulata were used as targets for blood phagocytes of Mustelus canis. Eggs were coated with heat-aggregated dogfish IgM and exposed to phagocytes, and cytolysis of eggs was observed by Nomarski optics. Phagocytes adhered, degranulated, and raised fertilization membranes resembling those induced by sperm or ionophore A23187. Lysis was then observed as damage radiating from the point of phagocyte-egg contact. By 4 hr, coated eggs exposed to phagocytes released 8.9, 12.3, and 7.4% of total catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31), and superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) into the medium. Cytotoxic enzyme release significantly exceeded that from uncoated eggs incubated with phagocytes or eggs alone (uncoated or coated). Because activated eggs release a neutral protease, it was considered possible that this enzyme might be responsible for autolysis of eggs. This possibility was excluded because (i) lysis of eggs was not inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) whereas the egg protease was sensitive to SBTI, and (ii) the major trypsin-like activity of phagocytes was not inhibited by SBTI. These experiments demonstrate that Ig-coated cells are first activated, and then killed, when exposed to degranulating phagocytes and suggest that enzymes from attacking phagocytes, and not target cells, are responsible for cell death.

Animals

Age-dependent resistance of chickens to salmonella in vitro: phagocytic and bactericidal activities of splenic phagocytes.

The phagocytic and bactericidal activities to Salmonella pullorum (strain 9-25) or Salmonella senftenberg (strain 99D) were examined in chicken splenic phagocytes from 0-day-old to 2-month-old chickens. The phagocytic activity against S pullorum increased in splenic phagocytes from chickens older than 7 days, but significant changes in activity against S senftenberg were not observed during the experimental period. The bactericidal activity of splenic phagocytes against S senftenberg was higher than that of phagocytes against S pullorum during the same period. Increase of the bactericidal activity against S pullorum was observed with increasing age, but the activity of the splenic phagocytes from 0-day-old chickens against S senftenberg was similar to that of the phagocytes from 2-month-old chickens. Although delayed hypersensitivity was confirmed by delayed wattle reaction in 2-month-old chickens sensitized with living S pullorum, the sensitization did not markedly affect phagocytic and bactericidal activities.

Age Factors

Characteristics of the effector cells mediating cytotoxicity against antibody-coated target cells. I. Phagocytic and non-phagocytic effector cell activity against erythrocyte and tumour target cells in a 51Cr release cytotoxicity assay and [125I]IUdR growth inhibition assay.

Both phagocytic and non-phagocytic effector cells were able to kill rabbit antibody-coated chicken erythrocytes (CRBC) while only non-phagocytic effector cells were active against alloantibody-coated SL2 lymphoma. In addition to the variation in susceptibility of erythrocyte and tumour target cells to various effector cell populations, it was found that different tumour cells can vary markedly in their ability to be killed by non-immune spleen cells in the presence of antibody. It is postulated that both the type of antibody and certain characteristics of the cell membrane are important in determining whether target cells are susceptible to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity detected by the 51Cr release assay. It was also demonstrated that alloantibody-coated P-815-Y mastocytoma, which showed very little evidence of cytotoxicity in the 51Cr release assay, was markedly inhibited in its ability to incorporate [125I]IUdR after incubation with antiserum and non-immune spleen cells. This growth inhibition in the absence of cytotoxicity, or cytostasis, is discussed in relation to the potential mechanisms of target cell damage, and in the light of recent observations (Plata, Gomard, LeClerc and Levy, 1974; Newlands and Roitt, 1975) that cytotoxicity and growth inhibition assays detect different effector cell populations in tumour-bearing animals.

Animals

Identification and characterization of the monoblast in mononuclear phagocyte colonies grown in vitro.

A liquid culture technique for growing mononuclear phagocyte colonies on a glass surface is described. This useful and reliable technique made it possible to study immature mononuclear phagocytes. In the mononuclear phagocyte colonies the cells grow separate from each other in a single layer. Three types of cells are recognized in these colonies, namely nondividing macrophages, and proliferating promonocytes and monoblasts. The macrophage and the promonocyte exhibit the typical characteristics previously demonstrated by the other methods, whereas the monoblast could only be fully characterized by the present liquid culture method. This proliferating cell (labeling index with [3H]thymidine, 92-96%) is almost round (diameters, 10 X 10 mum), has only a small rim of strongly basophilic cytoplasm, almost devoid of granules, and shows a certain degree of ruffling of the cell surface. The monoblast is positive for esterase with alpha-naphthyl butyrate as substrate (91%), for peroxidase (78% in the peroxidase-positive colonies), and lysozyme (43%). The monoblast is able to pinocytize dextran sulphate (15-20%) and to phagocytize opsonized bacteria (20-30%), latex particles (47%), and IgG-coated red cells (96%). IgG receptors (94%) and complement receptors (16%) are present at the cell surface. In these respects the monoblast has the typical characteristics of the mononuclear phagocytes, but its properties show it to be a more immature cell type than the promonocyte. On the basis of these criteria and the sequence of appearance of the different cell types during incubation and during the development of the individual mononuclear phagocyte colony, monoblasts being present before promonocytes appear in the colony, it is concluded that the monoblast is the precursor of the promonocyte. In these cultures granulocyte colonies are also formed, consisting of myeloblasts, (pro)myelocytes, stabs, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Besides the typically tight structure of this kind of colony, the granulocytic cells themselves are quite distinct from the mononuclear phagocytes by their morphology, cytochemical characteristics (e.g. all negative for esterase with alpha-naphthyl butyrate, but 96% positive with N-acetyl DL-alanyl 1-naphthylester), functional characteristics (pinocytic index 13-21%; phagocytic index; for opsonized bacteria 15-36%, for latex particles 10%, and for IgG-coated red cells 0%), and their very small number of IgG receptors and lack of complement receptors. On the basis of these criteria, these granulocytic cells are easily distinguished from the immature cells of the mononuclear phagocyte colonies. The present study confirms the conclusion that the mononuclear phagocytes are a separate cell line, quite distinct from the granulocytic series, since even the most immature cells so far identified--the monoblast and the myeloblast--have quite different characteristics.

Acid Phosphatase

The intracellular survival and growth of gonococci in human phagocytes.

In reassessment of previous tests for intracellular survival, results have been confirmed and additional evidence obtained indicating that some gonococci can survive and multiply in human phagocytes. Use was made of the ability of penicillin to penetrate phagocytes and to kill only actively growing organisms. In microscopic counts on 33 urethral exudate smears, an average of 49% of gonococci were associated with polymorphonuclear phagocytes. The organisms were unevenly distributed amongst the phagocytes, with most cells uninfected and some containing large numbers. Many phagocytes also remained uninfected in tests in vitro with low gonococcal inocula although experiments with large inocula showed that most phagocytes could ingest gonococci. It is proposed that ingestion of one gonococcus may stimulate the phagocytes to take up more. Phagocytes were killed and disintegrated after ingesting large numbers of gonococci and similar effect in vivo may be responsible for the large clumps of organisms seen in urethral exudate. These results underline the probable importance in the pathogenesis of gonorrhoea of intracellular survival in phagocytes.

Blood Bactericidal Activity

Influence of involution on intramammary phagocytic defense mechanisms.

Mammary secretions (n = 34 cows) and mammary phagocytes (n = 18 cows) were collected throughout the nonlactating (dry) period to determine changes in intramammary phagocytic defense mechanisms. Mammary secretions were evaluated for their ability to support phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by neutrophils from donor cows and mammary phagocytes for phagocytic and chemiluminescence activity. Ability of secretions to support phagocytosis decreased with advancing length of the dry period. This effect was more pronounced when dry cow secretions constituted 50% of the phagocytic mixture. Phagocytic activity of mammary phagocytes decreased with advancing dry period when autologous secretion was used in the incubation mixture. With homologous secretion, the percentage of phagocytosis increased 5 to 6 d after drying off compared with before drying off and then gradually decreased throughout the remainder of the dry period. Chemiluminescence activity (log10 counts per minute) of mammary phagocytes was lower during the dry period and decreased with advancing dry period. Results indicated diminishing ability of secretions to support phagocytosis and diminished phagocytic and bactericidal mechanisms during the dry period.

Animals

Phagocytes, lipid-removal and regression of atheroma.

Reticuloendothelial (RE) phagocytes (macrophages and histiocytes) can be distinguished from locally-derived lipid-containing cells (e.g., arterial smooth muscle) or locally derived phagocytes (e.g., Schwann cells and microglia) by the demonstration of a diffuse catalase reaction in a proportion of these RE cells with a short incubation modification of the Novikoff-Golfischer diaminobenzidine histochemical methods. Even though only a proportion of an RE population is catalase-positive, the results accord with the majority of current opinion that most of the cells in atherosclerotic lesions are derived locally, whereas the phagocytes in lipid implants and xanthomas are of RE origin. The phagocytes in the peripheral nerve undergoing Wallerian degeneration appear to be of mixed RE and endogenous origin, whereas microglia around multiple sclerosis plaques seem to be derived locally. Lipid in lesions with RE phagocytes (subcutaneous lipid implants and xanthomas) is relatively rapidly resorbed, whereas lipid in lesions with few RE phagocytes (atherosclerosis) or phagocytes of endogenous origin (CNS degeneration) is more slowly resorbed or partly retained within the tissue. Wallerian degeneration in the peripheral nerve, with its mixed population of RE and endogenous phagocytes, occupies an intermediate position in the speed of lipid removal.

Adult

Leukocyte phagocytic function and dysfunction.

Although some species of bacteria are killed in vitro by humoral factors in cell-free serum, the in vivo experience with leukopenic patients illustrates the critical role played by phagocytic leukocytes in host resistance to infection. Effective ingestion and killing of micro-organisms requires the sequential and integrated function of the elements of the phagocytic system. Each step in the phagocytic process is also a potential crack in the armor of host defense, and an increasing number of clinically significant disorders of phagocytic function are being recognized and described (5). The phagocytic leukocytes are equipped with a variety of intracellular microbicidal mechanisms which provide a degree of overkill capacity and allow these cells to meet the challenges posed by the many and varied microbial transfressors. Undoubtedly, other phagocytic disorders will be discovered and other important aspects of the intraleukocyte killing mechanisms will be elucidated. For instance, little is known about the function of leukocytes within the relatively hypoxic environment of injured tissue where so many bacterial infections begin. As our understanding of phagocytic function develops, new ways may be found to augment host resistance by preservation or stimulation of the phagocytes.

Animals

The role of superoxide anion generation in phagocytic bactericidal activity. Studies with normal and chronic granulomatous disease leukocytes.

The capacity of human phagocytes to generate superoxide anion (O2-), a free radical of oxygen, and a possible role for this radical or its derivatives in the killing of phagocytized bacteria were explored using leukocytes from normal individuals and patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Superoxide dismutase, which removes O2-, consistently inhibited phagocytosis-associated nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction indicating the involvement of O2- in this process. Similarly, superoxide dismutase inhibited the luminescence that occurs with phagocytosis, implicating O2- in this phenomenon, perhaps through its spontaneous dismutation into singlet oxygen. Subcellular fractions from homogenates of both normal and CGD leukocytes generated O2- effectively in the presence of NADH as substrate. However, O2- generation by intact cells during phagocytosis was markedly diminished in nine patients with CGD. Leukocytes from mothers determined to be carriers of X-linked recessive CGD by intermediate phagocytic reduction of NBT elaborated O2- to an intermediate extent, further demonstrating the interrelationship between NBT reduction and O2- generation in phagocytizing cells. Activity of superoxide dismutase, the enzyme responsible for protecting the cell from the damaging effects of O2-, was approximately equal in homogenates of normal and CGD granulocytes. Polyacrylamide electrophoresis separated this activity into a minor band that appeared to be the manganese-containing superoxide dismutase associated with mitochondria and a more concentrated, cyanide-sensitive, cytosol form of the enzyme with electrophoretic mobility that corresponded to that of erythrocyte cuprozinc superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase inhibited the phagocytic killing of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus viridans. A similar inhibitory effect was noted with catalase which removes hydrogen peroxide. Neither enzyme inhibited the ingestion of bacteria. Peroxide and O2- are believed to interact to generate the potent oxidant, hydroxyl radical (.OH). A requirement for .OH in the phagocytic bactericidal event might explain the apparent requirement for both O2- and H2O2 for such activity. In agreement with this possibility, benzoate and mannitol, scavengers of .OH, inhibited phagocytic bactericidal activity. Generation of singlet oxygen from O2- and .OH also might explain these findings. It would seem clear from these and other studies that the granulo cyte elaborates O2- as a concomitant of the respiratory burst that occurs with phagocytosis. To what extent the energy inherent in O2- is translated into microbialdeath through O2- itself, hydrogen peroxide, .OH, singlet oxygen, or some other agent remains to be clearly defined.

Catalase

Inhibition by glucocorticoids and choleragen of the conditional growth of poorly adherent mononuclear phagocytes of newborn hamster liver and lung (hormonal control of macrophage growth).

Conditions for in vitro growth of mononuclear phagocytes from newborn hamster liver and lung were studied. In the primary cultures of liver and lung, round cells outgrew and frequently floated off into the culture medium. They were separated from fibroblast-like cells adherent to plastic by collecting the medium. The round cells were identified as mononuclear phagocytes on the criteria of phagocytic capacity of heat-killed bacteria and IgG-coated erythrocytes, fine cell structure and cytochemistry. The phagocytes that had not been activated previously proliferated for about ten generations in F12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum depending on a growth factor produced by hamster brain, liver or lung cells. Without the factor, the cells quickly cytolysed. Mononuclear phagocytes from blood had the same characteristics of growth and cytochemistry, but had fewer IgG receptors at the cell surface than similar cells from the liver and lung. The effects of a variety of chemical compounds on the growth of the liver and lung cells were studied. Insulin stimulated their growth by 20-30%, but was not replaceable for the growth factor. Glucocorticoids, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone, inhibited the growth of the phagocytes at the physiological concentrations: 3 x 10(-9) M and 2 x 10(-8) M for 50% inhibition, respectively. Indomethacin, non-steroid anti-inflammatory reagent, at 10(-8) M to 10(-6) M gave no effect. Choleragen that increases the intracellular cyclic AMP level, inhibited the growth at a concentration as low as 5 pg/ml. These data suggest that the growth of mononuclear phagocytes is controlled not only by a growth factor produced by other cells but also by glucocorticoids.

Animals

Effect of Aeromonas hydrophila enterotoxins on function of mouse phagocytes.

Two enterotoxins produced by Aeromonas hydrophila isolate SSU have been characterized in this laboratory. One is a cholera toxin cross-reactive cytolytic enterotoxin (CTC toxin) and the other is a non-cholera toxin cross-reactive cytotonic enterotoxin (non-CTC toxin). The two enterotoxins are capable of causing fluid accumulation in animal models; however, only the CTC toxin is lethal to mice and expresses hemolytic as well as cytotoxic activities. In this study, we have investigated the effects of these two toxins on mouse phagocytes. Four hours after intraperitoneal injection of a sublethal dose (460 micrograms/kg of body weight) of CTC toxin, the chemiluminescence (CL) response of phagocytes in mouse blood was depressed significantly when compared with that observed for controls (intraperitoneal injection of only Hanks' balance salt solution, non-CTC toxin or before treatment with CTC toxin). When fresh whole blood was incubated with various concentrations (2.3, 11.5, 23, 230, 2300 ng/ml) of CTC toxin for 1.5 hr at 37 degrees C, the CL response of blood phagocytes was reduced strikingly in a dose-dependent fashion; however, non-CTC toxin did not inhibit the CL response. The inhibitory effect induced by CTC toxin of the phagocytic function not only was abolished completely, but phagocytosis was enhanced in the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In addition, IFN-gamma alone induced the largest enhancement of the CL response in mouse phagocytes. These results demonstrated that CTC toxin inhibits the phagocytic ability of phagocytes either in vivo or in vitro and that IFN-gamma pretreatment can overcome this toxic effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aeromonas hydrophila

Inhibitors of membrane transport reduce lysosomal enzyme secretion from dogfish phagocytes and their killing of sea urchin eggs.

Blood phagocytes of the dogfish Mustelus canis attack oocytes of the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata, first provoking a surrogate fertilization response and then killing the eggs. To test the hypothesis that secretion of lysosomal contents is critical in this model of phagocyte-mediated cell injury, we studied effects of agents that modify lysosomal enzyme secretion. Inhibitors of membrane transport (>0.1 mM) inhibited postphagocytic secretion of lysosomal beta-glucuronidase from dogfish phagocytes: phloretin > ethacrynate > furosemide > 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid >> pyridoxal phosphate > ouabain. The same order of activity was found for inhibition by these agents of killing of Arbacia eggs by phagocytes. Cell activation (fertilization response) and cytotoxicity were quantitated both morphologically and by measurements of enzyme (beta-glucuronidase, catalase) release. The agents neither inhibited fertilization responses of eggs to calcium ionophore A23187 nor impaired their viability. Vital staining demonstrated that ethacrynate prevented phagocytes from degranulating upon contact with zymosan particles. The data not only suggest that agents primarily known for their capacity to inhibit membrane transport systems can inhibit lysosomal enzyme secretion from phagocytes but also support the hypothesis that secretion of lysosomal contents mediates activation and killing of target cells in phagocyte-mediated tissue injury.

Animals

Alterations in the morphology and functional activity of bone marrow phagocytes following benzene treatment of mice.

Benzene is a well-established hematotoxin that affects developing leukocytes and erythrocytes as well as bone marrow stromal cells. In the present studies we analyzed the effects of benzene on the morphology and functional activity of bone marrow phagocytes. Male Balb/c mice were treated with benzene (660 mg/kg) once per day for 3 days. Bone marrow cells were then isolated and fractionated by density gradient centrifugation. Using highly sensitive techniques in flow cytometry/cell sorting, we found that we could separate three distinct populations of bone marrow cells that differed with respect to size and density. Monoclonal antibody binding and cell sorting revealed a large, dense population that consisted predominantly of granulocytes, a smaller, less dense population of lymphocytes, and a population of intermediate size and density consisting of mononuclear phagocytes and precursor cells. Differential staining of sorted mononuclear phagocytes revealed that benzene treatment of mice caused a marked increase in the number of mature, morphologically activated macrophages in the bone marrow. Benzene treatment of mice also resulted in enhanced chemotaxis and production of hydrogen peroxide by bone marrow granulocytes and mononuclear phagocytes. In contrast, treatment of mice with the combination of hydroquinone and phenol (50 mg/kg each, 1 x/day, 3 days), two metabolites of benzene, resulted in a significant (p < or = 0.02) depression of granulocyte chemotaxis and had no effect on hydrogen peroxide production by bone marrow phagocytes compared to cells from control animals. Taken together these results demonstrate that benzene causes increased differentiation and/or activation of phagocytes in the bone marrow.

Animals

Phagocytosis and hydrogen peroxide production by phagocytes of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus.

Phagocytosis of erythrocytes by phagocytes from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus can occur in vitro, and is enhanced by opsonization with the coelomic fluid. This opsonic activity of coelomic fluid can be elevated over a 5-day period by injecting erythrocytes into the coelom. Phagocytes produce hydrogen peroxide during both resting and stimulated states. This result on hydrogen peroxide production is the first to be observed in echinoderms. During the stimulated state, phagocytes produce more hydrogen peroxide than resting phagocytes. However, hydrogen peroxide production by phagocytes is not affected by opsonic activity of the coelomic fluid. Phagocytes share similar functional properties with vertebrate macrophages and granulocytes.

Animals

Killing of Escherichia coli by mononuclear phagocytes and neutrophils stimulated in vitro with beta-1,3-D-polyglucose derivatives.

Human monocytes, human peritoneal macrophages, mouse peritoneal macrophages and human peripheral neutrophils pretreated with beta-1,3-D-polyglucose derivatives showed pronounced bactericidal capacity to Escherichia coli compared to control cells. The increased bactericidal capacity was detectable in mononuclear phagocytes over a wide range of concentrations of bacteria. Granulocytes, however, showed bactericidal capacity only at low concentrations of bacteria. The pretreated mononuclear phagocytes released significant amounts of IL-1 and PGE2. However, there was no significant release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). By incubating unstimulated cells with purified IL-1 and TNF, the bactericidal activity of neutrophils and mononuclear phagocytes was enhanced. Our data indicate that the inability of neutrophils stimulated with beta-1,3-D-polyglucose derivatives to kill large numbers of bacteria could be overcome by a combined treatment with purified IL-1 or TNF in addition to beta-1,3-D-polyglucose derivatives. By incubating unstimulated cells with medium from beta-1,3-D-polyglucose-treated human peritoneal macrophages, the bactericidal activity of the cells was enhanced to the same extent as cells pretreated with purified TNF and IL-1. Cells incubated with IL-1-depleted medium from beta-1,3-D-polyglucose-treated human peritoneal macrophages, showed reduced bactericidal activity compared to cells incubated with undepleted medium. These studies demonstrate that beta-1,3-D-polyglucose-treated mononuclear phagocytes and neutrophils show enhanced bactericidal activity. The enhanced activity is partly caused by stimulation of the cells with IL-1 released from mononuclear phagocytes and partly by other unknown effects of beta-1,3-D-polyglucose derivatives on both mononuclear phagocytes and neutrophils.

Animals