bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cultured Human Fibroblasts Express Constitutive IL-16 mRNA: Cytokine Induction of Active IL-16 Protein Synthesis Through a Caspase-3-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Sciaky Daniela , Brazer William , Center David M. , Cruikshank William W. , Smith Terry J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractHuman fibroblasts can express numerous regulatory molecules that influence immune function. IL-16, a ligand for CD4, is a chemoattractant molecule expressed by lymphocytes, eosinophils, mast cells, and lung epithelium. It appears that the sole target for IL-16 is the CD4-bearing cell. Here we demonstrate that fibroblasts from several tissues can express IL-16 mRNA and protein as well as IL-16-dependent chemoattractant activity. The transcript is expressed abundantly under basal culture conditions as a 2.5-kb band on Northern analysis, similar to that observed in lymphocytes. IL-16 protein and activity are undetectable in fibroblast cultures under these same control conditions. However, when treated with proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, they express very high levels of IL-16 protein and chemoattractant activity, a substantial component of which can be blocked with IL-16-neutralizing Abs. The amount of IL-16 protein released into the medium is 3- to 4-fold greater, on a per cell basis, than that observed in lymphocytes. The induction of IL-16 protein by IL-1β can be attenuated with specific inhibition of caspase-3, which could be detected in IL-1β-treated fibroblasts. IL-1β also induces RANTES mRNA, protein, and activity, and most of the chemoattractant activity released from fibroblasts not derived from IL-16 can be attributed to RANTES. Human fibroblasts appear to be an important source of IL-16 and through expression of this molecule may have key roles in the recruitment of CD4+ cells to sites of inflammation. IL-16 expression and the mechanism involved in its regulation appear to be cell type specific.
Regulation of the RON Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Expression in Macrophages: Blocking the RON Gene Transcription by Endotoxin-Induced Nitric Oxide
Authors: Wang Ming-Hai , Fung Hai-Lin , Chen Yi-Qing 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that activation of the RON receptor tyrosine kinase inhibits inducible NO production in murine peritoneal macrophages. The purpose of this study is to determine whether inflammatory mediators such as LPS, IFN-γ, and TNF-α regulate RON expression. Western blot analysis showed that RON expression is reduced in peritoneal macrophages collected from mice injected with a low dose of LPS. The inhibition was seen as early as 8 h after LPS challenge. Experiments in vitro also demonstrated that the levels of the RON mRNA and protein are diminished in cultured peritoneal macrophages following LPS stimulation. TNF-α plus IFN-γ abrogated macrophage RON expression, although individual cytokines had no significant effect. Because LPS and TNF-α plus IFN-γ induce NO production, we reasoned that NO might be involved in the RON inhibition. Two NO donors, S-nitroglutathione (GSNO) and (±)-S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), directly inhibited macrophage RON expression when added to the cell cultures. Blocking NO production by NO inhibitors like TGF-β prevented the LPS-mediated inhibitory effect. In Raw264.7 cells transiently transfected with a report vector, GSNO or SNAP inhibited the luciferase activities driven by the RON gene promoter. Moreover, GSNO or SNAP inhibited the macrophage-stimulating protein-induced RON phosphorylation and macrophage migration. We concluded from these data that RON expression in macrophages is regulated during inflammation. LPS and TNF-α plus IFN-γ are capable of down-regulating RON expression through induction of NO production. The inhibitory effect of NO is mediated by suppression of the RON gene promoter activities.
Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes Modulate Tissue Factor Production by Mononuclear Cells: Role of Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Cadroy Yves , Dupouy Dominique , Boneu Bernard , Plaisancié Henri 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
To determine whether polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) modulate the production of tissue factor (TF) by monocytes, PBMC were incubated with increasing concentrations of PMN. PMN did not express any procoagulant activity. After 20-h cocultures, PMN enhanced or inhibited the TF production of PBMC, and this effect depended on the PMN/PBMC ratio. When the ratio increased from 1/1000 to 1/5, without or with LPS, the TF activity of PBMC increased to peak at 2.5-fold the baseline value (p &lt; 0.01). The TF Ag and TF mRNA also increased. This potentiating effect was mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) released by PMN during the coculture; it did not require direct cell contact between PMN and PBMC, it was enhanced when PMN were stimulated by fMLP (a chemotactic peptide), and it was inhibited by two antioxidants, N-acetyl cysteine and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. In contrast, when the PMN/PBMC ratio was further increased from 1/2 to 2/1, the PBMC TF activity, Ag, and mRNA decreased and were inhibited compared with those of PBMC cultured alone (p &lt; 0.01). This inhibitory effect required direct cell contact between PMN and PBMC, and it was not due to a PMN-mediated cytotoxicity. To confirm the role of ROS, H2O2 enhanced then inhibited the TF activity of PBMC in a dose-dependent manner, similarly to PMN. Thus, PMN may play an important role in the pathogenesis of thrombosis and atherosclerosis by exerting concentration-dependent regulatory effects on the TF production by PBMC via the release of ROS.
Vav Synergizes with Protein Kinase CΘ to Mediate IL-4 Gene Expression in Response to CD28 Costimulation in T Cells
Authors: Hehner Steffen P. , Li-Weber Min , Giaisi Marco , Dröge Wulf , Krammer Peter H. , Schmitz M. Lienhard 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The secretion of IL-4, which displays many important immunoregulatory functions, is restricted to cells of the Th2 subtype. In this study, we investigated the early signaling events leading to the activation of IL-4 transcription. Vav, the protein kinase C (PKC) isoform Θ, and the adaptor protein SLP76 (SH2-domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa), induced transcription from the IL-4 promoter. Vav and PKCΘ synergistically activated human IL-4 promoter transcription and IL-4 mRNA production and were found to be constitutively associated in vivo. CD3/CD28-induced IL-4 transcription was inhibited upon coexpression of dominant negative forms of Vav, the adaptor proteins LAT (linker for activation of T cells) and SLP76, PKCΘ, and components of the pathways leading to the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7), mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3)) and NF-κB (IκB kinase α and IκB kinase β). The Vav/PKCΘ-mediated synergistic activation of IL-4 transcription was not inhibited by cyclosporin A. Three independent experimental approaches revealed that Vav/PKCΘ-derived signals selectively target the P1 and positive regulatory element (PRE)-I elements contained within the human IL-4 promoter. Vav/PKCΘ strongly activated a luciferase reporter construct controlled by trimerized P1 or PRE-I elements and furthermore stimulated DNA binding of nuclear proteins to the P1 and PRE-I elements. Vav/PKCΘ-induced transcription from the IL-4 promoter was almost completely abrogated by mutation of either the P1 or the PRE-I element within the entire IL-4 promoter.
IL-11 Activates Human Endothelial Cells to Resist Immune-Mediated Injury
Authors: Mahboubi Keyvan , Biedermann Barbara C. , Carroll Joseph M. , Pober Jordan S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIL-11, a gp130-signaling cytokine, is protective in several in vivo models of immune-mediated and inflammatory injury. HUVECs express IL-11 receptor α-chain and gp130. Human IL-11 causes rapid (2–10 min) tyrosine phosphorylation of gp130. IL-11 at 0.1 and 10 ng/ml induces tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT1, respectively, although maximal responses require 50 ng/ml. Phospho-STAT3 and phospho-STAT1 levels peak rapidly (2.5 min) and disappear by 60 min. The p42 and p44 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are phosphorylated in response to 0.3 ng/ml IL-11 with maximal activation at 30 ng/ml IL-11. Phosphorylation of p42 and p44 MAPKs, which can be prevented by a mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-related kinase kinase-1 inhibitor, peaks by 15–20 min and largely disappears by 40 min. IL-11 does not activate NF-κB nor does it inhibit NF-κB activation by TNF. Similarly, IL-11 neither induces E-selectin or ICAM-1 nor blocks induction by TNF. Although IL-11 does not alter class I MHC complex molecule expression, pretreatment with 0.5 ng/ml IL-11 partially protects HUVECs against lysis by allospecific class I MHC-restricted cytolytic T lymphocytes or by anti-class I MHC Ab plus heterologous C. IL-11-induced cytoprotection is protein synthesis dependent and may depend on mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-related kinase kinase-1. Our results indicate that low (i.e., STAT3- and MAPK-activating) concentrations of IL-11 confer resistance to immune-mediated injury in cultured HUVECs without inhibiting proinflammatory responses.
Migration of Eosinophils Across Endothelial Cell Monolayers: Interactions Among IL-5, Endothelial-Activating Cytokines, and C-C Chemokines
Authors: Shahabuddin Syed , Ponath Paul , Schleimer Robert P. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractEosinophils are the predominant cell type recruited in inflammatory reactions in response to allergen challenge. The mechanisms of selective eosinophil recruitment in allergic reactions are not fully elucidated. In this study, the ability of several C-C chemokines to induce transendothelial migration (TEM) of eosinophils in vitro was assessed. Eotaxin, eotaxin-2, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-4, and RANTES induced eosinophil TEM across unstimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in a concentration-dependent manner with the following rank order of potency: eotaxin ≈ eotaxin-2 &gt; MCP-4 ≈ RANTES. The maximal response induced by eotaxin or eotaxin-2 exceeded that of RANTES or MCP-4. Preincubation of eosinophils with anti-CCR3 Ab (7B11) completely blocked eosinophil TEM induced by eotaxin, MCP-4, and RANTES. Activation of endothelial cells with IL-1β or TNF-α induced concentration-dependent migration of eosinophils, which was enhanced synergistically in the presence of eotaxin and RANTES. Anti-CCR3 also inhibited eotaxin-induced eosinophil TEM across TNF-α-stimulated HUVEC. The ability of eosinophil-active cytokines to potentiate eosinophil TEM was assessed by investigating eotaxin or RANTES-induced eosinophil TEM across resting and IL-1β-stimulated HUVEC in the presence or absence of IL-5. The results showed synergy between IL-5 and the chemokines but not between IL-5 and the endothelial activator IL-1β. Our data suggest that eotaxin, eotaxin-2, MCP-4, and RANTES induce eosinophil TEM via CCR3 with varied potency and efficacy. Activation of HUVEC by IL-1β or TNF-α or priming of eosinophils by IL-5 both promote CCR3-dependent migration of eosinophils from the vasculature in conjunction with CCR3-active chemokines.
An Essential Role of Mast Cells in the Development of Airway Hyperresponsiveness in a Murine Asthma Model
Authors: Kobayashi Tetsuto , Miura Toru , Haba Tomoko , Sato Miyuki , Serizawa Isao , Nagai Hiroichi , Ishizaka Kimishige 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Immunization of BALB/c mice with alum-adsorbed OVA, followed by three bronchoprovocations with aerosolized OVA, resulted in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and allergic inflammation in the lung accompanied by severe infiltration of eosinophils into airways. In this murine asthma model, administration of monoclonal anti-IL-5 Ab before each Ag challenge markedly inhibited airway eosinophilia, but the treatment did not affect the development of AHR. Immunization and aerosol challenges with OVA following the same protocol failed to induce AHR in the mast cell-deficient W/Wv mice, but induced AHR in their congenic littermates, i.e., WBB6F1 (+/+) mice. No significant difference was found between the W/Wv mice and +/+ mice with respect to the IgE and IgG1 anti-OVA Ab responses and to the airway eosinophilia after Ag provocations. It was also found that reconstitution of W/Wv mice with bone marrow-derived mast cells cultured from normal littermates restored the capacity of developing Ag-induced AHR, indicating that lack of mast cells was responsible for the failure of W/Wv mice to develop Ag-induced AHR under the experimental conditions. However, the OVA-immunized W/Wv mice developed AHR by increasing the frequency and Ag dose of bronchoprovocations. The results suggested that AHR could be developed by two distinct cellular mechanisms. One would go through mast cell activation and the other is IgE/mast cell independent but an eosinophil/IL-5-dependent mechanism.
Induction of Functional IL-8 Receptors by IL-4 and IL-13 in Human Monocytes
Authors: Bonecchi Raffaella , Facchetti Fabio , Dusi Stefano , Luini Walter , Lissandrini Daniele , Simmelink Marleen , Locati Massimo , Bernasconi Sergio , Allavena Paola , Brandt Ernst , Rossi Filippo , Mantovani Alberto , Sozzani Silvano 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
IL-8 and related Glu-Leu-Arg (ELR+) CXC chemokines are potent chemoattractants for neutrophils but not for monocytes. IL-13 and IL-4 strongly increased CXCR1 and CXCR2 chemokine receptor expression in human monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The effect was receptor- and cell type-selective, in that CCRs were not increased and no augmentation was seen in neutrophils. The effect was rapid, starting at 4 h, and concentration dependent (EC50 = 6.2 and 8.3 ng/ml for CXCR1 and CXCR2, respectively) and caused by new transcriptional activity. IL-13/IL-4-treated monocytes showed increased CXCR1 and CXCR2 membrane expression. IL-8 and related ELR+ chemokines were potent and effective chemotactic agents for IL-13/IL-4-treated monocytes, but not for untreated mononuclear phagocytes, with activity comparable to that of reference monocyte attractants, such as MCP-1. In the same cells, IL-8 also caused superoxide release. Macrophages and dendritic cells present in biopsies from Omenn’s syndrome and atopic dermatitis patients, two Th2 skewed pathologies, expressed IL-8 receptors by immunohistochemistry. These results show that IL-13 and IL-4 convert IL-8 and related ELR+ chemokines, prototypic neutrophil attractants, into monocyte chemotactic agonists, by up-regulating receptor expression. Therefore, IL-8 and related chemokines may contribute to the accumulation and positioning of mononuclear phagocytes in Th2-dominated responses.
G551D Cystic Fibrosis Mice Exhibit Abnormal Regulation of Inflammation in Lungs and Macrophages
Authors: Thomas Gordon R. , Costelloe Elaine A. , Lunn Dominic P. , Stacey Katryn J. , Delaney Steven J. , Passey Robert , McGlinn Edwina C. , McMorran Brendan J. , Ahadizadeh Azita , Geczy Carolyn L. , Wainwright Brandon J. , Hume David A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe major cause of death in cystic fibrosis (CF) is chronic lung disease associated with persistent infection by the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. S100A8, an S-100 calcium-binding protein with chemotactic activity, is constitutively expressed in the lungs and serum of CF patients. Levels of S100A8 mRNA were found to be three to four times higher in the lungs of mice carrying the G551D mutation in CF transmembrane conductance regulator compared with littermate controls. Intravenous injection of bacterial LPS induced S100A8 mRNA in the lung to a greater extent in G551D mice than in wild-type littermates. Localization of S100A8 mRNA and protein in the lung indicate that it is a marker for neutrophil accumulation. Bone marrow-derived macrophages from G551D mice were shown to also exhibit hypersensitivity to LPS, measured by induction of TNF-α. These results provide evidence that the pathology of CF relates to abnormal regulation of the immune system.
Alveolar Macrophages Bind and Phagocytose Allergen- Containing Pollen Starch Granules Via C-Type Lectin and Integrin Receptors: Implications for Airway Inflammatory Disease
Authors: Currie Andrew J. , Stewart Geoffrey A. , McWilliam Andrew S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractRecent studies suggest that IgE-independent mechanisms of airway inflammation contribute significantly to the pathophysiology of allergic airway inflammatory diseases such as asthma. Such mechanisms may involve direct interactions between inhaled allergens and cells of the respiratory tract such as macrophages, dendritic cells, and epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated receptor-mediated interactions occurring between alveolar macrophages and allergen-containing pollen starch granules (PSG). We report here that PSG are released from a range of grass species and are rapidly bound and phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages. Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells also bound PSG but no internalization was observed. Phagocytosis of PSG was dependent on Mg2+ and Ca2+ and was inhibited by neo-glycoproteins such as galactose-BSA and N-acetylgalactose-BSA. Partial inhibition of phagocytosis was also seen with the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) motif and with an anti-CD18 mAb (OX42). The combination of both neo-glycoprotein and anti-CD18 achieved the greatest degree of inhibition (&gt;90%). Together, these data suggest a role for both C-type lectins and β2-integrins in the binding and internalization of PSG. The consequences of this interaction included a rapid up-regulation of inducible NO synthase mRNA and subsequent release of NO by alveolar macrophages. Thus, receptor-mediated recognition of inhaled allergenic particles by alveolar macrophages may represent a potential mechanism for modulating the inflammatory response associated with allergic airway diseases such as asthma.
Granuloctye-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor as an Autocrine Survival Factor for Mature Normal and Malignant B Lymphocytes
Authors: Harris Robert J. , Pettitt Andrew R. , Schmutz Caroline , Sherrington Paul D. , Zuzel Mirko , Cawley John C. , Griffiths Stephen D. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The role of GM-CSF in B cell (patho)physiology is unclear. Although B cells can respond to GM-CSF, there is controversy concerning the extent to which various resting and activated B cell types can themselves produce this cytokine, and the possibility that it can function in an autocrine fashion has not previously been considered. The aim of the present study was to address these issues using hairy cells (HCs) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, two intrinsically activated mature malignant B cell types (with activation being more uniform and more pronounced in HCs). Normal B cells were used for comparison. Using a number of techniques, we demonstrated the constitutive production of GM-CSF by all three cell types and showed that the cytokine was biologically active. GM-CSF mRNA and protein were increased after cell activation by PMA, and constitutive production of the cytokine was highest in HCs, suggesting that the level of GM-CSF production is influenced by cell activation. Because GM-CSF is known to be antiapoptotic for myeloid cells, we used blocking anti-GM-CSF Abs to examine the contribution of autocrinely produced cytokine to cell survival. The Abs produced marked reduction in the in vitro survival of HCs, chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, and normal B cells by promoting apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that, in combination with other known rescue factors, autocrinely produced GM-CSF may contribute to normal and malignant B cell survival in vivo.
Activation of the IL-4 STAT Pathway in Rheumatoid Synovium
Authors: Müller-Ladner Ulf , Judex Martin , Ballhorn Wibke , Kullmann Frank , Distler Oliver , Schlottmann Klaus , Gay Renate E. , Schölmerich Jürgen , Gay Steffen 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
STATs act as second messenger after binding of a signaling molecule to its receptor. IL-4 STAT is directly involved in the IL-4-dependent gene transcription in the nucleus. We examined the expression and activation of IL-4 STAT and its related kinase Jak-1 in rheumatoid synovium. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial frozen sections of patients with short-term (&lt;1 year) and long-term disease (&gt;2 years) were examined using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. IL-4 STAT mRNA could be detected in synovium of patients with short-term and long-term RA. The most intensive expression of IL-4 STAT mRNA could be seen in follicular inflammatory infiltrates. In the synovial lining, both fibroblasts and macrophages expressed IL-4 STAT mRNA. IL-4 STAT and Jak-1 protein was expressed by synoviocytes, and up-regulation could be induced after stimulation with IL-4. Activation of IL-4 STAT was reflected by phosphorylation of IL-4 STAT. The results indicate that IL-4 STAT is involved in key pathomechanisms in RA synovium and that IL-4 STAT-dependent pathways operate in early and late stages of the disease and presumably contribute to inhibitory immune mechanisms in RA synovium.
Tumor-Specific CD4+ T Lymphocytes from Cancer Patients Are Required for Optimal Induction of Cytotoxic T Cells Against the Autologous Tumor
Authors: Baxevanis Constantin N. , Voutsas Ioannis F. , Tsitsilonis Ourania E. , Gritzapis Angelos D. , Sotiriadou Roula , Papamichail Michael 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
This study focuses on the specific CD4+ T cell requirement for optimal induction of cytotoxicity against MHC class II negative autologous tumors (AuTu) collected from patients with various types of cancer at advanced stages. CD4+ T cells were induced in cultures of cancer patients’ malignant effusion-associated mononuclear cells with irradiated AuTu (mixed lymphocyte tumor cultures (MLTC)) in the presence of recombinant IL-2 and recombinant IL-7. Tumor-specific CD4+ T cells did not directly recognize the AuTu cells, but there was an MHC class II-restricted cross-priming by autologous dendritic cells (DCs), used as APC. CD8+ CTL, also induced during the MLTC, lysed specifically AuTu cells or DCs pulsed with AuTu peptide extracts (acid wash extracts (AWE)) in an MHC class I-restricted manner. Removal of CD4+ T cells or DCs from the MLTC drastically reduced the CD8+ CTL-mediated cytotoxic response against the AuTu. AWE-pulsed DCs preincubated with autologous CD4+ T cells were able, in the absence of CD4+ T cells, to stimulate CD8+ T cells to lyse autologous tumor targets. Such activated CD8+ T cells produced IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and GM-CSF. The process of the activation of AWE-pulsed DCs by CD4+ T cells could be inhibited with anti-CD40 ligand mAb. Moreover, the role of CD4+ T cells in activating AWE-pulsed DCs was undertaken by anti-CD40 mAb. Our data demonstrate for the first time in patients with metastatic cancer the essential role of CD4+ Th cell-activated DCs for optimal CD8+ T cell-mediated killing of autologous tumors and provide the basis for the design of novel protocols in cellular adoptive immunotherapy of cancer, utilizing synthetic peptides capable of inducing T cell help in vivo.