Immune responses to Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa antigens in cystic fibrosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is well documented. Aspergillus fumigatus is the causative agent of ABPA, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa particularly the mucoid variety has been frequently isolated from the sputum of patients with CF. This study investigates the cellular and humoral immune response to both A fumigatus and P aeruginosa antigens in patients with CF and ABPA (CF/ABPA), CF only, and healthy controls. The A fumigatus and P aeruginosa antigen specific IgE and IgG in sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatants (PBMC sups), lymphoproliferation to antigens, and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were measured. Results indicate significant elevated levels of A fumigatus specific IgG (A fumigatus-IgG) and Paeruginosa-IgE in serum. Significant Paeruginosa-IgG was measured in PBMC sups. The concanavalin A nonbinding A fumigatus antigen, previously shown to induce specific T-cell responses in vitro in patients with ABPA, elicited significant lymphoproliferative response in a greater proportion of patients with CF/ABPA and not in CF or controls, underlining the importance of this antigen in the diagnosis of ABPA. In contrast, a greater proportion of the CF group responded to P aeruginosa antigens compared with the controls and CF/ABPA. Hence, the CF and CF/ABPA groups respond to both P aeruginosa and A fumigatus antigens with the former group responding strongly to P aeruginosa and the latter to A fumigatus antigens.

Cholesterol synthesis inhibitors inhibit more than cholesterol synthesis.

The beneficial effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in models of progressive glomerular injury may not all be due to reductions in circulating lipoproteins and decreases in glomerular lipoprotein deposition. Indeed, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may have direct effects on glomerular mesangial cells that could explain the amelioration of renal injury. Specifically, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors block the synthesis of isoprenoids that are necessary for mesangial cell proliferation and other important cell functions. Thus, protein isoprenylation may play a critical role in the pathogenesis and treatment of lipid-induced glomerular injury.

Inhibition of human mononuclear cell proliferation, interleukin synthesis, mRNA for IL-2, IL-6, and leukotriene B4 synthesis by a lipoxygenase inhibitor.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured in vitro with various stimuli and in the presence or absence of a 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor, A-63162, to measure its effects on PBMC proliferation, interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression, interleukin-2 (IL-2) synthesis, interleukin-6 (IL-6) synthesis, and accumulation of messenger RNA for IL-2 or IL-6. A-63162 inhibited PBMC proliferation stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus A23187, IL-2 receptor expression stimulated by PHA, and IL-2 or IL-6 synthesis induced by PHA plus PMA or PMA plus A23187. At the same concentration, A-63162 inhibited accumulation of mRNA for IL-2 or IL-6 and also inhibited leukotriene B4 (LTB4) synthesis. Our data indicate that the 5-LO inhibitor A-63162 has immunosuppressive activity that may be due to inhibition of LTB4 production or to direct inhibitory actions of A-63162 on IL-2 and IL-6 synthesis.

Inhibition of bovine mononuclear cell proliferation, interleukin-2 synthesis, protein-tyrosine kinase and leukotriene B4 production by a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein.

Genistein, an isoflavanoid compound, a selective inhibitor of protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK), inhibited PHA-stimulated bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation (PBMC), interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, phosphorylation of PTK p56lck. Further, genistein also inhibited leukotriene B4 production from A-23187 stimulated cultures. Our data suggest that the PTK plays an important role in the signal transduction of bovine PBMC proliferation.

The mevalonate pathway: importance in mesangial cell biology and glomerular disease.

Products of intracellular mevalonate metabolism are critical for the growth and proliferation of eukaryotic cells. These products include cholesterol and several nonsterol isoprenoids. The isoprenoid farnesyl is a particularly important intermediate in the mevalonate pathway. Farnesyl can be used to synthesize cholesterol and can also bind covalently to several low molecular mass GTP-binding proteins such as p21 ras. Farnesylated p21 ras may be critical for mitogenic signalling stimulated by growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor. Inhibitors of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, such as lovastatin and compactin, block the production of mevalonate and its metabolites. These agents have been shown to inhibit proliferation of many cell types. Recently we demonstrated that lovastatin inhibited proliferation of cultured glomerular mesangial cells. Lovastatin inhibition was overcome by the simultaneous addition of either mevalonate or farnesol, but not by exogenous low density lipoprotein cholesterol. These results suggested that farnesyl is critical for mesangial cell proliferation. In several experimental models of renal disease, chronic lovastatin administration reduced the extent of glomerular injury. The beneficial effects of lovastatin have been attributed to lowering of circulating lipid and lipoprotein levels. In view of recent data, however, it is possible that lovastatin may act to reduce glomerular injury, at least in part, through a direct action on mesangial cell proliferation.

Lovastatin inhibits proliferation of rat mesangial cells.

Products of intracellular mevalonate metabolism are essential for cell growth and proliferation. Lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, blocks the formation of mevalonate and its metabolites, and has been shown to inhibit proliferation of several cell types. In vivo, lovastatin has reduced mesangial cellularity and glomerular injury in experimental renal disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of lovastatin on DNA replication and proliferation in rat glomerular mesangial cells. Growth-arrested mesangial cells were exposed to medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum to stimulate mitogenesis. Lovastatin (1-20 microM) caused a significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent reduction in DNA synthesis ([3H]thymidine incorporation) which was completely prevented in the presence of exogenous mevalonate (100 microM). Lovastatin (1 microM) inhibited cell proliferation by 90% over a 5-d period, and this was largely overcome by added mevalonate. Exogenous low density lipoprotein (100 micrograms/ml) did not prevent lovastatin inhibition of DNA synthesis. The isoprenoid end product isopentenyl adenine (5 or 50 microM) had little effect on DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in lovastatin-blocked cells. By contrast, the isoprenoid farnesol (5 microM) largely prevented lovastatin inhibition of DNA synthesis. We conclude that mevalonate metabolism is essential for mesangial cell proliferation, possibly through the production of the isoprenoid farnesol. Moreover, the action of lovastatin to reduce experimental glomerular injury may involve a direct effect on mesangial cells.

Inhibition of equine mononuclear cell proliferation and leukotriene B4 synthesis by a specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, A-63162.

The lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid have an important role in lymphocyte activation. We used a specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, A-63162, to examine the role of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) in equine blood mononuclear cell (BMC) proliferation and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) synthesis after stimulation with mitogen (phytohemagglutinin, PHA) or calcium ionophore (A23187). The A-63162 inhibited PHA-induced equine BMC proliferation and, at the same concentration, also inhibited A23187-induced LTB4 synthesis. The presence of exogenous interleukin 2 (IL-2) or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, failed to reverse the immunosuppression caused by A-63162. Further, we found that A-63162, at the concentration that inhibited BMC proliferation and LTB4 synthesis, had no effect on BMC viability. The addition of the specific protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7, did not inhibit A23187-induced LTB4 synthesis. Results indicate that 5-lipoxygenase metabolites may have an important role in equine lymphocyte activation and that protein kinase C has no role in regulating LTB4 production after A23187 stimulation.

In vitro inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase metabolite, leukotriene B4, in bovine mononuclear cells by bovine viral diarrhea virus.

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus inhibited phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-, PHA plus phorbol-12-myristate-13 acetate (PMA)- or PHA plus calcium ionophore (A23187)-stimulated bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation. Further, BVD-virus inhibited A23187-stimulated leukotriene B4 (LTB4) synthesis into the culture supernatants. Presence of exogenous LTB4 failed to reverse the BVD virus-induced immunosuppression. Our results suggest that BVD virus-induced immunosuppression is due to a factor that may be necessary to induce LTB4 synthesis for normal mononuclear cell proliferation.

Genistein, a selective protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits interleukin-2 and leukotriene B4 production from human mononuclear cells.

In this study, genistein, a selective protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, inhibited peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and interleukin-2 production from cultures that were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187, or PHA plus PMA, and genistein effectively blocked the PHA plus IL-2-induced PBMC proliferation. Further, we also found that genistein inhibited LTB4 production from A23187-stimulated cultures whereas H-7, a PKC inhibitor, had no effect on LTB4 production. Our results suggest that PTK may be necessary for the synthesis of LTB4.

Evidence that genistein, a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits CD28 monoclonal-antibody-stimulated human T cell proliferation.

In the present investigation, we compared the immunosuppressive effects of genistein and CsA on anti-CD28 stimulated human T cell proliferation, IL-2 production, and IL-2R expression. Genistein, an isoflavanoid compound, is a specific protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor and inhibited the PMA plus anti-CD28 stimulated T cell proliferation. In contrast, proliferation of T cells stimulated with PMA plus anti-CD28 is resistant to the inhibitory effects of CsA. Similar results were obtained with IL-2 synthesis and IL-2R expression. PHA plus anti-CD28 or PMA plus anti-CD28-induced IL-2 synthesis was inhibited by genistein, and CsA, though it inhibited the PHA plus PMA-stimulated IL-2 synthesis, failed to have any effect on PMA plus anti-CD28-induced IL-2 synthesis. Genistein at the concentration that inhibited T cell proliferation and IL-2 synthesis also showed significant inhibitory effects on PMA plus anti-CD28 stimulated IL-2R expression while CsA had no effect on IL-2R from these cultures. Our data suggest that genistein is a powerful immunosuppressive agent, with no toxic effects on T cells, and has the potential for use in the prophylaxis and treatment of allograft rejection. Since genistein blocks the CsA-resistant pathway of T cell proliferation, the combined usage of these two agents may provide better immunosuppressive effect and a lesser degree of CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.

Differential inhibition of T cell receptor signal transduction and early activation events by a selective inhibitor of protein-tyrosine kinase.

Engagement of the TCR (CD3-Ti) by Ag/MHC, CD3 mAb, or lectin mitogen stimulates the very early tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular substrates including TCR-zeta. The T cell specific protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK), p56lck, has been implicated in the tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR-zeta. However, the significance of this event with regard to CD3-Ti signal transduction remains unclear. Herein, we have investigated the effect of the selective PTK inhibitor genistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone) on cellular events associated with activation via CD3-Ti triggering. Genistein inhibited the T cell PTK, p56lck, in a dose-dependent fashion with an ID50 = 40 microM. Genistein also inhibited CD3 mAb or PHA-induced TCR-zeta chain phosphorylation in intact peripheral blood T cells. Genistein blocked the expression of IL-2 and IL-2R (CD25) in T cells stimulated with PHA/PMA or CD3 mAb/PMA, but did not inhibit the de novo expression of the CD69 early activation Ag, which is induced primarily by a PKC-dependent pathway. IL-2 and CD25 expression induced by calcium ionophore A23187 and PMA was largely refractory to inhibition by genistein, suggesting an effect of the drug on calcium-dependent pathways stimulated via CD3-Ti triggering. In this last regard, genistein partially inhibited the CD3 mAb-induced rise in [Ca2+]i but did not inhibit PHA- or CD3 mAb-induced phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis. Consequently, protein-tyrosine phosphorylation does not appear to be a prerequisite for CD3-Ti-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity and PIP2 hydrolysis. An alternative role for PTK in CD3-Ti signal transduction is suggested.

Regulation of mitogen-stimulated human T-cell proliferation, interleukin-2 production, and interleukin-2 receptor expression by protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7.

Recently published reports suggest that the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in the activation pathway of many cell types. In this study, we examined the role of PKC in human T-cell proliferation, IL-2 production, and IL-2R expression, when cultured with the mitogen PHA, the PKC inhibitor H-7, and H-7 control HA1004. H-7 inhibited the PHA-stimulated [3H]thymidine uptake, IL-2 production, and IL-2R expression in a dose-related manner. Further, we found H-7 inhibited T-cell proliferation, IL-2 production, IL-2 mRNA from PHA plus PMA-stimulated cultures. We also found that H-7 inhibited the early-stage activation of PHA-stimulated cells. The presence of exogenous purified human IL-2 or rIL-4 partly reversed the immunosuppression caused by H-7. In contrast, HA1004 had no effect on cell proliferation, IL-2 production, or IL-2R expression. Our results demonstrate that PKC activation is one major pathway through which T-cells become activated.

Inhibition of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated bovine mononuclear cell proliferation, interleukin-2 production and protein kinase C activity by a protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), a potent and selective inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), inhibited PHA-stimulated bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and cytosolic PKC activity without affecting the cell viabilities. Presence of exogenous cytokines, such as purified human IL-2 or recombinant bovine IL-2 (rbovIL-2), reversed the H-7 inhibitory effects on PHA-stimulated PBMC proliferation. We conclude that the PKC enzyme plays an important role as a second messenger in bovine PBMC proliferation in the early stages of cell activation.

In vitro interactions of cytokines and bovine viral diarrhea virus in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated bovine mononuclear cells.

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus inhibited phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and bovine interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. In the controls, the heat-inactivated BVD virus was not capable of suppressing the PHA-stimulated PBMC proliferation. Presence of exogenous cytokines, such as purified human IL-2, recombinant bovine interleukin-1 (rbovIL-1), recombinant bovine IL-2, and recombinant human IL-6 failed to reverse the BVD virus-induced immunosuppression. Also, we found that the BVD virus inhibited PHA and IL-2 induced proliferation of bovine PBMC in the early and late stages of activation. In summary, our data suggest that BVD virus induced immunosuppression was not due to destruction of the PBMC but may be inhibiting one or more of the important intracellular enzymes that may regulate PBMC proliferation.

Inhibition of bovine lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin by a specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor.

AA861, a specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, inhibited bovine lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Mitogen-stimulated cultures of mononuclear cells produced leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in 24 hours. The production of LTB4 was completely inhibited by concentrations of AA861 that inhibited mitogen-induced 3H-thymidine incorporation. The inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation was totally reversed by LTB4 but not by leukotriene C4 or leukotriene D4. The inhibition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by AA861 was also completely reversed by addition of exogenous LTB4 to lymphocyte cultures. Thus, endogenous LTB4 production appeared to be necessary for PHA-induced IL-2 production and lymphocyte proliferation.

Peripheral blood mononuclear-cell interleukin-2 production, receptor generation and lymphokine-activated cytotoxicity in inflammatory bowel disease.

The interleukin-2 pathway is essential for the normal immune response to antigen stimulation; we have examined the possibility that this may underlie abnormal peripheral blood lymphocyte immunoregulatory function that has been observed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We studied 11 patients with Crohn's disease and 5 with ulcerative colitis, all with quiescent disease activity. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from these patients and from healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Interleukin-2 production after mitogen and phorbol-myristate acetate stimulation was similar in both groups: 381 +/- 71 (mean +/- SE) U/ml by control cells and 451 +/- 70 by patient cells. Interleukin-2 receptor generation was also measured pre- and poststimulation by labeling with anti-Tac antibody. This was 10.45 +/- 1 and 69.95 +/- 3.85% for control cells and 11.41 +/- 1.38 and 60.9 +/- 4.25% for patients cells. Finally, we examined the response of these cells to interleukin-2 stimulation by generating cells with direct cytotoxicity to 51Cr-labeled Daudi-cell targets. Control cells caused 59.5 +/- 46% 51Cr release, whereas patient cells caused 50.8 +/- 5.18% release. None of the above results achieved statistical significance. We conclude that the peripheral blood interleukin-2 pathway is normal in inactive inflammatory bowel disease.

Regulation of phytohemagglutinin-induced bovine lymphocyte blastogenesis by leukotrienes.

Leukotriene (LT) B4, a 5-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, is a potent inducer of suppressor cells in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated cultures of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In contrast, LTC4 and LTD4 have little activity. Incubation of T lymphocytes with LTB4 at concentrations as low as 1 X 10(-12)M rendered these lymphocytes suppressive of [3H]thymidine incorporation in subsequent phytohemagglutinin-stimulated cultures of fresh autologous lymphocytes. This LTB4-induced cell was radiosensitive to irradiation at 2,000 rads. Leukotriene B4 may have an important part in immunoregulation during hypersensitivity reactions.

Mechanism of action of glucocorticoid-induced immunoglobulin production: role of lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid.

Glucocorticoids stimulate polyclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) production in cultures of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The mechanism of action of glucocorticoids in this system, and indeed in any physiologic system, is unknown. Because glucocorticoids stimulate the production of phospholipase A2-inhibitory glycoproteins, we investigated whether glucocorticoids stimulate polyclonal Ig production by inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism. Nonspecific lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitors stimulate polyclonal Ig production in a manner similar to the effect of glucocorticoids, whereas specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors actually inhibit Ig production. Two specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, with little or no activity against cyclooxygenase or other lipoxygenases, also stimulate Ig production. The dose-response effect of all of these drugs on Ig production was similar to the dose response of inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) added in low concentrations (10(-10)M) on days 1, 2, and 3 of a culture eliminated the stimulatory effect of glucocorticoids or 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, whereas LTC4, LTD4, prostaglandin E, or 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid had no effect. These results suggest that the relevant action of glucocorticoids in stimulating Ig production might be in preventing endogenous arachidonic acid metabolism, perhaps the endogenous production of LTB4.

Leukotriene B4 causes proliferation of interleukin 2-dependent T cells in the presence of suboptimal levels of interleukin 2.

We have recently found that endogenous leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production is a necessary component of mitogen-stimulated T-cell proliferation. In this report, we address the relationship between LTB4 and interleukin 2 (IL-2) in stimulating proliferation of IL-2 responsive T cells. We employed an IL-2 responsive T-cell line, HT-2 and also human peripheral blood T cells rendered IL-2 responsive by culture with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). In the presence of concentrations of IL-2 that resulted in suboptimal stimulation of HT-2 cells (5-20% of maximum proliferation), LTB4 at 10(-8) or 10(-10) M produced a several-fold increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation, resulting in levels of [3H]thymidine incorporation that were comparable to those produced by HT-2 cells stimulated with optimal concentrations of IL-2. Similar results were obtained with the peripheral blood T cells. Leukotriene C4, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and arachidonic acid did not share with LTB4 the ability to stimulate proliferation of HT-2 cells. Hydrocortisone and nordihydroguairetic acid (NDGA), drugs which block endogenous LTB4 production in cell cultures inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation of HT-2 cells stimulated by suboptimal but not optimal levels of IL-2. This inhibition could be overcome by the readdition of LTB4 to the cultures. Thus, LTB4 in physiologic concentrations (10(-10) M) can substitute for IL-2 in stimulating proliferation of IL-2 responsive T cells, provided that some IL-2 is present in the culture. Endogenous LTB4 may act synergistically with endogenous IL-2 in promoting T-cell proliferation.

Mechanism of action of glucocorticosteroids. Inhibition of T cell proliferation and interleukin 2 production by hydrocortisone is reversed by leukotriene B4.

The mechanism whereby glucocorticosteroids are immunosuppressive is unknown. One potential mechanism of action of these compounds is inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism. We found that the inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by hydrocortisone or dexamethasone was mimicked by nonspecific lipoxygenase inhibitors and also by a specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, but not by a specific cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Mitogen-stimulated cultures of T cells produce approximately 5 X 10(-9) M leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in 24 h. This production of LTB4 is completely inhibited by concentrations of hydrocortisone or lipoxygenase inhibitors that inhibit mitogen-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation. The inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by either hydrocortisone or by the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor was totally reversed by LTB4 but not by leukotriene C4 or leukotriene D4. LTB4 had no effect on the inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by noncorticosteroids such as prostaglandin E2, histamine, or gamma-interferon. The inhibition of interleukin 2 (IL-2) production by hydrocortisone or dexamethasone was also completely reversed by exogenous LTB4. LTB4 alone did not cause IL-2 production or cell proliferation when added to resting lymphocytes. Thus, endogenous LTB4 production appears to be necessary but not sufficient for phytohemagglutinin-induced IL-2 production and lymphocyte proliferation. Glucocorticosteroids inhibit IL-2 production and lymphocyte proliferation by inhibiting endogenous LTB4 production.