Proinflammatory actions of thromboxane receptors to enhance cellular immune responses.

Metabolism of arachidonic acid by the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) pathway generates a family of prostanoid mediators. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) act by inhibiting COX, thereby reducing prostanoid synthesis. The efficacy of these agents in reducing inflammation suggests a dominant proinflammatory role for the COX pathway. However, the actions of COX metabolites are complex, and certain prostanoids, such as PGE(2), in some circumstances actually inhibit immune and inflammatory responses. In these studies, we examine the hypothesis that anti-inflammatory actions of NSAIDs may be due, in part, to inhibition of thromboxane A(2) synthesis. To study the immunoregulatory actions of thromboxane A(2), we used mice with a targeted disruption of the gene encoding the thromboxane-prostanoid (TP) receptor. Both mitogen-induced responses and cellular responses to alloantigen were substantially reduced in TP(-/-) spleen cells. Similar attenuation was observed with pharmacological inhibition of TP signaling in wild-type splenocytes, suggesting that reduced responsiveness was not due to subtle developmental abnormalities in the TP-deficient mice. The absence of TP receptors reduced immune-mediated tissue injury following cardiac transplant rejection, an in vivo model of intense inflammation. Taken together, these findings show that thromboxane augments cellular immune responses and inflammatory tissue injury. Specific inhibition of the TP receptor may provide a more precise approach to limit inflammation without some of the untoward effects associated with NSAIDs.

The chemokine CX3CL1 regulates NK cell activity in vivo.

In vitro, chemokines can both activate and induce migration of NK cells. However, little is known about how chemokines influence NK cell activity in vivo. We studied the role of CX(3)CL1 and its receptor, CX(3)CR1, in modulating NK cell activity in an established in vivo model of tumour cell clearance. Radiolabelled YAC-1 target cells intravenously injected into C57BL/6 mice rapidly localize to the lungs and are cleared by NK cells. In mice pre-treated with blocking anti-CX(3)CL1 or anti-CX(3)CR1 Ab, target cell clearance decreased by four- to fivefold (p<0.001). In vitro, we found no effect of anti-CX(3)CL1 or anti-CX(3)CR1 Ab on NK lysis of target cells. We further examined adhesion of NK cells to Py-4-1 endothelial cells. NK cell binding to activated endothelial monolayers was significantly inhibited by anti-CX(3)CR1 Ab or soluble CX(3)CL1 (p<0.001). These studies identify a critical role for CX(3)CL1 in modulating NK cell activity in vivo.

The roles of alpha IIb beta 3-mediated outside-in signal transduction, thromboxane A2, and adenosine diphosphate in collagen-induced platelet aggregation.

Collagen-induced activation of platelets in suspension leads to alpha(IIb)beta(3)-mediated outside-in signaling, granule release, thromboxane A2 (TxA2) production, and aggregation. Although much is known about collagen-induced platelet signaling, the roles of TxA2 production, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and dense-granule secretion, and alpha(IIb)beta(3)-mediated outside-in signaling in this process are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that TxA2 and ADP are required for collagen-induced platelet activation in response to a low, but not a high, level of collagen and that alpha(IIb)beta(3)-mediated outside-in signaling is required, at least in part, for this TxA2 production and ADP secretion. A high level of collagen can activate platelets deficient in PLC gamma 2, G alpha q, or TxA2 receptors, as well as platelets treated with a protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro31-8220. Thus, activation of alpha(IIb)beta(3) in response to a high level of collagen does not require these signaling proteins. Furthermore, a high level of collagen can cause weak TxA2 and ADP-independent aggregation, but maximal aggregation induced by a high level of collagen requires TxA2 or secretion.

Transgenic mice overexpressing human Bcl-2 are resistant to hepatic ischemia and reperfusion.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Apoptosis is a key mechanism of reperfusion injury in the ischemic liver. The apoptotic pathway is highly regulated by anti-apoptotic factors, such as Bcl-2. We evaluated the effect of Bcl-2 overexpression on apoptosis and the activation of the apoptotic cascade after hepatic ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Ninety minutes of ischemia and reperfusion was performed in Bcl-2 transgenic and non-transgenic mice. Bcl-2 overexpression was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Liver injury was determined by aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Tunel test and the activation of the apoptotic cascade and animal survival. RESULTS: Bcl-2 overexpression was present in all hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells in transgenic mice. Bcl-2 overexpression resulted in significant decreased AST levels after ischemic injury, and complete inhibition of apoptosis. After 90 min of total hepatic ischemia all control mice died, while four transgenic mice survived permanently. Bcl-2 overexpression was associated with inhibition of caspase 3 activation after reperfusion and increased baseline levels of cytoplasmic cytochrome c, caspase 3, and a reduction of Bcl-x(L) production. CONCLUSIONS: Bcl-2 overexpression protects against ischemic injury by inhibiting apoptosis. Extensive overproduction of Bcl-2 is associated with a compensatory increase of baseline levels of cytoplasmic cytochrome c and caspase 3, and a deletion of Bcl-x(L).