Factor Xa induces cytokine production and expression of adhesion molecules by human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Proinflammatory effects induced by the serine protease factor Xa were investigated in HUVEC. Exposure of cells to factor Xa (5-80 nM) concentration dependently stimulated the production of IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and the expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, which was accompanied by polymorphonuclear leukocyte adhesion. The effects of factor Xa were blocked by antithrombin III, but not by the thrombin-specific inhibitor hirudin, suggesting that factor Xa elicits these responses directly and not via thrombin. IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha were not implicated, since neither the IL-1 receptor antagonist nor a TNF-neutralizing Ab could suppress the factor Xa responses. Active site-inhibited factor Xa and factor Xa depleted from gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues were completely inactive. The effector cell protease receptor-1 (EPR-1) seems not to be involved since anti-EPR-1 Abs failed to inhibit cytokine production. Moreover, neither the factor X peptide Leu83-Leu88, representing the inter-epidermal growth factor sequence in factor Xa that mediates ligand binding to EPR-1, nor the peptide AG1, corresponding to the EPR-1 sequence Ser123-Pro137 implicated in factor Xa binding, inhibited the factor Xa-induced cytokine production. In conclusion, these findings indicate that factor Xa evokes a proinflammatory response in endothelial cells, which requires both its catalytic and gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing domain. The receptor system involved in these responses induced by factor Xa remains to be established.

Adenosine inhibits neutrophil degranulation in activated human whole blood: involvement of adenosine A2 and A3 receptors.

Adenosine, acting via A2 receptors, is a potent inhibitor of neutrophil oxidative burst, but its effects and mechanisms of action on neutrophil degranulation have been less well characterized. We, therefore, investigated the effects of adenosine and its receptor-specific analogues on neutrophil degranulation in stimulated human whole blood. Adenosine dose-dependently inhibited the LPS- and TNF-alpha-induced release of the azurophilic granule proteins bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein, elastase, and defensins to approximately the same extent, with a maximum inhibition of 70 to 80% and an IC50 ranging from 14 to 24 microM. The inhibitory effects of adenosine were partially blocked by the A2 receptor antagonist 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine, the A1/A2 antagonist 8(p-sulfophenyl)theophyline, and the A1/A3 antagonist xanthine amine congener, but not by the A1 antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine. The highly selective A3 agonist N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide and the nonselective agonist 2-chloroadenosine reduced degranulation more potently than the A1 agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine. The inhibitory effects of N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide and 2-chloroadenosine were strongly reversed by xanthine amine congener, but were not affected by 8(p-sulfophenyl)theophyline. In addition, the adenosine kinase inhibitor GP515 attenuated degranulation via an adenosine-mediated mechanism. These data indicate that adenosine acts via A2 as well as A3 receptors to inhibit neutrophil degranulation and add to the anti-inflammatory potential of adenosine and adenosine-regulating agents in neutrophil-mediated tissue injury.

Evidence for exclusive role in signalling of tumour necrosis factor p55 receptor and a potentiating function of p75 receptor on human endothelial cells.

The current study was undertaken to investigate the role of TNF-R75 in regulation of E-selectin and ICAM-1 expression by TNF on HUVEC. To this end, we used agonistic anti-TNF-R75 antibodies, being mAb MR2-1 and polyclonal antibodies anti-TNF-R75 (pAb75). The agonistic properties of these antibodies were ascertained by the costimulatory capacity in a T-cell proliferation assay. These anti-TNF-R75 antibodies bound effectively to HUVEC, as evidenced in binding studies using 125I-TNF, but they did not induce or enhance E-selectin or ICAM-1 expression as did agonistic anti-TNF-R55 antibodies. In contrast, both MR2-1 and pAb75 inhibited specifically TNF-induced E-selectin and ICAM-1 expression, but not activation by IL-1 or LPS. These results support the hypothesis, that in cells responding to TNF via the signalling pathway of the TNF-R55, the extracellular part of TNF-R75 captures TNF and delivers it to TNF-R55, resulting in an enhanced response to TNF.

Slow release of soluble TNF receptors by monocytes in vitro.

In this study, we investigated the release of soluble(s) TNF-R by PBMC in vitro. T cell activation by mAb anti-CD3, as well as activation with phorbol esters (PMA), enhanced the release of both sTNF-R55 and sTNF-R75 by PBMC. In contrast to shedding of TNF-R by neutrophils upon activation, release of sTNF-R by PBMC proved to be a relatively slow process, reaching a plateau after 2 days of culture. Monocytes appeared to be the main source of the released sTNF-R, whereas activation of purified T cells induced only a minor release of sTNF-R as compared with the whole cell population. To unravel the mechanism, a number of cytokines were added during a 2-day culture of cells. IL-10 enhanced sTNF-R levels with similar kinetics as mAb anti-CD3 and PMA, whereas the other cytokines tested did not affect the release of sTNF-R by PBMC, pure T lymphocytes, or purified monocytes, either activated or not. Conversely, inhibitors of cytokines were added during the activation period to study the effect of endogenously produced cytokines on sTNF-R release. mAb anti-IL-10 and IL-1ra partly sTNF-R release, whereas other inhibitors did not affect the release. The results obtained in vitro may extend our insight in the mechanism via which sTNF-R are enhanced in vivo during inflammatory reactions.

E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 are released by activated human endothelial cells in vitro.

Endothelial cells respond to several cytokines by a rapid increase in expression of the adhesion molecules E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), followed by a gradual decline. The fate of these molecules, which was so far unknown, was studied. Specific sandwich ELISA for the detection of soluble (s)E-selectin and sICAM-1 were developed. In supernatant, centrifuged 3 hr at 100,000 g to remove microparticles, from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) activated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), E-selectin and ICAM-1 molecules could be detected. Biochemical analysis revealed that sE-selectin migrated as a band of approximately 94,000 MW. The amount of soluble adhesion molecules released was directly correlated with cell surface expression. Maximal release of E-selectin was observed 6-12 hr after activation of HUVEC and decreased to below detection limit 24 hr after activation. After activation, release of ICAM-1 gradually increased with ICAM-1 cell surface expression, and reached a plateau after 24 hr, which was constant for 3 days. Since E-selectin and ICAM-1 are highly expressed at inflammatory sites, the resulting high concentrations of released E-selectin and ICAM-1 may affect interactions of leucocytes with endothelial cells. The physiological role, however, of the release of E-selectin and ICAM-1 remains to be elucidated.

Role of ELAM-1 in adhesion of monocytes to activated human endothelial cells.

The role of ELAM-1 in the adhesion of monocytes to HUVEC, activated for 4h with TNF, was studied using MoAb ENA2 directed against ELAM-1. In a standard adhesion assay at 37 degrees C, F(ab')2 fragments of ENA2 did not, or weakly inhibited adhesion. When metabolic activity of the monocytes was reduced by (i) fixing the monocytes, (ii) performing the adhesion assay at 4 degrees C, and (iii) combining the forementioned conditions, the adhesion of the monocytes was strongly blocked by ENA2 and less effective or not by MoAb IB4 anti-CD18. The pattern of adhesion of monocytes to HUVEC, activated with TNF assessed at 4 degrees C, paralleled ELAM-1 expression on the endothelial cells. Maximal inhibitory effect of ENA2 on adhesion was shown 5 h after activation of HUVEC, at which ELAM-1 expression was also maximal. Adhesion assessed at 37 degrees C remained enhanced for at least 24 h, whereas the inhibitory effect of ENA2 followed ELAM-1 expression. Specific involvement of ELAM-1 was also confirmed using ELAM-1 transfected COS cells. These results indicated that monocytes express a counter structure for ELAM-1 and that this counter structure is involved in adhesion.

The ligand recognized by ELAM-1 on HL60 cells is not carried by N-linked oligosaccharides.

The sialyl Lewis-x determinant is a ligand for ELAM-1, a major adhesion molecule for HL60 cells and neutrophils. ELAM-1 expression can selectively be induced on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1 and lipopolysaccharide. The determinant sialyl Lewis-x is found on both glycolipids as well as on glycoproteins. Using specific inhibitors of the biosynthesis of N-linked glycosylated glycoproteins, we investigated whether N-linked glycans or their modifications are involved in ELAM-1-dependent adhesion of HL60 cells to activated HUVEC. The inhibitors of glycoprotein processing N-methyl-deoxynojirimycin, 1-deoxymannojirimycin and swainsonine did not affect ELAM-1-dependent adhesion. Complex-type N-linked glycans are not required for ELAM-1 mediated adhesion, and therefore the ligand for ELAM-1 is most likely a glycolipid, or a glycoprotein carrying O-linked oligosaccharides.

Functional polymorphism of IgG FcRII (CD32) on human neutrophils.

In this study we demonstrate that Fc gamma RII on polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) (i) mediates binding of immune complexes, and (ii) is polymorphic, similar to the polymorphism described for monocytes and platelets. This was demonstrated in an adherence assay of PMN to activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Precoating of activated HUVEC with a mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) ENA1, which is highly reactive with activated HUVEC, caused an enhanced adhesion in 11 of 15 experiments using PMN from different donors. Enhanced adhesion of the PMN corresponded with expression of a high-responder (HR) Fc gamma RII on monocytes isolated from the same donor, as identified by anti-CD3-induced T-cell proliferation. These data led to the conclusion that Fc gamma RII on PMN is polymorphic. This conclusion was, furthermore, supported by immunofluorescence (IF) studies using a new mAb 41H16, which selectively reacts with the HR allotype of Fc gamma RII.

IFN-gamma regulates the expression of the adhesion molecule ELAM-1 and IL-6 production by human endothelial cells in vitro.

In this study two new in vitro effects of IFN-gamma on human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells were described. First, it was shown that the expression of the adhesion molecule ELAM-1 on activated HUVE cells can be modulated by IFN-gamma. ELAM-1 is normally not expressed by HUVE cells, but its expression can rapidly be induced by TNF, IL-1, or LPS. Maximal expression is reached after 4 to 6 h of activation, and after 24 h the expression disappeared. Whereas IFN-gamma per se did not induce expression of ELAM-1, it enhanced and prolonged the expression of ELAM-1. This enhancement occurred when IFN-gamma was added before activation as well as when added simultaneously with activation. When IFN-gamma was added 6 or 9 h after the activation, the normally ongoing reduction of expression was not only retarded, but the expression increased for at least 3 h. Moreover, IFN-gamma abrogated the refractory period for restimulation. Neither IFN-beta nor IL-6 had any effect on the expression of ELAM-1. The second effect of IFN-gamma on HUVE cells is the capacity to enhance the IL-6 production by these cells. Prestimulation as well as coincubation of IFN-gamma with TNF, IL-1, or LPS resulted in a strongly augmented production of IL-6. The effects of IFN-gamma may in vivo play a role in the regulation of an inflammatory reaction, because ELAM-1 is an adhesion molecule for neutrophils, and IL-6 has an enhancing effect on the cytotoxicity of neutrophils.

Induction of an activation antigen on human endothelial cells in vitro.

This study describes the expression characteristics of a cell membrane protein recognized by a monoclonal antibody ENA1, which was obtained by immunizing mice with human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells cultured with a mixture of interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The expression of this ENA1 antigen could also be induced by lipopolysaccharide and phorbol esters. Expression was only demonstrated on HUVE cells and human umbilical arterial endothelial cells, pretreated with one or with a mixture of these reagents. No expression was detected on human fibroblasts, renal epithelial cells or on mesothelial cells derived from omental tissue, either pretreated or not with the aforementioned inducers of the antigen. Furthermore, no reactivity was observed with either polymorphonuclear cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes or the monocytic cell line U937. Time course experiments revealed that the expression of the ENA1 antigen was time dependent. Maximal expression on HUVE cells was observed after 5 h of incubation with activator, after which a decline in expression occurred. Induction of expression could be completely blocked by the mRNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D and the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, indicating that de novo synthesis occurs. Other pharmacological reagents tested had no effect on the induction of ENA1 expression. The putative role of the newly described antigen is discussed in relation to the current knowledge of molecules involved in adhesion of immune cells in inflammatory processes.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor on the interferon-gamma-induced major histocompatibility complex class II antigen expression by human endothelial cells.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and interferon-beta (IFN-beta) on the IFN-gamma-induced major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression on human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells are reported. TNF inhibited the induction of MHC class II expression by IFN-gamma markedly, when added before or simultaneously with IFN-gamma. However, TNF added to the cells 24 h after IFN-gamma enhanced the expression of MHC class II antigens. IFN-beta inhibited the MHC class II expression irrespective of the time at which it was added to the cells. Addition of IFN-beta, TNF, IFN-gamma, and the combination of IFN-beta and IFN-gamma or TNF and IFN-gamma, resulted in all cases in an enhanced MHC class I antigen expression. Antibodies directed against IFN-beta reversed the inhibition of MHC class II expression by both TNF and IFN-beta. The enhancing effect of TNF could not be inhibited by anti-IFN-beta indicating that TNF mediates enhancement of IFN-gamma-induced MHC class II expression via a pathway other than IFN-beta. The role of TNF in the up-regulation as well as in the down-regulation of MHC class II expression in inflammatory processes is discussed.