Blocking very late antigen-4 integrin decreases leukocyte entry and fatty streak formation in mice fed an atherogenic diet.
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Atherosclerotic lesion development is characterized by the recruitment of leukocytes, principally monocytes, to the vessel wall. Considerable interest has been focused on the adhesion molecule(s) involved in leukocyte/endothelial interactions. The goal of the present study was to determine the role of the very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) integrin/ligand interaction in fatty streak development using murine models. Because alpha4 null mice are not viable, a peptidomimetic was used to block VLA-4-mediated leukocyte binding. The ability of a synthetic peptidomimetic of connecting segment-1 (CS-1 peptide) to block the recruitment of leukocytes and the accumulation of lipid in the aortic sinus of either wild-type mice (strain C57BL/6J) or mice with a low-density lipoprotein null mutation (LDLR-/-) maintained on an atherogenic diet was assessed. The active (Ac) CS-1 peptide or scrambled (Sc) CS-1 peptide was delivered subcutaneously into mice using a mini osmotic pump. Mice were exposed to the peptide for 24 to 36 hours before the onset of the atherogenic diet. In C57BL/6J mice, leukocyte entry into the aortic sinus, as assessed by en face preparations, was inhibited by the active peptide (Ac=28+/-4, Sc=54+/-6 monocytes/valve; P=0.004). Additionally, frozen sections stained with Oil Red O were analyzed to assess lipid accumulation in the aortic sinus. C57BL/6J mice that received the (Ac) compound demonstrated significantly reduced lesion areas as compared with mice that received the (Sc) peptide (Ac=4887+/-4438 microm2, Sc=15 009 +/-5619 microm2; P<0.0001). In a separate study, LDLR-/- mice were implanted with pumps containing either the (Ac) or (Sc) peptide before initiation of the atherogenic diet. Because LDLR-/- mice fed a chow diet displayed small lesions at 14 weeks, the effects of the peptide seen in these animals represented a change in early lipid accumulation rather than initiation. By using whole-mount preparations, the (Ac) but not the (Sc) peptide significantly reduced the area of lipid accumulation in the aortic sinus, resulting in an approximate 66% decrease. Plasma analysis from all studies revealed concentrations of peptide to be present at levels previously determined by in vitro analysis to block adhesion. (Ac) CS-1 peptide, which blocks VLA-4 on the leukocyte surface, is effective in reducing leukocyte recruitment and lipid accumulation in the aortic sinus. The present study provides in vivo evidence that the VLA-4 integrin plays an important role in the initiation of the atherosclerotic lesion and lipid accumulation, and it suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for this disease. (+info)
H-Ras is involved in the inside-out signaling pathway of interleukin-3-induced integrin activation.
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The proto-oncogene product, p21(ras), has been implicated in the cellular mechanism of adhesion, although its precise role has been controversial. Numerous cytokines and growth-factors activate Ras, which is an important component of their growth-promoting signaling pathways. On the other hand, the role of Ras in cytokine-induced adhesion has not been elucidated. We therefore investigated the function of H-Ras in the inside-out signaling pathway of interleukin-3 (IL-3)-induced integrin activation in the murine Baf3 cell line after transfection of cells with either constitutively active, dominant-negative, or wild-type H-Ras cDNAs. Adhesion of Baf3 cells to fibronectin was induced by IL-3 in a dose-dependent manner via very late antigen-4 (VLA-4; alpha4beta1 integrins) and VLA-5 (alpha5beta1 integrins) activation. On the other hand, IL-4 did not induce the adhesion of Baf3 cells to fibronectin, although IL-4 did stimulate the cell proliferation of Baf3 cells. Constitutively active H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells adhered to fibronectin without IL-3 stimulation through VLA-4 and VLA-5, whereas dominant-negative H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells showed significantly less adhesion induced by IL-3 compared with wild-type and constitutively active H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells. Anti-beta1 integrin antibody (clone; 9EG7), which is known to change integrin conformation and activate integrins, induced the adhesion of dominant-negative H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells as much as the other types of H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells. 8-Br-cAMP, Dibutyryl-cAMP, Ras-Raf-1 pathway inhibitors, and PD98059, a MAPK kinase inhibitor, suppressed proliferation and phosphorylation of MAPK detected by Western blotting with anti-phospho-MAPK antibody, but not adhesion of any type of H-Ras-transfected Baf3 cells, whereas U-73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, suppressed adhesion of these cells completely. These data indicate that H-Ras and PLC, but not Raf-1, MAPK kinase, or the MAPK pathway, are involved in the inside-out signaling pathway of IL-3-induced VLA-4 and VLA-5 activation in Baf3 cells. (+info)
Modulation of VLA-4 and L-selectin expression on normal CD34+ cells during mobilization with G-CSF.
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We have evaluated the immunophenotype, functional activity and clonogenic potential of CD34+ cells from peripheral blood (PB) of normal donors before and after 4 and 6 days of G-CSF administration. The percentage and absolute number of CD34+ cells significantly increased at days 4 and 6 of G-CSF administration, compared to the steady-state level (P < 0.0001). Two-colour fluorescence analysis showed, at days 4 and 6, a lower proportion of CD34+/c-kit+ compared to the steady-state level (P < 0.0001), but a similar expression of CD13, CD33, CD38, HLA-DR and Thy-1 antigens on CD34+ cells. The expression of adhesion molecules on CD34+ cells revealed a significant reduction of CD11a (P = 0.009), CD18, CD49d and CD62L (P < 0.0001) at days 4 and 6, compared to the baseline level. Three-colour staining showed a reduction of the more immature compartment (34+/DR-/13-) and an increase of the more differentiated compartment (34+/DR+/13+). Downregulation of VLA-4 during mobilisation was seen almost exclusively on more committed cells (34+/13+); downregulation of CD62L, on the contrary, was observed on both early progenitors (34+/13-) and more committed cells (34+/13+). The expression of 34+/VLA-4+ decreased on both c-kit+ and c-kit- cells, while the expression of 34+/62L+ decreased on the c-kit+ cells only. In vivo administration of G-CSF reduced the adherence capacity of CD34+ cells to normal BM stroma; in vitro incubation with SCF or IL-3 enhanced the expression of CD49d on CD34+ cells, while GM-CSF reduced the expression of CD62L. SCF was the only cytokine able to induce a significant increase of CD34+ cell adherence to preformed stroma. Pre-incubation with the blocking beta2 integrin monoclonal antibody caused a reduction of CD34+ cell adherence. In conclusion, the decrease of CD49d expression on mobilized CD34+ cells correlates with a poor adhesion to BM stroma; CD34+ cells incubated in vitro with SCF showed, conversely, a higher expression of CD49d and a greater adherence capacity on normal preformed stroma. (+info)
Selective eosinophil transendothelial migration triggered by eotaxin via modulation of Mac-1/ICAM-1 and VLA-4/VCAM-1 interactions.
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We have recently cloned eotaxin, a highly efficacious eosinophilic chemokine involved in the development of lung eosinophilia during allergic inflammatory reactions. To understand more precisely how eotaxin facilitates the specific migration of eosinophils, we have studied which adhesion receptors are essential for eotaxin action both in vivo and in vitro. Experiments using mice genetically deficient in adhesion receptors demonstrated that molecules previously reported to be involved in both leukocyte tethering/rolling (P-selectin and E-selectin) and in sticking/ transmigration (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) are required for eotaxin action in vivo. To further elucidate the mechanism(s) involved in this process, we have used an in vitro transendothelial chemotaxis model. mAb neutralization studies performed in this system suggest that the integrins Mac-1 (CD11b/18), VLA-4 (alpha4beta1) and LFA-1 (CD11a/18) are involved in the transendothelial chemotaxis of eosinophils to eotaxin. Accordingly, the expression of these integrins on eosinophils is elevated by direct action of this chemokine in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, our results suggest that eotaxin-induced eosinophil transendothelial migration in vivo and in vitro relies on Mac-1/ICAM-1 and VLA-4NCAM-1 interactions, the latter ones becoming more relevant at later time points of the eotaxin-induced recruitment process. (+info)
Use of a novel fibronectin receptor for liver infiltration by a mouse lymphoma cell line RL-male1.
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The mechanism whereby some lymphomas invade liver extensively has not been fully investigated. There is no basement membrane under the sinusoidal endothelium of the liver, and hepatocytes produce fibronectin (FN); therefore, adhesion to this FN may be particularly important for liver infiltration by lymphoma cells. A mouse lymphoma cell line, RL-male1, adhered to FN. However, this cell line did not express classical FN receptors such as very late antigen (VLA)-4 and VLA-5, as estimated by immunofluorescent staining. We have generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that inhibit adhesion of RL-male1 cells to FN. Western blot and immunoprecipitation analyses showed that the new mAbs recognize a protein with an approximate molecular weight of 55,000 (p55). This antigenic protein was highly purified by immunoprecipitation and processed for microsequencing. From NH2-terminal sequence results, the p55 antigen was not identical to known FN receptors. Radioisotope-labeled RL-male1 cells, when injected i.v. into mice, rapidly infiltrated the liver (30-35% of injected cells), as measured by a gamma counter. Intravenous injection of the new mAbs partially (20%) blocked the infiltration of i.v.-injected lymphoma cells into the liver, whereas control rat IgG and an anti-CD11a mAb did not. These results demonstrate that the mouse lymphoma cell line RL-male1 nses a novel FN receptor for liver infiltration. (+info)
IL-5 and eosinophils are essential for the development of airway hyperresponsiveness following acute respiratory syncytial virus infection.
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Viral respiratory infections can cause bronchial hyperresponsiveness and exacerbate asthma. In mice, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, which induces an immune response dominated by IFN-gamma, results in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and eosinophil influx into the airways, both of which are prevented by pretreatment with anti-IL-5 Ab. To delineate the role of IL-5, IL-4, and IFN-gamma in the development of RSV-induced AHR and lung eosinophilia, we tested the ability of mice deficient in each of these cytokines to develop these symptoms of RSV infection. Mice deficient in either IL-5, IL-4, or IFN-gamma were administered infectious RSV intranasally, and 6 days later, airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine was assessed by barometric body plethysmography, and numbers of lung eosinophils and production of IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-5 by mononuclear cells from peribronchial lymph nodes were monitored. RSV infection resulted in airway eosinophilia and AHR in both IL-4- and IFN-gamma-deficient mice, but not in IL-5-deficient mice. Reconstitution of IL-5-deficient mice with IL-5 restored these responses and enhanced the responses in IL-4-deficient mice. Anti-VLA-4 (very late Ag-4) treatment prevented lung eosinophilia and AHR following RSV infection and IL-5 reconstitution. We conclude that in response to RSV, IL-5 is essential for the influx of eosinophils into the lung and that eosinophils in turn are critical for the development of AHR. IFN-gamma and IL-4 are not essential for these responses to RSV infection. (+info)
Crystal structure of a heparin- and integrin-binding segment of human fibronectin.
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The crystal structure of human fibronectin (FN) type III repeats 12-14 reveals the primary heparin-binding site, a clump of positively charged residues in FN13, and a putative minor site approximately 60 A away in FN14. The IDAPS motif implicated in integrin alpha4beta1 binding is at the FN13-14 junction, rendering the critical Asp184 inaccessible to integrin. Asp184 clamps the BC loop of FN14, whose sequence (PRARI) is reminiscent of the synergy sequence (PHSRN) of FN9. Mutagenesis studies prompted by this observation reveal that both arginines of the PRARI sequence are important for alpha4beta1 binding to FN12-14. The PRARI motif may represent a new class of integrin-binding sites. The spatial organization of the binding sites suggests that heparin and integrin may bind in concert. (+info)
Expression of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) in acute and chronic inflammation.
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The objective of this study was to quantify, in vivo, constitutive and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-enhanced expression of mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) in different tissues from healthy wild-type mice (C57BL/6) as well as interleukin-10 (IL-10)-deficient mice with and without active colitis. Using the dual radiolabel monoclonal antibody technique, we found substantial constitutive expression of MAdCAM-1 in the intestine, colon, and mesenteric lymph nodes. MAdCAM-1 expression in these tissues was significantly enhanced, in a time-dependent manner, by systemic administration of TNF-alpha. Maximum surface expression was observed at 18 h after TNF-alpha administration and remained significantly elevated at 48 h post-TNF-alpha injection. No significant constitutive nor TNF-alpha-induced expression of MAdCAM-1 was detected in skeletal muscle, brain, or heart. In IL-10-deficient (IL-10 k/o) mice with no clinical or histological evidence of colitis, constitutive and TNF-alpha-induced expression of MAdCAM-1 in the intestine, cecum, and colon was not different from those values obtained with healthy wild-type controls. IL-10-deficient mice with active colitis exhibited a four- to fivefold greater expression of MAdCAM-1 in the cecum and colon compared with their healthy controls or to IL-10 k/o mice with no evidence of colitis. Taken together, these data demonstrate that TNF-alpha enhances surface expression of MAdCAM-1 in intestinal and colonic tissues to the same extent in both wild-type and IL-10 k/o mice with no colonic inflammation, whereas IL-10 k/o mice with active colitis exhibited a profound up-regulation of MAdCAM-1 in the colon. (+info)