The role of estrogen receptor-α and its activation function-1 for growth plate closure in female mice.

High estradiol levels in late puberty induce growth plate closure and thereby cessation of growth in humans. In mice, the growth plates do not fuse after sexual maturation, but old mice display reduced longitudinal bone growth and high-dose estradiol treatment induces growth plate closure. Estrogen receptor (ER)-α stimulates gene transcription via two activation functions (AFs), AF-1 and AF-2. To evaluate the role of ERα and its AF-1 for age-dependent reduction in longitudinal bone growth and growth plate closure, female mice with inactivation of ERα (ERα(-/-)) or ERαAF-1 (ERαAF-1(0)) were evaluated. Old (16- to 19-mo-old) female ERα(-/-) mice showed continued substantial longitudinal bone growth, resulting in longer bones (tibia: +8.3%, P < 0.01) associated with increased growth plate height (+18%, P < 0.05) compared with wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast, the longitudinal bone growth ceased in old ERαAF-1(0) mice (tibia: -4.9%, P < 0.01). Importantly, the proximal tibial growth plates were closed in all old ERαAF-1(0) mice while they were open in all WT mice. Growth plate closure was associated with a significantly altered balance between chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis in the growth plate. In conclusion, old female ERα(-/-) mice display a prolonged and enhanced longitudinal bone growth associated with increased growth plate height, resembling the growth phenotype of patients with inactivating mutations in ERα or aromatase. In contrast, ERαAF-1 deletion results in a hyperactive ERα, altering the chondrocyte proliferation/apoptosis balance, leading to growth plate closure. This suggests that growth plate closure is induced by functions of ERα that do not require AF-1 and that ERαAF-1 opposes growth plate closure.

Neutrophil secretion products regulate anti-bacterial activity in monocytes and macrophages.

Macrophages represent a multi-functional cell type in innate immunity that contributes to bacterial clearance by recognition, phagocytosis and killing. In acute inflammation, infiltrating neutrophils release a wide array of preformed granule proteins which interfere functionally with their environment. Here, we present a novel role for neutrophil-derived granule proteins in the anti-microbial activity of macrophages. Neutrophil secretion obtained by antibody cross-linking of the integrin subunit CD18 (X-link secretion) or by treatment with N-Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP secretion) induced a several-fold increase in bacterial phagocytosis by monocytes and macrophages. This response was associated with a rapid activation of the monocytes and macrophages as depicted by an increase in cytosolic free Ca(2+). Interestingly, fMLP secretion had a more pronounced effect on monocytes than the X-link secretion, while the opposite was observed for macrophages. In addition, polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) secretion caused a strong enhancement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation compared to incubation with bacteria. Thus, secretion of neutrophil granule proteins activates macrophages to increase the phagocytosis of bacteria and to enhance intracellular ROS formation, indicating pronounced intracellular bacterial killing. Both mechanisms attribute novel microbicidal properties to PMN granule proteins, suggesting their potential use in anti-microbial therapy.

Licofelone, a novel 5-LOX/COX-inhibitor, attenuates leukocyte rolling and adhesion on endothelium under flow.

The main mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the inhibition of cycloxygenases COX-1 and COX-2. During recent years, combined 5-LOX/COX-inhibition, interfering with the biosynthesis of both prostaglandins and leukotrienes (LTs), has emerged as a possibility to avoid side effects related to COX-inhibition. The aim of the present study was to investigate if there is a contribution of mechanisms other than the reduction of inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes to the anti-inflammatory effect of the LOX/COX inhibitor licofelone. In a flow chamber assay, licofelone (10-30 microM) dose-dependently decreased both the rolling and adhesion of leukocytes on endothelial cells (EC). In contrast, no effects were found after treatment of EC with the unselective COX-1/COX-2 inhibitor indomethacin (30 microM), the potent and selective 5-LOX inhibitor, ZD-2138 (30 microM), the mainly COX-2 inhibitor aceclofenac (30 microM), the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (30 microM) and the combination of ZD-2138 with the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (30 microM). In the presence of licofelone (30 microM) the expression of E-selectin mRNA in cytokine-stimulated EC was attenuated, whereas no NSAID (30 microM) tested showed any effect on E-selectin expression. Moreover, licofelone treatment (30 microM) attenuated expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 on inflammatory EC. The effect of licofelone on leukocyte recruitment was also evaluated in vivo. Using a mouse peritonitis model it was found that leukocyte accumulation was markedly reduced in licofelone treated animals (100mg/kg) compared to untreated mice. Thus, the novel 5-LOX/COX inhibitor licofelone possesses anti-inflammatory activity that, in addition to COX/LOX inhibition, involves effects on leukocyte-endothelial interactions.

Importance of primary capture and L-selectin-dependent secondary capture in leukocyte accumulation in inflammation and atherosclerosis in vivo.

In the multistep process of leukocyte extravasation, the mechanisms by which leukocytes establish the initial contact with the endothelium are unclear. In parallel, there is a controversy regarding the role for L-selectin in leukocyte recruitment. Here, using intravital microscopy in the mouse, we investigated leukocyte capture from the free flow directly to the endothelium (primary capture), and capture mediated through interactions with rolling leukocytes (secondary capture) in venules, in cytokine-stimulated arterial vessels, and on atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta. Capture was more prominent in arterial vessels compared with venules. In venules, the incidence of capture increased with increasing vessel diameter and wall shear rate. Secondary capture required a minimum rolling leukocyte flux and contributed by approximately 20-50% of total capture in all studied vessel types. In arteries, secondary capture induced formation of clusters and strings of rolling leukocytes. Function inhibition of L-selectin blocked secondary capture and thereby decreased the flux of rolling leukocytes in arterial vessels and in large (>45 microm in diameter), but not small (<45 microm), venules. These findings demonstrate the importance of leukocyte capture from the free flow in vivo. The different impact of blockage of secondary capture in venules of distinct diameter range, rolling flux, and wall shear rate provides explanations for the controversy regarding the role of L-selectin in various situations of leukocyte recruitment. What is more, secondary capture occurs on atherosclerotic lesions, a fact that provides the first evidence for roles of L-selectin in leukocyte accumulation in atherogenesis.

Direct viewing of atherosclerosis in vivo: plaque invasion by leukocytes is initiated by the endothelial selectins.

Leukocyte infiltration in atherosclerosis has been extensively investigated by using histological techniques on fixed tissues. In this study, intravital microscopic observations of leukocyte recruitment in the aorta of atherosclerotic mice were performed. Interactions between leukocytes and atherosclerotic endothelium were highly transient, thereby limiting the ability for rolling leukocytes to firmly adhere. Leukocyte rolling was abolished by function inhibition of P-selectin (P<0.001, n=8), whereas antibody blockage of E-selectin (n=10) decreased rolling leukocyte flux to 51 +/- 9.9% (mean+/-SE, P<0.01) and increased leukocyte rolling velocity to 162 +/- 18% (P<0.01) of pretreatment values. Notably, function inhibition of the integrin alpha(4) subunit (n=5) had no effect on rolling flux (107+/-25%, P=0.782) or rolling velocity (89+/-6.1%, P=0.147), despite endothelial expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). Leukocytes interacting with atherosclerotic endothelium were predominantly neutrophils, because treatment with antineutrophil serum decreased rolling and neutrophil counts in peripheral blood to the same extent. In conclusion, we present the first direct observations of atherosclerosis in vivo. We show that transient dynamics of leukocyte-endothelium interactions are important regulators of arterial leukocyte recruitment and that leukocyte rolling in atherosclerosis is critically dependent on the endothelial selectins. This experimental technique and the data presented introduce a novel perspective for the study of pathophysiological events involved in large-vessel disease.

Engagement of beta2 integrins induces surface expression of beta1 integrin receptors in human neutrophils.

Induction of beta1 integrin (CD49/CD29) expression in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) has been shown to be associated with transendothelial migration recently. Yet, beta1 integrin expression is relatively insensitive to cell activation with soluble agonists, such as N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). We hypothesized that beta2 integrins (CD11/CD18), critically involved in PMN adhesion and extravasation, may play a role in regulating 1 integrin expression in PMN. Antibody cross-linking of CD18, mimicking adhesion-dependent engagement of beta2 integrins, resulted in rapid, tyrosine kinase-dependent upregulation of beta1 integrins. This response was potentiated by simultaneous chemoattractant (fMLP) stimulation of PMN. Moreover, upregulation of beta1 integrins evoked by CD18 cross-linking was found to support adhesion of fMLP-stimulated PMN to matrix proteins and also was critical for the ability of PMN to migrate in collagen gels in response to a gradient of fMLP. Taken together, these data demonstrate that engagement of beta2 integrins in human PMN induces beta1 integrin expression in these cells of significance for their migration in the extravascular tissue. Thus, beta2 integrins may serve the function to regulate PMN locomotion in extravascular tissue via receptor crosstalk with beta1 integrins.

Direct observations in vivo on the role of endothelial selectins and alpha(4) integrin in cytokine-induced leukocyte-endothelium interactions in the mouse aorta.

The molecular mechanisms underlying leukocyte recruitment in large arteries have been extensively studied using histological techniques on fixed tissues. However, there are no reports that address the dynamics of leukocyte recruitment in large arteries in vivo. We developed an intravital microscopy technique for direct observation of leukocyte-endothelium interactions in the mouse aorta. Circulating leukocytes were labeled intravasally with rhodamine 6G and microscopically visualized within the aorta, allowing direct analysis of leukocyte rolling and adhesion. In untreated vessels, leukocyte-endothelium interactions were virtually absent. However, local pretreatment with cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced clear-cut leukocyte rolling and adhesion, compatible with normal blood flow and wall shear rate. High shear decreased rolling leukocyte flux and increased leukocyte rolling velocity, thus decreasing the tendency for firm adhesion. Leukocyte rolling was almost abolished by an antibody blocking the function of P-selectin, whereas function-blocking antibodies against E-selectin and the alpha(4)-integrin subunit decreased rolling leukocyte flux to 51+/-34% (mean +/- SD) and 59+/-11% of the value before antibody treatment, respectively. In addition, inhibition of E-selectin function, but not of alpha(4) integrin, resulted in increased leukocyte rolling velocity (from 48+/-32 to 71+/-32 microm per second). Taken together, we introduce the first model for direct studies of leukocyte-endothelium interactions in a large artery in vivo and demonstrate cytokine-induced shear-sensitive leukocyte rolling that is critically dependent on P-selectin and modulated by E-selectin and alpha(4) integrin.

Integrin alpha(2)beta(1) (VLA-2) is a principal receptor used by neutrophils for locomotion in extravascular tissue.

Cell adhesion molecules are critically involved in the multistep process of leukocyte recruitment in inflammation. The specific receptors used by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) for locomotion in extravascular tissue have as yet not been identified. By means of immunofluorescence flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy, this study demonstrated that surface expression of the alpha(2)beta(1) (VLA-2) integrin, though absent on blood PMN, is induced in extravasated PMN collected from human skin blister chambers, and rat PMN accumulated in the peritoneal cavity after chemotactic stimulation. Intravital time-lapse videomicroscopy was used to investigate chemoattractant-induced PMN locomotion in the rat mesentery in vivo. Local administration of function-blocking monoclonal antibody or peptide recognizing the alpha(2)beta(1) integrin reduced PMN migration velocity in the extravascular tissue by 73% +/- 3% and 70% +/- 10%, respectively (means +/- SD). The distance f-met-leu-phe peptide (fMLP)-stimulated human PMN migrated in a collagen gel in vitro was markedly reduced by treatment with anti-alpha(2) mAbs or peptide, whereas no effect was observed with antibodies or peptides recognizing the alpha(4)beta(1) or alpha(5)beta(1) integrins. Further evidence for a critical role of expression of alpha(2)beta(1) integrin in PMN locomotion in extravascular tissue was obtained in the mouse air pouch model of acute inflammation where chemoattractant-induced PMN recruitment was substantially inhibited by local anti-alpha(2) mAb treatment. Thus, expression of alpha(2)beta(1) integrin on extravasated PMN has been identified and a novel role of this receptor in regulating the extravascular phase of leukocyte trafficking in inflammation has been formulated. (Blood. 2000;95:1804-1809)