Norovirus in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals: cytokines and viral shedding.

Noroviruses (NoV) are the most common cause of epidemic gastroenteritis world-wide. NoV infections are often asymptomatic, although individuals still shed large amounts of NoV in their stool. Understanding the differences between asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals would help in elucidating mechanisms of NoV pathogenesis. Our goal was to compare the serum cytokine responses and faecal viral RNA titres of asymptomatic and symptomatic NoV-infected individuals. We tested serum samples from infected subjects (n = 26; 19 symptomatic, seven asymptomatic) from two human challenge studies of GI.1 NoV for 16 cytokines. Samples from prechallenge and days 1-4 post-challenge were tested for these cytokines. Cytokine levels were compared to stool NoV RNA titres quantified previously by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). While both symptomatic and asymptomatic groups had similar patterns of cytokine responses, the symptomatic group generally exhibited a greater elevation of T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines and IL-8 post-challenge compared to the asymptomatic group (all P < 0·01). Daily viral RNA titre was associated positively with daily IL-6 concentration and negatively with daily IL-12p40 concentration (all P < 0·05). Symptoms were not associated significantly with daily viral RNA titre, duration of viral shedding or cumulative shedding. Symptomatic individuals, compared to asymptomatic, have greater immune system activation, as measured by serum cytokines, but they do not have greater viral burden, as measured by titre and shedding, suggesting that symptoms may be immune-mediated in NoV infection.

Human norovirus infection and the acute serum cytokine response.

Noroviruses (NoV) are the most common cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. The acute immune response to NoV in humans is poorly understood, hindering research on prevention and treatment. To elucidate the acute immune response and test for cytokine predictors of susceptibility to infection, serum samples from two human NoV challenge studies were tested for 16 cytokines. Subjects who became infected (n = 26) were age-matched with subjects who remained uninfected following NoV challenge (n = 26). Samples were tested from prechallenge and days 1-4 post-challenge. Cytokine responses were compared between infected and uninfected groups. Overall, infected individuals exhibited an elevation in T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines, as well as chemokines interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), compared to uninfected individuals (all P < 0.05). Most cytokines peaked on day 2 post-challenge in infected subjects, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-8, and IL-10 remained elevated to day 3. The only cytokine elevated significantly among infected subjects to day 4 post-challenge was IL-10 (P = 0.021). Prechallenge cytokine concentrations were not predictive of infection status post-challenge. There were no significant changes in serum cytokines among NoV-challenged subjects who remained uninfected. These results suggest that NoV infection elicits a Th1-type response, with some Th2 activation. Persistent elevation of IL-10 among infected subjects is consistent with activation of adaptive immune responses, such as B cell expansion, as well as down-regulation of Th1 cytokines. This study presents the first comprehensive description of the acute cytokine response to GI.1 NoV in humans.

Epithelial exposure to hypoxia modulates neutrophil transepithelial migration.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are central to the pathogenesis of a number of intestinal diseases. PMN-induced damage to the protective epithelium occurs in hemorrhagic shock, necrotizing enterocolitis and conditions resulting in intestinal reperfusion injury. In such diseases, tissue hypoxia has been implicated as a pathophysiologic mediator. Thus, we hypothesized that exposure of intestinal epithelia to hypoxia may modulate PMN-epithelial interactions. In this study, T84 cell monolayers, a human intestinal crypt cell line, and isolated human PMN were used to examine the influence of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) on PMN transepithelial migration. Confluent T84 cell monolayers were exposed to hypoxia (range 2-21% O2 for 0-72 h) and reoxygenated with buffer containing PMN. Transmigration of PMN (basolateral to apical orientation) was driven by a transepithelial gradient of the chemotactic peptide tMLP. In response to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), transmigration into, and across epithelial monolayer was increased in a dose- (EC50 approximately 7% O2) and time-dependent fashion (3.5 +/- 0.3-fold increase at 2% O2 for 48 h, P < 0.001). Such conditions of H/R were not toxic to epithelia and did not influence epithelial barrier function. The influence of H/R on PMN transmigration was protein synthesis-dependent (> 80% decreased in the presence of cycloheximide) and could be inhibited by addition of functionally inhibitory antibodies to the PMN beta 2 integrin CD11b/18 (> 80% attenuated) and to CD47 (> 90% decreased compared to control). Hypoxia induced epithelial production and basolateral release of the PMN activating chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8, nearly sixfold increase over normoxic control) which remained avidly associated with the epithelial matrix. Treatment of epithelial cells with IL-8 antisense oligonucleotides resulted in decreased monolayer-associated PMN but did not influence PMN transmigration, suggesting that epithelial IL-8 production may serve as a recruitment signal for PMN to the basal surface of polarized epithelia. The present observations indicate that H/R provides a relevant stimulus for novel biochemical crosstalk between epithelia and PMN.

Heparin is an adhesive ligand for the leukocyte integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD1).

Previous studies have demonstrated that the leukocyte integrin Mac-1 adheres to several cell surface and soluble ligands including intercellular adhesion molecule-1, fibrinogen, iC3b, and factor X. However, experiments with Mac-1-expressing transfectants, purified Mac-1, and mAbs to Mac-1 indicate the existence of additional ligands. In this paper, we demonstrate a direct interaction between Mac-1 and heparan sulfate glycans. Heparin affinity resins immunoprecipitate Mac-1, and neutrophils and transfectant cells that express Mac-1 bind to heparin and heparan sulfate, but not to other sulfated glycosaminoglycans. Inhibition studies with mAbs and chemically modified forms of heparin suggest the I domain as a recognition site on Mac-1 for heparin, and suggest that either N- or O-sulfation is sufficient for heparin to bind efficiently to Mac-1. Under conditions of continuous flow in which heparins and E-selectin are cosubstrates, neutrophils tether to E-selectin and form firm adhesions through a Mac-1-heparin interaction.

Neutrophil migration across cultured intestinal epithelial monolayers is modulated by epithelial exposure to IFN-gamma in a highly polarized fashion.

Neutrophil, or polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN), migration across intestinal epithelial barriers, such as occurs in many disease states, appears to result in modifications of epithelial barrier and ion transport functions (Nash, S., J. Stafford, and J. L. Madara. 1987. J. Clin. Invest. 80:1104-1113; Madara, J. L., C. A. Parkos, S. P. Colgan, R. J. MacLeod, S. Nash, J. B. Matthews, C. Delp, and W. I. Lencer. 1992. J. Clin. Invest. 89:1938-1944). Here we investigate the effects of epithelial exposure to IFN-gamma on PMN migration across cultured monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial cell line T84. Transepithelial migration of PMN was initially assessed in the apical-to-basolateral direction, since previous studies indicate general qualitative similarities between PMN migration in the apical-to-basolateral and in the basolateral-to-apical directions. In the apical-to-basolateral direction, epithelial exposure to IFN-gamma markedly upregulated transepithelial migration of PMN in a dose- and time-dependent fashion as measured by both electrical and myeloperoxidase assays. This IFN-gamma-elicited effect on transmigration was specifically due to a IFN-gamma effect on epithelial cells and was not secondary to IFN-gamma effects on epithelial tight junction permeability. Moreover, this IFN-gamma effect was dependent on epithelial protein synthesis, and involved a pathway in which CD11b/18, but not ICAM-1 or CD11a/18, appeared to play a crucial role in PMN-epithelial adhesion. IFN-gamma also substantially modified PMN transepithelial migration in the natural, basolateral-to-apical direction. The IFN-gamma effect on naturally directed transmigration was also specifically due to an IFN-gamma effect on epithelial cells, showed comparable time and dose dependency to that of oppositely directed migration, was CD11b/18 dependent, and required epithelial protein synthesis. Additionally, however, important qualitative differences existed in how IFN-gamma affected transmigration in the two directions. In contrast to apical-to-basolateral directed migration, IFN-gamma markedly downregulated transepithelial migration of PMN in the natural direction. This downregulation of PMN migration in the natural direction, however, was not due to failure of PMN to move across filters and into monolayers. Indeed, IFN-gamma exposure to epithelia increased the number of PMN which had moved into the basolateral space of the epithelium in naturally directed transmigration. These results represent the first detailed report of influences on PMN transepithelial migration by a cytokine, define conditions under which a qualitative difference in PMN transepithelial migration exists, and suggest that migration of PMN across epithelia in the natural direction may involve multiple steps which can be differentially regulated by cytokines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Neutrophil migration across a cultured epithelial monolayer elicits a biphasic resistance response representing sequential effects on transcellular and paracellular pathways.

Migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes across epithelia is a hallmark of many inflammatory disease states. Neutrophils traverse epithelia by migrating through the paracellular space and crossing intercellular tight junctions. We have previously shown (Nash, S., J. Stafford, and J.L. Madara. 1987. J. Clin. Invest. 80:1104-1113), that leukocyte migration across T84 monolayers, a model human intestinal epithelium, results in enhanced tight junction permeability--an effect quantitated by the use of a simple, standard electrical assay of transepithelial resistance. Here we show that detailed time course studies of the transmigration-elicited decline in resistance has two components, one of which is unrelated to junctional permeability. The initial decrease in resistance, maximal 5-13 min after initiation of transmigration, occurs despite inhibition of transmigration by an antibody to the common beta subunit of neutrophil beta 2 integrins, and is paralleled by an increase in transepithelial short-circuit current. Chloride ion substitution and inhibitor studies indicate that the early-phase resistance decline is not attributable to an increase in tight junction permeability but is due to decreased resistance across epithelial cells resulting from chloride secretion. Since T84 cells are accepted models for studies of the regulation of Cl- and water secretion, our results suggest that neutrophil transmigration across mucosal surfaces (for example, respiratory and intestinal tracts) may initially activate flushing of the surface by salt and water. Equally important, these studies, by providing a concrete example of sequential transcellular and paracellular effects on transepithelial resistance, highlight the fact that this widely used assay cannot simply be viewed as a direct functional probe of tight junction permeability.

CD47 mediates post-adhesive events required for neutrophil migration across polarized intestinal epithelia.

Transepithelial migration of neutrophils (PMN) is a defining characteristic of active inflammatory states of mucosal surfaces. The process of PMN transepithelial migration, while dependent on the neutrophil beta 2 integrin CD11b/CD18, remains poorly understood. In these studies, we define a monoclonal antibody, C5/D5, raised against epithelial membrane preparations, which markedly inhibits PMN migration across polarized monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial cell line T84 in a bidirectional fashion. In T84 cells, the antigen defined by C5/D5 is upregulated by epithelial exposure to IFN-gamma, and represents a membrane glycoprotein of approximately 60 kD that is expressed on the basolateral membrane. While transepithelial migration of PMN was markedly inhibited by either C5/D5 IgG or C5/D5 Fab fragments, the antibody failed to inhibit both adhesion of PMN to T84 monolayers and adhesion of isolated T84 cells to the purified PMN integrin, CD11b/CD18. Thus, epithelial-PMN interactions blocked by C5/D5 appear to be downstream from initial CD11b/CD18-mediated adhesion of PMN to epithelial cells. Purification, microsequence analysis, and cross-blotting experiments indicate that the C5/D5 antigen represents CD47, a previously cloned integral membrane glycoprotein with homology to the immunoglobulin superfamily. Expression of the CD47 epitope was confirmed on PMN and was also localized to the basolateral membrane of normal human colonic epithelial cells. While C5/D5 IgG inhibited PMN migration even in the absence of epithelial, preincubation of T84 monolayers with C5/D5 IgG followed by antibody washout also resulted in inhibition of transmigration. These results suggest the presence of both neutrophil and epithelial components to CD47-mediated transepithelial migration. Thus, CD47 represents a potential new therapeutic target for downregulating active inflammatory disease of mucosal surfaces.

Raf 1 represses expression of the tight junction protein occludin via activation of the zinc-finger transcription factor slug.

Although dysregulation of tight junction (TJ) proteins is observed in epithelial malignancy, their participation in epithelial transformation is poorly understood. Recently we demonstrated that expression of oncogenic Raf 1 in Pa4 epithelial cells disrupts TJs and induces an oncogenic phenotype by downregulating expression of the TJ protein, occludin. Here we report the mechanism by which Raf 1 regulates occludin expression. Raf 1 inhibited occludin transcription by repressing a minimal segment of the occludin promoter in concert with upregulation of the transcriptional repressor, Slug without influencing the well-documented transcriptional repressor, Snail. Overexpression of Slug in Pa4 cells recapitulated the effect of Raf 1 on occludin expression, and depletion of Slug by small interfering RNA abrogated the effect of Raf 1 on occludin. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated a direct interaction between Slug and an E-box within the minimal Raf 1-responsive segment of the occludin promoter. These findings support a role of Slug in mediating Raf 1-induced transcriptional repression of occludin and subsequent epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

Neutrophil migration across a cultured intestinal epithelium. Dependence on a CD11b/CD18-mediated event and enhanced efficiency in physiological direction.

Neutrophils (PMN) migrate across intestinal epithelia in many disease states. Although such migration serves as a histological index of disease activity, little is known concerning the molecular events underlying PMN-intestinal epithelial interactions. We have studied chemotactic peptide-driven movement of PMN across cultured monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial cell line T84. Using a transmigration microassay, we show that both the decreased transepithelial resistance (76 +/- 3%) and transmigration (4 +/- 0.6 x 10(5) PMN.cm-2, when PMN applied at 6 x 10(6).cm-2) are largely prevented by MAbs which recognize either subunit of the PMN surface heterodimeric adhesion glycoprotein, CD11b/CD18. In contrast, such PMN-epithelial interactions are unaffected by MAbs recognizing either of the remaining two alpha subunits CD11a or CD11c. PMN from a leukocyte adherence deficiency patient also failed to migrate across epithelial monolayers thus confirming a requirement for CD11/18 integrins. By modifying our microassay, we were able to assess PMN transmigration across T84 monolayers in the physiological direction (which, for technical reasons, has not been studied in epithelia): transmigration was again largely attenuated by MAb to CD18 or CD11b (86 +/- 2% and 73 +/- 3% inhibition, respectively) but was unaffected by MAb to CD11a, CD11c. For standard conditions of PMN density, PMN transmigration in the physiological direction was 5-20 times more efficient than in the routinely studied opposite direction.

Purified cytochrome b from human granulocyte plasma membrane is comprised of two polypeptides with relative molecular weights of 91,000 and 22,000.

A new method has been developed for purification of cytochrome b from stimulated human granulocytes offering the advantage of high yields from practical quantities of whole blood. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were treated with diisopropylfluorophosphate, degranulated and disrupted by nitrogen cavitation. Membranes enriched in cytochrome b were prepared by differential centrifugation. Complete solubilization of the cytochrome from the membranes was achieved in octylglucoside after a 1-M salt wash. Wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated Sepharose 4B specifically bound the solubilized cytochrome b and afforded a threefold purification. Eluate from the immobilized wheat germ agglutinin was further enriched by chromatography on immobilized heparin. The final 260-fold purification of the b-type cytochrome with a 20-30% yield was achieved by velocity sedimentation in sucrose density gradients. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of the purified preparation revealed two polypeptides of Mr 91,000 and Mr 22,000. Treatment of the 125I-labeled, purified preparation with peptide:N-glycosidase F, which removes N-linked sugars, decreased relative molecular weight of the larger species to approximately 50,000, whereas beta-elimination, which removes O-linked sugars, had little or no effect on the mobility of the Mr-91,000 polypeptide. Neither of the deglycosylation conditions had any effect on electrophoretic mobility of the Mr-22,000 polypeptide. Disuccinimidyl suberate cross-linked the two polypeptides to a new Mr of 120,000-135,000 by SDS-PAGE. Antibody raised to the purified preparation immunoprecipitated spectral activity and, on Western blots, bound to the Mr-22,000 polypeptide but not the Mr-91,000 polypeptide. Western blot analysis of granulocytes from patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease revealed a complete absence of the Mr-22,000 polypeptide. These results (a) suggest that the two polypeptides are in close association and are part of the cytochrome b, (b) provide explanation for the molecular weight discrepancies previously reported for the protein, and (c) further support the involvement of the cytochrome in superoxide production in human neutrophils.

Lipoxin A4 modulates transmigration of human neutrophils across intestinal epithelial monolayers.

Neutrophil (PMN) migration across intestinal epithelial barriers, such as occurs in many disease states, results in modifications in epithelial barrier. Here, we investigated the impact of lipoxin A4 (LXA4), an eicosanoid with counterregulatory inflammatory roles, on PMN migration across cultured monolayers of the human intestinal epithelial cell line T84. Transepithelial migration of PMN was assessed in the apical-to-basolateral direction and in the basolateral-to-apical direction. In the apical-to-basolateral direction, preexposure of PMN to LXA4 (10 nM, 15 min) stimulated an 87 +/- 5% increase in transepithelial migration of PMN as determined by a PMN myeloperoxidase assay. The LXA4-elicited effect on transmigration was present throughout the 2-h assay period and was not secondary to LXA4 effects on epithelial monolayer integrity as judged by measurement of transepithelial resistance. PMN migration in the basolateral-to-apical direction was modulated by LXA4 with a comparable time- and concentration-dependence to that in the apical-to-basolateral direction. However, qualitative differences in how LXA4 modulates transmigration in the two opposing directions were observed. In the basolateral-to-apical direction, preexposure of PMN to LXA4 (10 nM, 15 min) diminished PMN transepithelial migration by 33 +/- 4%. Structure-function studies revealed that LXA4 and 11-trans-LXA4 (50% of LXA4 effect), but not LXB4, inhibited basolateral-to-apical PMN transmigration. The action of LXA4 was not sensitive to inhibitors of cyclooxygenase or specific leukotriene biosynthesis, but was sensitive to staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. These results suggest that migration of PMN across epithelia in the physiological direction may be qualitatively different following PMN exposure to eicosanoids. We propose that such retention of PMN at this specific anatomic location may serve an important role in mucosal defense.

Ultrastructural localization of cytochrome b in the membranes of resting and phagocytosing human granulocytes.

Affinity-purified rabbit anti-neutrophil cytochrome b light or heavy chain antibodies were used to immunocytochemically and biochemically localize cytochrome b in neutrophils and eosinophils. The antibodies were monospecific, recognizing polypeptides of 91 and 22 kD, respectively, on Western blots of whole neutrophil extracts. The antibodies were used in Western blot analysis of subcellular fractions of purified neutrophils to confirm that the distribution of cytochrome b spectral absorbance matched that of the two subunits. Thin sections of cryofixed, molecular distillation-dried granulocytes were labeled with the anti-cytochrome b antibodies, followed by incubation with biotin-conjugated secondary antibody, and final labeling with streptavidin-conjugated colloidal gold. Electron microscopy revealed that the cytochrome b light and heavy chains were localized primarily (80%) to 0.1-0.2-micron round or elliptical granule-like structures in neutrophils and 0.4-0.5-micron granules in eosinophils. Approximately 20% of the cytochrome b was localized to the surface, confirming the subcellular fractionation studies. Double staining experiments on the neutrophils, using polyclonal rabbit anti-lactoferrin antibody, indicated that the cytochrome-bearing structures also contained lactoferrin and thus were specific granules. When the analysis was performed on neutrophils that had phagocytosed Staphylococcus aureus, cytochrome b was found in the phagosomal membrane adjoining the bacterial cell wall.

5'-adenosine monophosphate is the neutrophil-derived paracrine factor that elicits chloride secretion from T84 intestinal epithelial cell monolayers.

Neutrophil transmigration across intestinal epithelia is thought to contribute to epithelial dysfunction and characterizes many inflammatory intestinal diseases. Neutrophils activated by factors, normally present in the lumen, release a neutrophil-derived secretagogue activity to which intestinal epithelia respond with an electrogenic chloride secretion, the transport event which underlies secretory diarrhea. Using sequential ultrafiltration, column chromatographic, and mass and Raman spectroscopic techniques, neutrophil-derived secretagogue was identified as 5'-AMP. Additional studies suggested that neutrophil-derived 5'-AMP is subsequently converted to adenosine at the epithelial cell surface by ecto-5'-nucleotidase and that adenosine subsequently activates intestinal secretion through adenosine receptors on the apical membrane of target intestinal epithelial cells. These findings suggest that this ATP metabolite may serve as a neutrophil-derived paracrine mediator that contributes to secretory diarrhea in states of intestinal inflammation.

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor effects on epithelia. Regulation of intercellular junctions in transformed and nontransformed cell lines, basolateral polarization of c-met receptor in transformed and natural intestinal epithelia, and induction of rapid wound repair in a transformed model epithelium.

Intestinal epithelial cells rest on a fibroblast sheath. Thus, factors produced by these fibroblasts may influence epithelial function in a paracrine fashion. We examined modulation of intestinal epithelial function by one such fibroblast product, scatter factor/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF/SF). This effect was studied in vitro by using model T84 intestinal epithelial cells. When applied to confluent T84 monolayers, HGF/SF attenuates transepithelial resistance to passive ion flow in a dose-dependent manner (maximum fall at 300 ng/ml, 28% control monolayer resistance, P < 0.001, ED50 of 1.2 nM), t1/2 of 20 h. This functional effect of HGF/SF and distribution of its receptor, c-met, are polarized to the basolateral membranes of T84 intestinal epithelial cells. HGF/SF effects on resistance are not attributable to altered transcellular resistance (opening of Cl- and/or basolateral K+ channels), cytotoxicity, or enhanced cell proliferation; they therefore represent specific regulation of paracellular tight junction resistance. Analysis with biochemically purified rodent HGF/SF and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells reveals that effects on paracellular tight junctions also occur in other nontransformed epithelia. Binding of HGF/SF to its receptor in T84 intestinal epithelial cells is accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor. Because loosening of intercellular junctions between cells could facilitate separation, spreading, and migration of epithelial cells during physiologic processes such as wound resealing, we determined the effects of HGF/SF on intestinal epithelial wound resealing using our previously published in vitro model (Nusrat, A., C. Delp, and J. L. Madara. 1992. J. Clin. Invest. 89:1501-1511). HGF/SF markedly enhanced wound closure (> 450% increase in rate, P < 0.001) by influencing the migratory and spreading response in not only cells adjoining the wound but also cells many positions removed from the wound. We thus speculate that HGF/SF may serve as an important cytokine that influences epithelial parameters such as transepithelial resistance and wound resealing. Further pharmacological approaches to manipulate HGF/SF signaling pathways may provide novel therapeutic strategies to enhance repair of intestinal epithelial erosions/ulcerations.

IL-17A-mediated neutrophil recruitment limits expansion of segmented filamentous bacteria.

Specific components of the intestinal microbiota are capable of influencing immune responses such that a mutualistic relationship is established. In mice, colonization with segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) induces T-helper-17 (Th17) cell differentiation in the intestine, yet the effector functions of interleukin (IL)-17A in response to SFB remain incompletely understood. Here we report that colonization of mice with SFB-containing microbiota induced IL-17A- and CXCR2-dependent recruitment of neutrophils to the ileum. This response required adaptive immunity, as Rag-deficient mice colonized with SFB-containing microbiota failed to induce IL-17A, CXCL1 and CXCL2, and displayed defective neutrophil recruitment to the ileum. Interestingly, neutrophil depletion in wild-type mice resulted in significantly augmented Th17 responses and SFB expansion, which correlated with impaired expression of IL-22 and antimicrobial peptides. These data provide novel insight into a dynamic IL-17A-CXCR2-neutrophil axis during acute SFB colonization and demonstrate a central role for neutrophils in limiting SFB expansion.

Neutrophil interactions with epithelial-expressed ICAM-1 enhances intestinal mucosal wound healing.

A characteristic feature of gastrointestinal tract inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, is polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) transepithelial migration (TEM) and accumulation in the gut lumen. PMN accumulation within the intestinal mucosa contributes to tissue injury. Although epithelial infiltration by large numbers of PMNs results in mucosal injury, we found that PMN interactions with luminal epithelial membrane receptors may also play a role in wound healing. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a PMN ligand that is upregulated on apical surfaces of intestinal epithelial cells under inflammatory conditions. In our study, increased expression of ICAM-1 resulted in enhanced PMN binding to the apical epithelium, which was associated with reduced PMN apoptosis. Following TEM, PMN adhesion to ICAM-1 resulted in activation of Akt and ß-catenin signaling, increased epithelial-cell proliferation, and wound healing. Such responses were ICAM-1 dependent as engagement of epithelial ICAM-1 by antibody-mediated cross-linking yielded similar results. Furthermore, using an in-vivo biopsy-based, colonic-mucosal-injury model, we demonstrated epithelial ICAM-1 has an important role in activation of epithelial Akt and ß-catenin signaling and wound healing. These findings suggest that post-migrated PMNs within the intestinal lumen can regulate epithelial homeostasis, thereby identifying ICAM-1 as a potential therapeutic target for promoting mucosal wound healing.

The lateral organization of components of the membrane skeleton and superoxide generation in the plasma membrane of stimulated human neutrophils.

Studies were performed to examine the lateral organization of the NADPH oxidase system in the plasma membrane of human neutrophils. Analysis of the subcellular fractionation of human neutrophils by isopycnic sedimentation of cavitated cell lysates suggested that there may be more than one population of plasma membrane vesicles formed upon cell disruption. One population (30-32% sucrose) contained surface accessible wheat germ agglutinin binding sites, alkaline phosphatase activity, and cytochrome b. Another population (34-36% sucrose) contained membrane-bound flavin and, when the cells were prestimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), NADPH-dependent superoxide generating activity. Approximately 25% of the neutrophil cytochrome b cosedimented with the heavy population, confirming our previous hypothesis (Parkos et al. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 6541-6547) that only a fraction of the total cellular cytochrome b is involved in superoxide production. The heavy plasma membrane fraction was also enriched in membrane associated actin and fodrin as detected by Western blot analysis. After extraction of the plasma membrane vesicles with detergent cocktails, the majority of superoxide generating activity remained associated with the detergent insoluble pellet. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the pellets were also enriched in actin. Further analysis of these pellets using rate-zonal detergent-containing sucrose density gradients indicated that the superoxide generating complex had an approximate sedimentation coefficient of 80 S, suggesting that the neutrophil superoxide generating system may form a complex on the plasma membrane which is associated with or somehow organized by the membrane skeletal matrix. This organization may be of functional relevance not only to the actual production of superoxide, but also to the targeting of microbicidal oxidants.

The quaternary structure of the plasma membrane b-type cytochrome of human granulocytes.

Hydrodynamic, crosslinking and immunoprecipitation studies were performed on detergent solubilized cytochrome b to demonstrate that the two copurifying polypeptides of molecular weight 91,000 (glycosylated) and 22,000 [1,2] formed a molecular complex. The hydrodynamic studies indicated that the cytochrome b/detergent complex had a sedimentation coefficient, partial specific volume and Stokes radius of 5.25 S, 0.82 cm3/g and 6.2 nm in Triton X-100 and 6.05 S, 0.80 cm3/g and 5.6 nm in octylglucoside, respectively. These studies also indicated that the detergent-protein complex has a molecular mass of 202 and 188 kDa in Triton X-100 and octylglucoside, respectively, is asymmetric in shape with a frictional coefficient of 1.3-1.4 and binds significant amounts of detergent. The molecular mass of the protein portion of the detergent-cytochrome complex was estimated to be between 100 and 127 kDa. Crosslinking studies with disuccinimidyl suberate and alkaline cleavable bis[2-(succinimidooxy-carbonyloxy)ethyl]sulfone revealed that the Mr = 91,000 and Mr = 22,000 components of purified cytochrome b are closely associated and can be covalently bound to form a polypeptide which, by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, has Mr values of 110,000-120,000 and 120,000-135,000 on 8% and 11% (w/v) SDS-polyacrylamide gels, respectively. Cleavage of the crosslinked species resulted in the reappearance of the Mr = 91,000 and Mr = 22,000 species. Sedimentation profiles of crosslinked cytochrome b in linear sucrose density gradients made up in H2O were identical to those of non-crosslinked controls. A close association of the two protein species was further confirmed by the ability of antibody specific for the smaller subunit to immunoprecipitate the larger one also. Experiments aimed at identifying the heme-carrying subunit(s) were inconclusive, since dissociation of the complex resulted in loss of cytochrome b spectrum. These results, in combination with our SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis molecular-weight estimates, provide strong evidence for the cytochrome b being an alpha-beta-type heterodimer composed of a glycosylated Mr = 91,000 and non-glycosylated Mr = 22,000 polypeptide.

CD11b/CD18-coated microspheres attach to E-selectin under flow.

Neutrophils can attach to E-selectin under flow. Proposed ligands for E-selectin carry SLe(x)-type glycans. The leukocyte beta2 integrins are glycosylated with SLe(x). Thus, we speculated that beta2 integrins could support attachment to E-selectin. To test this hypothesis, we coated 10-microm-diameter microspheres with purified CD11b/CD18 (alphaMbeta2) and investigated the adhesion of the resulting alphaMbeta2 microspheres to E-selectin. Under in vitro flow conditions, the alphaMbeta2 microspheres attached to Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing E-selectin (CHO-E) and 4-h interleukin-1beta-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). At a shear stress of 1.8 dynes/cm2, the attachment events were eliminated by pretreatment of the cellular monolayers with a mAb to E-selectin. alphaMbeta2 microspheres did not attach to untransfected CHO cells or unactivated HUVEC at 1.8 dynes/cm2. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that the CD11b/CD18-E-selectin bond has sufficient biophysical properties to mediate attachment of neutrophil-sized particles to E-selectin under flow.

The myeloid leukemia cell line HL-60 produces a factor that induces chloride secretion in cultured epithelial cells.

When activated, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) produce a small soluble factor, termed neutrophil-derived secretagogue (NDS), that elicits electrogenic Cl- secretion--the transport event responsible for hydration of mucosal surfaces. Work toward purification of this factor has been hampered by variability in activity of PMN-derived NDS. Using a human-derived intestinal epithelial cell line (T84) that serves as a model for studies of the regulation of electrogenic Cl- secretion, we find that the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 secrets a factor with NDS-like activity. Buffer conditioned by HL-60 cells (10(7) cells/ml for 1 h), when applied to T84 monolayers grown on permeable supports and analyzed by routine electrophysiological techniques, elicited a short-circuit current (Isc) of 11.7 +/- 1.02 microA/cm2. This short-circuit current was sensitive to bumetanide, an inhibitor of the basolateral Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, and was dependent on the presence of chloride in the assay buffers. Such data indicate that buffer conditioned by HL-60 cells stimulates electrogenic Cl- secretion. Like NDS, the active factor in HL-60-conditioned buffer has a nominal molecular weight of less than 500 and was increased by activation of cells with phorbol ester. 125I and 86Rb efflux assays confirmed that the secretagogue released by stimulated HL-60 cells, similar to PMN-derived NDS, preferentially stimulates opening of Cl- rather than K+ channels in T84 cells. Lastly, release of NDS-like bioactivity increases when HL-60 cells are differentiated toward granulocytes compared to cells differentiated toward monocytes.