Sagging of the cheek is related to skin elasticity, fat mass and mimetic muscle function.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Facial sagging is associated with aging, although the mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of facial sagging by examining the relationship of sagging severity to changes of skin elasticity, fat mass and facial muscle function at the cheek. METHODS: Faces of 108 healthy Japanese female volunteers, aged 20-60 years were photographed at an angle of 45 degrees . Standard scores of sagging severity were established by analyzing the photographs. We examined the correlations of scored sagging levels with skin elasticity measured with a Cutometer MPA 580, fat content estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis and facial muscle function (lip sealing force and occlusal force) in middle-aged female volunteers (30-40 years) with a wide range of sagging scores. RESULTS: Because the upper, lower and lateral areas in the cheek may show severe sagging, a six-grade score of sagging severity was separately established for each area. Each score was significantly correlated positively with age (20-60 years). In middle-aged volunteers, the sagging scores in all three areas of the cheek were significantly and negatively associated with skin elasticity. Body fat percentage was significantly and positively correlated with the sagging scores in the lower and lateral areas, although the correlation was only weakly positive in the upper area. Mimetic muscle function, measured in terms of lip sealing pressure, was significantly and negatively correlated with the sagging score only at the upper area of the cheek, but masticatory muscle function, measured in terms of occlusal force pressure, was not associated with the sagging score. CONCLUSIONS: Sagging may be associated with the reduction of skin elasticity and mimetic muscle function and increase of fat mass, but the relationships are different in different areas of the cheek.

Stress and the skin.

'The skin is the mirror which reflects the state of the mind.''The skin is the window of the mind.' These have been proverbs since ancient times. It is the topic of this article. Our life became convenient with the information technology these days but too much information often drives us on. We suffer from mental stress rather than physical stress. Since Selye advocated stress reaction, various reactions in the body have been described. Skin is also a target organ of the stress reaction. What the effects of stress are and how stress affects the skin are summarized in this review. Possible use of fragrance for the regulation of the stress reaction is also introduced.

Regulation of melanin synthesis of B16 mouse melanoma cells by 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and retinoic acid.

Melanin synthesis of B16 mouse melanoma cells was found to be stimulated dose and time dependently by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3], the hormonal form of vitamin D3. The stimulation of melanogenesis resulted from an increase in the activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin synthesis. The minimum dose required for this stimulation was as low as 0.05 ng/ml, or 0.12 nM, a physiological level of plasma 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. The stimulation by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 was specific; other derivatives of vitamin D3 caused no stimulation at a concentration of 500 ng/ml. When the cells were plated on agar plates, the proportion of dark or black colonies was not increased by the exposure to 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. Furthermore, this compound did not induce melanin synthesis of an amelanotic variant. Thus, its stimulatory effect seemed to be due to stimulation of melanin synthesis of melanotic cells, rather than to conversion of amelanotic clones to melanotic ones. 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 did not induce intracellular cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate, while cholera toxin induced cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and stimulated melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity much more than did 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, suggesting that 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 stimulates melanin synthesis by a cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-independent mechanism. B16 melanoma cells contained specific receptors for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. Scatchard plot analysis revealed two types of receptor; the high-affinity receptor had a Kd of 18.3 pM and an Nmax of 10.6 fmol/mg of protein. The specificity of receptor binding was demonstrated by studies showing that, for 50% displacement of 1 alpha,alpha,25(OH)2D3 binding, other derivatives were required at 500 times higher concentrations or more. In contrast to 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, retinoic acid inhibited melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity of B16 melanoma cells dose and time dependently. On simultaneous treatment, 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 and retinoic acid caused mutual interference, and a balance between their respective stimulating and inhibitory effects was obtained at a molar ratio of 10:1; i.e., with 10 nM 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 and 1 nM retinoic acid.

Induction of anchorage-independent growth of JB6 mouse epidermal cells by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3], a hormonally active form of vitamin D3, was shown previously to enhance chemically induced transformation of BALB 3T3 cells and Syrian hamster embryo cells. This report demonstrates that 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, like phorbol ester tumor promoters, induces anchorage-independent growth of mouse JB6 epidermal cells. When plated on agar plates containing 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 at concentrations higher than 0.05 ng/ml or 0.12 nM, JB6 cells formed colonies on the surface of agar plates dose dependently. This anchorage-independent growth was further confirmed by stimulation of DNA synthesis after liquefying the agar layer with NaI. A phorbol-ester resistant variant of JB6 cells was also resistant to 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 in terms of induction of anchorage independency. Induction of anchorage-independent growth was specific for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3: other derivatives of vitamin D3 also induced colony formation on agar plates but only at a higher concentration (500 ng/ml) and to much less extent than did 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. JB6 cells were found to contain a receptor specific for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 with a Kd of 55.7 pM and Nmax of 102.5 fmol/mg protein, suggesting a receptor-mediated mechanism of the induction. The clone that was resistant to 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 also contained the receptor. DNA-cellulose chromatography showed that a 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-receptor complex interacted with DNA. In contrast to 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, retinoic acid did not induce anchorage-independent growth of JB6 cells, but it inhibited the induction by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 when applied with it.

Supernatants from UVB radiation-exposed keratinocytes inhibit Langerhans cell presentation of tumor-associated antigens via IL-10 content.

Exposure of mice to midrange UV radiation (UVB) (280-320 mm) in vivo leads to suppression of the ability to induce delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Systemic administration of supernatants from UVB-exposed keratinocytes (KC) similarly inhibits the ability to induce DTH and the presence of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the supernatants has been shown to be responsible for this effect. It has been hypothesized that release of IL-10 by KC after exposure to UVB radiation in vivo may be responsible for UVB-induced inhibition of DTH and also for the inability of chronically UVB-irradiated mice to immunologically reject immunogenic UVB-induced skin tumors. To test directly whether supernatants from UVB-irradiated KC can inhibit presentation of tumor-associated antigens (TAA) by epidermal Langerhans cells (LC), cultures of the transformed murine KC line PAM 212 were exposed to 200 J/m2 of UVB radiation and 24 h supernatants obtained. CAF1 (H-2a/d) epidermal cells (EC) enriched for LC content were exposed to supernatants from irradiated (UV-SN) or mock-irradiated (MI-SN) PAM 212 cells for 3 h followed by culture for 16 h in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and then were pulsed with soluble TAA derived from the murine spindle cell tumor S1509a (H-2a). ECs were then washed and injected subcutaneously into naive CAF1 mice three times at weekly intervals for priming. One week after the final immunization these mice were challenged subcutaneously with live S1509a cells and tumor growth scored over time. Pretreatment of EC with UV-SN but not MI-SN inhibited the induction of effective immunity by this immunization scheme. ECs were also treated with UV-SN or MI-SN for 3 h then pulsed with TAA and injected into a hind footpad of previously immunized mice for elicitation of a DTH response. Pretreatment of EC with UV-SN but not MI-SN inhibited the ability of EC to elicit DTH. Neutralization studies with specific neutralizing antibodies to IL-10 demonstrated that the presence of IL-10 in UV-SN was responsible for the inhibition of antigen presentation both for induction and elicitation of immunity. UV-SN inhibits tumor antigen presentation by epidermal LC through the action of IL-10.

Tumor antigen presentation by epidermal antigen-presenting cells in the mouse: modulation by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and ultraviolet radiation.

I-A+ epidermal antigen-presenting cells (APCs, Langerhans cells) have been shown to present tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and to induce tumor immunity in vivo. This study examined the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and the cytokines granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on the ability of epidermal cells (ECs) to induce or to elicit immunity against the murine spindle cell tumor S1509a. Naive syngeneic mice were immunized three times at weekly intervals with ECs that had been cultured in GM-CSF for 18 h and then pulsed with TAA derived from S1509a. This resulted in protective immunity against subsequent tumor challenge, providing a model to study the conditions required for sensitization against TAAs by epidermal APCs. Culture of ECs in GM-CSF was required for induction of significant protective tumor immunity, and UV irradiation or incubation in TNF-alpha for 2 h after GM-CSF incubation abrogated the immunostimulatory effect of GM-CSF. However, unlike UVR, TNF-alpha did not significantly inhibit the induction of immunity when ECs were exposed to TNF-alpha before overnight incubation in GM-CSF, together with GM-CSF, or after pulsing with TAA, and anti-TNF-alpha antibody treatment did not abrogate the effects of UVR on this system. Furthermore, TNF-alpha incubation of ECs augmented their ability to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and also enhanced elicitation of DTH by GM-CSF-cultured ECs, whereas UV-irradiation reduced it in a dose-dependent fashion. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, and UVR are significant regulators of tumor antigen presentation by epidermal APCs and that the effects of the cytokines examined differ with regard to induction or elicitation of immunity.

Regulation of cytokine expression in macrophages and the Langerhans cell-like line XS52 by calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibits antigen presentation by Langerhans cells (LC) and macrophages, and LC are anatomically associated with CGRP-containing epidermal nerves. To determine whether CGRP may produce some of its functional effects through regulation of cytokine expression, we utilized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of conditioned supernatants to examine production of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-1 beta protein in the LC-like cell line XS52 as well as the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to examine levels of mRNA for IL-10, IL-1 beta, and the 40-kDa subunit (p40) of IL-12. CGRP augmented the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) -induced release of IL-10 protein and the induced expression of IL-10 mRNA in these cells. However, it suppressed the induction of release of IL-1 beta protein and the induction of mRNA for IL-12 p40 and IL-1 beta by LPS and GM-CSF. Regulation of cytokine expression in peritoneal macrophages was also examined. By ELISA, the LPS-induced expression of IL-10 was augmented by CGRP, whereas the induction of IL-1 beta was suppressed. Northern analysis demonstrated augmentation of LPS-induced IL-10 mRNA levels and inhibition of LPS-induced IL-1 beta mRNA by CGRP. CGRP inhibited the LPS-induced induction of IL-12 mRNA as assessed by RT-PCR. Up-regulation of B7-2 expression by LPS and GM-CSF was suppressed by CGRP in both XS52 cells and macrophages, as previously reported. This suppression, however, could be abrogated by co-culture with neutralizing antibodies to IL-10. Furthermore, the presence of neutralizing antibodies to IL-10 during exposure of epidermal cells (EC) to CGRP prevented the CGRP-mediated suppression of EC presentation of tumor-associated antigens (from the S1509a spindle cell carcinoma) for elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity in S1509a-immune mice. These data suggest that suppression of antigen-presenting function by CGRP is mediated, at least in part, by changes in cytokine expression that favor less robust antigen presentation for cell-mediated immunity.

Regulation of cutaneous allergic reaction by odorant inhalation.

Olfactory stimuli modulate emotional conditions and the whole body immune system. Effects of odorant inhalation on cutaneous immune reaction were examined. Contact hypersensitivity to 2,4, 6-trinitrochlorobenzene was elicited in C57BL/6 mice. The reaction was suppressed at both the induction and elicitation phases by exposure to an odorant, citralva. Topical application of citralva or lyral/lilial did not affect the reaction. The suppressive effect of citralva was more potent than that of another odorant, lyral/lilial. Citralva decreased the number of epidermal Langerhans cells, whereas lyral/lilial had a weak effect. Citralva but not lyral/lilial induced plasma corticosterone. Glucocorticoid receptor antagonist abrogated the suppressive effect of citralva on contact hypersensitivity. Serum interleukin-12 was downregulated by exposure to citralva or lyral/lilial. These data demonstrate that olfactory stimuli regulate the cutaneous immune system.

Structure-function relations in the inhibition of murine contact hypersensitivity by amiloride.

Topical application of amiloride, a potent inhibitor of the Na+/H+ antiport, inhibits cutaneous inflammation induced by ultraviolet radiation or contact hypersensitivity in mice. Amiloride analogues with greater and lesser inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchange were tested to determine whether anti-inflammatory effects correlate with this activity. Structural analogues of amiloride without significant activity at the Na+/H+ antiport (pyrazine, pyrazinamide, and chloropyrazine) failed to inhibit contact hypersensitivity. N-amidino-3-amino-5-dimethyl amino-6-chloropyrazinecarboxamide (DMA) has a 23-fold greater affinity for the Na+/H+ antiport compared to amiloride, but failed to inhibit contact hypersensitivity in this assay. 3,5-diamino-6-chloropyrazine-amido-guanidine (DCG), which has only 7% of the affinity of amiloride for the antiport, suppressed contact hypersensitivity as well as amiloride. Experiments examining the ability of these agents to diffuse through mouse skin revealed amiloride to be superior to both DCG and DMA, which were approximately equal. DMA, with greater inhibition of the Na+/H+ antiport but lesser ability to inhibit contact hypersensitivity, inhibited protein synthesis and induced cell death more than amiloride or DCG. Amiloride and DCG hold promise as topical anti-inflammatory agents. Their anti-inflammatory properties do not correlate with affinity for the Na+/H+ antiport, ability to penetrate murine skin, or inhibition of protein synthesis.

Expression of neurotrophic factors and neuropeptide receptors by Langerhans cells and the Langerhans cell-like cell line XS52: further support for a functional relationship between Langerhans cells and epidermal nerves.

Epidermal Langerhans cells are frequently anatomically associated with calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerves. Furthermore, calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibits Langerhans cells antigen-presenting function in several assays. Studies were performed to further explore the hypothesis that Langerhans cells and nerves have a functional relationship. To examine whether Langerhans cells may produce factors that influence nerve cell differentiation, we utilized the Langerhans cell-like cell line XS52 as a surrogate for Langerhans cells and compared it with Langerhans cells enriched to 90%. Supernatants conditioned by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated XS52 cells were able to induce the differentiation of the pheochromocytoma line PC12 into sympathetic neuron-like cells. This was also the case with enriched Langerhans cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. Pretreatment of conditioned supernatants with specific neutralizing anti-sera indicated that most of the differentiation-inducing activity was due to interleukin-6 and a small amount was due to nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. By reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, three clones of the XS52 cell line, XS52-4D, XS52-11D, and XS52-8B, were found to express mRNA for interleukin-6 and expression was markedly augmented by lipopolysaccharide. mRNA for nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor was detected in XS52-4D and XS52-11D, but not in XS52-8B. The expression of these neurotrophic factors by enriched Langerhans cells was quite similar to that of XS52-4D. In order to examine whether Langerhans cells may express receptors for nerve-derived peptides, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was employed to look for pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide type I, type II, and type III, and gastrin-releasing peptide receptors. All clones examined, as well as enriched Langerhans cells, expressed pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide type II and type III, and gastrin-releasing peptide receptors. These results suggest bi-directional signalling between Langerhans cells and nerves; nerve cells may regulate Langerhans cell function by elaboration of certain neuropeptides whereas Langerhans cells may promote the differentation of nerves by elaboration of interleukin-6 and, possibly, other factors.

Langerhans cells express inducible nitric oxide synthase and produce nitric oxide.

The importance of nitric oxide (NO) in mediating macrophage functions has been demonstrated, but production of this potent gas has not been examined in Langerhans cells (LC). Using murine LC purified from epidermal cell suspensions and the recently established LC-like cell line derived from newborn BALB/c epidermis (XS-52), it was shown with reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) message is present in these cells. Murine keratinocytes did not contain iNOS message. iNOS mRNA was increased in a concentration-dependent manner by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in purified murine LC and XS-52 cells, and immunofluorescence using an antibody to iNOS revealed bright cytoplasmic staining in LPS-treated XS-52 cells. Anti-iNOS antibody brightly stained LC on human neonatal foreskin cryosections. An increase in NO production by LPS-treated XS-52 cells over 16 h, as measured by the determination of nitrite levels in culture supernatants using the Griess Reaction, was observed. Interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) did not affect NO production on its own. In the presence of LPS and IFNgamma, NO production was 3 times more than observed with LPS alone. NO production was inhibited by the NOS inhibitor L-NAME. Western blots with anti-iNOS antibody demonstrated an increase in iNOS expression in LPS-treated XS-52 cells that was suppressed by IL-10. NO produced in LC may affect LC functions such as microbicidal activity, antigen presentation, and cytotoxicity and may affect adjacent keratinocytes and melanocytes.

Differential regulation of epidermal cell tumor-antigen presentation by IL-1alpha and IL-1beta.

IL-1 exists in two forms, termed IL-1alpha and IL-1beta, which exert similar effects in a number of biologic models. Recently, there have been reports of some differences in the activities of these two species in some systems. To address this issue with regard to Langerhans cells, Langerhans cell-enriched preparations of epidermal cells were treated with either IL-1alpha or IL-1beta before pulsing with S1509a tumor-associated antigens and subsequent use for immunization of naive mice to S1509a. While epidermal cells treated with 100 U IL-1beta per ml were able to induce protective tumor immunity (as indicated by the rejection of a subsequent tumor challenge with viable S1509a tumor cells), epidermal cells treated with 100 U IL-1alpha per ml failed to confer protective immunity. At 1000 U per ml, IL-1beta also inhibited the ability of epidermal cells to induce tumor immunity. To investigate the effects of the two IL-1 forms on elicitation of tumor immunity, naive mice were immunized against the S1509a tumor by s.c. injection of dead S1509a cells. Epidermal cells enriched for Langerhans cells were treated with either 100 U IL-1alpha or IL-1beta per ml before tumor-associated antigens-pulsing. Epidermal cells were then washed and injected into a hind footpad of tumor immune mice and 24 h footpad swelling was assessed as a measure of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Exposure to IL-1alpha led to suppressed elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity, whereas IL-1beta treated epidermal cells elicited a normal (100 U per ml) or enhanced (1000 U per ml) level of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Previous experiments indicated that the suppressive effects of IL-1alpha on induction of immunity may be mediated by TNF alpha. Therefore, the ability of IL-1alpha or IL-1beta to induce epidermal cell production of TNF alpha was assessed. IL-1alpha induced epidermal cells to secrete significantly higher amounts of TNF alpha protein compared with stimulation with IL-1beta. IL-1alpha and IL-1beta appear to differentially regulate epidermal cell antigen presenting capability.

Impaired immunosuppressive response to ultraviolet radiation in interleukin-10-deficient mice.

Exposure to mid-range ultraviolet radiation (UVR) [280-320 nm, ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation] inhibits the acquisition of delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice and contact hypersensitivity in rodents and humans. Intraperitoneal administration of interleukin 10 (IL-10) inhibits the sensitization of mice to alloantigens for a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and administration of neutralizing antibodies to IL-10 largely, but not totally, blocks the UVR-mediated suppression of the ability to sensitize mice. This suggests that these inhibitory effects of UVB radiation may be mediated by release of IL-10. To test this hypothesis directly, IL-10 gene-targeted (IL-10T) mice lacking expression of IL-10 were examined for the ability of UVB radiation to suppress induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity to alloantigens. IL-10T mice were completely resistant to UVB-induced immunosuppression in this system. Interestingly, UVB radiation could suppress in IL-10T mice the induction of contact hypersensitivity to a hapten applied to the skin at a site distant of irradiation, supporting the concept that regulation pathways of delayed-type hypersensitivity and contact hypersensitivity responses by UVR differ. These data provide additional understanding of the mechanisms of immunosuppression induced by UVR and suggest that IL-10 release subsequent to UVB radiation may play a role in the growth immunogenic UVB-induced cutaneous malignancies in the primary host.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibits proliferation and antigen presentation by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: effects on B7, interleukin 10, and interleukin 12.

CGRP is a neuropeptide that has previously been described to possess immunosuppressive activities. CGRP is released from peripheral nerves that, in the skin, are in close physical association with dendritic APC. We sought to investigate the mechanisms by which CGRP can inhibit immune responses by studying its effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Using allogeneic monocytes as stimulator cells, CGRP could inhibit the proliferation of PBMC by 47% when CGRP was present for the duration of culture. Interestingly, when the stimulator monocytes were incubated with CGRP for 2 h prior to irradiation then washed, the observed inhibition increased to 85%, suggesting that CGRP was exerting a direct effect on the monocyte stimulator population. Finally, the recall response to tetanus toxoid (TT) by PBMC from individuals vaccinated with TT 14 d prior was inhibited by 25-50% in the presence of CGRP. Also, CGRP decreased the levels of B7.2 but not B7.1 on treated monocytes, and this inhibition could be abrogated by the addition of anti-IL-10 antibody, suggesting that the inhibition was mediated by an increase in IL-10 production. Moreover, increased IL-10 production was confirmed by ELISA. Both IL-12 p40 and IFN-gamma levels in CGRP-treated cultures were found to be decreased by approximately 30%. The decrease in IL-12 p40 levels could be reversed by addition of anti-IL-10. These data suggest that CGRP inhibits PBMC proliferation, in part, through the release of IL-10, which in turn can downregulate important co-stimulatory molecules and the cytokines IL-12 and IFN-gamma.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene transfer to dendritic cells or epidermal cells augments their antigen-presenting function including induction of anti-tumor immunity.

Dendritic antigen-presenting cells derived from epidermis (Langerhans cells), bone marrow, and peripheral blood can present a wide variety of antigens, including tumor-associated antigens, for various immune responses. The development and function of dendritic cells is dependent upon a number of cytokines including granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor. For example, Langerhans cells can present tumor-associated antigens for the induction of substantial in vivo anti-tumor immunity but only after activation in vitro by granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor. Thus, we reasoned that insertion of a cDNA for granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor into dendritic antigen-presenting cells may allow for autocrine stimulation and increased antigen-presenting capability. To test this possibility, we utilized an adenovirus vector to insert a cDNA for murine granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor into the dendritic cell lines XS52-4D and XS106 (derived from neonatal mouse epidermis), bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, and epidermal cells that contain Langerhans cells. Infection of each of these cell types resulted in release of abundant quantities of granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor. XS52-4D and XS106 cells infected with adenovirus granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor exhibited prolonged dendrites and greater expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules and CD86 compared with cells infected with a null vector. Granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor cDNA-containing XS cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, and epidermal cells had more potent alloantigen presenting capability than cells infected with a null vector. Most importantly, granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor gene-transferred epidermal cells were able to present tumor-associated antigens for in vivo anti-tumor immunity against challenge with the S1509a spindle-cell tumor whereas null vector-infected cells were unable to prime for immunity. These results suggest that introduction of a cDNA for granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor into dendritic cells may be an effective means to augment their antigen-presenting capability and that granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor gene-transfer- red epidermal cells may be useful in tumor vaccination strategies.

Regulation of terminal differentiation of cultured mouse epidermal cells by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Terminal differentiation of mouse epidermal cells in primary culture was found to be regulated by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha,25(OH)2D3), the hormonal form of vitamin D3 produced by sequential hydroxylations in the liver and kidney. Epidermal differentiation was stimulated dose dependently by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 at concentrations of 0.12 nM or more. In the presence of the vitamin, stratified foci increased in number and size and contiguous foci coalesced. Basal cells in the treated cultures decreased sharply and underwent differentiation into squamous and enucleated cells which sloughed off into the medium during cultivation. The size and density of the cells became larger and lighter during the course of differentiation. 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 markedly stimulated formation of a cornified envelope, a structure with chemically stable cross-links formed beneath the plasma membrane. Of several derivatives of vitamin D3 examined, 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 was the most potent in inducing epidermal differentiation. Stimulation of epidermal differentiation was also observed in low calcium medium. DNA synthesis was inhibited dose dependently by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. A specific receptor for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 was found in the cytosol fraction of the epidermal cells. Scatchard plot analysis revealed that the receptor has an apparent dissociation constant (Kd value) of 54 pM and maximum binding value (Nmax) of 43 fmol/mg protein. The specificity of the receptor was demonstrated by analog competition in the following order: 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 much greater than 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 greater than 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 greater than 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

The presence of biologically significant concentrations of glucocorticoids but little or no cortisol binding globulin within aqueous humor: relevance to immune privilege in the anterior chamber of the eye.

PURPOSE: Immunosuppressive factors in aqueous humor (AH) contribute to the immune-privileged status of the anterior chamber of the eye. One such factor is transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta); other relevant inhibitors have not been fully identified. The authors examined AH to search for other putative inhibitors and to determine their effect on TGF-beta inhibitory activity. METHODS: Radioimmunoassays (RIA) were used to detect the presence of hydrocortisone, corticosterone, cortisol binding globulin (CBG), and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) in AH. The ability of these factors to inhibit murine thymocyte proliferation stimulated by phytohemagglutinin-interleukin 1 (PHA/IL-1) and proliferation of a TGF-beta-sensitive cell line (CCL64) in vitro was examined. The ability of hydrocortisone to inhibit a one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and the ability of epidermal cells to present soluble tumor-associated antigens (TAA) for elicitation of immunity in mice in the concentration range present in AH was also examined. RESULTS: Hydrocortisone was detected in mouse, rat, and human AH (10.8 +/- 1.1 ng/ml, 9.3 +/- 2.1 ng/ml, and 18.0 +/- 1.0 ng/ml, respectively; mean +/- SEM), as was corticosterone (2.7 +/- 0.9 ng/ml, 2.2 +/- 0.3 ng/ml, and 0.7 +/- 0.1 ng/ml, respectively). Whereas normal plasma contains a binding protein for corticosteroids (i.e., CBG), the concentration in mouse, rat, and human AH was less than the level detectable by an RIA. Hydrocortisone inhibited PHA/IL-1-stimulated murine thymocyte proliferation and CCL64 cell proliferation in the concentration range present in AH. When hydrocortisone was combined with TGF-beta 2 (125 pg/ml), the degree of inhibition observed was greater than with either alone. Corticosterone inhibited thymocyte costimulation only slightly at concentrations present in AH but was inhibitory for CCL64 cells. alpha-MSH was also detected in AH. The concentration present had only slight inhibitory effects for CCL64 cell proliferation and did not enhance TGF-beta 2-mediated (62 pg/ml to 250 pg/ml) inhibition of CCL64 or thymocyte proliferation. Hydrocortisone inhibited the one-way MLR in the concentration range present in AH and, at 10 ng/ml, inhibited the ability of epidermal cells to present TAA for elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity in tumor-immune mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that AH contains biologically relevant concentrations of glucocorticoids and that CBG is relatively absent so that glucocorticoids present are largely free, and they suggest that regional sites take advantage of the activities of multiple factors to maintain an immune-privileged status.

Identification of genes associated with tumor suppression in Syrian hamster embryo cells.

Loss of a tumor-suppressor gene function appears to play a critical role in the multistep process of neoplastic transformation of Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells in vitro. Clonal variants of two independent, preneoplastic cell lines have been isolated that have either retained (termed supB+) or lost (termed supB-) the ability to suppress the tumorigenicity of a highly malignant benzo[alpha]pyrene-transformed SHE cell line (BP6T) in cell hybrids. We have pursued several approaches in an attempt to identify genes that are responsible for tumor suppression in these cells. The only consistent differences detected in two-dimensional gel analyses of supB+ and supB- cellular proteins were decreases in the levels of two high molecular weight isoforms of tropomyosin in supB- cells. Differential screening of a supB+ cDNA library for genes that are preferentially expressed in supB+ cells yielded cDNA clones for four genes, i.e., collagen type II, collagen type IX, H19, and a previously unidentified gene (clone 5). Nuclear run-on assays suggested that higher transcription rates were responsible for the increased steady-state levels of some of these transcripts in supB+ cells. DNA sequence comparisons showed that two copies of a 9 bp element, previously identified in each of the mouse H19 enhancers, were also present in the 5' flanking region of the rat type II collagen gene. A transcription factor that controls expression of the collagen and H19 genes through binding to this conserved motif would be an attractive candidate for the supB+ gene or at least a mediator of the supB+ phenotype.

beta-Endorphin binding and regulation of cytokine expression in Langerhans cells.

Neuropeptides and neurohormones have been shown to be able to regulate cutaneous immune reactions. Binding of beta-endorphin (beta-end) on epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) and effects of beta-end on cytokine expression were examined. Biotinylated beta-end bound to the mouse LC-like cell line, XS52, and the binding was replaced with intact beta-end but not with substance P. beta-End augmented secretion of IL-1 beta and IL-10 from XS52 cells were induced by a combination of LPS and GM-CSF. Induction of TNF alpha was suppressed by beta-end. The regulation of cytokine expression was confirmed in fresh LC by RT-PCR. These results suggest that beta-end is a regulator of skin immune function.

Measurement of partial specific thickness (net thickness) of critical-point-dried cultured fibroblast by energy analysis.

The relative specimen thickness obtained with an energy analyser is one of the most important parameters in electron microscopy. It has been made clear that this parameter can be applied not only to inorganic specimens, but also to organic and biological specimens. Moreover, the partial specific thickness of a critical-point-dried cultured fibroblast, that is, a net thickness converted in terms of Epon, was calculated from the relative specimen thickness. The partial specific thickness of each domain of the critical-point-dried cultured fibroblast is: CC 0.05 microns, PE 0.14 microns, ED 0.32 microns and PN 0.54 microns. As a result, it is suggested that 27% of the volume of this specimen consists of biological materials.