Immunoregulatory cytokines in mouse placental extracts inhibit in vitro osteoclast differentiation of murine macrophages.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies showed that placental extracts (PE) alleviates arthritic symptoms in animal models of arthritis. METHODS: To evaluate whether murine PEs obtained at embryonic days 7.5 (PE7) and 17.5 (PE18) regulate RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation, RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with RANKL and MCSF in presence or not of PEs. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) was stained and multinucleated TRAP positive cells were visualized under a light microscope. Cathepsin K and metalloprotease expression was assessed by RT-PCR and gelatin zymography respectively. NFATc1 expression was determined by immunoblot. To analyze NFAT-dependent transcription, macrophages were transfected with a luciferase reporter plasmid. Cytokines were determined in PEs by ELISA and immunoblot. Transforming growth factor (TGF)- beta and Interleukin (IL)-10 receptor were inhibited in cell cultures with specific antibodies. RESULTS: PE7 and PE18 inhibited RANKL-induced multinucleated TRAP positive cells, Cathepsin K expression and metalloprotease activity, as well as NFATc1 expression and activity, thereby inhibiting osteoclast differentiation of RAW cells. Inflammatory/Regulatory cytokine ratio was higher in PE7 than in PE18. Blocking TGF-beta abolished the effect of both, PE7 and PE18, on multinucleated TRAP positive cells and metalloprotease expression, whereas blocking IL-10 receptor reverted the effect of PE18 but not of PE7. DISCUSSION: Inhibition of osteoclast differentiation by PEs was not unexpected, since cytokines detected in extracts were previously found to regulate osteoclast differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: PEs inhibited osteoclast differentiation of macrophages in vitro. Downregulation of NFATc1 might be involved in this effect. Regulatory/Th2 cytokines play a role in the effect of PEs on osteoclast differentiation.

Asymmetric antibodies: a protective arm in pregnancy.

In normal conditions, a simple change in the pattern of cytokines towards a Th2 response is associated with the production of aggressive antibodies. This fact could not completely explain phenomena such as the fetal survival or the chronicity of certain infections. However, it has been demonstrated that Th2 cytokines increase the proportion of asymmetric antibodies, which are unable to activate effector immune mechanisms (complement fixation, clearance of antigens and phagocytosis). Investigations of asymmetrically glycosylated antibodies demonstrated that these IgG molecules have an extracarbohydrate in one of the Fab regions. This glycosylation affects their antigen interaction turning them into a functionally univalent and blocking antibodies. It has been established that their synthesis is increased under different physiopathological situations involving Th2 responses: chronic infections by extracellular microorganisms, pregnancy and allergic processes. In this review we summarize the experiments performed by our research group over the last years as well as the advances made concerning the role and mechanism of asymmetric antibodies.

In vitro and in vivo effects of progesterone on Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae.

We have previously demonstrated that during pregnancy there exists an increased parasiticide activity against Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae (NBL) in infected rats. In this work we analysed the contribution of peritoneal cells from noninfected pregnant rats to the mortality of the NBL in cytotoxicity assays, and evaluated the role of progesterone in this effector mechanism. Our findings suggest that progesterone can induce activation of effector peritoneal cells to destroy the NBL in a rapid and antibody-independent manner. The administration of progesterone to ovariectomized rats also led to a significant decrease in the parasite load of the animals, thus demonstrating that progesterone induces the increase of the parasiticide activity of the leukocytes involved in the mechanisms of NBL death.

Interleukin-6 and dexamethasone modulate in vitro asymmetric antibody synthesis and UDP-Glc glycoprotein glycosyltransferase activity.

The increased production of asymmetric IgG protective antibodies is one of the mechanisms proposed to explain a successful semiallogeneic pregnancy. We have previously demonstrated that IL-6 was able to enhance the synthesis of these antibodies by a murine hybridoma, while the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEXA) diminished it. In order to investigate the mechanism of asymmetric antibody synthesis, we investigate the role of UDP-Glc glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (GT), an endoplasmic reticulum enzyme involved in the quality control and folding of glycoproteins. Either recombinant murine rmIL-6 (0-10-40-160-320-640 ng/ml) or DEXA (0.15 microM) were added to a mouse hybridoma culture and incubated for 24 and 72 h in the first case, and for 4h in the presence of DEXA. Anti-DNP asymmetric antibodies were determined in the culture supernatants by ELISA. After harvesting, hybridoma cells were sonicated and GT activity was analysed in isolated microsomal fractions by measuring UDP((14)C)-Glc incorporation into urea-denatured thyroglobulin (urea-Tg). In the present paper, we showed that IL-6, mainly at 40 ng/ml and t=24h, was able to upregulate both in vitro GT activity (+74%) and asymmetric molecule synthesis (+227%). Lower increases were obtained employing 10 and 160 ng/ml. On the other hand, DEXA, at 0.15 microM and t=4h, showed a mild inhibition of enzyme activity (-10%) and a diminished proportion of asymmetric IgG (-49%). A direct relationship between GT activity and proportion of the asymmetric antibody synthesised was found in our hybridoma cells employing IL-6 and DEXA in different conditions, as was indicated by a correlation analysis. These results suggest that GT might be involved in the synthesis of asymmetric antibodies.

Regulation of interleukin-6 fetoplacental levels could be involved in the protective effect of low-molecular weight heparin treatment on murine spontaneous abortion.

PROBLEM: CBA/J x DBA/2 abortion rate could be the consequence of a deficient local production of T helper (Th2) cytokines, which cause fetal wastage via fgl2 prothrombinase. Heparin reduces significantly the abortion rate in mice and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients. We proposed to determine the effect of enoxaparin on the levels of local interleukin (IL)-6 during murine pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY: Recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6) or enoxaparin were inoculated in CBA/J x DBA/2 pregnant mice on days 6.5-12.5. IL-6 levels in sera as well as in culture supernatants of day 9.5 fetoplacental units of CBA/J x BALB/c control mice or CBA/J x DBA/2 abortion combination were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. RESULTS: CBA/J x DBA/2 fetoplacental units secreted significantly lower levels of IL-6 with regard to CBA/J x BALB/c normal units. rhIL-6h and enoxaparin treatments decreased the resorption rate and regulated IL-6 fetoplacental levels. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that regulation of IL-6 fetoplacental levels could be involved in heparin-mediated anticoagulation protection against abortion.

Increased parasiticide activity against Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae during pregnancy.

To evaluate whether pregnancy has a synergetic effect on the host's immune response against Trichinella spiralis infection, immunological and parasitological parameters relating to the infection were assessed in pregnant rats and compared to those observed in virgin infected rats. The muscle parasite load was lower in pregnant infected rats but no differences were found in the intestinal worm burdens or the fecundity of female worms. The ability of sera to mediate death in newborn larvae (NBL) in an antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity assay was higher for pregnant rats, even in the absence of specific anti-NBL antibodies. High levels of total and anti-NBL IgE were found in both groups, however, these levels were higher in the group of pregnant infected animals. No differences were found in anti-NBL IgGAM titers, nevertheless in some pregnant infected rats these antibodies were found earlier. No differences were found in peritoneal or blood eosinophil counts. Offspring born to infected dams were found to be infected. The results obtained in this model demonstrate that during pregnancy there is an enhanced helminthotoxic effect towards the NBL. Despite this immunoactivation, vertical transmission of the parasite is possible.

Interleukin regulation of asymmetric antibody synthesized by isolated placental B cells.

PROBLEM: Protecting antibodies against trophoblast surface molecules were previously described. Here we analysed the synthesis of asymmetric IgG by placental B-lymphocytes. METHOD OF STUDY: B cells were isolated from human term placenta and cord blood, stimulated with anti-CD40 IgG and cocultured with transfected Fcgamma R-expressing mice Ltk-fibroblast. Interleukin-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-11 and IL-13 were added to cultures for 14 days. Asymmetric IgG were assessed in culture supernatants by concanavalin A (Con A) fixation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: When IL-6 was added to the cultures, the percentages of asymmetric IgG synthesized by placental B cells were: IL-6: 29 +/- 10; IL-6 + IL-10: 24 +/- 7; IL-4 + IL-10 + IL-6: 38 +/- 9. The last combination induced the highest increase in the asymmetric IgG synthesis as compared with control (19 +/- 10%, P < 0.05). Additionally, placental B cells synthesized more asymmetric IgG than umbilical cord blood B-lymphocytes (P = 0.0015). CONCLUSIONS: Isolated placental B-lymphocytes synthesized asymmetric IgG in response to Th2 interleukins, more notably IL-6 in combination with IL-4 and IL-10. The in vitro increase of protective asymmetric IgG synthesis in response to Th2-cytokines support the hypothesis that a local Th2-switch is beneficial for pregnancy outcome.

Enhancement of in vitro hsp72 expression by placental IL-6.

PROBLEM: To give an approach in order to elucidate the mechanism by which placental IL-6 induce modifications in the glycosylation status of immunoglobulins, in the present work, we investigate a putative relationship between a stimulus by placental IL-6 and expression of cytoplasmic "hsp70 family proteins" in an in vitro model. METHODS OF STUDY: Supernatants of cultures of placentae obtained from primiparous and multiparous AKR/J x AKR/J and AKR/J x BALB/c mouse crossbreedings were added to mouse IgGI hybridoma cultures which produced symmetric and asymmetric anti-dinitrophenol (anti-DNP) antibodies. Analyses of the expression of inducible hsp72/constitutive hsp73 in cellular lysates obtained from hybridomas cultured, in the presence of rmIL-6 or crude murine placental culture supernatants, followed by neutralization assays with anti IL-6, were performed. In addition, the level of IL-6 present in the employed placental culture supernatants was determined and compared with the placental hsp70-inducing effect. RESULTS: These experiments showed that mouse placentae were able to release IL-6 in vitro. In addition, mouse placental supernatants (PS) containing over 1,000 pg/mL of IL-6 enhanced the expression of the inducible isoform hsp72 in the employed hybridomas. This effect was abolished when the hsp70-inducing PS were previously incubated with anti-mIL6 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: These observations indicate that mouse placentae produce different titers of IL-6 and suggest that IL-6 appears to be the unique mouse placental factor able to induce in vitro hsp72 synthesis. A relationship with the increased synthesis of anti-paternal antigen asymmetric antibodies, previously observed during pregnancy, is discussed.

Asymmetric antibodies and pregnancy.

PROBLEM: Asymmetric IgG antibodies (AAb) possess a mannose-rich oligosaccharide residue bound to one of the Fab regions, making them unable to activate immunoeffector mechanisms. The proportion of asymmetric antibodies is increased after prolonged immunization with particulate antigens like cellular spleen cells. During pregnancy, AAb were found in serum and bound to placenta with specific activity to paternal antigens. No previous reports about the status of AAb in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients have been published to date. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the percentage of asymmetric IgG molecules in serum samples of (a) healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women, (b) pregnant women with a history of RSA, and (c) non-pregnant RSA patients receiving paternal lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) or intravenous gammaglobulin therapy (IVIgs). METHOD OF STUDY: A previously-described differential ELISA technique was used to determine the percentage of IgG that was of the asymmetric type. RESULTS: During normal pregnancy, there was an increase in the percentage of high ConA affinity IgG serum molecules with a major increase at the second trimester. Pregnant RSA patients at the second trimester had lower values. When evaluating non-pregnant RSA patients who received LIT, it was observed that the immunized patients expressed a higher percentage of asymmetric IgG antibodies. The pregnant patients who received IVIgs had a percentage of AAbs comparable to normal pregnant patients. Additionally, the presence of IgG asymmetric molecules was confirmed in commercial gammaglobulin preparations. CONCLUSION: Results suggest a protective role of AAb during pregnancy.

Effect of pregnancy and placental factors on the quality of humoral immune response.

Asymmetrical IgG molecules are characterised by the presence of a mannose-rich oligosaccharide group in only one of the two Fab fragments, which impairs the corresponding paratope, causing such molecules to behave as univalent antibodies and therefore as antigen blockers [1-3]. During human and murine pregnancy, an increase has been detected in asymmetrical IgG molecules in serum and those bound to the placenta, which normally releases factors capable of modulating the immune response. It thus seemed of interest to investigate the effect of placental culture supernatants (PCS) on in vivo and in vitro synthesis of rat immunoglobulin IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG2C, particularly the ratio of symmetrical and asymmetrical molecules in each isotype. The effect of PCS was determined in vivo by means of passive transfer to virgin females and in vitro by analysing the supernatants of spleen cells cultured in the presence of PCS. The results showed that neither pregnancy status nor PCS were capable of modifying serum levels of IgG2a, IgG2b or IgG2c, whereas the level of IgG1 was reduced. When PCS were added to the spleen cells cultures, an in vitro increase was observed in IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG2c production. The separation of symmetrical from asymmetrical IgG molecules was performed by affinity chromatography in Concanavalin A-Sepharose, as such lectin binds high mannose sugars present only in asymmetrical IgG molecules. It is shown that pregnancy and PCS induce an increase in IgG1 and IgG2 molecules asymmetrically glycosylated, capable of binding to ConA-Sepharose. Therefore, the placenta is capable of releasing factors which can regulate the relative proportion of asymmetrical IgG molecules and induce quantitative and qualitative modifications of the in vitro and in vivo produced antibodies.

Incidence of rat-soluble placental factors on IgE and IgG2a synthesis.

PROBLEM: The in vivo effect of soluble factors present in placental culture supernatants (PCSs) on the synthesis of rat immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG2a isotypes was investigated. METHOD OF STUDY: Batches of Wistar SPF rats immunized with a 10-microgram dose of ovalbumin and Al(OH)3 were used: group I, consisted of virgin rats; group II, virgin females injected simultaneously with PCSs; and group III, pregnant females. As controls, nonimmunized batches were included. Serum samples were collected at days 0 (basal) and 10 after antigen challenge, determining levels of total and specific antiovalbumin of both IgE and IgG2a by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In vivo and at least at the doses administered, PCSs exert an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of specific and total anti-ovalbumin IgE during the course of immune response to such challenge. However, PCSs did not modify serum values of total and specific IgG2a. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PCSs exert selective influence on the synthesis of diverse immunoglobulin isotypes during immune response, through the balance of cytokines synthesized by placental cells.

IgG asymmetric anti-ovalbumin antibodies synthesized by virgin and pregnant rats.

A study on the synthesis of asymmetrical IgG molecules 'with no specific activity' and with anti-ovalbumin activity was carried out both in virgin rats and in rats inoculated with ovalbumin and made pregnant by syngeneic and allogeneic males. Before pregnancy, female rats synthesize about 23% of asymmetrical IgG molecules, when the level of these molecules is assessed in total IgG, in anti-ovalbumin IgG and in the supernatant from the adsorption of anti-ovalbumin antibodies. On the other hand, anti-ovalbumin antibodies isolated are predominantly of the symmetrical IgG type; they are also precipitants and effectors of the biological mechanisms that the host operates to preserve pathogenic antigens (bacteria, parasites). In rats pregnant by syngeneic and allogeneic males, the ratio asymmetric/symmetric IgG molecules increases, and the anti-ovalbumin antibodies are mainly of the asymmetrical IgG type, which aid antigen-blocking. Similar results are found in virgin rats, immunized with ovalbumin and intraperitoneally transferred simultaneously with supernatants of placental cultures. These results suggest that, during pregnancy, there is an increase of the IgG asymmetric/symmetric molecule ratio, produced by placental factors, whatever the immunogen specificity may be. Speculations about this fact are presented.

Preferential synthesis of asymmetric antibodies in rats immunized with paternal particulate antigens. Effect on pregnancy.

The effect of immunization of female Fischer rats with particulate (spleen cells) (group I) or soluble (supernatant of disintegrated spleen cells) (group II) paternal antigens previous to mating with Buffalo rats was investigated. The percentage of asymmetric IgG molecules in the serum of rats inoculated with particulate antigens was 38% while in those injected with soluble antigens it was 29% and 28% in non-immunized animals. These percentages further increased during pregnancy to 45%, 38% and 37%, respectively. The antipaternal antibody titres, as determined by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), was much higher in the animals immunized with particulate antigens but the effector activity, judged by complement fixation, was similar in both groups. The same values were observed at the time of mating (after 3 months of immunization) and at day 17 of pregnancy. Fetus and placenta weights and offspring survival were equally greater in group I than in group II or non-immunized rats (group III). The results obtained indicate the preferential synthesis of antipaternal IgG asymmetric antibodies in rats injected with particulate antigens previous to mating and suggests a beneficial effect of these antibodies in pregnancy.

IgG asymmetric molecules with antipaternal activity isolated from sera and placenta of pregnant human.

The proportion of symmetric and asymmetric IgG molecules was studied in 10 mothers at delivery. IgG was obtained from peripheral blood and placental blood sera and by elution at 4 M KCl from placenta cell membranes. The percentage of symmetric and asymmetric molecules was determined in the IgG and in their corresponding F(ab')2 fragments by absorption to Con A-Sepharose. The presence of antipaternal antibodies was investigated by IIF and MC tests using paternal lymphocytes. The average percentage of asymetric IgG molecules in the sera was 24.4, which is about double the value of that found in normal subjects. In the IgG eluted from the placenta, the proportion of asymmetric IgG was much higher, averaging 44.4%. Antipaternal antibodies were detected in 5 mothers by IIF and MC and in two mothers only by IIF. In three mothers no antibodies could be detected. It was found that the concentration of antipaternal antibodies was about three times higher in the asymmetric IgG fraction than in the summetric one. Considering the percentage of asymmetric IgG molecules with antipaternal antigen specificity eluted from placenta and the possibility that they function as blocking antibodies, their participation in fetal protection is suggested.

Asymmetric Fab glycosylation in guinea-pig IgG1 and IgG2.

The presence of asymmetric antibody molecules has been investigated in both IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses of guinea-pig immunoglobulins. It was found that about 20% of the IgG1 and 10% of the IgG2 were of asymmetric type. The proportion was essentially the same in the sera of normal animals, animals hyperimmunized with dinitrophenyl-bovine gamma globulin (DNP-BGG) and Freund's adjuvant, and animals infected with Trichinella spiralis. In the case of animals immunized with DNP-BGG, no differences were observed in the proportion of asymmetric molecules between the specific antibodies and the IgG not specific for the immunizing antigen. It is concluded that the asymmetric glycosylation occurs to a different extent in each subclass and that it is not affected by the antigen specificity of the antibodies studied.

Asymmetrically glycosylated IgG isolated from non-immune human sera.

When human IgG or its F(ab')2 fragment purified from a pool of non-immune sera was passed through a Con A-Sepharose column, 12% of the molecules bound to concanavalin A. While 44% of Fab' and 72% of Fd' fragments obtained from F(ab')2 retained by concanavalin A and eluted with methyl alpha-D-mannoside bound to concanavalin A, the Fab' and Fd' fragments obtained from non-retained F(ab')2 and the L chains and Fc fragments did not interact with the lectin. Only Fd' fragment obtained from the F(ab')2 retained by concanavalin A inhibited the fixation of guinea-pig erythrocytes to concanavalin A. These results are similar to those previously observed for IgG antibodies of different animal species and indicate that partial asymmetric glycosylation is a general phenomenon that is not restricted exclusively to IgG molecules with known specificity.

[Production of coprecipitating antibody in rabbits immunized repeatedly with ovalbumin in different physical states]. / Producción de anticuerpo coprecipitante en conejos inmunizados a repetición con ovoalbumina en diferente estado físico.

A comparative study has been made of rabbit precipitating and coprecipitating anti-egg albumin antibody in rabbits repeatedly injected with soluble and particulate antigens. Four different antigens were used. a) Soluble egg albumin. b) Polymerized egg albumin. c) Egg albumin linked Brucella abortus 19 strain. d) Brucella abortus 19 strain. Rabbits were subcutaneously injected every 2 weeks during 29 weeks. Before each inoculation they were bled and the concentration of serum precipitating and coprecipitating antibodies was determined. In animals inoculated with the soluble antigen, coprecipitating antibodies were present during the whole course of the immune response and they constituted 10% of the total antibody population. In rabbits injected with particulate antigen (egg albumin linked Brucella abortus) coprecipitating antibodies were also present during the whole course of the immune response but their serum concentration was not the same in different periods of time. An increase in coprecipitating antibodies began at the 13th week reaching 50% of the total antibodies at the 28th week. Similar results had been obtained in rabbits injected with Brucella s. p. In animals inoculated with polymerized egg albumin, coprecipitating antibodies increased to high levels from the 1st to the 23rd week; during this period it constituted 50% of the total antibody population, after which, the animals became tolerogenic. On the basis of these results, the increase in coprecipitating antibodies in rabbit sera would be related to: 1) antigen physicochemical characteristics (soluble o particulate); 2) the number of epitopes in the particle, and 3) the size of the antigen particles.

Producción de anticuerpo coprecipitante en conejos inmunizados a repetición con ovoalbumina en diferente estado físico. / [Production of coprecipitating antibody in rabbits immunized repeatedly with ovalbumin in different physical states]

A comparative study has been made of rabbit precipitating and coprecipitating anti-egg albumin antibody in rabbits repeatedly injected with soluble and particulate antigens. Four different antigens were used. a) Soluble egg albumin. b) Polymerized egg albumin. c) Egg albumin linked Brucella abortus 19 strain. d) Brucella abortus 19 strain. Rabbits were subcutaneously injected every 2 weeks during 29 weeks. Before each inoculation they were bled and the concentration of serum precipitating and coprecipitating antibodies was determined. In animals inoculated with the soluble antigen, coprecipitating antibodies were present during the whole course of the immune response and they constituted 10

of the total antibody population. In rabbits injected with particulate antigen (egg albumin linked Brucella abortus) coprecipitating antibodies were also present during the whole course of the immune response but their serum concentration was not the same in different periods of time. An increase in coprecipitating antibodies began at the 13th week reaching 50

of the total antibodies at the 28th week. Similar results had been obtained in rabbits injected with Brucella s. p. In animals inoculated with polymerized egg albumin, coprecipitating antibodies increased to high levels from the 1st to the 23rd week; during this period it constituted 50

of the total antibody population, after which, the animals became tolerogenic. On the basis of these results, the increase in coprecipitating antibodies in rabbit sera would be related to: 1) antigen physicochemical characteristics (soluble o particulate); 2) the number of epitopes in the particle, and 3) the size of the antigen particles.