The specific NOS2 inhibitor, 1400W, sensitizes HepG2 cells to genotoxic, oxidative, xenobiotic, and endoplasmic reticulum stresses.

We tested the hypothesis that the constitutive activity of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) serves to protect cells against numerous endogenous stresses. To accomplish this, we treated HepG2 cell lines that were individually transfected with 13 different promoter/response element (RE) chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter constructs, with a highly selective NOS2 inhibitor, 1400W [N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl) acetamidine)]. HepG2 cells were incubated for 6 h with 0, 1, 10, 50, 100, and 200 microM 1400W, and the activation of the promoter/RE CAT reporter constructs was simultaneously determined. The highest fold inductions occurred at 200 microM 1400W, a concentration that had no effect on overall cell viability, as determined by the MTT assay. Twelve of the 13 promoter/RE CAT reporter constructs were significantly activated by 200 microM 1400W. These results indicate the extensive protective role of constitutive NOS2 against genotoxic, oxidative, and endoplasmic reticulum stresses. The mechanism of this protection may involve the complexing of iron by nitric oxide (NO) to reduce hydroxyl radical formation, NO inhibition of electron transport and the generation of reactive oxygen species within mitochondria, NO inhibition of cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P450 enzyme activity, and the scavenging of superoxide anions by NO to form peroxynitrite.

The NH2 terminus of titin spans the Z-disc: its interaction with a novel 19-kD ligand (T-cap) is required for sarcomeric integrity.

Titin is a giant elastic protein in vertebrate striated muscles with an unprecedented molecular mass of 3-4 megadaltons. Single molecules of titin extend from the Z-line to the M-line. Here, we define the molecular layout of titin within the Z-line; the most NH2-terminal 30 kD of titin is located at the periphery of the Z-line at the border of the adjacent sarcomere, whereas the subsequent 60 kD of titin spans the entire width of the Z-line. In vitro binding studies reveal that mammalian titins have at least four potential binding sites for alpha-actinin within their Z-line spanning region. Titin filaments may specify Z-line width and internal structure by varying the length of their NH2-terminal overlap and number of alpha-actinin binding sites that serve to cross-link the titin and thin filaments. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the NH2-terminal titin Ig repeats Z1 and Z2 in the periphery of the Z-line bind to a novel 19-kD protein, referred to as titin-cap. Using dominant-negative approaches in cardiac myocytes, both the titin Z1-Z2 domains and titin-cap are shown to be required for the structural integrity of sarcomeres, suggesting that their interaction is critical in titin filament-regulated sarcomeric assembly.

Ragweed sensitization alters pulmonary vascular responses to bronchoprovocation in beagle dogs.

In ragweed (RW)-sensitized beagle dogs, we tested the hypothesis that reactivity of the pulmonary vasculature was enhanced with aerosolized histamine (Hist) and RW. Seven dogs were neonatally sensitized with repeated intraperitoneal RW injections, and 12 dogs were controls (Con). The dogs were anesthetized with intravenous chloralose, mechanically ventilated, and instrumented with femoral arterial and pulmonary artery catheters. Specific lung compliance (CLsp), specific lung conductance (Gsp), systemic vascular resistance index, and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) were measured before and after bronchoprovocation with Hist and RW. After Hist inhalation (5 breaths of 30 mg/ml), both Con and RW dogs had significant (P < 0.05) decreases in CLsp (-51 +/- 4 and -53 +/- 5%, respectively) and Gsp (-65 +/- 5 and -69 +/- 3%, respectively), but only RW-sensitized dogs had a significant increase in PVRI (38 +/- 10%). After RW inhalation (60 breaths of 0.8 mg/ml), only RW-sensitized dogs had significant increases (62 +/- 20%) in PVRI and decreases in Gsp (-77 +/- 4%) and CLsp (-65 +/- 7%). We conclude that, compared with Con, RW-sensitized beagle dogs have increased pulmonary vasoconstrictive responses with Hist or RW inhalation.

The prophylactic effects of U75412E pretreatment in a smoke-induced lung injury rabbit model.

The effects of the lazaroid analogue U75412E (21-[4-(3-ethylamino-2-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]-16 alpha-methylpregna-1,4,9]-(11)-triene-3,20-dione) were examined in an acute lung injury rabbit model. Standard doses of 0, 8 and 16 mM U75412E were aerosolized and ventilated into the lungs for 3 min. via an endotracheal tube. A 60 tidal volume dose of diesel fuel-polycarbonate plastic smoke was then instilled, followed by mechanical ventilation for one hour. Pretreatment with 16 mM U75412E significantly increased blood PaO2 and pH values, and decreased blood PaCO2 as compared to smoke only exposures. It also significantly decreased the total cell counts and granulocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and the ability of pulmonary alveolar macrophages to produce tumour necrosis factor-alpha in vitro after cell isolation and culture. Histopathology indicated that 16 mM U75412E pretreatment attenuated increases in wet lung/body weight ratios, inflammatory focus, and interstitial oedema associated with smoke insult. In summary, U75412E pretreatment may possess the potential to improve acute smoke-induced lung injury, in part, through modulation of tumour necrosis factor-alpha production from pulmonary alveolar macrophages.

Serum can inhibit reversal of multidrug resistance by chemosensitisers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate to what extent the ability of various chemosensitisers (CS) to reverse P-glycoprotein-associated multidrug resistance (MDR) is reduced when tested in physiological serum protein concentrations. Utilising drug sensitivity and accumulation assays, the CS were tested in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and in 100% horse or human serum. Two RPMI 8226 human myeloma sublines were used which express different levels of P-glycoprotein. The CS were tested at various concentrations, including clinically achievable blood levels. When using the CS at high doses, wide differences were observed in the extent CS activity was diminished by serum. Verapamil, cyclosporin A and quinine were not affected, quinidine and medroxyprogesterone acetate were moderately inhibited, and amiodarone and trifluoperazine were largely inactivated. When the CS were used at concentrations achievable in humans, the activity of all agents except quinine was markedly reduced by serum. With respect to the extent to which CS activity was diminished by serum, good statistical correlation (r > 0.90, P < 0.001) was found between the use of cytotoxicity and drug accumulation assays, horse and human serum or cell lines with high and low levels of P-glycoprotein, respectively. These studies demonstrated that physiological serum protein concentrations can profoundly diminish the MDR reversing activity of particular CS. Some drugs, such as amiodarone and trifluoperazine, are largely inactivated by serum when used at a wide range of concentrations. Other agents, such as verapamil and cyclosporin A, are essentially unaffected when used at high doses but markedly inhibited at concentrations achievable in humans. These data suggest that in vitro studies of CS in medium containing low serum protein concentrations can result in misleading conclusions regarding the potential clinical activity of such agents.

An immunopathological study of herpes-associated erythema multiforme.

Any pathogenetic mechanism proposed for erythema multiforme (EM) must account for the prominent mononuclear cell infiltrate in the skin lesions. The purpose of this study was to characterize immunopathologically, with monoclonal antibodies to human leukocyte antigens, the inflammatory cells in early target lesions of recurrent herpes-associated EM. Cryostat sections of snap-frozen skin biopsies were studied by the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique with use of the following monoclonal antibodies: anti-HLA-DR, anti-Leu M5, anti-Leu 4 + 5b, anti-Leu 3a + 3b, anti-Leu 2a, anti-Leu 14, and anti-Leu 6. The dermal mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in the EM biopsies consisted of monocyte-macrophages and T-lymphocytes, with both helper and suppressor T cells present. Both the dermal inflammatory infiltrate and the overlying keratinocytes were strongly HLA-DR positive. No definite alteration of Langerhans cell number or distribution was noted. These findings are consistent with the characteristics seen in cell-mediated immune reactions in the skin and point to this as a likely immune mechanism for the tissue damage of EM.

Normal macrophage function in infants receiving Intralipid by low-dose intermittent administration.

The effect of soybean oil emulsion (Intralipid) therapy on serum complement levels was determined in infants who received Intralipid therapeutically (1 gm/kg over 12 hours, every other day). The effect of Intralipid on macrophage priming for increased superoxide anion production was studied in a mouse model. Intralipid administration did not affect either macrophage function. Serum levels of C2 and C4, complement components synthesized and secreted exclusively in macrophages, were not decreased either during the week the infants received Intralipid or in the week following administration. Macrophages from mice that had received Intralipid produced similar amounts of superoxide anion, as did macrophages from mice that had received saline solution. Our data suggest that macrophages in infants receiving Intralipid in this regimen will function normally.

Human peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages produce haemolytically active C3 in vitro.

The third component of complement (C3) synthesized by human monocyte-derived macrophages has been shown to have the same size and sub-unit structure as serum C3, but haemolytic activity has not been demonstrated. Human monocyte-derived macrophages were cultured from days 4 to 7 in medium without serum, and the conditioned medium was dialysed to remove inhibitors of the C3 assay and concentrated to enhance detection of low amounts of C3. Using these techniques C3 activity was detected routinely. The amount of C3 was 3.4 x 10(7) effective C3 molecules/ml of concentrated tissue culture medium (range 1.0-7.5 x 10(7)), and the number of C3 molecules synthesized by each cell was 4.4 x 10(5), assuming that each cell synthesized C3. The specific activity of the C3 synthesized by the monocytes was the same as the specific activity of C3 that had been purified from serum and then incubated with the cells and processed in the same manner as the monocyte media. Synthesis as the basis for the presence of the C3 activity in the medium was indicated by an inhibition of production of the C3 activity of 66 +/- 16% by cycloheximide, 2 micrograms/ml. Thus, human blood monocytes that migrate into areas of inflammation can mature into cells capable of producing C3 which can participate in the complement sequence and thus potentiate inflammation.

Contact with specific surfaces stimulates the production of the second component of complement (C2) in human peripheral blood monocytes via a lymphocyte factor.

Whole mononuclear cells plated on surfaces coated with the polymer, poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly-HEMA) produced significantly less C2 when compared to production by cells on tissue culture plastic dishes. The reduction in C2 production was dependent on the amount of poly-HEMA used to coat the dishes and was not due to nonspecific damage of the cells or effects of the poly-HEMA on the hemolytic activity of C2. T and B lymphocytes, but not monocytes, plated on tissue culture plastic produced a soluble factor that increased the production of C2 in freshly adherent monocytes. Lymphocytes plated on the poly-HEMA surface did not produce this soluble factor, which was termed surface-dependent factor (SDF). Whole mononuclear cells plated on poly-HEMA were able to respond to SDF by increasing C2 production by the same percentage as cells on the tissue culture plastic. This suggested that the primary basis for the decreased production of C2 by monocytes in the whole mononuclear cells plated on the poly-HEMA was decreased production of SDF by the lymphocytes. The effect of the poly-HEMA surface on C2 production was probably related to a generalized alteration in maturation of monocytes into macrophages, for SDF had the same type of effect on beta-glucosaminidase levels in monocytes as seen with C2, except that the magnitude of the effect was less. These studies suggest that interaction of lymphocytes with surfaces may modulate the function of the lymphocytes. In addition, interaction of lymphocytes with surfaces and the production of SDF in vivo may be responsible for enhancing maturation of monocytes in tissues.

Complement synthesis by guinea pig peritoneal macrophages: failure to detect chemical carcinogens.

In vitro production of the second and fourth components of complement (C2 and C4, respectively) by peritoneal macrophages from noninbred Hartley guinea pigs was tested after the animals had been inoculated with known carcinogens. The system demonstrated the capacity of N-nitrosodimethylamine to decrease C2 and C4 production. However, a similar decrease in C2 and C4 production was seen with only CCl4, 1 of the 10 chemical carcinogens studied. This system had little usefulness as a short-term screening procedure for the detection of carcinogenicity. The effect of the carcinogens on several other functions of peritoneal macrophages was also determined. The number of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) was significantly lower in carcinogen-inoculated animals than in solvent-inoculated controls for three carcinogens: BeSO4, P < 0.005; CHCl3, P < 0.025; and CCl4, P < 0.01. However, the capacity of the PEC to adhere to plastic was decreased by only CHCl3 (P < 0.05), and adherent cells from all guinea pigs produced normal amounts of total secreted protein.

Alteration of the structure and function of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages by a soybean oil emulsion.

Studies in humans who have received Intralipid (IL) have demonstrated the presence of a fat pigment and fat droplets in reticuloendothelial phagocytic cells. Clinical data and in vitro studies suggest that these cells do not function normally. We have studied the effect of IL on the morphology and function of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Starch-induced macrophages were exposed to IL for up to 48 hours. Ingestion of increasing amounts of IL over the 48-hour period was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and by oil red O stain. The uptake of the IL was associated with marked morphologic changes characterized by a decreased ability of the cells to spread and by a decrease in the number and degree of complexity of the membrane ruffles. The ingestion of IL also resulted in decreased capacity of the cells to associate with latex beads (5.7 mu in diameter) or Candida albicans and decreased capacity to adhere to and ingest sheep erythrocytes coated with IgG. After ingestion of latex beads 0.46 mu in diameter, which are similar in size to IL particles, macrophages had normal morphology and function, indicating that neither the morphologic nor functional abnormalities were due to a nonspecific effect of ingestion of small particles. Alterations of human reticuloendothelial macrophage function similar to the effects observed here could compromise host defense against infection.

Inhibition of in vitro synthesis of the second (C2) and fourth (C4) components of complement in guinea pig peritoneal macrophages by a soybean oil emulsion.

Recently a soybean oil emulsion (Intralipid) (IL) has been released in the United States for use as a parenteral nutrient. The study reported here was undertaken to determine the effect of ingestion of IL on the synthesis and secretion of the second (C2) and fourth (C4) components of complement by guinea pig peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Cells exposed to IL had extensive Oil Red 0-positive granular-appearing accumulations of neutral lipid within the cytoplasm. Control cells did not stain with Oil Red 0. Incubation of the cells with concentrations of IL from 2.3--37.5 mg/100 ml resulted in a significant decrease in the production of both C2 and C4, which could not be explained by variability between plates. The decrease in total C2 or C4 production by cells incubated with IL for 4 hr was similar to the decrease in production by cells incubated with IL for 48 hr. Several lines of evidence indicated that the decrease of C2 or C4 was the result of decreased synthesis of these proteins and not interference of IL with the detection of the proteins or their secretion from the cells. Exposure of the cells to IL at all concentrations caused reduction of the number of cells having pseudopodia and a rounding-up of the cells. IL did not affect the rate of detachment of the cells from the plates through the 48-hr incubation period or the ability of the cells to exclude trypan blue. Total protein synthesis and total lysozyme production by control and IL-treated cells was similar.