RoBo-1, a novel member of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor/CD59/Ly-6/snake toxin family selectively expressed in rat bone and growth plate cartilage.

Using differential display polymerase chain reaction, we cloned a novel cDNA named RoBo-1 from rat tibia. RoBo-1 is abundantly expressed in bone, including the hypertrophic chondrocytes of the growth plate where cartilage is remodeled into bone. RoBo-1 mRNA expression increased in response to two modulators of bone metabolism, estradiol and intermittent mechanical loading, suggesting a role in bone homeostasis. The 1.6-kilobase cDNA encodes a 240-amino acid protein with a cysteine spacing pattern, suggesting that RoBo-1 is a novel member of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor/CD59/Ly-6/snake toxin family. Furthermore, the C-terminal contains a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol attachment site, suggesting that it is a cell surface protein similar to other mammalian members of this family. The strongest homology of RoBo-1 is to the snake serum-derived phospholipase A2 inhibitors, which uniquely contain two of the cysteine domains but are secreted proteins. Interestingly, RoBo-1 is likely the first membrane-anchored member of this family containing two cysteine domains. Thus, the tissue specificity, responsiveness to bone protective mediators, along with its relationship to the multifunctional urokinase plasminogen activator receptor/CD59/Ly-6/snake toxin family suggests that RoBo-1 may play a novel role in the growth or remodeling of bone.

Anti-inflammatory activity of phosphodiesterase (PDE)-IV inhibitors in acute and chronic models of inflammation.

Inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases are known to suppress lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in vitro in human monocytes. The most potent of these have selectivity for type IV PDEs, suggesting that this class of PDE is the major type involved in the regulation of human TNF-alpha production. Using compounds of two distinct chemical structural classes, a quinazolinedione (CP-77059) and a 4 arylpyrrolidinone (rolipram), we show here that PDE-IV-specific inhibitors are also potent in suppressing LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in vitro in sodium periodate-elicited murine macrophages (IC50s of 1 and 33, respectively). We then report the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of PDE-IV inhibition in five murine models of inflammation: (i) elevation of serum TNF-alpha induced by a sublethal LPS injection; (ii) LPS-induced endotoxic shock; (iii) LPS/galactosamine-induced endotoxic shock; (iv) carrageenan-induced paw oedema; and (v) adjuvant arthritis. Following a sublethal (5 micrograms/mouse) injection of LPS, serum TNF-alpha levels in mice peaked sharply, reaching concentrations of 3-12 ng/ml 90 min after injection. In this sublethal LPS assay, CP-77059 was about 30 times more potent than rolipram, with a minimum effective dose of 0.1 mg/kg versus 3 mg/kg for rolipram. This rank order is in keeping with the relative in vitro IC50s for CP-77059 and rolipram, as well as their relative Ki against the human PDE-IV enzyme (46 nM and 220 nM, respectively). In LPS-induced endotoxic shock, rolipram and CP-77059 at relatively high doses of 30 and 10 mg/kg, respectively, significantly reduced serum TNF-alpha levels, and also inhibited mortality 66%. In the LPS/galactosamine shock model, in which mice are rendered exquisitely sensitive to LPS by co-injection with galactosamine, only 0.1 microgram of LPS/mouse is necessary for serum TNF-alpha elevation and death. Both rolipram and the CP-77059 caused dose-dependent reduction of serum TNF-alpha and lethality. In the carrageenan-induced paw oedema model, in which there is a pronounced local TNF-alpha response (without a serum TNF-alpha elevation), rolipram significantly inhibited paw swelling as well as localized TNF-alpha levels in the paw. In the adjuvant arthritis model, a chronic model of inflammation also possessing localized TNF-alpha elevation in the inflamed paw, rolipram and CP-77059 suppressed ankle swelling and radiological evidence of joint damage. These data are consistent with a major role for PDE-IV in regulation of TNF-alpha production and inflammatory responses in murine systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Elevated levels of TNF in the joints of adjuvant arthritic rats.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether local levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were elevated in chronically inflamed joints in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). We also wished to develop methodology for the quantitative measurement of joint TNF, and to examine the effects of known anti-inflammatory agents on joint TNF levels. TNF levels were measured in joints from AA rats taken during the systemic phase (day 20) of arthritic disease. Using the L929 bioassay, joint extracts from AA rats had significantly greater TNF levels (1054 +/- 147 pg/g tissue) than joint extracts from normal rats (110 +/- 42 pg/g tissue). Administration of ibuprofen failed to significantly inhibit TNF levels in the joint at a time point when paw swelling was significantly reduced. The immunomodulating agents, methotrexate, cyclosporin A (CSA) and HWA486 profoundly inhibited both joint TNF levels and paw swelling. The specificity of this assay for TNF was supported by studies with a polyclonal rabbit anti-mouse TNF antibody which neutralized 78-87% of the TNF activity in the joint extracts. Our studies demonstrate a quantitative increase in local TNF expression in adjuvant arthritis and support a role for TNF in chronic inflammation.